The Adventures of Henri Bonhomme - Episode 3: The Battle of Wurzen

Previous Episodes

Episode 1: The Affair at Seusslitz

Episode2: The Battle of Blasthof Bridge

Episode 3: The Battle of Wurzen - 26 September 1813

The narrowness of Henri Bonhomme’s escape at Blasthof four days ago did not bother him. Yes it was a close thing, but like the affair at Seusslitz a day earlier it had cost him little in manpower. He had managed to get his wagon load of loot onto the right side of the Pizzlewitz River and he had successfully reunited his division.

What did worry him was the sight of Marshal Macdonald, his corps chief, approaching his tent.

“Good morning Henri,” said the Marshal.

“Good Morning, sir,” Bonhomme replied, bowing slightly. He had known Macdonald since Egypt and they were good friends, but there was still a formality that came with the hierarchy of command.

“What’s this I hear of your turning back during the retreat?” the Marshal asked.

Bonhomme had hoped his indiscretion would go unnoticed, but he had rehearsed his answer all the same. “A foraging party was holed up near Seusslitz by some Austrians, Sir. We extracted them after a slight skirmish.”

“They say you turned a whole brigade back.”

“Yes Sir,” Bonhomme replied calmly. “The party asked for help and led me to believe that they were facing a brigade. It turned out to be a lesser force.”

“A foraging party...you weren’t up to your old tricks were you Henri?” The Marshal was well aware of Bonhomme's taste for fine art. “And you nearly got caught east of the river I believe?”

“Yes sir, some cossacks burned the bridge and we had to rebuild it. It took a while and some Prussians and Austrians tried to stop us. We gave them a bloody nose,” he said, deliberately avoiding the implication of about his personal foraging.

“Oh well,” said Macdonald, seemingly accepting Bonhomme’s casual explanation, then with a smile continued "maybe we should call you Bon-chance"! Then turning back to a serious tone he continued, “we may see some action today, Henri. The enemy is close. Whatever happens we need to avoid a general engagement. The Emperor has plans, but we need to concentrate east of here first. We need to hold position here until tomorrow while others pass behind us. I don't trust some of these new units, Henri, there are just too many raw recruits. I want you in the second line. If anyone attacks us you are my counterstroke. But any action must be defensive...no general engagement - we are just holding them off. Understood?”

“Yes sir”.

“I will assign some more cavalry to your support.” With that Macdonald looked away and paused. “There is a big fight brewing Henri, bigger than anything we could expect today, possibly the biggest we have seen. It won’t be today or tomorrow. Maybe not even next week, but it's coming and we will be fighting for our lives. There are Russians, Austrians, Prussians and Swedes converging on us in big numbers. I don’t think we will be able to beat them in detail. Make sure you are ready.”

Bonhomme nodded. Macdonald patted him on his shoulder and strode off without another word.

Baillard was beside him, “That could have been awkward...a foraging party...I guess that's one way to describe it.”

Bonhomme looked directly at him and said, “Gather everything we have, get it into one wagon and get it back to France. Pick six good men to accompany you and pay them well.”

Baillard knew what to do and set off. Bonhomme went to see to his troops.

*******

Boris Knockerov was aged 64, but this grizzled faced soldier looked much older. He had joined the army in the late 1760's under Catherine the Great and in her service had fought the fought the Turks twice, then the Swedes and the Poles. In the War of the Second Coalition he served with Suvarov in Italy and Switzerland. He fought on the Persian frontier in 1804, in Finland in 1807 and against the Turks again in 1811. He arrived too late to fight at Borodino, but led a division during the French retreat, playing a vital role in the victory at Maloyaroslsvets. Now with the army in Germany he commanded the advanced guard of the Russian army moving to crush Bonaparte.

Kutusov himself had given him the command, "bring him back in a cage, Boris," he had said, "in a cage!" He was fond of the old man..."old man," he thought, "he was only two years older than me" ... they had fought the Turks together 35 years ago, but Kutusov was dead now and buried in St Petersburg. 

