The New Hampshire Gazette

Army of Sambre and Meuse.

Extract of a letter from the General of division Kleber, Commander of the right wing.

Head-quarters, at Adoldorf, 20th Thermidor.

After the entry of the Republicans into Bamberg, we were informed that a column of the enemy had remained some time at Coburg and at Lichtenfels, and now continued its route to Egra; having nothing to apprehend from that quarter, two divisions from the left were ordered to pass the Rednitz, and to direct their march by Forcheim and Ebersmanstadt, while the divisions of the right were to establish themselves behind the Raub-Eberach: this movement was executed the 19th, and produced a bloody action between the cavalry of the enemy and that of the division of Gen. Lefebvre. The plain beyond Bamberg is immense, and presents the greatest advantage to that army which has the most numerous cavalry to display; thus, in this view, the enemy had reason to expect the most brilliant success.

In the mean time the cavalry of Gen. Lefebvre arrived; it was composed of six squadrons and of the 8th regiment of Cuirassiers: it had scarce time to take breath when the signal of battle was given them; it passed the village of Strullendorf with an incredible impetuosity, attacked and defeated the first posts of the enemy, crossed the village of Hirschfeld, and displayed themselves in the plain, in presence of the enemy, who were infinitely more numerous. Here the charge commenced, and the enemy being unable to resist the first shock, gave way in disorder; but soon improving their great superiority, they displayed themselves on our left, and threatened our flank—Gen. Richerand who perceived them, flew with a few platoons to meet them—then the action became desperate, and the confusion complete: in the mean time each soldier rallied at the voice of his chief, and they again found themselves in presence of the enemy. A second charge took place; already a few squadrons were on the point of reaching the village, when Capt. Prudhomme of the 1st regiment of Chasseurs, by his voice, his countenance and firmness, checked this retrograde movement, and brought them back to the combat. Notwithstanding the astonishing valour of our troops, the enemy by a desperate attempt were on the point of securing the victory, which they would have effected, had not the 8th regiment of Cuirassiers presented itself at the very instant it did—it came from the village of Hirschfeld, with an irresistible impetuosity, reanimated the courage of the Chasseurs, darted upon the enemy, repulsed them and put them to flight—the Chasseurs instantly improved their advantage, and each one began to pursue the enemy, who, to check our progress, kept up, without any distinction upon our troops, as well as their own, a fire of infantry and artillery, with which they had taken care to protect their retreat, by placing them in front & rear of the village of Attendorf. The enemy had thrown a few battalions and squadrons into the villages near the mouth of the river of Raub-Eberach. Gen. Grenier was to drive them from thence—he gave orders for this purpose to Gen. of brigade Oliver, who after an obstinate battle of more than three hours, effected to dislodge the enemy and to pursue them as far as the woods of Cent Bukhoen. The division of Gen. Lefebvre on this day took about 60 prisoners; the loss of the enemy in killed and wounded must be very considerable; the brave Gen. Richerand was wounded by a stroke of a sabre in the arm, Chief of Brigade Doze, commander of the 8th regiment of Cuirassiers perished by a stroke of a broad sword; this brave and worthy officer carried with him the regret of the whole army. The enemy has taken its position upon the right bank of the Rednitz, between Ebersmanstadt and Forcheim, and on the left bank between Forcheim and Hochett, This day the army will attack upon every point, and the success obtained yesterday presage victory.

Extract from the same Gen. Commander in Chief, (per interim) of the army of the Sambre and Meuse.

Head-Quarters Adelfdorf, 21st Thermidor.

Yesterday the division under the orders of Gen. Lefebvre, directed its march by the river Wisen, and after having driven every thing which it found upon the right bank, it took its position in advance of Trugendorf. The enemy were obliged after an action of an hour, to abandon the post of Ebersmanstadt. Lefebvre finding himself thus master of the two banks of the Wisen, was enabled to send patrols upon the rear of the enemy. The division under the orders of Gen. Coland was ordered to quit its position under Bamberg, to march by Forcheim to attack and dislodge every thing which it might find in the field, destined to cover that place. The enemy were in force in the plain and upon the heights and Gen. Wartenfleben commanded there in person. The advanced guard, commanded by Adjutant-General Ney, were received by a discharge of fourteen pieces of cannon, although he had only two to oppose them, he did not however lose countenance, and uniting stratagem to valour, after a few discharges, he effected dislodging the enemy from their first position. Gen. Coland then brought up his reinforcements, which aided in obliging the Austrians to enter the place and to push several posts as far as the river. A flag was immediately dispatched to the commander at Forcheim, who said he would surrender the fortress as soon as the imperialists were at a sufficient distance to prevent them from being able to molest it; a decision was however insisted upon, and he capitulated. We found in this place seventy pieces of brass artillery, and a great quantity of warlike stores. Adjutant-General Ney had two horses killed under him this day. The division under the orders of General Grenier, after passing up the left bank of the Rednitz, established itself after a short but warm action, on the heights in the rear of the river of Aich.—A detachment seized on the village of Vellerdorf, in which it took a hundred prisoners,—The division under the orders of Gen. Championnet, discovered itself nearly at the same instant, upon the river of Aich, by Lauf. All the villages upon the two banks were occupied by the Hungarian infantry, and protected by a great number of cannon established upon the heights; these villages were attacked with the greatest impetuosity, but the resistance of the enemy was obstinate, and several of these posts were carried and abandoned three times; at last the bayonet was alone employed, and the enemy fled after having suffered a very considerable loss. Lieut. Gen. Kray, who commanded this corps of the army, protected his retreat by an immense fire of artillery, which ours answered with its usual efficacy, and in such a manner as threw the Austrians into the greatest disorder. The advanced guards of the three divisions immediately pursued them, and without giving them time to reform, obliged them to repass the Rednitz, the bridges of which they raised. Gen. Klein, has taken a position on the bank of this river. The enemy from the reports of all the general officers, were infinitely more numerous than us in cavalry. They have lost a great number of men, we have taken a hundred prisoners, sixty of which are mounted. The advanced posts of the different divisions have been extended beyond the river Aich, and the patrols and parties have pushed on as far as the river Aurach; from the reports which have reached me, the enemy are now retiring in great haste by Nuremberg. General Lefebvre, this day marched a party to Graffenberg. It is in this situation, Citizen Directors, that I have this instant surrendered up the command which had been entrusted to me, to Gen, Jourdan, upon his return to the army.

(Signed)
KLEBER.