The Battle of Seyda 4 Sept 1813

An Austrian corps under Schwarzenberg bravely (foolishly?)  force marches to block the French Guard from falling on the flank of the main Allied army at Dahme.  The battle starts in the late afternoon.  Will one side be able to force a result before nightfall?

The armies deploy off set from each other with the Austrians on the left.  Their right flank is protected by the river, with the Grenadiers on the hill and a Division unusually deployed way off to their left, in an effort to split up the smaller French Guard force.

The Guard advance but the Austrians are not sitting back either and their right wing swings around.  Initially the French ignore the Austrian division deployed out to the left, conserving their strength for the attack on the hill. 

Austrian Jaegers on this flank advance forward and threaten the unprotected French line of supply.  This forces the French to divert a brigade of lancers to block their move.



Crash!  With an impact heard all the way back in Paris, the Guard smash into the Austrian line.  These grognards are not worried by the fact that the enemy are uphill and tough grenadiers.  With bayonets, butts and teeth an Austrian Grenadier brigade is routed.  However, their age is starting to tell and the Old Guard need to get their breath and are unable to follow up this success.



Austrian Grenadiers showing the French Guard what a clean pair of heels looks like



A broader perspective of the battlefield with the Young Guard having stalled, the Old Guard assualting the hill, and in the distance the Chasseurs of the Guard have been given the afternoon off from guard duties by their Emperor and are using their free time to sabre some Austrian gunners.

The Austrian hussars bravely move up to threaten the French Old Guard but artillery fire from their flank forces them back.

At this point both sides draw a huge breath.  The Austrians manage to rally a routing unit, the Guard retire slightly to regroup.  The Young Guard remain a little shaky and fresh Austrian brigades move up to capitalise, while the Old Guard put their teeth back in and prepare to show the Austrian Grenadiers what real mettle looks like.  In the distance, the Austrian conscripts make threatening gestures because they have been ordered to, hoping the French Guard won't notice.  Their efforts are rewarded by the diversion of a brigade of Young Guard and the Guard Chasseurs to deal with them.  This has the effect of turning the conscripts lilly white uniforms brown, but also draws away valuable troops from the French main assault.  The outcome of the battle remains in the balance.

The French attack first and break an Austrian unit in the centre under the combined weight of the cream of the French Guard - the Old Guard and the Grenadiers a Cheval.  "The gods" continue their charge and sweep away a unit of Austrian cavalry and this proves to be the final straw for the Austrian army.  With their line of supply taken they are forced to retreat cross country.  Fortunately for them they held on until almost nighfall and the French are unable to conduct an effective pursuit.

The brave Austrian corps under Schwarzenberg has done its job of keeping the Guard off the flank of the main battle but they will now have to pull back and regroup before they can fight again.