Defense of the
Dutch Republic 1793

Dutch During the
Revolutionary Wars Part 11

Dutch Forces Cross the Hollandsch Diep

by Geert van Uythoven, Netherlands

Finally the Allies had gone over to the attack in the east, raising spirit enormously. The Prussian army commanded by the Duke of Brunswick-Oels advanced from Venlo and was near Heusden, while the Austrians had relieved Maastricht and were advancing into Belgium. As we have seen, the small Dutch field army, commanded by Prince Frederick of Orange, was coverings 's Hertogenbosch. Another Dutch army, c orrimanded by the hereditary Prince William of Orange, stood near Gorinchem. On 13 March, Lieutenant-General Du Moulin and Vice-Admiral van Kinsbergen send a request to Prince William of Orange.

In this request, they ask for a 'diversion', to relieve Willemstad and to prevent a possible landing of the French on the north side of the riverfront by capturing the ships gathered on the Roode Vaart. The diversion was to be made by Prince Frederick of Orange, reinforced with Prussian cavalry and infantry, while part of this force would screen the advance against any offensive move by the garrison of Breda. Before this movement could be undertaken, the situation changed rapidly, making such a move unnecessary.

On the 16th, returning from a reconnaissance mission, the poon "De Jager" reported that the French had removed the guns from their battery at Moerdijk, and that many French troops had been seen on the dike leaving this village, moving south. Vice-Admiral van Kinsbergen ordered Captain van Capellen to verify this report. At the same moment a message came in from the Governor of Willemstad, Van Boetzelaer, saying that the French had abandoned their siege lines in front of the fortress-city, leaving behind a few guns.

The next day, Lieutenant Dealy was ordered to cross the Hollandsch Diep with a gunboat, to land near Moerdijk and to take a prisoner which could give more information about the French movement. Arriving near the battery the lieutenant went ashore, accompanied by a few sailors. They encountered two French soldiers, of whom one was shot dead, the other one wounded. Interrogating the wounded, Lieutenant Dealy learned that only only twelve men occupied the village of Moerdijk, and elated by his success, he boldly advanced to the village, only to learn that the French soldier had lied to him. Dealy was attacked by an overwhelming force, and in the hasty retreat to their boat he was wounded, while a sailor was killed and another one made prisoner.

This case and other events made clear that the French were still present, although seemingly not in such force anymore. On several occasions, Dutch flags were seen flying on church towers or other high points. Even women and children were seen on the dikes. But when Dutch ships closed in, they were fired upon, although not with heavy calibre guns, but with 3-pdr field guns. In any case, the village Moerdijk and the fortress-city Klundert were still occupied by the French.

Because of the unclear situation, Vice Admiral van Kinsbergen decided to keep his forces in their defensive positions, and not to venture out while in the dark about the whereabouts of the French army before him. But on the 20th, Van Kinsbergen received another message from Van Boetzelaer, telling him that strong French patrols were still moving through the countryside, even up to the walls of Willemstad.

Further Van Boetzelaer asked for eighty cavalrymen, to protect the countrymen against plunder and to harass the French. With the riverfront strong enough to counter any French attack and a diversion not necessary anymore, it was decided to send over a strong force to Willemstad. On the 21st, about 700 men, infantry as well as cavalry, embarked on the Kille on 22 transports, to sail to Willemstad. The convoy, commanded by Captain Oorthuys, was protected by the brigs "Courier" and "Postiljon", the poon "De Jager", and fourteen Dutch and British gunboats. Sailing past Noordschans the convoy received gunfire from the French battery there, but engaged by part of the escort these guns were soon silenced, and the convoy reached Willemstad safely.

The troops disembarked the same day and all ships returned to their posts, except for the British gunboats that stayed at Willemstad. These gunboats, commanded by Captain Berkeley, would not stay idle for long.

Defense of the Dutch Republic 1793 Dutch in Revolutionary Wars Part 11

The Dutch During the Revolutionary Wars

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