The Battle of Courtrai (10–12 May 1794) saw a Republican French army under Jean-Charles Pichegru oppose Coalition forces commanded by François Sébastien Charles Joseph de Croix, Count of Clerfayt and Prince Frederick, Duke of York and Albany. On 10 May, a French attempt to advance east toward Tournai was turned back by York's troops in the Battle of Willems. During this action, French infantry formed in squares repulsed Coalition cavalry for the first time during the war. On the same day, Clerfayt attacked Kortrijk (Courtrai) from the north but made little progress. On 11–12 May, French forces defeated Clerfayt and forced his troops to retreat. Finding himself badly outnumbered by the French, York withdrew within the defenses of Tournai and called for reinforcements. As a result of the bat