Summary

Medal Bataille de Lutzen 'Battle of Lutzen', Issued by France, 1813
Artist: Alexis J. Depaulis and Nicholas Guy Antoine Brenet
Minted by Paris Mint

Obverse Description

Bust in military uniform, head bare, facing right; above, a laurel wreath; around, NAPOLEON EMP. ET ROI.; below in small lettering, DENON D. / DEPAULIS F.

Reverse Description

A Cossack, holding a spear, and a Prussian cavalry officer, holding a sword, in rapid flight on horseback to right, looking back; in the background, an army advancing right towards a church, a cannon at their front being fired, cannon balls lie scattered on the ground in the front; on exergue line at left, BRENET; in exergue, BATAILLE DE LUTZEN / II. MAI MDCCCXIII

Edge Description

Plain

Significance

The medal is thought to depict the key part of the battle for the town of Kara, it's church is shown on the lower right of the reverse. "The French Emperor now waited the moment when these last positions should be carried, to put in motion all his army in that direction, make it pivot on Leipsig, pass to the right bank of the Elster, and take the allies a revers; but at ten o'clock, the allies debouched towards Kara, upon several columns extremely deep; their numbers appeared immense.

The battle now became brisk. The allies, who appeared certain of success, marched to reach the right of the French, and gain the road of Weissenfels; but in this they were disappointed, and the field of battle was soon covered with the best of the enemy's cavalry. The great efforts of infantry, cavalry, and artillery, were directed against the centre. The village of Kara was taken and retaken several times. The battle embraced a line of two leagues, covered with fire, smoke, and a cloud of dust .... The duke of Treviso obtained possession of the village of Kara, overthrew the allies, and continued to advance, beating the charge. The cavalry, infantry, and artillery of the allies now retreated on all sides, and were pursued by the French for near a league and a half, and soon arrived at the heights which had been occupied by the Emperor Alexander, the King of Prussia, and the family of Brandenburgh, during the battle, and made several thousand prisoners. " Laskey p.219-220

More Information