It was mid-morning when orders came from Schwarzenberg to take his command forward and move on Wurzen, some 25 kilometers east of Leipzig. This simple market town was of seemingly little importance, but through it ran a road that would carry one third of the army in the final advance on Leipzig. The French were in position there and their continued occupation of the place would force a large part of the army onto two southerly routes, causing congestion and risk a disruptive attack by the French. Knockerov was to attack the French, clear the town and open the road. The Austrian division of General Baron Hockmeister was assigned as support if he should need it.

He thought. “Support!...from Hockmeister...more like a bloody hinderance”. Holzinger, commander of the advanced guard, was compenent enough for an Austrian, but if ever that was a man less suited for military command it was Hockmeister. If you wanted some sort of fool to perform at a social event he was the man, but as Barclay de Tolly had said of him “...his skills are better suited to the marital than the martial arena.” He would plan his battle without Austrian help if he could.

Knockerov had available to him a rather unorthodox yet hard hitting force. The largest part of the command was Major General Pietor Lachinov’s 26th Infantry Division, a unit that had fought in the thick of it at Borodino, but its ranks had been considerably weakened by the intake of so many raw recruits. Lieutenant General Prince Mikhail Smirnov’s division was made up of a brigade of guards and a small brigade of the combined grenadiers from the 26th Division. Major General Nikolai Chargenoff commanded three brigades of cavalry.

The cossacks reported that the French were around Wurzen in some strength. They could identify four divisions in the area, but they were spread across a wide front. Their left was in the air, with no force or terrain feature to secure it. Knockerov sent a light cavalry briagde and all of the cossacks to see just how vulnerable that postion was. Word quickly came back that the French were indeed vulnerable there. Their left appeared to be held by a weak division with little artillery. The appearance of the cavalry and cossacks had caused panic and at least one brigade had fallen back several hundred paces. The way in which they moved did not indicate disciplined troops.

Knockerov decided strike from his right, against that weak French left. On the extreme right he would place the light cavalry, two cossack sotnyas and a horse battery. Then would come the 26th division with the jager brigade on the right and the two musketeer brigades on their left. Next in line would be the combined grenadiers with the guards brigade behind them. The two brigades of cavalry, one of cuirassiers and one of dragoons would stand behind the centre, ready to exploit any gaps. More cossacks would extend beyond the extreme left. The whole attack would be delivered en-echelon from the right. As a precaution Knockerov sent instructions to the bumbler Hockmeister to bring up his division and form it to the rear of the Russian divisions.

The divisions would move forward at noon and action was expected at 2:00.

*******

Hockmeister received the order from Knockerov at 11:00 in that usual abrupt Russian manner. "Position your division behind 26th Division. Be prompt. Your full support is expected." 

"Why am I supporting the Russians," he thought. "We are the larger partner in this command. They should be dancing to our tune." Still orders are orders. He told his ADCs to make the arrangements while he sought some lunch. He rode past a small farm towards the field kitchen. The milkmaids were at work and a very pretty pair they were too. Maybe he should introduce himself? 

"Well good morning ladies", he said in a way that many people would find creepy, but before he could speak another word...

"Why aren't your troops moving?" It was the gruff voice of Knockerov, in his appallingly bad German.

Hockmeister was still eyeing up the prettiest milkmaid, "orders are given, sir," he said casually.

"Get them moving now! We attack at 2:00 and you must support. Get them going!" The Russian snapped.

"Bloody peasant," Hockmeister thought."Yes sir," he said and grudgingly turned away from his milkmaids.

*******

Macdonald’s Corps was bivouacked east of Wurzen. It consisted of four infantry divisions with the II Cavalry Corps in support. Three infantry divisions held a front line that extended across nearly five kilometers. A light cavalry brigade screened the front and Bonhomme’s Division, the largest in the Corps, along with the heavy cavalry stood in the second line.

