Summary

Medal Bataille d'Eylaue 'Battle of Eylau', Issued by France, Prussia,1807
Artist: Bertrand Andrieu and Nicholas Guy Antoine Brenet
Minted by Paris Mint

Obverse Description

Laureate head facing right; around, NAPOLEON EMP. ET ROI.; below in small lettering, ANDRIEU F. / DENON DIRT.

Reverse Description

Napoleon, laureate and naked except for the end of a flag draped over his extended left arm, seated facing right on pile of arms and flags; he holds a sword in his right hand and Victory on a globe in his left; around above, VICTORIAE MANENTI; in exergue, BATAILLE. DE PREUSS EYLAU / VIII . FEVRIER / MDCCCVII.; in small letters above the exergue line, BRENET; behind figure near rim, DENON D

Edge Description

Plain

Significance

"The great and sanguinary battle of Eylau began on the 7th of February, about three in the afternoon, and with a short intermission during the night, continued till midnight on the 8th; during this time, the attacks of the French, under the immediate direction and eye of Napoleon, were incessant and impetuous, and repulsed by the Russians with invincible bravery and courage. The loss of men on both sides must therefore have been exceedingly great. In regard to the final issue of this memorable and sanguinary action, in which both sides claimed the victory, nothing can be more discordant and flatly contradictory than the Russian official accounts, and the French bulletins, which shew that neither have a claim to implicit credit. Subsequent circumstances tend to shew that the action, however sanguinary, was indecisive, and that neither party could boast of any great advantage. At midnight, when the carnage ceased, the Russians remained masters of the field of battle; but in the morning, they began to retreat, and left the French to take possession of Eylau" Laskey, p. 136-137

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