Battle of Friedland

The Battle of Friedland opposed Napoleon's French forces to Bennigsen's Russian army, which had imprudently engaged with the Alle River at its back. After a tenacious defense led by Lannes in the morning, Napoleon arrived with the bulk of his forces, launched a massive attack on the Russian left flank, and crushed the enemy army. Victory was total, sealing the end of the campaign.

After the stalemate at Eylau and spring fighting (Ostrołęka, Heilsberg), Napoleon sought a decisive battle. Bennigsen thought to surprise Lannes at Friedland but underestimated the speed of Grande Armée concentration. Napoleon committed his forces when the Russians were vulnerable.

Lannes delayed the enemy on the left bank until Napoleon's arrival. The army was deployed in successive echelons. Ney launched a powerful attack on the Russian left flank while Victor and the Guard attacked the center. Murat's cavalry cut off retreat. Russians were driven toward the Alle River where many drowned.

The crushing defeat prompted Alexander I to request an armistice. Napoleon and the tsar met at Tilsit on 7 July 1807. The resulting treaty redrew Europe: Prussia was amputated, Poland was reborn through the Duchy of Warsaw, and Russia became momentarily allied with France.