Landings: Part 1 Landings: Part 2 Landings: Part 3 Landings: Part 4 Landings: Part 5 Preliminaries After the battle of Alkmaar the Franco-Batavians received reinforcements, by at least the 51e Demi-Brigade (3 battalions), 98e Demi-Brigade (2 battalions), and General de Division Pachtod. The Franco-Batavian outposts were at Akersloot, Limmen and Bakkum and in the dunes, as already told in part 5. There were numerous clashes between patrols from both sides. The Anglo-Russians were making many reconnaissances, probing for weak spots in the Franco-Batavian defences. For example at 4th October, a reconnaissance in force was performed by 200 British light dragoons. They surprised a French infantry piquet, and charged them in a very unfavourable position. Fortunately for them, before the dragoons could reach them, they were attacked by a squadron of Dutch hussars, commanded by Colonel Quaita (the same one that counter-attacked the British cavalry on the beach the 2nd October). Their attack broke the light dragoons instantly, and the British were pursued back to their own lines. As already stated the battle that was fought on the 6th October was planned by neither sides. York had decided to fight a last decisive battle (probable on the 7th October), but to gain the right starting positions on the 6th he attacked the Franco-Batavian outposts. The attempt to take these outposts would escalate in to a complete battle, with both sides feeding in more troops. The Battle of Castricum (See Map 11) At 6th October (a Sunday), at about 07.00am, the 2nd Guards Brigade (Burrard), supported by the 1st Brigade (Coote) attacked the French outpost at Limmen. De advance guard was formed by 3 companies of the 1st Guards and a company of the 2nd Guards, and was commanded by Colonel Clephane. At Limmen, the British had no trouble in pushing back the French, and after the taking of this village the advance was continued to Akersloot. This village was occupied by the Batavian 1st Bat/1st H.B., a French battalion and a squadron of cavalry. These troops were commanded by the Batavian Lieutenant Colonel James Nicholson. Nicholson positioned his troops carefully and waited for the British to arrive. After a few minutes fighting, the French battalion was broken and routed, except of a small nucleus of men and their officers. All attempts to rally the battalion were useless. Nicholson continued the battle for an hour but was then ordered to retreat by General de Division Boudet, and to join the 2nd Batavian Division at Uitgeest, commanded by Major General Bonhomme. He achieved to retreat orderly, demolishing all the bridges behind him. At this part of the terrain, nothing more happened for the rest of the day. Nicholson's losses were about 150 men, mainly missing troops from the broken French battalion; Batavian losses were 1 wounded and 11 missing. About the same time a Russian column, commanded by Major General d'Essen, advanced from the villages Egmond op de Hoef and Egmond Binnen and attacked the French outposts at the village Bakkum and in the dunes. Their orders were to take the outposts and then to stop their advance, but apparently the Russians were impressed with the ease they defeated the French, and continued their advance. Next, they attacked the village of Castricum. Brune, at his Head Quarters at Beverwijk, soon received information about the Anglo-Russian movements and took measures. Boudet was ordered to advance with a French column from Noorddorp over Heemskerk to Uitgeest, to reinforce the 2nd Batavian Division (Bonhomme). General de Division Gouvion was ordered to take up positions in the dunes and on the beach, and to stop the advance of a British column commanded by Abercromby (who was advancing along the beach from the village Egmond aan Zee). General de Division Pachtod defended Castricum with 43e Demi-Brigade and some artillery, without loosing an inch ground to the enemy. Upon receiving the message that part of the Russian troops had already turned his flank by way of the dunes and threatened to cut him off, he thought it advisable to evacuate his position at Castricum and to retreat. He retreated in the southeast direction and took up a new position with his infantry in the dunes south of Castricum, and his artillery on the road to Noorddorp, in a way that it could fire on anything on the road to Castricum, the edge of the dunes, and the terrain to the northeast of his position. At this position the French held their ground against the subsequent Russian attacks, till they were reinforced by 5 battalions (French and Batavian), accompanied by Vandamme and Boudet and the Commander in Chief Brune himself, and later by the 49e and 99e Demi-Brigade and more troops. After the arrival of these forces, heavy fighting ensued in the dunes. Ground was lost and recovered again, until ammunition on both sides was low, and only weak musketry was maintained. At about 15.00pm, a strong Russian force advanced to the terrain east of Castricum, threatening the troops at Uitgeest. This movement was much hampered by the