Battle of Gué-à-Tresmes facts for kids

Quick facts for kids Battle of Gué-à-Tresmes
Part of the Campaign of France of the Sixth Coalition
Kleist's Prussians may have witnessed a scene like this as the 2nd Old Guard Division advanced toward them. Photo is from a reenactment of the Battle of Waterloo.
Date 28 February 1814 Location Congis-sur-Thérouanne, French Empire 49°00′28″N 2°58′34″E / 49.00778°N 2.97611°E / 49.00778; 2.97611 Result French victory
Belligerents
France	Prussia Russia
Commanders and leaders
Auguste de Marmont Édouard Mortier	Friedrich von Kleist Peter Kaptzevich
Strength
10,000–14,000	12,000
Casualties and losses
250 killed, wounded, or captured	Prussia: 945–1,035 killed, wounded, or captured Russia: 400 killed, wounded, or captured Total casualties: 1,345–1,435 killed, wounded, or captured

The Battle of Gué-à-Tresmes was a fight that happened on February 28, 1814, and continued into March 1, 1814. It was part of the War of the Sixth Coalition, where many European countries teamed up against Napoleon's France.

In this battle, about 14,500 French soldiers, led by Auguste de Marmont and Édouard Mortier, fought against 12,000 Prussian and Russian troops. The Allied forces were commanded by Friedrich Graf Kleist von Nollendorf and Peter Mikhailovich Kaptzevich.

The battle took place near a small stream called Thérouanne, close to the town of Meaux in France. The French managed to push the Prussian forces back. Even though the Allies tried to fight back and cross a river, they were not successful. This battle was a victory for the French army.

Background: The War Against Napoleon

Allies Push Towards Paris

In early 1814, many countries were fighting against Napoleon in what was called the War of the Sixth Coalition. The Allied armies, including Prussia, Russia, and Austria, were pushing into France. Their goal was to reach Paris, the capital city.

One of the main Allied armies was led by Gebhard Leberecht von Blücher, a Prussian general. His army, called the Army of Silesia, was moving west towards Paris. They were trying to get past the French forces defending the city.

Napoleon's Army on the Move

Napoleon's army was much smaller than the combined Allied forces. He had to move quickly to stop different Allied armies from reaching Paris. After a victory at the Battle of Montereau on February 18, Napoleon forced the Austrian army to retreat.

However, Blücher's army continued its advance. Napoleon wasn't sure exactly where Blücher was going. He had to guess and send his marshals (top generals) to try and block the Allied path.

Map of the battle area shows Gué-à-Tresmes at left and Meaux (not labeled) on the river Marne at the lower left map edge. Kleist was driven back toward La Ferté-Milon at top left.

French Marshals Defend the Marne

Marshals Auguste de Marmont and Édouard Mortier were in charge of a smaller French force. They tried to slow down Blücher's army. They burned bridges to make it harder for the Allies to cross rivers.

On February 27, Marmont's troops reached Meaux. They found Russian soldiers already there. Marmont quickly attacked and pushed the Russians back, taking control of the bridge at Meaux and destroying it. This was important to stop the Allies from crossing the Marne River.

Meanwhile, a Prussian force led by Friedrich Graf Kleist von Nollendorf crossed the Marne and moved towards Lizy-sur-Ourcq. This put them in a dangerous position for the French. Napoleon, realizing Blücher was heading for Paris, started marching his main army to help Marmont and Mortier.

The Battle of Gué-à-Tresmes

February 28: French Attack

Friedrich von Kleist

On February 28, Kleist's Prussian soldiers rebuilt a bridge over the Ourcq river at Lizy. They crossed to the west side and moved southwest. Marmont and Mortier realized that Kleist was trying to get around their left side near Lizy.

So, the French marshals moved their troops northeast towards Lizy. Around 4:00 pm, the French advanced guard, led by Vincent, met Kleist's forward troops at Gué-à-Tresmes. French cavalry charged and pushed back the Prussian outposts.

The French 2nd Old Guard Division, led by Charles-Joseph Christiani, arrived with 24 cannons. They started firing at the Prussian positions. The French attacked Gué-à-Tresmes directly and from the side, forcing the Prussian soldiers to retreat.

As Kleist's troops fell back, they destroyed the bridge at Lizy. Marmont's soldiers chased the Prussians aggressively. The Prussians tried to make a stand at Le Plessis-Placy, but the French kept pushing them back. By midnight, Kleist's corps was forced behind the Gergogne stream.

During this fighting, the Prussians lost over 900 soldiers. The French lost about 250.

March 1: Allied Counterattacks Fail

Édouard Mortier

On March 1, Blücher learned that Napoleon's main army was getting close. Remembering how Napoleon had beaten him before, Blücher quickly started moving his army to the north side of the Marne River. By 2:00 pm, Napoleon's cannons were firing across the river, but it was too late to catch the main Allied force.

Blücher wanted Kleist to keep fighting Marmont and Mortier. He also ordered other Allied units, like Ludwig Yorck von Wartenburg's Prussians and Peter Mikhailovich Kaptzevich's Russians, to attack the French.

Yorck tried to cross the Ourcq river at Crouy-sur-Ourcq, but the bridge was destroyed. Kaptzevich tried to force a crossing at Gesvres. Despite facing French cavalry, Kaptzevich's leading soldiers managed to get to the west bank.

However, Marmont quickly brought up his infantry. After a tough fight, the French pushed back Kaptzevich's small group, capturing about 280-300 Russian soldiers. Kleist's attack also failed. Both sides ended up in the same positions as before.

That night, more French troops and cannons arrived, cheering loudly. Even though the Allies had more soldiers overall, their spirits were low because they couldn't break through the French lines.

Aftermath

Allied Retreat

Hans von Zieten

On March 2, Blücher decided to retreat north towards Soissons. His different army groups pulled back in various directions. Kleist's troops were the last to leave. They sent a small force to check on the French.

This force, led by Hans Ernst Karl, Graf von Zieten, included cavalry and artillery. They met French cavalry and infantry. After a cannon fight where the Prussians lost six guns, Zieten decided to retreat. Kleist's forces also managed to get away.

Napoleon's army was slowed down because they didn't have a special bridge-building train. They finally crossed the Marne River early on March 3. Napoleon planned to push the Allies back further.

On March 3, Marmont and Mortier also crossed the Ourcq river. There was a small fight at Neuilly-Saint-Front, where the French tried to trap the retreating Allies. The French caused about 500-600 casualties to Blücher's army.

Blücher continued to retreat, hoping to meet up with other Allied forces. He finally decided to pull back behind the Aisne River. The next major battle in this campaign would be the Battle of Craonne on March 7, 1814.

Forces Involved

French Army Units

Allied Army Units