Davout, Marshal Louis-Nicholas, duc de Auerstädt, prince de Eckmühl (1770–1822)
Nicknamed the ‘Iron Marshal’, Davout was appointed Marshal of the Empire in 1804. His usual command, 3 Corps, was always considered the best trained and disciplined in the army. A stern man and not a courtier, he was not liked by his peers, but his merits were indisputable. In 1806 his corps, seriously outnumbered and left unsupported by Bernadotte, defeated the main body of the Prussian Army at Auerstädt. In 1809 he again commanded 3 Corps in Bavaria and the right wing of the army at Wagram.
Drouot, Général Antoine, Baron, comte (1774–1847)
A competent artillery officer he held a series of staff and line appointments and in 1808 became director of the Imperial Guard artillery park in Spain. He played a major role in the formation of the Grand Battery at Wagram in 1809 and was wounded during the action.
Espagne, Général Jean Louis Brigitte, comte de (1769–1809)
An able cavalry commander who joined the Royal Army as a trooper, he rose to général de division in 1805 and was made a comte de l’Empire in 1808. In 1809 he commanded the 3rd Cuirassier division of Lannes’s corps and was mortally wounded at Aspern–Essling.
Ferdinand d’Este, Archduke, Feldmarschall (1781–1835)
Archduke Charles’s brother, able cavalry commander in 1805, he led VII Corps in Poland in 1809. Initially successful against Polish Army, he was forced to retreat when Russia became more active.
Francis I, Emperor of Austria (1768–1835)
A mediocre and reactionary ruler, whose relations with Archduke Charles were often strained, he succeeded Leopold II in 1792 as Emperor Francis of Germany, but dropped the title when Napoleon dissolved the Holy Roman Empire in 1806. He conducted a series of unsuccessful wars against France between 1792 and 1809, frequently mixing in military operations. In 1810 he married his daughter Marie-Louise to Napoleon.
Friant, Général Louis, comte (1758–1829)
After service in the French Guards and the National Guard of Paris he was elected lieutenant colonel, promoted to général de brigade, and served with Napoleon in Italy and Egypt. Général de division in Davout’s corps, he commanded the 2nd division at Eckmühl, Ratisbon and Wagram.
Grouchy, Général de division Emmanuel, comte (1766–1847)
Capable cavalry commander, he commanded the dragoon division supporting Davout’s corps at Wagram.
Grünne, General Phillip Ferdinand (1762–1851)
First adjutant to Archduke Charles, much disliked at court.
Gudin, de la Sablionnière, Général Charles Etienne, comte (1768–1812)
Fought with Army of the Rhine, promoted to général de division in 1800, thereafter commanded division in Davout’s 3 Corps. Made count in 1808 and the following year fought in Bavaria and at Wagram.
Hiller, Feldmarschalleutnant, Johann Freiherr von (1754–1819)
In 1809 he commanded VI Corps in Bavaria, fought with distinction at Aspern–Essling, but, always on bad terms with Archduke Charles, resigned his command on the grounds of bad health just before Wagram.
Hofer, Andreas (1767–1810)
An innkeeper, he became one of the leaders of Tyrolean revolt against Bavarian rule in 1809. Repeatedly liberated large parts of country, but could not maintain himself against large Bavarian and French forces sent after Wagram. Captured after lengthy pursuit, condemned to death and executed at Mantua in 1810.
Hohenzollern-Hechingen, Feldmarschalleutnant, Franz Xavier Prince zu (1757–1844)
Served with Charles in Italy in 1797, distinguished himself by his breakout from Ulm in 1805, and in 1809 commanded III Corps.
John, Archduke Baptist Joseph Sebastian von Habsburg (1782–1859)
The youngest brother of Francis I of Austria, he was badly defeated at Hohenlinden in Bavaria in 1800. Advocated formation of the Landwehr, he supported Tyrolean insurrection. In 1809 he led the Army of Inner Austria and after initial success in Italy was defeated, retreated into Hungary, was again defeated at Raab, and failed to join Charles at Wagram.
Kienmayer, Feldmarschalleutnant Michael Freiherr von (1755–1828)
Commanded II Reserve Corps in 1809 at Aspern–Essling and then various detachments operating in Saxony.
Klenau von Janowitz, Feldmarschalleutnant Johann Graf (1758–1819)
Initially commanding Advance Guard, he took over VI Corps at very short notice when Hiller resigned, and commanded the Corps at Wagram and during the retreat to Znaim.
Kolowrat-Krakowsky, Feldzeugmeister Johann Nepomuk Karl (1748–1816)
Commanded III Corps in 1809 in Bavaria, Aspern–Essling, and Wagram and during the retreat to Znaim.
