ALBUERA

CRAONNE

The disastrous campaign in Russia cost 200,000 soldiers of the 600,000 French army. The Prussians deserted, and the Austrians absconded into Austria, forcing the Saxons with them. Combined with the massive desertions among the survivers, and a large number of men in the hospital, as well as many men guarding fortified depots, La Grande Armee was down to 40,000 men. But the French still had 400,000 men in Spain, France and Italy. Napoleon created a second La Grande Armee. Drafting men from the classes of 1813 and 1814, as well as many men from Spain and Italy, Napoleon launched an attack against the combined Prussians and Russians. At Lutzen his young troops held their ground and won a decisive victory, but lack of cavalry prevented him from chasing them down. At Bautzen he nearly annihilated the enemy, but the trap was not closed by a slow moving Ney. Napoleon agreed to an armistice, so he could round up stragglers and reform his army. Unfortunately, Wellington's victory at Vitoria convinced the Austrians it was time to go to war. The new round opened with Blucher defeating Macdonald at the Katzbach, and capturing 15,000 men and 100 guns in the process. Napoleon achieved a great victory at Dresden causing 38,000 casualties to his own 10,000. It would be his last victory in Germany. Oudinot was defeated by Bernadotte at Gross Beeren. Vandamme was defeated by Ostermann and Kleist at Kulm, losing half his corps and being captured himself. Ney was defeated by Bernadotte at Dennewitz. Napoleon's victory was wasted by other's defeats. He retreated to Leipzig and caused 54,000 casualties to his own 38,000, but 30,000 more were captured when the only bridge was blown up before they could cross. All of the German allies and most of the Poles had now defected. Napoleon crushed the Bavarians at Hanau as he returned to France. Napoleon now had to create a third army in 2 years. He took a few more troops from Italy and Spain, called up more men from previous classes, and raised the old cry of patriotism. He would never lead more than 70,000 men during the campaign, and usually not over 40,000. The allies started into France, but Napoleon struck the first blow. Napoleon badly mauled Blucher at Brienne. Following with 40,000 men, Napoleon ran into Schwarzenberg's 110,000 at La Rothiere, and barely got out alive. But Blucher was still careless. At Champaubert Napoleon destroyed Olssufief's corps. Next day he drove back Sacken at Montmirail, and then pushed back Yorck. He attacked again at Chateau-Thierry the day after and drove the two across the Marne. Two days later Napoleon trapped Blucher at Vauchamps, who barely fought his way out after losing 7,000 men. Napoleon turned south against Schwarzenberg. At Nangis he surprised Wittgenstein and sent his corps into Wrede's Bavarians. The next day he defeated Eugene of Wurttemberg. Schwarzenberg began withdrawing. Napoleon went after Blucher, but Schwarzenberg turned on Macdonald and defeated him at Bar-sur-Aube. Napoleon meanwhile was coming near Craonne. During the night of 5-6 March Marmont and Mortier fell on Blucher's rearguard at Soisons and suffered 1500 casualties. Come morning P. Boyer began his march on Laon. Meunier found the abbey of Vauclere occupied by Russians and sent two battalions of Old Guard to drive them from the villages. Caramon cleared the villages but was unable to take the plateau above. Napoleon ordered Caramon and Meunier to assault together. Meunier took the abbey, but had a desperate fight over the Heurtebise farm. The farm was taken and retaken several times until it was firmly in Russian hands. Caramon's foothold on the plateau forced the Russians to retreat from the eastern plateau with the coming of night.\par At 9 AM both sides opened fire with cannon. Ney launched an attack on the Russian left when he heard the roar of cannons. He sent P. Boyer against Ailles and Meunier against the heights to the SE. Unfortunately for the French, this flank attack began before the Russians were pinned in place. Meunier lost heavily before Victor arrived and sent B. de Rebeval to support him. Nansouty was sent against the Russian right flank. A fire in Heurtebise caused the Russians to abandon it. By 10 AM Meunier and P. Boyer had taken terrible artillery losses due to the fact Ney's artillery couldn't keep up with the infantry. By 11:30 the artillery arrived and relieved some pressure off the infantry, causing grevious damage on the Russian left. Meanwhile Nansouty defeated 2000 cavalry and cossacks and two infantry battalions sent against him in the south. At noon Boyer de Rebeval attacked the Bois Marion, capturing the wood and relieving Meunier's division. Boyer de Rebeval and Meunier reached the plateau. By 1 PM they were in grave danger of being pushed back off. South of Ailles a Russian battery was causing the French high casualties. Sparre's dragoons charged the battery, both Sparre and Grouchy being wounded. Meunier's men fled back down the hill. Boyer de Rebeval's men retreated to the Bois Marion and rallied. At 1:45 PM the cavalry guard charged the Russian guns across the Chemin des Dames. They reached the artillery but were driven back. Charpentier's division had taken the Boise de Quatre Heures. By 2:30 PM Charpentier had contacted Nansouty and they started forcing the Russians back. Rebeval and the guard placed their guns between the two woods and started hammering the Russian lines. Nansouty charged the Russian cavalry and pushed them back, but was forced to retire. Ney got Meunier back on the plateau. Napoleon ordered up reserve artillery to join the grand battery. The massed 88 guns poured grape at 400 yards, while P. Boyer assaulted Ailles. Nansouty and the rest of the infantry pressed the Russians. Belliard took over Grouchy's troops and started to turn the Russians but was counterattacked. Belliard was driven back. P. Boyer was sent against them. The Russians fell back all along the line, covered by their cavalry. The French pursued until 7 or 8 PM and quit. After defeating the rearguard at Craonne, Napoleon attacked Blucher at Laon and lost, Marmont's corps being almost destroyed while he was sleeping comfortably elsewhere. An enraged Napoleon told Marmont what he thought of Marmont's generalship. A few days later Napoleon destroyed a Prussian corps at Rheims. Then he met the Austrians at Arcis-sur-Aube and won. But Marmont and Mortier were overrun at La Fere-Champenoise. With fighting in the streets of Paris, Marmont, still angered at the words he had with Napoleon at Laon, agreed to march into allied lines and surrender. Paris was captured. His marshals refusing to obey orders to liberate Paris, Napoleon abdicated for the first time.