Battle of Borisov

The Battle of Borisov, a meeting engagement that took place on 21 November 1812, between parts of the French army and parts of the Russian armies. The Russian vanguard under Charles de Lambert eliminated the Franco-Polish force under Dombrowsky.^[1]

Battle of Borisov
Part of the French invasion of Russia
Kalmyks and Bashkirs attacking French troops at the Berezina
Date 21 November 1812 Location Borisov, Russian Empire 54°13′40″N 28°30′17″E Result Russian victory
Belligerents
Duchy of Warsaw French Empire	Russian Empire
Commanders and leaders
Jan Dombrowsky	Charles de Lambert (WIA)
Strength
3,000[1]	3,500[1]
Casualties and losses
3,000, 6 cannon[1]	2,000[1]

French invasion of Russia

330km
205miles

Borisov

15

Pultusk

14

Gorodeczno

13

Drohiczyn

12

Tauroggen

11

Riga

10

Tilsit

9

Warsaw

8

Berezina

7

Maloyaro-
slavets

6

Moscow

5

Borodino

4

Smolensk

3

Vitebsk

2

Vilna

1

Kowno

   

  current battle

  Prussian corps

  Napoleon

  Austrian corps

Background

The French had suffered a defeat just two weeks earlier during the Battle of Krasnoi. Napoleon's army amounted to no more than 20,000 combatants. However, the union with Victor, Oudinot, and Dombrowsky brought the numerical strength of the Grande Armée back up to some 49,000 French combatants as well as about 40,000 stragglers.^[2] But Minsk had been occupied by Chichagov on 16 November 1812 who reached the Berezina with about 31,500 combatants.^[3]

Battle

On the 21 November, the Russians under Lambert occupied Borisov in the morning before Oudinot could come up as the sentries had been ambushed. Dombrowski had about 2,000 men left. The Russian casualties were about 2,000.^[3] Lambert was seriously wounded in the leg.

Aftermath

The Russians destroyed the bridge at Borisov on 22 November.^[3] The Battle of Loschniza is Oudinot's reaction.

See also

• List of battles of the French invasion of Russia