The morning passed peacefully enough and the men rested after several days of hard marching, but as morning passed to afternoon the light cavalry reported increased activity across the front and the appearance of cossacks on the left of the line held by the 31st division caused a minor panic amongst the provisional battalions and Neapolitan troops that made up the bulk of that division. Recognising that his left was in the air Macdonald ordered Bonhomme to shift left and position himself directly behind the 31st. The heavy cavalry division was put at his disposal.

Bonhomme remained alert and a little after 1:30 PM the enemy activity increased dramatically. Cavalry masses were sighted and skirmisher activity began to escalate. Bonhomme called his division to arms.

A little after 2:00 PM the enemy guns opened and a serious attack developed. 

To his concern Bonhomme saw the Neapolitans and the Westphalian battalions of the 31st Division give way, although four battalions of Provisional troops were holding on the extreme left. Bonhomme rode forward to see the action for himself. He had not gone further that 50 meters before he saw that things were going from bad to worse.

A significant body of infantry, perhaps six or more battalions by the number of flags he counted, was advancing directly for the gap left by the departure of the Neopolitans. He galloped back to his division. On the way he encountered Macdonald.

"In you go Henri. Hit them hard, but watch your left, I'm not sure about those provisionals. I have sent some light cavalry to their support and they will answer to you. The cuirassiers are with you too. If you can look after the left, I'll take the right."

Bonhomme was pleased to have the confidence of his commander. "Yes sir," he said and without further word Macdonald was on his way. Bonhomme called for his first brigade, Pouget's, to move forward. With seven battalions, Pouget's was the strongest in the division. The second was to support and the third was ready to move left if the provisionals collapsed. The cuirassiers, two brigades of four regiments each, were stood to. Right there in the centre of things Bonhomme was in his happy place.

*******

Knockerov was pleased with the way in which his troops had responded to the command to advance. The advance of the cavalry and the cossacks had turned the French left and forced them into square. The four battalions of jagers then formed ready to attack while the divisional artillery opened.

The three batteries pounded the French lines at a range of 700 paces. The damage was horrific with huge holes being torn in the French line. After the guns had fired six salvos, Knockerov ordered the jagers forward. The gunners then turned their attention to the next part of the French line.

The jagers went forward swiftly and the French brigade in front of them broke and fled before the jagers closed within 200 meters. The jagers pressed on, reforming on the spot when the French had stood.

Meanwhile the guns ravaged the next group of French and when two of the jager battalions turned towards them, threatening their left flank, these French too, turned and ran. A huge gap had opened in the French line. Knockerov could sense a victory and ordered the musketeers, all eight battalions, forward into the gap.

He ordered two regiments of cuirassiers forward to exploit any breakthrough. For now he held back the guards, grenadiers and dragoons.

*******

Pouget had formed the brigade in two lines, the first in order mixe - a battalion on each flank in column of divisions and two battalions in line in between - and to the rear stood three battalions in column of divisions. Bonhomme accompanied them for a while, but Pouget knew his business Bonhomme took a position further back from where he could better observe the action. 

The Russians were advancing in their narrow platoon columns on a broad front. Pouget halted 200 paces from them and let them come on. When they closed to 100 paces the French delivered a volley that cut into the dense Russian columns. The advance staggered to a halt then began to edge forward again. The French delivered a second volley that completely halted the advance.

Pouget ordered the flanking columns to charge and four Russian columns crumbled and ran back in disorder The remaining columns, unable to form up properly stepped back some 150 paces and reformed.

Watching from behind Bonhomme sent a message to Pouget not to press further. Their purpose here was to hold the line not to drive on, as tempting as that was. And at any rate he was concerned about a fresh Russian force looming on the right.  Only half of Pouget's brigade had been engaged and he would hold anything to his front, so Bonhomme called on Zentz to bring up his brigade and ordered the divisional artillery to deploy in support. A brigade of cuirassiers were moved into close support of  Zentz.

