Battle of Beaumont (1794)
Encyclopedia
The Battle of Beaumont-en-Cambresis 26th April 1794 (sometimes referred to as the Battle of Coteau, or in France the Battle of Troisvilles) was an action forming part of a multi-pronged attempt to relieve the besieged fortress of Landrecies
, during the Flanders Campaign
of the French Revolutionary War. The British and Austrians under the Duke of York
defeated a French advance northwards from Cambrai
commanded by René Chapuis
.
lay besieging the republican held fortress of Landrecies
, covered by a field army that stretched in a semi-circle from Maroilles in the East to Catillon, Le Cateau and towards Cambrai on the right. The right wing at Le Cateau was under the command of the Duke of York.
The French Armée du Nord commanded by Charles Pichegru
had been greatly bolstered during the winter by new recruits thanks to the Levee en Masse
instigated the previous year by the Revolutionary government. With the situation for Landrecies critical Pichegru launched a multi-pronged relief attempt against the besieging army.
Three French divisions were involved in the offensive. In the east Louis Charbonnier (30,000 men) was ordered to advance against the opposing forces of Kaunitz. Jean Henri Becays Ferrand (45,000 men) was to advance from Guise to attack the east and south of the covering force, and finally at Cambrai René Chapuis
(30,000 men) would attack the British under Prince Frederick, Duke of York at the western end of the line.
The attacks were all launched simultaneously on 26th April but were uncoordinated. In the East 22,000 of Charbonnier's men under Jacques Pierre Fromentin attacked the Allied positions at Maroilles
and Prisches
and after a long struggle captured Prisches, severing communications between Josef Alvinczi to the north and Franz Kinsky to the south. Alvinczi was wounded twice and command devolved upon the youthful Archduke Charles
who led a counterattack which recovered ground and drove the French over the Little Helpe.
To the south Bellegarde defending the line from Oisy to Nouvion was attacked by another 23,000 French troops, but the victory at Prisches enabled the Archduke to send troops to his aid and this attack too was repulsed .
This left the fate of the third column.
at Villers-en-Cauchies
.
Chapuis left Cambrai with nearly 30,000 men in two colums consisting of the Cambrai garrison and part of Goguet's Division and advanced towards Le Cateau through a thick morning fog. The larger column moved directly along the high road from Cambrai to Le Cateau, the smaller 4,000 strong second column moved parallel two miles to the south through the villages of Ligny-en-Cambrésis
and Bertry
. Before him the British lines were strung out across a ridge running south and facing Inchy
, Troisvilles
and Bertry. Suddenly the sound of musketry signaled the arrival of French columns looming out of the mist, and the allied advanced posts fell back in confusion through the village of Troisvilles. The French then deployed slowly and awkwardly while the alarm was raised, with the southern column moving to its left to join the battle near Troisvilles. For about two hours the French manoevered ineffectively in front of the British position while York's command planned a counter-move.
York came galloping up from Le Cateau and took station on the ridge (either in a redoubt or at a mill, accounts differ), and was presently joined by Otto. As the fog lifted one of them (probably York) noticed that the French left was exposed 'in the air' and vulnerable to an outflanking movement. Orders were given to assemble a huge force of 18 squadrons of Austrian and British cavalry unseen on the right flank in a hidden fold between Inchy and Bethencourt
to attempt to roll up the French left wing.
York repeated tactics that had worked well for him at the action at Vaux the previous week. While the turning force was assembling under Otto, the artillery under Sir William Congreve
were ordered to keep up a regular fire to the front in order to draw French attention in that direction. Light troops were sent to engage the French left. Just before the attack began York ordered his light troops in front of Troisvilles to fall back through the village, which further encouraged the French infantry to follow up triumphantly.
Otto's flanking cavalry meanwhile were drawn up in three lines, the first consisting of six squadrons of Zeschwitz Cuirasiers (Austrian) under Prince Schwarzenberg
, the second line of John Mansel's Dragoon brigade (i.e. 2 squadrons each of the Blues
, the Royals and the 3rd Dragoon Guards
)(British), and the third line of the 1st
and 5th Dragoon Guards
plus the 16th Light Dragoons (British).
