The Battle of Fleurus

In June 1794 a new army group was created called the Army of of the Sambre and Meuse under General Pichegru’s command.  Saint Just had been given the task of inspiring the troops and making the Committee of Public Safety wishes to take Belgium clear.  General Jourdan resumed his siege of Charleroi which would eventually capitulate.  

Field Marshal Coburg commander of the allied forces would launch his forces against the French on the 26th June.  It seemed as if the French would lose as the Austrians pressed them on the wings.  The French held however and attacked at the centre.  Coburg would retreat leaving Jourdan in charge of the field.

Although the battle was costly for both sides the long term consequences for the allies were grave.  It now seemed impossible to maintain the Austrian Netherlands in the face of the French Revolutionary armies.  In the harsh winter of 1794-1795 rivers would freeze and the army under Pichegru would march into the Netherlands leading to the fall of the Dutch Republic.  The momentum was with the French and France was secure.  Conversely this made many sense that there was no further need for the harsh actions of the terror and possibly the Committee of Public Safety and those who served on it might have outlived their purpose.