Battle of Borodino

Background. Napoleon with the French Grande Armée began his invasion of Russia on 24 June 1812 by crossing the Niemen river. When Napoleon invaded, Michael Andreas Barclay de Tolly, then Minister of War, with his army outnumbered 2:1, chose to follow the scorched earth principle and retreat rather than risk a major battle. Kutuzov was then appointed commander-in-chief on the 17th and joined the army on 29 August 1812 at Tsaryovo-Zaymishche, with Russian support for his appointment. The passage records the appointment day only as 'the 17th', without stating the month.

The Battle. Two huge armies clashed near Borodino on 7 September 1812, involving nearly a quarter of a million soldiers, with a ratio of about 1.1 French soldiers to 1 Russian soldier. The battle took place on the outskirts of Moscow near the village of Borodino, during Napoleon's invasion of Russia. The passages supply no casualty figures and do not state which side held the field, so the outcome cannot be characterized beyond what is sourced.

Aftermath and Commemoration. On 11 September [O.S. 30 August] 1812, Tsar Alexander signed a document promoting Kutuzov to General Field Marshal, the highest military rank; the passage gives 11 September as the New Style date, corresponding to 30 August Old Style. The battle entered cultural memory: Tchaikovsky composed his 1812 Overture to commemorate Russia's successful defence against the French invasion, including the defence at Borodino, and since May 1813 at least 29 ships have been named Borodino after the battle.