Editing Battle of Höchstädt (1800) (section)

==General engagement==

Moreau appeared to march toward Ulm, which lay some twenty miles east of [[Sigmaringen]] and [[Biberach an der Riß|Biberach an der Ris]], where his army and Kray's had engaged a few days earlier. Instead of striking directly at the well-fortified and supplied city, however, his force suddenly veered to the east and struck at the smaller forces posted between Ulm and Donauwörth.<ref>David Eggenberger, "Höchstädt II", ''An Encyclopedia of Battles'', Dover Publications, 2014, p. 193.</ref> Lecourbe first secured posts in [[Landsberg am Lech|Landsberg]] and [[Augsburg]], and left sufficient rearguard troops to protect himself from [[Prince Heinrich XV of Reuss-Plauen|Prince Reuss-Plauen]], who remained in the [[Tyrol]], guarding mountain access to Vienna. He then approached Dettingen, Blindheim (Blenheim) and Höchstädt.  The Corps of General [[Paul Grenier|Grenier]] has been posted with their right flank to the Danube and [[Günzburg|Gunzburg]], and their left flank at [[Kisdorf|Kinsdorf]].  General [[Antoine Richepanse|Richepanse]]  protected both shores of the [[Iller]], covering the road from Ulm south to [[Memmingen]], and secured communication with Switzerland; there, he withstood considerable skirmishing with the Austrians. Three divisions of reserve remained at the hamlets of Kamlack and Mindel, to support the attack made by General Lecourbe on Ulm, in a case it should succeed, or Grenier's attack upon Gunzburg, in case Lecourbe should not succeed.<ref name="ReferenceA"/>

Lecourbe made several feints on the bridge at Dillingheim, but his reconnaissance suggested instead that he focus on the bridges at Gremsheim, Blindheim and Höchstädt, which he did the next day.<ref name="ReferenceA"/>  A small group of 80 or so men from the 94th Demi-brigade managed a spectacular crossing of the river. After stripping their clothing and weapons, and loading them into a small raft, the naked men swam the river, pulling their raft behind them. Once reaching the other side, they took possession of several guns and some ammunition, wood, and materials.  Here they held their position until some artillery men managed to scramble across the wreck of the bridge at Gremsheim and support them. The [[Pioneer (military)|pioneers]] and bridge builders reconstructed the bridges under Austrian fire, allowing the remainder of the 94th to cross the river.<ref>"Höchstädt", ''History of the Wars of the French Revolution: Including Sketches of the Civil History of Great Britain and France, from the Revolutionary Movements, 1788, to the Restoration of a General Peace, 1815'', Kuhl, France, 1820, p. 181.</ref>  This accomplishment seemed to mark the turning point of the action, at least it did to Moreau, who mentioned it at length in his dispatch.<ref name="ReferenceA"/> A full Austrian corps maintained a stand at Höchstädt, but were dislodged by repeated attacks of [[carabine]]rs, [[cuirassier]]s and [[Hussar|hussars]], who took about 2,000 of the Austrians and Würtembergers as prisoners, along with some cannons and standards.<ref name="ReferenceA"/>