Dispatches to the Imperial Head Quarters, News from the frontlines

Mon Empereur,

I am pleased to inform you the arrival of the IInd Corps at Bailleul. The Ist Corps should arrive this evening at Valenciennes.

The enemy hasn't moved their positions, Dutch units guard from the West to the east the cities of: Dunkerque, Ieper and Mons, further inland they are units of British infantry.

Supplies are still comming from the port of Ostend, so far we have not been able to find the royalist mob, we believe they have been recruited in the British army. They seem to be vanished by the arrival of Marshal Sloop.

Dispatch from the ministry of war
Oct 12th 1799

Mon Empereur,

I suggest that Sloop push on and take over all coastal cities to prevent british reinforcement from landing and supporting their troops already in flanders.
Also i suggest that General BDC goes by Charleroi, Namur and waterloo if possible to cut any reinforcement that the Austrians or other continental powers might be sending.
The Guard will hold the center while our Ist and IInd corps do a pincer movement surrounding the enemy. Being surrounded and cut off from their supply lines they will have no choice but to surrender and capitulate.
This should be done fast enough so Marechal Lannes and IIIrd corps are not left to fend for themselves against the Austrians. The faster the enemy in the north is neutralized the faster Marechal Lannes can be reinforced.

Ministry of War
Marechal Von Clausewitz

Oct 13th 1799

Marshal Von Clausewitz,

No soul can say the French Empire was not willing to deal peacefully in order to protect her borders. As their is no more space to talk, let the Guns of the Grande Armée force them on their knees.

I accept your plan, and you will see the commanders at the front receive their orders.

Marshal Von Clausewitz,

We leave tonight to join the Imperial Guard at Arras, the protection of Paris will fall under Marshal Lannes and the national guard.

Time to settle this matter once and for all.

HQ Grande Armee

I have established my headquarters at Poperinge. The food is dreadful and the women are fat. The option to move left to the sea ports or right to Tourcoing remains an option. Unless ordered otherwise I will march North and skirt Iepers in an attempt to bring the enemy to battle near Dunkerque.

The Dutch army is no where to be found and the populace has shown little resistance partially due to Lt. Colonel Sinister's efficient methods of persuasion. He has been ordered to clear the way North to Killem and to prepare the path for the army to follow. All Royalists will be executed as enemies of the state. Those Dutch who embrace the revolution will not only be spared but rewarded with the fruits of liberty and treated as equals in the brotherhood of man.

Marechal Sloop

Sire, Im sure that by now youve heard the news...please recall your humble servant to the I Corp and send us help the battered IICorp into victory, for the glory of France and the Empire I beg your Highness to let us march into Flanders.

Ambassador,

Rumours have indeed reached my HQ's, I am still waiting on a official report. You are hereby temporarly assigned to the Ist Corps.

There is no need to bring the line out of balance by swapping troops after one possible defeat, the Guard is nearby and will support if nesserary.

All battle reports need to be on my desk as soon as a battle is fought, so we know what the course of action should be. I cannot fight a war in the dark.

Marechal Von Clausewitz

so who is leading the Allies?

identify yourself first, kind sir

VC

The report of the Dutch Belgian victory has reach Amsterdam, and the joy and spirits are high , now the royalist are showin their faces without shame , they are scum and as scum they will perish.... the other belgian general was Jean Baptiste Dumonceau and arquitect and cavalrt regiment comander from the Barbant revolution, It is my impression he can be aproached as his sentiments toward the repupublic are at the least ambiguous..
We sinceresly hope the Great Marshall is fine .

heres a portrait of Dumonceau

To HQ Grande Armee

Sirs,

I must be brief as I am writing this on the run. We met the enemy three times and only victorious in one battle. The Dutch command seems to use the tactics that I teach our Velites. Dunkerque has been denied to me. The last assault near the city was viciously repulsed and I was separated from my command. Take note that although losses were substantial the Corps is intact and marching in good order South to reorganize near Poperinge. Unfortunately my headquarters was shattered and I was forced to flee East disguised as a Belgian peasant woman. I can only pray the enemy does not find me dressed so poorly. I am certain fate will insure I will rejoin II Corp within the next day or two.

Very humbly,

Marshal Sloop

Marshal Von Clausewitz,

The opening battles of the campaign are not as successfull as I hope to be. The Velites in the IInd Corps need more experience apperently.

Orders:

IInd Corps is to defend the area Bailleul/Poperinge as the enemy will probably attack today. Reorganise Your positions, we will not give anymore cities to the Royalist.

The Officers Tactacus and Fullin are to reinforce Marshal Sloops army and be committed to battle.

The Guard stays in reserve behing the IInd Corps. General BDC will have to face the Dutch at Valenciennes alone.

Emperor Dury,

I heard rumors that the IInd corps commander was on the run and that IInd corps was retreating followed by the dutch forces of JeanClaude Vandamn and Jean Baptist something. I could not believe my ears. I rode with my personal escort towards Baieul to check that for myslef, since we are positioned close to second corps.

I saw the men of lt Col Sinister on the retreat chased by the dutch. I rallied the men and organized and offensive to slow down the Dutch.
We were outnumbered as IInd corps had lost the previous battle, but we counter attacked on the dutch right flank at Bailleul. The Dutch under these 2 notorious oficers previously named had a good terrain, with heights on their left flank while their right was anchored on a forest and a village.

We attacked uphill, in the mud and outnumbered but the enemy got a sound beating and they were in full flight. Some dutch were seen taking off their clothes to run away faster, but their smell gave away their hideouts and they were duely sabred.

The tide has been turned on the right at Baieul, now we need to seize the momentum and push on and drive them back to flanders.
I need to locate the commander of the second corps and give him back his men so he can push onward as i have to rejoin my post with the guard.

I inspected the men after the battle, the moral is high, i am confident we will be victorious.

Marshal Von Clausewitz

@ Sloop i hear sinister spent the night with a belgian lass after the defeat, i can only prey to the heavens that it wasnt you in disgiuse!! oh dear the sacred band is alive and well