On 16-19 October 1813, the Battle of Leipzig was fought between the French under Napoleon Bonaparte against the Allies under Karl Von Schwarzenberg during the Napoleonic Wars.
Why did it happen?
Following Napoleon’s disastrous invasion of Russia in 1812, the monarchies of Austria, Prussia, Russia, and Britain formed the Sixth Coalition in March 1813 to defeat the French emperor once and for all. However, fighting was complicated for both sides because the War of the Sixth Coalition took place in three separate theatres: Italy, northern Germany, and Saxony. Moreover, despite losing 98% of his Grand Army in Russia, Napoleon was still a formidable opponent. On 2 and 21 May, he defeated Russo-Prussian forces at the battles of Lutzen and Bautzen, respectively, which prompted an armistice in June. However, when Napoleon tried to win over Austrian chancellor Prince Metternich, he could not agree to their demands, and Austria joined the Sixth Coalition in August. With all of Europe united against him, Napoleon retreated towards Leipzig, where he concentrated his forces around the city.
Who was involved?
The French army at Leipzig numbered 175,000 infantry, 20,000 cavalry and 600 artillery. Despite such a large force, Napoleon’s army was not as formidable as it was in his earlier campaigns. As stated by Richard Overy, “After the disastrous adventure in Russia in 1812, Napoleon was forced to scrape the bottom of the recruitment barrel. Young, raw recruits, older men, disabled veterans, 20,000 naval marines and gunners and units of the National Guard militia were drawn together, seasoned with the few remaining veterans and professionals” (Overy, 2014, p.287). In addition, there was a shortage of horses, which meant that there were few animals available to pull the artillery into position and keep open the long lines of communication into central Europe. The Allied army at Leipzig numbered 305,000 infantry, 60,000 cavalry, and 1,382 artillery. The Allied forces were divided into three armies: Karl Von Schwarzenberg was in overall command of the Army of Bohemia, which consisted of 150,000 men; Gebhard von Blucher led the Army of Silesia with 95,000 men; Jean Baptise Bernadotte arrived on the third day of the battle with the Army of the North, which numbered 120,000 men.
What happened?
At 8am on 16 October, the battle began when the Allies attacked the villages of Wachau and Liebertwolkwitz, which changed hands several times over the next two hours. Karl Von Schwarzenberg committed his Prussian and Russian Guard to the battle in response. At the same time, Count Gyulai advanced towards Lindenau to cut the French lines of communication. In response, Bertrand advanced south to defend the route to Leipzig while Napoleon organised a counterattack that successfully pushed Allied forces off the Kolmberg before losing momentum. On 17 October, the Prussians under Blucher advanced southwards and captured Mockern, despite suffering heavy casualties. However, the Prussian assault stopped Marmont from sending reinforcements southwards, forcing Napoleon into a stalemate. On 18 October at 12pm, Bernadette and Bennigsen arrived with reinforcements from Prussia, Sweden, and Russia. The combined Allied forces launched repeated assaults against Schonefeld and Reudnitz, which pressed the French back into Leipzig. On 19 October at 2am, Napoleon ordered a retreat over the Elster Bridge. However, at 1pm, the bridge was prematurely blown up, which trapped 50,000 French troops on the wrong side of the river, where they were either captured or drowned after trying to swim to safety. Overall, the French suffered 70,000 killed, wounded, or captured, while the Allies lost 54,000 killed or wounded.
What changed as a result?
The Battle of Leipzig was a decisive Allied victory. It was the largest battle fought in Europe before the First World War and was dubbed “the Battle of the Nations.” When the British ambassador to Vienna, Sir George Jackson, visited the battlefield on 21 October, he was shocked by the number of casualties. He later wrote, "a more revolting and sickening spectacle I never beheld” (Overy, 2014, p.289). In 1814, Sweden, Prussia, and Austria invaded France and despite some brilliant successes between 29 January and 18 February, Napoleon was forced to abdicate on 6 April. He was exiled to the island of Elba while the French monarchy was restored under Louis XVIII. In 1815, Napoleon attempted one last bid for power before being defeated by Britain and Prussia at the Battle of Waterloo, after which he was exiled to St Helena, where he died in 1821.
Bibliography
Epic History TV. “Napoleon 1813: Battle of the Nations.” YouTube video, 33:15. March 27, 2020. www.youtube.com/watch?v=P9hDA0u6FO0
Grant, R.G. 1001 Battles That Changed the Course of History. London, Cassell Illustrated, 2011.
Grant, R.G. Battle: A Visual Journey Through 5,000 Years of Combat. London, Dorling Kindersley, 2005.
Overy, Richard. A History of War in 100 Battles. London, William Collins, 2014.
Snow, Peter. Battles Map by Map. London, Dorling Kindersley, 2021.