Netherlands Artillery
in the Waterloo Campaign

Foot Artillery Battery ‘Riesz’

by Geert van Uythoven, The Netherlands

This ‘northern’ battery was served by a company of the colonial artillery, company no.3 of the 5th (East Indian) Line artillery battalion. The battery was commanded by Captain Carel Jan Riesz (23 years old). On 10 January 1814, initially Riesz had been appointed captain in the 4th Line artillery battalion. Already on 14 March 1814 he transferred to the 4th Artillery battalion of the national militia, appointed captain adjutant titular. However, he was again transferred already that same year, receiving command of the colonial artillery battery mentioned above. Other officers: 1st Lieutenant J. van de Ven; 2nd Lieutenant J.P. Siverda de Munter; 2nd Lieutenant J.C. Ham; 2nd Lieutenant C.H.C. Flugi; 2nd Lieutenant Gosseling. Train detachment: 2nd (1st?) Lieutenant H.B. Dayermans/Deijermans. On 12 June 1815 the battery had a strength of 6 officers, 114 others and 6 horses. The train detachment had a strength of 1 officer, 109 others and 203 horses.

To add more artillery to the Netherlands Mobile Army, the company made mobile a foot artillery battery and was attached to the Indian Brigade. This battery was armed with six short 6-pdr bronze cannon, and two 24-pdr (iron) bronze howitzers. Departing for his destination on 9 April 1815 with a strength of 6 officers and 80 others, and 168 horse of the train with train soldiers, it arrived in Genappe on 20 April. The battery was assigned to the Netherlands Indian Brigade (Lieutenant-General Carl Wilhelm Heinrich Anthing), The Indian Brigade saw no action during the battles of Quatre-Bras and Waterloo, being part of Prince Frederick of Orange’s troops at Halle. However, during the advance on Paris the battery took part in the capture of the fortress-city Le Quesnoy, bombarding the place from 26 until 29 June. After that, it took part in the capture of Valenciennes (20 July). The battery distinguished itself during both sieges. On 10 July King William of Orange informed Wellington that he would like to sent the Indian Brigade to their original destination, the East and West Indies. This was laid down in a Royal Decree of 9 August 1815.

As a result, Wellington fixed their departure date as 16 August. Arriving in the Netherlands while having left behind their guns and all material with the artillery park, the Colonial Brigade including battery ‘Riesz’ was taken out of the mobile army officially on 6 September. During October or November of that same year, the battery left its destination the Dutch East Indies.

Netherlands Artillery in the Waterloo Campaign 1815 Part III: Artillery Batteries and Companies

Netherlands Artillery in the Waterloo Campaign 1815 Part II: Artillery Officers [First Empire 72]

Netherlands Artillery in the Waterloo Campaign 1815 Part I [First Empire 71]

Back to Table of Contents -- First Empire # 73
Back to First Empire List of Issues
Back to MagWeb Master Magazine List
© Copyright 2003 by First Empire.
This article appears in MagWeb.com (Magazine Web) on the Internet World Wide Web. Other articles from military history and related magazines are available at http://www.magweb.com