Pultusk, Battle of

(1806)

   After the French army’s overwhelming success at Jena-Auerstadt, Napoleon Bonaparte sought to deliver a crushing blow to the Prussian and Russian armies. On December 26, Marshal Lannes’ Fifth Corps soon faced Russian General Bennigsen’s army near Pultusk, on the Narew River, 30 miles north of Warsaw. A division of Lannes’ Fifth Corps, led by General Claparede, attempted to gain the town but was eventually repulsed, not the least because of the horrid winter weather. Another French division arrived and the French pushed forward. Benningsen’s right withdrew to stronger positions and neither side was able to gain advantage. The Russians abandoned their positions under cover of darkness, but the French were unable to pursue. The battle was essentially a draw, although the French held the field. Napoleon put his army into winter quarters, but in less than two month’s time, they would fight again at the Battle of Eylau.

   See also <>.

   FURTHER READING:

    Rothenburg, Guenther. The Napoleonic Wars. London: Cassell, 1999.

   J. DAVID MARKHAM