Battle of Valutino

Part of French invasion of Russia (1812)

Battle of Valutino, by Peter von Hess

Date	18 August 1812
Location	Near Smolensk, Russia
Result	French tactical victory Strategic Russian retreat

Belligerents

First French Empire

Russian Empire

Commanders and leaders

Michel Ney
Jean-Andoche Junot

Michael Andreas Barclay de Tolly

Strength

30,000

40,000

Casualties and losses

7,000

6,000

The Battle of Valutino took place on 18 August 1812, between a corps of French and allied troops led by Marshal Ney, about 30,000 strong, and a strong rear-guard of General Barclay de Tolly's Russian army of about 40,000, commanded by the general himself. The Russians were strongly posted in marshy ground, protected by a small stream, about 20 Kilometers east of Smolensk. The French, attacking resolutely, carried the Russian position in the face of considerable physical obstacles.

Napoleon's hopes of trapping General Barclay's army were dashed when he discovered that the Russian force awaiting the French was a rearguard under General Tutchkov. Barclay's main force of three infantry and one cavalry corps was strung out near Smolensk, trying to get away from the French after the Battle of Smolensk. They then turned around to fight the French on the Stragan river. After a heavy bombardment, Ney launched an assault against the Russians, crossing the Stragan but failing to capture the crest. Murat's cavalry attacks were bogged down in marshy ground and accomplished nothing either. General Junot's force was close to the battlefield and was urged to attack the Russians by Murat, but Junot did nothing and the opportunity for a decisive victory passed.

A few hours later, Ney launched the last attack. General Gudin led the assault and was killed when a cannonball removed his legs. The French managed to capture the crest after hard fighting, but by that point the majority of Barclay's army had escaped and was heading towards Lubino.

French casualties stood at around 7,000; the Russians had lost about 6,000. Napoleon was furious after the battle, realizing that another good chance to trap and destroy the Russian army had been lost.

Coordinates: 54°49′23″N 32°14′28″E / 54.8231°N 32.2411°E / 54.8231; 32.2411

...
Wikipedia