Saltanovka

a village, now in Mogilev Raion, Byelorussian SSR, south of the city of Mogilev.

In the Patriotic War of 1812 a battle was fought near Salta-novka on July 10–11 (22–23). On July 8 (20) the French troops of Marshal L. Davout’s corps of 26,000 men took Mogilev and his advance units reached Saltanovka. By that time General P. I. Bagration’s Second Russian Army was retreating from Bobruisk toward Staryi Bykhov and Mogilev in order to join up with the First Army. After receiving reports about the French capture of Mogilev, Bagration ordered General N. N. Raev-skii’s advance VII Infantry Corps of 15,000 men to drive the enemy out of the city. Raevskii’s troops repulsed the enemy’s advance units on July 10 (22) and attacked the French positions at Saltanovka on July 11 (23).

During the battle it became apparent that the Russian troops were facing the main body of Davout’s corps. Since a breakthrough was impossible, Bagration ordered the Second Army to withdraw to Novyi Bykhov and Mstislavl’ under the cover of Raevskii’s corps. By the end of July 11 (23) the French were still holding Saltanovka and were preparing to continue the battle, but on July 12 (24) the Russian troops withdrew beyond the Dnieper.