Battle of Leipzig

Battle of Leipzig, called the Battle of the Nations, decisive engagement between the French armies of Napoleon and those of Austria, Prussia, Russia, and Sweden, fought on October 16-19, 1813, just outside Leipzig, Germany. Threatened by the Allies with the loss of a vital communications line through the city, Napoleon fought a stand-off battle on October 16, but the following day the Allies, vastly superior in strength, closed in with reinforcements. They began their assault on October 18, and early the next day, after about nine hours of fighting, Napoleon ordered a retreat over the River Elster. In the confusion the bridge across the river was blown up before the retreat was complete, leaving some 30,000 French troops to be taken prisoner in the city. Casualties on both sides were estimated between 90,000 and 120,000. The Battle of Leipzig effectively eliminated Napoleon's power east of the Confederation of the Rhine.