DOCSLIB.ORG

The Imperial Guard of Napoleon: from Marengo to Waterloo

Total Page：16

File Type：pdf, Size：1020Kb

Download full-text PDF Read full-text
The Imperial Guard of Napoleon: from Marengo to Waterloo e^o^ ^^Vyw/J X * 0^ -^ \ * ^. % ^ ^\ ' <^ ^ * ^ s t^ .N^ % ^^' tP <v»- « ^ -^^ -- <. ,^^ ^^ 9> a^' CP^ v^ o:^^^^'^ o^\^i:^<'/^<=e^ U, r\ ^. ^V ^. &'"- %x. S ^.P^' ^^ >:< ^^ 0^ -' "-- v^^ -: >> cSJ » >. % .# ." nG^ N^ cx^' ^ ' " ° V ^ , ^ cP ^' ' '^/ ^ rs !E ^ t> D fl [^ /1^/ yf ^ //^x THE IMPERIAL GUARD OF NAPOLEON: FROM MARENGO TO WATERLOO. BY J. T. HEADLEY, AXTTHOE OF "NAPOLEON AND HIS MARSHALS." NEW YORK: CHARLES SCRIBNER, 145 NASSAU STREET. BELliiA^mt' Entered according to Act of Congress, in the year 1851, by J. T. HEADLET, In the Clerk's Office of the District Court of the United States for the Southern District of New York. C. W. BENEDICT, . y BtEREOTYPER AND PeINTKR, 201 William street i -x^ 2^ f ^ INTKODUCTION. The present work lays no claim to originality. It is also without pretension, being designed as a sim- ple history of the Imperial Guard of [N'apoleon. The materials for it were mostly collected in the preparation of my "Napoleon and his Marshals," and hence it was comparatively an easy task to ar- range them in a connected and intelligible form. At first sight there might seem to be a good deal of repe- tition of scenes described in that work, because reference is necessarily made to them. But what in the former work is a mere reference made to give a right conception of a battle or campaign, in this be- colnes a full and detailed account. In the former the main featm'es of a conflict are delineated, and the conduct of the Guard only mentioned incidentally, while in the latter the battle-field and the main opera- tions of the army are sketched only enough to allow IV INTRODTJCTION. the introduction of the Guard upon the scene. So that while the reference to the same things are con- stant, the details are entirely different. Two or three exceptions to this remark occur in the present work, but I thought that the reader in these cases would prefer a repetition to a hiatus in the history of the Guard. I believe there is the description of but a single battle in the whole book, although the conduct of the Guard in action and its heavy onsets are of course necessarily dwelt upon. Still it is meant to be rather a domestic than military history. Judging by my own feelings, I thought there were many who having always taken a deep interest in the recital of its deeds would be glad to know more of its formation, internal ar- rangements, and by what moral and other means it became such a terrible corps. I have been as much interested in its social private life as in its public conduct, and dwelt with more pleasure upon those incidents and anecdotes illustrating its sense of honor, noble pride, and steadfast integrity, than in the march of its iron columns through smoke and fire to victory. 1 believe that others will feel the same. INTRODUCTION. V The facts are taken from a variety of works which I need not here enumerate. The statistics, however, and most of the details exhibiting the private life, if I may so term it, of the Guard, are taken from a French work entitled, " Historie Po'pulaire de la Garde Irti'peTiale^jpar Emile Marco de Saint HiliareP It is a large work, comprising some five hundred closely printed pages. I should have given credit to it in the body of my work, since many scenes are in fact translations condensed, but the references would have been endless. I have used it without stint. The illustrations are mostly taken from it. To those who doubted my statements respecting the origin of the wars of France, in my " Napoleon and his Marshals," I submit, with the earnest wish it should receive their careful attention, the last chapter in this work. —— CONTEE^TS. CHAPTER I. PAGB Tbe origin of the Imperial Guard—Plan on which it was first constituted The Consular Guard of Napoleon — The Moral Character of the Old Guard. 11 CHAPTER II. Marengo—The bloody baptism of the Consular Guard—Its firmness—Bona- parte's eulogium upon it after the battle—Lannes made commander—Changes introduced—Anecdote of Lannes and Napoleon—Napoleon's attack on long queues and long hair—Shearing of the Guard—Anger of the officers and gen- erals—Distribution of the Legion of Honor—Description of the Mamelukes of the Guard. 