FRENCH ORDER OF BATTLE
Commander: Emperor Napoleon
Chief-of-Staff: MdE Berthier

Commander-in-Chief: GdD Prince Eugene de Beauharnais
(Eugene was a brave and generous man, very close to his stepfather Napoleon)

. Napoleon's plan hinged on Davout's attack against the Austrian left flank and the village of Markgrafneusiedel. Battle Plans and the Deployment of Troops. The Austrian battle line was almost twice as extensive as the French line. Napoleon had not been idle. The French commander had formulated his battle plans by the time he had his army on Lobau Island. The enemy was known to be in large force behind the river, and this made the crossing of Danube exceedingly hazardous. The French occupied Vienna with infantry and the Lobau Island with heavy artillery. The main army held line from Aspern (left flank), to Aderklaa and Wagram in the center, and to Markgrafneusiedel on the right flank. The Imperial Guard, cuirassiers, and Marmont's and MacDonald's corps stood in reserve. Napoleon's plan hinged on Davout's attack against the Austrian left flank and the village of Markgrafneusiedel. Davout planned to fix the Austrians with two divisions while his other two maneuvered to outflank the enemy. General Jomini writes: "At Wagram his [Napoleon's] order was ... bringing up two masses upon the center and right, while keeping back the left wing; and this he wished to repeat [in 1812] at Borodino and [in 1815] at Waterloo before the Prussians came up. (See map --> ) Karl von Clausewitz writes: "The left wing, which was opposed to the Austrian right resting on the Danube, was extremely weak and was totally defeated. Even their centre at Aderklaa was not very strong, and was obliged to give way to the Austrians on the first day. But that did not signify, because the Emperor’s right, with which he attacked the Austrian left in front and flank, had such a depth that he brought a heavy column of cavalry and horse artillery to bear upon the Austrians in Aderklaa, and if he did not beat them, was able, at all events, to stop their progress." . . . Napoleon's first line at Wagram (number of infantry battalions, cavalry squadrons, and guns) Massena [left flank] Bernadotte Grenier Oudinot Davout [right flank] 45 battalions: 8 light 25 line 12 foreign 20 battalions: 2 light 3 line 15 foreign 29 battalions: 4 light 25 line - 49 battalions: 7 light 37 line 5 foreign 52 battalions: 11 light 41 line - 37 squadrons: 4 hussars 26 chasseurs 7 foreign 16 squadrons: - - 16 foreign 11 squadrons: - 11 chasseurs - 17 squadrons: 4 hussars 7 chasseurs 6 foreign 60 squadrons: 6 hussars 14 chasseurs - - - - - 24 dragoons 16 cuirassiers 10 guns 54 guns 32 guns 18 guns 64 guns 114 guns Before midnight Archduke Charles issued battle instructions. His all army corps were to form in two lines, screened by skirmishers and supported by artillery. "Recalling the success of his fire ships, the erzherzog (archduke) ordered that the 18 great fire rafts already built by his pontoneers be launched into the Danube's current laden with stones and barrels of gunpowder. Charles hoped that they would ram and burn their way through the French bridges to create havoc similar to that which had occured in May." (- James Arnold) The V Army Corps and infantry brigade of the III Army Corps were left facing the French in Vienna. Archduke Charles instructed Kollowrath-Krakowski's III and Klenau's VI Army Corps to attack the French exposed left flank and Massena's corps. They would begin their approach march at 1 AM. In the center stood Bellegarde's I Army Corps facing the village of Aderklaa. Archduke Charles was with Bellegarde's corps. The waist-deep Russbach Stream was held by Hohenzollern's II Army Corps. On the flank stood Rosenberg's VI Army Corps facing the villages of Markgrafneusiedel and Grosshofen, and Davout's powerful corps. In reserve were the elite Grenadier Corps and Cavalry Corps. Charles sent a cavalry division from his reserve to Rosenberg's corps. Rosenberg faced Davout's corps and numerous French cavalry. A single cuirassier regiment was sent to Hohenzollern's corps. Hohenzollern defended Rossbach Stream. Two hussar regiments were dispatched east to reach out toward Archduke John.

