The Battle of Leipzig in Germany took place from October 13 to 19, 1813. Also known as the “Battle of the Nations,” it followed the disastrous 1812 Russian campaign. As one of the significant Napoleonic Wars, it pitted Napoleon Bonaparte‘s Grande Armée against the Sixth Coalition, led by Great Britain and the Russian Empire, with support from several other countries. Despite suffering significant losses, Napoleon’s army managed to retreat to France after the defeat.
—>The Battle of Leipzig was strategically important as it marked a turning point in the Napoleonic Wars. It resulted in a decisive defeat for Napoleon and weakened the French position, leading to the decline of French dominance in Europe.
What Causes the Battle Of Leipzig?
In 1812, Alexander I, Tsar of Russia, ceased cooperation with Napoleon to enforce the Continental System (Continental Blockade) aimed at dealing a fatal blow to the United Kingdom. With an army of 600,000 men, Napoleon invaded Russia. The Russian campaign ended in a catastrophic defeat. Several countries humiliated by Napoleon joined the Sixth Coalition, formed by Britain and Russia and soon joined by Prussia. The German states were divided, with the northern states predominantly supporting the coalition.
As the Peninsular War (Spanish War of Independence, 1808–1814) turned into a disaster, Bernadotte, a former marshal of Napoleon who had become the sovereign of Sweden, allied with Russia. Napoleon declared the mobilization of 1813 and raised 350,000 soldiers, who joined the remnants of the Grande Armée in Saxony to face the Sixth Coalition. The campaign in Germany began with two victories: Lützen (May 2) and Bautzen (May 20–21). After the Congress of Prague (July 12–August 10), Austria also declared war on France (August 11).
How Did the Battle of Leipzig Unfold?
After a victory in the Battle of Dresden (August 26–27), the Grand Army faced defeat at Kulm. The Allies then chose to avoid Napoleon and confront his marshals. This successful strategy significantly weakened the French army, which was caught in a pincer movement as the German population turned hostile. The Battle of Leipzig took place from October 16 to 19, 1813. The battle began with a joint attack of 78,000 allies from the south and 54,000 from the north. The events of October 16 featured several assaults:
- Attacks by the 2nd Austrian Corps on Dölitz.
- The attack on the village of Markkleeberg, defended by Marshal Poniatowski and Marshal Augereau.
- The assault on Wachau by the Russians and Prussians, was repelled by the French.
- The battles of Liebertwolkwitz, narrowly saved by the French cavalry.
Marshals Ney and Marmont were defending the center of the French lines when Blücher launched his attack, signaling the start of the northeast front. The Battle of Möckern resulted in 9,000 casualties among the Allies, 7,000 deaths, and 2,000 prisoners on the French side.
Despite some actions, October 17 saw the arrival of reinforcements: 14,000 for the French and 145,000 for the Allies. On October 18, the Allies attacked the southern front (Wachau, Lößnig, and Dölitz). The battle lasted nine hours, causing heavy losses on both sides. As the French were pushed back towards Leipzig, the end of the day was marked by the betrayal of the Saxons at Paunsdorf: they switched sides, turning their cannons against the French.
By evening, 320,000 coalition soldiers had converged around nearly 170,000 French troops, almost out of ammunition. The allied vanguard entered Leipzig. Napoleon decided to withdraw his troops and have them cross the Elster River. The coalition attacked Leipzig in five columns under Schwarzenberg’s command. On October 19, the retreat continued until the bridge was destroyed, condemning 1/3 of the army to the risk of drowning or surrendering.
Why Is the Battle of Leipzig Called the Battle of the Nations?
The Battle of Leipzig involved fighters of various nationalities. The Kingdom of Prussia, Sweden, and the Austrian Empire gradually strengthened the Sixth Coalition, which consisted of the United Kingdom, Ireland, and the Russian Empire. The Grande Armée, on the other hand, includes German states, Italy, and Denmark in its ranks. It marks a turning point in history: the end of the dynastic wars of the Old Regime, with peoples now in direct conflict.
Who Were the Battle of Leipzig Fighters?
