On November 9, 1870, the Army of the Loire of France by d'Aurelle de Paladines commanding army defeated the Bavarians under the command of Lieutenant General of the Infantry Von der Tann in the Battle of Coulmiers, forcing the Bavarians to reel from Orléans. The French could not pursue, but d'Aurelle became a threat to the German Siege of Paris. Facing the situation, the German High Command ordered Prince Friedrich Karl to quickly march from Metz to Loire. After much maneuvering, he pulled through Sens, Bambouillet, Nemours, and Pithiviers. Now the goal of the Prince-Marshal of Prussia was to join forces with the legion of Friedrich Franz II, Grand Duke of Mecklenburg-Schwerin, between Toury and Prithiviers. At that time, his army would be deployed to the north of the French to drive d'Aurelle to the left bank of the Loire.