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THE BATTLE OF LUTZEN
Late Foreign News
London, May 21.
Particular statement of the battle at Gross Gorschen, on the 2nd of May.
On the 5th of April, information was received at General Count Von Wittgenstein's Head quarters of the greater part of the French army and the French Guards having crossed the Saale, in the vicinity of Naumburg; it was at the same time reported that the Emperor Napoleon had arrived at the army. We observed that the Viceroy's army drew to the right. It was therefore clear, that the enemy endeavoured by all means to form a junction, and that it was most probable his intention to give a general battle. His Majesty the Emperor Alexander, and his Majesty the King of Prussia, therefore, went to their armies, to animate the courage of their troops by their personal presence. But the better to be enabled, the better to judge of the enemy's strength, a reconnaissance was undertaken with General Winzingerode's corps, from Leipsic, on the road to Weissenfels. This confirmed the intelligence received of the enemy being there in considerable force.
Upon this, a very severe engagement took place on the 1st of may, with the said corps, by which we were convinced, that the enemy was in the vicinity of Weissenfels and Lutzen. It was believed, that the Viceroy's position was between Leipsic and Haale, and consequently the enemy's plan for the battle was clearly apparent. General Count Von Wittgenstein resolved on being before-hand with him, to obstruct him in his dispositions by a bold attack, and to restrain his offensive operations. It was necessary in this attempt to make it our main object, immediately to fall on such part of his force as was, on his side, considered to be the best troops; in order, after such a stroke, to give larger space for the operations of our flying corps, over whom the enemy had latterly acquired a superiority. Therefore it was requisite, if possible, to direct the attack immediately against the rear-most troops. For this purpose, the main army broke up in the night between the 1st and 2nd of May, from Notha and Borna, in two columns, and pushed forward as far as the defile of the Elster, in the vicinity of Pegan. General Von Winzingerode received orders to mask this operation, to leave his posts of cavalry standing, and to unite himself with the main army by the way of Swenkau.
At break of day all the troops passed the defile of the Elster, near Pegan, and drew up in order of battle, on the left bank of the Elster, with their right wing to the village of Werben, and their left to that of Gruna. By reconnoitering, was discovered that the enemy's main body already extended beyond Weissenfels, to the village of Gross Gorschen, Klein Gorschen, Rahno, Starsiedel, and Lutzen. The enemy did not venture to attempt disturbing our march, nor to go before us into the plain, but took his position in the village between Gross Gorschen and Starsiedel and Lutzen.
About twelve o'clock at noon, General Blucher received orders, as commanding the vanguard of the army, and supported by a part of the Russian artillery, to attack the enemy. The attack was made on the village of Gross Gorschen, which was obstinately defended by the enemy. It was taken by storm, and with unexampled bravery, and kept possession of for several hours. At length, the enemy returned in considerable force, surrounded, and in part retook these villages; but on the attack being renewed, was not able to retain possession of them. The Prussian Guards moved forward, and after a most obstinate combat of an hour and a half, those villages were again retaken from the enemy, and remained in our possession. During this time, the corps of Gen. Winzingerode on the left wing, and the corps of Gen. Yorck, with a part of the Russian troops under General Berg, had taken a share in the battle. We stood opposed to the enemy at the distance of 100 paces, and one of themost bloody battles became general.
Our reserves had drawn nearer the field of battle to be in readiness wherever needful, and thus was the battle continued till near 7 o'clock in the evening. During its course, the villages on the left wing were likewise several times taken and retaken by both parties. At seven o'clock the enemy appeared with a new corps on our right wing before Gross and Klein Gorschen, probably with the Viceroy's army; made a brisk attack on us, and endeavored to tear from us the advantages we had gained.
The infantry of a part of the Russian reserves was now brought forward to the right wing, to the support of General Yorck's corps, which was briskly attacked, and the most desperate engagement (in which the Russian Artillery, during the whole remaining time, greatly distinguished itself, as did the corps of Yorck, Blucher, and Winzingerode, the whole day) was now continued till night came on. The enemy had likewise again attacked our center and the villages with great briskness, but we maintained our position. In this situation, night put an end to the battle. The enemy was to have been again attacked on the following morning, the 3rd of May. He had meanwhile taken Leipsic during the battle. This obliged us to manoeuvre with him. It was not till afterwards that we were informed, that in consequence of the battle he had again been forced to quit it, and had by the same means lost Halle, and 15,000 men of his best troops; many of his cannon are dismounted, and a number of his powder wagons blown up. Our light detachment are again at liberty to harass him, and to prosecute the advantage gained. We have consequently kept the field of battle, the victory is ours, and the intended purpose is accomplished. Near 50,000 of our best troops have not yet been engaged; we have not lost a single cannon, and the enemy must have perceived what can be effected by united national feelings, between two firmly allied nations, in courage and resistance, and that the high hand of Providence protects the just cause of those Powers, who have no object but their independence, and to found a durable peace on the freedom of all nations.
Such was the battle of the 2nd of May, fought near the plain of Lutzen, where the liberty of Germany was once before conquered. With the courage of lions did both Russians and Prussians fight for it, and their endeavors have not been in vain. The loss we have sustained may amount to about 10,000 men, but the most of them are only slightly wounded. Among the killed, on the Prussian side, we have, among several other valuable Staff-officers, to lament, the loss of the Prince of Hesse Hamburg. Our wounded are, on the Russian part, Gen. Von Kanonieozyn; on the Prussian, Gens. Blucher and Scharnhorst, slightly, and Hunerbein dangerously. On the French side, according to the report of the prisoners, we learn that Marshal Bessieres is killed, Ney and Souhan, wounded. Upwards of 1000 prisoners are already brought in, ten pieces of artillery taken, and some thousand muskets captured at Halle. Our light troops are now occupied in pursuing the enemy.
Although the numerous villages lying near to each other in this territory and its canals, together with the precaution taken by the enemy never to appear in the open plain, did not afford our cavalry an opportunity of charging in line, yet the Prussians guarde-du-corps, and the regiment of Brandenburgh cuirassiers, cut down several masses of the enemy's infantry, even amidst the villages, and under his cross-fire, and have thereby gained a share in the immortal honor which the Prussian warriors have again obtained in this murderous battle; and in like manner, have the Russians proved that they can fight on the German soil, with the same sentiments which insured victory to them in their own country. These are the results of this day, up to this present. God bless our arms! He visibly, and during the battle, protected both our beloved Monarchs, who several times exposed themselves to danger, even in the villages where the battle raged the hottest. May he furthermore bless and preserve them to us!It is asserted to be Lord Cathcart's opinion, that the situation of the Allies was most favourable with view to the ulterior objects of the campaign.
They fall back on their resources, and will be ready again, when a proper opportunity presents itself, to give the enemy battle.
The first cannon ball fired by the allies on the 1st of May, killed the French Marshall Bessieres, Duke of Isteria, a favourite with Napoleon.
In the battle of May 2nd, the French General of Division, Bremier was wounded. The Gens. Of Brigade, Chomineau and Grillot, were also wounded, and suffered amputation. 39,500 cannon shot were fired. In the battle of Moskowa, 50,000 were fired.The Viceroy of Italy, Beauharnais, Bonaparte's son-in-law, who has lately been commander in chief of the French Grand Army, has been sent to Italy. Said to be on account of differences between him and the Generals; and we see in the papers a rude letter from him to the Prince of Eckmuhl.
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-Napoleon Bonaparte
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