CONSTANT REBECQUE DE VILLARS,

GUILLAUME ANNE

by Geert van Uythoven

Born in The Hague (Netherlands) on 24 April 1750, son of David Louis baron de Constant Rebecque, lord of Hermenches and Villars, colonel in Dutch service, later maréchal de camp in the French army.

Army of the Dutch Republic 1762 - 1794

Guillaume ('Willem') Anne, baron Constant Rebecque de Villars, entered the army of the Dutch Republic as an ensign in the Regiment Zwitserse Gardes (‘Swiss guards’). Became a 2nd Lieutenant with the company of the Prince Stadtholder in 1762. Transferred back in 1766 to the Swiss Guards, soon distinguishing himself by his zeal and qualities. Serving in the various ranks, he became lieutenant-colonel with the 1st battalion on 19 January 1773; full colonel on 8 July 1779. In 1793 serving as major of the 1st battalion, participating in the campaign in the southern Netherlands.

Participating with his regiment in the blockade of the French-occupied fortress-city Breda during the latter days of March 1793. Engaged in various combats and skirmishes. Particularly distinguished himself during the battle of Lincelles (18 August), in which Constant Rebecque led the Swiss Guards battalion during the attack on the fortified village. He was mentioned in the after action report for his ardour and bravery. On 23 August, his qualities recognised, Constant Rebecque received command of an infantry brigade. On 12 September, during the fighting near Halluin and Roncq, Constant Rebecque executed a counterattack at the head of the battalions of the Swiss Infanterie Regiment ‘May’, and the Infanterie Regiment No.18 ‘Von Wartensleben’, which drove back the French behind the castle, enabling the Dutch troops to maintain their positions. Next day however, disaster struck during the Battle of Werwick. Left unsupported by the Austrians under Beaulieu, the Dutch troops were overwhelmed and defeated, with Prince Frederick of Orange wounded in the shoulder. During the retreat, Constant Rebecque collected about 3,000 soldiers of various regiments, as well as 23 field guns, and safely brought them back to the Melle camp near Gent.

The Dutch army was reorganised, and Constant Rebecque now received command of a much larger infantry brigade (4 battalions) in the First Line. Then the Dutch advanced again, fighting some insignificant combats, and a combat near Courtray. On 9 October, the Austrian army started the siege of Maubeuge, supported by the Dutch army. Constant Rebecque was ordered to hold Bois des Dames, besides his own four infantry battalions receiving command of an additional six cavalry squadrons. He held this post until 18 October, when the siege was lifted. Finally fighting ended, and the Allied army went to their winter quarters. The Dutch army returned to the southern Netherlands, the Dutch and Swiss Guards returned to The Hague. As a reward for his behaviour, and as a recognition for his abilities, Constant Rebecque was promoted major-general on January 1794, in March receiving command of the Guards Brigade.

In April 1794, he found himself in the frontline again, between Valenciennes and Bavay. On 16 April a great parade was held for the Austrian emperor Franz II, on the fields of Forest, near Le Cateau Cambresis. On the 17th, hostilities commenced again with a massive attack by the Allies directed at the French under Pichegru, around Landrecies and Avesnes. The fighting continued until the 19th, in an effort to surround Landrecies and in preparation for besieging this fortress-city. During this fighting, Constant Rebecque commanded the right centre of the First Line, on the 20th fulfilling his assignment to attack the strongest part of the French camp with his guards. On the 28th the bombardment of Lanrecies began, and already on the 30th a cease-fire was agreed upon, followed by French surrender. Constant Rebecque had the honour to enter the captured fortress first, with the Dutch and Swiss Guard battalions. More fighting followed, including a battle on 3 June to relieve French-besieged Charleroi; around Fleurus more fighting on 16 June. On 26 June, during the battle of Fleurus, Constant Rebecque commanded part of the main force of the 1st Column. Heavy fighting took place, and the situation looked good for the Allies until the Austrian army was ordered to retreat by its commander in chief Coburg. During the battle, Constant Rebecque had to dislodge the French from Fontaine l’Evèque, in which he succeeded. From there, he had to support the attack on the reinforced camp of l’Epinette, which however was prevented by the retreat of the Austrians. During the Dutch retreat, Constant Rebecque commanded one of the rear guards, once again distinguishing himself. The Dutch retreated to Le Roelx, were Constant Rebecque received the honour to cover the headquarters.

