They at once relieved Marceau's division, which had been fighting all night, and renewed the attack.

The resistance was feeble.

A few hundred men disputed every foot of the way, and died with a consciousness that they had at least covered the retreat of the rest.
A hot pursuit was at once organised and, while all taken in the town were massacred at once, Westermann's cavalry pursued the fugitives in all directions, covering the plain with corpses, and pressing hard on the rear of the force that still held together.
Jean Martin had, the day before the Republican attack, gone with Leigh to la Rochejaquelein's quarters; and told him that he intended, if the town was captured by the enemy, to endeavour to save the life of his wife by flight.
"You are quite right," Rochejaquelein said warmly.

"I entirely approve of your determination.

As long as ten of my men hold together, it is my duty to remain with them; for I have accepted the position of their commander, and I must share their fate to the end.