The Dutch posts on the Lys having been forced on the 12th of September, they abandoned Menin, which fortress was immediately taken possession of by the French. The Duke of York advanced, on the 14th of September, to drive the enemy across the Lys; and the Inniskilling dragoons formed part of the force under Major-General Harcourt, which joined the leading column of Austrians and Hessians under Lieutenant-General Ehrbach. The French were forced to evacuate Menin, and were pursued by two British squadrons and the Austrian hussars towards Roncq.
After bivouacking a few days in the fields, near Menin, the regiment marched to Tournay, where it was stationed several weeks, and subsequently passed the severe winter months at Drongen.
1794
Leaving Drongen in February, 1794, the regiment marched to Oudenarde; in April it joined the army at Cateau, where it was seen in marching order by the Emperor Francis; and on the 17th of that month it supported the column which attacked and carried the heights of Vaux.
The Inniskilling dragoons formed part of the covering army during the siege of Landrécies; and on the 21st of April, when the enemy attacked the Prince of Coburg's advanced posts at Blocus, the regiment formed part of the force which proceeded to the support of the Austrians; the French were repulsed at this point; but they succeeded in driving the Imperialists from Nouvion.
Thirty thousand French, commanded by Lieutenant-General Chapuy, attacked the Duke of York's post at Cateau on the 26th of April, and several cannon shot and shells fell among the Sixth dragoons before they were mounted; but did little injury. The Duke of York watched the enemy's movements from the top of a redoubt, and observing their left uncovered, he detached a body of troops against that flank; and after a sharp contest the French general was taken prisoner, and his army driven from the field with severe loss.
On the 27th of April the Inniskilling dragoons were detached to support the troops at Courtray under General Clairfait, whose advance-posts at Mourcon were attacked two days afterwards by the French under General Pichegru, who carried the post after a severe engagement, and also gained possession of Courtray. The Inniskilling dragoons rejoined the army under the Duke of York.
On the 1st of May the Inniskilling dragoons encamped in front of Tournay, with their left to the road leading towards Lisle, where the army arrived from the vicinity of Landrécies, and took up a position to oppose the enemy.
About three o'clock on the morning of the 10th of May a few pistol-shots from the advance-posts gave indication of an approaching enemy, and soon afterwards thirty thousand republican troops appeared in dark masses advancing to battle. The British soldiers stood to their arms, and the Inniskilling dragoons mounted and prepared for the combat. The report of musketry with the deep tones of the artillery succeeded, and the enemy's attempt to turn the left was repulsed by the fire of the Austrians posted in a wood. A shower of bullets from the French artillery assaulted the British centre, and through the clouds of smoke the opposing columns rushed to battle. During the conflict several cavalry corps were detached against the enemy's right flank. The Queen's Bays, Scots Greys, and Inniskilling dragoons, forming one superb brigade, were led forward by the Duke of York, in open column of half-squadrons; on approaching the enemy they formed line under a heavy cannonade, and rushed sword in hand upon their adversaries. Deep lines, bristled with bayonets, opposed a formidable resistance; but they were broken by the terrific charge of the British heavy cavalry, and the heroic troopers riding furiously among their adversaries, cut them down with a terrible carnage. The enemy commenced a retreat, but was speedily broken and pursued from the field with great loss.