Editing Battle of Craonne (section)

==Battle==
===6 March===
By 5:00&nbsp;pm on 6 March, Meunier captured Vauclair Abbey from the Russians. Meunier and the Old Guard battalions captured Heurtebise Farm several times, but its Russian defenders threw them out each time and remained in possession of the place.{{sfn|Petre|1994|p=122}} The Russian forces involved were the 13th and 14th [[Jäger (military)|Jäger]] Regiments.{{sfn|Nafziger|2015|p=237}} That evening, Meunier withdrew a little to the north while the Old Guards occupied part of the Chemin des Dames ridge that they seized. [[Pierre François Xavier Boyer]]'s division was at [[Bouconville]] in support of Meunier, one Old Guard brigade was at Craonne and the other was at Corbeny, Exelmans' horsemen were at [[Craonnelle]] and [[Joseph Boyer de Rébeval]]'s division was at [[La Ville-aux-Bois-lès-Pontavert]]. The divisions of Colbert, Laferrière, [[Philibert Jean-Baptiste Curial]], [[Henri François Marie Charpentier]] and [[Nicolas-François Roussel d'Hurbal]] were at Berry-au-Bac. Still south of the Aisne were Mortier at [[Cormicy]], [[Jean-Toussaint Arrighi de Casanova]] at [[Roucy]] and Marmont more distant at [[Braine, Aisne|Braine]].{{sfn|Petre|1994|p=122}} With him, Mortier had the infantry divisions of [[Charles-Joseph Christiani]] and [[Paul-Jean-Baptiste Poret de Morvan]] and the cavalry division of [[Jean-Marie Defrance]].{{sfn|Nafziger|2015|p=236}}

Blücher planned to have Vorontsov defend against a French attack on the Chemin des Dames ridge, while Sacken remained in support farther west at [[Braye-en-Laonnois]].{{sfn|Nafziger|2015|p=237}} While Napoleon was facing Vorontsov, Wintzingerode's cavalry, followed by Kleist, York and Langeron, would move east on the north side of the [[Ailette (river)|Ailette River]], then strike Napoleon's right flank and rear. Wintzingerode's cavalry was supposed to gather at [[Filain, Aisne|Filain]] before setting out on its march and was expected to arrive at Festieux at dawn. One difficulty was that Wintzingerode's horsemen would first have to move west along the Chemin des Dames ridge to reach Filain.{{sfn|Petre|1994|p=123}} When Wintzingerode arrived at Filain during the night, he found that the cavalrymen of Yorck and Langeron were already in camp with their horses unsaddled. In the circumstances, Wintzingerode decided to wait until daybreak to start on his march, but he neglected to order a reconnaissance of the roads.{{sfn|Petre|1994|p=130}}

===7 March: Plans===
[[File:Battle of Craone by AK Johnston.png|thumb|right|upright=2.0|alt=Colored print shows a map of the Battle of Craone on 7 March 1814.|Battle of Craonne]]

The Chemin des Dames (Ladies' Road) starts on the Soissons-Laon road and runs east along a continuous ridge to Craonne and then loses elevation before rising again a little at Corbeny. The ridge has an average height of {{convert|400|ft|m|0}} above the Aisne valley on the south. North of the Ailette there is more ground of a similar elevation. The slope was wooded and steeper on the north side where the marshy Ailette ran west before joining the [[Oise (river)|Oise River]]. The ridge varies from {{convert|200|yd|m|-1}} to {{convert|2|mi|km|1}} in width. It is narrow in the places where ravines encroach from north and south.{{sfn|Petre|1994|p=120}} The Russian position was naturally strong because the ridge in front was narrow and easily targeted with artillery fire. North of the narrows were the Marion Woods while the Quatre Heures Woods were to the south.{{sfn|Petre|1994|p=124}} The ridge was steep on the right flank but even more so on the left. The disadvantage on the left flank was that the slope was so steep that it provided the French with "dead ground" or places where they could approach without coming under cannon fire.{{sfn|Petre|1994|p=132}}

At 8:00&nbsp;am on 7 March, Vorontsov deployed his corps facing east in three lines, spaced {{convert|400|to|500|yd|m|0}} apart. The first Russian line was {{convert|1.5|mi|km|0}} long and a distance of {{convert|1100|yd|km|0}} west of Heurtebise Farm. The first line consisted of 14 battalions of Nikolay Vasilyevich Vuich's 24th Division, Mikhail Ponset's brigade of the 14th Division and the 13th Jägers. On the right of the first line were the [[Pavlograd Hussar Regiment|Pavlograd Hussars]] and four Cossack regiments under [[Alexander von Benckendorff|Alexander Christoforovich Benkendorf]]. The 14th Jägers held the Heurtebise Farm and drew up in skirmish formation in front of the first line. The advance force was led by Afanasy Ivanovich Krasovsky and included two squadrons of the Pavlograd Hussars on the jägers' right. The village of [[Chermizy-Ailles|Ailles]] on the left flank was held by skirmishers.{{sfn|Nafziger|2015|p=238}}

