mercian billman
11-10-2004, 05:04
This is the first article I've written about a historical battle, it was originally on Ancient Archives, but there were some problems with the Napoleonic section (should be fixed soon.) This is basically the original article with a few changes made.
I'd like you guys to tell me what you think, and critique my writing, so feel free to make comments and criticisms if you'd like.
BTW check out Ancient Archives (http://ancient-archives.com/) our forums are back up, and you'll find "Auerstadt" posted in the Historical Discussion forum. :bow:
The Battle of Auerstadt
On October 14th 1806 the forces of France led by Marshal Davout, met Prussian forces led by the Duke of Brunswick, Charles William Ferdinand. In one of the greatest displays in military history Marshal Davout’s forces outnumbered 2:1 would achieve a coveted double envelopment catapulting the “Iron Marshal” into the history books.
The Commanders
Despite his aristocratic roots Louis Davout, was a believer in the revolution and was the officer who ordered his men to fire upon the defecting General Dumoriez. In addition to the revolution Davout, fought in Germany, Egypt and, Italy where he proved himself a competent general and in 1804 became the youngest Marshal in Napoleons army. Davout was what one would call “a soldiers soldier,” despite the fact other senior leaders despised him Davout, was a dedicated and, skilled commander who adored his men and, who’s men adored him as well.
At the start of the battle the Prussian commander Charles William Ferdinand, The Duke of Brunswick, was 71 years old. Despite his old age it would be wrong to say that the Duke led the easy life one would expect of a man who lived to be 71 in his time. His first taste of combat came in 1757 and he earned a reputation as a fine general. The Duke also led the Army that invaded Holland and, won a quick and, relatively bloodless campaign and, his campaign was considered a perfect display of generalship, by contemporaries .
The Troops
The Napoleonic Corps system allowed French armies a greater deal of flexibility and, strategic mobility than their counterparts. Because they did not require large supply depots French armies were able to disperse and, rapidly concentrate to deal with any situation. Allowing the French to do something the Prussians could not: Force engagement.
In contrast to the Corps system implemented by the French, Prussia had no units larger than regiments. Division’s were formed on a temporary basis in addition, Corps and, Army commanders had little or no experience with the Regiments they would command. Nonetheless Prussian forces were experienced and, held high expectations for the coming campaign. To their misfortune the flaws of their system would overshadow the valor of their troops.
When people think of the French Army they general think of the Imperial Guards or Cavalry but, Artillery played a important role in Napoleon’s battlefield success and, one tends to forget he was a artillery officer. Artillery was absolutely essential to the French Armies and, without it Davout would not have been able to win at Auerstadt.
The Battle
At 0630 the lead brigade of Davout’s 3rd Division (commanded by Gen. Gudin) began crossing the Salee at Kosen. The 25th and 85th Infantry Regiments along with 2 8lb cannons would meet the Prussian Advance Guard with 600 cavalry, near Hassenhausen. Gen. Gauthier (Brigade Commander) would deploy the 85th on the left and, the 25th on the right while placing Prussian cavalry under artillery fire. The Prussians brought up their own guns to silence the French artillery pieces but, were unable to do so after, their own artillery was destroyed.
By 0800 the rest of the 3rd Division would arrive and, Gudin, would direct them to support the 85th. Meanwhile the Prussians would assemble 25 Squadrons of cavalry and, make a furious charge at French lines. The French lines formed into squares and, soundly repulsed the Prussian assault causing heavy casualties. Shortly thereafter 2nd Division commanded by Gen. Friant would begin arriving on the field. Marshal Davout would place them to the right of Gudin’s position and use 2nd Division artillery assets to support the assault on the village of Speiburg. By 0930 17 guns of the Corps artillery reserve would arrive which, Davout placed on the heights between Speiburg and, Hassenhausen to repulse a expected Prussian attack.
Davout then shifted 3rd Division right leaving only the 85th Regiment to defend Hassenhausen. Meanwhile two Prussian divisions led by Generals Scmettau and, Wartterslaben would move to attack French forces. Schmettau would attack north of Hassenhausen and fail to force the French back. On the other hand Schmettau’s attack was succeeding south of the village and, forced the 85th Regiment back placing the French flank in danger.
At the decisive moment General Morand commanding 1st Division would arrive. The order was given for the 13th Light Infantry Regiment to move and, support the 85th. After repulsing 5 cavalry charges the flank was secured. At this point Davout’s Corps was exhausted and, the Prussian Guards had yet to engage.
The Prussian Army was still capable of pulling off a victory but, a number of events and, Davout’s own brilliance would prevent this from happening. The Duke of Brunswick would become mortally wounded (he would die a month later) and the Prussian Army was thrown into disarray because his Chief of Staff Scharnhorst was on another part of the field, unable to take command. Rumors of the defeat at Jena only worsened morale and, may have influenced the commander of the Prussian Guards Kalcreuth not to attack when he should have. Kalcreuth would later claim it was the purpose of a Guard to cover the retreat of an Army. Later elements of the Guard would be used but, were sent into battle in a piecemeal fashion.
Finally seeing confusion in the Prussian lines Davout ordered his left and, right flanks to advance while artillery raked the Prussian lines. The disordered Prussian forces could not offer a effective defense and, Marshal Davout became one of the few commanders to complete a double envelopment of an Army twice the size of his own. Eventually Sharnhorst would invoke a retreat in the name of the dying Duke. Davout continued hitting the Prussians with artillery as they retreated but, did not send his exhausted troops to finish the Prussians off.
