The British were separated from the remainder of the allies, with a view of undertaking the siege of _Dunkirk_; and the INNISKILLING dragoons marched from Valenciennes to the vicinity of the coast for the purpose of forming part of the covering army. On the evening of the 22nd of August the French were driven from the camp at Ghivelde, and the covering forces took up a defensive position under Marshal Freytag, while the Duke of York carried on the operations against the fortress. The delay which took place in the arrival of the battering train, and of a British naval force, to co-operate with the army, gave time for the government of France to assemble men from various parts, crowd them into coaches, waggons, and other vehicles, and hurry them day and night towards Dunkirk. On the 6th of September the enemy attacked the covering army with overwhelming numbers, and, owing to the nature of the ground, the INNISKILLING dragoons dismounted and formed as infantry. Some sharp fighting occurred during the day, and after sunset the covering army withdrew to a new position. The night was dark and tempestuous; the advance-guard took a wrong road, and on entering the village of _Rexpoede_ it was found to be occupied by the enemy. Some confused fighting took place, and Marshal Freytag and Prince Adolphus were surrounded, but escaped with slight wounds. Finally the French were repulsed with great slaughter, and the army, continuing its route, arrived at Hondschoote on the following morning, and took up a new position. The SIXTH dragoons lost one quarter-master, their sick men, the women, and the baggage, which fell into the enemy's hands. On the 8th of September the covering army was again attacked, and driven from its ground by superior numbers; when the Duke of York raised the siege and retired. The Dutch posts on the Lys having been forced on the 12th of September, they abandoned _Menin_, which fortress was immediately taken possession of by the French. The Duke of York advanced, on the 14th of September, to drive the enemy across the Lys; and the INNISKILLING dragoons formed part of the force under Major-General Harcourt, which joined the leading column of Austrians and Hessians under Lieutenant-General Ehrbach. The French were forced to evacuate Menin, and were pursued by two British squadrons and the Austrian hussars towards Roncq. After bivouacking a few days in the fields, near Menin, the regiment marched to Tournay, where it was stationed several weeks, and subsequently passed the severe winter months at Drongen. [Sidenote: 1794] Leaving Drongen in February, 1794, the regiment marched to Oudenarde; in April it joined the army at Cateau, where it was seen in marching order by the Emperor Francis; and on the 17th of that month it supported the column which attacked and carried the heights of _Vaux_.