The Russian second line was made up of the seven battalions of Vasily Laptiev's 21st Division. The third line under [[Pavel Alexandrovich Stroganov|Pavel Aleksandrovich Stroganov]] comprised nine battalions in Nikolay Nikolaevich Hovansky's 12th Division and Sergey Fyodorovich Zheltukhin's brigade of 13th Division. Nikolay Diomidovich Myakinin commanded the corps artillery which deployed 12 heavy and 24 light guns in the center under Colonel Vinspar. The 12 guns of Horse Artillery Battery Nr. 11 were on the right flank and the 12 guns of Horse Battery Nr. 9 were on the left. Six guns of Heavy Foot Battery Nr. 28 were of the left of the second line dominating the slope on the left. There were 24 light and six heavy guns held in reserve.{{sfn|Nafziger|2015|p=238}} During the battle 18 guns from the reserve were brought forward as replacements while 12 guns were used during the retreat.{{sfn|Nafziger|2015|p=239}} Since 1811 Russian artillery batteries each numbered 12 field pieces.{{sfn|Rothenberg|1980|p=202}}

According to one authority, Vorontsov commanded roughly 16,300 infantry, 1,000 regular cavalry, 1,000 Cossacks and 96 artillery pieces. Farther east at [[Cerny-en-Laonnois]] were 4,000 regular cavalry led by Ilarion Vasilievich Vasilshikov and 1,500 Cossacks under Akim Akimovich Karpov.{{sfn|Nafziger|2015|p=2015}} This cavalry force was part of Sacken's command. Sacken's infantry was posted too far east to help Vorontsov.{{sfn|Petre|1994|p=123}} A second source credited Vorontsov with 16,000 infantry, 2,000 cavalry and 96 guns, plus Vasilshikov's 4,000 horsemen.{{sfn|Petre|1994|p=125}}

Napoleon had 23,573 infantry and 6,350 cavalry available,{{sfn|Nafziger|2015|p=240}} plus 102 guns. However, the 8,000 men from the Guard divisions of Christiani and Poret de Morvan were not destined to be used.{{sfn|Petre|1994|p=131}} One historian credited Napoleon with 30,000 troops and the Allies with 50,000.{{sfn|Houssaye|2018|p=157}} Napoleon planned to launch a frontal assault on Vorontsov's Russians, using Marshal [[Claude Perrin Victor]]'s corps and Curial's division. These formations were to be assisted by Friant's division and the reserve artillery. On the French right flank Marshal [[Michel Ney]] would lead the divisions of Meunier and Pierre Boyer to attack. On the left, Nansouty was instructed to lead Exelmans and Pac to turn the Russian flank. By 8:00&nbsp;am, Napoleon was aware that his enemies intended to fight.{{sfn|Petre|1994|p=124}}

===Russian generals===
<gallery widths="160px" heights="240px">
File:Vasilchikov.jpg|General-Leutnant Ilarion V. Vasilshikov
File:Zheltukhin 1 Sergey Fyodorovich.jpg|Generalmajor Sergey F. Zheltukhin
File:Vuich Nikolay Vasilyevich.jpg|Generalmajor Nikolay V. Vuich
File:Garpe Vasily Ivanovich.jpg|Generalmajor Vasily I. Harpe
File:Alexander von Benckendorff.jpg|Generalmajor Alexander K. Benkendorf
File:Dawe, Mikhail Vorontsov.jpg|General-Leutnant Mikhail S. Vorontsov
</gallery>

===French generals===
<gallery widths="160px" heights="240px">
File:Général Louis Friant (2).jpg|General of Division Louis Friant
File:Boyer, Pierre baron, d'après Robert Lefevre.jpg|French General of Division Pierre Boyer
File:Général Philibert Jean Baptiste François Curial.jpg|General of Division Philibert Curial
File:Pierre David de Colbert-Chabanais.jpg|General of Division Pierre Colbert
File:Meunier virnot.jpg|General of Division Claude Meunier
File:Général Rémy Isidore Exelmans.jpg|General of Division Rémi Exelmans
</gallery>

===7 March: Fighting===
[[File:Chemin des Dames - IMG 3111.jpg|thumb|right|upright=1.8|alt=Photograph shows Route D18 CD on the Chemin des Dames with Heurtebise Farm at left.|The view is east along the Chemin des Dames with Heurtebise Farm at left. The French advance came toward the viewer.]]

