Advanced weaponry, combined with a high level of training and elevated morale, assured the Guard Corps, disguised as Austrians, a significant advantage over the Prussian Soldiers in shooting!
Thus, with a pair of binoculars in hand on the high ground behind, Bischoff watched helplessly as more than 800 "Austrians" shattered the line of nearly 1000 Prussian Infantrymen...
The enemy charged in column formation, and during this time, his side had managed to fire two volleys first, yet they still could not withstand the rapid and dense firepower.
Quickly, Bischoff's complexion grew even uglier.
Due to his overconfidence earlier, he had pushed the second line of Infantry too far forward. When the first line broke and retreated, they crashed into the rear line, causing a wave of confusion.
In this era, line infantry tactics didn't allow for putting all soldiers in a single gamble – forming one line of Infantry. Instead, they were divided into several lines – usually three lines, with three ranks of soldiers in each line of Infantry, which was the most stable combat formation of the time. In a situation of advantage or desperation, it might be reduced to two lines, front and back, to squeeze in more soldiers in each line.
This arrangement was to ensure that if an unexpected event occurred to the front line of Infantry, the line behind could immediately step up, and the retreating infantry could regroup behind them. Thus, a single collapse of an infantry line – which could be caused by anything as trivial as an officer's heartbreak or having had too much to drink the night before – would not lead to the complete collapse of the battle.
Colonel Alterman, who was observing the battle from afar, seeing that Bischoff's unit was on the brink of faltering, hastily ordered the reserve to move up to support. He was secretly relieved that he had kept a reserve and sent for Cavalry assistance.
Lefevre, too, saw through his binoculars the Guard Corps' brave assault, which routed the Prussian Infantry line that outnumbered his own, and a smile crept onto his face. But then he immediately looked towards the Leao Legion behind and shook his head silently.
Even though they had gained a huge advantage at a hundred paces away, these Austrians, who had been frightened by Blucher, still showed no sign of advancing to capitalize on the victory.
Just as the Guard Corps began to fire two or three volleys toward the Prussians' second Infantry line, Lefevre noticed more Prussian Infantry hurrying to reinforce.
After a brief assessment, he ordered the protruding Guard Infantry to be called back.
He could not judge whether the Prussians still had a reserve, and if they did, his forces, with their numbers in disadvantage, could be surrounded in a deep encirclement, especially with a coordinated Cavalry retreat tactic – his own Cavalry, after the previous rapid assault, had lost significant stamina and might not catch up with the enemy Cavalry.
Crown Prince had commanded him to hold this position until noon tomorrow.
He could not afford to lose too many forces before that.
Moreover, the Prussian main force could appear at any time, and that would be a very tough and fierce battle; he had to be ready at all times.
Alterman, seeing the "Austrians" not pursuing their victory, also breathed a sigh of relief, quickly ordering Bischoff to fall back and reorganize the troops for defense, merely watching the enemy on the opposite slope from afar.
Thus, an hour later, as twilight descended, both sides retired to their respective camps to bivouac.
Blucher, upon receiving the news that Alterman's attack had been disadvantageous, couldn't help but be puzzled. Why had Leao suddenly become so capable in combat?
It must be due to Alterman's underestimation of the enemy, leading to command errors!
He concluded in his mind, preparing to go back and severely reprimand the Lieutenant Colonel. But then, frowning at the sky, he had to temporarily suppress his anger and wait for daylight.
Meanwhile, the main force of the Guard Corps, 10 kilometers away, continued to march quickly with the last glimmer of sunset.
Since they had always been outside the scouting range of the Prussian Hussars, Blucher had still not detected this army of more than ten thousand men.
However, Joseph knew that continuing to advance, they could encounter the Prussians at any moment.
It was not until the sky had completely darkened that the Guard Corps made camp in a flat wooded area, and Joseph, together with the officers of the staff, lit their lamps and discussed battle plans in the tent well into the night—due to new intelligence received from the front, tactical adjustments were necessary. This was one of the advantages of the staff command system; even if the commander-in-chief wanted to shirk his duties, the staff would drag him into "overtime."
"Your Highness, now that Lefevre has gained an advantage," Bertier suggested, looking at the map's depiction of the Prussians' elongated marching column, "we could fight more aggressively."
He pointed to the east side of Wincel Town, "We could send a detachment of cavalry to attack the enemy's rear guard, with all other units thrusting into the waist of the Prussian Army.
"Though the losses for the Lefevre Corps might be substantial, I believe they could certainly cut off Blucher's western route. Then we could complete a pincer attack against the Prussian main force!"
Joseph, however, pressed down on the hand that Bertier had on the map, smiling, "General, we don't have to rush to annihilate the Prussian army.
"In fact, even if Blucher makes a mistake, we must still let him go voluntarily.
"Actually, I have already made contact with Henri Onck, who is precisely the one to 'let the water flow.'
Henri Onck was a conservative leader of the South Netherlands Insurgent Army. At present, he has almost fallen from power, ousted by the Liberals led by Vandernoot over disagreements on the future path of the Southern Netherlands.
Bertier did not dwell on the term "let the water flow"—Prince used to blurt out strange expressions, to which he had grown accustomed—and looked at Joseph in great surprise, asking:
"Your Highness, why would you let the Prussians go? Are you worried about political repercussions?"
Joseph adopted a mysterious expression and deliberately lowered his voice:
"If Blucher's Corps was gone, we would no longer have a reason to enter the Southern Netherlands. He is our 'guide,' after all."
Joseph did not concern himself with the confusion on the Chief of General Staff's face, turning to the staff and saying:
"Our primary objective is to retake Luxembourg, and we must keep the losses of the Lefevre Corps to a minimum.
"Based on this direction, let's discuss the details of the operational deployment further."
"Yes, Your Highness."
The next morning, Blucher himself rode through the camp to urge the soldiers to break camp and set out as soon as possible; he was very worried that after Bischoff's defeat, he would not be able to stop Leao.
After nearly an hour, the Prussian Army finally packed up their tents, got the wagons in line on the road, and then started to move slowly with the sound of the drums.
Blucher looked at the sun, which had not yet fully risen, and felt satisfied with the pace; if all went well, by three o'clock that afternoon, the main force would be able to start their attack on Leao.
What he did not know was that Joseph had already led the Guard Corps to set off more than forty minutes ago—without tents, the Guard, camped in the open air, had started marching at the first light when visibility allowed, and their supply wagons were less than half the number of the Prussians'.