29 • CHAPTER III. Eecommencement of the War—The Camp of Boulogne—The Old Guard at Austerlitz—Meeting of the Imperial Guards of the Czar and Napoleon The Guard at Jena—The Vclites—Young Desherbiers—Habits of Napoleon in campaign—Uis Body Guard—Presentation of the Eagle to a new regi- ment. - 4C — Vlll CONTENTS. PAGE CHAPTER IV. Creation of a regiment of Polish Lancers—Tlie Old Guard at Eylau- Cam- paign of 1807—Treaty of Tilsit—The interview of Napoleon with Alexan- der—His influence over him—The Old Guard in Spain—Miraculous de- spatch of Napoleon when he heai-d of the confederacy in Germany against him—Ilis rapid ride. .--------'-66 CHAPTER V. Organization of the Young Guard—Campaign of 1S09—Extraordinary exer- tions of Napoleon—His rapid success—Bombarding of Vienna, and first courtship of Maria Louisa—Disgrace of a surgeon—The Old Guard at As- pern—Its last charge—Incident showing how Napoleon punished the least neglect of his Guard—The Guard at Wagram—Sublime spectacle— Its artil- lery heads Macdonald's chai-ge—Difficulty of appreciating the conduct of the Guard. 79 CHAPTER VI. Marriage of Napoleon to Maria Louisa—Augmentation of the Old Guard Grand review of the Old Guard at Paris—Touching incident—The brave drummer and General Gros—Napoleon's treatment of them—Secret of Na- poleon's influence over his troops, was in the afiection he inspired—His pro- digious memory—Conversation with the Eussian Chamberlain. - - 95 CHAPTER VII. Increase of the Guard—Birth of the king of Eome—The excitement and joy of the Parisians at the event—Creation of the pupils of the Guard—Their review in presence of the Old Guard—Napoleon's address to both—Anec- dote of one of the pupils. The pupils in service to the young king of Eome. 109 CHAPTER VIII. Euseian Campaign—Sublime spectacle of the anny of invasion—The Old Guard at Borodino—Gallant Cliargo and death of Caulincourt—Strange conduct of Napoleon—The Old Guard in the Kremlin—Anecdote illustrating its hon- esty—It saves the chest of the army at Beresina. 119 —— CONTENTS. IX CHAPTER IX. Narrow escape of Napoleon—Disorder of the army on arriving at Smolensko —Firmness of the Old Guard—The famine in the city—Gloomy departure The Guard passing a Eussian battery—The Old Guard at Krasnoi—The fall of Minsk, and gloom of Napoleon—His appeal to the Old Guard—His joy at Ney's safety—The Old Guard at Beresina—Its frozen bivouacs—Anecdote of an officer—Departure of Napoleon for Paris, and the breaking up of the Guard—Last dreadful days. ---.--.-. 185 CHAPTER X. Eeorganization of the Army—Death of Bessieres—The Old Guard at Lutzen —Its Last Charge^Drouot; his character—Death of Duroc—Mournful Scene around the tent of Napoleon—The Guard in Bohemia—Its astonish- ing march to Dresden—Its bravery—Napoleon in its squares on the battle- field—Tableau—The Old Guard at Leipzic—The retreat—Battle of Hanau won by the Guard—It leaves forever the scene of its achievements. - - 156 CHAPTER XI. Napoleon -snth Europe against him—Care of his Guard—The Guard at Ro- , thiere—Captain Hauillet—Terrible cross march to attack Blucher—Victory of Champs d'Aubert—The Old Guard at Montmirail— Its victory—Its pro- tracted marches and battles—Overthrow of Blucher—Eeturn of the Guard to the help of Yictor and Oudinot—Its last battles and marches—Desertion of Napoleon by his friends at his abdication—Faithfulness of the Guard The parting scene at Fontainbleau—The Guard by the side of its foes—Its bearing and aspect. -.----.--.-184 CHAPTER XII. Its bearing towards its foes—Its anger at losing its colors—The Old Guard at Elba—Napoleon's habits—Anecdotes illustrating the discontent of the troops in their exile—Their return to France and march to Paris—Reception of the Guard—Last charge at Waterloo. _---.-.. 