Battle of Dennewitz
6-7 September 1813
"After the defeat Ney submitted his resignation
asking to be a single grenadier rather than marshal."
- George Nafziger

Battle of Dennewitz 1813, by A. Wetterling 1. Introduction.
2. Troops:
- - - - - Allies Order of Battle >
- - - - - French Order of Battle >
- - - - - Map of battle. >
3. The Battle
- - - - - "The Prussians were savagely handed ..." >
- - - - - New arrivals. >
- - - - - French and Italian offensive. >
- - - - - "Ney is supposed to have sent him
- - - - - to Napoleon after 'ripping off his epaulets." >
- - - - - Heavy fighting in the center. Clausewitz in trouble. >
- - - - - Prussian offensive on both flanks. >
- - - - - The Swedes. >
- - - - - Marshal Oudinot enters the fight. >
- - - - - Ney attempted the last desperate attack in the center. >
- - - - - The Prussian victory. >
4. Aftermath.
5. Sources and Links.

.
"In late August 1813, Napoleon decided
to order a general offensive to take Berlin
the Prussian capital, with the overall goal
of knocking the Prussians out of the war."
- wikipedia.org 2006

Introduction.
"August 1813 had been a whirlwind of action. So much so that the guns
of August had not stopped firing until after the battle of Dennewitz."
- G. Nafziger

Ney versus Bulow "In late August 1813, Napoleon decided to order a general offensive to take Berlin the Prussian capital, with the overall goal of knocking the Prussians out of the war." ( - wikipedia.org 2006)
On 2 September 1813 Napoleon ordered Marshal Ney to take command of the Army of Berlin and put it into "rapid" movement. Ney had to take Berlin. The marshal gathered the followning units: IV, VII, XII Army Corps, and the III Cavalry Corps near Wittenberg. This force was joined by a Polish Division under Dabrowski. Additionally Ney received approx. 6,000 replacements for the losses suffered in recent engagements.

French Marshal Ney. Instead of rapidly moving against the Prussians and Russians the marshal choose to spend entire day on reviewing his troops. Ney had decided to move his entire army down a single road. While this allowed him to maintain communications with his entire army, the single road stacked his army for miles. On 6 September Ney's three corps were separated by a distance of 2 hours. Consequently his army arrived and was deployed in a piecemeal fashion. Bertrand's IV Army Corps led the advance and met the Prussian Tauentzien's light troops before the village of Dennewitz.

Prussian General Tauentzien. Bertrand pushed back part of Tauentzien's IV Corps who linked up with Bulow's III Prussian Corps and few Russian units. Tauentzien was not only military man, he was entrusted with sevaral diplomatic missions. He entered the army in 1775. In 1806 Bogislav Friedrich Emanuel Graf Tauentzien was defeated by Marshal Bernadotte at Schleitz. A Jena Tauentzien led the vanguard of Hohenlohe's Corps. In 1813 he led the siege of Stettin (Szczecin).

Prussian General Bulow. Although the Allied troops at Dennewitz were under the overall command of Bernadotte, they were actually led by Bülow. Lieutenant-General Freiherr Friedrich Wilhelm von Bülow, fought against Marshal Oudinot in defence of Berlin. (Note: Freiherr is a title, translated as Baron not a first or middle name.)
In the summer Bülow distinguished himself greatly in the Battle of Grossbeeren, a victory which was attributed almost entirely to his leadership. Bulow participated in majority of the great battles in 1813 and 1814. In 1815 his corps headed the decisive flank attack upon Napoleon's army at the battle of Waterloo. (ext.link)

PS.
Dennewitz is situated between Berlin and Torgau. By the way, Torgau is well-known as the place where during the WW2, U.S. Army (ext.link) forces coming from the west met with the Soviet troops coming from the east.
On the ruins of the bridge over the Elbe at Torgau, Lieutenant Bill Robertson and Sergeant Nikolai Andreyev shook their hands. It symbolized the Allies' hard-fought victory over the fearsome Nazi Germany.

Troops.
Allies and French Order of Battle

French ranks:
MdE - Maréchal d'Empire
GdD - Général de division
GdB - Général de Brigade
Col. - Colonel
Mjr. - Major
CdB. - Chef de Bataillon
CdE. - Chef de Escadron

Allies ranks:
FM - Feldmarschall (Field Marshal)
GdK - Generall der Kavallerie (General of Cavalry)
GdI - Generall der Infanterie (General of Infantry)
FzM - Feldzeugmeister - rank in the Austrian army only
FL- Feldmarschall-Leutenant - rank in the Austrian army only
GL - Generalleutnant (General Lieutenant)
GM - Generallmajor (General Major)

Prussian 11th Infantry, 
picture by Steven Palatka

ALLIES ARMY
Commander: GL Friedrich Wilhelm von Bulow

Bulow's army consisted of Prussian, Russian and Swedish troops. The most numerous were the Prussians. Their rank and file were young men fired up by patriotism. The few Russian units were made of battle-hardened men, although exhausted from the 1812 campaign.

