Napoleonic Wargame Club (NWC)

16 April 1809, VII Corps HQ, 8:00 P.M.
"Gentlemen- Marecha Lefebvre took a glass to his hand - the war is a war, but as an old soldier, I will tell you that it is best to eat well at evening, sleep in the night and in fight during the day. This is proper order. Now will taste the famous" Goldwasser" and I'll tell you a story that I've heard related to that liquor. Half a year ago, while the Emperor marched on Madrid, our troops reached the narrow pass. On their way were military rebels and the road through the pass was protected by some artillery. Our Emperor ordered to get the pass, but the attack failed. Then General Montbrun was ordered that the Spanish batteries had to be taken by Polish escort squadron that was on duty that day with the Emperor. Montbrun went on reconnaissance, and after his return reported that charge straight at the guns is not possible, in which he was supported by Marshal Berthier, but impatient Napoleon replied: "Leave it to the Poles!" and told his aide, Major de Ségur, to take te order to the Poles. When Segur went to pass an order, Montbrun started to ask Napoleon to let him support that attack. He claimed that it's impossible to do it with one cavalry squadron. By Montbrun Emperor reportedly said that he has a bad feeling when he thinks about the participation Montbrun in charge at the enemy batteries. The Emperor replied also that since the night before duty the Poles can celebrate someone's birthday and drink not only a few bottles of "Goldwasser" there is nothing in the way to do this task while they are on duty. Submitted by the way, that Segur drank with them, so that why he should give that order to the Poles. By the way, Segur did it, and he joined the charge. At the command of their leader, I can not pronounce the name, "Forward! Long live the Emperor!" but it was a version for the Bulletin of the Grand Army (by Montbrun he had to shout: Forward, bloody dogs, the Emperor looks!) And guess what, gentlemen, they have gained the pass, as it turned out later that there were four batteries of four eight-pounder guns each and mass of light infantry to defend them. So, if we drink tonight some "Goldwasser" tomorrow we will have a chance to write our own brave story. And now let's hear all about what has happened today north of us. Please, Captain Toure, do submit your report to everyone here ... "

Hmmmm, a most interesting tale indeed. The Guard Lancers performed well that day to be sure, but I would caution you to remember........there were no Hanoverians opposing them at Somosierra.

Oh look Helga, my glass is empty. Now I wonder how that could have happened?

April 16th, 1809,
21:00 hrs: Captain Toure was eager to hear what GD Wrede would have to say. The matter at hand was grave indeed, what with no certain news of the 3rd Div, and the fact that two enemy battle corps must be across the Isar and prepared to advance northwards on the morrow.

The Captain believed that an accurate assessment of the abilities of the Osterreich Armee to march would be critical to helping the VII Corps plan their defensive actions.
He studied the map most closely, imagining the long columns of Austrian troops stretched out upon the roads. Measuring the distances they would be able to advance in the coming days (yes, days, not just one, but two or more. And how this would be affected by French rearguard actions, compelling the enemy to form battle formations, and thereby slowing their rate of advance down even further.

Toure fully expected the Austrians to be able to reach Pfeffenhausen by mid-day with their lead elements (counted 98 hexes between Weihmichl and Pffenhausen, calculated at 5 hexes movt rate along pike - for cavalry at least, 19.6 turns). But the enemy would be strung out along the pike and not have a fully assembled Corps able to offer battle until the late afternoon.

The fantassins may not be marching down the country roads at this hour of the night, but upon the battle maps within the war councils, markers were being moved by the staff officers as they prepared the plans for the next day operations.


21:30 hrs: The early evening silence was broken by sudden commotion at the edge of a lonely hamlet northwest of Moosburg.
The posted picquet were astonished to have an Austrian squadron appear out of nowhere.

Although no shots rang out, nor sabres clashing, the sound of trumpets split the air, as the garrison was called out.
The Captain of the Bavarian horsemen called out to the Austrians who also seemed surprised at what they had encountered.

"We grant you pardon to leave here back the way you have come. This night let us have respect, as tomorrow will offer plenty of opportunity for us to try and slay one another." He paused before adding, "As the alarm is sounded, your response will be fateful."

Tirailleurs et Dragons!



