Montmirail

After his victory at Champaubert, Napoleon found himself in the midst of Blucher’s forces. In Napoleon’s mind it was the central position again, a tactical position from which he achieved much success in the past. Blucher ordered both Sacken and …

1814-02-11

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After his victory at Champaubert, Napoleon found himself in the midst of Blucher’s forces. In Napoleon’s mind it was the central position again, a tactical position from which he achieved much success in the past. Blucher ordered both Sacken and Yorck to concentrate on Montmirail. Yorck, however, was hesitant to move too far from the bridge crossing the Marne and did not move quickly. This separation of enemy forces was just what Napoleon was looking for and he took the initiative to move against Sacken’s Russians. Sacken turned his Russians to meet the French, believing Yorck’s Prussian Corps was just to the north. He saw only conscripts between his corps and Montmirail, and attacked. Ricard’s division of conscripts fought valiantly against superior Russian numbers. Finally the Old Guard arrived to save the day, shortly before Yorck’s advance guard appeared. Napoleon, knowing the Prussians could join the battle at any time, decided to commit his Old Guard units. Ney led the Old Guard assault that rolled up the Russian left flank. The Young Guard and Ricard’s reformed division now advanced and broke the Russian line. The Guard Cavalry exploited the gap and swept the battlefield.

Montmirail, France

The Battle of Montmirail was fought between a French force led by Emperor Napoleon and two Allied corps commanded by Fabian Wilhelm von Osten-Sacken and Ludwig Yorck von Wartenburg. In hard fighting that lasted until evening, French troops including the Imperial Guard defeated Sacken's Russian soldiers and compelled them to retreat to the north. Part of Yorck's Prussian I Corps tried to intervene in the struggle but it was also driven off. The battle occurred near Montmirail, France during the Six Days Campaign of the Napoleonic Wars. Montmirail is located 51 kilometres (32 mi) east of Meaux.

Wikipedia: Battle of Montmirail

French

Russians

Sixth Coalition