The following is the Flemish Account of the preceeding Actions between the French and the Austrians Brussels, April 30
The declaration of war which the National Assembly of France resolved to make against the King of Hungary, had hardly been declared when we received advice from our frontiers, that Marechal de Rochambeau had assembled the troops from different garrisons to form an army, with which he intended to enter this country.
Orders were immediately issued to all who were in the different towns of the provinces to leave them, and repair to the place of general rendezvous which had been appointed. The first of these had not arrived at the rendezvous before the advanced posts of Mons had announced the arrival of a body of French troops on the 27th, who had marched that day from Valenciennes towards Quievrechain and Crepin.
Lieutenant-general baron de Beaulieau reported, that on the 28th he had observed near these places several regiments of French infantry, and a regiment of dragoons forming an advanced guard, behind which there was a heavy train of artillery, followed by a considerable body of troops, which induced the said general to remove towards Boussut, the advanced posts he held in Quieverain. Intelligence was received from the other side that a detatched corps from Lisle had marched by Morquain towards Tournay. News soon after arrived, that this corps, after having obliged the picquets of the Tyrolean arquebruseers, posted at Morquain, to retire to this village, were advanced on the 29th at day break to this place, but that Major-general Comte d'Happoncourt, having marched a battalion of the regiment de Clerfayt, four companies of Dalton's, two companies of de Ligne, and four squadrons of de la Tours dragoons to meet them, and these having fired several pieces of cannon, the French had retreated in a cowardly manner, and had re-passed our frontiers with so much precipitation, that it was not possible or our troops to keep up with them, and they were only able [55] to take four pieces of artillery, some provlsions, baggage and implements for intrenching. The subjoined reports of this General, contains some further details of this affair.
Extract from the Report of General Comte d'Happencourt to Field-Marshal Baron de Bender, dated Tournay, April 29, 1792.
"The enemy's column were more numerous in cavalry than infantry, and were above three thousand when they came from Lisle.
"Our troops being conducted to take the enemy in flank, and having fired about a dozen cannon, before our infantry could make a single discharge, and before the cavalry were advanced sufficiently to protect them, the enemy took to flight. We pursued them in the greatest order, with drums beating, quite to the frontiers.
"They left on the field, which they had abandoned, two dragoons and a number of horses killed; about forty of their soldiers, of different regiments, have been made prisoners.
"We have had none killed, wounded, or missing; and the three chasseurs, who in the beginning were taken prisoners by the enemy's dragoons, but whom they left behind in their precipitate retreat, have returned to their colour.
"All the baggage, warlike stores, bread, forage, and ten horses, have been divided among the soldiers and the peasants.
"I have this moment entered this town with the troops, and all is perfectly tranquil."
Extract from the Report of General Baron de Beauleau to Field-Marshal Baron de Bender, dated April 29.
"This morning, about half past nine, the enemy coming from Quieverain and Quievrechain, presented themselves in a number of columns of infantry and cavalry, extending in the form of a half-moon round my front. I only had about 1800 infantry, and between 1400 and 1500 cavalry, with ten pieces (chiefly three pounders) of cannon; and thus I was greatly inferior to the enemy; but the position of my front insured me, and especially the good will which the officers and soldiers unanimously testified.
"The French begun their attack on Boussut, with which they were suffered to go on; I drew in my advanced posts, which were extended too far to be supported, as the ground was not so good as that I occupied.