After conquering Prussia, Napoleon swept into Poland and confronted the Russian army, coming to aid the Prussians near Warsaw. These dual battles, fought on the day after Christmas in windy, wet weather and thick mud, tested both sides. At Golymin Marshals Murat, Augereau and later Davout (38,000) squared off against General Gallitzin’s (17,000) stolid rear guard action. Twelve miles away at Pultusk, the outnumbered Marshal Lannes (25,600) tries to sustain the fight against General Bennigsen’s Russian force (40,000), an indecisive struggle. The exhausting battles over, and Warsaw secure, Napoleon decided to go into winter quarters. The rest is short-lived…