This article was excerpted from "Crisis on the Danube", an historical work in progress on Napoleon's Danube Campaign by J. Arnold. MOONLIT COMBAT Alt Eglofsheim lay along one of a series of low ridges which extended perpendicular to the Eckmuhl-Ratisbonne Highway. These gentle swales ran like steps from the village to the dominating terrain of the Hoehus Berg. In front of the village on the eastern side of the highway, General Schneller deployed his cuirassiers from the reserve corps in a position to challenge the French pursuit. Portions of the IVth Corp infantry had already filed back along the road toward Ratisbonne in fair order, when the ubiquitous Stutterheim, whose alert conduct had greatly aided the Austrian defense earlier in the day, appeared to add his light cavalry to the rearguard. Whilethe cuirassiers had been only lightly engaged during the day, the arriving light cavalry was badly diminished from the furious fighting at Eckmuhl. The Vincent Chevaulegers had lost 150 men and 9 officers already. Nonetheless, the light cavalry dutifully deployed to support their heavy compatriots. Theoretically the Austrians should have numbered over 5,000 sabers in some 30 squadrons. However, the actual strength is estimated by Stutterheim to have totaled only 2,000. Six squadrons of the Gottesheim Cuirassiers anchored the first line while on their left stood eight squadrons of Stipsicz Hussars and two very weak squadrons of Ferdinand Hussars. Arrayed in a second supporting line ranked six squadrons of the Kaiser Cuirassiers with eight of the Vincent Chevaulegers. To the right of this mass of horsemen stood at least twelve 6 pound horse guns positioned to block the highway while another battery supported the left flank. Thus stood the mounted rearguard at 7 p.m. as the French pursuit began to debouch from the direction of Eckmuhl. Light from a rising moon reflected off the metal encased Gallic warriors as two masses of French cavalry, who had advanced steadily up the highway since the roadblock on the Hohenberg had been overcome, maneuvered to confront the Austrians. One column defiled from the main road hear Hagerstadt; the other advanced along the open terrain to the right of the road. Where were the cavalry Marshals to lead this host about to launch the most massive charge since Murat committed the Cavalry Reserve at Eylau in 1807? With Murat intriguing away in Naples and Bessieres pursuing Hiller near Landshut the command devolved upon General Nansouty, and he welcomed the opportunity. General Etienne Marie Antoine Champion, Compte de Nansouty, had served in the French mounted arm since 1785. Promoted to general in 1799, he had led a cuirassier division since 1805, seeing action at Ulm, Austerlitz, Golymin, Eylau, and Friedland. A tough general, who reputedly snapped at the meddling Emperor on another occasion "It is not your Majesty at any rate who can teach me to lead cavalry", he now led an independent command with the opportunity to make good his boast. His force totalled some 66 squadrons with 6,000 sabers. A regiment of carabiniers flanked by two of cuirassiers formed his first line with the remainder of his divisions providing a second, supporting line. All of these deployed in line while to their rear Saint-Suplice's division stood in compact columns. German allied light cavalry supported the right including six fresh Bavarians and about 20 jaded Bavarian and Wurttemberg squadrons. The horse artillery, probably three French and one Bavarian battery, trotted through the intervals taking position on the forward slopes of the Eichel Berg. Open Fire Shorly after 7p.m., in the growing darkness, Austrian light artillery opened fire on the French cavalry masses as they completed their battle array. Nansouty's gunners returned the salute from the heights. Both engaged well within effective range; 700 meters for the French 4 pounders, 500 for the lighter Austrian pieces. Working rapidly the crews fired two rounds per minute, their effectiveness reduced by the rain soaked earth which absorbed the impact of the roundshot. Nansouty's aide de camp describes advancing through such a bombardment: "we crossed the field where grass grew to our horses' chests and large furrows caused by the roundshot impeded our progress, spattering us with mud as the shot passed beneath our feet." As the line advanced, the Hapsburg gunners switched to canister while the French artillery fell silent, their target now masked. Nansouty's men braced for the expected continuous hail of canister knowing if they continued into lethal short range they would suffer dearly. Instead the Austrian fire ceased. Rumbling through the gloom came Schneller's countercharging cuirassiers. In keeping with Austrian tactical doctrine a single regiment advanced, the Gottesheim Cuirassiers led by Colonel Roussel. A French emigre, this brave officer sought to avenge his king, an activity assiduously pursued on numerous fields since 1793. Now, seeing the French still advancing at a walk (the French horses were badly tired from having covered nearly 50 kilometers since dawn) the emigre ordered the trumpeter to sound the charge. The Austrian troopers, many mounted on poorly trained horses, nervously strove to maintain formation as they spurred their chargers forward. The Gottesheims drew within 100 meters, not failing to notice their line was overlapped on both flanks by the more numerous French. Steeped in a long tradition of mounted fire action, the opposing French center regiment of carabiniers drew their carbines. At 40 paces they fired a volley into the faces of the charging Hapsburg troopers. Replacing their firearms, the carabiniers drew swords and charged. Simultaneously, the order rang out to the French cuirassiers on either flank: "Squadron. Trot! March!" The French line advanced; the physical pressure exerted by troopers riding knee to knee on giant Flemish and Norman horses ensuring a proper alignment. The biggest troopers rode in the center. Only their superior strength, aided by the high, stiff riding boots, kept them from being squeezed out of the