The Italians in 1813

Battle of Pilgramsdorf

by A. Ricciadello, Poland

On 27 May, after Bautzen, the march east continued and on the heights of Pilgramsdorf XI corps met strong resistance. Macdonald pushed the enemy off the hill and then turned to attack on his left side with IV corps. Seeing the enemy putting up a fight, he decided to release Doumerc's cuirassier division. The 1st Brigade of the division was launched without assessing the terrain first.

Further more the first regiment (Italian Napoleon Dragoon regiment) was sent out with the squadrons too serrated in formation. The consequence was that the first squadron was repulsed in disorder and they further disordered those following; a real dog's dinner. Colonel Olivieri was taken prisoner and Chef d' Squadron Gualdi took over, charging again. This time they were assaulted in front and flank by the ubiquitous Cossacks and were forced to retreat in yet greater confusion. The second brigade's attack, launched again by Macdonald, was poorly executed as well and with little enthusiasm. Apparently the situation was saved only by the firmness of the infantry.

Zucchi, during that evening found himself in front of Macdonald with Doumerc also present. Macdonald was very displeased with Dourmerc whose excuse for the mess was to put the blame on the Italian Dragoons. "At such words the blood in my veins boiled" wrote Zucchi in his memoirs. He later continues; "I felt as if a canon ball had been lifted from my chest when I heard the Marshal's words. "To cut a long story short, Macdonald, to Dournerc, praised the Italians very highly, as he knew them from previous experience and bluntly said the failure was due to not looking over the ground prior to action. Basically Doumerc got a severe reprimand when you consider that Zucchi was of a lower rank.

Apparently Macdonald's report actually does not lay culpability on anyone's shoulders for all to see. He obviously thought the reprimand was sufficient and saved Doumerc from the possible wrath of the Emperor and damage to his career; after all cavalry was a commodity in short supply in the French army in this period.

A summary of Gualdi's report to the Minister of War supplies the details and other information of interest on general conditions;

    ... The regiment is part of the 3rd Cuirassier Division of the 1st Cavalry Corps commanded by General of Division Doumerc. The first brigade composed of the Napoleon regiment and 2 squadrons of cuirassiers commanded by General de Brigade d'Audenarde had orders to attack the enemy that occupied the heights. To execute the orders it was necessary to cross a deep ravine in single file. The enemy let us pass freely and we arrived at a summit of a kind of uneven plain, that they too abandoned, maybe expressly. Orders came to form squadrons and charge. The charge did not have a good outcome; the enemy attacked us at the same time in flank and on our tail, our retreat was obviously in disorder. Being in serrated column, the first column put the others charging into confusion. In this first action ... ... ... died etc.

    I remained alone in command and I tried to regroup the regiment with all my effort imaginable and to charge again, which I did twice. The second time was a moment of desperation, and to try and animate them more I was the first to throw myself at the enemy phalanx. Without a hurrah, a band of Cossacks came and enveloped our left flank, and were it not for this I can say that the charge would have had a good result…

    Total losses on this day were 10 dead and 129 prisoners or not accounted for, not including the 5 officers mentioned above and 56 men wounded. Of the horses 10 died, and 149 were taken by the enemy. Etc.

    More than anything else it is the wretchedness of the horses due to a lack of food that breaks my heart, and if we do not quickly change this position, we will lose many of them. Here there is nothing but half dry grass, and no fodder…

    Up to now we have not stopped a moment; always after the enemy from dawn to dusk. As a result of such orders we have been obligated to leave many horses behind at various depositories. Naturally these horses can not continue the march due to fatigue and wounds.

    Etc.

    Provisional Commander of the regiment Chef d'Sqdn
    Gualdi.

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