A single French corps under Gouvion St Cyr was holding Napoleon's main base of Dresden when they came under attack from the leading corps of the allied army. While St Cyr held on Napoleon rushed to his support, summoning other formation to join him as he did so. By nightfall on the 26th Napoleon's force had reach 120,000 men. In a characteristic double pincer movement by nightfall on the 27th Napoleon had made significant inroads into the allied army. Very wet weather turned the battlefield into a quagmire and during the night the allies slipped away. Napoleon had inflicted considerable casualties on the allies for the loss of at least 10,000 of his own troops.

On the river Elbe the capital city of Saxony. (Germany)

French & Allied Forces

Number engaged :

155,000

Casualties :

10,000 (6.45%)

Russian & Allied Forces

Number engaged :

200,000

Casualties :

23,000 (11.50%)