Montereau 1814

From Mormant we move south with the Grande Armée to pursue the remnants of Wittgenstein’s Russian forces. Napoleon’s End features the Battle of Montereau as the next stop on the road to glory. In this scenario, I will pay particular attention to the river crossing options and the supply situation. The Seine has several fords, but only two usable bridges, the stone bridges at Montereau and at Bray sur Seine.

Montereau February 18, 1814

I will use the historical weather, i.e. frost with fog until noon. This reduces the command to initiative movement and limits line of sight to combat only. In the early afternoon the fog clears, allowing full combat capabilities. Then, in the late afternoon, the mud restricts the movement of cavalry, artillery and baggage train. I will also be using the Fog of War rules as I think these are most appropriate given the fog conditions.

March Orders

At start Victor’s II Corps d’Armée follows a March Order to Marolles (Mont2228). This will allow the ccorps to support the Grande Armée’s main effort on Montereau.

Bianchi’s I K.u.K. Armeekorps marches to the Parc de Courbeton (Mont1521). There they are to build a defense line to the northeast to defend the river crossing at Montereau.

The Battle of Montereau fault Yonne

With all forces marching through the fog, the morning is largely uneventful. It isn’t until 10 a.m. that the French encounter Coalition troops in the Forêt de Valence and attacked them.

^{Montereau 10 a.m.: Pajol’s force surrounds and defeats the Austrian Infanterie-Brigade Schäfer.}

^{Montereau 11 a.m.: Colbert’s Light Guard Cavalry clashes with Bianchi’s Austrian I Armeekorps.}

^{Montereau 12 noon: Pajol’s corps is thrown back in fierce fighting for the redoubts at les Ormeaux.}

The morning fog has now cleared from the area, allowing all units a line of sight of 3 hexes. This means that normal movements and bombardments are possible again.

^{Montereau 1 p.m.: Heavy fighting rages from the redoubts at les Ormeaux to the Parc de Courbeton.}

^{Montereau 2 p.m.: The French have finally taken both the redoubts at les Ormeaux.}

^{Montereau 3 p.m.: The Kronprinz von Würtemberg’s forces are driven against the Seine.}

^{Montereau 4 p.m.: The French are now advancing against the Seine crossing in force.}

^{Montereau 5 p.m.: Both the Württemberg and Austrian I Armeecorps are demoralized due to heavy losses.}

^{Montereau 6 p.m.: The Kronprinz von Würtemberg’s forces are still stubbornly defending the Saine river crossing.}

^{Montereau 7-8 p.m.: In the last light, Macdonald attacks across the stone bridge and takes Montereau.}

The Battle of Bray sur Seine

^{Montereau 4 p.m.: Wrede leads a rearguard action to protect the river crossing at Bray sur Seine.}

^{Montereau 7 p.m.: Wrede’s Bavarians delay Ney’s Young Guards just long enough to secure Bray sur Seine.}

Final Result

• Casualties: Coalition 32 – French 8 = 24 / French 4 VP
• Coalition Corps demoralized: French 12 VP
• French Corps demoralized: Coalition 2 VP
• Control of Montereau: Coalition 12 VP vs. French 1 VP
• Control of Bray sur Seine: Coalition 5 VP

The heavy fighting for the Seine river crossing has resulted in a Coalition Marginal Victory. The forces of Crown Prince Wilhelm of Württemberg held off the French Grande Armée all day. The coalition forces suffered heavy losses. However, Napoleon can inflict significant losses on his opponents, but cannot crush them.