Napoleon's CampaignIn the spring of

Napoleon's Campaign<br>In the spring of 1812, Napoleon assembled an army of six hundred thousand men on the borders of Russia, The soldiers were well trained, efficient, and well equipped. This military force was called the Grand Army. Napoleon, confident of a quick victory, predicted the conquest of Russia in five weeks.<br>Shortly afterwards, Napoleon's army crossed the Neman River into Russia. The quick,decisive victory that Napoleon expected never happened. To his surprise, the Russians refused to stand and fight. Instead, they retreated eastward, burning their crops and homes as they went. The Grand Army followed, but its advance march soon became bogged down by slow-moving supply lines.<br>In August, the French and Russian armies engaged at Smolensk, in a battle that left over ten thousand dead on each side. Yet, the Russians were again able to retreat farther into Russian territory. Napoleon had won no decisive victory. He was now faced with a crucial decision. Should he continue to pursue the Russian army? Or should he keep his army in Smolensk for the approaching winter?

Napoleon's Campaign<br>In the spring of 1812, Napoleon assembled an army of six hundred thousand men on the borders of Russia, The soldiers were well trained, efficient, and well equipped. This military force was called the Grand Army. Napoleon, confident of a quick victory, predicted the conquest of Russia in five weeks.<br>Shortly afterwards, Napoleon's army crossed the Neman River into Russia. The quick,decisive victory that Napoleon expected never happened. To his surprise, the Russians refused to stand and fight. Instead, they retreated eastward, burning their crops and homes as they went. The Grand Army followed, but its advance march soon became bogged down by slow-moving supply lines.<br>In August, the French and Russian armies engaged at Smolensk, in a battle that left over ten thousand dead on each side. Yet, the Russians were again able to retreat farther into Russian territory. Napoleon had won no decisive victory. He was now faced with a crucial decision. Should he continue to pursue the Russian army? Or should he keep his army in Smolensk for the approaching winter?

拿破仑战役<br>1812年春，拿破仑在俄罗斯边境集结了一支60万人的军队，这些士兵训练有素，效率高，装备精良。这支军队被称为大军。拿破仑对速战速决充满信心，他预言五周内将征服俄国。<br>不久，拿破仑的军队越过尼曼河进入俄罗斯。拿破仑所期望的迅速而果断的胜利从未发生过。令他吃惊的是，俄国人拒绝站起来战斗。取而代之的是，他们向东撤退，边走边烧毁庄稼和房屋。大军紧随其后，但它的前进步伐很快就被缓慢移动的补给线困住了。<br>8月，法国和俄罗斯军队在斯摩棱斯克交战，双方各有1万多人死亡。然而，俄国人又一次能够进一步撤退到俄罗斯境内。拿破仑没有赢得决定性的胜利。他现在面临一个关键的决定。他应该继续追击俄罗斯军队吗？或者他应该把军队留在斯摩棱斯克度过即将来临的冬天？<br>