field-artillery was on Ailly-sur-Noye. The 15th Infantry Division (General Kummer) was along the La Luce river. The cavalry (Lieutenant-General Graf von der Gröben) was on flank-guard from Rosières to Chaulnes. Skirmish on Querrieu, 20 December General-Major von Mirus in command of the 6th Cavalry Brigade staying in Amiens for two days, sent a strong reconnaissance party consisting of a cavalry troop, an infantry battalion and a field artillery battery, to Querrieu village. Reaching the La Gorgue wood skirt, the party knocked against a French outpost and, sustained by its artillery, joined a lengthy battle. Two French battalions strenuously fought back, so much that General Du Dessol launched three companies coming from Bussy-lès-Daours to the right flank of the enemy, who is constrained to a withdrawal towards the Alençons farm, then to Amiens. In this battle the Prussians lost 3 officers and 69 men killed or wounded; French casualties were 7 dead and 20 wounded. Battle on the Hallue valley, 23 December Succeeding to General Steinmetz, General Manteuffel, recently appointed at the head of the 1st Prussian Army, arrived in Amiens on 22 December and gave the offensive order for the next day at 8 a.m.: The 15th Division must attack straight to the river, following an axle materialized by the Albert and Corbie roads. The 16th Division, by the roads in the north of Arras road, must outflank the right-wing of French troops. An infantry Brigade is kept in reserve. Part of the cavalry Division must carry out the touch between the 15th and the 16th Divisions. Fresh supplies of troops, shall be launched in the battle as soon as their arrival. French dispositions remain unchanged. The battle is going to stretch out across a front line of wide and s deep, on snow-covered ground and an icy temperature increased by a wind blowing from the north. Arms Guns The French used the Chassepot model 1866, breech-loading gun, with paper cartridges and 11mm bullets. The Prussians used the Dreize created in 1848, breech-loading gun, with paper cartridges and 15mm bullets. Cannons The French used cannons made in bronze dating from the Napoleonic period, loading from the muzzle, and iron inner-tubes ones, model 1858. They also use canons à balles (machine-guns) able to project 25 bullets. The Prussians used Krupp breech-loading cannons and shrapnel shells. Prussian offensive The 8th Prussian Corps started on its way on 23 December at 8 a.m.