PropertyValue
rdf:type
rdfs:label
  • Battle of Thouars
rdfs:comment
  • To defend the city, the Republicans had been posted on the bridges of the River Thouet in front of the city. The main clash took place on the pont de Vrine. The Vendéens proved unable to take the bridge for six hours, until Louis Marie de Lescure (fighting in his first battle) showed himself alone on the bridge under enemy fire and encouraged his men to follow him, which they did, crossing the bridge. The Republicans there were taken from behind by the cavalry under Charles de Bonchamps, which had crossed the river at a ford. Despite the arrival of reinforcements, the Republicans were turned to rout and withdrew towards the city. The Whites, headed by Henri de La Rochejacquelein, took the rampart by force and poured into the city, and the Republican troops quickly capitulated. The Vendéens
owl:sameAs
Strength
  • 5000
  • 20000
dcterms:subject
dbkwik:military/property/wikiPageUsesTemplate
Partof
  • the War in the Vendée
Date
  • 1793-05-05
Commander
Caption
  • Henri de La Rochejacquelein and the Marquis de Lescure leading troops on the pont de Vrine
Casualties
  • 200
  • 600
Result
  • Royalist victory
Campaign
  • War of the First Coalition
combatant
  • French Republic
  • Vendéens
Place
  • Thouars, France
Conflict
  • Battle of Thouars
abstract
  • To defend the city, the Republicans had been posted on the bridges of the River Thouet in front of the city. The main clash took place on the pont de Vrine. The Vendéens proved unable to take the bridge for six hours, until Louis Marie de Lescure (fighting in his first battle) showed himself alone on the bridge under enemy fire and encouraged his men to follow him, which they did, crossing the bridge. The Republicans there were taken from behind by the cavalry under Charles de Bonchamps, which had crossed the river at a ford. Despite the arrival of reinforcements, the Republicans were turned to rout and withdrew towards the city. The Whites, headed by Henri de La Rochejacquelein, took the rampart by force and poured into the city, and the Republican troops quickly capitulated. The Vendéens seized a large amount of arms and gunpowder, but allowed the captured Republican forces to leave, after having sworn to no longer fight in the Vendée and had their hair shaved off so they could be recognised lest they went back on their word and were recaptured.