Nordhausen Campaign – Day Five

6 September 1813 – Nordhausen Campaign - Day 5

French start of siege of Weringerode
4 French army – day 1 of siege of Weringerode
5 French army – defend Nordhausen
6 French army – regroup at Ebelben

Russian attack Nordhausen
1 Russian army – day 1 siege of Weringerode
2 Russian army – attack Nordhausen
3 Russian army – regroup at Heldrungen

Battle of Nordhausen – table at the end of move 2

 French army is commanded by Marshal Moncey
Russian army is commanded by General Constantine

French – 12 infantry brigades, 3 cavalry brigade, 3 corps artillery
Russian – 12 infantry brigades, 3 cavalry brigade, 3 corps artillery

French have 7 infantry, 2 cavalry and 1 artillery casualties (3,100 men)
Russians have 5 infantry casualties (2,000 men)

Both armies start the battle with casualties, 3,100 French and 2,000 Russian

There are three objectives, all in the centre of the table
The hill on the left, the hill in the centre and the walled farm on the right
The side which hold at least two objectives at the end of 12 moves win the battle

The French start the battle in and around the city of Nordhausen
The Russians enter the table at the start of move one

On the right 15th French corps occupy the walled farm
4th Russian corps cavalry rout the French cuirassier brigade
This allows the infantry to advance from the woods and attack the farm
They fail to do so and retreat back to the woods

In the Centre Moncey takes command of half of 5th corps
He deploys the cavalry, artillery and infantry between the two hills
But he is unable to advance to support the attack on either hill
The remainder of 5th Russian corps storm the right hand hill
They quickly rout the defending French infantry and secure the hill

On the left 15th Baden corps hold the hill and area to the right
6th Russian corps deploy to the left of the hill but do not attack
Three Russian infantry brigades advance onto the hill
After a prolonged melee the Baden infantry retreat

The Russians have taken two of the three game objectives and win the battle.

Comments
Both commanders take command of one cavalry and one infantry brigade and corps artillery.
They deploy opposite each other in the centre between the two hills
Neither can gain an advantage, and neither will attack, so it is a stalemate in the centre

The French garrison the walled farm on the right with their jager brigade.
Despite a determined attack the French are unable to shift them
The French hold the farm at nightfall

The attack on both hills in an infantry affair, and the result largely down to luck
Both sides start with casualties and both have brittle morale.
The Russians take both hills.

The deciding factor on the right, was the artillery commanded by Marshal Moncey.
He lost both his cavalry and infantry brigades, but the gunners held to the left of the farm
From there they could fire into the attacking Russian infantry columns, to great effect
They also routed a heavy cavalry attack

This battle had a very Russian feel to it, with hard fought infantry fighting deciding the winner