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Occupation of Vitebsk


Battle Name : Occupation of Vitebsk

Date(s) : 28 July 1812

Part of : The French Revolutionary and Napoleonic Wars , Napoleon's Russian Campaign ,

Outcome : An inconclusive engagement between the Grande Armee and Russian 1st Army

Type of battle : Land

Summary

The 2 Russian armies of Bagration and Barclay de Tolly had intended to meet and combine at Vitebsk, and Napoleon, sensing this, re-grouped and made a 3rd attempt to bring the Russians to a decisive battle at the city. However after engagements at Mohilev and Ostronovo, Barclay de Tolly arrived at Vitebsk but Bagration couldn't. Without his aid, Barclay de Tolly decided to fall back and concentrate on Smolensk.

The French were unopposed when they entered the city, but by this time the Grande Armee had suffered 100,000 casualties from various causes since the beginning of the campaign.

Location

City of Vitebsk, Russia (Russia)

More details

The 2 Russian armies of Bagration and Barclay de Tolly had intended to meet and combine at Vitebsk, and Napoleon, sensing this, re-grouped and made a 3rd attempt to bring the Russians to a decisive battle at the city. However after engagements at Mohilev and Ostronovo, Barclay de Tolly arrived at Vitebsk but Bagration couldn't. Without his aid, Barclay de Tolly decided to fall back and concentrate on Smolensk.

The French were unopposed when they entered the city, but by this time the Grande Armee had suffered 100,000 casualties from various causes since the beginning of the campaign.