Battle of Klyastitsy explained

Conflict:Battle of Klyastitsy
Partof:the French invasion of Russia
Date:30 July – 1 August 1812
Place:Klyastitsy, Vitebsk Governorate, Russian Empire
Result:Russian victory
Combatant1: Russian Empire
Combatant2: French Empire
Commander1: Yakov Kulnev
Peter Wittgenstein
Commander2: Nicolas Oudinot
Strength1:17,000 (30–31 July)
23,000 in total
108 guns
Strength2:20,000 engaged
28,000 overall
114 guns
Casualties1:4,300 killed or wounded
Casualties2:3,700 killed and wounded
French POWs claim:
up to 10,000 killed and wounded,
3,000+ captured

The Battle of Klyastitsy, also called the Battle of Yakubovo or the Battle of Oboiarszina, was a series of military engagements that took place on 30 July–1 August 1812 near the village of Klyastitsy on the road between Polotsk and Sebezh. In this battle, the Russian vanguard under the command of Yakov Kulnev and the whole corps of Peter Wittgenstein stood up to the French corps under the command of Marshal Nicolas Oudinot with heavy losses on both sides. The result was a Russian victory, their forces managing to capture the disputed village of Klyastitsy. The main strategic outcome of the battle was that the French offensive on St. Petersburg was stopped. The French partially retreated along their communication lines after the battle, and fended off Russian pursuers.

The battle

On 30 July 12, French cavalry squadrons were surprised and attacked by eight Russian Hussar and Cossack squadrons under Gen. Yakov Kulnev.

At that time, Oudinot occupied the village of Klyastitsy on his advance towards St. Petersburg. There were 28,000 French troops, while the Russian Corps numbered 17,000. In spite of being outnumbered, Wittgenstein decided to fight. The battle started on 30 July at 2:00 pm. The Russian vanguard led by Kulnev (approximately 4,000 men) fought the French vanguard for the whole day near the village of Yakubovo (Russian: Якубóво). Kulnev managed to press the French but they kept the village under their control.

The next day, after several attacks and counterattacks, the Russian advance forced Oudinot to retreat to Klyastitsy. In order to continue their advance, the Russian troops had to cross the River Nishcha. Oudinot ordered his troops to set fire to the only bridge. While the Russian cavalry was wading across the Nishcha, the 2nd Battalion of the Pavlovsk Grenadier Regiment rushed the burning bridge. This was depicted by Peter Hess in his painting, illustrated to the right.

Kulnev continued to chase the French Corps with several cavalry regiments and one infantry battalion. After crossing the Drissa River on 1 August, his unit ran into an ambush and suffered heavy casualties from French artillery. Kulnev was badly wounded (he had both his legs severed by a cannonball) and died that same day. Wittgenstein has finalised the victory and Oudinot retreated to Polotsk; the French advance on St. Petersburg failed.

Aftermath

Wittgenstein was awarded the Order of St. George of the Second Degree. Alexander I is reported to have called him "the savior of St. Petersburg". Capt. Krylov, whose unit was the first to cross the river over the burning bridge, received the Order of St. George of the Fourth Degree.

See also

Sources

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