Napoleon won at Lützen on 2 May 1813, against the Russian and Prussian armies under Wittgenstein and Blücher. The win was costly, but it forced the Allies to retreat, and Napoleon held the field at nightfall.
A costly win
According to John Rickard of HistoryOfWar.org, estimates of French losses range from 20,000 to 22,000 men. Allied losses were probably lower, between 11,500 and 20,000, with the Prussians suffering most of them; the German historian von Cämmerer gave 8,400 for the corps of Yorck and Blücher. Blücher was wounded during the fighting, leaving Yorck in command of the Prussian forces.1
On the day after the battle the Allied commanders decided to retreat to Dresden and Meissen and cross the Elbe, leaving Napoleon in control of the field.2
The truce that followed
Eighteen days later Napoleon won again at Bautzen, at heavy cost. The two battles led to a truce on 4 June, which gave the Allies time to rebuild.
Frequently asked questions
When and where was the Battle of Lützen?
It was fought on 2 May 1813 near Lützen, south-west of Leipzig, during the War of the Sixth Coalition.
Who won the Battle of Lützen?
Napoleon won, but the Allies withdrew after the fighting, so the win was costly.
What happened next?
Bautzen followed eighteen days later, and the two battles led to a truce on 4 June 1813.
Notes
A number in the text points to a note; each note names the works that paragraph draws on, listed in full under Sources.
Based on your country, which we do not store · why? ·
Relive the great battles
Echoes of Battle brings the great battles of history to life, scene by scene on the real map. Enlist below and we will send word to your inbox the day it launches.
