Part I: A Companion Essay for the Shevardino Scenario of Napoleon in Russia

Opening Positions

The opening scene (12 Noon, French to move) shows an initial deployment of the division for defense of a limited frontage. Assume there are other units more or less covering the flanks but facing other French forces.

Russian Position

The Russian 27^th Division is in position in a standard Russian defensive formation on the hill northwest of Shevardino Village. The main body of the division is in its characteristic box shape, screened in front by its light infantry brigade and supported behind by a brigade of Dragoons.

Russian Position A. Skirmish line of Jagers B. Light infantry support for the skirmish line C. 4th Jager battalion in reserve D. Line infantry in 4 stacks E. Divisional light battery and wagon F. Brigade of Dragoons in support

Along the line of the gulley is the skirmish line of Russian Jagers (A), with their supports in line formation 1-2 hexes behind them, backing them up with a line of ZOCs (B). The 4^th battalion of Jagers is held back in reserve at first, in column to the right rear (C). Three hexes behind the Jager supports is the characteristic 'box' of the Russian infantry division line troops, in 4 regimental columns (D). Notice that the Russian regiments range from 700 to 1175 men, and with 1/2 column firepower have the line-equivalent firepower of 350-587 men. The formations are effectively 6 ranks deep, each. 1^st Brigade is on the left, 2^nd on the right. At the center and rear of the box is the divisional light battery (attached in this case) (E), and behind it the supply wagon. Behind the 27^th Division, on the notional 'support line', a brigade of Dragoons is in support (F). In a typical combat situation, the cavalry might have to support several formations, but its relative position is correct - the cavalry is close enough to reach the forward edge of the position with a move plus charge phase, but otherwise stays out of artillery range and LOS as much as possible.

French Position

The French are drawn up to fight in column formations, with 3 brigades of Compans 5^th Division of I Corps shown. They are deployed tightly at first but ready to move out; they would fight on this limited frontage in two up, one supporting fashion. Behind them is a Cuirassier Division, St. Germain's.

	French Position N. A brigade in side-by-side column stacks O. Screening skirmisher companies P. Light-horse covering the cavalry Q. Cuirassier division

Each brigade is in side-by-side column stacks (N), screened by two of the skirmish companies (O). The stacks are 800-1150 men, with line-equivalent firepower ranging from to 383-433 men. They thus represent formations 6 to 8 ranks deep. (The columns are 9, the skirmishers 3, so the mix is between the two). The melee and fire ability of these stacks are thus comparable to those of the Russian regimental columns. They will also illustrate other formation in the course of this series of files, but for now they set to fight in column. The Cuirassiers behind them are organized with Light-Horse in front for scouting and covering (P), then the heavies in two brigades side by side (Q), supported by the third behind both. French artillery is scarce, although in the real Shevardino fight it is rather the artillery ammo that is the issue.

[Written by Jason Cawley. Courtesy of The Napoleonic Wargame Pages.]