Defense of Danzig 1813

Attack on March 5th

by A. Ricciardiello, Poland

Steadily reinforced the Russians filled their ranks and readied themselves for an attack. Spies in the city had reported on the state of the city, its garrison and its communications. Preparations began early in the day before full light, forcing back the French advance posts onto their main bodies.

The action at Lang Fuhr in this phase save the Westphalians with the 21st and 28th Light regiments launch a counter attack with on waiting for the reserves that took them beyond Stries. The 7th Neapolitans, the reserve posted at the Olive Gate, got to Lang Fuhr with Heudelet's division, a battalion of Poles and 6 guns. On their arrival the fighting was not quite over.

The Neapolitans arrived somewhat before the rest and joined in the combat with the Westphalians. Three of their voltigeurs were in the process of cutting the traces from 2 dead horses of a Russian gun when a timely Russian cavalry charge saved it, though the Russian artillery commander was killed in the process as the voltigeurs made good their escape.

General Franceschi at Ohra - Stolzenberg was pushed back to Schottland, when reinforced by the 13th Bavarians, and a while later a battalion of the 94th, held his ground.

The general situation stabilised until around 10 am when the Russian forces so outnumbering the defenders threatened Franceschi's right. Rapp gave orders to the 6th Neapolitan to take a small hill by the Ohra road facing Stolzenberg thus supporting this threatened flank.

The hill, Judenberg, was taken albeit briefly by D'Estrees and his general staff, leading his men in a bayonet charge despite being taken in the flank by artillery fire. They pushed back the Russians to the Radaune canal and on to Stolzenberg, where they joined up with Franceschi. During this charge D'Estrees had two horses killed under him. One report states that the Neapolitan attack started to stall but they were supported by two French companies of the 4th which tipped the balance back again into their favour.

The two sides were locked in an indecisive combat until General Bachelu, with a column marched through the valley of Schidlitz unseen into the flank of the Russians. At this point there was a general advance across the front that the Russians could not hold out against.

With cries of "Vive l'Empereur", "... all who wanted to resist were bayoneted. The streets of Schottland. Ohra, and Stadtgebeit were littered with Russian dead." wrote Rapp in his report. They also took 8 officers and 480 men prisoner.

On the northern flank smaller diversonary Russian attacks took place, even as far out as Neufahrwasser. Cossacks around the latter area attacked the outposts of the 5th Neapolitans. They held their ground long enough to be reinforced by more of their regiment and 3 companies of the 6th Neapolitan regiment. These men and the presence of 6 dragoon squadrons forced the Russians to retire, thereby, losing the few gains they had made as the towns were reoccupied, with the exception of Saspe, which proved to be too far away, and the Russians had congregated around it anyhow. The French cavalry distinguished itself here making repeated successful charges throughout the day.

Total losses for the French were relatively light - 440 men. These consisted of 93 dead (40 were Neapolitans), 280 wounded, and 67 prisoners. Another source states 62 officers and 604 lost in total. The Russians lost about 1700 dead and wounded, with 500 prisoners, including 9 officers.

Rapp's report on the day fills out the details.

X Corps. Operations of 5th March. General Rapp to the Prince of Neuchatel.

Danzig l0th. March. 1813

On the 2nd of the present month I was warned by a Tartar deserter that the enemy would attack with all his force all along the front on the 4th. I reinforced the 1st Westphalians at Lang Fuhr, and the positions at Neu Schottland and Stries, where I supposed he would make his greatest effort.

At Schidlitz, Stolzenberg, Ohra and Stadtgebieth I formed detachments from the 34th Divisions under the orders of General Franceschi, and gave a battalion of the division to General d'Heudelet. They had the order to retire under the Protection of the city guns should they be attacked by superior forces.

At Lang Fuhr they were to retire to the protection of two houses at the head of the village that I have had converted into blockhouses. These would be occupied in sufficient strength until the arrival of reinforcements from AllerEngein and the Olive gate. At the latter I have had concentrated for some time now, 2 Neapolitan battalions and 4 pieces.

The morning of the 4th passed peacefully, but the 5th, in the morning at five, the enemy attacked with impetuosity, screaming horrendously. Ours let off a lively fire and calmly, retired onto the reserves. The fire of the city cannons announced the arrival of the general [enemy] attack.

