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

title until two years after the battle. This delay in awarding of the title may be an indication of Napoleon's jealousy towards Davout. Meanwhile his next opportunity to practice his art of command was not far off. At the battle of Eylau, deep within Prussia, Davout again came up on the French right to save the army from defeat. Napoleon's deployment was similar to that of Austerlitz with Davout moving from the south to secure the French right flank. However, this time the French northern flank was much less secure. The battle is often referred to as Napoleon's first ltnon-victorytl in battle. However, one can argue that it was in fact a French victory. Suffice to say the French held the field. On the afternoon of 7 February 1807 Marshals Joachim Murat and Nicholas Soult fought an inconclusive battle around the Eylau cemetery. It was clear to Napoleon that he was to face a major action the next day. Napoleon had only 45,000 men to face the Russians with 67,000. More important, this Russian force was different from that at Austerlitz. Russia had instituted many reforms to include the divisional concept and at Eylau had twice the number of guns as the French. Eylau was a preview of what was to come when the forces opposing France improved the structure of their army. Unfortunately for the French, it was not to be another Austerlitz. The only part resembling Austerlitz