Two days earlier Mansel's brigade had failed to support Otto at Villers-en-Cauchies, apparently due to a communication error, however although Mansel was officially cleared of responsibility a cloud nevertheless hung over the brigade, which was eager to redeem its honour. Before the attack York rode up to the head of the brigade, reminding it how he was 'displeased' with its conduct two days previously, but had every confidence it would 'regain its credit'.
With wild cheering the allied cavalry whirled down upon the left and rear of the French. Artillery and infantry hastily wheeled about to face the charge with canister and musketry, but made little impact on the avalanche of cavalry, which swept through the French ranks from left to right, sabres flashing. "We could observe from the camp several of our squadrons charging through the French cavalry, then through the French infantry, after which they would wheel round, and charge back again in the same manner, so that it was impossible for the enemy to rally or collect their terrified troops" Within a few minutes the French command was a confused mass of fleeing men.
), struck down by three wounds, lying naked in a ditch with his throat cut or beheaded by a cannonball York's report says "Some time after the affair was over his body was found by some of the Skirmishers considerably in front of the main body of the Cavalry with a musket shot through the breast and the throat cut. His epaulets were cut off and his pockets rifled. His son likewise who was a very fine lad is missing and no tidings whatsoever have been heard of him" Mansel's son had in fact been taken prisoner by the retreating French.
Mansel's son, taken prisoner by the retreating French as he tried to save his father's life was later exchanged and declared that during the battle "there was not, on the 26th, a single French soldier left in the town" as Chapuis had drawn out the whole garrison of Cambrai to support the attack on Inchy. Had this been known at the time a detachment could easily have walked into Cambrai as the French retreated by a very circuitous route
In Otto's command the Austrians reported a loss of 9 officers, 228 men and 208 horses, the British six officers, 156 men and 289 horses killed, wounded and missing. The overall Allied loss was just under 1,500 men.
The French historian Coutanceau offers this tribute: "The decisive day of the campaign: it shows an army, immobilized in front of a fortress, being out-manoeuvred and turned by an active and enterprizing enemy, propelled by the invincible spirit of the offensive.'
Landrecies
Landrecies is a commune in the Nord department in northern France.It is the site of a skirmish between the British I Corps under Douglas Haig and the German Fifth Army on 25 August 1914.-Heraldry:-People:...
, during the Flanders Campaign
Flanders Campaign
This feature refers to the conflict that took place during the Wars of the French Revolution 1792–1801.For the Low Countries campaigns of the War of the Grand Alliance 1688–97 see Nine Years' War...
of the French Revolutionary War. The British and Austrians under the Duke of York
Prince Frederick, Duke of York and Albany
The Prince Frederick, Duke of York and Albany was a member of the Hanoverian and British Royal Family, the second eldest child, and second son, of King George III...
defeated a French advance northwards from Cambrai
Cambrai
Cambrai is a commune in the Nord department in northern France. It is a sub-prefecture of the department.Cambrai is the seat of an archdiocese whose jurisdiction was immense during the Middle Ages. The territory of the Bishopric of Cambrai, roughly coinciding with the shire of Brabant, included...
commanded by René Chapuis
René-Bernard Chapuy
René-Bernard Chapuy was a French soldier and General who served in the Caribbean, American War of Independence and Wars of the French Revolution.-Career:...
.
Background
In April 1794 the allied army under CoburgCoburg
Coburg is a town located on the Itz River in Bavaria, Germany. Its 2005 population was 42,015. Long one of the Thuringian states of the Wettin line, it joined with Bavaria by popular vote in 1920...
lay besieging the republican held fortress of Landrecies
Landrecies
Landrecies is a commune in the Nord department in northern France.It is the site of a skirmish between the British I Corps under Douglas Haig and the German Fifth Army on 25 August 1914.-Heraldry:-People:...
