The administration of Paul von Legensdorf commences…

General Kutuzov, unwilling to give up Moscow without a fight, takes up a defensive position some seventy-five miles before Moscow near the village of Borodino, west of the town of Mozhaysk.

The French Grande Armée under Emperor Napoleon I attacks the Imperial Russian Army under Kutuzov and eventually captures the main positions on the battlefield but fails to destroy the Russian army.

About a third of Napoleon's soldiers are killed or wounded; Russian losses, while heavier, can be replaced due to Russia's large population, as Napoleon's campaign takes place on Russian soil.

The battle ends with the Russian Army, while out of position, still offering resistance.

The state of exhaustion of the French forces and the lack of recognition of the state of the Russian Army leads Napoleon to remain on the battlefield with his army instead of the forced pursuit that had marked other campaigns he had conducted.

The entirety of the Guard is still available to Napoleon and in refusing to use it he loses this singular chance to destroy the Russian army.

The battle at Borodino is a pivotal point in the campaign, as it is the last offensive action fought by Napoleon in Russia.

By withdrawing, the Russian army preserves its combat strength, eventually allowing it to force Napoleon out of the country.

The Battle of Borodino on September 7 is the bloodiest day of battle in the Napoleonic Wars.

The Russian army can only muster half of its strength on September 8.

Kutuzov chooses to act in accordance with his scorched earth tactics and retreat, leaving the road to Moscow open.

Kutuzov also orders the evacuation of the city.

By this point, the Russians have managed to draft large numbers of reinforcements into the army, bringing total Russian land forces to their peak strength in 1812 of nine hundred and four thousand with perhaps one hundred thousand in the vicinity of Moscow—the remnants of Kutuzov's army from Borodino partially reinforced.

Both armies have begun to move and rebuild.

The Russian retreat is significant for two reasons; firstly, the move is to the south and not the east; secondly, the Russians immediately begin operations that will continue to deplete the French forces.

Platov, commanding the rear guard on September 8, had offered such strong resistance that Napoleon had remained on the Borodino field.

On the following day, Miloradovitch assumes command of the rear guard, adding his forces to the formation.

Another battle is given, throwing back French forces at Semolino and causing losses of two thousand on both sides; however, some 10,000 wounded will be left behind by the Russian Army.

The French Army had begun to move out on September 10 with the still ill Napoleon not leaving until the 12th.

Some eighteen thousand men have been ordered in from Smolensk, and Marshal Victor's corps supplies another twenty-five thousand.

Miloradovich will not give up his rear guard duties until September 14, allowing Moscow to be evacuated.

Miloradovich finally retreats under a flag of truce.