History of France

Number by catalogue:  Michel: 1767   Yvert: 1679   Scott: 1306  

Perforation type: 13x13

Subject:

45 centimes. A battle stage of the well-known The Battle of Valmy*. On a background - a windmill

Additional:

*The Battle of Valmy, also known as the Cannonade of Valmy, was a tactically indecisive artillery engagement, but strategically it ensured the survival of the French Revolution. As such, and despite its minor size, it appears as one of the most decisive battles in history, as well as one of the first times a mix of old soldiers and raw volunteers were able to successfully oppose the highly respected professional Prussian and Austrian armies.

It was fought near the village of Valmy in northern France on 20 September 1792, during the War of the First Coalition (part of the French Revolutionary Wars). Forces of the French Army of the North, commanded by Charles François Dumouriez, and the French Army of the Centre, commanded by François Christophe Kellermann, stopped the advance towards Paris of a Prussian army, commanded by the Duke of Brunswick.

Despite the minimal casualties (less than 500 total) and the inconclusive tactical results, Valmy has been considered one of the most significant battles of the French Revolutionary Wars, as it allowed the survival of France's new armies (facing a highly professional Prussian army) and launched a period of renewed military strength that was to last nearly a quarter of a century.

This engagement was the turning point of the campaign. Ten days later, without firing another shot, the invading army began its retreat. Dumouriez's pursuit was not seriously pressed; he occupied himself chiefly with a series of subtle and curious negotiations which, with the general advance of the French troops, brought about the complete withdrawal of the allied invaders from the soil of France.

The day after this first victory of the French revolutionary troops, on 21 September, in Paris, the French monarchy was abolished and the First French Republic proclaimed. The battle of Valmy was really the first victory of an army inspired by citizenship and nationalism and the death knell of the absolute monarchies.


Engraving from the book A. Hugo, "France Militaire Histoire des armées françaises de terre et de mer de 1792 à 1833, Tome 1"