These will generally lead their own villagers, and their authority is far greater than that which any layman could obtain over them.

I must appoint a leader to each body to direct their general movements; the village chiefs will do the rest." While the count had been absent several other gentlemen of good family had arrived in the village, some marching in with the peasants on their estates.

Three of these were appointed to lead the three bands destined for the flank and rear attacks.

The next three hours were devoted to the distribution of provisions and ammunition, each man taking four days' supply of the former, and receiving sufficient powder and bullets for forty rounds of the latter.

All were ordered to be in readiness to march two hours before daybreak.
The count then retired to his quarters, and there pointed out on the map to the three divisional leaders the spots where he intended to make a stand, and gave them instructions as to their respective shares of the operations.