Battle of Schliengen

At the Battle of Schliengen: A Clash of Empires

Imagine a battlefield where the echoes of history still resonate through the hills and valleys, where two mighty armies clashed under the shadow of the Black Forest. The Battle of Schliengen on 24 October 1796 was such an event—a pivotal moment in the French Revolutionary Wars that shaped the course of European history.

The Setting: A Strategic Crossroads

At the heart of this battle lies a small village, Schliengen, nestled between the borders of Germany, Switzerland, and France. This strategic location was not just any place; it was a crossroads that controlled access to southwestern German states and Rhine crossings. The Rhine River, with its wild and unpredictable nature, played a crucial role in this conflict, serving as both a barrier and a means of retreat.

The Forces: A Clash of Titans

On one side stood the French Army of the Rhine and Moselle under Jean-Victor Moreau. On the other, Archduke Charles led the Austrian army. Both sides claimed victory, but military historians agree that Austria achieved a strategic advantage. The battle was fierce, with both flanks attacked directly by Archduke Charles, increasing casualties for both armies.

The Retreat: A Strategic Withdrawal

Moreau retreated from Freiburg im Breisgau and established his army along a ridge of hills. Despite the heavy fighting, the French withdrew in good order and crossed the Rhine River at Hüningen. This strategic move allowed Moreau to maintain control over the fortifications at Kehl and Hüningen, ensuring that the bridges across the river remained secure.

The Aftermath: A Turning Point

With their backs to the river, Ferino and Moreau had to retreat into France. However, they retained control of the Rhine crossings, which were crucial for future operations. The battle marked a turning point in the war, as Charles was forced to focus his efforts on securing these crossings while also sending troops to northern Italy.

The Battle’s Impact: A Tangled Web

As the French pressed hard at Rastatt, Ferino executed a full crossing of the Rhine with his forces. In response, Charles withdrew through the Black Forest and Upper Danube valley to Bavaria, trying to maintain contact with all flanks. The Imperial Army retreated in four columns, with the Condé’s Corps and Ludwig Wolff de la Marselle marching to different parts of southern Germany.

The Rhine: A Natural Barrier

The Rhine River flows west along the border between German states and Swiss Cantons. The High Rhine, an 80-mile stretch between the Rhine Falls and Basel, cuts through steep hillsides over a gravel bed. A few miles north and east of Basel, the terrain flattens, creating a wide, northerly turn in what is called the Rhine knee.

The Terrain: A Battlefield of Shadows

In 1796, the plain on both sides of the river was dotted with villages and farms. At the farthest edges of the flood plain, especially on the eastern side, old mountains created dark shadows on the horizon. Tributaries cut through the hilly terrain of the Black Forest, creating deep defiles in the mountains. The Rhine River was wild and unpredictable, winding through marsh and meadow, creating islands of trees and vegetation that were periodically submerged by floods.

The Battle: A Test of Will

On 20 October, Moreau’s army united south of Freiburg with Ferino’s column, totaling about 32,000 men. Charles’ forces, consisting of 24,000 troops, closely followed the French rear guard from Freiburg southwest to a line of hills between Kandern and the Rhine. Moreau positioned his army in a semicircle along a ridge commanding the approaches from Freiburg.

The Turning Point: A Battle for Control

Charles decided to turn Moreau’s right flank at Kandern instead of avoiding the battle or leaving a force to keep the French occupied. He redistributed his columns, with Condé’s Emigré Corps forming the far right column and Karl Aloys zu Fürstenberg keeping the French left from flanking the main Austrian force.

The Outcome: A Strategic Retreat

Despite specific orders, the Duke of Enghien led a spirited attack on Steinstadt with the Army of Condé, taking the village and remaining under heavy artillery and musket fire for the rest of the daylight hours. Republican fire continued incessantly against royalist forces. The second column took the hill opposite Schliengen, defended by General Gouvion Saint-Cyr.

Meanwhile, Latour’s column marched through the night to Feldburg and attacked French positions in two vineyards northeast of the battlefield, forcing them to retire behind Liel. Moreau withdrew his right wing to Tannenkirch heights at night due to an untenable position, with a strong rear guard provided by Abbatucci and Lariboisière, and retreated part of the way to Hüningen.

By 3 November he had reached Haltingen and evacuated his troops over the bridge into France. With their backs to the river, Ferino and Moreau had to retreat across the Rhine into France, but retained control of the fortifications at Kehl and Hüningen and, more importantly, the tête-de-pont of the star-shaped fortresses where the bridges crossed the river.

The Battle of Schliengen was a complex and multifaceted conflict that reshaped the landscape of European warfare. It was not just about the clash of armies but also about the strategic control of territories, the use of natural barriers like rivers, and the intricate movements of troops across the battlefield. The outcome of this battle set the stage for future conflicts and solidified the importance of the Rhine as a critical line in the war.