What follows is a brief description of our most recent game set in 1813. A total of seven players were involved.
The dispatch rider pulled his horse to a halt near the headquarters of Marshal Ney. He dismounted and handed over the communication to Ney’s aide-de-camp, René Chauvelin. Hurriedly the aide entered the marshal’s tent handing over the summary of the battle, fought some 80 miles to the west. Few pleasantries were passed, Ney was frustrated that he had missed the battle and yet he was intent on reading the summary of the action. He started reading skipping the introduction. Ahh, here was the meat...
Around 1pm the previous day our forces had engaged a combined army of Russians and Austrians near the town of Lundenburg. The Emperor had by this stage three Corps massed. In the centre was VI Corps under Marmont while to the left Victor had deployed his much smaler II Corps. On Marmont’s right was V Corps under Lauriston. Some two hours west were three cavalry divisions and Curial’s Old Guard Division, never too far from the Emperor. When combined Napoleon would have some 50,000 bayonets, 10,000 cavalry and 99 guns.
The Allies for there part had a similar sized force. The Austrians, some two corps were deployed opposite the French centre and right with some 31,500 infantry and 6,000 cavalry, along with 126 guns. The Russians, assembled in a single corps provided a further 8,000 bayonets, 4,500 cavalry, including 2000 Cossacks. The infantry were supplemented by a further 48 cannon.
Initially Napoleon had intended to await the full concentration of his immediate forces before going on the offensive in the late afternoon. However, Marmont and Lauriston had acted aggressively.
Napoleon sensing opportunity, now pressed forward in the centre, indeed he reinforced his centre with elements of Lauriston’s V Corps that were drawn from the right wing. The town of Lundenburg would form an initial focus with the Austrians ejected with determination. A concentrated Austrian counterattack was then thrown back.
Around 1pm the previous day our forces had engaged a combined army of Russians and Austrians near the town of Lundenburg. The Emperor had by this stage three Corps massed. In the centre was VI Corps under Marmont while to the left Victor had deployed his much smaler II Corps. On Marmont’s right was V Corps under Lauriston. Some two hours west were three cavalry divisions and Curial’s Old Guard Division, never too far from the Emperor. When combined Napoleon would have some 50,000 bayonets, 10,000 cavalry and 99 guns.
The Allies for there part had a similar sized force. The Austrians, some two corps were deployed opposite the French centre and right with some 31,500 infantry and 6,000 cavalry, along with 126 guns. The Russians, assembled in a single corps provided a further 8,000 bayonets, 4,500 cavalry, including 2000 Cossacks. The infantry were supplemented by a further 48 cannon.
Initially Napoleon had intended to await the full concentration of his immediate forces before going on the offensive in the late afternoon. However, Marmont and Lauriston had acted aggressively.
Napoleon sensing opportunity, now pressed forward in the centre, indeed he reinforced his centre with elements of Lauriston’s V Corps that were drawn from the right wing. The town of Lundenburg would form an initial focus with the Austrians ejected with determination. A concentrated Austrian counterattack was then thrown back.
Above and below views of the centre and French right.
The fighting soon extended along the centre. It was most vicious in the area from a large wood to the south of Lundenburg to the rising ground north of the town. Here French casualties would mostly fall in Marmont’s 20th and 22nd Divisions. Of the infantry Friedrichs’ 22nd Division, comprising three Provisional Brigades suffering heavy casualties. Likewise Lauriston’s cavalry division, the 2nd Light Cavalry under Russell d’Hurbal fought valiantly and suffered heavy losses for their boldness.
Further to the north, marking the left of the French forces, Victor’s II Corps was heavily pressed by Russians and a number of Austrians. Having lost a number of his guns to Russian artillery fire Victor soon found himself in a desperate situation. Russian infantry and artillery were to his front and Russian cavalry formed up on his left. The main Russian cavalry comprised a brigade of Hussars and a further brigade of Dragoons. However, they were supported by a further seething mass of Cossacks. While it was true Victor had a particularly low opinion of the Cossacks his position looked increasingly hopeless.
Below, the situation on the French left.
However, around 5.30pm French reinforcements arrived. By 6pm no less than three French cavalry divisions were deployed and the Russian cavalry were in full retreat, their retrograde movement opening up the Allied right flank. Hastily Austrian cavalry were dispatched to bolster the Russians.
Encouraged Russian Hussars and Dragoons attempted to attack the French cavalry, but these attacks were thrown back. Below, the Allied cavalry has been forced back reforming attempt to engage the French cavalry.
Finally, around 8.30pm the last attacks were unleashed on the Russians. The Russian infantry, despite being well supported by guns, were unable to halt the Guard Grenadiers and Chasseurs. Supported by elements of Victor’s infantry and a Cuirassier Brigade from Bordesoulle’s 1st Cuirassier Division Curial’s veterans cut swathes through the Russian line encouraging them to retire.
French casualties were estimated to be around 5,000 men while Allied casualties marginally higher at 7,500. While that battle was far from a crushing French victory Napoleon had gained a marginal victory. The decisive battle would likely be in the coming days.
A smile was now clearly discernible on Ney’s face. Turning to his aide Ney paused “Well, René it seems as we are to join the Emperor, ready the army to move, we have the Austrians on the run”.
The miniatures are of course 6mm and comprise French & Russians from my own collection and Austrians from Andrew’s collection. The figures are a mix of H&R and Irregular.
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