Napoleon's Invasion of Russia

by George F Nafziger

  In the center General Diebitsch stopped this threat with the Mohilev Infantry Regiment, and the 6th Cohort of the St. Petersburg Opolochenie turned to face the French cavalry. On the left Wittgenstein countercharged with the converged guards and some squadrons of the Grodno Hussars, recapturing the battery and driving the French back. The French cavalry fell back until it was covered by two squadrons of the 14th Cuirassiers positioned on the right of Maison's division.

  The French renewed their attack. Wittgenstein ordered General Be-guiczev to move the converged cuirassiers and three battalions of grenadiers behind the center of their line to reinforce it. The two guard depot battalions moved behind the 25th Jager Regiment, and a grenadier depot battalion moved to support the right. Two battalions of infantry and a cohort of opolochenie were left as a reserve behind the center.

  The battle continued with skirmishers, mostly opolochenie, advancing to the edge of the French trenches. Wittgenstein ordered Diebitsch to support the militia with some troops from the center, while his right drove the French back to their trenches. A French counterattack pushed the Russian skirmishers back, but the Perm Infantry Regiment and a grenadier depot battalion counterattacked.

  The French fell back to their trenches again. Legrand's division supported its left wing on the redoubt known as “des Tuleries. “Maison's division stood behind the Wolowoi Lake and was supported by Redoubt #9.

  The French were pushed too hard and surrendered the redoubt “des Tuleries.” This redoubt had been defended by the Valaison battalion 11th Légère Regiment and the 2nd and 37th Line Regiments. Colonel Ridiguer led the 25th Jager Regiment and two Guard depot battalions, supported by two squadrons of the Grodno Hussar Regiment, against Legrand's left. Legrand was thrown back to the lake.

  General Beguiczev followed Ridiguer with his converged grenadiers. General Berg, who was detached from the left with the Kalouga Infantry Regiment and the converged guard cavalry, moved back to the center, establishing his artillery so it could continue shelling the French.

  The French attempted to push the Russians back by maneuvering two squadrons of the 14th Cuirassier Regiment, two squadrons of the 20th Chasseur à Cheval Regiments, and two squadrons of the 8th Chevau-léger-lancier Regiment. The Riga Dragoon Regiment, the converged guard cavalry, and the converged cuirassiers counterattacked the French cavalry and threw them back. The French reformed under their artillery, but the Russians turned their right flank and forced them back into Polotsk.

  During this cavalry action the French infantry fell back to their trenches. The intense artillery they directed at the tédes Tuleries” redoubt forced the Russians to evacuate the redoubt, and the French reoccu-pied it.

  Wittgenstein decided not to press his attack on the trenches. Diebitsch took command of the advanced guard when Balk was wounded and reestablished the skirmish screen before the Russian lines. Night fell and the French remained in control of their trenches, but they were filled with the dead of both armies.

  On the right, the victory appeared to belong to the French, but on the left, the victory was in some doubt. At 4:30 P.M. Jachwill's attack had begun. He sent Vlastov forward with four battalions, eight squadrons, and six guns. His attack was supported by Sazonov, who led three squadrons, ten battalions, eight cohorts of opolochenie, and sixty-four guns. Jachwill's attack had a total of 17,500 men, while Merle's 9th Division had barely 4,000.

  Merle had been ordered to avoid any serious combat and began to redeploy his forces behind Redoubts #4 and #5, occupied by the Bavarians, and Trench #16 with his first echelon. The Russians increased their pace and closed on Candras' brigade, the 1st and 2nd Swiss Regiments. The voltigeur battalion of the 1st Regiment left the front line, recrossed the barracks, and took up position in its original position.

  The Russian artillery directed its fire on the ramparts of Polotsk, while the 1st and 2nd Swiss Regiments formed to face the pending attack. The 1st Swiss Regiment formed in column of attack and was supported by the 2nd Swiss Regiment. The Russian attack was strong. The 1st Swiss Regiment met them with fire by peloton, marched forward, and fired again and again. The 1st and 2nd Swiss Regiments then advanced with bayonets and became embroiled in a violent melee with the Russian columns. The Swiss repelled Vlastov's infantry and cavalry attacks, forcing him back on Sazonov's forces.

  This setback did not deter Jachwill, who quickly renewed his attacks. Merle, who saw two Russian divisions forming to advance against the two weak Swiss regiments, responded by once again attempting to withdraw, but he was too hotly engaged to do so. He was supported by fire from Redoubts #4 and #5.

