Mariazell - 8 November 1805 (C&C Napoleonics)

Historical Background: Von Merveldt’s small corps had escaped capture at Ulm, and was attached to Kutusov’s retreating Russians, when he received orders from the Austrian High Command to march to Styria to aid Archduke John’s army. Realizing too late he had marched straight towards the advancing French, he turned to retrace his steps. With Davout’s advance guard under the command of Heudelet de Bierre hot on his heels, Merveldt opted to make a stand at Mariazell. Taking advantage of the natural terrain in the area his worn out infantry waited for the French.

Bierre, wasting no time, attacked with the French lights in the center and his light cavalry to the south of the village. The French cavalry attack broke through forcing many Austrians to surrender.
The Austrian Grenzers counter attacked out of the woods, but failed to capture the French artillery. Merveldt’s Austrians, after a brief struggle, routed.

Bierre orders the French light infantry in the center to open fire on the Austrian formation in front of them and artillery near Mariazell. The Austrians rout until rallied by Merveldt. The French order some of their cavalry on the right to charge in and finish the Austrian artillery, but take severe losses for very little result. (France 0, Austria 0)

With the Austrian response ineffectual, the French left pounces forward, inflicting heavy losses and pushing back the Austrian Grenzers. In the center, Bierre's light infantry easily weather the Austrian counterfire before sending more of them running in panic. (France 1, Austria 0)

Merveldy keeps his cool and reorganize his scattered troops around the town of Mariazell. It is now apparent that it is the French who are out of position and scattered. (France 1, Austria 0)

Merveldt's concentrated troops begin a relentless attack on the french, severely wounding the French light infantry and pushing them back. (France 1, Austria 0)

The Austrian keep up the pressure and soon the French light infantry is eliminated. Bierre's position in the center is catastrophic, but on their left, the French move up and clean up what was left of the isolated Grenzers. (France 2, Austria 2)

With a final advance, the Austrian finish off some of the French cavalry and Bierre himself. With their leader dead and in no position to retaliate, the French withdraw in panic. (France 2, Austria 4)