Russian Eyewitnesses of the Campaign of 1807

After his crushing defeat of Prussia in 1806, Napoleon marched into Poland to forestall any Russian attempts to come to the aid of their ally. There then followed the bloody battle in a blizzard at Eylau on 8 February 1807, which decimated both armies. Operations resumed in the spring and on 14 June Napoleon wrecked the Russian field army at Friedland. Napoleon and Emperor Alexander met at Tiltsit, and French mastery of northwest Europe was confirmed.

This is the first book to bring together dozens of Russian letters, memoirs and diaries, with authors ranging from the commander-in-chief (Benningsen) to NCOs. We see the brutal conditions of the winter campaign at first hand, and gain fresh insight into the infamous Treaty of Tiltsit and the diplomatic maneuvering that followed it.

REVIEWS

This unique book brings together letters, diaries and memoirs of Russian participants of the campaign of 1807, heretofore inaccessible and underutilized, and presents a variety of viewpoints ranging from a noncommissioned officer to a commander-in-chief. It provides insight into the Russian side of the war, how and why decisions were made, and what Russian officers and soldiers experienced as they marched toward victory. Seven chapters are: the eclipse of Austerlitz; the winter campaign, December 1806; the road to Eylau; the bloodbath at Eylau; the spring campaign; the disaster at Friedland; the aftermath of the campaign
PROTOVIEW