Battle of Dresden: Napoleon's last major victory in Germany

Background. In anticipation of the battle, Napoleon ordered the strengthening of Dresden's defenses, whose southern walls were in a degenerated state. The battle occurred during the German campaign of 1813, where members of the Sixth Coalition, including Austria, Prussia, Russia, and Sweden, fought against Napoleon. Separately, during a summer 1813 ceasefire, the ministers of Prussia, Russia, and Sweden had agreed via the Trachenberg Plan to pursue a single allied strategy against Napoleon; the supplied passages do not explicitly tie that plan to operations at Dresden.

Coalition Decision-Making. The monarchs were a thorn in Schwarzenberg's side, interfering at inopportune moments and causing confusion when important decisions had to be made. Schwarzenberg complained about being surrounded by fools and critics. The Tsar and General Jean Victor Moreau, formerly a General of France and by 1813 an adviser to the Coalition, wanted to attack at once; Karl Philipp Fürst zu Schwarzenberg wanted to wait until additional forces arrived.

Aftermath. The French defeats of Marshal Oudinot and Marshal MacDonald at the Battle of Katzbach, together with this loss, overshadowed Napoleon's victory at Dresden. These related engagements are mentioned as context surrounding the Dresden victory rather than as part of the battle itself.