1-632-813 - Historica Graphica Collection/Heritage Images

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.