Battle of Kulm
Přestanov (Kulm), Ústí nad Labem Region, Czech Republic
What happened
A French corps under Dominique Vandamme fought Russian, Austrian and Prussian troops covering the allied retreat from Dresden. Vandamme chased the retreating allies into Bohemia. Russian guards held him off on the first day. On the second day Kleist's Prussian corps came down behind the French while others attacked from the front, and Vandamme himself was captured.
Why it matters
Why it matters: It cancelled out Napoleon's win at Dresden. A French victory here could have trapped the whole retreating allied army.
What came next
The allies regrouped and went on to fight at Wartenburg and Leipzig. Vandamme later lived in exile in Philadelphia.
Did you know?
The Prussian king created a special medal, the Kulm Cross, for soldiers who fought bravely here.
Timeline
- 27 August 1813Napoleon wins at Dresden.
- 29 August 1813Russian guards hold off Vandamme.
- 30 August 1813The Prussians arrive and Vandamme is captured.
- 15 July 1830Vandamme dies at Cassel.