Battle of Chotusitz - Battle

Battle

By 7 A.M. the Austrians were deployed and had advanced to within cannon shot while Frederick had arrived on the field with the rest of the Prussian army. At 8 A.M. Charles ordered a general attack. Frederick rode up the rise behind which Buddenbrock's cavalry was partially concealed, observed the Austrian position, quickly unlimbered some guns and began cannonading the Austrian cavalry. Under cover of this fire, Buddenbrock's cavalry advanced at a trot and then at a gallop. The Prussian line, in a furious charge, outflanking the Austrian first line, broke and drove the Austrians back on their second line. The day was hot and dry and the cavalry mêlée raised a huge cloud of dust in which the second line of Austrian cavalry now overthrew Buddenbrock sending the Prussian cavalry tumbling back broken, pursued by the Austrians and having suffered over 2,000 casualties. The Austrian cavalry was then stopped and driven back by a some cavalry under Rothenburg and couple of Prussian infantry regiments and this flank settled down for a time to some minor clashes and feints.

The broken ground on the Prussian left prevented their cavalry there from supporting the infantry in the town of Chotusitz. The Austrian infantry stormed the town and took it almost completely except for a small section that held out. Failing to completely clear the town, the Austrians set it on fire at about 9 A.M.. Austrian right flank cavalry advanced, encountered the same difficult ground but managed some successful charges. These were ultimately halted by Prussian cavalry which like the other flank ran out of control galloping through the Austrians, finding themselves isolated and cut off behind Austrian lines. The Austrian cavalry and infantry on the right advanced again but finally broke off to loot the Prussian camp and moved beyond any further use in the battle.

In the center the Austrian infantry made a number of very determined attacks which are all driven back with heavy loss by the disciplined platoon fire of the Prussian infantry. The burning town made it difficult for Charles to coordinate the efforts of his center and right. The Prussian infantry slowly drove the Austrians from Chotusitz.

Back on the Prussian right another cavalry fight was won by the Austrian cavalry who then pursued the defeated Prussian cavalry leaving the Austrian left flank exposed. Frederick had finally made his arrangements and a coordinated attack of twenty three infantry battalions was made on the open Austrian left flank. The Prussian infantry advanced at the double quick preceded by fifteen cannon. Under a furious fire from gun and musket, the Austrians gave way, falling back on their center and right. Seeing this and the possibility of his being cut off from his line of retreat through Czaslau and forced back against brook of Brtlinka, Charles gave the order for a general retreat at about Noon, abandoning his cannon at the town of Czaslau. In a generally orderly withdrawal the pursuing Prussian cavalry was effectively held off by the Austrian cavalry.