Campaign Summary

23 July 1813

Having crossed the river Elbe Blucher orders his corps to advance west until they make contact with the French. His strategic objective is Hanover, but he can not develop a plan until he locates the enemy corps.

Davout has received reports of a large scale Prussian advance over the river Elbe. He has ordered his corps to move east and take up defensive positions between Uelzen and Brunswick.

24 July 1813

The first battle of the campaign was east of the northern town of Uelzen.

This was an encounter battle between Reynier’s IV corps and Kleist’s 2^nd corps.

Reynier was defeated and retreated towards Munster

Both corps suffered light casualties

25 July 1813

A second encounter battle to the south between Steinhorst and Bodenteich

This time a French victory as Laurison’s V corps defeated Yorck’s 1^st corps

Yorck retreated east towards Salzwedel

Both corps suffered medium casualties

26 July 1813

When Marmont received news of the French victory he ordered an advance on Wolfsburg

Another French victory despite a determined defence by Tauentzien.

VI corps entered Wolfsburg and 4th corps withdrew east towards Kalbe

Light casualties meant both corps would soon be operational again

27 July 1813

Second Uelzen was the result of Kleist marching south to support Tauentzien

Reynier took advantage by marching to occupy Uelzen

IV corps took Uelzen but 2^nd corps managed to regain the Rosche road

Kleist suffered heavy casualties, leaving Reynier in a strong position

28 July 1813

After their third defeat of the campaign, the Prussian army retreated east to gain time to rest and recover.

The French had also suffered casualties, and Davout allowed them this one day to rest and recover.

29 July 1813

Blucher attacked XIII corps at Helmstedt with 3^rd and 4^th corps

Poniatowski withdrew east to allow time for VI corps to arrive

Marmont waited for orders and arrived too late to join the battle

XIII corps was broken and routed west on the Hanover road

30 July 1813

Two battles, one at Rosche and a second at Wolfsburg

Reynier attacked Kleist east of Rosche expecting an easy victory

2^nd corps fought with great determination, and eventually won the day

Both corps suffered heavy casualties

IV corps withdrew in disorder leaving their artillery behind

Wolfsburg was a complicated battle

Yorck and Marmont fought for possession of the town.

Both were attacked from the rear during this fight

In the confusion 1^st Prussian corps had to surrender two brigades

Prussians lost and retreated south towards Helmstedt.

31 July 1813

Prussian 1^st and 4^th corps retreated to Helmstedt

French V and VI followed them

Blucher ordered 3^rd corps to abandon march on Hanover

By nightfall three Prussian corps were concentrated against two French

1 August 1813

Davout fought Second Helmstedt to stop the Prussian advance on Hanover

He attacked with V and VI corps

Blucher held Helmstedt with 1^st and 2^nd corps and was much weaker than Davout

He ordered 3^rd corps to abandon their march on Hanover and return to Helmstedt

The result was a convincing Prussian victory

2 August 1813

Davout fled from the battlefield along the Wesendorf road with V and VI corps

His only desire was to put as many miles between him and Blucher as possible

He was relieved to find that the Prussian’s had not mounted a pursuit

Blucher had spent the day regrouping 1^st, 3^rd and 4^th corps on the Brunswick road

He was determined to march on Hanover in overwhelming force

2^nd Prussian corps was ordered south to guard his lines of communications

3 August 1813

Davout was relieved that the Prussians had not mounted a pursuit

By nightfall he had reached Celle with IV, V and VI corps.

Both V and VI corps carried battle casualties and were in need of a rest

A report from XIII corps at Peine that the Prussians were expected to attack at daybreak

He promised Poniatowski that if he decided to fight, Davout would march to support him

West of Peine Blucher prepared his three corps to attack at first light

4 August 1813

XIII corps decided to fight to hold Peine

Davout agreed to support them with IV, V and VI

IV corps did not arrive, but marched on Brunswick instead

Blucher attacked Peine with 1^st, 3^rd and 4^th corps and won the battle

XIII corps routed towards Hanover

Davout held a council of war with V and VI to decide what to do next

Unaware that IV corps was at Brunswick they decided to retreat to Celle.

5 August 1813

Second Peine was a disaster for the French

IV corps attacked Peine from Brunswick at first light

Unaware of their approach Davout had ordered V and VI corps to retreat to Celle.

The three Prussian corps were regrouping after yesterday’s battle.

IV corps attack on the farm caught Blucher by surprise.

