Battles & Campaigns · 1811
Battle of Slobozia
Slobozia, Wallachia (now Romania)
What happened
A Russian army under Mikhail Kutuzov trapped an Ottoman army under Ahmed Pasha. Ahmed Pasha's army crossed the Danube and dug in near Slobozia in Wallachia. One night Russian troops under Yevgeny Markov crossed the river behind them and surprised the Ottoman camp. Trapped and bombarded, short of food in cold, wet weather, the Ottoman army was worn down until Ahmed Pasha surrendered.
Why it matters
The loss pushed the Ottoman Empire to make peace with Russia.
What came next
The Treaty of Bucharest in May 1812 made the Prut River the border. Russia then moved troops north, just before Napoleon invaded.
Did you know?
Markov's force was outnumbered about three to one, yet the Ottoman camp scattered.
Timeline
- 28 Aug 1811Ottoman army crosses the Danube.
- 1 Oct 1811Markov surprises the Ottoman camp.
- 14 Nov 1811Ahmed Pasha surrenders.
- 28 May 1812Treaty of Bucharest.