Prussian and Russian troops in the morning

IV ARMY CORPS: GL Tauentzien
Infantry
- - - - - - - - - - - 3rd Reserve Infantry [3 battalions]
- - - - - - - - - - - 1st Silesian Landwehr Infantry [3 btns.]
- - - - - - - - - - - 1st Kurmark Landwehr Infantry [2 btns.]
- - - - - - - - - - - 2nd Kurmark Landwehr Infantry [3 btns.]
- - - - - - - - - - - 5th Kurmark Landwehr Infantry [3 btns.]
Cavalry
- - - - - - - - - - - 2nd Neumark Landwehr Cavalry [2 squadrons]
- - - - - - - - - - - 3rd East Prussian Landwehr Cavavalry [4 sq.]
- - - - - - - - - - - 3rd Pomeranian Landwehr Cavalry [4 sq.]
- - - - - - - - - - - Russian Illovaiski-III Cossacks
Artillery
- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - 6th Horse Battery [4 guns]
- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - 11th Horse Battery [4 guns]
- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - 30th Foot Battery [4 guns]
- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - 27th Foot Battery [8 guns]
- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - 17th Foot Battery [8 heavy 6pdrs guns]

Prussian and Russian troops arriving at noon

III ARMY CORPS: GL Bulow
3rd Brigade: GM Hessen-Homburg
- - - - - - - - - - - II/East Prussian Grenadiers [1 btn.]
- - - - - - - - - - - 3rd Eat Prussian Infantry [3 btns.]
- - - - - - - - - - - 4th Reserve Infantry [3 btns.]
- - - - - - - - - - - 3rd Eat Prussian Landwehr Infantry [4 btns.]
- - - - - - - - - - - 1st Leib Hussars 'Death's Head' [4 squadrons]
- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - 5th Foot Battery [8 guns]
4th Brigade: GM Thümen
- - - - - - - - - - - Eat Prussian Jagers [1/2 btn.]
- - - - - - - - - - - 4th East Prussian Infantry [4 btns.]
- - - - - - - - - - - Elbe Infantry [2 btns.]
- - - - - - - - - - - 5th Reserve Infantry [4 btns.]
- - - - - - - - - - - Brandenbourg Dragoons [3 sq.]
- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - 6th Foot Battery [8 guns]
- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - 12th Foot Battery [8 12pdrs guns]
- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - Russian 7th Foot Battery [12 heavy guns]
6th Brigade: Oberst von Krafft
- - - - - - - - - - - Colberg Infantry [3 btns.]
- - - - - - - - - - - 9th Reserve Infantry [3 btns.]
- - - - - - - - - - - 1st Neumark Landwehr Infantry [3 btns.]
- - - - - - - - - - - West Prussian Dragoons [2 sq.]
- - - - - - - - - - - 1st Pomeranian Landwehr Cavalry [4 sq.]
- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - 16th Foot Battery [8 guns]
- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - Russian 21st Foot Battery [6 12pdrs guns]
Reserve Cavalry: GM von Oppen
- - - - - - - - - - - Queen's Dragoons [4 sq.]
- - - - - - - - - - - 2nd West Prussian Dragoons [4 sq.]
- - - - - - - - - - - 2nd Kurmark Landwehr Cavalry [3 sq.]
- - - - - - - - - - - 4th Kurmark Landwehr Cavalry [3 sq.]
- - - - - - - - - - - Pomeranian Landwehr Cavalry [3 sq.]
- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - 5th Horse Battery [8 guns]
- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - 6th Horse Battery [4 guns]

Prussian and Swedish Troops arriving at 4 PM

5th Brigade: GM von Borstell
- - - - - - - - - - - 1st Pommeranian Infantry [4 btns.]
- - - - - - - - - - - 2nd Reserve Infantry [3 btns.]
- - - - - - - - - - - Pommeranian Hussars [4 sq.]
- - - - - - - - - - - 2nd Kurmark Landwehr Cavalry [4 sq.]
- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - 10th Foot Battery [8 guns]

- - - - - - - - - - - Swedish Morner Hussars [6 sq.]
- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - Swedish Horse Battery [6 guns]

Russian troops arriving at 6 PM

- - - - - - - - - - - Russian 44th Jagers [2 btns.]
- - - - - - - - - - - Russian Izoum Hussars [3 sq.]
- - - - - - - - - - - Russian Converged Hussars [3 sq.]

