The Battle of Borodino was the largest battle of the Napoleonic wars. It was on 7th September 1812, approximately 110km west of Moscow between the forces of Napoleon and the Russian army. The battle was a victory for Napoleon and allowed him to advance to Moscow and take the city.
In 1812 the French Empire under the control of Emperor Napoleon covered France, Belgium, The Netherlands, the Rhineland region of Germany, Switzerland, large areas of Italy including the Papal States, areas in the Balkans and Catalonia. Other surrounding countries including Russia were dependent states of France and were subject to Napoleon’s demands.
Napoleon’s manoeuvres on the continent were opposed by Britain. Unable to cross the English Channel and invade Britain Napoleon enforced a trading embargo whereby all countries that made up the Empire as well as those dependents of the French Empire were banned from trading with Britain. Russia continued to trade with Britain despite assuring Napoleon that this was not the case.
Napoleon was also unhappy with Russia that wanted to ensure that the Polish people remained a part of Russia. Napoleon wanted to offer the Poles autonomy and independence as a way of enticing Poland into the Empire.
With Russia thwarting Napoleon’s directives and plans he decided to invade Russia in the Summer of 1812. As soon as Napoleon’s Grand Army entered Russian territory, the Russian army adopted a tactic of rapid retreat and scorched earth (burning everything in the path of the French advance) which made it difficult for Napoleon’s men to find food and shelter but the French advance continued. Frustrated with the continual French advance Tsar Alexander I replaced the army commander, Count Michael Barclay de Tolly with Mikhail Kutuzov. While Kutuzov agreed with Barclay’s tactic of retreat and scorched earth he could also see that it was not good for Russian morale and decided that a battle was necessary. Kutuzov established a Russian defensive line near the village of Borodino and waited for Napoleon to advance.
The battle began at 6am on 7th September 1812. The French had 130,000 men and 587 guns while the Russians had 120,000 men and 624 guns. Napoleon ordered his men to make a direct attack on the Russians. The battle continued all morning with neither side gaining the upper hand but by mid afternoon the French were gaining the advantage. If Napoleon had committed his reserve army and/or his Imperial Guard to the battle at this point he would have won a decisive victory but he kept them in reserve and the battle continued. By nightfall with the soldiers from both sides exhausted the battle had become a cannon battle which continued until it was dark. Under the cover of darkness the Russians retreated allowing Napoleon to march onwards and take Moscow.
