When was the Battle of Montmirail fought?
The Battle of Montmirail was fought on the 11th of February 1814. It took place near the town of Montmirail, France, 51 kilometers east of Meaux, during the Six Days Campaign of the Napoleonic Wars.
Questions about Battle of Montmirail
Short answers, pulled from the story.
Who commanded the French forces at the Battle of Montmirail?
Emperor Napoleon commanded the French forces at Montmirail. His striking force of 30,000 men and 120 guns included corps under Marshals Michel Ney, Édouard Mortier, and Auguste de Marmont, along with the Imperial Guard and the I Cavalry Corps.
Who were the Allied commanders at the Battle of Montmirail?
The Allied forces were led by Fabian Wilhelm von Osten-Sacken, who commanded the Russian corps, and Ludwig Yorck von Wartenburg, who commanded the Prussian I Corps. Both operated under the overall command of Prussian Field Marshal Gebhard Leberecht von Blücher.
What were the casualties at the Battle of Montmirail?
According to Francis Loraine Petre, the French sustained 2,000 casualties while inflicting 2,000 killed and wounded on the Russians, capturing 800 soldiers, six colors, and 13 guns. The Prussians suffered an additional 900 casualties. French wounded included Generals Nansouty, Michel, and Boudin de Roville.
Why was Napoleon outnumbered at the start of the Battle of Montmirail?
At the battle's opening, Napoleon could deploy only 5,000 Old Guard infantry, 4,500 cavalry, Ricard's division, and 36 guns, because bad roads and soldier exhaustion delayed his reinforcements. The rest of his striking force was still marching and arrived in stages throughout the day as the fighting progressed.
What happened to Sacken's Russian forces after the Battle of Montmirail?
After losing Marchais at 5:00 pm, Sacken's forces retreated through marshes and woods, guided by bonfires, using 50 cavalrymen per gun to haul the artillery through the mud. Eight disabled guns were abandoned. After an all-night march, his troops reached Viffort and continued north toward Château-Thierry, where Napoleon pursued them on the 12th of February 1814.