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Battle of Golymin
Part of the War of the Fourth Coalition
Date December 26, 1806
Location Golymin, Poland
Result Successful Russian withdrawal
Belligerents
Flag of France First French Empire Flag of Russia Russian Empire
Commanders
Flag of France Marshal Murat Flag of Russia General Golitsyn
Strength
38,000 soldiers[1] 16,000-18,000 soldiers,
28 guns[2]
Casualties and losses
700 750


The Battle of Golymin took place on 26 December 1806 during the Napoleonic Wars at Golymin, Poland, between around 17,000 Russian soldiers with 28 guns under Prince Golitsyn and 38,000 French soldiers under Marshal Murat. The Fourth Coalition against Napoleon's French Empire was defeated in a war spanning 1806&ndash1807 Events 1481 - Battle of Westbrook - Holland defeats troops of Utrecht. Year 1806 ( MDCCCVI) was a Common year starting on Wednesday (link will display the full calendar of the Gregorian calendar (or a Common Poland (Polska officially the Republic of Poland The Empire of the French (1804-1814 also known as the Empire of France, Greater French Empire, First French Empire, French Empire, or The Russian Empire ( Pre-reform Russian: Pоссійская Имперія Modern Russian: Российская Империя translit: Rossiyskaya Joachim-Napoléon Murat (born Joachim Murat) ( Gioacchino Napoleone Murat) ( March 25 1767 &ndash October 13 1815) Serene Prince Dmitriy Vladimirovich Golitsyn (Дмитрий Владимирович Голицын ( 29 October 1771 &ndash 27 March 1844, Events 1481 - Battle of Westbrook - Holland defeats troops of Utrecht. Year 1806 ( MDCCCVI) was a Common year starting on Wednesday (link will display the full calendar of the Gregorian calendar (or a Common The Napoleonic Wars (1803-1815 involved Napoleon's French Empire and a shifting set of European allies and opposing coalitions Poland (Polska officially the Republic of Poland The Russian Empire ( Pre-reform Russian: Pоссійская Имперія Modern Russian: Российская Империя translit: Rossiyskaya Serene Prince Dmitriy Vladimirovich Golitsyn (Дмитрий Владимирович Голицын ( 29 October 1771 &ndash 27 March 1844, The Empire of the French (1804-1814 also known as the Empire of France, Greater French Empire, First French Empire, French Empire, or Joachim-Napoléon Murat (born Joachim Murat) ( Gioacchino Napoleone Murat) ( March 25 1767 &ndash October 13 1815) The Russian forces disengaged successfully from the superior French forces. The Russian Empire ( Pre-reform Russian: Pоссійская Имперія Modern Russian: Российская Империя translit: Rossiyskaya The Empire of the French (1804-1814 also known as the Empire of France, Greater French Empire, First French Empire, French Empire, or The battle took place on the same day as the Battle of Pultusk. The Battle of Pułtusk took place on December 26 1806 during the Napoleonic Wars near Pułtusk, Poland.

Contents

Strategic situation

After conquering Prussia in the autumn of 1806, Napoleon entered Poland to confront the Russian army, which had been preparing to support the Prussians until their sudden defeat. The Kingdom of Prussia (Königreich Preußen was a German kingdom from 1701 to 1918 and from 1871 was the leading state of the German Empire, comprising Year 1806 ( MDCCCVI) was a Common year starting on Wednesday (link will display the full calendar of the Gregorian calendar (or a Common Napoleon Bonaparte (15 August 1769 – 5 May 1821 was a French military and political leader who had a significant impact on the History of Europe. Poland (Polska officially the Republic of Poland Crossing the river Vistula, the French advance corps took Warsaw on 28 November 1806. Warsaw (Warszawa; also known by other names) is the Capital and Largest city of Poland. For the town in Argentina, see 28 de Noviembre. Events Year 1806 ( MDCCCVI) was a Common year starting on Wednesday (link will display the full calendar of the Gregorian calendar (or a Common