. Battle of Wagram, 1809. Map of battle of Wagram 1809. Other maps (ext.links) 1 - 2

. "The most beautiful sight I have ever seen in my life then unfurled before our eyes. Within a radius of about a mile, we could see the entire Austrian army, with its right flank anchored on the Danube, and its left extending beyond Wagram..." - Chlapowski of Napoleon's Guard Cavalry The Battle. Wagram was one of the greatest battles of XIX century. The battlefield at Wagram was a ground that was familiar to the Austrian army, for it was the place where peacetime manoeuvres were held. The open fields between Wagram and Danube River, although intersected by many roads, admitted of movement in any direction. When the French advance guard first reached this place the scene was as peaceful as if no war existed. A large body of Austrian cavalry had been observed moving toward the Austrian left. The first sign of activity on the Austrian side came from the light troops. With the French infantry and gunners wearing dark blue coats and white trousers, and the Saxons and Austrian foot soldiers wearing white coats, the battlefield looked very colorful. Officer of Napoleon's Guard Cavalry wrote: "The most beautiful sight I have ever seen in my life then unfurled before our eyes. Within a radius of about a mile, we could see the entire Austrian army, with its right flank anchored on the Danube, and its left extending beyond Wagram..." Napoleon observed the countryside, hunched over the mane of his horse. One of Guard Chasseurs carried Napoleon's despatch case and another his field glass. If the Emperor dismounted his escort would immediately do likewise. The Emperor was surrounded by generals and staff officers. Couriers began to move briskly about. (Napoleon was never the best of horsemen, and most often travelled by coach. It was painted in green, drawn by 6 large grey horses, and had 2 coachmen on top and a servant on the box. The coach contained pull-out bed, hand-operated printing press, his mobile treasury, and small library.) Right flank: Davout vs Rosenberg. To Davout's surprise, while he maneuvered to strike Rosenberg, Rosenberg attacked Davout. The artillery roared to life at 4 AM around Markgrafneusiedel. Pillars of smoke rose into the air. The grand roar followed from all the guns of both armies and the inhabitants of Vienna could hear it. Numerous Austrian infantrymen were placed in skirmish order facing southward, eyes straining under new shakos and helmets to see the approaching legendary French army coming from Raasdorf, Aspern and Essling. Marshal MacDonald writes: "At daybreak, on July 6, a violent cannonade began on our extreme right. We re-established our line, and formed up. The enemy in front of us remained motionless, but soon advanced some troops on the right; they slowly descended the heights as if to cross the stream in front of Bernadotte, who was posted on my left in front of the village of Wagram. On the right was Marshal Davoust, who, marching against the enemy, was either warned, or else met them coming towards him." Davout's corps was more trustworthy and exact in the performance of its duty than any other troop except the Imperial Guard. It was often entrusted with the most difficult part of the work in hand. Napoleon had great confidence in Davout's abilities and he became Emperor's most effective and feared marshal. There was something about him which warned his subordinates he was not to be triffled with and would stand no nonsense from either friend or foe. He was a stern disciplinarian who exacted obedience from his troops. But also Davout was difficult to get on with and had no patience with those who tried to take easy ways out. Davout was nicknamed the Iron Marshal. To Davout's surprise, while he maneuvered to strike Rosenberg's corps, Rosenberg attacked Davout. Suddenly, all the cocksure attitudes began to change as the French noted the ever-growing forms of the advancing Austrians. Rosenberg's attack had wrong-footed the French. As soon as the skirmishers of the leading battalions had pressed in, the columns came forward. The Austrian infantry marched with enthusiasm, bands playing, and senior officers riding at the front. Davout's artillery greeted them with a hailstorm of projectiles. One of Davout's divisons under GdD Friant held Glinzendorf. Another division under GdD Gudin occupied Grosshofen. Both villages were attacked by the white-coats and partially taken. Then Gudin took the enemy in flank and drove them back. Friant's division also counterattacked. The French hussars, chasseurs and dragoons advanced against the Austrian horse. The Austrians made several attempts to take the villages. Advancing with the same precision as before the whitecoats stopped only to fire then advanced with fixed bayonets to meet with the same fate as the previous assaults. Although the Austrian infantrymen fell back, their attack had disordered Davout's preparations for the important flank attack. His troops had fired a massive amount of ammunition. Davout reported to Napoleon that it would take 1-2 hours to replenish the ammunition and then deliver the planned flank attack. Davout kept the situation well under control and satisfied Napoleon returned to the center. The Emperor also recalled his reserves already marching to support Davout. Only Arrighi's cuirassier division was assigned to Davout's III Army Corps. Center: Bernadotte's Saxons vs Bellegarde. The Austrians took the village of Aderklaa. Bernadotte's Saxons failed to retake it, then they broke under artillery fire and fled. Bellegarde's I Army Corps advanced against the village of Aderklaa occupied by a detachment of Bernadotte's Saxon infantry. The Austrians marched with fixed bayonets. (Undertaking a task 'with fixed bayonets' has this connotation of no room for compromise.) The advance guard of Bellegarde's corps stormed the village and took prisoners. In this point the rest of Bellegarde's corps deployed on both sides of Aderklaa. Bernadotte deployed the Saxon batteries and prepared a counterattack. In the artillery duel the more numerous Austrian cannons dismounted 15 of 26 Bernadotte's guns. The French artillery support the Saxons. There is no faltering - the men stand nobly to their work. Men are dropping dead or wounded on all sides, by scores, some with an arm dangling, some with a leg broken, are limping and