When did Napoleon achieve his greatest victory ?
Sokolov adds that the decision to not commit the Guard saved the Russians from an Austerlitz - style defeat and quotes Marshal Laurent de Gouvion Saint - Cyr , one of Napoleon 's finest strategists , who analyzed the battle and concluded that an intervention of the Guard would have torn the Russian army to pieces and allowed Napoleon to safely follow his plans to take winter quarters in Moscow and resume his successful campaign in spring or offer the Tsar acceptable peace terms .