Battle of Niesburg

The Battle of Niesburg was a battle of the Franco-Brunanter War that occurred on June 15, 1758.

Background
In 1758 Markstad and Markstad Castle was being besieged by French troops and it could not hold out much longer. The Brunanters and their Hessian allies had to relieve the town and it was agreed to attack east of Niesburg to divert the French from the siege.

Battle formations
With word of an approaching force of 3,200 men approaching, French commander André Turau decided to divert 2,500 of the 3,400 men participating in the siege to crush the enemy. He could only release a group of 50 cavalrymen and no cannons. The Hessians and Brunanters lined up in front of some farmhouses and waited for the French, who commanded the higher ground.

The battle
After some volley-fire exchanges, the Brunanters mounted a charge up the hill. French troops returned fire and in minutes, the Brunanters and Hessians were in full retreat, heading for cover behind the farmhouses. The French quickly gave chase and left behind the high ground. It was only when they were nearing the buildings that they saw the Hessians fire their well-hidden cannons at them. Well-exposed and overconfident, they tried to hold ground but with mounting casualties were forced to retreat up the hill, in a highly disorderly manner.