Austrian light infantry tactics during the Revolutionary Wars - Aldenhoven 1793
by Geert van Uythoven
The French had occupied Röthgener Castle ('Röthgener
Burg), and the hamlet Oberröthgen south of Eschweiler, both south of the
Inde brook. From these, the Austrian troops advancing along the road from Weisweiler
to Aachen came under fire. Therefore the second column, commanded by General
Davidovich, was deployed against these positions and ordered forward. Leading
the attack was the light infantry, which passed the farmstead 'Patternhof',
and drove the French without much trouble from their positions at both Oberröthgen
and Röthgener Castle. West of the hamlet Oberröthgen the Austrians
deployed both guns captured previously at Weisweiler, and fired several shots
at the retreating French, which were pulling back to the Stich Hill. The raising
terrain in front of the Stich Hill was completely without cover. Several efforts
of the Austrians to storm the French positions were in vain, and all were repulsed
with heavy Austrian loss. French fire was so effective that the Austrians abandoned
Röthgener Castle and Oberröthgen again, pulling back behind the Patternhof
and taking cover in a huge orchard east of this farmstead. The stalemate lasted
until about 13.30 pm. Around that time two locals reported to the Austrians
that they knew a way to reach the French positions unseen and were willing to
guide them. Assigned the 1 1/2 company of Tyroler Jäger, about 120 men,
these locals led them through a deeply cut hollow road into the Eschweiler Forest,
from here following a path hidden by trees and thick bushes, right behind the
French positions on the Stich Hill. Arriving there, the Tyrolean's at once opened
fire at the surprised French gunners and the infantry covering them. The French
limbered up their guns, and retreated hastily along the road to Stolberg, crossing
the Inde Brook, and following the road through the village Eilendorf to Aachen.
They were pursued for a while by part of the jäger. On the Stich Hill the
French had abandoned much of their baggage and ammunition.
Source: "The Battle of Aldenhoven / Aix-La Chapelle, 1793" by Geert
van Uythoven [First Empire No. 68, Jan/Feb 2003].
©
Geert van Uythoven