The ‘Cordon System’ in Flanders, winter 1793-94

translated by Geert van Uythoven

Source: “Feldzug der verbundenen Armeen in Flandern, im Jahre 1994” by ‘von D.', which appeared in ‘Neues Militairisches Journal’, 9.Band 18. Stück (Hannover 1798) pp. 169-212.

Part 2

The cantonments during the months February & March 1794.

The tactical lay-out of the winter cantonments was the cause that, as we just have seen, the troops did not receive the rest and comfort they needed after such a restless campaign which just had ended. The internal movements of the enemy armies, the faulty reports about their intentions, and the numerous outpost combats were the cause that, because of this lay-out, greater part of the Allied armies were at the outposts or right behind them, billeted in few crowded and deserted villages, lacking every means. In addition, everywhere in the Low Countries, especially in the cities, the soldiers were scorned, and provided with little.

When the troops arrived during spring 1793, they were received in the bigger cities with joy; at that time it was hoped by the inhabitants that, because of their arrival, the theatre of war would be removed from the Low Countries. But now they found themselves deceived, and their feelings had changed. They held the military as the cause for all the misery they already encountered, and for all that that would come. In addition, the French had many sympathizers of their cause in the cities, which wanted a change of things.

The Hanoverian guard in Brugge was billeted in unoccupied buildings, which formerly were in use as hospital; the English guard in Ghent came in the barracks. Everywhere, the citizens in the bigger cities refused to billet soldiers, When General von Hammerstein, in great need of field equipment and provisions, requested them in Brugge (at a moment the enemy stood nearly in front of the city gates), the magistrate threatened with revolts. “When there would be a revolt”, answered the general, “I will have the opportunity to show them how revolting citizens are brought to obedience!”

The spirit of discord, discontent, and resistance, was shown in the Low Countries in many ways, always directed at the soldiers. Even in the countryside, landowners and clergymen refused to provide billets, an of the other inhabitants many were poor. In the cities close to the French borders the wealthy families had left, and the soldiers found only poor peasants or empty houses. This situation became very palpable to the common soldier:

1. because only for a few weeks a small part of the troops was cantoned further behind, enjoying a rest, and because it was not possible to organize ‘kitchens’ [‘Kochmenagen’] in the cantonments, as was done in the camps;

2. because in many battalions the soldiers would have to do service, found themselves in commands, on picket, etc., for day after day. And very often they had march along bad roads to concentrate because of false alarms.

Diseases of many kinds were the cause of this situation.

Distribution of the troops in the cantonments

Already in February (between the 20th and the 22nd), most troops were cantoned closer behind the outposts. The Austrians were, except for the troops in Luxembourg, divided into three armies, of which the 1st near Tournay, the 2nd near Valenciennes, and the 3rd near Mons was cantoned. The English army cantoned in the area around Ypern, Rousselaer, and Courtrai [Kortrijk]. In the following tables the details of these cantonments are listed, after the design of the headquarters of the Prinz von Coburg.

Cantonments of the army of FZM Graf von Clerfayt near Tournay

Feldmarschal-Lieutenants	General-Majors	Regiments, battalions & corps	coy.	bat.	sq.	cantonment stations
Alvinzi in Tournay	Boros in Tournay	Blankenstein Hussars			10	Erre, Willemeau, Faurbourg, St. martin, Coquerelle, Sept Fontaine, Pont a Chin, Esquelin, and partially with the infantry in Orcq and Marquain
	Monfrault in Tournay	IR No. 56 Wenzel Colloredo		2		1 battalion in Tournay; 1 battalion in Ramegnies, Frojennes
	Monfrault in Tournay	IR No. 57 Joseph Colloredo		2		Tournay
	Spork in Warnas St, Maur.	IR No. 33 Sztarray		2		Froidemont, Eplichin, Orcq, Marquain
	Spork in Warnas St, Maur.	IR No. 9 Clerfayt		2		Velvain, Bruelle, Wez, Jollain
Sztarray in Landas	Frölich in Landas	IR No. 35 Wenkheim		2		Rume, Taintegnies and Guignies
		Jiheul [IR No. 10 Kheul ?]		2		Aix, Landas, Beuvry
		IR No. 20 Kaunitz		3		Marchiennes and Orchies
Wenkheim commands the whole corps until the other FZM’s have arrived. His headquarters are in Tournay	Petrasch, by absence of the oldest officer	Rouviere Grenadiers		1		Hasnon
		IR ? Sinot		1		St. Amand
		IR ? Ulm		1		St. Amand
	Are with the brigadiers, by whom they are on picket	O’Donnel Freicorps	12			Outpost duty
		Grün Laudon	10
		Le Loup Jäger	6
	Kostolany in Sameon, until GM Boros has arrived	Zeschwitz Cuirassiers			6	Tournay city and suburbs
	Kostolany in Sameon, until GM Boros has arrived	La Tour Chevauxlegers			8	Lecelles, Rossuth, Sameon, Rumegies, and with the infantry in Aix, Landas and Beuvry
		Total:	28	18	24

(Signed) von Wenkheim

Feldmarschall-Lieutenant

Cantonments of the greater part of the English army, commanded by Field Marshal von Freytag,

24th February 1794

Infantry

Hanoverians:

