Battle of Boxtel
Encyclopedia
The Battle of Boxtel was a battle fought during the First Coalition
in the Dutch province North Brabant
, on the 15 September 1794. It was part of the Flanders Campaign
of 1793-94 in which British, Dutch and Austrian troops had attempted to launch an invasion of France through Flanders
. It is often considered most notable for the presence of Arthur Wellesley
who commanded the British troops.
in co-ordination with other similar attacks from different directions. These forces had initially been successful but had had suffered a serious reverse outside Dunkirk and by 1794 were retreating back northwards, pursued by an increasingly resurgent French army. In mid-September the French caught up with the Allied rearguard near the small town of Boxtel
.
and defeated three German battalions from the Duke of York
's Allied army. The next day, York sent a division commanded by Ralph Abercromby
to recover the town. The British ran into an ambush and were forced to retire in confusion, pursued by French cavalry. The battle was a baptism of fire for Lieutenant-Colonel Arthur Wellesley
, future Duke of Wellington, who checked the French pursuit with close-range volley fire.
coast successfully, where they were withdrawn to Britain in 1795. The French pressed on to Amsterdam
and overthrew the Dutch Republic
and replaced it with a satellite state.
, protagonist of the Sharpe novels. The battle is cited in Sharpes Tiger when Sharpe is a private in the 33rd Foot regiment.
First Coalition
The War of the First Coalition was the first major effort of multiple European monarchies to contain Revolutionary France. France declared war on the Habsburg monarchy of Austria on 20 April 1792, and the Kingdom of Prussia joined the Austrian side a few weeks later.These powers initiated a series...
in the Dutch province North Brabant
North Brabant
North Brabant , sometimes called Brabant, is a province of the Netherlands, located in the south of the country, bordered by Belgium in the south, the Meuse River in the north, Limburg in the east and Zeeland in the west.- History :...
, on the 15 September 1794. It was part of the Flanders Campaign
Flanders Campaign
This feature refers to the conflict that took place during the Wars of the French Revolution 1792–1801.For the Low Countries campaigns of the War of the Grand Alliance 1688–97 see Nine Years' War...
of 1793-94 in which British, Dutch and Austrian troops had attempted to launch an invasion of France through Flanders
Flanders
Flanders is the community of the Flemings but also one of the institutions in Belgium, and a geographical region located in parts of present-day Belgium, France and the Netherlands. "Flanders" can also refer to the northern part of Belgium that contains Brussels, Bruges, Ghent and Antwerp...
. It is often considered most notable for the presence of Arthur Wellesley
Arthur Wellesley, 1st Duke of Wellington
Field Marshal Arthur Wellesley, 1st Duke of Wellington, KG, GCB, GCH, PC, FRS , was an Irish-born British soldier and statesman, and one of the leading military and political figures of the 19th century...
who commanded the British troops.
Background
A major allied expedition had planned to overthrow the French Revolutionaries by invading France from the north through FlandersFlanders
Flanders is the community of the Flemings but also one of the institutions in Belgium, and a geographical region located in parts of present-day Belgium, France and the Netherlands. "Flanders" can also refer to the northern part of Belgium that contains Brussels, Bruges, Ghent and Antwerp...
in co-ordination with other similar attacks from different directions. These forces had initially been successful but had had suffered a serious reverse outside Dunkirk and by 1794 were retreating back northwards, pursued by an increasingly resurgent French army. In mid-September the French caught up with the Allied rearguard near the small town of Boxtel
Boxtel
Boxtel is a municipality and a town in the southern Netherlands.This is the origin of the van Boxtel family, which has numerous descendants in North Brabant....
.
Battle
On the 14 September 1794 the French attacked BoxtelBoxtel
Boxtel is a municipality and a town in the southern Netherlands.This is the origin of the van Boxtel family, which has numerous descendants in North Brabant....
and defeated three German battalions from the Duke of York
Duke of York
The Duke of York is a title of nobility in the British peerage. Since the 15th century, it has, when granted, usually been given to the second son of the British monarch. The title has been created a remarkable eleven times, eight as "Duke of York" and three as the double-barreled "Duke of York and...
's Allied army. The next day, York sent a division commanded by Ralph Abercromby
Ralph Abercromby
Sir Ralph Abercromby was a Scottish soldier and politician. He rose to the rank of lieutenant-general in the British Army, was noted for his services during the Napoleonic Wars, and served as Commander-in-Chief, Ireland.He twice served as MP for Clackmannanshire and Kinross-shire, and was...
to recover the town. The British ran into an ambush and were forced to retire in confusion, pursued by French cavalry. The battle was a baptism of fire for Lieutenant-Colonel Arthur Wellesley
Arthur Wellesley, 1st Duke of Wellington
Field Marshal Arthur Wellesley, 1st Duke of Wellington, KG, GCB, GCH, PC, FRS , was an Irish-born British soldier and statesman, and one of the leading military and political figures of the 19th century...
, future Duke of Wellington, who checked the French pursuit with close-range volley fire.
Aftermath
The British were able to continue their advance northwards and eventually reached the North SeaNorth Sea
In the southwest, beyond the Straits of Dover, the North Sea becomes the English Channel connecting to the Atlantic Ocean. In the east, it connects to the Baltic Sea via the Skagerrak and Kattegat, narrow straits that separate Denmark from Norway and Sweden respectively...
coast successfully, where they were withdrawn to Britain in 1795. The French pressed on to Amsterdam
Amsterdam
Amsterdam is the largest city and the capital of the Netherlands. The current position of Amsterdam as capital city of the Kingdom of the Netherlands is governed by the constitution of August 24, 1815 and its successors. Amsterdam has a population of 783,364 within city limits, an urban population...
and overthrew the Dutch Republic
Dutch Republic
The Dutch Republic — officially known as the Republic of the Seven United Netherlands , the Republic of the United Netherlands, or the Republic of the Seven United Provinces — was a republic in Europe existing from 1581 to 1795, preceding the Batavian Republic and ultimately...
and replaced it with a satellite state.
In popular culture
The battle of Boxtel was the first battle of Richard SharpeRichard Sharpe
Richard Sharpe may refer to:*Richard Sharpe *Richard Sharpe *Richard Sharpe , Professor of Diplomatic at the University of Oxford*Richard Sharpe , English football player...
, protagonist of the Sharpe novels. The battle is cited in Sharpes Tiger when Sharpe is a private in the 33rd Foot regiment.