by Rob Harper
27. D’Autichamp commanded in place of the wounded Bonchamps.
28. Detachments from Sarthe, Jemappes, 6th and 8th Paris (J.J.Savary, op-cit. Vol2, pp.127-8).
29. F.L’Hostis, Les-Ponts-de-Cé, une ville à feu et à sang 1793-6 (Choletais:1995), p.62.
30. J.J.Savary, op-cit. Vol.2, p.129.
31. H.Coutau-Begarie and C.Dore-Graslin, op-cit. p.464.
32. Mme Rochejaquelein, op-cit. p.234. Imbert suggests the reinforcements comprised 20,000 levies.
33. Hugues Imbert: Petite Histoire de Thouars (PRNG:2015), p.233.
34. Mme Rochejaquelein, op-cit. pp.234-5, indicated Lescure was adored by the soldiers because he was always ready to help carry stretchers and evacuate the wounded.
35. Poirier-de-Beauvais, op-cit., pp.110-11. Casualties on both sides were light.
36. J.Crétineau-Joly, op-cit. Vol.1, p.262.
37. Poirier-de-Beauvais, op-cit. p.109.
38. J.J.Savary, op-cit. Vol.2, p.162.
39. J.Crétineau-Joly, op-cit. p.268-9.
40. C.L.Chassin, op-cit. Vol.V3, p.90.
41. J.J.Savary, op-cit. Vol.2, p.166.
42. H.Coutau-Begarie and C.Dore-Graslin (eds), op-cit, p.464: Sarazin suggests 9,000 levies formed around his existing 6,000 men. Rossignol indicates 8,000 levies and 3,000 existing troops.
43. F.Deniau, op-cit. Vol.2, pp.578-9.
44. H.Coutau-Begarie and C.Dore-Graslin(eds), op-cit. p.467 and C.L.Chassin, op-cit. Vol.V3, p.88-9.
45. P.Doré-Graslin, op-cit. p.94.
46. H.Coutau-Begarie and C.Dore-Graslin(eds), op-cit. p.467.
47. Ibid. p.468.
48. Poirier-de-Beauvais, op-cit. pp.262-3.
49. J.J.Savary, op-cit. Vol.2, p.167.
50. H.Coutau-Begarie and C.Dore-Graslin(eds), op-cit. p.468.
51. E.Gabory, op-cit. pp.262-3.
52. R.Bittard-des-Portes, op-cit. p.169.
53. Kléber indicates these companies were marching through partially covered terrain, which accounts for the deployment. R.Nougaret, op-cit. pp.92-3.
54. Ibid. p.94.
55. R.Bittard-des-Portes, op-cit. p.182.
56. Accounts vary: 12-15,000 (R.Bittard-des-Portes, op-cit. Footnote: p. 190); 20,000 (R.Blanchez, op-cit. p.346); overestimated 40,000 (Mme Rochejaquelein, op-cit. p.242); D’Élbée had 6,000 Angevins, 900 cavalry, and 30 guns (F.Charpentier, D’Élbée 1752-1794 Generalissime des Armées Vendéenes (1905; Cholet:2006), p.177). Around 25-30,000 seems most likely: Charette and bands of Coastal Vendée: 4-5,000; Bonchamps: 7-8,000; Royrand: 5-6,000; Lescure: 7-8,000 (including 2-3,000 from La Rochejaquelein’s division).
57. J.J.Savary, op-cit. Vol.2, p.172.
58. Ibid. p.170.
59. Lucas de la Championnière, op-cit. p.47.
60. R.Bittard-des-Portes, op-cit. p.183.
61. H.Servien, op-cit. p.69.
62. Mme Rochejaquelein, op-cit. pp.240-2.
63. F.Charpentier, op-cit. pp.179-80.
64. Poirier-de-Beauvais, op-cit. p.119.
65. J.J.Savary, op-cit. Vol.2. p.170.
66. Poirier-de-Beauvais, op-cit. p.119.
67. R.Bittard-des-Portes, op-cit. p.184, quoting Beauchamp.
68. Ibid. p.185, quoting Muret.
69. J.J.Savary, op-cit. Vol.2, pp.170-1.
70. L de la Championnière, op-cit. p.47.
71. Ibid. p.47.
72. The story of Chevardin’s last stand at the bridge has recently been disputed, Kléber only states that he was killed covering the retreat. See http://www.Vendéensetchouans.com/archives/2015/07/05/32316690.html
