Map of Battle of Dresden 1813.

Allies divisions on the map:	French divisions on the map:
GIULAY Reserve Division - Cranneville - [5 Grenzer battalions, - 10 chevaulegere squadrons, 6 3pdrs] 3rd Light Division - Meszko - [3 Grenzer battalions, - 10 hussar squadrons, 6 3pdrs] Infantry Division - Bianchi - [12 infantry battalions, 18 guns] Infantry Division - Weissenwolf - [14 infantry battalions, 18 guns] Cavalry Division - Schneller - [8 chevaulegere and 8 hussar squadrons] HESSEN-HOMBURG Grenadier Division - Chasteler - [8 grenadier battalions, 12 guns] Cuirassier Division - Nostitz - [16 cuirassier squadrons] Infantry Division - Colloredo - [12 infantry battalions, 18 guns] 1st Light Division - Liechtenstein - [3 jager and 1 Grenzer battalion, - 12 chevaulegere squadrons, 14 guns] Reserve Artillery - Riese - [18 12pdr and 18 6pdr guns] KLEIST 12th Brigade - Prinz August - [6 infantry and 4 Landwehr battalions, 8 guns - 4 Landwehr squadrons] 10th Brigade - Jagow - [6 infantry and 4 Landwehr battalions, 8 guns] 11th Brigade - Pirch (Ziethen ?) - [6 infantry and 4 Landwehr battalions, 8 guns - 2 coys Schutzen, 4 hussar squadrons] 9th Brigade - Klux - [6 infantry and 4 Landwehr battalions, 8 guns - 2 coys Schutzen, 4 dragoon squadrons] Reserve Cavalry - Roeder - [12 cuirassier, 4 uhlan, 2 hussar - 6 national and 4 Landwehr squadrons, 16 guns] Reserve Artillery - Mjr.Lehmann - [16 12pdr cannons, 40 6pdr cannons, 8 howitzers] PRINCE GORCHAKOV Advance Guard - Roth - [10 jager and 2 infantry battalions, 12 guns] Infantry Division - Mesentzev - [2 jager and 8 infantry battalions, - 12 medium and 12 heavy guns]	10th Light Cavalry Division - Pajol - [4 French, 4 Polish and 4 Italian squadrons] 45th Infantry Division - GdD Razout - [12 infantry battalions, 8 guns] Infantry Division - GdD Teste - [12 ? infantry battalions, 8 ? guns] 44th Infantry Division - GdD Berthezene - [12 infantry battalions, 16 guns] 43rd Infantry Division - GdD Claparede - [13 infantry battalions, 16 guns] Old Guard Infantry Division - GdD Friant - [10 infantry battalions, 8 guns] GUARD CAVALRY 1st Guard Cavalry Division - [18 cavalry squadrons, 6 guns] 2nd Guard Cavalry Division - [10 cavalry squadrons, 6 guns] 3rd Guard Cavalry Division - [22 cavalry squadrons, 12 guns] MURAT - RESERVE CAVALRY LATOUR-MAUBOURG 3rd Light Cavalry Division - GdD Chastel - [13 chasseur squadrons] 1st Heavy Cavalry Division - GdD Bordesoulle - [14 cuirassier and 8 Saxon squadrons] 3rd Heavy Cavalry Division - GdD Doumerc - [6 cuirassier, 9 dragoon and 4 Italian squadrons] Artilley [24 French, 5 Saxon, 6 Westphalian guns] L'HERITIER 9th Light Cavalry Division - GdB Klicki - [4 chasseur squadrons] 5th Heavy Cavalry Division - GdB Collaert - [7 dragoon squadrons] 6th Heavy Cavalry Division - GdB Lamotte - [5 dragoon squadrons] Artilley [6 guns] YOUNG GUARD MORTIER 1st Young Guard Infantry Division - Dumoustier - [12 ? infantry battalions, 24 guns] 2nd Young Guard Infantry Division - Barrois - [12 ? infantry battalions, 24 guns] NEY 3rd Young Guard Infantry Division - Decouz - [12 ? infantry battalions, 24 guns] 4th Young Guard Infantry Division - Roguet - [12 ? infantry battalions, 24 guns]

. Had the Allies acted quicker they would have overwhelmed the French but they were slow to act and lacked any real leadership. The 1st Day of Battle. Fight for the redoubts. Open fields intervened on both sides, unobstructed by trees, except the wood on allies right flank, and the few trees along the roads behind which skirmishers took positions. The first shots were exchanged on Allies left flank. Already in the morning the Grenzer battalions attacked sheep pens, customs house, and the powdermill. After two hours fight the Austrian Grenzers found themselves completely mixed on the