René Bittard des Portes, H. Gautier, Paris, 1897
This historical study examines the operations of the Louis Joseph de Bourbon, Prince de Condé’s émigré army during the year 1796, in the context of the French Revolutionary Wars.
The book focuses on the activities of the Armée de Condé, a Royalist force composed of French émigrés that fought alongside Coalition armies against Revolutionary France. In 1796, this force was primarily engaged in operations along the Rhine frontier, cooperating with Austrian and allied commanders during campaigns aimed at weakening French control in eastern France and western Germany.
The narrative describes the organization, movements, and condition of the émigré army, including its integration into Coalition strategy and its dependence on Austrian logistical and operational support. It also explores the political dimension of the force, highlighting tensions between Royalist objectives—restoring the Bourbon monarchy—and the broader strategic goals of Austria and its German allies.
A significant portion of the work is devoted to the operational reality of campaigning in 1796: marches along the Rhine, limited resources, coordination difficulties with regular Coalition armies, and the challenges faced by émigré troops operating far from French territory.
Although the focus is on Royalist French forces, the context necessarily includes Austrian and German Coalition operations in the Rhine theater, where various German contingents, including Hessian units in broader Coalition service, were active in nearby campaigns. However, Hessians are not a central element of the narrative.
Overall, the book provides a detailed account of the émigré military experience during a pivotal year of the Revolutionary Wars, emphasizing the intersection of political exile, coalition warfare, and the shifting fortunes of Royalist resistance.