Lannes, Marshal Jean, duc de Montebello (1769–1809)
Named to the marshalate in 1804, he commanded 5 Corps at Jena, and the Advance Guard at Friedland. In 1808 he became duc de Montebello. In February 1809 he was recalled from Spain to join Napoleon in Bavaria. He commanded at Landshut and stormed Ratisbon. In command of 2 Corps, he fought at Aspern–Essling and was mortally wounded. Napoleon mourned him as a friend and as his best general.
Lasalle, Général Antoine Charles Louis, comte (1775–1809)
A daring leader of light cavalry, he served under Napoleon in Italy, Egypt, at Austerlitz and gained renown for his pursuit of the Prussians after Jena–Auerstädt. He was made comte de l’Empire in 1808. In 1809 he served under Bessières in Bavaria, fought at Essling and was killed during the pursuit after Wagram.
Lefebvre, Marshal François Joseph, duc de Danzig (1755–1820)
Rapidly rising to general, Lefebvre, a blunt soldier, supported Napoleon during Brumaire and in 1804 became one of the original eighteen marshals. He captured Danzig in 1807 and was elevated to duc de Danzig. After service in Spain, he was appointed commander of 7 (Bavarian) Corps and together with Davout managed to contain the Austrian offensive. After Ratisbon detached to put down Tyrolean insurrection.
Legrand, Général Claude Juste Alexandre, comte (1762–1815)
A former sergeant major in Royal Army, he fought on the Rhine front and by 1799 had reached the rank of général de division. Raised to comte in 1808, in 1809 he commanded the 1st Division of Masséna’s corps at Aspern, Wagram and Znaim.
Liechtenstein, General der Cavallerie Johann Prinz von (1760–1836)
A cavalry commander and diplomat. He commanded Reserve Corps at Aspern–Essling and Wagram and negotiated the peace treaty in 1809. After Charles left the army in 1809, he became its commander-in-chief.
Ludwig, Archduke Joseph Anton, Feldmarschalleutnant (1784–1864)
Younger brother of Archduke Charles, he initially commanded V Corps in Bavaria, but laid down command at the end of the Bavarian campaign. Not a talented commander, he was an example of the nepotism pervading the Habsburg Army.
Macdonald, Marshal Jacques Etienne Joseph Alexandre, duc de Tarente (1765–1840)
After a rapid career, he was made a général de division in 1794, but fell from grace in 1804 when he defended Moreau’s reputation. In 1809 he was sent to assist Eugène in handling the Army of Italy. At Wagram he led the great column against the Austrian centre, and for his bravery was appointed marshal, the only marshal appointed by Napoleon on the battlefield. In December 1809 he was created duc de Tarente and awarded a substantial annuity.
Maria Ludovica, Empress of Austria (1787–1816)
Third wife of Francis I and an influential member of the war faction at court.
Marmont, Marshal Auguste Frederic Louis Viesse de, duc de Raguse (1774–1852)
He accompanied Napoleon throughout the Italian campaign, Egypt, and after Marengo was promoted to général de division but not included in the first list of marshals. In 1806 he was appointed governor general of Dalmatia, and drove the Russians out of Ragusa. In command of 11 Corps in 1809 he served at Wagram and pinned the Austrians at Znaim, which earned him the marshal’s baton.
Masséna, Marshal André, duc de Rivoli, Prince d’Essling (1758–1817)
/>
One of the ablest and most rapacious commanders of the Revolution and the Empire, he gained the rank of général de division for his service at Toulon. Thereafter he served with distinction in Italy, Switzerland, and again in Italy. He was appointed a marshal in 1804 and in 1805 commanded the Army of Italy. In 1809 he assumed command of 4 Corps in Germany and fought with distinction in Bavaria and at Aspern–Essling, where he covered the retreat on to the Lobau island. Despite serious injury, he commanded 4 Corps at Wagram and at Znaim.
Metternich, Clemens Lothar Wenceslas, Graf (1773–1859)
Austrian ambassador to France from 1806 to 1809, he advocated war in 1809, but after Wagram he became Minister of Foreign Affairs and Chancellor and after arranging the peace treaty he hoped for a special relationship with Napoleon.
Morand, Général de division Charles Antoine Louis Alexandre, comte (1771–1835)
Fought on the Rhine, Italy, and Egypt. He distinguished himself at Austerlitz and was promoted to général de divison. In 1808 he was made comte de l’Empire. In 1809 he commanded a division in Davout’s corps at Abensberg, Eckmühl, Ratisbon and Wagram.
