British Campaigns in Flanders 1690-1794: Being Extracts from "A History of the British Army"Fortescue, J. W. (John William), Sir
History
British Campaigns in Flanders 1690-1794: Being Extracts from "A History of the British Army"
Fortescue, J. W. (John William), Sir
Flanders -- History, Military; Great Britain -- History, Military -- 18th century
The entire army of the Allies, with the exception of Clerfaye’s corps,
was gathered into camp about Tournai in the course of the 19th, the
Emperor being received in silence when he rode into the town, while the
Duke of York was loudly cheered by the inhabitants.[243] The condition
of the army was very far from satisfactory. The troops themselves, or at
any rate the British, were not seriously shaken by the rout of the
previous day; but the Emperor and the Austrian commanders were much
discouraged, and the animosity of the various nations towards each other
was dangerously embittered. The British, above all, were furious against
the Austrians for leaving them to be overwhelmed without so much as an
attempt to assist them. “It is impossible,” wrote Craig to the War
Office, “to bring the Austrians to act except in small corps. I lament
that we should be destined as victims of their folly and ignorance. Do
not be surprised at the word ignorance: I am every day more and more
convinced that they have not an officer among them.” These were hard
words, but they were true and just, though the Archduke Charles in later
days redeemed himself from this reproach. ◆May 20.◆ However, for the
moment the commanders laid aside their differences and agreed that the
attack should be renewed, this time with united forces, upon Mouscron;
and meanwhile Coburg dispersed the whole army in a semicircle around
Tournai; the advanced posts running from Camphin on the south by
Baisieux, Willems, Nechin, Leers, Estaimpuis, and St. Legers to
Espierres, while the inner circle of entrenchments ran from the Scheldt
on the north by Froyennes, Marquain, and Lamain to the suburb of St.
Martin and the citadel of Tournai itself.
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
Reviews
Reviews
No reviews yet
Be the first to share your thoughts on this work.
Elsewhere in the archive
Join the Discussion
Join the discussion
Sign in to leave a comment or review.
Sign InorCreate an account