AAR 5

From: Marshal Murat (Mike Lorenzo)

I had a great time as usual at this most recent Jodiecon and 190th Anniversary of the Battle of Borodino. My role for the event was that of Marshal Murat in overall command of the French cavalry reserve of 4 Corps of light and heavy cavalry and accompanying horse artillery. The Emperor Napoleon, played by Norbert Brunhuber, entrusted me with helping Marshal Davout (Kevin Combs) and the 1st Infantry Corps attack on our right flank against the Russians at Utitsa. I was to oversee the 1st and 4th Cavalry Corps with General de Corps Nansouty (James Curtis) and General de Corps Latour-Maubourg (Jim Russell) reporting to me directly. The other 2 cavalry corps under General de Corps Grouchy and General de Corps Montbrun were needed elsewhere in the Emperor's plan so were not under my command.

As I was unfortunately away during most tactical planning I was initially only aware of the plan to have a spirited assault on our right and that I would help play a vital role there. As the battle drew near I was provided more information. That in support of our thrust on Utitsa a special column which included separated divisions from 3 infantry corps as well as all of the 3rd Cavalry corps would outflank the Russian hordes by a long march through wooded trails. Davout and I were to draw the Russians into us and the column lead by Mortier (Kevin Kelley) was to trap them from behind or in the flank.

At the onset of the battle I gave Nansouty orders to support Davout to form up on his right leading his 2 heavy divisions with the horse batteries as it was important to have artillery to counter the Russian guns. The light cavalry division was to be used to our flank to protect us from Cossacks or other light Russian cavalry probes. Latour-Maubourg was ordered to stay in reserve. I would call for him if needed otherwise he was to prepare his 4th Corps to support either the attack in the center on the Flechettes or the Great Redoubt on my order.

I began the early hours of the battle at Shevardino Redoubt with the Emperor and General Staff. From here I had a vantage point to view our attack on the right and would be at the Emperor's disposal should he need me elsewhere. I assisted in the collection of early reports from our generals as the headquarter' staff tried to determine where Kutusov had deployed his army. Approaching 8am and almost 2 hours into the battle it looked as if our attack on Utitsa may stall. The Russians had used the terrain to great advantage. They had put a battery in each group of woods to either side and had fieldworks manned by artillery in the center. The woods on the left of our advance had fieldworks as well and I feared that Kutusov would try to blunt our attacks by infiltrating troops in that direction toward our headquarters at Shevardino.

Davout had advanced as far as the orchard but any further advance would be into artillery on 3 sides. I asked the Emperor permission to address these grave matters and rode out to the front. Along the way I ran into the horse artillery which I ordered forward to engage the Russian battery in the right woods and I rallied a retiring unit of lancers from St. Germain's division. St.Germain was a bit over anxious and had committed some of our cavalry early in the battle in front of Davout.

I met with Nansouty and Davout so we could conference on the situation before us. I suggested to Davout that he order his division under Friant to burn the woods to our left. This would buy us time and allow more units to shift right to attack the other Russians defending the woods on our right.

Davout and I formulated the plan to flush out the right woods and then begin our assault on Utitsa with a cavalry charge along the right wood line into the fieldworks to the right of Utitsa. This would be followed by a general attack. We received word that the flanking column would arrive soon which was also great news.

Around this time, as we were softening the Russians in the right tree line, Russian cavalry in great number began to arrive. This was of concern but the Russians must have caught wind of our surprise flanking maneuver and withdrew most of this. Our initial cavalry charge was successful in driving a Russian battery from the fieldworks; however, larger units of Russian cuirassiers gave us trouble and stalled our attack.

Next, a division under Davout, assigned to the flanking force, arrived behind the woods. The Russian cuirassiers again proved themselves by delaying the advance of this flanking division by at least an hour's time. They then retreated, but the Russian infantry offered stubborn resistance in the town. Girard's division, supported by elements of the Guard artillery, were relentless in their attack on Utitsa and the Russians eventually melted away. Nansouty reported that the light cavalry division would need to advance to guard the flank of Mortier's column. I agreed and dispatched him to the area. I also sent word to the Emperor that the 4th Corps could be released to support another attack. They were needed at the Great Redoubt.

At this time, Davout and I met again on the field. I suggested we shift left in our attack to allow the flanking divisions room to deploy. I would take some of the cavalry into the woods to the left near Utitsa and hopefully penetrate into the Russian rear. Davout advanced his Corps rapidly up to the hill where Utitsa stood and began the attack on a withdrawing Russian flank now defending the Utitsa Rise from 2 sides. Mortier had arrived and, after an initially painful cavalry engagement, was advancing toward the retiring Russian line with great speed.

When I reached the woods I found a road leading to the back of the Flechettes. I called for Davout's corps cavalry and my horse artillery to exploit this. The attack on the Flechettes had caused many disorganized units of Russians to retreat into the woods and, as I advanced, my cuirassiers took many prisoners. Our attack on the Russian left was going very well and I was emerging from the woods behind the flechettes when we ended. Unfortunately, we were 3 game turns behind the other tables. It would have been interesting to see how the 45 minutes of battle time would have affected the other tables.

The battle was well-fought on both sides. Davout and his subordinates did a fantastic job of advancing on and taking a bravely defended Utitsa, and the timing with Mortier and the flanking force could not have been better. The game was well-run by Nigel and the other GMs at our tables. We gave them much grief by starting the forest fire and trying to flank onto C2 with the cavalry and horse guns, but they did their job well and facilitated a great game.

I also appreciated the honor of being voted French MVP. Thank you for your votes, my head may indeed swell like the Murat that I played. I was glad to share in the glory with Davout (Kevin) who also received Most Feared French Player by the Russians. We had good teamwork all around and without all our fellow French players would not have been so successful!

The Russian players were great adversaries, the GM staff again very appreciated and the tireless work that Fred, Pete and Jodie put into this was well worth the long drive from NJ. I also enjoyed the tour of Ft. Monroe and the Napoleonic reenactors. However, next time I will have to take a less demanding command so I can listen to some of the lectures!

Vive L'Empereur
Murat
A.k.a Mike Lorenzo