Battle of Mir (1812) facts for kids

Quick facts for kids Battle of Mir (1812)
Part of the French invasion of Russia
Cossack cavalry deployed at Mir (by V. Mazurovsky)
Date 9–10 July 1812 Location Mir, Russian Empire 53°27′N 26°28′E / 53.450°N 26.467°E / 53.450; 26.467 Result Russian victory
Belligerents
Warsaw	Russia
Commanders and leaders
A. Rożniecki [pl]	Matvei Platov Dmitry V. Vasilchikov [ru]
Strength
3,600 men (1,300 on the 1st day), 3 guns: 2nd, 3rd, 7th, 11th, 15th, and 16th Uhlan Regiments Polish 4th Chasseurs One horse battery	8,500 men (3,500 on the 1st day), 12 guns: Eleven Cossack regiments (5,000 men) Two Don Cossack batteries, two horse batteries Akhtyrka Hussars, Kiev and New Russia Dragoons, Lithuanian Uhlans (2,500 men) 5th Jaegers (1,000 men)
Casualties and losses
308 (1st day) 500–600 (2nd day) 808–908 total losses, including 256 taken prisoner	25 (1st day) Totally around 180 dead and wounded, including two colonels killed

The Battle of Mir was an important fight that happened on July 9 and 10, 1812. It was part of Napoleon's big invasion of Russia. In this battle, three groups of Polish Lancers (soldiers on horseback with spears) fought against Russian cavalry (soldiers on horseback). The Russians won, and it was their first big victory in this war.

What Happened During the Battle?

The battle started near the village of Mir. Russian General Matvei Platov had his Cossack soldiers ready. A group of Polish cavalry attacked his advance posts, which were small groups of soldiers watching for the enemy. These posts were also set up to trick the enemy into attacking.

The Polish forces, led by General Alexander Rosniecki, then clashed with Russian cavalry. This led to close-up hand-to-hand combat. Both sides had similar losses at first.

Polish soldiers called Uhlans then rode through the village. They attacked Platov's main group of soldiers. Another Polish group tried to join the fight but was surrounded by Cossacks. The Polish soldiers were forced to retreat. Russian Hussars (another type of cavalry) helped push them back.

More Russian soldiers arrived, including Akhtyrka Hussars and Dragoons. The battle continued for six hours. It moved to a nearby village called Simiakovo. General Platov defeated the enemy there. He then moved back to Mir, where he caused more losses for the Polish forces. The Polish retreat was saved from becoming a complete defeat by Tyszkiewicz's brigade, which protected them as they pulled back.

What Happened After the Battle?

After the battle, the town of Mir and its old fort ruins were used as a headquarters by Jérôme Bonaparte. He was Napoleon's brother. However, he decided to leave the army on July 16. This was after he had arguments with other generals. After the Polish forces retreated, the Mir Castle was destroyed using gunpowder.

See Also

• List of battles of the French invasion of Russia