Then Westermann's cavalry charged into the town, carrying dismay among its defenders; but la Rochejaquelein and his officers soon reanimated them, and the cavalry were driven out of the town, itself.

They and the infantry that had come up were able, however, to maintain themselves in the suburbs.
By this time la Rochejaquelein was aware that the armies of Brest, Cherbourg, and the west were all upon him.

All through the night the battle went on, without interruption.

The Republican columns could gain no ground, and were frequently obliged to give way; but behind the Vendean line of defence, panic was gaining ground among the fugitives.

Three or four thousand escaped by the road to Laval, but the retreat of the rest was cut off by the cavalry.
In the morning, Kleber's division came up.