Organisation of the Regiment

At the opening of the 1809 campaign in Germany, 9. Linien- Infanterie-Regiment Ysenburg was commanded, as the OberstInhaber, by General-Lieutenant Georg August Graf von Ysenburg-Budingen, and as Oberst-Commandant, by Oberst Peter de la Motte.

The regiment was organised with a staff of 30 men and two battalions, each of 1 Grenadier company and 4 Fusilier companies. Company strength being 265 men.

The higher regimental staff consisted of:

1 Oberst-Inhaber
1 Oberst-Commandant
1 Oberst-Lieutenant
2 Majors
2 Unter-Lieutenants (Adjutants)
2 Junker

The lower regimental staff consisted of:-

1 Regiments-Quartiermeister
1 Regiments-Auditor
1 Regiments-Chirurg
2 Unter-Chirurgen
2 Chirurgische Practicanten
1 Regiments-Tambour
8 Hautboisten
2 Homisten
1 Profoss
1 Profoss-Jung
1 Buchsenmacher

Each company consisted of:-

1 Capitain
1 Ober-Lieutenant
2 Unter-Lieutenants
1 Feldwebel
1 Furier
2 Sergeanten (Junior Sergeant)
6 Corpor5ls
1 Zimmermann (Carpenter)
2 Tambours
12 Gefreite (Lance corporals)
238 Gemeine (Common Soldiers)

In each company, 6 of the Gefreite and 14 of the Gemeine served as Schutzen.

The regiment formed part of the 3rd Division, which had the following order of battle.

3rd Division: General Lieutenant von Deroy

1st Brigade: General Major von Vincenti
9 Linien Infanterie Regiment Ysenburg
10 Linien Infanterie Regiment Junker
5 Leichtes Infanterie Bataillon Buttler

2nd Brigade: General Major von Siebein

5 Linien Infanterie Regiment Preysing
14 Linien Infanterie Regiment
7 Leichtes Infanterie Bataillon Gunther

Cavallerie Brigade: General Major Graf von Seydewitz

2 Dragoner Regiment Taxis
4 Chevaux Ugere Regiment Bubenhofen

Artillerie: Major Tausch

Artillerie Compagnie Peters
Artillerie Compagnie Roys
Leichte Artillerie Compagnie Gotthardt

The Fighting in Bavaria

In preparation for the coming Austrian Invasion, 9. Linien Infanterie Regiment Ysenburg arrived in Erding, northeast of Munich, on 14th March and stayed in cantonments there for a month.

On 10th April the Austrians, under Archduke Charles, invaded Bavaria via the Danube valley. The 3rd Division was ordered northwest to hold the bridgehead atLandshut and arrived thereon the 14th/15th April.

The Austrian Archduke Ludwig's 5th Corps attacked the 3rd Divisson at Landschut on 16th April. General Lieutenant von Deroy defended the town and its bridge over the Isar, until superior numbers forced him to retreat. During the fighting, Ysenburg's first battalion held the Seligenthal Abbey, the 2nd battalion held the paper mill. The 3rd Division conducted a fighting retreat to the northwest through Altdorf to Weihmichl.

On 17th April the retreat continued behind the line of the River Abens until they reached Grossmehfing on the Danube.

By now, Napoleon had arrived from Paris and began to organise the counter attack. The Royal Bavarian Field Divisions were brought together in the area of Abensberg, Neustadt and Siegenburg on the 18th. The 3rd Division was stationed to the south and Southeast of Neustadt, where it remained in reserve during the fighting at Arnhofen and Biburg on the 19th. It also saw no action during the Battle of Abensberg on the 20th, when the Austrians were repulsed from the line of the Abens by Napoleon, but advanced eastwards in the wake of the Crown Prince's 1st Division to Bachl.

On 21 st April the attacks against the Austrians were resumed and the 3rd Division reentered the fray launching itself against the Gross Laaber stream at Schierling which was held by the Austrian 4th Corps.

The battle of Eckmuhl erupted on the 22nd and the 3rd Division continued its attack East along the line of the Gross Laaber, and then, when the Austrians gave way pursued north towards Regensberg.

The 3rd Division upon reaching Regensberg and with the Austrian invasion of Bavaria halted and repulsed, was ordered to turn back and head southwest in an attempt to cut of Jellacic's division which had occupied Munich.

Deroy's 3rd Division marched to Ergoldsbach on the 24th, then to Moosburg on the 25th and finally to Freising on the 26th where the Bavarians leamt that Jellacic had evaded them. Turning East in pursuit, they reached Wasserburg on the River Inn on the 27th. The advance into Austria now continued southeast to Altenmarkt on the 28th, then to Telsendorf on the 29th, Deroy entered Saltzburg on 30th April.