Outcome
After Prussian defeats at Jena and Auerstadt, French Armies would march into Berlin ten days later and within a month the final Prussian Army surrendered at Lubeck ending the Prussian campaign.
I'd like you guys to tell me what you think, and critique my writing, so feel free to make comments and criticisms if you'd like.
BTW check out Ancient Archives (http://ancient-archives.com/) our forums are back up, and you'll find "Auerstadt" posted in the Historical Discussion forum. :bow:
The Battle of Auerstadt
On October 14th 1806 the forces of France led by Marshal Davout, met Prussian forces led by the Duke of Brunswick, Charles William Ferdinand. In one of the greatest displays in military history Marshal Davout’s forces outnumbered 2:1 would achieve a coveted double envelopment catapulting the “Iron Marshal” into the history books.
The Commanders
Despite his aristocratic roots Louis Davout, was a believer in the revolution and was the officer who ordered his men to fire upon the defecting General Dumoriez. In addition to the revolution Davout, fought in Germany, Egypt and, Italy where he proved himself a competent general and in 1804 became the youngest Marshal in Napoleons army. Davout was what one would call “a soldiers soldier,” despite the fact other senior leaders despised him Davout, was a dedicated and, skilled commander who adored his men and, who’s men adored him as well.
At the start of the battle the Prussian commander Charles William Ferdinand, The Duke of Brunswick, was 71 years old. Despite his old age it would be wrong to say that the Duke led the easy life one would expect of a man who lived to be 71 in his time. His first taste of combat came in 1757 and he earned a reputation as a fine general. The Duke also led the Army that invaded Holland and, won a quick and, relatively bloodless campaign and, his campaign was considered a perfect display of generalship, by contemporaries .
The Troops
The Napoleonic Corps system allowed French armies a greater deal of flexibility and, strategic mobility than their counterparts. Because they did not require large supply depots French armies were able to disperse and, rapidly concentrate to deal with any situation. Allowing the French to do something the Prussians could not: Force engagement.
In contrast to the Corps system implemented by the French, Prussia had no units larger than regiments. Division’s were formed on a temporary basis in addition, Corps and, Army commanders had little or no experience with the Regiments they would command. Nonetheless Prussian forces were experienced and, held high expectations for the coming campaign. To their misfortune the flaws of their system would overshadow the valor of their troops.
When people think of the French Army they general think of the Imperial Guards or Cavalry but, Artillery played a important role in Napoleon’s battlefield success and, one tends to forget he was a artillery officer. Artillery was absolutely essential to the French Armies and, without it Davout would not have been able to win at Auerstadt.
The Battle
At 0630 the lead brigade of Davout’s 3rd Division (commanded by Gen. Gudin) began crossing the Salee at Kosen. The 25th and 85th Infantry Regiments along with 2 8lb cannons would meet the Prussian Advance Guard with 600 cavalry, near Hassenhausen. Gen. Gauthier (Brigade Commander) would deploy the 85th on the left and, the 25th on the right while placing Prussian cavalry under artillery fire. The Prussians brought up their own guns to silence the French artillery pieces but, were unable to do so after, their own artillery was destroyed.
By 0800 the rest of the 3rd Division would arrive and, Gudin, would direct them to support the 85th. Meanwhile the Prussians would assemble 25 Squadrons of cavalry and, make a furious charge at French lines. The French lines formed into squares and, soundly repulsed the Prussian assault causing heavy casualties. Shortly thereafter 2nd Division commanded by Gen. Friant would begin arriving on the field. Marshal Davout would place them to the right of Gudin’s position and use 2nd Division artillery assets to support the assault on the village of Speiburg. By 0930 17 guns of the Corps artillery reserve would arrive which, Davout placed on the heights between Speiburg and, Hassenhausen to repulse a expected Prussian attack.
Davout then shifted 3rd Division right leaving only the 85th Regiment to defend Hassenhausen. Meanwhile two Prussian divisions led by Generals Scmettau and, Wartterslaben would move to attack French forces. Schmettau would attack north of Hassenhausen and fail to force the French back. On the other hand Schmettau’s attack was succeeding south of the village and, forced the 85th Regiment back placing the French flank in danger.
At the decisive moment General Morand commanding 1st Division would arrive. The order was given for the 13th Light Infantry Regiment to move and, support the 85th. After repulsing 5 cavalry charges the flank was secured. At this point Davout’s Corps was exhausted and, the Prussian Guards had yet to engage.
The Prussian Army was still capable of pulling off a victory but, a number of events and, Davout’s own brilliance would prevent this from happening. The Duke of Brunswick would become mortally wounded (he would die a month later) and the Prussian Army was thrown into disarray because his Chief of Staff Scharnhorst was on another part of the field, unable to take command. Rumors of the defeat at Jena only worsened morale and, may have influenced the commander of the Prussian Guards Kalcreuth not to attack when he should have. Kalcreuth would later claim it was the purpose of a Guard to cover the retreat of an Army. Later elements of the Guard would be used but, were sent into battle in a piecemeal fashion.
Finally seeing confusion in the Prussian lines Davout ordered his left and, right flanks to advance while artillery raked the Prussian lines. The disordered Prussian forces could not offer a effective defense and, Marshal Davout became one of the few commanders to complete a double envelopment of an Army twice the size of his own. Eventually Sharnhorst would invoke a retreat in the name of the dying Duke. Davout continued hitting the Prussians with artillery as they retreated but, did not send his exhausted troops to finish the Prussians off.
Outcome
After Prussian defeats at Jena and Auerstadt, French Armies would march into Berlin ten days later and within a month the final Prussian Army surrendered at Lubeck ending the Prussian campaign.