Battle of Golymin: Russian rearguard action against Murat

Background. Following the conquest of Prussia, Napoleon entered Poland to confront the Russian army. The French advance corps took Warsaw on 28 November 1806. Russian forces, including Golitsyn's division, were falling back towards Ostrolenka via Gołymin. The Russian First Army had fallen back to the River Wkra to unite with the Second Army, which was still distant.

Command. Prince Golitsyn commanded approximately 22,000 Russian soldiers with 28 guns; his division command is attested in the retreat context rather than explicitly as battle command. Marshal Murat led 38,000 French soldiers. Murat was a Marshal of the Empire, appointed by Napoleon on 18 May 1804, and regarded as the foremost cavalry commander of the Napoleonic Wars. Golitsyn's action is characterized by the source as a successful delaying action whose effect, combined with the failure of Soult's corps to pass round the Russian right flank, destroyed Napoleon's chance of trapping the Russians against the River Narew.

Outcome. The Russian forces disengaged successfully from the superior French forces. While the French held the field, Golitsyn achieved his objective of withdrawing, and Murat failed to stop him. This failure destroyed Napoleon's chance of getting behind the Russian line of retreat, allowing the Russians to continue their withdrawal towards Ostrolenka.