Battle of Château-Thierry (1814)
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The Battle of Château-Thierry occurred on 12 February 1814 between the vanguard of the Army of Silesia (a Russian–Prussian army) under Marshal von Blücher and a French army under Emperor Napoleon I. It was a French victory.
Prelude
After winning a series of impressive tactical victories (during what would become known as the Six Days Campaign), Napoleon sought to deal what he hoped would be a final blow to the Prussians and end their participation in the Sixth Coalition against him.[1]
Having inflicted a defeat on Fabian Osten-Sacken and Ludwig Yorck the previous day at the Battle of Montmirail, Napoleon caught the Prussian rearguard under General Yorck on the Marne River near Château-Thierry.[1]
Battle
Sending Marshal Ney to lead the attack, the French broke into Blücher's ranks, inflicting heavy losses. Their attack was only stopped by some fortuitously placed Prussian batteries, allowing Yorck to withdraw in good order without suffering a rout. The Prussians had 1,250 casualties, the Russians 1,500, and the French 600. The French also captured nine cannons and much baggage and transport.[1]
Notes
- 1 2 3 Chandler 1999, pp. 90–91.
References
- Chandler, D. (1999), Dictionary of the Napoleonic wars, Wordsworth editions, ISBN 1-84022-203-4
Further reading
- Ashby, Ralph. Napoleon against Great Odds: The Emperor and the Defenders of France, 1814. Santa Barbara, Calif. : Praeger, 2010. ISBN 0-313-38190-9 OCLC 795454355
External links
- Defence of France & Six Days Campaign (1814)
- La bataille de Champaubert, Montmirail-Marchais, Château-Thierry et Vauchamps
- Battle of Chateau-Thierry, (12 February 1814)
Coordinates: 49°02′24″N 3°24′00″E / 49.0400°N 3.4000°E