The Italians in 1813
Battle of Konigswartha
by A. Ricciadello, Poland
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On learning of the allied intention to defend the position at Bautzen the Emperor issued a series of orders concentrating the army, including one on the 18 May to Bertrand to make contact with Ney. To this end Bertrand sent out the Italian division, it being the closest. At 6 in the evening General Peyri sent out St. Andrea's brigade; 6th and 7th regiments. These made a rapid march and quickly ejected a tiny enemy group at Konigswartha, where they then stopped for the night. The next day, Bertrand, preoccupied that the men at Konigswartha could come into a nasty surprise had Peyri march the rest of his division there, arriving at 4 p.m.. However, during the night of 18/19 May, Wittgenstein learned of Lauriston's advance, and believing him isolated set in motion a train of events, one of which included Barclay de Tolly (13000 men.) and Yorck (9000) leaving for Hermsdorf. Arriving at about 1pm. of the 19 may, Barclay pushed his men towards Konigswartha and move to the left, cutting the Bautzen road. Yorck meanwhile marched north to turn the Italian position. At 5 p.m. the allies launched a surprise attack, surprise in great part because the Italians had few and poorly placed outposts in a questionable position. Eventually they managed to get themselves into a more organised state, and thus resist more efficiently. Always outnumbered and reaching a critical point and by no more than good fortune the cavalry of the V corps arrived enabling the Italians to break off contact. Possibly made easier because at that juncture the allies, who may well have wanted to, eased off. Later, at night, Barclay in fact retired to his starting position. The losses were 1550 dead and wounded, 1290 prisoners, including Balathier (Chief of staff), 4 guns and all the baggage. Yorck in the meanwhile had met Lauriston and after a sharp engagement was obliged to retreat. Extracts of Peyri's report to the minister of war make for interesting reading;
An hour later the voltigeurs that were dispersed in the forest surrounding the village alerted me to a cloud of Cossacks advancing on many fronts with numerous Russian and Prussian infantry running behind them accompanied by a substantial number of guns ... Our artillery had already dismounted 2 enemy pieces and continued to fire with more than satisfactory success. I maintained my position until 7 p.m., the moment in which I executed a change of front to my left flank to secure my rear. In part this movement was protected by Kellerman's division who came to my aid, executing a brilliant charge. Taking the offensive once again the enemy resolved to leave the field of battle and retire. I had 2 battalions follow the enemy, and led the rest of the troops to Wartha ... glorious that 6000 Italians resisted a corps of 30000 Russians and Prussians commanded by General Langeron. Our losses consisted of 4 artillery pieces and 1 regimental, various baggage wagons, and from 2700 lost, 700 were killed The Russian and Prussian losses were considerably more, and one of their generals was killed ... etc. Despite whatever tint may be put on reports it was a minor calamity, the Italians fighting at great disadvantage throughout, not just because they were outnumbered, but because they were also surprised and could not really regain their balance. The desperateness of the situation is revealed in the report written by the Major of artillery, Armandi to his Colonel;
5 June 1813. On 12 May, I had to take command of the Italian artillery served by the P and 13'h companies of your regiment [Reale Foot Artillery]... At the disastrous affair of Konigswartha, where the division of around 4000 men were set upon by at least 15000 enemy, one could say that the artillery saved the other troops. Only the 1st company was present with 8 guns and had the presence and spirit to put 2 guns in battery a few paces from the enemy charging our troops in the village. Captain Verna fired murderous canister that arrested the fury of the assailants for a moment allowing the division to reorder itself. It is true that the cannoniers were victims of their own zeal. The two sergeant heads of pieces Colleoni and Deffini, and many gunners fell under Russian bayonets. As you will see below [in an adjunct not included here] it was not possible to save them or the guns. Furthermore, you will note that all the gunners dead and wounded were so due to bayonets and not firearms; this then was the proximity in which the combat was fought... At the exits of the village the artillery always supported the infantry and it was Verna who was the last to leave flanking a platoon commanded by General St. Andrea... Napoleon held Peyri responsible for the events and relieved him of his command, sending him back to Italy to be tried. In fact he was later called back into service.
More Italians in 1813
Battle of Mockern Battle of Weissig Battle of Konigswartha Battle of Pilgramsdorf Reorganization of 15th Division Battle of Lahn Battle of Wartenburg Repatriation Back to Table of Contents -- First Empire #55 Back to First Empire List of Issues Back to MagWeb Master Magazine List © Copyright 2000 by First Empire. This article appears in MagWeb (Magazine Web) on the Internet World Wide Web. Other military history articles and gaming articles are available at http://www.magweb.com |
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