22T CHAPTER XIII. \ Eage of the Guard at the Burrender of Paris—Is disbanded—Part come to America—Champ d'Asile in Texas—Last of the Guards—^Tomb of Napo- leon. 253 — X CONTENTS. PAQB CHAPTER XIV. KeTiew of the dead—The office of the Frenoh Eevolution—Who is response ble for the 'wars that desolated Europe for so many years—Bonaparte's pol- icy as general—As First Consul—His offers of peace rejected—England vio- lates the treaty of Amiens—Napoleon's relation to the free States he had organized—Austria violates the treaty of Presbourg—Invasion of Eussia Treachery of Austria and Prussia—Fall of Napoleon—Campaign of Water- loo. 278 \ THE OLD GUARD. CHAPTER I. The Origin of the Imperial Guard— Plan on which it was first constituted—The Consular Guard of Napoleon—Its Baptism of Blood at Marengo—The Moral Character of the Old Guard. The Imperial Guard—or as it is more familiarly known, the Old Guard of ]!^apoleon, is as much renowned in modern as the Greek Phalanx was in ancient war. When the latter, eight or sixteen thousand strong, shoulder to shoulder, and shield touching shield, moved sixteen deep on the enemy, the battle was over. So when the eagles of the Old Guard were seen advancing through the smoke of the conflict, the result was no longer doubtful.
Load more

Recommended publications
  • Waterloo in Myth and Memory: the Battles of Waterloo 1815-1915 Timothy Fitzpatrick
    Florida State University Libraries Electronic Theses, Treatises and Dissertations The Graduate School 2013 Waterloo in Myth and Memory: The Battles of Waterloo 1815-1915 Timothy Fitzpatrick Follow this and additional works at the FSU Digital Library. For more information, please contact [email protected] FLORIDA STATE UNIVERSITY COLLEGE OF ARTS AND SCIENCES WATERLOO IN MYTH AND MEMORY: THE BATTLES OF WATERLOO 1815-1915 By TIMOTHY FITZPATRICK A Dissertation submitted to the Department of History in partial fulfillment of the requirements for the degree of Doctor of Philosophy Degree Awarded: Fall Semester, 2013 Timothy Fitzpatrick defended this dissertation on November 6, 2013. The members of the supervisory committee were: Rafe Blaufarb Professor Directing Dissertation Amiée Boutin University Representative James P. Jones Committee Member Michael Creswell Committee Member Jonathan Grant Committee Member The Graduate School has verified and approved the above-named committee members, and certifies that the dissertation has been approved in accordance with university requirements. ii For my Family iii ACKNOWLEDGMENTS I would like to thank Drs. Rafe Blaufarb, Aimée Boutin, Michael Creswell, Jonathan Grant and James P. Jones for being on my committee. They have been wonderful mentors during my time at Florida State University. I would also like to thank Dr. Donald Howard for bringing me to FSU. Without Dr. Blaufarb’s and Dr. Horward’s help this project would not have been possible. Dr. Ben Wieder supported my research through various scholarships and grants. I would like to thank The Institute on Napoleon and French Revolution professors, students and alumni for our discussions, interaction and support of this project.
    [Show full text]
  • The Battle of Waterloo Background
    The Battle of Waterloo Background In 1809 Wellington gained his first significant victory in Spain at the Battle of Talavera but the French had three armies in that country, each larger than his own. In order to establish a serious force and to wear Marshal Massena down, he retired behind the well-prepared lines of Torres Vedras, near Lisbon. The French were unable to force these defences and in 1811, Wellington felt strong enough to issue forth from his fortifications and after three years' hard fighting worked his way through Spain, and step by step beat back the Napoleonic forces across the Pyrenees into France. He won the great battles of Salamanca, Vitoria, and Orthez; stormed the cities of Ciudad Rodrigo, Badajos, and San Sebastian; fought for six days amidst the rocks passes of the Pyrenees; and at last, on the 10th of April 1814 gained decisive victory at Battle of Toulouse. He had trained and created an experienced army with which "he could go anywhere and do anything"; and now he stood with it upon "the sacred soil of France". Only six months before, Napoleon, who had lost four hundred thousand men between Moscow and the Niemen on his disastrous retreat from Russia, had been defeated by the Allies in the great Battle of Leipzig and the Emperor of Russia and the King of Prussia had already entered Paris at the head of their victorious armies Napoleon was compelled to abdicate, the Bourbons returned to the throne of France, and the beaten Emperor was banished to the little island of Elba, of which he was made king.
