Battle of Lützen (1813)
Napoleon's army lay in ruins after the 1812 Russian campaign. European powers saw a chance to remove him from power. Prussia declared neutrality following his retreat but secretly signed an alliance with Russia on the 27th of February. Berlin dissolved its alliance with Napoleon on the 6th of March. Frederick William III declared war on France one day later. French troops under Marshal Eugène de Beauharnais engaged in skirmishes throughout March and April. They attempted to regroup while coalition forces led by General Wittgenstein and General Blücher sought to drive them out of Saxony. Napoleon worked feverishly to rebuild his army through mass conscription. He raised approximately 200,000 men who were largely inexperienced. These reinforcements began arriving in Germany by late March.
Napoleon quitted Mayence on the 26th of April. He visited Wurzburg and Fulda before proceeding to Weimar. Marshal Ney had preceded him there with young divisions. His plan involved crossing back over the Elbe to march on Berlin. He intended to establish the seat of war between the Elbe and the Oder. Marshal Ney occupied passages of the Saale river before the enemy could seize them. Napoleon directed General Bertrand and Marshal Oudinot to meet him at Saalfeld. Prince Eugene advanced en masse toward Dessau near the confluence of the Saale and the Elbe. On the 30th of April, Napoleon crossed the river Saale at Weissenfels. He could only muster 145,000 men because the XII corps and Wurtemberg division remained two days' march away. The Allies concentrated 48,000 infantry, 25,000 cavalry, and over 500 guns between Leipzig and Altenburg.
The Prussian attack started off late around 11:30 hours. Blücher led his corps toward Großgörschen expecting only a couple thousand French troops. He found a full division instead and paused to call up artillery. This delay gave General Souham time to occupy Gross Görschen while General Girard gathered men around Starsiedl. At noon, General Souham secured Gross Görschen but was forced to retreat under heavy fire. Marshal Ney arrived covered in dust to enable Girard to leave the defence of Starsiedel. The general engagement commenced shortly thereafter. Wittgenstein assumed Napoleon's corps were spread out in a long column marching from Weissenfels. His plan targeted this right flank guarded by a weak detachment at Kaja. Blücher reached the Elster by 05:00 hours with columns positioned at Storkwitz and Karsdorf.
Napoleon reached Markranstädt with Lauriston's V Corps on the morning of the battle. He became aware of unfolding events on his right flank after listening to distant cannon fire. He issued orders for the III Corps to hold ground at all costs. Marmont moved to support its right while Bertrand threatened the Russian left. Macdonald redirected XI Corps southward from the Leipzig road. Napoleon arrived at the battlefield at 14:30 finding the situation critical. Ney's corps stood exhausted and shaken on the verge of collapse. Napoleon rode among disordered conscripts to rally them back into formation. He repeatedly led charges against the enemy personally. Marmont later wrote that this day saw Napoleon incur the greatest personal danger of his career. He exposed himself constantly leading defeated men back to the charge.
A series of misfortunes hindered the Allied forces during the afternoon. Blücher was wounded and command passed to General Yorck who proved less inspiring. Russian reserves arrived slowly while Wittgenstein hesitated to commit Yorck's corps without their support. Tsar Alexander mistakenly believed the battle progressed favorably and held back Tormasov's Guards. This delay left Wittgenstein increasingly vulnerable yet too committed to withdraw. At 16:00 hours, Russian reserves finally arrived and Yorck launched a new assault. The Prussians advanced close to Kaja but a counterattack by the Young Guard restored the French line. The struggle for villages resumed with previous intensity. By 17:30 hours, Macdonald captured Eisdorf on Ney's left flank. Bertrand linked up with Marmont's right side. Napoleon initiated a grand attack at 18:00 hours involving Drouot deploying 70 cannons southwest of Kaja.
Napoleon required only two more hours of daylight to secure a decisive victory. Nightfall soon descended bringing the battle to an inconclusive end. He lost 19,655 men including 2,757 killed and 16,898 wounded. One of his marshals died in the fighting. The Prussians lost at least 8,500 men killed or wounded while Russians lost 3,500 men. Casualties may have been much higher than recorded figures suggest. By nightfall, the Tsar and Wittgenstein were hardly convinced they had lost. They retreated after hearing that Leipzig had fallen. This left Napoleon in control of Lützen and the field despite the heavy cost. The Allies initially gained ground and inflicted significant damage before Napoleon turned the tide.
Lützen was followed by the Battle of Bautzen eighteen days later where Napoleon won again. He lost another 22,000 men which was twice as many as the Russo-Prussian army suffered. The ferocity prompted Napoleon to accept a temporary armistice on June 4 with Tsar Alexander and King Frederick William III. This agreement provided allies respite to organize and re-equip their armies. It encouraged Britain to provide war subsidies totaling seven million pounds. Another result encouraged Austria to join the allied Coalition upon expiration. This shifted the balance of power dramatically in favor of the Coalition. During the battle, Gerhard von Scharnhorst served as Wittgenstein's Chief of Staff. He was wounded while serving but hasty retreat prevented proper treatment. A fatal infection set in leading to his death.
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Common questions
What were the main causes of the Battle of Lützen in 1813?
The Battle of Lützen occurred because European powers sought to remove Napoleon from power after his failed Russian campaign. Prussia secretly allied with Russia on the 27th of February and declared war on France on the 6th of March.
How many troops did Napoleon have at the Battle of Lützen?
Napoleon could only muster 145,000 men for the battle because the XII corps and Wurtemberg division remained two days' march away. He raised approximately 200,000 men through mass conscription but these reinforcements arrived largely inexperienced by late March.
When did the Battle of Lützen take place and what was the outcome?
The battle took place on the 2nd of May 1813 when Napoleon reached Markranstädt with Lauriston's V Corps. Nightfall brought the engagement to an inconclusive end despite Napoleon controlling Lützen and the field afterward.
Who commanded the Allied forces during the Battle of Lützen?
General Blücher led the Prussian corps while General Wittgenstein commanded the Russian forces. Gerhard von Scharnhorst served as Wittgenstein's Chief of Staff until he died from a fatal infection following wounds sustained in the fighting.
What were the casualty figures for the French army at the Battle of Lützen?
Napoleon lost 19,655 men including 2,757 killed and 16,898 wounded during the engagement. One of his marshals died in the fighting while casualties may have been much higher than recorded figures suggest.