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Battle of Mesoten

The Battle of Mesothen took place from 26–30 September to 1 October 1812, between the Russian Corps of Finland and the French-allied Prussian Auxiliary Corps. It was fought near the Latvian town of Mežotne (German: Mesothen), then part of the Courland Governorate.[1]

Battle of Mesothen
Part of the French invasion of Russia

Theater of military operations
Date26–30 September to 1 October 1812
Location
Mežotne, Russian Empire
56°26′N 24°03′E / 56.433°N 24.050°E / 56.433; 24.050
Result Prussian victory
Belligerents
Russian Empire Russian Empire Kingdom of Prussia Prussia
Commanders and leaders
Russian Empire Fabian Steinheil Kingdom of Prussia Ludwig von Yorck
Strength
22,000[1] 16,000[1]
Casualties and losses
4,000[1] 1,250[1]
French invasion of Russia
Map
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500km
300miles
Mesoten
Fabian Steinheil at Mesoten 26–30 September to 1 October 1812
Pultusk
15
Gorodeczno
14
Battle of Gorodechno 12 August 1812: Schwarzenberg's Austrians
Drohiczyn
13
Tauroggen
12
Tauroggen 30 December 1812: Ludwig Yorck's Prussians signed the Convention of Tauroggen
Riga
11
Siege of Riga 24 July – 18 December 1812: Macdonald's Prussians
Tilsit
10
Warsaw
9
Berezina
8
Battle of Berezina 26–29 November 1812: Napoleon, Chichagov, Wittgenstein, Kutuzov only pursuit
Maloyaro-
slavets
7
Battle of Maloyaroslavets 24 October 1812: Kutuzov, Napoleon
Moscow
6
Moscow 14 September to 19 October 1812: Napoleon
Borodino
5
Battle of Borodino 7 September 1812: Kutuzov, Napoleon October 1812: Napoleon's Retreat
Smolensk
4
Battle of Smolensk 16 August 1812: Napoleon November 1812: : Napoleon's retreat
Vitebsk
3
Battle of Vitebsk 26 July 1812: Napoleon
Vilna
2
Kowno
1
  current battle
  Prussian corps
  Napoleon
  Austrian corps

Background

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In September 1812, Russian troops of General Steinheil entered Mitau, Gross Eckau and Bauska without a fight. However, they were spread out and vulnerable to enemy counterattacks. The Prussian command deployed its forces to defend the artillery stationed at the Bauska Castle and sent small squads to the ford across the river Lielupe.

Battle

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Hans David Ludwig Yorck von Wartenburg

On September 29, the Prussians launched a counterattack against the advancing Russian forces and attacked their vanguard at 5 pm. The struggle lasted until late at night and pushed the Russian troops back. On the same night, Ludwig von Yorck sent forces under the command of Friedrich Kleist against the troops of Alexander Belgard, which were chasing a retreating Prussian squad on the left bank of the Lielupe. The resulting battle was fought in darkness and involved only infantry units. Vastly outnumbering the enemy, the Prussians forced the Russian troops back and, after having received substantial reinforcements, went on the offensive.[2]

Aftermath

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Faddey Fyodorovich Steinheil

As a result of the battle, Steinheil called off the advance and returned to Riga. Although a defeat, the battle eased some of the pressure on the Russian army of Peter Wittgenstein, helping it to eventually capture the city of Polotsk on October 20.[3]

See also

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Notes

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  1. ^ a b c d e Bodart 1908, p. 439.
  2. ^ Отечественная война 1812 года (2004), p. 13
  3. ^ Отечественная война 1812 года (2004), p. 615.

References

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  • Отечественная война 1812 года: Энциклопедия (Patriotic War of 1812: an Encyclopedia) (in Russian). Moscow: РОССПЭН. 2004.
  • Bodart, Gaston (1908). Militär-historisches Kriegs-Lexikon (1618-1905). Retrieved 7 April 2021.
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Preceded by
Battle of Valutino 		Napoleonic Wars
Battle of Mesoten 		Succeeded by
Battle of Borodino
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