, covered by a field army that stretched in a semi-circle from Maroilles in the East to Catillon, Le Cateau and towards Cambrai on the right. The right wing at Le Cateau was under the command of the Duke of York.
The French Armée du Nord commanded by Charles Pichegru
Charles Pichegru
Jean-Charles Pichegru was a French general and political figure of the French Revolution and Revolutionary Wars.-Early life and career:...
had been greatly bolstered during the winter by new recruits thanks to the Levee en Masse
Levée en masse
Levée en masse is a French term for mass conscription during the French Revolutionary Wars, particularly for the one from 16 August 1793.- Terminology :...
instigated the previous year by the Revolutionary government. With the situation for Landrecies critical Pichegru launched a multi-pronged relief attempt against the besieging army.
Three French divisions were involved in the offensive. In the east Louis Charbonnier (30,000 men) was ordered to advance against the opposing forces of Kaunitz. Jean Henri Becays Ferrand (45,000 men) was to advance from Guise to attack the east and south of the covering force, and finally at Cambrai René Chapuis
René-Bernard Chapuy
René-Bernard Chapuy was a French soldier and General who served in the Caribbean, American War of Independence and Wars of the French Revolution.-Career:...
(30,000 men) would attack the British under Prince Frederick, Duke of York at the western end of the line.
The attacks were all launched simultaneously on 26th April but were uncoordinated. In the East 22,000 of Charbonnier's men under Jacques Pierre Fromentin attacked the Allied positions at Maroilles
Maroilles, Nord
Maroilles is a commune in the Nord department in northern France.-Heraldry:-References:*...
and Prisches
Prisches
Prisches is a commune in the Nord department in northern France.-Heraldry:-References:*...
and after a long struggle captured Prisches, severing communications between Josef Alvinczi to the north and Franz Kinsky to the south. Alvinczi was wounded twice and command devolved upon the youthful Archduke Charles
Archduke Charles
Archduke Charles of Austria commonly refers to Archduke Charles, Duke of Teschen .The title may also refer to:*Archduke Carl Christian of Austria *Archduke Carl Ludwig of Austria *Archduke Charles Joseph of Austria...
who led a counterattack which recovered ground and drove the French over the Little Helpe.
To the south Bellegarde defending the line from Oisy to Nouvion was attacked by another 23,000 French troops, but the victory at Prisches enabled the Archduke to send troops to his aid and this attack too was repulsed .
This left the fate of the third column.
Battle
General Chapuis had already clashed with the Duke of York, two days earlier part of his command had been repulsed with great loss by just 4 squadrons of light cavalry under Rudolf Ritter von OttoRudolf Ritter von Otto
Rudolf Ritter von Otto began his military career in the army of the Kingdom of Saxony, transferred to the Austrian army and had a distinguished combat record during the Seven Years War and the French Revolutionary Wars.-Early career:...
at Villers-en-Cauchies
Battle of Villers-en-Cauchies
In the Battle of Villers-en-Cauchies, fought on 24 April 1794, a small Anglo-Austrian cavalry force routed a vastly more numerous French division during the Flanders Campaign of the French Revolutionary Wars...
.
Chapuis left Cambrai with nearly 30,000 men in two colums consisting of the Cambrai garrison and part of Goguet's Division and advanced towards Le Cateau through a thick morning fog. The larger column moved directly along the high road from Cambrai to Le Cateau, the smaller 4,000 strong second column moved parallel two miles to the south through the villages of Ligny-en-Cambrésis
Ligny
Ligny is a village in the municipality of Sombreffe . It is known as the site of the Battle of Ligny, when Napoleon defeated Blücher two days before the battle of Waterloo while Wellington and Marshal Ney were engaged at Quatre Bras...
and Bertry
Bertry
Bertry is a commune in the Nord department in northern France.-Heraldry:-References:*...
. Before him the British lines were strung out across a ridge running south and facing Inchy
Inchy
Inchy is a commune in the Nord department in northern France.-Heraldry:-References:*...