field. At 9 AM [Austrian] Beaulieu Infantry Regiment and two foot batteries moved forward to take Friedrichstadt, but had to retire after fired off all their ammunition. At 11 AM a pause came to the fighting. Eight companies of Grenzers then moved against Redoubt #4 in skirmish order. Several officers were killed and wounded, with a number of the rank and file. Before 5 PM four divisions of the Young Guard arrived in Dresden. While MdE Mortier took the 1st and 2nd Division and moved against the Austrians, MdE Ney with the 3rd and 4th Division moved to the road to Pirna. The men sprang up with cheerful alacrity, and the columns advanced. The Russians suffered badly from the French artillery. One battery of Old Guard Horse Artillery almost annihilated the leading jager unit. It was 3 P.M. when the signal guns were fired, the field at that time being silent, but for light picket firing between the lines. The grand roar followed from the guns of both armies. As a spectacle, the fire from the several kilometers of batteries, stretching from one flank to anorther, was appalling; but practically the fire was too high, and most of the damage was done behind the first line. At 4 PM General Wittgenstein began his attack. Wittgenstein commanded Gorchakov's Russian corps and Kleist's Prussian corps. When the Russian infantry appeared the French guns were directed upon their ranks. The leading Russian cavalry was driven back by Doumerc's cuirassiers and dragoons. GM Mezentzov's 5th Infantry Division (7,350 men and 24 guns) was thrown back by horse battery and the Young Guard. The Russians suffered badly from 30 French guns situated on the right bank and those in the Redoubt #1. It was more than they could take. One battery of the Old Guard Horse Artillery deployed near the redoubt and almost annihilated the leading jager unit. The attackers rapidly fell back. General Wittgenstein then personally directed 6 battalions against the French. The Young Guard led by Marshal Ney (Roguet's and Decouz's divisions) counterattacked and inflicted heavy casualties on the Russians. The greencoats were pursued until Striesen. Artillery duel set the village afire. Fight for the Grand Garden. The Russians passed through Grand Garden and stormed Redoubt #2. The Young Guard counterattacked and recaptured half of the garden. The Grand Garden was an oblong area and covered about 1,5 km² The park has been established in 1676. Ways and avenues were styled in symmetric muster. During the battle the garden was seriously damaged. At 4 PM Roth's Russian Advance Guard attacked Grand Garden (Gross Garten). Loggin-Ossipovich Roth had 20th, 21st, 24th, 25th, and 26th Jagers, and Selenguinsk Infantry. This force (7,450 men and 12 guns) passed through Grand Garden and at 5 PM stormed Redoubt #2. The spearheading unit was the 24th Jagers led by Chef GM Vlastov. The Young Guard led by Marshal Mortier (Dumoustier's and Barrois' divisions) moved out of the Pirna Suburb and counterattacked. Roth was pushed back and the Young Guard recaptured half of the garden. Unsuccessful Prussian attack. The sound of military music came out of the city. It was a fresh division of the Young Guard. General Friedrich Kleist with Prussian 9th, 10th, 11th, and 12th Brigade moved forward. Pirch's 10th Brigade (8,000 men and 8 guns) advanced against the French in the garden. With the support of artillery they overrun the garden and even reached the ditch surrounding the Redoubt #2. Two Prussian heavy batteries and one howitzer battery were pushed forward a few hundred paces. The columns of young Prussian soldiers, witha sprinkling of veterans, advanced in good formation, drums beating, skirmishers extended. The daylight sparkled on metal. The French cannons boomed. At the same