crawling towards the rear. At 7 AM Marshal Bernadotte counterattacked with infantry and cavalry. The fire all along the line was terrific. It is a wonder how anything human could have stood before it. The Saxons and French (Dupas' division) had enough, they failed to retake Aderklaa and withdrew. Two Austrian battaries deployed on their flank and poured in a destructive enfilade fire. Some of the Saxons and Frenchmen broke and fled. Napoleon stood on a rise east of Aderklaa and saw the rout and MdE Massena futilely trying to make them stop. They ran toward Raasdorf and by midafternoon there were "12,000 stragglers miling about the village. Riding Euphrates, his snow-white Persian horse, Napoleon coursed the field to rally the Saxons. ... The French soldiers facing the Russbach Stream needed encouragement as well because they were beginning to waver under the Austrian bombardement. ... To steady his men Napoleon rode 'from one extremity of the line to the other, and returned at a slow pace." (- James Arnold) Left flank: Massena's advance. "Go, my friend, into that village and slaughter those rogues !" (Marshal Massena to Gen. St.Cyr) MdE Massena left Boudet's division in Aspern, by the river, and with the rest of his corps began moving in the direction of Wagram and Aderklaa. Massena rode in a coach. (Napoleon said of Masséna: he was "the greatest name of my military Empire.") GdD Carra St.Cyr took his division (24th Light, 4th and 46th Line, and Hessians) and marched against Bellegarde's advance guard. "From a drainage ditch 100 paces in front of the village, a battalion of Austrian jagers rose up to deliver a heavy fire. The French infantry closed ranks and pressed forward. Stutterheim's 2,700 men, sheltered behind the earthen dike surrounding the village, put up a stout defense. Fighting quickly degenerated into the type of bloody melee already seen at Ebelsberg and Aspern-Essling. Garden walls, farmyards, and individual buildings were captured and recaptured." (- James Arnold) Stutterheim's force (2,700 his own troops + 2 battalions) was numerically weaker than the French and after heavy fighting they fell back. The sight of fleeing comrades broke the morale of several battalions of Fresnel's division, and they joined the rout toward Wagram. However, the victorious French had lost all order during the action and pursuit. Archduke Charles rode to Fresnel's troops and rallied them. Then he continued on to his Corps, gave a speech and ordered three battalions to support GM Stutterheim and retake Aderklaa. The Austrians captured, lost and retook Aderklaa. The Austrians routed two French infantry regiments and captured their Eagles. The Hessians also suffered badly. Austrian offensive against the left flank interrupted Massena's march. Legrand's division halted and faced the advancing whitecoats. Massena's own nerves somewhat unsettled as he watched the approach of Austrian cavalry followed by long columns of infantry, he realized that he has to act fast as his troops were now surely outnumbered and outgunned. On came the gallant whitecoats in magnificent formation. In the front marched skirmisheers. Behind them, more ominously, long lines of Austrian infantry could be seen moving from march column into battle formation. Return fire crackled from the French skirmishers, and some of Austrians fell, blood streaming from open wounds. The numerous whitecoats then fixed bayonets and drove the French from their position. The fury of the attackers broke the enemy defenses as they threw down their weapons and ran. The shock action of a bayonet charge exhilarated the attackers and demoralized the defenders. The French 4th Line was hit in the flank and routed, with all battalion commanders dead or wounded. They also lost their Eagle. The noise was deafening, all encompassing, as if the world was indeed ending. The men could not help but be thrilled by the power and intensity of it. The 24th Light was in disorder after long pursuit when Austrian grenadiers (see picture) attacked them. The 24th was mauled and also lost its Eagle. The Hessians suffered very heavy losses, were thrown back and lost one of their flags. The 46th Line fought hard before yielding. The Austrians gave them a volley in their faces, and advanced upon them with the bayonet. The 46th fled in confusion. The Austrians captured Aderklaa. The Saxons counterattacked and got under artillery fire from front and flank. It was too much for them and they hastily withdrew. The Austrians retook Aderklaa. On the Austrian side many officers were killed and wounded, Archduke Charles received a painful shoulder wound, and the brave and talented GM Stutterheim was down. After Carra St.Cyr's failure in Aderklaa, MdE Massena sent forward Molitor. After some skirmishing the French attempted a charge, which was met in front by the Austrians. The whitecoats were driven back to the support of their artillery. While one part of Molitor's division and heavy artillery drove the Austrians from the village, other part formed squares and repulsed charging cuirassiers. For Napoleon it was very important to keep Aderklaa, it secured the flank Oudinot's corps along the Russbach Stream. By 11 AM Bellegarde's infantry again attacked and captured Aderklaa. The French had been roughly handled during the short engagement. The loss of this village uncovered the French line along Russbach. Austrian offensive. Thousands of Austrians advanced methodically against the French left flank defended by Massena. Boudet's division made few brief stands before falling back. The whitecoats moved along Danube. Meanwhile Klenau's VI Army Corps and Kollowrath-Krakowski's III Army Corps advanced slowly against French left flank. Klenau and Kollowrath had approx. 30,000 men (One infantry brigade was detached from V Army Corps facing Vienna and attached to III Army Corps) and they moved toward Aspern. Three divisions, most of Massena's forces, faced west to meet the growing Austrian threat that heavily outnumbered them. The Austrians came on magnificently. The French guns opened upon them. Gaps were made in the ranks, but the white-clad soldiers closed up and the color-bearers leaped to the front, shaking and waving the flags. The Austrian infantry reserved their fire until the French were within easy range, when the musketry crashed out with a roar, and the guns began to fire canister. The village of Aspern was defended by one of Massena's divisions under GdD Boudet (3rd, 56th and 93rd Line). The 93rd Line defended cemetary and the 3rd Line occupied Aspern's northern edge. Approx. 