three o'clock in the afternoon
The newly arrived generals were strangers alike to the town , its defences , and the troops they were to command . In front of the works defending Saumur ran the river Dives , which fell into the Loire , a mile or so below the town . It was crossed by a bridge ; but so great was the confusion that , in spite of the representations of the civil authorities , no steps were taken either to cut or guard it . It was not until three o'clock in the afternoon that the Vendeans approached the town , and General Menou sent two battalions of the line , one of volunteers , and eighty horse , under the orders of General Berthier , to take possession of a chateau in front of the position . Two hundred and fifty men were posted in a convent near it . Santerre commanded the force which was to defend the intrenchments at Nantilly , and Coustard the troops who occupied the heights of Bourlan . At four o'clock the skirmishers on both sides were hotly engaged .