SEPTEMBER 1808 FRENCH TURN
Napoleon defeated!
Napoleon marches south to Budapest to confront Charles and knock Austria out of the coalition. For the first time in three years, a French army under Napoleon's direct command is dealt a bloody defeat.
Davout, repeating his performance in Holland in 1805, drives the English into the sea at Calais.
Soult arrives in Ciudad Rodrigo with 20,000 men.
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| Date | Name | Attacker | Defender | Description | Victor | Casualties |
| September 1808 | Budapest |  Napoleon 240,000 |
 Charles 215,000 |
Napoleon has 240,00 veteran troops with him as he observes the Austrian entrenchments protecting Budapest. The Austrians have collapsed at every occasion when facing him. Why would today be any different? In the Austrian camp, Charles has taken advantage of the time afforded by Napoleon's diversion against the Russians. His 215,000 men are superbly positioned in strong defensive fortifications. The French open the battle with a feint on the Austrian right. Charles accurately deduces Napoleon's intentions and refuses to weaken his center and right. When Napoleon launches Marmont's corps into the Austrian center, the withering defensive fire routs the attackers. Napoleon redoubles his efforts to no avail. The Austrians cannot be dislodged. Charles begins moving reserves to his center and pulls troops from his left for a counterattack. Believing the Austrians are withdrawing on their left, Murat leads a charge on his own initiative with disastrous results. Bessieres refuses to commit the reserve squadrons to relieve Murat's beleaguered troopers, citing lack or orders and taking no small pleasure in Murat's predicament. Taking advantage of a rainstorm to mask his movements, Charles launches his counterattack into the mass of French cavalry trying to escape. The momentum of the Austrian attack is too great. Murat's surviving troopers panic and drive the remnants of Marmont's before them, the Austrians hot on their heels. Panic turns to rout. Ever cautious, Charles breaks off the pursuit and allows Napoleon to withdraw unmolested. Kaiser Francis orders church bells run through the Hapsburg lands to celebrate the victory. |
Austria |
45,000 French 15,000 Austrian |
| September 1808 | Calais | Davout 40,000 |
 Moore 15,000 |
Davout arrives at Calais with a hastily raised force of 40,000 men. Sir Moore, with only 15,000 defenders, immediately retreats into the city. The forces are evenly matches with the defensive fortification making up for the disparity in numbers. With ruthless efficiency, Davout assaults the city walls. Attrition takes its toll on the defenders. After a week of fighting, Moore boards a transport with a handful of survivors as the tricolor is once against hoisted over the city. |
France |
15,000 French 15,000 England |
Charles marches from Budapest, bypassing the Grand Armee and overwhelming the French garrison at Vienna before Napoloen can react.
The Russians concentrate in Poland.
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| Date | Name | Attacker | Defender | Description | Victor | Casualties |
| September 1808 | Vienna | Charles 175,000 |
25,000 |
Not wanting to lose the initative gained at the Battle of Budapest, Charles launches a daring gamble. Leaving 36,000 men in Budapest, he marches 175,00 men on a wide arc toward Vienna, slipping past the exhausted Grand Armee. The 25,000 man garrison is totally surprised by the appearance of the Austrian host and quickly overwhelmed, with over half the garrison marching into captivity. |
Austria |
5,000 Austria 25,000 French |