Indecision Along the Reidenbach - August 1813

The following is a short account of a recent fictional multiplayer engagement set in August 1813. It involved four players.

With the Truce of Plazwitz now but a distant memory Napoleon had begun to manoeuvre against the Allies who were now bolstered by the Austrians. But with the allies not concentrated Napoleon hoped to defeat the various parts in detail. Ney was dispatched to the south against the Austrians.

Ney was under clear instructions to demonstrate against the Austrian which would provide Napoleon critical time to further concentrate his armies against the Prussians and Russians. Hampered by many motivated but still poorly trained troops Ney knew only too well that an impulsive attack could bring defeat. 

It was in the morning, around 10am, that the enemy intentions finally became clearer. A reinforced Austrian corps had taken up a defensive position along the Reidenbach stream some 1,000 yards south of the town of Weringen. The meandering Reidenbach was a significant obstacle, despite its banks being generally firm, due to a lack of recent rain.

Like the Austrians the French forces were far from concentrated. As a result Ney advised Marmont that he must be prudent in our actions. Therefore, after securing the town Weringen, Marmont was to extend his corps to the east. He would eventually secure Klenitengen around 2pm using the town to anchor his left. 

Above, Weringen is visible on the right, Klenitengen on the left. In the distance the Reidenbach stream and the Austrians can be discerned. Below, the French centre, viewed from the French left.

In the early afternoon Lauriston’s corps began to arrive, providing a much needed reserve. 

The Austrians, themselves finally concentrated, would now attempt a crossing of the Reidenbach on each flank. These crossings were supplement by generally ineffective incursions by skirmishers along the length of the Reidenbach. 

The crossing in the west, against the French right, can be best described as half hearted. The Austrian commander quickly abandoning the position when General Lagrange deployed with great skill and well supported Walthier’s Cuirassier division. Below, a view of the Austrian left as it attempts to manoeuvre against the French right.

In the east a more serious crossing developed in the early afternoon. With d’Hubal’s light cavalry division threatening the Austrian lines of communication Schwarzenburg ordered a crossing of the Reidenbach in strength. 

This developing threat was quickly countered by Ney who reinforced d’Hurbal cavalry with Rochambeau’s infantry while repositioning Curial’s reserve division. Faced with this development, and despite the Austrians having a significant numeric advantage, Schwarzenburg now panicked. The Austrian divisions were withdrawn in some disorder. Indeed, so poorly planned was the retreat that some detachments were left without effective command.

Below, Curial's division is repositioned back into the centre after the Austrian threat against the French left was resolved.

With further Austrian advances unlikely Ney now ordered a concentration of cannon near the town of Weringen. Here some 60 cannon were deployed and for two hours bombarded Austrian formations lining the Reidenbach. Below, a view of the French right deployed around Weringen with the French artillery concentration clearly visible.

While French cannon enjoyed some success the arrival of a number of heavy Austrian cannon reduced the initial French advantage and a repositioning of the French artillery was deemed necessary.

As this manoeuvre was carried out, with great professionalism in contrast to the earlier Austrian debacle, the day's fighting was drew to an end. Ney determined to continue to manoeuvre against the Austrians the next day acutely aware that as he did Napoleon was concentrating the remaining elements of his army for what he planned would be a decisive action against the allied armies in the north.

This engagement was, unlike most of our games, notable for the general unwillingness of the various commanders to engage in significant action. With both armies progressively being deployed and a significant stream separating the armies a general unwillingness to engage in reckless attacks reduced options. Instead, both the French and Austrians were content to probe for potential weakness. Yet, when they were identified they were quickly countered. 

As to the miniatures, the French are from my own collection and are all from Heroics & Ros. The Austrians are from Andrew's collection with a mix of Heroics & Ros and Irregular Miniatures.