Tag: Depot
-
Louis Jacques Romand and the turmoil of 1813 … (II)
On the 30th, General Vandamme, commanding I Corps, entered the defiles of the Bohemian mountains, where he was soundly beaten by the [Allied] combined army. He lost most of his men and he himself was captured by the enemy. Our baggage having, ill-advisedly, followed that of this corps and finding itself on the road was…
-
The experiences of Dragoon Auguste de Maupas in Spain and Portugal, 1808-1812 (II)
Valladolid, 5 December 1809. – I only have time to send you an embrace and inform you that I am in good health. We have arrived at Valladolid, where we will stay with General Kellerman until further notice. We engaged in a number of affairs which I am sure you will be able to find…
-
Dedicated to the Imperial Cause – Letters of the Dandalle Family (IV) …
Cantonment in Germany – 1810-1811 In February 1810, the regiment left Upper Austria and arrived at Magdeburg on 1 March. It did not return to France, but remained in Germany to ensure public order and to be ready to intervene if necessary to the south against Austria, to the north to enforce the Continental Blockade,…
-
Correspondence from Charleroi conscripts under Napoleon (I) …
Introduction by Pierre-Jean Niebes, archivist at the Belgian State Archives of Mons Many of the prominent figures of the Napoleonic period have written their memoirs, both civilian and military, and these have been published in numerous editions since the 19th century. The testimonies of ordinary soldiers shed a different light, perhaps more concise but just…
-
A dragoon under Marshal Murat – Letters of the 1806-1807 Campaigns (III)
The troops were beginning to grow, if not discouraged, at least weary of being beset day and night by Cossacks. Therefore the cavalry, charged with chasing down this troublesome and devious enemy, hardly rested. Until 15 March, Murat covered the line of the outposts: Luiduwo, near Gigenburg, 17 March 1807. Looking at the date of…
-
Archduke Charles’ correspondence from the 1809 Campaign
Ried, this 8th April 1809. My dearest uncle, I arrived here yesterday, though not without having suffered a lot from the cold. Everything here is covered with snow. I leave this afternoon for Altheim. I will be in Braunau tomorrow evening, and the day after tomorrow before daylight I will cross my Rubicon, if, as…
-
Dedicated to the Imperial Cause – Letters of the Dandalle Family (III) …
The Austrian Campaign of 1809 The Erfurt conference had, at least in appearance, strengthened the friendly relations between Napoleon and the Tsar. The two emperors divided Europe between themselves. Napoleon sought to consolidate the Russian alliance in order to have a free hand to re-establish the situation in Spain, where the capitulations of Bailén (22…
-
Letters of Désiré Trefcon, quartermaster in the 22nd Dragoons – 1806-1807
Désiré Trefcon was conscripted in Year VII and initially served with his brothers Pierre-Antoine and Toussaint-Jean in the 15th Demi-Brigade. Due to his frail health and poor tolerance of arduous stages, he was almost constantly assigned to the depot companies. He had therefore remained in Bitche (Moselle Department) during the brilliant campaign of 1800. Eager…