Napoleonic Campaign continues...

Pressing on from his victory and successful crossing of the Falsover River, Marshal Dubonnet urged his XIV Corps eastwards towards Berlin. As he advanced, there appeared signs that the Allies, led by General Paulus von Jaxen, were edging off towards the south-east - no doubt in an attempt to draw the French away from the Prussian capital. Not to be drawn, the French Marshal continued in an easterly direction.

It wasn't long before the 9th Hussars lost contact with the Allied army. The enemy had vanished. The Marshal hurried on, but, as he approached the region about Grosshuntersdorf began to apprehend the possibility of ambush. Between that place and the river, the countryside, though flat, was extensively wooded. The forests, though large were rather open - kept that way by local magnates, one supposes, for hunting. Altogether, it was ideal country to spring a surprise.

Gingerly skirting this dangerous country, with the cavalry and voltigeurs of the light regiments watching to the south, it seemed by the time the leading infantry of 13th Light had reached the village of Uszublunder, that perhaps the Allies were not in the offing after all, but awaited them somewhat farther on.

In a rush, the reports began coming in. Suspect movements to the south; enemy horse, foot and guns rapidly approaching; troops debouching from Grosshunterdorf with considerable speed. The Marshal was only too conscious of his forces strung out along miles of road.

This was going to be nip and tuck.

A general view of the march, looking North-east, with General Cabernet-Sauvignon's
1st Division just entering Uszublunder in the distance, and the leading elements of Beaujolais's 2nd Division just enetering the picture. The Cavalry maintain a watching brief to the south.

Here are more pictures of what seemed like a pleasant early morning stroll...
General Cabernet-Sauvignon's Division enetering Uszublunder, led by 13th Light. Its voltigeur company lines a village stone wall. To the South-east, 9th Hussars keeps a wary eye out towards the south...


Thirtieth and Fifty-first Line Infantry, and the 8pr Artillery company following the Lights towards the village.


Now looking to the centre of the column; trailing 61st Line is the 12pr battery, then the lead unit of Beaujolais's Division: 17th Light.

Following 17th Light infantry, the 2nd Division artillery is just entering the field. Yet to arrive are 34th and 88th Line infantry. Meanwhile, 7th Cuirassiers, led in person by General Morlot, has two squadrons deployed forward, alongside the voltigeurs of 17th Light, watching for enemy approaches from the south. Will they give sufficient warning of an attack? Marshal Dubonnet is close by with his staff...


Game on tonight...