    [Show full text]
  • The Life of Napoleon Bonaparte. Vol. III
    The Life Of Napoleon Bonaparte. Vol. III. By William Milligan Sloane LIFE OF NAPOLEON BONAPARTE CHAPTER I. WAR WITH RUSSIA: PULTUSK. Poland and the Poles — The Seat of War — Change in the Character of Napoleon's Army — The Battle of Pultusk — Discontent in the Grand Army — Homesickness of the French — Napoleon's Generals — His Measures of Reorganization — Weakness of the Russians — The Ability of Bennigsen — Failure of the Russian Manœuvers — Napoleon in Warsaw. 1806-07. The key to Napoleon's dealings with Poland is to be found in his strategy; his political policy never passed beyond the first tentative stages, for he never conquered either Russia or Poland. The struggle upon which he was next to enter was a contest, not for Russian abasement but for Russian friendship in the interest of his far-reaching continental system. Poland was simply one of his weapons against the Czar. Austria was steadily arming; Francis received the quieting assurance that his share in the partition was to be undisturbed. In the general and proper sorrow which has been felt for the extinction of Polish nationality by three vulture neighbors, the terrible indictment of general worthlessness which was justly brought against her organization and administration is at most times and by most people utterly forgotten. A people has exactly the nationality, government, and administration which expresses its quality and secures its deserts. The Poles were either dull and sluggish boors or haughty and elegant, pleasure- loving nobles. Napoleon and his officers delighted in the life of Warsaw, but he never appears to have respected the Poles either as a whole or in their wrangling cliques; no doubt he occasionally faced the possibility of a redeemed Poland, but in general the suggestion of such a consummation served his purpose and he went no further.
    [Show full text]
  • Waterloo: Causes, Courses and Consequences Transcript
    Waterloo: Causes, Courses and Consequences Transcript Date: Thursday, 18 June 2015 - 6:00PM Location: Museum of London 18 June 2015 Waterloo: Causes, Courses and Consequences Professor Sir Richard Evans Today is the exact two hundredth anniversary of the Battle of Waterloo, shown here in a later painting by the Victorian artist William Holmes Sullivan, (1) and in this lecture I want to explore the causes, courses and consequences of the battle. Why was it fought? Who fought it? Who won, and why? And how important was it? To the Daily Mail and probably to many other people in this country, the answers to these questions seem so obvious as hardly to merit discussion. It was a battle in which the British, led by the Duke of Wellington, beat the French, led by the Emperor Napoleon, and thus brought his dream of a European dictatorship to an end in what was one of the decisive moments of world history. But in the next three-quarters of an hour or so, I want to persuade you that every single one of these statements is wrong: the British did not bash the French, the Duke of Wellington did not defeat the Emperor Napoleon, and the battle was not one of the decisive moments of world history. Let’s start with the background. Who was Napoleon Bonaparte? (2) Born in Corsica in 1769, he became a leading commander in the armies of the French Revolution, defeating the armies of the Habsburg Empire which was the leading power among the enemies of Revolutionary France (it has to be remembered that Louis XIV’s Queen Marie Antoinette, executed by the Revolutionaries along with her husband, was an Austrian and the sister of the Habsburg Emperor Joseph II and thus the Aunt of the Emperor Francis I, who came to the throne in 1792 and led the European forces ranged against the Revolution ).
