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What was the Second Battle of Polotsk (1812)?

Introduction The Second Battle of Polotsk (18-20 October 1812) took place during Napoleon’s invasion of Russia. In this encounter the Russians under General Peter Wittgenstein attacked and defeated a Franco-Bavarian force under Laurent Gouvion Saint-Cyr. In the aftermath of this success, the Russians took Polotsk and dismantled Napoleon’s operations in Belarus. Wittgenstein’s victory set the… Read More

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What was the Battle of Smoliani (1812)?

Introduction At the Battle of Smoliani (November 13-14, 1812), the Russians under General Peter Wittgenstein defeated the French forces of Marshal Claude Victor and Marshal Nicholas Oudinot. This battle was the last effort of the French to re-establish their northern flank in Russia, known as the “Dwina Line”. Previously, the French had been defeated in… Read More

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What was the Coup of 18 Brumaire (1799)?

Introduction The Coup of 18 Brumaire brought General Napoleon Bonaparte to power as First Consul of France and in the view of most historians ended the French Revolution. This bloodless coup d’état overthrew the Directory, replacing it with the French Consulate. This occurred on 09 November 1799, which was 18 Brumaire, Year VIII under the… Read More

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What was the Battle of Vyazma (1812)?

Introduction The Battle of Vyazma, 03 November 1812, was a rearguard action which occurred at the beginning of Napoleon’s retreat from Moscow. In this encounter, the French rearguard was opposed to Russian forces commanded by General Mikhail Andreyevich Miloradovich. Although Marshal Davout repelled Miloradovich’s attempt to encircle and destroy his corps, the French withdrew in… Read More

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What was the War of the Seventh Coalition (1815)?

Introduction The Hundred Days War (French: les Cent-Jours IPA: [le sɑ̃ ʒuʁ]), also known as the War of the Seventh Coalition, marked the period between Napoleon’s return from exile on the island of Elba to Paris on 20 March 1815 and the second restoration of King Louis XVIII on 08 July 1815 (a period of… Read More

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What was the War of the Sixth Coalition (1813)?

Introduction In the War of the Sixth Coalition (March 1813 to May 1814), sometimes known in Germany as the War of Liberation, a coalition of Austria, Prussia, Russia, the United Kingdom, Portugal, Sweden, Spain and a number of German States defeated France and drove Napoleon into exile on Elba. After the disastrous French invasion of… Read More