At 9:00&nbsp;am, the French Imperial Guard artillery unlimbered on the east end of the Chemin des Dames ridge and opened fire. The Russian artillery replied, but the range was {{convert|1500|m|yd|0}}, too long to inflict much damage on either side.{{sfn|Nafziger|2015|p=241}} Blucher was with Vorontsov until 10:00&nbsp;am when he rode off to learn the whereabouts of Wintzingerode's column.{{sfn|Petre|1994|p=130}} Ney had been told to wait for the order to attack, but the bombardment caused him to send his troops forward. He ordered Pierre Boyer to attack Ailles with Meunier advancing on his left.{{sfn|Petre|1994|p=125}} One account stated that Curial's division operated with Meunier's troops from the beginning.{{sfn|Nafziger|2015|p=242}} Napoleon was partly responsible for Ney's blunder because he did not explain his battle plan to the marshal. Sending his men into the attack without artillery support was Ney's fault alone. The soldiers of both Meunier and Pierre Boyer were stopped in their tracks by the Russian cannons.{{sfn|Petre|1994|p=126}} Boyer de Rébeval's division arrived on the field at 11:00&nbsp;am, but Charpentier's division was slowed by sleet-covered roads.{{sfn|Nafziger|2015|p=241}}

At about 11:00&nbsp;am Heurtebise Farm burst into flame and was abandoned.{{sfn|Petre|1994|p=126}} Vorontsov ordered Krasovsky's advanced troops to pull back to the main line. The 2nd Jäger Regiment from the second line moved forward and occupied Ailles.{{sfn|Nafziger|2015|p=241}} Because of Ney's premature attack, Boyer de Rébeval's division had to be diverted from the main attack to support the right flank.{{sfn|Petre|1994|p=125}} At 11:30&nbsp;am, Ney's artillery began pounding the Russian left flank and Ney personally led Meunier's men forward to the top of the slope. Nansouty advanced up the [[Paissy]] spur and pushed back the cavalry on the Russian right flank{{sfn|Petre|1994|p=126}} despite being charged by three Cossack regiments and four squadrons of hussars led by Benkendorf.{{sfn|Nafziger|2015|p=243}} At noon, Boyer de Rébeval attacked and seized the Marion Woods.{{sfn|Petre|1994|p=126}} Early in the action, a bullet hit Victor in the thigh, putting him out of action.{{sfn|Nafziger|2015|p=243}} On the Russian side, Krasovsky was also quickly wounded and compelled to leave the field. Boyer de Rébeval's advance was carried out by Auguste Julien Bigarré's brigade with Jacques Lecapitaine's brigade in reserve. They were supported by six batteries of Guard artillery plus 12 their own guns. Since Boyer de Rébeval's men were [[Marie-Louise (conscript)|raw conscripts with only 20 days of service]] their musketry and cannon fire was not very effective.{{sfn|Nafziger|2015|p=242}}

By 1:00&nbsp;pm, the Russians threatened to drive the troops of Meunier and Boyer de Rébeval off the ridge.{{sfn|Petre|1994|p=126}} Boyer de Rébeval brought up Lecapitaine's brigade on Bigarré's left. Vorontsov committed Andrey Savvich Glebov's brigade from the third line into the fight. The 19th Jäger and Shirvan Infantry Regiments pressed forward but [[Antoine Drouot]] moved up two Guard artillery batteries and their fire halted the Russian attack. At 1:30&nbsp;pm Napoleon ordered [[Emmanuel de Grouchy]] to commit his cavalry in an effort to get the attack moving. Grouchy sent [[Louis Ernest Joseph Sparre]]'s dragoon brigade forward. Sparre's troopers drove off the Pavlograd Hussars{{sfn|Nafziger|2015|p=243}} and then swept into Parkinson's Horse Artillery Battery Nr. 9, cutting down the gunners. Both Grouchy and Sparre were wounded and the dragoons were forced to retreat. Boyer de Rébeval's division fell back into the Marion Woods where it rallied.{{sfn|Nafziger|2015|p=244}}

