Austrians at bay - desperate battle to be fought in the morning

9 September 1813 - Turn 14

Despite winning yesterday's battle, Prince Schwarzenberg finds himself cornered north of Herzberg, with three French corps closing in on his beleagured army from three different directions.  The Austrians have been forced to turn and fight as the French have a lot more cavalry than them (who would have thought in 1813!) and are moving faster.  Tomorrow's battle promises to be a torrid affair for the Austrians who will need all their skill and fighting spirit as they will be fighting under the effect of a cut line of supply and without any replenishemnt of ammunition since yesterday's battle.  Perhaps the rain gods will intervene and even the shooting odds for them :-)

Meanwhile in the east, the Russians have finally realised there is a war on and have hurled their entire force at Dahme.  However, they have come up against an uncrossable river and a bridge that the French have destroyed.  They have begun to throw across pontoons but will be delayed for at least a day before they can come to grips with the weak French force to their front (or are they Polish?).  They will definitely be too late to affect the outcome of tomorrow's battle that Schwarzenberg must fight.

Despairing at the inaction of his Russian Allies, General Meerveldt is reported to have marched away from Wittgenstein's force and was last seen heading west to the aid of Schwarzenberg.  Will he be able to affect the outcome of tomorrow's battle remains to be seen.

Yorck's rogue Prussian corps continues to meander through northern Germany being feted by the locals but due to conflicting orders from the Russians has failed to get close to any of the fighting.  His men are becoming dispirited by the lack of action and the doughty Prussian commander may have to contend with desertions before long.

Meantime, news from the north is that the wiley Bernadotte has finally thrown in his lot with the Allies.  For once the treacherous Gascon may have got his timing wrong, as his erstwhile allies appear on the brink of a major victory (though they have let a few opportunities slip through their fingers recently...).  Reports have the Swedish king marching south from east of Berlin with a small army, one that no doubt he will handle with care!  Tomorrow's battle has become a must win affair for the French emperor.