Ryjikov - August 1813

The following is a fictional battle report fought using the Volley & Bayonet rules and 6mm miniatures. It involved two players with the scenario developed using the "Road to Glory" scenario system.

When the armistice ended the campaign against Napoleon was renewed with vigour. Now on the 23rd of  August Barclay de Tolly deployed his Russians to halt the advancing French near the towns of Chuderovk and Ryjikov. 

As Barclay de Tolly had at his immediate disposal just 16,000 bayonets and 92 cannon. These were spread equally between Gorchakov's I Corps and Wurtenburg's II Corps. As was normal the Russian infantry corps were woefully understrength. Despite this morale remained high as I Corps deployed in the centre while II Corps extended the Russian left. Two towns provided something of a defensive bastion and jaegers were thrown forward to secure both. The town of Chuderovk was on the Russian left and that of Ryjikov the right centre. Withdrawn but extending to the right of Ryjikov, and partly acting as a reserve in the centre, were two divisions of Russian cavalry. These were Tschaplit's Light Cavalry Division and Kretov's 2nd Cuirassier Division. Together they provided 4,500 much needed cavalry and 12 horse guns. Some distance to the rear was Sacken's XI Corps which, when it arrived,  would bolster the Russian defenders with a further 8,000 bayonets and 36 cannon. Unfortunately, their arrival was likely to take three or more hours. However, once they had deployed Barclay de Tolly would have some 24,000 bayonets, 4,500 cavalry and 140 cannon.

Opposite Marshall Ney had deployed the bulk of his army. His ranks comprised a mix of troops. Some were veterans and others recently formed infantry brigades that manoeuvred poorly. Along with the French there were contingents from several Kingdoms. These included troops from Baden, Hesse-Darmstadt, Bavaria and the well motivated Poles. The French and allies were formed in two corps with the largest being Rapp's X Corps. Indeed, this corps comprised four infantry divisions and one cavalry division. In support was Oudinot's XII Corps which comprised a further two divisions as well as a converged cavalry brigade. Moving to support the concentration was Barrois' 2nd Young Guard Division and Defrance's 4th "Heavy" Cavalry Division, though they were not yet on the field of battle. While the cavalry were nominally heavy they were in fact all dragoons. In all Ney would eventually have at his disposal 38,000 bayonets, 5,500 cavalry and 78 cannon.

With the odds clearly against him Barclay de Tolly could have fallen back screened by his cavalry. This however was far from his mind. Instead, he determined to hold the position hoping that Sacken's XI Corps would bolster his defence and his superiority in artillery would prove invaluable in halting the French.

Around 2pm the French advance began in earnest. With the drums setting the cadence the determined ranks of French infantry, supported by their trusted allies, moved forward confident of victory.

The battlefield viewed from the west with the town of Chuederovk on the right around 3pm.

Deployed around the town of Chuederovk, and forming the Russian left, were Wurttemburg's II Russian Corps. The corps comprised Schachafskoy's 3rd Russian Division and Puschnitzki's 4th Russian Division. A detachment of jaegers held the town itself.

Advancing towards Chuederovk were several brigades from Oudinot's XII Corps. The corps comprised two divisions. They were Raglovich's 29th Bavarian Division and Pacthod's 13th Division. These were reinforced by a Bavarian cavalry brigade and artillery. Alas, the attacks by Oudinot were behind schedule.

A view of Chuederov, this time from the French & Bavarian lines.

Instead the first attack of the battle was around 3pm and against the town of Ryjikov which formed the right bastion of the Russian infantry line. Here the French attack was led by Brigade Bachelu, itself part of Granjean's 7th Division. They were assisted by a brigade of Baden infantry. 

The general situation viewed from the northeast. The town of Ryjikov is on the right.

So important was success here that Ney personally supervising the attack. However, fighting with ferocity the outnumbered jaegers forced the enemy back. Indeed, it was to be the first of several French attacks that the jaegers would throw back.

