Battle of Lesnaya
Lyasnaya, Belarus
What happened
A Russian army under Tsar Peter the Great fought a Swedish army escorting a supply convoy under General Adam Ludwig Lewenhaupt. During the Great Northern War, Lewenhaupt was bringing supplies to King Charles XII's army, which was invading Russia. Russian forces caught the rear of his convoy and fought until night and snow ended the battle. Lewenhaupt marched on overnight, but lost most of his wagons and many soldiers.
Why it matters
Why it matters: Without the supplies, Charles XII turned south into Ukraine. Russian historians call Lesnaya the 'mother of Poltava' for the confidence it gave Peter's army.
What came next
Lewenhaupt reached Charles with about half his men. In 1709 Peter defeated the Swedes at Poltava, and Lewenhaupt later surrendered with the rest of the army at Perevolochna.
Did you know?
Charles XII called the battle a 'fortunate action' in a letter to Lewenhaupt, even though losing the convoy badly hurt his campaign.
Timeline
- 15 April 1659Lewenhaupt is born.
- 9 October 1708The Battle of Lesnaya.
- 23 October 1708Lewenhaupt reaches Charles XII.
- 1709Peter wins at Poltava.
- 12 February 1719Lewenhaupt dies as a prisoner in Moscow.