1813 combat near Zutz

COMBAT NEAR ZüTZ,

24 AUGUST 1813

translated and edited by Geert van Uythoven

“On 24 August a reconnaissance was made from Brandenburg against the enemy standing near Bücknitz, in the area of Ziesar. The reconnaissance was commanded by Lieutenant-Colonel von der Marwitz. He found the vedettes of the enemy cavalry near Viehsen and the main corps near Bücknitz. During this occasion, Cavalry-Captain von Erxleben of the 5th Churmärk Landwehr Kavallerie-Regiment had the luck of taking prisoner or stabbing the 3rd voltigeur-company of the 2nd French Light Infantry Regiment near Zütz. These had formed a square on a height and fired several volleys before being defeated by a bold charge by Von Erxleben with thirty men of his squadron. 22 men of this company remained on the spot, killed by lance trusts; the officers and 98 men were brought in prisoner. Cavalry-Captain von Erxleben and six of his troopers were slightly wounded, from the enemy company not a single man managed to escape.”

Source: Anonymous, “Gefecht bey Zütz ohnweit Ziesar den 24sten August 1813”, in ‘Militair-Wochenblatt’, 1. Jahrgang (Berlin 1816).

For comparison: George Nafziger, “Napoleon’s Dresden Campaign – The Battles of August 1813” (Chicago 1994) p. 124: “(…) Girard moved his main force into Ziesar and had his advanced troops in Viesen. Von Puttlitz’s forces were in Radkruge. Seeking information on the French strength von Puttlitz send Oberstleutnant von der Marwitz to advance with his detachment (1/,3/3rd Kurmärk Landwehr Regiment and three squadrons of the 3rd Kurmärk Landwehr Cavalry Regiment) and reconnoiter the French positions. Van Puttlitz reinforced him with two battalions of the 6th Kurmärk Landwehr Regiment, Erxleben’s squadron (3/5th Kurmärk), and a few guns.

Marwitz moved out on 24 August, leaving two battalions and the cannon in an advanced work of the fortress, the two other battalions in Radkruge, and went forward with the cavalry. Lieutenant Lessing, 3rd Kurmärk Landwehr Cavalry Regiment, led 30 men on the point. As he advanced into the village of Viesen, he encountered a superior force of French hussars and was driven back over the Rogäsen.

Behind the Rogäsen stood a second Prussian squadron, which with the rest of Marwitz’s force, went over the Fiener dam. Lt. von bredow, with 30 men of Erxleben’s squadron, was sent into the village of Zitz, where it reported a detachment of French cuirassiers. Rittmeister von Erxleben went into the village with his entire squadron to check the report, but encountered a company of the 26th Légère Regiment formed and waiting to receive him. A quick volley killed six Prussians, but the Prussians reportedly took 100 men prisoner and killed or wounded 22 more.”