Přestanov - August 1813

The following is brief account of a recent Volley & Bayonet battle. It is a fictional engagement nominally set in late August 1813 and uses 6mm miniatures.

After their defeat at Dresden in late August the Allied armies retired in a degree of disorder. Tasked with pressing the Austrians, Marshal Ney moved south. Around noon on the 29th Ney, surrounded by his aides, consider his final dispositions. Ahead lay the Austrians, who would no doubt be demoralised following their recent setback at Dresden. French morale was high and within Ney's staff officers all were confident of victory.

Ney had at his immediate disposal elements from two corps. The largest component was Marmont's VI Corps, which comprised three infantry divisions and one cavalry division. These troops formed the French centre and left. They were supplemented by Lauriston's V Corps comprising just two infantry divisions. These were deployed on the French right. Together there were 34,500 bayonets, 2,000 cavalry and 80 cannon. Some distance to the northwest were three divisions from Pajol's V Cavalry Corps, some 7,500 strong. Alas, it would take at three hours before the cavalry would arrive on the field, perhaps longer to fully deploy. However, as they would be moving from the north-west the French cavalry would eventually arrive on the Austrian left. Ney, while surprised by the Austrian concentrations, clearly had an opportunity to destroy them.

The Austrians drawn up opposite under Schwarzenburg and were primarily from two corps. First there was Gyulai's III Armeekorps, comprising two strong infantry divisions and one light division - a mix of infantry and cavalry. III Armeekorps was supplemented by two further infantry divisions from Hessen-Homburg's Reserve Armeekorps as well as two cavalry divisions from Nostitz-Reineck's Cavalry Reserve. In all some 37,500 bayonets and 7,000 cavalry and 90 cannon.

As the extent of the Austrian force opposite became apparent Ney was forced to re-evaluate the situation, especially as the Austrians were already advancing. They were after all defeated and retiring after the action at Dresden!

As the Austrian regiments advance it was clear that the French left was exposed. Here, Friederichs' 22nd Division was significantly outnumbered and while it's commander wished to advance both Mamont and Ney were more cautious. Instead of a general advance to capture the small town of Přestanov a single légère battalion from Compans' 20th Division was thrown forward to secure the town. In the centre the remaining two French divisions of VI Corps deployed, interspersed with artillery. The Austrians would be cautious of attacking these troops. Finally, on the French right Lauriston's two divisions deployed even more defensively. Ney, was often rash but for once he was considered. He hoped that the Austrians here would advance and in so doing expose themselves to a flanking movement by Pajol's cavalry.

The Austrian left flank.

Above, a view of the Austrian left flank and Grenzers of Folliot de Crenneville's Light Division begin to engage elements Lauriston's V Corps itself deployed with one division forward and one withdrawn. Austrian horse artillery and artillery of the Grenzer regiments maintained a constant fire. Not shown are the two Austrian hussar regiments which threatened the French right flank.

Yet again Ney had read the Austrian intentions in the centre incorrectly. Rather than advance cautiously Schwarzenburg ordered a determined attack on the French centre.

The French centre under attack.

Above, a view of French left centre as the Austrian regiments surge forward soon after 1pm. These attacks fell primarily on Compans' 20th Division. The French brigades were all thrown back, though each quickly reformed.

Below, a view from the Austrian perspective of the attack. Visible are Infantry Regiment 36 (IR 36) and IR 9 attacking up the slopes of Morschen Hugel before the French regiments were fully deployed. To their left are IR 28 and IR 41. On the right the Austrian attack is supported by the Brigade Reigencort, a dragoon brigade from Klebersberg's Cavalry Division.

The attack on the Morschen Hugel.

In support of this attack no fewer than three Austrian infantry regiments attacked the small town of Přestanov. It will be recalled that a small French garrison had been thrown forward and over the next 45 minutes this garrison would throw back attacks by IR 2, IR 33 and IR 48. Below, the Austrian attack is delivered.

