A Lancer for the Emperor The Recollections of a Polish Officer During the Napoleonic Wars

The adventures of an Aide to the Emperor and officer of Polish Lancers

The author of this riveting first-hand account of the Napoleonic Wars was, in the first years of the 19th century, a young Polish nobleman and a cadet serving in the Prussian dragoons. His first passion, however, was the independence and return to sovereignty of his nation. A chance encounter in 1806, during which he impressed the Emperor Napoleon, launched him into a martial career which he believed would enable him fulfil his part in that liberation. As an officer of voltigeurs with the 9th regiment of Polish infantry he fought and was captured by the Russians before Danzig in 1807. Upon his release he became an orderly officer to the French emperor, serving in Spain and during the campaign and battles that led to the Battle of Wagram in 1808. In recognition of his service, Chlapowski was promoted to squadron leader of the 1st Light Horse Lancers (Polish) of the Imperial Guard in 1811 and in that capacity he served in the disastrous invasion of Russia and during the subsequent retreat from Moscow. The Saxon Campaign of 1813 saw Chlapowski in action again at Bautzen and Hanau, but he resigned his commission when he inadvertently discovered that the hard- pressed Napoleon proposed to betray Poland to secure advantageous peace terms. This edition of Chlapowski's memoir has been newly translated from a later French text and includes interesting annotations introduced from that period together with further observations by the editor. This edition has been rearranged into accessible chapters for reader convenience and accessibility.

Leonaur editions are newly typeset and are not facsimiles; each title is available in softcover and hardback with dustjacket.