The Russian army was under the overall command of Field Marshal Mikhail Kamensky, but he was old and becoming infirm. Count Mikhail Fedotovich Kamensky (Михаи́л Федо́тович Ка́менский ( May 8, 1738 &ndash August 12, 1809) The Russian First Army of some 55,000 to 68,000 men,[3] commanded by Count Bennigsen, had fallen back from the Vistula to the line of the River Wkra,[4] in order to unite with the Second Army, about 37,000 strong,[5] under Buxhowden, which was approaching from Russia and was still some 15 days march from the First Army. Levin August Gottlieb Theophil ( Leonty Leontyevich) Count von Bennigsen ( February 10 1745 - December 3 1826) was Wkra is a River in north-eastern Poland, a tributary of the Narew river with a length of 249 kilometres (13th longest and the basin area of 5322 km² Friedrich Wilhelm Count von Buxhoevden, (Федор Федорович Буксгевден Fyodor Fyodorovich Booksgevden other spellings Feodor Buxhoeveden Buxhœwden ( September However, realising his mistake in allowing the French to cross the Vistula, Kamensky advanced at the beginning of December to try to regain the line of the river. [6] French forces crossed the River Bug at Modlin on 10 December, and the Prussian Corps commanded by Lestocq failed to retake Thorn. The Bug or Buh River (Bug; Західний Буг Zakhidnyy Buh; Захо́дні Буг Zakhodni Buh; Западный Буг Zapadnyy Bug Modlin Fortress ( Polish Twierdza Modlin) is one of the biggest 19th century Fortresses in Poland Events 1041 - Empress Zoe of Byzantium elevates her adoptive son to the throne of the Eastern Roman Empire as Michael V Toruń Lublin Voivodeship Toruń (Thorn Torń Thorunium see also other names) is a city in northern Poland, on the Vistula River with population This led Bennigsen on 11 December to issue orders to fall back and hold the line of the River Wkra. Events 359 - Honoratus, the first known Prefect of the City of Constantinople, takes office [7]

When this was reported to Napoleon, he assumed the Russians were in full retreat. He ordered the forces under Murat (the 3rd corps of Davout, 7th of Augereau and 5th under Lannes and the 1st Cavalry Reserve Corps) to pursue towards Pultusk while Ney, Bernadotte and Bessières (6th, 1st and 2nd Cavalry Reserve Corps respectively) turned the Russian right and Soult's (4th Corps) linked the two wings of the army. Louis-Nicolas d'Avout ( May 10, 1770 &ndash June 1, 1823) better known as Davout, 1st Duc d' Auerstaedt Charles Pierre François Augereau 1st Duc de Castiglione ( October 21, 1757 &ndash June 12, 1816) was a French soldier and military Jean Lannes, 1st Duc de Montebello, 1st Sovereign Prince de Sievers ( April 11, 1769 &ndash May 31, Pułtusk is a town in Poland by the river Narew, 70 km north of Warsaw. Michel Ney, 1st Duc d' Elchingen, 1st Prince de la Moskowa ( January 10 1769 &ndash December 7 1815 Charles XIV John ( Karl XIV Johan) born Jean-Baptiste Bernadotte, later renamed Jean-Baptiste Jules Bernadotte (26 January 1763 &ndash 8 March 1844 Jean-Baptiste Bessières, 1st Duc d' Istria ( August 6, 1768 &ndash May 1, 1813) was a Marshal of France Nicolas Jean-de-Dieu Soult, 1st Duc de Dalmatie (29 March 1769 26 November 1851 the Hand of Iron, was a French general and statesman named [8]

Kamensky had reversed the Russian retreat, and ordered an advance to support the troops on the River Ukra. [9] Because of this, the French experienced difficultly crossing the river and it was not until Davout forced a crossing near the junction of the Wkra and the Narew on 22 December[10] that the French were able to advance. Narew Podlaskie Voivodeship The river Narew ( Belarusian: Нараў, Lithuanian: Naura) in western Belarus and north-eastern Events 1790 - The Turkish fortress of Izmail is stormed and captured by Suvorov and his Russian armies

On 23 December, after an engagement at Soldau with Bernadotte's 1st Corps, the Prussian corps under Lestocq was driven north towards Königsberg. Events 962 - Byzantine-Arab Wars: Under the future Emperor Nicephorus Phocas, Byzantine troops stormed the city Działdowo (Soldau is a Town in north-central Poland with 24830 inhabitants (2006 the capital of Działdowo County. Königsberg (Karaliaučius Low German: Königsbarg; Królewiec see also other names) was until 1946 the name of Kaliningrad. Realising the danger, Kamensky ordered a retreat on Ostrolenka. Ostrołęka is a town in northeastern Poland on the Narew river about 120 km (75 miles northeast of Warsaw, with a population of 53605 (2007 Bennigsen decided to disobey and stand and fight on 26 December at Pultusk. Events 1481 - Battle of Westbrook - Holland defeats troops of Utrecht. To the north-west, most of the 4th Division commanded by General Golitsyn and the 5th Division under General Dokhturov were falling back towards Ostrolenka via the town of Golymin. Serene Prince Dmitriy Vladimirovich Golitsyn (Дмитрий Владимирович Голицын ( 29 October 1771 &ndash 27 March 1844, Dmitry Sergeyevich Dokhturov (Дмитрий Сергеевич Дохтуров ( 1756 - November 14 (26 1816 Moscow) was a Russian Infantry Ostrołęka is a town in northeastern Poland on the Narew river about 120 km (75 miles northeast of Warsaw, with a population of 53605 (2007 The 3rd Division under General Sacken, who had been the link with the Prussians, was also trying to retire via Golymin, but had been driven further north by the French to Ciechanow. Prince Fabian Gottlieb von der Osten-Sacken (Фабиан Вильгельмович Остен-Сакен ( 20 October 1752 &ndash 7 September 1837 Some of the 4th Division's units were at Pultusk. [11]