    [Show full text]
  • Hobhouse and the Hundred Days
    116 The Hundred Days, March 11th-July 24th 1815 The Hundred Days March 11th-July 24th 1815 Edited from B.L.Add.Mss. 47232, and Berg Collection Volumes 2, 3 and 4: Broughton Holograph Diaries, Henry W. and Albert A. Berg Collection, The New York Public Library, Astor, Lenox and Tilden Foundations. Saturday March 11th 1815: Received this morning from my father the following letter: Lord Cochrane has escaped from prison1 – Bounaparte has escaped from Elba2 – I write this from the House of Commons and the intelligence in both cases seems to rest on good authority and is believed. Benjamin Hobhouse Both are certainly true. Cullen3 came down today and confirmed the whole of both. From the first I feel sure of Napoleon’s success. I received a letter [from] Lord John Townshend4 apologising for his rudeness, but annexing such comments as require a hint from me at the close of the controversy. Sunday March 12th 1815: Finish reading the Αυτοχεδιοι Ετοχασµοι of Coray.5 1: Thomas Cochrane, 10th Earl of Dundonald (1775-1860) admiral. Implicated unfairly in a financial scandal, he had been imprisoned by the establishment enemies he had made in his exposure of Admiralty corruption. He was recaptured (see below, 21 Mar 1815). He later became famous as the friend and naval assistant of Simon Bolivar. 2: Napoleon left Elba on March 26th. 3: Cullen was a lawyer friend of H., at Lincoln’s Inn. 4: Lord John Townshend. (1757-1833); H. has been planning to compete against his son as M.P. for Cambridge University, which has made discord for which Townshend has apologised.
    [Show full text]
  • La Bataille De Ligny II
    La Bataille de Ligny II Règlements Exclusif Pour le Règlement de l’An XXX et Le Règlement des Marie-Louise 2 La Bataille de Ligny Copyright © 2016 Clash of Arms. March 26, 2017 attacking unit actually is, only 6 parts/increments belonging to the unit may assault). All rules herein take precedence over any rules in the series rules, Example: a battalion with 10 increments and a melee value of 25 which they may contradict. assaults the hex. Only 6/10ths of the unit counts for its pre-melee Rules marked with an eagle or are shaded with a gray morale check, and 6/10ths of its melee strength can be used in the background apply only to players using the Règlements melee. This particular unit would have a melee value of 15 (25/10 de l’An XXX. = 2.5, 2.5 x 6 = 15). All Churches, Walled Farms and Chateaus are presumed to have at least one such aperture (some may have two). NOTE: All references to Artillery Ammunition Wagons (AAWs,) Though the artwork for the gate may be difficult to spot at first ammunition, ricochet fire, howitzers, grand charges and cavalry glance, only up to six increments may assault one of these skirmishers apply only to players using the Règlements de l’An structures, and the assault must be made against the hex-side XXX. indicated by the gateway (or entranceway if it is a church: The entranceway to a church is always just beneath the steeple.) If the structure has two gates then that hex may be assaulted by up to 12 1.0 INTRODUCTION increments, but the assaults must be against the hex-sides La Bataille de Ligny is a simulation of one of the opening battles containing the aperture, and only up to 6 increments may assault of the Waterloo campaign of 1815 fought between the Emperor each indicated hex-side.
    [Show full text]
  • Waterloo (Battles That Changed the World)
    FIRST BATTLE OF THE MARNE GETTYSBURG HASTINGS MARATHON MIDWAY NORMANDY SARATOGA TENOCHTITLAN TET OFFENSIVE WATERLOO WATERLOO SAMUEL WILLARD CROMPTON CHELSEA HOUSE PUBLISHERS PHILADELPHIA Frontispiece: The map shows the dispositions in the morning hours. The British, in red, are drawn up on the slopes that lead to Mont St. Jean, and the French are deployed on a wide front, with their center at La Belle Alliance. The British defenses were formidable, and Marshal Soult recommended a maneuver around them, but Napoleon refused. CHELSEA HOUSE PUBLISHERS EDITOR IN CHIEF Sally Cheney DIRECTOR OF PRODUCTION Kim Shinners CREATIVE MANAGER Takeshi Takahashi MANUFACTURING MANAGER Diann Grasse STAFF FOR WATERLOO EDITOR Lee Marcott PICTURE RESEARCHER Pat Burns PRODUCTION ASSISTANT Jaimie Winkler SERIES DESIGNER Keith Trego LAYOUT 21st Century Publishing and Communications, Inc. ©2002 by Chelsea House Publishers, a subsidiary of Haights Cross Communications. All rights reserved. Printed and bound in the United States of America. http://www.chelseahouse.com First Printing 1 3 5 7 9 8 6 4 2 Library of Congress Cataloging-in-Publication Data Crompton, Samuel Willard. Waterloo / Samuel Crompton. p. cm. — (Battles that changed the world) Includes bibliographical references and index. ISBN 0-7910-6683-5 — ISBN 0-7910-7110-3 (pbk.) 1. Waterloo (Belgium), Battle of, 1815 —Juvenile literature. 