Mouton, Général de division Georges, comte (1770–1838)
A senior aide-de-camp to Napoleon in 1809, he led the bayonet charge by the Young Guard recapturing Essling. Napoleon regarded him highly, and elevated him to comte de Lobau in May 1809, but never appointed him a marshal.
Oudinot, Marshal Nicolas Charles, duc de Reggio (1767–1847).
A former officer in the Royal Army he served with the Armies of the Rhine and Moselle. A ‘follow me’ combat leader, he was frequently wounded. Promoted to général de division in 1799, he served under Masséna and in 1805 led an elite unit of grenadiers in Lannes’s corps. Wounded again, he led his division at Friedland. He was made a comte de l’Empire in 1808. Following the death of Lannes, he assumed command of 2 Corps which he fought at Wagram. On 12 July he was promoted to marshal and in April 1810 made duc de Reggio.
Poniatowski, Minister of War Prince Josef Anton (1763–1813)
Minister of War of the Grand Duchy of Warsaw from 1808, and in 1809 he successfully led Polish forces fighting Archduke Ferdinand, capturing Cracow in July.
Radetzky, Feldmarschalleutnant, Joseph Graf von Radetz (1766–1855)
With a fine reputation as a fighting soldier against the Turks and the French, he distinguished himself at Aspern–Essling and at Wagram and during the retreat to Znaim. After Liechtenstein took command of army, he appointed Radetzky as his chief-of-staff.
Rapp, Général de division, comte (1771–1821)
Much wounded senior aide-de-camp to Napoleon, promoted général de division after Austerlitz, count in 1809, and together with Mounton he led charge to rescue Boudet’s division at Essling.
Rosenberg-Orsini, Feldmarschalleutnant Prinz Franz von (1761–1832)
A better than average Austrian commander, he and his IV Corps were unjustly blamed by Archduke Charles for the defeat at Wagram.
Saint-Cyr, Général de division Carra, comte (1760–1834)
After service in various posts, he rose to général de division in 1803 and in 1808 became a count. In 1809 he commanded a division in Masséna’s 4 Corps at Aspern–Essling and Wagram.
Saint-Hilaire, Général Louis Vincent Joseph le Blond, comte (1766–1809)
Former officer in the Royal Army promoted to général de division in 1799. In 1808 became a comte de l’Empire. In 1809 he commanded a division in Lannes’s 2 Corps at Eckmühl, Ratisbon, and Aspern–Essling, losing his foot in the last battle and dying of wounds on 5 June 1809 in Vienna.
Schill, Major Ferdinand von (1776–1809)
Prussian lieutenant who during the siege of Kolberg in 1807 commanded a mixed arms raiding force. Promoted to major in command 2nd Brandenburg Hussars. On 28 April 1809, in the hope of provoking a mass rising, he led his regiment out of Berlin to begin operations against the French. There was no rising, his regiment was driven into Stralsund where he was killed in street fighting, and eleven of his captured officers were sent to the galleys.
Stadion, Johann Philip Carl Josef Graf (1768–1824)
Austrian Foreign Minister in 1809 and prominent in war faction at court.
Wimpffen, Generalmajor Maximilian Graf (1770–1854)
Chief-of-staff to Archduke Charles in 1809. Advocate of a cautious strategy.
Wrede, Generalleutnant Carl Philipp Freiherr von (1767–1838)
In 1809 commanded 2nd Division of VII (Bavarian) Corps which participated on the second day of Wagram.
Suggestions for further reading
The literature on warfare on Napoleon and his times is immense, with new books added constantly. Therefore the suggestions for further reading are highly selective and concentrate on books in English, although specifically on the Battle of Wagram several works in French and German are indispensable. For a basic account and excellent maps see Vincent J. Esposito and John R. Elting, A Military History and Atlas of the Napoleonic Wars (New York, 1965) and later reprints. The discussion of Napoleonic strategy, tactics and campaigns in David G. Chandler’s magisterial The Campaigns of Napoleon (New York, 1966) remains indispensable and can be supplemented by the author’s edited, Napoleon’s Marshals (New York, 1987). The nature of armies during this time, their officers and men, arms, tactics, strategy and supply can be found in Gunther E. Rothenberg, The Art of Warfare in the Age of Napoleon (London, 1977) and the same author’s Napoleon’s Great Adversaries:The Archduke Charles and the Austrian Army 1792–1814 (London and Bloomington, 1982). An excellent study of the Archduke Charles’s evolving combat doctrine and a commentary by historians on this is Lee W. Eysturlid, The Formative Influences, Theories, and Campaigns of the Archduke Carl of Austria (Westport, Conn., 2000).
