After the disaster at Leipzig the Grande Arme began moving westwards in an
effort to escape the allied armies. A small corps of Austrians and Bavarians, under
the Bavarian General Wrede, marched westward and maneuvered to interpose itself
between Napoleon's withdrawing army and the French border. It was an opportunity
for the allies to crush the French in detail.
French infantry columns advancing in vicinity of Hanau.Figures are Mini Figs. Photo by Orv Banasik.
General Wrede did not judge himself strong enough to close the road to
Frankfurt, but he had decided, nonetheless, to use his 36,000 to 40,000 man corps
to harass the retreating French. He decided to use his cavalry on the plains of
Hanau, where he could use them to advantage, and under the cover of a heavy
cannonade, inflict damage on the French, as they came out of the forests to the
east of Hanau. [1]
Wrede arrived in Hanau at 1:30 p.m., on 29 October, he was convinced that
faced only a small column and not the main body of the Grande Armee.
[2]
He estimated the force facing him had no more than 20,000 men.
On 29 October, after the engagements at GeInhausen and Langenselbold
were over, the French realized that they had finally encountered Wrede's
Bavarians and began to prepare for the battle. Macdonald observed that the
11 morning would seal their (the Bavarians) fate." Oudinot's Young Guard had
stood as rear guard, but was ordered forward to the point of the main body,
closed up with the Old Guard. [3]
The French army organized itself for the assault during the night of 29/30
October. Macdonald led the column with the V and XI Corps. Behind him came the
Old Guard. Lefbvre stood to the north of the Old Guard, with Milhaud and the Polish
cavalry behind him. Arrighi's III Cavalry Corps was south of the Old Guard. Behind
the guard came Victor's II Corps, Sorbier with 3 artillery parks, Oudinot's I Young
Guard Corps, Bertrand's IV Corps and the rearguard was formed by Mortier's II
Young Guard Corps with Berkheim's cavalry to his south and Latour-Maubourg's I
Cavalry Corps to his north. To their rear, Blcher's Army of Silesia was just exiting
the Thringian Forest, 30 miles behind Mortier. Only Platov was near Mortier and
stood about 5 miles from him.
When day broke, Macdonald had been with the advanced guard since 4:00 a.m.,
and Napoleon was himself mounted and about the day's tasks since 7:15 a.m. A
gloomy morning greeted the Austro-Bavarian forces, as their pickets began to stir
under the cover of the edge of the forest west of Rockinen. A light snow covered
the ground and by 9:00 a.m., flurries began to fall.
[4]
The main part of the Bavarian infantry remained united south of the Kinzig
River. Bach's Austrian division, 8 line infantry battalions, and the 4 grenadier
battalions of Klenau's brigade stood in Lehrhof. The tiny Prussian streifkorps of
Rittmeister von Colomb stood on the Rodenbach road and served to link Deroy's
advanced posts near Rckingen with the main body. The allied cavalry stood on both
sides of the GeInhausen-Frankfurt road and was divided into two groups. Their right
wing stood on the road and the leading edge of the first line stood two thirds of a
mile to the west at the forest edge. The left wing was covered by the marsh and
land by the Fallbach stream, which was cut by several ditches.
During the night, von der Stocky's brigade, had bivouacked to the right of the
road. The Szekler Grenz Regiment served as the link between the two groups north
and south of the Kinzig. It was posted in the forest by Neuhof. The Austrian
grenadier battalions of Diemar's brigade occupied Hanau. The 2nd Bavarian Division, under
Becker and the Austrian 12pdr batteries were still en route.
During the early hours of the morning, around 3:00 a.m., Generalmajor Deroy
sent word back that the advanced guard that very large French force stood before
Rckingen, and that he awaited an attack. Wrede responded by ordering forward
three squadrons of the Szekler Hussar Regiment, on a reconnaissance towards
Langenselbold. However, at 6:00 a.m., by Redmhle, the hussars encountered the
front of the French lines and were chased back without completing their mission.
Wrede deployed his forces as follows: The right, consisting of the 2nd Bavarian
Division (Beckers), was posted on the two banks of the Kinzig River, between the
Neuhof farm to the Bulau woods, in a line even with the Rodebacher House,
situated on the road. Klenau's Austrian brigade was placed behind the Lamboy
bridge as a reinforcement for the 2nd Bavarian Division.
The center was formed by Bach's Austrian division. It was planned that if it was
pushed back it was to unite with the 3rd Bavarian Division (Lamotte) and
Volkmann's Austrian brigade. Once united infantry would cover the entire right bank
of the Kinzig along the grand route to GeInhausen, facing the Lamboy Forest.
[5]
The left wing was formed by the Bavarian and Austrian cavalry. It was formed
in several lines and stood to the left of the GeInhausen Road, towards the
Bruchkobel and Pappenwald Forests. The cossacks and partisans, under
Czernichev and Orlov-Dennisov, behind the left wing and on the main road to
Friedberg. The reserve stood behind the left bank of the Kinzig, in the Rodenb ach
ravine, and a brigade of Austrian grenadiers. [6]
The Bavar pickets stood to the east and north of Rckingen and were formed
from the schutzen company of the 5th Bavarian Line Regiment and a half squadron
from the 2nd Bavarian Chevauleger Regiment.
