Although initially successful, Garibaldi's army was eventually crushed by the German Infantry under General August von Werder, and pushed back to Autun.

[10][11] After the victory of the German army at Dijon General Keller's brigade - consisting of troops from Baden - was ordered to launch an attack on Autun in order to probe the base of operations of the Army of the Vosges, their resources, as well as their connection to the French rulers.

New French forces had appeared in the Saône valley where a German detachment at Nuits St. Georges was "handled", which probably pressured Werder to issue the retreat order.

[8] General Crémer, having heard from Garibaldi and hastily dragging his division to Bligny sur Ouche, suddenly seized the slopes of the Chateauneuf, and sent his troops to les Bordes.

His force consisted of 7 battalions, several detachments of the Freedom Corps, an Armstrong battery and several mountain guns.