The Battle of Hallue was a battle of the Franco-Prussian War on 23 and 24 December 1870. The battle was fought between 40,000 French under General Louis Faidherbe and 22,500 Prussian troops under Edwin Freiherr von Manteuffel. The French lost heavily in the village lying in front of their position. However, the Prussians were unable to carry the entrenchments on the heights. After the attack was repulsed, the French assumed the offensive, but with no decisive result. One thousand French soldiers were killed, and 1,300 were imprisoned. About 927 German troops were killed and wounded. French Northern Army After the fall of Amiens on 27 November 1870 and its occupation by the Prussian Army, the French Northern Army fell back towards Doullens and Bapaume to build up its strength again. It received a fresh supply of troops, allowing it to turn out three divisions. General Faidherbe, lately entrusted with the command of this army, at once gave guiding rules and orders. He sent General Lecointe towards Saint-Quentin with the mission to act on the Haute Somme. Four battalions, including one of light-infantry and a battery of 4, succeeded, on 9 December, in taking possession of Ham and its fortress. Faidherbe, coming on the place, gave the order to withdraw and go towards Amiens. On 17 December the Northern Army, regrouped, came settling to the Hallue valley from Bavelincourt to Daours. The troops (about 43,000 men) were divided into two army corps: The 22nd, with two divisions commanded by Major-General Derroja and Major-General Du Dessol The 23rd, with also two divisions commanded by Rear-Admiral Moulac and Major-General Robin These troops were billeted in all the villages of the valley and outposts settled on a line passing through the woods of Saint-Gratien, Allonville and Querrieu (La Gorgue). French Army tactical positions on 19 December The 1st Division occupied Vadencourt, Bavelincourt, Beaucourt and Béhencourt, keeping up the road to Arras. The 2nd Division kept Querrieu, Pont-Noyelles, Bussy, Daours and Vecquemont. The 3rd Division was in reserve; its 1st Brigade kept watch over the Somme River, on Corbie and Fouilloy and detached a regiment on Lahoussoye. The 4th Division in the making up, was put up around Corbie. Prussian Army At the same time, General von der Goeben, chief commander of the 8th Prussian Corps, set: The 32nd Brigade (General De Rex) into Amiens. The 31st Brigade was just arriving on Sains and the