12 July 1813 – Battle of Boltenhagen

Tactical map of battle area

Marshal Murat has command of Third French Army
His task is to attack Boltenhagen

General Blucher has command of First Prussian Army
He has ordered 1st and 3rd corps to advance to support 2nd corps on the border

Third French Army – 12 infantry brigades, 3 cavalry brigade, 3 corps artillery
First Prussian Army – 12 infantry brigades, 3 cavalry brigade, 3 corps artillery

Table at start of battle

2nd Prussian corps is deployed in front of Boltenhagen
1st and 3rd Prussian corps have orders to join them on the Lubeck/Wismar border

Third French army will arrive at the top of the table at the start of move 1

End of move 2

French arrive on the table
9th corps move either side of the village towards hill on the left
CinC has taken command of half of 9th corps on right of village
8th corps arrive in centre and advance towards Boltenhagen
7th corps arrive on the right and advance to the right of farm

Prussians deploy in the centre
3rd corps arrive on the left and move onto hill
CinC takes command of half of 2nd corps left of the main road
2nd corps are deployed in the centre between road and woods
1st corps move through woods on the right

End of move 4

French fire on enemy gunners, no casualties
9th corps halt just short of hill
CinC fire on, and hit, infantry
8th corps halt and fire on enemy gunners, no casualties
7th halt cavalry charge and force Prussian hussars to retreat disordered

Prussians halt and deploy
3rd corps halt on hill
CinC landwehr brigade retreat disordered with 10% casualties
2nd corps artillery fire on enemy gunners, no casualties
1st corps occupy woods, cavalry retire disordered but rally

End of move 6

French lose cavalry melee and gunner casualties
9th corps cavalry lose melee and retreat shaken with 10% casualties
CinC artillery advance towards hill
8th corps artillery receive 10% casualties and are shaken
9th corps artillery receive 10% casualties and are shaken
9th corps cavalry win melee but lose 30% casualties

Prussians win artillery counter battery fire and cavalry melee
3rd corps win cavalry melee
CinC retreat infantry to avoid further artillery casualties
2nd corps artillery hit enemy gunners
1st corps artillery hit enemy gunners
1st corps cavalry lose cavalry melee and retreat with 30% casualties

End of move 8

Murat accepts defeat
9th corps cavalry fail morale and rout
CinC artillery fire on hill, no casualties
8th corps artillery move out of artillery range
7th corps cavalry rally with 30% casualties

Blucher retreats out of artillery range
3rd corps firmly hold hill
CinC retreat infantry out of artillery range
2nd corps withdraw out of artillery range
1st corps firmly hold woods

Summary

Prussians redeploy closer to town
French have lost too many cavalry and gunners to continue the attack
Prussians win battle

The French have lost 4 cavalry and 2 artillery casualties (600 men)
The Prussians have lost 3 cavalry and 2 infantry casualties (1100 men)