The engagement began, but at a low level, as the French advanced very
slowly. General Deroy sent forward the 1/8th Line Regiment and a half battery. He
faced the French with four battalions, four squadrons, two guns of Light Battery #3
"Halder" and half of Achner's 6 pdr Battery #9.
[7]
Later Deroy sent forward the grenadier companies of the 1/9th Line Regiment
and somewhat later the rest of the regiment, while the 1/Isar Kreis Battalion moved
to Langendiebach were it served as a reserve.
The two guns of Halder's Light Battery #3 moved to the east edge of the village
to fire on the cloud of French skirmishers. Macdonald did not, however, press hard
against the Bavarians, as he was waiting for the arrival of Sbastiani's II Cavalry
Corps. He contented himself with engaging the Bavarians with skirmish fire which
soon forced Hauptmann Halder's battery to withdraw under the cover of Achner's
6pdr Battery #9, and eventually back to Hanau.
Wrede witnessed the first engagements and was comforted by the excellent
attitude of his young troops. Shortly before 8:00 a.m., he returned to his main
force, where he conferred with FML Graf Fresnel as to how best deal with the
French. Meanwhile, the 1/9th Bavarian Infantry Regiment calmly pulled back under
the mounting pressure of the French. The Bavarian brigade on the plateau west of
Rckingen was unable to resist much longer, as the French deployed artillery and
pushed forward a arge force of cavalry on the left. The 1/9th Line formed column,
and with half of Achner's 6pdr Battery #9, began to withdraw. Ledru's 31st Division,
Macdonald's XI Corps, struck at the Bavarians while Sbastiani's and Exelman's
cavalry supported his advance. Soon the IX Corps and part of the II Corps, under
General Dubret on, rushed to the south in order to cut off the retreat of the 1/9th
Bavarian Line. [8]
French light cavalry attacked with a swarming attack of few small
detachments, while formed bodies of cavalry advanced to strike the Bavarian
cavalry brigade in an effort to stop its withdrawal and permit the French infantry
could come to grips with it. Achner's half 6pdr Battery #9 responded with salvo
after salvo of cannister, keeping the skirmishers at bay. The French advanced
continued, causing the Bavarians around the Lamboy Forest to sound the alarm
and prepare for battle.
In the early morning, Rittmeister von Colomb observed the deployment of the
French army and admired the calm and order of their movements. Also General
Ruty, who on this day did not leave the Emperor Napoleon's side, spoke repeatedly
of his astonishment over the conspicuous order of the French troops. Napoleon
watched the battle for the ROckinger bridge from Metzeloh.
At 10:00 a.m., Deroy's Brigade vacated its position by the Diebach Forest and
was pursued by the French. [9]
It reached western edge of the Lamboy Forest about 11:00 a.m., followed by a
cloud of French skirmishers, cavalry and several of Macdonald's batteries. The
French encountered the schutzen from von der Stocky's brigade and the two
battalion strong Zekler Grenz Regiment. The French advance forced them back as
well. A general Bavarian withdrawal had begun.
Macdonald let loose his forces and deployed them into a long thin line to sweep
the Austro-Bavarian skirmishers from the edge of the forest before him. La Motte
concentrated and organized his division. Von der Stocky's brigade stood in the first
line and Deroy's brigade formed behind them. The cavalry and artillery of the
advanced guard moved through gaps.
The allied cavalry stood in three lines on the left wing. The Bavarian cavalry
stood in the first line. On the right wing the lines were formed with the four
squadrons of the 3rd Cavalry Brigade. The 4/5th Chevauleger Regiment stood in
line across the Sandweg road, the three squadrons of the 4th Chevaulegers stood in
a closed regimental column behind the road. On the left of the 4/5th Chevauleger
stood the 1st Cavalry Brigade, with the 1st, 2nd and 7th Chevauleger Regiments,
each with 4 squadrons, lined up behind one another. On the outermost left wing
stood the six squadrons of the 2nd Cavalry Brigade.
The 3rd Chevaulegers stood on the right. To the west, left, stood the 6th
Chevauleger Regiment. In the second line stood the Austrian heavy cavalry. To the
left were the four squadrons of the Liechten stein Cuirassier Regiment and on the
right were the five squadrons of the Knesevich Dragoon Regiment. In the third line
stood the Erzherzog Joseph Hussar Regiment, with six squadrons, and the
Schwarzenberg Uhlans, with five squadrons. [10]
On the left flank of the allied cavalry stood the 1/Erzherzog Rudolph Infantry
Regiment. Further to the left and to the rear by the Friedberger road stood
Mensdorff's streifkorps. He was joined by two weak cossack regiments and three
squadrons of Austrian Hussars. The freiwilliger jger squadron of the Prussian
Lithuanian Dragoon Regiment stood in the Bruchkbeler Forest facing the north. Two
Prussian squadrons, the von Rohr's freiwilliger jagers and von Colombs' freiwilliger
jagers, stood in the advanced post on both flanks of the army serving as feelers,
On the southern edge of the Bruchkbler Forest, by the Freidberg road, stood the
Austrian Jager Battalion #3. The strong streifkorps of Czernichev and Kaisarov were
still in their bivouacks. As their supporting reserve, two companies were detached
from the 11th Bavarian Line Regiment.