73. R.Nougaret, op-cit. p.242.
74. Mme Rochejaquelein, op-cit. p.242.
75. Poirier-de-Beauvais, op-cit. p.120.
76. C.L.Chassin, op-cit. Vol.V3, p.99.
77. Ibid. p.99.
78. R.Bittard-des-Portes, op-cit. p.190.
79. J.J.Savary, op-cit. Vol.2, p.174.
80. F.Charpentier, op-cit. p.183.
81. A.Béjarry, op-cit. p.115, indicates that he had 3,000 infantry and 100 cavalry at Torfou.
82. J.J. Savary, op-cit. Vol 2, p.176.
83. Ibid. p.180.
84. R.Bittard-des-Portes, op-cit. p.193.
85. Ibid. pp.193-4.
86. Poirier-de-Beauvais, op-cit. p.121.
87. R.Bittard-des-Portes, op-cit. pp.194-5.
88. Poirier-de-Beauvais, op-cit. p.121.
89. R.Bittard-des-Portes, op-cit. pp.195.
90. Poirier-de-Beauvais, op-cit. p.122.
91. Ibid. p.123.
92. R.Bittard-des-Portes, op-cit. pp.197.
93. C.L.Chassin, op-cit. Vol.V3, pp.103-5.
94. Ibid. p.107.
95. R.Bittard-des-Portes, op-cit. p.198.
96. C.L.Chassin, op-cit. Vol.V3, p.105. Joly was probably responsible.
97. Ibid. p.104.
98. A.Béjarry, op-cit. p.117.
99. R.Nougaret, op-cit. p.111.
100. Ibid. p.112.
101. F.Deniau, op-cit. Vol.2, p.610.
102. R.Nougaret, op-cit. p.112.
103. Ibid. p.113.
104. R.Nougaret, op-cit. p.114.
105. Mme Rochejaquelein, op-cit. p.243-4.
106. R.Nougaret, op-cit. p.114.
107. Poirier-de-Beauvais, op-cit. p.125.
108. C.L.Chassin, op-cit. Vol.V3, pp.71-2.
109. Ibid. p.79.
110. R.Bittard-des-Portes, op-cit. p.202.
111. E.Gabory, op-cit. p.266, and Poirier de Beauvais, op-cit. p.126.
112. C.L.Chassin, op-cit. Vol.V3, p.110.
113. R.Bittard-des-Portes, op-cit. p.201.
114. L de la Championnière, op-cit. p.52.
115. Poirier-de-Beauvais, op-cit. p.126.
116. R.Bittard-des-Portes, op-cit. p.202.
117. Ibid. Footnote: p.203.
118. Poirier-de-Beauvais, op-cit. Footonote: pp.126-7.
119. Ibid. p.126.
120. C.L.Chassin, op-cit. Vol.V3 pp.113 and 116.
121. R.Bittard-des-Portes, op-cit. p.208.
122. Ibid. p.212.
123. Ibid. p.213.
Chapter 11: ‘The Rebels Fought like Tigers and our Soldiers like Lions’
1. J.J.Savary, op-cit. Vol.2, pp.191-2.
2. Ibid. p.195.
3. Ibid. pp.196-7.
4. 350 men of the Légion-du-Nord were commanded by Joba on 11 September. This légion was composed of part of Westermann’s cavalry, reinforced by others. C.L.Chassin, op-cit. Vol.V3, p.78.
5. Ibid. pp.147-8.
6. J.J.Savary, op-cit. Vol.2, pp.198-9.
7. Ibid. p.205.
8. Ibid. p.207.
9. R.Nougaret, op-cit. p.119.
10. Poirier-de-Beauvais, op-cit. pp.131-3.
11. R.Nougaret, op-cit. p.121.
12. Ibid. p.121.
13. Ibid. p.122.
14. Poirier-de-Beauvais, op-cit. p.132.
15. R.Nougaret, op-cit. p.123.
16. Ibid. p.124.
17. Ibid. p.128.
18. Ibid. p.129.
19. Mme Rochejaquelein, op-cit. pp.248-53, Lescure and La Rochejacquelein: 6,000. After Bois-aux-Chèvres they were joined by 2,000 more under the Chevalier-de-la-Sorinière.
