The Battle of Schöngraben: To Die, but to Save the Army
Captain Tushin's battery at Schöngraben. N. N. Karazin
Fall of vein
Napoleon, angered by Mortier's defeat (the French Emperor was at that time in St. Pölten and heard the sounds of the battle at Krems, but could not help his marshal), decided to smooth over the rumor about the failure of the French army (Krems: "The firmness of the Russians was equal to the courage of the French").
Bonaparte decided to achieve a resounding victory by taking the Austrian capital and simultaneously attack Kutuzov. Napoleon ordered Murat, with Lannes's and Soult's corps, and Oudinot's grenadier division, to march hastily to Vienna and, at all costs, capture the bridge over the Danube, which was defended by Austrian troops led by Prince Auersperg. Then, he ordered a forced march to the rear of the Russian army, cutting off Kutuzov from reinforcements coming from Russia.
Napoleon hoped that Kutuzov, protected by the Danube, would not be in a hurry to leave Krems. At that time, the French corps of Bernadotte and Mortier were stationed at Mautern, opposite Krems. They were instructed to prepare materials for the bridge and, at the first news of Kutuzov's withdrawal, to begin the crossing with the help of the river flotilla and press the Russian army from the rear.
Indeed, Kutuzov had originally planned to spend some time in Krems. The Russian troops were resting peacefully for the first time in two weeks of marches and battles, untroubled by enemy attack. A portion of the army, delayed in Russia due to the threat of war with Turkey, had arrived. The Russian commander planned to observe the enemy's movements. The French could only cross the bridge at Vienna, but the Austrians were stationed there, and they had received orders from the emperor to defend the crossing to the last, preventing the enemy from crossing and destroying it as they retreated.
The French entered Vienna on November 1 (13), 1805. The Austrian capital had not seen an enemy for a long time. In Vienna, the French captured a large number of weapons, ammunition, various equipment, and supplies. The Vienna garrison retreated to the crossing without a fight and prepared for defense.
The French used military stratagem. Here's how historian E. V. Tarle described the daring French attack:
Murat, Lannes, Bertrand, and a sapper colonel (Dod), having skillfully concealed a battalion of grenadiers in the bushes and undergrowth, arrived unprotected at the bridgehead. They announced to the bewildered Austrians, who had been ordered to blow up the bridge at the first sight of the enemy, that a truce had already been concluded. They crossed the bridge, summoned General Prince Auersperg, and repeated their lie about the truce. At this signal, before Auersperg could respond, the French grenadiers suddenly burst from the bushes and rushed at the Austrians and the guns positioned on the bridge. In a moment, the French battalion occupied the bridge; the Austrians attempted to resist, but their resistance was quickly broken.
Now, without wasting an hour, Napoleon, to whom the jubilant Murat reported this amazing incident, ordered him to cross this bridge and go straight to the Russian army, cutting off its path of retreat.
A difficult time had arrived for the Russian army. Napoleon and his main forces had crossed the Danube near Vienna and were seeking to block the Russians' hasty retreat north. Meanwhile, Mortier and Bernadotte were to attack Kutuzov from the rear. Auersperg's cavalry division was sent after the retreating Austrians, capturing many of the supply trains the Austrians had evacuated from Vienna.
Napoleon receiving the keys to Vienna on November 13, 1805. Art by Anne-Louis Girodet de Roucy-Trioson
Further retreat of the Russian army
Kutuzov, who established a good intelligence network, learned of the fall of Vienna and the capture of the French crossing on the evening of November 1. He realized that the French would try to intercept the road to Znaim (Znojmo) and Brunn (Brno). Therefore, it was impossible to remain in Krems, it was necessary to hurry on the road from Vienna to Brünn, where Buxgevden went. The Russian commander immediately ordered the withdrawal, forwarding gravity. Miloradovich led the rearguard. On the night of 1 on November 2 (November 13-14), the Russian army launched from Krems.
Marching all night, the Russian troops reached Ebersbrunn on November 2. Here, Kutuzov received word from the Austrian Emperor that the French had crossed the Danube. To disrupt the enemy's plans and delay them, Kutuzov decided to seize the road from Vienna to Znaim and sent Bagration's detachment to Hollabrunn. Bagration was to hold out until the army crossed the Znaim road.
Bagration's detachment made another march without rest and reached Hollabrunn on the morning of November 3 (15). From Ebersbrun to Hollabrunn was only about 20 miles, but the march was arduous, as the soldiers marched at night through rugged terrain, along paths through ravines and vineyards.