, Troisvilles
Troisvilles
Troisvilles is a commune in the Nord department in northern France.-Heraldry:-References:*...
and Bertry. Suddenly the sound of musketry signaled the arrival of French columns looming out of the mist, and the allied advanced posts fell back in confusion through the village of Troisvilles. The French then deployed slowly and awkwardly while the alarm was raised, with the southern column moving to its left to join the battle near Troisvilles. For about two hours the French manoevered ineffectively in front of the British position while York's command planned a counter-move.
York came galloping up from Le Cateau and took station on the ridge (either in a redoubt or at a mill, accounts differ), and was presently joined by Otto. As the fog lifted one of them (probably York) noticed that the French left was exposed 'in the air' and vulnerable to an outflanking movement. Orders were given to assemble a huge force of 18 squadrons of Austrian and British cavalry unseen on the right flank in a hidden fold between Inchy and Bethencourt
Béthencourt
Béthencourt is a commune in the Nord department in northern France.-Heraldry:-References:*...
to attempt to roll up the French left wing.
York repeated tactics that had worked well for him at the action at Vaux the previous week. While the turning force was assembling under Otto, the artillery under Sir William Congreve
Sir William Congreve, 1st Baronet
Lieutenant General Sir William Congreve, 1st Baronet During the second half of the 18th century, the British government became increasingly concerned over the volume and quality of gunpowder produced by the private manufacturers...
were ordered to keep up a regular fire to the front in order to draw French attention in that direction. Light troops were sent to engage the French left. Just before the attack began York ordered his light troops in front of Troisvilles to fall back through the village, which further encouraged the French infantry to follow up triumphantly.
Otto's flanking cavalry meanwhile were drawn up in three lines, the first consisting of six squadrons of Zeschwitz Cuirasiers (Austrian) under Prince Schwarzenberg
Karl Philipp, Prince of Schwarzenberg
Karl Philipp Fürst zu Schwarzenberg Karl Philipp Fürst zu Schwarzenberg Karl Philipp Fürst zu Schwarzenberg (or Charles Philip, Prince of Schwarzenberg (April 18, 1771 – October 15, 1820) was an Austrian field marshal.- Life :...
, the second line of John Mansel's Dragoon brigade (i.e. 2 squadrons each of the Blues
Royal Horse Guards
The Royal Horse Guards was a cavalry regiment of the British Army, part of the Household Cavalry.Founded August 1650 in Newcastle Upon Tyne by Sir Arthur Haselrig on the orders of Oliver Cromwell as the Regiment of Cuirassiers, the regiment became the Earl of Oxford's Regiment during the reign of...
, the Royals and the 3rd Dragoon Guards
3rd Dragoon Guards
The 3rd Dragoon Guards was a cavalry regiment in the British Army, first raised in 1685. It saw service for three centuries, before being amalgamated into the 3rd/6th Dragoon Guards in 1922....
)(British), and the third line of the 1st
1st King's Dragoon Guards
The 1st King's Dragoon Guards was a cavalry regiment in the British Army. The regiment was formed in 1685 as The Queen's Regiment of Horse, named in honour of Queen Mary, consort of King James II. It was renamed The King's Own Regiment of Horse in 1714 in honour of George I...
and 5th Dragoon Guards
5th Dragoon Guards
The 5th Dragoon Guards was a cavalry regiment in the British Army, first raised in 1685. It saw service for three centuries, before being amalgamated into the 5th Royal Inniskilling Dragoon Guards in 1922....
plus the 16th Light Dragoons (British).
Two days earlier Mansel's brigade had failed to support Otto at Villers-en-Cauchies, apparently due to a communication error, however although Mansel was officially cleared of responsibility a cloud nevertheless hung over the brigade, which was eager to redeem its honour. Before the attack York rode up to the head of the brigade, reminding it how he was 'displeased' with its conduct two days previously, but had every confidence it would 'regain its credit'.
