TO ALL FRENCH, ALLIED AND COALITION FORCES
The 3me régiment d’infanterie de ligne and the 1er régiment de grenadiers a pieds de la Garde Impériale are pleased to announce the first annual Old Austerlitz village Napoleonic re-enactment event.
This event will commemorate the Battle of Austerlitz also known as the Battle of the Three Emperors, which was one of Napoleon's greatest victories, effectively destroying the Third Coalition against the French Empire.
On December 2, 1805 , the French army, commanded by Emperor Napoleon I, decisively defeated a Russo-Austrian army, commanded by Tsar Alexander I, after nearly nine hours of difficult fighting. The battle took place near Austerlitz, south-east of Brno in Moravia. The battle is often regarded as a tactical masterpiece.
We will also make a toast and celebrate the Emperor Napoleon’s 240th birthday on the 15th of August, 2009.
VIVE L’EMPEREUR!
LOCATION :
OLD AUSTERLITZ VILLAGE
11550 route 22, Austerlitz, NY
(518) 392-0062 - oldausterlitz@fairpoint.net
DRIVING DIRECTIONS:
Old Austerlitz is located on Route 22 and Harvey Mountain Road, in the valley of the Green River in the Taconic foothills of the Berkshires.
From points south, take the Taconic State Parkway north to Route 203 (the Chatham NY exit) and drive east through Spencertown hamlet, 7 miles to Route 22. Turn right, and the site is on the left about a quarter mile south.
From the east or west, take I-90 to exit B-3 for New Lebanon/Austerlitz, Route 22 (last NY exit before the Mass. Pike begins). Drive south 5 miles, past the intersection of Route 203, to the site on the left.
From points north, take Interstate 87 (Adirondack Northway) South to the NY State Thruway and then follow directions for East/West listed above.
BATTLE OF AUSTERLITZ 2009
Old Austerlitz village
Austerlitz, NY
14th - 16th August 2009
Founded in the 1750's, the town of Austerlitz, NY has a rich history. Particularly interesting, was the naming of the town.
In fact the town was named Austerlitz by Martin Van Buren, the 8th President of the United-States. The town was named in honour of Napoleon’s greatest victory.
Van Buren, was a New York State Senator when in 1818, the bill erecting the town passed before the Legislature. He was known as an ardent admirer of the great Napoleon and was somewhat incensed at one of his political opponents, Elisha Williams, who had succeeded in having a town in Seneca County christened Waterloo.
Van Buren at that time leaped to his feet and moved to amend the bill by calling the town "Austerlitz." Having carried his point, he retired to his seat, saying "There's an Austerlitz for your Waterloo!"
The Austerlitz Historic Society, organized in 1988, celebrates the heritage of the Town and has as its goal making this heritage known and appreciated through the collection and preservation of documents, artefacts, and buildings.
Historic buildings on the beautiful 15-acre site on Route 22 and Harvey Mountain Road enable the society to educate visitors through house tours, exhibits, and demonstrations.
This event is open to any and all Napoleonic re-enactors. The location’s 15 acre grounds are quite well adapted to our needs, particularly those of the cavalry.
This will be a week-end event (Friday night thru Sunday).
Old Austerlitz village is giving us a good bivouac site, firewood, hay, access to their washroom facilities, and is providing us with plenty of room to drill, march, fight and sing. Battle re-enactments will take place on Saturday afternoon and Sunday morning.
Please come out and join us. The success of this event will help us establish a long-lasting partnership with this location for future events in the years to come.
Hope to see you there!
For more Information regarding this event, please contact:
For all Infantry
Caporal Erik Gram
(dit Berbila)
Voltigeur, 2me bataillon
3me Régiment d’infanterie de ligne
1482 Bernier,
Saint-Jean-sur-Richelieu,
Québec
J2W 1G1
1-450-348-1352
For all Cavalry
Soldat Victor Eiser
(dit La Cuillière)
Grenadier, 2me bataillon
1er Régiment de grenadiers à pied de la Garde Impériale