Eylau 1807

In 1807, at the battle of Eylau, Davout's corps joined the action late, smashing into the Russian flank after a tiring forced march. The Russians threw a mass of cavalry against the 30ème, who were outside the village of Serpallen. I suspect that the wind and blizzards must have made musketry difficult. Every description of the battle I have read places the emphasis on cavalry and artillery, with musketry rarely mentioned.

In these adverse conditions, and under heavy attack, when the eaglebearer fell wounded, the regiment started to waver. Fourrier (Quartermaster sergeant) Morin seized the Eagle, and to encourage the regiment, threw himself upon the Russians. This steadied the men's nerves, but Morin was surrounded by sabre wielding Russian horsemen and became involved in a fierce struggle. Covered with numerous sabre wounds, he fell to the ground, pushing the precious Eagle into the snow under his body until the rest of the 30ème forced the Russians to retreat. Before fainting through loss of blood, Morin was able to show his comrades how he had hidden the Eagle.

This episode shows the elan of the 30ème, in that they were even prepared to attack cavalry in order to save their Eagle, on one of the most trying battlefields of the Napoleonic Wars.

The story does, in fact have a happy ending; Morin recovered from his wounds, was promoted to Sergeant Major, awarded the Legion D'Honneur on 14th April 1807 and survived the rest of the Napoleonic Wars to finish up with the rank of Captain.