Saxon infantry in 1810.
Picture by Knoetel.

FRENCH ARMY
Commander: Marshal Ney

nicknamed "The Bravest of the Brave"


Ney's army consisted of four large units: IV, VII and XII Army Corps, and III Cavalry Corps. They were led by seasoned generals: Bertrand, Reynier, Arrighi and Marshal Oudinot. The rank and file were mostly very young men.

IV ARMY CORPS
Commander: GdD Bertrand

Chief-of-staff: GdB Delort

- - - - - - Cavalry Brigade - GdB Jett
- - - - - - - - - - - - Wirtembergian 1st Chevaulegers
- - - - - - - - - - - - Wirtembergian 3rd Chevaulegers
12th Infantry Division - GdD Morand
- - - - - - - - - - - - French 8th Light Infnantry [2 btns.]
- - - - - - - - - - - - French 13th Line Infantry [5 btns.]
- - - - - - - - - - - - French 23rd Line Infantry [4 btns.]
- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - French I/2nd Foot Battery [8 guns]
- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - French III/2nd Foot Battery [8 guns]
15th Infantry Division - GdD Fontanelli
- - - - - - - - - - - - Italian 1st Line Infantry [2 btns.]
- - - - - - - - - - - - Italian 4th Line Infantry [3 btns.]
- - - - - - - - - - - - Italian 1st Light Infantry [3 btns.]
- - - - - - - - - - - - Italian 6th Line Infantry [2 btns.]
- - - - - - - - - - - - Italian Milan Guard [1 btn.]
- - - - - - - - - - - - Italian 7th Line Infantry [3 btns.]
- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - Italian I/1st Foot Battery [8 guns]
- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - Italian XIII/1st Foot Battery [8 guns]
27th Infantry Division - GdD Dabrowski
- - - - - - - - - - - - Polish 2nd Infantry [2 btns.]
- - - - - - - - - - - - Polish 4th Infantry [2 btns.]
- - - - - - - - - - - - Polish 2nd Uhlans
- - - - - - - - - - - - Polish 4th Chasseurs-a-Cheval
38th Infantry Division - GdD Franquemont
- - - - - - - - - - - - Wirtembergian 9th Light Infantry [1 btn.]
- - - - - - - - - - - - Wirtembergian 10th Light Infantry [1 btn]
- - - - - - - - - - - - Wirtembergian 7th Line Infantry [2 btns.]
- - - - - - - - - - - - Wirtembergian 1st Line Infantry [2 btns.]
- - - - - - - - - - - - Wirtembergian 2nd Line Infantry [1 btn.]
- - - - - - - - - - - - Wirtembergian 4th Line Infantry [2 btns.]
- - - - - - - - - - - - Wirtembergian 6th Line Infantry [2 btns.]
- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - Wirtembergian 1st Foot Battery [6 guns]
Reserve Artillery
- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - French VIII/4th Horse Artillery [6 guns]
- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - French XXIV/2nd Foot Artillery [8 guns]
- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - French XXVI/2nd Foot Artillery [8 guns]
- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - French XXV/4th Foot Artillery [8 guns]