Hamlet of Altfalterbach, 21:30 hrs:

O'Reilly Chevauxlegers' Premier-Rittmeister (First Captain) Franz Havel had a reason to curse everything that night. He obviously had not luck.
Yet early morning his squadron lost their regiment in the welter of crossing the Isar.
The whole day was spent in the forced march along waysides of a road filled to its limit with infantry columns and baggage.
They managed to find the regiment at dusk already when their exhausted horses could hardly move, and people stay in their saddles.
But Oberst (Colonel) von Zechmeister was implacable however. The punishment: instead of resting, Havel's squadron had to go to reconnoitre the road extending to the west along a small, fast running mountain river. As a result, almost a half of his men had left behind, and only sound of the water flow did not allow the rest of them to go astray in the dark and getting lost in hills. Havel himself rode along the hopelessly stretching squadron column and promised to everybody barrels of beer and heaps of sausages in the very first Bavarian village where he intends to stay for the night. The soldiers still found some strength to react positively, and one humorist of the 3rd Zug (platoon) even wanted to order some busty Brunnhilde for dessert. But after almost an hour of the marching, when they had espied at last a faint light flickered in the windows, and wind had brought to them the rustic smell of housing - manure and furnace smoke, his brave Czech guys were just in sullen silence, which was a sign of extreme tiredness. Wrapped in their long Roquelors (overcoats), they were like huge, rufoused birds with hooked "beak" - the crest of their helmets...
Havel stopped the squadron on the road, some 200 meters from the entrance to the village, and sent forward a piquet led by Wachtmeister (Sergeant), although he did not expect any resistance here. Several minutes passed over intensionly. It was quiet. Only groaned the exhausted horses. It was cold and windy.
Seconde-Rittmeister Benesch rode up to his commander:
- Franz, what are you going to do if there is the enemy? Neither our men nor horses can not fight right now.
- I'm sure, they will not attack us in the dark too. We can not go back. We ought to wait for the morning ...
Before he finished the sentence, the far cry broke the silence: "Halt! Zuruck!" And hereafter an alarming trumpet signal went off straightway.
- Carabiniers, forward! Estandartenfuhrer (standard-bearer), back into the midst! - Havel commanded - Herr Rittmeister, take the squadron back along the road for 100 meters and deploy for battle.
Soon, his picket came tearing down.
- Euer Hochgeboren (Your High Nobleness), some Bavarian troops occupied the village, - Wachtmeister reined his horse, almost bumped up against the Havel's one. - Their officer promised not to haunt us, if we will get out ourselves.
"The Bavarian is bluffing obviously. There is a squadron of them in the village or even less . But who can guarantee that there is nobody behind it," - Premier-Rittmeister Havel thought turning his horse backward - Wachtmeister, retreat! - "Oh, lad, your dessert already got some lucky one!"

_________________
General-Feldmarshal Prince Vladimir N. Repnin
Imperial Russian Corps Commander
Prince Braine-Le Comte & The Adjutant-General of His Imperial Majesty
Chevalier Guards Regiment

April 17th, 1809

05:00 hrs: Dawn streaks the sky as the long night of the first day of campaign is coming to an end.

05:30 hrs: In the city of Regensburg, the gendarmes have arrested a local civilian for spying on the French military garrisoning the place.
The man was seen to be observing the units about their activities during the night, and having passed this intelligence to a mysterious figure who then left the city.
The prisoner is brought before the French commander to be tried for spying on behalf of the Austrians, and treason against the state of Bavaria.

Tirailleurs et Dragons!


05:30 hrs: Troops on their feet already. Advance-guards' Cav. units are making reconnaissance in the too foggy state of environment. It's too dangerous but very necessary.

2nd Grenadier Div.

April 17th, 1809
06:00 hrs: Still the dark of night, with an overcast sky and fog making everything damp, including the wood for fires. The awakening fantassins grumble upon seeing a breakfast of raw meat with biscuit.

Tirailleurs et Dragons!


06:00 hrs, The Northern Front:

In very limited visibility of the early morning also exacerbated by the fog, Oberst von Seyffert led his Schwarzenberg Uhlans on the road along the edge of a dense forest, when all of a sudden he heard somewhere ahead a horse whinny muted by the wet, thick morning air. Oberst knew that except his men on this road, no one of their Corps Advance-guard should be here. So, there was the enemy in front of him. Von Seyffert had stopped his column and turned one Flugel ( Wing = 2 Zugen (platoons)) of the leading squadron across the way for to attack, ordering all men to silence. Shortly, about 50-60 meters ahead, out of the left-side black forest bar turned up several ghostly figures of horsemen, then more and more. Dimly visible in the fog, they went out and lined up in a column on the road. One could hear the command words in German. " The Bavarian piquet", - had thought Oberst von Seyffert. Soon, their column moved forward. Confident of an easy victory, Oberst decided to lead the attack himself. Accompanied by orderlies and Stabstrompeter (trumpet-major), he stood on the right flank of the Uhlan double line. Getting up in the stirrups and showing with his blade direction of attack, von Seyffert had ordered not in whole voice: "Lances for battle! Trot! Forward! Ma-arsh - march!"
And already at full pace, he suddenly sighted with horror some lances with folded pennons towering above the Uhlan czapkas of the "Bavarians" - all those were invisible in the fog from a distance. Sweat instantly made drops on his forehead. "They do not have the lancers, they're our own men!" - the terrible guess had pierced his brain. "Lances up! Appel! Appel! (recall)" - von Seyffert yelled, turning in the saddle to the Stabstrompeter, but it was too late ...
Several carbine and pistol shots whipped meet ... Cried the wounded men in the Uhlan line... His horse suddenly stumbled and fell head over heels , von Seyffert hit the ground and lost consciousness ...

