5 July 1813 – Battle of river Saale

Tactical map of battle area

French cavalry report that the Rudolstadt bridge is lightly held

Davout orders 2^nd and 6^th corps to attack, even though they are short of supplies

6^th corps will storm the bridge, 2^nd corps pin the Russians

Both Russian corps are also short of supplies

Wittgenstein has ordered them to hold and resupply

19 infantry brigade is escorting two days supplies to them

The river is fordable by infantry and cavalry at half movement rate

Any troops in the river are disordered

Artillery can only cross by one of the two bridges

All four corps are at full strength

Both Russian corps start the battle on Hold orders

French – 32000 infantry, 2000 cavalry, 60 guns

Prussian – 36000 infantry, 2000 cavalry, 60 guns

Table at start of wargame

The Russians are deployed to the right of the river Saale

Both corps, and 19 brigade, are on hold orders

However Wittgenstein is with them and can change their orders during his move

The French CinC is not present, but both corps have agreed a plan of attack

8^th corps will advance from Erfurt (top left) and cross the river Saale

When they have done so 2^nd corps will advance to support them

0800-1100

1^st Russian corps (top) advance towards the top bridge

Their cavalry brigade (Cossacks) move to hold the bridge

6^th French corps (top) are moving through Erfurt and approaching the bridge

Their cavalry brigade (chasseurs) have already crossed the river and are facing the Cossacks.

4^th Russian corps (bottom) are deployed to prevent any attempt to cross the river

Their artillery unlimber within range of the enemy and open fire

2^nd French Corps (Young Guard) advance north of the village to support 6^th corps

Their cavalry are moving through the village towards the centre bridge

Their artillery (12 pdr) have opened fire on the Russian cavalry, but no hits yet.

1100-1200

The Cossacks brigade (C class) charge the French Chasseurs (B class). 

Although the chasseurs counter charge, they are defeated by the Cossacks

The chasseurs lose 100 casualties and their morale

The French cavalry rout back over the bridge

They plough through the long column moving towards the bridge

The artillery and leading infantry brigade are both shaken

The remainder of the column are disordered.

Conclusion

The loss of the cavalry melee, and subsequent disorder of 6^th corps, signals the end of the battle.   It will take at least four hours for 6^th corps to rally and deploy to attack.

By then 1^st Russian corps will have redeployed to oppose the river crossing.

The French were outnumbered from the start of the battle.

Their only chance of victory was to cross the river before the Russians could react

The loss of 6^th chasseurs, and the confusion and disorder as a result lost this opportunity.

Both French commanders agreed to call off the attack and await further orders.

The French have lost 100 casualties

The Russians have not lost any casualties