The assault on Ryjikov viewed from the French lines.

Around 4pm, the attack on Chuederovk began. Supported by deployed artillery, the Bavarian brigades of Becker ad Maillot advanced. Their cornflour blue uniforms struck a stirring image. Yet again the Russian jaegers threw the enemy back. 

Russian troops deployed at Chuederovk around 4pm.

Realising a weakness in his defence around Ryjikov, Barclay de Tolly at 4.30pm ordered a reordering of his line. As artillery batteries repositioned Ney ordered a more general attack in the centre and right at 5pm.

The situation in the Russian centre soon after 5pm with the town of Chuederovk visible. 

French infantry and Bavarian cavalry were thrown forward. Ney clearly hoped to exploit the weakened line as the artillery repositioned.  

A view of the attack on Chuederovk from the French perspective at 5pm. 

The Bavarian cavalry charge was unsuccessful and casualties among the Chevau-Legers were crippling. The Bavarian cavalry was for all intents and purposes a spent force. The French infantry however gained some ground. The Russian infantry were forced back, though their casualties were limited. 

Simultaneously Ney had ordered a supporting attack against the extreme Russian right, in part to support the imminent arrival of French reinforcements. This attack was to be delivered by Ominski's Cavalry Division. The division comprised two brigades, specifically a converged French cavalry brigade and a second brigade of Polish cavalry. Their target was Tschaplitz's Light Cavalry Division. The Russian division also comprised two brigades, Vassilshikov's Hussars and Pantschulid's Dragoons. The French and Polish cavalry moved slowly at first, as they needed to cover some 2,000 yards, but as they approached they surged forward confident of success.

Ominski's 8th Light Cavalry Division attack the Russian right.

The attack fell mainly on Pantschulid's Dragoons. Despite being outnumbered the Russian dragoons threw back the French and Polish cavalry and in so doing inflicted heavy casualties. Indeed, so heavy were the casualties that Ominski's division would play no further part in the battle.

However, while the French attacks had largely failed dust clouds were now visible on the Russian right. Advancing from the east were two fresh French divisions. They were Barrois' 2nd Young Guard Division and Defrance's 4th Heavy Cavalry Division. Now they would attempt to turn the Russian right rolling it up and delivering Ney the elusive victory he sort.

Fortunately Sacken's Russian 11th Corps had also arrived and aides, sent by the now wounded Barclay de Tolly, ordered its two divisions to face the critical threat. Thrown forward was Neverovsky's 27th Russian Infantry Division. Bolstering the infantry battalions with artillery Neverovsky delivered a withering fire on the French dragoons. Despite this Defrance's dragoons charged home around 6pm. They were met with Russian resolve, bolstered by deadly cannon fire. Casualties were immense and Defrances' division became another spent force.

Frustrated by this unforeseen turn of events Barrois' deployed his Young Guard, some 6,000 men, in a more defensive posture. He was after all now facing Sacken's 8,000 strong Russian corps, reinforced by 36 cannon, a more cautious advance was clearly called for, if that were even possible.

 

The situation on the Russian right around 6.30pm.

Indeed, so heavy had been the casualties that Ney reluctantly accepted that few opportunities now existed for success. Reluctantly he ordered his army to fall back, tomorrow would be another day. The Russians had held, but they were fragile and perhaps tomorrow they could be destroyed. 

After only a few hours of fighting the butcher's bill was significant. In all some 10,000 French and allies were killed or wounded. Two infantry divisions were exhausted while two cavalry divisions were either exhausted or had collapsed. Russian casualties were heavy as well, some 7,000 men either killed or wounded.

As to the scenario it was developed using the "Road to Glory" scenario system. The Russians having selected "Returning Detachment Right - #15". In contrast the French had selected "Turning Manoeuvre Left - #21". The miniatures are all from the Heroics & Ros range 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. The table measured 4' x 3'.