VII ARMY CORPS
Commander: GdD Reynier

Chief-of-staff: GdB Gressot

- - - - - - Cavalry Brigade - GdB Lindenau
- - - - - - - - - - - - Saxon Hussars [8 sq]
- - - - - - - - - - - - Saxon Prinz Clemens Chevauxleger [5]
24th Infantry Division - GdD Lecoq
- - - - - - - - - - - - Saxon Guard Grenadiers [1 btn.]
- - - - - - - - - - - - Saxon 1st Light Infantry [2 btns.]
- - - - - - - - - - - - Saxon Maximilian Line Infantry [1 btn.]
- - - - - - - - - - - - Saxon Rechten Line Infantry [1 btn.]
- - - - - - - - - - - - Saxon Converged Grenadiers [1 btn.]
- - - - - - - - - - - - Saxon Friedrich August Line Inf [2 btns.]
- - - - - - - - - - - - Saxon Rechten Line Infantry [2 btns.]
- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - Saxon 1st Foot Battery [6 guns]
- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - Saxon 2nd Foot Battery [6 guns]
25th Infantry Division - GdD von Sahr
- - - - - - - - - - - - Saxon Converged Grenadiers [1 btn.]
- - - - - - - - - - - - Saxon 2nd Light Infantry [2 btns.]
- - - - - - - - - - - - Saxon King's Line Infantry [1 btn.]
- - - - - - - - - - - - Saxon Niesem. Line Infantry [1 btn.]
- - - - - - - - - - - - Saxon Low Line Infantry [2 btns.]
- - - - - - - - - - - - Saxon Anton Line Infantry [2 btns.]
- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - Saxon 3rd Foot Battery [6 guns]
- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - Saxon 4th Foot Battery [6 guns]
32nd Infantry Division - GdD Durutte
- - - - - - - - - - - - French 35th Light Infantry [2 btns.]
- - - - - - - - - - - - French 132nd Line Infantry [3 btns.]
- - - - - - - - - - - - French 36th Light Infantry [3 btns.]
- - - - - - - - - - - - French 131st Line Infantry [3 btns.]
- - - - - - - - - - - - French 133rd Line Infantry [2 btns.]
- - - - - - - - - - - - Wurzburg Line Infantry [2 btns.]
- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - French XII/1st Foot Battery [8 guns]
- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - French XIII/8th Foot Battery [8 guns]
Reserve Artillery
- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - Saxon 1st Horse Battery [6 guns]
- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - Saxon 2nd Horse Battery [6 guns]
- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - Saxon 1st (12pdrs) Foot Battery [6 guns]

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XII ARMY CORPS
Commander: MdE Oudinot

Chief-of-staff: GdD Lejeune

- - - - - - Cavalry Division/Brigade ? - GdD Beaumont
- - - - - - - - - - - - Westphalian Chev.-Lanciers [4 sq.]
- - - - - - - - - - - - Hessian Chevauxlegeres [4 sq.]
- - - - - - - - - - - - Bavarian Chevaulegeres [3 sq.]
13th Infantry Division - GdD Pacthod
- - - - - - - - - - - - French 1st Light Infantry [1 btn.]
- - - - - - - - - - - - French 7th Line Infantry [2 btns.]
- - - - - - - - - - - - French 42nd Line Infantry [1 btn.]
- - - - - - - - - - - - French 67th Line Infantry [2 btns.]
- - - - - - - - - - - - French 101st Line Infantry [2 btns.]
- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - French IV/4th Foot Artillery [8 guns]
- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - French XX/4th Foot Artillery [8 guns]
14th Infantry Division - GdD Guilleminot
- - - - - - - - - - - - French 18th Light Infantry [1 btn.]
- - - - - - - - - - - - French 7th Line Infantry [2 btns.]
- - - - - - - - - - - - French 156th Line Infantry [3 btns.]
- - - - - - - - - - - - French 52nd Line Infantry [2 btns.]
- - - - - - - - - - - - French 137th Line Infantry [3 btns.]
- - - - - - - - - - - - Illirian Infantry [1 btn.]
- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - French II/4th Foot Artillery [8 guns]
- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - French I/8th Foot Artillery [8 guns]
29th Infantry Division - GdD Raglovich
- - - - - - - - - - - - Bavarian 1st Jager [1 btn.]
- - - - - - - - - - - - Bavarian 3rd Infantry [1 btn.]
- - - - - - - - - - - - Bavarian 4th Infantry [1 btn.]
- - - - - - - - - - - - Bavarian 8th Infantry [1 btn.]
- - - - - - - - - - - - Bavarian 13th Infantry [1 btn.]
- - - - - - - - - - - - Bavarian 2nd Jager [1 btn.]
- - - - - - - - - - - - Bavarian 5th Infantry [1 btn.]
- - - - - - - - - - - - Bavarian 7th Infantry [1 btn.]
- - - - - - - - - - - - Bavarian 9th Infantry [1 btn.]
- - - - - - - - - - - - Bavarian 10th Infantry [1 btn.]
- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - Bavarian 1st Foot Battery [8 guns]
- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - Bavarian 2nd Foot Battery [8 guns]
Reserve Artillery
- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - French III/5th Horse Artillery [6 guns]
- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - French I/4th Foot Artillery [8 guns]
- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - French XVIII/4th Foot Artillery [8 guns]