Having dispatched Bagration's detachment, Kutuzov also set out. On the night of November 2-3, a torrential downpour lashed the troops, forcing them to march knee-deep in mud. During the night march, Kutuzov received good news from Miloradovich. There was no threat from the rear yet. Bernadotte and Mortier's corps were delayed by the rain and storm and were unable to quickly cross the Danube. Only the enemy's mounted patrols advanced behind Miloradovich's rearguard.
Meanwhile, Bagration studied the terrain near Hollabrunn and considered it unsuitable for defense. He withdrew his troops two miles beyond Schöngraben and beyond the stream. The Russian general had at his disposal the Kiev Grenadier, Podolsk and Azov Musketeer, 6th Jaeger Regiments, one battalion each of the Novgorod and Narva Musketeer Regiments, Pavlograd and Hesse-Hamburg Hussar, Chernigov Dragoon and two Cossack regiments. artillery company. A total of 7300 men with 12 guns.
Prince Bagration put in the first line Kiev Grenadier, Podolsky and Azov regiments. The Chernigov Dragoon regiment was located on the right flank, and the Pavlograd hussarsky regiment was on the left flank. In reserve were battalions of the Narva and Novgorod regiments. The 6 th jäger regiment occupied Schöngraben. Artillery was located in front of the center. Located in the rear of the village of Grund was prepared for the defense. Count Nostitz with two Cossack regiments and the Hesse-Hamburg hussars was in the vanguard in Hollabrunn.
Murat's mistake
While the Russians were preparing for defense, Bagration received news that Count Nostitz, after negotiations with the French, was retreating from Hollabrunn. Murat, finding Austrian hussars before him, informed Count Nostitz that peace had been concluded between Austria and France, evidenced by the free passage of the French army across the Danube at Vienna. Count Nostitz believed Murat and refused to support Bagration. In vain did the Russian commander assure Nostitz that this was a deception, that the French assurances were a military ruse. Count Nostitz retreated with his hussars. Thus, Bagration lost part of his detachment. He reinforced his flanks with Cossacks, sent patrols to adjacent roads, and ordered his troops to prepare for battle.
The French had a nearly three-fold superiority: over 20 bayonets and sabres. Oudinot's grenadiers advanced through the center through the village of Schöngraben. Legrand's infantry advanced from the left flank, Suchet's division from the right, and Legrand was also supported by Walter's cavalry. Nansouty's cavalry was held in reserve. Vandamme's forces also advanced along the road to Schöngraben.
Taking advantage of the Austrian hussars' retreat, Murat reached Schöngraben. Bagration ordered the rangers to abandon the village and join the right flank. Meanwhile, Kutuzov's army passed behind Bagration's screen. The French entered the village and deployed artillery in the center.
Murat, spotting Bagration before him and knowing that Kutuzov was a few miles away, hesitated to attack immediately, believing the entire enemy army stood before him. The infantry had not yet fully arrived and was still on the march. He again decided to resort to ruse, delaying Kutuzov until the stragglers arrived and the corps of Bernadotte and Mortier reached the rear of the Russian army. As soon as the skirmishing at the forward posts began, Murat sent a negotiator to Prince Bagration with an offer of a truce, provided the armies remained in their positions. He argued that after Austria's peace with France, war was pointless. He wanted to deceive Bagration, as he had already twice deceived the Austrians.
This time, Murat miscalculated. "The most cunning of the cunning," Kutuzov, outsmarted his opponent. He sent Adjutant General Wintzingerode to Murat with the aim of entering into negotiations and concluding an armistice. Kutuzov wanted to buy time to withdraw his army. Wintzingerode signed the armistice. The Russian army was to return to Russia along the same route it had come. The French were not to advance further into Moravia. The terms were presented to Kutuzov and Napoleon for ratification. During this time, the troops remained in place. Thus, negotiations lasted until November 3 (15).
The armistice was sent to Kutuzov and then to Vienna, to Napoleon. Murat was triumphant. He thought he had accomplished a great deed by forcing the Russian army to halt, then accept peace and retreat to Russia. However, instead of gratitude, he received a severe reprimand. Napoleon immediately saw through the enemy's move. The French emperor refused to approve the armistice and ordered an immediate attack on the Russian army.
Napoleon wrote to Murat:
I cannot find the words to express my displeasure to you. You command only my vanguard and have no right to call a truce without my order. You are forcing me to lose the fruits of an entire campaign. Break the truce immediately and march against the enemy. You will inform him that the general who signed this capitulation had no right to do so, and that no one else has the right, except the Russian Emperor. However, if the Russian Emperor agrees to the aforementioned condition, I will also agree; but this is nothing more than a ruse. Go and destroy the Russian army. You can take its supply trains and its artillery. The Adjutant General of the Russian Emperor is a deceiver... Officers are worthless when they have no power, no authority; he has none either... The Austrians allowed themselves to be deceived when crossing the Vienna bridge, and you are allowing yourself to be deceived by the Emperor's adjutants.
