October,31 (October,19) ,1812
(From: Zhilin "The Patriotic War Of 1812", Moscow,1988)
There were two main reasons for the hurried retreat of the Napoleonic army: Napoleon was afraid to be cut off from the way to Viazma or the approaches to Smolensk. Also, Napoleon's army was unable to pass through Maloyaroslavets into the regions not yet affected by the war, so it had to retreat along the ravaged Smolensk road. Because of this, Napoleon sought to hurry to Smolensk where his army had large reserves of food and forage, and there was a possibility of reinforcing his army with fresh troops. So he moved as quickly as possible and avoided combat with the Russians.
Kutuzov realized Napoleon's plan and took measures to hamper the French retreat. The cossacks of Ataman Platov, the most mobile part of the Russian army, overtook the French rear-guard Only two days after the battle at Maloyaroslavets.
The first big skirmish took place between the towns of Mozhaisk and Gzhatsk, near the Kolotsky monastery. On daybreak on October 31st., Platov's cossacks turned the left French flank and suddenly attacked the French column. They destroyed more than 2 infantry battalions, capturing 20 artillery guns, a big transport and two banners. The same day Platov reported to Kutuzov: "I am chasing the enemy flanks, and pressing its rear with the brigade of cossacks and artillery. The battle is currently in progress." (1)
Ataman Platov at The Kolotsky Monastery
(The picture by Scotti)
- The Patritioc War of 1812 ", Materials of the Military Archive, Volume,19, p.78