terrain, which was intersected by many ditches. Brune suspected that because of this manoeuvre, the Russians that were opposite him in the dunes had to be very weakened. To keep the Russians east of Castricum busy, he ordered a battalion of the 42e Demi-Brigade and the 1st and 3rd battalions of the Batavian 6th H.B. to engage them. This move effectively stopped any Russian advance on this part of the battlefield. Then he ordered his troops in the dunes to attack the opposing Russians with the bayonet. The Russians didn't wait for them and retreated in disorder, leaving the dunes and trying to rally in the low fields between Castricum and Bakkum. Brune now advanced from the west in the direction of Castricum. In front of this village, a great Russian force had taken up positions. These troops had to be dislodged first, so as to retake Castricum. Before Brune could give his orders to achieve this, these Russians were attacked by the Batavian 2nd Bat/1st H.B, commanded by Major Bernard Philip Achenbach. This Major already received from Vandamme the order to attack the Russians in front of Castricum. This battalion performed this task very well: it advanced in line in perfect order, without firing, till they had reached a distance that their fire would have a maximum effect. At this distance, a volley was opened with a telling effect on the Russians. Although they outnumbered the single Batavian battalion heavily, the Russian infantry was broken instantly. Now the way was cleared to attack Castricum, which was defended by 7 Russian grenadier battalions and most of their artillery. Pachtod was ordered to attack Castricum with some companies of the 4e and 49e Demi-Brigade, followed by 3 battalions, commanded by Brune himself. After heavy house to house fighting, Castricum was retaken. The Russians lost 7 of their guns to the Franco-Batavian troops. General de Brigade Barbou was ordered to pursue the Russians with a force of cavalry along the edge of the dunes, but while achieving this he was attacked in flank by a squadron of British cavalry, commanded by Colonel Commings, which was concealed in the dunes. The French 2nd Regiment Dragons, which was leading the pursuit, was routed instantly, and took in his flight the rest of the cavalry with them. The British didn't pursue. Pachtod pursued the Russians in the direction of Limmen. At the Schilpwater he was stopped because the bridge over it was demolished by the retreating Russians. 2 Russian guns made it impracticable for the Franco-Batavians to force a crossing, and Pachtod had to content himself with busying the Russians with skirmishing fire. D'Essen, feeling himself to weak to attack again, asked for help to Abercromby. Abercrombie's position at the beach was, as we will see later, not so good either, but after repeated requests from d'Essen he decided to reinforce d'Essen with 4 battalions, commanded by himself. He found the Russian infantry tired and disordered, but the arrival of the British troops raised the spirits again. Abercrombie decided to attack with his British battalions the Franco-Batavians by way of the dunes, to give the Russians the chance to attack from Limmen. At 17.00pm, Abercrombie attacked, in cooperation with the Russians who had repaired the bridge across the Schilpwater. Again a heavy fighting ensued, much heavier then before. The Franco-Batavian troops, exhausted by the day long battle and lacking ammunition, couldn't resist the attack of the fresh British troops, and were pushed out of Castricum. After being rallied by Boudet and Fuzier, the Franco-Batavians again attacked, but couldn't stop the advance of the enemy. The troops were entangled in close combat in the dunes, and the situation was very confused. The British cavalry had turned the left wing of these troops, and things were looking bad for the Franco-Batavians. At this critical moment, the initiative of a Batavian Lieutenant Colonel, who already had distinguished himself in the battles prior to this one, saved the day. Lieutenant Colonel Quaita, commander of the Batavian Regiment Hussars, had received, already some hours ago, the order from Brune to use his regiment at the time and in a way he thought was best. Now Quaita found the time had come. He ordered his regiment to charge the British cavalry, and at the same time he inspired the infantry to attack, by calling; "La cavallerie ne-tirez plus, en avant enfants de la patrie, battez la charge aux bajonettes, pas de charge!", ordering the infantry to stop firing and attack the enemy with the bayonet. The cavalry charge was supported by the French 10e Regiment Dragons and the 4e Regiment Chasseurs   Cheval. This proved to be the turning point. The British cavalry was routed, leaving behind many prisoners. At the same time, Vandamme drove the enemy before him with the 42e and 49e Demi-Brigade in the direction of Bakkum, while Pachtod drove the Russians before him in the direction of Limmen. Castricum was retaken, and many prisoners were made. The darkness ended the pursued. The Fight on the Beach What had