Kliastitsy

Kliastitsy 

a village in Rossony Raion, Vitebsk Oblast, Byelorussian SSR, north of the city of Polotsk.

A battle took place in the Kliastitsy area during the Patriotic War of 1812, from July 18 to July 20 (July 30-Aug. 1), between Russian troops under General P. Kh. Vitgenshtein (17,000 men and 108 guns) and French troops under Marshal N. C. Oudinot (29,000 men and 114 guns). On July 17 the French troops, advancing to the north along the St. Petersburg Road, took Kliastitsy. Vitgenshtein decided to strike a blow at their flank; on July 18 Ia. P. Kul’nev’s advance guard attacked, hurling the enemy’s advance units back to Kliastitsy. On July 19 the main Russian forces entered the battle, took Kliastitsy, and forced the French troops to withdraw. Although Kul’nev’s detachment, which pursued the enemy, suffered great losses on July 20 (Kul’-nev himself was mortally wounded) and withdrew, the French were defeated (retreating to Polotsk) after the approach of the main Russian forces. An attack by Oudinot’s corps in the St. Petersburg sector was foiled, compelling Napoleon to send another corps, under General St. Cyr. This had the effect of weakening the main French forces.