Johan Wijnand van Goor facts for kids

Johan Wijnand van Goor (born around 1650 in Linnich – died July 2, 1704, in Donauwörth) was an important Dutch general. He fought in two major wars: the Nine Years' War and the War of Spanish Succession. He was the last Master-general of Artillery for the Dutch States Army, taking over from another famous general, Menno van Coehoorn. General Van Goor was known for his bravery at the Lines of Stollhofen in 1703 and during the Battle of Schellenberg, where he sadly died leading the first attack.

About His Life

We don't know much about Johan Wijnand van Goor's personal life. He had a brother, Johan Herman van Goor, who was also a Dutch officer. Johan Wijnand van Goor was married twice. His first wife was Johanna Elisabeth van Volbergen, whom he married in 1684. After she passed away in 1696, he married Josina Philippina de Bette.

His Military Journey

Early Career and First Wars

In 1684, when he first got married, Johan Wijnand van Goor was a lieutenant-colonel. He was part of a Walloon regiment in the Dutch army.

When the Nine Years' War began, he became the Quarter-Master General for Prince Waldeck's army. He was still a lieutenant-colonel at this time. He was present at the siege of Kaiserswerth and the Battle of Walcourt. It was likely here that he first met the future Duke of Marlborough.

In 1690, Van Goor joined the English army. He commanded the artillery for King William III at the famous Battle of the Boyne. The next year, in 1691, he went to Flanders as a colonel of artillery with the British forces, still working with Marlborough. By 1694, he was the Colonel in charge of the English artillery's supply train.

Return to Dutch Service

After the Nine Years' War ended, Van Goor returned to serve the Dutch. In 1702, he became the governor of the strong fortress of Maastricht. From this position, he led several attacks against French troops. These attacks happened early in the War of Spanish Succession. He tried to capture the Chateau de Horion, went on an expedition to Liège, and made an attempt to surprise the fortress of Huy, though that one didn't succeed.

In 1701, he was promoted to major-general.

Defending the Empire

In 1703, French forces threatened the Holy Roman Empire. The Dutch government decided to send 15 battalions of soldiers under Van Goor to help Louis William of Baden, the Imperial commander.

Van Goor's troops were placed on the left side of the defenses at the Lines of Stollhofen. These were a series of military barriers near Bühl. In April 1703, a French army led by Marshal Villars tried many times to break through these defenses. However, thanks mostly to Van Goor's efforts, the French attack failed.

After this, Villars marched his army towards the Danube River using a different route. Louis William of Baden asked Van Goor for help to stop the French advance. The Dutch forces joined Baden's army in July 1703. They took part in some movements that didn't lead to much success. This made Van Goor so frustrated that he argued with Baden and was arrested for not following orders. However, the Dutch government quickly arranged for his release.

Master-General and Final Battle

In early 1704, Johan Wijnand van Goor was officially named Master-general of the Artillery for the Dutch Army. He also received the rank of lieutenant-general, taking over from Menno van Coehoorn.

It was expected that Van Goor would return to the Netherlands. But the Dutch leader, Anthonie Heinsius, stopped this plan. He wanted Van Goor to join Marlborough's important Danube campaign. When Marlborough marched south, Van Goor joined him with three battalions. Later, the other twelve battalions that were still with Baden also joined them. Since Van Goor and Marlborough had known each other since the 1691 Flanders campaign, Van Goor quickly earned Marlborough's trust.

During the Battle of Schellenberg, Van Goor was put in charge of the first wave of attackers. As he led the charge, a musket ball hit him in the eye, and he fell dead from his horse. After the battle, he was buried in the church of Nördlingen.

Both Marlborough and Prince Eugene of Savoy thought very highly of him. Prince Eugene once said that General Goor, who died in the battle, was a man who guided Marlborough's actions. He called Van Goor's death a great loss because he was a man of great bravery and skill. Eugene also believed that Van Goor was the reason they attacked that evening, as he was sure that waiting until the next day would have caused them to lose half their soldiers without success.