A Volley & Bayonet scenario by John Holtz.
Background
Marshal Ney is attempting to complete the mission given to Oudinot that the latter fumbled at Gross Beeren. Essentially, Napoleon has ordered Ney to seize Berlin (some 40 miles or so to the NNE of Dennewitz), keeping Bernadotte's Army of the North busy and, hopefully, drawing Blücher north as well.
Since early this morning Ney's "Army of Berlin," moving north and east, has been driving back the rearguard of Tauenzien's IV (Prussian) Corps. As this scenario begins, Bertrand's IV Corps has just cleared Dennewitz and begun deploying for a further advance. Tauenzien has decided to make a stand since von Bülow's III (Prussian) Corps was finally coming up on his right.
Orders of Battle
In addition to the scenario presented here John has supplied some roster sheets in MS Word format for download.
French Army, Ney (AC)
IV Corps, Bertrand
Corps Troops
- 18th Light Brigade (Polish) M5 [s][s] Lt, L
- 24th Light Brigade (Wurtemburg) M5 [s][s] Lt
- 4th Corps Heavy Artillery M6 [ ][ ] Hvy
- 4th Corps Horse Artillery M6 [ ][ ] Fld
12th Division, Morand (DC), Exhaustion = 6
- 8th Legere M5 [s][s] sko
- 13th Ligne M5 [ ][ ][ ][ ][s] bn
- 23rd Ligne M5 [ ][ ][ ][ ][s]
- 12th Div. Field bn M6 [ ][ ] Fld
15th Division (Italian), Fontanelli (DC), Ex=8
- 1st Brg (1st / 4th Line) M5 [ ][ ][ ][ ][ ][s]
- 2nd Brg (1st Lt / 6th Ln) M5 [ ][ ][ ][s][s][s]
- 3rd Brg (Milan / 7th Line) M5 [ ][ ][ ]
- 15th Div. Field bn M5 [ ][ ] Fld
- 4th Corps Field bt M5 [ ] Fld, bt
38th Division (Wurtemburg), Franquemont (DC), Ex=3
- I Brigade (9th, 10th Lt, / 6th, 7th Line) M5 [ ][ ][ ] NE
- II Brigade (1st, 2nd, 4th Line) M5 [ ][ ][ ] NE
- 38th Divisional Field Battalion M5 [ ] Fld, bt
III Cavalry Corps, Arrighi (CC)
5th Light Cavalry Division, Lorge (DC), Ex=2
- 12th Light Brigade (5th, 10th, 13th Chas.) M5 [s][s] Lt
- 13th Light Brigade (15th, 21st, 22nd Chas.) M5 [s][s] Lt
- 5th Light Division Horse Artillery M6 [ ] Fld, bt
6th Light Cavalry Division, Fournier (DC), Ex=2
- 14th Brigade (1st H, 29th, 31st Chas.) M5 [s][s] Lt
- 15th Brigade (2nd, 4th, 12th Hussar) M5 [s][s] Lt
- 6th Division Horse Artillery M6 [ ][ ] Fld
4th Heavy Cavalry Division, Defrance (DC), Ex=2
- 1st Brigade (4,5,12,24,14,24th Dragoons) M5 [ ][ ] Md
- 2nd Brigade (16,17,21,26,27th Dragoons) M5 [ ][ ] Md
VII Corps, Reynier (CC)
Corps Troops
- 26th Light Brigade (Saxon) M5 [s][s] Lt, L
- 7th Corps Heavy Artillery M5 [ ] Hvy, bt
- 7th Corps Horse Artillery M5 [ ][ ] Fld
24th Division (Saxon), de Lecoq (DC), Ex=4
- 1st Brigade (Gd, Lt, Line bns) M5 [ ][ ][ ][s]
- 2nd Brigade (Gren, Line bns) M5 [ ][ ][ ][ ]
- 24th Division Field Artillery M5 [ ][ ] Fld
25th Division (Saxon), de Sahr (DC), Ex=4
- 1st Brigade (Gren, Lt, Line bns) M5 [ ][ ][ ][s] PT
- 2nd Brigade (Line bns) M4 [ ][ ][ ] PT, NE
32nd Division, Durutte (DC), Ex=9
