Battle of Nowo Schwerschen
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| Battle of Nowo Schwerschen | |||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Part of the French invasion of Russia | |||||||
 Count Charles-Marie de Lambert | |||||||
| |||||||
| Belligerents | |||||||
 Russian Empire |
 Duchy of Warsaw | ||||||
| Commanders and leaders | |||||||
| Karl Lambert | Franciszek Ksawery Kossecki | ||||||
| Strength | |||||||
| 4,500[1] | 3,500[1] | ||||||
| Casualties and losses | |||||||
| 50[1] | 1,300[1] | ||||||
The Battle of Nowo Schwerschen (Novy Sverzhen) was fought on Friday, 13 November 1812, near Novy Sverzhen or Nowo Schwerschen, part of the Russian Empire at the time (now in Belarus).[2] An unexperienced Polish force under General Franciszek Ksawery Kossecki was defeated by seasoned Russian forces led by Count Lambert from Admiral Chichagov's Army of the Danube.[2]
Kossecki's forces were given the task of protecting Minsk from a southeast attack and ensure a path of retreat for Napoleon's Grande Armée.[3]
Maret sent General Kossecki with about 3,000 infantry and 500 cavalry men to Nowo Schwerschen where they were to protect the crossing of the Niemen.[4]
According to Smith, Kossecki's division was composed of:[2]
- 18th Lithuanian Infantry Regiment (one bn.)
- 19th Lithuanian Infantry Regiment (one bn.)
- 20th Lithuanian Infantry Regiment (one bn.)
- 21st Lithuanian Infantry Regiment (one bn.)
- combined Cavalry regiment
Count Lambert's units included the 10th and 14th Jaegers.[2]
Battle
On November 13, Lambert arrived at Nowo Schwerschen with the Third Western Army's vanguard. Kossecki's raw Polish recruits were driven off with heavy losses by the cavalry.
Aftermath
The defeated detachment was once more attacked in the battle of Kaidanowo.[2]
