Battles & Campaigns · 1807
Battle of Heilsberg
Lidzbark Warmiński (Heilsberg), Poland
What happened
Murat's troops attacked earlier than planned, and fighting went on until night without real French gains. Napoleon arrived in the evening, but his attacks also failed. The two sides agreed a short truce to collect the wounded, and the Russians later withdrew.
Why it matters
Why it matters: It was a tactical draw and a successful Russian rearguard action. Napoleon never realised he had been facing the whole Russian army.
What came next
Four days later Napoleon won at Friedland. Peace talks then led to the Treaties of Tilsit, ending the War of the Fourth Coalition.
Did you know?
Bennigsen was ill all day but stayed on his horse, though he fainted and fell off several times.
Timeline
- 10 June 1807Battle of Heilsberg.
- 11 June 1807A truce to collect the wounded.
- 14 June 1807Battle of Friedland.