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Title
Dohna
Description
The Coalition armies were closing in on Napoleon. Bennigsen’s Russian army in Bohemia moved north into Saxony. Facing the Russians were two French Corps occupying Dresden (when perhaps they would have been of far more use in Napoleon’s main army). …
Publisher
Date
1813-10-09
Scenario#
506
Scenario Description
The Coalition armies were closing in on Napoleon. Bennigsen’s Russian army in Bohemia moved north into Saxony. Facing the Russians were two French Corps occupying Dresden (when perhaps they would have been of far more use in Napoleon’s main army). The French I Corps, now under Lobau, was deployed between Dohna and the Elbe River on October 9th. In late August this corps had been largely destroyed when it pursued too eagerly after the victory at Dresden, and the Coalition forces were able to surround it. Partly rebuilt, the troops wished to redeem their reputation. General Bennigsen led the Russian forces in Bohemia forward against the French, with Bulatov commanding the right and Paskievich to the left. Bennigsen assumed personal command of the Russian center. Hardegg’s cavalry was also brought up on the extreme left, and would attempt to turn the French right. Bulatov’s column opened the battle and successfully stormed the village of Klein-Sedlitz. The French counter-attacked and drove the Russians back. Bulatov then renewed his attack, and with support from artillery on the far bank of the Elbe, managed to drive the French back to Heidenau. On the left, Paskievich, after a hard fought battle, occupied Dohna with his disorganized forces. As the French prepared to counter-attack one more time, Hardegg’s Russian cavalry column, having passed through Sirsen, suddenly appeared on their right. To avoid being outflanked, the French had to yield the hard-fought field to the larger Russian force. As darkness fell the French withdrew in good order. The French commander followed Napoleon’s orders to hold Dresden, surrendering later in the year, long after the fighting had surged far to the west on the French border.
Location
Dohna, Germany
Battle Narrative
In the War of the Sixth Coalition, sometimes known in Germany as the War of Liberation, a coalition of Austria, Prussia, Russia, the United Kingdom, Portugal, Sweden, Spain and a number of German States defeated France and drove Napoleon into exile on Elba. After the disastrous French invasion of Russia of 1812 in which they had been forced to support France, Prussia and Austria joined Russia, the United Kingdom, Sweden, Portugal and the rebels in Spain who were already at war with France.
Narrative Source
Combatants
French
Russians/Austrains
Additional Information
Sixth Coalition

Geolocation