A fresh contest was about to start.

*******

The destruction of half of the of musketeers disturbed Knockerov. There were just too many raw conscripts in the ranks now and they ran like sheep. At least the remaining four had held and the French weren't pushing forward for now. As unsure as he was of the musketeers the French had to be stopped and driven back. He called on the cuirassiers and scribbled a quick note to Prince Smirnov of the guards, "go now", knowing that he would not fail to respond.

Knockerov managed to get the remaining musketeers out of column and into lines. These two regiments had less conscripts and were soon trading fire with the French, although without any significant effect. 

He watched as the guards and combined grenadiers came forward in column of companies. It was an impressive sight to be sure. The French guns began to tear gaps in the dense formations, but it did not slow the advance. The French infantry were turning to face the new threat, but they were outnumbered.

Then through the smoke he saw a mass of cavalry advancing. Heavy cavalry, probably cuirassiers were heading directly for the guards. 

He turned to Chargenoff and simply said, "Go!". Chargenoff gave the signal and the cuirassier brigade moved to counter the French troopers. 

The two regiments of white coated troopers surged forward, the Astrakan Regiment on the left and the Glukov on the right. The approach of the Glukovs was concealed by a dip in the ground and they thundered in and they smashed into the most left battalion of the French line before they could form square. The infantry broke and were cut down by the cuirassiers.

The Astrakan Regiment rode straight at the French cuirassiers, who turned and countercharged. The two bodies of cavalry crashed into each other and a desperate fight.

*******

Bonhomme watched the cavalry fight with concern. While there were four regiments of cuirassiers in the brigade, with two regiments in the front line and two behind, these were weakened regiments consisting of only two squadrons instead of four - a reflection of the poor state of the cavalry. 

In the great melee he could see that the Russians were getting the upper hand and the front line gave way. The Russians surged on to strike the second line that fought back hard and drove the Russians off. They then followed through with two squadrons wheeling left into the disordered mass of Russian troopers that had smashed into Zentz's infantry. The Russian troopers scattered in the face of this charge.

The other two squadrons wheeled right and plowed into the advancing Russian infantry which were still in columns. The Russian infantry scattered as the cuirassiers cut into them. But the cuirassiers soon ran out of steam and began to flow back. It had caused the Russian infantry to pause and that gave Zentz a chance to get his brigade into line.

*******

It was the combined grenadiers that faced the French cuirassiers. Unable to form square they scattered, but the guards held firm although the loss of the grenadiers exposed their right and their advance paused. At least the French infantry were no longer advancing and the French cavalry drifted back to their lines.

Knockerov rode to Chargenoff. "Bring your dragoons up to cover the withdrawal of the cuirassiers.  Look for an opportunity to exploit, but don't squander your regiments, make them count," he said and then gave instructions to bring up the guns.

*******

Although Zentz's had formed his line and had artillery in support, Bonhomme was still concerned with his right. The Russians were there in good numbers and he could see guns coming up. Zentz had only four battalions and looked to be facing double that number -  he was going to need support.  The second brigade of cuirassiers was still available and Bonhomme positioned it behind the infantry. His third infantry brigade, Saint-Arnaud's five battalions, was in reserve. He told Saint-Arnaud to leave two battalions as a reserve on the left and send send three to the right to support Zentz. In an emergency the three unengaged battalions of Pouget's  brigade were also available. He could see the two brigades of light cavalry assigned by MacDonald taking position in the extreme left. 

Bonhomme was confident that he could hold in the current circumstances.

*******

The advance had stalled and Knockerov needed to get it going again. The guards were in good enough shape and could be pushed on, but the 26th division was spent and falling back. Reluctantly he would need the Austrians to come in. He rode off to find Hockmeister.

To his surprise Hockmeister was in position as ordered and well formed. 

