Napoleon's Invasion of Russia

by George F Nafziger

  That evening the two French corps completed their merger and took up positions that they were to hold until 3 November. On 4 November they began to move on Torbinka, and on 5 November they moved to Czereia. That day the French encountered cossacks which Oberst von Cancrin, of the Baden Hussar Regiment, allowed to cross over a bridge near the Krasnogura castle before he attacked. Once they were in the narrow defile, he struck and captured nearly all of them.

  The Withdrawal Continues

  The French advance resumed with Legrand's division, four Baden horse guns, and the 25th Light Cavalry Brigade acting as the advanced guard. They moved from Czereia towards Lukonil, and on the 8th they were again attacked by the Russians. The Baden Hussars and the Baden Horse Artillery, under Captain Zensburg, drove them back. The advanced guard was quickly supported by the Berg Brigade, under General Damas, which stationed itself near Stroczeviczi. Eventually the Russians were driven back.

  On the same day Marshal Oudinot was sufficiently recovered from his wound to resume command of the II Corps. The two corps separated, and the II Corps drew off to the right.

  Colonel LaRoche advanced with the 25th Light Cavalry Brigade and assumed the duties of the advanced guard for the IX Corps on the 12th. He quickly encountered Russian cavalry and artillery near Truchano-vicz. He did not have his own artillery to support him, but despite its lack he held his position with great tenacity. However, during this engagement Oberst von Cancrin, commander of the Baden Hussar Regiment, was killed by a Russian licorne shell.

  The remainder of the French corps advanced, its flank being masked from Russian fire by the detached voltigeur companies from Hochberg's Baden regiments. The detached companies rejoined their parent regiments once the engagement ended.

  After a fatiguing march, the rear guard was gathered in at Mielsko-viczi. It rejoined the corps at about 1:00 A.M. where the main body was bivouacked. On the 13th Marshal Victor moved back towards Czasz-niki in order to strike Wittgenstein and throw him back across the Dvina. Victor hoped that he could force Wittgenstein back and away from Napoleon's line of retreat on the Berezina. To this end Partoneaux's division and the IX Corps cavalry advanced to engage the Russian advanced positions. That evening Daendels' division moved into Zeulaszi.

  The Russians advanced a weak skirmish line the next morning, and it was turned away by the voltigeur company of the Lingg Jàger Battalion and a company of the 2nd Berg Infantry Regiment. The 26th Division was heavily engaged by Russian artillery, but night fell and brought the battle to an end.

  On the morning of 15 November the IX Corps rose to arms early, expecting a renewed battle. There was no assault for two hours. Both armies contented themselves with an artillery duel. Instead of the order to attack, the French corps suddenly received the order to withdraw. The new French offensive was given up because of the receipt of orders from the Imperial headquarters in Smolensk. They had been brought by Colonel Chateau, one of Victor's aides-de-camp. He also brought news of the main army's retreat from Moscow.

  On the 16th the IX Corps passed Putski on the road to Senno. On the 17th it reached Ulianovicz, and on the 20th it moved on Czereia. The great loss of staff officers in the IX Corps had resulted in a reorganization of the Baden brigade. It was organized into the equivalent of two regiments, one commanded by General Lingg and the other by Colonel Bruckner.

  On the 22nd the retreat began in earnest with the rear guard being formed with two cavalry regiments, three line infantry battalions, the Lingg Jàger Battalion, and two horse guns under General Delaitre. On the 23rd the other light cavalry brigade was detached to form the rear guard. On the 23rd Daendels and Girard arrived in Doknitza, and Parto-neaux arrived in Batrun.

  On the 24th Victor assembled the IX Corps in Batrun and departed there about noon. Hochberg and the Baden brigade was ordered to support the rear guard under Delaitre with two battalions, should it be necessary. As the march began, Delaitre sent word that he was heavily engaged by the Russians. Hochberg sent one of the provisional Baden regiments back to support him. The engagement did not last long, and the rear guard assumed a position 600 to 800 paces behind the village.

  As the battle began anew, the Russians brought forward more men and guns. A battalion of the provisional Baden regiment deployed in skirmish order to support the right wing of the rear guard. The other battalion was held in reserve behind the left wing. The remaining battalion was in echelon behind the right wing, and two Bergish battalions were held in reserve further back.

