Battle of the Katzbach
Katzbach River, near Liegnitz
What happened
Napoleon left MacDonald to chase Blücher's army, but MacDonald was slow and his corps were spread out. On 26 August, in a thunderstorm with rivers in flood, the armies met near the Katzbach River. MacDonald's columns could not support each other, Blücher counterattacked, and by evening the French were routed.
Why it matters
Why it matters: It came on the same day as Napoleon's victory at Dresden and lifted the Allies' spirits. With Kulm and Dennewitz, it largely cancelled out Napoleon's gain at Dresden.
What came next
MacDonald's army retreated toward Saxony with heavy losses. Blücher was later given the title Prince of Wahlstatt, named after the Katzbach battlefield.
Did you know?
Rain had soaked the soldiers' muskets, so much of the fighting was decided at close quarters.
Timeline
- 23 August 1813Battle of Großbeeren.
- 26 August 1813Battle of the Katzbach.
- 30 August 1813Battle of Kulm.
- 3 June 1814Blücher becomes Prince of Wahlstatt.