MARSHAL LOUIS N. DAVOUT AND THE ART OF COMMAND A ...

Just as the Austrians began to move, Davout could see the advance guard of Napoleon's forces arriving south of Eckmuehl. They came from Landshut in three columns; the cavalry on the left, the Wurttembergers in the center and the French on the right, with Vandamme in the lead.6 Following the lead elements came Lannes and Massena with the heavy cavalry. Davout then initiated a general advance to distract the Austrian's attention. Montbrun moved forward and successfully drove back every attempt by the Austrians to turn Davout's left flank. Davout then sent forward the 10th Legere who quickly took the village of Unter- Laichling. Lefebvre also advanced with Gudin's division of Lannes' corps on his right. The 10th fought well but ground to a halt around the Eckmuehl-Ratisbon highway. As at Teugen-Hausen, Davout sent General Compans with a regiment into action. The battle raged back and forth in the wooded area above the village of Unter-Laichling until Davout was finally able to pierce Rosenberg's center. At 2:30 P.M. Napoleon arrived just south of Eckmuehl. From that position he could view most of the battlefield and began issuing orders. He sent Lannes and the Wurttembergers forward through Eckmuehl. Next he assembled the heavy cavalry for an assault on Rosenberg in the center. The Wurttembergers forced the crossing of the Eckmuehl bridge and then began their attack in the town.