500 paces north of the village the 56th Line awaited with fixed bayonets. Two batteries stood nearby. At 7 AM Klenau deployed his batteries and a brisk artillery fire was opened upon the French columns, and was continued until the enemy moved a force of infantry against the guns. The Austrian batteries also inflicted heavy damage on the few French batteries. Veczay's Grenzers advanced against Aspern from the south and chased the French voltigeurs from the Gemeinde Au. The Grenzers also made a false attack from the northeast. GM Walmoden's Liechtenstein Hussars captured two French batteries, the 56th Line formed squares against cavalry, counterattacked and retook them. The hussars however pressed hard and the 56th Line turned into a rabble of terrified men. Klenau's corps took Aspern and then moved against Essling and the earthwork called tête de pont. Boudet's division made few brief stands before falling back. The whitecoats moved along Danube. Marshal MacDonald writes: "Massena could not make a stand against troops much superior to his own. He was driven back with great loss on to the tete-de-pont, by which we had passed after crossing the Danube. The Austrians sent forward their right. ... The retreat of Massena, which I then learned for the first time, and the retrograde movement made by Bernadotte, had left the centre of the army exposed." Kollowrath-Krakowski's III Army Corps moved from Bisamberg against one of Massena's divisions under GdD Legrand. Legrand's veterans were on their way toward Wagram when the whitecoats hit them in the flank. It was a terrific assault. On came the Austrians, the men falling by tens, the colors fluttering in front like a little forest; for as fast as a color-bearer was shot some one else seized the flag from his hand before it fell. While one part of Legrand's division was sent flying toward Raasdorf, other part retired toward Aderklaa. Finally forming most of his men into battleline, Leghrand turned to wait for renewed hostilities, expecting to see hordes of Austrians massing on his new front. Though suffering great loss Kollowrath checked the enemy so as to enable two of his batteries to be placed in position. They opened fire against Massena's flank near Aderklaa. French Heavy Artillery on Lobau Island. The French artillery on Lobau Island became unmasked and opened fire. It is very certain that Klenau's movement on the flank greatly perplexed and bewildered the French generals. The Austrians pursued Boudet's men toward Essling. In the village GdD Boudet rallied his troops. The artillery fired on all cylinders. Out of the lifting smoke there appeared, beautiful and terrible, the picked thousands of the Austrian troops coming on to the assault. They advanced in columns and in perfect order. "By 10 AM the Austrians had captured Essling and established two large batteries to open fire against the French bridges south of Enzesdorf. Klenau's advance spread panic in the French rear." (- James Arnold) The French artillery on Lobau Island became unmasked and opened fire. Klenau's whitecoats suffered heavy casualties and fell back. The smoke clouds rise slowly, and the sunlight glinted again on the long line of cannons which had been hidden from view during the cannonade. Massena marched toward the Austrian breakthrough. "Massena fortyfied his men for the coming ordeal by a special reserve, a bracing gulp of gut-roaring army brandy ..." - James Arnold MdE Massena rallied his troops near Raasdorf and then began his march toward the Austrian breakthrough along the Danube River. Napoleon strengthened him with St.Sulpice's cuirassiers. Massena's corps completed the march in no longer than 2 hours. His troops suffered from artillery flank fire and were attacked by Hungarian hussars. By 12:30 PM Massena's troops reached Essling and saw Boudet's division being driven steadily back. The Austrian artillery fired on the Danube bridges. Massena sent his light cavalry (Marulaz's 3rd, 14th, 19th and 23rd Chasseurs) against the battery and the gunners fled. The Austrian cavalry, Liechtenstein Hussars and Kienmayer Hussars, counterattacked and sent the French chasseurs flying. The hussars also recaptured the abandoned battery. GdD Lasalle sent one of his brigades (Bruyere's 13th and 24th Chasseurs) to extricate Marulaz's chasseurs. Massena's infantry stormed Essling and the granary defended by 1,200 Austrians. The attackers send the Austrians running toward Aspern. By 2 PM the French took Aspern as well. Massena dispatched an officer on fast horse to the Emperor telling him that his order was executed. Klenau's infantrymen were slowly retiring and Massena sent Lasalle's light cavalry division in pursuit. Lasalle led from the front, saber in hand, against one of infantry squares. The square stood behind a moat and repulsed Lasalle's men with a musket volley. Lasalle was wounded in the chest and 2 hours later he was dead. General Antoine-Charles Lasalle was the most famous French light cavalryman. "The man for high adventure and reckless deeds. In 1806 after the Battle of Jena, with only 900 hussars at his back and no weapon heavier than their popgun carbines, he bluffed the great fortress of Stettin, with 200 guns and a garrison of 5,000 men, into surrender. ... Utterly brave, loving danger, laughing at his own hardships, frequently charging with a long pipe instead of a saber in his hand ...." (- Elting "Swords Around a Throne", p 163) Marulaz tried to avenge Lasalle and led a hussar regiment against the square. Colonel of the hussars was hit and Marulaz was wounded. The defiant square slowly retired. The movement of thousands of men and horses had raised a considerable amount of dust in the air, not to mention the powder smoke generated by the firing of hundreds of guns. The combined effects of dust, smoke and battle fatigue impaired the vision of the soldiers as the battle was renewed back and forth across the plain. Neither party seemed willing to give way. Charge of French cuirassiers. "... why in the world did you not charge the enemy at the decisive moment ?" - Gen. Nansouty to Gen. Walther, commander of the Guard Cavalry The Austrian offensive on the flank was over. It