Of the Anglo-Allied Army, the Advanced Guard (Vivian's Hussar Brigade) was at Mattignies, near the Somme, having its Picquets on that river.
The Second Division, the Nassau troops, and the British Cavalry, were encamped near Beauvois and Lanchy.
The First and Third Divisions, the Dutch-Belgian Infantry attached to the First Corps, and the Dutch-Belgian Cavalry, were encamped near Caulaincourt and Martin de Des Près.
The Fourth Division was encamped at Gouay.
The First British Brigade of Guards was at Peronne.
The Reserve, consisting of the Fifth and Sixth Divisions, the Brunswick troops, and the Reserve Artillery was encamped near Nourois, Magny, and Belle Englise.
The Pontoon Train was at Estrées.
The Duke of Wellington's Head Quarters were at Vermand.
The Second and Fourth Brigades of the First Prussian Corps d'Armée were at Chauny, not far from which was also the First Brigade. The Third Brigade, forming the Advanced Guard, was on the march to Compiegne.
The Third Corps was at Guiscard.
The Fourth Corps was at Ressons.
Prince Blücher's Head Quarters were at Genvry, near Noyon.
The French troops under d'Erlon were not far from Compiegne, on the road from Soissons. Those of the Third and Fourth Corps, under Vandamme, were at some point between Rheims and Soissons.
Grouchy's Head Quarters were at Soissons.
It was half past four o'clock in the morning of the 27th, when the Advanced Guard of the Prussian Corps d'Armée (the Third Brigade), after a forced march of about twenty five miles, reached Compiegne. General Jagow immediately posted his troops, in the most advantageous manner, in and about the town, so as to be prepared to meet any attack that the Enemy might make; and detached three Squadrons of the 1st Silesian Hussars upon the Soissons road, and the remaining Squadron upon the Paris road, in observation.
About five o'clock, by which time he had scarcely completed his arrangements, information reached him from the Hussars on the Soissons road that the Enemy was advancing. This was, as before remarked, Count d'Erlon, with the remains of his Corps d'Armée; from which circumstance it will be seen that if Zieten's Advanced Guard had arrived but a single half hour later, the French would have anticipated the Prussians in securing the Bridge of Compiegne.
From along the edge of the extensive Wood which adjoins this town, a fire was quickly opened by the French Skirmishers against the Prussian Picquets. Very shortly afterwards a Column of Infantry appeared advancing from their rear. A Half Battery of Prussian Horse Artillery, which had been posted on the Soissons road, in front of the Gate on that side of the town, having allowed the Column to approach within a suitable range, directed a fire upon it with such vigour and precision, that in a few moments more the mass rushed for shelter into the Wood.
Four French guns were now brought forward, and these replied to the Prussian Artillery; during which the Enemy moved through the Wood to his left. The Prussians concluded from this movement that he contemplated abandoning the attack in this quarter, for the purpose of assailing the lower and weaker side of the town, by the Crespy and Paris roads: but on renewing his advance, he soon showed that he was only masking his retreat; whereupon the 1st Silesian Hussars advanced along the road to Soissons in pursuit.
By the result of this affair, which lasted an hour and a half but was limited to a cannonade and mutual tiraillade, the French were foiled in their attempt to cover their retreat by securing Compiegne, and checking the advance of the Prussians along the Oise.
The Third Prussian Brigade, however, which had continually formed the Advanced Guard of the First Corps d'Armée since the Battle of Waterloo, was too much exhausted by its efforts during the previous day and night, to attempt seriously to molest the Enemy during his retreat; a circumstance of which the latter failed not to take advantage. Zieten decided upon relieving these troops from the duties of an Advanced Guard by the Second Brigade; which, however, had not yet come up: and hence the French gained some valuable time.
The main body of Zieten's Corps did not reach Compiegne until mid day.
Blücher, who had already arrived there, ordered that the Advanced Guard (now consisting of the Second Brigade) and the Reserve Cavalry, preceded by one hundred Riflemen, should march through the Wood towards Villers Cotterets, followed by the main body of the Corps; it having been his intention to throw these troops upon the Enemy's line of retreat, in the event of the Advanced Guard falling in with French troops at or near that point.