20. Aubertin, op-cit. p.30. Aubertin had joined Chalbos’ staff.
21. C.L.Chassin, op-cit. Vol.V3, p.195.
22. Aubertin, op-cit. pp.31-2.
23. According to Aubertin (p.32) this was generally the case in the Vendée.
24. Aubertin (p.32) noted that he had just arrived at Bressuire, having been promoted from lieutenant of chasseurs to general of brigade and was in an army that was totally new to him. He considered him useless.
25. Ibid. p.32.
26. E.Stofflet, op-cit. p.112. J.Crétineau-Joly, op-cit. p.290, indicates 2-300 cavalry under Beaurepaire.
27. Aubertin, op-cit. p.33.
28. Ibid. p.34.
29. Ibid. p.35.
30. Ibid. pp.34-6.
31. Ibid.
p.36.
32. Ibid. p.36.
33. Ibid. p.36.
34. Ibid. pp.36-7.
35. E.Stofflet, op-cit. p.112.
36. Aubertin, op-cit. p.38.
37. Ibid. p.38.
38. L.Fruchard, op-cit. pp.138.
39. J.Crétineau-Joly, op-cit. p.290.
40. Sources differ between 500 and 2,000 men with him (L.Fruchard, op-cit. pp.137-42). Savary states he had fifty cavalry and two guns.
41. Poirier-de-Beauvais, op-cit. p.128.
42. Aubertin, op-cit. p.40.
43. Ibid. pp.40-1.
44. Poirier-de-Beauvais, op-cit. p.128.
45. Ibid. p.128.
46. Aubertin, op-cit. p.41.
47. Poirier-de-Beauvais, op-cit. pp.128-9.
48. Ibid. p.129.
49. Aubertin, op-cit. p.43.
50. Ibid. p.44.
51. Ibid. p.44.
52. Chalbos says 6-700 infantry and 60 cavalry were used in the counter-attack (J.J.Savary, op-cit. Vol.2, p.243).
53. Poirier-de-Beauvais, op-cit. p.129-30.
54. Mme Rochejaquelein, op-cit. p.257.
55. Aubertin, op-cit. p.45.
56. Ibid. p.45.
57. J.J.Savary, op-cit. Vol.2, pp.252-3.
58. Mme Rochejaquelein, op-cit. p.260.
59. C.Coubard, op-cit. p.57.
60. Ibid. pp.57-8.
61. J.J.Savary, op-cit. Vol.2, p.256. Beaupuy had four guns.
62. J.J.Savary, op-cit. pp.256-7.
63. Ibid. p.257.
64. Mme Rochejaquelein, op-cit. pp.260-1.
65. Poirier-de-Beauvais, op-cit. p.140.
66. Mme Rochejaquelein, op-cit. pp.259-60.
67. Poirier-de-Beauvais, op-cit., p.141-2.
68. J.J.Savary, op-cit. p.258.
69. Ibid. p.142.
70. F.Deniau, op-cit. Vol.2, p.30.
71. F.Deniau, op-cit. Vol.3, p.27 notes the following sources: Muret: 40,000 and 1,500 cavalry; Bourniseaux: 38,000 infantry, 1,500 cavalry and 18 guns; Savary and Mme Rochejaquelein: 40,000; Léchelle: 30,000. From this should be extracted troops sent to secure the Loire.
72. Ibid. p.27. Kléber: 9,737, Marceau: 3,000, Chalbos: 10,000; total: 22,737.
73. C.Coubard, op-cit. p.75.
74. Ibid. p.75.
75. J.J.Savary, op-cit. Vol.2, p.269.
76. C.Coubard, op-cit., p.77.
77. J.J.Savary, op-cit. pp.268-9.
78. C.Coubard, op-cit. p.76.
79. Around the northern ends of the present Joffre and Faidherbe Boulevards (Souvenir Vendéen, La Bataille de Cholet (Cholet:2014), p.19).
80. F.Deniau, op-cit. Vol.3, p.40.
81. C.Coubard, op-cit. p.77.
82. Ibid. p.76-7.
83. F.Deniau, op-cit. Vol.3. p.41.
84. Souvenir Vendéen, La Bataille de Cholet (Cholet:2014), p.17.
85. C.Coubard, op-cit. p.78.
86. Ibid. p.79.
87. R.Nougaret, op-cit. p.146.
88. Ibid. p.147.
89. They probably salvaged around 45 guns. Mme Rochejaquelein (op-cit. p.275) indicates they abandoned the rest or pushed them into the Loire.
