The Poland Campaign

After her defeat, Prussia tried to preserve her honor and seek revenge. She continued the fight on the side of the allied Russian armies.

Pierre Wagener's Marching-Route from the 21^st of November to the 29^th of November.

In December of 1806, the 4^th division Sahuc camped in Pudwitz. The 19^th dragons consisted of 29 officers, 536 riders, and 576 horses. It was entered into the army corps of the cavalry under Bessières, under whom they had toward Thorn on the 15 ^th of December. On December 16^th, the 4^th division camps in Sluzewo and crosses the Weichsel in Thorn. On December 17^th , they camp on the left bank of the Drewenz, a byriver of the Weichsel, which terminated above Thorn. 18^th of Dec. -Wella 19^th of Dec. -Sierps (Sierpo)

The Battle of Biezun

After their defeat in Pulstuk, the Zar's soldiers drew back toward the North-West to keep in contact with their Prussian allies. On the 20 ^th of December, they started a dangerous counter-attack in the vicinity of Biezun. The attacks of Grouchy, supported by the 19^th dragon-regiment, were able to finally throw back their attackers.

In January of 1807, the regiment makes their winter quarters in Elbling (Elblag).

The Battle of Mohrungen

On the 25^th of January 1807, the 19^th dragon-regiment meets up with the Zar's cosaks in Mohrungen. This is General Berthier's account of the battle:

The order is sent to the 19^th regiment to beat their drums. This brave regiment lunches its attack. But while 2 squadrons are charging forward, the 3rd one dashes forward on the drums from their refuge in the village. They encounter no resistance and the beaten, enemy, having lost on of her generals, abandons the village.

Bernadotte writes to Napoleon

The 19^th dragons, this dauntless regiment, has distinguished itself particularly on the day of the 25^th of January by a memorable charge that took place in the village of Pfarrerfeldchen against the Russian infantry and drums. This handful of brave men have fallen into an excellent position over an enemy who greatly outnumbered them and who were still triumphing with pride from their last one.

The attack of the 19^th dragons brought him the honor as he was mentioned in the "Journal d'opération du 1er corps":

The 19^th regiment of dragons' beautiful charges upon the Russians contributed to their decision to retreat

Also, the 55^th "Bulletin de la Grande Armée" writes on the 29^th of January 1807:

The 19^th dragons executed a beautiful charge upon the Russian infantry

Pierre Wagener's Marching-Route from the 30th of January to the 11th of February.

March to May 1807

In the beginning of March, the 19^th regiment is still located in winterquarters in the province of Holland. It is comprised of 31 officers and 574 horses. The 4th division comes under the command of General La Houssaye. From his winterquarters, Pierre Wagener writes in 1807:

19^th dragon, Pierre Wagener to Jean Cunné, innkeeper, residing in Luxembourg, to hand over to Dominique Wilhelm, Mayor of Kayl, canton of Bettembourg, Department of Forests in Tétange. No. 14, Grande Armée.

Upon today, dated the 21^st of April. Dearly loved mother, brother, sisters, I greet you many thousand times. I do let you know that I am still fresh and healthy, which, praise the lord, I may also hear of you.

I have great longing for you, because I have heard nothing from you for so long. I do not know if you are dead or not. The last letter I have received at Dorlischen, and I have written you an answer at Strasbourg, and I have not received an answer from it. So, I cannot know if you are all dead or not. I believe you think not much about me, else you would have written back your answer.

Vertical Note: I would like to know if you have collected the money from Henricus Melchior

Letter from his winterquarters

I am greeting Mr. Domincus Wilhelm and his wife and the entire house. I would like to know what there is anything at home, from the time I have been from home. I am now well content. I am already 600 hours away from home. I do not have anymore hope that I will return home again, because this land her is such a bad land, that at these times it is still so cold that the people freeze, and starvation, that then we sadly must starve. Because we are now in garrison for several weeks, then we will do battle again with the Russians. Every day, we talk to the Prussians and the Russians. I am well-minded and atop a horse. If we only had two more cities, we would be already in Russia, but many more people will have to die, because there be such a strong city such as Luxembourg, and that we run around three times, so you could think that you do not run around in it like you run around in a village.

About some things, I cannot write anything to you, because I am not allowed, so you may notice. I end my writing and remain your faithful son until my death. My address is: Dragon in the 19^th regiment in the 6^th company in the 4^th division in Altpreussen in Poland, Grande-Armée du Rhin.

Pir Wagener^[62]

This writing of Pierre Wagener contains a few mysteries. The writing style confuses the reader. The sentence: "Everyday, we talk to the Prussians and the Russians", is questionable. The very peculiar description of the city which reminds him of Luxembourg, probably means that he wanted to say how difficult it would be to capture this city. We are dealing with the city of Friedland which was conquered by French troops on the 14^th of June 1807. The second location he talks about con only the city Tilsit, where, in July of the same year, the peace treaty will be signed.

[62] LAUX Archiv, Kayl.