French Revolutionary Wars (1792-1802)
Maps and prints of naval engagements collected by George III during the decade of war
Menen, 1794
To the KING’S most excellent Majesty. This Plate of the SALLY made by the GARRISON of MENIN in the night of the 30th of Aprl 1794 is with His gravious Permission humbly inscribed / By His Majesty’s most faithful Subject J. Gerhard Huck
published 1799Mezzotint and engraving; printed on paper | 53.4 x 64.0 cm (image) | RCIN 735023.2.a
The fortress of Menen was held by a small force of Hanoverians and some French exiles under the command of Count Hammerstein. Menen was besieged by the French, 27-30 April 1794. The Menen garrison, heavily outnumbered, broke out and escaped through the French lines.
The index, or key plate (RCIN 735023.2.b), explains how, after 'the most glorious defence, the want of ammunitions and provisions being extreme', Major-General Baron Hammerstein (the mounted figure brandishing a sword, centre) sallied out with his garrison of 2,129 men and fight his way through the French army. His aide-de-camp, Lieutenant du Plat (perhaps a son or relative of Georg Josua du Plat) is immediately behind him on horseback. Another du Plat, a major, can be seen to the right, brandishing a sword in the middle of a group of three whose heads protrude above the melee of officers below. The regiments represented include the 1st Hanoverian Battalion of Grenadiers, two battalions of the 14th regooment of light Hanoverian infantry, one battalion of Loyal Emigrants, 50 privates of a Hessian Regiment of Infantry, two batteries of the Hanoverian Artillery, four English engineer officers, 30 Canoneers and Sappers of the Imperial army.
Additional text: [bottom left, below title, very faint:] Proof Impression.
Condition: no fold lines.
Johann Gerhard Huck (1759-1811) (publisher) [bottom centre, below edge of view:] Painted and engraved by J: Gerhard Huck. [bottom, below title, left and right of coat of arms:] HANNOVER Published November 1the 1799.
Watermark: None visible
Condition: no fold lines
53.4 x 64.0 cm (image)
53.8 x 63.9 cm (platemark)
55.0 x 65.1 cm (sheet)
Printed title:
To the KING’S most excellent Majesty. This Plate of the SALLY made by the GARRISON of MENIN in the night of the 30th of Aprl 1794 is with His gravious Permission humbly inscribed / By His Majesty’s most faithful Subject J. Gerhard Huck. [bottom, below view, to each side of the royal coat of arms]
Additional text:
[bottom left, below title, very faint:] Proof Impression.
Annotations:
George III heading: Military Menin 30 April 1794 Port Folio No 2.
Other annotations: (Recto) none. (Verso) [bottom left, black pencil, obscured by paper backing: the George III heading; bottom left, black pencil:] CMB Jan ’87 [i.e. 1987]; [top left, black pencil:] 8; [top right, black pencil:] 9; [bottom right, black pencil:] 1794-9; [centre, black pencil, obscured by paper backing:] 8.
George III catalogue entry:
Menin Representation of the Sally made by the Garrison of Menin in the night of the 30.th of April 1794: by I. Gerhard Huck, 1799. with a key Plate.
Subject(s)
Menen, Flanders, Belgium (50°47'50"N 03°07'20"E)
Page revisions
14 March 2024
Current version