time, they heard the guns fire behind them and saw the cannonballs plough into the midst of the French infantrymen. Seeing the French falling back, the young soldiers ran, trampling the dead and wounded. Instinct told them that the quicker they ran towards the enemy, the less time the French would have to fire. In about the same time the Austrians began their own assault on the other flank against Redoubt #3. As the Prussian attack rolled forward the sound of military music came out of the city suburbs. It was a fresh division of the Young Guard. The French with the support of artillery immediately attacked Roth's jagers and Pirch's 10th Brigade and threw them back with heavy losses. The percentage of losses in killed and wounded in the spearheading French column, taken as a whole, was not extraordinary for the Napoleonic battle. Austrian jagers captured French redoubt. City suburbs were in danger of bursting into flames. At 4 PM 72 Austrian guns opened intense fire. Their target were Redoubts #3, #4, #5, and the walls. Two French batteries limbered up and withdrew. Especially Austrian howitzers caused a lot of damage and the suburbs were in danger of bursting into flames. Liechtenstein's 1st Light Division (4,600 men and 12 horse guns) and Colloredo's 1st Infantry Division (13,800 men and 6 guns) advanced forward. Although the 1st Light Division was numerically weak it consisted of fine troops: three jager and one Grenzer battalions, Vincent and Emperor's Chevauxlegeres, and two horse batteries. These light troops were greeted by French 27th Light Infantry with musket volleys. "... the two battalions [1st and 2nd Jagers] moved through a hail of canister and musketry fire, leapt into the ditch, climbed over the palisades and into the breastworls, where they captured 6 cannons about 5 PM. By 5 PM, a heavy musketry battle had begun from the barricades to the city spitting fire into the advancing allies. The French had been obliged to evacuate Redoubt #3, after firing off all their cartridges and withdrew behind the Machzinsky Gardens and encountered an 8 foot high wall. The passage through the wall was defended by a ditch and palisade. The French stood in this strong position and fired volley after volley, into the advancing Austrians. The Austrians fell back, regrouped and advanced again to storm the wall. A position battery was placed 200 paces from the palisade and began firing. The jagers pushed into the French position, but were pushed out before too long." (- George Nafziger) The Austrians however were unable to gain more ground and were repulsed by the Grenadiers of Old Guard and the Fusiliers of Middle Guard. On the left flank. Austrian howitzer shell landed in the redoubt and chased out the French infantry. At 4 PM arrived Weissenwolf's [Austrian] 2nd Infantry Division and its artillery pounded Redoubt #5. Austrian infantrymen, massed behind the artillery, could tell from the movement of the couriers that the moment was about to arrive when they would begin marching toward the French positions. Austrian Grenzers were ordered to charge the Redoubt #4, which they did, and drove the French for some distance. Two Austrian heavy batteries were moved forward. Soon all the French gunners in the redoubt were killed and wounded. A howitzer shell landed in the redoubt and chased out the French infantry. The Austrians enetered the fieldwork before a single company of 2nd Chasseurs of Old Guard stromed into the redoubt and drove them out. Emperor's (Kaiser) Infantry Regiment of Weissenwolf's division, stormed Lobtau inflicting heavy losses on the French. They also occupied the hill by the customs house. Cavalry battle. The French and Polish cavalry, with a shout as though pandemonium had broken loose, sprang forward to