"I need you forward general." Knockerov said. "Quick as you can now. Replace the musketeers to the front, but don't push on, just hold the line, pin them down. We are in good shape on the left and will drive from there. There will be cavalry to support you. Just hold them in place."

*******

"Form up gentlemen", Hockmeister said to his three brigadiers, Steiner, Koller and Holzinger. "We are going in. Steiner, I want your Grenadiers on the left then Koller your battalions their right. Holzinger your light troops will stay in the rear. Form battalion mass we are going to push through."

Holzinger spoke up, "Aren't we supposed just hold the line?"

"To Hell with that! We're not playing second fiddle to the Russians. Austria will shine this day. Now form your troops generals we go in immediately."

"Where do you want the guns sir?"  Holzinger asked.

"No time it get them into position. This is an infantry action...get them moving."

Holzinger looked at Steiner and Koller and rolled his eyes...this will not be Austria's day.

*******

Knockerov was justifiably pleased with with the guards.  Six battalions, two each from the Lieb, St Petersburg and Pavlovsky Grenadiers. They were formed in regiments, with each battalion formed in column of companies. A battery was positioned between each of the regiments. On his signal the guns opened at 500 paces. The fire tore huge gaps in the French line. Two or three good salvoes should do it then the guards would be released.

*******

The Russian fire carved into Zentz's battalions. Bonhomme knew if he they just stood there they would be destroyed. He needed to silence those batteries, his guns could not compete with those monster Russian batteries. He looked to the cavalry again. While the first cuirassier brigade was reforming to the rear, it would be another hour before they were ready for action again. He had four under strength cuirassier regiments of the second brigade available and called two of them to deal with the guns.

The regiments went in together, one behind the other. They waited for the Russian guns to fire then thundered forward. The Russian gunners reloaded, but the cuirassiers came at an angle and they couldn't bring their fire to full effect. The Russian musketry was hurried and aimed high. Only a few French saddles were emptied and the cuirassiers rode through guns, cutting the gunners down. But having pushed through they found themselves in front of a charging regiment of Russian dragoons that threw them back on each other. Only a few cuirassiers made it back to their lines.

*******

Although one of the batteries had been silenced, the destruction of the French cuirassiers encouraged Knockerov and he unleashed the guards. With drums beating they stepped off with a measured pace, an irresistible force. He saw the French begin to step back, but in retreating they opened up the field of fire of their batteries. The guards, particularly the Lieb Regiment, caught their fire, but they continued to advance. 

The French fire increased as the advance continued, but the guards were making progress. The French continued to fall back, the batteries retiring by prolong, firing as they went. Before long the guards had advanced nearly 1,000 paces and were still in good order.

*******

With Zentz giving ground in the face of the Russian attack, Bonhomme looked it shore up his right. He still had two formed regiments of cuirassiers available there but did not want to commit them yet. The first cuirassier brigade was almost rallied. He looked to his infantry reserve, three battalions from Saint-Arnaud and one from Pouget. He ordered them to advance into the gap that had opened between Pouget's right and Zentz's left. 

The battalions advanced four abreast in column of divisions. As a precaution Bonhomme moved the two cuirassier regiments into a position of support. The battalions moved at a rapid pace and quickly filled the gap. The French now overlapped the right of the Russian line and the two battalions turned to face the threat. They moved with absolute precision. "These are quality troops," Bonhomme thought.

The Russian line fired weakly as the first column struck it, but the line held fast. When the second column struck the Russians staggered back, but didn't break. The third column hit the junction between the two Russian battalions and the Russians began give more ground, but even when the fourth column hit the Russians still didn't break. However, the attack had served its purpose. The Russian advance halted. The remaining Russian battery was hurriedly pulled out of the line. Zentz was able to stabilise his line.

At that moment the musketry roared on Pouget's front. Bonhomme galloped back that way only to see fresh masses of white coated infantry advancing. 

"Austrians," he said out loud, then went to find Pouget.

