WI: Napoleon Captured in Russia

In many ways Russian Field Marshal Mikhail Kutuzov could be compared to US Union General George McClellan. A protege of both Generalissimo Suvorov and Frederick the Great, and student of George Washington's war, he was one of Russia's finest generals in his own right. He was Napoleon's opposite number during the latter's invasion of Russia and in the end led Russian troops to victory.

The only possible mark against Kutuzov was like McClellan, his cautiousness. Yet unlike McClellan, more often than not Kutuzov's caution was validated. Had his advice been heeded during the Third Coalition its possible the Allies could have emerged victorious from Austerlitz. When the Grande Armee invaded Russia, it was General Barclay de Tolly who developed Russia's policy of scorched earth and avoiding battle, but it was in the same spirit as Kutuzov who continued that policy up until Borodino. The scorched earth policy would later prove to be to be brutally effective against Napoleon. Post Borodino, the choice was made to evacuate Mosocw so the Russian army could survive to fight another day. On one hand it did result in Moscow being burnt to the ground by French forces. On the other hand it was incredibly demoralizing for the French and forced their retreat. As the Grande Armee retreated the Russian army would strike back with a vengeance.

Part of that vengeance would be at Krasnoi. In an attempt to save what he could of his armies, Napoleon personally commanded his Imperial Guard into battle in a desperate counter attack to keep his escape route open.

By the end of it Napoleon had at his disposal 8000 exhausted Guardsmen... against over 50,000 veteran Russians who had not even been bloodied yet. Had Kutuzov attacked at any time that day the result would be obvious.

Except OTL his McClellan syndrome got the better of him and he allowed Napoleon to retreat in good order. Thereby passing up the opportunity to take nearly the entire Grande Armee along with Napoopan prisoner.

In the grand scheme of things it would be rather irrelevant since by the time the Grande Armee left Russia attrition did what Kutuzov would not and left Napoleon with only 22,000 men.

Still, what if Kutuzov had decided to push his advantage? Napoleon could have been captured or killed by Russian forces. With le Emperor in Russian hands there would likely be knock backs on the War of the Sixth Coalition. France would probably go down easier. Though it might be possible just for Napoleon to be forced to submit while in captivity. Any political effects on the Congress of Vienna and postwar Europe maybe? Any thoughts?
 
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It's a great idea. Unfortunately I don't know the situation as well as I'd like. What was the Coalitions policy concerning Napoleon at this point? Had they already decided he must be deposed at all costs? If so a negotiated peace with the new regime is possible where France might end up slightly better off than OTL since France still has some fight left. If Napoleon remains in charge I fear any peace will only be temporary.
 
Not sure France goes down easier. Sure, Bonaparte's gone, but Austria now realizes it has a good chance of taking part in the regency for a half Habsburg child in France...
 
It's a great idea. Unfortunately I don't know the situation as well as I'd like. What was the Coalitions policy concerning Napoleon at this point? Had they already decided he must be deposed at all costs? If so a negotiated peace with the new regime is possible where France might end up slightly better off than OTL since France still has some fight left. If Napoleon remains in charge I fear any peace will only be temporary.
Not sure of that myself. The coalition kind of does just consist of Russia and Britain at this point however (and they dont get along with each other at all). Russia's definitely not going to let Napoleon out of their hands until he surrenders though. For sure if their is a Sixth coalition the war's going to be a huge mess, full of opportunism while Napoleon's empire collapses all around them.

Not sure France goes down easier. Sure, Bonaparte's gone, but Austria now realizes it has a good chance of taking part in the regency for a half Habsburg child in France...
Now THAT is a damn interesting scenario.

Im thinking this whole scenario is kinda funny actually. Russia arguably has done better than OTL and could perhaps claim to have defeated Napoleon by themselves (meanwhile the British messed around in Spain and America). Prestige and bragging rights yay. On the other hand they dont really have the ability to enforce their will on the rest of Europe despite that. And of course, nations have no definition of the word grateful. Has this become a Russia screw? :eek:

And a random interesting sidebit. There actually was an attempted coup claiming Napoleon was dead about a week before the thread POD. Messengers are probably going to have a hard time for a while convincing the rest of Europe of what happened in Russia. :D
 
Im thinking this whole scenario is kinda funny actually. Russia arguably has done better than OTL and could perhaps claim to have defeated Napoleon by themselves (meanwhile the British messed around in Spain and America). Prestige and bragging rights yay. On the other hand they dont really have the ability to enforce their will on the rest of Europe despite that. And of course, nations have no definition of the word grateful. Has this become a Russia screw? :eek:

Prussia is entirely dependent on Russia and know that if Russia loses this war they are next, facing Austria alone.

England's foreign policy seemed to have been based on propping Prussia up...but it's possible they would change tacks to keep the Austrian Alliance.

That probably means letting France get away with a lot of the conquests, and something like an earlier Crimea. Austria alone won't stand up to Russia if Russia doesn't muck around abroad in 1813/14.

Actually...scratch that. Austria+France, however "defeated" - means that Russia probably doesn't go adventuring abroad and stays on the defensive. Possibly even signs peace with the new alliance. This has "potential continental system v.2" written all over it.

That leaves Britain alone and in the cold. They won't like that. They are also knee-deep in Spain. Combine with their dependence on Baltic naval stores...they will back Russia. I don't really see other possibilities as being equally attractive to them.
 
Prussia is entirely dependent on Russia and know that if Russia loses this war they are next, facing Austria alone.

England's foreign policy seemed to have been based on propping Prussia up...but it's possible they would change tacks to keep the Austrian Alliance.

That probably means letting France get away with a lot of the conquests, and something like an earlier Crimea. Austria alone won't stand up to Russia if Russia doesn't muck around abroad in 1813/14.

Actually...scratch that. Austria+France, however "defeated" - means that Russia probably doesn't go adventuring abroad and stays on the defensive. Possibly even signs peace with the new alliance. This has "potential continental system v.2" written all over it.

That leaves Britain alone and in the cold. They won't like that. They are also knee-deep in Spain. Combine with their dependence on Baltic naval stores...they will back Russia. I don't really see other possibilities as being equally attractive to them.

lol this means that France TTL will be better, with a bigger empire and a lot of client states, then OTL.
 
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