The weather

The weather caused severe difficulties for both sides. Mild autumn weather had lasted longer than usual. [12] Normally, frosts made the inadequate roads passable after the muddy conditions of autumn but on 17 December there was a thaw,[13] followed by a two-day thaw beginning on 26 December. Events 546 - Gothic War (535–554: The Ostrogoths of King Totila Events 1481 - Battle of Westbrook - Holland defeats troops of Utrecht. [14] The result was that both sides found it very difficult to manoeuvre. In particular the French (as they were advancing) had great difficulty bringing up their artillery, and so had none available at Golymin.

There were also difficulties with supply. Captain Marbot, who was serving with Augereau, wrote:

“ It rained and snowed incessantly. Jean Baptiste Antoine Marcellin Marbot ( August 18, 1782 &ndash November 16, 1854) French soldier son of General Jean Provisions became very scarce; no more wine, hardly any beer, and what there was exceedingly bad, no bread, and quarters for which we had to fight the pigs and the cows. [15] ”

The site of the battle

The village of Golymin lay in a flat area, with slight rises to the north and north-east. Woods and marshes almost surrounded the village. From the village, the road to Pultusk ran south-east, that to Ciechanow north-west, and that to Makow (the destination for the Russian retirement) to the north-east. A track linked Golymin to the small village of Garnow to the south. The village of Ruskowo lay to the south-west, and that of Kaleczin a short distance to the west. Wadkowo lay further out along the Ciechanow road.

The battle

On the morning of 26 December, elements of Golitsyn's 4th Division reached Golymin. Events 1481 - Battle of Westbrook - Holland defeats troops of Utrecht. They were too exhausted to continue to Makow and Golitsyn also needed to wait for units of Sacken's 3rd Division. In the village he found Dokhturov, who had sent most of his 5th Division towards Makow, but remained at Golymin with a dragoon and an infantry regiment. Dmitry Sergeyevich Dokhturov (Дмитрий Сергеевич Дохтуров ( 1756 - November 14 (26 1816 Moscow) was a Russian Infantry Golitsyn hoped to rest his men before continuing their retreat. [16]

Murat's Reserve Cavalry Corps and Augereau's 7th Corps set out towards the town at first light (around 7 am). Lasalle's Cavalry Division were the first to arrive from the south-west at about 10am. [17] Golitsyn reinforced his rearguard of two squadrons of cavalry with three squadrons of cuirassiers, and Lasalle's men were driven back to the woods. Cuirassiers were mounted Cavalry Soldiers equipped with Armour and Firearms first appearing in late 15th-century Europe. But at around 2 pm Augereau's Corps appeared from the east. Golitsyn gave up his attempt to retreat, as his men were too exhausted to retire without fighting. He sent one regiment of infantry under the command of Prince Shcherbatov into the woods around Kaleczin and posted the rest of his troops in front of Golymin. He put his cavalry and Dokhturov's troops as his reserves, and positioned the rest of his division in front of Golymin.

Augereau's two divisions advanced, that of Haudelet on the left from Ruskow and Desjardins on the right from Wadkow. Desjardin's division at first drove back Shcherbatov, but being reinforced by an infantry battalion and with the support of their guns the Russians drove the French back. Heudelet's division made very little progress. For the rest of the day the forces skirmished asHeudelet's men slowly pushed round the Russian right.

Battle of Golymin about 2pm
Battle of Golymin about 2pm

About the same time as Augereau's attack started Murat arrived around Garnow with the cavalry divisions of Klein and Milhaud, and Davout's light cavalry. They drove the Russian cavalry into the woods to the south of Golymin, but were then unable to pursue further because the terrain was unsuitable for cavalry.

