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[color="Black"][SIZE="3"]A LIFE FOR THE CZAR [/size][/color][/CENTER]
[color="Blue"](fictional)[/color] war diary of Ivan Vassilievich Sabaneev, Aide de Camp and Advisor of H.M. Alexander I Czar.
Saint Petersburg, 11 Dec. 1812
News from the front!
13 December: Kutuzuv army entered Vilna, former French winter quarters. French invaders are a disbanded mob retreating from Kovno to Konigsberg.
Saint Petersburg, 13 Dec. 1812
The British ambassador was visiting H.M. Alexander to carry Christmas wishes: the Czar promised to the British delegation the formation of a 400.000 men army to carry on the fight till Napoleon defeat.
Peterhof, 18 Dec. 1812
We have been reached by news of our vanguards crossing the Russo-Polish and Russo-Prussian borders.
Perethof, 23 Dec. 1812
A letter from the Prince Kutuzov to H.M. Alexander!
The Marshal prayes H.M. Alexander to stop the war on the Russian frontier. The liberation of Germany and the fall of Napoleon will not be worth the blood of a single Russian soldier!
The Czar war really disappointed with Prince Kutuzov’s words.
Saint Petersburg, 6 Jan. 1813
In a new letter, Marshal Prince Kutuzov pointed out the sufferance suffered by our brave soldiers, advancing in the winter without proper logistic support.
Saint Petersburg, 12 Jan. 1813
H.M. Alexander advanced his desire to reach the Army and take its lead in the final struggle against l
e Tondu.
Saint Petersburg, 24 Jan. 1813
The fruits of the French collapse!
Prussian Gen.York signed an armistice to gain safety for his Corps.
Austrian Marshal Schwarzemberd signed an armistice, calling Austria out of the struggle. Schwarzemberd Corps retired in Galicia.
Saint Petersburg, 28 Jan. 1813
The Decision!
H.M. Alexander will leave the capital for the front!
Saint Petersburg, 16 Feb. 1813
This morning we left Saint Petersburg for Poland.
H.M. Alexander was leading the Imperial parade along the town main roads. Citizens were enthusiastically applauding to him!
Pskov District, 21 Feb. 1813
A storm caught us on the way: we had to take shelter in a small unknown village.
H.M. Alexander was hosted in the starosta’s izba: the hut ceiling is so low we have to bend over when standing up!
Vilnius District, 26 Feb 1813
The war will wait!
We took shelter for the night at a local baron’s estate.
The woodmaster reported of a beautiful stag sighted in the nearby woods: it will be worth of our Czar attention. Tomorrow will put aside our hunt for Boney and we’ll go after it!
On the way to Warszawa, 1 March. 1813
A letter from Prince Kutuzov: the Marshal felt ill. The providence is guiding our Czar’s decisions: our Army has no more a strong lead. With God help we’ll soon reach the GQG and H.M. will take the charge of the command.
Grodno District, 2 March 1813
We entered the former war theater: villages have been razed; unburied corps lay to our path sides.
Cossack bands are patrolling the area looking for booty.
That’s the war!
Niemen river, 7 March 1813
We crossed the Niemen! Tilsit is not far away, but so far are those days of friendship between the Czar and the Emperour! At that time I was proudly carrying La Legion d’Honour I received from Napoleon’s hands. It was just past summer, following Smolensk fire I thrown it away!
Warszawa, 11 March 1813
We liberated Poland, but you can see that in any Polish eye: they hate us!
Warszawa, 13 March 1813
First war council under H.M. the Czar’s supervision!
Our armies are spawned over a large front from Germany to Poland: Corps and Columns have been detached to besiege French controlled fortresses or to observe enemy movements.
We till advance but our logistic service has collapsed. The Prussians, our former enemy, now our loyal alleys, are fresh and well equipped but their armies are till being raised.
Breslau, 17 March 1813
The Imperial HQ moved to Breslau fortress, beside the Silesian-Austrian border.
Our Czar’s decision to promote Prince Petr Christianovich Wittgenstein in charge of former Kutuzov’s commands lighted up senior officers’ rage. The presence of H.M. soon transformed the HQ into a court with its poisons and intrigues.
Breslau, 19 March 1813
The only fight I could take part is here, at the Imperial HQ. Older Generals refused to take order from younger Prince Wittgenstein, Alexander’s protect,... till now!
Breslau, 22 March 1813
Good news!
Our columns entered Berlin and besieged Spandau fortress: French are backing to safety on the western bank of Elbe river.
H.M. decided to divide the command of the Army. Prince Wittgenstein will keep direct command of our forward forces along the Elbe; the Reserve Corps will be submitted to our Czar’s direct control. I see nothing good in this decision!
Breslau, 23 March 1813
The French opposition along the Elbe is week: Wittgenstein and Blucher decided to push forward, crossing the river and occupy Saxony. It’s a good political move: it could shake Napoleon’s German alleys loyalty. Indeed it‘s an hazard on the military profile: we can stand Eugene’s army, but we have not forces to match Napoleon……. We heard of a new French army forming on the Rhine frontier!
NOTICE: I'm using the Russian traditional date system. You have to add 11 to get the matching Western coutries date!