Liebertwolkwitz - (morning) 14 October 1813
Historical Background
The Battle of Leipzig, and the events leading up to the ‘Battle of Nations’, is well documented. Players should take advantage of the numerous sources, in addition to the brief historical background presented, for each of the Leipzig scenarios.
The cavalry action at Liebertwolkwitz, on the 14 October, would mark the opening of this largest battle during the Napoleonic Wars.
Napoleon was advancing towards Leipzig and sent orders to Murat to delay the advance of the Army of Bohemia, but avoid any major fighting. Russian General Wittgenstein, leading the Army of Bohemia’s advance guard, believed the Allies were only facing the French rear guard, and moved forward not expecting a major battle.
However, when the French grand battery on Gallows Hill opened fire on the lead Allied cavalry force, he realized that Murat’s French were ready for battle. The cavalryman in Murat overrode obedience to orders. A French cavalry charge soon followed, and the traditional cavalry battle pattern played out. The French broke the Russians, but were disorganized and sent running in turn by fresh Allied cavalry, who were then routed by fresh French cavalry. And so it went. Additional cavalry units from both sides joined the fighting, but neither side could gain the upper hand. Both sides retired to their respective starting points, disorganized, but with surprisingly light casualties, except for a Prussian cuirassier regiment that presumed to capture a French battery, became surrounded, and had to cut its way out. The Allied command now paused to wait for Klenau’s Austrian Corps to come forward and provide the infantry needed to capture and hold Liebertwolkwitz and Gallows Hill.
The stage is set. The battle lines are drawn and you are in command. Can you change history?
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Set-Up Order
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Battle Notes
Russian Army
• Commander: Wittgenstein
• 5 Command Cards & 2 Iron Will Counters (usable by
Prussian units only)
• 3 Tactician Cards
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| 4 | 4 | 1 | 3 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 3 | - | 1 | 2 | 1 | 3 | 1 | 1 |
French Army
• Commander: Murat
• 5 Command Cards
• 3 Tactician Cards
• Move First 
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| 6 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 4 | 1 | 5 |
Victory
9 Banners
Special Rules
• The Allies gain a sudden death victory if 7 French Cavalry and Artillery units are eliminated.
• The French gain a sudden death victory if 7 Allied Cavalry and Artillery units are eliminated, Russian Cossacks do not count as cavalry.
• Pre-Battle Mother Russia Roll rule in not in effect.
