Being a compilation of various reports and memoirs from the combatants participating in the recent Spring 1807 Campaign in Poland.
Accounts are in the order in which they were submitted for publication.
Spring 1807 AAR
Account from Generallieutenant Fyodor Uvarov (Daniel Burkley)
Glancing at his newly received orders along with Generallieutenant Dmitry Dokhturov (Russ), Uvarov was not surprised that Baron Levin August von Bennigsen (Sean) had dismissed his concerns about securing the northern and southern flanks. “We will follow the plan to trap Ney at Bartenstein. Essen is already at Heilsberg. You and Dokhturov will head to Heilsberg. If we move fast enough, we can crush Ney before he is reinforced.”
Uvarov reviewed his troops comprising the Right Wing Reserve Cavalry. The Cossacks were conspicuously absent. Some of the cavalry he expected to command had been re-assigned. One of the Cossack brigades was now at the head of Dokhturov’s columns of men assembling on the turnpike south of Eylau, along with the Little Russia Cuirassiers. Uvarov was to assemble his horsemen behind Dokhturov, but Uvarov told the Soum Hussars to follow him in the opposite direction towards Braunsberg. “Let the Baron keep an eye on my men as they wait for Dokhturov. I need to see that our northern flank is secure. The Baron said L’Estoq’s Prussians would be at Braunsberg. Until I see for myself, the column stays here, ready to go to Braunsberg.”
On Turn 1, all players attended to putting their assigned forces in motion. Uvarov and the Soum Hussars left Eylau (Table S) and entered Table F (Braunsberg). (Nobody is here! If the French…)
Then, way to the southwest, the leading elements of Bernadotte’s (James) I Corps appeared. (Crap! Here come the French and nobody on our side is here. I have to intercept them here. The battle is going to be here.) Uvarov sends his first message to Bennigsen, telling him the French are on Table F and that his command is the only one present and able to intercept them.
Turn 2: Uvarov returns to Eylau, leaving the Soum Hussars to head to Braunsberg. Dokhturov has started exiting Table S. On their own initiative, the Right Wing Reserve Cavalry proceed to Braunsberg.
Turn 3: Uvarov returns with most of his Reserve Cavalry. Bernadotte’s troops have not been idle. A new force appears on Table S from the north: The leading elements of L’Estoq’s (Steve) Prussian Corps. (OK. Allies with infantry. Now we have enough to work with to deal with Bernadotte’s troops.)
Now all the tables proceed at their own pace, but the pace at Table S is not so fast. Bernadotte’s leading troops are infantry (12” in road column) with Bernadotte writing messages to inform Napoleon of enemies present (and probably requesting help). L’Estoq’s leading elements are cavalry and infantry, but it’s looking like the French will reach Braunsberg before the Prussian infantry can. (Cavalry can go through towns, but not occupy them.) Uvarov directs his cavalry to advance south of Braunsberg and suggests L’Estoq advance and also go around Braunsberg to the north to threaten Bernadotte from both directions. The last of Uvarov’s cavalry arrive at Table F. Messages are sent during the French half of the turn to Bennigsen to update him on the development and that we should be able to deal with situation at hand.
The next three turns seem like a delicate dance: Bernadotte’s lead infantry reach Braunsberg and his other infantry fan out north and south of the town, forming squares versus all the Prussian and Russian cavalry forming up north and south of the town. One French battery joins the one infantry brigade in the town and the other forms up behind the squares south of the town with the lone Hussars unit in reserve. The Prussian infantry break out of road column into lines as the Prussian artillery Is the last to appear. Uvarov positions his horse battery to pepper one of the southern squares while the Soum Hussars advance to with 12” of the French battery to threaten it. (This is a “phantom threat” as it can’t move past the squares, cleverly positions so that musket range will prevent cavalry from charging the artillery while leaving a wide gap for the artillery to fire through, but if one of the squares can be displaced, it might open an opportunity later.)
High Noon:
Bernadotte (James) positions his troops as best he can against
Uvarov’s cavalry, waiting for Mortier’s corps (Ken) to reach him
as L’Estoq (Steve) moves his Prussians around Braunsberg as Sacken
(Brian) comes down the turnpike to join the fight.
A new French force appears from the southwest: It is Mortier’s (Ken) VIII Corps. It’s about half the size of Bernadotte’s I Corps with two Saxon Chevauxlegers, two infantry brigades and a battery. As if on cue, Sacken’s (Brian) Russian Corps arrives from Table F. (Great! More infantry and cannons. Now it’s 3 on 2. Still a favorable match-up.)
“The Dance”, however, continues: Only artillery exchanges happen as Uvarov’s battery works on the French squares and L’Estoq’s artillery works on the town. The French battery in the town returns fire, but the Prussian guns keep up a steady fire.
Mortier (Ken) is looking for a fight. His two Saxon Chevauxlegers take off for the nearest enemies they see. They find Uvarov’s Reserve Cavalry formed up in a neat row and barrel into them, assisted by Bernadotte’s lone Hussar unit. The Saxon Leibkurassier Chevauxlegers charge the St. Petersburg Dragoons while the Prinz Johann Chevauxlegers charge the Pskov Dragoons. The French 9th Hussars charge the Alexandrov Hussars, which are supported by Uvarov’s unlimbered 6 pdr horse battery. This attack becomes a debacle: The 9th Hussars are blasted by the Russian artillery and disperse beyond rallying; the Prinz Johann Chevauxlegers are overwhelmed by the Pskov Dragoons, supported by the Alexandrov Hussars and also routed; the Leibkurassier Chevauxlegers are outfought and driven back far to the west. (First contact and cleared all the enemy cavalry from the field! A promising start.)
Mortier is disappointed but undeterred. His infantry and battery move north to cover Bernadotte’s left flank and dissuade the Prussian cavalry from venturing any further. L’Estoq deploys his horse battery north of Braunsberg to wear down the French squares near Braunsberg.
The bombardments from Uvarov’s lone battery, L’Estoq’s three batteries, and soon Sacken two batteries gradually wear down the French squares and the town occupants, briefly driving them out and soon replaced by other units. Finally, the Soum Hussars see the opportunity they have long waited for: the two French squares barring the path to the French battery south of Braunsberg have been hammered enough to be displaced, widening the gap. Заряд (Charge!) – and the Soum Hussars brave the hale of cannister fire and reach the hapless gunners, cutting down all of them with their sabers. (Now what do they do, surrounded by French squares – got to pull them back.) An about-face and back to their own lines through the smoke and musket balls, the Soum Hussars survive the mission with mild casualties and are greeted by a very grateful Uvarov to rally them.
Bennigsen arrives on the battlefield briefly to see for himself the progress of the battle and is pleased by the view. Uvarov directs the Baron’s attention to the far southwest: Lannes (Micheal) II Corps and the French Reserve Cavalry under Murat (Mitch) have arrived. Bennigsen’s smile fades. (Now its 3 against 4, but we can probably take the town and break Bernadotte’s corps before Lannes and Murat make their presence felt.)
Almost 1 PM:
Bernadotte (James) feeling more surrounded despite Mortier’s
presence, but Lannes has arrived.
Bennigsen leaves almost as swiftly as he arrived, but Sacken shares a new message from Count Essen that disturbs him. “Essen has asked me to help him. He’s in dire straits at Heilsberg. Should I go help him?”
Uvarov looked at Sacken carefully, wondering if this was a joke. “Are you kidding me? It will take you at least 4 turns to exit the board and Essen will probably be a dead man by then. You’ve just gotten to the good part of this battle. I’m countermanding that request and you can tell Essen I said so! This battle is where you’re needed and you’re going to help us take this town back!.” Re-assured (and probably relieved) he didn’t have to exit the table, Sacken inched his artillery close to Braunsberg and shook out his infantry into columns as he neared the battered town.
L’Estoq finally positioned two infantry units in line formation to bring musket fire against the French defending the north edge of Braunsberg. Despite poor odds in the exchange of fire, the Prussians eventually wore down the French to drive them off. After three rounds of melee, the Infantry Regiment №2 "Ruchel" were locked in melee.
Almost 2 PM: Now
we got us a big battle! Murat’s cavalry is ready to launch their
first charge as L’Estoq prosecutes his attacks against Braunsberg
with Sacken supporting.
To the south, Uvarov arranged his cavalry to face Murat’s larger force of advancing cavalry. Onward came the 1st, 5th, and 10th Cuirassiers charging the St. Petersburg Dragoons (supported by the Ekaterinoslav Cuirassiers), Pskov Dragoons, and Alexandrov Hussars while a light cavalry unit charged the horse battery support the Alexandrov Hussars. The battery’s cannister fire forced back the French light cavalry. Uvarov’s horsemen were apparently inspired by his presence as the melee rolls for the Russians were “10”, “10”, “9”. The French cuirassiers were not as inspired and all were repulsed – but Murat would send more soon.
