Across the Rhine from bustling Düsseldorf, the Alte Batterie stone silently watches. It’s more than just a stone. It’s a memorial, a remnant of a turbulent past. The Alte Batterie, an old French artillery position from 1794/95, lies hidden in the Rhine bend between Uedesheim and the Fleher Bridge. Overgrown with buckthorn, this earthen embankment whispers tales of the French Revolution’s impact on this peaceful landscape. Imagine French troops, two years into the Revolutionary Wars, reaching Neuss and establishing this battery. Picture the scene in October 1794. French cannons, the most modern of their time, bombarded Düsseldorf from the Oberkassel bank. The city, overflowing with refugees, suffered a devastating fire. Buildings, including the Stadtschloss, were destroyed, lives were lost. The Alte Batterie likely played a role, securing the hinterland for the French advance. Months later, on January 21, 1795, the cannons roared again, commemorating the execution of Louis XVI. The French crossed the Rhine in September, ultimately taking Düsseldorf. The Alte Batterie’s exact role in these events remains shrouded in mystery. Yet, the memorial stands as a testament to a pivotal moment, a turning point in Düsseldorf’s history. Erosion threatens this unassuming landmark. The Verschönerungsverein Neuss-Uedesheim plans a bronze plaque to ensure the Alte Batterie’s story is never forgotten. A story of conflict, revolution, and the enduring power of memory. A story etched in stone, overlooking the Rhine and the city it once held under siege.
Landesrat Dr. M. Brandts Plaque
“Seinem verehrten Mitbegründer dem tatkräftigen Mitbegründer Herr Landesrat Dr. M. Brandts gest. 16. Oktober 1905 in Dankbarkeit gewidmet.” This is