Battles & Campaigns · 1812
Battle of Smolensk (1812)
Smolensk, Russia
What happened
Napoleon's army advanced on Smolensk, a walled city on the Dnieper River. A great assault with heavy artillery set much of the city on fire. Barclay chose to abandon Smolensk, leaving a small force to hold out, and Polish troops broke through the walls on 17 August.
Why it matters
Why it matters: It was a French victory and one of the bloodiest battles of the invasion. The city was almost completely destroyed.
What came next
The Russian army escaped east after the rearguard fight at Valutino. On 29 August the Tsar replaced Barclay with Kutuzov.
Did you know?
The battle is remembered on Warsaw's Tomb of the Unknown Soldier with the words 'SMOLENSK 17 VIII 1812'.
Timeline
- 16 August 1812The French assault on Smolensk begins.
- 17 August 1812French troops enter the city.
- 19 August 1812Battle of Valutino.
- 29 August 1812Kutuzov replaces Barclay.