Golitsyn's force was now reinforced by two cavalry regiments from the 7th and 8th divisions, who had pushed past Augereau's cavalry on the Ciechanow road. However, Davout's 1st Division under Morand was beginning to arrive from the south-east. Charles Antoine Louis Alexis Morand (June 4 1771-1835 Comte de l'Empire, was a general of the French army army during the French Revolutionary Wars and Golitsyn sent three infantry battalions into the woods and marshes to the south of Golymin, and two cavalry regiments to cover the Pultusk road.

At about 3:30pm[18] Morand's first brigade attacked. After a struggle they drove the Russians out. Davout saw that the Russians were trying to retire towards Makow, and sent Morand's second brigade to advance via the Pultusk road. A unit of dragoons led by General Rapp charged the Russian cavalry on the road, but found that the marshes on either side contained Russian infantry up to their waists in water and safe from the cavalry. A dragoon is a soldier intended primarily to fight on foot but trained also in Horse riding and cavalry combat especially Count Jean Rapp ( April 27 1771, Colmar - November 8 1821, Rheinweiler) was a French The dragoons were driven back and Rapp was wounded. Count Jean Rapp ( April 27 1771, Colmar - November 8 1821, Rheinweiler) was a French After taking the woods Morand's division did not advance further, concerned that there would be further useless losses. [19]

Battle of Golymin about 5pm
Battle of Golymin about 5pm

Night had now fallen and the Russians started to withdraw. Dokhturov's men led the way to Makow, then at about 9 pm Golitsyn sent off his guns, cavalry and then his infantry.

Augereau occupied Golymin early on 27 December. Events 537 - The Hagia Sophia is completed 1512 - The Spanish Crown issues the Laws of Burgos, governing the

Losses on both sides seem to have been around 800. [20]

Analysis of the battle

Golitsyn had the advantages of the terrain and support from his guns, when the French had no artillery. The French attacks were also uncoordinated, late in the day and, as dusk fell, illuminated as targets by the burning villages. On the other hand his men were exhausted and outnumbered two to one. Their fierce resistance led Murat to say to Napoleon:

“ We thought the enemy had 50,000 men[21] ”

On balance the result can be considered a Russian victory. Golitsyn achieved his objective of withdrawing and Murat failed to stop him.

The aftermath

General Golitsyn's successful delaying action, combined with the failure of Soult's corps to pass round the Russian right flank destroyed Napoleon's chance of getting behind the Russian line of retreat and trapping them against the River Narew. Narew Podlaskie Voivodeship The river Narew ( Belarusian: Нараў, Lithuanian: Naura) in western Belarus and north-eastern

The dogged resistance and obedience to orders of the Russian infantry greatly impressed the French. Marbot noted:

“ The Russian columns were at this moment passing through the town [Golymin], and knowing that Marshal Lannes was marching to cut off their retreat by capturing Pultusk, three leagues farther on, they were trying to reach that point before him at any price. Jean Baptiste Antoine Marcellin Marbot ( August 18, 1782 &ndash November 16, 1854) French soldier son of General Jean Therefore, although our soldiers fired upon them at twenty-five paces, they continued their march without replying, because in order to do so they would have had to halt, and every moment was precious. So every division, every regiment, filed past, without saying a word or slackening its pace for a moment. The streets were filled with dying and wounded, but not a groan was to be heard, for they were forbidden. [22] ”

The Russian 5th and 7th Divisions retired towards the main body of the army at Rozan. Różan is a town in Mazovian Voivodeship, Poland. It is located at around. Bennigsen's forces fell back to Nowogrod on the River Narew, uniting on 1 January 1807 with the forces under Buxhowden. New Year See also New Year The Ancient Romans began their consular year on January 1st since 153 BC Year 1807 ( MDCCCVII) was a Common year starting on Thursday (link will display the full calendar of the Gregorian calendar (or a Common Friedrich Wilhelm Count von Buxhoevden, (Федор Федорович Буксгевден Fyodor Fyodorovich Booksgevden other spellings Feodor Buxhoeveden Buxhœwden ( September

On 28 December Napoleon stopped his advance and, having lost contact with the Russian army, decided to go into winter quarters. Events 1065 - Westminster Abbey is Consecrated. 1308 - The reign of Emperor Hanazono, Emperor of His troops were exhausted and discontented, and the supply situation was in great disorder. [23]

The break in hostilities did not last long. On 8 February 1807 the two armies faced each other at the dreadful Battle of Eylau. Events 421 - Constantius III becomes co- Emperor of the Western Roman Empire. Year 1807 ( MDCCCVII) was a Common year starting on Thursday (link will display the full calendar of the Gregorian calendar (or a Common The Battle of Eylau or Battle of Preussisch-Eylau (February 7–8 1807 was a bloody and inconclusive battle between Napoléon's Grande Armée and

Forces involved

This list is derived from the units referred to in Petre's "Napoleon's Campaign in Poland 1806-1807”,[24] and by checking the details for the same formations for the order of battles for Jena[25] and Elyau. [26] Milhaud’s cavalry unit does not appear in either reference.

