Proportion of the German Legion in the liberation struggles of
the years 1813 and 1814 in North Germanyby Bernhard Schwertfeger It
was the night before the Christmas festivities of the year 1812, as
the 29th Bulletin of the large army of the 3 December 1812 in
Malodeczno known in Hamburg. The whole enormous army never better
destroyed Napoleon's health, which was the main content of this
message beyond compare. Not long, and fleeing generals, soldiers
and officials crisscrossed the German cities and spread the news of
the horrific disaster. Happy thought blazed up everywhere, whether
probably finally beat the hour of liberation for Germany.On March
4, Berlin was been cleared before the advancing tip of the Russian
corps Wittgenstein from the French occupation, soon swarms of
nimble Cossack roamed on the Elbe. Tettenborns Russians, stormy
welcomed by the population, moved in Hamburg on March 18.This first
easily attained profit moved up the weighty consequences. In all
those Hanoverian land marks, which were free by the retreat of
General Carra St. Cyr to Bremen, the population rose up, and
immediately began the creation of volunteer corps. Still before the
March of end of, the tribes were already for the field battalion
Lauenburg major v. Bailey, the field battalion Lneburg under
Lieutenant-Colonel von Klencke, the field battalion Bremen-Verden
under major de Baux, a military police corps under Colonel Graf von
Kielmansegge, a Hussar Regiment under Colonel von Estorff, Lneburg
a Hussar Regiment under Colonel Lieutenant von dem Bussche
Bremen-Verdenbuilt. (The merit of establishing falls for the
Lneburg Legion, Oberstleutnant von Estorff, for the
bremen-verdensche Legion Rittmeister v.d. ceiling and the Councilor
v. Zesterfleth, for the military police corps the hunting Junker
von Dring to.) The above commanders took over the troops in part
later.) Happy in the home of the former Legion officers rushed from
all sides, to take over command. Major v. Berger, Oberstleutnant
von Klencke, Colonel von Estorff and major v.d. Bussche (1816
Colonel has v.d. Bussche to retaining his British half pay in
addition to the Hanoverian content. Wellington himself wrote in
this matter to Lord Palmerston and stressed, Bussche had built his
regiment at a time, where the output of the arms decision was still
doubtful and a failure would have plunged him into inevitable ruin.
Just at the time it felt very serious lack of war-experienced
officers in Hanover.) were among the officers who had served in the
Legion with distinction and turned immediately again available. The
formations won a larger viewing this from the outset a firmer grip
and to the public.Yet it lacked trained former soldiers and
appropriate instructors. To remedy this deficiency, England
starting April sent a division of 400 Legion infantry under
Lieutenant Colonel Martin, also a co-located Cavalry Division of 60
men and 40 horses under Knight-Captain Krauchenberg of the 1st
Hussar Regiment and Lieutenant von Estorff of the 2nd Hussars
regiment to Northern Germany. 2 Fireworks, were 1 upper scorcher of
the artillery, 3 bombardiers and 37 Gunners with 6 unbespannten
guns under Captain Wiering and Lieutenant Whler passed. The high
recognition of the services provided by the German Legion so far by
the Prince Regent is in following the instruction out, who
overheard the secret war Council count Kielmansegge friend in March
to England:"Because not only the largest number of Marie troops
keep foreign wars and there namely the Royal German Legion, which
has received the old war glory of Hanoverian arms on the most
brilliant States during the whole period of hostile usurpation of
Churbraunschweigischen, Fanny anjetzt against the enemy in Spain as
the Prince Regent, searched for HRH Highness your Allied Russia and
Sweden to a community expedition to move North Germany."The budget
of for sending troops was set as follows in the same
instruction:
1 Lieutenant-Colonel 1 Major 3 Captain 8 Subaltern officers 15
Sergeants 15 Corporal 6 Tambours 300 Men of the infantry"""""""
40 Man artillery with 2 guns and 1 howitzer
1 Captain 1 Lt. 1 Sergeant 2 Corporal 1 Trumpeter 40 GBby the
cavalry"""""
This budget was exceeded as we have seen above, from the
outset.The 400 infantry were taken from the existing two companies
of the 1st and 2nd light and the 1st, 2nd and 5th line battalion to
Bexhill, to which each of these battalions because of strong losses
recently was been increased.Went with officers, much envied by the
remaining companions: Major G. Mller, 2nd line battalion,
commanding, Conradi, 2nd light battalion Adjutant, Lieutenant
Lieutenant wiper man, 5th line battalion, as a quartermaster,
Assistant surgeon Dr. Brggemann from 7th line battalion, Captain v.
Sasse of the 1st line battalion Captain Holtz Hale of the 1st light
battalion By the 2nd light battalion, Captain Schaumann Lieutenant
v. wind home from the 7th line battalion Lieutenant Baker from the
2nd light battalion Le Bach Ell of the 7th line battalion,
Lieutenant Dehnel Lieutenant of the 3rd line battalion Lieutenant
Salam of the 8th line battalion Lieutenant Kster of the 1st light
battalion.(In the Hanoverian new formations of the year 1813
following the 4 mentioned commanders outside former joined members
of the Legion: Captain v. Ludowig in the Feldjger Corps;) Major
Clamor v.d. Bussche and major A. v. Estorff at the Hussars Lneburg;
Major H. v.d. ceilings, major H. v.d. Beck and major A. v.d.
Knesebeck at the Hussar Regiment of Bremen-Verden. Major Gideon v.
Benoit at battalion Lauenburg; Captain v. Roden at battalion
Lneburg; Captain Scharloock of the infantry battalion of
Bremen-Verden; Captain v. Mller at the battalion v. Bennigsen.
Captain Schffer was one of the first who found themselves up in
Hamburg by the engineer Corps of the Legion. Probably even more
officers than the came over top listed from England.)The Cavalry
Division of the Legion has been embarked to Harwich, and only on
the Elbe estuary, merged with the main carriage, which reached
Heligoland on April 17. The troops were shipped out on the 25th at
Cuxhaven and set the Oste in March on the 26th to Neuhaus, greeted
jubilantly by the population as the first back home. Due to
approach to French troops on 27 again loaded aboard, sailed it on
April 29 after the Russians occupied Hamburg and went into the
quarters after stalwart took before General Tettenborn.In Hamburg
were immediately meetings between the General count
wallmoden-Gimborn certain "Commander of a mixed troop Corps on the
lower Elbe" (son of field marshal, who surrendered in 1803 at Suhl
in Germany. As Chief of the 1st Light Dragoons Regiment 1813/14
Member of Legion.), which from England to the direction of the
Hanoverian new formations sent General Lyon and the General
Tettenborn instead, was determined in which that all new formations
as British troops to look at, that should be governed by the
formation and drilling regulations of the Legion for same and the
Legion divisions of England are now distributed among the troops.
The officers should form the root for a battery to be built as
surplus will be adjusted at the same, the artillery with their 4
cannons and 2 howitzers.Accordingly the 400 infantry on April 30
were divided into 2 light and 2 companies of the line; the latter
under major Mller came to mountain village to the battalion
Lauenburg, the 1st light under Holtz er man to the battalion
Lneburg, and 2nd light both at the time on the island of
Wilhelmsburg under Captain Schaumann to Bremen-Verden battalion.
The small Cavalry Division was spread out on the two Hussar
regiments in establishing; Knight-Captain Krauchenberg served
mostly in the General wall wear.The artillery Department first
arrived in Hamburg on May 2 and was moved to Ratzeburg, where
Captain Wiering took the construction of a battery in the
attack.Hamburg should not long enjoy his liberation from French
rule. Marshal Davout moved his troops against the Elbe together,
and the end of April already entered the troops asked to cover the
city on the islands of Wilhelmsburg and Ochsenwerder East of the
Elbe with the French of VANDAMME touch. On 10 may the General
Montesquieu-Fzensac Cuxhaven had again occupied the whole left bank
of the Elbe was French again. The surveys in the Hanoverian lands
therefore provisionally found an end. The failed policy of the
allies, Bernadotte to love Denmark to the French in the arms and
thus to weaken Hamburg, several thousand defenders soon also
resulted in the loss of this important town.
