We were expecting orders to retire in our turn, but eventually received instructions to pass the night here. A battalion of infantry had been sent to support us, and the men deployed in skirmishing order and took up positions about two hundred yards from the park, which we had had to form on the spot.
We heard that in front of us not a single French unit remained. We were at the mercy of a cavalry night attack.
Thursday, September 10
After yesterday's engagement we had expected a furious cannonade to begin at dawn. But not a sound was heard. The sun illuminated the plain and the slopes upon which we were waiting for the enemy in firing position. Not a single gun was fired, and we began to grow surprised and uneasy.
A Lieutenant-Colonel at the head of a passing column recognized the Major and hailed him.
"Hallo! Solente!"
"Hallo!"
"How are you?"
"I'm all right, thanks."
"What's your Group doing there?"