The leaders had been gladdened by the arrival, at five o'clock, of a messenger from Pierre, saying that one of his messengers had come in from Tours, and that, up to seven o'clock in the evening, no troops had left that city.

It was, therefore, certain that the garrison of Saumur could receive no assistance from that quarter.
Breakfast was eaten, and the army then formed up in its divisions.
Mass was celebrated, and it then set out for Saumur.
In that town all was confusion and dismay.

The newly arrived generals were strangers alike to the town, its defences, and the troops they were to command.

In front of the works defending Saumur ran the river Dives, which fell into the Loire, a mile or so below the town.

It was crossed by a bridge; but so great was the confusion that, in spite of the representations of the civil authorities, no steps were taken either to cut or guard it.
It was not until three o'clock in the afternoon that the Vendeans approached the town, and General Menou sent two battalions of the line, one of volunteers, and eighty horse, under the orders of General Berthier, to take possession of a chateau in front of the position.