by Rob Harper
All but 200 of the republican prisoners were disarmed and released on the promise they would not serve against the Vendéens again. Some republicans willingly changed sides and one notable addition to their army was the so-called Bishop of Agra, a certain Guyot de Folleville, one-time curé of Dol. Having left the priesthood he had settled in Poitiers where he joined the National Guard. From there he was dispatched to Thouars with Quétineau’s column. The rebel leaders were delighted to have a bishop in their ranks and recognised the army’s need for such authoritative spiritual oversight. When he was exposed as a fraud in the autumn this was kept quiet and he continued in his influential role, ultimately dying bravely for their cause.
For the Vendéens the victory at Thouars was proof once more that they could take the fight to the enemy and achieve an overwhelming victory. With the supplies from Bressuire and Thouars they now set about giving their army a more formal structure before considering their next move.
The Army of Anjou and Poitou, also known as the Catholic and Royal Army, was soon commonly referred to as the Grand Army. It was now officially formed into divisions under Lescure, Cathelineau, Bonchamps, D’Élbée, Stofflet, La Rochejaquelein and Laugrénière (see Appendix 3).
Bonchamps was back in Cholet on 11 May escorting the wounded and a large share of the captured supplies. His men had an important role guarding the Loire.
In a council of war it was agreed that the rest of the army would attack the republicans in La Châtaigneraie, over 50km to the south-west. This would also enable them to link up with rebels in that region and expand the Rising.
When they marched on 9 May their forces had diminished to 12-14,000 foot and 6-700 horse, although these numbers would increase as they advanced on La Châtaigneraie.13 A republican detachment under Sandoz evacuated Parthenay as the rebels approached, reoccupying the town three days later.
La Châtaigneraie 13 May
The Vendéens held a council of war on 11 May to plan the assault on La Châtaigneraie and on Lescure’s advice they agreed to attack the town from three directions at once.
Chalbos was holding La Châtaigneraie with a force of 3,000 men supported by two 12pdrs and a 4pdr (although Chalbos claimed he faced 12,000 rebels with only 2,000 men).14
Large numbers of rebels were reported to be gathering in Réaumur, St-Pierre-du-Chemin and Moncoutant, north and north-east of La Châtaigneraie, but Chalbos had confidence in his troops and his well-prepared positions so decided to remain where he was.15
At 6am on 13 May a strong rebel column, preceded by numerous cavalry, was seen advancing south of Moncoutant.16 Quite when the main battle began is unclear, but at some point over the next few hours a large body of rebels, using the cover of hedges, appeared on Chalbos’ right flank. He drew his forces together and deployed to face them, later reporting that his troops withstood a sustained fire for an hour and a half, with the Armagnac Battalion taking punishing losses.17
Chalbos’ right flank was under pressure and at risk of being turned when a second column under Stofflet and La Rochejaquelein was spotted approaching from St-Pierre-du-Chemin. Meanwhile a column under Lescure and Marigny had detoured to the west through Cheffois to move on Chalbos’ left and sent some troops towards Antigny to cut off his line of retreat.
The Battle of La Châtaigneraie.
Chalbos later reported that these brigands were very different from those he had previously encountered, with some firing-by-file and others advancing with closed ranks.18 Their cavalry, he wrote, were well mounted and very bold.19 Marigny was also proving his worth by directing the rebel artillery with notable success.20
Chalbos had no choice but to order the retreat and around noon he withdrew in good order preceded by his artillery and baggage.21 As he pulled back to Fontenay he was forced to halt and fire on his pursuers on more than one occasion.
Fontenay-le-Comte 16 May
Fontenay was a significant administrative centre, an active republican base, and a clear threat to the Vendéens. Following up their success at La Châtaigneraie they were determined to seize it.
During April units of national guards were hastily organised in the area, including 100 mounted scouts, yet on 7 May there were fewer than 300 men in the town.22 All male citizens of the Fontenay commune aged 17 to 60 were therefore called up and D’Ayat ordered the open land north of the town to be mown so the troops could use the area as a camp.23 As early as 1 May a republican engineer had begun constructing earthworks around Fontenay but by 16 May had only completed redoubts at Gaillardon, Les Moriennes and on the Mérité front to the east.24
First Battle of Fontenay-le-Comte.
