The Battle of Berezina occurred during one of the most tumultuous periods of the Napoleonic Wars. Following the disastrous retreat of Napoleon Bonaparte's Grand Army from Moscow, the remnants of this once-mighty force faced dire circumstances as they approached the Berezina River. With winter closing in and Russian forces pursuing relentlessly, Napoleon's army was in urgent need of a strategic crossing to ensure their survival. The battle took place in a chaotic context where survival was uncertain, and the stakes were incredibly high for both sides.

As French troops attempted to construct makeshift bridges to facilitate their retreat, they were met by a combined force of Russian troops determined to prevent their escape. The Russians, commanded by General Mikhail Barclay de Tolly, aimed to encircle and annihilate the remnants of the Grand Army. On November 26, the battle erupted, characterized by fierce skirmishes and the frenzied movements of soldiers trying to escape across the river. The chaos was exacerbated by the harsh winter conditions, resulting in many casualties on both sides.

Despite the fierce resistance encountered, Napoleon's forces managed to establish a crossing, but not without suffering significant losses. The battle produced harrowing scenes, with soldiers struggling against the freezing temperatures and overwhelming enemy forces. The successful crossing allowed a portion of the French army to escape, but many soldiers were left behind and perished. The combat at Berezina is often seen as one of the last major confrontations of Napoleon's ill-fated Russian campaign, culminating in a retreat that would significantly weaken his forces and alter the trajectory of the Napoleonic Wars.