Notes and Queries, Number 207, October 15, 1853: A Medium of Inter-communication for Literary Men, Artists, Antiquaries, Genealogists, etc.Various
History
Notes and Queries, Number 207, October 15, 1853: A Medium of Inter-communication for Literary Men, Artists, Antiquaries, Genealogists, etc.
Various
Questions and answers -- Periodicals
"On the 25th, according to orders received from the Committee of Public
Safety, and subsequently from General Pichegru, General Chapuis, who
commanded the Camp of Caesar, marched from thence with his whole force,
consisting of 25,000 infantry, 3000 cavalry, and seventy-five pieces of
cannon. At Cambray he divided them into three columns; the one marched
by Ligny, and attacked the redoubt at Troisoille, which was most
gallantly defended by Col. Congreve against this column of 10,000 men.
The second column was then united, consisting of 12,000 men, which
marched on the high road as far as Beausois, and from that village
turned off to join the first column; and the attack recommenced against
Col. Congreve's redoubt, who kept the whole at bay. The enemy's flank
was supported by the village of Caudry, to defend which they had six
pieces of cannon, 2000 infantry, and 500 cavalry. During this period
Gen. Otto conceived it practicable to fall on their flank with the
cavalry; in consequence of which, Gen. Mansel, with about 1450
men--consisting of the Blues, 1st and 3rd Dragoon Guards, 5th Dragoon
Guards, and 1st Dragoons, 15th and 16th Dragoons, with Gen. Dundas, and
a division of Austrian cuirassiers, and another of Archduke Ferdinand's
hussars under Prince Swartzenburg--after several manoeuvres, came up
with the enemy in the village of Caudry, through which they charged,
putting the cavalry to flight, and putting a number of infantry to the
sword, and taking the cannon. Gen. Chapuis, perceiving the attack on
the village of Caudry, sent down the regiment of carabineers to support
those troops; but the succour came too late, and this regiment was
charged by the English light dragoons and the hussars, and immediately
gave way with some little loss. The charge was then continued against a
battery of eight pieces of cannon behind a small ravine, which was soon
carried; and, with equal rapidity, the heavy cavalry rushed on to
attack a battery of fourteen pieces of cannon, placed on an eminence
behind a very steep ravine, into which many of the front ranks fell;
and the cannon, being loaded with grape, did some execution: however, a
considerable body, with Gen. Mansel at their head, passed the ravine,
and charged the cannon with inconceivable intrepidity, and their
efforts were crowned with the utmost success. This event decided the
day, and the remaining time was passed in cutting down battalions, till
every man and horse was obliged to give up the pursuit from fatigue. It
was at the mouth of this battery that the brave and worthy Gen. Mansel
was shot: one grape-shot entering his chin, fracturing the spine, and
coming out between the shoulders; and the other breaking his arm to
splinters; his horse was also killed under him, his Brigade-Major
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