What had been a triumphant advance was turned into a retreat.

The retreat bade fair to be a disaster, but the Russians, as has been noted, were splendid defensive soldiers.

They formed squares.

Although regiment after regiment had been ridden over and beaten to pieces, those who remained fought stubbornly.
Sacken perceived now that his only hope was to effect a junction with Yorck.

He withdrew his men under cover of his artillery to Vieux-Maisons, and began to lead them by the left flank, at the same time sending frantic messages to Yorck, imploring him to hasten.