Soon cossacks brought word of the approach of a very large baggage train,
moving from the north towards Bruchkbel. The lust for booty quickly drew
Czernichev to the north and the train. However, near Friedberg he encountered
Lefbvre-Desnottes cavalry and Milhaud's veteran dragoons and received a "bloody
head" for his efforts. Mensdorff's Austrian hussars and the Prussian freiwilliger
jagers, not wishing a decisive battle against overwhelming odds, remained in their
positions.
About 300 paces before the cavalry of Generalfeldmarschal
Spleny, Generalmajor von Strotnik deployed an artillery line to receive the French.
On the right wing, across the road, stood the Light Battery #3 "Halder". To its left
was 6pdr Foot Battery #9 "Achner". These 12 Bavarian guns were joined by the 18
12pdrs from 3 Austrian batteries and an Austrian 6pdr battery from the general
reserves. [11]
On the far left wing, alone and in echelon, stood a squadron of the Knesevich
Dragoon Regiment and a horse battery.
At 8:00 a.m., the French vigorously attacked the 3rd Bavarian Division's
advanced posts. These posts were very weak and were only able to hold their
position until about 10:00 a.m., though they repulsed several attacks before being
obliged to retire. Then Charpentier's 36th Division, Friant's Old Guard Division,
Sbastiani's 11 Cavalry Corps, and a force of artillery, under the command of
Marchal Macdonald advanced towards Ruckingen.
The 1/8th Bavarian Line Regimentwas deployed and sentforward to support the
advanced posts, but despite the reinforcement, the Bavarians were driven back.
They retreated, covered by Deroy's 2nd Brigade of La Motte's Division and the 2nd
Bavarian Chevauxleger Regiment. [12]
Shortly before 11:00 a.m., 44 guns, under Austrian General Strotnik, stood
ready to greet the French. Covering them from the edge of the Puppen Woods
stood the 2/Erzherzog Rudolph Infantry Regiment. The rest of the regiment with two
divisions from the 1/,3/Erzherzog Rudolph Regiment and its landwehr battalion stood
in the middle of the position, to the south of the Frank furt-GeInhausen road.
To the right forward of these regiments, and in an extension of the artillery line,
stood von der Stocky's brigade. His schOtzen stood on the edge of the woods, with
the closed companies 200-300 paces behind them in the open field. From left to
right they were arranged as follows: 1/7th Line Regiment, 2/11 th Line Regiment,
1/1 1th Line Regiment, and 1/11ler Kreis Battalion. The Iller battalion stood on the
right wing, 300 paces from Neuhof. To the rear of the brigade were two guns of
Light Battery #2 "Aign". They had moved
both 7pdr howitzers behind a small ridge on the edge of the woods. Deroy's Brigade,
behind von der Stocky's Brigade, was arranged in two lines. On the left, by the road
stood the 1/5th Line. To their right were the 1/9th, 1/8th Line Regiments, 2/11ler
Kreis Battalion and I/Isar Kreis Battalion.
On the southern portion of the western edge of the Lamboy Forest, the two
battalions of the Szekler Grenz Regiment deployed in skirmish order. The forest
was thicker here than in the northern portion, with thick underbrush and cut by
ditches and old water courses.
As the Szekler Regiment began to run out of ammunition it resolved to cross
over the Kinzig River in the afternoon. After its march from Aschaffenburg,
between 7:00 and 8:00 a.m., Beck er's 2nd Division stood on the southern bank of
the flowing stream. Four battalions of Zoller's brigade, with about 1,450 men,
arrived about 10:00 a.m. [13]
Graf Pappenheim's brigade stood to their right and Zoller's Brigade stood
somewhat farther to the rear and left of the Lehrhof-Neuhof road. The Austrian
Jordis Infantry Regiment and Klenau's brigade stood in Lehrhof.
Around noon, one of Wrede's adjutants carried an order to Pappenheim's
brigade, directing it pass over the bridge and occupy the woods, where the Szekler
Grenz Regiment was heavily engaged by French skirmishers. Graf Pappenheim
advanced with the 4th Combined Light Battalion leading his brigade. The remaining
battalions, the 1/4th Line, the 1/Regen Kreis, and the Salzach Kreis Combined
Battalion followed behind. The edge of the forest was occupied by the light
battalion, replacing the slowly crumbling Szeklers.