was one of the greatest assaults in any battle of modern times, and it had failed. In the center however, fighting was general along the line. The French infantry stiffened their resistance and then MdE Bessieres took Nansouty's 1st Heavy Cavalry Division, and advanced against Kollowrath's infantry and the grenadiers. The French raised themselves in their stirrups and made for them. Bessieres, face aflame with the eager joy of battle, was in the thick of the fight, rising in his stirrups as he called to his famous heavy cavalrymen 'Vive l'Empereur !' It was a terrible fight. A cannon ball tore into Bessieres' thigh and knocked him stunned onto the ground. General Nansouty took the command. The Austrian infantry formed squares against cavalry and opened musket fire. The heavy cavalry charged and routed one battalion of Grenzers. The remaining squares held fast. Having passed between the squares, Nansouty turned his division to the right to charge the artillery deployed in front of the grenadiers. This charge failed when enemy cavalry counterattacked. The Austrian Kronprinz Cuirassiers and Rosenberg Chevaulegeres took the French horse carabiniers (strong men mounted on large black horses) in flank and sent them flying. Some carabiniers never had a much closer call during the battle than at this place. Some were surrounded by a bunch of Austrian cavalrymen, who made a dash at them. All generals and colonels fought, saber in hand, at the head of their troopers, and every man on each side was put into the struggle. After the cavalry fighting was ended a fierce artillery duel ensued and some wheat fields began to burn. Some of the shells (grenades) exploded before they had halfway crossed the plain. The dense smoke prevented the gunners from seeing anything beyond their immediate front. The Austrian gunners (see picture -->) were volunteers and not recruits as it was the case in some other European armies. The enlistments were 14 years for artillery and engineers as comparing to only 6 years for infantry. The famous French Gribeauval system was based on Austria’s Lichtenstein system. In 1811 Austria also began the establishment of rocket troops based upon the British invention. French Guard Artillery. "... erase the enemy masses." - Napoleon to the Guard Artillery During this conflict the artillery on either side had participated so far as the safety of their own troops would permit. The French offensive would be preceded by a terrific cannonade. At 11:30 AM the Emperor ordered Lauriston to bring the Guard Artillery and deploy south of Aderklaa. To the right of the 72 guns of the Guard Artillery were 40 guns from the Army of Italy. The massive battery was deployed "well within musket range of the white-coated infantry" (- James Arnold) Now the roar of battle has become twice the volume that it was before. The artillery produced an unprecedented percusive din and tremendous noise, and caused both sides serious damage. In both the French and Austrian lines caissons were blown up by the fire, riderless horses dashed hither and thither, the dead lay in heaps, and throngs of wounded streamed to the rear. De Aboville, the commander of Guard Horse Artillery, was wounded by a cannonball. The round tore off his arm. Canister struck the foot of Drouot, commander of the heavy guns of Guard Artillery (nicknamed "Emperor's cherished daughters" :-) There were 476 killed and wounded Guard gunners. Napoleon called for 20 volunteers from each company of Old Guard infantry to replace the fallen. Twice the number responded. The French now increased their fire until it seemed as if nothing could stand before it. (Each gun of Guard Artillery fired approx. 200 rounds.) This tremendous fire made a breach in Austrian line between Breitenlee and Sussenbrunn. The Austrians were driven back, many hid in the village. GdK Bellegarde deployed three batteries to fill the void, and they too were forced into retreat. Only the Austrian grenadiers held their ground. These men stood there under the fire coolly, awaiting an opportunity to strike a blow. The men on the Austrian side who were not at the point directly menaced peered anxiously across the space between the lines to watch the next French move. As the sun waxed higher and higher, the smoke, powder, dust, and heat became insufferable, and the men moved in a grimy, reddish haze. Seeing Davout's progress, Napoleon announced "The battle is won." Davout's infantry pressed ahead to overrun a line of Austrian fieldworks. On the French right flank Davout was ready for action. At Wagram Rosenberg "assigned the defence of the tower and the village [of Markgrafneusiedel] to FML Radetzky, who used the dry moat around the tower to shelter some of his infantry. He placed the reliable Stain Infantry Regiment along the southwest perimeter of the village." (- James Arnold) On the flank of Rosenberg's corps stood Nordmann's Advance Guard, 34 squadrons of light cavalry, and 12 squadrons of dragoons under GM Rothkirch. Prinz Franz von Rosenberg-Orsini watched Davout's troops from the stone tower at Markgrafneusiedel. Rosenberg distinguished himself in the war with Ottoman Empire (1787-1792). He accompanied Archduke Charles in 1796 and 1805. Rosenberg skilfully extracted himself in 1809 at the battle of Eckmühl. (In the end of the campaign most of the Austrian top generals were either decorated or promoted. One of the very few who were not awarded was Rosenberg. Archduke Charles was too harsh blaming Rosenberg for the defeat at Wagram.) Two of Davout's four infantry divisions (Gudin's 3rd and Puthod's 4th) attacked the village of Markgrafneusiedel from the south, while two other infantry divisions, Morand's 1st and Friant's 2nd, attempted to outflank the village. (General Charles-Alexis-Louis-Antoine Morand got the command of Davout's prestigous 1st Division in 1806.) Davout was on the spot, his staff officers surrounded him. The infantry columns of French soldiers, advanced in good formation, drums beating, skirmishers extended. The Austrian guns boomed. At the same time, they heard the guns fire behind them and saw the cannonballs plough into the midst of the Austrian infantrymen. Seeing the enemy falling back, the soldiers ran, trampling the dead and wounded. Instinct told them that the quicker they ran towards the enemy, the less time the whitecoats would have to fire. Davout's