Lannes needed some time to form his troops to supplement Mortier’s infantry and artillery and soon they started to bombard L’Estoq’s cavalry at long range. The Prussians were reluctant to give ground and maintained covering the flank of the infantry’s attack on Braunsberg.
The second wave of French cavalry charged with far better results, routing the Alexandrov Hussars and pushing back the Pskov Dragoons. The St. Petersburg Dragoons (supported by the Ekaterinoslav Cuirassiers) held their ground. An important shift in Initiative allowed the victorious 1st Dragoons to charge the Russian battery in the flank, dispersing it completely. This left it vulnerable to a flank charge by the Pskov Dragoons (still recovering from their recent defeat). Uvarov personally led this charge, supported by the Emperor Cuirassiers. The French Dragoons were driven back, but not routed. Many of the combatants at this point were worn down with few fresh units on both sides available to mount the next round of attacks.
An Initiative shift again put Uvarov in a difficult decision. Attack or try to re-form a new line. Re-forming meant retreating (turning your backs to the enemy) or hold your ground – both of which look disastrous. “Well, let’s charge like we’ve got this.”
L’Estoq heard this and said “I like that.” and threw his in infantry against Braunsberg again. The next turn, the Infantry Regiment №2 "Ruchel" charged in to try and take the rest of the town. Infantry Regiment №11 "Schoning" joined Infantry Regiment №2 "Ruchel" (already locked in melee) to finally drive the remaining French infantry out of Braunsberg. Bernadotte survived two close calls to ending his life but was unceremoniously “escorted” by his troops out of Braunsberg.
Sacken’s artillery drove off the last of Bernadotte’s squares defending south of Braunsberg driving them back in panic through several ranks of already disturbed French as well as reinforcing infantry trying to get to the front lines, upsetting some as they fled.
Uvarov committed his last fresh cavalry, the Ekaterinoslav Cuirassiers and Emperor Cuirassiers, against the worn French cuirassiers, supported by his near spent Pskov and St. Petersburg Dragoons. These attacks drove back the French, causing more disruption to the rear ranks, already congested by recently defeated cavalry trying to recover and new units trying to move forward.
Both sides now knew this would be the last turn of the game, so the French tried to attack wherever they could. The Ekaterinoslav Cuirassiers were charge in the flank by the French 1st Cuirassiers while still locked in melee with the French 10th Cuirassiers. Despite the inevitable defeat, the Russian Cuirassiers were driven back, but not routed. Mortier’s rallied Saxon Leibkurassier Chevauxlegers charged the Russian Soum Hussars to regain some honor after their first defeat – but redemption was not to be theirs today and they were repulsed a second time today.
Bernadotte organized one last charge to retake Braunsberg, commandeering some of Mortier’s infantry by accident. The defending Prussian Infantry Regiment №2 "Ruchel" repulsed the attack from the west with a telling volley. Bernadotte successfully led his last brigade into close combat against Infantry Regiment №11 "Schoning". The melee lasted three rounds with the Prussians driving off Bernadotte for the last time. Braunsberg (and Table F) would remain in Russian control.
This was quite a lively battle with Braunsberg always as its center of attention. One might argue that the game may have ended at the Russian “high water-mark” as there was still plenty of battle left. Lannes II Corps was still fresh and easily driving back the Prussian cavalry north of Braunsberg, although L’Estoq still had much of his corps intact. Sacken’s corps was also fresh. Murat’s and Uvarov’s cavalry were mostly worn, but Murat still had the larger force. Mortier’s small command was also worn down, but still significant. Uvarov was quite content at completing his mission with the way things went.
My thanks to Peter and Mark for organizing this gaming event and to all the players I enjoyed playing with and against at Table F (James, Micheal, Mitch, Ken, Steve, Brian) and all the players I didn’t have the pleasure to “cross-swords” with on the tabletop – and to my long-time friend, Russ, for bringing me. It’s my first time back since 2022 and it was a great gaming experience.
I’ve been suggesting to Russ that a “version 2” of Snappy Nappy was due for a few years and offered to help editing. Russ made that remark more than once during this trip, as he recognized several aspects of Snappy Nappy need clarification and/or further definition. I look forward to that project.
The Account of Prince Essen
At this point, I had to leave. This was little worry to my beleaguered comrades, as my command was spent, but it was unfortunate I did not get to see the game end. I believe I would have withdrawn northwards to Konigsburg [ed note - Marienburg, where Napoleon paraded his Imperial Guard after their arrival defending his supply center very strongly], the primary victory location that we had held until game end! I imagine my allies did as well, albeit in the evening of that day rather than what I presume in game time would be late afternoon. Apparently Bagration got encircled, in turn, just as we had done to Ney… Unlike Ney, he had a bridging unit and an already existing bridge to retreat northwards with. Doctorov was in the same position as far as I know.
To General Benningsen
General Tolstoy's report of the battle of October 3rd
General Tolstoy Reserve Corps was encamped at Kovno. This was quite a distance from the main army and required some hard marching to get into action. The general was up at 3:30 AM the previous night and could not sleep any longer. Orders from General Bennigsen were received to march to Rastenberg & relieve General Golitsyn’s Cavalry. The entire eastern flank of the army was to be held by these two Russian Corps. The main army was going to crush that pesky French Corps commanded by the infamous Marshal Ney. Tolstoy ordered the Reserve Corps to begin its march without breakfast. The march transited thru the towns of Maryampole & Suwalken. Messages arrived from Bennigsen that Prince Golitsyn was already engaged with the French.
The Russian Cossacks were sent out to find any sign of the enemy. And that they did. Poniatowski Polish Corp was marching north from Warsaw and camped at the small town of Gradjewo. There seemed to be some delay getting into motion so the Cossacks waited. Tolstoy satisfied that the Pols were not a threat was about to resume his March. Then reports came in from the second Cossack cavalry of another French Corps in the far distance. Having ridden hard the 2nd Cossack had been taking a mandatory 5 min break to take a “P”. Using a spyglass, In the distance they could see Marshal Lefebvre also taking a P. Yikes. This alarmed Tolstoy. Two additional French Corps on the far eastern flank could cause the destruction of the whole Russian army. Tolstoy could hear the sounds of artillery in the direction of Rastenburg. He could not continue to fulfill his orders to move the Rastenburg and leave this large French force unchecked. He needed to take a pause and see how the situation developed.
The Cossacks needed to do their job. Out they went scouring the countryside for this mysterious French Corps. After 10 min or more nothing was found. The Pols were still in camp. Lefebvre Reserve Corps gone. Huh. It was time to fulfill his orders and March to Rastenburg. The Cossacks would guard the far east flanks and sound the alarm if the French moved toward their rear.
The first battle of Rastenburg.
Tolstoy arrived outside of Goldap shortly before noon. Golitsyn was across the river, heavily engaged with what look like three French Corps. Holy moley. Tolstoy plan to move his Corps as quickly as possible to the bridge and keep it open for the cavalry to retreat across. But just as they started out a 4th French Corps appeared on his left flank on the Russian side of the river. It was Poniatowski. This was real trouble. Tolstoy split his forces, sending cannons to the river and the cavalry and the Grenadier’s to a high hill overlooking the road to the south. This quick move seemed to convince Poniatowski to turn around and leave. Messages were sent to General Bennigsen that the French were about to out flank the Russians. In fact Golitsyn & Tolstoy received “The most gracious and gentlemanly visit from General Bennisigen who obviously gave words of encouragement and inspiration”. We told him to get outta here.
Meanwhile General Golitsyn was performing magnificently with a series of charges that kept the French on the back of their heels. Massena Corps had taken some heavy losses and the gallant Marshal fell while leading from the front. But Marshal Grouchy cavalry corps was able to hit the Russian Cavalry in the flank and rear. Golitsyn appeared in trouble since Marshal Murat was about to overtake him from the north. But Golitsyn “double timed “ his cavalry to safety back to the Russian side of the river. The 1st battle of Rastenburg was over.
An Erie silence now hung over the battlefield. With only a single bridge over the river and two large opposing forces , any advance would result in high casualties. It appeared to be a stalemate.
Both sides Cavalry decided it was time to go find greener pastures to feed the horses. 1st Murat left. Then Golitsyn. But Grouchy not ready to give up was heading south to try and cross the river and come back up on the Russian flank where Poniatowski previously came. However, after Tolstoy repositioned some of his cannon and cavalry, Grouchy had second thoughts and decided to turn north and leave the battlefield. Tolstoy watched, waited and plotted. It was about 2pm in the afternoon.
