0730.

Kollowrath realized the trouble he was in as he marched resolutely down the road. They could “feel” the cavalry pounding up the hills around Pratzen. Worse yet in the distance the steady tempo of the French drummers echoed and bounced off Pratzen village and the surrounding slopes.

He drew up reins to one side of the road. He had made a decision.

Calling his officers together he addressed the officers of the  2nd and 3rd Brigades. He told them to at the double-time move the musketeers in Pratzen proper and take up defensive positions at the bridge crossing into the far side of town. Jureschek’s men he ordered into town, with his 7 Battalions from all over the place he ordered them to occupy buildings facing the outskirts in a 360 degree facing.

He nudged his horse forward. The Arty he placed in a defensive arc also.

Suddenly from the swirling fog he now saw the enemy who were shaking the ground, like a God who pound his fist upon the earth!

Crash! A shell careened overhead as he rode into the village. On the rise above him outside of Pratzen the worst of his fears were realized. Through a brief break in the swirling fog he saw thousands of cavalry awaiting his planned exit from Pratzen, and even more traversing the hill heading towards the Pratzen heights.

He was entirely surrounded. The Tri-colors flew everywhere! Vandamme, Legrand and Beaumont had him boxed in.

So quickly, he thought how had this happened? He could see at least 22 Regimental colors. Then whoosh, it was gone. but the vision in his mind and the sound of a steady drum beat remained. Unknown to him, Suchet and Cafarelli were bringing an additional 10 Regiments to the fight right behind him.

The French attacked from all directions at once. St Hilaire had the honor of the  first attack across the bridge with the 14th Line and 10th Light Regiment lead by Morand. The 10th took the brunt of the cannonade and accurate musketeer fire from Maloslavitz’s Smolensk Musketeers. They retreat in disarray. But this was not the main fight.

Meanwhile Kollowraths forces were not faring so well on the other side of town. Cafarelli had forced a rout, and wating Cavalry ponced as Kollowraths men fled south of town!

The 2nd Brigade and all the Artillery were forced out of town with heavy losses, and retreated head longingly down the stream bed out of town. Kollowrath narrowly escapes with his head intact! Several Brigades were now alone in the mists.

All was not lost however:

Near Solkonitz the French hang on grimly. Awaiting their own last stand.

Riders were sent to the Leadership teams of the Austro-Russian forces. Horror was the response. It looked very much like the entire 2nd Division would shortly be eviscerated. Lack luster leadership, with an eye on a quick win had costs hundreds of lives in the span of just 30 minutes.

What would the leaders do next?

Activate the Reserve Imperial Russian Guard?

The army would soon be cut in half.

Could Buxhowden save the day? Can he sweep center?

What to do?

You are the general.

The polls for voting will be up soon. Join in and help the hapless leaders decisions back from the brink of disaster.

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