90. P.Gréau, op-cit. (2012) p.96.
91. Mme Rochejaquelein, op-cit. p.274, indicates 40-50,000 fighters of 60,000 men in total, including many wounded or who had never fought, followed by 15-20,000 civilians. H.Coutau-Bégarie/C.Doré-Graslin(eds), op-cit. p.293, cites republican claims varying from 40-80,000.
Chapter 12: The Coastal Vendée stands Alone: October and November
1. R.Bittard-des-Portes, op-cit. p.217.
2. Ibid. p.219.
3. Ibid. p.221.
4. F.Deniau, op-cit. Vol.4, pp.10-11.
5. Comtesse de la Bouëre, La Vendée Angevine 1793-6. Souvenirs de la Guerre de la Vendée (Paris:1890) p.93.
6. Ibid. p.99.
7. C.L.Chassin, op-cit. Vol.V3, p.381.
8. Collinet, op-cit. p179.
9. Ibid. p.176.
10. Ibid. p.191.
11. Ibid. pp.191-2.
12. Ibid. pp.192-3.
13. Ibid. pp.180-1 and p.185.
14. R.Bittard-des-Portes, op-cit. pp.231.
15. C.L.Chassin, op-cit. Vol.V3, p.384.
16. Collinet, op-cit. p.184.
17. R.Bittard-des-Portes, op-cit. p.231.
18. Aubertin, op-cit. p.73.
19. R.Bittard-des-Portes, op-cit. p.232 suggests Charette was repulsed.
20. C.L.Chassin, op-cit. Vol.V3, pp.386-7.
Chapter 13: The March on Granville
1. E.Gabory, op-cit. p.1119.
2. Ibid. p.1116.
3. F.Deniau, op-cit. Vol.3, p.116. (E.Gabory, op-cit. p.287, suggest 3,000.)
4. Ibid. p.117 notes that Esnue-Lavallée, who led the troops to Craon, may have retreated before the battle. P.Gréau, op-cit. p.104.
5. Ibid. p.117.
6. Poirier-de-Beauvais, op-cit. pp.157-8.
7. Mme Rochejaquelein, op-cit. p.288.
8. RSV:No.220, Sept 2002 pp.14-33.
9. J.J.Savary, op-cit. Vol.2, p.280.
10. Ibid. p.293. He suggests Olagnier did not receive these orders.
11. F.Deniau, op-cit. Vol.3, p.124.
12. Ibid. p.125.
13. Ibid. p.125.
14. Ibid. p.125.
15. F.Deniau, op-cit. pp.126-7, and J.J.Savary, op-cit. Vol.2, pp.298-9.
16. P.Gréau, 26 Octobre 1793. La Bataille d’Entrammes (Laval:2007), p.52.
17. Mme Rochejaquelein, op-cit. Footnote: p.291.
18. F.Deniau, op-cit. Vol.3, pp.130-1.
19. Ibid. p.130 and P.Gréau, op-cit.(2007), p.55.
20. Ibid. (P.Gréau, p.52). He places Royrand’s wounding in the initial fighting north of the Jouanne.
21. Ibid. p.55.
22. F.Deniau, op-cit. p.133.
23. J.J.Savary., op-cit. Vol.2, p.302. Muller may have been leading Chalbos’ column as Savary suggests he halted there rather than advance further.
24. C.L.Chassin, op-cit. Vol.V3, p.245.
25. Ibid. p.245.
26. Poirier-de-Beauvais, op-cit. p.160.
27. F.Deniau, op-cit. Vol.3, p.135.
28. Ibid. p.135.
29. P.Gréau, op-cit. p.60.
30. R.Nougaret, op-cit. pp.164-5.
31. F.Deniau, op-cit. Vol.3, p.136.
32. P.Gréau, op-cit. (2007), p.60, indicates that these rebels crossed the Mayenne at Villiers and entered the town by the Craon road.
