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

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that as one rises to positions of greater command the mind and understanding become even more important. This balance between boldness and intelligence was well summarized by Napoleon: That which is most desirable, and instantly sets a man apart is that his intelligence or talent, are balanced by his character or courage. If his courage is the greater, a general heedlessly undertakes things beyond his abilities. If on the contrary, his character or courage is less than his intelligence he does not dare carry out his plans. 7 Herein lies the key to successful battlefield leadership. In essence it is a simple balance among traits. This balance was exemplified by Davoutfs actions during the four days of fighting at Abensberg-Eckmuehl. His actions on the morning of 21 April provide further evidence. He had the boldness to attack in the face of great odds but did so only after thoroughly analyzing the complete situation. His vision enabled him to interpret the actions of the commanders whom he was facing. He knew they would assume Davout had a superior force if he initiated an attack. Thus, he had the requisite balance between boldness and intelligence. Boldness is also defined as an unfailing self- image and a refusal to take counsel of one's fears, or simply an internal image of never admitting defeat. Davout refused ever to accept the prospect of defeat. This is differentiated from pertinaciousness in that Davoutfs refusal to admit defeat was based on his lack of
internal fears rather than obstinacy. It can also mean moral courage. While they are not the same, they are similar. Moral courage is the calmness and quiet resolution of a commander so aptly displayed by the stolid Davout. This moral courage is not a visible type of bravery but a strength within that provides the will to overcome frustration and uncertainty. It enables the commander to stand against anything the enemy can throw at him. Field Marshal Bernard Montgomery said that thereare many characteristics that go into making a leader butmoral courage is by far the most important. He describedit as, It.. . that resolution and that determination whichwill enable him to stand firm when the issue hangs inbalance." He further observed that a battle is really acontest between the wills of the two commanders. If thewill of one commander fails then his opponent is bound towin.g In every encounter between Davout and Charles itwas Davout's superior strength of will that dominated theaction. Charles' will failed at Teugen-Hausen, in frontof Peising during the running fight, and especially atEckmuehl.Davout's boldness and intelligence were in evidence even before the opening of the action on 19 April. The week before, Berthier panicked and issued a series of orders and counter orders. These directives
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ABSTRACT MARSHAL LOUIS N. DAVOUT AN
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TABLE OF CONTENTS ?&%slsAPPROVALPAG
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CHAPTER 1 BUT WHAT ARE WE TO UNDERS
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the study of simple strategy and ta
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This fact becomes even more obvious
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the grand tactic. Operational warfa
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Burgundian countryside. He was born
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In1803 Davout was given command of
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then launch a major offensive into
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This attack'then ensured victory fo
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would actually go to war. However,
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Bluecher made four unsuccessful att
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fight entirely on his own. The batt
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title until two years after the bat
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Without hesitation Davout pushed fo
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most of his marshals, generals, the
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CHAPTER 3 THE AUSTRIANS ARE OUR WOR
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Finally, with Davout's information
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Austrian influence in Germany and I
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organization, always slow to act. M
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course of action. They now had a be
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elieved Prince Eugene and Marshal A
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22 March Davout had sent a message
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were designated VII Corps and consi
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and intelligence at the strategic l
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across the Danube. The Austrians al
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transmitted from Napoleon to Berthi
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Normally, the message dispatched by
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me that the best maneuver would be
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Berthier chose to overlook this cor
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Landshut were only one corps and no
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destroy him. On the eighteenth Char
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critical for the French. Napoleon r
Page 69 and 70: Throughout these ten days before th
Page 71 and 72: CHAPTER 5 YOU ONLY HAVE A CURTAIN O
Page 73 and 74: Gudin to support the movement of hi
Page 75 and 76: well. They bought Davout the necess
Page 77 and 78: The remainder of the Austrians then
Page 79 and 80: His tactical leadership was at its
Page 81 and 82: Napoleon's vision of the battlefiel
Page 83 and 84: against the French. His troops succ
Page 85 and 86: to surrender at 5:00 P.M. Now Charl
Page 87 and 88: pursuit on two parallel roads leadi
Page 89 and 90: important part in Davout's decision
Page 91 and 92: orders and directions. While Davout
Page 93 and 94: Corps. He received no reply from th
Page 95 and 96: convinced he was being attacked by
Page 97 and 98: CHAPTER 6 THE DUKE OF AUERSTAEDT IS
Page 99 and 100: eginning to feel the fatigue of con
Page 101 and 102: Just as the Austrians began to move
Page 103 and 104: effect, Davoutfs forces became the
Page 105 and 106: The French carabiniers fired a volZ
Page 107 and 108: Charles would lose his desire to st
Page 109 and 110: The ~re'nch prevailed over the Aust
Page 111 and 112: CHAPTER 7 IN BATTLE MEN ARE NOTHING
Page 113 and 114: counter orders did nothing but conf
Page 115 and 116: doctrine, and most importantly the
Page 117 and 118: The art of war on land is an art of
Page 119: Maintaining this vision or coup d'o
Page 123 and 124: who never made a mistake. The key i
Page 125 and 126: too seemed only to be small diversi
Page 127 and 128: helped to provide definition to the
Page 129 and 130: Figure 1.Theater of Operations.
Page 131 and 132: INITIALACTIONSABOUT 1500Counteratta
Page 133 and 134: Figure 5.Davout's Running Fight on
Page 135 and 136: N1- 'LABER RIVER' SCHlERLlNGLANNESI
Page 137 and 138: Reserve Division: Demont' (3,215) 2
Page 139 and 140: APPENDIX C ORDER OF BATTLE CHANGES
Page 141 and 142: ll~avidG. Chandler, The Cam~aians o
Page 143 and 144: 3~hisis noted in Napoleon's corresp
Page 145 and 146: 20~his is from correspondence numbe
Page 147 and 148: WORKS CITED Primarv Sources Bonapar
Page 149 and 150: Arnold, James R. Crisis on The Danu
Page 151 and 152: ackground material and specifics on
Page 153 and 154: secondary source but all informatio
Page 155 and 156: INITIAL DISTRIBUTION LIST 1. , Comb
Page 157: STATEMENT A: Approved for public re
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