Battle of Possneck – Move 2

1300-1400  14 August 1813

Table at the start of move 2

French hold town and start to deploy to right and left

 Russians advance from the right

French Centre – 4^th division

General Vial (Poor)

8 Command Points

Orders – Hold Possneck

13^th regiment occupy Possneck

Artillery unlimber

Infantry form column of attack

16^th hussars charge 1^st Cossacks

Cossacks test to counter charge (total 4- counter charge)

Cavalry melee is a draw, both sides halt disordered

Marshal Victor (Average)

5 Command Points

Move to join 3^rd division

Change their orders to “Engage Russian  right"

Move to join 14^th division

French Left – 3^rd division

General Dubreton (Average)

9 Command Points

Orders – Engage Russian Right

Cavalry advance 14”

Artillery advance 16” (double move)

Infantry advance 8”

Russian Right – 8^th division

General Melnikow (Poor)

8 Command Points

Orders – Attack

4^th cuirassier advance and form line beside 3^rd hussars

Artillery and infantry advance 8”  

   

French Right – 14^th division

General Maison (Poor)

8 Command Points

Orders - Skirmish

Cavalry form line and advance 24” (double move)

General move to centre of division

5^th and 6^th infantry advance 8”

Russian Centre – 7^th division

General Woroncow (Average)

9 Command Points

Orders - Attack

Cuirassiers advance 8” to support Cossacks

Infantry and artillery advance behind cavalry screen

Cossacks continue melee with hussars, French cavalry win

Cossacks lost 20% casualties and retire 8” shaken

Hussars lost 10% casualties and halt disordered

General Wintzingerode (Average)

6 Command Points

Move to 7^th division change orders to “Hold”

Move to join 9^th division

Russian Left – 9^th division

General Rudzewitsch (Poor)

8 Command Points

Orders – Attack

Division moves towards edge of hill

Game Notes

The 5^th hussar brigade find themselves isolated in front of 3^rd French division

They are outnumbered and it will be difficult to withdraw

The division commander orders them to charge the nearest Cossack regiment

The first round of melee is fought on Engage orders and is a draw

The second is fought on Attack orders and the Cossacks lose and retreat shaken

The remainder of 7^th Russian division are unable to advance

To their left 9^th Russian division is advancing very slowly on the hill

They move to their right to descend the hill next to 7^th division

The French have gained an advantage by attacking with their leading cavalry.

This has delayed the Russian deployment and allowed the other two French divisions to deploy left and right of Possneck.

Wargame rules can be found at

http://napoleonicwargamerules.blogspot.com/