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THE BATTLE OF BORODINO. SEPTEMBER 7, 1812. SITUATION AT 12.30 p.m.
Panorama by Franz A. Roubaud.

 

 

The Battle of Borodino. September 7, 1812. Situation at 12.30 p.m. Napoleon is making his second attempt to break Russian left flank, anchored at Semenovskoe village.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Map of the Borodino battlefield

French (blue) and Russian (red) forces before the start of the battle. Black cross is marking the place where panorama's viewer is standing (approximately in the center of Semenovskoye Village). Black line corresponds with the left border of the first frame and connects viewer location with the north end of Kniazkovo village. Arrow marks the direction of clockwise viewing from 1st frame to the last (9th).

 

 

FRAME I. Semenovskoye Village

1. After Prince Bagration has been mortally wounded, General D.S. Dokhturov was appointed as Commander of the 2nd Russian Army. He is standing near regimental drum in the foreground.

2. Soldiers of the Moscow and Astrakhan Grenadier Regiments are moving through the village.

3. Regiment officers salute to the General Dokhturov before joining the battle.

4. Behind the village Roubaud painted soldiers of the 3rd, 27th Infantry and 2nd Grenadier Divisions forming battle order under General Konovnicyn. They has been defending Bagration Redoubts and Semenovskoye village all morning.

5. Dragoons of the Kharkov and Chernigov Regiments just arrived on the scene and are dismounting, ready to hold positions on the eastern bank of Semenovskiy stream.

 

FRAME II. Battle for Semenovskiy Ravine

1. Russian Guard artillery battery, deployed along the edge of the Semenovsky Ravine, firing at the advancing French cavalry.

2. Supported by artillery fire, Russian grenadiers are crossing Semenovskiy stream, preparing for the hand-to-hand fighting with French infantry.

3. The Lithuania, Izmaylov and Finland Guard Regiments are standing in squares behind the village, on the Semenovskiy heights. They were holding positions for 6 hours under attacks of French cuirassiers and murderous artillery fire, taking 50% casualties by he end of the battle.

4. Two French Cuirassier Divisions under General Nansuti and General Bruyere’s Light Cavalry Division are trying to break squares of the Russian infantry.

 

FRAME III. Hand-to-Hand Fighting

1. Crossing Semenovsky Ravine, grenadiers engage in hand-to-hand fighting.

2. Their opponents are from French infantry column under General Friant, which has been ordered to cut Russian position in half. (See details of the engagement on the picture below).

3. Two Russian field fortifications (Bagration’s Redoubts) are seen on the right. After 6-hours fighting they have been occupied by the French troops.

4. Divisions of the Davout’s and Ney’s Corps, weakened after the morning fight for the Redoubts, are standing along the edge of the Utitsa Woods.

 

FRAME IV. French Positions

1. Advance of the General Frian infantry is supported by French Guard horse artillery under General Sorbier, deployed for action and suffering from the Russian counter-battery fire.

2. Behind the cannons third of Bagration’s Redoubts, already taken by the French.

 

FRAME V. Westphalian Cuirassiers

1. Davout’s and Ney’s Corps are on standby near Utitsa Woods.

2. On the background is Shevardino redoubt, taken by French Army the day before, visible on top of a hill.

3. The hill is flanked by French Old Imperial and Young Imperial Guards.

4. At the foot of Shevardino hill Napoleon himself stands on his white horse, surrounded by the members of his stuff.

5. Messengers are approaching Napoleon from the different directions. They inform him about unsuccessful attacks against strong Russian resistance, and ask for reinforcements. Battle is already raging for eight hours, but Napoleon still has not succeeded neither on the left flank, nor in the center. Napoleon just received advice to use Old Imperial Guard for breaking Russian resistance, but he refused, saying that he would not spend his last reserve so far from France.

 

FRAME VI. Attack of the Saxon Cuirassiers

Hoping to break through Russian position Napoleon ordered French cavalry to attack the north edge of Semenovskoe Village.

1. In the foreground Westphalian cuirassiers from General H. Lepel’s brigade are moving forward to attack.

2. Commander of the French cavalry Marshal Murat, dressed in his signature custom-made uniform is watching this attack, sitting on the white horse close to the right from the Westphalians.

3. Saxon cuirassiers of the Zastrow Regiment from the 7th heavy Cavalry Division under G. Lorge are crossing the Semenovskiy Ravine, which is slowing attack.

4. Squadrons of the 2nd Reserve Cavalry Corps under Montbrun are assembling for the new attack.

5. French artillery of the 4th Corps under Prince Eugene Beauharnais opens fire on the Russian positions.

 

FRAME VII. Cavalry Fight on the Rye Field

1. The Saxon Guard du Core and Zastrow’s cuirassiers are attacking Russian cavalry. The wounded Russian cuirassier fighting to the death in the midst of the Saxons (see details on the picture below).

2. Russian cuirassier brigade under General N.M. Borozdin rushed in to counterattack.

3. His Imperial Majesty Russian Guard Cuirassier Regiment has already joined the fighting.

4. On the background Kiev and Novorossiysk Dragoon Regiments are attacking Polish uhlans under General Roznecki.

5. In the distance Borodino village with landmark Church of Nativity.

6. Rayevsky’s battery, all-important center of the Russian position is covered by artillery smoke.

 

FRAME VIII. Russian Cavalry Counter-attacks

1. In the foreground His Majesty's Guard Cuirassier Regiment is moving in to attack the Saxons.

2. Cuirassiers are supported by the Akhtyrsk and Astrahan hussars.

3. General N.M. Borozdin and his ADCs are on the flank of cuirassiers.

4. Behind the attacking cuirassiers General M. B. Barclay de Tolly, the 1st Russian Army Commander-in-chief, with officers of his staff.

5. On the background near Gorki village, General M.I.Kutusov, commander of the Russian Army with members of his stuff.

6. On his right 2nd and 3d Cavalry Corps are moving in from position in reserve.

 

FRAME IX. Russian Reserves

360 degree panoramic turn is complete.

1. Again on the foreground are the outskirts of Semenovskoye village, shattered by the French artillery fire.

2. Russian soldiers of Moscow and Astrakhan regiments from the 2nd Grenadier Division under command of Major-General Prince of Mecklenburg are moving past the burning houses.

3. Cavalier Guard and Horse Guard regiments are placed behind the village houses.

4. Carts with wounded are driven to the Russian main field hospital in Kniazkovo village.

5. Mortally wounded Commanding General of the Russian 2nd army, holding left wing, Prince P.I. Bagration, is taken back from his last battlefield.

6. Officers of the Guard regiments give him the farewell salute.

7. On the far left Preobrazhensky and Semenovsky Foot Guard Regiments form Russian reserves, ready to engage enemy.

 

Final storm of Rayevsky's batteryFinal storm of Rayevsky's batteryFinal Storm of the Rayevsky's Battery

oubaud panorama is supported by meticulously detailed material foreground (see 4 examples below).Roubaud panorama is supported by meticulously detailed material foreground (see 4 examples below).oubaud panorama is supported by meticulously detailed material foreground (see 4 examples below).Roubaud panorama is supported by meticulously detailed material foreground (see 4 examples below).Roubaud panorama is supported by meticulously detailed material foreground (see 4 examples below).Working on his majestic Borodino panorama, Roubaud made hundreds preliminary sketches and many full-size paintings, like this "Final storm of Rayevsky's battery", presented below.

Roubaud panorama is supported by meticulously detailed material foreground (see 4 examples below).Roubaud. Final storm of Rayevsky's battery.

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