Battles & Campaigns · 1806
Battle of Czarnowo
Czarnowo, Poland
What happened
In the winter of 1806, the French wanted to push the Russians back from Warsaw. At night they crossed the Wkra River in boats and on three quickly built bridges. The village of Czarnowo changed hands during an all-night fight, and then the Russians withdrew east.
Why it matters
It gave Napoleon a foothold east of the Vistula to protect Warsaw before winter. It opened a week of fighting in Poland.
What came next
On 26 December the French fought the Russians again at Pułtusk and Gołymin.
Did you know?
During this cold, muddy campaign, Napoleon first called his soldiers 'les grognards', the grumblers.
Timeline
- 23–24 Dec 1806Battle of Czarnowo.
- 24 Dec 1806French cross the Wkra at Kołoząb.
- 26 Dec 1806Battles of Pułtusk and Gołymin.