The French list is more detailed as there are more sources to work from. Petre was using the French Army archives for his research, and most unit details appear to be taken from there. The sources referred to give unit compositions down to individual battalions and squadrons.

Petre's source for the Russian units present was the memoirs of Sir Robert Wilson, British liaison officer with the Russian army. Sir Robert Thomas Wilson ( 17 August 1777 &ndash 9 May 1849) was a British general and politician who served in Egypt This was published in 1810 (“Remarks on the Russian Army”). It does not appear to contain any further information to help identify individual units. Stolarski’s article[27] appears to make too many assumptions about the Russian order of battle at Eylau to be reliable.

French

Reserve Cavalry Corps - Marshall Murat

Light Cavalry Division under Lasalle - Two Brigades totalling 12 squadrons of Hussars and Chasseurs.
Light Cavalry Brigade under Milhaud - Four squadrons(?) (800 men[28])
Dragoon Cavalry Division under Klein - Three Brigades totalling 19 squadrons of Dragoons.
3rd Corps - Marshal Davout
1st Infantry Division under Morand - Three Brigades totalling 12 battalions of infantry.
2nd Infantry Division under Friant - Three Brigades totalling 8 battalions of infantry (not engaged)
Light Cavalry Division under Marulaz - Nine squadrons of Chasseurs
7th Corps - Marshal Augereau
1st Infantry Division under Desjardin - Two Brigades totalling 11 battalions of infantry
2nd Infantry Division under Heudelet – Three Brigades totalling 11 battalions of infantry
Light Cavalry Division under Durosnel - Seven squadrons of Chasseurs

Notre – No guns are mentioned as the French were not able to being them up due to the muddy conditions[29]

Russian

4th Division – Prince Golitsyn
15 battalions of infantry,
20 squadrons of cavalry (Cuirassiers and Hussars),
28 guns
7th Division General Dokhturov (part)
3 battalions of infantry,
2 regiments of cavalry
3rd Division General Sacken (part)
Some infantry
2 regiments of cavalry

Footnotes

  1. ^ Petre "Poland", 2001 ed, p114
  2. ^ Petre "Poland", 2001 ed, p113
  3. ^ Petre "Poland", 2001 ed, p38
  4. ^ Petre "Poland", 2001 ed, p70
  5. ^ Petre "Poland", 2001 ed, p39
  6. ^ Petre "Poland", 2001 ed, p40
  7. ^ Petre "Poland", 2001 ed, p73
  8. ^ Petre "Poland", 2001 ed, p76
  9. ^ Petre "Poland", 2001 ed, p77
  10. ^ Petre "Poland", 2001 ed, p79-82
  11. ^ Petre "Poland", 2001 ed, p89
  12. ^ Petre "Poland", 2001 ed, p354
  13. ^ Correspondance de Napoleon Ier, XI 497
  14. ^ Petre "Campaign in Poland", 2001 ed, p40
  15. ^ Marbot "Memoirs", 1:xxvii
  16. ^ For details see Petrie "Poland" 2001 ed, p. Jean Baptiste Antoine Marcellin Marbot ( August 18, 1782 &ndash November 16, 1854) French soldier son of General Jean 107-114; Chandler "Campaigns" p. 524; Chandler "Dictionary" p. 173
  17. ^ Chandler, ed. "Dictionary" p. 173
  18. ^ Petrie "Poland" 2001 ed, p. 111
  19. ^ Petrie "Poland" 2001 ed, p. 107-114
  20. ^ Petre "Poland", 2001 ed, p114
  21. ^ Petre "Poland", 2001 ed, p115, quoting from Hoepfner, Gen. E von, "Der Kreig von 1806 und 1807" Berlin, 1855. iii, 126
  22. ^ Marbot "Memoirs", 1. xxviii
  23. ^ Petre "Poland", 2001 ed, p117
  24. ^ Petre "Poland", 2001 ed, p113 -114
  25. ^ Chandler, David G. “Jena 1806”. Osprey 1993. ISBN 1-85532-285-4
  26. ^ Stolarski. P; "Elyau", Miniature Wargames Magazine, March 1997
  27. ^ Stolarski. P; "Elyau", Miniature Wargames Magazine, March 1997
  28. ^ Petre "Poland" p. 64
  29. ^ Petre "Poland", 2001 ed, p109, 111

References

External links

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