(The after-action report by the Duke of York)

by Geert van Uythoven

Warning: Please note that this after-action report is my translation from a German translation of the original English text, as I do not possess the original English one!

[The French attacked the Allied covering army in an effort to raise the siege of Lanrecy. It shows what happened when the French were caught in the open and in addition surprised by the Allied cavalry.]

"At 6 o'clock in the morning, the enemy attacked our outposts near Caudry, le Coquelet, le Trouquoy, and Maurois, and forced them back, deploying cannon on the heights of Audancourt, firing at the cavalry piquets near Troisville. A thick fog was the cause that the approach of both enemy columns, which advanced from Cambrai, not was discovered. One column followed the chaussée over Beauvois to Inchy, and the other advanced over Ligny to Bertry.

As soon as the fog somewhat lifted FML Otto, on a windmill behind Troisville, discovered with his spy-glass the enemy columns and their direction. Noticing that the enemy left flank was completely uncovered, he proposed to attack this flank with cavalry, before the enemy would be able to form up. I gave the order to execute this attack. Colonel Prinz von Schwarzenburg was ordered to command the cavalry brigade which had to lead the attack. The FML indicated to him, standing on the windmill, the position of the enemy, and the direction he had to take for the attack. 18 squadrons were assigned to execute it:

6 squadrons of the Zeschwitz Cuirassiers, Austrian troops;
6 squadrons of the Brigade of Major-General Mansel, and
6 squadrons of the Brigade of Colonel Vyse, British troops 1)

This cavalry marched to the right; moved behind the infantry and Inchy village across the low ground between this village and Bethencourt. Inchy was in the meanwhile occupied by a few jäger and a detachment of O'Donnell's Corps, to secure the left flank of the charging cavalry. The cavalry was ably led by the Adjutant of General Otto, Cavalry-Captain Mecsery, and speedily the march was executed. However, the enemy infantry had still formed line of battle, before they met them. Their left wing was at Audancourt village, their right wing adjacent to the Cense Troucuoy. The Prinz of Schwarzenburg had already divided his cavalry in 2 Lines and a reserve while being in the valley, and now charged the enemy with vigour. Initially they received a heavy fire of grape, but broke everything before them, cut down 2,000 men, captured 22 cannon, 29 ammunition caissons, 136 horses, and took beside the commanding General Chapuy, another 277 men prisoner.

While this happened, the hussars and light dragoons near Troisville received the order to retreat behind the village, partially to march out of the enemy fire, partially to lure the enemy further on to the plain. These drove the light infantry of O'Donnell out of the village, attacked the retreated cavalry with their carabineers, and threw them into disorder. These however immediately reformed again, and advanced against the enemy, which was forced to retreat, and the lost cannon retaken.

Some enemy troops, which showed themselves somewhat further on our right wing, were held in respect by a few of our cavalry troops.

After the described attack the enemy moved to the right, and also retreated from us. This would not have happened without heavy loss, had we not expected further attacks.

Major Stephaicz, who commanded the outposts of the left wing (2 squadrons Erzherzog Ferdinand Hussars, Austrians; 2 squadrons of the 7th, and two squadrons of the 11th Light Dragoon Regiments, British) was initially forced to retreat before the enemy which advanced speedily through Maurois and Honnechy, and deployed a battery near the windmill of Honnechy. However, when he observed the defeat of the enemy left wing, he turned himself against the right flank of the enemy in front of him, moving between Busigny and Honnechy. He found the enemy already on the plains between Marets and Elincourt, retreating steadily. He immediately attacked their rear-guard, threw it back on the main column, disordering it, and captured near Malincourt 8 cannon, 2 howitzers, 15 ammunition caissons, and 88 horses, and took 120 men prisoner. About a 1,000 men were cut down. The enemy retreated now to Crevecoeur and Cambrai.

From General Chapuy, who was taken prisoner, we learned that the French army that attacked us was 30,000 men strong with 79 cannon.

The moment I was certain of the general retreat of the enemy, I ordered 3 battalions Kaunitz [IR No. 20], 1 battalion Joseph Colloredo [IR No. 57], 1 battalion Wenzel Colloredo [IR No. 56], Austrians; 3 guard battalions, the cavalry brigade of Major-General Laurie (2 squadrons of the 2nd Regiment Dragoon Guards, 2 squadrons from the 2nd, and 2 squadrons from the 6th Cavalry Regiment [Dragoons?], British, over the Celle to the heights of Catillon. These heights were held by General Petrasch, who was detached here at the beginning of the battle, and who had advanced a bit during the course of the battle. These troops were also assigned to attack the enemy in its flank when it would continue its attack on the right wing of the main army with force. because the enemy had been defeated everywhere, these troops returned to camp late in the evening.

