Battle of Liaskowa

The Battle of Liaskowa (or Lyakhovo) took place 9 November 1812 near the village of Liaskowa, where 3,500 Cossacks under the command of Vasily Vasilyevich Orlov-Denisov (also under Denis Vasilyevich Davydov, Aleksandr Samoylovich Figner and Aleksandr Nikitich Seslavin) surrounded 2,000 soldiers of the Grande Armée under Jean-Pierre Augereau.[1]

Battle of Liaskowa
Part of the French invasion of Russia

Cossacks were an irregular Russian cavalry best suited for the attack of the enemy’s supply lines without joining a major battle.
Date9 November 1812
Location
Liaskowa/Lyakhovo, 40 km southeast of Smolensk, Russian Empire
54°33′58″N 32°36′11″E
Result Russian victory
Belligerents
Russian Empire Russian Empire First French Empire French Empire
Commanders and leaders
Russian Empire Orlov-Denisov
Russian Empire Denis Davydov
Russian Empire Aleksandr Figner
Russian Empire A. Seslavin		 First French Empire J.-P. Augereau
Strength
3,500[1]
4 cannons		 2,000[1]
Casualties and losses
200[1] 2,000[1]
Battle of Liaskowa is located in Smolensk Oblast
Battle of Liaskowa
Location within Smolensk Oblast
Battle of Liaskowa is located in European Russia
Battle of Liaskowa
Battle of Liaskowa (European Russia)
Battle of Liaskowa is located in Europe
Battle of Liaskowa
Battle of Liaskowa (Europe)
French invasion of Russia
🌍
  current battle
  Prussian corps
  Napoleon
  Austrian corps

Background

Mikhail Kutuzov in his Attrition warfare against Napoleon had increased the guerrilla warfare of the Cossacks and the people's war of the peasants thereby slowly weakening the French army.[2] During the retreat of the Grande Armée from Moscow to Poland Kutuzov with his main army avoided following Napoleon directly. Kutuzov escorted the Grande Armée on parallel roads in unspoilt regions of the south.[3]

Battle

3,500 Cossacks under Vasily Orlov-Denisov routed 2,000 soldiers of the Grande Armée under Augereau. 1,750 French were taken prisoner.[1]

Aftermath

The Grande Armée had its next major fight in the Battle of Krasnoi.

See also

References
  1. Bodart 1908, p. 442.
  2. Davidov 1999, Chapter 7.
  3. Riehn 1990, p. 335-.

Literature
  • Bodart, Gaston (1908). Militär-historisches Kriegs-Lexikon (1618-1905). Retrieved 10 April 2021.
  • Davidov, Denis (1999). In the Service of the Tsar Against Napoleon, 1806–1814. Greenhill Books. ISBN 1-85367-373-0.
  • Riehn, Richard K. (1990). 1812 : Napoleon's Russian campaign. ISBN 9780070527317. Retrieved 10 April 2021.
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