Battle of Friedland

Napoleon caught the Russian army with its back to the Alle River at Friedland and launched a devastating assault that shattered the Russian forces. Marshal Ney's corps stormed the town while French artillery poured fire into the Russian columns trapped against the river. The Russians suffered catastrophic losses trying to retreat across inadequate bridges. Fought on the anniversary of Marengo, the victory forced Tsar Alexander I to seek peace, leading to the famous meeting between the two emperors on a raft on the Neman River and the Treaty of Tilsit.