Battle of Jemappes
French Revolutionary Wars · Jemappes, Belgium
Summary
The Battle of Jemappes is an important victory for the French revolutionary armies that allows conquest of Belgium and marks a major advance in the war against the coalition monarchies.
Historical context
On 6 November 1792, near Mons, Dumouriez's revolutionary army of about 40,000 volunteers faced the Austrians of the Austrian Netherlands commanded by Duke Albert of Saxe-Teschen, following on from the victory at Valmy.
Tactics
Dumouriez launched a frontal attack supported by artillery; General Ferrand took Carignan (Quaregnon) and Jemappes at bayonet point and maneuvered on the Austrian right flank, while French numerical superiority disorganized the enemy defense.
Consequences
Victory opened the conquest of the Austrian Netherlands and gave its name to the department of Jemappes in 1795, but the Austrians regained the initiative at Neerwinden on 18 March 1793; General Richer Drouet was mortally wounded there.