Twenty-four hours ago, Oberst von Seyffert sent four pickets to the east to scout a wide valley between two huge forests. Had accomplished the task and not having met the enemy there, all pickets joined and using the shortest path along the forest road moved westbound to the reunion with their parent unit. But the ways of the warfare (like men's fate) are truly inscrutable!

GdI Furst V.Repnin von Yahotyn
2nd Grenadier Division


06:30 hrs: Wake up! Wake up! Dry your guns! Eat! Eat! Get ready to march! The orders are shouted up and down the columns stretched along the country roads of Bavaria.
The second day of campaign will soon begin in earnest.

Tirailleurs et Dragons!


06:30 hrs: Couriers are dashing to all directions - they do their job.

2nd Grenadier Div.

April 17th, 1809

07:00 hrs: (Day, vis 10 hex, overcast, light fog). The marching is underway, and as the columns begin to move out, while the rank and file worry only about the damp upon their clothing and the ache in their bones, the officers are wondering what the enemy is up to, and where the enemy is?

07:15 hrs: As the camps are broken, the columns forming up for marching, and out in advance the scouts are on patrol, all the while the morning fog clings to their boots, swirling about the legs, covering the ground in a blanket of fine mist.

The fog will make it more difficult to see what is out in front, and the old veterans with many campaigns under their belt consider this to be a most dangerous of times, when armies probe ahead, seeking one another, and often collide where and when least expected.

Tirailleurs et Dragons!


07:15 hrs:
Oh, these god damned Bavarian mountains! Columns are overstretched, units get disordered in the hills and forest defiles and lose their parent formations on narrow roads. All those outgoings of the warfare on mountain battleground.

2nd Grenadier Division


07:30 hrs: Still the fog lays thick upon the landscape, not only concealing shape and form from view, but muffling the sound of marching boots and distorting sense of direction.
The perfect blanket of uncertainty for this uncertain hour of the new day.

Tirailleurs et Dragons!

April 17th, 1809
08:00 hrs: It's another day of marching, begun so early in the morn, and bound to continue into the evening hours.
The Marechal's of L'Armee d' Allemagne have to be wondering, what will the Osterreich Armee accomplish this day, the second of the campaign?
Columns of fierce looking cavalry are observed moving south towards the great city of Regensburg.
Battalions continue to march past the watchful gaze of the voltigeurs in besieged Landshut.
Austrian forces are surely pressing deep into the southern Bavarian countryside, soon to become the scene of a mighty struggle of arms.

08:15 hrs: The Voltigeurs in Landshut have provoked a strong response from the Austrians with their persistent pot shots across the river. A passing horse battery, at the order of their officer, unlimbered and fired a round of shot into the town.
A rampart wall was blown down, and several of the marksmen were killed.
The explosion has terrified the citizenry.

In the far northwest, at the village of Neukirchen, an advance guard of Lancers is observed moving southeast towards the village of Hemau!

08:30 hrs: In the northwest at the village of Hemau, a second Austrian cavalry unit has been spotted moving towards the village from directly to the north.

08:45 hrs: (PoV of Austrian unit) In the northwest of the country, overlooking the village of Hemau from a position upon a descending slope, an Austrian light cavalry advance scout was observing (for a half an hour now) a lone French squadron in the southeast corner of the valley, trying to hide on a wooded hillside.
One of the members of the French unit had been quite busy waving several colored pendants in the air.
A signalling measure the Austrian cavalry officer decided. The enemy were truly devilish in their tactics.
Suddenly, from the right side of the Austrian scouts there briefly flashed the sight of another French cavalry unit, that was moving swiftly down the road that led from the northwest...
Which was the direction from which other Austrian units should soon be seen to be advancing.

Tirailleurs et Dragons!


08:45 hrs: Oberstleutnant von Vetter to his brave Blankenstein's Hussars: "Vorwarts, mein Hussaren! Zum Henker diese Froschen! Fang und hacke!"

