La Bataille de la Moscowa™ 3rd Edition

Napoléon's address to the troops on September 7th, 1812.

Soldiers! Here is the battle you have so much desired. The victory now depends on you: we have need of it. Victory will give us abundant supplies, good winter quarters and a prompt return to our native lands. Fight as you did at Austerlitz, Friedland, Vitebsk, and Smolensk and posterity will remember with pride your conduct on this great day. May it be said of each one of us: "He fought in that great battle under the walls of Moscow!".

The Order for Battle.

At daybreak the two new batteries established during the night on the plateau occupied by the Prince of Eckhmühl will open fire on the two opposing batteries of the enemy [Bagration Flèches].

At the same time the commander of the artillery of the 1st Corps, General Pernety, with thirty cannon of Compan's division and all the howitzers of Dessaix's and Friant's divisions will move forward, open fire and shower shells on the enemy's battery, which will thus have in action against it:

• 24 guns of the artillery of the Guard
• 30 guns of Compan's division
• 8 guns of Friant's and Dessaix's divisions
• a total of 62 guns

The commander of the artillery of the 3rd Corps, General Fouché, will place howitzers of the 3rd and 8th Corps, 16 in all, on the flanks of the battery, that is to shell the entrenchment on the left, thus giving this battery an effective of some 40 pieces.

General Sorbier is to be in readiness to advance, at the first word of command, with all the howitzers of the Guard artillery against one or other of the entrenchments.

During this cannonade Poniatowski will move from the village [Jelnia] towards the forest, and will turn the position of the enemy.

Compans will move along the forest to capture the first redoubt.

The combat being thus engaged, orders will be given according to the dispositions of the enemy.

The cannonade on the left flank will begin as soon as the guns of the right wing are heard. The chasseurs of Morand's division and of the Viceroy's corps will open a heavy fire the moment they see the attack on the right wing has begun.

The viceroy will capture the village (Borodino), and will debouch over the three bridges [which he was to throw early in the morning] on the heights, at the moment when Morand and Gèrard shall debouch, under the orders of the viceroy, to seize the redoubt of the enemy, and form the line of the army.

All this is to be done with order and method, and having a care to keep always a great quantity of reserves.

Camp, two leagues from Mozhaisk, September 6,1812.