As we have said, the German plan was to turn the French right wing in the more open country on the north.

To this end the Prussian Guards and the Saxons, after driving the French outposts from Ste.

Marie-aux-Chenes, brought all their strength to the task of crushing the French at their chief stronghold on the right, St.
Privat.

The struggle of the Prussian Guards up the open slope between that village and Amanvillers left them a mere shadow of their splendid array; but the efforts of the German artillery cost the defenders dear: by seven o'clock St.Privat was in flames, and as the Saxons (the 12th corps), wheeling round from the north after a long flank-march, closed in on the outlying village of Raucourt, Canrobert saw that the day was lost unless he received prompt aid from the Imperial Guard.

Bourbaki, however, brought up only some 3000 of these choice troops, and that too late to save St.Privat from the persistent fury of the German onset.
As dusk fell over the scene of carnage the French right fell back in some disorder, even from part of Amanvillers.