Battle of Biesingen facts for kids

Quick facts for kids Battle of Biesingen
Part of the War of the First Coalition
Date 17 November 1793 Location Biesingen Result Prussian victory
Belligerents
Republican France	Kingdom of Prussia
Commanders and leaders
Louis-Lazare Hoche	Friedrich Adolf von Kalckreuth
Strength
about 25,000	about 7,000
Casualties and losses
about 800 – 1,000	about 160 dead and several wounded

The Battle of Biesingen was an important fight during the War of the First Coalition. This war involved many European countries against France. The battle happened on November 17, 1793, in a place called Biesingen, which is now part of Blieskastel. It was fought between soldiers from Prussia, led by General Friedrich Adolf von Kalckreuth, and French soldiers, led by General Louis-Lazare Hoche. The Prussian side won this battle.

What Was the War of the First Coalition?

The War of the First Coalition was a big conflict in Europe. It lasted from 1792 to 1797. Many European countries, like Prussia and Austria, joined together. They fought against the new French Republic. This war was part of a larger period of change in Europe.

How the Battle Unfolded

French Attack Plan

On the morning of November 17, 1793, the French Army of the Moselle began to move. They left their camp near the Saar River. The French army split into three groups, called columns. Two of these columns headed towards Tholey and St. Ingbert. The third and largest column marched towards Biesingen.

General von Kalckreuth and his Prussian forces were waiting. They blocked the road between Biesingen and Blieskastel. This made it hard for the French to advance.

Fighting Begins

The battle started with heavy French artillery fire. Their cannons shot at the Prussian soldiers in the middle of the line. This happened on the Hilscheider heights.

At the same time, about 800 French foot soldiers tried a sneaky move. They crossed the Blies River near Blieskastel. Their goal was to attack the Prussian right side. However, a Prussian patrol discovered them. This early warning helped the Prussians. They quickly brought in more soldiers. These reinforcements forced the French to retreat from their flanking attempt.

Prussian Counterattack

Another French general, Lombard, tried to break through the Prussian left side. He led his troops through the Hilscheider forest. After the first round of musket fire, the Prussians charged forward. They used bayonets, which are knives attached to rifles. General Lombard and several other French officers were captured during this attack.

Cavalry Charge

A third French attack happened on a hill near Wolfersheim. This time, about 3,000 cavalry soldiers were involved. Cavalry are soldiers who fight on horseback. They tried to break through the Prussian lines. Their first two attempts failed. But on the third try, they briefly succeeded. They even captured some Prussian cannons.

However, the Prussian soldiers quickly formed a strong line. They fired their muskets and used their bayonets again. The French cavalry had to retreat under this heavy fire.

Final French Retreat

A final French attack on the right side of the Prussian line was also stopped. As evening came, the French army had to pull back. They had not been able to break through the Prussian defenses.

Aftermath of the Battle

Even though General von Kalckreuth won with fewer soldiers, he knew the French army was much larger. So, on the morning of November 18, he decided to move his troops. They withdrew to Homburg.

This move gave General Hoche, the French commander, a chance. On November 19, he announced to the French government in Paris that he had won. The Prussians continued to retreat in the following days. They moved to stronger defensive positions near Kaiserslautern.