Battle of Krasnoi
Krasny, Smolensk region, Russia
What happened
Over four days, Russian forces struck the long, strung-out French army as it marched west from Smolensk. They attacked the separated corps of Eugène de Beauharnais, Davout and Ney. Ney's corps escaped by crossing the frozen Dnieper River, and a feint by the Imperial Guard made Kutuzov delay a final attack, so Napoleon's forces got away.
Why it matters
Why it matters: It was a Russian victory that badly weakened the Grande Armée. Tsar Alexander I was disappointed that Kutuzov had not destroyed the French army, but Kutuzov was given the title Prince of Smolensk.
What came next
The French moved on toward Orsha, where Ney and Eugène met again on 20 November. The survivors then had to cross the Berezina.
Did you know?
Cossacks reportedly captured Marshal Davout's marshal's baton during the fighting.
Timeline
- 3 November 1812Battle of Vyazma.
- 15 November 1812Fighting at Krasnoi begins.
- 18 November 1812Fighting at Krasnoi ends.
- 20 November 1812Ney and Eugène reunite near Orsha.