The Italians in 1813
Battle of Mockern
by A. Ricciadello, Poland
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The allies were preparing for an anticipated French advance to Berlin, but on seeing French inaction decided to attack themselves against Mockern, Weglitz and Danigkoi. At 11.30am Mockern was assaulted by a superior force. As it happened, General Zucchi was sent out to join the rest of the regiment and as it transpired managed to bring them back, much to joy of the rest of the army who thought they were lost. On the day the French lost 1000 in all; night ending hostilities, and the next day Eugene recrossed over to the left bank of the Elbe. Zucchi's report to Eugene explains what happened at Mockern; Magdeburg 6 April 1813.
I have the honour to give an account to Your Imperial Highness on the affair of 5 April. An hour after midday I had orders from Msr. General de Division Count Grenier to leave Nedlitz with 4 companies of the 3rd battalion 2nd light and go to Mockern to join with the other 2 that were left there the previous day, and make sure all was in order I arrived about a mile from Mockern where I saw our cavalry and the 2 companies retreating on our left followed by numerous enemy cavalry and artillery, with a good number coming towards us too. I ordered Ceccopieri to form square and not to move from the spot without my orders. I also sent orders to the cavalry that had retreated behind Zehdoniek and 4 French companies that had found themselves over there to retire on our battalion. If they could have maintained the position they had before, I would have supported them with the [Italian] infantry that I now ordered behind a marsh. I ordered the French companies that were retreating to retake the village. As such, with the regimental artillery of the 2nd I tried to hold back the enemy that was issuing from Zehdoniek but the retrograde movement that had already started gave space to the enemy to bring forward 4 pieces of artillery and 2 howitzers. Thus the infantry were once again obliged to retreat and the enemy cavalry, so protected, directed themselves upon ours who could not resist the impact of a much superior number, nor the fire of their artillery. I ordered Ceccopieri to retire and join me, which he did with great coolness and intelligence despite the cavalry charges. I did the same with the 4 French companies and when the 2 detachments were together I put them into 3 small squares and marched for Nedlitz. The enemy were on all sides, but it was their artillery that did me the most damage. Yet I continued the march only stopping to give front to the cavalry charges. I was always obliged to seek the worst terrain to try and distance myself from the artillery fire and also impede the enemy cavalry so as to move freely. I arrived at a place that forced me to stop to let the 2 guns of the 2nd pass. In the meanwhile 2 officers from the Prussian Death Hussar regiment came with a message from their general to surrender or be destroyed. I replied to these officers that the way I would surrender was with the bayonet and I would be waiting to discuss terms with it. I then continued my march without incident at this point. At another similar point of crossing, 2 officers came again requesting that I stop. The response I had them give to their chief to a similar proposal they made as before, was that if anyone came and did the same I would have them fired upon. With the enemy all around me I continued the march, reaching Nedlitz at 7 in the evening. Etc. . . The loss in dead was 53 amongst whom ... 26 were wounded, a caisson had to be left when 2 drivers and 3 horses were killed ... Zucchi. 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 |
After movements that Eugene completed in the area on the 2 April, the French were deployed as shown, map 1. On 4 he sent out a strong reconnaissance force up to Hohenziatz on the Berlin road. Withdrawing for the night they left 3 battalions, 8 squadrons and a battery at Zehdenick and 2 companies of the 2nd light at Mockern.