Battle of Montmartre

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Battle of Montmartre
Part of the War of the Sixth Coalition
Date March 30, 1814
Location Clichy and Montmartre in Paris, France
Result Coalition victory
Belligerents
Flag of France French Empire Sixth Coalition:
Flag of Austrian Empire Austria
Flag of Prussia Kingdom of Prussia,
Flag of Russia Russian Empire
Commanders
Bon Adrien Jeannot de Moncey,
Auguste Marmont
Flag of Austrian Empire Karl v. Schwarzenberg,
Flag of Russia Tsar Alexander I,
Flag of Prussia King Frederick William
Strength
23,000 107,000


The Battle of Montmartre[1]was fought on March 30, 1814, between Allied forces and the forces of Napoleon's French Empire. The Allies were victorious, entering Paris, and as a result, Napoleon was soon forced to abdicate.

Contents

[edit] Background

The two main Allied Armies linked up at Meaux on 28th March 1814, the now 107,000[2] strong Allied forces began to march on Paris. Only 23,000 troops[2] and incomplete defences defended Paris from the Allies.

[edit] Battle

The Allies approached Paris from the eastern and northern sides, Marshal Moncey commanding the National Guard made a stand at Clichy, but his two Corps were beaten back at 4:00PM and retreated into the Belleville Heights, and the Suburb of Montmartre. At the Suburb of Montmartre Marshal Marmont was in command, and the final action took place at 2:00AM on the 31st March.

[edit] Conclusion

Following the final action Marmont opened negotiations with the Allies, which started a series of events leading to Napoleon's abdication. Napoleon was exiled to Elba, but would return to France the next year, leading to Seventh Coalition.

[edit] Footnotes

  1. ^ Chandler. p.286. Chandler recognizes this event as “Action of Montmartre.”
  2. ^ a b Chandler. p.286.

[edit] References

  • Chandler, David. Dictionary of the Napoleonic wars. Wordsworth editions, 1999.