  The position was further reinforced by the arrival of the 25th Light Cavalry Brigade, composed of the Baden Hussar Regiment and the Hessian Chevauxléger Regiment. Fournier decided to assemble all four of the corps cavalry regiments into a single formation and turned command of the battle over to Hochberg. Fournier then withdrew the cavalry from the forested terrain where the battle was being fought.

  For the first time in his career, Hochberg found himself in command of eleven battalions and commanding a major battle. He had earlier sent the Baden Horse Artillery back, out of the battle. He still had four French horse guns which he deployed advantageously. They began to shell Batrun in an effort to delay the Russian advance. However, the French howitzer was dismounted after its third shot, and Hochberg was forced to withdraw the remaining guns. The Russians established a battery of twelve 12pdrs that began to heavily engage Hochberg's forces. This was followed by an energetic assault by the Russians on Hochberg's right wing. The Russians were seeking to seize the defiles through which Hochberg had to retreat. He sent a single battalion to defend these defiles and insure his control of them, while the disordered troops reorganized themselves and began moving through the defile. During their withdrawal, the Baden, Hessian, and French troops suddenly came under unexpected Russian musket fire. A battalion of the Hessian Leibregiment, placed near the rear, observed the Russian maneuver and advanced at a run to counter the threat to the defile.

  Once the Leibregiment secured the defiles, the IX Corps' rear guard began to pass through it. The losses from this engagement amounted to twenty-six dead and sixty-three wounded from the Baden contingent, with similar losses from the other contingents engaged in the battle.

  Napoleon's orders to Victor directed that he be in Borisov on 26 November, He was to form the rear guard for the main army on its march to Minsk. Victor reached the main road at Bobr at 2:00 P.M. that afternoon. Hochberg's brigade formed the advanced guard and Parto-neaux's division formed the rear guard.

  Tchichagov Advances in the South

  At the same time St. Cyr was under attack around Polotsk, there were significant developments on the southern flank of Napoleon's army. General Dombrowski abandoned Minsk, and General Lambert occupied it on 16 November, finding 5,000 sick and two million rations in an immense magazine that also contained a great quantity of gun powder and cannon barrels. He captured a total of forty days' supplies for 100,000, some 30,000 pairs of shoes, clothing, and other equipment in equal proportions.

  The Russian and Austrian positions along the Styr had remained static since mid-September. The only actions were patrols like the one that occurred on 23 September. This resulted in two officers and eight soldiers captured and seven dead. The influence of the numerically superior Russian cavalry was beginning to make itself felt. Because of the cavalry problem, a strong mobile column was organized under the command of General von Zechmeister. This column contained the O'Reilly Chevauxlégers, 62 Saxon Hussars under Major von Czettritz, 42 Chevaux-légers from the Saxon von Polenz Regiment, and 3,000 Polish cavalry. Initially this column moved away from the Styr in the direction of Polonka and Radomysl, but the far side of the river was strongly held by the Russians. To avoid the Russians, Zechmeister's column built a bridge and crossed where the Russians were not in strength. The greater part of the Russian Army of Moldavia was moving towards Dubno and Lutsk in order to reinforce the 3rd Army of the West. It had just recently been freed from duty in Wallachia as a result of a peace treaty signed with Turkey.

&nbs
p; On 19 September the Russian generals brought von Zechmeister's reconnaissance to a halt and sent the greater portion of their cavalry on a reconnaissance towards Lutsk. Von Zechmeister was ordered to watch the Russians. He wrote Reynier on 20 September,

  This morning I set out from Polonka, with orders to move on Nieseviec. An hour from there I was informed that the Russians were there and that a picket of thirty Polish horse had been ambushed. I detached Major von Czettritz with 100 horse from my left flank with the order to maneuver so as to cut the Russians off from Radomysl to prevent Russian reinforcements from reaching the position. As I descended from the woods I found a Russian detachment of 250 horsemen formed before Nieseviec, which I struck and dispersed, fleeing in disorder towards Radomysl. Major von Czettritz moved into Radomysl with 300 horsemen. (G. Fabry, Campagne de Russie, Paris)

  On 21 September von Zechmeister's column was struck by a stronger Russian force. It was encamped when 600 cossacks, 300 hussars, and 300 dragoons swept down on it. The Russians captured three Saxon officers and forty Saxon troopers, ninety-two from the O'Reilly Chevaux-léger Regiment, and twenty Poles. In the meantime, the Russian 5th Division, part of the Army of Moldavia and under the command of Admiral Tchichagov, moved down the Styr River, where it joined the corps of Tormassov. The Saxon corps was then struck by this force and driven across the Bug near Lumbovl on 28 September. The Saxon losses, however, were small. On 3 October the Saxon and Austrian forces reunited near Brest and moved on Muraviec.