1^st corps occupied the hill on their left and forced them to redeploy

IV corps failed to take the farm and lost two brigades

The remainder of the corps advanced towards the Celle road

They were held by 3^rd and 4^th corps, broke and fled back towards Brunswick

Another convincing victory for the Prussians.

6 August 1813

Blucher has entered Hanover and achieved his campaign objective

He has secured his lines of communication with Magdeburg

He has abandoned his pursuit of Davout in order to rest his army

Davout is fleeing north to Hamburg with V, VI and XIII corps

IV corps is also retreating to Hamburg, but in better order.

The campaign has been a convincing victory for Blucher

Campaign Casualties

At the end of the campaign total casualties are as follows:

IV French Corps

13 Infantry Brigade - 4

14 Infantry Brigade - 3

15 Infantry Brigade - 8

16 Infantry Brigade - 3

4 Cavalry Brigade - 0

4 Corps Artillery - 0

V French Corps

17 Infantry Brigade - 3

18 Infantry Brigade - 8

19 Infantry Brigade - 8

20 Infantry Brigade - 2

5 Cavalry Brigade - 3

5 Corps Artillery - 0

VI French Corps

21 Infantry Brigade - 8

22 Infantry Brigade - 7

23 Infantry Brigade - 0

24 Infantry Brigade - 3

6 Cavalry Brigade - 2

6 Corps Artillery – 4 (lost guns)

XIII French Corps

1 Infantry Brigade - 4

2 Infantry Brigade - 1

3 Infantry Brigade - 3

4 Infantry Brigade - 2

13 Cavalry Brigade - 0

13 Corps Artillery - 0

1 Prussian Corps

1 Infantry Brigade - 7

2 Infantry Brigade - 8

3 Infantry Brigade - 1

4 Infantry Brigade - 8

1 Cavalry Brigade - 2

1 Corps Artillery - 0

2 Prussian Corps

5 Infantry Brigade - 0

6 Infantry Brigade - 0

7 Infantry Brigade - 4

8 Infantry Brigade - 0

2 Cavalry Brigade - 0

2 Corps Artillery - 0

3 Prussian Corps

9 Infantry Brigade - 2

10 Infantry Brigade - 1

11 Infantry Brigade - 5

12 Infantry Brigade - 5

3 Cavalry Brigade - 4

3 Corps Artillery - 0

4 Prussian Corps

13 Infantry Brigade - 1

14 Infantry Brigade - 4

15 Infantry Brigade - 1

16 Infantry Brigade - 0

4 Cavalry Brigade - 2

4 Corps Artillery - 1

Campaign Move 45 – French Escape Prussian Pursuit

1600-2000 6 August 1813

2000 6 August 1813

4^th Prussian corps have entered Hanover and secured the city

1^st and 3^rd Prussian corps have secured the lines of communication to Magdeburg

2^nd Prussian corps are too far from Berkhof to attack the town

Davout’s V, VI and XIII corps have all reached Berkhof and will clear the town before daybreak. 2^nd Prussian corps has failed to take the town in time to cut their line of retreat to Hamburg.

IV corps has reached Wiesendorf and their retreat to Hamburg is secure.

Davout has abandoned his communications with his main supply depot at Hanover, and all four corps of his army are out of supply.

He has managed to break contact with the Prussian pursuit, but has had to abandon most of his artillery and baggage to do so.

Blucher has secured Hanover and achieved his campaign objective. He has also inflicted a crushing defeat on Davout.

Campaign Move 44 - French in Flight

1200-1600 6 August 1813

1600 6 August 1813

Prussian cavalry have entered Hanover and have thus achieved their campaign objective.

However Blucher still wants to corner the fleeing French, or at the very least prevent them from rallying.

He is approaching Hanover with the main body of 4th corps.

3rd corps has lost contact with IV corps and is marching on Brunswick. The Prussian lines of supply to Magdeburg are now open

2nd corps has entered Celle and is surprised to find no trace of XIII corps. Their cavalry report the presence of a large body of the enemy at Berkhof. The enemy is too large t o engage and the cavalry have fallen back towards Celle.

IV corps has broken contact with the Prussians and is making its way north to Hamburg via Wiesendorf.

V, VI and XIII corps are now all under the command of Davout, and are marching north to Hamburg via Berkhof. As they approach the town they encounter Prussian cavalry approaching from Celle. Davout orders XIII corps to secure the town to allow the badly battered V and VI corps to continue north.