The fighting at Hamburg in May 1813
In the night of 8/9 may the French undertook an attack against
the islands of Wilhelmsburg and Ochsenwerder, pushed back on the
former on the northern edge of the island the crew, but were
expelled again tomorrow at the other. Major v. Berger repelled the
attack of the French battalion Lauenburg and freed the
Ochsenwerder. The detachments of the Legion had already proven
themselves good this, 1 Sergeant had fallen.Tettenborn retired now
his forces up on the Feddel, what the French heavily occupied the
remainder of Wilhelmsburg. An offensive thrust myself on May 12th
with support of the Danes by about 1,500 men against the French
ended up very unhappy and with significant losses. Now granted the
island Wilhelmsburg. Only by the bold stance of the 2nd light
company under Captain Schaumann succeeded the retreat across the
Norder Elbe without causing excessive losses. Lieutenant Baker with
the last people of the rearguard reached a boat to travel to
floating under the bullets of the enemy.
Happier, the rejection of a French passage at Zollenspieker
turned out for the allies on May 13. Major v. Berger threw himself
with the battalion Lauenburg, the two line companies of the Legion
and a battalion of Hanseatic League on an already flowed Department
of 200-300 men and captured the most. 2 Vierundzwanzigpfnder,
operated by Legion artillerists and Hanseatic League, contributed
significantly to the success of the company. The loss of the
Legion's Department were not significant, Lieutenant le Bach Ell
and 1 Sergeant were wounded; the latter died on the 14th at
Bergedorf on his wound.In the following days, the location of
Hamburg was always worse. The Danes withdrew on May 19 the promised
Sweden came while on the 21st, were recalled again but on the 26th
by Bernadotte. Tettenborn remained up to and kept occupied, now
only the Islands Ochsenwerder and Kano while VANDAMME bring heavy
guns on the Feddel in position.29 May deteriorate even more
Tettenborns location.To guard the Ochsenwerder battalion Lauenburg
had occupied in the evening the Elbe Dyke to Wilhelmsburg on May 28
with 2 companies of outpost, 130 Legion stood ready under
Lieutenant Dehnel at Ochsenwerder Church for their support. On the
night of May 28/29, had major Mller after the Ochsenwerder
translated the rest of the battalion Lauenburg and stood in
dehnel's height, as he had received news of a planned assault.About
4 o'clock in the morning, a violent artillery fire began apparently
suddenly by the Moorwerder, the southernmost tip of the island of
Wilhelmsburg. Major Mller immediately advanced on the Elbe Dyke in
support of there two companies of outposts when they came to meet
him in full resolution. The French had quietly put some 100 men
over the Elbe river arm and completely surprised the young
Lauenburgischen troops. Major Mller decided now, to throw the
already landed Department, by rapid advance and had run his people.
But a few direct hits from the French guns were sufficient to cause
the whole battalion to go back. Only at oak tree, beyond the Dove
Elbe, major Mller was the battalion to collect.So the defense of
Ochsenwerder was left alone the 130 Legion under Dehnel and some
scattered Laue burgers. 6 Hours that subsection back step by step,
stopped the overpowering opponents and went over finally sold at a
large loss on ships Eichbaum. The Legionnaires lost 15 men 1
corporal and 31 man dead, wounded or captured, about one-third of
their holdings.Tettenborns position in Hamburg was now untenable.
Still in the night of 29/30 may he went back over mountain village
to Lauenburg, where his multi-faceted Corps gained wallmoden. The
heavily recurring opponent by a brilliant bayonet charge of the
marchers in the rearguard Prussian battalion von Borcke suffered a
loss by 200 men.Hamburg was again occupied by Davout on the 31st.
More hostilities not held, because the lasting until August 16
great truce came into force on June 4. (Initially until 20 July
closed, until August 10 extended 6 day period were allowed for the
termination. Communicated to the allies on August 15, that on the
17th the hostilities were reopened.)
The cease-fire in the summer of 1813
General count wallmoden-GimbornThis truce, for Napoleon from the
worst consequences, since it led to Austria's joining the
Coalition, was of the greatest importance for the Wallmodens Army
Department. The young formations were given the opportunity to
settle in their new associations and to gain a certain military
grip. The Hanoverian new formations has been catered for through
more posting by Legion troops.First 14 officers, 10
non-commissioned officers and 60 men under Lieutenant-Colonel H.
Halkett arrived on 20 June KSTER in Wismar as well as a small
Division of the 2nd Regiment of Dragoons under Lieutenant. The
transport was gone off from England on May 15, but long delayed by
adverse winds.This desired increase in trained officers and
soldiers allowed to complement the Legion Infantry Division back to
around 400 men. She remained divided in 2 light and 2 line
companies, was placed under but now the captain Holtz Ali and is
usually called a half battalion Holtz er man in the histories of
the Northern army. Lieutenant-Colonel Halkett took over a
Hanoverian Brigade.To supplement the gaps in the battalion
Lauenburg, the Lieutenant v. Windsheim and le Bach Ell from the 7th
line battalion to Komapaniechefs were appointed in the same.
Lieutenant Dehnel, as a trained artillery officer of the Brunswick
Corps, joined Lieutenant potential to an English rocket battery to
the foot battery of Captain Wiering, included 50 non-commissioned
officers and gunners of the Legion which is approximately. (In this
capacity he participated only Legion officer at the battle of
Leipzig.)The most significant gain but was carried out by the
arrival of the 3rd Hussars Regiment under Lieutenant Colonel v.
Tbing and the two horsemen batteries under major Brckmann.The 3rd
Hussar regiment was 1808/09-constantly since the unfortunate
campaign under Sir John Moore in England; a request for the
officers to re-use of the Regiment in Spain was been granted
negative early 1812. On June 10, 1813 the ships; it, 5 squadrons
with approximately 800 excellent horses climbed strongly in
Ramsgate the departure had must be moved but adverse winds due to 3
weeks. Very bad drive, it landed on the 17th of July in Gothenburg,
where already 17 horses wounded through the rigors of the journey
had to be killed. On August 5 the regiment arrived happy to Wismar,
was shipped out and Zarrentin reached in mid-August. The leaders
had for the diseased in Wismar Lieutenant-Colonel v. Tbing (Tbing
died on September 3, 1813 to Wismar). Acquired major Kalani.The two
horsemen batteries had since 1807 no military use had more. On 8
August, she arrived under the leadership of major Barakat in Wismar
and had to be hauled there first new. On August 23 until they came
to the Wallmodenschen Corps.Wallmodens army had won the now
following outline:Avant-garde: Major-General v. Taggart4 Cossack
regimentsJger battalion v. richLtzow free Corps(3 Battalions, 5
cornets, 8 guns)Russian German Division: Major-General v.
ArentsschildtBrigade Ratzmer (3 battalions)Brigade Wardenburg (3
battalions)Anglo German Division: Maj. Gen. LyonAdjutant Lieutenant
Mac Glashan from the 2nd light battalion of the LegionLight
brigade: Lieutenant-Colonel MartinAdjutant Captain v. Sasse of the
1st line battalionBattalions of Lneburg, Bremen-Verden, AnhaltLine
Brigade: Lieutenant-Colonel HalkettThe 2nd light battalion Adjutant
Captain SchaumannBattalions Bennigsen, Langrehr, Lauenburg, half
battalion Holtz er manJger Corps: Count Kielmansegge(2 Hanoverian,
1 Russian German company)Hanoverian foot battery: Captain Wiering,
6 gunsCavalry Division: Major-General v. Dornberg2 Russian Hussar
regiments of 4 Squadre3Rd Hussars Regiment of the German Legion to
5 squadronsHanoverian regiments of Hussars Lneburg and
Bremen-Verden(4 weak squads)2 horse batteries of the German Legion
to 6 gunsMajor Banik1 horse battery, Captain A. Sympher2. riding
battery, Captain Kuhlmann2 horse batteries of the Russian German
Legion to 8 gunsLieutenant-Colonel MonhauptBritish rocket battery,
32 framesSwedish Division: Lieutenant-General von Vegesack5.