Half of 6pdr Foot Battery #7 "Danner" stood to the south of the Lamboy bridge
and supported the fight in that area. Zoller's Brigade, moving on the Kinzig,
occupied the far side of the Lamboy bridge and the Neumhl (new mill) with the 1 st
SchOtzen Company of the 6th Line Regiment. The rest of the 1/6th Line remained
on the left bank of the Kinzig River. The 1/Jordis Infantry Regiment moved further
to the right and occupied the Bulauwald Forest. This detachment was to slow the
passage of the French over the Kinzig, but to no purpose.
[14]
At noon, the French army, about 60,000 men, including 12,000 cavalry moved
in dense masses out of the Lamboy Forest. Napole on's advanced guard consisted
of Charpentier's 36th Division and Dubreton's 4th Division ' about 5,000 infantry,
which pushed through the woods in skirmish formation. On the right were 4,000 men
from the commands of Lefebvre-Desnottes , Arrighi and Dom browski's Division.
[15]
The Bavarian 4th Light Battalion was forced to pull back from its position in the
woods southeast of Neuhof where it had fought along side the Szekler Grenzers. Its
schutzen and karabnieri companies were deployed in skirmish order and the four
center companies remained closed up behind them, only to find themselves
showered with cannister, howitzer shells and small arms fire. Their losses were such
that they were forced back, out of range. [16]
The French II Corps deployed its artillery in the edge of the woods, and by
11:00 a.m., its fire had set Neuhof afire. Danner's 6pdr Battery #7 had detached
positioned one gun and a howitzer under Oberleutnant von Bridoul, where the
Neuhof GeInhausen road exited Neuhof. Under the cover of their fire, the rest of
Pappenheim's brigade passed over the Lamboy bridge, in order to assist the 4th
Light Infantry Battalion. According to the general's report of 17 November, the
brigade moved 6 battalions, two cavalry regiments, and several guns across the
river. In addition, the 2/3/Jordis and its landwehr battalion passed over the Kinzi
behind Pappenheim and took up a position to the southwest of Neuhof.
[17]
At 1:00 p.m., an order from Wrede arrived stating, "The brigade shall
steadfastly repel further assaults by the French, in order to assure that possibility
that, as reported in many reports, only a part of the Grande Arme stands before us,
and to permit us to maneuver around the French Corps facing us and permit us to
capture it lock, stock and barrel." This order makes it painfully clear that Wrede had
no idea what he faced. Shortly after, Bavarian illusions were shattered as at least
some staff officers heard echoing from deep in the woods, the Old Guard greeting
Napoleon with their cry, Vive l'Empereur!" Wrede's hour of reckoning had arrived
and the Bavarian duplicity was about to receive a down payment from the head
cashier. [18]
Wrede moved to the northern group of his army and reviewed the situation
along the forest edge before him. Before him he saw only scattered skirmishers
and cavalry supported by the fire of a few guns. The rising and falling sound of
cannon fire to the south was of so little concern to him that he deployed the 12pdr
Batteries of Dietrich (#11) and Ulmer (#8) to support Danner's 6pdr Foot Battery #7
on the northern half of the battle field. The detachment of these two Bavarian
batteries left only 18 guns in the artillery line the Bavarians had established earlier,
and of those guns, they were 12pdrs.
Though Deroy's infantry was occupied with the skirmishers facing it, the allied
cavalry had so little to do, that the regimental band of the Liechtenstein Cuirassier
Regiment was serenading the lines of cavalry, as they waited for action that was
ominously near.
The musical interlude lasted only until 1:00 p.m., when the pace of the battle
picked up. Macdonald's artillery, under General Baron Nourry, began to deploy
before the forest's edge. The Bavarian batteries to the north began to fire on the
French artillery, in an effort to nip the French move in the bud.
[19]
Napoleon recognized the impossibility of forcing the center and moved to attack
the right flank. [20]
This attack was executed by Macdonald, who led forward about 8,000 men of
the V and IX Corps, plus 3,000 men of Dubreton's 4th Division of the II Corps. The
attack, however, had no more success than the others and the French were thrown
back into the forest. The battle continued until 3:00 p.m. The artillery fire became
more and more intense. Every French move out of the forest was driven back.
Napoleon had not, so far, been involved in the battle, but spent his time on the
retreat of his army. He now turned his advance to the battle and sent forward his
forces in dense columns. At the head marched Curial's Old Guard Division and the
Guard Cavalry.
Shortly before 4:00 p.m., Napoleon gave the order for the for the main effort of
the French attack to be by the artillery and cavalry, while the infantry remained
idle. Marmont's V1 Corps and the 1st and 3rd Young Guard Divisions under Oudinot
were closing fast. The Old Guard, the last untouched body of French infantry, were
finally ordered forward. General Curial received the order to clear the edge of the
forest south of the road with the 1 st and 2nd Chasseur 6 pied Regiment. The Old
Guard began to roll forward irresistibly at the "pas de charge."
