After the battle of La Rothière on 1 February 1814, Napoleon ordered a retreat towards Troyes and placed some of Michel Ney's troops as well as Joseph Lagrange's division from marshal Marmont's corps as his rearguard.

[2] The French army crossed the bridge at Lesmont on the night of 2 February protected by troops under Ney's command, who then retired.

Lagrange's division remained in the village to cover the retreat and took up position on the right bank of the river behind the bridge.

[3] At the end of the battle the French troops set fire to the bridge and rejoined the main retreating force.

[4] The loss of the bridge meant that the Coalition cavalry lost contact with the French troops, which reached Troyes the following day without incident.