happened at the beach meantime? General de Division Gouvion, who had been ordered to take up positions in the dunes and on the beach to stop the advance of a British column commanded by Abercromby, already had received message about the fighting between the enemy and Boudet. At 08.00am he ordered General de Brigade Simon to advance into the dunes with his brigade, to watch the enemy and to maintain contact with the centre. General de Brigade Aubree was ordered to take up position on the beach with his brigade west of Bakkum, and to attack the enemy if they showed up. Gouvion himself stayed with the reserve, composed of 2 battalions of 72e Demi-Brigade and the chasseurs (???) of the 5e Demi-Brigade. Not long after this, a British column advanced along the beach, preceded by 4 squadrons of Light Dragoons and 4 guns, covered in their flank by a force of skirmishers moving along the edge of the dunes. To stop their advance Gouvion ordered the advance of a squadron of the 16e Chasseurs   Cheval. Covered by them he deployed a battery across the beach, consisting of the 4e compagnie du 4e Regiment Artillerie   Cheval and a division of the Batavian 1st company Horse Artillery. This force was supported by another squadron of the 16e Chasseurs   Cheval and a half battalion of the 68e Demi-Brigade. The British cavalry only saw the cavalry squadron, and charged it. After coming within canister range, the cavalry unmasked the artillery battery, which took heavy toll from the enemy. The British retreated with heavy losses. Pursued by the French cavalry, the British cavalry retreated as far as Egmond aan Zee, but then rallied on the British infantry. The French cavalry didn't engage these troops, but retreated orderly to their former position. General Aubree ordered nearly all his infantry into the dunes, to engage the British skirmishers that tried to turn his flank. General Simon was also in serious trouble in the dunes. He and his entire brigade were nearly surrounded by a much superior British force, and Simon was desperately trying to extricate his brigade. Gouvion noticed the peril of his subordinate, and advanced with the reserve along the beach. West of Bakkum, he left 6 companies of the 72e Demi-Brigade to keep the British in check, and moved into the dunes with the rest of his troops. There he encountered 4 British battalions that had taken up a position on a small level in the dunes, half way between Bakkum and the beach. To engage these troops, he ordered the 3 companies of grenadiers of the 72e Demi-Brigade to move into the dunes to the right of the plain, and positioned the rest of the 72e Demi-Brigade in line at the edge of the plain, his left covered by 2 companies of the 2nd battalion in skirmishing order. After the arrival of the grenadiers in their designated position, he advanced into the plain with his line, and opened a heavy platoon fire on the surprised British. Supported by the grenadiers on his right, and by the skirmishers on his left, the British were nearly surrounded and sustained heavy losses. The British didn't stand long, and were routed. This gave Simon the chance to extricate his troops, and both sides retreated and took up positions, observing each other. All was quiet till about 18.00pm, when the British advanced again, with most of their forces moving along the beach. At first they were halted by the Franco-Batavian artillery, but when the ammunition ran low, Gouvion thought it advisable to retreat. The British light dragoons attacked the rear-guard, consisting of some companies of the 72e Demi-Brigade, but were beaten off by the well directed fire of these. Darkness made an end to all fighting, and the British retreated to Egmond aan Zee. Aftermath The Franco-Batavians had retaken all the positions they had lost, except of their outposts at Bakkum, Limmen and Akersloot, which were still occupied by the Anglo-Russians. Anglo-Russian losses were 2536 men wounded, killed or missing; Franco-Batavian losses were 1382 men wounded, killed or missing (from these the Batavian losses were 9 killed, 56 wounded and 177 missing). The left wing of the Anglo-Russians, commanded by Lieutenant General Pulteney, didn't take part in the battle. He also wouldn't have had a chance against the positions of Daendels. Daendels had already been ordered to send most of his troops to Beverwijk, and the only troops he possessed were 3 infantry battalions and a battalion of jagers. Despite the size of his force, Daendels was sure he could defend his position, which was made nearly unassailable by the flooding, so in the morning he decided it was time to pay a visit to Brune, giving temporary command to Major General van Zuylen van Nyevelt at Purmerend. Some hours later, at 11.00pm, A British officer approached the outposts, demanding to enter as a special envoy to His Royal Highness the Duke of York with a mission to the Batavian Government. Owing to the extensive flooding, it took a long time to receive permission from General van Zuylen van Nyevelt. Once obtained, the British representative, being