It was now only the French V Corps vs the Russian Reserve Corps. The French were just out of artillery range but had a strong position with 3-4 Cav ready to charge any bridgehead attempts.
Tolstoy ordered the Light Cavalry & the Grenadiers forward. They attempted a crossing with Artillery on the flank & in reserve.
On came the French heavy Cav counter charge. They brutally beat the Russian Lt Cav forcing them back across the river. But the Grenadiers held their ground. 24 cannons then crossed over into point blank range. CANNISTER RANGE. The French Cav were forced back. More Russians were now pouring over the bridge.
While the bridge battle raged General Lobanov 17th Corps arrived for the Russians behind Tolstoy to add weight to the attack. Marshal Poniatowski also arrived on the French side of the river. However he immediately formed square as Golitsyn was hot on his heals.
At this point the French were about to be hit from two sides. They did not want to lose their Corps and ordered a full retreat back to Neidenburg. The Russians pressed them until they retook Rastenburg. The tables were turned. The 2nd battle of Rastenburg was over. Nightfall ended any chance of pursuit.
Footnote.
The gallant Tolstoy was decapitated by a cannon ball while leading the Grenadiers from the front.
Sadly this report written by 2nd in command Lt Gen ToyStory.
Mike Seibert
After Action Report of General L’Estoq,
My Corps began the campaign at Königsberg with orders to move to Braunsberg to Meet General Sachen and to cover the route to the allied supply base of Königsberg. I estimate that I had about 24,000 infantry and 6,000 horse and some 70+ guns, all experienced and with good morale. I left 8,000 Musketeers at the fortifications in Königsberg to defend them and proceeded on the road to Braunsberg. Upon arrival at Braunsberg, to my horror, the French were already in possession of the town. Sachen (Brian C) was proceeding at a good pace up the road on which we would later form our center. Another Russian column (Uvarov/Dan Burkley) was advancing rapidly along the Heilsberg road. I swung right to form the right flank of the now 3 corps force and to try to force back incoming French. As the position developed, my cavalry moved forward to a rocky hill on our right and seized it without a fight. I knew the enemy could not move forward without considering Sachen, so I deployed my artillery to the center and right, to extend the line with Sachen’s roughly 48 guns to my left. I began shelling the town with 12 pounder and 6 pounder fire. French were falling with almost no casualties on our side at this point. Sachen urged me to move the artillery closer to Braunsberg, which I did. I still had units on the road coming in, and eventually, my Horse Artillery arrived. I moved these with their 6 pounder guns to the right and was able to counter battery fire from our center and center/right. The French began receiving massive reinforcements, creating more pressure on all three commands. Dan Burkley began a massive cavalry attack on the French horse on our left. A see-saw action occurred. Many casualties on both sides. Meanwhile, I lost a Brigade of Dragoons to enemy artillery fire near the hill I was now trying to evacuate. It is very hard to disengage in the face of the enemy, and I ended up moving across the artillery's line of fire to withdraw my Dragoons. I began to collect my forces to straighten out my line from the center to the right. I also moved in some infantry to try to take the town. Sachen supported me and we hammered the town with artillery. I got two full brigades within range to assault with bayonet. Artillery and musketry caused some French to fall back. We agreed it was time to attack, and I sent in two brigades of Musketeers with fixed bayonets. Quickly, we seized Braunsberg! I moved my reserve Jägers to the second town in our Center-Rear. My intention was to make the French pay for every inch of ground. I estimated the French reinforcements at possibly 40,000 and I needed to straighten my line on my right. The French had a series of push-backs on our left flank. French front line units were falling back with heavy casualties causing chaos as fresh units were dealing with fleeing units. Then the Wargame ended at 4pm. The score was 7/7, scored by what towns were held. Because we had taken back Braunsberg, we ended up with a draw!!!!!!!!!!! It was fun. I learned a few things too.
Things I learned:
Do not occupy Rocky Hills with Cavalry
Do not have Jägers in reserve. I am even embarrassed that I even wrote that for this report. But I did it. They belonged on the hill in the rocks and the Cavalry belonged on the plain below. Jägers are front line units and have a job to do as Riflemen. Reserve is not really their place.
Uvarov prompted me several times to rally my men to recover losses. I did it once. This is important and I shall pay more attention to this.
Withdrawing in the face of the enemy is very difficult. You have to change-face the turn before you need to retreat. I made it worse by having cavalry on a rocky hill. The movement penalties forced me to run straight off the hill across artillery fire. One hit and I failed all of the Morale tests.
You need to also keep an eye on your line of retreat in general, especially since in my case I could not risk uncovering the road to Königsberg. I spent the wrong troops attempting to secure that route (Jägers).
Before the game I counseled all of the allies that we have to keep sending messages to our commander about what we see. Then, as Sachen and Uvarov were sending messages, I decided all of mine would be duplicates and so I never sent a single message. I could have sent some dispatches making sure the CinC knew I had stashed 8,000 men at Königsberg and later I secured the other town in our battle location.
I officially apologize to Sachen for the traffic-jam at Königsberg. I was supposed to meet you at Braunsberg but I had no idea that meant that you could enter the Königsberg area.
My march order needs to be better. My Horse Artillery was the last unit in the column. The Horse Artillery and all of the Cavalry need to be together. Also, the Jägers could have marched in as the first Infantry behind the Cavalry.
General L’Estoq
This being the full report of General Grouchy in regards to the actions of the recent Spring Campaign in Poland, 1807
At the start of the campaign the dragoons were camped at Ilawa, Following our initial plan of movement we moved East until we arrived at the outskirts of Allenstein where Davout’s III Corps was present. Our original plan of movement was to head North from Allenstein and Davout requested that the dragoons take the lead as he felt he had insufficient cavalry for that purpose. He would follow up behind me.
However, while preparing for this movement. Davout received reports of a large cavalry presence to our East in the vicinity of Rastenburg. With this information, we agreed I should change course and move on Rastenburg while he (finally) moved north on his own
Upon arriving at Rastenburg with the majority of the dragoons, we observed a most disheartening sight. Massena’s V Corps had been very badly mauled and had been driven into the south western corner of that region. In that position there is no retreat path. In fact, they had been so abused that the dragoons arrived at the flank of the Russian cavalry. It was also discovered that Massena himself had recently been decapitated by enemy fire and the French V Corps had yet to determine the next in command that would be tasked with leading the remains of that Corps.
In addition to the large Russian Cavalry Corps, a fresh Russian Infantry Corps was deployed East of the river that moved North to South through that location and had been moving to follow-up the Russian cavalry.
General Grouchy (Dick White) and his Dragoon Corps appear at Rastenburg to aid Massena's battered Corps.
However, seeing the arrival of the Dragoons, the Russian attempted to disengage from the remains of V Corp and return to the East side of the river. Their success in this was little short of miraculous. Their best cavalry regiment, elite heavies, survived being charged simultaneously in both flanks. Another cavalry regiment routed a previously untouched infantry regiment of V Corps. And a third cavalry regiment escaped to clear ground. Then unfortunately the blasted Russian forces were able to continue their movements before the French were able to follow up on these three lucky regiments. The nearly routed heavy cavalry limped out of reach toward the river. The victorious cavalry regiment, its path to freedom now clear, moved to a road heading south, joined by the regiment that had ridden into the clear.
Two Russian cavalry regiments were not so fortunate as these three. But what could have been a great disaster for the Russians was regrettably forestalled.
During this action, two light cavalry regiments arrived from Murat’s cavalry reserve from the Northwest of this space. Murat was called away before any more of his forces arrived. One light cavalry regiment was sent back to Murat. The other was attached to the Dragoons and used for later scouting actions. It was eventually assigned to V Corps. The Russian forces having removed themselves beyond the river and to the South, outnumbered the French in total manpower and especially in artillery. Further the quality of the Russian troops were equal to or greater than our own.
A scout was made of the South route with the light cavalry from Murat to see if it would be possible to attempt a flanking action of the river. The Dragoon Corps moved to prepare to execute this, but the Russians changed their disposition to guard against this approach in such a way to make it obvious that that action would lead to disaster.
Faced with a river crossing against superior forces with no immediate way to flank the position, I consoled myself with the knowledge that at least we were keeping the attention of a superior force that could have a larger effect elsewhere. This changed as the Russian Cavalry Corps organized themselves and headed East. My response was to shear off a regiment of dragoons to V Corps to aid in their defense and to move North in search of the enemy.
General; Grouchy and his Dragoons on the move from Rastenburg through Bishofsburg, and heading on towards Heilsberg.
After some time and additional scouting, the Dragoons arrived at Heilsberg where the remains of the VI Corps and IV Corps were defending fortifications but were being sorely pressed by a Russian force superior in numbers and with a great advantage in artillery. It was at this point that the remaining light cavalry regiment on loan from Murat was sent to provide some additional aid to V Corp.
