Montereau 18 Feb 1814

The Sequel

Introduction to the Revisions

by Major AW Field

In FE45 I gave an account of the Battle of Montereau (18 Feb 1814). This was based almost exclusively on French sources with the historical distortions that this approach inevitably gives: the single German source was not detailed enough to provide any real balance except to give more information on the Württemberg deployment. Since the article was published I have been provided with a more detailed account from the Württemberg perspective and have visited the site of the battle.

The latter included a visit to the Napoleon Museum` in the military school attended by Napoleon in Brienne. Although only small the museum has a display of life at the school during Napoleon's tenure and three rooms dedicated to the campaign of 1814. For anyone with an interest in this campaign a visit is a 'must'. Of particular interest was a map showing deployments at the battle of Montereau; unfortunately there was no key! However, given the map and the new Württemberg account I have been able to go a lot further in piecing together a much more accurate picture of the battle.

It will help your understanding of this article if you have FE45 available but it is not absolutely necessary.

More Montereau

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