The French Invasion of Russia: The Entry into Moscow

On September 15, 1812, the French Grand Armée, led by Emperor Napoleon Bonaparte, marched into Moscow during the course of the French invasion of Russia, part of the larger Napoleonic Wars.

Context and Events Leading Up to the Date

The campaign into Russia was launched by Napoleon as part of his broader strategy to compel Tsar Alexander I to cease trading with Britain and join the Continental System. The invasion commenced in June 1812, with the ambitious goal of forcing a definitive engagement with the Russian army. However, the campaign was met with the Russian tactic of scorched earth, where retreating Russian forces systematically destroyed resources that could be used by the advancing French troops.

By September 7, the bloody Battle of Borodino had taken place, the largest and deadliest single-day action of the Napoleonic Wars. Although technically a French victory, the Russians managed to preserve their army as a fighting force and continued their strategic withdrawal.

The Entry into Moscow

When French forces entered Moscow on September 15, 1812, they found the city eerily deserted. The majority of the civilian population, along with the Russian military, had evacuated the city. This deserted state was part of the strategic withdrawal implemented by General Mikhail Kutuzov and supported by Governor Fyodor Rostopchin, who had anticipated that the loss of Moscow, as significant as it was symbolically, would not determine the end of the war.

The Burning of Moscow

Soon after the entry of the French troops, fires began to break out across Moscow. Although the exact source of the fires remains debated, it is generally believed that Rostopchin had ordered the city to be set ablaze to deny the French the ability to use the city for winter quarters and resources. Napoleon and his army were unable to control the fires, which raged for several days, consuming large parts of Moscow.

Aftermath and Broader Historical Significance

As the flames raged through the city, Napoleon realized the precarious position his army was in. The loss of shelter and supplies compounded the logistical challenges already faced by the invading force. With Moscow largely ruined and still no decisive Russian surrender in sight, Napoleon lingered for about five weeks, hoping for diplomatic overtures that would never come.

The decision to eventually retreat from Moscow, beginning on October 19, 1812, came too late. The brutal Russian winter, combined with attacks from Russian forces and lingering supply issues, led to the catastrophic retreat from Russia. By the end of the campaign, the Grande Armée suffered devastating losses, with only a fraction of its original force managing to return to French-controlled territories.

The failed invasion significantly weakened Napoleon’s armies and his reputation as an invincible military leader, marking a turning point that contributed to his eventual downfall. The burning of Moscow is remembered as a testament to the grim determination of the Russian resistance and exemplifies the harsh realities and consequences of Napoleonic warfare.