After I gave the necessary orders to the troops who were to leave the city, I went with General Grandejean to Lang Fuhr. As soon as I got to the avenue of Lang Fuhr, the chef d' batin, Bauer, commander of the Ist Westphalians and chef d' batm Clamont, commander of the 21st and 28th light charged furiously at a column of 3000 drunk Russians and 500 cavalrymen who had entered the streets of the village. They turned the head of the column and routed them, following them to the other side of Stries. It was a continual butchery of the enemy.

This action has given much honour to the 1st Westphalian regiment, who were commanded on that day by, Bauer, a most distinguished officer who has been tried in Spain and on the retreat of X Corps [from Russia]

The enemy surprised by such a reception had difficulty in reordering themselves. I arrived at that moment followed by the 7th Neapolitan, a battalion of Heudelet's, a Polish battalion and 6 guns, commanded by General Lepin.

I redeployed the position and left this sector in the command of Heudelet. The enemy repeatedly attacked in strength but their efforts were futile. In fact the enemy was beaten off as far as the forest of Olive.

General Franceschi with his troops in front of Schottland ceded ground as I ordered until I sent out The 13th Bavarian regiment. I ordered him to resist the enemy, and this he did with numerous bayonet attacks. These were done with great valour and Generals Grandejean and Franceschi distinguished themselves with their coolness and great courage.

Rapp now describes the attack by D'Estrees outlined above. He then goes on to describe the flank attack that broke the deadlock:

. . . General Bachelu in following my orders left with two battalions of the 11th and one of the l0th Polish line and one of the l4th from Heudelet's division to attack the other side of the hill to the right of Schidlitz. This movement was a most complete success. The enemy, attacked at all points was obliged to retire in disorder to the heights of Pitzkendorf, leaving behind a quantity of dead and wounded.

A battalion of the 11th Polish commanded by Mr. Szembeck, distinguished themselves in a particular way. This chef d' battn., who was wounded; the voltigeurs of this battalion., amongst whom was farrier Hatuite of the voltigeurs of the 14th line, and 30 dragoons took a howitzer next to which was a Russian general trying to make vain attempts to animate his men to defend the piece. But first on the scene was sub lieutenant Vanus, marshall des logis Dautresol of the l4th dragoons, and Hautite with many of the Polish voltigeurs, the names of which I do not yet have.

At three in the afternoon I ordered General Bachelu to go towards Ohra to turn the enemy that occupied Schottland and Ohra with 8000 men. Meanwhile a diversionary attack was mounted at Schottland, leaving Colonel Kaminski of the 10th Polish and 4 guns in front of Pitzkendorf General Gault with the 13th Bavarian and 4 guns were in front of Womenberg to screen the movement, and to keep occupied the two Russian lines formed upon these two points.

He went forward to the point I indicated with a battalion of the 5th, one of the 10th and 11th Polish and one of the 4th light, 150 cavalry, commanded by General Cavaignac and Grandejean's light battery.

The signal was given to attack and our troops precipitated themselves with a fury shouting Vive l'Empereur. The enemy column was completely broken ... etc.

It was with great difficulty and violent means that I managed to arrest the ardour of our troops that had already reached the enemy posts prior to their attack. At this point 480 men and 8 officers fell into our hands.

Amongst the prisoners are many under officers and decorated grenadiers; many belong to the 4 regiments that abandoned Eschittschagow after the disastrous battle of the Berisina forest. They assure me that their regiments are reduced to almost nothing.

The Bavarians and Poles on this day have sustained their beautiful military reputation. The French fought like the old soldiers of Smolensk and Mojaisk. The Neapolitans have rivalled in courage and bravery all the other troops.

The report refers to Neufahrwasser at this point, and then sums up;

The enemy has been vigorously repulsed at Ohra. The troops spent the night on the field Of battle then were reordered to their old positions prior to the enemy attack.

The enemy losses amount to 1600 - 1800 prisoners, which include 9 officers. In their own declaration, the Russians admit to some 60 dead, drowned whilst attempting to escape across the flooded area.

The 9th Polish lancers arrested at the exit of Ohra 8 wagons loaded with dead Russians that they, wanted to transport. 5 bodies were recognised as being officers, the rest were almost all under officers and decorated soldiers. Maybe for this reason they were gathered. At Lang Fuhr the bodies of two superior officers were discovered.

Our losses [above] ... etc.

General di Divn. CinC X. Corps of the Grande Armee. Comte Rapp.

In fact Rapp finishes stating how pleased with his results he is; vis-a-vis with maintaining the enemy at a distance so they couldn't bombard the city and thus maintain commerce working as well as possible, and being able to give himself the time to try and procure supplies and further administrative work for the outer forts.

More The Defense of Danzig 1813

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