Skip to content

1814 Battle of Montmirail

Vienna, 10th of November 2022

Late winter 1814, General Sacken with his two Russian corps and a supporting small Prussian corps under General Yorck, hopes for an easy win against a corps of French conscripts under General Ricard. The fresh and inexperienced French conscripts defend the village and its forest but have to yield to the vastly superior Russian army. But just as the French line breaks and the Russian advance on the village itself, Napoleon appears with the full might of his guard.
 
This is the very first battle designed by our very talented friend Jan Kepinski who, by the way, is also a great Viennese tour guide.
Prussian landwehr cavalry forms line in front of the newly arrived French Guard cavalry
Prussian landwehr cavalry forms line in front of the newly arrived French Guard cavalry
Russian infantry columns forming to assault the French held village of Marchais.
Russian infantry columns forming to assault the French held village of Marchais.
Russian cavalry line
Russian cavalry line
Marching Prussians on the way to support the assault on the village.
Marching Prussians on the way to support the assault on the village.
French light infantry stubbornly defending the forested southern flank.
French light infantry stubbornly defending the forested southern flank.
The Allies assemble.
The Allies assemble.
View of approaching enemy lines
View of approaching enemy lines
Napoleon has arrived to survey the situation. A successful but costly Russian cavalry charge routed a French battery.
Napoleon has arrived to survey the situation. A successful but costly Russian cavalry charge routed a French battery.
Napoleon's Old Guard has arrived!
Napoleon's Old Guard has arrived!

1814 Battle of Montmirail turn 7

Vienna, 17th of November 2022

With the arrival of Napoleon and his Old guard, the village is secured. However, the Allies keep the initiative:  the newly arrived superior French Guard Cavalry had to repulse a mass cavalry charge across the whole front. They succeeded but with a heavy cost. Russian columns faint an attack on the village but ultimately fall back as Napoleon assembles his Young Guard and guns on the high ground. While in the forest, the fierce fighting continues. The Young Guard light infantry is not yet able to push the Russian jägers back.
316291076_649425413525592_200492123965226290_n
316410894_649425283525605_6959062529139503881_n
316285982_649425330192267_9080064920191055841_n
316312273_649425386858928_4660140530766068885_n

1814 Battle of Montmirail turn 12

Vienna, 24th of November 2022

The battle’s final stage proved even more challenging for the French. The Russian and Prussian corps refused to let Napoleon gather his men for a counterattack. Instead, his old and young guard divisions had to be sent to all fronts to resist the Allies’ advance. 
 
In the forest, the French light infantry suffered mass casualties again the Russian jägers, leading to numerous retreats. 
 
In the centre, menacing Russian columns pressed the french, and with the return of the Allies’ cavalry, a charge decimated what was left of Napoleon’s centre cavalry. 
 
On the plains to the east of the village, an initial success by French lancers did not stop the overwhelming Prussian numbers. 
 
In the end, Napoleon had to give up any chance of a counter-attack, and gave victory to the Allies, rewriting history in the process.
The furthest extent of the French counter attack. They did not reach the road, nor repulsed the Russian out of the forest.
The furthest extent of the French counter attack. They did not reach the road, nor repulsed the Russian out of the forest.
Guard lancers fought bravely against the Prussians, but ultimately could not resist the superior Prussian numbers.
Guard lancers fought bravely against the Prussians, but ultimately could not resist the superior Prussian numbers.
Russian battalions fought with determination, keeping the French center busy and unable to assemble enough men for an effective counter charge.
Russian battalions fought with determination, keeping the French center busy and unable to assemble enough men for an effective counter charge.
Prussian Landwehr. Although not the same quality as Napoleon's old guard, proved to be an effective distraction.
Prussian Landwehr. Although not the same quality as Napoleon's old guard, proved to be an effective distraction.
The Allies' cavalry saw success in the first phase of the battle, causing many casualties on the French cavalry. This proved to be a turning point as the French were not able to use their cavalry in any effective way for the rest of the battle.
The Allies' cavalry saw success in the first phase of the battle, causing many casualties on the French cavalry. This proved to be a turning point as the French were not able to use their cavalry in any effective way for the rest of the battle.
Russian heavy cavalry on its way to cover the northern sector.
Russian heavy cavalry on its way to cover the northern sector.
The French eastern flank, 1st Division of the Old Guard was crushed by the Prussians.
The French eastern flank, 1st Division of the Old Guard was crushed by the Prussians.
Back to main
To the Battlefield