HISTORY OF EUROPE. 
go on the ensuing year, to con- 
quests almost certain. 
The French King, in conse- 
quence of the preparations and 
movements of the Austrians and 
Prusssians, and with a view, it is rea- 
sonable to suppose, to his own pe- 
culiar situation, had established 
three armies, in order to cover and 
protect his country, and to be in 
readiness to act as emergencies 
might require, or existing circum- 
stances direct. The first army that 
was assembled, and which was dis- 
don the northern frontier of 
rance, was placed under the com- 
mand of the Marischal de Rocham- 
beau, an experienced officer, who 
had served in the French armies 
during the late American war; the 
second underthe Marquis dela Fay- 
ette, whohad also served under him 
in the American war ; and the third 
under the command of a gallant ve- 
teran who had spent more than for- 
ryears in the service of France, 
e Marischal Luckner,ontheRhine. 
Of the three generals, only Luck- 
ner and Ja Fayette were attached 
tothe revolution. The discipline 
of the French army had, for some 
time past, been much neglected ; 
while, from the political principles 
introduced into France, insubordi- 
nation of the troops had been dai- 
ly increasing. The soldiers living 
m garrisons, the great towns of 
[91 
France imbibed the ideas of the 
civil classes with whom they asso- 
ciated, and became connected with 
the inhabitants of the capitals and 
the different provinces throughout 
the country. The want of disci- 
pline, however, was compensated 
by an ardour in the cause of liberty 
and the revolution; and, on the 
whole, what were called the troops 
of the line, were as capable of being 
led on to action, with alacrity and 
with effect, as any troops in the 
world. But the greater part of the 
officers, especially those in the first 
stations, were enemies to the revo- 
lution, and disaffected to the present 
government; which they consi- 
dered as an usurpation. This di- 
versity of sentiments produced of 
course a division in the army. Some 
of the officers, avowing their disaf- 
fection, retired from the service ; 
others remained, ready to improve 
circumstances that might arise 
for overthrowing the present order 
of affairs, and restoring the former. 
A wistrust of the officers, produced 
among the soldiers, and communi- 
cated tothe whole nation, increased 
the general hatred against the no- 
bles: insomuch that it was under 
deliberation, at one period, among 
the rulers of the revolution, whe- 
ther the class of nobles should not 
be precluded from the rank of com- 
missioned military officers. 
CHAP. VI. 
M. Rochambeau takes the Command of a French Army. Head Quarters 
at Valenciennes. Disposition and State of the Army. Divisions. The 
. . 
mere and greater Part of the Officers attached to Royalty. Expedi- 
n under Biron against Mons. 
” Fails of Success. So also, that under 
Dillon against Tournay. Resignation of Rochambeau. Servan Aa 
nted Minister at War. Reflections on the Military Operations of the 
French. New Plan of Operations. Servan succeeded in the War De- 
partment 