the charge. The French deployed 35 guns before Friedrichstadt. Behind them stood Murat's powerful cavalry and Mortier's two divisions of the Young Guard. These forces were joined by Teste's 23rd Infantry Division, Razout's 45th Infantry Division, and Pajol's 10th Light Cavalry Division. Encouraged by such show of force the French 21st Line Infantry attempted to dislodge Emperor's (Kaiser) Infantry from Lobtau. There was a sharp artillery duel for about 10-20 minutes, when the French and Polish cavalry, with a shout as though pandemonium had broken loose on that part of the line, sprang forward to the charge. Murat's cavalry passed Lobtau and struck the enemy with full force. It seems necessary to emphasize the fact that Murat carried but a portion of his cavalry with him (some heavy cavalry and Pajol's 10th Light Cavalry Division). The cavalry formation was led by 4 squadrons of the famous 7th Lancers (Vistula Uhlans). The Poles routed 2 squadrons of Palatinal Hussars, but during pursuit were counterattacked by Kienmayer Hussars (6 squadrons) and driven back. Kienmayer Hussars were then counterattacked by Italian and French squadrons. The rest of Murat's cavalry hit Meszko's 3rd Light Division and Weissenwolf's Infantry Division. Part of the French cavalry reached their artillery line when they were charged by enemy's cavalry, and a fight began, which lasted only a short time. While the infantry delivered musket volleys O'Reilly Chevauxlegeres charged and drove some French cavalry back. Meanwhile the Saxon heavy cavalry unoppossed by any cavalry created havoc, they cut to pieces one battalion of the Manfredini Infantry Regiment, and then went after the gunners. Young Guard retook the Grand Garden and the redoubts. Their assault was halted by falling darkness. Napoleon ordered Marshal Mortier to attack the Russians, and Marshal Ney attack the Austrians. The Russians fell back. Mortier then moved to the right and hit the Prussians in Grand Garden. The Young Guard was followed by 43rd and 44th Infantry Divisions. The Prussians fled. Hundreds of allied prisoners were captured, one redoubt was taken. The French reached Striesen and took several houses. Their assault was halted by falling darkness. It was 9 PM. Meanwhile in the center the French captured Redoubt #3, and attacked Redoubt #4 and #5. In the first line marched Young Guard and Berthezene's 44th Infantry Division. In second line was part of Old Guard. These veterans came on with precision and in gallant style. Something in their confident manner inspired the rest of the French army. Ney attacked between Bianchi's and Colloredo's divisions. The fighting now became severe at this part of the field. War ever devours the bravest and best, and here perished, unhappily and without glory, some of the choicest men in the Austrian service. One battalion of Hessen-Homburg Infantry Regiment was surrounded and taken prisoner. Other troops broke and fell back and only few bravely stood to the guns, which were in front; but these could not repel the irresistible onrush of the French. Giulay's corps was saved from destruction by falling darkness. While the French casualties so far were 2,000 killed and wounded, the Allies losses were much heavier. They lost 4,000 killed and wounded and 2,000 were taken prisoner. In the night. Torrential rain poured on the battlefield. In the night a torrential rain poured on the battlefield and the city. During the night Marshal Victor's II Army Corps and Marshal Marmont's VI Army Corps arrived in Dresden. Victor's troops were moved to Lobtau, facing the Austrians. Marmont's troops marched to Dippoldiswalde in the center. St.Cyr's troops were placed in Grand Garden. The rest of the night was consumed in waiting for other troops to arrive.

