Franco-Russian battle on 27 January 1814, Édouard Jean Baptiste Milhaud defeating Sergey Nikolaevich Lanskoy
French cavalry victory at Saint-Dizier disrupted Russian reconnaissance and forced Lanskoy's force off its direct route to Blücher's Army of Silesia.
Key Facts
- Date
- 27 January 1814
- Russian force (dragoons)
- 800 troops
- French commander
- Général Édouard Jean Baptiste Milhaud
- Russian commander
- General Sergey Nikolaevich Lanskoy
- Pursuit endpoint (French)
- Wassy
- Conflict
- Campaign in north-east France, War of the Sixth Coalition
Location
Cause → Event → Consequence
Following the indecisive First Battle of Bar-sur-Aube on 24 January 1814, Blücher's Russo-Prussian Army of Silesia advanced toward the Aube. A Russian cavalry vanguard under Lanskoy, part of Sacken's corps, moved north past Saint-Dizier toward Vitry-le-François to scout the region, while Napoleon dispatched Milhaud's cavalry from Vitry to intercept.
At dawn on 27 January 1814, Milhaud's French cavalry struck Lanskoy's 800 dragoons by surprise near Saint-Dizier. Lanskoy was driven back through the town, and General Duhesme's infantry expelled the Russian infantry. Even after reinforcement by Prince Biron's flying brigade, Lanskoy's force was hotly pursued all the way to Eurville before eventually halting at Doulevant.
Unable to retreat via the direct Wassy–Brienne road, Lanskoy was forced on a longer detour through Joinville, Doulevant, and Soulaines to rejoin Blücher. The French cavalry advanced to Wassy, securing the northern flank and delaying the coordination of the Russian vanguard with the main Army of Silesia.
Belligerents & Mobilization Analysis
Side A
1 belligerent
Édouard Jean Baptiste Milhaud, Guillaume Philibert Duhesme.
Side B
1 belligerent
Sergey Nikolaevich Lanskoy, Prince Biron.