Narrative of Events during the Invasion of Russia by Napoleon Bonaparte
And the Retreat of the French Army, 1812

Published in 1860, this vivid first-hand account provides important insight into Napoleon's ignominious retreat from Russia.

Robert Thomas Wilson (Author), Herbert Randolph (Edited by)

9781108054003, Cambridge University Press

Paperback / softback, published 22 August 2013

454 pages, 4 b/w illus.
21.6 x 14 x 2.6 cm, 5.7 kg

A colourful British general, Robert Wilson (1777–1849) was knighted many times over by crowned heads, but never by his own monarch. Described by Wellington as 'a very slippery fellow', he fought in the Peninsular and Napoleonic wars, and his published account of the Egyptian campaign resulted in Napoleon complaining to the British government about accusations of his cruelty towards prisoners and his own men. Following the invasion of Russia, Wilson was seconded to Kutuzov's army, and was present at all the major engagements. Edited by his nephew and published in 1860, this second edition of Wilson's journal includes personal and official correspondence from Tsar Alexander I and his generals, and gives not only detailed accounts of troop movements and strategy, but also vivid descriptions of the savagery meted out by both sides. It remains an essential source of information on one of history's most famous military retreats.

Introduction
Preliminary remarks
1. Commencement of hostilities
2. Movements of the second army under Prince Bagration
3. Second army
4. Secession of the king of Westphalia
5. Operations of the first army under Tormanssow
6. Wittgenstein
7. Confederate army
8. Army of Wittgenstein
9. Imperial Russian army
10. Russian main army
11. Suspension of the narrative
12. Army of Wittgenstein
13. Retrospect of the campaign
14. Passage of the Beresina
Conclusion
Appendix.

Subject Areas: Military history [HBW]