. Though Schwarzenberg was on the strategic offensive the first day of battle, his hesitation allowed the initiative to pass over to Napoleon. The 2nd Day. The French attacked on both flanks. In the morning a thick fog covered the entire battlefield. Schwarzenberg's army was joined by Russian and Prussian reserves. The Reserves consisted of Russian Grenadier Corps, Russian Foot Guards Corps, Russian Horse Guard Corps, and Prussian Royal Guard. With these troops were 90 Russian guns of GM Hune's Army Reserve Artillery. The Reserves however deployed far in the rear and their participation in the battle was minimal. (NOTE: The leading elements of the Reserves arrived already on the previous day.) The Russians at Dresden were under the command of GoI Barclay de Tolly. His Chief-of-Staff was GL Ivan Sabaneiev, Chief-of-Artillery GL Yahvill, and Chief-of-Engineers GM Sievers. Napoleon was in a bell tower and studied the allied positions. He sent orders Murat's cavalry and Victor's II Army Corps to attack the Austrians, while the Young Guard led by Mortier and Ney was to attack the Russians and Prussians. The reserve was formed by Friant's Old Guard, and Nansouty's Guard Cavalry. Napoleon hoped to destroy the entire Allies army before Freiherr von Janowitz Graf von Klenau's corps would arrive. The first sign of activity on the French side came from artillery. At 7 AM the French cannons opened fire and their skirmishers advanced against the enemy. Austrian II/Kaunitz Infantry was driven out of the small Reischwitz Garden and palace. Murat's grand cavalry charge. Due to mud, the mass of French cavalry advanced at a fast walk. Murat wearing his extravagant uniform was well seen across the battlefield. The rain made many Austrian muskets useless. Marshal Murat commanded Napoleon's cavalry. He was wearing his extravagant uniform was well seen across the battlefield. Georges Blond writes: "Murat was wearing a blue, Polish-style tunic, with a gilded belt from which was slung a light sabre with a straight blade, violet breeches with a gold stripe, yellowe leather boots ..." Murat's escort was formed of squadron of Saxon cuirassiers. After 9 AM huge formation of French cavalry under Marshal Joachim Murat moved against three Austrian divisions: - Meszko's 3rd Light - Weissenwolf's 2nd Infantry - Liechtenstein's 4th Infantry. Due to mud, the cuirassiers, dragoons, and chasseurs advanced at a fast walk. Murat formed his cavalry in the following formation: - in the first line, near the river: Chastel's 3rd Light Cavalry Division [13 chasseur squadrons, 12 horse guns] - in the first line, near Cotta: Doumerc's 3rd Heavy Cav. Div. [6 cuirassier, 9 dragoons, and 4 Italian dragoons] - in the second line: Bordesoulle's 1st Heavy Cav. Div. [14 cuirassier and 8 Saxon cuirassier squadrons] As soon as the Austrian gunners saw the cavalry through the fog they cannonaded it. Five squadrons of Saxon heavies struck 2 squadrons of Austrian hussars and drove them back. Mass of French cuirassiers (Bordesoulle's 1st Heavy Cavalry Division) advanced against Meszko's 3rd Light Division. (Meszko had 5,200 men in 3 Grenzer and 3 infantry battalions, 1,400 men in 12 hussar squadrons, and 12 guns.) Meszko chose to fight instead of withdrawing, due to the fact that its neighbours were still engaged. But after seeing the mass of iron-clads and numerous horse guns Meszko changed his mind. He formed his infantry in squares and began moving back. The cavalry followed them and then charged. Meszko was captured by the French 23rd Dragoons. Officer Hoditz attempted to rescue Meszko and was taken prisoner himself. Meszko's troops were without the leader and no one knew where to go and what to do now. Two Austrian battalions formed squares before Bordesoulle's cuirassiers charged. The cavalry was repulsed but then the French brought up horse battery and fired canister at close range. W.Colloredo Infantry Regiment (of Liechtenstein's 4th Infantry Division) was destroyed, with hundreds being killed, wounded and taken prisoner. Only few survived. The Saxon cuirassiers broke two Austrian squares, capturing them entirely. The French dragoons attacked Austrian infantry moving in columns and squares. The French cuirassiers moved against Austrian squares standing near the Pennrich Height. One Austrian battalion surrendered without resistance. The Vacquant Infantry Regiment was attacked by