Dictionary of Battles / From the Earliest Date to the Present Time

by Thomas Benfield Harbottle

Colombey (Franco-German War).

Fought August 11, 1870, between the retiring French army, and the advance guard of the First German Army Corps under von Steinmetz. The French maintained most of their positions, but two of their divisions were overthrown, and Bazaine's retreat on Verdun was seriously delayed. The French lost about 7,000; the Germans 222 officers and 5,000 men.