Campaign Move 43 – French Army in Flight

0800-1200 6 August 1813

1200 6 August 1813

As the scale of his defeat at Peine sunk in Davout realised that his last chance of saving Hanover had gone. As he left the battlefield he issued orders for all four French corps to make their way to Hamburg as best they could.

He led the much depleted V and VI corps north towards Celle. His leading brigade reported that the town was held by Prussian cavalry, and he was well aware that neither corps was in any condition to fight to take the town. Both corps were ordered to abandon all of their wheeled baggage and flee cross country towards Berkhof.

IV corps had returned to Brunswick during the night, and as they arrived received Davout’s orders to march to Hamburg. At first light they march north towards Wisendorf, all of the time anxious for any sign of 2nd Prussian corps.

XIII corps had already abandoned Hanover. Before down they received orders which Davout had written at noon the previous day, ordering them to retreat to Hamburg. At first light they marched north towards Berkhof.

Blucher rested his army on the battlefield overnight. He was aware that Davout had retreated towards Celle and Reynier towards Brunswick. But he had not received any reports about Poniatowski at Hanover. He was determined to pursue the French and prevent them halting and rallying.

The badly depleted 1st corps was ordered to garrison Peine. 4th corps would march on Hanover at first light and secure the campaign objective. 3rd corps would march on Brunswick and pursue IV corps. The last report from 2nd corps confirmed that they were approaching Celle, and he was convinced that they would capture Davout.

Campaign Move 42 – Battle of Peine Day Two

1600 - 2000 5 August 1813

Table at 2000

The Prussians were badly deployed to meet the combined attack of the three French corps. 1st corps held the hill, but had no enemy within artillery range. They were waiting for new orders from Blucher. 3rd corps had left the farm, but were not yet in position to hold V and VI corps. 4th corps had won the fight for the farm, but were still widely dispersed. Their artillery were covering the same area of 1st corps artillery and were also without any enemy target.

Blucher had taken personal command of 4th corps, because he did not trust Tauentzien to handle his largest and reserve corps. They had to move from reserve around Peine to deploy around the farm. Their initial deployment was to meet the expected IV corps attack between the farm and the hill, but the French had moved their attack to the north against 3rd corps.

IV corps attack was short lived.

A Prussian square held the French cuirassiers at bay. Two infantry brigades advanced against the square, but in doing so screened their own artillery. The square held their own against the leading brigade, which allowed a second brigade to advance through the farm and charge the flank of the two French brigades.

The leading French brigade was cut down. The cuirassiers were on the far right wing, and unable to come to their support. The second infantry brigade broke and ran into the nearby gunners. Both the gunners and the cavalry were shaken.

Seeing the destruction of IV corps, Davout ordered V and VI to fall back towards Celle. It was too late for V corps, who were already broken and running away, taking their cavalry with them. Only VI corps remained to cover the retreat.

It was not necessary to order IV corps to withdraw towards Brunswick, the four infantry brigades were already broken and running in that direction. The cavalry soon broke and followed, leaving the gunners to withdraw their guns as best they could.

As night fell both wings of the French army were in headlong retreat. Half towards Brunswick and half towards Celle. Blucher’s three corps were in no position to launch an immediate pursuit, but could be expected to do so at first light.

If Celle was indeed held by 2nd Prussian corps Davout is in serious trouble.

Campaign Move 41 – Battle of Peine Day Two

1200 - 1600 5 August 1813

Table at 1600

The appearance of IV corps has caught Blucher by surprise, and he is slow to deploy his army to meet the new threat.

1^st corps are dispatched to take the high ground south of the farm. 3^rd corps move from the farm to face the Celle road. 4^th corps are ordered to garrison the farm as their left flank and deploy between the farm and the high ground allocated to 1^st corps.

The Prussians started the battle with only one cavalry brigade, and lost that in the early moves. So their deployment is much disrupted by the two French cavalry brigades.

Davout has two corps available on the Celle road, but both of them are below half strength. One has already started to retire to Celle, and is now marching back. He can not take any offensive action until both are ready to advance.

So throughout this period IV corps set the pace. Reynier is determined to attack the Prussians, not just join forces with Davout. To this end he intends to take the farm, and split the enemy in half. He has deployed his corps to take the farm with his right wing, and hit 4^th corps before they can deploy. He is unaware that 1^st corps have orders to take the hill which overlooks his left flank.

