Russian Campaign

From 26 to 29 November 1812 on the Berezina in Belarus, Napoleon extracted part of the Grande Armée from traps set by Russian and Austrian armies. Eblé and pontonniers built two makeshift bridges under enemy fire; about 50,000 soldiers crossed the river, but 30,000 were captured or perished. The retreat from Russia became catastrophe.

From 15 to 18 November 1812 at Krasnoi in Russia, Napoleon's rearguard was crushed by Kutuzov during the retreat from Moscow. Davout's, Ney's, and Eugène's corps lost about 20,000 killed, wounded, or captured. Ney, 'the last to leave Russia,' crossed Russian lines on foot with a small group of survivors.

On 24 October 1812 at Maloyaroslavets southwest of Moscow, Eugène de Beauharnais and Davout faced Kutuzov in bloody battle for control of the Kaluga road. The town changed hands eight times. Napoleon finally chose retreat via the devastated Smolensk road rather than the intact southern route — controversial decision that sealed the Grande Armée's fate.

The Battle of the Moskva, known as the Battle of Borodino, was the bloodiest engagement of the Napoleonic Wars. Napoleon sought to break the Russian army before reaching Moscow. After a day of murderous frontal assaults on Russian redoubts, the French managed to pierce the enemy center without destroying the Russian army, which withdrew in order.

Napoleon attacked the fortified town of Smolensk to pin the Russian army and force a decisive battle. Despite intense fighting and devastating bombardments, the Russians finally abandoned the town at night, allowing the French to seize it.

While Murat observed the Russians camped at Tarutino during the general French withdrawal, they launched a surprise attack at dawn. The French vanguard was surprised, suffered heavy losses, and retreated in disorder. Napoleon lost strategic initiative.

Surprised by a Russian attack while leading the rearguard of the retreat from Moscow, Murat was forced into combat at Vinkovo. His forces were outflanked by enemy numerical superiority and had to abandon the ground, thus breaking cover for the withdrawal.