2nd Grenadier Div.

April 17th, 1809
09:00 hrs: In the northwest at the village of Hemau, the French cavalry on site watch as two squadrons of Austrian Hussars advance boldly into the valley in an apparent attempt to cut off a retreating cavalry platoon.

To make matters more concerning, several squadrons of enemy Lancers are seen upon the crest of the hill to the northwest.

The capitain of a Chasseurs a Cheval squadron mutters at seeing all of this, and barking orders, leads his command at speed into the valley below.

09:15 hrs: At Hemau, bugles sound loud and clear, echoing up and out of the valley, as the opposing forces of cavalry, all Hussars, Chasseurs, and Lancers (the last bringing a horse-battery with them!) all maneuver to gain the best advantage.

Tirailleurs et Dragons!

April 17th, 1809
09:30 hrs: The residents of A - village are horrified, all yesterday and now this morning the roads have been clogged with French soldiers marching... marching away from the advancing Austrians!

The elders gather to discuss transporting their women and children and valuables along the roads after the retreating French.
The people are in a state of panic, as the pride of the French armee are running away without giving battle.

The Austrian propaganda has been saying for weeks that the spirit and quality of La Grande Armee is in decline, and the apparent rout of French forces is proof positive.

Among the villagers is a retired veteran who formerly served in La Grande Armee.
He had fought at the battle of Austerlitz four years earlier and been gravely wounded, losing a limb.
He had recovered while spending time in a makeshift hospital in Bavaria, and here he met and married a woman from this village.

Seeing the fear on the faces of the people with whom he now lives, he sought to restore their spirits.

La Grande Armee is not retreating he tells them, they are maneuvering to gain advantage over the foe. We French are crafty in the art of war.

It is wise to send your women and children to safety, as the Austrians will no doubt bring much harm and destruction with them.

But I tell you not to be afraid of the outcome of this battle, for at Austerlitz we were outnumbered and there too we fell back before the enemy. And we all know what happened then!

Regards,

April 17th, 1809
09:30 hrs: The French rearguard of cavalry at Hemau are greatly disturbed at seeing such a powerful advance guard of the Austrian forces advancing upon them. Hundreds of horsemen, now joined by Bns of Light Infantry.

Honors to the foe who has occupied the objective hex at Hemau.

09:45 hrs: At Brunn. The Company of Chevaux Legers were startled by the sudden ambush of battalions in line formation delivering volley fire.

With much cursing the Captain rallied his men and led them to shelter from the audacious firing.
Amidst the excited throng of men, the Marechal des Logis approached the Captain, and exclaimed -
"Did you see them?!?! There must have been thousands of them!"
"And a supply train as well," the Lieutenant added as he drew up.

Both men were looking at the Captain for leadership.
He met their gaze firmly, and having made his decision he issued his orders.

Tirailleurs et Dragons!

10:00 hrs: At Hemau, the French cavalry screen falls back before the Austrian forces that are swarming about the village.

The hunting at Hemau is continuing...

Oberst Schmuttermayer of the Shwarzenberg Uhlans may be satisfied - his brave Galizian chapps have not swapped. Yes, they had the fivefold strength preeminance, but this is the first battle of the 5th Sqn young soldiers, and 30 lanced and captured tough French Hussars - it is a really worthwhile catch for the begining. Isn't it?

2nd Grenadier Div.

10:15 hrs: The sound of the platoon of Hussars being overwhelmed by the steel-tipped lances of the Austrian horse carries across the valley, providing further encouragement for the fantassins marching as swiftly as they can along the path...

Tirailleurs et Dragons!

10:15 hrs: At Hemau.
Ober-leutnant Mayerhold of the 3rd Jager Btn: "...Burdened with the responsibility of my men life, I moved forward with a great degree of caution. The road wound through fields on the way to Hemau which had been reported as occupied by weak enemy forces. The company of Hauptmann Kirnbauer followed us, covering our movement to the town on the left flank. Afar, on the Hemau - Hochenschambach road, we found signs that enemy infantry and cavalry were moving southward in the direction of Painten. On our way across the open fields to Hemau, we came upon an old woman peacefully at work. She related that the French troops had left the town an hour before. We worked our way through some orchards and entered Hemau with fixed bayonets, fingers on triggers, and all eyes studying doorways and windows for telltale evidence of an ambush. However, the inhabitants appeared friendly and confirmed the old woman statement. They brought us food and drink, but we were still distrustful and made them sample the food before helping ourselves. We maintained a considerable interval between men and carried our guns ready for use. From the town on, I rode on ahead of my men in order to react and command quickly. We marched to a hill and forest three-quarters of a mile south of Hemau. The sky was overcast. From the southeast came the sound of moving cavalry, and we saw advancing elements of our cavalry advance guard that had made contact with the enemy during the morning. ..."