As IV corps approach the farm, 1^st corps deploy on the hill within canister range of their left flank. Reynier orders his corps to swing to the right, which will bring him nearer to Davout. His left wing will now attack the farm, and his right wing hit 3^rd corps as they deploy to meet Davout.

Davout joins Reynier and orders him to attack the farm. 1^st corps artillery continue to fire on the nearest brigade and 4^th corps artillery deploy to support the farm. By the time the two French brigades reach the farm they have already suffered casualties, and are soon driven out of the farm in rout.

All now depends on the right wing of IV corps. The cuirassier brigade is held in check by a Prussian square, but the remaining two infantry brigades now advance to attack. The artillery is unable to support, as they have had to redeploy from the left to the right flank.

As IV corps attack starts Davout receives a report that Prussian cavalry have been sighted approaching Celle. The loss of that town would cut his only line of retreat. He surmises that the cavalry belong to 2^nd Prussian corps, and if they take Celle he would be caught between two Prussian forces.

He must decide whether to order an immediate withdrawal and secure his lines of communication, or to advance to support Reynier and hopefully smash Blucher. He orders an advance on the farm. It is now all or nothing.

Campaign Move 40 – Battle of Peine Day Two

0800 - 1200 5 August 1813

Table at 1200

Blucher was not expecting to fight a second day.

The previous evening XIII corps had routed towards Hanover. V and VI corps were retiring towards Celle. IV corps were at Brunswick, but were not expected to attack. Blucher rested his army overnight, but sent one cavalry brigade to pursue XIII corps.

Davout was not aware that IV corps were at Brunswick and had ordered V and VI corps to retire to Celle. He supervised the retreat from high ground north of Peine, and was surprised to see IV corps march towards Peine from Brunswick. He immediately sent orders for V and VI corps to return to support IV corps.

The Prussians lost their only cavalry brigade early in the battle, and the French cavalry were able to delay the Prussian deployment. By midday the Prussian infantry were still deploying.

Meanwhile IV corps was approaching the farm. V corps was back on the battlefield and VI corps returning.

1^st Prussian corps has only one infantry brigade and their corps artillery. They took position on a hill overlooking IV corps, but out of sight of the French. By midday they were ready to advance to the northern edge of the hill and fire on the French.

Blucher held a strong central position, but was slow to get into position to defend it

Davout commanded two widely separated wings, and would have to coordinate them both if he was to stand any chance of defeating the Prussians.

French council of war on Peine battlefield

2000 4 August 1813

By 2000 on 4 August 1813 it was clear to Marshal Davout he had suffered a major defeat at Peine. XIII corps was in rout towards Hanover, and both V and VI corps were reduced to half strength. He was facing a Prussian army of at least double his strength.

He had only agreed to fight Peine because IV corps promised to arrive in time. When they failed to do so he thought that they had been engaged by 4^th Prussian corps. In fact they had marched south and taken Brunswick

As night fell Davout called a council with Laurison (V corps) and Marmont (VI corps). He explained the position as follows:

Gentlemen

I have just returned from Peine where I have tried, but failed, to stem the headlong retreat of XIII corps. The earliest that General Poniatowski can hope to rally his corps would be tomorrow night in or near Hanover. However if the Prussians pursue then such a rally is most unlikely. We can look for no support from XIII corps.

My last communication from General Reynier was written at 2000 3^rd August 1813. He confirmed that IV corps was at Wesendorf and that he intended to bring his corps to join us at Celle. His failure to do so had led me to fear that he has been delayed by 2^nd Prussian corps and prevented from joining us. We can look for no support from IV Corps

V and VI corps have only received light casualties during today’s battle. However both have suffered heavy casualties during Second Helmstedt. Together they can field:

1 cavalry brigade

4 infantry brigades

1 artillery brigade

I estimate that Blucher has

2 cavalry brigades

8 infantry brigades

3 artillery brigades

V and VI corps are in a very exposed position, and must retreat during the night to Celle. Despite this they will be capable of fighting again at first light on 5 August 1813.

If the Prussians take Hanover we will have lost our major supply depot. We will then have to organise a new depot of Hamburg. This would require at least two infantry brigades and would take seven days. During that time we would have to accept attrition at the rate of one casualty per day.

We must now decide whether it would be advisable to engage the Prussians at first light, or whether it would be wiser to retreat to Hamburg, recover our casualties and prepare a new main supply base.