- 1st Brigade (35th Lg, 132nd Line) M5 [ ][ ][ ][s][s]
- 2nd Brigade (36th Lg, 131st Line) M5 [ ][ ][ ][s][s]
- 3rd Brigade (Wurz, 133rd Line) M4 [ ][ ][ ][ ][s] PT
- Polish Brigade (1st, 14th Line) M5 [ ][ ][ ]
- 32nd Division Artillery M5 [ ][ ] Fld
XII Corps, Oudinot (CC)
Corps Troops
- 29th Light Brigade (Bav/Hess/West ChLg) M4 [s][s] Lt
- 12th Corps Heavy Artillery M5 [ ][ ] Hvy
- 12th Corps Horse Artillery M6 [ ][ ] Fld
14th Division, Guilleminot (DC), Ex=6
- 1st Brigade (18th Lg, 156th Line) M5 [ ][ ][ ][ ][s][s]
- 2nd Brigade (Illyrian/52nd/137th Line) M4 [ ][ ][ ][ ][ ][s] PT
- 14th Divisional Field Artillery M5 [ ][ ] Fld
13th Division, Pacthod (DC), Ex=6
- 1st Brigade (1st Lg, 7th, 42nd Line) M4 [ ][ ][ ][s] PT
- 2nd Brigade (67th, 101st Line) M5 [ ][ ][ ][ ][s]
- 13th Divisional Field Artillery M5 [ ][ ] Fld
29th Division (Bavarian), Raglovich (DC), Ex=4
- 1st Brigade (1st Jg,3rd,4th,8th,13th Line) M5 [ ][ ][ ][s] NE
- 2nd Brigade (2nd Jg,5th,7th,9th,10th Line) M5 [ ][ ][ ][s] NE
- 29th Divisional Field Artillery M5 [ ][ ] Fld
Coalition Forces
IV Prussian Corps, Tauenzien (CC)
Advance Guard Division, von Lindenau (DC), Ex=8
- 3rd Reserve Line M5 [ ][ ][ ][s] NE
- 1st Kurmark Landwehr M4 [ ][ ][ ] PT, NE
- 2nd Neumark Landwehr M4 [ ][ ][ ] PT, NE
- 5th Kurmark Landwehr M4 [ ][ ][ ][ ] PT, NE
- 1st Landwehr Cavalry Brigade M4 [ ][ ][s] Lt
- 4th Corps Field Artillery M5 [ ][ ] Fld
- 4th Corps Horse Artillery M6 [ ][ ] Fld
III Prussian Corps, von Bulow (CC)
3rd Division, Hessen-Homburg (DC), Ex=8
- 3rd East Prussian Line & Grenadier M6 [ ][ ][ ][ ][ ][ss] Shock
- 4th Reserve Line M5 [ ][ ][ ][s] NE
- 3rd East Prussian Landwehr M4 [ ][ ][ ] M4 PT, NE
- 3rd Division Field Artillery M6 [ ][ ] Fld
4th Division, von Thumen (DC), Ex=9
- 4th East Prussian Line M6 [ ][ ][ ][ ][s]
- 5th Reserve Line M5 [ ][ ][ ][s] NE
- Elbe Reserve Line M5 [ ][ ][ ] NE
- East Prussian Jagers M6 [ss] sko
- Leib Hussar / Brand. Dragoons M6 [s][s] Mxd
- 4th Division Field Artillery M6 [ ][ ] Fld
- 4th Division Heavy Artillery (Russian) M5 [ ][ ] Hvy
5th Division, von Borstell (DC), Ex=10
- 1st Pommeranian Line & Grenadiers M6 [ ][ ][ ][ ][ ][s] Shock
- 2nd Reserve Line M5 [ ][ ][ ][ ][s] NE
- 2nd Kurmark Landwehr M4 [ ][ ][ ][ ][ ][ ] PT, NE
- Pommeranian/Morner Hussars M5 [s][s] Lt
- 5th Division Field Artillery M6 [ ][ ]
6th Division, von Krafft (DC), Ex=10
- Colberg Line M6 [ ][ ][ ][ ][ss]
- 9th Reserve Line M5 [ ][ ][ ][s] NE
- 1st Neumark Landwehr M4 [ ][ ][ ][ ][ ] PT, NE
- West Prussian Dragoons/Sil Hussars M5 [s][s] Mxd
- Kurmark Landwehr Cavalry Brigade M4 [ ][ ] Lt
- 6th Division Field Artillery M5 [ ][ ] Fld
- 6th Division Heavy Artillery (Russian) M6 [ ][ ] Hvy
Cavalry Reserve
- Konigin / West Prussian Dragoons M5 [ ][ ][s] Md
- Pommeranian Nat & Landwehr M5 [ ][ ] Lt
- 3rd Cavalry Horse Artillery Bn M6 [ ][ ] Fld
Russian Reserves
14th Division (- some units), Harpe (DC), Ex=3
