Page "Battle of Fontenoy" Paragraph 12

The French opened their trenches around Tournai on 30 April, exactly in accordance with the memorial presented by Saxe to Versailles in December 1744.

Saxe entrusted the investment to Löwendahl, while he himself turned his attention towards the gathering Allied army.

The true intentions of the French were not discovered by the Allies until 28 April.

" After a good deal of variety and contradiction ," wrote Cumberland's secretary, " our advices for two or three days past agree that the enemy's army is before Toumai ".

Due to indecision the Allies had not begun its march until 30 April, reaching Soignies on 2 May where they were detained due to bad weather.

On 5 May the Allies reached Cambron.

Here, a reserve corps was formed under Hanoverian General Moltke, and detached towards Leuze where 50 French squadrons under Du Chayla were stationed as a corps of observation.

Du Chayla at once withdrew in the direction of Tournai, but he had achieved his object: he had satisfied himself as to which road the Allies would approach.