The French representative on mission, Jean-Baptiste Drouet, was captured by the Austrians during the siege, and only returned to France in December 1795 through a prisoner exchange.

[3] At the end of summer 1793, the Republican forces came to secure Dunkirk, but the situation on the northern frontier remained delicate.

[2]: 66  The Austrian commander in chief laid siege to Maubeuge, to the east of the main theatre of war, to guarantee his line of advance towards Paris.

[2]: 66 When he learned of the imminent arrival of the armée de la Moselle, the Prince left a major force of 33,000 men to continue the siege under the count of Clerfayt[2]: 68  and moved to the Wattignies plateau to the south of Mauberge.

[2]: 71  After failing to take Maubeuge, the British and Austrian forces withdrew north and temporarily abandoned their plan to march on Paris.