The affair at Villers-en-Couchie, 24 April 1794

(The after-action report by FML Otto)

 Translated by Geert van Uythoven

[The French attacked the Allied covering army in an effort to raise the siege of Lanrecy. Like the action at Le Cateau two days later, it shows what happened when the French were caught in the open by the Allied cavalry.]

"Already on 23 April in the afternoon, when I went to St. Hilaire with my adjutant, Cavalry Captain Mecsery, to reconnoitre the enemy Camp de Cesar, we observed at our arrival that the enemy had advanced over Villers-en-Couchie with a strong column, and had taken up position in front of this place. Its flankers had already skirmished with our Hussars, at which occasion several enemy skirmishers had been cut up by the “Erzherzog Leopold” Hussar Regiment, as well as two enemy hussars had been taken prisoner. For this reason, the reconnaissance could not take place, in addition because it was noticed that another enemy column had advanced against Avesnes-le-Sec. The enemy was already master of Selle, had Haspres, Saulzoir, Montrecourt, and Haussy, and dispatched cavalry patrols even further, up to Escaillon brook. Therefore all communications with the Hessian Lieutenant-General [Friedrich] von Wurmb was cut off. As a result, we had no choice as to limit ourselves on this day to observe the enemy at Haussy, St. Aubert, and St. Hilaire, and only to support the outposts in this area with the two squadrons of the “Erzherzog Leopold” Hussar Regiment already mentioned, two squadrons English light dragoons, two more squadrons English light dragoons, six squadrons heavy cavalry, then two squadrons “Zeschwitz” Cuirassiers, which advanced from their camp. In addition, St. Pithon and Romerie had to be occupied, for which purpose the English Major-General [David] Dundas with two squadrons chevaux-legers was dispatched.

On the next day, the 24th, after having received the report of the returning patrols that the enemy still occupied their positions taken up the day before, and that their columns were marching forward again, I immediately decided to advance with the troops at my disposal. These consisted of two squadrons of the “Erzherzog Leopold” Hussars, two squadrons “Zeschwitz” Cuirassiers, two squadrons of English light dragoons [15th Regiment], and six squadrons of heavy cavalry. With these I planned to attack the enemy, and made for this purpose the following dispositions:

The advance guard, commanded by Colonel Baron Szentkereszty, consist of two squadrons of the “Erzherzog Leopold” Hussars, and two squadrons of the English Light Dragoons. It will be guided by my adjutant Cavalry-Captain Mecsery of the “Erzherzog Ferdinand” Hussars, who knows the area best because of the many reconnaissance’s, and several affairs with the enemy here, were he participated in.

They will be supported by the command of the English Major-General [John] Mansell: two squadrons of the Royal Horse Guards 'The Blues', two squadrons of the 1st Regiment Dragoon Guards, and two squadrons of the 3rd Regiment Dragoon Guards.

En Reserve, two squadrons of the “Zeschwitz” Cuirassiers, and two squadrons English light dragoons. These should advance into the valley along the Selle, and then attack one or the other flank, or in the back of the enemy, and to keep the enemy busy on its right flank.

The capable Cavalry-Captain Mecsery already mentioned, led the advance guard into the valley against Montrecourt at 7 o’clock in the morning. Soon, he ran into about 300 enemy chasseurs [à cheval] in the brushwood, and about 4 to 500 hussars, of the former “Esterhazy” Regiment. Halting the advance guard, he alone advanced further on to a hilltop, reconnoitring the cavalry positioned behind the brushwood. Not letting himself to be scared away by the enemy, he ordered the flank patrols to observe the enemy cavalry inside the brushwood, and resumed his march with the advance guard. When it however more and more closed in on the enemy support which were at 600 paces behind their advance guard, the enemy cavalry left the brushwood and formed in the open in our front at a distance of 400 paces, protected while doing this by its supports. The enemy cavalry however now retreated in good order. After, in this way, the enemy columns which had advanced between Villers-en-Couchie and Avesnes-le-Sec had been pushed back, Cavalry-Captain Mecsery agreed with Colonel Baron Szentkereszty on attacking the enemy cavalry in their left flank, to defeat them, and that to cut up the infantry. This plan was executed. They advanced with the advance guard at the trot and gallop, and then at a distance of 150 paces en Carriere. The enemy cavalry made a stand until we were at six paces, but then they broke and routed, as well as the cavalry did which was standing behind the infantry. The column however, which consisted of six battalions, had marched up and formed a flank, and now fired a general volley. Our advance guard flinched, but after it had been encouraged by Colonel Baron Szentkereszty and Cavalry-Captain Mecsery, leading from the front (‘à la téte’), yelling that the fire, and as such the danger as well was already over, they charged and cut up the infantry which was in a formation looking like a Quarée oblong, and put it in great disorder. Part of the infantry took flight, the other part fired another general volley, until the advance guard also cut up these, ignoring the fierce cannon fire of both enemy columns standing to the left and right, routing them also. The routing infantry was pursued for about 800 paces, and everyone that could be reached was cut down, so that from the place of attack forward to Saulzoir between Villers-en-Couchie, Avesnes-le-Sec, and Haspres about 800 dead were left behind by the enemy. In addition four cannon were captured, of which one had to be abandoned because of the lack of a horse team. The three remaining ones were delivered at the headquarters in [Le] Cateau.

