Editing Battle of Aldenhoven (1794) (section)

=== Attack by the French Left Wing ===
Kleber commenced his advance at 5am. Bernadotte’s regular infantry forced the light troops of Franz von Werneck defending the left bank to retire behind entrenchments and eventually withdraw across the Roer when Kleber's artillery came up, while his light troops reached the Roer amidst heavy artillery and musket fire. <ref name=Hayworthdissert></ref>{{rp|247}}

Bernadotte then swam the Roer south of Ratheim with the 71st Demi-Brigade and four companies of grenadiers, supported by artillery moved forward by Kleber. However, despite their success, Kleber’s other divisions were unable to cross until the following day, after the Austrian withdrawal. <ref name=Hayworthbook></ref>{{rp|138}}

During this attack, the future marshal Michel Ney led one cavalry regiment in a charge after crossing the river.<ref>{{Cite book |last=Ney |first=Michel |title=Memoirs of Marshal Ney, Published By His Family |publisher=Carey |year=1834 |volume=1 |location=Philadelphia |pages=50–7}}</ref>