16 July 1813 – Battle of Schwerin

Tactical map of battle area

The Prussians have already lost their Third Army at Ludwigslust
A defeat at Schwerin would leave them in possession of only Wismar in the north
A French defeat would leave their Second Army isolated at Ludwigslust

1st French army is commanded by Emperor Napoleon
2nd Prussian army is commanded by General Bulow

1st French Army – 12 infantry brigades, 2 cavalry brigade, 3 corps artillery
2nd Prussian Army – 12 infantry brigades, 3 cavalry brigade, 3 corps artillery

Table at start of battle

French are advancing at the top of the table, out of artillery range
Cinc – observing the Prussian deployment
3 corps – on the left, either side of the village
1 corps – in the centre to attack Schwerin
2 corps – on the right moving through the woods

Prussian are deployed in front of Schwerin
Cinc – has taken command of both cavalry brigades just behind 5 corps
6 corps – on the left hand hill
5 corps – in front of Schwerin
4 corps – on the right hand hill

End of move 2

French halt out of artillery range and form column of attack
Cinc – had taken command of two cavalry brigades to counter Prussian cavalry
3 corps – cavalry brigade under command of CinC
1 corps – cavalry brigade under command of CinC
2 corps – clear woods and form column of attack

Prussian make minor adjustment in deployment
Cinc – deploys cavalry division between 6 and 5 corps
6 corps – one more brigade moves onto hill
5 corps – await French advance
4 corps – one more brigade moves onto hill

End of move 4

French artillery open fire
Cinc – hold
3 corps – artillery fire on gunners, no casualty
1 corps –artillery fire on gunners, no casualty
2 corps – artillery fire on infantry, 10% casualty

Prussian artillery open fire
Cinc –hold
6 corps – artillery fire on gunners, no casualty
5 
4 corps - artillery fire on infantry, 10% casualty

End of move 6

French attack
Cinc – counter charge, lose first round of melee
3 corps – left hand division attack hill
1 corps – gunners receive 10% casualties, pass morale test
2 corps – cavalry force gunners to retreat to nearby square

Prussian artillery cause casualties and provoke early French attack
Cinc – charge guard chasseurs, win first round of melee
6 corps – hold hill, wait for French attack
5 corps – infantry rout and take second brigade and gunners with them
4 corps – infantry form square and retreat on hill

End of move 8

French continue to attack
Cinc – lost cavalry melee, both brigades in rout
3 corps – one brigade routed, attack stalled
1 corps – one brigade shaken, attack stalled
2 corps – fighting on hill

Prussian start to retreat
Cinc – won cavalry melee, but one brigade has 20% casualties
6 corps – withdraw behind crest but holding their own
5 corps – two brigades in rout, gunners abandoned guns, remainder retreat to town
4 corps - forced into square by enemy cavalry, gunners abandoned guns.

End of move 10

French continue to attack
Cinc – rally cavalry and lead them forward
3 corps –withdraw from hill to regroup
1 corps – regroup and advance towards town
2 corps – continue to attack hill

Prussian attempt to break contact and withdraw
Cinc – redeploy cavalry between left hill and town
6 corps – withdraw to rear edge of left hill
5 corps – move into Schwerin
4 corps – retreat in square from right hill

End of move 12

French regroup
Cinc – cavalry deployed to left of main road
3 corps – withdraw north of left hand hill
1 corps – halt in front of Schwerin
2 corps – occupy right hand hill

Prussian redeploy in and around Schwerin
Cinc – cavalry deployed to the left of Schwerin
6 corps – hold left hand hill
5 corps – garrison Schwerin
4 corps – garrison fortified inn to the right of Schwerin

Summary

At nightfall the Prussians hold Schwerin and the crossroads

The French have taken the right hand hill, but failed to take the left hand one
They have also failed to either take Schwerin or rout the Prussian army
They have also lost more casualties, particularly in 1st (Guard) corps

The Prussians have won this battle.

The French have lost 8 infantry, 2 cavalry and one artillery casualties (3500 men)
The Prussians have lost 3 infantry and 3 cavalry casualties (1500 men)