| |
This map from Beskrovni's Atlas shows the
engagement around Krasnoi on 16-17 Nov, during the French retreat. Napoleon
reached Krasnoi where Junot was on 15 November. There he halted to wait for
Eugene and ordered Davout and Ney to hurry up from Smolensk. That night
Napoleon attacked the Russian units just south of the village (shown commanded
by Golitsin). At Krasnoi on the main road to Smolensk, the Russians interposed
troops east of town to get between Napoleon and Davout and Ney, while advancing
tentatively against Davout's depleted corps and Ney's rear guard. Miloradovich
intercepted Eugene east of the village but Eugene escaped during the night.
Then Davout arrived against Miloradovich. On the 17th Napoleon sent Eugene on
westward to Orsha while turing back east with the Guard. Napoleon maintaining
his psychological dominance pushed the Old and Young Guard east against the
Russian blockade. Davout bypassed the main Russian blocking force on the north
side as Milorodich retired southward. The Russians still managed to regain
control of the village again, cutting Ney off. When Ney arrived he was asked to
surrender but he instead attacked and was thrown back. Ney during the night
marched his small force north,. crossed the Dniper during the night , fought a
running battle with Platov, and regained the rest of the army at Orsha with the
assistance of Eugene. He brought out 900 of his initial 6000 remaining troops
but lost all his cannon.
|
|