  Jachwill sent his cavalry forward to strike these weak regiments. However, they were met with cold steel and resolve. The Swiss held their fire until the Russians were seventy paces from them. Each volley cut great holes in their ranks. The Chevalier Guard withdrew, but Dulliker was killed and his battalion passed to Zingg's command. Colonel Castella had two horses killed beneath him and was wounded himself. The eagle of the 2nd Swiss Regiment fell, but was grabbed by Captain Muller before it could be carried away. The 1st Swiss Regiment lost thirty-three of its fifty officers hors de combat in this action.

  General Amey's brigade, consisting of the 3rd and 4th Swiss Regiment and the Croatians, saw their comrades' danger. They were posted on the ramparts of the city. The 3rd Swiss, posted in a bastion, moved behind Redoubt #3. The 4th Swiss was behind the Polota, near the 5th Battery. Covered by the cannister fire from these two batteries, they charged forward in an effort to throw this Russian attack back. The fire from the Bavarian batteries and those in Redoubts #3 and #4 tore great holes in the Russian ranks. They caused a momentary pause in the Russian advance, and Merle resumed his withdrawal.

  While Merle retired at the “pas ordinaire,” the Russian light troops moved to turn his flanks and take his rear. The Russians moved into the ravine of the Polota. Merle quickened his pace and arrived just in time to defend the trenches. The Russian incursion was stopped by concentrated musketry from the lines along the ravine, the fire of two cannons positioned in Entrenchment #3, known as the “Croat Entrenchment,” and artillery from Redoubt #4 that had been pulled from the ravine and formed into a battery to sweep the ravine. The fire from the guns drawn from Redoubt #4 formed a cross fire with the Bavarian guns in Redoubt #11, on the left bank of the Dvina.

  The Russian losses were, as a result of this concentration of artillery fire, quite heavy. They withdrew, reformed, and renewed their attack. Candras' Swiss struck their right flank while Amey's Swiss and Croatians struck their left, driving them back. Favored by the falling dusk, the Russians withdrew to the edge of the woods.

  Prince Jachwill supported his right on the Dvina and detached Vlastov towards Pressemenitza to make contact with Wittgenstein's advanced guard, now commanded by Diebitsch. Wittgenstein withdrew the bulk of his forces towards Gromy, where he established his headquarters.

  The night passed quietly. St. Cyr sent out cavalry on a reconnaissance that brought him the erroneous news that the Russians had not passed over the Dvina either above or below Polotsk. However, Steingell and 13,000 Russians had crossed the river at Drissa and were now moving on the left bank with the objective of taking St. Cyr in the rear. This would shut St. Cyr into Polotsk and seal his fate.

  The morning of the 19th found Wittgenstein's troops under arms and preparing to renew the attack. But no advance occurred. St. Cyr realized that it was not his feeble fortifications holding back Wittgenstein and realized that some maneuver must be underway. He knew it must be an attempt to seal him into Polotsk, so he sent out his cavalry again.

  At 10:00 A.M. an aide-de-camp came in at a full gallop to announce that Steingell was marching up the Lithuanian side of the Dvina with 5,000 infantry, 12 squadrons, and 12 guns. Steingell had defeated Corbi-neau's cavalry, blocking his way, and was moving south. News of this victory elated Wittgenstein and convinced St. Cyr of the danger of his position.

  St. Cyr immediately dispatched the 7th Cuirassier R
egiment, a Swiss regiment, and a Bavarian brigade under the command of Wrede to assist Amey's beaten forces. Every moment the noise of Steingell's artillery moved closer and closer to Polotsk. The French batteries on the left bank were turned around to face this new threat. All this was observed by Wittgenstein, but his forces remained immobile. Before Wittgenstein moved, he felt he had to see, not only hear, Steingell's guns.

  St. Cyr's generals urged him to retreat, but he steadfastly refused. He believed that 50,000 Russians were waiting to pounce on him the moment he began to withdraw.

  General Wrede advanced with three columns against two jager regiments under Tourczaninov, part of Steingell's forces. On Wrede's right was a column under General Baron von Strath, the left was General Amey's brigade, and the center was led by Wrede himself. At 4:30 P.M. the center column struck the Russian advanced guard, surprising it, dispersing it, and taking 1,800 prisoners. Steingell was stunned. Though only a half-hour from Polotsk, he stopped his advance and withdrew towards Bononia. A thick fog fell over the town and battlefield about 6:00 P.M. and lasted until dusk.