The first English account of the 1809 campaign is by a lieutenant in the King’s German Engineers, W. Müller, Relation of the Operations and Battles of the Austrian and French Armies in the Year 1809 (London, 1810) reprinted in Ken Trotman, Military History Monographs (No. 8 London, 1986). Perhaps the most utilized study despite its age is the fine if highly opinionated work by F. Loraine Petre, Napoleon and the Archduke Charles: A history of the Franco-Austrian Campaign in the Valley of the Danube in 1809 (London, 1909: reprinted London, 1976). This is an excellent and detailed book based on the best Austrian and French literature with observations and commentary by a retired military officer thrown in. Even now it has remained a basic literary source. For the main battles in Bavaria and on the Marchfeld, there are two outstanding studies by the same author, Ian Castle. The first is Eckmühl 1809. No. 56 in the Osprey Campaign Series (Oxford, 1988) and the second is Wagram & Aspern 1809 No. 33 in the Osprey Campaign Series (Oxford, 1995). Both contain well-written and clear accounts of the opposing forces, short biographies of major leaders, battle maps and other details. Also useful for details on the leaders, orders of battle, famous episodes and the like are two fine volumes by James Arnold covering the 1809 campaign. The first is Crisis on the Danube: Napoleon’s Austrian Campaign of 1809 (New York, 1990) and the second is Napoleon conquers Vienna (Westport, Conn., 1995), which in addition to the details mentioned above also provides observations of the wider compass of contemporary events in Europe. Finally, a most valuable compendium, especially regarding orders of battle and numerical details based on French and Austrian repositories, is the volume by Scotty Bowden and Charlie Tarbox, Armies on the Danube 1809 (Arlington, 1980).
The campaign and the two major battles are placed in their operational context by Robert M. Epstein, Napoleon’s Last Victory and the Emergence of Modern War (Lawrence, 1994). John H. Gill, With Eagles to Glory: Napoleon and his German Allies in the 1809 Campaign (London, 1992), deals with the often-neglected subject of the Confederation of the Rhine contingents in detail, while the Army of Italy is ably handled in Frederick C. Schneid, Napoleon’s Italian Campaigns 1805–1815 (Westport, Conn., 2002). A favourable look at the military career and evolution as a military commander of Viceroy E
ugène is provided by Robert M. Epstein, Prince Eugène at War (Arlington, 1984).
In German there is the well-reputed and authoritative series issued by the Kriegsachiv, Wien, Krieg 1809 (4 vols. Vienna, 1907–10) which curiously does not contain a volume on Wagram, though it has a volume on war preparations and another one on Aspern. Manfried Rauchensteiner, an archivist, extensively uses Austrian archival sources in his balanced studies Die Schlacht von Aspern am 21. und 22. Mai 1809, No. 11 of the Militärhistorische Schriftenreihe of the Militärhistorisches Institut (Vienna, 1969) and No. 36 in the same series his Die Schlacht bei Deutsch-Wagram am 5. und. 6. Juli 1809 (Vienna, 1809). For a thoughtful biography of Archduke Charles, see H. Hertenberger and F. Wiltschek, Erzherzog Karl. Der Sieger von Aspern (Graz, 1983). Concentrating on military affairs there are Moritz v. Angeli, Erzherzog Carl als Feldherr und Heeresorganisator (5 vols. Vienna–Leipzig, 1896–97) and Oskar Criste, Erzherzog Carl von Oesterreich (3 vols. Vienna, 1912).
In French there are a number of works written by staff officers utilizing the Archive de la Guerre. Perhaps the best are Edouard Buat, De Ratisbonne à Znaim (2 vols. Paris, 1909) and Charles G. L. Saski, Campagne de 1809 en Allemagne et Autriche (3 vols. Paris–Nancy, 1895–1902). Of course, the Correspondence de Napoleon I (32 vols. Paris, 1858–62) is a treasure trove. The illustrated history of the 1809 campaign by J. Tranié and J.C. Carmigniani, Napoleon et l’Autriche: La campagne de 1809, not only provides a source for great illustrations and maps, but also a brief and sensible text. Finally, a most comprehensive and almost indispensable definitive bibliographic source, listing books as well as articles, organized by country and campaigns, is Donald D. Horward ed., Napoleonic Military History. A Bibliography (New York–London, 1986).
APPENDIX ONE
Orders of battle: Aspern–Essling
Troops engaged at Aspern–Essling 21–22 May 1809 Napoleon’s Order of Battle
Supreme Commander: Napoleon I, Emperor of the French Imperial Guard
The Emperor's Last Victory Page 23