Horse artillery

French Reports

about the superiority of the Austrian artillery and cavalry;

May 1800

by Roland Kessinger, translations by Geert van Uythoven

On 25th April 1800, General Jean Victor Moreau started his spring campaign in Southern Germany against the Austrian forces under FZM Kray. Moreau’s Army of the Rhine was able to outmanoeuvre the Austrians and to beat them in four successive battles at Engen (3rd May), Messkirch (5th May), Biberach (9th May), and Memmigen (10th May). The basis of this success was the high numerical superiority that Moreau could concentrate on the battlefields. The Austrians had to retreat into an entrenched camp near Ulm. Fighting ceased for several weeks and Moreau was able (and forced by Carnot) to send reinforcements to aid Napoleon in his Italian campaign.

Even though the French had a numerical superiority during the early spring campaign 1800 in Germany, the superior Austrian artillery and cavalry was a constant danger for the French as indicated in the following documents:

I
Source: Paul Azan, « La Campagne de 1800 en Allemagne », Tome Deuxième (Paris 1909) p 356:

Letter of the minister of war Carnot to Général Lacuée, conseiller d’Etat, dated Biberach, 20 floréal an VIII (10th May 1800);

"(...) L’armée ennemie n’était guère moins forte que la nôtre. Elle lui est très supérieure en artillerie et sourtout en cavalerie. (...)"

"(…) The enemy army is hardly less stronger then ours. It is however much superior in artillery, and especially cavalry. (…)"

II
Source: Paul Azan, « La Campagne de 1800 en Allemagne », Tome Deuxième (Paris 1909) p 361:

The Austrian artillery was used effectively in at least some of the above mentioned battles, during offensive actions. So, General Dessolle as Chief of Staff reports to the minister of war (Biberach, 20 floréal an VIII) about the battle of Messkirch:

"(...) Pendant que la tête de la division Delmas soutenait l’attaque de la droite et que la division Bastoul se déployait en avant du village de Krumbach, l’ennemi chercha à tourner la gauche de ces 2 divisions par un corps nombreux muni de beaucoup d’artillerie. Son attaque fut extrêmement vive, et sa réussite eût décidé peut-être en sa faveur le résultat de la journée. Mais nos troups (...) la soutinrent avec ce courage froid et intrépide qui commande la victoire; (...)"

"(…) While the head of the Division Delmas supported the attack on the right of the Division Bastoul which was deployed in front of Krumbach village, the enemy tried to turn the left flank of both Divisions with a numerous corps, supplied with much artillery. The attack was very fierce, and the results of the contest would be very favourable to the outcome of the day. However, our troops (…) recovered their courage and delivered victory; (…)"

III
Source: Paul Azan, « La Campagne de 1800 en Allemagne », Tome Deuxième (Paris 1909) p 368:

The superior Austrian artillery and cavalry was a severe problem for the French commanders. They requested the minister of war to remedy this, as can be seen from a note send to the minister of war by GD Vandamme:

"(...) Un moyen simple de bien remonter la cavalerie, - il est bien temps de s’en occuper, cette arme ayant toujours été négligée – c’est d’autoriser les payeurs aux armées de payer en même temps que la solde tous les chevaux pris à l’ennemi et capables de servir avec le soin de les répartir par arme. (...) Il est reconnu que, depuis longtemps, les Autrichiens ont une artillerie plus nombreuse que la nôtre. Dans les dernières batailles de Stockach [Engen] et Messkirch, nous en avons fait la terrible expérience. Il y a en ce moment à l’armée du Rhin six ou même huit compagnies d’artillerie légère qui, à défault de chevaux, ne peuvent entrer en ligne. Il est bien important que le Ministre de la Guerre prenne des mesures promptes à ce sujet. (...)"

"(…) Something easy to accomplish would have been remounting the cavalry. This has been neglected during the whole summer – the paymasters of the army should be authorised to pay for all horses taken from the enemy, which are suitable to serve and should be distributed to that arm. (…) It is recognised, already for a long time, that the Austrian artillery is much more numerous then ours. During the latest battles of Stockach [Engen] and Messkirch, they gave us a terrible experience. At this moment, the Army of the Rhine has six or even eight light artillery companies, which are not able to take up their place in the line because of the lack of horses. It is very important that War Ministry takes prompt measures on this subject."