The Charge
In this order Otto's command moved off with great caution, taking advantage of dips and hollows in the topography to conceal their movement, until they reached a hollow about half a mile west of Beaumont just north of the high road. Before them lay more than 20,000 infantry serenely facing eastward unaware of the storm about to burst on them from the north. At the last minute Chapuis spotted the force and hurried two battalions and a few guns to ward off the blow, but it was too little, too late. Otto's cavalry swept down from the north taking the French completely by surprise. The first enemy they came against was a body of cavalry with Chapuis himself at their head. He was promptly taken prisoner and the cavalry scattered.With wild cheering the allied cavalry whirled down upon the left and rear of the French. Artillery and infantry hastily wheeled about to face the charge with canister and musketry, but made little impact on the avalanche of cavalry, which swept through the French ranks from left to right, sabres flashing. "We could observe from the camp several of our squadrons charging through the French cavalry, then through the French infantry, after which they would wheel round, and charge back again in the same manner, so that it was impossible for the enemy to rally or collect their terrified troops" Within a few minutes the French command was a confused mass of fleeing men.
Death of Mansel
The British cavalry had surpassed itself, and none more so than John Mansel's brigade. Mansel, stung by the imputation of cowardice, had sworn he would not come back alive, dashing far ahead of his men he was cut down in the midst of the French ranks. However exact accounts of his death vary. It seems he survived the first charge and was recorded as later engaged against the French rear near Ligny Sources describe him variously as killed by grapeshot (i.e.canisterCanister shot
Canister shot is a kind of anti-personnel ammunition used in cannons. It was similar to the naval grapeshot, but fired smaller and more numerous balls, which did not have to punch through the wooden hull of a ship...
), struck down by three wounds, lying naked in a ditch with his throat cut or beheaded by a cannonball York's report says "Some time after the affair was over his body was found by some of the Skirmishers considerably in front of the main body of the Cavalry with a musket shot through the breast and the throat cut. His epaulets were cut off and his pockets rifled. His son likewise who was a very fine lad is missing and no tidings whatsoever have been heard of him" Mansel's son had in fact been taken prisoner by the retreating French.
French Retreat
Aside from the destruction of the main French column, a detachment that had been pushed forward to Troisvilles was driven back by two guns commanded by Congreve and joined the rest of the rout. Meanwhile the 4,000 strong southern column had advanced beyond Maurois with its artillery, but on encountering the fugitives began to retire in good order. This was spotted by Major Stepheicz with two squadrons of the Austrian Archduke Ferdinand Hussars and four of the British 7th and 11th Light Dragoons, who followed up and drove the rearguard back onto the main body to the west of Maretz. A few miles further on he came up with the main body and completely dispersed it, capturing 10 guns. In this part of the field alone 1200 were reported killed. Chapuis' command was pursued by a wide detour all the way to the gates of Cambrai.Mansel's son, taken prisoner by the retreating French as he tried to save his father's life was later exchanged and declared that during the battle "there was not, on the 26th, a single French soldier left in the town" as Chapuis had drawn out the whole garrison of Cambrai to support the attack on Inchy. Had this been known at the time a detachment could easily have walked into Cambrai as the French retreated by a very circuitous route
Conclusion
Otto's charge claimed to have killed 2,000 and captured 350 plus capturing 22 guns. It was estimated that the total losses of the Republicans on this day were 41 guns and 7,000 killed, wounded and missing. In addition when Chapuis was captured Pichegru's orders for the campaign were found in his pocket.In Otto's command the Austrians reported a loss of 9 officers, 228 men and 208 horses, the British six officers, 156 men and 289 horses killed, wounded and missing. The overall Allied loss was just under 1,500 men.
Assessment
Fortescue describes this action as "the greatest day in the annals of the British horse".The French historian Coutanceau offers this tribute: "The decisive day of the campaign: it shows an army, immobilized in front of a fortress, being out-manoeuvred and turned by an active and enterprizing enemy, propelled by the invincible spirit of the offensive.'