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This map from the Beskrovni atlas depicts the
operations of French and Russian armies around Smolensk. The inset at lower
right shows the battle at Saltinovka on 23 August. This too place after Marshal
Davout crossed to the left bank of the Dnieper and was delayed by the brilliant
rear guard action by General Rayevski. The main map shows how Napoleon
attempted to outflank the Russians and reach Smolensk, hoping to block the
union of Bagration and Barclay de Tolly's forces at Smolensk. But he was
unsuccessful due to the prompt withdrawal by Barclay de Tolly from Volokovo.
The map shows the abortive advance that de Tolly ordered, as executed by
Platov, before realizing that he could be cut off. The map also shows the
movements of both sides subsequent to the battle for Smolensk (shown on another
map) in which Ponyatovksi and Ney followed the Russians to the Dnieper crossing
at Solov'yeva.
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