Battle of Polotsk (October 1812)

October 18, 1812 - October 20, 1812

Marshal Gouvion St. Cyr still held the area around Polotsk, protecting the northern flank of the Grande Armée from interference by Russian General Wittgenstein's army. However, Wittgenstein had been reinforced and now significantly outnumbered the French and Bavarian forces under Gouvion St. Cyr. Wittgenstein launched repeated attacks at Polotsk, and Gouvion St. Cyr was forced to abandon the position or face being trapped and cut off.

Bibliography

• Smith, Digby. The Greenhill Napoleonic Wars Data Book. London: Greenhill Books: 1998.

Updated March 2017

© Nathan D. Jensen