[21]
The artillery, under GD Drouot deployed before the woods where it could
enfilade the allied left and GD Nansouty's Guard cavalry swung out behind it,
deploying to attack.
Curial's two regiments advanced down the road in closed columns, at a quick
pace with drums and music announcing their advance, with Charpentier's
skirmishers covering their front. The rush of the Old Guard swept von der Stocky's
skirmishers from the forest edge. General von der Stocky, at the head of the 1/7th
Bavarian Line, was struck dead, and the commander of the 1st Iller Kreis Battalion
was taken prisoner, as his legionnaires fought their way out of an encirclement. The
French artillery moved forward to renew the bombard ment, but the Old Guard
Horse Artillery pushed even furtherforward. Covered by the Old Guard Dragoons
and Lancers, two Guard Horse Batteries under Colonel Griois moved down the road
at the gallop. They deployed and began a devastating bombardment of the right
wing of the first Bavarian cavalry line, while covered by the Guard cavalry.
[22]
According to its commander, the 1st (Polish) Chevaulger lancier Guard
Regiment, his Poles were struck by a heavy artillery fire from the northwest. The
Poles began to take heavy losses, as they moved to the right of the Guard
Dragoons. The second line of French cavalry, the 10th Cuirassier Regiment and the
2nd Carabinier Regiment, moved forward. The Empress Guard Dragoons then
moved forward to strike La Motte's 3rd Division as Deroy's brigade, in the second
line, moved forward to support Stocky's brigade.
The French flankers began to take a toll on the four squadrons of the 3rd
Cavalry brigade. Without waiting for orders, their leader, Oberst Diez, drew his
forces forward and led them against the French. This was a relief for his young
cavalry that stood behind the artillery line. The two French Guard Cavalry
Regiments were forced to yield, but the action of the 3rd Bavarian Cavalry Brigade
was not to be crowned with complete success, for French infantry and artillery in
the woods, poured out onto the field and broke their advance. As the Bavarian horse
was concentrating on the Guard horse artillery and their covering cavalry. Drouot
had, under the cover of the edge the woods, drew forward five Old Guard foot
batteries, with 20 12pdr cannon, deployed them and pushed them out of the edge of
the woods.
The second artillery battle was very brief and quite one sided. The Bavarian
artillery was short of ammunition and completely outclassed by the finest gunners
in the world. [23]
Wrede instructed the Austrians to provide the Bavarians with ammunition and
12pdr shot was provided, but there was nothing for the Bavarian 6pdr guns. The
Bavarian artillery reserve was 60 miles away in Ussenheim! Wrede had no choice
but to withdraw his guns.
THE CAVALRY
BATTLE
In an effort to stabilize the situation, Wrede ordered the seven chevauleger
regiments to attack the French artillery line. They passed forward, through their
withdrawing artillery line and threw themselves at the French. They threw back the
two heavy French cavalry regiments, pushing them into the woods. Drouot's
artillery stood waiting the charging lines of green clad Bavarian cavalry.
The French held their fire until the Bavarians were within musketry range and
unleashed a whirlwind of cannister that shredded their ranks. Despite their losses,
the Bavarian cavalry broke into the line of artillery, the gunners diving under their
guns. As their shattered and broken ranks moved through the guns and equipment
they found themselves facing fresh French cavalry. [24]
Nansouty's Guard cavalry charged them frontally, while Curial's chasseurs
fired on their flank. Two more lines of French cavalry moved out of the woods and
began to deploy. The impact of Nansouty and the prospect of further French
reinforce ments was more than they could hope to withstand. The beaten Bavarian
cavalry fell back and joined the retreating artillery.
Nansouty reformed his cavalry into three lines. The Guard Chasseurs Cheval
and Grenadiers Cheval, under General Laferire-Leveque,
[25]
formed the first line. The second line was formed by the four cuirassier and two
carabinier regiments of Saint Germain's 2nd Heavy Cavalry Division and the third
line was formed by the four regiments of Gardes d'Honneur, who were about to
committed to battle for the first time, and under Napoleon's eyes.
[26]
Nansouty dispatched the cuirassiers of the second line to the east to maneuver
and strike La Motte's left flank. The Gardes d'Honneur handled themselves well,
and Exelmans joined the 3rd Garde d'Honneur Regiment with the Grenadiers Cheval
and maneuvered them to strike the Austrian cavalry in the left flank.
[27]
The impact was terrible. Oberst von Flachnfeld, commander of the
Liechtenstein Cuirassiers, was killed and Oberst von Clay, commander of the
Knesevich Dragoons, was wounded. The Erzherzog Joseph Hussars and
Schwarzenberg Uhlans were drawn into the battle, as was Sebastiani's entire II
Cavalry Corps. Shortly after, Graf Mensdorf arrived with his two cossack
regiments and three Austrian hussar squadrons, which he threw without hesitation
into the French right flank. Though surrounded by French cavalry, the Erzherzog
Joseph Hussars succeeded in forming column and punching through the French
lines, as Mensdorf's attack broke the French concentration.
