Battle of Dresden - 27 August 1813
Day 2 (French Right flank)
Historical Background
Dresden was the last major depot in Napoleon's line of communications and full of supplies. St. Cyr and XIV corps were charged with its defence while Napoleon pursued the Army of Silesia under Blücher. This was NOT what the allies had expected.
The allies launched the Army of Bohemia through the mountains, north towards Leipzig, thinking that Napoleon would fall first on the Allied Army of the North, defending Berlin under the command of Bernadotte. They hoped to arrive in Napoleon's rear as he was doing so.
Instead, they learned Napoleon was marching into Silesia instead and they decided to convert the Army of Bohemia's attack into a short hook north eastward to Dresden.
The change of plan led to considerable disorganization. The Army of Bohemia had crossed into Saxony on the 22nd, first elements reaching Dresden on the 25th, but much of the allied force remained behind in the forests and mountain roads.
The leadership was short of planned strength and faced an active defence from St. Cyr and argued, hesitating to attack immediately, unsure who had a larger force.
Schwartzenberg made the decision to delay his attack until the 26th, thinking Napoleon was days away. Napoleon however arrived on the 26th.
The allies began their pre-planned attack after much argument, and Napoleon supported St. Cyr just enough to stop the allies. And by the end of the first day counterattacked enough to send the allies back nearly to their starting point.
During the night, Napoleon received reinforcements from Victor and Marmont. Both armies planned attacks on the 27th, the allies in the center, and the French in a double envelopment. The center became a stalemated artillery duel, while on the French left, Mortier, Nansouty and St. Cyr had great initial gains, outflanking the Russians and pushing the Prussians back, but then stalled.
The biggest gains were on the French right. Murat attacked, with Victor's infantry overrunning Austrian defenders and neutralizing the Plauen bridge on the flooded Weisseritz river so the Austrian main body could only watch events unfold. Many Austrians were pinned near Dözschen and were lost when Victor's artillery set it afire. Due to heavy mud in the area, the cuirassiers and dragoons could only advance at a fast walk. Austrians on the right, opposite Murat were trapped by Teste's infantry, and the cavalry of Pajol and Latour-Maubourg. Large numbers of them retreated, or were cut down by cavalry.
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
Allies Army
• Commander: Bianchi
• 4 Command Cards
• 2 Tactician Cards (Optional)
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| 9 | 1 | 1 | 2 | 2 | 1 | 2 | 1 | 5 |
French Army
• Commander: Murat
• 5 Command Cards
• 3 Tactician Cards
• Move First 
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| 6 | 2 | 1 | 2 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 2 | 1 | 5 |
Victory
8 Banners
Special Rules
• The four villages represent a temporary french victory objective (turn start). French gain 1 temporary banner at turn start for each objective hex occupied beyond the second (thus, 2 banners if occupy all four) (Temporary Victory Banner Turn Start)
• The Allies gain 1 Temporary Victory Banner if the French control 0 villages. Allies start with 1 Victory Banner
• The river is not fordable
• Heavy cavalry unit types may not move three spaces when ordered by a cavalry charge
•Mud: Artillery moves a maximum of 1 space per turn, regardless of Command or Tactician Card effects.
