Battle of Valmy
French Revolutionary Wars · Valmy, Champagne, France
Summary
On 20 September 1792 on the heights of Valmy in Champagne, Generals Kellermann and Dumouriez halted the Prussian advance of the Duke of Brunswick toward Paris. The 'Cannonade of Valmy,' an hours-long artillery duel, forced the coalition army to abandon its offensive without a decisive pitched battle.
Historical context
After Louis XVI's abdication on 10 August 1792, Brunswick marched on Paris under the 25 July manifesto threatening revolutionaries. He faced a French army mixing line soldiers, 1792 volunteers, and National Guards, still inexperienced since war began on 20 April.
Tactics
The French held a defensive position on the Valmy heights. Well-served French artillery replied to Prussian fire. Kellermann rallied the troops ('Vive la Nation') while the Prussians, surprised by the resistance, abandoned a general assault and withdrew.
Consequences
On 21 September 1792 the Convention proclaimed the Republic. Valmy was a major psychological victory legitimizing the Revolution in European eyes. It marked the French army's first great victory in the Revolutionary Wars and enabled the Republic's development.