Battle of Eylau

Eylau was one of the bloodiest battles of the Napoleonic era. Under a snowstorm, the French attacked Russian lines around the town of Eylau. The battlefield was chaotic, visibility nil. Murat led a cavalry charge of more than 10,000 men to halt the enemy advance. At day's end both sides remained on the field, drained of blood. Napoleon claimed victory, but the result was militarily indecisive.

After the autumn campaign and December engagements, Napoleon sought to strike a decisive blow against the Russians. Bennigsen entrenched near Eylau. Combat began in extreme winter conditions, with −10°C, snow, mud, and poor visibility. Napoleon lacked coordination in his attacks.

The battle began with a poorly synchronized attack by Augereau in a blizzard, which disintegrated under Russian fire. Napoleon then sent Murat in the largest cavalry charge of the war, stabilizing the front. The arrival of Davout's corps on the right flank permitted an attempted envelopment, counterbalanced by the late arrival of Prussians on the French left flank.

Psychologically, it was a shock for the French. For the first time Napoleon did not clearly defeat his adversary. Losses were immense on both sides. The Polish campaign was suspended until spring. Bennigsen withdrew, allowing Napoleon to maintain a favorable strategic position, but without decisive victory.