1911 Encyclopædia Britannica/Napoleonic Campaigns: Difference between revisions

{{section|Campaign of Austerlitz}}11. ''Campaign of Austerlitz.''—Napoleon continued down the right bank to Vienna, where he was compelled by the condition {{EB1911 Shoulder Heading|''Austerlitz''}} of his troops to call a halt to refit his army. After this was done he continued his movement to BrUnn. Thither he succeeded in bringing only 55,000 men. He was again forced to give his army rest and shelter, under cover of Murats cavalry. The allies now confronted him with upwards of 86,000 men, including 16,000 cavalry. About the 20th of November this force commenced its advance, and Napoleon concentrated in such a manner that within three days he could bring over 80,000 French troops into action around Brilnn, besides 17,000 or more Bavarians under Wrede. On the 28th Murat was driven in by the allied columns. That night orders were despatched for a concentration on Brünn in expectation of a collision on the following day; but hearing that the whole allied force was moving towards him he decided to concentrate south-east of Brünn, covering his front by cavalry on. the Pratzen heights. Meanwhile he had also prepared a fresh line of retreat towards Bohemia, and, certain now of having his men in hand for the coming battle, he quietly awaited events.

 

<!--column 2-->

of Austerlitz began early next morning and closed in the evening with the thorough and decisive defeat of the allies.