Battle of Liaskowa
Part of the French invasion of Russia
Cossacks were an irregular Russian cavalry best suited for the attack of the enemy’s supply lines without joining a major battle.
Date 9 November 1812 Location Liaskowa/Lyakhovo, 40 km southeast of Smolensk, Russian Empire 54°33′58″N 32°36′11″E / 54.56611°N 32.60306°E / 54.56611; 32.60306 Result Russian victory
Belligerents
Russian Empire	French Empire
Commanders and leaders
Orlov-Denisov Denis Davydov Aleksandr Figner A. Seslavin [ru]	J.-P. Augereau [fr]
Strength
3,500[1] 4 cannons	2,000[1]
Casualties and losses
200[1]	2,000[1]
Location within Smolensk Oblast Show map of Smolensk Oblast Battle of Liaskowa (European Russia) Show map of European Russia Battle of Liaskowa (Europe) Show map of Europe

French invasion of Russia

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The Battle of Liaskowa (or Lyakhovo) took place 9 November 1812 near the village of Liaskowa, where 3,500 Cossacks under the command of Vasily Vasilyevich Orlov-Denisov (also under Denis Vasilyevich Davydov, Aleksandr Samoylovich Figner and Aleksandr Nikitich Seslavin) surrounded 2,000 soldiers of the Grande Armée under Jean-Pierre Augereau.^[1]

Background

Mikhail Kutuzov in his Attrition warfare against Napoleon had increased the guerrilla warfare of the Cossacks and the people's war of the peasants thereby slowly weakening the French army.^[2] During the retreat of the Grande Armée from Moscow to Poland Kutuzov with his main army avoided following Napoleon directly. Kutuzov escorted the Grande Armée on parallel roads in unspoilt regions of the south.^[3]

Battle

3,500 Cossacks under Vasily Orlov-Denisov routed 2,000 soldiers of the Grande Armée under Augereau. 1,750 French were taken prisoner.^[1]

Aftermath

The Grande Armée had its next major fight in the Battle of Krasnoi.