As soon as the allied cavalry was chased back by the French cavalry, the
allied battery renewed its firing. At 4:00 p.m., Wrede attempted once again to use
his cavalry to force Drouot's battery back, but it failed again.
[28]
The allied artillery on the left wing, lacking ammunition, could not respond and remained exposed to a murderous fire. [29]
As they pulled back, the Schwarzenberg Uhlans and a fresh 6pdr battery were
moved back across the Kinzig, to the south bank. The Schwarzenberg Uhlans,
supported by the 1/Erzherzog Rudolph Infantry Regiment and its landwehr battalion,
repeatedly charged the French, and assisted the rest of the allied cavalry to break
out. However, the allied cavalry was severely handled and soon it's actions began
to assume the character of panic as casualties mounted and one unit after another
sought to save itself. [30]
The seven Bavarian regiments had lost a third of their officers and a fifth of
their manpower.
CURIAL'S INFANTRY ATTACK
La Motte's 3rd Division found itself facing the advance of Curial's Old Guard
Chasseurs Pied. Wrede had dispatched the 1/9th Bavarian Line to the edge of the
forest to face the French and supported them with artillery. Shortly after, the
artillery duel began on their right, followed quickly by the 1/9th Bavarian Line
exhausting its ammunition. At this moment SaintGermain' cuirassiers struck the
flank of La Motte's 3rd Division. The 1/5th Bavarian Line Regi ment and 2/11ler
Kreis Battalion rallied around their flags, in a desperate bid to stay alive in the mass
of thundering cavalry. The 2/11ler Kreis Battalion shot off all its ammunition and
found itself depending on its bayonets to survive. [31]
The 1/8th Bavarian Line Regiment and 1/11ler Kreis Battalion formed squares
with cannons being placed between them. A volley from the 1/11ler Kreis Battalion,
coupled with an attack by the Erzherzog Joseph Hussars, stalled the attacking
French cuirassiers and permitted the 2/11ler Kreis Battalion to move to the
assistance of the 1/9th Line Regiment. The 1/9th found itself alone, facing Curi al's
Old Guard Chasseurs pied, supported by the 2nd Old Guard Grenadier pied
Regiment, under Cambronne. [32]
Surrounded by French cavalry and facing the advance of Napoleon's best
infantry, La Motte's 3rd Division began to pull back in an effort to break off
contact. They withdrew down the main road towards the bridge over the Kinzig,
where Drouot's artillery began to pound them furiously.
[33]
The punishment and threat of the advancing Old Guard was more than Wrede's
troops could handle. "At the sight of the advancing bearskins (of the Old Guard),
the Bavarian infantry was seized with terror, and recoiled in panic." With the
Bavarian lines crumbling, the French cavalry thundered forward again. Sbastiani's
cavalry and all of the Imperial Guard Cavalry - the grenadiers, the chasseurs, the
mameluks, the lancers and the dragoons rode againstthe Bavarians, striking them
with a fury. Several squares were literally ridden down and the Bavarians suffered
heavy losses. [34]
In Hanau, by the Frankfurt Gate, stood Diemar's brigade of Austrian Grenadiers
and the Bavarian 12pdr Foot Battery #11 "Dietrich". The grenadiers joined the
army's gendarmes with their ' bayonets, in an effort to stop the flood of refugees.
The flood of beaten Bavarians, however, moved around them, pushing through the
Kinzig and into the city.
The withdrawal and passage over the Kinzig were effected with much disorder,
and many soldiers drowned in the river as they tried to ford elsewhere.
[35]
The dam of the Herren Mill, on the Kinzig, was full to the top with water from the
constant rain and snow of the previous few days. The sluice gates had not been
opened. Those that could, slipped across the top of the dam, while others simply
threw away their equipment and swam the Kinzig. The 1/5th and 1/9th Line
Regiments and the 2/11ler Kreis Battalion disintegrated as they escaped across the
Kinzig, losing about 300 prisoners. [36]
On the left flank Wrede stood with the Schwarzenberg Uhlans covering the
withdrawal of that flank. Von Mengen's forces were covered by two squadrons of
the 1st Chevauleger Regiment. Part of Halder's Light Battery #3 fired off its last
cannister rounds at the advancing French cavalry. Oberst Mensdorff had withdrawn
from the battlefield after his one attack. [37]
Part of the Erzher- zog Rudolph Infantry Regiment and Jager Battalion #3
withdrew towards Frankfurt, and crossed over to the left bank of the Main River.
The 2/11th Line Regiment pulled its two companies on the Krebsbach back. The
Prussian freiwilliger jager squadrons were ordered back to watch the Friedberg
Road. However, they found themselves cut off by the Fasanerie (animal gardens),
and obliged to withdraw in a different direction.
At 5:00 p.m., north of Neuhof the engagement was definitively concluded The
Bavarian left wing was thrown back across the Kinzig and the center ruptured. The
Bavarian right wing had also been pushed back to the west. In an ironic gesture,
Wrede's 3:00 p.m., order for a divisional attack arrived , Wrede hoped that a strike
by his right wing could stop the flow of the French that went through his lines.
