Campaign Move 4

Battle of Naumburg

0800 - 1200 3 June 1813

Imperial Garde cross river Saale and approach Naumburg

Wargame Move One – 1200 hrs

First move – Russian corps

Orders - Move to Naumburg

5 command points

Continue along Zeitz road towards Naumburg behind cavalry screen

Second move – French corps

Orders - Move to Naumburg

6 command points

Cross bridge over river Saale and deploy to attack Naumburg.

Cavalry brigade protect crossing against enemy cuirassiers

Russian and French infantry enter opposite ends of town

Wargame Move Two – 1300 hrs

First move – Kutuzov

6 command points

Moves forward to join cavalry screen and observe enemy

Second move – Russian corps

Orders - Move to Naumburg

5 command points

Leading grenadier brigade enters western section of Naumburg.

Artillery move to the east of the town supported by infantry

Remaining infantry deploy behind cover of the town

Third move – French corps

Orders - Move to Naumburg

7 command points

Artillery moves forward behind cavalry screen and unlimbers

Leading infantry brigade enters western section of town

Remainder of infantry deploy to west of town.

Garde infantry form column of attack

Wargame Move Three – 1400 hrs

First move – French corps

Orders - Move to Naumburg

6 command points

Artillery out of command range cannot fire

Commander moves forward

Artillery man handle forward

Infantry form column of attack

Second move – Russian corps

Orders - Move to Naumburg

5 command points

Move guns forward and unlimber

Cavalry retire behind town away from artillery threat

Third move - Kutuzov

6 command points

Move to corps commander

Change orders to Engage town

The Imperial Garde prepare to attack town

Wargame Move Four – 1500 hrs

First move – Russian corps

Orders - Engage town

5 command points

Cavalry redeploy to protect eastern flank

Infantry deploy behind cover of town

Second move – French corps

Orders - Move to Naumburg

5 command points

Cavalry advance to cover eastern flank

Artillery limber and move closer to town

Infantry deploy in preparation to assault town

Third move – Kutuzov

4 command points

Move to cavalry to observe enemy preparations

End of Campaign Move 8

Marshal Kutuzov orders a retreat back along the Zietz road. Neither corps are in close combat and with the cavalry forming the rear guard the withdrawal is completed in good order.

1 French corps occupy Naumburg and await further orders

There were no casualties on either side during this brief skirmish.

Campaign Move 4

Battle of Naumburg
0800 - 1200 3 June 1813


Campaign Map to Wargames Table

Campaign background

At first light on the morning of 3 June 1813 general Sacken was approaching Naumburg on the east bank of the river Saale, when he received reports from his cavalry screen that French cavalry had crossed the river and were approaching the town from the west. He ordered his cavalry to contain the enemy and discover what was behind the cavalry screen

The French cavalry was a brigade of chasseurs, the advance guard of the 1st corps, the Imperial Garde. Napoleon was not present, and the decision whether to fight or not rested with general Friant. Without hesitation he ordered his corps to cross the bridge and advance on Naumburg, the cavalry would hold their ground to cover the crossing.

French Order of Battle

1 French Corps General Friant (G)
1 Infantry Brigade CA FB SB
2 Infantry Brigade CB FB SB
3 Infantry Brigade CB FC SB
4 Infantry Brigade CC FC SC
1 Cavalry Brigade CA Light
1 Foot Artillery CA 12 pounder

Russian Order of Battle

2 Corps General Sacken (A)
5 Infantry Brigade CA FB SB
6 Infantry Brigade CB FB SB
7 Infantry Brigade CB FC SB
8 Infantry Brigade CC FC SC
2 Cavalry Brigade CB Heavy
Corps Artillery CB 12 pounder

Wargames Table

The town at the crossroads is Naumberg. The top road leads to Halle and the bottom to Gera. The road on the right is from Zeitz and on the left to Weimar. The river is the Saale. The terrain is open and flat except for one hill to the west of the Gera road.

The Russians are approaching the town from the right along the Zeitz road, their cavalry are south of the town observing the French advance

The French are just starting to cross the river, and their cavalry are deployed to protect the crossing from the enemy cavalry