Forgotten stories whispered by the wind surround the Apelstein 49 Obelisk. This obelisk stands as a silent witness to a pivotal moment in European history. Let’s delve into the history of Apelstein 49. It is a memorial stone that marks a position of the Coalition armies in the Battle of Leipzig.
Apelstein 49 is one of a series of 50 stones. They were commissioned by Guido Theodor Apel. He lived from 1811 to 1867. Apel designed these stones to mark the spots of armies during the Battle of Leipzig. The battle raged from October 16 to 19 in 1813.
Each Apelstein bears an inscription. It shows a number. This number identifies the stone within the series. The inscription also includes the name of the army and its commander. It states the number of soldiers. The inscription mentions the name and date of the battle.
Apelstein 49 specifically commemorates the IV. Kavalleriecorps. This was Kellermann’s 3,000-strong cavalry unit. The stone also references the Battle of Wachau. It took place on October 16, 1813.
The Battle of Leipzig is also known as the Battle of the Nations. It pitted Napoleon Bonaparte’s French army against a coalition. This coalition included armies from Russia, Prussia, Austria, and Sweden. It was a decisive victory for the coalition.
Nearly 600,000 soldiers fought in this battle. It was the largest in Europe before World War I. The Battle of Leipzig was also one of the bloodiest battles of the Napoleonic Wars. The French suffered 45,000 killed or wounded. They also had 36,000 captured. The coalition lost 54,000 men.
The sheer number of casualties overwhelmed the ability to care for the dead and wounded. This led to outbreaks of typhus and cholera in Leipzig. These diseases spread rapidly through Germany and Europe.
The Apelsteine stones feature distinct designs. These designs indicate the sides of the conflict. Stones with odd numbers and a letter N marked French troop locations. They also have a rounded top. Even-numbered stones display a V. They signify Allied positions. They feature a pointed top.
The tradition of erecting Apelsteine was revived later. Leipzig associations added stones numbered 45 to 48 between 1901 and 1994. In 2000, the association Historisches Torhaus zu Markkleeberg 1813 erected stone number 50. This was near the Museum Torhaus Markkleeberg. In 2003, they added Apelstein 49. It stands at the Markkleeberg-Ost cemetery on Dösener Straße.
Other Apelsteine are located throughout the Markkleeberg area. These stones commemorate various commanders and units involved in the battle. They serve as lasting reminders of the Battle of Leipzig.
Consider the impact of this battle as you stand before Apelstein 49. It shaped the course of European history. The stone also serves as a testament to those who fought here. It also highlights the importance of remembering the past.