Horses, waggons, and dead bodies impeded their flight, and Le Mans was one scene of carnage and terror.

Their leaders stood their ground, and kept the great square of Le Mans for more than four hours, performing prodigies of valour.

But the republicans at last were victors: and horribly did they pursue their advantage; sparing neither age nor sex, and exulting in the most atrocious cruelties.

The peasants of Le Mans and its environs, taking part with the stronger side, pursued the vanquished with disgraceful energy, and murdered the unfortunate Vendeeans in the woods and fields, and in every retreat where those devoted people sought shelter and safety.
The state of the unfortunate women, whose husbands, sons, and fathers were being slaughtered with every volley which rung in their ears, is horrible to imagine.

Madame de la Roche-Jaquelin thus describes her own position in moving language: "From the beginning, we foresaw the result of the struggle.