Driven into the Alle

Dupont’s division advances quickly from Posthenen, the French cavalry drive the Russian squadrons back onto their infantry crowded on the riverbank, and General Sénarmont brings a mass of guns forward to case-shot range. Within minutes the canister breaks the Russian left, and Ney’s infantry follow the fugitives into the streets of Friedland, which catches fire.

Vive l’Empereur: the charge of the 4th Hussars at Friedland, painting by Édouard Detaille, 1891Wikimedia Commons, Édouard Detaille, Public domain (Edouard Detaille - Vive L'Empereur - Google Art Project.jpg)

When they see the town burning, Lannes and Mortier send their infantry against the Russian centre and right. Dupont fords the millstream and attacks the left flank of the Russian centre, which resists but is forced back. Many Russians drown trying to cross the Alle. The right wing gets away north by the Allenburg road, because the French cavalry of the left, though ordered to pursue, stay where they are.

The French lose 8,000 to 10,000 men. Russian losses are given as 20,000 to 40,000 killed, wounded and captured, over 40 per cent of the army on the field, with 80 guns.

Sources

David G. Chandler, The Campaigns of Napoleon (1966).
Christopher Summerville, Napoleon’s Polish Gamble: Eylau and Friedland 1807 (2005).

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