Swedish Brigade(6 Battalions, 4 squadrons, 1 foot
battery)Mecklenburg Brigade(4 Battalions, 4 squadrons of riding
hunters,2 Prussian Hussar squadrons under Saha, 2 guns)Hanseatic
Brigade(2 Battalions, 8 squadrons, overriding each half)and half
foot battery to 4 guns)Towards the end of the truce could wallmoden
about 24,000 men in the field to, while its total strength was
27,000 men.A heavy duty was to make significant, with an army to
Motley, the attitude of Bernadotte, Crown Prince of Sweden, as
Commander-in-Chief of the army of the North was an uncertain and
contradictory. Anyway, half military, half diplomat, was well
suited for this difficult position, wallmoden."A clear head, polite
and gentle character, be militarily well anlagt, in the battles
proud silence with the utmost bravery he uniting and permitted by
the service in four armies with a keener eye for people and
relationships, a man who would have done no doubt perfectly
efficient, when it would have the fate to a different place of the
astronaut and a better composite force assigned him to."His Chief
of staff, the brilliant Lieutenant-Colonel v. Clausewitz, adapted
this Commander in the happiest way.Against Davout in Hamburg
commanded over 25.788 man, Army Corps and a Danish auxiliary corps
under the General Prince Friedrich of Hesse, with little Cavalry
consisting of 13th.August 16 the opponent at the stood demarcation
line to, on pages of the allies through the line Ratzeburger see -
called Stecknitz - Elbe, on the French by Lbeck, the Holstein
border and the river Elbe. Wallmoden was distributed to his troops,
that right-most in grevesmhlen, about 30 came Northeast Ratzeburg,
which, Arentsschildt and Lyon were Sweden and Mecklenburg under
Vegesack South of the divisions in the General line of Gadebusch
(25 miles east of Ratzeburg) - Wittenburg - Hagenow - Lbtheen
(compare the sketch map). Tettenborn watched the Stecknitz and had
stronger outposts at Mlln, Bchen and Lauenburg (Lauenburg is the
influence of the Stecknitz, in the Elbe), the Cavalry Division of
Drnberg between Zarrentin and Boizenburg.A detachment of Hanoverian
Jger, a battalion under Colonel count Kielmansegge to Dmitz
Hanseatic League and 50 horsemen were the orders from here to the
left bank of the Elbe, and disrupting Davout connections with
Magdeburg.Zarrentin the German Legion Hussars arrived 6 days later
the horsemen batteries on August 17, and have been used against the
enemy immediately.
New start of hostilities
3Rd Hussars KGLDavout had in fulfilling its mandate, to
contribute to the support of Corps posted to Berlin from Hamburg
and Northern army at least covered the wallmoden Corps of a
reinforcement of the Berlin to hold on August 17 a forward movement
started with 2 columns by Bergedorf Lauenburg and Schwarzenbeck
against Mlln.Near Lauenburg was the French General Pcheux fierce
opposition and was stopped by the Ltzow Freikorps 2 days. Only
withdrew the Ltzow on Garcia, 10 km southeast Bchen, on the
19th.Lallemand was occupied with the left French column by
Schwarzenbeck on the 17th Mlln, but went back on the 18th on
Schwarzenbeck and had seizes on the evening of that day of the
Stecknitz passage near Bchen.Davout was on the 19th in the
possession of the Stecknitz section. From his headquarters from
Lauenburg he reported to Napoleon that he would break up on the
20th against Schwerin.This movement allowed the possibility of a
later panning against Berlin. Also, the General Vegesack standing
still in grevesmhlen could be cut out if Davout advancing further
East.Both dangers had to meet wallmoden. He moved so his force at
Wittenburg and Hagenow (sketch map). Tettenborn watched the enemy
at Gresse, 6 km north of Boizenburg, Dornberg Zarrentin held easily
occupied and attracted to Tettenborn.Slowly, Davout took his March
on August 20, reached with a right column of Lauenburg and
Boizenburg Zahrensdorf, with a left Garcia, still in the hope to
get news about Oudinot encroachment against Berlin and then
afterwards to set up its operations. His columns received the
direction of Vellahn, Goldenbow and Camin (4 or 7 km north of
Vellahn) for the 21.The slowness of French movements prompted
wallmoden decided to confront proceed in a favourable position on
the heights between Vellahn and Goldenbow infantry and 3,000
Cavalry of Davout with 6,000 troops. Camin and the forest forward
this place was through a Russian German battalion occupied, thorn
mountain with the German Hussars of the Legion, the Hanoverian
Hussars and a blind battery also there installed, whereas
Tettenborn at Vellahn formed the left wing. The 2nd Russian German
Hussars Regiment covered the middle on the Windmill Hill by
Goldenbow. The Division of Arentsschildt was pushed up in the
forest of Friedrichsdorf.On the afternoon of 21 August, the French
in 3 columns exceeded the Sadashiv and penetrated against Camin and
Goldenbow Vellahn. First, the attack took place on Camin. The here
asked battalion went back. Goldenbow had the 2nd Russian German
Hussars almost 2 hours to conduct the Defense alone, cavalry friend
for and artillery was supported but then by thorn mountain of
Camin. Unfortunately, the grounds with hedgerows and ditches cut
prevented a successful riding of the squads who now suffered some
losses from enemy artillery fire. The French artillery shot very
badly, and so the German Legion Hussars lost only 1 guy and 3
horses dead, 1 man wounded.Decisive successes were not reached also
by inserting the Tettenbornschen Cossacks. Camin remained in the
hands of the French, greater clarity on strength of Davout had
wallmoden but its purpose, to get he estimated it now to 16-18,000
man - achieved through the meeting.The Legion Hussars received a
recognition of General von Drnberg general order by August 22nd for
"the good, steadfast and set behavior of the Regiment in the affair
of Camin."Wallmoden went back on August 22 after Hagenow.The events
of the next few days, Davout advancing to Schwerin, Wallmodens
standby position at Ludwigslust-Neustadt, we could ignore short,
because they offered no opportunity for successful activity the
German Legion troops.Unexpectedly, Davout, the news of the battle
of grobeeren to cover for Hamburg made by concerned, went back on
the night of 2/3 September von Schwerin and now took a strong
position behind the watercourses of the Stecknitz, the Ratzeburger
Lake, the Wakenitz and Trave. The transitions at Lauenburg, Bchen,
Mlln, Schlutup, Lbeck and Travemnde were heavily occupied; Davout
in Ratzeburg stood with his main forces. Thus, the foreland of
Hamburg was protected by a wide list from the Baltic to the
Elbe.The sudden withdrawal of Davout, behind the marked line
generated the thoughts that the Marshal under the protection of
this strong position with main forces west of the Elbe via
Magdeburg to Napoleon's main army March to remember at wallmoden.
Quickly he rushed - only Tettenborn and Vegesack the Stecknitz
compared with leaving - with his main forces to Dmitz, pushed out
there standing Corps Kielmansegge according to Dannenberg and left
immediately in Dmitz bridge, a French to be able to move southward
into the side cover. Kielmansegge was sent to the investigation
against Lneburg, added him to the 6th company of the German Legion
Hussars under Captain Jack. The points of passage observed
particularly in Winsen and Harburg.When a Danish officer received
over reported on 9 September that Davout don't remember to deduct
to Magdeburg, Wallmoden marched back again the following day to
Hagenow. The company Janen was replaced by Cossacks and rejoined to
their Regiment.
The meeting of the Ghrde on 16 September 1813
The meeting of the GhrdeThe meeting of the Ghrde is 1897
extensively portrayed to the military weekly by the author in the
booklet 5/6. The old Hanoverian traditions were not yet awarded the
Prussian military units. Since meeting tribes of the 73rd
Fusiliers, of the infantry regiment 77, the Dragoon regiments, 9
and 16 and of the field artillery regiment von Scharnhorst were
involved, the 9th Dragoons and 10 Gunners now also the motto:
"Ghrde" wearing of the helmet, so it seemed necessary to treat this
only important arms Act of wallmoden's Corps and in particular, the
share of the Hanoverian troops because at this point little
detail.Taken preparations should be, however, not in vain. On 12
September a French ordnance officer with a letter was caught in the
area of Mlln, from which emerged that Davout wool let go the
General Pcheux with 3,000 men at Zollenspieker across the Elbe and
send to Magdeburg with the order, once to clean the left bank of
the Elbe by the enemies. Lemarois, the Commander of Magdeburg,
Pcheux should drop a Department to advertise.Messages from the left
bank of the Elbe were was that there in the villages for 10,000 men
quarter was said to infantry, 3 batteries and 600 riders. This
troop strength too high given by the French to the intimidation of
the population prompted wallmoden, 9,000 to 10,000 Ltzow, Hanseatic
League and Sweden - to leave only the absolutely necessary forces -
Davout at the 70 km-long Stecknitz - Trave line, with all other
troops but in Dmitz across the Elbe Pcheux to tackle.September 14
wallmoden gathered in a bivouac at Dmitz 15 battalions, 17
squadrons, 3 regiments of Cossacks, 38 guns and half rocket
battery, together approximately 12,300 men, including 3,300 riders.
Almost all Hanoverian troops were involved in this enterprise for
her closer home.The military division was the
following:Avant-garde: Major-General v. TaggartInfantry v. Ltzow
Freikorps1 Battalion first lieutenant StaakJger battalion under
Captain v. rich, 1 BTL.Hannoversches Jger Corps (2 companies)and
Russian German Jger companyunder Colonel count KielmanseggeCavalry
under major von Ltzow5 SquadronsHanseatic riding battery under
Captain Spoormann4 GunsCossack regiments Komisarow, Denisov, Sulin3
RegimentsTogether: 2 battalions, 5 squadronsand 3 regiments of
Cossacks, 4 gunsRussian German Division: Major-General v.
