When and where did the Battle of Borodino take place?
The Battle of Borodino took place on the 7th of September 1812, near the village of Borodino on the outskirts of Moscow, during Napoleon's invasion of Russia.
Questions about Battle of Borodino
Short answers, pulled from the story.
How many soldiers fought at the Battle of Borodino?
Approximately a quarter of a million soldiers were involved in the battle. The Russians fielded 155,200 troops, while French forces totaled 128,000, with an additional 18,500 in the Imperial Guard that never saw action.
Why did Napoleon refuse to commit the Imperial Guard at Borodino?
Napoleon refused to deploy the Imperial Guard because he was reluctant to expend this last reserve so far from France. Despite pleas from generals including Rapp, Daru, Dumas, and Berthier, Napoleon said he was certain of winning without its intervention. He also wished to preserve the Guard as leverage to negotiate with Tsar Alexander I.
Who commanded the Russian forces at the Battle of Borodino?
General Mikhail Kutuzov commanded the Russian forces at Borodino. Tsar Alexander I appointed him on the 29th of August 1812 to replace the unpopular Barclay de Tolly after French and Polish forces captured and razed Smolensk.
What were the casualties at the Battle of Borodino?
The battle left at least 68,000 killed and wounded, making it the deadliest single-day battle of the Napoleonic Wars. French losses were approximately 28,000-35,000 soldiers, while Russian losses reached around 44,000-52,000. Among the Russian dead was Prince Bagration, who died of his wounds on the 24th of September.
Who won the Battle of Borodino?
Most historians describe Borodino as a draw or a French Pyrrhic victory. The French captured the Bagration fleches and the Raevsky Redoubt, but failed to destroy the Russian army. The Russian army retreated intact and ultimately contributed to the near-total destruction of Napoleon's forces during the retreat from Moscow.