The danger in this situation was the abnormal length of the supply line (43
km via Marchiennes and Denain). Both places were no fortresses, however,
they were strengthened by fortifications. Albemarle was at Denain with ten
battalions and about the same number of squadrons. Villars decided to make use
of the splitting up caused by the situation. After some feints he advances the
entire army on the Scheldt in the evening of 23 July. In the morning of 24 July
this river was reached and crossed at Neuville a few kilometres west of Denain.
Albemarle received a reinforcement of about six battalions, but even then he
was no match for the overwhelming odds. As ill luck would have it only one
pontoon bridge was available for the fugitives to pass overa wooden bridge, in
course of building, had not been finished yet. Consequently, more than a
thousand men were drowned in the Scheldt and more than three thousand
men were made prisoners of war among whom were Albemarle and the most
important generals. Eugenius could do nothing about it. The battle at Denain
was the more serious for its results. Almost at once a number of fortifications
along the Scheldt fell into the hands of the French. After a courageous
defence Marchiennes had to surrender on 30 July. Besides the occupation an
immense stock of war supplies and victuals, gun-boats, and vehicles fell a prey
to the conquerers.
The Field Deputies as well as the generals of the States were overcome by
discouragement. They no longer believed in the victory. The siege of Landrecies
was raised. Villars now laid siege to Douai. The town, though bravely defended
by Hompesch, was not prepared for a siege. On 8 September it had to lower
the flag. The siege of Le Quesnoy now followed. Eugenius was incapable of
attempting a relief; on 4 October, in spite of all efforts, Yvoyhad to open the
gates. The same fate was suffered by Bouchain, where Grovestins, in spite of a
far too small occupation, conducted the defence from 1 to 19 October.
The fact that the partisan Pieter de la Rue took the, indeed important,
fortress Knocke by surprise in the night of 3-4 October could not balance the
long series of successes resulting from the French victories at Denain.
£28
