A Most Gallant Action at Aubes - 1815

With some recent updating of my 1815 armies it seemed a good time to deploy them for a fictional engagement set in 1815. This time Grouchy would face The Prince of Orange. 

Grouchy had at his disposal Vandamme’s III Corps and Gerard’s IV Corps reinforced by two cavalry divisions, Strolz’s 9th Cavalry Division and Chastel’s Dragoon Division. While initially outnumbered and with the Allies having the burden of attack Grouchy clearly wanted to make the most of the terrain. The two armies were separated by a marshy stream for much of their front. With inferior numbers Grouchy determined to demonstrate in the centre while probing the Allied right, initially held by a Netherland Division. With a section of the stream here unrestricted by marsh he could more easily pass troops to the opposite bank and build up his forces in the relative safety behind a wood and the town of Aubes. He hoped that his initial attacks would frustrate the Allies and eventually entice them to cross the stream where the marshy banks would aid his defence.

With Vandamme’s Corps demonstrating in the centre the probing attack would be conducted by elements from Gerard’s Corps, initially Pecheux’s 12th Division. Advancing with the infantry Ney would personally led the attacks. The first attack against Aubes was successful routing one Nassau brigade before it could fully establish itself in the town. Below, the attack on Aubes.

After securing Aubes Grouchy transferred his focus to the nearby woods. Elements of Percheux’s 12th Division advanced into the woods and continued to drive elements of the 3rd Netherlands Division back. The 2nd Nassau fought more resolutely yet gave ground. The Netherlands Militia broke in rout. 

Grouchy was becoming dangerously over extended. His transfer of troops across the stream was stalled by the arrival of two British cavalry divisions and now his existing infantry were under attack by the 2nd Allied Division Division, commanded by Lt. General Clinton. The last having been transferred from the centre. 

Below, the general situation viewed from the French side of the stream with the French having secured Aubes and the nearby wood, top left, but being so advanced they were almost cut off.

A determined British attack by the 1st Kings German Legion was launched around 4pm on Aubes and the town was soon in Allied control. By 6pm the last of Pecheux survivors were back across the stream.

Meanwhile in the centre both armies continued their demonstrations. The French corps artillery caused an initial retirement by the enemy, but soon reinforced, the Allied forces of Netherlands and Brunswickers again threatened to cross, yet none did. 

Instead the focus of the battle remained on the French left. The retreating troops of Pecheux’s Division were hurried on their way by the 3rd British Brigade of Clinton’s Division, commanded by Major General Frederick Adam. Yet, it was now that the a composite brigade of Dragoons of Chastel’s Division, the 4th and 12th Regiments to be precise, were ordered forward. Purposely positioned here the dragoons forded the stream, again not an area with marshy banks, and fell upon the over extended British 3rd Brigade. Below, the dragoons attack, inspired by Grouchy who seemed everywhere.

However, the British 3rd Brigade held and the dragoons were forced back with terrible casualties. Still exposed an hour later Grouchy ordered another charge on the British. This time a converged brigade, comprising hussars and chasseurs of IV Corps, assisted by a regiment from Berthezene’s 11th Infantry Division, fell again upon the British 3rd Brigade. This time the infantry fell back in disorder and in so doing disordering several other formations while suffering heavily for their efforts. Grouchy’s spirits lifted.

But of course it was now the French who were exposed. Around 9pm and with darkness starting to engulf the field two brigades from Vivian’s Cavalry Division swept forward against the French cavalry while simultaneously the 2nd British Guards Brigade assailed the French infantry. Unsurprisingly the French were forced back across the stream, with heavy casualties. Though fortunately Grouchy retired safety his honour very much intact.

Above, the British cavalry counterattack.

Here, two views of the battlefield. First and above, a general view from the French right of the centre with the town of Aubes in the right distance. Below, a view of the French positions opposite Aubes.

Now as the fighting dissipated the commanders mulled over their successes. Grouchy of course would claim something of a victory, for he argued that it was the Allies who had the burden of attack and while the Anglo-Dutch had fought well Napoleon had been focussed on destroying the Prussians in detail. Tomorrow, with the Prussians defeated, Napoleon would turn his attention on the Anglo-Dutch. The Prince of Orange meanwhile had a very different outlook. He was pleased that all French forces had been driven back and tomorrow Wellington would finally arrive on the field to complete the destruction of the French.

This was of course another great Volley & Bayonet game. Of note was the long sections of marshy banked stream. We determine if a section of a stream is marshy banked by a die roll. In this engagement the area that was deemed to be marshy banked was excessively long stretching - from the Allied left across the centre. As to losses the French casualties were heavily concentrated in two divisions with one division collapsing and another exhausted from a total of nine divisions. The Allies suffered similar casualties but with larger divisions none were exhausted. 

Unlike most of our games this one involved just two players with Richard as The Prince of Orange while I commanded the French. The armies each comprised 3000 points. The scenario was developed using the Road to Glory system. All miniatures are from my own collection and are from the Heroics & Ros ranges.