At 1:45&nbsp;pm, Laferrière's 3rd Guard Cavalry Division charged the large Russian battery in the center. The elite horsemen got among the cannons but were unable to break the Russian foot soldiers behind the guns, who were formed in squares. Laferrière was badly wounded{{sfn|Nafziger|2015|p=244}} and his horsemen were met by intense fire. However, by the time the Russians forced the Guard cavalry to retire, Charpentier's division reached the field and easily captured the Quatre Heures Woods. They were soon followed by Curial's division. By 2:30&nbsp;pm, Charpentier's troops linked up with Nansouty's horsemen on the French left and together they began to force back the Russian right flank. Nansouty reached the end of the Paissy valley before being turned back by cannon fire. By this time Ney had brought Meunier's division onto the ridge and the Guard artillery moved forward. Pierre Boyer reported seeing an Allied force to the north; this was Kleist's corps moving east.{{sfn|Petre|1994|p=127}}

That morning, having failed to reconnoiter the roads, Winzingerode selected a bad route. Meanwhile, Kleist selected a more direct route and the two columns crossed at [[Chevregny]] at 11:00&nbsp;am, causing a traffic jam.{{sfn|Petre|1994|p=130}} Kleist finally arrived at Festieux at 4:00&nbsp;pm. Blücher caught up with Winzingerode at 2:00&nbsp;pm at [[Bruyères-et-Montbérault]] and realized there was no chance to carry out the intended attack on Napoleon's east flank.{{sfn|Petre|1994|p=131}} Anxious that Sacken and Vorontsov were in danger, Blücher ordered those generals to retreat.{{sfn|Nafziger|2015|p=244}} Sacken received his orders at 3:00&nbsp;pm. He instructed his cavalry to assist Vorontsov and sent his infantry north toward Laon. Vorontsov withdrew 22 dismounted guns and his wounded. He formed his infantry into a checkerboard of mutually-supporting squares and began to retreat to the west on the Chemin des Dames plateau.{{sfn|Nafziger|2015|p=245}}

At 2:30&nbsp;pm Napoleon decided to launch the decisive blow. The reserve artillery was brought forward and placed in battery beside the guns belonging to Victor's divisions and the Guard. Under the orders of Drouot, 88 guns pummeled the Russian infantry with [[grapeshot]]. The divisions of Friant and Curial pressed forward, supported by cavalry.{{sfn|Petre|1994|p=128}} By 3:00&nbsp;pm, the 2nd and 6th Jäger Regiments abandoned Ailles to Pierre Boyer's division. Napoleon appointed [[Augustin Daniel Belliard]] to replace the wounded Grouchy and switched the cavalry divisions of Roussel d'Hurbal and Colbert to the French left flank.{{sfn|Nafziger|2015|p=246}} Earlier, Napoleon asked Charpentier to take command of Victor's corps.{{sfn|Nafziger|2015|p=245}} Four French cannons astride the main road were particularly effective in punishing the withdrawing Russian infantry.{{sfn|Nafziger|2015|p=247}}

The Russians fell back in good order to a position {{convert|800|yd|m|0}} southwest of Ailles. At 4:00&nbsp;pm Vorontsov withdrew again to the hamlet of Troyan near Cerny.{{sfn|Petre|1994|p=128}} Alexey Petrovich Nikitin prepared an ambush with 36 guns from Sacken's corps. When the 6th Jägers fell back through their position, Nikitin's guns opened a deadly fire on the pursuing French.{{sfn|Nafziger|2015|p=247}} Vasilshikov's cavalry intervened just as Benkendorf's horsemen were on the verge of being overwhelmed by the cavalry of Exelmans, Pac and Laferrière. Seeing Colbert's horsemen swarming around several Russian infantry squares, Vasilshikov ordered Sergey Nicolaevich Lanskoy to lead the Mariopol and Alexandria Hussar Regiments to charge. This attack drove off Colbert's troopers but the Russian hussars were in turn driven back by Nansouty's cavalrymen. Vasilshiov sent forward three dragoon regiments and Nansouty's cavalrymen were stopped as Lanskoy's hussars rallied in the rear.{{sfn|Nafziger|2015|p=248}}

The Russians retired to another position on the Chemin des Dames plateau before crossing the Ailette at Chevregny. The French artillery took the crossing under fire and caused some confusion and loss, but Vorontsov's corps got safely away to the north bank. Since other Allied forces were in the area, the French pursuit ended about 7:00–8:00&nbsp;pm. The French army bivouacked along the Chemin des Dames ridge as follows: Charpentier's infantry and the Guard cavalry at Filain, Colbert at [[Aizy-Jouy]], Belliard at [[Ostel]], Ney to the north of Ostel, Napoleon, Mortier and the Guard infantry at Braye-en-Laonnois. [[Étienne Tardif de Pommeroux de Bordesoulle]]'s cavalry camped at Heurtebise Farm to establish a link with Marmont's corps at Berry-au-Bac.{{sfn|Petre|1994|p=129}}