Napoleon's attack on Russia and the subsequent disastrous retreat from Moscow ultimately decimated Gasparinetti's regiment. Wounded at the Battle of Vyazma, he managed to survive by feigning death, even when a Russian soldier cut off his finger to steal his ring as he lay on the ground. The loss of so many Italian commanding officers led to him being promoted to the rank of colonel in 1813. His regiment was sent into further battle in Germany but by then its remains had been absorbed into the I Corps led by General Vandamme. Gasparinetti was taken prisoner at the Battle of Kulm when the French troops were defeated with heavy losses. He was not able to return to Milan and his young family until May 1814.