The Dutch During
The Revolutionary Wars
The Prussian Campaign
In Holland 1787
Part III
Prussian Plans and Preparations
by Geert van Uythoven, The Netherlands
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Prussian Plans and PreparationsThe truce lasted until 30 September, and that evening between 7 and 8 o'clock it was repudiated by the Duke of Brunswick, not having received the satisfaction that he wanted, and because it became clear that the patriots at Amsterdam used the truce to strengthen their defences. In addition, the water of the inundations began to rise, and the Duke of Brunswick was afraid that an attack on Amsterdam would become more difficult the longer he waited. Therefore, he reinforced the troops at Leimuiden, reaching the strength of seven battalions and two Fussjäger companies, cavalry and artillery. The attack on Amsterdam by the 3rd Division would start at 5 o'clock in the morning of 1 October, and would be made in four columns. Of the 1st Division, At the same moment, Maj-Gen von Kalkreuth had to make seven feint attacks and Lieut-Gen von Lottum one. The attacks would start simultaneously, after the signal of three gunshots. The patriots had neglected to guard the Haarlemmermeer with boats, so the Duke of Brunswick planned to cross the lake with two columns. For that purpose, with the help of Dutch officers, flat-bottomed boats were collected to create two squadrons, which had to operate on the Haarlemmermeer. The Dutch Lt-Col Neupert commanded the First Squadron, consisting of eighteen big and nine smaller boats, accompanied by Major von Hirschfeld. Lt-Col Alexander Gordon [8] commanded the Second Squadron, consisting of fourteen boats. The four attack columns from the 3rd Division were made up as follows, with the following plans of attack:
1st Column (Major von Burghagen)
This column had to leave behind their colours and regimental guns, but would take with them their gunners. They would embark at the village Aalsmeer on the boats of the First Squadron, and then cross the Haarlemmermeer to the village Sloten. From there, they had to advance to Halfweg, to attack its redoubts from behind. Von Burghagen would not have to wait for the signal, but would advance immediately after landing his troops.
2nd Column (Major von Hirschfeld)
This column would embark on the boats of the Second Squadron, also at Aalsmeer. They would have to land at the shore of the Nieuwemeer, to attack the entrenchments at Amstelveen from behind, and to prevent reinforcements from Amsterdam reaching Amstelveen.
3rd column (Major von Götz)
4th column (Duke of Brunswick)
This column would attack the entrenchments at Amstelveen frontally. The hussars would form the reserve. First to advance were the Fussjäger; the company commanded by Major von Valentini would advance on the left side of the road (on the dike), while the company commanded by Captain von Böltzig would advance to the right side. Their task was to probe and go around the flanks of the enemy's defence. Next came the Grenadier Battalion von Droste (Rgt Jung von Woldeck). A detachment of these would advance, rolling before them two big woolsacks. Using the cover of these woolsacks, both 6pdr guns would be deployed. Then followed another grenadier detachment, they carried planks, to help the Fussjäger cross the many ditches on both sides of the road. Next followed one after another a grenadier platoon, both 6pdr guns, the remaining grenadiers, both 10pdr howitzers, and both musketeer battalions of the Rgt Jung von Woldeck. Forming the reserve were the musketeer-coys 2nd bat/Rgt von Budberg.
The 1st Column arrived in the dark on the other side of the Haarlemmermeer and disembarked without opposition. Leaving behind thirty men to protect the ships, Major von Burghagen advanced to Sloten with the remainder of his troops, the advance guard formed by his 40 Schützen. Sloten was taken without opposition, and to guard against an attack from behind, Major von Schmude occupied the village with both companies of the Rgt von Marwitz, while the grenadier battalion continued its way to Halfweg.
Arriving in front of the village Oostdorp, the Prussians encountered a heavy gun, guarded by two patriots. One was taken prisoner, but the other one managed to get away. The gun could not be moved and was spiked, but unfortunately, in the process the gun went of.
This alarmed the thirty men strong patriot piquet at Oostdorp, and consequently the Prussians had to fight their way through the village. Urging his grenadiers on, Von Burghagen advanced on Halfweg, but entering the village, the Prussians were greeted with musketry from the houses on both sides of the road, occupied by about 300 patriots. Without halting to respond, the Prussians moved on at the double and at the end of the village took a gun before its crew could reach it. Leaving the village on the other side, the grenadiers encountered a strong enemy force, commanded by the commander of the redoubts, the French Captain of Artillery Richaust.
This force was attacked with the bayonet and dispersed, and their commander –- who was wounded twice -- was taken prisoner. After waiting some minutes to reform, the Prussians attacked the redoubts, aided by the twilight, in which the artillery crews were busy turning the guns. They were too late. Before they could fire a single shot, the grenadiers were at them, taking fifteen French gunners and 42 auxiliaries prisoner, capturing three 12pdr guns and two howitzers. Prussian losses were eight men wounded. The remainder of the patriots took flight in the direction of Haarlem, followed by Captain von Markolowski with a Prussian company, which had to occupy the important Sparendammer sluice, about one kilometre north of Halfweg. Captain von Holtzendorf took up positions in the direction of Amsterdam with a company, to guard against an attack, supported by the guns at the redoubts.
At Sloten, occupied by Major von Schmude, everything was quiet until about 9 o'clock. At this time, some patriot cuirassiers and dragoons, alerted by the noise of the fighting, advanced on his outpost on the road to Amsterdam, consisting of fifteen men and a NCO. The patriots were repulsed easily, but expecting that they would return in force, Von Schmude reinforced the outpost with ten men, Lieutenant von Platen taking command. Half an hour later the patriot cavalry returned, but again they were repulsed easily. At 11 o'clock, the patriot cavalry attacked again, now 122 men strong. Lieutenant von Platen, who was supported by Lieutenant von Schmettau with some more Prussians, received them with platoon-fire, and the patriot lost some horses and a wounded trooper that was made prisoner. The patriots gave up their attacks, and some infantry and a gun entrenched themselves at the Overtoom to cover Amsterdam.
Next issue: The surrender of Amsterdam
[1] Two regular battalions of the Regiment Walen van Grenier defended Weesp. Its commander, Col G. van de Pol, commanded the garrison of Weesp, consisting beside the already named infantry of the Regiment Dragonders van Bylandt, the patriot Regiment Amsterdam, eighteen French gunners commanded by a French Colonel, and about 250 auxiliaries.
More Dutch During The Revolutionary Wars
The Dutch During the Revolutionary Wars
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