A History of the British Army, Vol. 2: First Part—to the Close of the Seven Years' WarFortescue, J. W. (John William), Sir
History
A History of the British Army, Vol. 2: First Part—to the Close of the Seven Years' War
Fortescue, J. W. (John William), Sir
Great Britain -- History, Military; Great Britain. Army -- History
On the next day the French advanced posts were pushed out of the
copses, and Cumberland, together with the Prince of Waldeck and
the Count of Königseck, who commanded the Dutch and the Austrians
respectively, went forward to reconnoitre the position. Saxe's army
occupied the crest of the slope, lying astride of the two roads
that lead from Condé and from Leuse to Tournay. His right rested
on the village of Anthoin and on the Scheldt, the tower of Anthoin
Castle marking the western boundary of his position with clearness
enough. From thence his line extended due east along the crest
of the height for nearly two miles to the village of Fontenoy. A
few hundred yards before Fontenoy stands the hamlet of Bourgeon,
but this was now veiled in smoke and flame, having been fired by
the Pandours as they retired. From Anthoin to Fontenoy Saxe's
front faced due south, but eastward from Fontenoy it turned back
almost at right angles to the forest of Barry and the village of
Ramecroix, fronting considerably to eastward of south. The village
of Vezon, however, which lies in the same straight line with
Fontenoy due east of Anthoin, was also occupied by the French as an
advanced post. This was quickly cleared by Cumberland's troops, and
the Allied Generals completed their reconnaissance. The position
was undoubtedly strong by nature and had been strengthened still
further by art. Beyond Anthoin the French right flank was secured
by a battery erected on the western bank of the Scheldt, while the
village itself was entrenched, and held by two brigades. Between
Anthoin and Fontenoy three redoubts had been constructed, and the
space was defended by three brigades of infantry backed by eight
squadrons of horse. Fontenoy itself had been fortified with works
and cannon, and made as strong as possible; and from Fontenoy to
the forest of Barry ran a double line of entrenchments, the first
line held by nine and the second by eleven battalions of infantry.
At the edge of the forest of Barry were two more redoubts, the
foremost of them called the Redoubt d'Eu, both armed with cannon
to sweep the open space between the forest and Fontenoy; in rear
of the forest were posted nine more battalions, and in rear of all
two strong lines of cavalry. The flower of the French army, both
horse and foot, was stationed in this space on Saxe's left, for the
English had the right of the line in the Allied Army, and Saxe knew
the reputation of the red-coats.
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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