Battle of Nowo Schwerschen

The Battle of Nowo Schwerschen was fought on Friday, 13 November 1812, near Nowo Schwerschen [be], part of the Russian Empire at the time.^[2] An unexperienced Polish force under General Franciszek Ksawery Kossecki [pl] was defeated by seasoned Russian forces led by Count Lambert from Admiral Chichagov's Army of the Danube.^[2]

Battle of Nowo Schwerschen
Part of the French invasion of Russia
Count Charles-Marie de Lambert
Date 13 November 1812 Location Nowo Schwerschen, Russian Empire (now Belarus) Result Russian victory
Belligerents
Russian Empire	Duchy of Warsaw
Commanders and leaders
Karl Lambert	Franciszek Ksawery Kossecki [pl]
Strength
4,500[1]	3,500[1]
Casualties and losses
50[1]	1,300[1]

Kossecki's forces were given the task of protecting Minsk from a southeast attack and ensure a path of retreat for Napoleon's Grande Armée.^[3]

Background

Maret sent General Kossecki with about 3,000 infantry and 500 cavalry men to Nowo Schwerschen where they were to protect the crossing of the Niemen.^[4]

According to Smith, Kossecki's division was composed of:^[2]

• 18th Lithuanian Infantry Regiment (one bn.)
• 19th Lithuanian Infantry Regiment (one bn.)
• 20th Lithuanian Infantry Regiment (one bn.)
• 21st Lithuanian Infantry Regiment (one bn.)
• combined Cavalry regiment

Count Lambert's units included the 10th [ru] and 14th Jaegers [ru].^[2]

Battle

On November 13, Lambert arrived at Nowo Schwerschen with the Third Western Army's vanguard. Kossecki's raw Polish recruits were driven off with heavy losses by the cavalry.

Aftermath

The defeated detachment was once more attacked in the battle of Kaidanowo.^[2]

See also

• List of battles of the French invasion of Russia