In the Lednice-Valtice area there is an obelisk built by Alois Joseph von Liechtenstein to commemorate the peace treaty of Campo Formio, that ended the first italian campaign in 1797. This campaign stated in spring 1796, the event of Valtice marks it’s 215th anniversary.
Two men of the Liechtenstein family took part in the battle of Austerlitz. Feldmarschall-Lieutenant Johann I, prince von Liechtenstein (1760-1836) commanded the coalition cavalry corps, and his cousin Generalmajor Moritz von Liechtenstein (1775-1819) commanded a cavalry brigade within Kienmayer’s avanced guard.
Johann, prince von Liechtenstein is one of the most important austrian generals of the revolutionary and napoleonic wars. In 1809 he commanded the 1st reserve corps. By his military and diplimatic skills he was admired by Napoleon him-self. In 1805 and in 1809 he was designated, by the emperor Francis, to negotiate the conditions of armistice with Napoleon. After the battle of Austerlitz he was present to the meeting between Napoleon and Francis near the Spaleny mlyn, where the general conditions of armistice were concluded.
Among many other moravian domains, the Liechtenstein possessed also the domain of Pozoritz, that belongs to the battlefield of Austerlitz. At the old post of Pozoritz Liechtenstein met Napoleon right after the famous battle, at 4 a.m., on the 3rd december 1805.
At the end of the campaign of 1809, Lednice has been occupied by one battalion of the french 13th light infantry battalion of the corps of marshall Davout. During the armistice following the battle of Znaim, this corps camped in the area of Mikulov, Lednice and Valtice, untill the peace treaty of Schönbrunn in october 1809. Marshall Davout was the most able of Napoleon’s corps commanders, particular about instruction and maneuvers of troops under his command. Among other things the re-enactment troops will be exercising is his, issued to his corps in 1811.
About 150 members of the Central European Napoleonic Society and it’s guests will participate at the event. The event aims especially the infantry instruction and exercises. On friday the troops will set up their camps in the park of the Valtice castle. On saturday morning the troops will concern on individual and platoon exercises, in the afternoon the battalions will be formed and will maneuver in the park. The camps and the manevuers will be open to public.
On sunday morning a drummer exhibition, maneuvers with commentary, and a battle re-enactment for the public, and a parade at the courtyard of the castle, will end the first C.E.N.S.