"Swiss at the Beresina " Topic

"This is the account of Louis Begos, a Swiss soldier who marched into Russia in 1812. He didn't make it as far as the rest of Napoleon's army, avoiding Borodino, but he and his fellow Swiss were caught up in the bitter retreat from Moscow. This translation of his memoirs looks in particular at the Swiss role in defending the Beresina crossings as the remnants of Napoleon's exhausted army tries to make its escape:

On the 17th October the Russians advanced against our positions and firing broke out all along the line. The cossacks were everywhere and I remember a rather unfortunate episode concerning these horsemen. Because of my rank I had a horse. On the 17th I had left it with the regimental drummers and the one who was supposed to be looking after it had unfortunately let it escape. Much to my consternation the horse had bolted in the direction of the Russian lines. We were about to be drawn into battle and there was I, horseless. So I chased after the equine deserter, caught him and saddled him; no sooner had I mounted than a group of cossacks, howling dreadful cries, appeared in pursuit. Fortunately, I knew the country well, having hunted there over the summer, and I made good use of the streambeds and gullies. I was soon clear of my pursuers but was glad to regain the regiment. Numerous officers and soldiers congratulated me on my escape, laughing out loud at my misadventure.

We passed most of the night on alert and, on the morning of the 18th, cannonfire could be heard. We formed up close by the Polotska and the Russians seemed to come at us from all sides. I was positioned in the centre right from the opening shots; my horse was hit by a Russian roundshot, killing it outright and simultaneously killing the horse of the officer behind me. I seemed to have served as some kind of target for the enemy artillery, making life rather difficult. Service on foot was just as exacting, however…"
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Amicalement
Armand

It was too good to last….

The Swiss stand on the west bank of the Berezina was epic. The four Swiss regiments were excellent and St Cyr believed that they were stronger than nature.

They took 1500 men into the Berezina fight to hold the bridgehead and 300 survived the fighting, retaining all four of their eagles and they didn't give up one foot of ground.

The Swiss song, still sung in the Swiss Army, the Berezina Lied, comes from that epic stand in the cold and snow.

A most interesting historical anecdote. Thanks to all.

A votre service mon ami!. (smile)

Amicalement
Armand