My Dragoons arrived in time to charge the enemy, clearing some space around the fortifications and forcing the Russian advanced artillery to retreat. We were able to witness the glorious defense put up by Ney with his artillery and sadly were present on the battlefield when he needed to by removed due to his wounds.
At this point in time, the curtain closed on our efforts due to the lateness of the day.
So ends the report of General de Division Emmanuel de Grouchy, commander of the French Dragoon Corps.
SnapCon 1807: Dokhturov's Day
by Russ Lockwood
The annual SnapCon rolled into The Portal in Manchester, CT, for another Snappy Nappy Campaign in a Day. This year, it was the 1807 Friedland campaign. James had run the campaign a while back when experimenting with his clever Deployment Zones -- now a staple of SnapCon events.
This year, Peter and Mark GM'd the Campaign-in-a-Day spread out over 13 tables. We had our largest group of players yet -- 11 Russian and 12 French. Pre-game e-mails coordinated the players into the sides and commands. I was Dokhturov on the Russian side, with Sean as Bennigsen our C-in-C.
Campaign In A Day
For those unfamiliar with a Snappy Nappy Campaign-In-A-Day, each infantry and cavalry unit consists of two stands, which represent a brigade per unit. Artillery is one stand representing roughly 24 guns. Each player is a corps commander. We have dispensed with the "official" hierarchy of orders and like true independent commanders, can do what we want, preferably following instructions from the C-in-C.
Those 13 tables represent the campaign area. All players are playing in one big game. Tables are separated, and moving off one almost never means you hop onto an adjacent table. Pardon my evil GM grin, but I learned to not only make sure the tables are separated, but they are rotated so each table's north faces a different way -- the window on one table, the doorway on another, the back wall on a third, and so on. Fog of war is key here -- or as best we can do it within one room.
Theoretically, only the C-in-C has the true picture of what's happening. Talking between commanders is allowed at the same table, but all other communications are written and sent via courier (i.e. the GM, who time stamps it and delivers them after a certain amount of time).
After the first two turns, each table runs on its own turn sequence -- no turn phases coordinated between tables. When a command moves off one table, the GM walks the player and troops over to the corresponding Deployment Zone on the destination table. The arrivals must sit in the DZ, untouched, until the enemy on that destination table has its movement. Then, and only then, are the arriving troops released into the turn sequence.
It sounds a little chaotic, but what happens is corps bump into each other and while battling, other corps -- friendly and enemy -- might show up. Maneovre le derriere is real in this game.
Communication is the key here, but all understand the heat of battle. Your focus narrows to the table you're on...
The Russian Planski
With an overall goal of keeping Konigsberg in Russian hands, C-in-C Sean put forth three strategic options: Offense with broad front march and engage the enemy; Defense centered on Heilsburg and Konigsberg with stacked defense at river crossings; or trap and destroy an over-exposed (or at least our perception of an over-exposed) Ney.
We settled on trying to trap Ney and destroy his corps before the rest of the French could react. Of course, our intel may not have been perfect and we had no guarantee that Ney would advance to continue to put his neck in a Russian noose. Everyone who has played this big-scale Napoleonic game understands no plan survives contact with the enemy.
Dokhturov's Orders
C-in-C Bennigsen ordered me to head from my starting spot at Eylau to Heilsberg, where Essen (played by first-time SN gamer Shiloh) started. Essen would head off table to Bischofsburg. We would form one pincer to cut off Ney at Bartenstein.
Dohktorov and his Divsion prepares to march from Friedland to Heilsberg.
Did I mention that no plan survives contact with the enemy?
Essen poked his recon cavalry onto the Bischofsburg table and quickly pulled them back. It turns out a French corps under Soult (Rob) was on the march towards Heilsberg. As his cavalry returned with the news, he set up a defense of the Alle River with infantry and artillery at the foot of the bridge.
We did not know if Soult had a pontoon train. We assumed the French had one or two pontoon trains overall, for we Russians had one, but where those were located was beyond our intel.
So, I filtered down as a reserve corps on the table and nodded approval at Essen's town defense. For a first-time player, he had grasped the essentials.
Soult and Ney
Soult came in on the southern Deployment Zone (DZ) and though we shouldn't have been surprised, Ney arrived on the eastern DZ. I had half my troops on the road marching into Heilsberg and the other half cutting cross country to secure an east bridge. Ideally, I would form an L-shaped ambush pocket with Essen's troops and hammer Ney into oblivion.
Wiley Ney would have none of that. He edged away from me, drawing me out of my spot if I wanted to influence any battle of Soult and Ney vs Essen. No, sirree. I wanted it two on two. I knew the French troops were mostly superior to our Russians, but we did seem to have an extra unit or two each over the French corps, plus an extra stand of artillery.
Marshal Ney and Dohkturov in friendly conversation, prior to subsequent mortal combat!
Another French Corps?
Of course. Of course. Just as I had started to deploy eastward against Ney, a third French corps arrived at the western DZ. That's the road to Braunsberg -- how did French get there? We had that covered. We had troops cascading down from Konigsberg and Uvarov marching over from Eylau.
I immediately started counter-marching some lads towards the western DZ. Three on two surrounded is not an envious position. You can talk about the central position all day long, but that takes a deft hand and impeccable timing to pull off the smack one flank and then march to smack the other.
And then, the third French cavalry were gone. It was only a scouting mission. So, there must be Russians at Braunsberg to prevent the French from moving onto the Heilsberg table.
Alas, I had lost time in confronting Ney because I had to pull my troops back towards the town and also across the river. And Ney, wiley Ney, was too clever not to take advantage of it.
Bagged by Bagration
All of a sudden, more troops arrived on my table at the eastern DZ from the direction of Bartenstein. I had to wonder if Essen and I were the ones going to be hammered.
But, no! Those new flags were Russian. We had Ney in a vice.
I felt bad for him. A couple games ago, the same thing happened to me. One minute I had a friendly corps at my back and the next, an enemy corps was unlimbering artillery in my derriere. Alack and alas, my bad feelings passed rather quickly and I became almost giddy at the idea of destroying a corps.
As Ney flipped half his troops around, I recrossed the river and began to deploy anew into a swirling situation.
A crowed battlefield!
The Bridge at Heilsberg
The first time Essen fired at Soult's light cavalry crossing the bridge, he scored two hits. As per Snappy Nappy, Soult's unit now had to make two morale saves. Failures might mean cascading backwards through his other troops on the bridge, triggering more morale checks.
Soult's d10s rolled and came up as two 10s -- can't get any better than that. The melee went Soult's way, too. In fact, it was the beginning of a lucky Soult run than ran off Essen's initial line of defending troops.
To be fair, Essen's Russian troops were a step down from the French. Math gurus might think it only a 10% less chance, but that adds up after all the die rolls.
Essen broke the defense at the river, drove the Russian troops out of the town, and repulsed any counter-attacks. Midway through the defensive collapse, I suggested Essen change dice, for the ones he used proved horrible. The new dice proved at least a little better.
The Ney Vice Tightens
As Bagration pressed forward, so did I. Bagration suffered a number of panicked troops, but slowly chipped away at Ney from one side while I hammered the other.
Ney, always with audace, charged Essen's defense of the town near the bridge and sent Essen's troops backwards. I stopped an even worse debacle by firing artillery into the flanks of his troops.
As Ney became strung out, I was able to pick off isolated and panicked units.
At one point, the bravest of the brave rallied an infantry brigade hugging the river when I saw the flank and charged my cavalry. Ney's unit failed to form hasty square and my horse drove deep into the unit's flank. It disintegrated. In the melee, Ney was wounded and dragged from the battle towards the river. His remaining aides carried him to the bridge, but he was out of the battle.
Grouchy to the Rescue
While three Russian corps battled two French ones, a new cavalry unit appeared in the southern DZ -- Grouchy's cavalry corps. And it began to push behind Soult, who had advanced two infantry brigades to the west and around the bend of the river.
I countered with my one elite infantry brigade and one militia Cossack cavalry brigade, marching over the west bridge. By the time Grouchy arrived, Soult was pushing west of the town, had beat up Essen's lone cavalry unit, and was firing artillery at my cavalry unit.
My infantry backed up, but eventually Soult's two seasoned infantry units caught me and charged into melee. This time, I had the quality and they had the mass, but I also had the die roll. Pushed back one and then followed up to rout it away.
End of the Campaign
And that's about when it ended. The French had taken Heilsberg and we weren't going to get it back any time soon. Ney's corps and Essen's corps were equally obliterated with a couple units remaining. I was hanging in there, but a late Grouchy cavalry charge took my artillery in the flank and did considerable damage. They'd need a lot of rallying to bring them back to effectiveness.