Fearing further blunders on the part of his generals, Napoleon left Vienna with the Guard and Caffarelli's division. The French emperor also criticized Bernadotte for his delay in crossing the Danube.
When leaving Vienna for Hollabrunn, having learned that Bernadotte had not yet crossed the Danube, Napoleon ordered Marshal Berthier to write to him:
The Emperor is angry with you. Prince Murat and Marshals Laon and Soult are fighting the Russians two marches from Vienna, and you haven't even crossed the Danube yet. … The Emperor hopes to receive from you, with this same officer sent to you, a report that you are pursuing Kutuzov and stabbing the Russians with bayonets.
Meanwhile, Kutuzov had no intention of honoring the terms of the armistice, delaying his response and managing to withdraw the army two marches. Bagration's detachment remained as a screen, saving the entire army. Kutuzov himself believed Bagration's detachment was doomed, abandoned "to inevitable destruction to save the army."
Battle of Schöngraben
4 (16) November 1805. At 5 hours of the day Murat received a reprimand and Napoleon's order to attack the Russians. The battle began. Grenadiers Oudinot and reserve cavalry were advancing in the center. Soult had to bypass the right wing of Bagration, Lannes - the left wing. The French hoped to recover the time spent on negotiations with a quick move. However, our gunners, responding to the French shelling, lit up Schöngraben. A strong fire began, the wind was in the direction of the French. The fire threatened to ignite the charging boxes, they had to be taken out.
This fire slowed the advance of the French army's center. But the French flanks advanced quickly and attacked our retreating troops. Bagration's flanks were forced to retreat to avoid being surrounded by superior enemy forces. Bagration's right wing was attacked by mounted grenadiers. The French were met by the Kiev Grenadier, 6th Jäger, and Chernigov Dragoon Regiments under the command of Ulanius. The grenadiers and jägers met the enemy with battalion volleys and repelled two attacks. The Chernigov Dragoons and Cossacks counterattacked the French. Then Ulanius, under cover of artillery, riflemen, and Cossack fire, began to withdraw his troops. The French cavalry again caught up with Ulanius's column but did not dare attack.
The situation on the left flank was more dire. Here, Lannes was able to concentrate large masses of troops. After several attacks, the French managed to cut off the Pavlograd Hussar Regiment from the rest of the troops. It was forced to retreat independently and cross to another road to join up with its own forces. Lannes then encircled the Podolsk and Azov Regiments. Twice, the Russian soldiers forced their way through with bayonet charges.
In the center, Murat and Oudinot, delayed by the fire at Schöngraben, rushed in pursuit of Bagration, continuing to fire artillery. The French pressed in from all sides. The enemy cavalry took every opportunity to attack our troops. Our soldiers fought back with bayonets and, maintaining order, continued to advance.
Prince Bagration moved calmly from one regiment to another, his presence encouraging the men. There was no need to say anything; everything was clear. Death raged around the hero, but fate protected him.
Fighting off the enemy, our troops approached the village of Guntersdorf, where Bagration had dispatched two battalions of infantry and Cossacks in advance. These troops became the new rearguard, holding back the French advance while the rest of the forces passed through the village. The French attacked fiercely but were repelled. By the time our troops passed Guntersdorf, evening had fallen.
The battle continued in the darkness. However, command had partially broken down. Each battalion and squadron commander now acted on his own. The French and Russians continued to fight. The French attempted to outflank and encircle. The Russians repeatedly forced their way through with bayonets and rifle butts. Some units were cut off, but their commanders saved them with cunning. Our noble officers spoke French like a native tongue, and when the French blocked the path of the retreating columns, they shouted, "What are you doing? You're hindering your own!" The French were confused, and our men continued to advance.
The battle continued until midnight, when Napoleon, arriving at Murat's and seeing that Kutuzov's army had been abandoned, ordered a ceasefire. Bagration continued his retreat and, two days later, on November 6 (18), rejoined the Russian army. The Russians captured 53 prisoners and a flag as a trophy. French losses amounted to over 1200 men. Russian losses amounted to over 2 killed and wounded, and 12 guns.
Kutuzov greeted Bagration with the words: “I don’t ask about the loss; you’re alive – that’s enough!” Kutuzov continued moving, and Bagration remained in the rearguard.
