Game 58 : Shevardino

Well it is back to Napoleonics. I wanted a smallish game with a different challenge and so selected Shevardino, the day before Borodino.
Its a good game as it pitches a Corps from each side on a front that is too large for either to comfortably control and cover.
The French are based on the infantry 3 Divisions from Davout's Corps plus a Polish Division from Poniatowski. Cavalry support is provided by Davout's Light Cavalry Division and the Light Cavalry Divisions from 1st & 2nd Reserve Cavalry Corps.
The Russians are based on Borodzin's Corps, reinforced with a Jaeger Division. Sievers Cavalry Corps, less the Light Cavalry Division, is also in support.

This is the view from the left of the French line. The redoubt, in the centre of the battlefield, is in the centre of the pic. The village is Shevardino itself and, if you imagine, the Smolensk New road is off to the left on the other side of the Kolotcha stream.

The Poles and one of Davout's Divisions attacked Shevardino. This was initially held by the Russian attached Jaegers supported by the Grenadier Division. This forced the French to contest the centre with cavalry. Here you see a brave, or ignominious, charge against Russian 12pdrs. Remove one Cavalry Regiment off the table!!

Here you see the rationale for the Cavalry charge. The French are advancing against the Redoubt directly. This has the affect of pinning the Russians in the centre as the French are really trying to advance both flanks as the main attack.

Shevardino hots up. The Poles would march straight into the attack. The Russian Jaegers were to get mauled badly and driven back and forced to retire to attempt to save the Division.

The French now have control of Shevardino. The Russians have committed the Grenadier Division which has managed to get a tenuous hold on the rear part of the village. Grenadier losses are high.

The French infantry in the centre are retiring to reform after their attack was blunted by the Russian defenders. The Russians have the converged Grenadier Division in the centre and this fights the French to a standstill.

The Russians themselves are thankful for the respite as although intact, losses have been heavy. They are in no fit condition to resume fighting until they manage a period of time in reserve.

The Russian left flank faired better. Here, the Russians had an Infantry Division with a Cuirassier Division in support. The Cuirassiers managed to run amok some French light cavalry and then ride down some infantry to stall the French advance. Here you see the Cuirassiers making their way back to their own lines and relative safety.

French Formations	Losses %			Russian Formations	Losses%
	Infantry	Cavalry	Artillery		Infantry	Cavalry	Artillery
III Corps Davout				Borodzin
Friant	9	-	3	Neveroski	19	-	0
Compans	16	-	19	Voronsov	29	-	3
Morand	16	-	0	Mecklenberg	34	-	-
Krasinksi (attached)	11	-	9	Jaegers (attached)	48	-	19
Cavalry Nansouty				Sievers
Girardin	-	59	38	Duka	-	19	25
Pajol	-	42	33	Panchulidzev I	-	9	-
Bruyere	-	65	0	Emanuel	-	0	-

The above table shows the forces involved and the losses taken. The net result was fairly historical. The French advance, from their left, could not really be stopped but in the other places progress was limited. The Russians still held but would have to withdraw as their right flank was totally compromised.

Here we all are. And it wasn't even that cold!!! Next game up is Lutzen.