As Chalbos’ column arrived from La Châtaigneraie urgent appeals for help were issued and an influx of troops followed as the republicans evacuated several posts. A council of war had even ordered the army to retreat from Fontenay, until Sandoz’s arrival from St-Maixent on the 15 May calmed their nerves. Sandoz brought with him 3,000 infantry, 100 horse and some guns.25 Niort also dispatched between 3,800 and 6,000 men.26 In total between 7,500 and 10,000 were present when the rebels attacked.27
On 15 May the royalists sent out orders from La Châtaigneraie stating,
‘We the commanders of the Catholic and Royal Armies order all general officers, colonels and captains of the said armies to reunite their respective corps this evening at 3pm and make a roll call, inspect the arms and ammunition, and distribute supplies for two days’.28
It was towards midday on 16 May that large numbers of rebels were spotted at Pisotte, 3km north of Fontenay. The republicans rapidly deployed in prearranged positions covering the northern approaches to the town. With D’Ayat and 150 mounted gendarmes away on a visit to Luçon, Chalbos took command. The infantry were deployed in the centre and placed under Sandoz’s orders, his right was commanded by Adjudant General Dufour, and Chalbos personally commanded the cavalry placed in reserve.29
The Vendéens were spread out across the relatively flat open land north of Fontenay with their front covered by more than thirty cannon deployed in batteries.30 Sources differ over the deployment of the columns and although Lescure and La Rochejaquelein seem to have commanded the left wing and D’Élbée and Cathelineau the right, it is not clear which wing Stofflet joined. The cavalry were under Dommaigné and Marigny directed the artillery. There is also confusion over the strength of the royalist army at this battle, ranging from a mere 7,000, according to Madame de la Rochejaquelein, to 15-18,000 noted by the Republicans.
Only a few key events can be pieced together as this battle is poorly documented. Fighting started around the Les Granges and Les Gourfailles Farms with an artillery bombardment that continued for more than two hours and caused some disorder in the republican ranks.31 Sensing victory, Marigny mounted a horse and with other leaders moved forwards to the attack.32 Crétineau-Joly, not the most reliable of sources, suggests that Lescure and La Rochejaquelein penetrated Fontenay’s suburbs but stalled when the republicans facing them rallied.33
What is clear is that Chalbos led an unsuccessful charge against the rebel flank, but subsequently charged again, this time in concert with two squadrons he had left under his chief of staff Nouvion. They caught the rebels to the rear of their right wing and in their centre, causing them to fall into disarray and flee. Chalbos then charged on into the exposed rebel artillery as his infantry charged forwards with fixed bayonets.
It was all over quite quickly and disorder in the rebel ranks was aggravated by D’Élbée falling wounded.34 La Rochejaquelein managed to cover the retreat and haul away two small guns.35
The republicans captured twenty-five guns, including a number of 16pdrs and two 18pdrs, and claimed they suffered only ten casualties to 5-600 rebels killed.36 The Vendéens admitted that over 240 of their men had been captured.37
Chalbos was promoted to the rank of general of division following this victory and on 20 May returned to La Châtaigneraie with 7,000 men.38
For the royalists this was a humiliating d
ebacle and a sharp lesson in the risks associated with engaging in more open terrain better suited to cavalry. The loss in artillery and ammunition was especially disastrous, yet only nine days later they took a major gamble and attacked the town once more.
The Second Battle of Fontenay 25 May
On 24 May Chalbos received news that large numbers of rebels were approaching and he once again retreated from La Châtaigneraie. His tired and hungry army reached Fontenay at 6am on the following day.39
An estimated 20-25,000 Vendéen infantry and 2,000 cavalry were present, although they only had thirty cannon cartridges and one shot per infantryman.40
To oppose them Chalbos fielded 6-7,000 infantry, 250 horse and 35-40 guns.41
At about 11.30am the republicans were warned that the rebels were approaching and deployed in the same positions as on 16 May, in three main bodies stretching from Les Gourfailles to Charzais.42 Their centre deployed behind the redoubts facing Pisotte with a battery placed in the Haute-Roche enclosure and their cavalry were placed in reserve.