French and Saxon Cuirassiers and after a short but fierce fight capitulated. Murat then rallied his breathless men, and the wounded were taken to the rear. Murat's squadrons although very successful were in disorder. The pause gave the Austrians a chance to disengage here from the enemy. Two companies of Austrian infantry kept falling back, with their muskets useless during rain. The French dragoons followed them, loaded their firearms under their capes and fired into the enemy ranks. The infantry surrendered to the dragoons. At 3 PM General Pajol's 10th Light Cavalry Division, with the 7th Lancers (Vistula Uhlans) in the lead, passed by Gorbitz and followed the retiring enemy. Chastel's 3rd Light Cavalry Division moved past Pennrich. Berkheim's light cavalry attacked one Austrian square from all sides forcing it to surrender. Erzherzog Rainier Infantry Regiment lost 190 killed and wounded, and 900 prisoners. Lusignan and Beaulieu Infantry Regiments suffered similar fates, they were trapped and forced to surrender. The French also captured 16 guns and General Seezenny. Austrian heavy battery was also captured. The few squadrons of Hungarian hussars made several desperate charges but without success. Victor's masterful strike. Victor wisely chose to advance through the intervals between the stronly defended villages, and then, through a turning maneuver, to strike the flanks and rear of the garrissons. Once Murat's cavalry moved forward and sufficient terrain for deployment became available, Marshal Victor's II Army Corps bursted forward. Victor wisely chose to advance through the intervals between the stronly defended villages, and then, through a turning maneuver, to strike the flanks and rear of the garrissons. In the lead marched Estko's brigade: 26th Light and 93rd Line formed in columns and screened with skirmishers. The fog limited visibility to 100 paces. Austrian Weissenwolf's 2nd Infantry Division (12,600 men in 14 battalions, and 18 foot guns) was deployed near Lobtau. They strongly occupied the villages to their front, with infantry behind the loopholed walls, and the streets barricaded. Unfortunately the rain wetted the powder and prevented the use of many muskets. The French then moved against the village of Nauslitz. With only few troops attacking frontally, they moved around both flanks and captured it. General Czollich's was horrified, he took his brigade and counterattacked. The French advance here was halted but the village was still in French hands. The French then attacked and captured the villages of Rossthal and Wolfnitz, the same way as they did at Nauslitz. The last Austrians were chased from Lobtau. One strong Austrian battalion (1,000 men) retook Rossthal and captured 20 prisoners, but it was too late and too little. Before 2 PM Gorbitz was taken by the French. Estko's brigade was shortly stopped by a long garden wall defended by the whitecoats. (Syxtus Estko was a Polish general in French service.) Eastko's men outflanked the enemy and took the wall, with the Horrenhous being set on fire. The Austrians here fled in disorder. The burning village of Dolzschen was also taken by the French. The shattered Austrians fell back. "Your cavalry has made 15,000 prisoners and taken 12 cannons and 12 flags,.. and a great number of senior officers and other grades are in our hands." - Murat to Napoleon About 3 PM the Austrian troops began falling back. While Murat rallied his cuirassiers and dragoons, Teste's 23rd Division chased the Austrian infantry out of Pennrich. With the Austrian infantry being pushed back so far, the French artillery was pushed forward and deployed near Rossthal. Marshal Victor occupied Dolzschen with Dubreton's 4th Division, and Rossthal and Gorbitz with Vial's 6th Division. Dufour's 5th Division stood to the northwest of Rossthal and Gorbitz. While Victor had his headquarters established in Gorbitz, Murat's were in Wolfnitz. Murat wrote to Napoleon in his usual manner: "Your cavalry has made 15,000 prisoners and taken 12 cannons and 12 flags, one general-lieutenant, two generals, and a great number of senior officers and other grades are in our hands." The crushed Austrians could not be reinforced because of the intervening Weisseritz ravine. The battle in the center was limited to a massive artillery fire. "The rain having prevented the infantry of both armies from using their muskets and greatly