was passing in the centre, and on the right of the allies, while the
capture of the villages of Tellnitz and Sokolnitz was going forward.
The Emperor of the French, who had not failed to remark the want of
concert and consistency in the movements of the Austro-Russian army,
and who saw that by the circuitous route the left was obliged to take,
it became more distant from the centre, in proportion as it advanced,
immediately put in motion the massive columns which he had kept
together, with a view of marching against the centre, and by that means
cutting off the wing, which still imprudently continued to advance,
for the purpose of turning the French army in a position which it did
not occupy. The Reserve of the French army, composed of ten Battalions
of the Imperial guard, and of ten Battalions of General Oudinot's
grenadiers, (who recovered from his wound, now resumed his command)
remained upon the heights between Schlapanitz and Kobelnitz. This
Reserve did not fire a shot during the whole battle. Marshal Soult,
with the two divisions of St. Hilaire, and Vandamme (posted during the
night, as we have already seen, in the valley of Kobelnitz), traversed
this village and that of Puntowitz, to make an attack upon the heights
and the village of Pratzen. At the same time Marshal Bernadotte, after
having crossed, by means of a bad and narrow bridge, (only a few
musket shots distant from his enemy) the rivulet at the village of
Girschikowitz, with the division of Rivaud on his left, and that of
Drouet on his right, took his direction upon the heights of Blasowitz.
The cavalry under Prince Murat formed in several lines on the left of
Marshal Bernadotte, and marched between Girschikowitz and Krug. Marshal
Lannes having on his right the division of Caffarelli, and on his left
that of General Suchet, moved forward to the left of Prince Murat, on
each side of the causeway. From that time the centre and right of the
allies became engaged in all quarters. The Grand Duke Constantine was
destined with the corps of guards to form the Reserve of the right, and
quitted the heights in front of Austerlitz, at the appointed hour,
to occupy those of Blasowitz and Krug. He was hardly arrived on this
point before he found himself in _first line_, and engaged with the
sharp shooters of Rivaud's division, and Prince Murat's light cavalry,
commanded by General Kellermann. The Grand Duke hastened to occupy the
village of Blasowitz with the light infantry Battalion of the guards.
At the same instant Prince John de Liechtenstein arrived with his
cavalry. According to the original disposition, this Prince was to post
himself on the left of Prince Bagration, to preserve the command of
the plain in front of Schlapanitz. This column of cavalry, which had
been posted in rear of the third column, and which was to move by its
right flank, upon its point of attack, was impeded in its march by the
columns of infantry, which crossed upon it as they were advancing, to
descend from the heights. Prince Liechtenstein had hastened to send,
during the march, 10 squadrons, under Lieut.-general Uwarrow, to the
left of Prince Bagration, to secure that general's left flank, which
was opposed to a part of Prince Murat's cavalry. After the regiment
of Elisabethgrod hussars had formed in order of battle, under General
Uwarrow, the Grand Duke Constantino's regiment of Hulans became the
head of the column of cavalry. Prince John de Liechtenstein, when he
arrived on the Grand Duke's left, found the enemy in presence of the
Russian guards; it was the cavalry under General Kellermann, supported
by the infantry of Marshal Bernadotte's left, and of Marshal Lannes'
right. Prince John de Liechtenstein immediately determined on forming
his cavalry in order of battle, to charge the enemy. The Grand Duke's
regiment was the first that deployed; but, carried away by the ardour
of the brave General[13] Essen, who commanded them; the Hulans did not
await the formation of the rest of the line, and, without support,
rushed forward to attack the enemy's light cavalry, which, retiring
through the intervals of the infantry, was pursued with but too much
impetuosity through the Battalions. The Hulans wanted to attack the
French cavalry that was in second line, but, in consequence of the fire
they had sustained, they reached it in disorder, and were received by
it with determination. The division of Caffarelli formed a line on
their right, and that of Rivaud on their left, and the Hulans, being
thus placed between two fires, lost above 400 men; Lieut.-general
Essen, who led them, was severely wounded, and died in consequence. The
Grand Duke's regiment, which had made this brilliant charge, attacked
too soon, with too much impetuosity, and became the victim of its own
ill-placed courage. It was put completely to the route, and in this
state it reached, by its right, the corps under Prince Bagration, in
rear of which it again formed. This last general had now moved forward
from the post of Posorsitz, to oppose the left of Marshal Lannes, which
rested on Kovalowitz; Prince Bagration had caused the villages of Krug
and Holubitz to be occupied by General Ulanius, with three Battalions
of light infantry.
