The Klaveberg heights

As the light began to fade, Colonel Von Barner turned to Professor O’Griffin “Are you sure your cadets can cope?”

“Of course, and as I always lecture, if the enemy does attack this way they will just dissipate their effort. The Cadets will create plenty of activity and even our little parade cannon will be of use as a sound effect. However I am glad there will be a detachment of Frieshutze covering the crossing to give the French pause for thought.

The Colonel looked around, the last of his little army was forming up ready to march, they had to be in position to the east of Sonnenbad by first light. Hopefully Colonel Meyer’s men would arrive shortly after. From his position on the heights the dummy cannon looked quite false, but from the other side of the Flussweih he hoped the French would hesitate.

The Frundsbergers marched down from the Klaveberg and began crossing the old bridge into Flussweih. As night fell they continued marching north and east through the city. Part moved towards the Lamsdorf suburb, which was already being fortified by the local militia where the main Berlin to Sonnenbad road crossed the Lamsbach. The rest moved up onto the Landsberg that overlooked the road.

Von Barner considered his position. He still had two regular battalions, a company of Freishutze, a squadron of light dragoons and a horse battery. On arrival in Sonnenbad he had also found a squadron of heavy dragoons and a foot battery that had been sent from the garrison of Pappenheim. In addition he had two battalions of Sonnenbad militia and another couple of select militia from Welle, Fromel and Stockrad. With Colonel Meyer’s force of two battalions, a company of jaegers and squadron of light dragoons, they almost had parity in infantry with the French. Hopefully in the enclosed terrain the French cavalry advance would be nullified.

Of course once Colonel Meyer arrived he would take charge having greater seniority.