Historical Note
After the loss of Mack's army at Ulm, Michail Illarionovich Kutusov reversed his advance to gain time and ground until the allies could obtain sufficient reinforcements to replenish the loss. By November 5, 1805 Kutusov was aware that the French would soon be upon him. To delay them he ordered Prince Petr Ivanovich Bagration to conduct a rear guard action at Amstetten. Prior to the main battle Murat with only his escort of two squadrons attacked three Austrian cavalry regiments. Naturally, he was overwhelmed and fell back. Lucky for him the horse artillery had deployed and canistered the pursuing Austrians. Murat undaunted, charged them again!
Bagration's mixed force totaled 6,700 men, of which 400 were killed or wounded and 1,700 were taken prisoner (1,000 from Grenz #7). French numbers and losses are not known, but it is possible the French had 7,500 elite infantry, 650 hussars and one 8lb. horse battery available.
Briefings and Orders of Battle
General-Major Prince Petr Ivanovich Bagration (Commander Ie Column) :
Now aware of Mack's surrender at Ulm your army is in retreat. Your wagons have not
been able to keep up the pace of the withdrawal. Kutusov has ordered your force
to commence a rear guard action near the village of Amstetten. All the roads converge
here into one main road. The longer you can delay the French the better chance you
have of saving your supplies. How many French troops are pursuing you is unknown
as well as which roads they may be on. It’s now 10:00am November 5, 1805, how will you
deploy your forces and what are your orders? For a detailed
Order of Battle click HERE.
Maréchal Joachim Murat (Wing Commander) and
Maréchal Jean Lannes (Commander V Corps) : You have been ordered to pursue the
retreating Russians. You are personally leading Maréchal Lannes V Corps.
The 13th & 21st Chasseurs are moving on your flanks. You set off early in the day
taking with you the elite squadrons of the 9th and 10th Hussars. The rest of the
troops are following you. It’s now about 3:00pm on November 5, 1805. As you
approach an opening in the forest you have been traveling through your leading
troopers come rushing back to you stating the way ahead was blocked by a squadron
of Russian cavalry. You can now stop where you are and try and find out more about
the enemy ahead, fall back to your supporting units or draw your swords and attack
down the road. What are your orders? For a detailed Order of Battle click
HERE.
After Action Report
South of the Danube all roads lead to Amstetten which is located in a large clearing. By 10:00am Bagration had deployed his troops, the 7th Grenz in Amstetten, 6th Jaeger Regiment and a battery in a line south of the village. The Azov Musketeers were deployed some distance behind them and the Kiev Grenadiers still further back on the main road. The 9th Grenz were in a small forest north of the village, the cavalry was hidden behind.
Murat had set off at dawn with the elite squadrons of the 9th and 10th Hussars. By 3:00pm he had cleared the woods west of Amstetten and could see the 6th Jaegers. He held his position and waited for the balance of his column to arrive. By 4:00pm they were on the field and his scouts had informed him that Austrian cavalry was hidden behind a forest north of Amstetten. He deployed six battalions in front of Amstetten and ordered Lannes to take the village and destroy the 6th Jaegers. The balance of his force was deployed north of the main road in reserve.
Lannes was finally able to launch his troops at 6:00pm as the sun was starting to set. At 6:20pm these elite troops unleashed a series of deadly volleys into the outskirts of Amstetten and the 6th Jaegers. The allies were unable to effect a serious reply. Over 400 Jaegers and Grenz were killed or wounded, the remaining troops fled.
At 6:30pm Lannes sent a second battalion into Amstetten. The remaining Grenz battalion was no match for these troops and they quickly followed the other troops from the field. Bagration now ordered a withdrawal as darkness was quickly approaching, even though he still had six regiments in good order.
It was amazing to see the losses identical to the historical numbers. Who knows what would have happened if Murat had launched a full assault with all his troops!