*******

Holzinger watched in horror as the Austrian infantry in battalion mass surged forward. Hockmeister had crammed them too close together and there was no room for manoeuvre. The only reserve was his two battalions. 

As the great lumbering mass closed in the French opened fire. He could look no longer and went back to his brigade.

*******

Knockerov sought to secure his line. The sudden appearance of the French on the right of the Pavlosky's had stalled the advance. The Pavlovsky's had held bravely against greater numbers. They stepped back, retaining their front. They were holding the flank firm, but the French in front of the Lieb and St Petersburg Regiments were holding too.

Just as he was trying to figure out what to do next he the firing to the extreme right redoubled. He swung in the saddle and brought his telescope to bear in that direction. "Damn it!" He shouted to his staff. "That damned Austrian idiot is attacking!"

*******

When he reached Pouget, Bonhomme found him cool and collected. He was certain he could contain this attack. He was well positioned to receive it and still had three unengaged battalions. Bonhomme told him if needed he could call on the last two battalion of Saint-Arnaud. 

Bonhomme waited and watched the action unfold. Pouget's battalions held their fire until the Austrians were within 100 paces then unleashed a powerful fire that took out the whole front of the Austrian columns.

"Good God," Bonhomme thought, "they are too tightly packed, they can't manoeuvre! We need to attack the  now." He looked to tell Pouget, but the order had been anticipated. Pouget had the lines formed into columns at lightening speed  and then threw them into the disordered Austrians. Bonhomme could not let the opportunity pass and sent an aide to the cuirassiers...their time had come and he let them loose. 

The cuirassiers filed through the gaps between the infantry columns, commencing a charge as they reformed. They fell on the shocked Austrians scattering them in all directions. 

In less than half an hour the whole Austrian force was in flight. But this was a defensive action and Bonhomme recalled the cuirassiers and told Pouget to reform his line. 

******

Holzinger watched Steiner's and Koller's brigades streaming back in total disorder. If he didn't do something quickly they would be amongst his troops and take them with them. He ordered his two battalions to form battalion mass, with a wide  gap between them. The battery and the hussars were moved further back. That should prevent his infantry from being swept away, but if the French were to push on he couldn't hope to hold them for more than a few minutes. Maybe if the fugitives were cleared quickly he could bring the battery and the hussars forward and gain enough time to allow Steiner and Koller to reform.

He watched the front nervously, peering through the smoke expecting to see the French surging forward. Then to his immense relief he saw two Austrian cuirassier regiments pushing their way through the sea of fugitives. Half an hour passed...the French aren't coming. 

******

Knockerov struggled to contain himself as he watched the Austrians streaming to the rear. The whole position was compromised. The guards were holding their own but with the withdrawal of the Austrians made their position untenable. Before they were rolled up he ordered them back. The whole day had been an utter fiasco.

He rode over toward the Austrian position. Hockmeister was nowhere to be seen, but Holzinger was there and had taken control. He had two battalions formed providing a shield for the rest of the rallying Austrian infantry. Some cuirassiers were moving to his assistance. They nodded to each other in mutual respect. Knockerov turned and rode away. It was nearing 6:00 PM. Nothing else of importance was going to happen today. He needed a drink.

******

Bonhomme was relieved that the action was dying down. The only part of the line that continued to concern him was the extreme left and he rode there to see the situation. The Provisional units were still holding their position. The threat posed by the French light cavalry seemed to be sufficient to keep the Russians at bay. 

As the action died out he rode back towards his headquarters. Enroute he met MacDonald. 

"Well done Henri," the Marshal said. "Well done!"

"It's Pouget the deserves the credit sir. He held against two assaults. I had to rein him in, otherwise he would have been half way to Moscow by now!"

MacDonald smiled and said, "see to your men, Henri...but very well done." With that he rode off.

Bonhomme continued on his way to his headquarters. As he approached the tent he saw Baillard. 

"What the Hell are you doing here? You are supposed to be on your way to France!"

TO BE CONTINUED...