  St. Cyr waited for dusk to fall and immediately began his withdrawal. Slowly the French and Bavarians began to file across the river. When Legrand's division began to cross, they were covered by Maison. From habit or a desire to deny the Russians their cantonments, the French torched their positions. Shortly the entire French lines were in flames.

  The fire disclosed the French withdrawal to the Russians, who immediately opened fire with their artillery. The Russian infantry rushed forward, but the withdrawing French forced them to fight for every foot of ground. The French crossed the bridge, effecting their withdrawal in good order. The French rearguard action was fought by the Swiss regiments commanded by Castella and Requetti, the Croatians, and the 123rd Line Regiment. The Russians were unable to occupy the city until 3:00 A.M.

  A total of 27,000 French and Bavarians had engaged 32,000 Russians. The French lost about 7,000 dead and wounded, leaving 2,000 prisoners behind them. The Russians lost about 10,000 dead and wounded, while leaving about 2,000 prisoners in French hands.

  St. Cyr and Oudinot Retreat

  Wittgenstein was unable to cross the Dvina and pursue St. Cyr because the bridges were destroyed. Steingell was falling back in disorder on Dissna. St. Cyr withdrew without opposition. He decided to detach Wrede with what remained of the Bavarian VI Corps. Wrede was to move to Glubokoye and cover the road to Vilna. This would permit the II Corps to move unmolested on Lepel, where it could then protect Wrede as he withdrew in a leapfrog fashion.

  On the morning of the 20th, General Wrede moved against the Finnish forces of Steingell. Wrede advanced his forces in three columns. The left column was commanded by Amey and consisted of the 2nd Swiss, 124th Line, a detachment from the 11th Légère, a half-battery of French horse artillery, and three squadrons of Corbineau's light cavalry. The center column was commanded by Wrede and contained the 19th and 37th Line Regiments, Corbineau's light cavalry (less three squadrons), the 7th Cuirassier Regiments, nine 6pdr guns, and six 12pdr guns. The right column consisted of the cadres of the Bavarian brigade of Baron von Strohl, thirty chevauxlégers, and three 6pdr guns.

  The right-hand column was ordered to move along the Dvina to the mouth of the Ouchatsch, while the central column attempted to throw the Russians out of the Polotsk-Bononia defile and back towards Ouchatsch. General Amey was to move on Roudnia, but he learned that Wrede was heavily engaged and maneuvered along the left bank of the Ouchatsch to fall on the Russian right flank.

  This force started its march at 3:00 A.M., but contrary to expectations, the Russians attacked at 4:00 A.M. Wrede had given the order not to fire, but to march at the “pas de charge” in column in a bayonet attack on the enemy. The Russians were thrown back in disorder on Ouchatsch, losing as prisoners a colonel, a major, a large number of other officers, and 1,800 men. The shattered remains of the Russian advanced guard were pursued by a few pelotons of the 7th and 20th Chasseur à Cheval Regiments.

  Between the Bononia chapel and the defile, the Russians massed all of their cavalry and some artillery in a faint-hearted attempt to stop Wrede's advance. However, as Wrede's artillery opened fire, the Russians departed quickly, crossing to the far side of the Ouchatsch. Wrede deployed his central column and advanced on the chapel.

  The Russians on the far bank were in an extremely strong position. They had placed twelve guns and about 8,000 infantry and cavalry to receive Wrede's attack. Wrede, however, positioned his artillery on a knoll overlooking the Russians and began an artillery duel.

  After a half-hour the Russian artillery fell silent and began to withdraw. It was time for General Amey's maneuver, but he was late. Wrede decided not to wait for his arrival and planned to force a passage over the Ouchatsch. He moved quickly, his columns crossing a ford. The Russians hastily abandoned their positions and much material on the battlefield. Wrede pursued them as far as Benkovitz, but stopped. He feared becoming too widely separated from General Amey. He preferred to await his arrival and the chance to reorganize his forces.

  That evening St. Cyr was ordered to return with the French troops and resume command of his Bavarian forces. Once with the Bavarians, he was to move with them, Corbineau's brigade, and the 7th Cuirassier Regiment on Roudnia and take up a defensive position.

