Battle of Saint-Dizier
On the 24th of March 1814, King Frederick William III of Prussia and Tsar Alexander I of Russia met at Vitry to coordinate their military strategy. Blücher marched from Rheims to Châlons while Schwarzenberg advanced from Arcis-sur-Aube toward the same point. The two commanders agreed to attack Napoleon Bonaparte from both sides with all their united forces. They hoped to end the war in one decisive blow rather than allowing Napoleon time to escape. Instead of falling back to give him room, they boldly formed a junction behind his position. This bold move aimed to force Napoleon into the great plains between the Marne and the Aube rivers. There, Allied cavalry could use its numerical superiority against French horsemen. Napoleon had already left Saint-Dizier and moved toward Paris, leaving only a small division behind him. That division occupied villages along the road near Vitry. Meanwhile, Maison in the Netherlands joined forces with Carnot to threaten Brussels. Marshal Augereau commanded numerous forces at Lyon that could support Napoleon. The Allies found themselves deep inside France without reliable supply sources. The country was desolate, offering no points for retreat or resupply. The population of Paris remained capable of destroying an entire army if provoked.
Wintzingerode advanced with all his cavalry from Vitry on the evening of the 24th of March 1814. His target was Saint-Dizier where Napoleon had directed his march. Tettenborn commanded the advance guard with five regiments of Cossacks and one regiment of Hussars. Eight pieces of horse artillery accompanied these units. The French withdrew from the neighborhood of Vitry during that afternoon. Allies caught up with them at nightfall in the village of Thieblemont. Sharp skirmishing erupted there with French infantry. The pursuit continued with increased vigor the following day. A still larger French division appeared at Saint-Dizier. A brisk engagement took place as the French held possession of the town with infantry. They covered the march of other troops recrossing and marching along the Marne river. Compact masses of Allied troops came straight toward them after changing their line of march. Tettenborn brought guns close to the bank of the river. He commenced pouring murderous fire of cannonballs and grenades upon nearest French troops. Those troops retreated into woods losing many men. A regiment of Cossacks crossed the Marne threatening to cut off troops inside Saint-Dizier. These men fled to the woods despite not withdrawing earlier. French artillery placed on heights of Valcourt silenced Allied guns quickly.
The battlefield stretched across flat country cut by vineyards and hedges. Woods and low bottoms hemmed the area on all sides. This terrain prevented Allied cavalry from using its numbers effectively. Early morning the 26th of March 1814 saw roughly 30,000 Frenchmen advance against Allies on all sides. Cossacks were forced to retreat under pressure. Considerable bodies of cavalry showed themselves on both flanks of Allied force. Tettenborn assured Wintzingerode that whole French army had turned against them. Danger was imminent as ground prevented even one regiment of Cossacks from operating advantageously. Capturing village of Valcourt in Allied rear would entirely cut off their force. Nothing remained but immediate retreat across Marne river. Tettenborn stayed as long as possible on left bank giving Wintzingerode time to act. General Tschernyscheff suddenly driven back from Montier-en-Der while Wintzingerode attacked at same moment. French poured forces upon enemy with incredible rapidity. Troop followed troop until plain covered completely. Engagement enlarged to all sides within minutes. Numerous guns brought onto plain pointed directly at Saint-Dizier.
Tettenborn stood his ground with about 1,000 horses on right side of road to Vitry. Four squadrons were Hussars while rest were Cossacks. Body of at least 10,000 French cavalry crossed Marne already. They forced way between Tettenborn and Wintzingerode. Tettenborn expected these masses to deploy suddenly and throw men into confusion. Bodies of infantry and artillery continued crossing river forming up behind them. No use thinking now of retreating since cavalry close upon them. Resolute front could scarcely check them much less a retreating foe. Tettenborn formed 1,000 men into compact body charging French masses just deploying. Hussars and Cossacks attacked driving French back breaking first line then second. Contest proved most bloody as fresh masses deployed both sides. More troops came from background causing Tettenborn to withdraw after reinforcements arrived. Allied troops came within range enemy guns broke putting rout along road to Vitry. Baggage and horses flying directions caused indescribable confusion. Tettenborn maintained contest to last despite great personal danger getting troops order again at village Perthe. Skirmished little same evening retreating night by Marolles to Vitry. His whole loss consisted only forty men.
Wintzingerode hired rooms at Saint-Dizier for Emperor of Russia and King of Prussia. He gave out that his cavalry was merely advance guard of main army. Napoleon convinced Schwarzenberg's whole army tracked him based on this deception. This error delayed and distracted Napoleon for three days during which Paris faced imminent danger. Napoleon halted at Vassy recalling troops already marched forward. He thought he would fight battle where ground circumstances favored him. Even day after action Napoleon could not believe mistake made striking shadow. Persisted advancing against Vitry where small garrison prepared meet storm. Suddenly learnt Marmont and Mortier defeated at Battle Fère-Champenoise. Advance Allies upon Paris forced hasty collection weary half-famished troops. Made forced marches Troyes Sens Fontainebleau relieve threatened capital. Napoleon learned details from devoted adherents inside Saint-Dizier who revealed truth about Wintzingerode's forces.
Rest Wintzingerode cavalry drawn plains Saint-Dizier waited till French attacked without taking initiative. Result far greater number men killed besides losing many artillery pieces. After defending Saint-Dizier Wintzingerode left town same evening retreating Bar-le-Duc pursued French. Beat off pressing too closely. Allied point-of-view despite unfavourable outcome battle ultimately success resulting error Napoleon delaying distraction three days. During distraction capital Paris in imminent danger. Population perfectly capable giving employment destroying whole army if provoked. All this sufficient excite greatest anxiety determination allies clearly took right course even results less successful. Large Allied armies broke quarters near Aube Marne 24 the 25th of March way Paris. Encountered united troops Marshals Marmort Mortier 25th near Fere-Champenoise on way Soissons join Napoleon. Short bloody engagement two marshals beaten troops utterly destroyed march Paris resumed.
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Common questions
What happened during the Battle of Saint-Dizier on the 24th of March 1814?
Allied cavalry under Wintzingerode and Tettenborn engaged French forces near Saint-Dizier to cover Napoleon's retreat toward Paris. The battle involved Cossacks, Hussars, and horse artillery attempting to cut off French troops crossing the Marne river.
Who commanded the Allied forces at the Battle of Saint-Dizier in 1814?
Wintzingerode led the main Allied cavalry force while Tettenborn commanded the advance guard consisting of five regiments of Cossacks and one regiment of Hussars. These commanders coordinated attacks against French divisions occupying villages along the road near Vitry.
When did the fighting occur between Allied and French troops at Saint-Dizier?
Skirmishing began on the evening of the 24th of March 1814 when Allies caught up with French infantry at Thieblemont. Major engagements continued through the early morning of the 26th of March 1814 before Allied forces retreated toward Vitry.
Why was the terrain at Saint-Dizier disadvantageous for Allied cavalry?
The battlefield stretched across flat country cut by vineyards and hedges which prevented Allied cavalry from using its numerical superiority effectively. Woods and low bottoms hemmed the area preventing even one regiment of Cossacks from operating advantageously.
How many men did Tettenborn lose during the Battle of Saint-Dizier?
Tettenborn maintained his contest despite great personal danger and suffered a total loss of only forty men. His unit included about 1,000 horses divided into four squadrons of Hussars and remaining Cossacks.