XI Epoch - A (3rd Fredrichsburg Campaign); B (South Georland Campaign)

XI A

When the army of Fredrichsburg was safely quartered in Georgetown and the deliverance of Powgen assured as stated above, the Imperator at once commenced to levy troops which had been voted at the Witenagenot but had been drilling for some months and were now efficient soldiers. New regiments were created, whilst old ones were increased to two or more Battalions. The 29^th 30^th 42^nd + 85^th Foot Regiments contained each 4 Battalions on service 3 in Georland and one in the newly created Kingdom of Tertsche. The 47^th Lancashire + 85^th Bucks Volunteers were among the new Regts.

For a long time the intercourse between Fredrichsburg + Peruni had been growing less amicable; but Peruni was still fearful of another defeat like that of Lemos, altho’ anxious to retrieve + avenge the disaster of 1863. The Imperator had offered many inducements to the Emperor of Peruni to join in an alliance, but the Emperor altho’ willing refused to enter into the contest while Fredrichsburg was backed by her European ally Germany.

But an outrage committed on his frontier by German troops compelled him to demand satisfaction which was refused, and after a long altercation between the courts of Schanfuhl and Kidde the ambassador of Peruni left Kidde on the 21^st March when war was virtually declared between Peruni and Fredrichsburg.

The Emperor entered into the contest, with the Imperator as ally, with spirit, and immediately sent off a division by sea to Georgetown where it landed safely April 2^nd.

The rest of the Peruni force was equipped for a campaign but were delayed until the calling in of reserves should place them on a war footing. By the end of May three Corps numbering 56,000 men were in the field and near 100,000 more were forming as a reserve.

Two Corps entered Fredrichsburg on the 1^st of June and effected a junction at Krometz on the 5^th. On the 7th they had advanced to Myjiji which being open and defenceless (through Mercury’s former campaign) was entered. They had thus advanced without opposition to within 20 miles of the capital.

But we must here return to the Imperator and his indefatigable efforts to free his country from the iron heel of the oppressors.

Having reorganised his army into five separate Corps d’Armée the Imperator at once commenced operations.

His five corps were as follows:

Corps		infantry	cavalry	guns	base
1st	(Guards)	15,000	1,900	32	Georgetown
2nd	*	12,000	2,800	26	Pelito
3rd	*	11,000	2,500	24	Judisel
4th	*	10,000	2,900	28	Percy
5th	*	11,000	1,100	25	Georgetown

making a Georland army of five corps d’armée or –

59,500 infantry 11,200 cavalry with 135 guns which with the Peruni contingent or 6^th Georland corps of 9,400 infantry 2,600 cavalry with 20 guns will make

68,900 infantry 13,800 cavalry and 155 guns now at the disposal of his majesty.

Opposed to him was a Fredrichsburg army at Napoleon under General von Orff who had massed there some 60,000 troops including the 6^th Regiment of the Prussian Infantry of the Guard and the 17^th + 21^st Regts of the Dragoons of the Guard (Prussian).

Leaving the 3^rd + 4^th Corps at Judisel + Percy to watch the two seaport towns of Sopy + Toby; where the Prussians were accumulating stores + largely increasing their armies daily; the Imperator left Georgetown on that 2^nd April with the 1^st (Guards) 5^th and 6^th Armée Corps and marched for napoleon being joined by the 2^nd Corps from Pelito on the eve of action.

The large forest of Garda between Napoleon and Nukhelhunder being strongly held by the enemy’s Tirailleurs the Imperator after a reconnaissance attacked with the 10^th division (V Corps) and the two light infantry Regts of the Peruni contingent. After a brief struggle the forest fell before the overpowering forces of the Georlanders, and the advance of the 11^th Hussars who had threaded the closest intricacies of the wood. In this engagement fought April 3^rd the 50^th + 85^th Georland Regts greatly distinguished themselves. Whilst the enemy loss amounted to 2,700 in killed + wounded that of the Imperator was trivial, some 400 killed and 900 wounded. The Peruni corps lost 200 killed + 500 wounded making a total loss of the army 600 killed + 1,400 wounded. The enemy left 2,700 prisoners + 2 guns in the hands of H.I.M.

His majesty the next day pushed on the next two days being employed in bringing up through the forest his Artillery

The Germans, after the engagement of the 3^rd, took up a strong defensive position before Napoleon a town of some 6,000 inhabitants.