Arentsschildt1St Brigade - major von Natzmer1St Battalion v.
Schaper, 2 v. Mohan, 5 v. Dobschtz2Nd Brigade - Lieutenant-Colonel
v. Wardenburg3Rd Battalion von Tiedemann, 4. v. Horn, 6 v.
Natzmer1St Hussars Regiment - Lieutenant Colonel v. Goltz4
Squadrons1 horse battery - Lieutenant v. Scheele8 GunsTogether: 6
battalions, 4 squadrons, 8 gunsAnglo German Division: Maj. Gen.
LyonLight brigade - Lieutenant-Colonel MartinBattalion Anhalt -
major KrohneBattalion Bremen-Verden - major de VauxBattalion of the
73rd British infantry regiment(detached from Stralsund)Lines
Brigade - Lieutenant-Colonel HalkettBattalion Lauenburg - major v.
BnoitBattalion of Lieutenant-Colonel v. BennigsenBattalion of the
majors v. LangrehrHalf battalion of the Legion - Captain Holtz
HagerHanoverian foot battery - Captain Wiering, 6 gunsTogether: 6
battalions, 6 gunsCavalry Division: Major-General v. Dornberg3Rd
Hussar Regiment of the German Legion - major Kalani5
SquadronsHanovarian Hussars Lneburg - Oberstleutnant von Estorff2
SquadronsHanovarian Hussars Bremen-Verden - Lieutenant Colonel v.d.
Bussche1 SquadronHorse artillery brigade of the German Legion -
major Brckmann1 horse battery - Captain Sympher, 6 guns2. riding
battery, Captain Kuhlmann, 6 guns2. riding Russian German battery -
Lieutenant v. Tiedemann8 Gunshalf British missile battery -
Lieutenant of StrangwaysTogether: 8 squadrons, 20 guns, 16 rocket
racksThe 14 evening Pcheux on the Elbe had gone, and move forward
on Lneburg learned wallmoden in his bivouac at Dmitz. In the still
of the night, he went over the bridge of the ship, and encamped on
September 15 hard East Dannenberg. Cossacks posted on Dahlenburg
soon noticed the coming of the enemy on Oldendorf. Its strength
should be 5,000 to 6,000 men, 6 cannons, infantry and some
cavalry.This message was excessive with regard to the strength of
infantry - Pcheux had only 5 battalions (4 battalions of the 3rd
line Regiment, 1 battalion of the 105th light Regiment), together
about 3,000 man - was true but the rest. In addition to only 80
riders, Pcheux had a mounted battery to 6 guns. Baron de Pcheux was
a very competent officer of the guard emerged and Marshal Davout
assigned with special recommendations of the emperor. Its officers
and non-commissioned officers were excellent, steeled in Napoleon's
battles, the teams mostly very young recruits, but good
einexerziert and full of soldatischem ambition.On the 14 evening,
Pcheux had come to Lneburg, with the intention, after Hitzacker to
March and if possible to prevent the completion of a bridge in
Dmitz. As the numerous everywhere around grazing Cossacks showed
him that even more significant forces in Dmitz had to be moved, he
stood, Davout command, Dahlenburg versus the Ghrde. On the 15th he
pushed back the Cossacks on the whole line, left his Gros on a
Hhenzuge hard West Lakare and even with a battalion of the 3rd line
Regiment at the hunting lodge past up to the forest. His outpost
was occupied by the edge of the forest to Metzingen.
Wallmodens Cossacks went back to Metzingen, the avant-garde was
pushed above still evening Lg Gau, 1 km west of Dannenberg,
Metzingen occupied a strong position.From the determined actions of
the French against the eastern edge of the Ghrde their intention of
further advance against Dannenberg inferential, his entire Corps in
a floor sink South Sarvesh provided on 16 September morning
wallmoden. The French inspired not but, and could be warned in the
concern, Pcheux, wallmoden had to decide finally to the March on
Oldendorf. While he was aware of the danger, in which an energetic
push of Davout on the right bank of the Elbe against Dmitz could
bring him and the weak of the Stecknitz left behind troops.
Succeeded, however, still beat the enemy, so you could meet a maybe
in time enough yet in Dmitz.12 Noon, wallmoden was following
command:"The enemy that faces Oldendorf in the Ghrder forest itself
and maybe behind same in position, is attacked in 2 columns. The a
column under General v. Arentsschildt is left the main road about
Riebrau against the forest; it hits any enemy or only the items
that so penetrates through, comes out when Forester's lodge Rthen,
right opposes the likely position of the enemy and probably cut him
retire on Dahlenburg, connects the distant attack but the other
column.The other column, where Graf wallpaper wear itself, and the
avant-garde on the straight road from Dannenberg to Lchow before.
The Cossacks pull first the forest right completely work around
him, while the infantry of the avant-garde is attacking him. To
assist the General Lyon follows. In the Directorate as the
Cossacks, the cavalry and artillery under General von Drnberg
oppose to the left flank of the enemy. The forest is only weakly
occupied, so all troops regroup beyond to attack."12 P.m.
Arentsschildt broke up and reached the forest against 2 hours on
Riebrau. From there, he had to go another 7 miles up to the
Forester's lodge Rthen, could so probably not occur before 4
o'clock there in the open.The main column had to walk 7 kilometres
to the north end of the forest less and would have to compete
therefore 1 hours later. Now you probably expected a long
resistance of the French in the forest and was therefore already
after about an hour. A short time later you heard Cannon thunder
from the area of Boizenburg, which wallmoden in unpleasant ways was
reminiscent of the vulnerable situation of his troops abandoned
right of the Elbe. To reverse it was launched; too late, the attack
so he had to look for possible quick end to come.To 2 hours reached
Tettenborns infantry replaced the forest, supported by Cossack
swarms, the Metzingen in outpost company supplied the edge of the
forest and penetrated, without serious resistance, forest and
hunting lodge Northwest through the forest before. The outpost
battalion initially personally led by Pcheux withdrew recently
obstacles at basically meadow South of the hunting lodge on
Oldendorf.The threat against chased Pcheux now to his main forces
and directed the immediate occupation of the position reinforced by
some field fortifications on the height of 89 Southwest Lakare
probably. Comp. the plan.2 Guns were at this altitude, hard West
was a Pine Grove, 300 metres east were the 4 other guns. The
battalions were at or slightly behind the line of guns, such as in
the Plan are marked (French battle reports are missing). The ridge
is quite wide, so that one up over the Lbener has an exquisite,
almost glacis-like shot Bachgrund by low going back but completely
against view by its front edge and flat fire is covered.This Lbener
Bachgrund formed a pretty significant barrier notwithstanding the
paralleling the nearby watercourse through his swampy margins and
was to go on the road. The left flank of the French position was
secured as a result. The right wing lost although overview through
the Pine Grove, Pcheux not expected but with a so far collecting
ring and left it vacant. To secure his line of retreat on Lneburg
he put 2 grenadier companies after Oldendorf and a small Department
after calibration village.Against half you threw back 4: 00 Hunter
the French outpost battalion from forming the northern edge of the
Ghrde border ditch with the bayonet on the main position in
Tettenborns avant-garde of the top marching Ltzow and Empire ash,
real battle started.To facilitate the withdrawal of the beleaguered
battalion, the 80 French horsemen hunters against the border trench
had revealed riding, both flanks of the same.Ltzow had held some
time in the edge of the forest with his horsemen, now he took the
opportunity for a successful attack to come. With 4 squads -
without the 4th Squadron, which now covered the driving of the
Hanseatic battery Spoormann - he threw himself on the French
riders, who quickly declined, and then on the outpost battalion
itself. This made loin and forced a full loss retreats the Ltzow by
his fire. Major von Ltzow himself not more usable was severely
wounded his regiment for the other day.A precipitous attack of the
Ltzow infantry and the Empire ash Hunter had no better success. The
attempt with the declining French battalion at the same time the
enemy main position to penetrate, had been cut off with big losses.
A howitzer carelessly far advanced by the French probably dropped
the Ltzowern as the only prize in the hands to better effect in the
foreland.It was 4 o'clock, when arrived at last new troops on the
battle field. Until now, Tettenborns avant-garde with 2 battalions
had led the infantry fight alone and already significant losses.
