Game: Marengo

Report by: Jim Lauffenburger

French: Jim Lauffenburger
Austrian: Jay Hiserote and Jim Thomas

War Story: Austrians started the game with a cavalry charge on the French left, which went into square and chased the cavalry back. Austrian horse artillery immediately came up and pummeled the square at 200 yards. The French counterattacked in line, drove away the skirmishers, then the French local reserve column destroyed the Austrian horse artillery.

The Austrians drove back the French right, and very quickly moved toward Castel Ceriolo. The Austrian center advanced steadily to drive the French back, and Pedre Bona was captured within a couple hours. Several Austrian brigades worked themselves up into a Blood Lusted fury, formed column and drove the French back -- much to the amazement of their General Officers!

Even though Murat decided to ignore the gunfire and enjoy a late petit dejeuner, Kellerman charged the Austrian center and did major damage before the French center withdrew across the Fontanone River to Marengo.

Lannes got early initiative, and in a silly fit of bravery decided to race the Austrians to Castel Ceriolo. The Austrian cavalry and artillery were just deploying in and around the Castel when Lannes' troops came into view. Lannes decided that his men were tough enough to advance without any supporting horse or cannon. During that advance they were harried by cavalry and they chased off a charge while the Austrian guns unlimbered in the Castel.

The Austrian infantry were struggling to come up when the French column slammed into the town, taking heavy losses. An hour of bloody combat convinced Lannes to fall back before his men all disappeared. He fell back just as Murat came up and destroyed Vogelsang's poor troops who were trying to outflank Lannes.

It was bedtime for the players so the game was called a draw (late morning, game-time).

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