Battle of Castricum

Also known as: Alkmaar
Arc de Triomphe: ALKMAER

October 6, 1799

Anxious to raise the Dutch against the French Republic and overthrow the Batavian Republic, the British landed a combined British and Russian force in the Netherlands in the hopes of inspiring an uprising. After initial successes, they were opposed by an army composed of the French commanded by General Brune and the Dutch commanded by General Daendels. As the Allies advanced into Castricum, fierce fighting ensued. A French counterattack pushed the Allies back and as night fell both armies disengaged. Afterwards, the Allies decided to abandon the expedition as they were facing dwindling supplies and the population had not risen in their support.

Bibliography

Chandler, David G., ed. Napoleon's Marshals. New York: Macmillan Publishing Company, 1987.
Smith, Digby. The Greenhill Napoleonic Wars Data Book. London: Greenhill Books: 1998.

Updated March 2017