THE BATTLE OF AUSTERLITZ.” 211 
divisionas a reserve. Some guns were in the intervals of the first line, 
the remainder on the flanks. 
The Emperor, writing to Sourr and Burnaporre, with reference to 
the above, said, “ You will, by observing this formation, be able to 
oppose a line of fire to the enemy, and yet have close columns ready 
to attack him if requisite.” 
The allies followed the tactics of Frederick the Great, viz., the Tacties of 
line formation, oblique to that of the enemy and out-flanking it. For “les 
this purpose they marched their infantry up in two open columns of 
companies, in a direction perpendicular to the enemy’s line, and then 
wheeled into two lines against him. This is fully described in 
“ Home’s Précis of Tactics.’ As will be seen later, NAPoLeon in this 
battle overthrew Frederick’s system by meeting ib in front and 
attacking it in flank. 
The morning of December 2nd was so misty that Napotzon could 2nd Dee., 
tell nothing of the movements of the allies until after 7 o’clock, when eget, 
the fog lifted, and it appeared to him that the Pratzen heights were of the 
abandoned by the enemy, who seemed to be extending from the centre ction. 
towards the left and right on Telnitz and Hollubitz respectively. He 
therefore only awaited the proper moment to attack the centre of the 
allies. 
According to instructions, the 1st, 2nd and 3rd columns of the allies Operations 
began their march at 7 a.m. They were on a front of sub-divisions, @jhwing 
20 men in a rank, so that, with artillery and cavalry, the Ist column 
must have stretched about three and a half miles. ‘There was one 
mile between the Ist and 2nd, and 1500 yards between the 2nd and 
drd column. Between the 38rd column and Blasowitz (four miles) 
there were therefore only 15,000 infantry. 
The course of the battle was as follows :— 
Kiznmayer advances on Telnitz, the heights being defended obsti- Telnitz and 
nately by Lecranp with four battalions, but Kimnmayzr receives Sckolnitz 
reinforcements from the Ist column (Docrororr), and the French pra 
retire. Napoleon orders Davousr to check the advance of the allies, 
but before he can do this, the 2nd column (Lanagron) and the 3rd7 am to 
(PrisBiziusK1) carry Sokolnitz. ; Mackin 
Davoust, who had left Abbey Raigern, and was now behind the ae 
pond of Ottmarau, sends assistance. Telnitz is retaken by the French, 
but again carried by the allies. The 1st column deploys on the French 
side of the defile and halts for the 2nd column. 
Davousr now leaves his cavalry to observe the Ist column and re- 
takes Sokolnitz, is out-numbered and has to give it up. The allies 
commence to deploy beyond Sokolnitz. It is 9 o’clock. 
Napoleon, seeing Pratzen heights almost deserted, orders Sounr 9 am. 
and Brrnaporre to attack the centre; the former to storm the heights, Operaons 
the latter to move on Blasowitz. At this moment the allies’ 4th and i 
5th columns are behind Pratzen. The 4th, on the point of moving 
off from the left, see the French advancing, and hurriedly reform. 
Mitorapovicn deploys to right, KottowrarH to left. Kaminsxy’s 
Brigade of the 38rd column, which was the last to move off, is re- 
called and forms on the left. Lacurmnsrmin (5th column), who had 
