Battles & Campaigns · 1812
Battle of Mesoten
Near Mežotne, Courland (now Latvia)
What happened
During Napoleon's invasion of Russia, Steinheil's Russians spread out through Courland. On 29 September the Prussians struck the Russian vanguard and pushed it back, then attacked at night and went on the offensive.
Why it matters
Steinheil called off his advance and went back to Riga. The battle eased pressure on another Russian army fighting near Polotsk.
What came next
That Russian army took Polotsk on 20 October. Later that year Yorck decided to stop fighting for Napoleon.
Did you know?
The 'battle' was really several separate fights over a few days.
Timeline
- Sep 1812Russians enter Mitau and Bauska.
- 29 Sep 1812Main Prussian counterattack.
- 20 Oct 1812Russians take Polotsk.
- 20 Dec 1812Yorck decides to change sides.