Battle of Klyastitsy
Mir - Mogilev - Ostrowno - Kljastizy - Smolensk - Polotsk (1) - Walutino - Borodino - Tschirikowo - Tarutino - Maloyaroslavets - Polotsk (2) - Tschaschniki - Wjasma - Smoljany - Krasnoje - Borisov - Berezina - Gdansk - Kalisch
The Battle of Kljastizy, also known as Battle of Jakubowo, belongs to a series of military conflicts which in 1812 near Kljastizy ( Клястицы ) at the Drissa in the Vitebsk oblast took place. The main combat activities was on the road between Polotsk and Sebezh. In the battle described here, an Imperial Russian corps under the command of General Ludwig Adolf Peter of Sayn -Wittgenstein and an army corps of the Imperial French army under Marshal Nicolas Oudinot over.
The result was unsatisfactory for both sides, after heavy losses, the parties moved back to defensive positions.
The Battle
On July 28, twelve French squadrons of cavalry of eight Russian Hussars and Kosakenschwadronen were attacked by surprise. Were commanded by General Kulnew the Russians.
At the same time occupied Oudinot on his way to St. Petersburg, the village Kljastizy. The French troops were 28,000 men strong, which were offset by 17,000 Russians. Although Wittgenstein had of the enemy outnumbered knowledge, he decided to attack itself. At 02:00 clock the 4,000 -strong Russian vanguard began to attack the French expeditionary force under General Kulnew. The battle near the village Yakubov lasted all the next day.
Kulnew tried to push back the French, but they were able to keep the village under their control.
The next day, after repeated attacks and counter- attacks the Russians succeeded Oudinot on Kljastizy push back. In the course of pursuing the retreating French, the Russians had been ordered to the Nishcha creek to cross. As the recognized Oudinot, he ordered to destroy the only bridge by fire.
While the Russian cavalry Nishcha stream forded, succeeded the 2nd Battalion of the " Pavlovsk Grenadier Regiment " to cross the burning bridge. ( Shown to the right in the painting by Pieter van Hess).
Kulnew continued the pursuit of the French continued with some cavalry regiments and an infantry battalion. After crossing the Drissa on August 1, he came with his soldiers in an ambush and suffered heavy losses by the French artillery. General Kulnew was severely wounded ( he lost both legs by a cannon ball ) and died on the same day. Ultimately, Oudinot withdrew after Kljastizy, which meant the failure of the French advance to St. Petersburg.
Effects
Wittgenstein was awarded the Order of St. George of second class. Tsar Alexander I had described him as the "savior of St. Petersburg". Kapitan Krylov, the unit crossed first the burning bridge, was awarded the Order of St. George, Fourth Class awarded.
- Coordinates: 55 ° 53 ' 14 " N, 28 ° 36' 24 " O55.88722222222228.606666666667