eight o'clock
Nansouty , attended by his staff and the young officer , galloped to the head of the column , gave the word of command and the gallant horsemen trotted down the road . They had been posted near Fromentières , about two miles from Champaubert , for the night . The roads were bad , but they took to the fields , and by six o'clock they had passed through the town of Montmirail , easily driving out a few straggling battalions which occupied it . By eight o'clock they were in touch with the columns of Sacken at Vieux Maisons . A bit of woodland covered their approach . It was not until they were almost upon them that Sacken 's advance came in touch with them . The French horse followed the Russian outposts and advance guards at a gallop back to the main column , upon which they fell impetuously .