The Battle of Inkovo took place on 8 August 1812, between the Cossack corps of General Platov and the 2nd Light Cavalry Division of General Sebastiani and ended as a minor Russian victory.[3]
Battle of Inkovo | |||||||
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Part of the French invasion of Russia | |||||||
Cossacks were an irregular Russian cavalry best suited for the attack of the enemy’s supply lines without joining a regular battle. | |||||||
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Belligerents | |||||||
French Empire | Russian Empire | ||||||
Commanders and leaders | |||||||
General Sebastiani | Matvei Platov | ||||||
Strength | |||||||
2nd Light Cavalry Division[1] | Cossack corps[1] | ||||||
Casualties and losses | |||||||
600–1,200 killed or wounded, 300–500 captured[1][2][3] | 300 killed or wounded[1] |
Prelude
editAs Barclay de Tolly's and Pyotr Bagration's army were separated, Napoleon tried in vain to defeat them before they could unite. But Barclay de Tolly under political pressure had to attack Napoleon and the Russian offensive began west on the north bank of the Dnieper on 7 August, but relying on a false report Barclay de Tolly abandoned the move west.[2][3]
Battle
editThe altered orders had not reached General Platov on his advance and he clashed with General Sebastiani's 2nd Light Cavalry Division near Inkovo. The French were first forced to retreat. Being reinforced the French force then repulsed the pursuing Russians. The fighting ended three miles east of Rudnya in the west of Inkovo.[2][3]
Aftermath
editThe battle of Inkovo was a Russian victory. The French casualties were 600 men, including 11 officers and 300 other ranks captured. The Russian offensive had been abandoned, allowing Napoleon to continue his attack on Smolensk.[2]
See also
editNotes
edit- ^ a b c d Porter 1990, p. 68.
- ^ a b c d Rickard 2014.
- ^ a b c d Zamoyski 1980, p. 209.
References
edit- Porter, Robert Ker (1990). "Der russische Feldzug in Jahre 1812" (in German). Retrieved 9 April 2021.
- Rickard, J (2014). "Action at Inkovo". Retrieved 9 April 2021.
- Zamoyski, Adam (1980). Moscow 1812: Napoleon's Fatal March. Harper Collins. ISBN 9780061075582. Retrieved 9 April 2021.
External links
edit- Media related to Battle of Inkovo at Wikimedia Commons