Napoleonic History- Crucial Information Resources

[OotKust]

**Edited Title from ‘Critical Resources’ as it was meant to be “Crucial Information” and ‘Critical’ may have been misunderstood. Now contemporary research material is much more widely available due to copyright expiration AND willingness of archivists and museums to divulge their horded treasures! -dw12may22-

Napoleonic History-

Critical Resources, the internet is full of opinions and no shortage of touts pointing them out.

To add to the ‘academic resources’ and study of the period, I had been mentioning these sites and to some extent I believe as many as possible should be visited, and regularly.

One such is the site run by and in collaboration with other groups:- http://frederic.berjaud.free.fr/index.htm

This is a French language site and brings an amazing wealth of historical and contemporary commenary. The most useful area is : http://frederic.berjaud.free.fr/articles_en_ligne.htm “Liste des articles en ligne” by multiple authors, including Monsieur Frederic Berjaud himself.

He has just recently updated a large number of the regimental histories, albeit this time with late wars information predominantly (1813) from newly deciphered imperial documents.

As well as factual pieces of data and information, a wide array of uniforms are presented, albeit some with caveats on interpretations being offered.

regards

davew

[OotKust]

Another reference site of use, based firmly in the ‘Museum Quarter’ is:-

https://histoire-image.org/fr/recherche-avancee?keys=napoleonienne&auteur=&theme=&mots_cles=&periode=14&type=All&lieu=All

A key to unlocking some details of famous paintings and painters. Leaves a few questions unanswered but at least expands on the often narrow interpretations of those ‘sponsored’ artworks.

Regards davew

[tag]Paintings,[/tag] [tag]Art History,[/tag] [tag]Defined[/tag]

[OotKust]

I guess I should have called this thread ‘Crucial’ or ‘Information’- can we alter it now?

A useful French compilation, referenced from N-S are the first two volumes of:

https://gallica.bnf.fr/services/engine/search/sru?operation=searchRetrieve&version=1.2&collapsing=disabled&rk=21459;2&query=%28gallica%20all%20%22Mullie%20C%22%29%20and%20dc.relation%20all%20%22cb37309550z%22#resultat-id-2

Be great to locate the others!

Excellent cross-referencing tool and full OCR’d for a change, so searchable!

Enjoy,

davew

[Guy Farrish]

OotKust wrote:

I guess I should have called this thread ‘Crucial’ or ‘Information’- can we alter it now?

I think you might be able to edit the title yourself as you created it. I have never done it but did wonder about one of mine as it sounded rather desperate (it was meant to be more comedic – but there you go!) I remember I could, having clicked ‘edit’ on the initial post, type new words into the title block -I decided against in the end so don’t know what would have happened if I’d hit submit.

Worth a try?

 

PS the Bibliothèque Nationale (your ref above) is a superb resource

[willz]

Yes you can alter your title, just go into the original post and change the title in the title box.

[Sir Able]

Great sites there – thank you.

[OotKust]

Thanks guys- after an earlier ‘fail’ with a title I was too scared to try!

–––––––

dave

[OotKust]

On Russia

If like me, you find the earlier period of greater interest than the mammoth defiance of 1812, then this expedition to the source may help.

I have with needing to research some of this army, a much greater appreciation of their men and leaders, and far better understanding of the difficulties they overcame without a lot of usual rhetoric from distant and repetitive intermediate interpreters.

From an intermediate French language site (TBD later) I was led to the Russian site translated as “Interregional public organization
PUBLIC ORGANIZING COMMITTEE
200th ANNIVERSARY OF THE AUSTRIAN CAMPAIGN
RUSSIAN ARMY IN 1805
under the command of M.I. Kutuzov
in the Franco-Austro-Russian War
(“ORGING COMMITTEE 1805″) ”

The ‘ORGING’ I trust is failure of the translation software as it is repeated often.

http://www.museum.ru/1812/Memorial/1805org/index.html

It is both an explanation and an invitation to other organisations. A good read of only a handful of pages, inter-weaving a story of actual history with the internationally reknowned Tolstois’ War and Peace.

A most interesting part for me was the acknowledgement that:- “The situation for Russia in the upcoming anniversaries of the Franco-Austrian-Russian wars of 1805-1807 is very difficult.

This war was lost by the allies, so the Austrian campaign of the Russian Imperial Army under the command of M.I. Kutuzov is not included in the list “On the days of military glory (victorious days of Russia)”.  Accordingly, the anniversary has no state funding.”