The other columns were not in time for the job, and there was not
much, so Tettenborns troops had can be destroyed completely. You
miss the influence of higher troop control, which had the task,
individually to stop acting out columns so long existed forces to
attack out of the forest until sufficient here.The Division of
Lyons had to follow on the foot Tettenborns troops, had snapped but
at the Jagdschloss half an hour, to make only clean the forest by
the avant-garde. Since the cannon thunder of now driven battery
Spoormann of Oldendorf here echoed against 3 hours, and now was
with the biggest rush back to. At the same time the Cavalry
Division sought to Thorn Hill via Dbbekold to the northern corner
of the forest around the battle field, at their peak the 3rd
Hussars of the German Legion under Maj. Kalani. 2 Squadrons of the
regiment hunted with the horsemen battery Kuhlmann at a gallop on
the column of Lyon over, the battery ran right by the Hanseatic and
immediately opened fire against the French position. Both batteries
had little effect, because the distance was too large (1,000
metres) and Pcheux his troops to better cover temporarily moved
back behind the height.Meanwhile Lyon infantry marched so, as it is
indicated in the Plan . Holtz er Mann's Legion infantry was in the
2nd meeting, the foot battery Wiering before the forest remained
standing first aufgeprotzt left of their infantry, only the first
gun train under Lieutenant Dehnel was sent forward and fired
without special effect against the returning battalion.
Immediately, it was divided the battery zugweise and d ' Huvel of
Martin, Lieutenant Whler of the Halkett's Brigade Brigade
Lieutenant assigned to.After 4: 00 the thorn mountain Cavalry
Division had - reached the battlefield order: 3rd Hussars, battery
Sympher missiles battery Tiedemann, Estorff Hussars - were
immediately except the rockets 30 guns in action. Was but his
retreat; their effect for the specified reasons shall only low
Pcheux decided given before his position increasingly developing
superiority too late, because already the troops of the Russian
German Division arrived in Arentsschildts bypass scow.First, the
fire of the Russian German battery Scheele from a position South
Rthen made palpable. Pcheux realized that he no longer can take his
retirement about Oldendorf, the there posted grenadier companies
sought to involve itself and strengthened the weak crew of oak
village.As now noon 4 the Russo German infantry under
Lieutenant-Colonel v. Schack in the free appeared, with the Brigade
Natzmer right over the moor to Lyon drew himself, proceeded with
the Brigade Wardenburg against Oldendorf, da Pcheux ' situation was
become desperate truly. Outstripped by 12 fresh battalions on all
sides, threatened by a strong artillery, bypassed by numerous
Cavalry in the back, nothing was left him, than to take the
deduction on calibration village with his still unshakable 5
battalions.Would now von wallmoden a thorough General bombardment
from more remote places been made, the French had to resist a
comprehensive attack of infantry coming soon no longer. As a
determining influence in the higher leadership not to days occurs
but in the whole history of the battle, so we see here that in
itself admirable fighting zeal led individual units to a single
attack that barely promoted the success of the whole. See do not
escape to their declaration in an attempt, the enemy. Here is also
the attack of the 3rd Hussars Regiment of the Legion to be
expected.The 3rd Hussar regiment was after 4 o'clock, Southeast of
the missile battery, front the 5th Squadron, as General von Drnberg
came up and demanded a Squadron for an attack against the closed
dating back just by the Lbener Bach reason French battalion. It
would have been the most natural, if major would have determined
the foremost Squadron, Kalani; He, however, gave the ambitious ride
master v. Biela please post and certain his Squadron, the first to
attack.Even before the wing pull-forward was finished, Biela full
combat zeal threw himself on the enemy. The ride passed across the
Dahlenburger road, then left onto off Lbener why. Here, the right
wing of the Horseman couldn't get through, the horses got stuck in
the swampy terrain, could work out difficult under the fire of the
enemy slowly and had back. The rest of the squad was followed
before breaking Rittmeister v. Biela in disarray, disintegrated but
the fire of the battalion, which had formed loin in full
relaxation, and chased right and left same past. Biela
schwerverwundet collapsed before the loin.The 2nd and 3rd Squadron
had joined the attack without orders, which avoided marshy place
and came over straight roaring off 15 step on the loin on the main
position. The French horsemen hunters were expelled and rode
through the guns at the height of their covering had fled, at
times. But now came the Hussars in devastating fire of infantry.
Pcheux had to close his battalions at imminent risk of berritten in
columns together so that they reject enemy attacks were also
without loin education. The fire forced the Hussars continued in
the guns to ride completely through and then East to turn out.The
ongoing fire of a battalion on the French left wing now led the
Rittmeister v. Hugo, a number to collect Hussars and the repeated
attack against this battalion of backward to bring. It was a
heldenmtiges, but hopeless companies. Rittmeister v. Hugo chased 50
step before his Hussars on the battalion started, but
schwerverwundet broke down before same. Some French jumped out the
column, bayonet wounds to make kill him, there succeeded a likewise
deposed Hussars Schrader, out work under his horses and his
mortally wounded officer after backward to bring in safety.Hugo's
Hussars followed their guide only to the part fought in defeated
scuffle, Saber against bayonet for a while, but then again had back
and makeshift gathered North of the Steinker Hill. Most of the
horses was sideways when the attack broke out. Great hunting
through animals into, continually bombarded, on the battlefield in
the direction Rthen to. Here came the Hussars protecting divisions
of the 1st Russian German battalion and were probably for enemies,
held, animated Plackerfeuer what gave reason to again turn out.
Several Hussars and horses were already wounded, when finally the
fire was hampered by the officers of the battalion.Thus ended this
first ride of German Hussars Regiment, which could have no result
despite of all heroic bravery. Had it remained in the attack
against a single battalion, you maybe could have success. The
attack but against the still not shaken infantry level, undertaken
with not quite 3 squadrons had to lead to destruction. The remnants
of the 1st, 2nd and 3rd Squadron behind the French position is
gathered only with difficulty.The Russian German Division had now
by Rthen Oldendorf and oak village strongly before, fought with
varying success and Pcheux led further to the East to bring his
line of retreat. Particularly successful, the horse battery had
been this Scheele under the leadership of Lieutenant Monhaupt from
changing positions. (See map.) Now, wallmoden gave the order to
move to common assault.At the same time the Halkett brigades with
the battalions of Bennigsen and Langrehr, Martin with the
battalions were to half 6 o'clock Anhalt and Bremen-Verden and
Natzmer with the 1st and 2nd Russian German battalion on the
decisive attack against the enemy position.Only the attack of the
Halkett's Brigade against the left wing of the enemy succeeded in
completely. Halkett and Bennigsen led berritten to increase the
confusion still again collected parts of the 3rd Hussars and
Cossacks their troops, subject itself to horses, with such cutting
into the enemy, that the French guns threw down and flooded back
into wild escape. The simultaneous action of the Haubitzzuges of
the battery Wiering under Lieutenant Whler until directly at the
enemy had effectively supported the attack. (The charge of the
Brigade Halkett is the subject of a major by Professor Jordan in
Hanover of carried out mural for the patriotic Museum in
Celle.)Towards the middle of the attack less was happy, and only
through the excellent attitude of a turn of the Hanoverian foot
battery Wiering, which is going on in the height of the already
supporting battalions under Lieutenant d ' Huvel and shoots with
grape shots at the enemy, it manages to throw the enemy. At the
same time, the 3 first squads of Germans riding on against the back
of the French Hussars, which now have joined forces behind the
French column, and blow it apart. With rage and exasperation, the
German rider share their blows and revenge as the large losses in
their first attack. The Hussar Heymann is lucky in the break-in at
the column to capture the French General Milczynski and backward to
bring, from where he was brought back on a Panda of the train d '
Huvel to the meeting point of the German battery in safety.At least
Arentsschildts was failed attack against the right wing of the
French, and it was here Monhaupts artillery to thank that Pcheux
had to withdraw after Kovahl finally instead on Oak village of
Breese in the main.About 6 o'clock at a breaking dawn, were the
French in full retreats and Monhaupts were pursued only by the
Legion battery Sympher, the rockets and artillery fire for a while,
while 170 Hussars under Captain Jack, Cossacks and some Estorff
Hussars continued the pursuit until bar camp. The German Hussars
declined this his last guns and ammunition wagons the enemies at a
substantial loss.Walking, Pcheux, the 2 horses under the body had
been shot, attributed the debris of his troop about Bleckede to
Lneburg. Here he reached after strenuous night marches in the
morning, broke up again after a short break and marched via Winsen
after the Zollenspieker and crossed the Elbe. At the same time with
Pcheux, French officials with their funds had left lung in the
right feeling that they are no longer safe from now on on the left
banks.Pcheux can have returned only to 1,500 men. His loss was
about 400 man dead, 1,100 men trapped, including 700-800 wounded.