We have three options:

First Halt at Celle and fight if attacked

Second Advance from Celle and attack the Prussians at Peine

Third Retreat at daybreak towards Hamburg

I strongly recommend that we halt at Celle and establish communication with IV corps.

I invite your comments and recommendations.

Davout

Laurison voted to retire to Celle

Marmont voted to attack Peine at first light

After the meeting Davout issued the following orders:

Gentlemen

General Laurison recommended that we retreat to Celle and halt there to rest and reorganize.

Marshal Marmont recommended that we attack Peine. In support of his suggestion Marmont reports that a captured Prussian hussar maintained that a French corps was at Brunswick

Given the lack of contact with General Reynier since he confirmed he was marching to join us at Celle, I find it most unlikely that he has somehow appeared at Brunswick. I suspect that this is much more likely to be a ploy of the wily Blucher to tempt us to hold our position so that he can attack us with his much larger army.

If he is indeed at Brunswick, he will no doubt retreat towards Wesendorf when he hears of our recent defeat.

It is my considered opinion that it would be far too dangerous for us to fight a second day’s battle when we are now outnumbered two to one.

We will retreat to Celle at first light. Hopefully this will force Blucher to move north, and allow XIII corps to halt at Hanover and recover there. Once we are deployed at Celle I will send cavalry patrols towards Wesendorf to locate IV corps.

At first light we will retreat to Celle. As VI corps is nearest to that town they will lead the march. V corps will follow behind. Both corps combined are so reduced in numbers that they can only field one full corps. There will be sufficient space in J5 for them to move together.

I will continue to command both corps during the march, as it is quite possible that Blucher will attack us on the march.

Davout

Campaign Move 39 – Battle of Peine Day One

1600 - 2000 4 August 1813

Table at 2000

The battle was now entering its critical stage.

On the Prussian right, 3^rd corps had occupied the farm and were exchanging artillery fire with V corps. The farm was within short range of the French 12 pounder guns and the garrison was taking casualties.

VI corps now arrived and deployed alongside V corps. 3^rd corps were strong enough to hold both V and VI corps, but they were too far back to protect the right flank of 1^st corps.

1^st corps had moved down from the hill and were exchanging skirmish fire with the left flank of XIII corps. Although only two brigades strong, they were also supported by artillery. The Prussians gradually gained the upper hand, and advanced into fire fight range of the French line.

This move exposed their right flank to the cuirassier brigade of V corps. The cavalry charged, and the infantry failed to form square in time. The result was the whole infantry brigade were cut down. The remaining Prussian infantry brigade formed square, which held the cavalry at bay. The Prussian artillery opened fire at short range on the French horsemen, who took heavy casualties and routed.

On the Prussian left 4^th corps were closing with the right and centre of XIII corps. Their approach was slowed by the threat from the lancer brigade on their left flank. This was countered by the left hand Prussian brigade forming square, and the whole corps advanced in line with the square. As they did so the lancers were forced to fall back.

As 4^th corps closed with XIII corps they exchanged skirmish fire. Again the Prussians gained the upper hand. They continued to advance into short range musket range and the Polish infantry were soon overpowered by the heavier numbers of Prussian infantry.

The first Prussian brigade to rout had a knock on effect along the whole line. All four infantry brigades were soon in rout, and eventually joined by the lancers. Only the gunners managed to keep their morale and withdrew with their guns. Davout managed to rally one infantry brigade, who covered the gunners as they retreated.

As night fell the whole of XIII corps was in rout down the Hanover road. Both V and VI corps held their ground, but faced with odds of more than two to one they retreated towards Celle as night fell.

Davout called a battlefield council of war with V and VI corps commanders. Laurison voted to retire to Celle and attempt to hold the town. Marmont was in favour of attacking Peine at first light. Davout was not prepared to fight a second day, particularly at odds of two to one against him. He had only agreed to fight at Peine at all because IV corps had promised to join him. Their failure to do so was another cause for concern, and he feared that they had been engaged by 2^nd Prussian corps further to the north. He ordered a retreat to Celle, where he would rest and regroup V and VI corps and attempt to make contact with IV corps.

He was not aware that IV corps was just 15 miles to the west. As night fell they entered Brunswick, and by taking the town had cut Blucher’s communications with Magdeburg. The Prussian army prevented any direct communications between them and Davout, so Reynier would have to decide whether to risk an attack on Peine at first light, or take the safe option and retire north to join forces with Blucher at Celle.