When did Napoleon cross the Niemen river to begin the invasion of Russia?
Napoleon crossed the Niemen river on the 24th of June 1812. This event marked the start of the French invasion of Russia with his Grande Armée.
Questions about Battle of Borodino
Short answers, pulled from the story.
Who replaced Mikhail Barclay de Tolly as commander of the Russian army before the Battle of Borodino?
Tsar Alexander I replaced Mikhail Bogdanovich Barclay de Tolly with General Mikhail Kutuzov on the 29th of August. Kutuzov took command at Tsaryovo-Zaymishche on the 18th of August and ordered preparations for battle.
What date did the main fighting of the Battle of Borodino occur?
The conflict began on the 5th of September when Marshal Joachim Murat's French forces met Pyotr Konovnitsyn's Russians in a massive cavalry clash. Combat resumed the next day but the major engagements continued through that period.
How many casualties were reported from the Battle of Borodino?
The fighting involved around 250,000 troops and left at least 68,000 killed and wounded making Borodino the deadliest single-day battle of the Napoleonic Wars. The French lost approximately 28,000 soldiers while Russians suffered some 52,000 reported dead wounded or missing.
Why did Napoleon refuse to commit his Imperial Guard during the Battle of Borodino?
Napoleon refused to release his last reserve the Imperial Guard despite requests from Generals Daru Dumas and Marshal Louis Alexandre Berthier. He stated I will most definitely not; I do not want to have it blown up and rejected another request from Marshal Ney instead calling Mortier to guard the field without moving forward or backward.