Forgotten Battles of the Napoleonic Wars

• Introduction
• Chapter 1 The Siege of Kolberg (1807): A Pomeranian Stand Against Napoleon
• Chapter 2 The Battle of Sacile (1809): An Austrian Triumph in Italy
• Chapter 3 The Walcheren Campaign (1809): A British Fiasco in the Low Countries
• Chapter 4 The Battle of Gefrees (1809): Franco-Bavarian Clash in Bavaria
• Chapter 5 The Battle of Berezina (1812): A Costly Crossing for the Grand Army
• Chapter 6 The Battle of Borodino (1812): A Pyrrhic Victory on the Road to Moscow
• Chapter 7 The Battle of Kulm (1813): An Allied Stand Against Vandamme
• Chapter 8 The Battle of Dennewitz (1813): Bernadotte's Swedes Hold the Line
• Chapter 9 The Battle of Hagelberg (1813): Prussian Ambush on the Retreat from Leipzig
• Chapter 10 The Battle of Craonne (1814): Napoleon's Audacious Attack
• Chapter 11 The Battle of La Rothière (1814): A Premature Allied Victory
• Chapter 12 The Battle of Montereau (1814): Napoleon's Last Significant Victory in France
• Chapter 13 The Battle of Tolentino (1815): Murat's Last Stand in Italy
• Chapter 14 The Battle of Ocaña (1809): A Spanish Catastrophe
• Chapter 15 The Battle of Barrosa (1811): A British Flank Attack in Spain
• Chapter 16 The Battle of Fuentes de Oñoro (1811): Wellington's Close Call
• Chapter 17 The Battle of Arroyo dos Molinos (1811): A Surprise Attack in Extremadura
• Chapter 18 The Battle of Vitoria (1813): The End of French Rule in Spain
• Chapter 19 The Battle of Orthez (1814): Wellington's Advance into France
• Chapter 20 The Battle of Bautzen (1813): A Costly French Victory
• Chapter 21 The Battle of Großbeeren (1813): Prussian Defense of Berlin
• Chapter 22 The Battle of Katzbach (1813): Blücher's Victory in the Rain
• Chapter 23 The Battle of Hanau (1813): Bavarian Betrayal and French Escape
• Chapter 24 The Battle of Ligny (1815): Napoleon's Last Victory Over Blücher
• Chapter 25 The Battle of Wavre (1815): A Diversion that Sealed Waterloo's Fate

The Napoleonic Wars, a cataclysmic series of conflicts that raged across Europe from the late 18th century to the early 19th, are often viewed through the lens of their grandest encounters: Austerlitz, Trafalgar, Waterloo. These titanic clashes, immortalized in history books and popular culture, undeniably shaped the destiny of nations and defined an era. Yet, to focus solely on these monumental battles is to overlook a vast tapestry of equally compelling, though often forgotten, engagements that played crucial roles in the ultimate outcome of the wars. This book embarks on a journey beyond the familiar, delving into the lesser-known skirmishes, sieges, and campaigns that, in their own unique ways, profoundly impacted the course of European history.

While the names of Napoleon, Wellington, and Nelson rightly dominate the narrative, countless other commanders, soldiers, and civilians found themselves caught in the maelstrom of these conflicts. Their stories, often relegated to footnotes or obscure regional histories, offer invaluable insights into the brutal realities of warfare, the shifting tides of political alliances, and the resilience of populations under duress. From the frozen plains of Eastern Europe to the sun-baked sierras of Spain, and from the marshy lowlands of the Netherlands to the rugged mountains of Bavaria, these forgotten battles illuminate the diverse geographical and cultural landscapes upon which the Napoleonic Wars were fought. They reveal the sheer scale and ubiquity of the struggle, demonstrating that the fate of Europe was not solely decided on a handful of celebrated battlefields, but rather through a continuous, often desperate, series of localized struggles.