III CAVALRY CORPS
Commander: GdD Arrighi

Chief-of-staff: GdB Salel

5th Light Cavalry Division - GdD Lorge
- - - - - - - - - - - - French 5th Chasseurs-a-Cheval [2]
- - - - - - - - - - - - French 10th Chasseurs-a-Cheval [2]
- - - - - - - - - - - - French 13th Chasseurs-a-Cheval [2]
- - - - - - - - - - - - French 22nd Chasseurs-a-Cheval [2]
- - - - - - - - - - - - French 15th Chasseurs-a-Cheval [1]
- - - - - - - - - - - - French 21st Chasseurs-a-Cheval [1]
6th Light Cavalry Division - GdD Fournier
- - - - - - - - - - - - French 29th Chasseurs-a-Cheval [1]
- - - - - - - - - - - - French 31st Chasseurs-a-Cheval [1]
- - - - - - - - - - - - French 2nd Hussars [2]
- - - - - - - - - - - - French 1st Hussars [1]
- - - - - - - - - - - - French 4th Hussars [1]
- - - - - - - - - - - - French 12th Hussars [1]
4th Heavy Cavalry Division - GdD Defrance
- - - - - - - - - - - - French 27th Dragoons [2]
- - - - - - - - - - - - French 4th Dragoons [1]
- - - - - - - - - - - - French 5th Dragoons [1]
- - - - - - - - - - - - French 12th Dragoons [1]
- - - - - - - - - - - - French 14th Dragoons [1]
- - - - - - - - - - - - French 24th Dragoons [1]
Reserve Artillery:
- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - French I/5th Horse Artillery
- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - French V/5th Horse Artillery
- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - French II/1st Horse Artillery
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The victory at Dennewitz inspired
the greatest enthusiasm in Prussia,
and rendered Bülow's popularity
almost equal to that of Blücher.

The Battle.
58,000 French, Italians and Germans
vs 50,000 Prussians.

The terrain around Dennewitz was relatively flat, with some rolling fields and meadows, few woods and small hills. The villages were well built and most of the roads were good. A small stream divided the battlefield into northern and southern parts.
Bulow deployed his troops as follow: on the northern flank stood Tauentzien, in the center were Thumen, Homburg and Krafft, and on the southern flank were Borstell and Oppen with his cavalry.

Marshal Ney formed the battle line before 10 AM.
The VII Army Corps arrived at 3 PM, and the XII Army Corps at 7 PM.

"The Prussians were savagely handed
and fell back with heavy casualties."

- George Nafziger

The battle began on the French right flank (Prussians' left). The Italian battery fired the first shots. The Prussians guns responded immediately. During the exchange of artillery fire three Prussian horse guns were seriously damaged, and several gunners were killed and wounded.

Standarte of Landwehr Battalion. The Prussians sent out skirmishers of the 5th Kurmark Landwehr. With their ammunition expended the skirmishers fell back, and in the process disordered some troops behind them.
The Italian and French infantry advanced but were met by musket volleys from a Landwehr battalion. The attackers brought forward 4 guns and fired canister, inflicting 105 casualties on the Landwehr.

Tauentzien's left wing withdrew behind a small wood. On Tauentzien's right wing the Italians attacked 3rd Reserve Infantry, then brought several guns and drove the Prussians back.
Polish cavalry in combat, 
picture by Job The III/3rd Reserve Infantry suffered further casualties when one squadron of 2nd Polish Uhlans led by Biernacki charged their skirmishers and the battalion proper. "The Prussians were savagely handed and fell back with heavy casualties. The I/3rd Reserve Regiment and II/2nd Neumark Landwehr, were sent forward from the corps reserve with a detachment of cavalry. Despite this reinforcement, Tauentzien's right wing was forced back and had to reorganize itself. The Poles claimed to have broken three squares in this action." (George Nafziger - "Napoleon's Dresden Campaign" p 257)

The Prussians sent forward part of their cavalry (9 squadrons) under von Dizielski. They struck French 10th Chasseurs in the flank and crushed it. They also captured an Italian battery before being forced to flee by volleys of the French 13th Light. The French 13th Chasseurs then charged and routed 1st and 7th Kurmark Landwehr Cavalry.

New arrivals.

Prussian reserve infantry.
Picture by Steven Palatka. The Italians in the wood found thesmelves heavily engaged with the Prussian skirmishers. Wirtembergian battalion attacked and was driven back by the Prussians. So far only Tauentzien's force was engaged. About noon the leading echelon (Thumen's 4th Brigade and Death's Head Hussars) of Bulow's Corps arrived. Thumen deployed his artillery near Nieder-Gorsdorf and opened fire. Then came Krafft's 6th Brigade and Hessen-Homburg's 3rd Brigade. The Reserve Cavalry under von Oppen arrived too.