The republicans were confident of victory and were told the enemy had no cannon, although Adjudant Major Constantin complained that Chalbos was badly deployed and instead of placing his troops in line in the best possible positions, he deployed where the enemy could approach quite close under cover.43
Marching via La Châtaigneraie on 24 May the Grand Army advanced through Pisotte then deployed in three columns, Bonchamps commanding the right, Cathelineau the centre, and Lescure the left.44 Dommaigné commanded the cavalry, probably held in reserve.45 Stofflet seems to have been with Cathelineau in the centre. Some sources place La Rochejaquelein in reserve with the cavalry while others place him on the right.46 It is most likely that the six guns were split into pairs to support each column. The wounded D’Élbée was absent and Duhoux d’Hauterive commanded his column which probably deployed with Bonchamps. Bonchamps acted as overall commander and before the battle absolution was given to the soldiers.
Second Battle of Fontenay-le-Comte.
The battle commenced around 1.30pm with an artillery duel which, from the Vendéen perspective, was brief.47 Mercier-de-Rocher said the republican artillery started firing too soon and pointlessly wasted ammunition.48
With the ammunition exhausted Marigny mounted up and urged his gunners to go for the republican caissons.49 Lescure led the first column to attack and was obliged to place himself on horseback forty paces in advance of his men to get them to follow. Grapeshot soon rained down around him, but other than some holes in his clothing, a spur shot off, and a great chunk knocked out of one of his boots, he was unharmed and shouted to his men, ‘My children the Blues don’t know how to fire; you will be fine, advance!’50
Inspired by this bravado his men started to run and Lescure moved at a fast trot to remain in the front rank. Tradition suggests that on seeing a large wayside cross his men knelt to pray, even though within cannon range, and on rising they surged towards the enemy.51
Goupilleau recalled the enemy’s fearless advance and that a strong cavalry force attacked the republican left where he and Chalbos were stationed.52 The Vendéens had evidently learnt not to expose their flank to the republican cavalry.
After a period of sustained firing, during which the Chasseurs of the Gironde, Compagnie-Franche of Toulouse and 4th Hérault were singled out for bravery, Goupilleau noticed a battalion of volunteers in the second line giving ground. When he and Chalbos attempted to rally them these same volunteers attacked them as they fled.
Goupilleau was furious with the mounted gendarmes who had been deployed in support of the centre and left. At one point he saw the enemy centre waver and move backwards around fifty paces, but when Chalbos ordered the gendarmes to charge only five men advanced and the rest trampled their own infantry in their determination to run away.53
Beauvais claimed the Vendéens gave their enemy little time to fire as they had decided to attack quickly, lying flat each time the enemy touched fuses. He said their cavalry charged almost at the same time as their infantry and the republican artillery was soon overrun.54 The republican left gave way first, followed by their centre, and eventually their right.55
Mercier-de-Rocher wrote that Fontenay was turned ‘in the blink of an eye’ with enemy columns seizing all the roads into the town.56 One column descended from the Heights of Saint-Lazare to intercept the Gros-Noyer Bridge and another arrived via the Saumur Gate. The republican agent at Niort recalled the rebels entering in mass via the Porte du Marchaix.57
The royalists entered Fontenay around 2.30pm. Lescure’s column arrived at the town gates first, but when he entered his troops did not follow. Bonchamps and Forest, noticing this from afar, rushed to join him. These three entered a town crammed with retreating republicans and on reaching the square they split up and called on the republicans to surrender, promising they would not be ill-treated. One soldier appeared to be surrendering to Bonchamps, but snatched up his musket and shot him at close range causing a severe wound. In revenge the rebels killed around sixty republicans before their leaders could calm them down.58
The generals and representatives vainly tried to rally the troops as they routed on the Niort road. D’Ayat and Nouvion were both caught up in this rout and managed to rally twenty-five gendarmes, with whom they charged and repulsed 200 rebel cavalry, enabling some of their infantry to escape.59 Some troops eventually rallied near to Niort.