2. Napoleon I, Emperor of the French, 1769–1821—Military leadership—Juvenile literature. 3. Wellington, Arthur Wellesley, Duke of, 1769–1852—Military leadership—Juvenile
    [Show full text]
  • The French Cavalry in Austria 1809
    The French Cavalry in Austria 1809 By Paul Dawson After the peace of Tilsit the Grand Army was gradually withdrawn behind the Rhine, leaving only three commands, totalling 63,000 men, under Davout in Prussia, Oudinot in west central Germany, and Lefebvre in Bavaria, to assist the princes of the Confederation of the Rhine in the maintenance of order and the enforcement of the French law of conscription, which was rigorously insisted on in all the States comprised in this new federation. In exchange for the subsistence of the French troops of occupation, a corresponding number of these new levies were moved to the south of France, where they were marched into Spain. For a brief period Napoleon directed operations in Spain in person with large elements of Grande Armee. The Austrians took advantage of the dissemination and weakness of the French forces in Germany’ to push forward their own preparations with renewed energy. However, the Austrian high command reckoned without the resourcefulness of Napoleon. The moment news of Austrian military activity reached Napoleon, whilst still in pursuit of Sir John Moore in Spain, he dispatched letters to all the members of the Confederation of the Rhine warning them that their contingents might soon be required, and at the same time issued a series of decrees to General Clarke, the Minister for War, authorizing him to call up the contingent of 1810 in advance, and directing him in detail to proceed with the formation of 4th and 5th battalions for all the regiments across the Rhine. By these means Davout’s, Oudinot’s and Lefebvre’s commands were augmented, whilst in February and March new corps were formed and rapidly pushed towards the front.
    [Show full text]
  • Alexander and Napoleon
    Olivet Nazarene University Digital Commons @ Olivet M.A. in Philosophy of History Theses History 1-2011 Alexander and Napoleon: How Small Decisions in the Largest Battles hC anged the Course of History Nathaniel James Lacher Olivet Nazarene University, [email protected] Follow this and additional works at: https://digitalcommons.olivet.edu/hist_maph Part of the European History Commons, and the Military History Commons Recommended Citation Lacher, Nathaniel James, "Alexander and Napoleon: How Small Decisions in the Largest Battles Changed the Course of History" (2011). M.A. in Philosophy of History Theses. 1. https://digitalcommons.olivet.edu/hist_maph/1 This Thesis is brought to you for free and open access by the History at Digital Commons @ Olivet. It has been accepted for inclusion in M.A. in Philosophy of History Theses by an authorized administrator of Digital Commons @ Olivet. For more information, please contact [email protected]. ALEXANDER AND NAPOLEON: HOW SMALL DECISIONS IN THE LARGEST BATTLES CHANGED THE COURSE OF HISTORY by Nathaniel J. Lacher APPROVED BY SUPERVISORY COMMITTEE __________________________________ William Dean, Chair __________________________________ David VanHeemst __________________________________ Lori Fulton Copyright 2010 Nathaniel James Lacher All Rights Reserved ALEXANDER AND NAPOLEON: HOW SMALL DECISIONS IN THE LARGEST BATTLES CHANGED THE COURSE OF HISTORY by NATHANIEL JAMES LACHER, BS THESIS Presented to the Faculty of Olivet Nazarene University in Partial Fulfillment of the Requirements for the Degree of MASTER OF ARTS IN THE PHILOSOPHY OF HISTORY OLIVET NAZARENE UNIVERSITY January 2011 ALEXANDER AND NAPOLEON: HOW SMALL DECISIONS IN THE LARGEST BATTLES CHANGED THE COURSE OF HISTORY Nathaniel James Lacher, BS Olivet Nazarene University 2011 Supervising Professor: William Dean History is often directed by small decisions made in the heat of battle.