Yet between Bagration and myself, we could put together a decent force to stop the French cavalry.
This game, I didn't do more than move from one table to another -- and got into battle quickly. To an extent, the Russian plan to trap Ney worked, although Essen and myself were almost trapped first.
In the debrief, Umpires Peter and Mark recounted a bit of who went where when, what towns changed hands, and which corps were wrecked. In the end, if you can believe it, the whole campaign ended in a tie score. I am unsure how it play out if we had continued for another hour beyond the five hours we had already played. Still, another great Snappy Nappy Campaign-in-a-Day SnapCon. Great job by the GMs and all the players. A big thank you to The Portal for making the space available.
Of note, one of the gamers, Eric, flew into CT from NC just for the game. Not the farthest ever, that honor goes to a gamer from San Francisco, but always a little bump to the ego that someone would travel so far for a game. A convention? Sure. But a game? Makes my four-hour drive seem like right around the corner...
Eric said he wanted to see how a C-in-a-D played because he wanted to GM one down in NC. He already had a one-table SN game going on his table. I look forward to hearing about that.
Report of the events of Spring 1807, by General Bennisigen, Russian C-in-C
Initial orders were given out the night before action. A most brilliant plan was concocted to hold the Braunsberg, Bischofsberg and Rastenburg areas. Bennisigen decided that these three towns would control the battlefield. The plan was to surround Ney in Bartenstein and cut him off from supply and reinforcements. The idea was Prince Essen would move on to Bichosberg to close the road to Bartenstein while Bagration and Gortchakov moved on Ney before he could leave the area. Docturov and would support Essen in his defence and Uvarov would make a move into Neys rear. Sacken and the Prussians under L’Estoq would hold Braunsberg. Prince Golitsyn V and Peter Tolstoy would hold the Rastenburg and Goldap area while recognizing that a mobile defense may be needed due to the open space. Our reserves under Lobanov would be sent where needed. Knowing that the French outnumbered the allies in this campaign, the hope was that a quick action on Ney would even the battlefield.
Immediately the plan began to unravel.
Bennisigen arrived to the Heilsburg table, from his quarters at Eylau. Ney appeared to have gotten a jump on the Russians and arrived in the rear of the Heilsburg area. Fortunately, the obedient Docturov followed Bennisigen to the area and was able to respond.
The local forces of Essen had been ordered to move to Bischofsburg but quickly found the French forces of Soult approaching the town. With this news and Ney arriving in force, Bennisigen could see we had to redress the lines. Essen was ordered to form a defensive posture around Heilsburg while Docturov formed line to meet the approaching Ney.
Although perhaps on Uvarovs own initiative, not following Docturovs division onto Heilsburg as ordered, he had correctly read the battlefield to move to the Braunsberg table to support the Prussians. Bennisigen returned to the Eylau area just in time to inform him of the changing tides of war as well.
During these travels, new orders were written to Gortchakov and Bagration that Ney was approaching the Heilsburg area. They were to pursue him aggressively. Surely, they would have seen him leaving the Bartenstein area as they approached.
Upon returning to the Eylau table, Bennisigen decided to make his way to Bartenstein through the Friedland area. He found his most magnificent divisions following in Neys footsteps. Reexamining the situation, Bennisigen knew Bagrations troops would be enough to force Ney into submission, any more would cause a traffic jam. He now ordered Gortchakov to defend the Bartenstein area by holding ground or attacking Bishofsburg. Bennisigen sensed this route would be vulnerable later on…
Around this time, Bennisigen received alarming messages from Prince Golitsyn V. His Cavalry Corp was under great strain but had slain Massena! Leaving Bartenstein, travelling to Angerburg, and leaving through Gumbinem, he arrived at Goldap. He was by now getting his money’s worth out of his royal steed!
The situation was dire for Golitsyn. At least three French corps were arriving to the table. The Remnants of Massana units, Grouchy, and Murat. There had been sighting of Davout’s corp but he was nowhere to be seen. Bennisigen immediately ordered Golitsyn to leave Rastenburg and cross the river to Goldap with what horses he could. At this time, Tolstoy entered the Field, and not soon enough. A Polish Corp was arriving in the flank of Goldap, and I was uncertain if Golistyn would have been able to hold the River line. Especially with up to Five corps appearing! These French appeared endless! Tolstoy deploying to defend the bridge and meet the polish troops, combined with Golistyn who made a brilliant tactical repositioning at double time over the river, Bennisigen felt confident to make his way back to other battlefields.
However, Tolstoy reported that, he had seen cavalry scouts and French flags deep in our rear, possibly near Suwalken and Maryampole. Bennisigen must find Lobanov’s reserves! He immediately dispatched orders to him as well.
News reports had been flooding into Bennisigen by now that the troops at Braunsberg were holding strong, however we had lost the town at Heilsburg. Fortunately, we were grinding Ney down. His downfall was inevitable! Even as Bennisigen read the desperate pleas from Prince Essen for help due to the weak state of his corp, there were no reserves to spare. The die had been cast, and the hands must be played as is.
Finding Lobanov, Bennigisen expertly guided him through the muddy roads to Maryampole. There it became known that the French were in fact in Suwalken. A battle soon erupted. Orders were sent to Golitsyn that if available, they were to approach the Polish troops from the flanks or rear. As the commander of the whole Russian army with no troops under direct control, there was little that could be done to add to our forces in Suwalken. Thus, he galloped off once again.
Going to the Braunsberg area for the first time today, Bennisigen saw that the Prussians with Russian support had the situation under control. They were making a redeeming effort since the debacles of 1806. Seeing once again that the troops were sufficient, he returned to Heilsburg.
Bennigisen joined the Heilsburg forces to rally what remained of Essen holding the road to Eylau, while Docturov and Bagration finished off Ney. It was at this time that the Grand Duke Constantine was arriving with the Guard. About time. Bennisigen spent the rest of the day overseeing the bridgehead to Eylau, inspiring all the troops there. The cowardly French did not advance further than Heilsburg, and Ney was reduced to scraps, both in what corp he possessed troops and himself.
Grand Duke Constantine
Grand Duke Constantine and guard arrived to the region at Tilst at 1:30. Having gathered the intelligence reports of the day, it was decided that they would travel to Suwalken to ensure the Allied Flanks were secure. Marching through Raseinia, Vilkmerge, Kovno, Kazlu Rudia, and Finally Maryampol.
The guard arrived at the northern end of the battlefield near Suwalken, just in time to see the French in full retreat. Lobanov had the French on their heels and the Guard’s arrival confirmed their decision to retreat. Not only was the Guard enough to force the French into retreat, Golitsyn arrived on the Flank and made short work of the stragglers. Seeing as there was no need for the Guard to Pursue the cowardly French, Constantine gave orders to Golitsyn and Lobanov to follow the French and exploit what must now be a weakened French right flank. Furthermore, reports were arriving that Davout was Marching on Bartenstein with the Bavarians. This warranted immediate attention. Gortchakov was in no position to fend both off and had sent urgent messages.
Constantine and the Guard made great haste through Angerberg, years of marching paid off. They arrived to see Gortchakov fending off the French attack with the last of his troops. The arrival could not have been more timely. Although the allied corp was unable to be saved from breaking, the Guard made the pesky French stop any advance toward Konigsberg. Three guard cavalries deployed first covered by a horse artillery to meet and engage the French. It was greatly appreciated when they charged the Guard first. Having been on the march all day, it saved them the walk over. As expected, the French were brushed aside as one does to a fly. Alarmed by this, Davout squared up the vast majority of his infantry in the rear, as a Russian hussar eyed them. Elite French cannon faced the Russian cavalry, but isolated from their troops for the most part. Before the Guard could really dig their talons into these scoundrels, darkness came and all pursuit ended.
Many thanks Peter and Mark for setting this up and all others that supported. I had a lot of fun this campaign and it was different playing as the commander, sure kept me busy all day. Looking forward to the next campaign with everyone.
Sean Seibert
Here is my Campaign in a Day AAR.
From Eric the Gamer:
I flew into Connecticut to watch, learn, and play Campaign in a Day with Snappy Nappy. First, thank you to the umpires for making this happen. This took an enormous amount of effort and coordination which I hope I can pull off in the near future down here in Southport, NC. As I as the French (Bavarian) Reserve arriving after turn two, I had time to observe the campaign mechanics without the burden of command. I learned all sorts of tips and tricks from the GMs and players (especially Karl). The use of deployment zones, transit tables, etc, really brought the campaign to life. Looks like I have a lot of terrain to get ready for my smaller 6 table campaign. I’ll either be doing this with my 15mm SYW or Maximilian in Mexico collections. My friends have all the Napoleonics in 15mm so I may be able to use their figures should they all be able to come to Southport. Tally Ho!!
