War of the VI Coalition · 1813–1814

Name: War of the VI Coalition
Start: 1813

After the disaster in Russia Prussia re-enters the war; Austria joins in summer 1813, Great Britain subsidises the allies, and Sweden under Bernadotte strikes from the north. The Sixth Coalition forms — Russia, Prussia, Austria, Britain and Sweden against Napoleon.

Marshals of the campaign

13 marshals

Defence of Paris

Key events

1813
Politics
After the retreat from Russia Prussia and Russia conclude the alliance of Kalisch; Hardenberg and Castlereagh prepare a new anti-French coalition.
12 Aug
Politics
12 August Austria declares war; Schwarzenberg becomes allied commander-in-chief, Metternich its chief diplomat in the Sixth Coalition, Humboldt Prussia's envoy in Vienna.
2 May
Battle
At Lützen Napoleon defeats the allies, but Bessières is killed by a cannonball just before the decisive battle.
21 May
Battle
At Bautzen the French win again but cannot exploit the victory — the allies withdraw into Bohemia.
4 Jun
Politics
The Armistice of Pleischwitz gives both sides a pause; Austria uses the interval to commit fully to the coalition.
23 Aug
Battle
At Grossbeeren Bernadotte and Bülow halt Oudinot's advance on Berlin.
26 Aug
Battle
At Dresden Napoleon defeats the Austrian vanguard; the garrison of Gouvion Saint-Cyr holds the city until November.
6 Sep
Battle
At Dennewitz Bernadotte defeats Ney and breaks the link between French forces in the north.
16 Oct
Battle
At Leipzig the Battle of the Nations settles the war: the Saxons defect to the allies, Poniatowski drowns in the Elster.
1813–14
Politics
At Hamburg Davout holds the besieged garrison until Napoleon's abdication — France's last major stronghold in the north.
9 Mar
Treaty
Treaty of Chaumont: Austria, Prussia, Russia and Great Britain pledge not to make a separate peace with Napoleon.
30 Mar
Battle
The allies enter Paris; Moncey is badly wounded at Clichy; Marmont and Mortier cease resistance — Paris falls without a siege.
11 Apr
Treaty
First abdication at Fontainebleau: Talleyrand and the Senate depose Napoleon; the Bourbons return to power.

Sides and key participants

Frederick William III

Campaign results

For France

Victories at Lützen, Bautzen and Dresden did not restore strategic superiority
Disaster at Leipzig and loss of Saxony
Northern defeats at Grossbeeren and Dennewitz broke the link between French armies
The capitulation of Paris and first abdication brought Napoleon's rule to an end for a year
Davout's Hamburg garrison surrendered only on the King's order

For the coalition

The Sixth Coalition united Russia, Prussia, Austria, Britain and Sweden
Schwarzenberg and Blücher divided supreme command across the fronts
The Battle of the Nations at Leipzig broke the Grande Armée of 1813
The Treaty of Chaumont and entry into Paris ended the war on the Continent
The Bourbons were restored; Napoleon was sent to Elba

Key events

1813

Politics

After the retreat from Russia Prussia and Russia conclude the alliance of Kalisch; Hardenberg and Castlereagh prepare a new anti-French coalition.

12 Aug

Politics

12 August Austria declares war; Schwarzenberg becomes allied commander-in-chief, Metternich its chief diplomat in the Sixth Coalition, Humboldt Prussia's envoy in Vienna.

2 May

Battle

At Lützen Napoleon defeats the allies, but Bessières is killed by a cannonball just before the decisive battle.

21 May

Battle

At Bautzen the French win again but cannot exploit the victory — the allies withdraw into Bohemia.

4 Jun

Politics

The Armistice of Pleischwitz gives both sides a pause; Austria uses the interval to commit fully to the coalition.

23 Aug

Battle

At Grossbeeren Bernadotte and Bülow halt Oudinot's advance on Berlin.

26 Aug

Battle

At Dresden Napoleon defeats the Austrian vanguard; the garrison of Gouvion Saint-Cyr holds the city until November.

6 Sep

Battle

At Dennewitz Bernadotte defeats Ney and breaks the link between French forces in the north.

16 Oct

Battle

At Leipzig the Battle of the Nations settles the war: the Saxons defect to the allies, Poniatowski drowns in the Elster.

1813–14

Politics

At Hamburg Davout holds the besieged garrison until Napoleon's abdication — France's last major stronghold in the north.

9 Mar

Treaty

Treaty of Chaumont: Austria, Prussia, Russia and Great Britain pledge not to make a separate peace with Napoleon.

30 Mar

Battle

The allies enter Paris; Moncey is badly wounded at Clichy; Marmont and Mortier cease resistance — Paris falls without a siege.

11 Apr

Treaty

First abdication at Fontainebleau: Talleyrand and the Senate depose Napoleon; the Bourbons return to power.

Campaign results

For France

Victories at Lützen, Bautzen and Dresden did not restore strategic superiority
Disaster at Leipzig and loss of Saxony
Northern defeats at Grossbeeren and Dennewitz broke the link between French armies
The capitulation of Paris and first abdication brought Napoleon's rule to an end for a year
Davout's Hamburg garrison surrendered only on the King's order

For the coalition

The Sixth Coalition united Russia, Prussia, Austria, Britain and Sweden
Schwarzenberg and Blücher divided supreme command across the fronts
The Battle of the Nations at Leipzig broke the Grande Armée of 1813
The Treaty of Chaumont and entry into Paris ended the war on the Continent
The Bourbons were restored; Napoleon was sent to Elba