Two hundred and fifty men were posted in a convent near it.

Santerre commanded the force which was to defend the intrenchments at Nantilly, and Coustard the troops who occupied the heights of Bourlan.
At four o'clock the skirmishers on both sides were hotly engaged.
The Vendeans advanced in three columns--the central one against the post occupied by Berthier, the left against Nantilly, and the right threatened to turn the position at Beaulieu.
Berthier allowed the force advancing against him to approach within a short distance of the chateau, and then poured a storm of grape into it, from a battery that he had established.

Lescure, who was in command, was badly wounded.

The head of the column fell into confusion, and Berthier at once attacked them, with his two regiments of the line, and for a time pressed the column back.

His little body of cavalry, whom he had ordered to charge, fell back as soon as the Vendeans opened fire upon them; and the latter then attacked the line battalions, with such fury that Berthier was obliged to call up his regiment of volunteers.