Battle of Mesoten
| Battle of Mesoten | |||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Part of French invasion of Russia (1812) | |||||||
| |||||||
| Belligerents | |||||||
 Russian Empire | Kingdom of Prussia | ||||||
| Commanders and leaders | |||||||
| Fabian Steinheil | Ludwig Yorck von Wartenburg | ||||||
| Strength | |||||||
| 4 battalions, 2 squadron[1] 2,000 men and several cannons | 5 battalions, 5 squadron[2] 2,000 men and several cannons | ||||||
| Casualties and losses | |||||||
| unknown | unknown | ||||||
| ||||||
The Battle of Mesoten was fought during Napoleon's invasion of Russia, on 29 September 1812 near Mežotne (German: Mesoten), between Russian forces under General Fabian Steinheil, and the Prussian army, commanded by Ludwig Yorck von Wartenburg.
Background
In September 1812 the Russian army launched an offensive against the Prussian auxiliary corps. Prussian commander York has concentrated its troops to protect its artillery (110 guns), located near the city of Riga. But sent small detachments (several thousand soldiers each) to Mežotne and Grāvendāle (Grafental).
Action
On September 29 Prussians went on the offensive and attacked advanced Russian squad in Mežotne. The battle lasted all day, at night Russians retreated.[3]
Consequences
Defeated, Russian retreated to Riga and ceased active operations.
Notes
References
- Отечественная война 1812 года, Москва, 2004
- Дорман М. А., "1812. Оборона путей на Петербург", Москва, 1912
- Жамов В. Е., "Отеч. война 1812 r. Операции в направлении Тильзит, Митава, Рига", Рига, 1912
