Conquete de toute la Hollande

The newspapers of Paris have been full of the most amazing stories. Republican troops under the command of General Pichegru have contiuned their advance and arrived in Amsterdam. Hollands natural barriers proved no obstacle as with the freezing weather the French army was able to march straight across the Meuse, Waal, and Lek rivers. Republican patriots in Holland came out to welcome their liberators chanting "Vive la republique, vivent nos brave freres d'armes".

The stadtholder, William V, has fled with his family, and many arsenals have been captured intact. Republican sympathisere have released French prisoners taken by the English from their gaols, and they in turn have rushed the gates of the towns and thrown them open to allow in the conquering troops before the defenders have realised what is happening.

Liberte, Egalite, Fraternite. L'an I de la liberte Batave

Now fully liberated from Austrian control, an Estates General has been called, and a freedom tree has been planted in Revolution Square to mark the birth of the Batavian Republic. Carrot has arrived in Amsterdam to help the patriots keep order in the fledgling republic.

Prise d'un grand nombre de vaisseaux

Amongst the many tales of heroism coming from Holland, the most dramatic must be the capture of the Dutch Fleet. French troops under the command of Colonel Lahure approaching Helder found the Dutch fleet ice bound at the Texel.

Pichegru's Cavalry charge across the ice at Texel to capture the Dutch fleet

Troopers of the 8th Hussars, supported by voltigeurs advanced across the frozen sea, and despite being outnumbered browbeat the crews of the well armed battleships into surrender. This fleet including 14 ships of the line, mounting 850 cannon, will be a great boost to republican arms. The Dutch Admiral and all his crews were captured without any loss of life. With this naval gain, and the English army having to retreat ignominiously into Hannover, a huge blow has been struck against Prime Minister Pitt who has been the paymaster of the anti-republican alliance.

Le grand froid

The icy weather that has enabled glorious feats of arms in the North has been less than beneficial here in France. Temperatures as low as minus 10 degrees saw stocks of firewood running low and prices have soared to six times the normal level. When the thaw came flooding caused more hardship as rivers overflowed, and bridges were damaged and swept away. Barges carrying grain and many other necessities of life have been unable to get through and in some instances have sunk without trace. This has led to many workers being laid off in the cities of the North. Starving jobless beggars have become a menace, as they roam in search of food and work. The burden of fighting a war on so many fronts is exacting a heavy economic toll and there is once again the threat of serious unrest.

Armistice en Vendee

Good news though has come to Paris from Lazare Hoche, General in Chief of the Armee Annee de l'Orient. Harsh negotiations have been in progress at the Chateau of La Jaunay near Nantes, with Charette, principal leader of the Vendean rebels. Both sides needed peace and a treaty has been signed. The Vendeans have agreed to recognise the Republic, whilst the Convention has ageed to allow freedom of worship, to abolish conscription, and to fund a militia to keep order in the region raised and run by the Vendeans themselves. It is rumoured that there is also a secret article which will allow Charette access to the son of Louis XVI still a prisoner in Paris and that he will be able to supervise his guard.

Francois Athanase Charette de la Contrie, raised to lieutenant general of the Royal Catholic army by the Comte de Provence has been leading the rebels in the Marais, and was joined in signing the treaty by Sapinaud now leader of the Army of the Centre. General Stofflet, however, who has been leading another group of rebels in the Mauges, around Cholet, refused to sign, judging the peace to be an insult and shouting "To hell with the Republic and Charette."

It is to be hoped that he can be persuaded to bring an end to the conflict before the intrigues of the Comte dArtois and his paymaster Pitt make it necessary for General Hoche to take further repressive measures in this unstable region.