  Schwarzenberg believed that the position he held at the beginning of October extending from Brest to Vilna could be held once he was joined by the French main army. The Saxons stood on the left wing. The Austro-Saxon forces remained in these positions until 10 October. When the Russian 3rd Army of the West was joined by Tchichagov's forces, it moved forward in an attempt to drive the Austro-Saxon forces away from any possible junction with Napoleon and the main army.

  Near the village of Baila, the Saxon VII Corps and part of the Austrian forces encountered cossack outposts and drove them back on Zalesie, where they joined the Schusselburg Infantry Regiment. Admiral Tchichagov advanced on Baila as quickly as he could with General Essen's III Corps. This consisted of thirteen battalions, ten squadrons, two cossack regiments, and twenty guns. He dispatched Generalmajor Goulatyov to Pechatz with twelve battalions, two dragoon regiments, an uhlan regiment, two cossack regiments, and three batteries.

  Essen's corps was led by the 1st Battalion of Converged Grenadiers and a squadron of the Smolensk Dragoon Regiment. This force crossed the Tzna River near Voskrinitza. They struck and drove back the two squadrons of the Saxon Hussar Regiment and Prinz Clemens Uhlan Regiment that they encountered.

  The road from Voskrinitza to Baila went through a thick forest which was occupied by two other squadrons of the Saxon Hussar Regiment. However, rather than engage the Russians, once threatened, the Saxons withdrew across the river. The second Saxon division was posted on the far bank with eighteen guns, and the first was concealed in the woods before the village of Kozouli. Essen sent the 37th Jager Regiment and 1st Converged Grenadier Battalion forward to attack the Saxon right wing near Seletz. The 2nd Converged Grenadier Battalion and the Jitomir Dragoon Regiment advanced against the Saxon left near Kozouli.

  When they found they were being attacked by such feeble forces, the Saxons went over to the offensive. The Saxon skirmishers attacked a Russian battery and captured one gun. Three other guns were taken, but lost when the Jitomir Dragoon Regiment counterattacked. Essen found himself facing more than he cared to face. He learned of the massive Saxon advance and speedily withdrew before the Saxons.

  Both the Austrian and Saxon corps fell back on Drohiczyn, in order to cover Vilna and Warsaw, as Essen withdrew on Brest. The Austro-Saxon forces took up a position on the Bug River and remained there until 28 October. The Saxons bivouacked on the left bank near Skrezeszev. For the first time since they left their homeland, the Saxons received reinforcements of 1,700 fresh Saxon troops. On 25 October the Saxons had a total of 12,283 men. There were also 2,621 sick and wounded in hospitals and 2,655 known prisoners.

  Tchichagov had his corps between Brest and Kaminiec-Litovsk. He had united his forces in hopes of executing a drive that would drive Schwarzenberg and Reynier back to Warsaw. However, despite this plan, Tchichagov received orders calling him back. The czar had ordered the 3rd Army of the West to divide into two equal forces. One was to be commanded by General von Sacken and to assume the duties observing the Austro-Saxon forces. The other force was to move towards the Berezina in the hopes of blocking Napoleon's escape.

  Schwarzenberg responded to this weakening of the Russian forces by once again advancing on Slonim. The Saxons were to advance over the Rudnia River while the Austrians occupied Slonim. For the third time the Saxons crossed over the Bug. When they reached their new positions the temperature was falling, and there was a great shortage of supplies, wood, and straw. The lack of wood and straw was especially harsh on the men and horses since they were obliged to camp in the open. The next morning they began a long march eastward.

