Battle of Pesmes

Battle

On December 16, 1870, a company of the Landwehr militia was sent to Pesmes with engineers, in order to destroy the bridge over the river Ognon. They met strong resistance from the two French battalions defending the Ognon crossing, delaying their attempts. The following day, December 17, the Prussians sent a larger force: 7 companies of the 25th Regiment, a German Uhlan lance cavalry, and a battery of heavyweight artillery. The French opened fire on one of the cavalrymen, but retreated back across the river when the Prussians began throwing grenades towards them.

The German army then advanced to capture Pesmes, with part of the forces crossing the Ognon and engaging the French in villages and forests, forcing a further French retreat and inflicting casualties.

On the afternoon of December 18, the German outpost at Ognon was counter-attacked by the French. However, the German army was able to break their advance. The French army suffered multiple casualties, including their commander.

After the fighting, the German army remained in Pesmes until December 20, when, having completed the demolition of the bridge over the river, they withdrew from their temporary defensive positions.