Protestantism in France From Death of Francis I to Edict of Nantes - James Aitken Wylie

Coliguy, though serving as Conde's lieutenant,
was the master-genius and director of the
campaign. His strength of character, his long
training in military affairs, his resource, his
prudence, his indomitable resolution, all marked
him out as the man pre-eminently qualified to lead,
although the notions of the age required that such
an enterprise should be graced by having as its
ostensible head a prince of the blood. Coligny,
towering above the other princes and nobles around
Conde, inspired the soldiers with confidence, for
they knew that he would lead them to victory, or if
that were denied, that he could do what may seem
more difficult, turn defeat into triumph. His
sagacious eye it was that indicated Orleans as the
true center of the Huguenot strategy. Here, with the
broad stream of the Loire rolling in front of their
position, and the friendly provinces of the south
lying behind it, they would lack neither provisions
nor soldiers. Supplies to any amount would be
poured into their eamp by the great highway of the
river, and they could recruit their army from the
enthusiastic populations in their rear. But further,
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