  After three weeks of marching, the Saxons finally contacted the Russians near Visocky. On 1 November a squadron from von Frolich's brigade was struck by the Loubny Hussar Regiment, the Vladimir Dragoon Regiment, and a cossack regiment. The Austrian cavalry was driven back. The Leichtenstein Hussar Regiment and two squadrons of the Prinz Clemens Uhlan Regiment, under Major von Seydlitz, counterattacked, driving the Russians back.

  Though harassed and swarmed by the Russians, the Saxons continued advancing and arrived in Lapinika on 12 November. The Austrians arrived in Slonim with little interference, but the Saxon VII Corps found itself assailed on all sides. The Saxons learned from prisoners that their principal opponent was the Russian 7th Infantry Corps, and that its goal was to keep them separated from the Austrians. Despite the efforts of the 7th Infantry Corps, the Saxons advanced towards their rendezvous in Volko-vysk with the 32nd Division, commanded by Duruette, part of Augereau's XI Corps.

  Reynier arrived in Volkovysk and established his headquarters there. He covered his position with Le Coq's 21st Division. Duruette's 32nd Division, also there, was composed of young, relatively untrained soldiers. Five of its regiments were penal regiments formed entirely of pardoned deserters. The remaining regiment was from the German state Wiirzburg. The entire division was short of every type of material, and the only truly reliable troops were the Wurzburgers.

  The Battle of Volkovysk

  At about 3:00 A.M. on the night of 15 November, three Russian battalions and about 100 cavalry rushed the city. The Russians had advanced on Volkovysk since 10:00 A.M. the previous day. The Saxons were unaware of their advance until late that afternoon. Sacken's forces, totaling 16,000 infantry, 6,000 cavalry, and 5,000 cossacks, greatly outnumbered Reynier and Duruette's 15,000 infantry and 1,000 cavalry. The Russian assault awoke the French with the noise of its musketry. They had closed on the French unnoticed and entered Volkovysk to find it occupied by a few soldiers assigned to guard the corps headquarters and the Saxon baggage.

  A battalion of the 39th Jager Regiment moved directly against Reynier's headquarters and quickly became involved in a desperate struggle with the 1/lst Saxon Light Infantry Regiment. The Saxon light infantry was supported by the von Anger and von Spiegel Grenadier Battalions. They were quickly joined by the 2/Prinz Friederich August Regiment and part of Duruette's division. Reynier was surprised by two Russian companies commanded by a Russian officer named Magers and only barely escaped through a window, his clothes in his hand.

  The confusion in the ensuing battle was indescribable. A furious house-to-house struggle raged through the streets. The Saxons were unable to push the Russians out of the city and actually lost ground. The 1/lst Light Infantry lost four officers and eighty-one men, while the 2/Prinz Frederich August Regiment lost its standard.

  Le Coq dispatched an adjutant to Schwarzenberg to inform him of the battle and to obtain help. Though assista
nce was to arrive, it was unable to reach the Saxons before 16 November. During this time the Russians were able to maneuver the greatest portion of their forces against the Saxons until the last of the Saxons were driven from the city and forced to assume positions north of the city.

  The 21st Division was positioned between Volkovysk and the road between Bialystok and Mosty. To their left and below them stood the 22nd Division. Duruette's forces were behind them formed in two echelons. The cavalry was held north of the Ortes River. The Saxon position was such that their artillery made any Russian assault unlikely to succeed.

  Despite the strength of the Saxon position, the Russians began their assault at 8:00 A.M. on 15 November. It began with a heavy assault by the numerous Russian cavalry against the Saxon left flank. General von Gablenz and his Saxon cavalry brigade had taken a position on the left during the night. This force moved to counter the Russian attack. His attack was lead by the Saxon Hussar Regiment, and it became entangled in a wild melee. The Saxon colonel was struck from his horse by a cos sack and wounded seven times in the fight. His hussars recoiled,reformed, and charged again with the support of the Polenz Chevauxléger Regiment and the Prinz Clemens Uhlan Regiment. They drove back the Russian cossacks to the right bank of the Volkovysk River. The fire of von Roth's Saxon Horse Battery inflicted heavy casualties in the cossack forces as they withdrew over the bridge to return to their lines. In the late afternoon the Russians moved forward once again to strike the Saxon left flank, but they were thrown back by the bayonets of the 2/1st Light Infantry Regiment and a company of the Prinz Anton Infantry Regiment.