Month 2 - Hoegaarden vs Crabbei

The Hoegaarden army advanced from its depot to try and eliminate the recently defeated men from Crabbei who were recovering at Grimbergen. The weather had taken a turn for the worst and many men fell out, suffering from the bitter cold.

In a swift action, the archbishops men marched down the main road towards the village of Grimbergen where Massey had his main force. 

Meanwhile the Hoegaarden cavalry swept round the far left wing to take the Crabbei flank and drive it in. The Grenadiers pinned one unit in place with musketry while the Dragoons charged down on its unsupported flank.

 

On the opposite flank, Crabbei's dragoons had their state's only real success when they caught the Hoegaarden Jaegerkorps in the open and rode them down. No cover was provided by the widely spaced pines trees and the jaeger were unable to retire quickly enough!  A unit of Austrian infantry hired out to Hoegaarden traded volleys with one of Masseys units, casting a nervous eye on the Crabbei dragoons who were sabering the remaining Jaeger. However, finishing their work that unit had decided that the battle was already lost, and headed for open country and home!

The Blau and Gelbe units halted an fired into Grimbergen, supported by artillery who were able to deploy within cannister range of the town, causing heavy casualties. 

The Horse Grenadiers galloped on across the frozen fields of Grimbergen and threatened the Crabbei guns at which point Crabbei sued for peace. General Leffe, aware that the foe was defeated decided that there was little point in taking further casualties, and accepted the surrender, graciously allowing Massey's men to leave the field, but insisting on retaining the guns as tropies!

 

A hard march back to Veltin for Massey's men, however at least they were retiring to their own country.