Marshal Ney sent Marshal Oudinot's XII Army Corps (French, Bavarian, Westphalian and Hessian troops) an order to join him. Oudinot moved without eagerness, with Pacthod's and Guilleminot's divisions in the lead. GdD Reynier's VII Army Corps (French and Saxon troops) also received an order and was on the road. Oudinot and Raynier had several excellent French foot and horse batteries. Defrance's heavy cavalry joined Reynier's troops. Defrance had only seven squadrons of French dragoons.

French and Italian offensive.
The Prussians took heavy casualties and fell back.

French General Morand. GdD Morand sent 8th Light and 13th Line against the enemy in Nieder-Gorsdorf. Meanwhile several Italian and Wirtembergian battalions advanced against the Prussians in the wood and drove them back. They also attacked the II/5th Reserve Infantry from the flank and routed it. The French closed to within 30 paces from another battalion of that regiment and exchanged volleys.

Bulow counterattacked with Thumen's brigade forcing Morand's men to fall back in great disorder. Morand responded with his own counterattack supported by his artillery. The Prussians took heavy casualties and fell back. Three battalions of 3rd East Prussia Infantry and two of 5th Reserve Infantry pulled back to the right of Nieder-Gorsdorf where they were covered by 12 Russian and 12 Prussian heavy guns.

"Ney is supposed to have sent him
to Napoleon after 'ripping off his epaulets."

- George Nafziger

Prussian Death Head Hussars 
pursuing Polish uhlans. The 2nd Polish Uhlans and a handful of French chasseurs threw themselves against the Prussian infantry, cavalry and artillery. They rode furiously through the skirmish line, then attacked five or six battalions formed in compact formations.

Despite volleys at close range and casualties the Poles and Frenchmen pressed forward, passed between the battalions and engaged Tauentzien's cavalry. During the melee the 1st Life Hussars (the famous Death's Head Hussars) arrived. Heavily outnumbered the uhlans attempted to disengage, passed in front of Krafft's brigade, received musket volleys and canister, and after losing 102 men reached the French and Italian positions. On the way back they managed to overrun Prussian munition column near Wolmsdorf. The Landwehr infantry fired on the uhlans but instead they inflicted casualties on their own gunners.

Westphalian chevauxlegere,
picture by Knoetel. Marshal Ney immediately ordered the Westphalian cavalry to support the Poles, but its commander did not move. "Ney is supposed to have sent him to Napoleon after 'ripping off his epaulets." (- George Nafziger)
Meanwhile the French cavalry attacked Prussian batteries killing number of men and horses. French skirmishers opened fire on a battalion of Landwehr causing it to waver. The French artillery dismounted 4 Prussian guns.

Heavy fighting in the center.
Clausewitz in trouble.

Defrance's dragoons arrived and took positions behind a low hill in the center of Ney's battle line. They were concealed from the view of the Prussian gunners. The artillery fire was heavy and the village of Nieder-Gohrsdorf was burning. Thumen counterattacked with 5 battalions and a small force of cavalry. The Italians and Wirtembergians were driven back. Two Wirtembergian battalions formed in squares were broken by canister fire and suffered horrible casualties. One square lost 531, only 70 escaped ! Morand's division was left with open flank and began to pull back.

Karl von Clausewitz. Part of Durutte's division attacked Prussian center pushing Clausewitz with three battalions back. A company of Prussian schutzen (riflemen) opened fire on the French columns. While the French infantry entered the village, Defrance's dragoons assaulted the withdrawing Prussians.

Clausewitz fell back and joined Thumen's men. Thumen's and Heseen-Homburg's brigade being under strong pressure became mixed. However Defrance's division was too weak to make the breakthrough on its own, it numbered only eight squadrons.
(Karl von Clausewitz was also a military historian and influential military theorist. His books were translated into many languages, and they are still studied today, demonstrating their continued relevance. Clausewitz introduced systematic philosophical contemplation into Western military thinking, with implications not only for historical and analytical writing but for practical policy and operational planning.)

Prussian offensive on both flanks.

Prussian Leib Regiment
vs French in 1813.
Picture by Knotel. The shattered Wirtembergians withdrew to Rohlbeck, followed by Tauentzien's and Kleist's troops. About 3:30 PM Tauentzien's artillery had expended its ammunition. Russian VII Heavy Battery arrived and deployed 900 paces from Rohrbeck. Two Prussian battalions with skirmishers in their lead advanced against the enemy. Tauentzien's Cossacks and Landwehr cavalry appeared near Rohlbeck.

