Post
by Friedrich August I. » Thu Nov 22, 2012 5:25 am
From the Diary....
Fight along the Lesna, October 11th, 1812.
"The Russian had, as they attacked the position at Brzest, found it empty and at once started a pursuit of the retiring Saxons and Austrians. Our Saxon Corps took position on the very extended right and the Austrians on the left wing along the Lesna River. In the center of our position stands General Gablenz with the Light Troops, deployed in the copse's along the river banks, as connection between the seperated standing Infantry Divisions.
The Russians moved at once to the river intending to reconstruct the only removed bridge parts what only worked at the bridge of the small town of Kliniki. At this point the Light Infantry Regiment Lecoq had his defense perimeter and as the first Russian Company stormed accross the rebuilt bridge Mjr. v. Metzsch through himself with his Schuetzen against them and pusched them back over the river. Here the Major died a hero's death which inflamed the Schuetzen with thoughts of revenge and defended so furious that all Russian attempts to cross the river failed. The Brigade of General v. Steindel who was called forward to support the Schuetzen did see no actions therefore. Along the frontline the fightings of the brave Russian soldiers with the Saxon Troops continued until Dawn without a major breakthough and finding the Austrians unable to support our Corps being bound in their positions by diversions made by the Russians.
Not only did Mjr. v. Metzsch die here but also Obstlt. v. Egidy, Commander of the Light Infantry Regiment Lecoq. So both of the first Commanders of the Schuetzen Battalions have fallen on the same day at the same place.
Our losses were 4 Officers and 87 men.
While all attacks of the Russians have been repulsed on this day we retired further in the night of the 12th October.
Our route of retreat did go over Molczyn and Klimczica, where we crossed in the night of the 14th to 15th the Bug again, to Biala where we arrived on the 17th. The Austrians crossed the Bug at Drohiczyn and stood on the left of our Corps. As certain knowledge of the Russian were'nt to get Mjr. v. Seydlitz were sent on a Recon misson with both of the Ulan Squadrons.
He found a strong Russian Force moving fast against our position on which he falls back. The Russian Corps deployed for battle and started to attack our lines with its key point at the Biala-Mill. The intense fire of our Artillery hampered the advance of the Russians and supported the defense of the Infantry Battalions v. Niesemeuschel, Grenadier Battalion v.Anger and the 2nd Light Infantry Regiment. One Austrian Battery saw also action with great success. A Schuetzen detachment captured a Russian 12pdr gun.
All attempts made by the Russians were repulsed with success. Our losses were 1 Officier and 14 men dead, 8 Officers and 164 men wounded.
Until October 27th the combined Austrian-Saxon Corps remained in its position between Siedlce and Drohiczyn on the left bank of the Bug and crossed on the 29th and 30th over to the right bank.
On October 30th the French Brigade Maury of the Division Durutte joined our Corps. Our Corps was due to the losses melted down to a strenght of 12,238 men."
To be continued...
Best Wishes,
Günter
„Macht Euch Euren Dregg alleene“
"Sort your filth out by yourself!" The King of Saxony Friedrich August III., at his abdication 1918, referred to the quarrels in the parliament and the squabbling within the provisional government.