This book aims to redress this historical imbalance by bringing to light these "forgotten battles." Each chapter uncovers a distinct conflict, meticulously examining its context, key players, military maneuvers, and, crucially, its broader significance. We will explore the stubborn Pomeranian defense during the Siege of Kolberg, an early test of French might that bolstered Prussian morale. We will journey to Italy to witness the often-overlooked Austrian triumph at Sacile, a moment of rare Habsburg success. The disastrous British Walcheren Campaign, a testament to the perils of ambition and disease, will be laid bare, as will the intense Franco-Bavarian clash at Gefrees. Through these and many other examples, we will demonstrate how seemingly minor engagements could have far-reaching strategic consequences, influencing troop movements, diverting resources, and ultimately altering the grand strategic calculus of the war.

Beyond the military aspects, this exploration also seeks to understand the human element of these conflicts. What motivated the soldiers who fought in these remote corners of Europe? How did these battles affect the local populations? What were the long-term social and political repercussions? By delving into primary sources and drawing upon recent scholarship, we aim to paint a vivid picture of these tumultuous times, moving beyond mere tactical descriptions to explore the deeper human drama inherent in every engagement. The heroism, the suffering, the tactical brilliance, and the tragic blunders – all are integral parts of these narratives, offering a richer and more nuanced understanding of the Napoleonic era.

This comprehensive overview will challenge conventional perceptions of the Napoleonic Wars, revealing a more complex and multifaceted history than often presented. By shining a light on these obscure conflicts, we gain a deeper appreciation for the intricate web of events that shaped the continent. The strategic diversions at Wavre, the brutal fighting in the Peninsular War at Arroyo dos Molinos, and Napoleon's audacious final campaigns in France, such as Craonne and Montereau, all contribute to a more complete understanding of the forces at play. Ultimately, 'Forgotten Battles of the Napoleonic Wars' invites readers to rediscover a crucial, yet often overlooked, dimension of this pivotal period, demonstrating that the echoes of these lesser-known clashes resonate profoundly in the annals of European history.

The year 1806 was a catastrophic one for Prussia. Having initially remained neutral in the War of the Fourth Coalition, the nation found itself increasingly isolated and fearful of French expansion. On October 1, 1806, Prussia issued an ultimatum demanding French evacuation of German territories west of the Rhine. Napoleon’s refusal and subsequent advance of the Grande Armée into Prussian territory plunged the two powers into war. The decisive clashes at Jena and Auerstedt on October 14, 1806, resulted in a crushing defeat for the Prussian forces, effectively dismantling their army and leaving the kingdom in disarray. As French forces swept through Prussia, many fortresses, including the strategically important Stettin, surrendered without a fight. However, one small Baltic port town in the Province of Pomerania defied the odds and refused to yield: Kolberg.

Kolberg, modern-day Kołobrzeg in Poland, was not a particularly large or imposing fortress by Napoleonic standards, yet its resistance would become a beacon of Prussian defiance. The town’s strategic importance lay in its port, which offered a crucial avenue for potential British naval support and supplies, allowing Prussian defenders to sustain operations independently of vulnerable overland routes. This independent access was vital in countering the French advantage in land mobility and prolonged Prussian agency during a period of widespread collapse. The siege of Kolberg, lasting from March 20 to July 2, 1807, became a protracted struggle that pitted a comparatively small Prussian garrison, bolstered by local volunteers, against a significantly larger French-led besieging force.

The initial stages of the French advance toward Kolberg were not without complications. Marshal Claude Victor-Perrin, initially slated to command the siege, was captured by a Prussian Freikorps (volunteer corps) under the audacious Ferdinand von Schill. This unexpected turn of events delayed the formal investment of the fortress until March 1807. In the meantime, the existing Prussian commander of Kolberg, Colonel Ludwig Moritz von Lucadou, began to prepare the town's defenses. Von Lucadou, though later criticized in some accounts, had by November 1806 increased the garrison from 1,500 to 5,700 men and overseen the resupply and armament of the fortress. He also ordered the flooding of the areas around the fortress to impede French movements and the burning of outlying suburbs to deny the enemy cover.

