On the north, between Amanvillers and Ste.

Marie-aux-Chenes, the defence had fewer strong points except those villages, the Jaumont Wood, and the gradual slope of the ground away to the little River Orne, which formed an open glacis.

Bazaine massed his reserves on the plateau of Plappeville and to the rear of his left wing; but this cardinal fault in his dispositions--due to his haunting fear of being cut off from Metz--was long hidden by the woods and slopes in the rear of his centre.

The position here and on the French left was very strong, and at several parts so far concealed the troops that up to 11 A.M.the advancing Germans were in doubt whether the French would not seek to break away towards the north-west.

That so great an army would remain merely on the defensive, a course so repugnant to the ardour of the French nature and the traditions of their army, entered into the thoughts of few.
Yet such was the case.