Narrative of the most remarkable events which occurred in and near Leipzig, immedately before, during, and subsequent to, the sanguinary series of engagements between the allied armies and the French, from the 14th to the 19th October, 1813 ... / compiled and translated from the German by Frederic Shoberl.

  • Shoberl, Frederic, 1775-1853.
Date:
1814
Catalogue details

Licence: Public Domain Mark

Credit: Narrative of the most remarkable events which occurred in and near Leipzig, immedately before, during, and subsequent to, the sanguinary series of engagements between the allied armies and the French, from the 14th to the 19th October, 1813 ... / compiled and translated from the German by Frederic Shoberl. Source: Wellcome Collection.

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    tnendous days a prey to the flames, or was plundered by those who called themselves allies of our king, but whom the country itself acknowledged as such only through compulsion. Whoever could save his life with the clothes upon his back might boast of his good fortune; for many, who were obliged, with broken hearts, to leave their burning houses, lost their apparel also. Out of the produce of a tolerably plentiful har- vest, not a grain is left for sowing; the little that was in the barns was consumed in bivouac, or, next morn- ing, in spite of the prayers and entreaties of the owners, wantonly burned by the laughing fiends. Not a horse, not a cow, not a sheep, is now to be seen; nay, several species of animals appear to be wholly exterminated in Saxony. I have myself lost a flock of 2000 Spanish sheep, Tyrolese and Swiss cattle, all my horses, wag- gons, and household utensils. The very floors of my rooms were torn up; my plate, linen, and important papers and documents, were carried away and destroyed. Not a looking-glass, not a pane in the windows, or a chair, is left. The same calamity befell my wretched tenants, over whose misfortunes I would willingly for- get my own. All is desolation and despair, aggravated by the certain prospect of epidemic diseases and fa- mine. Who can relieve such misery, unless God should be pleased to do it by means of those generous individuals, to whom, in my own inability to help, I am now obliged to appeal? “ I apply, therefore, to you. Sir; and request you, out of love to your wretched country, which is so in- expressibly devastated, to solicit the aid of your opu- lent friends and acquaintance, who, with the gene- rosity peculiar to the whole nation, may feel for the unmerited misery of others, in behalf of my wretched