slowed the cavalry, it was the artillery which, ... played a decisive rôle." - Baron de Marbot Allied troops in the center woke up at 4 AM and took their assigned positions. They faced Marmont's VI Army Corps. Marshal St.Cyr's XIV Army Corps was quickly recovering from the previous day's hard fighting was moved to the Grand Garden. The French artillery in the center opened heavy fire forcing some Prussian troops to fall back. "A French ammunition caisson, with a team of 4 horses, was set on fire by the well directed fire of the Russian artillery. The caisson contained grenades, which exploded one at the time, killing 2 horses of its team. Both remaining horses shied; they bolted and ran back to the city with the burning caisson behind them. The advancing battalions backed out of the way of the bolting horses, and at the gate great disorder ensued. At the same moment, again several grenades exploded, killing a third horse of the team, in such a way that all three dead horses came free of the caisson. From the gate, muskets were fired at the unlucky fourth animal surviving this all, still pulling the burning volcano behind him. The animal, now wounded, again turned and pulled the caisson into the meadows close to the Elb river, not able to pull it any further. Few minutes later the whole caisson exploded into the air ..." (“Anekdote” in ‘Militair-Wochenblatt’ 1816) "The rain having prevented the infantry of both armies from using their muskets and greatly slowed the movements of the cavalry, it was the artillery which, in spite of the difficulty of manoeuvering on the rain sodden ground, played a decisive rôle. In particular the French artillery, whose teams of horses Napoleon had doubled up, using animals from the headquarters wagons, which remained safely in Dresden." (- Baron de Marbot) Napoleon visited the center and surveyed the situation. After a short artillery fire St.Cyr advanced out of Strehlen with three columns, in a massive bayonet attack. This attack threw back the two Prussian and two Russian battalions defending the village. Two French battalions moved even deeper into Allies positions, and broke several weak Russian jager battalions. The French however were halted by Prussian two horse batteries and two squadrons of the 1st Silesian Hussars. The village of Plauen had been set afire by French howitzer shells. Austrian battery then was silenced by French horse battery and the emigree French General Moreau was fatally wounded. The propaganda would report that Napoleon had personally the gun that killed his revolutionary rival for power in France. This was, however, not true. The fighting on this part of the battlefield was limited to long range artillery fire. Napoleon ordered to deploy 32 heavy guns near Rachnitz and cannonaded Colloredo's and Chasteler's divisions. Hieronymus Graf von Colloredo-Mannsfeld had 12 strong battalions. The Young Guard pushed the Prussians and Russians back. The gallant Russian and Prussian cavalry was driven off by artillery fire and the Young Guard resumed its advance. At 6 AM four divisions of the Young Guard led Ney and Mortier had taken their positions. Behind them stood Nansouty's splendid Guard Cavalry. Prussian artillery stood to the west of Leubnitz. At 7:30 AM Mortier, Ney and Nansouty began their advance along the entire front. Boyer de Rebeval's 4th and 5th Tirailleurs moved along the Elbe River. The reminder swung over Striesen and moved to the right to strike Roth's jagers and the Prussians. Meanwhile allied cavalry attacked. The Prussian 1st Silesian Hussars hit the 8th Voltigeurs of the Young Guard and drove them back. The Russian Grodno Hussars and Loubny Hussars attacked the 5th Voltigeurs already formed in square. The square was broken and 310 Frenchmen were killed, wounded and taken prisoner. The Young Guard felt vulnerable against the aggressive cavalry as many muskets were useless in the rain. The Russian and Prussian hussars were driven off by artillery fire and the Young Guard resumed its advance. They took the villages of Klein-Dobritz and Gross-Dobritz and pushed towards Prohlis. Approx. 30 guns supported the advance, Nansouty's Guard Cavalry moved between Dobritz and Leuben. The Grodno Hussars again attacked the Young Guard and broke one square. The Russians drove the enemy back. Soon however the guns of Young Guard caused them precipitately to surrender the field.

