The Battle of Borisov took place on 21 November 1812, between parts of the French army and parts of the Russian armies. The Russian army under Charles de Lambert defeated the French troops under Dombrowsky.[1]
Background
The French had suffered a defeat just two weeks earlier during the Battle of Krasnoi. Napoleon's army amounted to no more than 20,000 combatants. However, the union with Victor, Oudinot and Dombrowsky brought the numerical strength of the Grande Armée back up to some 49,000 French combatants as well as about 40,000 stragglers.[2] But Minsk had been occupied by Chichagov on 16 November 1812 who reached the Berezina with about 31,500 combatants.[3]
Battle
On the 21 November, the Russians under Lambert occupied Borisov in the morning before Oudinot could come up as the sentries had been ambushed. Dombrowski had about 2,000 men left. The Russian casualties were about 2,000.[3] Lambert was seriously wounded in the leg.
Aftermath
The Russians destroyed the bridge at Borisov on 22 November.[3] The Battle of Loschniza is Oudinot 's reaction.
