A Tournament Of Shadows: Pestilence That Walketh In Darkness

Last updated on: September 19, 2024 at 6:59 am By Shawn F. Higgins

A Tournament Of Shadows: XXIII. Pestilence That Walketh In Darkness Tsar Alexander Pavlovich stared out from the palace window in St. Petersburg, contemplating his next move. He listened as best he could to the counsel of his childhood friend, Prince Alexander Golitsyn.[1] Indeed, even Alexander Pavlovich, in the early days of Napoleon’s invasion, had plunged deep into “superstitious mysticism.”[2] The staggering losses at Borodino, however, weighed heavy on the Tsar’s mind, and with his spirit nearly broken, he almost... Read more

A Tournament Of Shadows: A Sinister Rolling Of Thunder

Last updated on: September 19, 2024 at 6:20 am By Shawn F. Higgins

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A Tournament Of Shadows: XXII. A Sinister Rolling Of Thunder In 1812 rumors began to circulate about an upcoming political storm. The incessant movement of troops, gossip, the barely concealed tension between Poles, and various other events, clearly foreshadowed a coming storm. The administration of the Oginsky Canal as well as the headquarters of the Second Army, both being under the jurisdiction of General Falconi, were subsequently transferred to Slonim.[1] Baron Löwenstern, foreseeing a long conflict in case the... Read more

A Tournament Of Shadows: The Corsican Antichrist

Last updated on: February 1, 2025 at 3:49 pm By Shawn F. Higgins

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A Tournament Of Shadows: XXI. The Corsican Antichrist The huge, striking, double-tailed comet was first seen in France on March 26, 1811, and would continue to be seen for seventeen months.[1] Adams, an advocate for astronomy in America, took a keen interest in its movements in the heavens.[2] As for his diplomatic service, Adams found Russia a warm ally. The courteous manners of Alexander Pavlovich, his desire to conciliate the United States, and the personal conferences to which he... Read more

A Tournament Of Shadows: “Let Our Destinies Be Accomplished”

Last updated on: September 18, 2024 at 9:13 am By Shawn F. Higgins

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A Tournament Of Shadows: XX. Let Our Destinies Be Accomplished Bernadotte had not been at home long when the ministry appointed him to defend Antwerp against the English (who had landed at Walcheren.) He did this successfully, but when Napoleon heard of the appointment, he sent Bessières to supersede him. Napoleon and Bernadotte soon reconciled. Bernadotte would even be made Governor of Rome, but he declined when he received some surprising news in the summer of 1810.[1] Of all... Read more

A Tournament Of Shadows: White Russia

Last updated on: September 18, 2024 at 8:59 am By Shawn F. Higgins

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A Tournament Of Shadows: XIX. White Russia Andrei Mikhailovich still resided in Telekhany with his father and still worked on the Oginsky Canal. The family was doing well; Pavel Mikhailovich (Andrei Mikhailovich’s brother) was now the right hand of Lieutenant Baron Karl Fedorovich Löwenstern, the chief of the artillery of the Second Army.[1] In this regard, Baron Löwenstern was on friendly terms with the Fadeev family. The army, as well as the Oginsky Canal, were both under the jurisdiction... Read more

A Tournament Of Shadows: Assimilating And Organism

Last updated on: September 14, 2024 at 9:09 pm By Shawn F. Higgins

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A Tournament Of Shadows: XVIII. Assimilating And Organism Alexander Pavlovich was sitting alone at the Imperial Palace on November 5, 1809, when de Maisonneuve announced the arrival of the new American Minister at the entrance of his cabinet. When John Quincy Adams entered the room, Alexander Pavlovich rose and approached the American at the entryway. Born in Braintree, Massachusetts, in 1767, the son of former President, John Adams was no stranger to Russia, nor to the art of diplomacy. When he was... Read more

A Tournament Of Shadows: “No Time To Weep”

Last updated on: September 14, 2024 at 4:13 pm By Shawn F. Higgins

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A Tournament Of Shadows: XVII. “No Time To Weep” The evening of July 4, 1809, had closed dark and gloomy. Undaunted by the war of the elements, Napoleon, entrenched on the island of Lobau, put his army in motion and attacked the Austrians simultaneously at all points. The Austrians were taken by surprise, but they promptly responded. The French poured across the Danube all night long. The following morning the storm had passed, and there was not a cloud... Read more

A Tournament Of Shadows: “Ideologists Destroy All Illusions”

Last updated on: October 6, 2024 at 1:49 pm By Shawn F. Higgins

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A Tournament Of Shadows: XVI. “Ideologists Destroy All Illusions” Two or three days elapsed before the Emperor and the Tsar saw each other (except at parade, at dinner time, the play, etc.) Every evening Talleyrand went to the abode of the Princess of Tours, where Alexander Pavlovich was also a regular guest. The Tsar seemed preoccupied, so Talleyrand did his best to make the conversation as light as possible. One day, however, as he was looking over Mithridate (which... Read more

A Tournament Of Shadows: He Ends With Steps Of Thunder Sound

Last updated on: September 12, 2024 at 9:23 am By Shawn F. Higgins

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A Tournament Of Shadows: XV. He Ends With Steps Of Thunder Sound Only after the Tsar and Emperor had settled the preliminaries was the humbled King of Prussia admitted to their company. It was with a sad countenance that he learned that the borders of his kingdom had been reduced to Old Prussia, Pomerania, Brandenburg, and Silesia. Napoleon, moreover, insisted that it should be registered in the treaty that he made these concessions solely out of consideration for the... Read more

A Tournament Of Shadows: A Raft On The Neman

Last updated on: September 11, 2024 at 8:06 am By Shawn F. Higgins

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A Tournament Of Shadows: XIV. A Raft On The Neman On March 9, 1807, General Bertrand was sent again with a flag of truce to General Levin August von Benningsen at the Russian outposts. It was refused. Benningsen, who had one distinction at the recent Battle of Eylau, would not undertake any further operation until the arrival of Tsar Alexander Pavlovich. He expected, with confidence, either a junction with Austria or peace. It was not then known that Russian... Read more