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France - 1807

Bataille de Friedland

Obverse:

Head and Legend, similar to the preceding medal.

Size:

41 mm.

Reverse:

a full length figure of Napoleon in the character of Mars, in the front he is undraped, the chlamys buckled on his chest falls behind; his head helmeted, and he appears in the act of sheathing his sword; on the ground, lies dead and wounded, the natural concomitant of war; on the right, the olive tree of peace is planted; on the left, the torch of war appears reversed, and nearly extinguished.

Legend:

GALLE F.

Exergue:

BATAILLE DE FRIEDLAND XIV JUIN MDCCCVII.

Vern's Comments:

Note: This medal turned out to be a restrike from the 1846-1860 period. When I purchased it I didn't know what the significance of edge marks were.

Laskey:

On the 14th June, the anniversary of the battle of Marengo, the fatal battle of Friedland was fought between the Russians and the French. On the morning of that day, Napoleon reminded his troops of their victory at Marengo. At about half-past five o'clock in the evening of that day, the battle commenced; Marshal Ney, and General Marchand advanced, and General Bisson's division supported their left. The Russians attempted to turn Marshal Ney with several regiments of cavalry, preceded by a numerous body of cossacks; but General La Tour Maubeuge immediately formed his division of dragoons, and advancing to the right in full gallop, repelled their charge. In the mean while, General Victor ordered a battery of thirty pieces of artillery to be placed in the front of his centre; and General Summermont having caused it to be moved about 400 paces forward, the Russians sustained a dreadful loss from its fire. The different movements which they made to effect a diversion were useless: several columns of the Russian infantry attacked the right of Marshal Ney's division, but were charged with the bayonet, and driven into the Alle; where several thousands perished in a watery grave. While Marshal Ney advanced to the ravine, which surrounds the town of Friedland, the Russian imperial guards made an impetuous attack on his left. This corps was for a moment shaken; but General Dupont's division, which formed the right of the reserve, marched against the guards, and routed them with a dreadful carnage. The Russians than drew several reinforcements from their centre and other corps of reserve, to defend Friedland; but in spite of their efforts, the town was forced, and the streets covered with dead. At this moment, the centre of the French, commanded by Marshal Lasnes, was attacked; but the Russians could make no impression. This sanguinary contest was chiefly decided by the bayonet; and the result of the day was the total defeat of the Russians. The carnage was dreadful: according to the French Bulletins, the Russians left from 15 to 18,000 dead on the field. In this disastrous battle and retreat, the Russians lost a great part of their artillery, and almost all their magazines and ammunition on a line of 120 miles in extent. And the battle of Friedland was not less decisive than those of Austerlitz and Jena, nor its consequences less fatal to the independence of Europe.

Bramsen:

Bramsen - 632
Bataille de Friedland (Galle.)

NAPOLEON EMP. ET ROI. Tête laurée, à droite.

Rev: Napoléon, en costume héroïque grec, debout sur un champ de bataille jonché de cadavres, remet son épée dans le fourreau. D'un côté, une branche d'olivier; de l'autre, la torche de la Discorde renversée et prête a s'éteindre.

Exergue: BATAILLE DE FRIEDLAND XIV JUIN MDCCCVII.

Médaille, 40 mm. - T. N. 19, 9; H. m. 41, 215; M. F. 367, 76.

d'Essling:

d'Essling - 1165
Bataille de Friedland (Andrieu et Galle).

Tête de Nap. à dr.

R. Napoléon en costume héroïque grec remettant son épée au fourreau.

(TN. 19.9 - M. 215 - B. 632). Arg et Br. 41 mm. 2 var. d'avers.