- 1st Brigade (Siev., Toula, Nava Line) M5 [ ][ ][ ] PT, Bn
- 2nd Brigade (Combined Grenadier Bns) M6 [ ][ ][ ] Shock, Bn
- 14th Division Heavy Artillery M5 [ ][ ] Hvy
- 14th Divisional Field Artillery M5 [ ][ ] Fld
21st Division, Laptiev (DC), Ex=5
- 1st Brigade (44th Jg, Neva Line) M5 [ ][ ][ ]
- 2nd Brigade (Petr, Pod, Lith Line) M5 [ ][ ][ ]
- St. Pete. Dragoons / Elisa. Hussars M5 [s][s] Mxd
- Cossack Brigade M4 [s][s] Lt, L, sko
- 21st Divisional Field Artillery M5 [ ][ ] Fld
- 21st Divisional Heavy Artillery M5 [ ][ ] Hvy
- 21st Divisional Horse Artillery M6 [ ][ ] Fld
Cavalry Division, Orurk (DC), Ex=3
- Pavlovgrad Hussars M5 [s][s] Lt
- Volh., Pol. Uhlans / Nij. Chas M5 [s][s] Lt, L
- Riga, Fin. Dragoons / Isoum, Conv. Hussars M5 [s][s] Mxd
- 1st Reserve Horse Artillery M6 [ ][ ] Fld
- 2nd Reserve Horse Artillery M5 [ ][ ][ ] Fld
Notes:
- NE = No Elites
- PT = Poorly Trained
- L = Lance armed
- Lt = Light cavalry
- Mxd = Mixed cavalry
- Bn = Battalion guns
- Hvy = Heavy guns
- Fld = Field guns
- s = May detach as skirmisher
- ss = sharpshooter
- sko = skirmisher only
The Russians in the Army of the North are a rather oddly commanded bunch and, for Dennewitz at least, these units are part of two different Russian corps. Treat von Bulow as their Army Commander and do not allow an intermediate corps comander (none is mentioned in the accounts I've read). Historically, the Prussians shattered the Saxons just as the Russians finally got forward enough to begin taking an active role.
Terrain
The board is mostly open, rolling ground. None of the hills are rough or steep. All the woods are treated as Open Woods. The Agger is "Marshy Banked" west of the bridge, a normal stream below it. No artillery unit may cross the Agger except at a bridge or ford (this includes battalion guns).
Initial Deployments
The battle starts on the 11 AM turn.
Both sides' IV Corps are in the positions shown on the map. Elements of Arrighi's III Cavalry Corps and Reynier's VII Corps also begin on the map as shown. All Reynier's units are in march column and faced to the east. Only Coalition units may begin the game stationary. Artillery units may be unlimbered or limbered at the player's discretion (barring those in march column).
The Coalition starts the game at 11 AM. Game ends with the conclusion of the 8 PM turn.
Ney is the French Army CO, von Bülow performs this role for the Coalition side.
Take care with the placement of Army and Corps CO stands to ensure that all units are in command at the beginning of the game.
Deployment notes:
- The southern most brigades and artillery of the French 12th and 38th Divisions begin the game in march column. IV Corps' heavy artillery bn is in reserve with the 24th Lt. Cav. Brg. The 8th Leger's skirmishers are represented by the two regimental sized stands on the wood's edge north of Dennewitz.