formation. The supporting French second line conformed to the advance. The Gottesheim Regiment, despite having been stunned by the volley, closed impetuously. Galloping Austrian met trotting Frenchman with an impact heard across the field. When the two lines collided to a standstill all firing ceased. Thus a French participant could hear "the horrible working of l'arme blanche, its sabers echoing on the helmets and cuirasses like a hammer on an anvil, the shrill of the trumpets, the frightful cries of the combattants... Iron clashed against iron, causing numerous sparks, which shone in the midst of the darkness. Soon the moon rose, lighting this terrible and imposing scene. The Austrian cuirassiers, protected only in front, received great losses yet all displayed the highest bravery. In this melee, where man fought against man, the Austrians received cruel wounds in the back and kidneys, without being able to avenge themselves; our cavalry, completely protected, could without fear deliver their blows. There was decided at last, a question debated in the cavalry, about the necessity of the double cuirass." As individual contests of sword wielding skill continued, the opposing horseman's view narrowed to his immediate front. Adjacent events passed in a blur. Soon however, the individual outside Austrian troopers realized they were facing multiple opponents as the crescent shaped French formation overlapped the Gottesheim's flanks. From the outside of the formation single, outnumbered Austrians fled. The contagion of defeat accelerated inward as first by twos and threes, and then by entire groups the Gottesheim Regiment broke to the rear. Hapsburg gallantry and momentum proved less important than tactical finesse in this initial encounter. However, immediate help was at hand as reinforcements thundered to the fore. Into the confused fighting charged the Kaiser Cuirassier Regiment, with the Stipsicz Hussars supporting their flank. The Austrian cuirassiers stabilized the situation along the front while the hussars gained some success when they momentarily chased down the disordered first rank of French troopers. However, before the Austrians could further penetrate the French line, Nansouty's second line surged forward and the melee again became general. Meanwhile the Vincent Chevaulegers calmly maneuvered to seek a flank position, hoping to take Nansouty's entire division in the flank. But the brash Frenchman had prepared for such a threat through his wise initial deployment. The Bavarian and Wurttemburg light cavalry countercharged the chevaulegers, thus preserving Nansouty's threatened flank. No less than 70 squadrons now engaged in this titanic moonlit combat. In the center, the second line of French cuirassiers drove their huge chargers into the intervals between the smaller Hapsburg horse. Each French swordsman could fight confident in the knowledge his sides and rear were protected by friends, while each outnumbered Austrian had to parry in all directions. Turning to confront one opponent, the Austrian troopers left an exposed back to a second enemy. In this unfortunate situation, they paid the price for having only a front cuirass. Fortunes of Battle Seeing the fortunes of battle shifting against his compatriots, the Austrian Major Devoy led the last reserve of two squadrons of Ferdinand Hussars into the fray. Protected by this final charge, the majority of the Austrians broke and ran. Amidst indescribable confusion they galloped toward Alt Eglofsheim and the safety of the highway running back to Ratisbonne. Losing all cohesion in the jam up on the highway, the Austrians dribbled casualties and prisoners. An Austrian eyewitness describes the scene: "Surrounding the Austrians on the road were the French cuirassiers; we gave blows with our sabers to the right and left, in front, and behind; the noise, the confusion, the disorder, were overwhelming." Here General Schneller received a wound while General Stutterheim narrowly avoided capture when surrounded by French cuirassiers. His safety was due to the gallant Sergeant Petitipas of the Vincent Chevaulegers who hewed an avenue of escape for his beleaguered leader. Soon the Austrians' fresher horses outdistanced the blown French, and they escaped toward Kofering. The entire action ended before Saint Sulpice's supporting cuirassier division engaged; thus the combat probably lasted less than 10 minutes. The French claimed 300 prisoners taken on the field. Pelet, who watched the combat from the French artillery position, later wrote the Austrians suffered thirteen and eight times more killed and wounded, respectively, than the French. The Austrian choice of the Alt Eglofsheim position deserves censure. It provided few advantages and certainly was weaker than the Pfatterbach position only four kilometers further back. Furthermore the Austrians failed to incorporate all available cavalry units in the area into the rearguard. Schneller's piecemeal commitment of his regiments was a tactical error, explained though not excused, by the dictates of the drill manual. Outnumbered as they were, the best Austrian chance was to charge with all units against the head of the French columns before they could deploy. Once this opportunity passed, a defensive stance waiting for the French to cross the intervening terrain offered the maximum advantage to the enfilading Hapsburg artillery. Schneller's actual tactical choice represents a third, and exceedingly poor alternative. Nonetheless, although the Austrian horse was smashed on the battlefield, they succeeded in their goal of slowing the French pursuit. The majority of the army hurried onward to the comforting walls of Ratisbonne unhindered by French cavalry. Related Cavalry Charge! A New Thought on an Old Theme Cavalry Tactics and Quality (Napoleonic Wars) Largest Cavalry Combat Since Eylau Quick Thoughts on Cavalry Melees Back to Table of Contents -- Courier Vol. VI No. 6 Back to Courier List of Issues Back to Master Magazine List © Copyright 1986 by The Courier Publishing Company. 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