_Battle of Villers en Couche._--Some of your correspondents, better versed
than myself in military matters, will doubtless render me assistance by
replying to this Query. Where can I find a copious and accurate account of
the battle, or perhaps I should rather say skirmish, of Villers en Couche?
If I am rightly informed, it must be one of the most remarkable actions on
record, when the comparative numbers of the troops engaged are taken into
consideration. We have, as an heirloom in our family, a medal won by an
officer on that occasion: it is suspended from a red and white ribbon, and
is inscribed thus:
"FORTITUDINE
VILLERS EN COUCHE.
24th APRIL,
1794."
I do not remember to have read any account of the battle; but, as I have
heard from the lips of one who gained his information from the officer
before alluded to, the particulars were these:--General Mansell, with a
force consisting of two squadrons of the 15th Hussars, and one squadron of
the German Legion, _two hundred and seventy-two_ in all, charged a body of
the French army, _ten thousand_ strong. The French were formed in a hollow
square: but five times, as I am informed, did our gallant troops charge
into and out of the square, till the French, struck with a sudden panic,
retreated with a loss of twelve hundred men. I am desirous of
authenticating this almost incredible account, and shall be thankful for
such information as may guide me to an authoritative record of the action
in question.