Napoleon's 1812 Russian Campaign - A Deadly Outbreak Toward the end of his leadership, Napoleon Bonaparte, the French emperor, launched an ambitious campaign in 1812, leading an army of more than 500,000 soldiers into Russia. Within half a year, after a grueling retreat, only a fraction—tens of thousands—managed to make it back to France. This ill-fated military effort is remembered as one of history’s most devastating campaigns, with massive casualties resulting not only from combat, but