Historical Note
On November 16, 1805 for the battle of Schöngrabern (often named Hollabrunn), Marshal Murat had under his command the 4th and 5th Corps and the Reserve Cavalry for a total of 45,806 men. Major-General Prince Bagration's rear guard only totaled 7,300.
Kutusov learned of Murat's advance, taking the precaution of sending a detachment
of some 7,000 men to delay the French at Hollabrünn, 25 miles north-west of Vienna.
Murat came up with his vanguard and, believing that he had the whole Russian army in
front of him, resorted to a ruse similar to that which had proven so successful at
the crossing of the Danube.
(Note: On the morning of November 13, as the French vanguard reached Vienna,
the Austrians stood ready to demolish the bridges when they were deceived by Murat
and Lannes into believing that an armistice had already been concluded and that
hostilities had ceased. The French thereby had bluffed the Austrians into an
unapposed crossing.)
Murat now offered the Russians a truce in the expectation of gaining time for the arrival of reinforcements. Nothing could have better suited Kutusov: he was glad to continue futile negotiations while his main body made good its escape. Kutusov sent an aide-de-camp of the Russian Emperor --- "for there was never a want of such officers at the Russian headquarters" (Yorck von Wartenberg) --- to conclude an armistice with Murat, who agreed to advance no farther, while Kutusov promised to withdraw his forces from Germany when the armistice had been confirmed by Napoleon.
When Napoleon learned of this development on the morning of the 16th he flew into
a rage, sending this reprimand to his brother-in-law;
"I cannot find words to express my displeasure. You only command my vanguard
and have no right to agree to an armistice without my orders. You will cost me the
fruits of a campaign. End the armistice at once, and attack the enemy. Inform him that
the general who has signed this convention [Wintzingerode, a favorite of the Czar]
has no power to make it, that only the Russian Emperor has the right, and that
when the Russian Emperor ratifies this agreement, I will also ratify it. But it is only
a ruse. March, destroy the Russian army. You are in a position to take his baggage and
artillery."
(Correspondance de Napoleon Ier, XI 505 (No. 9497))
Thus spurred on, Murat lost no time in advising the Russians at 1:00pm that he would attack them at 5:00pm. Fighting lasted until 11:00pm with Russian losses of 3,139 men including 1,448 captured. This represented about a 43% loss. The French only used three Divisions of infantry for a total of about 20,661 men of which 1,200 were lost or 6% of those engaged.
Briefings and Orders of Battle
General-Major
Prince Petr Ivanovich Bagration : You have been ordered
to commence a rear guard action holding back the enemy as long as possible. A temporary
cease fire ends at 5:00pm today and you expect the enemy will attack at that time.
It is now 5:00pm on November 16th, what are your orders? For a
detailed Order of Battle click HERE
Maréchal Joachim Murat :
You have been ordered to attack the Russian rear guard in front of you at 5:00pm.
A temporary cease fire ends at that time. Although you have a number of Divisions
under your command you have placed these three in the front line to execute your attack.
Darkness will not allow you to commit any other troops. It’s now 5:00pm on November 16th,
what are your orders? For a detailed Order of Battle click
HERE.
After Action Report
Murat had placed Oudinot's Reserve Grenadiers in and behind Schöngrabern, Suchet's Division on his right and Legrand on the left. His plan was simple, both flank divisions would attack straight forward all the way to Grund. Oudinot would remain in reserve. Bagration planned a very aggressive defence with most of his troops in line defending the first stream. If the French broke through he planned another three defensive lines. Both Hussar Regiments were positioned outside of the orchard on his left to contest any French crossing of the stream from that direction. His only reserve, the 3rd Dragoons, was held between the orchard and Grund.
Murat's troops moved off to the attack promptly at 5:00pm. Legrand had the only plan that was not simply a direct assault. Half of his force would push forward but the other half would move off to his left and commence a turning attack once they had crossed the stream to their front. He envisioned they would simply roll up any opposition they would encounter.
The first unit into combat was the 2nd Battalion of the 18th Ligne who was leading the left wing attack. They attacked the Azov Regt in line who quickly unleashed a series of vollies. The effect was too much even for the veteran 18th. They fell back with a loss of 150 men, taking with them their 1st Battalion and the 1st Battalion of the 3rd Ligne. Legrand was stunned but he was determined to press on with his assault.
The two allied Hussar Regiments moved forward only to discover a large body of French cavalry sitting off in the distance behind the stream. This discovery brought an immediate halt to their advance.
At 5:30pm Suchet's first unit (1st Battalion of the 40th Ligne) blasted its way across the stream in line forcing back both the Narva Regt and Novgorod Regt. The Novgorod lost 150 men. Twenty minutes later the 1st Battalion of the 17th Legere crossed the stream in line and was counter-attacked by the 9th Grenz in line and a division of Cossacks. By the time they were able to force back these two units the Russians had managed to manhandle their 6lb. battery into position. The canister took down 150 men and forced the French back across the stream.
By 6:00pm it was dark but Legrand still pushed forward his second attack. This time the 75th Ligne attacked the Azov Regt with battalions in column. Once again the fire power from the musketeers was overwhelming and the French fell back. This was part of a joint attack that included the 26th Legere who attacked the Podolis Regt in two columns. These musketeers broke and routed through the orchard. Within twenty minutes the 26th was able to wheel into the rear of the valiant Azov. Unable to withstand this assault they surrendered.
In the darkness the 1st Battalion of the 64th Ligne stumbled out of the orchard, crossed the stream, and found themselves face to face with the allied Hussars. The Hussars reacted swiftly and the French routed back towards Schongrabern.
Bagration realizing that his right flank was now broken ordered his forces to withdraw. It was only about 7:30pm, but he was satisfied that his forces had performed well and knew that the French would not be able to pursue him in the darkness.
Conclusion
French lost 450 men and the Allies 450 men (in addition to 900 which were made prisoners) for a total loss of 1,350 men. This is about a third of the historical outcome which was partly due Bagration deciding to withdraw sooner than in the historical action where the fighting did not end until 11:00pm. Overall, the French attack was not coordinated and Oudinot's troops were never used. The Russians fought hard and held back the French long enough to achieve their objective. This was a very close call as both sides had difficult problems to overcome. The Russians get the nod for a victory due to their stubborn defense and the heroic actions of the Azov Musketeer Regiment.
