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

by Thomas Benfield Harbottle

Laon (Allied Invasion of France).

This fortress, held by the allies under Blucher, was attacked May 9, 1814, by the French under Ney and Marmont. Ney seized two of the suburbs, but Marmont, failing to support him as promised, he could not make good his footing. During the night the allies attacked and routed Marmont, and on the 10th Ney, after hard fighting, was forced to yield the ground he had gained. The French lost about 6,000 men; the allies 5,000.