23 June 1813 – Battle of Bayreuth Day 2

Tactical map of battle area

At the end of the first day of fighting 1^st Russian army retreated to Bayreuth

4^th French army immediately followed them to continue the attack

Both armies had suffered heavy casualties in the first day of fighting

These casualties resulted in the loss of 2 French and 3 Russian brigades

Most remaining brigades had 10% casaulties

 

French – 9 infantry brigades, 2 cavalry brigade, 2 corps artillery

Russian – 10 infantry brigades, 2 cavalry brigade, 2 corps artillery

Table at start of battle

The Russians are concentrated in and around the city of Bayreuth

1^st corps, which has lost their cavalry and artillery, hold the city

The French will arrive at the bottom of the table at the start of move 1

End of move 2

Left – French CinC advances through the woods with half of 10^th corps

Left – Remainder of 10^th corps advance to the left of the woods

Centre – 11^th corps advance towards Bayreuth, they have no artillery or cavalry

Right – 12^th corps advance to the right of the unoccupied fortified farm

End of move 4

Left – Guard cavalry rout Russian cuirassiers

Centre – 11^th corps prepare to attack Bayreuth

Right – Russian artillery rout French gunners

End of move 6

French attack Bayreuth

Left – Guard cavalry rout Russian gunners

Left – Guard cavalry routed by Russian infantry square

Centre – French infantry skirmish with garrison

Right – Cossacks rout French lancers and then threaten attack on town

Right – 1^st Russian corps advance towards fortified farm

End of move 8

French attack falters

Left – French infantry and artillery routed

Centre – Russians withdraw to northern half of Bayreuth

Right – Cossacks rout French infantry and gunners

End of move 10

French attack halts

Left – French retreat at end of firefight

Centre – French unable to secure southern half of Bayreuth

Right – French win melee, but unable to advance

 

Summary

 At nightfall the Russians still hold half of Bayreuth

They have three infantry brigades and two artillery batteries operational

The French have five infantry brigades, but no cavalry or artillery

The Russian gunners prevent the French infantry from holding half of city

 

The French have lost 5 infantry,4 cavalry and 1 artillery casualties (2500 men)

The Russians have lost 13 infantry, 5 cavalry and 1 artillery casualties (5800 men)

The French have 5 brigades in rout, the Russians have 9 brigades in rout