|
This map revised from the West Point Atlas
shows the width of Napoleon's operational grouping as he sought to catch both
Bagration and Barclay de Tolly separately but failed to do so before they
united at Smolensk. On the left (northern) flank Wittgenstein has ignored
MacDonald and struck a sharp blow against Oudinot and received one in return
but finally forcing him back to Polotsk on 31 July. On 2 August Napoleon
learned of Tormassov's successes in the Allied right rear and ordered
Schwarzenburg to assist Reynier (off map to left). Tormassov's and
Wittgenstein's successes this early on the Allied flanks created panic in the
Allied rear areas. Napoleon had to detach units from Ponyatovski's Polish corps
and order Latour Maubourg to cover the right rear of the Allied theater.
The map shows the renewed but unsuccessful effort by Oudinot and St. Cyr
together to hold Wittgenstein back. By 4 August Bagration has concentrated his
troops around Smolensk but is undermining rather than cooperating with Barclay
de Tolly. Barclay had moved there from Viteebsk ahead of Napoleon. On 6 August
Barclay reluctantly decided to counter attack. On the 7th he advanced but then
sensed a trap and withdrew in time. Meanwhile Napoleon was preparing to cross
the Dniper to the south and move on Smolensk. Davout crossed on the 12th
followed by Ney, Murat, Eugene and the Guard. On the 14th the French ran into
the Russian rear guard commanded by Neverovski at Krasnoi.Thus, on the 14th the
Russians have joined their two armies to defend Smolensk, but Barclay is still
considering a counter attack north of the Dniper but Napoleon has shifted from
the direct route there from Vitebsk across the Dniper in an effort to outflank
them at Smolensk. On the 15th Rayevski reenforced Neverovski to oppose the
French advance. Bagration became concerned about his left flank and Barclay
finally realized the great danger to Smolensk.
|
|