From Marshal Lefebvre, newly created Duke of Danzig:
My corps of 12000 men (4 x Bavarian Line Infantry, 1 x Bavarian Light Infantry, 1 Bavarian Chevau-Leger, 1 Bavarian Dragoon, 2x6 # Bavarian Foot Artillery), arrived in OSTRAU on Turn 2 + 40 minutes. OSTRAU was transit table “O”. When I flipped over the transit table map it said I had to wait 5 minutes before entering the deployment zone of Table N (Neidenburg). When I arrived at Neidenburg\Allenstein I found Davout’s III Corps waiting there. Based on his scouting of the tables around us we decided to make sure our backs were covered and sent cavalry scouts to the last two unexplored deployment zones: N3 & N4. Sadly these both led to transit tables that just called for a five minute delay. After we confirmed that our flanks were secure and I left one Bavarian garrison on Table N ,we set off for MORAG (Table M) with Davout’s III Corps leading the way. We arrived to a nearly empty table with some Russian cavalry monitoring our progress from the Deployment Zone of M3 (which lead to Table B (BARSTENSTEIN)). Lacking orders from the Emperor, Davout ordered me to hold the river line around Bischofsburg (Table M) and force back any Russian attack across the two bridges there. Davout then marched his III Corps to the sound of the guns (I wasn’t quite sure where he was heading, but he ended up at a large battle).
Davout’s III Corps sudden returned to my table complaining of traffic jams and new orders from the Emperor! We were ordered to drive on BARSTENSTEIN (Table B), to attack the Russian 6th Division holding that key crossroads. My Bavarians had been scouting that location and found the 6th Division deployed in a more “all-round” defense with BARSTENSTEIN as the central cog in that defense. My gallant Bavarians and their corn flower blue uniforms arrived on Table B from deployment zone B4. I managed to get over half my corps in the first wave of the attack with a solid line of infantry and guns. We made slow and steady progress despite my die-rolls. Davout’s Corps arrived and started to flank around Bartenstein towards B3 deployment zone. We were breaking the 6th Division when the Russian Guard cavalry arrived! Gulp! (Note: I love how unexpected things like this can happen in this Campaign) Davout’s lone cavalry and my two cavalry regiments tried to stop the Russian Guard juggernaut!
Meanwhile, I had destroyed or routed most of the 6th Division which became Exhausted (2VP). Then my troops seized Bartenstein (1 Table Control VP).
Shortly after this, most of Davout’s corps was in squares to counter the Russian Guard cavalry. At this point, I think Davout’s and my Corps could have held off the six or so Russian Guard units. However, the Gods of War ended the campaign in a day at that time.
I truly had a wonderful time. I can’t wait to play in another one and hopefully run one here.
Marshal Lefebvre!
Aka Eric
Memoir of the Action at Heilsberg
From the campaign journal of Auguste Petiet, aide-de-camp to Marshal Soult, June 1807
(Fictional reconstruction based on the supplied account of the engagement. The narrative is written in Petiet’s imagined first-person voice, with the events and outcome drawn from the material provided).
I. The Marshal’s Decision
The Marshal’s decision to march upon Heilsberg was not taken without deliberation. In the days preceding the action, when our headquarters remained at Morag, he had communicated with Marshal Ney, whose corps lay at Bartenstein, proposing that we should converge upon Heilsberg and compel the enemy to accept battle there. Our respective movements, if properly timed, promised to place the Russians in an awkward position about the bends of the Alle. Ney, advancing from the east, would threaten their communications and hold their attention, whilst we, approaching from the west by Bischofsberg, would bring the weight of our corps against their opposite flank.
Ney accepted the proposal readily. He was ever impatient of delay when an enemy lay within reach, and the prospect of a general engagement appeared to please him greatly.
The Marshal, however, was not satisfied with the arrangement for long. He summoned me to examine the roads and positions upon our maps, and for some time considered the consequences of the movement with a seriousness that I had learned to recognize as the prelude to a change of plan.
He observed that Ney’s advance might indeed fix the Russians within the bend of the river, but it might equally expose him to the consequences of his own boldness. If enemy columns followed him from the east, they could interpose themselves between his corps and the country upon which he depended for reinforcements and provisions. The very movement intended to entrap the Russians might thus leave Ney entrapped himself.
“Marshal Ney,” he remarked, “will not easily be persuaded to abandon an enemy merely because the ground is inconvenient.”
The remark was made without irritation. It expressed rather an understanding of Ney’s character, and of the danger that a commander’s eagerness might sometimes outrun the calculations of his superior.
Ney’s answer soon confirmed the Marshal’s apprehensions. If the Russians were at Heilsberg, he declared, then Heilsberg was where he intended to attack them.
Soult thereupon determined to march eastward upon Bischofsburg and thence northward towards Heilsberg, whilst Ney continued his advance from Bartenstein. The two corps would still meet, but our movements would be less dependent upon the assumption that Ney could be safely maintained in the enemy’s rear.
I accompanied the Marshal throughout these preparations. His concern was not that Ney lacked courage, but that courage, exercised without sufficient regard for the disposition of neighboring forces, might oblige another commander to undertake a difficult action merely to redeem an earlier promise.
Yet the promise had been given. The Marshal would keep it.
II. The Enemy upon the Road
Our march towards Bischofsburg proceeded with the customary difficulties of a campaign conducted upon roads rendered heavy by the weather and incessant military traffic. The columns extended over considerable distances, the infantry moving in succession whilst the artillery and its teams demanded continual attention. Behind the foremost troops followed the several brigades of the corps, whose arrival would determine whether the Marshal could undertake a serious engagement without exposing himself to defeat in detail.
Our advance guard was commanded by General of Brigade Guyot. It consisted of the 16th Chasseurs, followed by a brigade of elite light infantry. Five brigades of line infantry followed, accompanied by batteries of medium and heavy artillery.
It was a powerful force, though its strength could not be brought to bear everywhere at once. The roads and approaches to Heilsberg would permit only a portion of it to deploy conveniently, and the river, with its bridges and constricted crossings, promised to make the first encounter particularly hazardous.
It was during this advance that we encountered Russian cavalry upon the road between Bischofsburg and Heilsberg.
They appeared suddenly, as if sent forward to ascertain the strength and direction of our march. Their stay was brief. Having recognized the character of the force approaching them, they turned about and retired at speed, evidently to carry the news to their commanders.
The Marshal watched their departure.
“They will know we are coming,” he said. “We must therefore suppose that they shall be prepared to receive us.”
There was no occasion to imagine that surprise would favor us. The Russians had been warned, and we were approaching ground upon which they could establish themselves before our arrival.
Nevertheless, the Marshal continued northward.
The information available to us did not reveal the whole extent of the Russian dispositions. We knew that the enemy possessed forces in the vicinity of Heilsberg, but not that General Bennigsen had originally conceived a broader design involving the simultaneous occupation of Braunsberg, Bischofsberg, and Rastenburg. His intention, as I subsequently understood from the reports and circumstances of the campaign, had been to isolate Ney at Bartenstein, close the roads by which he might receive assistance, and overwhelm him before our other forces could intervene.
Prince Essen was to move upon Bischofsberg and obstruct the communications to Bartenstein; Prince Bagration and General Gortchakov were to advance against Ney; General Dokhturov was to support Essen; and General Uvarov was to threaten Ney’s rear. Other forces were charged with securing the remaining important positions, whilst the Russian reserves were to be committed wherever necessity demanded.
It was a plan founded upon the belief that a rapid concentration against one isolated French corps might compensate for the numerical difficulties confronting the Allies elsewhere.
But the plan had begun to unravel before its intended blows could be delivered. Ney was moving sooner than the Russians had anticipated, and the appearance of our corps from the south and west compelled their commanders to revise their arrangements.
Thus the enemy who had hoped to determine the place of battle found himself obliged to defend it.
III. The Bridge over the Alle
We reached Heilsberg to find the Russians established beyond the bridge over the Alle.
The ground offered little room for an extensive deployment. The river constrained movement, and the enemy had occupied positions behind entrenchments on the far side of the crossing. Prince Essen commanded the forces immediately opposing us, with General Bennigsen and other Russian officers directing the defense.
The Marshal dismounted to examine the approaches. I remained beside him as he studied the enemy’s works and the ground about the bridge.
The situation was plain enough. A deliberate deployment under the Russian fire would expose our leading troops to losses before they could make any effective return. Our artillery might eventually assist in reducing the position, but the narrow approaches and the enemy’s prepared defenses would make the operation slow. To retire and seek another passage would consume time, imperil our promised junction with Ney, and risk allowing the Russians to concentrate against either corps separately.
