The Crown Prince of France - Chapter 299

Chapter 299: The Decisive Battle at Rochefort

“Send a victory report to Vienna. The rebellion in Liège has been quelled,” General Würmser wearily waved to the adjutant beside him. “His Majesty the Emperor must already be growing impatient.”

He turned to the Austrian troops marching in formation into the city of Liège and said, “The two regiments responsible for today’s main assault will stay behind to rest. The rest of the forces must depart immediately and reach Waremme before tomorrow afternoon.”

Waremme, located over 40 kilometers away, is a crucial waypoint on the route to South Brabant.

After six days in Liège Province, harried by relentless rebel attacks, the Austrian army finally captured the city of Liège, marking their first major victory since the conflict began.

Yet, General Würmser found little reason to celebrate. The progress had been far slower than he had anticipated, and by now, the Prussian army was likely nearing Brussels.

This meant his plans to encircle the Brabant rebels and ambush the Prussians were no longer feasible.

Moreover, in the day’s battle with the rebels, he had failed to destroy their main force. Around 3,000 rebels had decisively abandoned the city and fled toward Waremme, leaving fewer than 800 rebel casualties or prisoners in Liège.

The situation in Loon was equally dire. Three days after losing contact with Colonel Muzil's corps, Würmser sensed trouble and dispatched a cavalry company northward to investigate. The cavalry returned yesterday, reporting that Muzil had yet to take Loon.

For Würmser, however, all would be forgiven if he could secure victory over the Prussians in Brabant.

Taking the reins from an attendant, he was about to mount his horse when a scout rode up urgently, prompting Würmser to frown.

The scout was coming from the south, where no enemy was supposed to be present.

The scout shouted from twenty meters away, “Urgent news! Rebels spotted at Rochefort—at least 5,000 of them!”

Würmser’s pupils contracted. How had those rebels reached the south?

Rochefort was only two days' march from Luxembourg, a critical junction for supplies from both Austria and France.

If the rebels attacked Luxembourg, Würmser’s supply lines would be immediately jeopardized.

He glanced anxiously toward Brabant, hesitating before finally letting out a deep sigh. Turning to a courier, he said, “Assemble the entire army. We’re heading to Rochefort. Inform Colonel Muzil to abandon Loon and proceed to Waremme immediately to block the rebels’ return to Brabant.”

“Yes, General!”

As the Austrians grumbled their way southward, not far from Rochefort’s northwest, outside Namur, the Duke of Brunswick, commander of the Prussian forces, was galloping alongside an endless column of soldiers. Raising his hand, he shouted, “Get those damned legs moving! If we reach Rochefort by tomorrow, victory and glory will be ours!”

Despite being over seventy years old, Brunswick exhibited remarkable vigor, galloping relentlessly for twenty minutes while loudly rallying his troops. Finally, both he and his horse were exhausted, and he reined in, panting as he stopped.

Marquis Blücher, riding behind him, handed the Duke a canteen. “Marshal, have some water. Just now, a message arrived from Rochefort. The Netherlanders are prepared—over 12,000 strong.”

Brunswick took several large gulps, a smile playing at his lips. “Where did that lawyer, Vandernoot, find so many men?”

“The Dutch sent 200,000 gold guilders and plenty of weapons. The Netherlanders quickly armed a massive number of citizens.”

Two hundred thousand guilders, equivalent to 2.5 million livres, demonstrated the Dutch's immense support for their fellow Netherlanders.

Blücher hesitated. “Marshal, are we certain abandoning Brabant poses no risk? The Austrians are only three days from there.”

Brunswick tightened his reins and replied coolly, “That old fox Würmser never takes risks. Even if Brabant were undefended, he wouldn’t abandon Luxembourg to attack it.”

Two days later, the Austrian army reached the outskirts of Rochefort. Scouts reported that at least 20,000 Prussian troops and over 10,000 Netherland rebels were positioned to the southeast.

Würmser’s heart sank. The Prussians’ rapid march had exceeded his expectations. He had anticipated facing only the rebels, not fighting a decisive battle here.

Fortunately, his experience commanding large forces ensured he had not neglected reconnaissance, avoiding an ambush.

Unfolding a map, Würmser pointed to a flat, open area ahead and said to his staff officer, “Deploy the troops here immediately. Have Winkler’s skirmishers set up an outpost and remain vigilant against a Prussian surprise attack.”

“Yes, General!”

As the Austrians began forming up at Würmser’s chosen location, 15 Prussian cannons appeared at the front of their lines and unleashed a ferocious barrage.

Winkler’s regiment, elite Austrian troops, held their ground under the bombardment, standing firm on the front lines. Inspired by their resolve, the line infantry quickly formed up just beyond the Prussian artillery’s range.

Despite firing 30 volleys, the Prussian cannons inflicted fewer than 200 casualties on the widely dispersed Austrian skirmishers. Meanwhile, the Prussian vanguard hesitated to advance, wary of the Austrian sharpshooters.

Once his main forces were fully deployed, Würmser ordered his artillery to counterfire. To him, every life in Winkler’s regiment was precious.

After an intense exchange of fire, Würmser noticed through his telescope that the Prussian center was formed by Netherlander rebels in a line formation.

He was ecstatic. The Duke of Brunswick had made a grave mistake by assigning such poorly trained troops to the critical center. Breaking through them would collapse the entire Prussian formation.

Turning to a courier, Würmser decisively ordered, “Tell Schroeder to launch an all-out assault on the enemy’s center. Have Berger’s grenadiers support the attack, and instruct the cavalry to guard both flanks.”

“Yes, General!”

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