Thinking it was a bomb, they again scattered, and the General was obliged to ride along the line shouting "Courage, courage; it is the soup, my children." In the meantime a terrible mishap had occurred on the north of the Marne.

On Monday evening, General Trochu and General Ducrot slept at Vincennes.

The latter had issued an address, in which he informed his troops that he meant either to conquer or die.

During the night an exchange of shots had taken place across the river between the French and Prussian sharp-shooters.

Towards morning the latter had withdrawn.
At break of day the troops were drawn up ready to cross the river as soon as the engagement on the southern lines had diverted the attention of the enemy.