The assault on the town of Přestanov.

Even independently each Austrian infantry regiment should have been sufficient to carry the town. But uncoordinated the Austrians attacks were disjointed and after hard fighting were thrown back. Yet worse was in store. 

The second attack on Přestanov.

Around 2pm another Austrian attack on Přestanov was launched, this time by two Austrian regiments. Again the Austrian attackers were thrown back. Having been repulsed twice Schwarzenburg now decided the cost was too great determined. Instead he ordered Hessen-Homburg to ignore the town of Přestanov, despite it dividing the Austrian centre from the right.

Despite this setback the Austrian attacks continued elsewhere. Many of the French divisions, while motivated, lacked an ability to conduct complex drill especially when under fire. A French brigade on the French right, shaken by close range  Austrian artillery fire was ordered back. As they fell back Folliot de Crenneville's ordered his Hussars forward. Their attack added to the chaos in the French lines.

Austrian Hussars attack the French right flank.

Despite the unfolding events the French right was far from collapsing. Soon after 3.30pm columns of dust became visible to the west - Pajol's V Cavalry Corps had arrived. The cavalry divisions arriving were Pire's 9th Light Cavalry Division, l'Heritier's 5th Heavy Cavalry Division and Milhaud's 6th Heavy Cavalry Division, the last two being dragoons despite their title. As the French cavalry advanced the entire Austrian left flank was threatened. Success was guaranteed!

As Pajol's 7,500 cavalry moved rapidly across the plain Pajol expected the Austrians before him to retreat. Folliot de Crenneville, commander of the Austrian Light Division, had other plans. Rather than retire his cavalry and grenzers they renewed their attacks on the French infantry to their front. The hussars were particularly aggressive conducting several attacks breaking one French brigade.

Pajol's cavalry corps advances against the exposed Austrian left flank.

Yet Austrian casualties were mounting and now the Austrian Light Division broke, followed soon after Murray's Infantry Division deployed to their right. Interestingly the shattering of both Austrian divisions was a result of sustained casualties over three hours of heavy fighting rather than the arrival of Pajol's cavalry.  

It would be remiss however to not consider the action on the French left. It will be recalled that Friederichs' 22nd Division was from the start heavily outnumbered and likely to be attacked. The Austrians opposite comprised the infantry of Bianchi Division, Weissenwolf's Converged Grenadier Division and Civalart's Cavalry Division. While a number of Bianchi's regiments were drawn in to the failed attacks on the town of Přestanov one regiment as well as the converged grenadiers pressed forward. 

Friederich's 22nd Division and supporting cavalry on the French left.

In a series of attacks the Austrian grenadiers pushed the provisional brigades of the 22nd Division back while Austrian cavalry attacked the 12th and 13th Light Cavalry Brigades, both from the 5th Light Cavalry Division. For three hours the brigades fought desperately but the attacks were unrelenting. By 4pm both Friederichs' 22nd Division and Lorge's 5th Light Cavalry Divisions were broken.

The Austrian right launches the final attacks against the French left.

As the French left collapsed Ney was frustrated to hear that his right flank was little better. Indeed reports from Lauriston indicated his divisions on the right were unable to conduct further offensive operations. Yet Schwarzenburg 's position was little better. All three divisions of Gyulai's III Armeekorps were either exhausted or had collapsed. It was true that Hessen-Homberg's two divisions were still fresh, but reorientating them would take considerable time. Unsurprisingly both Ney and Schwarzenburg determined it was time to disengage. The Battle of Přestanov was a bloody draw.

This fictional scenario was developed using the Road to Glory Scenario System with the French selecting "Turning Manoeuvre - Right #22" and the Austrians "Full Deployment - #25". Each army comprised 3,000 points. Miniatures are all from the Heroics & Ros Napoleonic ranges and are from my own collection. They are based for half scale where each massed infantry or cavalry stand is 1.5” square and 1” represents 200 yards.