Madrid was now uncovered and was occupied for a time by the English army (August 13th).

Thus while Napoleon was gasping at Moscow, his brother was expelled from Madrid, until the recall of Soult from Andalusia gave the French a superiority in the centre of Spain which forced Wellington to retire to Ciudad Rodrigo.

He lost the fruits of his victory, save that Andalusia was freed: but he saved his army for the triumphant campaign of 1813.

Had Napoleon shown the like prudence by beating a timely retreat from Moscow, who can say that the next hard-fought fights in Silesia and Saxony would not have once more crowned his veterans with decisive triumph?
As it was, the Grand Army toiled on through heat, dust, and the smoke of burning villages, to gain peace and plenty at Moscow.

But when, on September the 14th, the conqueror entered that city with his vanguard, solitude reigned almost unbroken.