The end and its meaning of the march
On the march, Kutuzov received orders from the Austrian Emperor to halt and give battle to Napoleon. Kutuzov declined this "honor," citing that his troops were exhausted from the marches, barely moving, and had gone days without food. The Russian commander wisely noted that they first needed to link up with Buxhoeveden and various Austrian detachments, then give the army time to rest. Only then could the allied army launch a counteroffensive.
The Russian army withdrew, and Bagration's detachment, covering its retreat, fought a brilliant battle at Schöngraben against vastly superior enemy forces. Having accomplished its mission, it rejoined the main forces at Pogorlitsa. After the battle, Bagration's detachment was dubbed the "hero squad." A folk hero, Bagration's name became famous in Russia and Europe even after Suvorov's Italian campaign.
Emperor Franz granted Bagration the Commander's Degree of the Order of Maria Theresa. Emperor Alexander awarded the Pavlograd Hussar and Chernigov Dragoon Regiments St. George's Standards; the Kiev Grenadier Regiment, the Sysoev 3rd Cossack Regiment, and the Khanzhenkov 1st Regiment St. George's Banners; and the 6th Jäger Regiment silver trumpets. Kutuzov's chief aides, Bagration and Miloradovich, were promoted to lieutenant general. The Austrian Emperor Franz awarded Kutuzov 10 silver guilders.
Actions Bagration allowed Russian to break away from the enemy in two transitions. 6 (18) November Kutuzov's army entered Brunn. Kutuzov continued moving, leaving Brunn. In the area of Olmütz, Kutuzov’s troops merged with the corps of Buxgevden, and then replenished with the arrival of the guard and the 15-thousandth Austrian detachment.
Napoleon, having received news that Kutuzov had joined forces with Buxhoeveden, stopped in Brünn on November 8 (20). A new phase of the war had begun. Napoleon began to concentrate his army and give it rest. Strong French garrisons were established in Pressburg, Vienna, and Krems. The French emperor began to prepare plans for the third stage of the Austrian campaign.
Thus, Kutuzov's skillfully planned and brilliantly organized 400-kilometer maneuver allowed him to preserve his troops and created favorable conditions for the allies. Kutuzov repeatedly avoided the enemy's traps, anticipating and forestalling the plans of Napoleon and his generals, and routed the French at Krems.
The army was preserved, making it possible to continue the war. At the same time, Kutuzov, a skilled diplomat, avoided the advice of the Viennese court, the Austrian emperor, and the generals, who were leading to the destruction of the Russian army, while simultaneously maintaining good relations with the Austrians.
The Russian army, continuing the work of Suvorov, from Branau to Brunn skillfully repelled the attacks of the enemy. Russian soldiers, officers and generals sought to support the honor of the Russian army, its primacy in military affairs, which existed for a century. The army of Kutuzov from Branau to Brunn lost about 6 thousand people.
Kutuzov now had 86 soldiers. General Essen's Russian corps was also expected to arrive in early December, and Bennigsen's 40-strong Russian army could be brought up by mid-December. They were also awaiting the arrival of Archduke Charles and John's 150-strong Austrian army from Italy and the Tyrol. This would allow them to gain superiority in forces and launch a counteroffensive.
The Allied forces were positioned in a strong position near the town of Olšany, and the strategic situation was beginning to shift in their favor. Prussia was close to joining the anti-French coalition. Therefore, Emperor Alexander I, who had arrived at army headquarters, and Emperor Franz of Austria, by no means considered the matter lost. On the contrary, the victories won by the Allies, especially the Russian successes at Krems and Schöngraben, raised morale at the Allied headquarters.
The news of the British victory arrived fleet at Trafalgar (How Britain Became 'Mistress of the Seas'). The battle was regarded as the most significant event of the military campaign. Nelson's victory overshadowed Mack's defeat, and Trafalgar eclipsed Ulm. According to European newspapers of the day, after Trafalgar, the fortunes of war had shifted to the Allies. The Russian and Austrian emperors were eager to engage Napoleon in battle.
The St. George banner of the Kyiv Grenadier Regiment, model 1806. In 1806, the award St. George banner was introduced into the Russian Army. The banner's finial contained the St. George cross, and beneath it was tied a black-and-orange St. George ribbon with tassels, each 1 vershok (4,44 cm) wide. The first St. George banners were issued to the Kyiv Grenadier, Chernigov Dragoon, Pavlograd Hussar, and two Don Cossack regiments for distinguished service in the 1805 campaign, bearing the inscription: "For heroic deeds at Schöngraben on November 4, 1805, in a battle between a 5-strong corps and an enemy force of 30."
Information