The Battle of Leipzig, fought between the French Empire of Napoleon I and the forces of the Sixth Coalition, was a significant engagement. The Grand Army’s allies strengthened it:
- The Duchy of Warsaw,
- The Kingdom of Italy,
- The Kingdom of Naples.
Initially, it also enjoyed the support of the Kingdom of Saxony. However, the Saxons switched sides on October 18.
A key figure in the Sixth Coalition, Tsar Alexander I of the Russian Empire, relied on the support of the Kingdom of Prussia, which joined the coalition after the failure of the Russian campaign. Additionally, he counted on Sweden’s support under Bernadotte’s leadership. This French military officer, elevated to the rank of Marshal of the Empire in 1804, was estranged from Napoleon. He joined the Coalition in 1813 and personally oversaw the Northern Army at Leipzig after the Swedish Parliament selected him as the heir to the ailing and childless King Charles XIII.
Following the Armistice of Pleiswitz, signed on June 4, 1813, at the request of Prussia and Russia between Napoleon and the Coalition, the Austrian Empire offered its mediation. During the Congress of Prague, Chancellor Metternich proposed a general peace to Napoleon, contingent on him relinquishing territories east of the Rhine, Holland, Switzerland, the Illyrian Provinces, Spain, and a significant portion of Italy. Faced with his refusal, Austria, too, joined the Coalition, playing a decisive role in the outcome of the Battle of Nations.
Who Won the Battle of Leipzig?
The Battle of Nations was a defeat for the French. Despite the mobilization of 1813 allowing the reconstitution of part of the Grande Armée, the majority of recruits were young and inexperienced. Simultaneously, the war of independence in Spain (Peninsular War) became entrenched, diverting a portion of the armed forces. The army also suffered from a deficient logistics system, with the French running out of ammunition on the evening of October 18.
Consequently, they are unable to dispatch a message to the French garrisons in Dresden, Torgau, and Wittenberg to assemble under the command of Marshal Gouvion-Saint-Cyr, as Napoleon had intended. The destruction of the Elster Bridge is divisive; while it appears to be an accidental destruction, it may result from conflicting orders in an attempt to slow down the Allies.
Despite Marie Louise, the niece of Marie Antoinette and Archduchess of Austria, marrying Napoleon a few years earlier in 1808, Austria eventually joined the Sixth Coalition, marking a turning point in the conflict. Although the Allies won the Battle of Leipzig, they failed to achieve a decisive victory.
While the French faced the Austro-Bavarians, attempting to cut off their retreat during the Battle of Hanau (October 30-31), they managed to withdraw to the Rhine. Napoleon lost control over several German states and strategic strongholds (including Danzig, Glogau, Stettin, and Dresden), but the Allies were too exhausted to pursue him.
How Many People Died at the Battle of Leipzig?
The losses were estimated at 60,000-79,000 men dead, wounded, or captured on the French side and 54,000–80,000 men on the coalition side. Among the missing was Joseph Poniatowski, the nephew of the last king of Poland, Stanislaus II. He had received the marshal’s baton the day before. Also counted among the casualties were the generals Aubry, Camus de Richemont, Rochambeau, and Couloumy. Approximately 10,000 French soldiers were reported to have been taken prisoner during the retreat.
What Were the Consequences of the Battle of Leipzig?
As a member of the Confederation of the Rhine and an ally of France, Bavaria joined the Sixth Coalition through the Treaty of Ried, which concluded on October 8 with Austria. Following the Battle of Leipzig, the Grande Armée retreated, closely pursued by the coalition forces. On October 30, Wrede’s Austro-Bavarian forces arrived at Hanau and cut off its retreat. However, the heavy cavalry of the Imperial Guard decisively broke through the Austro-Hungarians, determining the outcome of the battle.
In addition to German territory, Napoleon left Davout in Hamburg, considered one of his top marshals, whom he would have to do without in 1814. Since the Sixth Coalition did not lead to a decisive victory, the war concluded that year with a final phase: the Campaign of France. During this campaign, the coalition forces entered Paris from the north, east, and southwest. Prussian and Russian troops entered the capital, and Napoleon abdicated on April 6, 1814, before being exiled to the island of Elba.