Battle of Inkovo
1812 battle during the French invasion of Russia
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The Battle of Inkovo[a] took place on 8 August 1812, between the Cossack corps of General Platov and the 2nd Light Cavalry Division of General Sebastiani and ended as a minor Russian victory.[3]
| Battle of Inkovo | |||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Part of the French invasion of Russia | |||||||
Cossacks were an irregular Russian cavalry best suited for the attack of the enemy’s supply lines without joining a regular battle. | |||||||
| |||||||
| Belligerents | |||||||
 French Empire Prussia Württemberg Duchy of Warsaw |
 Russian Empire | ||||||
| Commanders and leaders | |||||||
|
General Sebastiani Eberhard Graf von Waldburg Wurzach (POW) |
Matvei Platov | ||||||
| Strength | |||||||
| 2nd Light Cavalry Division[1] | Cossack corps[1] | ||||||
| Casualties and losses | |||||||
| 600–1,200 killed or wounded, 300–500 captured[1][2][3] | 300 killed or wounded[1] | ||||||
205miles
slavets
Prelude
As Barclay de Tolly's and Pyotr Bagration's army were separated, Napoleon tried in vain to defeat them before they could unite. But Barclay de Tolly under political pressure had to attack Napoleon and the Russian offensive began west on the north bank of the Dnieper on 7 August, but relying on a false report Barclay de Tolly abandoned the move west.[2][3]
Battle
The altered orders had not reached General Platov on his advance and he clashed with General Sebastiani's 2nd Light Cavalry Division near Inkovo. The French were first forced to retreat. Being reinforced the French force then repulsed the pursuing Russians. The fighting ended three miles (4.8 km) east of Rudnya in the west of Inkovo.[2][3]