We now come to the centre of the allied army, where the fate of this
day was decided. It was too weak to resist the enemy's attacks.
Abandoned by the third column, and all the left of the army, while
the division on the right flank was not sufficiently powerful to
divide the French forces; the centre saw itself attacked, or menaced
with attack, by _four_ divisions, to which it could only oppose 27
very weak Battalions, without any hope of reinforcement. Those Russian
regiments which had made their retreat from Braunau, formed a part
of this number, and were scarcely composed of 400 men each. Without
exaggeration, we may here calculate, that 12,000 men were attacked by
24,000, and while the French army was not, in fact, so numerous as
that of the allies, by a more happy arrangement of their force, which
was more concentrated and better directed, the enemy's strength was
_doubled_ on that point, which was of the greatest importance. The
centre of the allies was perfectly insulated, which, in consequence of
the distance the several columns (the 2d and 3d excepted) were from
each other, was the case, nearly, on _all_ points.
The Emperor of Russia, with the Commander in chief, arrived at the head
of the fourth column, at the moment when it was to advance. In order
to give time to the columns on the left to gain ground, Lieut.-general
Kollowrath, who commanded the fourth column, received orders not to
move till towards eight o'clock. The action, therefore, near Tellnitz,
had already begun, and the left was in motion, when the centre formed,
and broke into platoons from the left. The Russian infantry, under
Lieut.-general Miloradowich, was at the head of the column. Two of his
battalions, of the regiments of Novogrod and Apscherousky, commanded by
Lieut.-colonel Monachtin, with some Austrian dragoons of the Archduke
John's regiment, formed the advanced guard of the column, and marched
only a small distance in its front.
It was now near nine o'clock, and the third column had just quitted the
heights of Pratzen to march, in conformity to the disposition, upon
Sokolnitz: the fourth column had just arrived on the ground occupied,
during the night, by General Przibischewsky, when a massive column of
French infantry was suddenly descried in a bottom, in front of Pratzen.
As soon as the enemy's columns were perceived, they were put in motion,
at the moment when the Russian advanced guard approached the village.
This massive column of the enemy was composed as follows: the right
columns of the division of Vandamme; those on the left, of the division
of St. Hilaire. Nevertheless, the advanced guard of the 4th column lost
no time in occupying the village of Pratzen, and got possession of a
small bridge beyond it before the enemy's sharp shooters. Having passed
this bridge, it posted a Battalion upon a hill to the left, in front of
the village, (which was not yet left by the rear of the third column)
while the other Battalion of the advanced guard occupied the village
itself.
General Koutousoff, whom this movement of the enemy had taken by
surprize (thinking himself the assailant, and seeing himself attacked
in the midst of his combinations and his movements), felt all the
importance of maintaining the heights of Pratzen, against which the
French were moving; they commanded every thing, and were the only
security to the rear of the third column, which continued to advance
and expose itself with the greatest imprudence, forgetting the enemy
and every thing but the original disposition. It was the summit of the
heights of Pratzen which decided the fate of the day. It had been the
key to the position the allied army had just quitted; and, from the
confused situation of the different columns their fate depended upon
whoever was master of this height. As soon as the Commander-in-chief,
who was at the head of the column, was informed by his advanced guard
that the enemy was so near him, he gave orders for shewing him a front,
and for occupying the height; at the same time he sent for some cavalry
from the column under Prince John de Liechtenstein, who sent him four
Russian regiments. The French directed the march of their two masses
of infantry with great coolness, and at a slow pace. A third column
of the enemy now made its appearance on the right of Pratzen, and
threatened to pass through the interval, between the fourth column, and
the cavalry under Prince John de Liechtenstein. This French column was
a part of the corps under Marshal Bernadotte. Upon this the Russian
infantry, belonging to the fourth column, marched to the right of
Pratzen, and sent a reinforcement to the Battalions of the advanced
guard, which were already posted on the hill to be maintained; but this
advanced guard, being attacked by superior numbers, abandoned it, after
a very short resistance.