There are moments in war when the choice lies not between a prudent action and a rash one, but between two dangers, each of which must be measured against the consequences of delay.
The Marshal concluded that we must attack.
He did not mistake audacity for an absence of danger. Rather, he understood that the enemy’s position, formidable as it appeared, could not be allowed to dictate the whole course of our operations.
General Guyot received his instructions. The 16th Chasseurs were to lead the assault across the bridge, supported by the elite light infantry following the advance guard. The infantry and artillery behind them would exploit any opening the cavalry could create.
It was a bold employment of light cavalry against a prepared position, and the Marshal knew that the regiment would be required to accomplish what ordinarily might have been entrusted to infantry.
The Chasseurs advanced.
The first moments of the attack were confused by the confined ground, the Russian fire, and the difficulty of bringing the leading squadrons into action without disorder. The enemy’s infantry held its position, and the guns defending the approach added to the peril of the crossing.
Yet the 16th pressed forward with a determination that astonished even those of us who had witnessed its earlier service.
They reached the bridge, passed over it under fire, and fell upon the Russian troops before the defenders could recover from the shock of their advance. The first line gave way. The cavalry continued its charge, carrying the confusion into the next body of troops, whilst the Russian guns were overrun or rendered incapable of maintaining their original defence.
I saw the Marshal follow the movement with the closest attention. He had committed the regiment to an undertaking whose success would determine whether our corps could enter the town, and he understood that hesitation at this moment might undo the advantage already gained.
The Chasseurs did not hesitate.
Their charge broke the Russian position at the bridge and opened the way for the troops behind them. The first line of Essen’s defense had been overthrown with a rapidity that neither the strength of the entrenchments nor the natural obstacles appeared to justify.
I have rarely witnessed a more consequential action by a single regiment.
The Marshal’s expression changed little, but he immediately directed that the advantage be exploited. The elite light infantry was brought forward, and the succeeding brigades began to press towards the town.
Heilsberg, however, was not yet ours in any secure sense. The bridge had been carried, but the Russians retained troops within and beyond the town, and their commanders had not abandoned the contest.
The first obstacle had been overcome. The battle itself had only begun.
IV. The Town and the Russian Counterstroke
The capture of the bridgehead placed the Russians in a predicament, but it did not destroy their capacity for resistance.
Prince Essen had initially intended to interfere with our movement south of Heilsberg and prevent our junction with Ney. Discovering our advance earlier than expected, he had returned to the town and assumed a defensive posture. The river protected one flank of his position, whilst the village and its approaches provided opportunities to maintain a defence in depth.
It was a sensible arrangement under the circumstances. Though his initial line had been broken, the position still offered considerable advantages to a commander prepared to sacrifice ground gradually rather than stake everything upon the defense of a single entrenchment.
Essen’s cavalry was committed against the 16th Chasseurs in an effort to recover the ground lost at the bridge. The Russian horsemen attacked with determination, and Prince Essen himself advanced in the hope of restoring the situation.
The attempt failed.
The Chasseurs, already distinguished by their conduct in the assault, proved their superiority once again. They repulsed the Russian cavalry and sent the Prince’s troops reeling from the contest. Essen sustained a grazing wound, though he remained with his command.
The regiment had by now accomplished far more than its original duty as an advance guard. It had carried the crossing, overthrown several bodies of infantry, and repelled an enemy cavalry counterattack. Its conduct gave the Marshal the freedom to bring forward the remainder of his corps.
But the fighting at Heilsberg was not a contest between our troops and Essen alone.
Ney’s corps had arrived from the east, and General Dokhturov’s Russians were moving to oppose him. Prince Bagration, advancing in the same general area, added further weight to the enemy’s effort to destroy the French corps before it could combine effectively with ours.
The Russians were therefore able to strike at Ney while Essen continued to dispute the possession of Heilsberg with us.
This was precisely the danger that had concerned the Marshal before the march. Ney had entered the enemy’s sphere of action, and the Russians were now attempting to separate him from the rest of the French army by means of the river and their positions about the roads.
Yet Ney’s arrival also offered an advantage. He could not permit Essen’s force to hold the town unmolested whilst our troops were engaged in forcing their way through the bridgehead. Accordingly, his infantry was committed against the Russian elite troops defending the eastern approaches.
The attack succeeded in driving Essen’s elite infantry northward from its position, though the French advance was not without interruption. For a time the fighting settled into an uncertain contest, each side attempting to recover its formation and bring fresh troops into action.
I had occasion during this period to observe the Marshal repeatedly turn his attention from the immediate struggle in front of him to the distant sounds and movements that indicated the course of Ney’s engagement. He knew that the issue could not be determined by the capture of a town alone. If Ney were destroyed, the Russians would be free to turn against our corps; if Ney survived, our combined forces might yet compel them to withdraw.
The problem was one of time.
We had gained the bridge, but the Russians still possessed sufficient strength to resist us. Ney had reached the field, but his corps was becoming engaged against forces whose numbers and positions threatened to overwhelm him.
The Marshal continued to push the attack.
V. Ney’s Peril
The reports reaching us from the eastern approaches grew increasingly serious.
Dokhturov was pressing Ney, whilst Bagration’s troops were arriving behind the French positions. The Russians had recognized that Ney’s eagerness to attack had placed him in a dangerous position, and they were determined to exploit it before our corps could relieve the pressure.
Prince Essen, whose own force was suffering heavily, requested assistance from the Russian commanders. Bennigsen, meanwhile, was occupied by the broader situation of the army. French forces threatened other parts of the theatre, and the Russian commander had reports of danger to the north and east, including the movements of additional French corps against his communications and positions.
He could not bring every available formation to Heilsberg without risking the loss of other important points.
The Russians were thus compelled to continue the battle with the troops already engaged, even as the condition of Essen’s command deteriorated.
There followed a brief interval in which Ney’s fortunes appeared to improve. Bagration’s pressure had not yet produced the decisive result the Russians desired, and the French marshal retained sufficient strength to resist.
But the respite did not last.
The French cavalry arrived in support of the action, bringing fresh strength to our side of the engagement. The appearance of these troops was accompanied by rumors of a French general killed by a cannonball. I could not ascertain the truth of the report at the time, nor whether it referred to Marshal Murat, whose movements had been the subject of much discussion. The uncertainty itself was characteristic of such a day, when alarming news travelled more quickly than confirmation.
The cavalry’s arrival nevertheless changed the immediate situation around Heilsberg. Our infantry, which had been engaged for some time, could now continue its advance with the prospect of support from fresh troops.
The elite light infantry renewed its attack. Further Russian infantry was overrun, and the town passed into our possession.
This was an important success, but it was not the end of the action. Essen’s remaining troops were exhausted, and the Russian cavalry had already suffered from repeated attempts to dislodge the Chasseurs. Yet the Russian position north of the town remained dangerous, and the enemy was still capable of striking at Ney.
The fighting on the eastern side of Heilsberg became increasingly desperate.
Ney’s corps, which had entered the engagement with the expectation of bringing the Russians to battle, was now fighting for its existence. Bagration and Dokhturov continued their attacks, and the French marshal’s ability to maintain an organized defense diminished with each successive encounter.
The Marshal Soult received reports of Ney’s predicament, and I could see that the situation had become the chief concern of his deliberations. He had fulfilled his promise to reach Heilsberg; he had forced the bridge and taken the town. Yet the destruction of Ney would render these achievements insufficient, for it would leave the French position exposed to the enemy’s remaining forces.
The struggle had assumed a terrible irony. The Russians had originally intended to isolate Ney, and Ney had advanced into the very region where their plan was meant to take effect. Our arrival had frustrated the intended concentration, but it had not prevented the enemy from placing him in extreme danger.
The fate of the battle now depended upon whether the remaining French troops could endure long enough for our successes at Heilsberg to have their full effect.
VI. The Last Resistance at Heilsberg
The Russian defense did not collapse all at once.
Although the town was in our hands, Essen’s remaining infantry continued to resist, and his cavalry made further efforts to recover the ground lost earlier in the day. The 16th Chasseurs repulsed these attacks again, their conduct becoming one of the most remarkable features of the engagement.
The regiment had repeatedly advanced into danger, and its losses and exertions must have been considerable. Yet it continued to act with a confidence that made it difficult for the Russian cavalry to recover the initiative.
Essen himself attempted to rescue what remained of his elite infantry. He advanced to extract them from their exposed position, but the movement came too late. Our infantry attacked from the south, whilst the Russians were threatened from the east and north by the pressure of the battle as a whole.
