(Vol. viii., p. 8.)
I possess a singular work, consisting of a series of _Poetical Sketches_ of
the campaigns of 1793 and 1794, written, as the title-page asserts, by an
"officer of the Guards;" who appears to have been, from what he
subsequently states, on the personal staff of His Royal Highness the late
Duke of York. This work, I have been given to understand, was suppressed
shortly after its publication; the ludicrous light thrown by its pages on
the conduct of many of the chief parties engaged in the transactions it
records, being no doubt unpalatable to those high in authority. From the
notes, which are valuable as appearing to emanate from an eye-witness, and
sometimes an actor in the scenes he describes, I send the following
extracts for the information of your correspondent; premising that the
letter to which they are appended is dated from the "Camp at Inchin, April
26, 1794."
"As the enemy were known to have assembled in great force at the Camp
de Cæsar, near Cambray, Prince Cobourg requested the Duke of York would
make a _reconnoissance_ in that direction: accordingly, on the evening
of the 23rd, Major-General Mansel's brigade of heavy cavalry was
ordered about a league in front of their camp, where they lay that
night at a farm-house, forming _part_ of a detachment under General
Otto. Early the next morning, an attack was made on the French drawn up
in front of the village of Villers en Couchée (between Le Cateau and
Bouchain) by the 15th regiment of Light Dragoons, and two squadrons of
Austrian Hussars: they charged the enemy with such velocity and force,
that, darting through their cavalry, they dispersed a line of infantry
formed in their rear, forcing them also to retreat {128} precipitately
and in great confusion, under cover of the ramparts of Cambray; with a
loss of 1200 men, and three pieces of cannon. The only British officer
wounded was Captain Aylett: sixty privates fell, and about twenty were
wounded.
"Though the heavy brigade was formed at a distance under a brisk
cannonade, while the light dragoons had so glorious an opportunity of
distinguishing themselves, there are none who can attach with propriety
any blame on account of their unfortunate delay; for which General Otto
was surely, as having the command, alone accountable, and not General
Mansel, who acted at all times, there is no doubt, according to the
best of his judgment for the good of the service.
"The Duke of York had, on the morning of the 26th, observed the left
flank of the enemy to be unprotected; and, by ordering the cavalry to
wheel round and attack on that side, afforded them an opportunity of
gaining the highest credit by defeating the French army so much
superior to them in point of numbers.
"General Mansel rushing into the thickest of the enemy, devoted himself
to death; and animated by his example, that _very_ brigade performed
such prodigies of valour, as must have convinced the world that
Britons, once informed _how to act_, justify the highest opinion that
can possibly be entertained of their native courage. Could such men
have _ever_ been willingly _backward_? Certainly not.
"General Mansel's son, a captain in the 3rd Dragoon Guards, anxious to
save his father's life, had darted forwards, and was taken prisoner,
and carried into Cambray. Since his exchange, he has declared that
there was not, on the 26th, _a single French soldier_ left in the town,
as Chapuy had drawn out the whole garrison to augment the army destined
to attack the camp of Inchi. Had that circumstance been fortunately
known at the time, a detachment of the British army might easily have
marched along the Chaussée, and taken possession of the place ere the
Republicans could possibly have returned, as they had in their retreat
described a circuitous detour of some miles."
MR. SIMPSON will perceive, from the above extracts, that the brilliant
skirmish of Villers en Couché took place on April 24th; whereas the defeat
of the French army under Chapuy did not occur until two days later. A large
quantity of ammunition and thirty-five pieces of cannon were then captured;
and although the writer does not mention the number who were killed on the
part of the enemy, yet, as he states that Chapuy and near 400 of his men
were made prisoners, their loss by death was no doubt proportionately
large.
The 15th Hussars have long borne on their colours the memorable words
"Villers en Couché" to commemorate the daring valour they displayed on that
occasion.