12/05/1812 AD departed

Napoleon left the army in a sledge and returned to Paris — importantly, Napoleon's reputation of invincibility was shattered.

When he reached the Berezina, Napoleon only had about 49,000 troops and 40,000 stragglers of little military value. The Grande Armée had deteriorated into a disorganized mob.

Within a few days of Napoleon's departure, 20,000 more perished from the bitter cold and lice. Murat and Ney, the new commanders continued, leaving more than 20,000 men behind in the hospitals of Vilnius. What was left of the main armies crossed the frozen Niemen and the Bug disillusioned.

Although estimates vary because precise records were not kept, Napoleon's army had entered Russia with more than 450,000 men, more than 150,000 horses, around 25,000 wagons and more than 1,250 pieces of artillery. Only 120,000 men survived (excluding early deserters); as many as 380,000 died in the campaign.

Vilnius

Lattitude: 54.6833° N
Longitude: 25.2833° E
Region: Russia and Eastern Bloc

Modern Day Lithuania

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