Map of the Battle of Dresden, 1813.

Map of the Battle of Dresden, 1813.

. The Allies had lost 24,000-28,000 killed, wounded and prisoners. The French casualties were 7,000-9,000 killed and wounded. Allies retreat. "... the Allies had one trump card to play, their cavalry advantage, but they played it in an appalling manner." At 6 PM the French occupied the Russian, Prussian and Austrian morning positions. Napoleon thought that the Allies intended to resume the battle on the next day. Marshal Marmont believed he heard the sounds of withdrawal. Napoleon rode to Marmont and watched the withdrawing enemy troops. At 5 PM Schwarzenberg issued an order to retreat. The roads were covered with mud and the troops moved slowly. He had a very powerful reserve, almost 60 squadrons of cuirassiers and guardsmen, but for some unknown reason he choose not to use it against the French Young Guard and the Guard Cavalry. Before 7 PM the retiring Austrians from the crushed left wing encountered the lead elements of Klenau's Corps. Instructions were received by Allies generals from Schwarzenberg as to the order of march back to Bohemia. The Russian and Prussian Guard, the Russian I Infantry Corps and Prussian II Corps (Kleist's) were moving south from Dresden to Teplitz. The Allies moved along the muddy roads and through narrow valleys whose slopes were wooded. This difficult way, rendered doubly by heavy rain, was so blocked by wagons and carts as to render it very difficut to push ahead the artillery. There was no proper field for cavalry operations. "As Prince Schwartzenberg, the commander of the enemy troops defeated at Dresden, had given Teplice as the rallying point for the remains of his defeated armies, the Austrians retreated through the valley of Dippoldiswalde, the Russians and the Prussians on the Telnitz road and the remnants of Klenau's corps via Freiberg. Napoleon accompanied the French columns which were pursuing the vanquished enemy as far as Pirna, but just before he arrived in that town, he was taken by a sudden indisposition, due perhaps to the fact that he had spent five days constantly on horseback, exposed to incessant rain." (- Baron de Marbot) During the pursuit the French artillery wagons and numerous prisoners were a hindrance to the French. The condition of many horses was as bad as possible, they were exhausted and starving for food. Not infrequently a large part of the marching column would halt in the narrow road due to mud and it required the utmost exertions of officers to keep the troops in motion. As Schwarzenberg's army was on the retreat from Dresden, Napoleon was notified of the advance of a large body in the direction of Teplitz. Despite rather weak pursuit the Allies suffered further losses. The Prussian Guard reported losing 10 men per company. The Austrians, Russians and Prussians had lost 24,000-27,000 killed, wounded and prisoners. Other sources give from 15,000 to 40,000 killed, wounded and prisoners. The French casualties were 8,000-9,000 killed and wounded. The sufferings of the soldiers in white and blue were indescribable. They suffered dreadfully, but the poor cavalry and artillery horses fared still worse. Some of the wounded had had their wounds dressed in those ambulances that happened to be close to the battlefield. They had seen the teams of peasants, escorted by soldiers, digging huge graves. Wagons carried the corpses, which were thrown into the graves. Why the battle was lost for Schwarzenberg ? Allies line was an enveloping semicircle, 7-8 km in development, and communication from flank to flank even by courier was difficult. "... the Allies had one trump card to play, their cavalry advantage, but they played it in an appalling manner. ... Heavy rains may have made the ground unsuitable for the use of cavalry, but then it doesn't seem to have bothered the French. ... as the day was marked by heavy rain and, as musketry was largely unavailable, the battle became one of cold steel (bayonets and sabers) and artillery. It was a day when cavalry could close on infantry, a day when the infantry could not fire back to defend itself, but had to depend only on those tiny bayonets to keep charging eastern hordes at bay. Certainly if there was a battle in which cavalry would have the moral ascendency over the infantry, it had to be this battle." (Nafziger - "Napoleon's Dresden Campaign" p 195)

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