On the other flank Borstell's 5th Brigade attacked Gohlsdorf and Saxon positions. Borstell had artillery and skirmishers in the front, followed by battalions formed in columns. His cavalry moved on the right flank of the brigade. Borstell's first assault was repulsed by the Saxons. But then the fusiliers of 3rd East Prussian captured the gardens on and entered Gohlsdorf.

Saxon grenadiers counterattacked, the Prussians regouped and came back. While the Saxons were masters of the main street, the Prussians occupied the cemetery. Meanwhile Saxon artillery drove back von Oppen's Reserve Cavalry. To put more pressure on Ney's flank Bulow sent order to Hessen-Homburg's 3rd Brigade to support Borstell.

The Swedes.

Swedish hussar in 1814.
Kongens Lif Garde till Häst. The Swedes and a single Russian battery soon arrived and placed themselves on Borstell's left. Nafziger gives only two Swedish units at Dennewitz, a hussar regiment and horse battery. Christer Edling however mentions several Swedish cavalry units:

  • Royal Majesty's Life Guard
  • Life Cuirassiers
  • Light Dragoons of Smaaland
  • King's Hussars
  • Hussar Regiment of Skane
    See his article: "The Organization of the Swedish Cavalry: 1773 - 1814" > (ext.link)

    English General Sir Charles Stewart described the Swedish troops: "The appearance of the [Swedish] troops, collectively, was good; individually, they had not the air, the gait, or dress of disciplined soldiers: neither the old troops or new levies were steady under arms: their clothes were ill made: and their appearance, after seeing the Russians and the Prussians, was unprepossessing.
    However, I must do them justice to admit, that their performance in the field exceeded my anticipations. Their guards and artillery were composed of the choice of their men, and throughout, the composition of the Swedish soldierly was respectable. ... I saw four cavalry regiments ... The Swedish horse is not a good animal, having a very short neck, and an immense thick cart hind-quarter: he may endure fatigue, but in point of appearance and movement he is a sorry exhibition."

    Marshal Oudinot enters the fight.

    The reinforced Prussians assaulted Gohlsdorf and took 350 prisoners. Oudinot's artillery opened fire on Gohlsdorf and drove the enemy back. Borstel's brought 8 battalions formed in two lines with cavalry covering both flanks. This force attacked the village, suffered massive casualties from the Saxon artillery and fell back pursued by Saxon 6 battalions.

    Marshal Oudinot sent several battalions of Guilleminot's division into Gohlsdorf. This force immediately became target for the Prussian, Russian and Swedish cannons and howitzers.
    The Prussian infantry attempted to capture a Saxon battery. This however failed when the gunners fired canister at 60 paces. Decimated and shattered, the attackers fled in great disorder. Another Prussian battalion however was more successful and they captured Saxon color.

    The entire Saxon line wavered until Defrance's dragoons charged and stabilized the situation. Seeing this the much relieved Marshal Ney ordered Marshal Oudiont's XIII Army Corps to disengage and assume a position in the rear and center.

    Ney attempted the last desperate attack in the center.
    The columns of French infantry strode forward at a brisk pace.
    The French appeared on the verge of a victory.

    Ney attacked the Prussian center again, this time with a stronger force of infantry. With an intimidating tumult, the drums beat pas de charge and the shout Vive l'Empereur ! rose from hundreds of French throats. The columns of infantry strode forward at a brisk pace. In the meantime the Prussian gunners opened a rapid fire, to inflict as much damage on the enemy as possible but also to heighten the psuchological effect of this approaching masses. The French quickened their pace through the fields so as to be exposed to the cannon fire as briefly as possible.

    Several battalions of Durrutte's and Morand's divisions, and part of Oudinot's XII Corps struck the center and forced the Prussians to abandon Wolmsdorf and Nieder-Gohlsdorf.

    Map of battle of Dennewitz.
Ney's columns attack Prussian center. The French appeared on the verge of a victory and Ney needed only to administer the coup de grace. Unfortunately he had no reserve !
    Having joined in the fighting personally he was unaware of the overall tactical situation on the battlefield. Ney withdrew Oudiont from the action and moved his corps to Rohlbeck.

    At 4:30 PM Ney attempted the last desperate attack in the center. Fontanelli's Italians and Morand's Frenchmen formed in battalion columns advanced behind a thick chain of skirmishers until they were 80 paces from the Prussian infantry formed in line. The musketry was tremendous.

    The Prussian Death's Head Hussars (2 squadrons) and some Landwehr cavalry charged and routed French chasseurs. After this cavalry action the Fontanelli's and Morand's infantry fell back.

