Consider this: Over 600,000 soldiers clashed near Leipzig. The battle was the largest in Europe before World War I. We stand before Apelstein 22. It marks a crucial moment in that immense conflict.
Apelstein 22 is one of 50 such stones. They commemorate the Battle of Leipzig. This battle is also known as the Battle of the Nations. The stones pinpoint key events. They help us understand the battle’s scope.
Theodor Apel commissioned these stones. He was a writer from Leipzig. A. F. Aster sculpted them. They were erected between 1861 and 1865.
Apelstein 22 specifically honors General Graf Gyulai. He commanded the III. Öster. Corps. His corps included 17,000 men. The inscription reads: “General Graf GYULAI III. Öster. Corps. 17.000 M.”
The reverse side details the battle: “Gefecht bei Lindenau 16. October 1813.” This marks the skirmish near Lindenau on October 16, 1813.
The Battle of Leipzig raged from October 16 to 19, 1813. Napoleon’s French army fought a coalition. The coalition included Russia, Prussia, Austria, and Sweden. It was a decisive victory for the coalition.
The battle was incredibly bloody. The French suffered 45,000 killed or wounded. 36,000 soldiers were captured. The coalition lost 54,000 men.
The aftermath was devastating. So many dead and wounded overwhelmed resources. Typhus and cholera broke out. These diseases spread throughout Germany and Europe.
Apelstein 22 stands as a reminder. It signifies the sacrifices made. It speaks to the scale of the Battle of Leipzig. As you reflect here, remember the impact. Remember the lives lost. Remember the turning point in European history marked by this Apelstein.