Turning Point Title: Napoleon's Retreat from Moscow
Place and Date of Event: June 22 1812 Napoleon and the Grande Arme invade
Russia. December 18 1812 what is left of the Grande Arme make it back to
Napoleon: Emperor of France who lead the French Arme and it's allies into
Barclay de Tolly: Commanded 127,000 Russian troops at the start of the
Marshal Kutusov: Russian commander who replaced Barclay in mid August.
Prince Bagration: Commanded 43,000 Russian troops during invasion.
Wairy Louis Constant: Napoleon's valet, who wrote down what he saw and
Description of the Event: Napoleon took 500,000 infantry, 100,000 cavalry, and
1,400 field and siege guns for the troops on his invasion of Russia. He went up
against Barclays' and Bagrations troops. Napoleon's strategy was to over power
the Russians and drive them back as far as possible. June 24 French cross
Niemen River at Kovno and Grodna and push Barclay back. Four days French
capture Vilna and stayed there till July 16. Big mistake because this allowed
Russians to unite forces at Smolenskby on August 1. Two weeks later Russians
attack. Russians come away from battle in good shape, but the French come
away in awful condition. Many troops are ill with different diseases and battle
wounds. Russians replace Barclay with Kutusov. French keep trying to push
forward. Another big mistake, they should have waited for winter to clear and
attacked in the spring. Invade all the way to Moscow. When they get there
Russians all ready burnt it to the ground so French have no shelter to stay in.
Napoleon stay at Moscow for 6 weeks. Then the retreat begins. The French
soldiers getting sick of war and kind of turn into a big crowd of men. Then the
Russians attack them when they are so unorganized. End of November French
able to reach Beresina River. All bridges out
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