eight o'clock
General Canclaux believed that he had so strengthened his advanced position , which was occupied by his best troops , that he would be able to repulse Cathelineau 's force there . The Vendeans , however , being informed by the peasantry of the formidable nature of the intrenchments , decided that it would be dangerous to attack them ; and consequently moved round so as to threaten the town from the north . Charette , on his side , moved his force up within cannon shot of the bridge . At eight o'clock on the evening of the twenty-seventh , the sound of heavy firing was heard in Nantes . A column of the Vendeans had attacked Nort , a place lying to the north of the town . It was defended by six hundred troops of the line , and a body of the National Guard . They maintained themselves there during the night but , at daybreak , fell back upon the town , leaving their cannon behind them .