To the south, by the Lamboy Bridge, Zoller's Bavarian Brigade suffered a few
losses to French artillery and was itself supported by the greatly fatigued
Pappenheim Brigade. Zoller had deployed the 6th Bavarian Line Regiment on his
western flank. The 1st Reizat Kreis Battalion stood on the road with two guns of
Bridoul's battery, and left from it was the 1st Light Battalion. Further to the left
stood the Austrian Jordis Infantry Regiment. [38]
The schutzen companies and two more companies of the 1st Light Battalion
were deployed before them in skirmish line, engaging Dubreton's French
skirmishers in the forest edge. The French breakthrough left the 6th Bavarian
Infantry Regiment hanging in the air, exposed to the French. The list Light Battalion
and the Jordis Infantry Regiment, however, stood by Ihmhuschen and faced little
of the wrath of the Old Guard, as it advanced.
However, this did not last long. Four more battalions of the Old Guard were
given the order to "blow the powder from the pans of their muskets and advance
directly against the (Bavarian) skirmishers." This assault was, in fact, executed by
the 1 st Grenadiers A pied, the Fusilier-Chasseurs, Fusilier-Grenadiers, Velites of
Turin and Velites of Florence. Instead of four battalions, eight advanced.
[39]
With a terrible momentum, these elite troops thundered forward into the flank of
Becker's 3rd Division crushing and obliterating the list Light Battalion and the Jordis
Infantry Regiment. The losses of the 6th Bavarian Line Regiment were even worse.
The survivors of the allied brigade fled to the rear, into the woods. The 1st Reisart
Kreis Battalion found one of its detachments cut off in Neuhof, as the rest of the
battalion withdrew. It dug itself in for a long defense. Its sole hope for survival was
if the French ignored Neuhof and passed to the north.
As Zoller's brigade disbanded and fled into the woods, Pappenheim's brigade
advanced only to be struck in the left flank by the squadrons of Saint-Germain and
Sebastiani. The Bavarians hastily formed square. The schutzen of the 6th Bavarian
Line Regiment that formed in front of the 4th Bavarian Line Regiment, quickly
pulled aside so that the 4th Line could defend itself with volley fire, against the
attacking cavalry, only to witness the Old Guard move around Neuhof and against
the hapless Jordis Infantry Regiment. [40]
According to Pappenheim's report, this regiment and its flanker line were bowled
over by the overwhelm ing force and vehemence of the attack by the Guard. The
Jordis Infantry Regiment broke and its soldiers fled to the rear, across the Kinzig
River. The Jordis Infantry Regiment and several hundred Bavarians were pushed
towards the Herrenmhle Mill. [41]
The attack of the Old Guard was seconded by Marmont's advanced guard,
driving the rest of the Bavarians across the Lamboy bridge. The Bavarian officers
desperately attempted to stem the flow of their fleeing soldiers. Pappenheim had
two horses killed under him in the effort. Fortunately, Pappenheim encountered
Hauptmann's Zurnieden's battalion, with about 1,800 marching convalescents, and
led them forward to the Lamboy bridge.
Oberleutnant Bridoul and his two guns had pulled back to the Lamboy bridge and
defended his position with cannister fired on the French at ranges of 50-60 paces. A
few companies of the 6th Bavarian Line Regiment occupied the Neumhle, while the
bridge itself was defended by a number of schtzen from the 6th Line under
Oberstleutnant Fick, which built an impenetrable barrier of bayonets.
[42]
They found themselves covered by the concentrated fire of the three Bavarian
batteries, Danner (#7), Dietrich (#11) and Ulmer (#8) and an Austrian 6pdr battery.
The Bavarians occupied the strong points on the south of the battlefield, and
with the swampy nature of the land, the French attack stalled, allowing the
survivors of the shattered allied right wing to fall back and regroup.
Once that occurred, the Bavarians thought of renewing their assault, pushing
across the bridge and throwing the French back into the woods.
The 1st Light battalion advanced, with Zurnieden's battalion behind them, under
the command of General Freiherr von Zoller. They were followed by the two
brigades of Becker's 3rd Division, and supported by the fire of the Bavarian right
wing artillery. The Bavarians succeeded in throwing the French back and securing
the region between the Kinzig and the Lamboy Forest by 7:00 p.m.
As night fell, the two bridges over the Kinzig were still in allied hands. The
Lamboy Bridge was held by Klenau's grenadier brigade and Jager Battalion #3,
which stood in the gardens by the Wasenmeisterei. Diemar's Grenadier brigade
occupied Hanau and the bridgehead before the Margaret Tower. Though they had
suffered heavy losses, the spirit of the Bavarian conscripts was good. However,
they knew that in the morning, they would once again face the advance of
Napoleon's Old Guard. The arrival of night finally ended the battle. [43]
During the night, Napoleon reorganized his forces for what he anticipated would
be a second day of battle. He was in a difficult situation, despite his victory, and
had to clear the road to France. To his rear and on his left flank, however, the
cossacks of Platov and Orlov continued their harassing tactics.
