Battles & Campaigns · 1814
Battle of Reims (1814)
Reims, Marne, France
What happened
Napoleon, with Marmont and Ney, attacked a Russian and Prussian force under Emmanuel de Saint-Priest. On 12 March the allies took Reims from its small French garrison. The next day Saint-Priest underestimated the French army approaching under Napoleon. A French attack broke the allied line, and Reims was retaken that night.
Why it matters
Why it matters: The win threatened to cut the link between the two allied armies. One historian called it one of the greatest triumphs of Napoleon's career.
What came next
Napoleon stayed three days in Reims, then marched south toward Arcis-sur-Aube.
Did you know?
Napoleon claimed the gunner who wounded Saint-Priest was the same one who had hit General Moreau at Dresden.
Timeline
- 12 March 1814The allies take Reims.
- 13 March 1814Napoleon retakes Reims.
- 20–21 March 1814Battle of Arcis-sur-Aube.