Army of the West (France)
On the 2nd of October 1793, a decree merged three separate coastal armies to create the Army of the West. The Army of the Coasts of La Rochelle joined forces with the so-called Army of Mayence and part of the Army of the Coasts of Brest. This new entity was tasked with fighting in the War in the Vendée across western France. By the 6th of October, Jean Léchelle assumed command of this newly formed force. The Committee of Public Safety believed Léchelle could end the rebellion, but he proved ineffective. Kléber later described him as the most cowardly soldier ever seen. He did not understand maps or how to sign his name properly. His arrogance and brutality stood out more than any tactical skill.
The Battle of Cholet on the 17th of October 1793 saw 25,000 Republicans defeat 40,000 rebels. Losses were heavy for both sides, with 8,000 rebel casualties against 4,000 Republican losses. Yet disaster followed at Entrames on the 27th of October when 31,000 Vendeans defeated 25,000 Republicans. Léchelle insisted on keeping the army in a single column despite advice from Kléber and Marceau. He stayed in the rear while his generals fought at the front lines. When the army routed, soldiers shouted down with Léchelle! Long live du Bayet! Long live Kléber!. In despair, Léchelle resigned and killed himself shortly after. The Army of the North sent 10,000 reinforcements that arrived in December to stabilize the situation.
Louis Marie Turreau began a bloody program on the 24th of January 1794 using 12 infernal columns. With 80,000 soldiers available, he ordered them to sweep through the Vendée region. Crops were taken away, farms burned, and suspected rebels killed without mercy. Not even women and children escaped the massacre. Jean-Baptiste Carrier encouraged this work by stating the women of La Vendée were the source of enemy rebirth. The Committee of Public Safety suspended Turreau on the 13th of May due to disgust over his diabolical plan. By April 1794, the army counted 103,812 soldiers but only 50,000 could take field. Thomas-Alexandre Dumas took command on the 16th of August when strength had dropped to 45,000 men.
Lazare Hoche became commander-in-chief of the Army of the West on the 11th of September 1795. A pacification agreement was signed on the 17th of February 1795 allowing Vendeans freedom of worship. However, revolt broke out again on the 24th of June under François de Charette. On the 21st of July 1795 at Quiberon, Hoche smashed an attempted invasion by Royalists landed by the British fleet. The French government combined the Army of the West with other coastal armies into a single force under Hoche on the 26th of December 1795. This new entity had a nominal strength of 182,956 but only 100,000 men were present for duty. Grouchy held the coast against Count Artois who landed on Île d'Yeu on the 2nd of October 1795 before returning to England.
On the 17th of January 1800, the Army of England was renamed the Army of the West and orders took effect immediately. Guillaume Brune commanded until the 16th of April when Gabriel Marie Joseph d'Hédouville took over temporarily. Jean Baptiste Bernadotte assumed command from the 3rd of May to the 10th of October 1800. Jacques Louis François Delaistre de Tilly served as interim leader until mid-November 1801. Henri François Delaborde led the army from mid-November until its suppression on the 20th of May 1802. The district was reduced to just the 13th Military Division on the 23rd of September 1801. This final phase ended the existence of the second incarnation of the Army of the West after nearly nine years of intermittent service.
Up Next
Common questions
When was the Army of the West created by decree?
A decree merged three separate coastal armies to create the Army of the West on the 2nd of October 1793. The Army of the Coasts of La Rochelle joined forces with the so-called Army of Mayence and part of the Army of the Coasts of Brest.
Who commanded the Army of the West after Jean Léchelle resigned?
Louis Marie Turreau began a bloody program on the 24th of January 1794 using 12 infernal columns. Thomas-Alexandre Dumas took command on the 16th of August when strength had dropped to 45,000 men.
What happened at the Battle of Cholet during the War in the Vendée?
The Battle of Cholet on the 17th of October 1793 saw 25,000 Republicans defeat 40,000 rebels. Losses were heavy for both sides, with 8,000 rebel casualties against 4,000 Republican losses.
How many soldiers did the Army of the West have under Lazare Hoche in December 1795?
The French government combined the Army of the West with other coastal armies into a single force under Hoche on the 26th of December 1795. This new entity had a nominal strength of 182,956 but only 100,000 men were present for duty.
When was the second incarnation of the Army of the West suppressed?
Henri François Delaborde led the army from mid-November until its suppression on the 20th of May 1802. The district was reduced to just the 13th Military Division on the 23rd of September 1801.