The pessimistic weather forecast did not fulfiled completely and the start and main parts of the program satisfied the organizers’ expectations. Nearby the Tvarozna pond grew the period tent camp on Friday afternoon which was slowly filling with “soldiers” in uniforms of the French, Grand Duchy of Warsaw, Austrian, and Prussian army from the age of the Revolutionary and Napoleonic Wars. Finally some 200 of them arrived although regarding the weather the figures were not always the same. Except the Czech and Slovak groups associated in the Central European Napoleonic Society (C.E.N.S.) the invitation was also accepted by 20 Polish re-enactors, namely voltigeurs of the 2. Infantry Regiment of the Grand Duchy of Warsaw and musketeers plus one artilleryman in Prussian uniforms 1797 pattern in which the Prussian army fought through the 1806 campaign. This year we commemorate its bicentennial.

On Saturday morning officers and NCOs led the drill of all five armies with many rookies in their ranks. The training was concentrated mainly on the basic skills. During maneuvering on the training field both “enemy” sides came close to each other several times and commanders tried to surprise their “foes” and outmaneuver them. There were also several “sharp” volleys.
After the lunch “regiments” marched to the battlefield under the Santon Hill. Already from 10 AM visitors could visit the folk concert there organized by the partner Folk & Country agency. The historian Jiri Kovarik has presented them historical facts about the battle as well as the scenario of the upcoming exhibition. Later on he read short parts from his books and sang couple period military songs. The battle exhibition under the Santon Hill was intended as the rehearsal of the scenario for the grand winter Austerlitz (December 1st-3rd). It is inspired by the renowned extract from general Thiébault’s memoirs which describes hard fights of the Pratzen Heights. Russian and then Austrians as well charged the French in order to take back the strategic heights. However, they were repulsed and forced to retreat. After the short intermezzo and brave resistance, present Allied troops – now in the role of the Przybyszewski’s column – surrendered in the hopeless situation near “Sokolnitz”.

After the battle and the festive defile in front of the public both armies marched back to the camp. Unfortunately all the other activities were stopped by intensive raining. For the rest of the day and night soldiers talked, sang, drank and feasted both in the camp and in the “occupied” Tvarozna. In the morning the skies didn’t look good, even the rain started again. Thus the commander-in-chief decided to finish the campaign. The French camp saw the festive line-up for the promotion of the commander of the 1st Regiment of Tirailleurs-Grenadiers Pavel Kmoch “from the decision of His Majesty the Emperor and King” (approved by his soldiers) to the rank of captain.

From the re-enactment point of view this year’s Napoleonic Days in Tvarozna were nice and useful event except the Saturday’s heavy rain.