The action then became very warm, and it was attempted to regain the
ground that had been lost by the advanced guard. The Russians made an
attack; opened their fire at too great a distance, and without much
effect, while the French columns continued to advance without firing a
shot; but when at the distance of about a hundred paces, they opened
a fire of musketry which became general, and very destructive. The
enemy opened out his masses by degrees, formed in several lines, and
marched rapidly towards the height, resting his left on the church of
the village, and his right on the most elevated point of the heights.
Having reached them, he formed in an angular direction, for the purpose
of opposing the rear of the third column. This was composed of the
Brigade under General Kamensky, which had separated from the column,
and shewed a front upon the height, menacing the right flank of Marshal
Soult's corps.
It was still necessary to dislodge the enemy from the heights, of which
he had obtained possession, and to prevent his establishing himself on
them.
The Emperor of Russia, who, during this sanguinary conflict, had
remained with his infantry of the fourth column, and who, incessantly,
exposed his own person in trying to remedy the confusion, ordered his
Battalions to advance, and try to take the enemy in flank. General
Kollowrath received orders to check the enemy on the left, and, for
that purpose, caused the Austrian Brigades, under the Generals
Jurczeck and Rottermund, to advance against the heights, on which
the French continued to gain ground, and extend themselves, more and
more, while they followed up the Russian Battalions that had been
thrown forward. The first Austrian Battalions made their attack on
the enemy with coolness and intrepidity, although they were entirely
composed of new levies. They fell upon a French regiment which had
been the first to advance on the crest of the hill, and which was
nearly surrounded. The French received the Austrians with firmness,
and defended themselves with valour, notwithstanding which they were
forced to retreat; but, receiving a reinforcement, they quickly
regained the ground which they had lost. Two Russian regiments,
belonging to the second column, the grenadiers of Fanagorisky, and
the musketteers of Rhiasky, who were left in Reserve upon the height
which the column had occupied during the night, were ordered, by the
General-in-chief, to reinforce the Brigade under General Kamensky. The
troops commanded by this General fought very bravely during the whole
of this unfortunate battle. They came to the support of the Austrian
Brigades; and this reinforcement seemed likely to re-establish the
balance of power in the attack of the crest of the hill; upon which the
French generals manœuvred their troops with that ability which is the
result of a military eye, and of experience, taking advantage of the
inequalities of ground to cover their troops from fire, and to conceal
their movements. There was no other chance of turning the fate of the
day but a general and desperate attack at the point of the bayonet.
The Austrian Brigades, with that under General Kamensky, charged the
enemy; the Russians shouting, according to their usual custom; but
the French received them with steadiness, and a well-supported fire,
which made a dreadful carnage in the compact ranks of the Russians.
General Miloradovich, on his side, advanced upon the right; but the
Generals Berg and Repninsky being wounded, their troops had lost that
confidence in themselves, without which nothing is to be done in war.
The ardour of this attack soon evaporated. The superior numbers of
the enemy, and his steadiness, soon changed it to a slow uncertain
pace, accompanied by an ill-directed fire of musketry. Nevertheless,
the example of some of their officers had at one moment the effect
of inducing the left wing again to advance with intrepidity; and,
for an instant, the right wing of the French began to give way. The
regiment of Saltzbourg, and the Battalion of Auersperg, fought with
much courage.[14] Kamensky's Brigade always distinguished itself.
The Austrian General, Jurczeck, was severely wounded. The enemy, well
aware of the importance of this post, now in turn attacked the allies,
who were without any support whatever, and absolutely abandoned by the
left of the army. The fourth column now lost the heights of Pratzen,
beyond the possibility of recovery, together with the greatest part of
its artillery, which was entangled in the deep clay that prevails in
that part of the country. The greatest possible efforts were made to
repair the confusion incident to such a retreat. Meanwhile, the enemy
had advanced his artillery, and vigourously plied it in cannonading
the allies during their retreat, which put the finishing stroke to
the disorder they were in. The Austrian part of this column had one
general, six superior officers, nineteen subalterns, and 1886 soldiers
killed and wounded; five officers and 470 soldiers taken prisoners.
