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Fulda Battle -  A report by John Ray

A One-Sided Battle

The Prince Bishopric, worried for his own personal safety, insisted that the Saxon Leibgrenadiergarde remain close to the Palace.

Outnumbered two to one, von Finkenstein took to the field that day hoping God was with him and his troops. Without the Liebgrenadiergarde he needed more than God to win the day.

Von Finkenstein’s order of battle was simply to occupy the plateau close to the banks of the Fulda river with his artillery. On the lower ground to the right the militia and Potsdam grenadiers would form a continuous line two ranks deep and the exposed infantry flank protected by his two cavalry regiments.

General Olleyschiller, an officer of noted military experience, secured both flanks with cavalry and positioned his four infantry regiments and battalion guns in the centre. The front line of infantry was the regiments Leib and Gabelenz supported by Truchsess and the 1^st Grenadier battalion.

 The General had a wry smile on his face that morning as he looked upon the field of battle and loudly shouted to his staff, “By evening we will be having dinner in the Palace!” to which laughter could be heard.

Aides rode to the respective commanding officers with orders for the infantry to advance and for the heavy cavalry on the left to engage and eliminate the enemy cavalry at the earliest opportunity.

The Wurttemberg heavy cavalry moved swiftly into action. Von Finkenstein dragoons, Heistersche and welsh had little alternative but to draw swords and advance ot meet the foe head on, exposing the flank of the Potsdam regiment. The Fulda artillery was soon in action inflicting early casualties on a number of enemy infantry as they marched forward. The militia, albeit conscript, included many veterans in its ranks and von Finkenstein was confident they would hold their ground. Many of these brave men fought in the SYW, settling in Fulda at the end of hostilities. Today they stood shoulder to shoulder fighting to preserve their newly found homelands.

The Wurttemberg field artillery positioned on the far right were totally ineffective and soon ran out of ammunition. The Wurttemberg Jagers, supported by Hussars, tracked close to the banks of the river Fulda , hoping to surprise the enemy artillery on the plateau but were checked by the odd shot of grape. The captain of the Jagers not wishing to have his company mauled by grape ordered his men to take cover and not to advance further.

Soon the cavalry of both armies clashed. The Cuirassiers von Phull had little difficulty defeating the Heisersche dragoons. Retreating they left many dead and wounded dragoons on the battlefield. Captain Welsh managed to unseat a number of Wurttemberg Horse Grenadiers including a high-ranking officer but with his men so heavily outnumbered he ordered a retreat.

Above: Outnumbered, Welsh and Heistersche Dragoons clash with the Wurttemberg cavalry.

Seeing this confusion and friendly cavalry riding away from the battle, officers of the Potsdam grenadiers ordered a withdrawal to avoid their flank being exposed to an enemy cavalry attack. Von Finkenstein ordered the militia to withdraw to retain the line. The Cuirassier von Phull, after smashing the Heisersche Dragoons, withdrew to reform, whereas the Wurttemberg Horse Grenadiers chased the Fulda cavalry from the field.

By now the infantry duel was taking place in the centre, volley after volley could e heard. Men of the Wurttemberg Leib and Gabelenz infantry regiments and the infantry of Fulda were in the midst of a fire fight when von Finkenstei, realising the day was lost and preservation of his small force important, gave the order to retire.

General Olleyschiller continued his advance to the Palace.

Casualties:

Fulda    23 figure casualties      equated to 96 campaign dead.

Wurttemberg    12 figure casualties    equated to 45 campaign dead.

Below: Fire! The Wurttemberg Regt Leib and the Fulda Militia exchange volley fire.