Sept 3 1793 Combined Armies. - Cumberland and Westmorland Newspaper Transcriptions

Sept 3 1793 Combined Armies.

COMBINED ARMIES.

from the Head Quarters of the Prince de Coubourg, at Berlin, August 16.

At a council of war, held at Valenciennes, the DUKE OF YORK strongly
insisted that the only way to terminate the war, and to save the lives of
the QUEEN of France and the Royal Family, would be to march straight to
Paris; that being once in possession of the capital, and the Convention
dispersed, a feeble resistance only could afterwards be made on the part of
the kingdom; that being within forty leagues of the city, and the French
having no army there, the allies would arrive before their enemies could
assemble forces ********* to stop a victorious army; and that if 45,000 men
were given him, he would lead them thither.

GENERAL OTTO supported this opinion, and said that if he were permitted to
follow the DUKE with his Hungarians, he would answer with his head for the
success of the plan. All the other Generals were of the opposite
sentiments; asserting that it would be imprudent to leave the strong place
behind.

The DUKE of YORK, however, spoke with so much warmth and reason, that he
gained over the whole council, and it was agreed that he should march
forwarded to Paris with 30,000 men; and that the PRINCE DE COUBOURG should
support him with 40,000 men. The road by Compiagne was to be taken in order
to command the Oise.

The French having evacuated the camp of Cefar, and having retreated behind
Arras the DUKE of YORK set out on the 10th from the environs of Crevecoeur,
and arrived the following day at Beurry, where he stopped till the corps
which was to follow him put itself in motion.

The determination to penetrate into France being known at Brussels, the
COUNT DE MERCY sent off a courier with dispatches for the PRINCE DE
COBOURG - upon reading of which, that General returned to his original
plans, viz. to take the strong places, before he marches into the interior
of France.

In consequence of this change of plans, the DUKE of YORK has posted a part
of the caravan under his command near Peronne, to the right Somme, where
there is abundance of forage, and is at hand to watch the enemy's motions
during the time the different places are besieging.

HIS ROYAL HIGHNESS has marched in ***** with the English and Hanoverians
towards Dunkirk, to attack that place, in conjunction with part of the
allied troops, stationed at Ostend, and in West Flanders.
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