1 battalion von Bothmer Becelaere

1 battalion von Bothmer Cheluvelt

1 battalion Garde Dadizeele

1tes Grenadier-Bat. Cheluwe

2tes Grenadier-bat. Cheluwe

3tes Grenadier-Bat. Cheluwe

1 battalion von Hohorst Moorseele

2 battalions von Taube Moorseele

Hessen-Darmstadt:

1 battalion Landgraf Courtrai

1 battalion Garde-Grenadiere Courtrai

English:

1 battalion 51st Regiment Courtrai

1 battalion 3rd Regiment Courtrai

1 battalion 2nd Regiment Courtrai

1 battalion 1st Regiment Courtrai

Cavalry

Hanoverian:

1 squadron Leib-Garde Becelaere

1 squadron Leib-Garde Zonnebecke

1 squadron Prinz Ernst Zonnebecke

2 squadrons Leib-Regiment Moorslede

2 squadrons v.d. Busche Moorslede

2 squadrons Von Ramdohr Moorslede

2 squadrons Graf von Oeynhausen Ledeghem

Hessen-Darmstadt:

4 squadrons Chevauxlegers Culleghem

English:

3 squadrons 1st Dragoon Guards Bisseghem, Heule, Cuerne

2 squadrons 2nd Dragoon Guards Hulste, Barrichove

3 squadrons 5th Dragoon Guards Lendelede, Winkel St. Eloy

3 squadrons 6th Dragoon Guards Rolleghem Capelle

2 squadrons 2nd Dragoons [‘Grays’] Beveren

2 squadrons 1st Dragoons [‘Royals’] Desselghem

2 squadrons Royal Horse Guards [‘Blues’] Waereghem

2 squadrons 16th Light Dragoons Sweveghem

2 squadrons 11th Light Dragoons Bichte

English reserve artillery Haerlebeck, Deerlyk

Hanoverian light artillery Cheluwe

1st Division Hanoverian heavy artillery Wevelghem

Lieutenant-General von Wurmb

Major-Generals von Schmidt & von Salis

Hessians:

5 squadrons Prinz Friedrich Dragoner Menin

2 battalions IR No.18 Stuart (Austrian) Ypern 1)

2 battalions Leib-Infanterie-Regiment Ypern

1 squadron Leib-Dragoner Ypern

1 squadron Leib-Dragoner Blamertingen

3 companies/1tes Bat/Garde-Grenadiere Blamertingen

2 companies/1tes Bat/Garde-Grenadiere Brilen

1 squadron Leib-Dragoner Elverdinghe

3 companies/2tes Bat/Garde-Grenadiere Elverdinghe

2 companies/2tes Bat/Garde-Grenadiere Boesinghe

1 squadron Leib-Dragoner Boesinghe

1 squadron Leib-Dragoner Bormezeele

1 company O’Donnel Freicorps (Austrian) Poperinghe

80 Garde-Grenadiere Poperinghe

20 horse on command Poperinghe

100 men of the Leib-Infanterie-Regiment on command Renningelst & Westoutre

1 company O’Donnel Freicorps (Austrian) &

commands of the Leib-Dragoner-Regiment Dickebusch, Clyte and Lokert

The Leib-Dragoner have in addition commands in Kemmel, Westoutre, Rennegels, and St. Eloy

1) Occupying with 3 companies Bormezeele, Kemmel, St. Eloy and Moulin Brulé.

Lieutenant-General von Dalwigk

Colonel von Wurmb

Hessians:

1tes Grenadier-Bataillon Merckhem

3 companies/2nd battalion Erbprinz Woomen, Essene

2tes Grenadier-Bataillon Dixmuide

1tes Bataillon Erbprinz Dixmuide

2 companies/2nd battalion Erbprinz Dixmuide

1 squadron Carabiniers Beerst, Keyhem

2 squadrons Carabiniers Zarren, Werken, Bovekerke, Coutelaere

3tes Grenadier-Bataillon Schoorbacke, Schoore

2 companies/Jäger Bataillon Pervyse

Regiment von Kospoth Nieuport

In case of an attack by the enemy, Clerfayt’s army would take up positions near Orq, and the English army positions between Menin and Cheluwe, with the Nederbecke river in front. Both positions were however not prepared to defend these for some time against a superior army, what would have been much advantageous in such a case. Although the English army had Menin on his left flank, and on its right flank a few (small) fleches near Cheluwe village, it was obvious that the enemy would aim his attack on the right wing only, which would force the army to another position in unfavourable terrain.

The commanders in chief, Field Marshal Freytag as well as FZM Graf von Clerfayt hoped that, when a superior army would advance, an attack on the enemy columns would enable them to extricate themselves from the difficult position in which they would find themselves in every respect. Clerfayt’s army indeed had for this purpose favourable terrain in front of its position, which was mostly open up to the Marque river.

During the beginning of March a few changes were made in the cantonments of the troops. The English were cantoned in the environments of Courtrai; the Hessians remained in the environment of Ypern; and the Hanoverians moved to the area between Menin and Rousselaere. The English headquarters were still in Courtrai, were on 6 march the Duke of York arrived from England again, taking over command of the army. General headquarters of the Hanoverians remained in Courtrai, and that of the Hessians in Ypern.

Go to part 3