    [Show full text]
  • The Battle of Wagram 6 July, 1809 (A Grande Armée Scenario by John Crouch)
    1 The Battle of Wagram 6 July, 1809 (a Grande Armée scenario by John Crouch) After the Grande Armée had occupied Vienna, Napoleon had fought the unsuccessful two-day battle of Aspern-Essling and been forced to retire to Lobau Island and the south bank of the Danube to reconsider his plans. The Archduke Charles did nothing to follow up his success, and Napoleon was able to spend the next six weeks converting Lobau into an impregnable base for future operations, linking it to the southern bank by three well protected and constantly patrolled bridges. During this period he also lost no time in summoning up outlying formations, including those led by Eugène and Macdonald from the Italian front, and by early July no less than 188,000 French and Allied troops and 500 guns were in the vicinity. Napoleon proved on this occasion that he could still learn from his mistakes, and the second crossing of the Danube was meticulously planned. On the stormy night of 4/5 July a pontoon bridge was swung over the water separating Lobau Island from the north bank and troops were soon pouring over – to the great surprise of the Austrians, who had been lulled into a false sense of security by the previous weeks of apparent inactivity. At this juncture the Austrians had some 155,000 men and 450 cannon at their disposal in the Marschfeld (‘parade ground’) area. The Archduke had anticipated a French attack, if at all , near Aspern, but Napoleon’s crossing farther east near Gross-Enzersdorf surprised him.
    [Show full text]
  • Flanquer-Grenadiers of the Imperial Guard
    The Napoleon Series Flanqueur-Grenadiers of the Imperial Guard: 1813 - 1814 By Paul Dawson Organisation In 1813, faced with massive need for men to fill the ranks of the army, Napoleon decided to activate a second regiment of Flanqueurs, rather drawing the men from the same source as the Flanquer-Chasseurs, it was composed primarily of conscripts. On 28 December 1812, 6000 conscripts out of a levee of 300,000 were used to replenish the ranks of the Young Guard, which consisted of 14 battalions. Rather than being a specialist light infantry regiment, it was just another collection of conscripts attached to the Grenadier Corps. The regiment was activated on 25 March 1813, with Leonard Desalons (1770-1830), Colonel of the 67eme regiment d’Infanterie Ligne being appointed as Colonel-Major on 6 April, the same day that he was appointed an Officer of the Legion d’Honnuer. He was made a Baron of the Empire on 16 August 1813 for his conduct, and was wounded on 30 March 1814. The Chefs- de-Bataillon were Mirabel Magloire and Pierre Gavardie, the Captaine-Adjutant-Major Anointe Faucon. Jean-Baptiste Everaerts was appointed Officer- Payeur and Marius Paull the Surgeon-Major. We know very little about the officers and men of the regiment as the paper muster lists cannot be located in the French Army Archives. We do know a little about the officers and men awarded the Legion of Honour on 13 September 1813 from their service papers preserved in the Archives Nationales:1 Sub-Lieutenants: Louis Jean Marie Cyr Zenon Dicart Paul Lafitte, born 28 December 1790.
    [Show full text]
  • La Bataille De Preussisch-Eylau
    La Bataille de Preussisch-Eylau Règlement Exclusif Pour le Règlement de l’An XXX et Le Règlement des Marie-Louise La Bataille de Preussich-Eylau 2 Golitsyn V Copyright Clash of Arms 2013 Tolstoy Date Modified: December 24, 2013 Scharnhorst as L’Estocq’s ADC All rules herein take precedence over any rules in the series rules which There are 2 aides with 14 on the back. One of these is for 4th Division. they may contradict. There are 2 regts named “Sta”, players may wish to put the division Rules marked with an eagle or are shaded with a grey numbers on the front of the battalions. background apply only to players using the Règlements de l’An XXX. Bk = Back of counter Ft = Front of counter NOTE: All references to Artillery Ammunition *There are 2 of these counters, only one is incorrectly marked. Wagons (AAW), artillery ricochet fire, cavalry skirmishers and tired cavalry apply only to players using the Règlements de l’An XXX. 4.0 TERRAIN 1.0 INTRODUCTION 4.1 Special Structures There are six Special Structure hexes on the map. These include the La Bataille de Preussisch-Eylau is a tactical level simulation of Watermill, Anklappen, the Church (including cemetery) and the Napoléon’s epic winter battle with the remnants of the Hohenzollern Chateau (including the courtyard). army under L’Estocq and the army of the Tsar, commanded by NOTE: The structures in this area weren’t the mini-fortresses Benningsen. that existed in Belgium, Anklappen itself being made of several wooden buildings. So this merits the use of less restrictive Special Structure 2.0 RULES QUESTIONS rules.
    [Show full text]