three o'clock
Only a few minutes previous to this the latter had written to the Emperor : `` Sire , come and put yourself at the head of your troops ; they will force a passage through the enemy 's lines for you , or perish in the attempt ; '' therefore he flew into a furious passion at the mere mention of the word armistice . No , no ! he would sign nothing , he would fight it out ! This was about half-past three o'clock , and it was shortly afterward that occurred the gallant , but mad attempt , the last serious effort of the day , to pierce the Bavarian lines and regain possession of Bazeilles . In order to put heart into the troops a ruse was resorted to : in the streets of Sedan and in the fields outside the walls the shout was raised : `` Bazaine is coming up ! Bazaine is at hand ! '' Ever since morning many had allowed themselves to be deluded by that hope ; each time that the Germans opened fire with a fresh battery it was confidently asserted to be the guns of the army of Metz .