    Prussian victory.
    The Saxons began withdrawal and colided with Oudinot's troops.
    The French center became engulfed in chaos.

    Bulow at Dennewitz. The artilley bombardement was felt keenly by the infantry and cavalry on both sides. The Saxons began withdrawal. Ney rode to that sector of the battlefield and tried to rally the men. The Saxons then colided with Oudinot's battalions and carried them as well. The French center became engulfed in chaos and two Prussian battalions easily captured Dennewitz.

    Thumen's brigade continued forward and attempted to take Rohrbeck as well. Russian heavy guns set the village ablaze and the Prussian Landwehr infantry and schutzen (riflemen) entered Rohrbeck. The Landwehr cavalry rode through the village and struck French cavalry. The French broke and fled abandoning the battlefield.

    The Russian 44th Jagers and two hussar regiments arrived on the battlefield and immediately moved to the vicinity of Wolmsdorf. The Russian Izoum Hussars and the Prussian Pomeranian Hussars routed French cavalry and captured 3 guns. On the extreme flank von Oppen's Reserve Cavalry captured large quantity of baggage. The confusion on the roads was tremendous, and wagons, guns, and abandoned rquipment formed obstacles for the retiring infantry.

  • ~

    .
    "The XII Corps which yesterday was marching on Domitsch,
    ran into a few Cossacks; the troops gave into such a panic-stricken
    terror that it was very difficult to rally them."
    - Marshal Ney

    Aftermath.
    Ney and Oudinot had a falling out after the battle,
    both requesting the Emperor relieve them.

    Bulow arrives at Dennewitz. Prussian cavalry followed the enemy and took many prisoners. Ney's army reached Torgau on 7th September "after making a 40 km march without halting." Ney's losses were 8,000-10,000 men and 53 guns. Some sources claim that during the retreat the French lost further 5,000-10,000 men.

    Marshal Ney wrote: "The XII Corps which yesterday was marching on Domitsch, ran into a few Cossacks; the troops gave into such a panic-stricken terror that it was very difficult to rally them." He also informed Berthier about 6.000 deserters who threw away their muskets in order to run faster. Oudinot's XII Army Corps was disbanded and its French troops distributed to the other corps.

    Bavarian infantry in 1813. Raglowich's Bavarians were sent to Dresden.

    George Nafziger writes: "It is difficult to say why Dennewitz turned out as it did. The principal problem on the French side of the battle was lack of a clear, overall plan of battle. Ney is often accused of getting too closely involved in the battle and losing the overall vision of what was happening. On the other hand, Oudinot is also accused of sour grapes at having his command given to another after his defeat at Gross-Beeren."

    Ney and Oudinot had a falling out after the battle, both requesting the Emperor relieve them. Napoleon gave Oudinot the command over the Young Guard.

    Bulow memorial. Bulow (III and IV prussian Corps) lost 7,000-9,000 men. The victory raised the morale of Allies troops in Germany and the myth of French invincibility was shaken one more time. Bernadotte's pursuit was leisurely and reached Zerbst on 15th September. Then he began coordinating his movements with Blucher's army. "Bernadotte was criticised by his German allies for this apparent apathy in committing his army and especially his Swedes. This dented Bernadotte's military reputation and resulted in bad German publicity for the Northern Army in the Wars of Liberation." (- Björn Bergérus)

    The victory at Dennewitz inspired the greatest enthusiasm in Prussia. Bavaria withdrew from the war as a result of the failure of the Berlin campaign. Other German states were now wavering in their support of Napoleon.

    Sources and Links.
    Recommended Reading.

    Nafziger - "Napoleon's Dresden Campaign"
    Blond - "La Grande Armee"
    Bogdanovich - "Istoriia Voiny 1813 Goda"
    Lukasiewicz - "Armia ksiecia Józefa 1813"
    Sporschil - "Die Grosse Chronik"
    Esposito, Nafziger - "Military History and Atlas of the Napoleonic Wars"
    Plotho - "Der Krieg in Deutschland und Frankreich in den Jahren 1813 und 1814"
    The Department of History at the US Military Academy - series of campaign atlases
    General Freiherr Friedrich Wilhelm von Bülow
    Marshal Michel Ney "The Bravest of the Brave"
    Marshal Nicolas Oudinot
    Schlacht bei Dennewitz
    Travel to Dennewitz
    Travel Germany

    Battle of Hagelberg 1813 ~ BATTLE OF THE NATIONS - LEIPZIG 1813 ~ Battle of Dresden 1813

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    Napoleon, His Army and Enemies