First battle of Polotsk

In the first battle of Polotsk , which took place the 17 and August 18th 1812, the Russian troops ordered by Pierre Wittgenstein have demolishes the French troops carried out by Nicolas Charles Oudinot and stopped their advance on Saint Pétersbourg.

Context

After the Battle of Klyastitsy where it undergoes some minor losses, the army of Oudinot makes retirement on Polotsk.

The battle

Early, the morning of the August 17th where the body of infantry carried out by Wittgenstein tackles the French positions close to the village of Spas, forcing the French to withdraw itself. French reinforcements arrive and Oudinot operates a counter-attack on the center. In the night the French and the Russians keep their positions. Oudinot was wounded and must give the command to Laurent de Gouvion Saint-Cyr military school.

The next morning Gouvion Saint-Cyr military school lance an important offensive. He manages to mislead Wittgenstein on the destination of the operation, gathers his troops and suddenly tackles the left side and the center of the Russian positions. The beginning of the offensive is a success, the French troops crush the Russians and take seven guns to them.

Whereas the defeat seems imminent, Wittgenstein organizes a counter-attack of cavalry. It causes an alarm among the French who are stopped and are withdrawn. On its side, Wittgenstein is withdrawn on banks of the Drissa river.

Consequences

During the two following months the belligerents avoid all attempts likely to disturb the balance of the forces.

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