| N. B. - Another, with a slight alteration of the bust on the obverse,
and the exergue, ANDRIEU F. DENON D. |
| |
|
This medal was struck on the taking of Wilna, the capital of Lithuania,
and the chief town of all Polish Russia, at the commencement of the Russian
campaign, 1812. It contained from 25,000 to 30,000 inhabitants, with a great
number of convents and superb public buildings: previous to its being taken
by the French, the Emperor of Russia had for some time held his court there.
On the 26th June, the Emperor having received intelligence that the French
had passed the river Wilia (which flows by Wilna,) at Kowno, the Russian
court immediately left the place. |
| |
| On the 27th June, the French Emperor arrived at the advanced posts, and
put the army in motion for the purpose of approaching Wilna, and attacking
the Russian army at day-break of the 28th, should it wish to defend Wilna,
or retard its capture, in order to save the immense magazines which it had
there. |
| |
| At day-break, on the 28th, the king of Naples put himself in motion with
the advanced-guard, and the light cavalry of General Count of Bruyeres.
The Marshal Prince of Eckmuhl supported him with his corps. The Russians
every where retired, after exchanging some cannon shot; they crossed the
Wilia in haste, burned the wooden bridge of Wilna, and set fire to immense
magazines, valued at many millions of rubles: more than 150,000 quintals
of flour, an immense supply of forage and oats, and a valuable magazine
of articles of clothing, were destroyed. A great quantity of arms and warlike
stores was also destroyed, and thrown into the Wilia. At mid-day, the French
Emperor entered Wilna. In the afternoon the bridge over the Wilia was restored,
and another constructed. |
| |
Bramsen - 1156
Prise de Wilna (Andrieu.) |
| NAPOLEON EMP. ET ROI. Tête laurée, à droite. |
Rev: Deux chefs polonais en costume national, prêtant
serment à la confédération des Polonais, entre les mains de Napoléon, qui
debout, en uniforme, appuie la main droite sur le bouclier de l'un d'eux,
et de la gauche tient le sabre de l'autre. |
| Exergue: PRISE DE WILNA XXVIII. JUIN MDCCCXII. |
| Médaille, 41 mm. - T. N. 53, 3; H. m. 51. 274;
M. F. 398, 187. |
