La Bataille de Deutsch Wagram 1809

La Bataille de Deutsch –Wagram 1809

A Night in the Feldlager by Unterleutnant Koch

After our Karl’s wonderful victory of May 21 – May 22, our regiment, the Hoch and Deutschmeister Infantrie, was assigned to the left wing of the Armee. We all settled down on the Russbach Heights and began constructing temporary quarters and gun emplacements for an extended stay. Who knows what the French will try next?

Our Jungen were lucky, as not many had been injured during the intense battle on the banks of the Donau. Our regiment was worn out thoroughly and received only a few replacements over the next four weeks. Since ours is an elite regiment, not all recruits met the standards of this ancient formation. We have spent the days since the battle, drilling our formations in the Battalion Masse and improving our positions overlooking the Marchfield plain. It is amazing how our area has grown from a simple campsite into a city of many necessities and diversions. Blacksmiths, tailors and cobblers mingle at the Bierstube with gamblers, money handlers and women who will listen to a soldiers troubles. Morale corruption abounds and that is what attracts so many. People from Wien and the surrounding area have crossed the river to escape the French and make some quick money. Don’t fear, the Priest comes by on Saturday to hear confessions and then everything will be absolved. Unfortunately by then, all of your Shillings will be gone.

It is July 4 today and after drill it is getting dark. I decide to visit several of the Feldlagers on the height. Each is the responsibility of a particular regiment. Each has its own rumors and notoriety. At the Wien Woods Landwehr feldlager, I get a tattoo and drink wine. At the Illyrian Grenz regiment a Gypsy woman tells me that I will live to an old age. This sound good to me as it should after a few more pitchers of beer and a knochwurst. She takes my hand and asks me if I am lonely.

Suddenly, I awake to the crash of artillery and beating of drums. It is early in the morning: I have a headache and my coin purse is gone! I need to find all of my uniform and boots. A Hauptman tells everyone to return to their regiment at once. “The French are across the Donau and in force!” As fast as I can (in my current state), I make my way to the 4 th regiment’s staging area. The battalions are assembling and the officers are barking orders. The time for the great battle is at hand. It is time to follow our good Karl and once again give Napoleon a thrashing.