The Battle of Vihiers (18 July 1793) was a battle between Royalist and Republican French forces at Vihiers during the War in the Vendée. After the Republican division under Jacques-Marie Pilote La Barolière advanced into the heart of the revolt area, it was attacked by the Vendeans under Dominique Piron de La Vienne and routed. The advance guard under Jacques-François Menou held its ground for a long time, but many Republican units from the main body quickly took to their heels. The Republican cavalry under Louis-Nicolas Davout covered the disorderly retreat. The Royalists suffered about 1,000 killed and wounded but inflicted 2,000 killed and wounded on their enemies as well as capturing 3,000 soldiers and 25 artillery pieces.

Battle of Vihiers
Part of the War in the Vendée

Women pray as Republican general Antoine Santerre jumps his horse over a wall to flee.
Date18 July 1793
Location
Result Vendean victory
Belligerents
Kingdom of France French Royalists France Republican France
Commanders and leaders
Kingdom of France Dominique Piron France Jacques La Barolière
France Jacques Menou
France Louis Berthier
France Louis-Nicolas Davout
Units involved
Kingdom of France Catholic and Royal Army France Army of the Coasts of La Rochelle
Strength
12,000 men 14,000 men, 30 guns
Casualties and losses
1,000 5,000, 25 guns

References edit

  • Johnson, Thomas George (1896). Francois-Severin Marceau (1769–1796). London: George Bell & Sons. Retrieved 25 June 2015.
  • Phipps, Ramsay Weston (2011). The Armies of the First French Republic: Volume III The Armies in the West 1793 to 1797 And, The Armies In The South 1793 to March 1796. Vol. 3. USA: Pickle Partners Publishing. ISBN 978-1-908692-26-9.
  • Smith, Digby (1998). The Napoleonic Wars Data Book. London: Greenhill. ISBN 1-85367-276-9.

47°08′50″N 0°31′57″W / 47.14722°N 0.53250°W / 47.14722; -0.53250