PICTURE GALLERY "RUSSIAN CAMPAIGN OF 1812"

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The Battle at Losmin (The picture by Hess) This battle was the finale of the tragedy that overtook the Great Army at Krasny. Napoleon after the strong resistance of the Russian army retreated to Orsha and left Marshal Ney to the mercy of fate. Marshal Ney was in the very hard situation because he did not know about the results of the Karsny battle that was lost by Napoleon and he did not know about Napoleon's retreat to Orsha. Ney moved slowly along the road, his advanced columns had already gone down to the Losminsky ravine, they coud not see anything because of the thick fog. And suddenly a terrible volley of the Russian cannons burst out from the darkness. And the bloody battle developed... But the bravery, fortitude and skills of the Franch troops and the unexampled courage of Marshal Ney could do nothing, the French troops melted away during every minute of fighting. At last after the gigantic efforts Marshal Ney could break though with a little number of his men and reach Orsha there he joined the general forces of Napoleon for a great joy of Napoleon that had already considered his heroic fellow-fighter to be killed...