Major General Don, was led through the floods without a blindfold and saw all the preparations that were made to stop any Anglo-Russian attack. Being brought before General van Zuylen van Nyevelt, Don was told that it was not customary to appear as a negotiator in the middle of a battle! Don assured him that at the time he left Alkmaar, there were no plans for an attack on the Franco-Batavians. However, he couldn't account for why he didn't return to the Anglo Russian lines upon hearing the noise of battle! Don was embarrassed by his predicament and wanted to return to his masters, however, he was guarded whilst van Zuylen van Nyevelt awaited the arrival of Daendels. It is not clear what the intention of sending General Don was, but from hereafter, secret negotiations were undertaken between York and Brune. The Batavian Government did not take part in these. The effect of the negotiations we will see later. 7th - 17th October 1799 York considered it impossible to win the campaign after the Battle of Castricum. He even considered himself to weak to hold his positions. At this time, only about 17,000 Anglo-Russians were capable of fighting. So York decided to retreat to his old positions at the Zijpe. The retreat started in the evening of the 7th October, and because the morale was low, it wasn't very orderly, and hasty. In all their hurry, 2 complete field-hospitals including the sick were left behind, and taken by the Franco-Batavian cavalry leading the pursuit. On 8th October, the Franco-Batavians entered Alkmaar again. On this day, Lieutenant Colonel Collaert, commanding the Batavian hussars, pursued the British to Petten and took 200 prisoners. Lieutenant General Dumonceau, recovered from his wound, resumed command of the 2nd Batavian Division on the 9th October. On the 10th, he ordered Colonel Bruce to take Dirkshorn, which he did. Daendels in the meanwhile received at the 8th October the order to take Hoorn. The execution of this order was difficult, because of the demolition of bridges and roads, and the flooding of the area. Only on the 9th, after a long hard night march, a column from Monnikendam and another one from Purmerend succeeded in reaching Hoorn by the afternoon (See Map 3). On the 10th, Daendels received the order to take Winkel at the Zuiderzee (See Map 7), which was occupied a strong British force, commanded by Major General Prince William. Advancing to Opmeer, the advance guard was attacked by a squadron of light dragoons, supported by infantry, commanded by Lieutenant Colonel Stewart. The dragoons were driven off with musketry by the Batavian jagers, which had taken up positions on both sides of the road. The British lost 1 officer, 19 troopers and 13 horses. The remainder of the squadron and the supporting infantry retreated to Aartswoude, only to be attacked again by the Batavians, and had to fall back on the retrenchments constructed on the sea-dike behind the village. Only at 15.00pm Daendels arrived in front of this position with the rest of his Division. The bad roads were the cause of his delayed arrival. Despite the lateness of the hour and the weariness of the troops, Daendels chose to make an immediate attack on the British positions. The attack would be made in 3 columns. One column would frontally attack the entrenchments on the sea-dike, while 2 other columns would try to cross the canal. The latter attacks would be very difficult, because the British had demolished all the bridges across the canal. The main attack also would be difficult, because the British had taken up position in their retrenchments, were closely supported by their artillery and had made some cuttings into the dike in front of their position. Not without trouble, the Batavian horse artillery had managed to deploy a howitzer on the top of the sea-dike and opened fire, while the infantry attacked the British who were defending the cuttings, and entrenchments. After throwing some grenades into the retrenchments, the British were quickly routed, and the Batavians took possession of the entrenchments. After the construction of some bridges across the cuttings, the Batavian infantry advanced, outflanking the British behind the canal, causing them to retreat. Now more bridges were constructed across the canal, and the remainder of the Batavian Division crossed. Threatened by superior numbers, the British troops evacuated Winkel, which was then occupied by the Batavians at 8.00pm, who took 6 prisoners in the process. At the 11th, Daendels advanced to Lutje Winkel, and met Dumonceau's Division. Supported by 2nd Bat/1st H.B. Dumonceau attacked Nieudorper Verlaat, again causing the British to retreat. British losses were 50 men killed or wounded, and 16 men prisoner. Also on the 11th, Daendels ordered General Major van Zuylen van Nyevelt to garrison Enkhuizen and Medemblik. De British marine was still busy to empty the stores in these cities, and the arrival of the Batavian troops prevented the already started plundering of the civilian houses and setting fire of to the magazines. Daendels himself