Schleiz - 9 October 1806 (C&C Napoleonics)

Historical Background: In the first clash of the Fourth Coalition, Bernadotte, at the head of Napoleon’s center column, moved against Tauentzien’s Prussian/Saxon division near the village of Schleiz. Tauentzien, realizing that the French were advancing in strength, sent Bila’s troops forward to slow the French advance, while he waited for reinforcements or orders to retreat. Bernadotte did not wait, but swiftly issued orders of his own. Soon Werle’s advance guard moved against the Oschitz Woods, while Drouet attacked Schleiz.

Murat’s cavalry reserve was to support the advance, although the countryside was not really suited for mounted troop action. By early afternoon the French could not be stopped and Tauentzien decided to fall back to Auma in an attempt to maintain a link with his outlying commands. The retreat came too late to save one Prussian battalion. Isolated by the French advance, most of the battalion was captured.

The French right under Werle charges forward to the Oschitz Woods but are easily forced back by the Prussian left under Bila. Once they have seen of the French, they pull back at the rear of the woods. (France 0, Prussia 0)

Werle makes another concerted effort to move up the French right, while the Prussians hammer the tip of the French spear near the center. (France 0, Prussia 0)

The French right creeps back into the Oschitz Woods, while the light infantry on the Prussian left withdraws out of the battle in good order. (France 0, Prussia 1)

The French right chases out the last Prussians out of the Oschitz Woods . (France 0, Prussia 1)

The French now occupy the Oschitz Woods and their left under Drouet moves on Schleiz. Meanwhile the French right and center press on the attack, overrunning Bila's artillery and striking a severe blow to his infantry. (France 3, Prussia 2)

Despite they aggressiveness, the French are too late as Bila and his fellow officers withdraw with their troops in good order. Most of the Prussians are able to escape the battle while the French are delayed. (France 3, Prussia 5)