This action, upon the heights of Pratzen, lasted about two hours; after
which the fate of the battle was decided. The fourth column marched
upon Waschan, and repaired (as pointed out in the disposition) to the
position of Hodiegitz and Herspitz, where it collected its Battalions.
The enemy, being once in possession of the heights, did not disturb
this retreat, and remained near Pratzen, waiting, probably, the event
of the movements on the left of the allies. After the unfortunate
attack that was made by the Hulans, Lieutenant-general Prince John de
Liechtenstein, with his cavalry, covered the country between Blasowitz
and Pratzen. The Austrian General, Caramelli, made a charge with the
Cuirassiers of the regiment of Lorraine upon the enemy's infantry,
which coming out of Girschikowitz took advantage of the vineyards
between that village and Pratzen, to take the Russians in flank. This
attack, in which General Caramelli had his horse shot under him,
had the effect of checking the French for a moment. The Major who
commanded the regiment, a Count d'Auersperg, was killed. Prince John de
Liechtenstein also caused an attack to be made on the French infantry,
by the regiment of Nassau, at which time the fourth column had already
lost the heights of Pratzen, and was put to the route. Prince John de
Liechtenstein flew to its assistance to cover the Retreat with the
remains of the cavalry. This general tried to rally some Austrian
Battalions, which, like the Russian infantry, were retreating in
disorder, and was successful in his efforts. His horse was killed under
him by a grape-shot. The cavalry continued to occupy the bottom of the
heights of Pratzen, between that village and Krzenowitz, till it was
night.
While the action took this turn on the heights of Pratzen, and the
cavalry under Prince John de Liechtenstein attempted to make head,
both to the right and left, against the enemy's infantry, and a part
of Prince Murat's cavalry, in order to check, or at least retard, the
success of the French. The Grand Duke, Constantine, also found himself
engaged in an obstinate contest. The village of Blasowitz, which he
had caused to be occupied, as we have before seen, was attacked, and
carried by the corps under Marshal Bernadotte. The Grand Duke wishing
to check the enemy's progress, left the commanding heights on which he
was posted, and advanced in line upon the enemy's columns. A sharp fire
of musketry ensued. The French sharp-shooters, who covered the columns,
disputed their ground; but were at length driven in by a charge with
the bayonet, which was ordered by the Grand Duke. A sharp cannonade,
attended with much execution, then took place on this point. The
grape-shot made a dreadful carnage; but, at the moment when the Prince
approached the enemy, (who had by this time deployed into line) the
cavalry of the guards, commanded by Marshal Bessiéres, which had been
posted in the intervals of the infantry, made a charge on the Russian
line, which, being without support, was in consequence driven back,
after a brave resistance.
The Grand Duke's regiment of horse-guards, in order to disengage the
infantry, made a charge on the enemy's flank, where it checked and
routed their cavalry, and afterwards attacked the French infantry,
which had advanced to support the cavalry. It was on this occasion that
the regiment of horse-guards captured a French eagle belonging to a
Battalion of the fourth regiment. The corps of guards being obliged
to retire, succeeded, after considerable loss, in rallying and forming
its Battalions on the heights which it had originally quitted; from
whence it continued its movement upon Austerlitz, marching towards
Krzenowitz. The enemy's cavalry again returned to the charge, but was
checked by the horse-guards, and some squadrons of hussars belonging
to the guards, who attacked the French with the greatest impetuosity
at the very moment when they were about to charge the infantry during
its retreat. The horse-guards valiantly attacked, and were closely
engaged with the French horse grenadier guards, who, under the command
of General Rapp, had arrived to reinforce the enemy's cavalry. From
that moment the Russian guards effected their retreat upon Austerlitz,
without farther molestation from the French, who remained on the
heights in front of Blasowitz. Prince Repnin, a colonel of the
horse-guards, was wounded and made prisoner, with some officers of the
same corps. The Russian guards suffered severely, but had few taken
prisoners.
