The latter had, almost from the commencement of the war, intrigued against every general concerned in the operations, especially against Kleber.

He was himself utterly without military talent, and owed his position simply to his devotion to the Convention, and his readiness to denounce the men who failed to satisfy its anticipations of an easy victory, or who showed the slightest repugnance to execute its barbarous decrees.
With the exception of some three thousand men, who marched at the head of the Vendean column, the fugitives were now utterly disheartened.

Many hid their muskets and, cutting sticks, thought that, being no longer armed, they would not be molested by the enemy.

Each night numbers stole away, in groups of twos and threes, in the hope of finding a boat on the bank of the river.

Others scattered among the villages, their appearance exciting compassion; but fear of the troops was more powerful, and the men for the most part were seized and held prisoners.
Of the hundred thousand men, women, and children who had crossed the Loire, more than half were dead.