Form the dispositions of the general attack of the enemy, found on General Chapuy, we learned that the enemy had planned a big undertaking against Flanders. Because of this a corps commanded by Lieutenant-General Erskine was send to the Denaing area, to enable General Clairfayt to return with his troops to this province.

The corps of Lieutenant-General Sir W. Erskine consisted off:

3 bat. Kaunitz [IR No. 20], and
2 bat. Joseph Colloredo [IR No. 57], Austrian troops;
14th Infantry Regiment,
37th Infantry Regiment,
53rd Infantry Regiment, and
6 squadrons of the Brigade of Major-General Laurie, British troops.

The victory in this battle goes completely on the account of the cavalry; the infantry, in front of the camp, was not able to fire one shot. The loss of the few troops that were committed was as follows:

From the Austrian cavalry and the O'Donnell light infantry:
- 3 officers, 69 soldiers, and 99 horses killed.
- 5 officers, 148 soldiers, and 98 horses wounded
- 1 officer, 11 soldiers, and 11 horses missing.

Form the British cavalry:
- 1 officer, 54 soldiers, and 133 horses killed
- 4 officers, 96 soldiers, and 91 horses wounded
- 1 officer, 6 soldiers, and 61 horses missing.

In total: 399 men and 499 horses.

Beside this loss, the British General Mansel was killed at the head of his brigade.

We estimate the loss of the enemy at killed 5,000; we captured 34 cannon and howitzers, 37 ammunition caissons, and 224 horses. We took 350 men prisoner.

With the greatest regards I recognize the aid given by Lieutenant-General von Otto in this battle. He has given further proof of his insight, determination, and bravery.

Colonel Prinz von Schwarzenburg has earned the highest praise, for his cleverness and bravery, with which he executed the dispositions of Lieutenant-General Otto.

Captain Mecsery, and the Lieutenants Müller and Prinz Salowsky, Adjutant of Lieutenant-General Otto, the first because of his bright command of the cavalry which attacked the enemy in the flank; the second because of the bravery and the zeal proven by reforming the retreating cavalry, and leading these forward again; and the third because of the bravery showed during the attack, which he took part in as a volunteer.

Major Stephaicz of the Erzherzog Ferdinand Hussars deserves the highest praise because of his zeal, good judgement and bravery.

The Captains Meyr and Baumgarten of the General Staff, because of their zeal and bravery showed when the enemy attacked Troisville village.

Colonel Prinz von Schwarzenburg praises the behaviour, bravery and zeal of Major Graf Magnany, the Captains Heinrich, Linnert, Seeburg, Müller, Meyr, and Ritterstern, and the Lieutenants Kopeckzy, Weissenburg, and Krudy.

Colonel Vyse deserves the highes praise, because of his zeal, cleverness, and bravery, with which he led both brigades after the death of General Mansel; Lieutenant-Colonel Staveley, and the Captains Payne and Beckwith, showed zeal and bravery during the attack.

The Cuirassier Regiment Zeschwitz, the Hussars of the Erzherzog, the Blue Guards, the 1st, 3rd, and 5th Dragoon Guards, the 1st Dragoons, and the 7th, 11th, and 16th Light Dragoon Regiments, executed the orders of their officers with discipline, bravery and zeal, etc.

Frederick,
Duke of York

Footnotes:

1) The Brigade of General Mansel consisted off:
2 squadrons Royal Horse Guards 'The Blues',
2 squadrons 3rd Regiment Dragoon Guards,
2 squadrons 1st Regiment Dragoons.
The Brigade of Colonel Vyse consisted off:
3 squadrons 1st Regiment Dragoon Guards,
3 squadrons 3rd Regiment Dragoon Guards.

[Presumably this note is from the German translator. Note that the 3rd Regiment Dragoon Guards is mentioned in both brigades! York mentions further on in his report for the British taking part in this attack the Royal Horse Guards; 1st, 3rd, and 5th Dragoon Guards; 1st Dragoons; and 16th Light Dragoons. Brown as well as Fortescue confirm these units, so it seems probable the German translator made a mistake here.]

© Geert van Uythoven