This bold and resolute attack, made by the advance guard between 8 and 9 o’clock in the morning, supported by the six English squadrons that remained en Reserve, were the cause that both enemy columns to the left and right, about 5,000 men strong each, retreated as well. Only behind Villers-en-Couchie and against Avesnes-le-Sec, the numerous enemy cavalry which did not show during the engagement, covered the retreat of their infantry.

After being recalled the advance guard reformed again. The six English squadrons [those of the supports commanded by Major-General Mansell] made a diversion against Haspres. Cavalry-Captain Mecsery had also went to this place after the affair, noticing that another enemy column had advanced against Douchy and Noyelle, which also started to retreat after noticing the English squadrons. So in total, the enemy on this day had advanced in four columns: one from Bouchain on Douchy; the second from Hordaing on Noyelle; the third from Ivuy over Avesnes-le-Sec on Haspres; and the fourth from Cambrai on Saulzoir. Their advance guards had also moved forward, dislodging our occupation force of Haspres. Our much to weak advance guard now retreated to St. Aubert, and the enemy cavalry again advanced. Until our fresh reinforcements arrived, consisting of a squadron of the “Erzherzog Ferdinand” Hussars with two cavalry cannon, and two squadrons of the “Karaczay” [Chevau-légers]. Now we again advanced, and the enemy cavalry was taken under fire by our cannon, until they had retreated completely on this left flank.

When His Excellency GFM Count [Karl Josef] Clerfayt advanced to the right over Haspres at 3 o’clock in the afternoon, dislodging the enemy from Avesnes-le-Sec and participating with the “La Tour” [Chevau-léger] Regiment, the enemy cavalry which had remained behind to cover the retreat, retreated to Cambrai as well. After which, in the evening, I also retreated my troops to Fontaine-au-Tarque, from there returning them to camp.

Enemy loss consists on the left bank of the Selle, in 8 to 900 dead, 3 to 400 wounded which the enemy had brought back using the wagons they had with them, or on foot. The Austrian forces have four dead hussars and seven horses, six men wounded and four horses, and ten hussars and eleven horses missing. I have not received the loss of the English cavalry present in the affair ^1).

Because of the fact that everyone was cut down, we have taken only ten prisoners. Three cannon were captured in cooperation with the two squadrons of English light dragoons, and nine horses have been taken.

One cannot deny the resolute bravery and steadfastness of the total combined force, but has to praise it instead, for engaging the enemy in the best order, to defeat and to rout him. Especially however, praise is deserved by Colonel Baron Szentkereszty, who commanded the advance guard with exemplary ardour and resoluteness; the Cavalry-Captains Dobay and baron Spleny, the Lieutenant-Colonel Baron Baussy, the Lieutenants Simony, Racksany, and Maylath, all from the “Erzherzog Leopold” Hussars; then from the English light dragoons the Captains Aylet (who was wounded as well), Bocklingen, and Roian, the Cornets Buttler, Blund, and Viersen, which with the greatest ardour and resolute bravery took part; finally praise should go to the Lieutenant Martini of the “Zeschwitz” Cuirassiers, who brought various orders from me to the troop, delivering them punctual.

As well, I am bound to recommend to Your Grace the Captain, and Senior-Adjutant of His Royal Highness the Duke of York, Murray, which already on the 23rd was attached to me, and who has served me outstandingly, especially because of his ardour and resolute behaviour.

The utmost service however has been done by my adjutant, the 2nd Cavalry-Captain Mecsery of the “Erzherzog Ferdinand” Hussars, by guiding the advance guard and directing its rash attack at a place where the enemy did not expect it. So it is my duty to recommend to Your Grace this person who enabled me to attack a much superior enemy, consisting of infantry, cavalry, and artillery, with only twelve cavalry squadrons and restore communications, and who contributed most of all to this achievement.

Otto,

Feldmarschallieutenant

Footnote:

1) According to York’s report of this affair, the 15th Light Dragoons has distinguished itself. Both squadrons should have suffered in the attack on the infantry the loss of 17 dead. In total, his report fixes the English losses at 58 men dead and 17 men wounded; 68 horses dead and 23 horses wounded. According to his report, the Austrians suffered only four dead.

© Geert van Uythoven