Gazette Of The United States, & Philadelphia Daily Advertiser

Letter of general Moreau to the Directory, dated head quarters at Friburg, Oct. 15.

Citizen Directors,

The courage of the army has gloriously extricated them out of the critical position in which it stood. By the Black Forest we were surrounded by three enemies who hindered our passage through the narrow passes, when at the same time the archduke Charles advanced with a part of his army, threatening to destroy the bridges over the Rhine. It was necessary at this juncture, to open ourselves a way, by vigorous efforts, which the victory of Biberach was not sufficient to effect.

About 25,000 men, commanded by generals Petrach and Nauendorf, had taken the posts by Rothwell, Villingen, Donauhengen and Neustadt, Waldshut, and even the Forest towns, were occupied by Austrian troops and armed peasants. From this you see that all our communications were cut off. This was the more disagreeable to us, as we could not receive letters from France, nor receive any from thence. I commenced to force a passage through the Forest towns. A half brigade, escorting the ammunition waggons and the wounded and sick, effected this without much difficulty.

That part of the army which was not necessary to check the progress of general Latour, who having recovered from his defeat by Biberach, did not cease to pursue us, marched to Rothwell and Villingen, and after several vigorous battles, drove the enemy from thence. We took here part of his artillery, and made 300 prisoners.

It remained now to force the narrow passes in the Black Forest. The center of the army marked out the line to attack the corps of the enemy stationed in Hell Valley. This is a terrible defile for the passage of an army, as this valley extends several miles between two steep mountains, hardly from 8 to 10 fathoms distance. The bravery of the troops surmounted all obstacles. With loss of a cannon and 100 prisoners, the enemy was beaten, and on the 12th Oct. the center of the army took position before Friburg. The division of the archduke had already advanced to Alt Breyach, from whence they drove our troops, and took 80 prisoners, which we retook, together with those that escorted them.

The right and left wings of the army who had joined, and continued to check the generals Latour, Petrach, and Nauendorf, defiled on the 13th, 14th and 15th Oct. without the least loss. All the equipage and transports passed unmolested through the Forest towns, covered by the right wing of the army. Thus, an army of which the enemy boasted he would certainly make prisoners, now threatens him with an attack, and returns to cover the frontiers, after a march of 200 leagues without the least loss; during which they took from the enemy 18 pieces of cannon, 2 pair of colours and nearly 7000 prisoners, amongst which there are 80 officers.

I send you this short sketch to alleviate your anxiety; but I owe it to the brave army which I have the honour to command, to give a more specific description of the many battles it fought; to praise the patience and calm courage which they shewed under the greatest difficulties; the resignation with which they bore the want of provisions in the horrid places which they passed. Every corps signalized itself, and the officers did not cease to give proofs of their talents and bravery. Several of them in particular, did gallant actions, of which I think it my duty to give you more information.

MOREAU.