From Montmirail a road led northward to Chateau Thierry and the crossing of the Marne, behind which Macdonald had been driven by Yorck, with perhaps fifteen thousand more.
The Emperor decided to seize Montmirail, throw out a corps to hold back Yorck on the northern road, while he crushed Sacken on the other with the remainder of the army, except one corps, which he would leave at Champaubert to delay Bluecher's advance.

These army corps were in reality nothing more than weak divisions, less than seven thousand strong.
Early in the afternoon Marteau, with old Bullet-Stopper and the little squadron of Maurice's cavalry, had rejoined the Emperor.

He had been greatly refreshed by his night's sleep.

He had taken advantage of the early hours of the morning to bury his father and sister, saying such prayers as he could remember, in default of the parish priest, who had been murdered.

The Emperor having sent a courier with an escort back to Nogent, the Countess Laure and her English friend had elected to go with them.