33. F.Deniau, op-cit. Vol.3, p.139.
34. Ibid. p.140.
35. Ibid. pp.146-7.
36. Ibid. pp.145-6.
37. E.Gabory, op-cit. p.1121.
38. T. Lemas, Le District de Fougères pendant les Guerres de l’Ouest et de la Chouannerie 1793-1800 (Rennes:1994), p.55.
39. J.Crétineau-Joly, op-cit. p.367.
40. Poirier de Beauvais, op-cit. p.164.
41. F.Deniau, op-cit. Vol.3, p.149.
42. J.J.Savary, op-cit. Vol.2, p.325.
43. Poirier-de-Beauvais, op-cit. pp.167-9.
44. Gréau states this was at Charné p.124
45. J.J.Savary, op-cit. Vol.2, pp.336-7.
46. Ibid. p.337.
47. T.Lemas, op-cit. p.59.
48. J.J.Savary, op-cit. Vol.2, p.338.
49. Poirier-de-Beauvais, op-cit. pp.169-70.
50. Ibid. p.170.
51. J.J.Savary , op-cit. Vol.2, pp.330-1.
52. R.Nougaret, op-cit. p.174.
53. Mme Rochejaquelein, op-cit. pp.307-9.
54. See SHD-1 M489: Mémoire d’Obenheim sur la Virée de Galerne.
55. T.Lemas, op-cit. p.81.
56. E.Gabory, op-cit. pp.1122-3.
57. C.L.Chassin, op-cit. Vol.3, p.283.
58. Le Goulu, L’Anonyme and Râfleur, although Peyre mentions only two.
59. SHD-B5/20-9: 11th November.
60. A.Béjarry, op-cit. p.137.
61. R.Sinsoilliez, La Siege de Granville (L’Ancre de Marine:2004), pp.113-
14.
62. Poirier-de-Beauvais, op-cit. pp.178-9.
63. R.Sinsoilliez, op-cit. p.84.
64. Poirier-de-Beauvais, op-cit. p.179.
65. R.Sinsoilliez, op-cit. p.87.
66. Poirier-de-Beauvais, op-cit. pp.179-80.
67. R.Sinsoilliez, op-cit. pp.88-9.
68. C.L.Chassin, op-cit.,. Vol.V3, p.290.
69. R.Sinsoilliez, op-cit. p. 90.
70. Poirier-de-Beauvais, op-cit. pp.180-1.
71. LE DIDAC’DOC.Service éducatif des archives départementales de la Manche (November 2011), p.51.
72. C.L.Chassin , op-cit. Vol.V3, p.301.
73. J.J.Savary, op-cit. Vol.2, pp.352-3.
74. R.Sinsoilliez, op-cit. p.92.
75. C.L.Chassin, op-cit. Vol.V3, p.301, quoting The Register of the General Council of the Granville Commune, written that evening.
76. J.J.Savary, op-cit. pp.352-3.
77. Beauvais does not mention the one north of the Boscq, but does indicate a third in a field, right of the battery west of Grande-Houle, and possibly meant this one further north.
78. A low rampart allowing guns to fire over the parapet.
79. R.Sinsoilliez, op-cit. p.101-2.
80. Ibid. p.104.
81. Ibid. p.106.
82. Poirier-de-Beauvais, op-cit. p.182.
83. A.Béjarry, op-cit. pp.138-9.
84. Poirier-de-Beauvais, op-cit. p.182.
85. It was from here that Beauvais had organised the firing of red hot shot, but it passed uselessly over the town as the men serving the guns were inebriated, unlike a Republican battery that was scoring some success in counter-fire.
86. Ibid. p.185.
87. R.Sinsoilliez, op-cit. p.122.
88. Vendéens: Hundreds killed, 800 stragglers over following days (E.Gabory, op-cit. p.298); 600 (F.Deniau, op-cit. Vol.3, p.212). Republicans: 343 dead, 60 wounded (SHD-B5/16-20).
89. Army Historical Research Vol.29, No.120 (1951): The Campaign in Flanders of 1793-5. Journal of Lt Charles Stewart 28th Foot.
90. Jersey Record Office Ref:L/F/08/A/24.
91. Jersey Record Office Ref:L/F/08/A/16. Balcarres to Moira 8th December. Pierre-Nicolas Gilbert, Chevalier de Solérac, joined the Vendéens in mid-August and established links to agents in Jersey. He was not considered a significant figure amongst the Vendéens but had the ear of the Military Council. He escaped to Jersey in late November (RSV:No.223, June 2003).
92. RSV: No.223, June 2003, p.17.
93. Ibid. p.17.
94. RSV: No.224 September 2003, p.7.
Chapter 14: The Race to the Loire
1. R.Nougaret, op-cit. p.176.
2. J.J.Savary, op-cit. Vol.2, p.357.
3. C.L.Chassin, op-cit. Vol.V3, p.312, states they had twelve guns.