Major battle looming 5 & 6 Sept 1813

Following the day of 3 battles, the armies have momentarily pulled apart. 

5 September
Schwarzenberg's Austrians fell back to Herzberg after being bloodied by the Guard at Seyda.  The Guard chose not to pursue, fearing an attack by Klenau's corps which was reportedly in the area.  The French can never really be that sure where the enemy are due to their lack of cavalry, whereas the Allies generally have a better fix on French positions due to superior cavalry, sypathetic locals and a persistent smell of garlic.

Ney's corps is reportedly licking their wounds around Jueterbog, the bravest of the brave wondering when his fabled courage will start to rub off on his troops who keep fleeing from the battlefield.  The combined Austro-Russian army army that defeated Ney and Marmont at the battle of Dahme, rather than pressing home their advantage and pusuing the defeated French, gave them space to withdraw and regroup, preferring to head off cross country in an attempt to catch and isolate the victorious French force from the battle of Baruth.  This attempted punch appears to have hit fresh air as Bertrand and Oudinot withdrew north after their victory (why is everyone running away after winning??). 

The Russians, anticipating an aggressive follow up by Bertrand after the battle of Baruth, withdrew to await the reinforcements from Dahme, and so catch the French in a pincer, only to be foiled as Betrand withdrew.

6 September
Seeing that they weren't being pursued after Dahme, the French under Marmont have pressed south towards Herzberg in a belated move to pursue the defeated Schwarzenberg.  In doing so they suddenly found themselves enjoying croissants from Vienna and sweet Austrian wine as they stumbled onto the Austrian supply train that has been battling to keep up with the intrepid General Meerveldt who has decided to make his men into 19th century boy scouts by taking them off road after the battle of Dahme.  Marmont's men were particularly gleeful at finding Saxon wounded in the supply train, Saxons who had so treacherously deserted them at Torgau and then fought them at Dahme.  What has become of these deserters is anyone's guess, but since this article may be read by children, we feel it best not to speculate.  The effect of this though is that Meerveldt and his Russian allies, find themselves living out of the provisions in their knapsacks, a situation that they won't be able to sustain for long.  As Marmont's men tuck into the Austrian supplies, they will have to look to the south though, as less than half a day's march away in Herzberg, an Austrian army is itching to get revenge after Seyda, and may be about to strike (if that's not too strong a term for the leisurely way the Austrians have been moving around).

Meanwhile, further east, huge forces from both sides are converging on the small town of Dahme.  There has been a clash of a French and Russian cavalry corps in the fields south of the town that looks like it may blow up into a major battle as both sides feed more troops into what began as a skirmish.  Before the day is over, we may be bringing you a new battle report.  It all depends on whether both sides are keen to fight.  This will be an interesting match-up with two cavalry corps fighting it out, possibly with reinforcements arriving through the course of the battle. 

We have received reports that the shattered Russian corps from Baruth is still recuperating around Lubben on a diet of vodka and schnapps.   This magic potion is expected to restore them to health soon.  But more interestingly the Russians in Lubben have been seen fraternising with Prussian soldiers, practising all the German they have learned from the frauleins as they conducted their merry tour of Germany while Prussia was fighting for her life.  Where have these Prussian soldiers come from?  Could it be that General Yorck is about to make another appearance?

All the armies are now within a short distance of each other.  A major battle seems inevitable.  Can the Allies bring their superior numbers to bear, all will the French from their more central position be able isolate and destroy them piece meal?  Will the Austro-Russian force under Meerveldt be able to restore their lines of supply or be forced to surrender to the converging French armies.  Don't mention the Ulm.  Once again, the next few days will be crucial.