After announcing the suspension of conscription in 1802, Langenhoven declared that, starting in January 1803, Belgium would cease forcibly conscripting young married men, monks in study, widowers or divorced men with children, and men whose brothers had already been called up. Those summoned for service could pay someone to take their place. In view of the thousands of families who had lost husbands, sons, and fathers, an appropriate social support system would also be established to care for the bereaved families of war victims.
Even though the new decree said nothing about arrangements for discharged soldiers, it was still cause for celebration. People hated the "blood tax" so much that they would rather flee into the forests, and as a result had long suffered from bandit raids.
Such a day seemed suited to a few extra drinks. Unfortunately, the city government forbade fireworks, but that could not stop drunken people from buying and setting them off themselves. The fire brigade had already extinguished several fires caused by fireworks.
There would be a victory parade tomorrow. The French corps stationed in Belgium would send representatives to perform outside Brussels, then gradually move into camps beyond the city. Their chief duty would be clearing out bandits and vagrants, while public security within the cities would remain under the authority of each city's police.
Aside from Pichegru, the early Republican armies did not fight in the Low Countries during winter, though Belgium's weather was nowhere near as bitterly cold as Russia's.
Regular armies had military discipline. When supplies failed to arrive in winter, they could only plunder civilians. By contrast, when the coalition forces retreated, they looted entire towns and villages on a massive scale. Using this as an excuse, the revolutionary committees allowed militia regiments to seize control across the country, dismissing