Battle of Nowo Schwerschen | |||||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Part of the French invasion of Russia | |||||||
Count Charles-Marie de Lambert | |||||||
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Belligerents | |||||||
Russian Empire |
Lithuania Duchy of Warsaw | ||||||
Commanders and leaders | |||||||
Karl Lambert | Franciszek Ksawery Kossecki | ||||||
Strength | |||||||
4,500[1] | 3,500[1] | ||||||
Casualties and losses | |||||||
50[1] | 1,300[1] |
The Battle of Nowo Schwerschen was fought on Friday, 13 November 1812, near Nowo SchwerschenRussian Empire at the time.[2] An unexperienced Lithuanian force under General Franciszek Ksawery Kossecki was defeated by seasoned Russian forces led by Count Lambert from Admiral Chichagov's Army of the Danube.[2]
, part of theKossecki's forces were given the task of protecting Minsk from a southeast attack and ensure a path of retreat for Napoleon's Grande Armée.[3]
Maret sent General Kossecki with about 3,000 infantry and 500 cavalry men to Nowo Schwerschen where they were to protect the crossing of the Niemen.[4]
According to Smith, Kossecki's division was composed of:[2]
Count Lambert's units included the 10th[2]
and 14th Jaegers .On November 13, Lambert arrived at Nowo Schwerschen with the Third Western Army's vanguard. Kossecki's raw Lithuanian recruits were driven off with heavy losses by the cavalry.
The defeated detachment was once more attacked in the battle of Kaidanowo.[2]