Despite these efforts, tensions arose between Colonel von Lucadou and the local populace, particularly with Joachim Nettelbeck, a spirited shipowner and civic leader. Nettelbeck, a man in his seventies, was instrumental in mobilizing the town's inhabitants, including fishermen and artisans, into defensive roles, directly appealing to the king for the arming of the populace. This civilian initiative and desire for aggressive defense clashed with what some perceived as von Lucadou's more cautious approach. Consequently, in early 1807, Major August Neidhardt von Gneisenau was appointed as the new commandant of Kolberg, replacing von Lucadou. Gneisenau, a future Prussian military reformer, would prove to be a pivotal figure in the successful defense.

The French forces, numbering up to 14,000 troops by the siege's end, were a diverse collection. They included contingents from the First French Empire, supplemented by Dutch, Italian, and Polish troops. Italian troops under General Pietro Teulié were among the first to encircle Kolberg by mid-March. Subsequent commanders included Louis Henri Loison and Édouard Mortier, with Marshal Claude Victor-Perrin eventually returning to command after his exchange. Polish soldiers, under Antoni Paweł Sułkowski, expressed a particular eagerness to take the city, as it had historically been part of Poland during the Piast dynasty.

The siege officially commenced on March 20, 1807. French and allied contingents began establishing positions around Kolberg, but organized assaults were initially hampered by the persistent guerrilla activity of Schill's Freikorps. These Prussian volunteers, operating behind enemy lines, disrupted French supply lines and delayed the full-scale implementation of siege works. Early French efforts focused on reconnaissance probes and light artillery fire to test the defenses, with sappers attempting to begin trench works. However, these advances were met with determined Prussian sorties that successfully disrupted their efforts.

Unfavorable weather conditions, including persistent rain and high winds, further complicated the French siege. These elements bogged down French artillery emplacement and limited the effectiveness of their shelling. Prussian defenders, even prior to Gneisenau's arrival, actively countered French incursions, sometimes setting deliberate fires to deny the assailants cover in outlying positions. French ammunition consumption during these early barrages was significant, but the resilient Prussian defense, which notably integrated local militias under Joachim Nettelbeck, prevented any decisive breakthroughs, establishing a pattern of stalemated probes.

By May 1807, the French forces besieging Kolberg were reinforced, swelling to approximately 14,000 men. Marshal Claude Victor-Perrin, having returned to command, joined Marshal Louis Henri Loison in leading the allied contingents. On May 7, a significant reconnaissance in force targeted the crucial Wolfsberg redoubt, a key defensive position east of Kolberg. This assault involved a mix of Polish, Italian, Württemberg, and Saxon units, but it was ultimately repelled by the Prussian defenders after intense close-quarters fighting, resulting in considerable French and allied losses.

Throughout May and June, the fighting around the Wolfsberg sconce intensified, becoming a focal point of the siege. The Prussians, under Gneisenau's innovative command, employed a variety of tactical maneuvers, including strategically flooding the area in front of the city using the Persante River, further impeding French advances. The defenders also continued to utilize sorties to disrupt siege works and gather intelligence. Despite facing severe shortages, the garrison and armed civilians maintained their resistance, fueled by the conviction that Kolberg was a symbol of Prussian defiance against Napoleon. The port's utility for potential British aid, coupled with a rare Prussian triumph amid coalition defeats, boosted morale.

As the siege wore on, the French intensified their bombardment of Kolberg. The final days of the siege saw a dramatic escalation in artillery fire, with thousands of cannonballs raining down on the town on July 1 and 2 alone. However, the tenacious defense of Kolberg ultimately proved successful. On July 2, 1807, at noon, fighting ceased abruptly. The reason? The announcement of the Peace of Tilsit, a treaty signed between France and Prussia after Russia's decisive defeat at the Battle of Friedland in June. This peace agreement meant that the siege was lifted, and Kolberg, against all odds, remained unoccupied by French forces. It was one of the few Prussian fortresses to withstand Napoleon's forces until the war's end, a testament to the courage and ingenuity of its defenders.