Napoleon had sent C. Oudinot's corps toward St. Petersburg for a circling action to the north. Polotsk was taken on 26 July 1812. The French met with resistance at Kliatstitsy, were defeated, and retreated to Polotsk. They were reinforced by G. St-Cyr's corps, but were unable to advance. Polotsk became a strategic point on Napoleon's supply line.
A Russian army under the command of General Wittgenstein drove the French from Polotsk. The French army eventually reunited with the van of the Grand Armée in time for the disastrous Berezina river crossing.
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Last Updated Saturday, October 4, 1997.