La Rothiere

1 February, 1814

Following his defeat at Brienne, Prussia's Marshal Blucher quickly reorganised his reinforced troops at nearby La Rothiere and moved against the French.

Napoleon Bonaparte had brought the number of his troops to some 40,000, but was facing not only Blucher's 53,000 men, but another 63,000 Allies within striking distance.

Unwilling to risk battle at such odds, Bonaparte was looking to withdraw, however the aggressive Blucher forced him to fight.

The battle was brutal and bloody, but the French conscripts acquitted themselves well and held their ground until they were able to pull out after dark.

Both the French and Prussians suffered some 6000 casualties each.