The Battle of Smoliani unfolded as part of the broader campaign during the Napoleonic Wars, specifically amidst Napoleon Bonaparte's infamous invasion of Russia. By late 1812, multiple French forces were engaged across the Russian front, attempting to solidify control over captured territories. General Peter Wittgenstein, a prominent Russian military leader, orchestrated a masterful defense against advancing French armies led by Marshals Auguste de Marmont Victor and Nicolas Oudinot. This confrontation exemplified a turning point for Russian forces that were increasingly galvanized by previous military setbacks and the harsh realities of a protracted war of attrition.

On that November day, Wittgenstein's forces took strategic defensive positions, leveraging the landscape to counter the numerical superiority of the French troops. This tactical ingenuity was complemented by the weather conditions, which played a significant role in the performance of both armies. Encountering fierce resistance and unexpected maneuvers from the Russians, Victor and Oudinot faced difficulties that culminated in their defeat, forcing a retreat and reassessment of their strategy in the face of a determined adversary.

The battle at Smoliani not only highlighted the tactical advantages exhibited by the Russian military but also served to bolster national morale at a time when the repercussions of Napoleon's campaign were being profoundly felt across Europe. The defeat of the French had repercussions that reverberated throughout the remaining years of the Napoleonic Wars, as it contributed to the eventual decline of French military dominance in the region.