The retreat continued, and the Dutch army arrived on 22 July on Dutch territory again. Part of the Dutch army was broken up and divided among the numerous fortresses. Constant Rebecque remained in the field with the token Dutch field army, commanding the right wing of the 1st Line. Initially destined to relieve Sluis, on 5 August he was ordered to march with his brigade west of Breda instead, and to maintain communications with the British between Breda and Tilbury. The sudden retreat of the British in the direction of Nijmegen during the night of 28th August forced the Dutch also to retreat, behind their inundations and inside the fortresses. Constant Rebecque received the task to defend the retrenchments of Waspik with both guard battalions and four cavalry squadrons, maintaining communications with Oosterhout and Bois le Duc on both flanks. After a few weeks on 14 October, Constant Rebecque marched his guard battalions to the Bommelerwaard polder, to relieve the British troops under General Abercromby. Here he received command of the Dutch left wing, placing his headquarters in Rossum. During eight weeks he was very active, showing his qualities in defending the area entrusted to him with the scarce means at his disposal against repeated French attacks. He especially distinguished himself during the French attack of 11 December. When all rivers and inundations were frozen, the French advanced along the whole river front on 27 December. Surprised by the sudden French attack, the Dutch troops routed. In vain, Constant Rebecque tried to rally the soldiers. He left Bommel as one of the last, making good his escape across the ice. On the other side of the river, Constant Rebecque organised and held his positions on the right bank of the Waal for three days, after which he was send to Leerdam to organise the defence along the Linge river. On 4 January 1795 he was recalled to Waal river, to resume the defence in close co-operation with the British. Here he commanded the left wing of the Dutch army; three infantry battalions and a cavalry squadron. When the British however abandoned their positions on 7 January, he was ordered to retreat to Gorinchem, where his brigade disbanded.

Constant Rebecque, a dedicated follower of the Oranges as he was, followed both princes to The Hague. Arriving here, he was chosen by the Stadtholder and the States-General to go to General Pichegru and to agree on a truce. Leaving on 18 January it was already to late; the Dutch patriots had made their move, and the Dutch Republic ceased to exist, replaced by the Batavian Republic. Returning to The Hague, Constant Rebecque refused to accept several proposals to serve in the French army. He also refused a pension from the new Batavian government, not willing to accept it from a government he did not recognise. He resigned from the army and joined his wife baroness Van Lijnden van Hoevelaken and his children in Brunswick.

In exile, 1795 - 1799

Arriving in Brunswick, its ruling Duke appointed Constant Rebecque as government official of the duchy. But already after a few weeks Constant Rebecque learned that Prince Frederick of Orange was collecting the remnants of the Dutch troops still loyal to the house of Orange in Osnabrück (‘Ressamblement van Osnabrück’). Constant Rebecque immediately left for Osnabrück himself, but arriving there the collected troops were soon disbanded again. On request of the hereditary Prince of Orange he went to Berlin. He remained there until 1799, when he was send to Zürich to aid one Von Steiger to raise a corps of Swiss volunteers, destined to reinforce the Austrian army of the Archduke Carl and to aid in the liberation of Switzerland. The French victories under Massena prevented the execution of these plans. Constant Rebecque left the Austrian army and went to Lingen, to join the ressamblement destined to execute a diversion in the east of the Netherlands to support the Anglo-Russian invasion in Holland. The effort as well as the invasion itself failed, and the hereditary Prince of Orange went to Great Britain, followed by Constant Rebecque.

In British service, 1800 - 1814

In Great Britain, a Dutch corps was raised out of prisoners of war, sailors and deserters of the latest campaign in Holland, finally reaching a strength of about 6,000 men. This corps was taken into British service as the Dutch Brigade, and Major-General Constant Rebecque de Villars became the commander in chief. The Dutch Brigade saw service on the Channel Islands and in Ireland. Its existence however was short-lived; the Peace of Amiens, closed 25 March 1802, also stipulated the disbandment of the Dutch Brigade. This was effectuated on 12 July 1802. As a reward for his services, Constant Rebecque was promoted lieutenant-general of the British army.

The Netherlands 1814 - 1838

When Constant Rebecque, at that time in Hanau, learned about the return of the House of Orange in the Netherlands, he also returned, immediately offering his service again. Despite his age of 64! At his arrival, he was immediately appointed lieutenant-general of infantry in the Netherlands army (23 March 1814) and envoy with the Crown Prince of Sweden, ordered to go to his headquarters in Liège. Events in France however unfolded at such a fast rate that his departure was cancelled. Instead, he received command of the Eastern General Command of the United Netherlands, including fourteen fortresses and 28,000 troops. July 1814, Constant Rebecque left for his headquarters in the fortress-city Maastricht. After the return of Napoleon, on 27 March 1815, Constant Rebecque was also appointed governor of that fortress. On 8 July 1815, by Royal Decree No.16, he was appointed commander of the Militaire Willemsorde for all his services.

On 1 January 1816, with the Commands reorganised, Constant Rebecque was appointed commander of the 5th Greater Military Command, still with its headquarters in Maastricht. September 1818 he was send to Achen, to take part in the conference attended also by the Emperors of Austria and Russia, as well as the King of Prussia. December 1818, Constant Rebecque became governor of the royal residency Brussels, receiving the rank of grand-officer of the crown. On 10 November 1828 he was promoted to general of Infantry. However, Constant Rebecque now had serious problems with his health, reason he was less and less able to execute his function the way it should be. When the Belgian rising occurred, some of his fellow officers seriously doubted if Constant Rebecque, because of his health and high age, would be able to fulfil the obligations of his important posting, especially as commander of the garrison of Brussels. Constant Rebecque himself realised this all to well, and he requested to be relieved from his post, which was duly granted.

Constant Rebecque de Villars died on 12 August 1838, nearly 89 years old.

© Geert van Uythoven