2nd Grenadier Div.


11:30 hrs: It is the second day of the campaign, and again the rumors are sweeping over the Bavarian countryside...
The northern half of Regensburg has fallen to the invaders! With it's important objective militaire.
And the advance guard of the Osterreich Armee marching from the south has reached Pfeffenhausen, in the central region of the battle map.
The day is not yet past the noon hour, and already grave events occur.

11:45 hrs: As the sun climbs to mid-day, exciting events are soon to be in play.

The squadrons of cavalry at Hemau continue to face the Austrian advance guard as it presses the withdrawing French.
At Pfeffenhausen in the south, the Austrian Lancers have swarmed the village, eager to come to grips with the Bavarian forces rumored to have just departed.

Tirailleurs et Dragons!

This probably could be transcribed into a fictional novel when all is said and done!

April 17th, 1809

12:00 hrs:
Ober-leutnant Mayerhold of the 3rd Jager Btn.: "...At noon our battalion appeared from woods about a mile and a half south of Hemau. It was overcast.
The battalion commander, Oberstleutnant von Vetter, sent me on ahead to explore the road. The rest of our avant-garde infantry followed us. Having been on the go for nearly six hours, I could scarcely stay in the saddle still. The terrain on both sides of the country road over which I rode was covered with numerous hedges and fenced-in meadows.
The battalion came up and deployed on the slope behind us. Soon afterward our advanced cavalry squadrons to the south and east of us ran into the retreating enemy. A brief exchange of shots was heard from several directions. Occasional bullets whined even above our heads; what a peculiar sound! An AdC who had ridden a few hundred yards in the direction of the enemy was fired on from behind a hedge at close range. My riflemen rushed forward and succeeded in bringing down a yellow-plumed Frenchman and took him prisoner."

2nd Grenadier Division


12:00 hrs: At Pfeffenhausen in the south, the Bavarian cavalry screen observes the movements of the Austrian Lancers around that place.
In Regensburg, the garrision fulfills it martial duties as the spy captured during the night is brought out from his cell, and placed against the wall in the courtyard of the Hall of Justice to face the firing squad...

12:15 hrs: The tension grows as the day's actions continue to unfold.
The whole of the Bavarian countryside is filled with columns of marching soldiers, horse, and artillery.
All seemingly hellbent on racing towards a decisive decision.

12:30 hrs: At Pfeffenhausen, the Bavarian cavalry screen continues to observe the Austrian forces assembling at that town.
In Regensburg, the Austrians are busy repairing the bridge there...
At Hemau, the French infantry continue their withdrawal, and the cavalry screen maintains their shield wall in front of the advancing Austrian forces.

Tirailleurs et Dragons!

April 17th, 1809
12:45 hrs:

At Hemau, the withdrawal of the French rearguard has become a general retreat, as the infantry are compelled to leave the road...

The light cavalry on both sides clash, with Austrian lancers gaining the advantage.

A rout threatens...

Such are the fortunes of war...

Regards,

April 17th, 1809
13:00 hrs:

Austrian cavalry is in pursuit of the Bavarian rearguard at Pfeffenhausen.
The besieged voltigeurs in Landshut watch as the endless parade of infantry, cavalry and artillery continues to pass by that city.
And at Hemau, the withdrawal of French forces is quickly turning into a rout.

Tirailleurs et Dragons!


South of Hemau. FML von Fresnel sent his AdC as a truce envoy to the enveloped French Hussars with his suggestion of surrendering.

2nd Grenadier Div.


13:15 hrs:
South of Hemau: Colonel Maupoint with the 4th Sqdn of 8th Hussars accepts with sorrow the terms of surrender offered by the Austrian AdC.
Other units in the area continue to withdraw before the relentless Osterreich forces.
On the pike running northwest from Pfeffenhausen, the Bavarian cavalry screen acting as a rearguard prepares to defend themselves against the advancing Osterreich cavalry.

13:45 hrs: A tense situation is developing at Pfeffenhausen, with cavalry and horse-batteries from both sides facing each other.
At Hemau, the disorder of the scattered French column continues...
And at Regensburg the first Austrian units are seen marching south from the city.

Tirailleurs et Dragons!


South of Hemau: FML von Fresnel send his AdC as a truce envoy to the enveloped French Btn with his suggestion them to surrender.

2nd Grenadier Div.