FIRST BATTLE OF POLOTSK

1-200720

On August 17, 1812, the first Russian infantry corps, led by Wittgenstein, attacked the French positions, forcing the French to withdraw. French reinforcements arrived and Oudinot delivered a counter-attack against the center. Oudinot was wounded, and command fell to Laurent St. Cyr

That night, the French and Russians kept their positions, but when the morning dawned, St. Cyr launched a major offensive, crushing the left flank and turning the center. Wittgenstein ordered a cavalry counter-attack that halted the French momentum and the Russians withdrew to the banks of the river Drissa.

This book combs Russian sources for accounts of the battle, shedding new light about French Russian operations before, during, and after the battle.