Historical Note
Zehdenick was a small affair fought on October 26, 1806 between the Prussian GM Christian Ludwig Schimmelpfennig von der Oye's reduced command and the French cavalry commanded by GB Antoine-Charles-Louis Lasalle and GD Emmanuel, Marquis de Grouchy supported by GD Marc-Antoine de la Bonninière Comte de Beaumont. After crossing the Havel River early in the day Schimmelpfennig's rear guard outside of Zehdenick was attacked by LaSalle at noon. The Prussians managed to beat back LaSalle until Grouchy arrived. The combined French force was too much for the Prussians to stop. They were gradually overwhelmed and destroyed.
Prussian Commander :
GM Christian Ludwig Schimmelpfennig von der Oye :
It is October 26, 1806 and your force has been being trying to regroup with the main army
for the last few days but so far a central gathering point has not been established.
Today your command crossed the Havel River at Zehdenick and is heading towards Templin.
By noon most of your command has cleared the area (off table) except the rear guard when
Yorck informs you that French Hussars are at Zehdenick and that he needs reinforcements. In response,
you immediately send him your Hussars (Schimmelpfennig) and Wobeser's Dragoons and order the
Queen's Dragoons to hold the clearing north west of the forest for as long as possible.
Light Cavalry Division Commander : GB Antoine-Charles-Louis Lasalle :
It is October 26, 1806 and you are in pursuit of Hohenlohe's defeated army. At noon as you
depart Zehdenick you observe Prussian infantry north west of you at the edge of the forest.
Convinced that these troops are already beaten you deploy your cavalry to attack them.
Following you (about an hour behind) is Grouchy's Dragoon Division and close behind him is
Beaumont. No other French troops are known to be near by.
For a detailed French Order of Battle click HERE.
Zehdenick Map :
After Action Report
Schimmelpfennig's main column, composed mainly of demoralized and broken troops, passed through Zehdenick in the early hours of the day. At noon LaSalle spotted some infantry north east of the village and attacked them. The Prussians managed to beat back LaSalle's hussars until cavalry reinforcements arrived. Grouchy also arrived at almost the same time. The combined attacks by LaSalle and Grouchy destroyed the Prussian cavalry. The Prussian infantry moved into the woods and then withdrew.
Both sides fought hard and did not make any obvious errors. The battle played out very close to what actually happened. Since the Prussians were unable to improve in any way over the historical outcome victory goes to the French.
