Battle of Pułtusk: Bennigsen's Russians escape Napoleon (1806)

The Battle of Pułtusk occurred on 26 December 1806 near Pultusk, Prussia (today Pułtusk, Poland), during the War of the Fourth Coalition. Following the defeat of the Prussian army, Napoleon entered Poland to confront the Russian forces. General Bennigsen commanded a Russian army operating against Napoleon, engaging in this battle before later meeting the emperor at Eylau.

Episodes

Background and detail

Background. After defeating the Prussian army in autumn 1806, Emperor Napoleon entered partitioned Poland to confront the Russian army, which had been preparing to support the Prussians until their sudden defeat. The conflict took place during the War of the Fourth Coalition, following Napoleon's earlier victory at Jena–Auerstedt.

Commanders. Levin August von Bennigsen, a German general in the service of the Russian Empire, commanded one of the Russian armies operating against Napoleon. Bennigsen fought the Battle of Pultusk and later met the emperor in person at the bloody battle of Eylau in February 1807.

Aftermath. Bennigsen's forces fell back to Nowogród on the River Narew, uniting on 1 January 1807 with the forces under Buxhoeveden. The French caught up with the Russians on 7 and 8 February 1807, leading to the dreadful Battle of Eylau.

People involved

Sources

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