In addition, had fallen 1 Eagles, 6 guns, 16 ammunition wagons and
1 portable forge the allies in the hands.Wallmoden was also dearly
bought his victory with the loss of 32 officers and 306 horses and
526 man. To a follow-up with infantry, he felt no need, because the
troops were exhausted and had expected large marches the next day
to make. He had therefore his Corps in the northern edge of the
forest gather and then refer bivouacs near the hunting Castle. The
wounded had to be left behind from lack of carriages on the
battlefield which was so distressing, as it rained heavily during
the night.The 3rd Hussar Regiment of the Legion had the greatest
losses of all military units. 14 Male and 59 horses were dead, 8
officers, 7 Chief, 66 men and 87 horses wounded, of which 4
officers and 9 men soon succumbed to their wounds.There were
mortally wounded: the Rittmeister v. Baker, v. Hugo (Rittmeister v.
Hugo died in the night of 16/17 September in the district, the
other officers later), and v. both, as well as the Kornet Cremer.
Rittmeister von Biela and Kornet Cremer found death on the battle
field, who himself had been shortly before embarking to Wismar as
opponents in a heavy Sabre duel against two comrades. The 4 wounded
officers were Oehlkers Rittmeister Heise, the lieutenants
Brggemann, and v. Humboldt.The half battalion Holtz er man had
stood in the reserve and therefore apparently to only lament the
loss of the Ensign Baron le Fort of the 1st line battalion.
(Information on losses of the half battalion Holtz er man are not
found. Ensign le Fort of the 1st line battalion died on September
16 at his wound. As a result of the composition of the half
battalion Holtz er man of 5 battalions the evidence is unwise
battalion and separated not for events.) The foot battery Wiering
had only 1 horse lost the two horsemen batteries of the Legion 1
upper scorcher and 11 men wounded; also, five horses were killed
and 8 wounded.As you on September 17 morning buried the dead, that
the entire artillery of the allies had had relatively little effect
and the most injuries from Sabre blows and bayonet stitches brought
were a testament to the large distances and the bad conditions of
the observation showed.During the whole campaign, smoke and powder
steam so close before the batteries had stored, that by the target
hardly knowing had been. Fire management and setting had been
complicated. However, the moral effect of the entire artillery,
particularly the train d ' Huvel, must is estimated highly. His
special recognition expressed in his general order of 17 September
the entire artillery wallmoden.The 17th morning message that Davout
was driven only a weak investigation against Boizenburg on the 16th
and had been rejected by the Ltzow received wallmoden in the
hunting lodge to the Ghrde. This, his concerns were so widely
scattered that he had with his troops on the left bank of the Elbe
on the 17th against Lneburg proceed Tettenborn. By forays against
Hanover, Bremen and to the North Sea Tettenborn endangered Davout
rear connections then in the near future so, was that that soon no
longer able to run Bremen with the main army in Saxony directly
with France only about Stade -.With his main forces, wallmoden
attended the 17th according to Dannenberg and, as he in the evening
received report on the 18th French troop build-up at Zarrentin, 19
across the Elbe, from now on Davout from any active participation
in the operations of the large army holding TV.The significance of
the meeting of the Ghrde is been exaggerated somewhat in
contemporary literature explaining to it, that it was the only
major battle in the campaign on the lower Elbe. Given the
significant superiority of the allies on all military branches
would have to expect a complete destruction of the 3,000 men under
Pcheux. But this escaped with half of his Corps after excellent
valiant defence. The explanation for this is that the big
superiority nowhere is brought to bear and that, considered in
detail, have continually fought against a majority of
minorities."In a few units of the allies, so many perfectly
intelligent and war-experienced officers were United as in the
wallmoden's Corps, rarely a force has fought brave like in the
battle of the Ghrde; What was missing was the training of the large
Association, the Eingelebtsein officers and crews in the wider
context, correctly understanding the ability of the officers, a
tactical situation and to act accordingly and the discipline to
subordinate General."The value of the victory lay in the insulation
of Hamburg, which now became an outposts. The French Empire in
Hanover was shaken, again German Lneburg, and a newspaper founded
by Tettenborns officers there supplied all the lands of the North
Sea until the resin with the true reports about the victories of
the German weapons, which to conceal the French administration had
given out all sorts of trouble.The Royal German Legion had
Honorable share this first success on German soil. Had Colonel
Lieutenant Halkett and Martin at the top of their Brigade
distinguished themselves particularly, the Legion artillerists to
tactically correctly and successfully used single foot battery
Wiering provided the main contingent, the mounted battery Sympher
tracking collaborated ("even of the artillery under the leadership
of majors Banik do I let happen to justice, that she won victories
has contributed not a little, and would I EW. Royal Highness very
be connected, if you want to witness the major Brckmann Hchstdero
satisfaction, which especially must flatter him, deign." Wallmoden
to the Duke of Cambridge, Dmitz, 24 September.), so the
self-sacrificing stance of German Hussars above reproach was
sublime.In the already mentioned General ordre (Dannenberg,
September 17) the 3rd Hussar Regiment is the Royal particularly
excellent German Legion, because it "had such excellent share at
the honor of the day yesterday". In a report to the Duke of
Cambridge, wallmoden then continued (Dmitz, September 24):"EW.
Royal Highness I'm connected to notice that the 3rd Hussars
Regiment the Royal German Legion under leadership of major Kalani
particularly noted on this day. The loss of thereof is
unfortunately not as Hchstdieselben to see will deign from the
adjacent list, however, has covered the regiment with fame."Major
Kalani it received the following letter from the Duke Adolph
Friedrich of Cambridge (London, October 17):"Lieutenant-General
count wallmoden-Gimborn sent me about your and reported of the 3rd
Hussars Regiment's that day you brave stance in the battle of the
Ghrde. Please accept my warmest thanks and communicated it to the
officers, non-commissioned officers and crews of the regiment."As a
special and lasting recognition, the motto "Ghrde" was awarded the
3rd Hussars and artillery. This Dragoon was carried until 1866 the
regiment Duke of Cambridge to Celle and blind artillery to Wunstorf
and no. 10 risen now to the helmets of the 1st Hanoverian Dragoon
Regiment No. 9 to Metz and the field artillery regiment von
Scharnhorst (1 drop) again, a lasting and Honourable memory of
German soldier loyalty in difficult times!The memory is held by a
monument at the Steinker Hill to the battle. The Hanoverian courier
of September 16, 1906 described the monument as follows:An
unadorned stone obelisks "If you aspired to the Ghrdewald a few
years ago on the road from Dahlenburg here, you saw behind the
village Oldendorf on a Heidhgel scrub of load of-covered. This
stone landmark contained the inscription: 16 IX. 1813. The monument
is built to commemorate the victorious battle of the Ghrde. The
district North Hanover of the Prussian War er Association
occasionally someday warrior in Hitzacker, decided to take the
monument under his supervision and care. A floor space of some
morning was purchased and fenced by a spruce hedge. From the road,
a handsome Maple Avenue leads to the monument. The land behind the
Avenue are transformed by planting tree groups to friendly parks.
To the Memorial itself, two terraces, equipped with wide stairs
rise from erratic boulders. On the monuments themselves, an iron
Panel is now attached with the inscription: "To commemorate the
victorious battle of the Ghrde on 16 September 1813, dedicated by
the District of North Hanover of the Prussian War er Association."
The emperor has let to the decoration of the place transfer nine
gun barrels from the artillery depot in Magdeburg. Two gun barrels
crowned with Eagles are perpendicular to the sides of the
staircase, the other on lorries fitted at the corners and in the
middle of the terrace. In between are iron pillar built and
connected the whole thing by a chain from the pillars to the guns.
On the occasion of the return of the memorial day a celebration
ward held on September 16, 1906 at the monument, in which about
1,400 warriors participated."
