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First Battle of Polotsk

1812 battle during the French invasion of Russia From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

First Battle of Polotsk
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In the First Battle of Polotsk, which took place on 17–18 August 1812, Russian troops under the command of Peter Wittgenstein fought French and Bavarian troops led by Nicolas Oudinot near the city of Polotsk, halting Oudinot's advance toward Saint Petersburg.[5] The First Battle of Polotsk should be distinguished from the Second Battle of Polotsk which took place during the same campaign two months later.[6]

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330km
205miles
Polotsk
15
Pultusk
14
Gorodeczno
14 Battle of Gorodechno 12 August 1812: Schwarzenberg's Austrians
14 Battle of Gorodechno 12 August 1812: Schwarzenberg's Austrians
13
Drohiczyn
12
Tauroggen
12 Tauroggen 30 December 1812: Ludwig Yorck's Prussians signed the Convention of Tauroggen
12 Tauroggen 30 December 1812: Ludwig Yorck's Prussians signed the Convention of Tauroggen
11
Riga
11 Siege of Riga 24 July – 18 December 1812: Macdonald's Prussians
11 Siege of Riga 24 July – 18 December 1812: Macdonald's Prussians
10
Tilsit
9
Warsaw
8
Berezina
8 Battle of Berezina 26–29 November 1812: Napoleon, Chichagov, Wittgenstein, Kutuzov only pursuit
8 Battle of Berezina 26–29 November 1812: Napoleon, Chichagov, Wittgenstein, Kutuzov only pursuit
7
Maloyaro-
slavets
7 Battle of Maloyaroslavets 24 October 1812: Kutuzov, Napoleon
7 Battle of Maloyaroslavets 24 October 1812: Kutuzov, Napoleon
6
Moscow
6 Moscow 14 September to 19 October 1812: Napoleon
6 Moscow 14 September to 19 October 1812: Napoleon
5
Borodino
5 Battle of Borodino 7 September 1812: Kutuzov, Napoleon October 1812: Napoleon's Retreat
5 Battle of Borodino 7 September 1812: Kutuzov, Napoleon October 1812: Napoleon's Retreat
4
Smolensk
4 Battle of Smolensk 16 August 1812: Napoleon November 1812: : Napoleon's retreat
4 Battle of Smolensk 16 August 1812: Napoleon November 1812: : Napoleon's retreat
3
Vitebsk
3 Battle of Vitebsk 26 July 1812: Napoleon
3 Battle of Vitebsk 26 July 1812: Napoleon
2
Vilna
1
Kowno
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  Prussian corps
  Napoleon
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19th century Russian lithograph depicting Wittgenstein's Chevalier-Guardsmen fighting the first battle of Polotsk.
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Prelude

After the battle of Klyastitsy and several minor losses, Oudinot's Corps retreated to Polotsk.[7]

Battle

In the early morning of 17 August, the 1st Infantry Corps led by Wittgenstein attacked the French positions near the village of Spas, forcing the French to retreat. Oudinot transported additional units to the sector of the attack and also counterattacked in the centre. By the night both the French and the Russians managed to keep their positions. Oudinot was wounded and had to hand over the command to Gouvion Saint-Cyr.[7]

The next morning Gouvion Saint-Cyr undertook a major offensive. He managed to mislead Wittgenstein about the area of the offensive, regroup his troops and suddenly attack the left flank and centre of the Russian positions. In the beginning the offensive was a major success, the French troops crushed the Russians and captured seven cannon.[7]

When defeat seemed imminent, Wittgenstein organized a cavalry counterattack. It caused a scare among the French, who ceased the offensive and retreated. Wittgenstein retreated to the Drissa. Wittgenstein managed with his much smaller force to effectively halt the two French corps advancing on Saint Petersburg. This success later won him the post of Russian general-in-chief.[7]

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Casualties

French-Bavarian losses numbered 6,000 killed, wounded. The Russians lost 5,500. Bavarian general officer losses were heavy. General of Infantry Bernhard Erasmus von Deroy was mortally wounded and General-Major Siebein was killed. General-Majors Vincenti and Raglovitch were both wounded. Among the French, both Oudinot and General of Brigade François Valentin were wounded. Russian Generals Berg, Hamen, and Kazatchkowski suffered wounds.[8][7]

Aftermath

For the next two months both the French and the Russians did not attempt to upset the balance of powers.[8][7]

See also

Notes

References

See also

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