Battle of Inkovo

Battle of Inkovo
Part of the French invasion of Russia

Cossacks were an irregular Russian cavalry best suited for the attack of the enemy’s supply lines without joining a regular battle.
Date8 August 1812
Location
Near Rudnya, Mogilev Governorate, Russian Empire
54°56′49″N 31°05′36″E / 54.94694°N 31.09333°E / 54.94694; 31.09333
Result Russian victory
Belligerents
First French Empire French Empire
Kingdom of Prussia Prussia
Kingdom of Württemberg Württemberg
Duchy of Warsaw Duchy of Warsaw
 Russian Empire Russian Empire
Commanders and leaders
First French Empire General Sebastiani
Kingdom of Württemberg Eberhard Graf von Waldburg Wurzach  (POW)		 Russian Empire Matvei Platov
Strength
2nd Light Cavalry Division[1] Cossack corps[1]
Casualties and losses
600–1,200 killed or wounded, 300–500 captured[1][2][3] 300 killed or wounded[1]
French invasion of Russia
Map
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500km
300miles
Inkovo
Pultusk
15
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14
Battle of Gorodechno 12 August 1812: Schwarzenberg's Austrians
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Siege of Riga 24 July – 18 December 1812: Macdonald's Prussians
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10
Warsaw
9
Berezina
8
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7
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Moscow
6
Moscow 14 September to 19 October 1812: Napoleon
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5
Battle of Borodino 7 September 1812: Kutuzov, Napoleon October 1812: Napoleon's Retreat
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4
Battle of Smolensk 16 August 1812: Napoleon November 1812: : Napoleon's retreat
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3
Battle of Vitebsk 26 July 1812: Napoleon
Vilna
2
Kowno
1
  current battle
  Prussian corps
  Napoleon
  Austrian corps

The Battle of Inkovo took place on 8 August 1812, between the Cossack corps of General Platov and the 2nd Light Cavalry Division of General Sebastiani and ended as a minor Russian victory.[3]

Prelude

As Barclay de Tolly's and Pyotr Bagration's army were separated, Napoleon tried in vain to defeat them before they could unite. But Barclay de Tolly under political pressure had to attack Napoleon and the Russian offensive began west on the north bank of the Dnieper on 7 August, but relying on a false report Barclay de Tolly abandoned the move west.[2][3]

Battle

The altered orders had not reached General Platov on his advance and he clashed with General Sebastiani's 2nd Light Cavalry Division near Inkovo. The French were first forced to retreat. Being reinforced the French force then repulsed the pursuing Russians. The fighting ended three miles east of Rudnya in the west of Inkovo.[2][3]

Aftermath

The battle of Inkovo was a Russian victory. The French casualties were 600 men, including 11 officers and 300 other ranks captured. The Russian offensive had been abandoned, allowing Napoleon to continue his attack on Smolensk.[2]

See also

Notes

  1. ^ a b c d Porter 1990, p. 68.
  2. ^ a b c d Rickard 2014.
  3. ^ a b c d Zamoyski 1980, p. 209.

References

  • Porter, Robert Ker (1990). "Der russische Feldzug in Jahre 1812" (in German). Retrieved 9 April 2021.
  • Rickard, J (2014). "Action at Inkovo". Retrieved 9 April 2021.
  • Zamoyski, Adam (1980). Moscow 1812: Napoleon's Fatal March. Harper Collins. ISBN 9780061075582. Retrieved 9 April 2021.