Legion Franche Etrangere
1792-1795
Introduction
by Geert van Uythoven, The Netherlands
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Out of fear for repercussions,
or in order not to have to live under
the ‘yoke’ of the Stadtholder William V, many
patriots left the country. Although many historians,
as well as I myself, doubt the popular
number of ‘over 42,000’, it indeed must have
been a lot of them! [2]
Part of them went to Germany, especially to Embden. But most of them left for the nation of their brothers with the same ideas: France. Among them were many persons who would become famous
later: Daendels, Chassé, De Winter, Valckenaer, the ladies Wolf and Deken, etc. After the failure of the Belgian rising against Austria they were joined by many Belgians: [3] Dumonceau, Ghigny, Lahure, etc.
Initially the refugees concentrated in Brussels and Antwerp. When they asked financial aid to the French it was granted, however under the condition that they would stay in France. There came a colony of refugees into being in the French place St. Omer, later also one in Grevelingen (Gravelines) and Dunkirk. Refugees that had no money of their own were lodged in barracks, supported by the
French government.
Those that had money of their own found lodging in hotels and houses in the vicinity. Future was not bright, and among each other there were much differences resulting in quarrels. Not surprisingly, news about the outbreak of war between revolutionary France and the First Coalition (Austria, France and Saxony) was received by the refugees with delight.
Legion Franche Etrangere 1792-1795
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In 1787 the patriot rising in the Republic of the United Provinces (Dutch Republic) was subdued with military force, although with the aid of a Prussian army. This army was send to the Dutch Republic by the Prussian King Friedrich Wilhelm II, because of the insult done to his sister Princes Wilhelmina, wife of the Dutch Stadtholder William V, who had been arrested by the patriots near Goejanverwellesluis. As was to be expected,
any resistance of the patriots was
quickly brushed away by the much better disciplined
Prussian troops, finally ending in
some confused fighting around the Dutch capital
Amsterdam, were the patriots were
soundly defeated again. [1]