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

to surrender at 5:00 P.M. Now Charles had the much needed link with Kollowrathrs forces to the north; it also meant Davout would be facing five Austrian Corps on the next morning. The loss of Ratisbon was a key factor in Napoleon's plan for action on the twenty-first. Throughout the night of 20 April and the morning of 21 April Davout sent a series of three messages to Napoleon. In each he reconfirmed the fall of Ratisbon and gave the general locations of Charles1 forces. He repeatedly informed the Emperor that Charles1 army was to his front and not retreating on Landshut. l4 Unfortunately Napoleon refused to believe anything that indicated Charles was not retreating toward Landshut. Again the superior intellect and intelligence gathering of the Iron Marshal yielded the correct interpretation of the actual situation facing the French on April 21. Davout's actions on the twentieth were minor and not worth noting. It is not known why Davout remained inactive on the twentieth. Most authorities do not defend or criticize his decision not to fight. They either ignore the fact or simply refer to the fatigue of his men from the battle at Teugen-Hausen. However, had he moved against Charles he may have well prevented the fall of Ratisbon by distracting Liechtenstein's forces moving up form the south. It may be argued that this was'Davoutls