The Prince sustained another grazing wound, though he escaped capture. His remaining infantry, having been subjected to repeated attacks and deprived of the possibility of a secure withdrawal, was left in a desperate condition. I cannot state with certainty how many surrendered, but the circumstances strongly suggest that many could no longer continue an organized defense.
By this stage, Essen’s corps had ceased to function as an effective instrument for holding Heilsberg.
The Marshal did not mistake the capture of the town for the destruction of the Russian army. He understood that the enemy still possessed troops capable of continuing the struggle, and that the arrival of additional Russian formations could alter the situation even after the loss of the bridgehead.
Bennigsen returned to the Heilsberg area and personally rallied the surviving troops. The Grand Duke Constantine was also arriving with the Russian Guard, an indication that the enemy was still capable of assembling considerable forces despite the losses sustained earlier in the day.
The Russians continued to contest the approaches north of Heilsberg, while their forces attempted to complete the destruction of Ney’s corps.
For our part, the Marshal strengthened his position. The elite light infantry, led by the 10th Regiment, had secured the town, and three additional brigades reinforced the occupation. Two further brigades were deployed west of the Alle in an attempt to turn the Russian position and approach the town from the opposite side.
This maneuver succeeded in extending our pressure beyond the original bridgehead. The Russians could no longer rely upon the river and their prepared positions to prevent the French from gaining ground around Heilsberg.
Nevertheless, the Marshal did not advance indiscriminately into the enemy’s remaining positions. The troops had been engaged for many hours, the roads and approaches were crowded, and the opposing armies were intermingled across a broad area. A further advance in failing light, against troops still capable of resistance, could have turned a successful operation into an unnecessarily hazardous pursuit.
The contest continued until nightfall.
By then the town was securely in our possession. Essen’s force had been gravely reduced, and Ney’s corps had suffered a catastrophe from which only a small remnant could be gathered. Bagration, whose troops had been instrumental in the destruction of Ney’s command, was himself compelled to withdraw northward.
The Russians had achieved much of what they originally intended against Ney, but they had failed to retain Heilsberg or to prevent our corps from reaching the field.
The final result was therefore more complicated than either side might have wished to admit.
VII. Reflections upon the Engagement
The action at Heilsberg offered a striking demonstration of the manner in which a battle may be decided by the interaction of separate movements rather than by a single general plan.
The Russian design had been ambitious. Bennigsen intended to use the principal towns and roads to divide the French forces, isolate Ney, and destroy him before assistance could arrive. The plan recognised the danger of confronting the French army in a general engagement without first reducing its numerical and operational advantages.
Yet its success depended upon timing.
Ney’s early movement disrupted the intended arrangement, whilst Soult’s approach from the south and west compelled the Russians to revise their positions. Prince Essen, whose mission had been to obstruct the French advance, found himself defending Heilsberg against a force already upon him. Dokhturov and Bagration were drawn into the struggle against Ney, and Bennigsen was obliged to divide his attention among several threatened sectors.
The Russians were not without success. Ney’s corps was nearly destroyed, and the pressure exerted by Bagration and Dokhturov demonstrated the danger of a commander advancing without adequate security for his communications. Had Ney been entirely annihilated before our arrival could influence the course of the engagement, the capture of Heilsberg would have been a poor compensation for the loss of so considerable a corps.
But Soult’s decision to proceed, despite his apprehensions concerning Ney’s position, prevented the Russians from concentrating all their strength upon the town and its approaches. His arrival forced the enemy to fight upon more than one front and denied them the unimpeded opportunity to exploit their initial advantage.
The crossing of the Alle was the decisive episode in our own engagement. The position was strong, the approach constricted, and the enemy prepared. Yet the 16th Chasseurs, by their extraordinary charge, broke the first line and allowed the remainder of the corps to enter the battle. Without their success, the Marshal might have been compelled to choose between a costly assault upon the entrenchments and a withdrawal that would have jeopardized his junction with Ney.
The regiment deserves particular mention. Its performance was not merely spirited; it was decisive. It carried the bridge, overthrew successive bodies of infantry, defeated the Russian cavalry sent against it, and continued to contribute to the capture of the town despite the fatigue of repeated engagements. I have seldom seen light cavalry perform a more consequential service against a prepared enemy.
The elite infantry also distinguished itself. Its attacks helped convert the initial success at the bridge into possession of the town, and the subsequent reinforcement of Heilsberg ensured that our gains could be maintained through the evening.
As for the Marshal, I was struck throughout the day by the consistency of his judgment. He recognized the dangers of Ney’s proposed movement before the battle, altered his own approach without abandoning the intended junction, and attacked the Russian bridgehead when the circumstances left no satisfactory alternative. Once the crossing had been forced, he continued to exploit the advantage while keeping the larger situation in view.
He was not a commander who required the appearance of perfect circumstances before acting. He calculated the dangers, selected the course that offered the best prospect of success, and accepted the risks that remained.
The outcome also exposed the limitations of a plan whose several parts depended upon simultaneous execution. Bennigsen’s original conception had merit, but the unexpected appearance of French troops and the early movement of Ney forced him to respond to events rather than dictate them. His subsequent efforts to direct troops across a wide theatre of operations could not entirely remedy the disruption caused at Heilsberg.
It would be unjust, however, to describe the Russian commander as having failed in every respect. Ney’s destruction demonstrated that the Russian attacks had been conducted with determination and that the original design had retained considerable force even after its intended sequence had been disturbed.
The Russians lost Heilsberg, but they exacted a heavy price for it.
For the French, the possession of the town was a tangible success, though one purchased amid severe losses and the destruction of a neighboring corps. The action did not resolve every difficulty in the campaign, nor did the retreat of Bagration signify the complete defeat of the Russian army. It did, however, preserve our position at Heilsberg and prevent the enemy from converting Ney’s peril into an unqualified victory.
When darkness finally put an end to the fighting, I remained with the Marshal as reports continued to arrive from the different parts of the field. The noise of the guns had ceased, but the work of the army was far from over. Wounded men had to be collected, units reassembled, ammunition accounted for, and orders prepared for the following day.
The Marshal listened to the reports without visible agitation. His attention remained fixed upon the condition of the corps and the positions that must be held before the campaign could proceed.
I had seen him thoughtful before the battle, determined at the bridge, and attentive throughout the long contest for the town. I now saw him return to the business of command with the same composure with which he had undertaken it that morning.
Heilsberg had been won, but it had not been an easy victory.
The Russians had come near to destroying Ney. We had broken their bridgehead, taken the town, and forced Bagration to retire. Between these opposing results lay the true character of the engagement: a contest in which both armies had inflicted grave injury upon the other, and in which the possession of a single town could not conceal the cost of the day.
For my own part, I shall remember above all the charge of the 16th Chasseurs across the bridge. In that brief and perilous passage, the regiment accomplished what the whole situation demanded of it. It broke the obstacle before us, gave the Marshal the opportunity to fulfil his promise to Ney, and changed the course of the fighting at Heilsberg.
The regiment had earned its place in the history of the day.
The campaign commenced with some degree of surprise at the rate of the Tsar's ensuing offensive. It developed that some three or so chokepoints were present in network of poor roads traversing Poland. Thus the bulk of the fighting occurred at those locations, running ROUGHLY north-to-south, namely Braunsberg, Heilsberg, and Rastenburg. The Emperor insisted on a sequential advance, so the troops already in the region of our supply base were holding it until new troops came in, at which point the forces there were released to move on to the next step. His Imperial Majesty was very concerned about the possibility of our foes working their way around and undoing our supply base or region [loss of this would have counted as 4 VP to the Russians, as well as putting all of our troops out of supply]. When the Imperial Guard made its appearance later in June, all remaining troops were released to the front, but Marshal Bessieres was directed to firmly hold the region of our supply depot (Marienburg and Elbing), meaning that if and when any enemy incursion came in, they would attack that force immediately, but otherwise they were to remain in the area to fend off any such incursions.
At the outset of the campaign the potooniers were attached to the later arriving Poles. The Emperor reasoned that they would be best situated to work their way around the enemy's Southern flank more feasibly and thus try to threaten the Russian supply base at Koenigsberg from the south or even the East. Meanwhile the rest of the French troops would tangle up the bulk of the Russians in a series of closely contested battles. In the event, things did not develop as anticipated by his Imperial majesty by any account. The Russians were a LOT more aggressive than the Emperor expected them to be. Still, our brave men, lead by such indomitable leaders as Marshals Bernadotte, Lannes, Massena, Soult, Davout, Murat, Mortier, Lefebvre, P:rice Poniatowski and General Grouchy, covered themselves with glory and were able to stymie any further advance and fight them to a draw. The Emperor anticipates, that having exhausted two of the enemy Corps, that he will yet force the Tsar and the King to sue for peace by the end of the summer.
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