- Tauenzien's 1st Landwehr Cav. Brg has detached its skirmisher and placed it next to the IV Corps field bn.
- Some elements of the French VII Corps are off the map to the south and west. They are shown in their actual positions relative to the table.
Reinforcements
Units may arrive in field formation or march column except when specifically noted below).
11 AM:
- von Thümen's 4th Division enters on and to the west of Road 1 along the north board edge.
- von Oppen enters with III Corps' Reserve Cavalry astride Road 6 on the western board edge.
12 PM:
- Hessen-Hommburg's 3rd Division enters as for 4th Division above.
- von Krafft's 6th Division enters along the western table edge, from Kaltenborn to the northern board edge (inclusive).
2 PM:
- von Borstell's 5th Division enters as for 6th Division above.
- Fournier's 6th Light Cavalry Division enters at point 7 (on the western edge) in march columns facing to the east.
- Guilleminot's 14th Division enters just to the south of Fournier's cavalry, also in march columns facing east.
3 PM:
- Laptiev's 21st Division of the Russian Reserves enters as 4th Division (11 AM).
- Orurk's Cavalry Reserve enters as 6th Division above (12 PM).
- Pacthod's 13th Division - followed immediately by Raglovich's 29th - arrives as for 14th Division above (2 PM). XII Corps Assets now arrive intermingled with these two divisions.
4 PM:
- Harpe's 14th Division arrives as for 6th Division above (12 PM).
8 PM:
- Final turn.
The arrival times for the 2 PM and later reinforcements listed above were historically possible but are somewhat accelerated. For those who wish to add a measure of uncertainty, use the chart below.
Optional Arival Determination Chart
For each division arriving at 2 PM or later, roll one d 6. Roll during the Command Phase for that particular side's reinforcements.
- 4-6 = unit arrives on schedule
- 2-3 = unit arrives next turn
- 1 = roll again next turn.
Victory Conditions
Both sides hope to cripple the other's army. In addition, certain terrain features are likely to provide advantages for the next day's operations.
Each side receives, in Victory Points (VPs), the Exhaustion value of each enemy command Exhausted by the end of the game. This value is multiplied by 1.5 (rounding up) for each command that Collapses. This value is doubled if every infantry, cavalry, and artillery stand in the command is eliminated (excluding Corps Assets).
For example, Franquemont's Württembergers (38th Div.) are worth 3 VPs to the Prussians if Exhausted, 5 VPs if driven to Collapse, and 6 VPs if they and their divisional battery are eliminated.
- The Coalition forces receive an additional 20 VPs if they drive all French units south of the Agger by the end of the game.
- The French forces receive an additional 20 VPs if they hold both the Windmühlberg and Göhlsdorf at the end of the game.
The side with half again as many VPs as its opponent is the victor. Doubling an opponent's score represents a crushing victory. Any other result is a draw.
Designers Notes
I relied heavily on three books to research this scenario. F. Loraine Petre's classic "Napoleon's Last Campaign in Germany, 1813" provides the most lucid account of the battle. Detailed OB information was drawn from George Nafziger's "Napoleon at Dresden" (aka "Napoleon's Dresden Campaign") and Scotty Bowden's "Napoleon's Grande Armée of 1813." A host of other resources supplied supplemental data.
As first designed, the French had the initiative. If you are unhappy with how the current scenario plays, try this variation. It allows the French to stake out more ground and get front line units stationary while they await the arrival and deployment of reserves.
The OB is arranged in player-sized commands. I regularly host this game at conventions with a roster of four Coalition and four French players (thus the OB's arrangement; I print it out using different colored paper, cut vertically, mount and laminate).
Coalition:
- Tauenzien / von Borstell
- von Thümen / Laptiev
- Hessen-Homburg / von Oppen
- von Krafft / Harpe
French:
- Morand / Lorge
- Fontanelli / Franquemont
- de Sahr / de Lecoq
- Durutte / Defrance
The Russian Reserve cavalry and Oudinot's XII Corps get handed off as the situation and player inclination warrants.
Map
The following map is drawn to V&B standard scales where each grid square equals 1200 yards, ignore the marked scale on the map.
