Battle of Jemappes
Jemappes, now part of Mons, Hainaut, Belgium
What happened
The French revolutionary army under Charles Dumouriez, with the young Louis Philippe, Duke of Chartres, fought an Austrian army under Duke Albert of Saxe-Teschen. The French revolutionary army invaded the Austrian Netherlands (today's Belgium). At Jemappes, near Mons, the much larger French army made repeated attacks on the Austrian line along a ridge. Around midday a French column gained a foothold, and the Austrians withdrew into Mons.
Why it matters
Why it matters: It was the first major attacking victory of the young French Republic, won mostly by inexperienced volunteers. A historian wrote that at Valmy the French had stood their ground, but at Jemappes 'they learnt to conquer'.
What came next
Mons surrendered the next day, and Brussels fell a week later. In March 1793 the French were defeated at Neerwinden and had to leave Belgium.
Did you know?
During the French occupation, a whole French département was named 'Jemmape' after the battle.
Timeline
- 6 November 1792The French win at Jemappes.
- 14 November 1792Brussels falls to the French.
- 18 March 1793The French are defeated at Neerwinden.
- 1 January 1977Jemappes becomes part of Mons.