Nap Campaign: The Battle of Lake Francis (Nassau)

This is the first battle in Nassau involving another division from the French 2nd Corps, that of the 9th Division commanded by Foy. The situation on the night before the battle -

The 2nd Nassau Brigade commanded by Saxe-Weimar were given the task of defending mainland Nassau. Saxe-Weimar sought to defend the lakes and waterways of southern Nassau selecting a river crossing which he felt gave them a good opportunity to halt the French advance. This became:

THE BATTLE OF LAKE FRANCIS

French v Nassau

Total French 316

CinC Lt Gen Foy

Total Nassau 212

CinC Saxe-Weimar

Scale = 6mm (Baccus figures)

10th March 1808

Start time 0900 (max 32 moves)

ORDER OF BATTLE

TERRAIN

Each Square = 2'3"

3' x 3' Table

Nassau defending bridge (15B17)

French attacking from south

Terrain Description

From top left:

15B21 - Firm heathland

15B16 - Firm grazing land, fences, farm, Lake Gaudens

15B22 - Firm grazing land, ditches, fences, deep river

15B17 - Firm grazing land, fences, farm, Lake Francis, deep river, stone bridge

For Saxe-Weimar to succeed he had to prevent any French from crossing the bridge. He therefore positioned his best troops, the 2 battalions of the 28th with the Jaegers, supported by the 1st battalion of the 2nd Nassau, either side of the bridge with the latter immediately behind. He intended to focus the maximum amount of firepower at any French units approaching the bridge or on the opposite bank. The 2nd bn of the 2nd Nassau deployed on the right flank of the 28th with the 3rd bn held in reserve.

Foy had an excellent reputation and was greatly respected by his men. He knew that this could be costly if the Nassau battalions guarding the bridge were not neutralised or at least severely degraded. Napoleon had stipulated that he wanted any Nassau threat removed quickly enabling Foy to return to his Corps. Prussia was the main prize and Napoleon needed Foy's division to increase his chances of success. 

Foy decided to split his division with Jamin's brigade ordered to engage the Nassauers with musket fire from the river bank and Gauthier's tasked with forcing the bridge direct. A bridgehead was then to be established as quickly as possible which would be reinforced by Jamin and the cavalry. His artillery battery would deploy with Jamin to provide additional firepower.

As Jamin's Brigade advances the first exchange of musketry occurs.

The whole of Jamin's Brigade together with the artillery battery now engages the Nassauers with the initial exchanges proving inconclusive. The 3/4th Light battalion detaches its Voltiguers to counter the Jaegers who are proving to be a nuisance firing from the bridge.

As the opposing French and Nassauers blaze away, Foy decides to launch his main assault. The largest battalion in Gauthier's Brigade, the 1/92nd Line, lead the charge across the bridge. 

Saxe-Weimar readied the 1st battalion of the 2nd Nassau regiment to meet the charge.

As the 1/92nd Line surged across the bridge charging towards the 1/2nd Nassau, the latter, at Saxe-Weimar's signal, fired off a devastating valley cutting down the leading ranks of the French column.

This proved all too much for the 1/92nd who turned tail and ran back in the direction they had come. All was not going well elsewhere for the Nassauers. The superior firepower (largely thanks to artillery) of the French began to tell. The two battalions of the 28th alternately faltered reducing the effectiveness of their musketry volleys. The 2/2nd Nassau, who received much of the attention of the French artillery, had suffered enough and routed from the field.  With the Nassauers losing the firefight it was now down to how well they could hold the bridge.

Worse was to come for the Nassauers. On the west side of the bridge all French attention was directed at the 2/28th Nassau battalion. It was a one-sided affair with the Nassau battalion routing after sustaining heavy losses. Saxe-Weimar instructed the 3/2nd Nassau to occupy the farm and prepare a defensive position. He was not optimistic!

Saxe-Weimar ordered the 1/28th Nassau to fall back from the river bank to 1/2nd's position. As Gauthier's Brigade once again advanced across the bridge it was his intention to make the French pay dearly. By concentrating the fire of both battalions on the bridge, Saxe-Weimar hoped to create a killing ground that would prevent the French from getting a toe-hold on his side of the river. 

The opening volleys on the first battalion to cross were not as effective as Saxe-Weimar would have liked. Several French fell but it did not stop them from continuing their advance. Officers and NCO's of both Nassau battalions called out to their men to reload and hold the line. One French battalion retreated under the hail of musket balls but two, the 2/92nd and 1/93rd, made it across the bridge and prepared to charge.

As they charged both battalions were halted before they could make contact. The Nassauers were not going down without a fight. Looking on from across the opposite side of the river, Foy began to fear the worst. If the commanders of those two lead battalions were unable to press home their attacks they may have to start over again. It was not that he feared defeat, but he could not afford to suffer severe losses with the task ahead of defeating the Prussians.

Although halted, both French battalions were still in good order. Once again the order to charge was given. Gauthier lead the 2/92nd who were so close to the 1/2nd Nassau they did not have time to reload. 

The 1/2nd Nassau panicked at the sight of the charging French column and retreated in disorder. The triumphant French 2/92nd, urged on by Gauthier at their head, ploughed into the retreating Nassauers who desperately tried to fight back. They were no match though for the well ordered French.

The 1/28th Nassau battalion received the charge of the French 1/93rd battalion. The Nassau line buckled under the impact of the charging French column. After a brief melee the impetus of the French column proved too much and the Nassauers retreated along the banks of the lake.

The melee between the 2/92nd and the 1/2nd Nassau took place around the farm. The Nassau battalion continued in full retreat after the brief fight. The 3/2nd Nassau, holding the farm, became increasingly nervous as they watched the drama unfold before them. As the 1/2nd melted away along the road, the 3/2nd saw the blue uniforms of the victorious 2/92nd lead by a French General surge towards them. There was not enough time for the Nassau battalion to fire off a volley as the French clambered over the farm fences.

The 3/2nd Nassau battalion recovered their senses and set about the French in the farm yard. The Nassau company occupying the farmhouse fired from windows and doors into the press of men but had little effect as the Nassauers were gradually pushed back. 

The end came as the Nassauers were ejected from the farm leading to a total collapse of morale. With the Nassauers streaming from the field, Foy reordered his troops giving them a well earned rest as the wounded were gathered in and treated.

CASUALTIES:

The situation by nightfall:

Result = A decisive French victory

Next - The Battle of Glade (Prussia)