Castricum

After his victory on October 2d, The Duke of York ordered a general advance before the French were able to fortify their new position. The First column, under Abercromby, advanced southward along the seashore. Essen's Second column marched for Bakkum, while General Dundas approached Limmen and Akersloot. The Allies' objectives were all captured without any serious difficulties. Delighted at his rather easy victory, General Essen advanced his column further south of Bakkum toward Castricum. The Russians were soon engaged in a bloody struggle for the town. General Abercromby, whose unopposed column had marched further south than Castricum, turned east in an effort to outflank Essen's determined opponent. Seeing Abercromby leaving the dunes on his left, General de Division Mortot withdrew his troops to the sand dunes south of the town to await the arrival of Gouvion's division. The situation had stabilized in an inconclusive fight around the dunes, until General Brune was informed that part of Dundas' column had debouched from Akersloot and was moving toward Essen's left flank. Brune then ordered part of Barbou's division to delay this new threat, while the rest of the division attacked Essen's exposed flank. This new assault threw the Russians back through Castricum and across the river Schilpwater. The battle ended in a brief charge/countercharge by the cavalry from both sides. Allied losses for Castricum amounted to 2,500 men. Franco-Dutch casualties were slightly over 1,500 men. This costly battle, together with other problems experienced by the Allies, convinced the Duke of York to order a retreat. The Allies had given up on taking Amsterdam and soon re-embarked for home.