While these things were passing on the left, Prince Bagration, it
has been already stated, had advanced in front of Posorsitz, and had
tried to occupy the heights of Dwaroschna. Lieutenant-general Uwarrow,
with the cavalry under his command, was upon that Prince's left, near
Holubitz; which village, as well as that of Krug, had been occupied
in the manner before described; but Marshal Lannes arriving with his
troops in column on Prince Bagration's left, and on the right of the
cavalry under General Uwarrow, put a stop to the march of the right
of the allies. In order to cover the left of the French army, and to
secure its retreat in case of disaster, Marshal Lannes had posted
eighteen pieces of cannon, protected by the twenty-seventh regiment
of infantry, upon the commanding height, situated between Lesch and
Kowalowitz, to the left of the causeway leading to Brunn: it was the
same height that was to have been occupied by Prince Bagration. This
general was under the necessity of reinforcing his left (on which a
heavy cannonade was opened), and of sending almost the whole of his
cavalry to General Uwarrow, who, in consequence, had about thirty
squadrons under his orders. The enemy succeeded, notwithstanding, in
driving back General Ulanius from the villages of Krug and Holubitz,
and continued to advance in column; their march being protected by a
part of the cavalry under Prince Murat. This gave occasion to some
fine charges on the part of both the Russian and French cavalry.
General Ulanius, who commanded the cavalry with the greatest degree of
intelligence and bravery, succeeded by his efforts in checking the
rapid progress which the enemy would otherwise have made on the right
of the allies. Prince Bagration, after having long maintained himself
at Posorsitz, retired upon the heights of Rausnitz, at the moment when
the Russian guards were quitting the heights in rear of Blasowitz;
and, in the evening, received orders to march to Austerlitz. The high
road to Wischau was in consequence left entirely uncovered, on which
the chief part of the baggage of the army was afterwards captured by
the enemy. Lieutenant-general Uwarrow, with the cavalry, protected
this retreat; and Prince Bagration took post in rear of Austerlitz,
at six o'clock in the evening, while the cavalry under Prince John de
Liechtenstein still continued to occupy the heights in front of that
place.
It now becomes necessary to revert to what was passing at Tellnitz
and Sokolnitz. The first, second, and third columns, were left in
the act of marching upon the points of attack fixed in the primary
disposition, without thinking of the enemy's movements, and without
having discrimination enough to give that direction to their columns,
which the nature of the ground and the position of the enemy ought
to have pointed out, at the very first glance. These three columns
were composed of fifty-five Battalions (without including the Brigade
under General Kamensky, which had not followed them), and were only
opposed to the division under Legrand, not above five or six thousand
strong, and to four thousand of the corps under Marshal Davoust.[15]
Had the left of the allied army observed the enemy's movements
during the battle, and reflected upon his intentions; had it taken
advantage of the ground, and seized the means which it presented for
again concentrating itself, in order to execute a bold manœuvre by the
height on which the chapel above Aujest is situated, and which extends
quite to Pratzen. Had this been done, the battle might yet have been
prolonged, and at least have given a chance that the event of this
day would have been less decisive. The offensive movement on the part
of the French disconcerted the attack of the allies; and, from that
moment, all concert ceased.
The second and third columns were left in Sokolnitz, through which the
head of the latter had passed. It was also stated, that the two columns
had become entangled during a thick fog that took place, and they were
thrown into confusion, in this village, where they mutually embarrassed
each other. At this time that part of the French which had been engaged
in front of Tellnitz retired upon Sokolnitz; General Legrand having
ordered that village to be turned by General Franceschi. When this
took place, the centre of the allies had already been penetrated; and
the French were in possession of the heights of Pratzen. The Russians
who were in Sokolnitz, and those who had passed through it, when they
saw themselves surrounded, immediately surrendered. Lieutenant-general
Przibischewsky, who had the command of the third column, was made
prisoner in the valley of Sokolnitz, together with 6,000 men, being a
part of both columns, which likewise lost the whole of their artillery.