Thanks Lancier, battle report :
A mixed Allied Army and the French Army were even more cautious than normal in this one, because both Commanders were given short notice about their Commands, and not being used the quality of troops under Command were determined not to make any blunder, too early in the battle.
The early stages were very "cat and mouse" trying to locate the enemy, the French were confused at the many varied troops facing them, trying to check uniforms to see who they had to fight.
First action took place at the bottom of a hill with a castle atop of it, the French not being sure if it were occupied or not sent 2 Battalions of Light Infantry up to investigate. They were re-called but got bogged down in a fire fight outside the castle before being forced into a square of Allied Cavalry.
The CIC was sent to one of the highest points on the battlefield, in the center and there saw massed Allied ranks preparing for an central attack, but not before one French Corps had been dispatched to attack what looked like a weak position of the Allies left.....as they moved off, the Bavarians marched forward.....in response to that the French re-aligned their front but one large Corps [MASSENA] had little room to move between two others, so it took longer than I would have liked. Reserves were called up from the deep rear with a "march to" order and then placed behind the central position Friant's troops were attacking. Having seen the fresh troop arrive the Allies backed off which then allowed Messens's Corps to try for a third time to make some impact in the battle.
The French "grand battery" was holding the far left French Flank with a large (Hvy) Cav Corps behind it, as the Allies moved back after the main assault the French guns moved forward, after they had been causing the Austrians to their front some long range damage earlier on.
The main Cav on both sides was never committed, nor was the French Guard, but the French were not too disappointed with the result as things could have gone badly for us on the right flank with Polish and Austrian troops moving behind LANNES who was position in and between too strong points in a great position, but a few more hours could have seen him cut off..........