single cavalry division under General Pajol, stood behind the infantry. On the flank stood masses of cavalry: Grouchy's and Pully's dragoons, and Montbrun's chasseurs-a-cheval and hussars. At 10 AM Davout hurled forward his howling columns and lines. Morand and Friant crossed the Russbach Stream and got under artillery fire. GdD Morand then formed his division into battalion columns and charged up the slope. Nordmann sent his light infantry in a counterattack against Morand's flank. The French wavered. Grouchy's, Pully's, Pajol's and Montbrun's cavalry divisions moved against Austrian cavalry on the flank. The whole enemy line disappeared as if swallowed up by the earth. GdD Friant rode to his 15th Light and 33rd Line, spoke few words and launched them against the enemy. The Austrian line swayed and bent. Nordmann, French emigree in Austrian service, was killed while rallying his troops. The French "pressed ahead to overrun a line of shallow Austrian fieldworks." (- James Arnold) Rosenberg's infantry defended the tower until French horse battery of Arrighi's division showered them with cannonballs and canister. While Puthod's division stormed Markgrafneusiedel, Gudin's division exchanged fire with the whitecoats deployed in open field. Although GdD Gudin and several senior officers were wounded, it was the enemy who fell back. The Hohenzollern Cuirassiers charged but were repulsed by 85th Line Infantry. MdE Davout ordered Arrighi's cuirassiers to charge. The heavy cavalrymen advanced several hundred paces and then became entangled among the huts that served as the whitecoats' camp. Arrighi ordered a retreat. Soon he received another order from Davout to join the rest of Davout's cavalry on the flank. The 10 squadrons of the Blankenstein Hussars stood behind Nordmann's and Rosenberg's infantry. They wore light blue dolman and pelisse, and gray overalls. These hussars routed Jacquinot's cavalry with easy and pursued them. Grouchy's dragoons, in turn, routed the victorious but disordered by pursuit hussars. Hohenzollern Cuirassiers and O'Reilly Chevauxlegeres came and forced back the dragoons. But it was Grouchy (see picture -->) who had the last reserve and he drove off the Austrian horse. Napoleon sent courier to Davout to hurry him along and ordered MacDonald's corps to begin his attack. Archduke Charles galloped to this flank and sent 5 battalions against Davout. This attack halted the French but Davout reacted with his favorite tactics by once more seeking to outflank his opponent. Rosenberg had no choice but to order a retreat. The whitecoats retired in good order. Davout ordered Arrighi's cuirassiers to charge the infantry. The Austrians opened fire and counterattacked with light cavalry. Napoleon's brother-in-law, Prince Borghese, was wounded, and three of Arrighi's four colonels were hit. Davout sent Grouchy's dragoons and Montbrun's chasseurs around Austrian flank. The Austrian light cavalry reined up short and turned about. Cavalry of both sides moved in small columns as the vineyards and huts restricted their movements. (A vineyard is a plantation of grape-bearing vines, grown mainly for winemaking, but also raisins, table grapes and non-alcoholic grape juice. See picture -->) Montbrunn's green-clad chasseurs-a-cheval pursued the whitecoats until a concealed enemy battalion delivered a deadly point-blank volley, putting an end to the pursuit. Along the Russbach Stream. "... this brave man [General Oudinot], sword in hand, led from the front " - James Arnold Between Davout on the flank and the center under Grenier and Bernadotte, stood Oudinot's II Army Corps. Oudinot was one of the bravest generals in Europe. Few days earlier, during the battle of Aspern-Essling he was wounded in the arm, and his horse was covered with wounds. He mounted a fresh horse and announced that he would not leave a battlefield that had been soaked with his own blood. Oudinot's corps was made of numerous young recruits and several veteran units. The best were 57th Line Infantry (nicknamed "The Terrible 57th"), 10th Light Infantry, Tirailleurs du Po, and Tirailleurs Corses (nicknamed "Les Cousins de l'Empereur"). For long hours Oudinot's men suffered from artillery fire. The orders finally came and they advanced to the Russbach Stream. The French gunners hauled some of their pieces across the stream, then loaded with canister and fired. The French infantry led by Oudinot captured Baumersdorf, crossed the stream and advanced up the slope. GdD Oudinot galloped along his line yelling orders. The Austrian light infantry concealed themselves in the folds in the ground. Behind the stream were several fieldworks defended by line infantry. The whitecoats were ready to greet Oudinot's men. The Austrian cavalry's charge halted the French infantry and forced them to form squares. Musket volleys sent the whitecoats flying and Oudinot's men resumed their advance. "Re-forming his columns and taking a moment to have a surgeon dress his wound, Oudinot sent Coehorn toward the road to Znaim - one of the main routes Charles would need if he were to retreat - and placed himself at the head of Albert's brigade for an advance on Wagram. Seruzier, in spite of having his fifth horse shot out from under him, brought up the corps' horse artillery to provide fire support. The artillerists positioned their batteries in echelon formation; while one battery fired, the other advanced and unlimbered, and when the second battery opened fire, the first battery limbered and advanced. These modern fire-and-move tactics helped pave the way for a successful assault. Still, in the end it required naked valor to take Wagram, and none surpased that of General Oudinot and his staff. Again, leading the way, sword in hand, Oudinot rode at the front of his men. A bullet hit his thigh; his chief of staff went down with a mortal wound; his senior aide received a mortal canister wound; four ADCs were hit. Bleeding profusely, Oudinot refused to relinquish command and called upon General Colbert and his 'Infernal Brigade' of light horse to clear the way." (- James Arnold) Colbert's 9th Hussars, 7th and 20th Chasseurs, and Saxon chevauxlegeres, rushed against Austrian infantry. The 7th Chasseurs was greeted with musket volley and fell back. Colbert was seriously wounded. The 20th Chasseurs moved against the square that had just repulsed the 7th. Despite