These movements were punctually directed in the manner described.
As the First and Third Corps d'Armée moved off to the right, Count Bülow considered it necessary to strengthen the Outposts of the Fourth Corps, so as to be prepared to meet the Enemy should the latter debouch from St Denis. He therefore ordered Colonel Hiller to take post in observation of this point, with six Battalions, a Regiment of Cavalry, half of a six pounder Battery, and two pieces of Horse Artillery.
About three o'clock in the afternoon, the Prussian Outposts reported that French Columns were advancing from St Denis, and that the Vedettes were already driven in. Colonel Hiller immediately pushed forward the Sharpshooters of two Battalions, as also two Squadrons of Cavalry, with two pieces of Horse Artillery. At the same time, the troops at Stains got under arms, and were prepared to support. A very brisk tiraillade ensued, although there was no cover for the Skirmishers on the plain, except the trees along the great road and the high corn, which served to conceal their approach. The Enemy had also sent Detachments towards Epinay and Pierrefitte; but at these points, as also in advance of Stains, the French were compelled to give way and to retire, without having succeeded in their object of forcing back the Prussian Outposts.
The main body of the Fourth Corps d'Armée remained, during the 30th, in its position at Le Bourget; its Advanced Guard, under General Sydow, was detached to the right, towards Argenteuil, to communicate with the Third Corps d'Armée. As the former was to move off on the following morning, it became necessary to hold the Outposts strictly on the defensive. Aubervilliers was the most open to attack. Two Companies were posted at the outlets, towards the French side; and in rear of these, two other Companies were formed in support. Still further to the rear was the main position; on which these troops, if overpowered, were to fall back. It lay along the Villages of Chantourterelle, Courneuve, and Merville, connected together by a water course lined with bushes, and consisting of separate Country Houses and Châteaux, mostly within walls, which had been loopholed for Tirailleurs. Six Battalions, chiefly extended in skirmishing order, were considered sufficient to occupy the whole of this line, as far as the high road from Le Bourget. Partial skirmishing, at a distance, was kept up; though, on the side of the Prussians, it was more for the purpose of diverting the attention of the Enemy, and concealing from him the general movement to the right. Bivouac fires were maintained during the night on the ground vacated by the different Corps, in order to deceive the Enemy by their apparent indication of the continued presence of the Prussian Army in front of the lines of St Denis.
On this day, the Advanced Guard of the Anglo-Allied Army (Vivian's Hussar Brigade) reached Vauderlan. The British Cavalry moved to Louvres.
Estorff's Cavalry, attached to the Second Corps, crossed the Oise at Creil, and proceeded by Chantilly to Luzarches. The Infantry of this Corps marched from Clermont to Chantilly.
The First Corps moved from its camp near St Martin Longeau, crossed the Oise at Pont St Maxence, and advanced until the head of the Column reached La Capelle, and its rear rested upon Senlis.
The Reserve moved from its camp, near Gournay, by Pont St Maxence, the head of the Column reaching Fleurines on the road to Senlis, and the rear resting upon Pont St Maxence.