Home > Battle of Valmy

After France declared war on Austria on 20 April 1792 and following early encounters in which French arms did not distinguish themselves, anti-revolutionary forces advanced into France (18 August 1792).The combined invading force comprised Prussians, Austrians, Hessians and émigrés under the Duke of Brunswick, representing the supreme command of King Frederick William II of Prussia. The commanders-in-chief of the French armies that had formed became one after another "suspects"; and before a serious action had been fought, the three armies of Rochambeau, Lafayette and Luckner had resolved themselves into two commanded by Dumouriez and Kellermann.

The invading allies readily captured Longwy and slowly marched on to VerdunVerdun is the name of several communes in France: Verdun, in the Meuse departement site of the Battle of Verdun during World War I. Verdun, in the Ariege departement Also part of the name of: Verdun-en-Lauragais, in the Aude departement Verdun-sur-Garonne, which was more indefensible even than Longwy. The commandant, Colonel Beaurepaire, shot himself in despair, and the place surrendered on 3 September 1792. Brunswick now began his march on ParisEiffel Tower has become the symbol of Paris throughout the world. Paris is the capital and largest city of France. The city is built on an arc of the River Seine, and is thus divided into two parts: the Right Bank to the north and the smaller Left Bank to and approached the defiles of the ArgonneArgonne can refer to several different things. Argonne Forest in France small woodlands named Argonne Forest after the French one, in Palos Preserve, Illinois and Dayton, Ohio Meuse-Argonne offensive, also called the Battle of Argonne Forest, a WWI battle. But Dumouriez, who had been training his raw troops at ValenciennesValenciennes is a town in northern France in the Nord departement on the Scheldt river. As of 1999, the commune has a population of 42 343 while the entire urban area numbers 399 677. Economy Until the 1970s, the main industries were steel and textile. in constant small engagements, with the purpose of invading BelgiumFor alternate meanings, see Belgium (disambiguation). Belgian redirects here. For the horse breed commonly used as a draft horse, see Belgian. The Kingdom of Belgium ( Dutch: Belgi French: Belgique German: Belgien is a country in Western Europe, bordered, now threw himself into the Argonne by a rapid and daring flank march, almost under the eyes of the Prussian advanced guard, and barred the Paris road, summoning Kellermann to his assistance from MetzMetz is a city in the North-East of France, capital of the Lorraine region and of the departement of Moselle (57). It is located at the confluence of the Moselle and the Seille. History In ancient times Metz, then known as Divodurum, was the capital of th. Kellermann moved but slowly, and before he arrived the northern part of the line of defence had been forced. Dumouriez, undaunted, changed front so as to face north, with his right wing on the Argonne and his left stretching towards Châlons, and in this position Kellermann joined him at Sainte-Menehould on 19 September 1792.

Brunswick meanwhile had passed the northern defiles and had then swung round to cut off Dumouriez from Châlons. At the moment when the Prussian manoeuvre was nearly completed, Kellermann, commanding in Dumouriez’s momentary absence, advanced his left wing and took up a position between Sainte-Menehould and the mill of ValmyThe small village of Valmy is in the Sainte-Menehould arrondissement of the Marne departement in France. It provided the setting for the Battle of Valmy on September 20, 1792. The place stands on the west flank of the Argonne massif, mid-way between Verdu. The result was the world-renowned Cannonade of Valmy (20 September 1792). Kellermann’s 47,000 infantry, nearly all regulars, stood steady. The French artillery justified its reputation as the best in Europe, and eventually, with no more than a half-hearted infantry attack, Brunswick 35,000 strong broke off the action and retired.

The French suffered 300 dead and their opponents 184.

This trivial engagement was the turning-point of the campaign and a turning point in the world’s history. Ten days later, without firing another shot, the invading army began its retreat. Dumouriez’s pursuit was not seriously pressed; he occupied himself chiefly with a series of subtle and curious negotiations which, with the general advance of the French troops, brought about the complete withdrawal of the allied invaders from the soil of France.

Original text from 1911 Encyclopædia Britannica. Please update as needed.