was still busy advancing his positions and to strengthen them sufficiently to counter any Anglo-Russian attack. At 12th October, Daendels' dispositions were as follows: Winkel: 1st Bat/3rd H.B. 1st Bat/5th H.B. 2nd coy Horse Artillery Regiment Dragoons (2 squadrons) Canterbrug 1st Bat/4th H.B. Lutje Winkel 1st Bat Jagers 2nd Bat jagers 3 companies grenadiers 4th H.B. Nieuwe Nieudorp 1st H.B. (3 bats) Regiment Dragoons (2 squadrons) Oud Nieudorp 2nd Regiment Heavy Cavalry Hoorn 3rd Bat/4th H.B. Medemblik 2nd Bat/5th H.B. Enkhuizen 3rd Bat/5th H.B. Dumonceau's troops were positioned along the line of Tuitgenhorn, Haringkarspel and Dirkshorn. His connection with Daendels' troops was protected by a strong detachment at Zijdenskerk, commanded by Lieutenant Colonel Collaert, consisting of 6 companies grenadiers, part of 3rd Bat Jagers, a squadron of hussars and a division of 1st company Horse Artillery. The French positions were in the line Kamp, Groet, Schoorl, Schoorldam and Warmenhuizen. From the ease of the Franco-Batavian advance, it may be clear that the Anglo-Russian morale was very low. Rumours of probable negotiations were strong, and the situation in the Anglo-Russian army was bad. The Anglo-Russians were enclosed in the Zijpe, a region which was mainly one of mud, barren dunes and beaches, and no shelter for the many sick and wounded. The still healthy soldiers had to fight daily against the rains. Meanwhile, conflicts between British and Russians were running high. Supplying all these troops was difficult, with stormy beaches and still further deteriorating weather. Against all this misery stood an enemy, who was getting stronger every day, and with more then enough supplies, fighting in their own country. French Troops The precise reader of this article, will have noticed the appearance of not earlier mentioned demi-brigades. None of these appear in any order of battle I have found in the sources I have access to, but still they do appear in some sources of this battle. Worse still, an order of battle from the French troops at 22nd November 1799 (i.e. after the closing of the campaign) also doesn't list these specific demi-brigades. Maybe another reader could bring clearance to this point. Furthermore, the sources mention at one stage the chasseurs (???) of the 5e Demi-Brigade. My first thought was that a force of voltigeurs was meant, but sources state that only from 1800 on did some demi-brigades possessed `light companies'. To give as much useful information as possible, I will now list the French order of Battle at 22nd November 1799 (i.e. after the closing of the campaign): General en Chef: Brune Chef de l'Etat-Major: General de Brigade Rostollant 1e Division: General de Division Gouvion Generaux de Brigade: Dhinnisdal, Aubree, Durutte, Malher, Dazemar Infantry: 4e Demi-Brigade 2103 men 20e Demi-Brigade 2098 51e Demi-Brigade 2412 66e Demi-Brigade 2511 Cavalry 10e Regiment de Dragons 673 men 4e Regiment de Chasseurs   Cheval 125 (1st squadron) Artillery 1e Regiment   Pied, 10e Coy, 4e et 5e Eskadron 42 men 6e Regiment   Pied, 10e Coy, 4e et 5e Eskadron 157 7e Regiment   Pied, 10e Coy, 4e et 5e Eskadron 89 13e Regiment   Pied, 10e Coy, 4e et 5e Eskadron 28 2e Division: General de Division Reubell Generaux de Brigade: Prevost, Paradis, Simon, Fuzier, Dardenne Infantry: 49e Demi-Brigade 2077 men 1e Batallion des Ardennes 880 1e Batallion du Nord 699 Cavalry 4e Regiment de Dragons 321 men Artillery 7e Regiment   Pied 89 men 8e Regiment   Cheval 67 4e Regiment   Cheval 40 3e Division: General de Division Desjardin Generaux de Brigade: Rivaud, Osten Infantry: 15e Demi-Brigade 2558 men 98e Demi-Brigade 2034 49e Demi-Brigade(depot) 104 51e Demi-Brigade(depot) 23 96e Demi-Brigade(depot) 94 Cavalry 16e Regiment de Chasseurs   Cheval 788 men 4e Regiment de Dragons (depot) 119 Artillery 6e Regiment   Pied 224 men 7e Regiment   Pied 150 4e Coy du 4e Regiment   Cheval 31 The Treaty On 13th October Brune informed Daendels and Dumonceau secretly that he was engaged in secret negotiations. No Government did participate in these negotiations, and the completion of the treaty is very obscure, being a sole achievement of Brune. The treaty, which was closed at 18th October, was a shame for the Franco-Batavian troops, who gave all for a cause, the greatest part of them believed in. In the next part of this series, I will give the contents of this treaty, some background information, and the information about the closing of the campaign. Also I will give some remarks about the campaign and other useful information. Jumbo Map Battle of Castricum (extremely slow: 467K) More Anglo-Russian Landings in Holland Landings: Part 1 Landings: Part 2 Landings: Part 3 Landings: Part 4 Landings: Part 5 Landings: Part 6 Landings: Part 7 Back to Table of Contents -- First Empire #13 Back to First Empire List of Issues Back to MagWeb Master Magazine List © Copyright 1993 by First Empire. This article appears in MagWeb (Magazine Web) on the Internet World Wide Web. 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