Battle of Dresden

Arc de Triomphe: DRESDE


August 26, 1813 - August 27, 1813

When Napoleon learned from Marshal Gouvion St. Cyr that the capital of his ally the King of Saxony was seriously threatened by an Allied force, he ordered a number of corps to march to Dresden's relief. Gouvion St. Cyr held the defensive line until the other French units arrived, and the Allies grew nervous when they heard "Vive l'Empereur!" from the defenses. Nevertheless, the Allies attacked but suffered heavy casualties while the French made use of their prepared defenses and held strong. Unnerved, on the night of the 27th the Allies were able to disengage and retreat. Napoleon ordered General Vandamme to cut off the Allied retreat, leading to the Battle of Kulm.

Bibliography

• Chandler, David G. Dictionary of the Napoleonic Wars. New York: Macmillan Publishing, 1979.
• Smith, Digby. The Greenhill Napoleonic Wars Data Book. London: Greenhill Books: 1998.

External Links:

• French Order of Battle
• Allied Order of Battle

Updated March 2014

© Nathan D. Jensen