As my new favourite memoirist, Yermelev, is quoted as a source of information , if not inspiration, I was pleased to learn more on the early campaign combats involving the Russians.

regards -davew-

[OotKust]

The French- Nobility etc.

Quick reference wikis should be useful to track down some other personalities, if not for general knowledge anyway.

1- https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Nobility_of_the_First_French_Empire

The English version, translated from the French site and lacking much of the artwork. Use this instead:-

2- https://fr.wikipedia.org/wiki/Noblesse_d’Empire

Which however is the academic ‘regs’ if you like. For people, go:-

3- https://fr.wikipedia.org/wiki/Liste_des_membres_de_la_noblesse_d’Empire

For the ‘Ancien Régime, we have:-

4- https://fr.wikipedia.org/wiki/Liste_de_familles_éteintes_notoires_de_la_noblesse_française

cheers-davew

 

[OotKust]

Don’t worry chaps- I’m not about to ‘tango’ my way into your lives…. heheh… but you know sometimes the cleanest sites go unnoticed and back on my main research, this one is an absolute, frequently consulted  fave:~

https://obscurebattles.blogspot.com/p/battles-by-year.html

The erudite Jeff Berry, a once was military schemer, then big in the PR business (helping find suckers to part from their money :-)) and wonderful at laying out and defining our best battles!

Really  great site, analysis and explanations, along with best efforts OB that may or may not agree on such things with ‘authorities’. Challenging and informative, what more could you want!?

cheers dave

 

[OotKust]

Also, not unknown, but I was helping someone with their knowledge of the cross-fertilisation of uniform styles, and where better than Markus Steins’ recent update with contemporary, if unknown artitistic work:-

http://uniformenportal.de/index.php?/category/131

From the Introduction – In addition to the contemporary series of pictures from the Wars of Liberation that have already been published here, such as the Landecker series , the Elberfeld Illuminated Manuscript is an extremely valuable source for uniform research on the troops of the years 1813-1815.

This I think means ‘Illustrated’. As a secondary interest for me, and yes I have a recreation 1813-14 Allied army too (tho no French as there are many others able to offer those)  they are quite invaluable artworks for many commonly known and few other, units.

Just be aware, the thumbnail captions may have more information than the plates themselves!

Enjoy the motherload,         regards -davew

[OotKust]

We are lucky to have some resources, and despite their ‘pitch’ or longevity, can be difficult to navigate and use, when they have been taken over or ‘reformulated’. One such is the area under https://www.napoleon-series.org/biographies/.

In my area of interests, Alexander Mikaberidze provides this translation of the  ‘report’ from the very centre of the Allied Army, near and under the recalcitrant Kutuzov who was reluctantly keeping the Russian hopes alive.

https://www.napoleon-series.org/research/russianarchives/austerlitz/c_miloradovich.html

Confirms some interesting Russian tactical information and provides what I can only say are speculative propositions on the French actions. Of course the numbers of troops involved are grossly overstated.

Similarly his ‘recollection’ is marred I think by citing “the village of Schlapanitz” as a target, when it is plain and clear that no such advance could ever have existed on the day, and instead he has misquoted for Pratze village, beyond which the Russians barely penetrated.

Obviously the report wasn’t well received anyway, as the Novogorod Musketeers seem to have been ‘sanctioned’ with dishonour for several years for losing two banners to St.Hilaires Division.

It is apparent that calling company handsfull of men ‘battalions’ is an academic ruse and that these Russian units were combined into singular bodies after their other campaign losses.

Further research available:- https://www.napoleon-series.org/research/c_russianarchives.html

and if like me you rejoice in using non-tracked interference free browsing use :- https://duckduckgo.com/?q=site%3Anapoleon-series.org+Memoirs+from+the+Russian+Archives&t=ffab&atb=v270-1&ia=web

[simply replace the ‘search phrase’ with your own, my default is ‘carabiniers’ which reliably means I can see changes any time I activate it].

Best regards- davew

[OotKust]

Just a note that mainly for 1813/14 period, units have been updated on the first article posted here: http://frederic.berjaud.free.fr/articles_en_ligne.htm “Liste des articles en ligne” by Monsieur Frederic Berjaud.

A lot of work to update every individual unit when, in fact a lot of repition of indices is the source. A whole lot of work!

On another theme if you ever wanted to read more on the 1799 ‘Allies’ campaign in Switerland, here is an adequate version: https://www.rbth.com/history/329231-crossing-devils-bridge

Enjoy, cheers d

 

[OotKust]

hi

Another site I like to use when searching for new personalities- military, family and statesmen in various guises; information and some unique portraits you don’t get elsewhere (that also resize from thumbnails now), as well as era general and battle information, is__ https://www.napoleon-empire.com/ from Lionel A. Bouchon.

