flank of the enemy to be unprotected; and, by ordering the cavalry to
wheel round and attack on that side, afforded them an opportunity of
gaining the highest credit by defeating the French army so much
superior to them in point of numbers.

"General Mansel rushing into the thickest of the enemy, devoted himself
to death; and animated by his example, that _very_ brigade performed
such prodigies of valour, as must have convinced the world that
Britons, once informed _how to act_, justify the highest opinion that
can possibly be entertained of their native courage. Could such men
have _ever_ been willingly _backward_? Certainly not.

"General Mansel's son, a captain in the 3rd Dragoon Guards, anxious to
save his father's life, had darted forwards, and was taken prisoner,
and carried into Cambray. Since his exchange, he has declared that
there was not, on the 26th, _a single French soldier_ left in the town,
as Chapuy had drawn out the whole garrison to augment the army destined
to attack the camp of Inchi. Had that circumstance been fortunately
known at the time, a detachment of the British army might easily have
marched along the Chaussee, and taken possession of the place ere the
Republicans could possibly have returned, as they had in their retreat
described a circuitous detour of some miles."

MR. SIMPSON will perceive, from the above extracts, that the brilliant
skirmish of Villers en Couche took place on April 24th; whereas the defeat
of the French army under Chapuy did not occur until two days later. A large
quantity of ammunition and thirty-five pieces of cannon were then captured;
and although the writer does not mention the number who were killed on the
part of the enemy, yet, as he states that Chapuy and near 400 of his men
were made prisoners, their loss by death was no doubt proportionately
large.

The 15th Hussars have long borne on their colours the memorable words
"Villers en Couche" to commemorate the daring valour they displayed on that
occasion.

T. C. SMITH.

In Cruttwell's _Universal Gazetteer_ (1808), this village, which is five
miles north-east of Cambray, is described as being "remarkable for an
action between the French and the Allies on the 24th of April, 1794." The
following officers of the 15th regiment of light dragoons are there named
as having afterwards received crosses of the Order of Maria Theresa for
their