The First Advance into the Tyrol

As the Austrians invaded Bavaria, the inhabitants of the Tyrol revolted against the King of Bavaria and killed or captured the greater part of the Bavarian garrison.

After the repulse of the Austrian invasion, the King ordered his 2nd and 3rd Divisions to reconquer the Tyrol. For this campaign 9 Linien Infanterie Regiment Ysenburg was split. Oberst Peter de la Motte with the 1st Battalion and the grenadier company of the 2nd Battalion were detached to the 2nd Division. The Fusilier companies of the 2nd Battalion remained with the 3rd Division.

Wrede's 2nd Divisions left Salzburg on 10th May and successfully attacked the insurgents in position at the Strub Pass on the11th and then started his advance westwards to Innsbruck on the 12th. Oberst de la Motte was left to guard the nearby Lofer Pass against an attack from the south. On the 13th May three companies under Major Friedrich von Treuberg were attacked by Tyroleans at St. Martin, just below the Lofer Pass. The insurgents were driven off, with Lieutenant Joseph Bronzetti leading a flanking party into the rear of the aggressors.

Meanwhile, further west 3rd Division left Salzburg on the 9th and reached Rosenheim on the River Inn on the 10th. On the 12th May Deroy led his division south to relieve the fortress of Kufstein, which guards the exit of the River Inn from the Tyrol. Deroy then marched west along the Inn valley reaching W6rgl on the 13th, Strass on the 14th, Schwaz on the 16th and Innsbruck on the 19th.

At this point, Wrede's 2nd Division was called away for service with the Grande Armee, Deroy was left to garrison the Inn valley as best he could. Deroy stationed the four Fusilier companies of Ysenburg's 2nd battalion at Rattenberg, about halfway between Innsbruck and Kufsteit. Wrede left Ysenburg's 1st battalion and its 2nd Grenadier company in Lofer.

The Tyrolean rebels were soon closing in on the weakened Bavaria forces. Deroy called in his outlying garrison to concentrate on Innsbruck. The 1st battalion set off on the 26th May , the 2nd battalion on the 27th. They arrived at Innsbruck in time for the 2nd battle of Berg Isel on 29th May. The Berg Isel is a mountain overlooking Innsbruck on which Andreas Hofer had gathered his Tyroleans. Deroy attempted to drive Hofer off, but failed and decided to evacuate the Tyrol by retreating down the Inn valley. The retreat began on the 30th, the 3rd Division had to fight its way out with battles at Schwarz, Mittenwald and Brixlogg, before reaching Kufstein on the 31st!

Defending Bavaria

On the King's orders, Deroy formed a cordon south of Munic facing the Tyrol. 9. Linien Infanterie Regiment Ysenburg was stationed Rosenheim.

On 24th June, General von Deroy took a force, that included the 2n battalion 9. Linien Infanterie Regiment Ysenburg to the aid of Salzburg. Arriving on 27th Deroy found that he was not needed there and set on back to Rosenheim where he arrived on the 29th.

On 4th July, led an expedition from Rosenheim to resupply Kul stein. Oberst de la Motte was ordered to storm the rebel redoubts, Kiefersfelden, north of Kufstein, with his 1st battalion. De la Mott forded the Kieferbach, driving the enemy from the banks, stormed the redoubt capturing a gun and 9 men. During this action Sergeant Jacob and Misilier Gottling particularly distinguished themselves.

3rd Division was now ordered to Linz in Upper Austria to help guard the communications of the Grand Armee. Leaving Rosenheim on 7th July they arrived at Linz on the 13th. However, after only four days another offensive against the Tyrol had been planned and the foot-sore 3rd Division found themselves marching back to Innsbruck where the arrived on 20th July.

The Second Advance into the Tyrol

The 3rd Division was now to attack further to the Southeast along the Salzach Valley. Leaving Salzburg on the 23rd July, 3rd Divisio attacked the Lueg Pass in the Salzach valley south of Salzburg on th 24th. It was declared secure on the 25th and the advance continued to St. Johann which was reached on the 26th and Taxenbach which was reached on the 27th.

At Taxenbach, Deroy progress was blocked by a strong force of rebels who were holding the half destroyed 'Half-Hour' bridge over the Slazach. After fruitless attempts to gain a passage volunteers were called for from the men of Ysenburg.

Amongst those answering the call were Major von Treuberg, Captain Grosbach, Ober-Lieutenant Halder, Unter-Lieutenant Bronzetti and Unter Unter-Lieutenant Weidner. They successfully stormed the shattered bridge at the first attempt.