having emptied their muskets the infantrymen were standing firm. The chasseurs however attacked and broke the square. Other square was broken by the 9th Hussars. Now Oudinot advanced against Wagram and took it. The French were strung out along the village's northern edge, exchanging volleys with an enemy that they could barely see. The musketry was heavy, and advance in face of such a fire was a clear test of mettle and discipline. The men were dropping everywhere. MacDonald's multi-battalion column dented the Austrian line but could not break it. "Conspicious on his white charger, Napoleon had ridden through Austrian fire to be present when column moved out towards Sussenbrunn, flags flying, drums beating the charge and the men cheering." (Rothenburg - "The Emperor's Last Victory") MacDonald led his troops personally, aiming in the intersection between Kollowrath-Krakowski's III Army Corps and Liechtenstein's Grenadier Corps. As the Austrian artillery opened upon MacDonald with several batteries, firing fast, the French with as many batteries replied. However, it is not cavalryman or gunner that will determine the result of this confronting of the two armies, but the man with the musket must do it - the infantry must do the heavy work Macdonald's troops were formed as follow (see diagram): the front of the column consisted of 8 battalions formed in two lines. On the right flank were 8 battalions formed in column. On the left flank were 4 battalions also in column. Three battalions formed in small battalion columns side by side, formed the rear. Macdonald later wrote that "I was far from thinking that this demonstration was to be the main attack on the enemy's centre". This unusual formation was not adopted because the infantrymen were inexperienced but because of the probability that it would be attacked from three sides. Conspicious on his white charger, Napoleon had ridden through Austrian fire to be present when column moved out towards Sussenbrunn, flags flying, drums beating the charge and the men cheering. The Austrians opened up with everything they had. Soon 15 French guns were disabled and within an hour the column was reduced to little more than half-strength. Macdonald continued forward and dented the Austrian line but could not break it. (Rothenburg - "The Emperor's Last Victory" pp 191-193) The artillery fire was so heavy that MacDonald would later report that he had been reduced to 1,500 men. The Kronprinz Cuirassiers charged and forced MacDonald's infantry to halt and form squares. French infantry repulsed the cuirassiers with musketry and resumed its slow advance. MacDonald's corps dented the Austrian line. The long white lines come sweeping down upon MacDonald, and mixed with the battle smoke. GM Steyrer's Grenadier Brigade and GM Lilienberg's Infantry Brigade took up a position on MacDonald's left and right flank. The Austrian artillery kept firing from the front and both flanks. MacDonald needed help. Nansouty's carabiniers and cuirassiers were too far to the rear and arrived late, so he rode to GdD Walther and asked: "... why in the world did you not charge the enemy at the decisive moment ? In the Guard we require orders direct from the Emperor himself, or from our chief, Marshal Bessieres. Now, as the latter was wounded, there only remained the Emperor and he sent us no orders." Napoleon decided to commit his reserves. Whip the enemy or get whipped yourself. The great French assault, the greatest ever made upon this continent, has been made and signally almost repulsed. MacDonald's massive column was unable to continue its advance deeper into the Austrian positions and Napoleon decided to commit his reserves. The Emperor ordered two uncommitted divisions of Army of Italy (Pacthod's and Durutte's), and the Bavarian division to support MacDonald's column. The Young Guard was also moved in that direction. The only reserve left was Marmont's XI Army Corps (two divisions), the Old Guard division, and the Guard Cavalry. Around Raasdorf and Aderklaa were thousands of stragglers and wounded Austrian, French and Saxon soldiers. Pacthod's division (of Army of Italy) marched toward Wagram. On the way the French surprised Austrian grenadier brigade in the flank. Now came the dreadful battle picture. Generals were galloping hither and thither - the infantrymen were all in their places, and you might have heard the rattle of several thousand ramrods as they drove home and "thugged" upon the little globes and cones of lead. Now began to appear the countless flashes, and the long fiery sheets of the muskets, and the rattle of the volleys, mingled with the thunder of the guns. Pcthod drove the elite grenadiers toward Aderklaa. The 4 grenadier battalions took cover in the village. Pacthod's division (9 battalions) stormed the village and after a bloody fight took it. Commander of the grenadiers, GM de Aspre (French emigree), fell with a mortal wound. Durutte's division captured Breitenlee. Broussier's division (of MacDonald's corps) and Curial's Young Guard division attacked Sussenbrunn. The farmyard outside the village was defended by 2 grenadier battalions and the cemetery by 200 infantry. Both strongpoints were taken by the French and now the Bavarian division stormed the village itself. Sussenbrunn was defended by a weak garrisson and was easily captured by the attackers. With the Austrian front broken in several points, the word "charge" was then given and on the French light cavalry went (see picture). The hussars and the green-clad chasseurs-a-cheval were upon the enemy with drawn sabers. The fighting was quite sharp for some time, but the enemy fell back as the French infantry advanced. At one time a gallant counter-charge was made by a party of Austrian hussars. The Chasseurs-a-Cheval of Imperial Guard made a charge right in the face of the bullets and bayonets of the whole infantry battalion. Such charges had succeeded in combat against infantry on several occasions. This time however, the daredevils received a well-aimed salvo at point-blank and fell back. "A nearsighted French colonel in the Polish Horse almost ruined this elite regiment. Advancing toward a line of Austrian uhlans, the colonel misjudged the distance and ordered his unit to right about-face. His subordinate understood that this was disastous because it would allow the uhlans to charge the unit's rear. He