The text of these memoirs is taken from the translation by J.W. Fortescue, first published in 1926.
Adrien-Jean-Baptiste-Francois Bourgogne was born on 12 November 1785 in Conde sur l'Escaut, on France's northern frontier. At the age of twenty he enlisted in the Velites. Light-armed troops usually attached to an infantry regiment, the Velites had the dangerous job of harassing the enemy, and were highly thought of.
In 1806, following several months' further education and basic military training; he was posted to Poland, where he saw action against Prussians and Russians. The following year he was promoted Corporal. In 1809 he fought at Essling and was twice wounded, in the neck and in the leg. From 1809 to 1811 he fought in Austria, Portugal and Spain. In 1812 he was promoted Sergeant in the detachment of Velites serving with Napoleon's crack troops, the Guard. .
On his return he was commissioned Second Lieutenant in the 145th Line Regiment, and saw action in Prussia. At the battle of Dessau in 1813 he was wounded and captured. During his imprison-ment he wrote notes about the Russian campaign which, supplemented by letters he had written to his mother, were to provide the basis of these Memoirs. .
Contains 16 b/w illustrations
