SUMMARY
THE ARMY OF THE STATES GENERAL
PART VIII 1702-1715-
VOLUME I
Spanish War of Succession covering period 1702—1705
Thus far no Dutch comprehensive study has been published on the last great
struggle against the hegemony of France under Louis XIV in Western Europe,
notwithstanding the fact that the Dutch army played a significant and illustrious
role in this war. This work is intended to supply the gap, using relevant Dutch
archives.
Volume I first deals with underlying cause and reason leading to the war, and
the conclusion of the 'Grand Alliance'. The Southern Netherlands formed the
main scene of the war. In 1702, the campaign concerned chiefly the fortresses
on the Lower Rhine and the Meuse. In April of this year, the allies opened
hostilities with the siege of Keizersweert, which, two months later, was forced
to surrender after stubborn resistance. A surprise attack by Marshal Boufflers
on Nijmegen was repelled. In July, John Churchill, Earl of - soon to become
Duke of - Marlborough, was appointed supreme commander of the combined
Anglo-Dutch field army, be it under highly restrictive provisions. The campaign
was continued under his leadership with the offensive against the towns along
the Meuse; Venlo, Roermond, Stevensweert and Liege, including the citadel
and fort Chartreuse, were taken in succession.
The following year the allies pursued their victories with the capture of
Rijnberk and Bonn, thus leading to the French loss of positions on the Middle
and Lower Rhine. The continued campaign did not come up to expectations.
The plan to take Antwerp failed, but led to the undecided battle near Ekeren, in
which the Dutch troops under Slangenburg gained great fame. Marlborough had
to give up his plan for an attack on the re-inforced lines covering Brabant, owing
to the opposition by the Dutch generals, which resulted in the Deputies in the
Field (States General representatives) withholding their approval of the planned
attack. Thus, the gain of this campaign remained limited to the capture of the
small towns of Huy and Limburg. In December, the stronghold Gelder sur
rendered to the Prussians under Van Lottum.
In 1704, activities were focused on Bavaria, where after his famous march to
the Danube Marlborough, together with Ludwig von Baden, fought the victory
of Schellenberg, and, in association with Eugene of Savoy, that of Hochstadt
(Blenheim). This year nothing of importance occurred in the Netherlands, owing
to Field Marshal Ouwerkerk, by order of the States General, having to confine
himself to the defensive.
In 1705, Marlborough renewed his actions in the Netherlands, following a
fruitless campaign on the Moselle. In July, he forced the lines near Heylissem by
surprise. Villeroy retreated to the Dyle, and twice efforts to force a crossing
failed. At such occasions the dissension between Marlborough and the Dutch
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