14 July 1813 – Battle of Ludwigslust

Tactical map of battle area

Napoleon orders 2nd French army to attack Ludwigslust
This will keep up the pressure on the retreating Prussian army
It may also force 2nd Prussian army, in the north, to fall back on Boltenhagen
Both armies have moderate campaign casualties

2nd French army is commanded by Marshal Victo
3rd Prussian army is commanded by General Yorck

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

Table at start of battle

French will enter the top of the table at the start of move 1
6 corps – on the left
cinc – between inn and river
5 corps – in the centre
4 corps – on the right

Prussian army are deployed in front of Ludwigslust
9 corps – on the left of the river Elbe
cinc – has taken command of half of 9 corps
8 corps – in the centre, Ludwigslust is not occupied
7 corps - on the right

End of move 2

French have arrived at the top of the table
6 corps – advance on the left bank of the river Elbe
cinc – between river and inn, taken command of half of 6 corps
5 corps – advance in the centre between inn and woods
4 corps – advance on the right, through and either side of woods

Prussian army wait for French to come within artillery range
9 corps – on the left bank of river Elbe
cinc – taken command of half of 9 corps, on the right bank of river Elbe
8 corps –in the centre
7 corps – on the right and have occupied farm

End of move 4

French halt and deploy out of artillery range
Man handle their guns into range
6 corps – cavalry advance into charge range
cinc – halt and deploy infantry and cavalry out of artillery range
5 corps – halt and deploy infantry and cavalry out of artillery rang
4 corps – artillery open fire and hit infantry

Prussian artillery open fire, no casualties
9 corps – wait for French to approach
cinc – 6pdr guns ineffective against gunners
8 corps – artillery open fire, no casualties
7 corps – infantry receive 10% casualties and retreat shaken

End of move 6

French artillery open fire on infantry
6 corps – win cavalry melee
Cinc – artillery fire on infantry, no casualties
5 corps – artillery fire on infantry, who receive 10% casualties
4 corps – artillery fire on garrison, who receive 10% casualties

Prussian artillery fire on gunners (infantry out of range)
9 corps – cavalry lose melee and retreat shaken
Cinc – 6pdr artillery too weak for counter battery fire
8 corps – infantry fail morale and retreat shaken
7 corps – garrison pass morale test and continue to hold farm

End of move 8

French attack bridge and farm
6 corps – secure bridge and send cavalry over river
Cinc – artillery cause infantry casualties
5 corps – artillery rout enemy gunners
4 corps – capture farm

Prussian start to retreat towards town
9 corps – cavalry routed, infantry retreat in square
Cinc – retreat in square to avoid artillery and cavalry crossing river
8 corps – gunners routed, corps retreat towards town
7 corps – farm garrison routed, remainder of corps retreat towards woods

End of move 10

French secure bridge and farm
6 corps – halt at bridge
Cinc - regroup
5 corps –regroup
4 corps –regroup

Prussian retreat to Lugwigslust
9 corps – retreat and abandon brigade
Cinc – retreat
8 corps –retreat
7 corps – retreat and abandon farm

Summary

The Prussians have lost more casualties
They have also lost the bridge on their left and the farm on their right
General Yorck orders a general retreat to Ludwigslust

It is too late for the French to pursue
Marshal Victor orders them to regroup
If the Prussians do not retreat he will attack again tomorrow

The French have lost 1 artillery casualty (100 men)
The Prussians have lost 6 infantry, 1 cavalry and 2 artillery casualties (2700 men)