Battle of Smoliani

Battle of Smoliani
Part of the French invasion of Russia

The night bivouac of Napoleon's army during the retreat from Russia.
Date13–14 November 1812
Location
Bol'shiye Smolyantsy, Governorate of Vitebsk, Russian Empire
54°50′N 29°11′E / 54.833°N 29.183°E / 54.833; 29.183
Result Russian victory
Belligerents
Russian Empire Russian Empire First French Empire French Empire
Commanders and leaders
Russian Empire Peter Wittgenstein First French Empire Claude Victor
First French Empire Nicholas Oudinot
Strength

30,000 troops:

  • more than 6,000 involved on the 1st day;
  • unknown number involved on the 2nd day.

approx. 25,000 troops available:

  • 6,000 involved on the 1st day;
  • 5,000 involved on the 2nd day.
Casualties and losses
3,000 3,000
Map
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Smoliani
Claude Victor in Smoliani 13–14 November 1812
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15
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9
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8
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4
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Vitebsk
3
Battle of Vitebsk 26 July 1812: Napoleon
Vilna
2
Kowno
1
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  Prussian corps
  Napoleon
  Austrian corps

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 reestablish their northern flank in Russia, known as the "Dwina Line". Previously, the French had been defeated in this sector at the Second battle of Polotsk (October 18–20, 1812) and at the Battle of Czasniki (October 31, 1812)