Napoleon in Moscow

Confident that the decisive battle would be ahead, Napoleon hurried his troops to Moscow. However, Kutuzov was still reluctant to sacrifice his troops on a battle for Moscow and to the surprise of the French had ordered his army to retreat south-east of Moscow. It is unclear whether he did this out of weakness or whether it was part of a brilliant strategy with the purpose of drawing Napoleon's army way beyond their means of supply for the winter, which Napoleon had not prepared for. In any case, on September 14, to the intense dismay of Napoleon, he and his troops entered to the almost empty city.

As the Napoleon's troops noticed that they would not be treatened by Russian troops in Moscow, they went on unauthorized pillaging trips, gathering whatever treasures were left behind by wealthy Muscovites and feasting on wine and delicacies. Two days later, a fire broke out. Whether it was started by the drunken soldiers or by patriotic Russians, is not clear although the Russians clearly had had the intention to burn the city as all the fire-engines had been rendered unusable and fire-floats had been sunk in the river.

It was a huge fire that destroyed four fifths of the city and lasted at its height for four days. Drunken soldiers tried to desperately loot any portable valuables. Gradually discipline was restored as the soldiers realized that their survival would depend on their self-control.

Winter was coming and extreme cold would start soon. Napoleon had a tough decision to make. Advancing to St. Petersburg, the capital, to bring the war to an end was out of the question as the army was in such poor condition and would be without supplies on the road. Staying in Moscow for the winter would not guarantee supplies either, especially with all the fire damage, and there would be the additional risk of cut communications for the five winter months. Napoleon would have preferred returning to France but did not want it to look like a retreat. Hoping that Alexander I would settle for peace, Napoleon sent emissaries to him but by now Russians already understood Napoleon's difficulties and refused to negotiate.

As news came that Russians were approaching Moscow, Napoleon decided to leave the city. The direction was south where the army expected to find warmer weather and food. With food only for 24 days and horse fodder for less than a week they left, their wagons full of booty.

(Image from Nicolson, plate 6)