Battle of Liaskowa

The Battle of Liaskowa took place 9 November 1812 near the village of Liaskowa, where 3,500 Cossacks under Vasily Orlov-Denisov defeated 2,000 soldiers of the Grande Armée under Augereau.[1]

Battle of Liaskowa
Part of the French invasion of Russia

Cossacks were an irregular Russian cavalry best suited for the attack of the enemy’s supply lines without joining a regular battle.
Date9 November 1812
Location
Liaskowa, Lyakhovo, 40 km southeast of Smolensk, Russia
54°33′58″N 32°36′11″E
Result Russian victory
Belligerents
Russian Empire French Empire
Commanders and leaders
Orlow-Denisov Pierre Augereau
Strength
3,500[1] 2,000[1]
Casualties and losses
700-800[1] 1,500[1]
Location within Smolensk Oblast
Battle of Liaskowa (European Russia)
Battle of Liaskowa (Europe)
French invasion of Russia
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  current battle
  Prussian corps
  Napoleon
  Austrian corps

Background

Mikhail Kutuzov in his Attrition warfare against Napoleon had increased the guerrilla warfare of the Cossacks and the people's war of the peasants thereby slowly weakening the French army.[2] During the retreat of the Grande Armée from Moscow to Poland Kutuzov with his main army avoided following Napoleon directly. Kutuzov escorted the Grande Armée on parallel roads in unspoilt regions of the south.[3]

Battle

3,500 Cossacks under Vasily Orlov-Denisov defeated 2,000 soldiers of the Grande Armée under Augereau.[1]

Aftermath

The Grande Armée had its next major fight in the Battle of Krasnoi.

References
  1. Bodart 1908, p. 442.
  2. Davidov 1999, Chapter 7.
  3. Riehn 1990, p. 335-.

Literature
  • Bodart, Gaston (1908). Militär-historisches Kriegs-Lexikon (1618-1905). Retrieved 10 April 2021.
  • Davidov, Denis (1999). In the Service of the Tsar Against Napoleon, 1806–1814. Greenhill Books. ISBN 1-85367-373-0.
  • Riehn, Richard K. (1990). 1812 : Napoleon's Russian campaign. Retrieved 10 April 2021.
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