Table at nightfall
Because this was a major battle, and a critical one for the campaign, I will give a summary of the condition of each corps at nightfall.
Fighting west of Colbitz
VI French corps
The French final attack failed
They are still strong and capable of fighting next day.
They have suffered 1 casualty and have 1 brigade in rout
2 Prussian corps
This is one of the Poor Prussian commanders
They have held their position all day
They are still strong and unlikely to retreat unless ordered
They have suffered 4 casualties and have 1 brigade in rout
Fighting for Colbitz
V French corps
The French have fought hard all day and suffered heavy casualties
The corps is broken and unable to fight until routed brigades rallied
They have suffered 5 casualties and have 3 brigades in rout and 2 shaken
4 Prussian corps
This is the second Poor Prussian commander
They have struggled to garrison Colbitz, but finally managed to do so
Despite heavy casualties at nightfall they still hold both sections of the town
They are unlikely to retreat unless ordered to do so
They have suffered 6 casualties and have 2 brigades in rout
Fighting for the farm east of Colbitz
IV French corps
This corps has suffered heavy casualties, but still holds the farm at nightfall
They are unlikely to retreat unless ordered to do so
They have suffered 9 casualties and have 2 brigades in rout
1 Prussian corps
This is the best Prussian corps, and have fought hard all day
At nightfall they are still attacking and were unlucky not to take the farm
They are unlikely to withdraw unless ordered to do so
They have suffered 5 casualties and have 1 brigade in rout
Conclusion
The test campaign is to end on this battle. But if it were a normal campaign I would allow both CinC to decide what they wanted to do next.
Two of the three corps on each side are really unfit to undertake any further operations. If the battle were to continue it is likely that both sides would be so badly damaged that the campaign would have to end anyway.
Because the battle is taking place so far to the east, it would be quite reasonable for the French to withdraw west and take up another position nearer to Hanover. This would allow both sides to recover their losses.
If the Prussians were to withdraw they would have to pull back over the river Elbe. With their current casualties they would be unable to launch another attack over the river for some time, and that would signal the end of the campaign.
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