More events at the Wallmoden's Corpson the lower Elbe until the
December of 1813
The other campaign on the lower Elbe offers little important for
the history of the Legion and it is practicable so to represent him
to obtain a clear overview only in broad terms, the experiences of
Legion troops - half battalion Holtz er man, Hussars, battery
overriding 1st and 2nd foot battery Wiering - but only as an aside
to handle 3. For the individual history of the troops sufficient
sources at its disposal are available except for the half battalion
Holtz er man.All attempts of the Crown Prince of Sweden, to the
offensive from its strong position in Ratzeburg Davout, were
unsuccessful. Wallmoden, too weak to a violent action against the
now daily more reinforced Hamburg, had to confine itself to tire
the opponent by enterprises of the small war and weaken.Here is a
failed foray of General von Drnberg with 6 battalions, to count 2
squadrons and 2 batteries, which Barakat horse artillery was
involved with Lieutenant v. Schade was wounded on October 6 against
Bchen. A simultaneous operation of General von Vegesack against
Ziethen failed also. Wallmodens troops remained standing during the
October in Kantonierungen between Lbeck, Boizenburg, and Dmitz.A
parade of the entire Wallmodenschen interrupted the monotonous
occupation of the camp, a harbinger of the restoration of an
independent Hanover Corps on 29 October to Hamada before the Duke
Ernst v. Cumberland. On November 4th the Duke with the jubilation
of the population intruded its in Hanover, rejoined the old
Ministry of work, and the Duke of Cambridge took over the reins of
the country as Governor-General.On October 22, Davout had learned
the outcome of the great battle of Leipzig from leaflets of the
allies and left Ratzeburg now hastily, to complete the defenses
from Hamburg to possibility. Did he not hide himself, it would most
benefit the thing of his Emperor when he added his 25,000 French of
the weakened army of Napoleon, on the other hand the Hamburg's
detention in all circumstances had been worn on him and it was very
doubtful whether a retreat of the occupation of Hamburg after
Holland was possible at the intrusion of the allies against the
Rhine. There was also the possession of the wealthy Hanseatic City
in any peace negotiations as more important than indeed Dresden,
Torgau, Wittenberg and Magdeburg, Gdask, Szczecin and Cstrin were
still in the hands of the French. As Davout on 11 November for the
first time since August 18 a direct message received by the Grand
Army, and a command from November 1 from Mainz through mediation of
the General Carra St. Cyr, stating that he retreat under
abandonment a strong crew in Hamburg, Germany to Holland or, if
this not possible, should go to Hamburg, since it was already too
late, to leave the Hanseatic City the whole left bank of the Elbe
was penetrated Tettenborn in the possession of the allies, already
on the Weser. (The 1st were on a major exploration Commission
against Harburg in the beginning of November involved squadron of
the German Legion Hussars been. 30 rider see Rittmeister von Goeben
had while in a skirmish near Winsen on November 3 distinguished
themselves, lost five men and 8 horses.)Davout hesitated to leave
the position at Ratzeburg unnecessarily far forward under the
changed conditions.On the night of 13 November, declined the French
behind the Stecknitz, Davout his troops informed but equal, that he
will soon vacate this position. He threw into himself with his
troops to Hamburg, so it arose by itself, that the Danes could also
no longer keep now assigned section of Mlln to the Lake and had to
seek to take the connection with their homeland via Lbeck and
Rendsburg.Meanwhile, the Crown Prince of Sweden about Hanover -
Bremen - Celle - lzen - had arrived on November 24 with stronger
forces at Boizenburg in the intention to include Hamburg and
Harburg and - thus a threat by Davout secured against the Danes to
proceed against Lneburg. He had, of VI Russian corps of count
Strogonow (about 8,000), which he wore on the inclusion of Harburg,
the Swedish Army Corps of field marshal count Stedingk (18,000
men), the Russian III. Army Corps count Woronzow (over 7,000), the
wallmoden's Corps, the Freikorps Ltzow and the Cossack Brigade
Tettenborn.Davout not waited an attack against his line at the
Stecknitz, left its positions on the 1st of December and reached
the 3rd after minor losses of his rearguard by the Cavalry of the
Hamburg created a strong fortress to Vorontsov now. The Danes went
back under the Prince Friedrich v. Hesse Oldesloe, and
Lbeck.Immediately let Bernadotte by the Corps complete Vorontsov
Hamburg on the right bank of the Elbe, moreover interrupt the
connection between Hamburg and Lbeck by Taggart and began his
Holstein campaign against the Danes with 35,000. To do this, the
German troops of wallmoden's corps had to help him.The fight on the
lower Elbe hereby totally loses his previous character. Not for
liberation of Germany is more gefochten, but for dynastic purposes
of the Swedish Crown Prince, which here has a favourable
opportunity to fall upon the national enemies of his adoptive
homeland and to snatch them under utmost Swedish blood in Norway.It
should be borne in mind that Denmark had been didn't averse in the
spring of 1813, to put on the side of the allies. Sweden asked but
even then the Norway associated with Denmark as a price for its
accession, and Alexander of the first policy had finally opted for
Sweden and pushed into Denmark in the Alliance with Napoleon.
The Holstein campaign of 1813-14 The battle of Sehestedt on 10
December 1813
Lieutenant-Colonel Hugh HalkettThe advance against the Danes was
such that the Crown Prince himself on Lbeck went wallmoden on
Germany, after he had collected his Corps between Ratzeburger see
and Stecknitz on December 3.The wallmoden's corps had the following
divisions:Avant-garde - General v. DornbergLight Hanoverian Brigade
- Lieutenant-Colonel MartinBattalions of Lneburg, Bremen-Verden,
Kielmansegges Hunter2Nd Brigade3rd and 4th Russian German
battalion1 Russian German Hussars3Rd Hussars Kgl. German
LegionLneburg Hussars2. Russian German riding battery1 (Russian
German) Division - General v. Arentsschildt1St Brigade1St, 2nd, 5th
battalion2Nd Brigade6th and 7th Battalion1 Foot battery2. (German)
Division - General LyonHanoverian line Brigade - Lieutenant-Colonel
HalkettBattalions of Lauenburg, Langrehr, Bennigsen, Dessau andHalf
battalion Holtz er man of the Kgl. German LegionFoot battery
WieringCavalry Division2. Russian German HussarsBremen Verden
Hussars1 and overriding 2nd battery of Kgl. German Legion1 Russian
German riding batteryAlso the Swedish Division under General von
Vegesack (1 Swedish, 1 Mecklenburg, 1 Hanseatic Brigade), but was
retained by the Crown Prince was assigned to. Only the Hanseatic
Brigade (2 battalions, 8 guns and 8 squadrons) sparked off by the
same and followed the Corps wallmoden, it thereby complementing on
approximately 14,000 man.The advance against the Danes was in the
way that the Crown Prince had reached, whereupon the there ordering
Lallemand acknowledged the city and with the Prince Friedrich of
Hesse United via Segeberg, before Wallmodens coming to Germany on
the night of December 6 abandoned its local position of on December
5, Lbeck and retreated to Segeberg.Wallmoden arrived on the 6th
before Oldesloe, learned the move out of the Danes and sent further
avant-garde under thorn Hill immediately against Segeberg them.
Dornberg pursued on the road to Neumnster, the tracking on the
great road to Kiel leaving the Sweden. Wallmoden same road used,
since it was considered, to cut off the Danes of Rendsburg.Prince
Friedrich of Hesse had, meanwhile, pushed by the Sweden sharp,
reached Kiel and covered well, as the Crown Prince of Sweden
rejected any negotiation to win the desperate decision in link
March behind the Eider Canal Rendsburg and sustain these important
military training his Kings. On the 9th, he sent his excess guns to
Friedrichsort, a part of his riffraff to Eckernfrde and marched
along about 9,000 men, North of the Eider Canal to Rendsburg with
14 battalions, 12 squadrons, 34 guns.The battle of Sehestedt on
December 10, 1813This movement had to lead to the clash with
Wallmoden, which penetrated of Neumnster in Conceivedimmense
against Kluvensiek, to cut off the Danes of Rendsburg. The
important bridge of Kluvensiek was occupied by the forward troops
thorn Hill on December 9. In the evening, wallmoden stood with his
bulk at Kluvensiek and surrounding area, with the avant-garde in
wood Bunge Witten Lake, roads both to Rendsburg leading before
troops.Wallmoden was received no message from thorn mountain on the
move towards of the Danes from Kiel. The removal of large columns
on Eckernfrde had quite mad led the General, causes some of his
troops to plunder, and deducted from further education. The 3rd
Hussar regiment was taken 2 squads on Gro Wittensee and had sent
patrols against Eckernfrde, also the March of Danish ammunition
wagons of Eckernfrde on Rendsburg. Any enlightenment which keel
failed on the part of the General von Drnberg.For December 10th,
Dornberg arranged the March of GR. Wittensee, where he gathered his
troops, 8 o'clock in the morning, after Eckernfrde. Although rifle
fire from Habye North Sehestedt sounded across during the Assembly
of troops, he ordered but the move and moved without leaving the
cause of gun fire, on the road to Eckernfrde until Marienthal
before, only in thought, still get the Danes on their March to
Eckernfrde. At Marienthal, he learned of a squadron of Russian
German Hussars that his assumption was erroneous, and now after
reversed Gr. Wittensee, came but too late even to access a.Also
Wallmodens troops were lined up against 8 o'clock in the morning.
