July, 25 (13)
(From E.V.Tarle, Complete Works, Volume VII, "Napoleon's Invasion of Russia", Moscow 1959)
General Count Alexander Osterman-Tolstoy
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After the decision to leave the Drissa fortified camp, Barclay de Tolly and his 1st Army left Drissa on July,14, and on the 18th arrived at Polotsk. He decided to go to Vitebsk to prevent the capture of the city by Napoleon, and moved his army there on July,23rd. He entered the city and camped, planning to wait for Bagration, and after, as he said, give battle to the Great Army moving toward Vitebsk.
Barclay sent the 4th Infantry Corps under the command of Count Osterman-Tolstoy to meet and delay the French vanguard.
Osterman marched the road from Vitebsk to Beshenkovichy, but when he was 12 versts(*) from Vitebsk he came upon the main part of the French cavalry. The Russian hussars overran the French, but became carried away, pursuing them, and were suddenly confronted by a French cavalry brigade that hurled them back, killing many of them.
This took place on July 25th near the village of Ostrovno, 26 long versts from Vitebsk, but the main forces of Osterman-Tolstoy went to the aid of the hussars.
Napoleon was reported to be some kilometres from Ostrovno. The 8th Hussar regiment of the French Cavalry saw some soldiers going in the same direction. Because they went to Beshenkovichy from different directions the various detachments of the huge and multinational Great Army didn't know each other at all. Murat's hussars moved quietly, about 150 steps behind these unknown soldiers, thinking they were part of their army. But suddenly these strangers turned and opened fire - gunshots were heard. It was the Russian rear-guard that had been ordered to delay the enemy as much as was possible. The battle continued to the village of Ostrovno where the Russian and French armies joined in conflict.
Marshal Muratthe picture by Jerard |
Osterman was told the Division of General Delsonne sent by Vice-King Eugene was about to turn his right flank, but at that moment, two French regiments of two brigades of Russel and Janinot threw back three Russian battalions with a swift thrust.
The French, themselves admitted that Count Osterman, who commanded the Russian rear-guard, stood with extraordinary firmness in the forest surrounding Ostrovno. It was only when the troops of Vice-King Eugene came to Murat, Osterman finally retreated - firing as they went. Murat and Eugene followed him. The resistance of Osterman's detachment would be broken if Barclay had not known about the action at Ostrovno, and urgently sent him reinforcements under the command of Konovnitsyn.
Next day, July,26th, the Russians stopped again: the divisions of Konovnitsyn had come to Osterman and the battle renewed with redoubled strength, this time 8 versts beyond Ostrovno, near the village of Kakzvachino.
(*) verst - the old Russian linear measure. 1 verst = 3500 feet
