Episode 124: My Blood for the Emperor
Added 2025-04-01 01:37:41 +0000 UTCIn the summer of 1809, Napoleon crossed the Danube again to confront Archduke Charles and the Habsburg field army and avenge his defeat at Aspern-Essling.
Comments
You're right. For some reason I thought the change in the carabinier uniform came around the same time the infantry abandoned the bicornes. Sorry about that!
The Age of Napoleon
2025-04-25 03:13:18 +0000 UTCHello Everett - thank you for an excellent episode. You have the uncommon ability to clearly present a battle without the use of visual aids and this was a great retelling of Wagram! I hope you will permit a comment on your description of the French cavalry attack: you said it was lead by the Carabiniers in their "distinctive white cloaks and red plumes in their helmets". This suggests the later uniform of the Carabiniers who would have still been in their earlier blue jacket and bearskin hat. Lucien Rousselot noted that the extensive Carabinier casualties in 1809 led Napoleon to change the uniform to include the helmet and cuirass. I'm not sure if that's what you had in mind but as a Napoleonic uniform nut I had to mention it!
Mark Igglesden
2025-04-21 01:11:00 +0000 UTCI think it was the sheer bravery in which he led the troops towards Sussenbrunn. It even made Napoleon (who was looking at Macdonald’s advance through his telescope) exclaim several times “What a brave man! What a brave man.”
Shah
2025-04-14 09:58:34 +0000 UTCHi Everett, you praised General Macdonald as a very capable commander even though we see that his attack at the end of the battle was uncoordinated and ended up as a significant failure. How do you explain this? Was it due to his poor leadership? Was it because of Napoleon's overrealistic goals? Is there any other explanation? Moltes gràcies from Barcelona.
Gerard Nogués
2025-04-13 12:52:44 +0000 UTCEverett, so sorry to hear about the passing of Townes. I understand you having comments disabled on that post perhaps from fear that some callous souls would leave rude posts. As one whose family last a beloved feline family member last Spring, my heart goes out to you. Glad you could give Townes some well deserved commemoration. RIP Townes, and hang in there, Everett.
Charles Warren
2025-04-07 13:55:39 +0000 UTC
