[1] The First Battle of Bar-sur-Aube on 24 January 1814 had been an indecisive clash between invading Austrian and Württembergish forces and defending French troops, which retreated afterwards.
The Russo-Prussian Army of Silesia [de; fr] under the command of Blücher arrived at the river Aube on 27 January, passing Brienne and marching towards Lesmont.
[1] A Russian cavalry vanguard led by Lanskoy (part of Fabian Gottlieb von der Osten-Sacken's troops) was scouting the area to the north, moving past Saint Dizier towards Vitry-le-François.
[1] He stopped in the evening at Doulevant, while the French cavalry, which had pushed forward along the Joinville and Eclaron roads, reached Wassy.
[2] The second Battle of Saint-Dizier occurred on 26 March 1814, and resulted the victory of French under Napoleon Bonaparte against Russians under General Ferdinand Wintzingerode.