The Entry Of The French Into Moscow 14th September 1812

The entry of the French into Moscow, 14th September 1812. After the bloody but indecisive Battle of Moscow the Russians retreated, leaving the French to take occupation of a burning city - set on fire by the Russians themselves. Hoping for a Russian surrender that never came, Bonaparte waited in Moscow for five weeks before leaving on 5th December to return to Paris where a coup had been foiled and to raise another army. His troops endured a bitter retreat, harrassed by the Russians and tormented by starvation and the Russian winter. Artist Edme Bovinet. (Photo by Historica Graphica Collection/Heritage Images/Getty Images)