Deroy continued his march west, reaching Mittersill at the head of the Salzach valley on 28th July. As they now faced a steep climb over the Gerlos Pass the artillery and train were diverted onto a better road northwards to the Inn valley via Kitzbijhel and Hopfgdaen. Regiment Ysenburg was assigned as the escort, rejoining 3rd Division at Volders, east of Innsbruck, then entering Innsbruck on the lst August.

After a few days rest Deroy decided to send troops to the upper Inn valley, west of Innsbruck to subdue that area. 10 Linien Infanterie Regiment Junker was dispatched to be followed on 9th August by Oberst de la Motte with 9 Linien Infanterie Regiment Ysenburg, two squadrons of 2 Dragoner Regiment Taxis and 2 guns - this cavalry and artillery being placed under the command of de la Motte.

The regiment reached Imst without trouble but here the colonel received news of the defeat of Regiment Junker further west at Prutz. Ordered to retreat de la Motte found himself immediately attacked on all sides. The Ysenburgers fought their way back to Telfs, but there they found the bridge over the Telfer stream in the hands of the insurgents. The bridge was stormed by Capitain Seiffert and his company, supported by the 2nd Grenadier company. The retreat continued to Zirl, where a broken bridge was repaired overnight by Capitain Grosbach's company, and then to Innsbruck.

It is recorded that during this expedition the following unit members particularly distinguished themselves: Major von Treuberg, Capitain Seiffert, Capitain von der Monden, Ober-Lieutenant Hildel, UnterLieutenant Baron von Kiinsberg, Feldwebl Pflaurn, Corporal Panzer and Corpordl Gunther.

Hofer and his Tyroleans occupied the Berg Isel again, and once more the Bavarians tried unsuccessfully to drive him off, and then on the 13th August they in their turn were assailed by hordes of rebels. Regiment Ysenburg in this action were stationed to the left of the line where Unter- Lieutenant Baron von Kunsberg distinguished himself by holding Warthalhof Farm against overwhelming odds from 9.30 am until 7pm. Von Kunsberg was later made a knight of the Militair-Max-Joseph Orders for this action. Also acknowledged for their conduct in support of von Kunsberg were Sergeant Fleischmann, Corporals Panzer, Marsching and Muller, and Fusiliers Gleisner, Ebner, Gunzelmann, Meixner, Vogel, Linsner and Seelmann.

Lefebvre, who was in overall command of the French and Allied forces in the Tyrolean theatre, saw that lines of communication were now threatened and decided that retreat was the only viable option. The Bavarians started their retreat down the Inn valley on the 14th and got as far as Schwaz, where there was a sharp combat. They rested on the 15th and on the 16th marched back to Wergl, where they had to fight again. On the 17th, 3rd Division headed north to Kufstein and arrived there in the evening.

Defending Bavaria Again

On 21st August the regiments of the 3rd Division marched from Kufstein to form a defensive cordon south of Munich. 9 Linien Infanterie Regiment Ysenburg took post at Benedictbeuren, with two companies detached further east at Bad To1z.

On 27th September, the regiment moved further east to Traunsberg between the Chiemsee and Salzburg.

The Third Advance into The Tyrol

With the defeat of the Austrian Armies at Wagram on 5th/6th July, leading to the Treaty of Schoenbrunn of 14th October, all three field divisions of the Bavarian army were free to wrench back the Tyrol from its tenacious defenders.

The 3rd Division concentrated at Rosenheim and then marched south and again relieved Kufstein on 17th October. The 18th saw Deroy march southwest up the Inn valley to Worgl. The 3rd Division remained in the Lower Inn valley for the duration of the campaign, pacifying the area and quelling disturbances. By the 10th December the Tyrol was again firmly under Bavarian control. Bavarian troops remained in the Tyrol well into 1810, 9 Linien Infanterie Regiment Ysenburg returned home to Bamberg in July of that year.

During the 1809 campaign, 2 NCOs of the regiment won the 'Golden Military Distinction' medal, 9 NCOs and 13 men won the 'Silver Military Distinction' medal.

Sources

Geschichte des koniglich bayerischen 9 Infanterie Regiments Wrede, by Premier-Lieutenant Kauffer, Wurzburg, Verlag von Georg Hertz, 1888
With Eagles to Glory, by John H. Gill, London, Greehill Books, 1992
Geschichte der Entwickelung der bayeiischen Armee selt zwei Jahrhunderten, by Hauptmann Friederich Munich, Munich, Linauer'sche Buchhandlung 1864
Les Allemands sous les aigles francaises: VI Nos allies Les Bavarois, by Lieutenant Colonel Camille Sauzey, Paris, Chapelot et Cie, 1910.