  Victor Arrives

  Victor was sent word of St. Cyr's danger and advanced to support him. Victor's forces joined St. Cyr on 28 October. Both corps were reorganized into a single formation. St. Cyr was forced to relinquish command to Victor because of a very painful wound received during the battle of Polotsk. Marshal Victor reorganized the two corps as follows:

  Right Wing

  General Daendels

  6th Division: General Legrand (II Corps)

  26th Division: General Daendels (IX Corps)

  Center

  General Merle

  9th Division: General Merle (II Corps)

  12th Division: General Partoneaux (IX Corps)

  Left Wing

  General Girard

  8th Division: General Maison (II Corps)

  28th Division: General Girard (IX Corps)

  Corps Cavalry

  General Doumerc

  3rd Cuirassier Division: General Doumerc

  5th Light Cavalry Brigade: Castex

  6th Light Cavalry Brigade: Corbineau

  25th Light Cavalry Brigade: Fournier

  26th Light Cavalry Brigade: Delatre

  On the 29th this formation moved on Beszenkoviczi, and the Baden Lingg Jàger Battalion was detached and sent to Buterova, on the Ula River. The baggage was sent to Babinoviczi. In Buterova a battalion from Legrand's division acted as a garrison, and a Bergish battalion was left behind to cover Vitebsk. This battalion was pushed out a few days later, and the city was retaken by the Russians.

  Wittgenstein's forces left the Polotsk area and began to move on Ula in an attempt to push Victor back. On the evening of the 30th his forces contacted Victor. The next day the French 26th Division moved on Buterova, where it joined Legrand's 6th Division. Both divisions moved to Czaszniki. In an attempt to break contact with the Russians, they engaged in a night march over a freezing, narrow, bad road. Victor wished to show only this portion of his forces to the Russians and to conceal the junction of the II and IX Corps from them.

  The merging of the II and IX Corps was to occur during the night of 31 October-1 November, but by the morning of 31 October only the 26th Division had actually made contact with the II Corps. At daybreak on the 31st, the Russians confronted this weak force. It was located near Czaszniki, and the Russians immediately brought it under a heavy cannonade. Legrand initially defended Czaszniki, but shortly abandoned the village, recrossed the river, and moved to support himself with the other divisions of the II Corps.

  Victor wished to permit the Russians to move onto the plain so he could better judge their strength. This wish was quickly granted as Wittgenstein's forces passed over the Oula and occupie
d Czaszniki, attacking the II Corps. The II Corps was formed in line. Around 11:00 A.M. the 26th Division organized itself in echelon behind the II Corps. The Baden brigade positioned itself behind Merle's Division, consisting of the three Swiss and one Croatian regiments.

  The Baden Infantry moved forward in a battle column so they could better defend their assigned positions. General Daendels detached five companies of the Hessian Leibregiment and sent them with a Bergish battalion and four Bergish guns across the Ula with orders to support that flank. In the course of the battle, the Russian converged Guard cavalry charged them repeatedly.

  The Battle of Smoliantsy

  A skirmish battle developed, and the voltigeur company of the 2/Leibregiment of the Hessian brigade engaged the Russians until its ammunition was expended. It was relieved by a company drawn from the 3rd Baden Line Regiment. This company was engaged by Russian artillery and suffered heavy casualties. More men were detached from the 3rd Baden Line Regiment to support their heavily pressed fellows. They advanced at a run. The entire battle dissolved into a wasteful skirmish between the light infantry and artillery of both sides. As night fell, the battle died away, and the French received orders to withdraw about an hour-and-a-half behind their position. They took up new positions in the woods located there.

  Around midnight the Hessian detachment of Colonel von Franken and the Lingg Jàgers that had been sent across the Ula to support the French flank returned. The clash on the 31st had cost both sides about 400 dead and wounded, but the French left some 800 prisoners behind.

  The order to retreat was given, and the two French corps withdrew in good order on the Smoliantsy palace, where they made an effort to recross the river. However, the Russians quickly stopped this effort. The two corps continued to move towards Senno. Wittgenstein made no further attempt to interfere with the French withdrawal. He established the Russian bridgehead at Smoliany with his advanced guard, while his forces positioned themselves to move to their best advantage as the situation developed. He chose, as things evolved, to wait for the arrival of Admiral Tchichagov's forces.