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

Charles would lose his desire to stand and fight once he knew of Napoleon's arrival. With all this in mind, Davout organized his forces, and the ensuing fight, to coerce Charles into action when and where Davout wanted. Davout's conduct at Auerstaedt had silenced those who opposed his appointment to the marshalate. His actions during April 1809 in Bavaria proved once and for all his value as a marshal of France and corps commander. F. Loraine Petre describes his performance best; His strategical insight equaled Massena's and it was he who warned Berthier, in vain, that he was off track. Of his conduct on the critical days of the 19th through the 22nd April 1809 it is impossible to speak too highly. He was not afraid to stick to his own opinions even against the Emperor's as to the 12Austrian movements before and after Eckmuehl. .Davoutls actions at Eckmuehl, and the previous four days of fighting earned him the title, Ifprince of E~kmuehl.~~ The fighting did not continue until the morning of 23 April as Napoleon decided not to pursue. Many historians have criticized Napoleon's decision to halt his pursuit at Alt Eglofsheim. l3 It was indeed a rareinstance when Napoleon did not pursue his victories. However, in this case, he was well justified. Most of his infantry and cavalry had marched over twenty-five miles and fought a battle for over nine hours covering another five miles. They had been fighting for the past four days and were exhausted. An Austrian counterattack against such tired troops could have meant a French defeat.