immediately gave the same order again, followed by the command to advance at the trot. Having performed a neat 360-degree pirouette, the Polish Horse was by all rights lost. Fortunately their adversaries belonged to the Schwarzenberg Uhlans, a unit largely composed of Poles recruited from Austrian-held west Galicia, and the uhlans fought halfheartedly against their fellow countrymen." (- James Arnold) Few minutes later, the Schwarzenberg Uhlans made an attack on French chasseurs. The uhlans were upon the French with drawn sabers, and a short hand to hand fight was the result. The uhlans soon recaptured the entire battery abandoned by the Austrian gunners. Austrian withdrawal. Archduke Charles had no hope that his brother Archduke John will reach the battlefield. At 8 PM he ordered a withdrawal. Napoleon told that his artillery had won the battle. Such fighting as this could not last long. Especially when Archduke Charles had no hope that his brother Archduke John will reach the battlefield. At 8 PM he ordered a withdrawal. The horizon was red and flickering with the fires of burning villages. Black smoke fanned by wind curled into the air in thick whirls. The sound of pounding horseshoes to their rear meant French cavalry threatened to cut them off from their line of retreat. Small parties charged in from all sides, the Austrians turned. Then there was a pell-mell rush, the French following in close pursuit. Many prisoners were captured, and some of Frenchmen, through their impetuosity, were carried away by the overpowering current of the retreat. The Austrians found themselves overpowered, and fell back closely pressed. The day's action had resulted in a French victory. The Austrian withdrawal was covered by rear guard made of some resolute troops. It would be impossible to surpass the gallantry of these men. The Austrian army was retiring without panic, with their rear guards occupying several defiles. General Savary wrote that the whitecoats had "fought in a manner calculated to instill a cautious conduct into any man disposed to deeds of rashness." The Austrians carried off thousands of French and hundreds of Saxon prisoners , several captured standards, and 21 guns. According to James Arnold neither side provided a complete tabulation of the losses. Total Austrian casualties exceeded 30,000 (24,000 killed and wounded, and 6,000 captured). Bellegarde's I Army Corps defended Wagram and the center, and lost 30 % Hohenzollern's II Army Corps defended Russbach Stream against Oudinot and lost 30 % Kollowrath-Krakowski's III Army Corps lost 11 % Rosenberg's IV Army Corps defended Markgrafneusiedel against Davout and lost 30 % Klenau's VI Army Corps fought along Danube and lost 15 % Grenadier Corps lost ?? % Cavalry Corps lost ?? % As the French fought off one crisis after another, the battle proved to be a very close-fought affair. Karl von Clausewitz writes: "Though the Austrians were the real defenders at Wagram, they did attack the emperor on the second day with the greater part of their forces. Therefore Napoleon can also be considered a defender. With his right wing he attacked, outflanked and defeated the Austrian left wing. At the same time he paid little attention to his weak left wing, which was resting on the Danube. Yet through strong reserves (i.e., formation in depth), he prevented the victory of the Austrian right wing from having any influence on his own victory gained on the Russbach." No other battle of recent time has been so obstinate and so bloody. French casualties approximated those suffered by the whitecoats. Reports to Napoleon's chief-of-staff for the battle on July 6 list 25,142 killed and wounded. General Andreossy, appointed as 'governor' of Vienna, reported that 5,844 wounded soldiers from Bernadotte's corps alone (two Saxon and one French division) had been admitted to the various hospitals. Archduke Charles stated that his army carried off 7,000 French prisoners.

. In October France and Austria signed a peace agreement. Austria had to pay a huge monetary indemnity to the French, ceded the maritime Croatia, and several ports to France. Grand Duchy of Warsaw (France's ally) reincorporated Lublin and Krakow. Overall, Austria lost 3,5 million inhabitants. Peace and attempt to assassinate Napoleon. "Liberty for ever ! Germany for ever !" - Friedrich Stapps Napoleon told that his artillery (see picture --> ) had won the battle. As a special favor, the emperor selected the son of General Lariboisiere of artillery, to carry the battle news to Paris. Archduke John's failure to arrive on the battlefield and attack Davout, had a significant impact. To block John's army Napoleon had only Marmont's corps. Napoleon promoted generals MacDonald and Oudinot to the rank of marshal. Also General Marmont became marshal. However the news came to Marmont with Napoleon's words "Between ourselves, you have not yet done enough to justify my choice." Marshal Davout became Prince of Eckmuhl; Marshal Massena, Prince of Essling; Marshal Berthier (chief-of-staff), Prince of Wagram. Napoleon also awarded all NCOs of the Guard Artillery. Several days after Wagram, Napoleon would "adopt" all children orphaned by the battle deaths of their fathers. These children received between 500 and 2,000 francs. Several months later Napoleon visited the battlefield at Austelitz. It was the place of his greatest victory in 1805. In October France and Austria signed a peace agreement. Austria had to pay a huge monetary indemnity to the French. The Austrian Empire ceded the maritime Croatia, the ports of Fiume, Istria and Trieste, along with Carinthia to France. Grand Duchy of Warsaw (one of France's allies) reincorporated Lublin and Krakow. Overall, Austria lost 3,5 million inhabitants and access to the Adriatic Sea. There was an attempt to assassinate Napoleon. Just few days after the signing of the Treaty of Schönbrunn, an eighteen-year-old German patriot called Friedrich Stapps approached Napoleon during an army review and attempted to stab the emperor, but he was intercepted by General Rapp. Stapps was interogated and executed. On the scaffold Stapps had loudly exclaimed, "Liberty for ever ! Germany for ever !" Hope for Austria would not arrive until the mighty Russia once again fought Napoleonic France in 1812.

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Napoleon, His Army and Enemies