Battle of Beaumont (1794) facts for kids

Quick facts for kids Battle of Beaumont-en-Cambrésis
Part of the War of the First Coalition
Date 26 April 1794 Location Beaumont-en-Cambrésis, Nord, France Result Anglo-Austrian victory
Belligerents
Republican France	Habsburg Austria  Great Britain
Commanders and leaders
René-Bernard Chapuy	Duke of York
Strength
30,000	20,000
Casualties and losses
7,000 killed, wounded or captured, 41 cannons	1,450 killed, wounded or missing

The Battle of Beaumont-en-Cambrésis happened on April 26, 1794. It was also known as the Battle of Coteau or the Battle of Troisvilles in France. This battle was a key part of the French Revolutionary War, specifically during the Flanders Campaign.

The main goal of the battle was to help the French fortress of Landrecies, which was under attack. British and Austrian forces, led by the Duke of York, fought against a French army. The French, commanded by René Chapuis, were trying to advance north from Cambrai. In the end, the British and Austrians won the battle.

Why the Battle Happened

In April 1794, the Dutch States Army was attacking the French-held fortress of Landrecies. The Dutch army was supported by other forces, including British and Austrian troops. These troops formed a large defensive line around the fortress. This line stretched from Maroilles in the east to Le Cateau-Cambrésis in the west. The British, under the Duke of York, were positioned at the western end of this line.

The French Army of the North, led by Jean-Charles Pichegru, had grown much stronger. Many new soldiers had joined during the winter. This was thanks to a new law called the Levee en Masse, which meant everyone had to join the army. Since the situation for Landrecies was critical, Pichegru decided to launch a big attack. He hoped to break the siege and save the fortress.

Three French army groups were part of this attack. In the east, Louis Charbonnier led 30,000 men against the forces of Franz Wenzel, Graf von Kaunitz-Rietberg. Jacques Ferrand marched from Guise with 45,000 soldiers to attack the eastern and southern parts of the enemy line. From Cambrai, René-Bernard Chapuy commanded 30,000 soldiers. His job was to attack the British under the Duke of York at the western end of the line.

All these attacks started at the same time on April 26. However, they were not well coordinated. In the east, about 22,000 of Charbonnier's men attacked Allied positions. After a long fight, they captured Prisches. This cut off communication between two Allied commanders. One of them, József Alvinczi, was wounded. Command then went to the young Archduke Charles. He led a counterattack that pushed the French back.

To the south, Count Heinrich von Bellegarde was attacked by 23,000 French troops. But because of the success in the east, the Archduke could send help. This French attack was also pushed back.

The Battle Begins

General Chapuis's troops had already fought the Duke of York's forces two days earlier. In that fight, a French column was defeated by a small group of cavalry. But this time, Chapuis was advancing with his entire army.

Chapuis left Cambrai with almost 30,000 men. They marched in two groups towards Le Cateau through a thick morning fog. The larger group moved along the main road from Cambrai to Le Cateau. A smaller group of 4,000 men moved two miles to the south.

The British lines were spread out across a ridge. Suddenly, the sound of gunfire came from the mist. French columns appeared, and the Allied outposts quickly fell back. The French then slowly and awkwardly spread out. Meanwhile, the alarm was raised among the British. For about two hours, the French moved around without much effect. This gave York's command time to plan their next move.

The Duke of York rode quickly from Le Cateau to the ridge. He was joined by Rudolf Ritter von Otto. As the fog lifted, one of them noticed that the French left side was unprotected. This made it easy to attack them from the side. Orders were given to gather a large force of 18 groups of Austrian and British cavalry. They hid in a dip in the land, ready to attack the French left wing.

York used a similar plan that had worked for him before. While the cavalry force was getting ready, the artillery was ordered to keep firing. This was to keep the French focused on the front. Light troops were sent to engage the French left. Just before the main attack, York ordered his light troops to fall back. This made the French infantry think they were winning and encouraged them to follow.

Otto's cavalry force was lined up in three rows. The first row had six groups of Austrian cavalry. The second row had British cavalry, including the Blues and the Royals. The third row had more British cavalry.

Two days earlier, some of these British cavalry groups had not supported Otto in another battle. This was due to a mistake in communication. Even though they were cleared of blame, they wanted to prove themselves. Before the attack, York spoke to them. He reminded them he was "displeased" before, but now he trusted them to "regain its credit."

The Charge

Otto's cavalry moved carefully, using dips in the ground to stay hidden. They reached a hollow about half a mile west of Beaumont. Before them were more than 20,000 French infantry soldiers. They were calmly facing east, unaware of the attack about to hit them from the north. At the last moment, Chapuis saw the force and quickly sent two battalions and some guns to stop them. But it was too late.

Otto's cavalry swept down from the north, completely surprising the French. The first enemy they met was a group of cavalry with Chapuis himself. He was quickly captured, and his cavalry scattered.

With loud cheers, the Allied cavalry crashed into the left and rear of the French army. French artillery and infantry quickly turned to face the charge. They fired cannons and muskets, but it had little effect on the wave of cavalry. The cavalry swept through the French lines, their swords flashing. One observer said, "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 minutes, the French army was a confused mass of fleeing men.

Death of Mansel

The British cavalry fought very well, especially John Mansel's group. Mansel, feeling bad about the earlier mistake, had sworn he would not come back alive. He rode far ahead of his men and was killed in the middle of the French ranks. The exact details of his death are not fully known. Mansel's son was captured by the retreating French while trying to save his father.

French Retreat

Besides the main French group being destroyed, a smaller group that had advanced was also pushed back. They joined the rest of the fleeing French. Meanwhile, the 4,000-strong southern French group began to retreat in good order. This was noticed by Major Stepheicz, who chased them. He captured 10 cannons. In this area alone, 1200 French soldiers were reported killed. Chapuis's army was chased all the way back to the gates of Cambrai.

Mansel's son, who was captured, was later exchanged. He said that on the day of the battle, "there was not... a single French soldier left in the town" of Cambrai. This was because Chapuis had taken the entire army from Cambrai to support his attack. If the Allies had known this, they could have easily walked into Cambrai as the French retreated.

Outcome of the Battle

Otto's cavalry charge was said to have killed 2,000 French soldiers and captured 350, along with 22 cannons. It was estimated that the total losses for the French that day were 41 cannons and 7,000 soldiers killed, wounded, or missing. Also, when Chapuis was captured, Pichegru's orders for the campaign were found in his pocket.

In Otto's command, the Austrians reported losing 9 officers and 228 men. The British lost 6 officers and 156 men. The total Allied loss was just under 1,500 men.

What People Thought of the Battle

Historian Fortescue called this battle "the greatest day in the history of the British horse" (meaning their cavalry).

A French historian, Coutanceau, praised the battle, saying it was "the decisive day of the campaign." He noted how an army stuck in front of a fortress was outsmarted and defeated by an active and daring enemy.