Fournier at the Beresina

by Geert van Uythoven

Source: "Bericht des Obersten von Dalwigk an Se. Hoheit den Herrn General-Lieutenant Prinzen Emil von Hessen, über die Gefechte, welchen das Grossherzoglich-Hessische Garde-Chevaulegers-Regiment während des Feldzugs von 1812 in Russland beigewohnt hat", in: ‚Zeitschrift für Kriegswissenschaft', I. Heft (Stuttgart und Tübingen 1823) pp. 39-61 (Dalwigk commanded the Hessian Garde-Chevauleger-Regiment; my own translation)

p.39: "On 28 November, I lost my journal at the Beresina. Therefore, I will have to describe the events from memory."

p.42: "When we arrived [in Lucomla, 5 November 1812], General Fournier immediately gave us the necessary orders, how to react when the enemy should attack. Outposts were placed on the roads to Czacnitzki and Lepel, from were the enemy was expected first, and did everything to find out as much as possible about their movements."

p.45: "When General Fournier had ascertained the situation at Lucomla much better, he should have known that, in order to hold this place, it should have been occupied by at least 3 infantry battalions. Something that was done afterwards. Because it is not possible for cavalry to occupy an open place, attacked by enemy infantry, even more impossible to defend such a place. However, the trust which Fournier had in his Division was the cause that he thought infantry was not necessary, and that he could execute the task of holding the place with 'the sabre in the fist'."

p.58-60: "On 28th November, around 11.00 pm, when the patrols which had been send out had returned, the regiments had to march in closed columns to their assigned positions. The artillery formed up in batteries, and the cavalry had to cover them until they were assigned to another task. Everyone was ample in position, when the enemy light troops already arrived, starting a fierce skirmisher fight with ours. Almost immediately, their artillery arrived and unlimbered, taking our cavalry in a cross-fire. Only this fire was not very effective; most balls went to high, other ricocheted over us. Now an enemy infantry regiment came out of a small forest, and formed square in front of one of our artillery batteries on the right wing. I charged it, but because I could not break it, had to retreat behind the artillery battery again. In co-operation with the Baden Hussars I repeated the attack, and this time we managed to break the square, taking prisoner every one who had not been cut down. This success against our enemy gave us even more courage, and in spite of the enemy gunfire and musketry, we continued our attack. However, we had to pass a small defile along the edge of a small forest, behind which the enemy cavalry was drawn up in reserve. This obstacle hampered our advance, and the superior enemy cavalry, consisting mainly of cuirassiers, gave us no time to reform. The attacked us vigorous and the greater part of the Regiment Garde Chevau-Legers and the Baden Hussars, together 4 weak squadrons with blown horses, not able to withstand the charge, became victim of there reckless courage. Most were made prisoner. About 50 Chevau-legers and as much hussars collected again (while the commander of the Baden Hussars, Colonel von Laroche, was wounded), under fire of the enemy artillery, and with this small force I managed to hold back the enemy until night fell. In addition supporting the Saxon Infantry Regiment Low, which had formed square against the roaming Cossacks."

Source: "Denkwürdigkeiten des Generals der Infanterie Markgrafen Wilhelm von Baden aus den Feldzugen von 1809 bis 1815", edited by Freiherrn Philipp Röder von Diersburg (Karlsruhe 1864)

p.68: "At the same moment, the Marshall ordered our [Baden] Hussars and the Hessian Chevauxlegers -together only 350 horses-to attack. General Fournier was wounded, and Colonel von Laroche took over command. He poured himself on the Russian infantry; after a short fight, the enemy column was partly cut down, partly taken prisoner; 500 men of the 34. Jager Regiment were taken back as prisoner. In the meantime, Russian cuirassiers advanced towards us. Colonel Laroche also charged these with impetuous courage, and was badly wounded; he received a bayonet thrust, a sabre cut across his right cheek, and a bullet went through his shako. He was taken prisoner, but sergeant Springer managed to relieve him again. The Hussar Regiment was badly cut up in this honourable battle, and only 50 horses re-crossed the Beresina. The same fate had the Hessian Chevauxlegers.

Note: from the Regimental history of the Baden Hussar Regiment: 'After General Fournier had been wounded, during the first moments of the battle, Colonel von Laroche took over command of both regiments and asked permission to the Marshall, to execute a second attack on the Russian infantry. He attacked these with the hussars, supported by the Hessian Chevauxlegers. The Russian infantry had formed squares and were supported by artillery. A battalion of the Russian 34. Jager Regiment fired a volley at close range, but then the hussars were at them and instantly broke the square, partly cutting them down, partly taking them prisoner. The Hussars Regiment sustained heavy losses from the Russian volley, and from bayonet trust during the close combat. After the prisoners -about 500 men-had been turned over to the Chevauxlegers, the hussars pursued the dispersed Russian infantry, capturing a number of Russian guns. While in the meantime two enemy cuirassier squadrons advanced, and while there were no means to transport them, these guns could not be brought to safety. Colonel von Laroche engaged the cuirassiers with the few hussars he could collect. After his horse was killed beneath him he was wounded, and taken prisoner while the few men accompanying him were dispersed. Then sergeant Springer and NCO Dünkel succeeded in relieving him again, at the moment that a few French guns turned their attention to the Russian cuirassiers….The Hussar Regiment was badly cut up; Colonel von Laroche, Cavalry-Captain Bischoff, the Lieutenants von Preen, von Ammerongen, and von Ritz were wounded; in addition it lost 150 men dead, wounded and missing."