Apelstein 5

Amidst the bustling streets of Leipzig, a silent sentinel stands: Apelstein 5. This unassuming stone marker, nestled on Bornaer Straße near the bridge over the S 242, whispers tales of a tumultuous past. Apelstein 5 commemorates the Battle of Wachau, a prelude to the larger Battle of Leipzig. This battle, fought on October 16, 1813, set the stage for the colossal clash of nations that would soon follow. Apelstein 5 specifically marks the position of General Lauriston and the V Corps of Napoleon’s army. Imagine 15,000 men under Lauriston’s command, poised for battle on this very ground. The inscription on the Apelstein clearly states “Graf LAURISTON, V. Corps, 15000 M. Schlacht bei WACHAU, 16. Oktober 1813”. These Apelsteine, 50 in total scattered across Leipzig and its surroundings, were the brainchild of Guido Theodor Apel. Apel, a Leipzig citizen, envisioned these stones as a way to mark the positions of the various armies involved in the Battle of Leipzig. Apelstein 5, like its counterparts, serves as a tangible link to the past, a stark reminder of the scale and intensity of the Napoleonic Wars. The Battle of Wachau, though a smaller engagement compared to the main battle at Leipzig, played a crucial role in the overall campaign. Lauriston’s V Corps, positioned here at Apelstein 5, faced the onslaught of the Coalition forces. The outcome of this battle contributed to the eventual defeat of Napoleon’s forces in the Battle of Leipzig. Standing before Apelstein 5, we are transported back to the chaos and carnage of 1813. We can almost hear the clash of steel, the roar of cannons, and the cries of men. Apelstein 5 is more than just a stone. It is a portal to the past, a silent testament to a pivotal moment in European history.