In the March column, they went over the bridge from Cluvensiek,
crossed Osterrade and reached with the tip just Sehestedt, Holtsee
on resin Court-Eckernfrde continue to move, when they were attacked
by the Danish avant-garde of the Prince of Hesse with great
severity. Northwest Habye small departments of Spike response were
to avant-garde, East on the March after Gr. Wittensee were walking
around the Wittensee, suddenly attacked by Danes at Habye, and the
collector Gr. Wittensee not reached had, already in the fire.
Wallmoden itself was close to it, to be taken prisoner, succeeded
him but still fast with the battalion to occupy Anhalt Sehestedt,
before the enemy approach was. The 6th and 7th Russian German
battalion and the Hanoverian foot battery Wiering were brought
forward in great haste.
Sehestedt a fierce battle developed now, as the Danes had to
necessarily have this place if they wanted to keep marching on
Rendsburg. Wallmodens troops arrived only slowly from the long
column, while the Danes were densely closed up marches. Thus
succeeded the latter to throw back the forces of the allies of
Sehestedt on Osterrade about 10 o'clock to remove 2 guns and a
number of prisoners on them.Northwest Osterrade, the fight came to
a stop. Here also the half battalion of the German Legion under
Holtz er man lineup had taken under other battalions.All attempts,
again taking Sehestedt, this thorn Hill to restore the connection
and to move the March to Rendsburg, the Danes failed to the bravery
of the Danes, their superiority and advance time, they had won.
Wallmoden had to go back behind the channel. At 3: 00 the fight
stopped and the Danes moved, from protected by an Arrieregarde
under Lallemand, undisturbed to Rendsburg.The losses of the Corps
of wallmoden in this battles were 1,129 man, of which about 600
prisoners very significantly, namely 42 officers. The Danes lost
only 17 officers and 531 men. The half battalion of the German
Legion had to lament the loss of the captain's Holtz er man who was
caught with 10 men and the wounding of Lieutenant Macdonald. About
further losses, information are not available for the already
stated reasons.The flag of the battalion Lauenburg would have been
almost in the hands Fnenscher Dragoons as Lieutenant-Colonel Hugh
Halkett, the brave legionnaire, niederhieb the front rider with his
short curved sword.The horsemen batteries of the Legion, divided on
this day of the avant-garde of Dornberg, did not come to
intervene.The mishap of the Corps of wallmoden in Sehestedt must be
regarded as a totally undeserved. It is especially characteristic
evidence of warfare of the Crown Prince of Sweden, the largest
March effort seemed to not only the Wallmodenschen Corps, but
entrusted him with even the most dangerous items, and still on top
of the promised Division robbed the General Vegesack. (Follow-up to
the very interesting operations before December 10 and during the
battle at Sehestedt has to fail is the author here unfortunately,
because the German Legion, it is not particularly emerged.)The
battle of Sehestedt made yielding against the peace proposals of
the Danes the Crown Prince. A biweekly truce was first closed on
December 15 while the wallmoden's Corps watched the fortress of
Rendsburg.Also the Danish fortifications Friedrichsort and
Glckstadt by Swedish troops had now been included. 2 Howitzers of
blind Legion artillery Lieutenant Bacon man and 2 of battery
Wiering under the Lieutenant Dehnel and Whler were sent against the
latter. Lucky city was bombed by the 26th of December and only
surrendered on January 5; the German Gunners lost 2 men from this
fortress.
The Holstein campaign of 1813-14 Termination of the Holstein
campaignand let's go to Holland
On January 5, 1814, at the end of the truce the Danes still not
wanted to agree to the Swedish conditions, the fine Beatitudes on
the new began and now only a cease-fire on 9 led to the Treaty of
Kiel (January 14, 1814), which Denmark ceded Norway to Sweden,
Helgoland in England and only Swedish Pomerania (June 4 Denmark
Swedish Pomerania against Lauenburg to Prussia traded.), Rgen and
the immediate evacuation of Holstein were entitled to received. For
Bernadotte was the conclusion of this peace of just yet to right
time, on the day before a very determined held touch of England had
entered the, in which the immediate posting of wallmoden's Corps
was called and threatened with setting another Subsidium payments
if the Crown Prince did not immediately move up to joint warfare
against Napoleon to Holland.Wallmodens Corps remained until January
17 at Neumnster, was then on the Elbe, this with the British and
Hanoverian troops on the 21st on the ice between Blankenese and
Borstel North Buxtehude and step now - after a few days of rest in
quarters at Buxtehude - to blockades of Harburg.Dehnel writes about
this Elbe transition:"The crossing over the river Elbe up against
Glckstadt down with ice-covered was for several days this specially
prepared, that had covered the ice rink foreseen from with straw
and again sprinkled it with water, causing a new ice situation was
formed in severe cold conditions in and over the straw. In this
way, you had side by side produced several cars, but still very
annoying and not were to happen without danger.In fact, it granted
a peculiar spectacle our hauled on the sledge similar documents
used guns and powder car, in whose wake the individual riding
horses in the distance in a row on this fragile way over the wide
power take more than an hour to see something would later occurring
thaw here made the transition almost to the impossibility."We have
here not to deal with us as Hussars and the two horsemen batteries
the command were the 3rd increasing Graham's Corps before Antwerp
and after some weeks of rest in quarters in Bremen, the Hussars and
Osterholz Scharmbeck, marched off to Holland with the blockade of
Harburg.From their quarters, they departed on 15 February and mid
March, where a few months later the whole corps of wallmoden again
found himself together reached Holland. They no longer came to a
warlike use.The Legion was only Captain Jasper to the lead of foot
battery Wiering in the Corps of wallmoden; all other Legion
officers resigned on February 1, 1814, to the Legion, Royal during
the Hanoverian new formations of the year 1813 as the root for the
new Hanoverian army on that day in Hannover sold came over and
instead of the previously mentioned English badges that her country
applied.The Legion infantry of Holtz er Manns remained in
Bremerlehe and erected a promotional for the Legion. Still located
at foot battery Wiering Legion members were now a sufficient number
of trained artillerymen was available, allocated the 5th laid
during this time to Hanover foot company.Should be mentioned, that
when leaving the 3rd pronounced wallmoden Hussars from his Corps in
an order of the day "with regret, no longer able to be personally
to say goodbye, his special satisfaction with the behavior and the
services of the regiment from the regiment".The remaining Corps of
Wallmoden did not triumph, removing Hamburg during the war , as it
was also in the Netherlands and in France Legion troops not to see
the fall of Antwerp and Bayonne.As General Lyon (wallmoden itself
was already on February 26 with the Russo German Legion and the
Kielmanseggeschen hunters from Bremen to the Netherlands marched
off.) Mid-April was replaced by Russian militia from Harburg and
now also moved to the Netherlands via Bremen, that blew the French
flag by displaying and Hamburg's ramparts still undefeated. In
brave hand, Davout held the fortress, until he finally received the
full certainty on Napoleon's fall and the recognition of the
Bourbons from Paris. Only on May 31, 1814 - on the anniversary of
the occupation of Hamburg by Taggart - Russians under Bennigsen
moved into the hard tested Hanseatic City."The fortification and
defense of this city is one of the militarily most important and
most interesting achievements of all time, they submitted, also
like you have written so much opposite this, Marshal Davout to
glory that fadeth not away, but only in the eyes of those who have
sense and understanding, are enough in objective to recognize these
properties even when the opponents for military energy, rigour and
perseverance." (That has been Davout by no means "the executioner
of Hamburg", but one of the finest and noblest characters under the
Napoleonic marshals is already proven. Nevertheless the traditional
condemnation of Davout in a large part of German history literature
continues again and again, and a regrettable mistake went under in
this regard even a Moltke in his last Reichstag speech.)Davout in
Hamburg, Thouvenot in Bayonne, Carnot in Antwerp: there were three
Shining stars in the darkened sky of Napoleonic war glory!
The service the German Legion gave was finished with the
Holstein campaign. From the confusing plethora of far from the sole
proprietorships we enter now into the massive transmission of a
historical campaign, in the blood-soaked fields of Waterloo.Fate
that placed the Royal German Legion against the great God of
battles ;though few in number ,they gained immortality in battle,
and the fame acquired in the Spanish wars proved their worth beyond
doubt!