(Translated from Russian by Eman Vovsi)
On the cold day of 2 December 1805, Napoléon’s Grande Armée met the allies under command of the two Emperors – Alexander I of Russia and Francis II of Austria, in Moravia, 20 km east of Brünn (Brno). Practically, there were not a personal meeting but the clash of their armies for never all three of them ever met together. As it well known, the battle ended unsuccessfully for the allies, the Napoléon’s triumphant army crushed the thousands-year-old monarchies.
The meeting occurred only between the French and Austrian emperors, which took place two days after the battle with a subsequent signing of the Treaty of Pressburg, which won major concessions from Austria. The Russian Tsar rejected participation in the peace negotiations, because he considered that war did not affect his own territory. Further, the Austrian Emperor lost the title of the Holy Roman Emperor, when in 1806 Napoléon organized the Confederation of the Rhine, and hencefore was compelled to call only Emperor of Austria Francis I.
So went the historical consequences of the great battle. And just like 200 years ago, 3585 re-enactors from 23 countries, including Norway, Australia, United States, Malta and many others, gathered once again on the 2-3 December 2006, near old city of Brno in Czech Republic.
Arriving from St.-Petersburg, Russia, our group of historical re-enactment “le 4eme Regiment du Voltigeurs de la Garde Impériale” left behind nearly 2000 km. It was tiresome, but re-enactors are very firm people, and even long and difficult road could not disturb our spirit for the upcoming great event when we, in full dress uniform, lined up along the French lines.
This was just as wonderful as it was incredible, reminding of a dream. The French military uniform is very bright and various, plus each branch of arms has its own unique details. For example, shining cooper-pots and spoons or armfuls of firewood attached to the soldier’s knapsack and many other things. Note that at those times the soldiers carried everything they might need on campaign, in the battle or bivouac. For if the cavalrymen stuff was carried on his horse, the infantrymen weren’t that lucky.
By 9:00 am the lining up was over and now everybody are led to the buses, which were kindly offered by the city municipality to drive the endless groups of re-enactment to the actual battlefield. Here and there we saw a specially designed signs with the three-soldiers image while all city buses carried a plate with the word “Austerlitz” as a final destination point.
The road to the battlefield did not take long and give a lot of joy: re-enactors are very cheerful people and even the language barrier – for all population of our bus was quite international, – did not bother for jokes and peals of laughter.
Finally, here it is – the great spot of the Austerlitz battle. Unfortunately, the weather did not take a part in re-enactment, so the field is covered by snow (note that 200 years ago there wasn’t much of the snow).
At the very field, the Czech architect Oleg Vashiz built the replica of the “Telnitz village” and the fight for it was one of the most important bits of the battle. The trees on the field played the part of the “Sokolnitz Farm”. The course of the re-enactment of the battle was almost identical to the actual events, which took place 200 years ago so the participants were practically repeating the real historical events.
While waiting for the signal to start the “battle” the loudspeakers played the bravura military marches, and two “armies” took appropriate positions according the dispositions. At the same time, the numerous tourists could loaf about the local market fair. One could try the famous Czech sausages or taste the hot glint wine and observe the minting of the commemorate coins “Austerlitz-2005”. Surely enough, alongside there were tents with “real Turkish shish-kebab” but they in no way could compete with the sausages!
Now, the commentator through the loudspeakers announced the commencement of the re-enactment and everybody rushed to take their designated places. It was also advised on the safety technique and asked to clear the entrance for the emergency vehicles; finally, there was a reminder that horses, which should undergo fire and special effects, could get nervous during the performance.
After the few drum beats the battle had began! To all accounts, the most memorized moment was the appearance of “Napoléon” (impressed by Marc Schneider who is, otherwise, a fellow re-enactor and member of the “7th Hussars” existing in the USA) and his suite. His personal emotion and authenticity for the Emperor on the battlefield were so staggering that the powerful “Vive l’Empereur!” was loudly heard all over the field and rolled down to the spectators’ stands. As everybody knows, the psychological factor is the main one in every battle and so it became yet one more that bought victory to the Grande Armée.
It should be noted, however, that the Project “Austerlitz-2005” was not designed to celebrate the victory of one Emperor over other two but rather to commemorate all sacrifices of the war including all the fallen soldiers and civilians, as well. And the Project’s organizers have done it to the highest extent; the spirit of the holiness and some kind of gratitude lived in the air.
After the “battle” the leader of our “le 4eme Voltigeurs Regiment” Paul Suslov (aka “Lieutenant Daumesnil”) proudly confirmed that he was waiting for this day for many years. Then added, with a smile: “So we beat ’em square and fare! And four Austrians cannon are ours now!”
By the way, according to the statistics, during the whole event re-enactors used more that one ton of the black powder for their cannon and muskets. The “battle” was so enjoyable that, when exhausted the powder, some re-enactors even used snowballs to continue the “struggle”. So, we were glad that the weather did not take a part in our celebration!
After the battle all participants were fed with the hot meal and brought back to Brno by buses.