BORODINO
In June of 1812, Napoleon embarked
on his most famous, and most disastrous, campaign: the invasion
of Russia. Throughout the summer, the French and the Russians
fought a series of indecisive battles which led to the Russians
retreating further into their homeland. By September, Napoleon
wanted a battle which would end the conflict before winter’s
onset and the Russians wanted to fight before reaching the gates
to Moscow. Borodino was the result. The pivotal Russian defense
position at Borodino was a series of entrenchments and breastworks
atop a hill that became known as the Great Redoubt. The job of
taking this fortress fell to the men in Eugene’s corps. Supported
by no less than 120 artillery pieces, Eugene’s infantry stormed
up the hill in the morning of the 7th of September. The lead regiment
in Morrand’s division reached the breastworks directly after
their opponents had discharged their cannons. Taking fearsome
casualties, the French managed to invest the redoubt and gain
control of most of it. Russian counterattacks, however, threw
the French back down the hill and recaptured the defensive works.
As the 30th Infantry Regiment retreated down the slope, they were
struck by an entire brigade of Russian dragoons. By the end of
the day, only 11 officers and 257 men remained in the regiment.
Fighting off several cavalry attacks, the French managed to stabilize
the situation and by 2:00 PM the French were ready to assault
the redoubt a second time. Led by Gerard’s division and supported
by Morrand’s and Broussier’s, the French charged up
the hill. On Gerard’s left, Montbrun’s cavalry moved
forward to flank the redoubt. No fewer than 400 guns pounded the
Russian defenses. As Montbrun led his corps to the attack, he
was killed by Russian artillery fire. General August de Caulaincourt
took command of the corps and led the 5thCuirassiers around to
the rear of the redoubt. As his men engaged the Russian gunners,
the General was killed by a musket ball. The French cavalry began
to waver as the Russian resistance stiffened. Just in time, the
French 9th Regiment of Line poured into the redoubt’s western
side and caught the Russian defenders in a trap. The Russians
were quickly overwhelmed and the French took possession of the
redoubt for the second time. Despite several Russian counterattacks,
the French managed to hold on to their gain. The Russians pulled
back, due to the French controlled salient in their center. However,
the French, totally exhausted, were unable to exploit their gains.
The battle ended shortly after 5:00 PM, with both armies trying
to regain their strength. Napoleon gained the field at Borodino
and opened the road to Moscow. However, his army was weakened
by the battle and would soon be forced to retreat through the
terrible Russian winter. By the end of 1812, the Grand Armee ceased
to exist as a fighting force.
