E BOOKS FOR ANTIQUARIANS PART THE SECOND: CAMPAIGNS IN SAXONY (1820)

A Circumstantial Narrative of the Campaign in Saxony, in the Year 1813: Written Originally in German  by François-Jean -Philibert Aubert de Vitry, Alfred John Kempe, Ernst Otto Innocenz von Odeleben  Published 1820

2 Volumes: Available in the Internet Archive:  Volume 1  Volume 2

I find myself with a few minutes to kill before heading out for the holiday travels, so I thought I'd share my current read. I'm only partially through it, but it is quite entertaining and informative. Written by a Saxon Officer in 1820, it has fresh insights into the Napoleonic Wars.  Although the author does not clarify his position, it is clear that he was present in Napoleon's Headquarters as an allied officer.  As such, the narrative is not a military history, but told from the perspective of an eyewitness to events.  The preface:

 The Preface:

It is full of observations of Napoleon and the functions of the Headquarters, like the below moment during the Battle of Lutzen...

Of Napoleon's "Ha!"...

 Of Napoleon's "Horsemanship"...

Various insights and editorial comments, like this one on a claim Napoleon made to the King of Saxony on the eve of the Battle of Bautzen...

It is doubly interesting given that it is being told, post Waterloo, by a former ally. 


Highly recommended.  

Excelsior!