Ground 
generally. 
The French 
on mor: ming 
210 THE BATTLE OF AUSTERLITZ. 
Winibradi and Pratzen. West of Pratzen and running in a southerly 
direction is the Goldbach, formed of two small streams which unite at 
Puntowitz. It is studded with villages which were of great importance 
to the defence. There are numerous ponds, of which the three most 
important are those of Menitz, Satschan and Kobelnitz. They were 
frozen over on the day of the battle. 
The valleys were wooded, with marshy bottoms intersected by small 
streams and numerous defiles. The ground north of Stari Winibradi 
was good for cavalry and artillery. From Santon northwards it was 
difficult for cavalry. The ground about Turas, admirable for all arms, 
and affording every facility for manceuvring on an extensive front. 
Napounon, who spent the evening of December Ist going round his 
of Decand, advanced posts by torchlight (being received with the greatest en- 
Centre. 
Left. 
Tactics of 
French. 
thusiasm), saw that the allies had fallen into the snare he had laid 
for them, and, assured of success, he, that night, issued to his troops 
the memorable order, detailing his plans and promising them victory. 
Marbot says that Naponzon’s plan was to induce the allies to attack 
his apparently weak right about Telnitz, over marshy ground, whilst 
he had Davousr with a strong force hidden behind Raigern. 
He therefore only left Legranp’s division to cover the entire space 
from Puntowitz to Telnitz. In the latter he placed three battalions, 
and two in Sokolnitz and Chateau, also one brigade before the defile 
at Kobelnitz in two lines, the first deployed, the second in column. 
Thus, from Sokolnitz to Telnitz, 83000 yards, there were only 8000 
infantry, 2600 cavalry and 24 guns opposed to four times that number. 
This was, however, only intended as a “ retarding force,” and to give 
time for the real work of carrying the centre. 
Sount’s force was supported by Brernaporre and the Guard. 
On the left, the ground between Santon and Girzikowitz, 2000 
yards, was open to attack and very important. Napotzon therefore 
placed Lannes there with 11,000 infantry, eight squadrons and about 
30 guns, a force quite suited to the space. 
Napotzon adopted a new formation for attack on this particular 
occasion as follows :— 
A division advanced in two contiguous brigades of four battalions 
each, the front line deployed, the second in battalion columns at 
deploying intervals. Behind the intervals of the battalion of the 
second line was a squadron or a squadron and a half of cavalry. The 
two battalions of the 5th Regiment of the division first skirmished to 
open the way for the advance of the division, they then unmasked its 
a 2" BRIGADE (= BRIGADE 
6! parr -. STH pater ND BATT 157 BATT 
dup = Te EE ih ut} a Teor rer eee] aif RE if aft 12 LINE 
f i == 2” Line 
QTHBATT 7UIBATT 4 THBATT BRD BATT. 
i “CAVALRY 
I= SQAD = Iz SQAD 
570 REGIMENT 
AFTER. SKIRMISHING 
front, withdrew by the flanks, and followed in rear of the centre of the 