The Army of the Centre under Béjarry, Cumont and Verteuil had not participated in the first battle, but on appeal from the Grand Army had gathered at Chantonnay on 24 May. They appeared on Chalbos’ left flank just as it was giving way.60 Béjarry claimed that their presence hastened the republican rout and they entered the Luçon Gate as the column led by Bonchamps arrived at the Rue du Leonard.61
The battle was over by mid-afternoon although the pursuit on the Niort road continued until nightfall. The Republicans had dispersed on both the Niort and Marans roads.62
The Vendéens rounded up 3-5,000 prisoners.63 Twenty-five guns were captured and they retrieved the famous Marie-Jeanne lost at the first battle.64 The Vendéens also seized 7,000 fusils and a great quantity of powder.65 Around 440 rebel prisoners, due to be guillotined on the following day, were also freed.66
Only a few hundred republican prisoners were retained and, as was now becoming common practice, the Vendéens shaved the heads of the rest and freed them on the promise that they would not serve against them for a year.
The Representatives of the People, Goupilleau de Montaigu, Goupilleau de Fontenay and Garnier de Saintes, all blamed the defeat on the gendarmes who had ‘fled like cowards’ and the National Convention subsequently ordered their arrest.67
Around this time 3,500 men under Salomon marched into Thouars but would not remain long as the Grand Army would soon begin its next enterprise: the advance on Saumur.
The administration of rebel territory
On 27 May the Vendéen leaders created a Superior Council in Châtillon under the overall presidency of the Bishop of Agra, although Charette never officially recognised it. This Council was widely respected and largely obeyed. It had three distinct branches, each under a separate council, covering matters military, ecclesiastical and civil.68
The Superior Council had to deal with a wide variety of daily problems within the hundreds of parishes falling within their control. Their responsibilities included ensuring the framework for the divisions; parish companies were in place; protecting and feeding thousands of republican prisoners; overseeing the many hospitals; issuing proclamations and military bulletins; establishing their own system of money (the Royal Assignats); collecting and distributing funds; and addressing evasion from military service, to name but a few of their tasks.
The Military Council, of nine members, comprised the commander-in-chief and the core of the most senior generals. They kept their discussions secret and their prime function was the defence of the region, organisation of the armies, and planning of the campaigns
.
With the capture of Châtillon in October, the function of the Superior Council effectively ceased, although supply and military matters would be at the forefront of the Vendéens’ attention for the rest of the year.
Coastal Vendée
Palluau 2 May
On 2 May, Joly, leading 3,000 men, launched a sudden attack on Boulard who was than in Palluau.69 Warned in the early hours that large numbers of rebels had gathered on the Petit-Luc and Beaufou side of Palluau and that columns were moving on the Ligneron and Legé roads, Boulard quickly deployed to face them. Part of the 1st Bordeaux engaged in a lively firefight on the St-Christophe road and the appearance of a cannon forced this rebel column to break off the fight.
Part of the 2nd Bordeaux, a detachment from the 110th Line and a cavalry picket had a tough fight on the Beaufou road with the rebels taking advantage of the cover of hedges. The royalist centre was on the Legé road but rather than advancing it fed troops to the other two columns. When these columns broke off the fight the centre retreated.
The battle lasted most the day and Charette had remained away from the action with a reserve of 2-300 men.70 He was more interested in recapturing Machecoul and set out that same night with 1,000 infantry, 100 cavalry and 5 small guns.71 However, these troops became restless on route, and then simply stopped marching, most actually being Vrignault’s men. Charette had to abandon his plans and return to Legé.
Meanwhile Canclaux, who had heard of Boisguyon’s defeat and had joined Beysser in Machecoul, planned to attack Legé from four directions with a combined strength of around 4,000-4,300 infantry, 180 cavalry and 10 guns.72 Canclaux would march with Beysser in person, skirting the north of the Touvois Forest before advancing on the Nantes road, accompanied by 7-800 infantry, a squadron of cavalry and two guns; Baudry would march from Challans and St-Christophe with 1,600 infantry, a small number of cavalry and two guns, taking the Touvois road (with orders to make demonstrations to hold the enemy if circumstances made a full attack difficult); Boulard would march from Palluau with 1,200 infantry, a squadron of cavalry and four guns, taking a route left of the Grande-Landes Forest and when near Legé he would detach cavalry towards Retail; finally Labory would march straight down the great Nantes road from Saint-Colombin with 600 infantry, a squadron of gendarmes and two guns, sending a detachment to block the Rocheservière road.