His modest reasoning:-

 

The raison d’être of Napoleon & Empire

Searching for “Napoleon Bonaparte” on Guugle means being offered more than ten million results. The idea of adding a drop to this ocean can therefore only come to the enthusiasts, determined that they are to bear witness to their fascination for a character endowed, according to Chateaubriand, with the “most powerful breath of life that ever animated human clay.”

The site “Napoleon & Empire” claims no other legitimacy…

The landing page gives you various directions to follow depending upon needs. I’ve bookmarked https://www.napoleon-empire.com/first-empire-personalities.php simply because that is mostly what I use it for.  And equally important, it is being kept up to date. Beware however that the translated pages provided by the site do not contain identical information, so sticking with the French language first is advised.

Another useful group of period publications, sourced from the French official archives ‘Gallica’, even as ‘Wiki’s’ these days have improved in quality of information (not completely) is_ https://gallica.bnf.fr/ark:/12148/cb34454108n/date.

These are the official and Government ‘yearbooks’- I don’t know what British term may be more appropriate, Almanach’s Imperial, sadly nothing before 1805 at the moment.

These while not OCR’d (if you have or know how to cheaply let me know!) can at least be read for every major and minor person who ever held a government or local role, award or church! Certainly assists with ‘names’ and finding the appropriate ranks and privileges/ awards/ honours.

cheers ~d

[OotKust]

:: Victoires, conquêtes, désastres, revers et guerres civiles des Français, de 1792 à 1815 ::

And yet more- a most surprising find as I believed what is often written in English, about the ‘repression’ of the royalists agenda post ‘Empire’ – a series of books commencing in 1817 and therefore notably ‘current’ history- albeit leavened with both historical and much revolutionary information (as a warning if that is not your ‘thing’).

https://gallica.bnf.fr/services/engine/search/sru?operation=searchRetrieve&version=1.2&collapsing=disabled&rk=21459;2&query=%28gallica%20all%20%22%27Pr%C3%A9au%2C%20Charles%20Th%C3%A9odore%20%27%22%29%20and%20dc.type%20all%20%22monographie%22%20and%20dc.relation%20all%20%22cb36378831k%22#resultat-id-3

There are more than twenty issues, originally available by private subscription, that contain streams of actions, people and anecdotes. There are errors amongst it, and these are often rescued in later editions and errata sections.

Trust some will find these interesting volumes…

regards

 

 

[Guy Farrish]

Many thanks for that Dave. Fascinating. I have already spent too much time this evening reading this! Will  no doubt enjoy wasting spending a lot more time on it!

Thanks again.

[OotKust]

Thanks Guy, appreciate the positive feedback.

I’m the same, but now I’ve had to catalogue my virtual library as well as my real one, things get out of hand after two years of ‘discoveries’ and I’ve RE-found resource books I’d forgotten about downloading. if only there were software for that!  Have a little story of interest that I’ll post later.

regards d

[OotKust]

Having just looked up Gen en Chef Scherer I uncovered this volume from his wiki. Don’t know how many will make use of it but I find putting faces to names helps me modelling certain characters:-

https://gallica.bnf.fr/ark:/12148/bpt6k5656749b/f147.item.r=Album%20du%20centenaire#

There was some difficulty getting a clean download however. It is 50MB but for 436 engravings, it may be worth it. Even though it is entitled ‘Grands hommes’ it does include some dames!

cheers

 

[OotKust]

Contrary to popular misconceptions, there was an ‘Italy’ before 1805 (ie decree/ enlargement of the ‘Kingdom’) and several known Armées d’Italie.

If you have frequented the site http://www.histunif.com/index.htm in the past you will have seen a motley collection of text and illustrations, based around “troops of the Italian republics between 1796 and 1805 and that of the Kingdom of Italy”.

The dot.com version is being phased out in favour of a reorganised, regenerated and much better resourced https://histunif.fr/, which while itself has been around a while, hasn’t been populated until quite recently.

Now proudly proclaiming “HISTORY AND UNIFORMS OF ITALIAN TROOPS 1796-1814” it indeed has upped its game and JP PERCONTE is to be commended.

I already satisfied two minor distractions and skimmed the site to know it is vastly improved. While it still uses ‘frames’ to organise pages, a lot more illustrations have enlargements.

All in all a very useful update, given the spread of warcraft in the region. I note that from Duffys’ Eagles over the Alps that the Piedmontaise rebelled rather quickly in 1799 against the French ‘Republic’ and sympathisers when the Austrians and Russians came knocking again. So reprisals and civil war was enjoined a second time and not to be reliquished for quite a few years (post 1806 in fact).

