Consequently, the German force moved across Comte and on to Autun, in the west of Burgundy, without meeting with any opposition.

Then they marched rapidly down.

The bridges upon the Loire were all held; but one of the French officers, who knew the country, discovered a ford by which a portion of the army crossed.

The main body laid siege to the town of La Chants, and compelled it to surrender, thus gaining a bridge by which they crossed the Loire.
As the enemy were now in great force, in front of them; they turned to the southwest, several messengers being sent off to appoint a fresh meeting place with Coligny; and skirting the hills of Bourbonais, Auvergne, and Limousin, they at last arrived within a day's march of Limoges; the journey of five hundred miles, through a hostile country, being one of the most remarkable in military history.
That evening Admiral Coligny and his staff rode into camp, having arrived with his army at Limoges.

The Duc had been for some time suffering from fever; and had, for the last week, been carried in a litter, being unable to sit his horse.