Back

France - 1812

Prise de Wilna

Obverse:

Head of Napoleon laureated;

Legend:

NAPOLEON EMP. ET ROI.

Exergue:

under the base of bust, ANDRIEU F.

Size:

41 mm.

Reverse:

Napoleon in the act of seizing the sword and shield of two warriors, a Russian and a Pole.

Legend:

DENON DIR. ANDRIEU F.

Exergue:

PRISE DE WILNA XXVIII JUIN MDCCCXII.

Laskey:

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:

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.

d'Essling:

d'Essling - 1367
Prise de Wilna (Andrieu).

Tête de Nap. à dr.

R. Deux chefs polonais deb. devant Nap.

(TN. 53.3 - M. 274 - B. 1156) Br. 41 mm.