A failed Belgian revolutionary offensive against Austrian forces near the Maas river during the brief Brabant Revolution of 1790.
Key Facts
- Date
- 22 September 1790
- Belgian primary force
- 5,000 volunteers with four cannons
- Belgian secondary force
- 2,000 troops at Hastière
- Austrian prisoners taken
- 30 soldiers
- Belgian cannons captured (briefly)
- Several enemy cannons seized then lost
- Powder cart explosions
- 2 Belgian powder carts exploded during battle
By the Numbers
Location
Cause → Event → Consequence
During the Brabant Revolution, the United Belgian States sought to consolidate control of the Austrian Netherlands by pushing back Holy Roman Empire forces. Belgian commanders planned a two-pronged river crossing of the Maas to strike Austrian outposts at Anseremme and Falmagne while blocking reinforcements from Blaimont.
On 22 September 1790, a force of 5,000 Belgians under General Koehler crossed the Maas at Moniat and briefly seized the Anseremme heights and enemy cannons, while 2,000 troops crossed at Hastière. Two powder cart explosions and an Austrian cavalry counterattack reversed Belgian gains. General Schönfeldt's flank attack was also repelled despite numerical superiority.
Both Belgian columns retreated across the Maas, surrendering all captured ground and cannons. The failed offensive reflected the military weakness of the United Belgian States and contributed to the broader collapse of the Brabant Revolution, which ended with Austria reimposing control over the region by late 1790.
Belligerents & Mobilization Analysis
Side A
1 belligerent
General Koehler, General Schönfeldt.
Side B
1 belligerent