15 July 1813 – Battle of Ludwigslust – Day Two

Tactical map of battle area

The Prussians claimed a victory because they held the town at nightfall
However they had not defeated 2nd French army.
They had withdrawn to the town without a fight

Overnight Yorck reorganised his army
He used the weakest infantry brigade in each corps to reinforce the rest
He did the same with the cavalry brigades and corps artillery for the army

Victor attacked again at first light

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

2nd French Army – 11 infantry brigades, 3 cavalry brigade, 3 corps artillery
3rd Prussian Army – 9 infantry brigades, 2 cavalry brigade, 2 corps artillery

Table at start of battle

French deploy out of artillery range
6 corps – cavalry and 2 infantry brigades
Cinc – keep command of artillery and 2 brigades from 6th corps
5 corps – ordered to attack town
4 corps – occupy farm and prepare to attack

Prussian occupy town and cross roads
9 corps – hold bridge with cavalry and two brigades
Cinc – taken command of artillery and one brigade from 9th corps
8 corps – occupy town, no cavalry or artillery
7 corps – hold woods

End of move 2

French artillery move into range
6 corps – hold bridge
Cinc – artillery move into range of cavalry on west bank
5 corps – artillery fire on garrison, 10% casualties
4 corps – artillery fire on woods, no casualties

Prussian wait for French to advance
9 corps – hold bridge
Cinc – counter battery fire, no casualties
8 corps – garrison pass morale test for 10% casualties
7 corps – hold woods

End of move 4

French attack
6 corps – cavalry win melee, infantry advance
Cinc – artillery manhandle forward to keep within range
5 corps – artillery hit garrison again, infantry advance
4 corps – artillery hit woods, cavalry advance

Prussian retreat out of artillery range
9 corps – cavalry fail morale and retreat disordered
Cinc – infantry retreat out of artillery range
8 corps – garrison of right half of town retreat out of artillery range
7 corps – infantry in woods retreat out of artillery range

End of move 6

French extensive fighting
6 corps – cavalry lose melee and rout, taking one brigade with them
Cinc – attack between river and town
5 corps – skirmish with garrison
4 corps – win cavalry melee, two brigades rout due to artillery fire

Prussian extensive fighting
9 corps – win cavalry melee, hold bridge
Cinc –retreat artillery to main line road over bridge
8 corps – garrison of town withdraw to near edge of town
7 corps – cavalry lose melee and rout, taking brigade with them

End of move 8

French take Ludwigslust
6 corps – rally, but fail to take bridge
Cinc – infantry pursue Prussians, artillery redeploy to support 6 corps
5 corps – occupy Ludwigslust
4 corps – pursue Prussians

Prussians abandon Ludwigslust and retreat
9 corps – continue to hold bridge
Cinc – infantry and artillery rout
8 corps – withdraw from Ludwigslust and retreat
7 corps – three brigades rout, remainder retreat

Summary

French occupy town and take woods
Prussian have five brigades in rout and remainder retreat
French win battle

The French have lost 7 infantry and 1 cavalry casualties (2900 men)
The Prussians have lost 6 infantry, 2 cavalry and 2 artillery casualties (2800 men)