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

orders and directions. While Davout remained calm and issued clear orders that enabled his subordinates to respond appropriately. Davout and Lefebvre continued to push the Austrians back along two parallel routes. Finally near Ober and Unter-Laichling the Austrians decided to stand and fight. Rosenberg stopped in the south with his left flank along the Laber near Eckmuehl. Hohenzollern joined with Rosenberg's right and ran his line about three miles to the north. The Austrians immediately began to prepare a strong defense on good ground. Their lines were on a slight rise in wooded terrain. Rosenberg's southern flank was hinged at a small bald hilltop and extended back toward Eckmuehl. Most important they covered. the Eckmuehl-Ratisbon Highway: Charlesr key line of retreat to Vienna. Considering the strong position occupied by the Austrians, Davout thought about remaining on the defense. The Austrians then opened the fight with their artillery and the French responded in kind. The Austrian artillery began to take its toll on St Hilaire's division. This was another time that called for the resolute decisiveness of Davout. He had to make the decision whether to continue the attack or remain on the defense. Davout rode over to Friant to discuss the situation and determine if an attack was warranted. As he