We continued playing the Battle of Brienne (France 1814) using the “Et Sans Resultat” rules and scenario. See our earlier report for details on the first part of this game.
When we finished the first session, the French army had effectively eliminated the Russian advanced guard, and were pressing hard on Olsufiev’s Russian corps and the remainder of the Russian cavalry in the vicinity of Brienne, while Sacken’s Russian corps deployed to the south. We ended that session by taking photos of where the formations were located, and noting each formation’s status and accumulated fatigue, which enabled us to reset the game where we left off.
One big change to the conditions between the two sessions was that night had fallen, and the remainder of the game would be fought in darkness. This halved the effect of all skirmish and artillery fire, reduced the distance of cavalry charges, and hindered the distribution of new orders.
We also added four batteries of heavy artillery to Sacken’s corps in order to make this second session a more balanced game. (The Russian ordnance and supply train was passing to the rear of the Russian army during the entire battle, so it was reasonable to assume that some artillery could be diverted from the train to reinforce Sacken.)
Both armies used the first two turns to rally and regroup, and to issue some new orders and objectives. While this was happening, the third (and final) division of Ney’s Young Guard corps started to enter the table from the east. The presence of some Russian cossacks had induced this division to deploy off-table, which had delayed its arrival. This delayed the arrival of the French Guard Cavalry division which was following on the same road.
The Russians used this time to withdraw Olsufiev’s exposed division back to the outskirts of Brienne, and to shift their small dragoon brigade to the south, to support Sacken. Sacken’s corps began wheeling to its left, to threaten and contain the French left.
When the action recommenced, a fresh Young Guard division led by Marshal Ney in person made a frontal attack on the weakened Russian infantry in Brienne, while one of Victor’s infantry divisions attacked a brigade of Russian hussars on the north side of the town. The French left flank was guarded by the second division of Victor’s corps and the newly arrived Young Guard division, supported by two large brigades of dragoons.
The French attacks pushed the remainder of the Russian infantry out of the town and back to the chateau, while the hussars withdrew to the edge of the woods. This enabled the French to occupy the town.
However, the job of the French was still not done. To win the scenario, the French also had to capture La Rothiere, which was to the rear of Sacken’s corps. Napoleon ordered all the formations on his left to go forward, with the infantry leading, closely supported by the dragoons.
Stiffened by the arrival of their reserve artillery, Sacken’s two divisions held their ground against the French infantry. A follow up charge by a brigade of dragoons pushed back but failed to break the Russians. The Russian infantry was left battered but unbowed, and the French were also fatigued by the combat.
The late arriving Guard cavalry easily chased away the screen of cossacks on the extreme right of the Russian line, and began to threaten Sacken’s flank. But Sacken’s divisions executed a timely withdrawal to the gates of La Rotheire and were still in control of that objective when the game came to an end.
Neither army was able to accomplish its objectives, so the game ended in a historical draw!
- TJ