Historical place archive
Browse historical events and people recorded at Eylau in Germany. The records below are rendered directly from the World History Database into this page's initial HTML.
A fierce struggle ensued, made worse by a blinding snowstorm on the battlefield. The French found themselves in dire straits until a massed cavalry charge, made by 10,700 troopers formed in 80 squadrons, relieved the pressure on the centre.
Davouts arrival meant the attack on the Russian left could commence, but the assault was blunted when a Prussian force under Lestoq suddenly appeared on the battlefield and, with Russian help, threw the French back.
Ney came too late to effect any meaningful decision, so Bennigsen retreated. Casualties at this indecisive battle were horrific, perhaps 25,000 on each side. The lack of a decisive victory by either side meant that the war would go on
The Russians fought Soults corps for possession of Eylau. Daybreak on February 8 saw 44,500 French troops on the field against 67,000 Russians. Napoleon hoped to pin Bennigsens army long enough to allow Neys and Davouts troops to outflank the Russians.
After the battle of Eylau awarded Order of St. Andrew, the highest order in the Russian empire
Provenance
These entries are generated from stored World History Database records whose country and place fields match Germany and Eylau. Names, dates, event labels and descriptions are reviewed and normalised as the database develops. Historical place names may not match modern administrative boundaries.
This database is a research index. For formal scholarly citation, verify individual claims against appropriate primary, archival, academic or specialist sources.