PDF Children of the Holocaust by From Brand: Vallentine Mitchell in History

Description

A unique perspective on the Napoleonic epochExtremely rare; even on the antiquarian market; this book is possibly unique; among those few published accounts of this era translated into English; as a first hand account of the years of Napoleon's wars in central Europe as experienced and reported on by a civilian who subsequently became an officer of the Prussian Army. The author of this dual perspective; Henry Steffens; was a Danish national and academic and in this book he describes his experiences; beginning with a short resume of his early life; the coming of the French Revolution and his observations of the French Army in the field. Shortly after his marriage; he moved with his family to Halle in Germany to take up a post at the University. In 1805 the Battle of Aüerstadt swept the defeated Prussian Army through the city whilst Steffens; clutching his newborn child; found himself running for his life as Bernadotte's infantry hounded their fleeing foes through the streets. Steffens later involved himself in subversive operations against the French including a conspiracy to assassinate the Emperor and was instrumental in raising a corps of volunteers as direct action became inevitable. An intimate of Scharnhorst among other notables of his day; Steffens joined the Prussian Army as a junior officer of Guard Chasseurs. Subsequently joining Blucher's staff (the old general called him affectionately 'Mr. Professor') as an intelligence officer; Steffens served through the campaigns of 1813-14. He saw action at Görschen; Bautzen; on attachment with the Russian Army; at the Battle of Leipzig; Champaubert (Montmirail) and the battle for and occupation of Paris in 1814. This book was originally entitled; 'Adventures on the Road to Paris;' but has been re-titled in this Leonaur edition to give the reader a view of its wider subject matter. Available in softcover and hardback with dustjacket for collectors.