I’ll also add today that at the end of July Monsieur Frederic Berjaud again mainly for 1813/14 period, many regimental histories have been updated: http://frederic.berjaud.free.fr/articles_en_ligne.htm “Liste des articles en ligne”.

Enjoy the research,

regards davew

[OotKust]

First, a repeat___

I’ll also add today that at the end of July Monsieur Frederic Berjaud again mainly for 1813/14 period but there are other earlier dates among the much fewer additions this time.

The many regimental histories have been updated: http://frederic.berjaud.free.fr/articles_en_ligne.htm “Liste des articles en ligne”.

In other news, while searching for a particularly obscure title (which I did not locate) I found these which appear of interest:

“Dictionnaire historique des batailles, siéges et combats de terre et de mer qui ont eu lieu pendant la révolution française ; avec une table chro…”

https://tinyurl.com/Dictionnairebatailles

You will need to access and download each volume separately. Note these are ‘by name’ and therefore A-Z.

An interesting index  for:

Le Château de Saint-Cloud, son incendie en 1870. Inventaire des oeuvres d’art détruites ou sauvées… / Marius Vachon

https://gallica.bnf.fr/ark:/12148/bpt6k6465877p?rk=214593;2

Given it records documents post-Napoleon that are documented, other copies may be found by this useful historical reference.

Note that to be more useful, the OCR text versions of these historic books are often available too!

Enjoy the research,

regards davew

[OotKust]

Another site of some detail, though not all articles 100% accurately portrayed, but of a breadth that is truly useful, is FrenchEmpire.net

https://www.frenchempire.net/

External Reference. Highly recommended. Although off site this is a great and consistently well run web site with good information and should be used regularly with confidence.

Author
Combining passion for Napoleonic military history with technical skills and a desire for a better encyclopedia of French officers, Nathan D. Jensen designed and built this entire site as the architect, designer, and writer. As an historian he is a Fellow of the International Napoleonic Society . He works on the site in his spare time.

[But there is a change updater record!]-Hasn’t been updated for a year but as I write, well worth a regular visit.

As he’s focussed on bios for the ‘Arc de Triomphe’ names, useful enough for that alone. Often, it’s not when they became ‘famous’, but what they did beforehand.

cheers dave

 

[AdmiralHawke]

Thank you for building this really useful list of Napoleonic resources. 🙂

I know some, but not others. I too am a fan of Obscure Battles (even if Crécy, Bleheim, Marengo and Gettysburg hardly qualify as obscure).

[OotKust]

You’re welcome!

I think as Jeff explains somewhere, he started with obscure and moved into more ‘Mythbuster’ territory as some of the information was, ahh, inconsistent or unsubstantiated perhaps.

So as much about solving the unsighted, as perhaps not always obscure! But yes, he’s fostered a following and I certainly appreciated his detail on Hohenlinden. Made the battle, and time, that much more accessible and understandable.

Such that I have a time warp going on; a portion of my 1805 French [army] will eventually field as Armée du Rhin 1800.

Regards davew

[OotKust]

Research- J’étais Soldat de Napoléon!

A lot of examples, and that’s 200 of them, of research and decades of sweat has gone into it by the owner/ millionaire collector and author.

Complete with superb descriptions of not only the source, bona-fides and historical errors and mistakes that haunted some pieces, but explanations of the deals and trades that had to be made in the science of ‘Aquisitions’ (Ferengi cf).

Glorious full page captures, like this custom-made (of course) dolman of a General de Brigade of the Cavalerie Legére. Take the colour as gospel- it is not ‘French/ Royal/Empire’ blue! Full colour of the pelisse with brown fox fur as well!

Tells a much bigger story in the close up photos and excellent colour depictions; with a high degree of fluid text describing attributes; far more value I’d say than half a dozen so called traditional ‘artwork’ type prints and books that cover huge swathes of subjects.

More importantly, having been 34 years since I was in Europe/ France doing my research in multiple cities and museums- as well as private visits to collectors– if you can’t or havent been- this is the next best thing! Honestly, you will be repaid for the cost of it.

My thanks to Marcus Stein @ http://www.napoleon-online.de/ for facilitating my purchase- some French businesses just won’t make sales outside of France! Go figure! SO mine had to come ex-Berlin!

Simply breathtaking, well worthy of my 65th birthday (near when it eventually arrived) ~ Covid style~ two months later than expected.

regards davew

[Author]

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