During the day of the 30 October, Platov's cossacks had twice broken through
Bertrand's and Mortier's forces, while Orlov's streifkorps, supported by the
Hohenzollern Chevaulegers, had at 4:00 p.m., broken into the village of
Rothenbergen, spreading havoc and mayhem. His horse battery had also taken a
French column under fire on the road to Gelnhausen. [44]
The night of 30/31 October was not without incident. A large portion of the
French army marched in haste towards Frankfurt. On 31 October Marmont was left
behind with the III, IV, and V1 Coros to hold Wrede, while the rest of the army
passed through the Hanau.
Dodge, T.A., Napoleon, A History of the Art of War, from Litzen to Waterloo,
with a detailed Account of the Napoleonic Wars, The Riverside Press, Cambridge,
MA, 1907.
Gilardone, G., "Bayerns Anteil am Herbstfeldzuge 1813" Kniglich Bayern,
Kreigsarchiv, Darstellung aus der Bayerischen Kriegs- und Herresgeschichte, Heft
22, J. Linclaudersche Universitts, Munich, 1913.
von Guttenberg, E., "Die bayerische Nationalgarde 11 Classe in den
Befreiungskriegen.Kniglich Bayern, Kreigsarchiv, Darstel lung aus der Bayerischen
Kriegs- und Herresgeschichte, Heft 22, J. Lindaudersche Universifts, Munich, 1913.
Marbot, Baron de, Memoires, de Baron de Marbot, Librairie Plon, Paris, 1892.
Plotho, C., Combat de Hanau, Livr le 30 octobre 1813, translated by P. Himly,
J. Correard, Paris, 1840.
Sporschil, J, Die Grosse Chronik, Geschichte des Kreiges des Verbundeten
Europa's gegen Napoleon Bonaparte, in den Jahren 1813, 1814, und 1815, G.
Westermann, Braunschweig, 1841.
[1] Plotho, C. ' pg 149.;
More Battle of Hanau 30 October 1813
BIBLIOGRAPHY
NOTES
[2] Gilardone, G., pg 99.
[3] Gilardone, G., pg 103.
[4] Gilardone, G., pg 104.;
[5] Sporschil, J , Vol 1, pg 1012.;
[6] Plotho, C., pg 150.
[7] Gilardone, G., pg 105.
[8] Gilardone, G., pg 106.
[9] Gilardone, G., pg 107.
[10] Gilardone, G., pg 108.
[11] Gilardone, G., pg 109.
[12] Plotho, C., pg 151.;
[13] Gilardone, G., pg 110.
[14] Gilardone, G., pg 11
[15] Sporschil, J, Vol 1, pg 1014.;
[16] In this action the 4th Bavarian Light Battalion lost 10 officers and 100 men dead and wounded out of a strength of 20 officers and 546 men present on 8 October.;
[17] Gilardone, G., pg 112.
[18] von Guttenberg, E., pg 220.;
[19] Gilardone, G., pg 113.
[20] Plotho, C., pg 151.;
[21] Gilardone, G., pg 115 and Sporschil, J, Vol 1, pg
1016
[22] Gilardone, G., pg 116.;
[23] Gilardone, G., pg 117.;
[24] Gilardone, G., pg 118.;
[25] Sporschil, J., Vol 1, pg 1016.;
[26] Plotho, C., pg 152.
[27] Gilardone, G., pg 119;
[28] Dodge, T.A., pg 277.;
[29] Plotho, C., pg 152.
[30] Gilardone, G., pg 120.:
[31] von Guttenberg, E., pg 223.;
[32] This is the same Cambronne, who at the Battle of Waterloo, reportedly responded to a British call to surrender with the "Mot de Cambronne" (Cambronne's word) or "Merde!";
[33] Gilardone, G., pg 122.;
[34] Marbot, Baron de, pg 357.;
[35] Plotho, C., pg 153.:
[36] Gilardone, G., pg 123.;
[37] Gilardone, G., pg 124.
[38] Gilardone, G., pg 125.;
[39] Gilardone, G., pg 126.;
[40] Gilardone, G., pg 127.;
[41] Plotho, C., pg 153.;
[42] Gilardone, G., pg 128;
[43] Gilardone, G., pg 130.;
[44] Gilardone, G., pg 131.;
[45] Plotho, C., pg 153.
Battle of Hanau
Large Map (slow: 140K)
Giant Map (very slow: 304K)
Jumbo Map (diabolically slow: 630K)
Back to Table of Contents -- Courier #58
To Courier List of Issues
To MagWeb Master Magazine List
© Copyright 1992 by The Courier Publishing Company.
This article appears in MagWeb (Magazine Web) on the Internet World Wide Web.
Other articles from military history and related magazines are available at http://www.magweb.com