Thank you for visiting SNEWPapers!
Sign up free
The New Hampshire Gazette
Portsmouth, Rockingham County, New Hampshire
What is this article about?
British light troops captured papers at Detmold on August 5, 1759, including a letter from Marshal Duc de Belleile to Marshal Contades dated July 23, 1759, outlining French plans to raise contributions from enemy territory, procure supplies, prepare for winter offensive, and potentially devastate areas to hinder the enemy.
Clipping
OCR Quality
Full Text
Whitehall, August 18.
Among the Papers which were taken at Detmold on the 5th Instant, by his Majesty's Light Troops, an original Letter is found from the Marshal Duc de Belleile to Marshal Contades. Dated Versailles, July 23, 1759, in which there is the following Passage.
"Am still afraid that Fischer set out too late:
It is, however, very important, and very essential, that we should raise large Contributions. I see no other Resource of our most urgent Expences, and for refitting the Troops, but in the Money we may draw from the Enemy's Country; from whence we must likewise procure Subsistence of all Kinds, (independently of the Money) that is to say, Hay, Straw, Oats, for the Winter, Bread Corn, Cattle, Horses, and even Men to recruit our Foreign troops.
The War must not be prolonged, and perhaps it may be necessary, according to the Events which may happen between this time and the End of September, to make a down right Desert before the Line of the Quarters, which it may be tho't proper to keep during the Winter, in Order that the Enemy may be under a real Impossibility of approaching us:
At the same time reserving for ourselves a bare Subsistence on the Route, which may be the most convenient for us to take in the middle of winter, to beat up, or seize upon the Enemy's Quarters.
That this Object may be fulfilled, I assure the greatest Assiduity to be used, in preparing what is necessary for having all our troops without Exception well cloathed, well armed, well equipped, and well refitted, in every Respect, before the End of November, with new tents, in order that, if it be advisable for the King's political and military Affairs, you may be able to assemble the whole, or part of your Army, to act offensively, and with Vigour, from the Beginning of January; & that you may have the Satisfaction to shew our Enemies and all Europe, that the French know how to act, and carry on War, in all Seasons, when they have such a General as you are, and a Minister of the Department of war, that can foresee and concert Matters with the General."
You must be sensible, Sir, that what I say to you may become not only useful and honourable, but perhaps necessary with Respect to what you know, and of which I shall say more in my private Letter. M. Duc de Belleile.
What sub-type of article is it?
What keywords are associated?
What entities or persons were involved?
Where did it happen?
Foreign News Details
Primary Location
Detmold
Event Date
5th Instant (August 1759); Letter Dated July 23, 1759
Key Persons
Outcome
capture of papers including the letter, revealing french military strategy for contributions, supplies, and winter offensive preparations.
Event Details
His Majesty's Light Troops captured papers at Detmold on the 5th Instant, including an original letter from Marshal Duc de Belleile in Versailles dated July 23, 1759, to Marshal Contades. The letter expresses concerns about Fischer's timing, emphasizes raising contributions and procuring subsistence from enemy country for expenses and troop refitting, suggests not prolonging the war and possibly creating a desert area to prevent enemy approach, while preparing for a potential offensive in January with well-equipped troops.