Polotsk

As Napoleon advanced eastward into Russia, he set up three supply depots at Polotsk, Minsk and Smolensk to keep his army in supply. Vitebsk was the northernmost depot, and most vulnerable to Russian attacks under a steadily growing force under …

1812-10-18

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As Napoleon advanced eastward into Russia, he set up three supply depots at Polotsk, Minsk and Smolensk to keep his army in supply. Vitebsk was the northernmost depot, and most vulnerable to Russian attacks under a steadily growing force under Wittgenstein. It was imperative that Saint-Cyr hold Wittgenstein on the Dvina line to prevent the Russians from cutting the French Army’s communications. On the 18th, Wittenstein’s 40,000 Russians made no fewer than seven frontal assaults on the 23,000 French troops strategically positioned in front of Polotsk while 9,000 additional Russians under Steingal moved on Polotsk from the rear. The fighting was fierce, yet all of the Russian attacks were beaten back by the end of the day. That night and the next day the Russians bombarded the French positions. When Steingal’s force arrived, Saint-Cyr knew he had to retreat or be surrounded. He ordered his Bavarian contingent to attack Steingal. They attacked with élan, driving the Russians back in disorder and opening a line of retreat. Saint-Cyr’s force was weakened to the point that Wittgenstein was able to advance, cut the supply line at Vitebsk, and set in motion the logistic catastrophe that destroyed Le Grande Armee.

Polotsk, Belarus

The Second Battle of Polotsk took place during Napoleon's invasion of Russia. In this encounter the Russians under General Peter Wittgenstein attacked and defeated a Franco-Bavarian force under Laurent Gouvion Saint-Cyr. In the aftermath of this success, the Russians took Polotsk and dismantled Napoleon's operations in Belarus. Wittgenstein's victory set the stage for the Battle of Berezina in November, in which three Russian armies converged on Napoleon from separate directions.

Wikipedia: Second Battle of Polotsk

French

Russians

French Invasion of Russia