This position was very strong, being protected on its Right by a morass, while a flood plain lay behind the hills which formed the position, after which a large extent of hilly country offered splendid advantages to a retiring army. The full strength of their position will be better understood by a reference to our engraving of the plan as furnished by the War Office.

It was not till the 6^th April Easter Monday that H.I.M. was able to attack the enemy, owing to the delay arising from the difficulties the Forest of Garda presented to the free passage of the Artillery and stores.

The Imperator formed his plan of attack thus: The Right composed of the 5^th and part of the 2^nd Crops. The centre under the immediate command of His Majesty was held by the 1^st (Guard) Corps. The Left was composed, on the Right by the remainder of the 2^nd Corps, and on the Extreme Left by the 6^th (Perunian Corps) under their own General, Marshal Mastreman.

This last was to storm Passmore, + defiling through the Road to Napoleon; turn the Prussian Right. The 5^th Corps was to storm Diel + advance through Nesti + force its way round the Close Hill to Ibor. There the 6^th Corps + Left wing of the Georland Army, would unite with the Right and thus enclose the army. This design was fully carried out.

Passmore was stormed by the two Battalions of Perunian Zouaves who continuing their charge carried with great intrepidity the hill of that name. Their loss was excessive. They were well supported by the 52^nd Chasseurs a Pied and 41^st of the Line. General Werder, determining to recover the village sent four squadrons of Uhlans against it. This recovered the place; but the Imperator at once sent the 2^nd Heavy Cavalry Brigade of the 2^nd Corps to drive them out. This they did and actually penetrated into Napoleon itself overturning a regiment of Dragoons sent against them.

The Sixth Corps now advanced at a run on the town (Napoleon) and after much bloodshed carried it. The Right now advanced.

At the outset the 13^th Brigade was repulsed in an attack on Diel, but after two successive advances it was taken.

On the other hand the 10th Division (MG Massey’s) had successively taken Duppe, Pier , and Nertow and were advancing in irresistible strength through the defile between the Mons and Ethall Hill the latter being in the hands of the 19^th Brigade (8.9.20) who had taken it with the bayonet.

The losses of the Corps (V) were very great as this was the decisive point of the battle.

Part of the Languedoc Hill was already in the hands of a Brigade of the 2^nd Corps.

The Fifth continuing their advance through Mons Wood had effected a junction at the Ibor with the 2^nd and 6^th Corps.

The 2^nd Corps had penetrated to the rear of Napoleon before closing ground. Here it encountered the Prussian Guard who retreated before the Artillery, but they resolutely resisted all attempts of Lieut Genl Hasher to throw them in disorder.

In vain did General Hasher at the head of the Irish (8^th) Brigade charge them; they bravely stood firm and died. Heroes of St Privat, brave followers of the German Emperor.

Three times did the 27^th Inniskillingers throw their weight upon them with reckless ardour. Success at last crowned their efforts, for they succeeded in destroying the 1^st Battalion of the Augusta Regiment.

The remainder of the Guards including 2 Cavalry regiments retreated and joined General von Werder at Heth.

The 2^nd Corps now continued the turning movement to Ibor where the 5^th Corps soon joined it.

The Prussians were now in a trap.

Part of the Languedoc Hill alone remained in their possession. On all signs were the Georland troops, whilst every moment their men were struck down by shells from H.I.M.’s guns.

In front the Imperator’s Guards were drawn up in line; (keeping the communications between the 5^th Corps + 2^nd + 6^th Corps) as yet untouched. General Werder therefore sent out a flag of truce, and at 9 pm signed the capitulation for whole of his force, and 24,700 untouched prisoners [left blank] guns and [left blank] colors and 5 generals became the prize of H.I.M.

Their loss was 4,800 killed + 11,700 wounded; that of the Georlanders 5,500 loss + the 6^th or Perunians 3,500 killed + wounded.

It is useless to comment on this their greatest victory of the Ibor. It far exceeded General Mercury’s great Waguli conquest for with a much less loss a far greater quantity of guns, material and prisoners were secured.

Napoleon will be undoubtedly one of, if not the, brightest star in that resplendent coronet of victories which at once adorn the brow of the Imperator and serve as a lesson + a model for all the World. Nor did the fruit of “Napoleon” stop here, for a Corps of 15,000 having effected their escape before the action was over H.I.M. so manoeuvred his troops as to catch them before they reached Smatcshe and compel them to lay down their arms.

The accompanying plan will demonstrate the wonderful strategies/operation

 It will be seen that the 2^nd Corps by reaching Smatsche before the escaped Bavarians, cut them off from all communications, compelling them to lay down their arms.