BALTIC1812 REENACTOR

Period of 1809 in Golling/Sbg and the fight for the Pass Lueg.
4th to 6th September 2009

Golling 2009 – Experience world history live

In 2009 a part of this history will be brought to life again. In Golling and the Lueg pass (both of these
names are inseparable from the last great successful fi ght of the revolt) the beginning 19th century will
be brought to life with market stalls, craftsmen and other examples of everyday life.
Baverian and French troops will be driven from the Lueg pass by the peasants’ army and the regular
Austrian k.k. soldiers.
More than 800 actors – revolting peasants, infantry, grenadiers, artillery and about 25 cavalry, all in
authentic uniforms, will re-enact the battle. Napoleons’ „Grande Armee“ and also the troops of the
„k.k Armee“ all have historical weapons and equipment.

Historical background

The spirit of the population of Salzburg before the 1809 uprising is even more diffi cult to understand
and explain than that of the people of Tirol although the destinies of both regions are closely connected.
The tiroleans had a close but seldom friendly, contact to the Bayerns that reached back over hundreds
of years coupled with a bond to the house of Habsburg, (the Austrian royal family).
Salzburg, on the other hand, open-minded for modern thinking and new cultural developments was at
the forefront of german-speaking countries. F.e., they enjoyed a freedom of press that was unprecedented
in the southern german regions.
After the treaty of Campo Formio on 17th October 1797 the Archbishopric of Salzburg came into Austrian
hands – changed against the region of Lombardei. A more than 1,000 year independence was
now at an end. It is said that Salzburg fought without any alliances with neighbouring dynasties in the
Napoleonic wars, and were completely independent. However, the military in Vienna, were very interested
in the country on a strategic level.
The resistance of the Salzburg population was encouraged by the tiroler, Andre Hofer. The owner of a
farm called “Sandhof” believed himself to be the stronghold commander and saw it his duty to secure
the north, east and south borders of the ‘castle’ that Mother Nature had built.

Into all this marched the French and Bavarian soldiers on the 30th October 1805. The Pressburg Treaty
gave Tirol to Bayern and Salzburg to the Austrians. The once independent principality was now just an
Austrian province with a parliamentary president at the head.
It is now 1809 and Austria fi nds itself in the fi fth coalition war.
Napoleons’ efforts to defeat the colonial powers, above all England, had brought the Corse to Spain
and Portugal. Austria was encouraged to take up arms against France again- as the head of the Germans.
Due to the success of the Spanish guerilla army in keeping Napoleon and his main army busy in
Spain.
It was decided to attack in three different places before Napoleon could get his army out of Spain. The
main army would be led by Archduke Carl in Germany and two smaller groups would be led by Archduke
Johann in Italy and Archduke Ferdinand d’Este in Poland (the earlier duchy of Warsaw).
Field marshal Lieutenant Marquis Johann Gabriel von Chasteler and a body of troops should support the
Tiroleans in their patriotic revolt, and see that Salzburg joined in.

Military reforms in 1805 had strengthened Austria, especially the creation of a militia (Landwehr). The
anti-Napoleon fi ght sparked off repercussions in North Germany and started many national uprisings.
The declaration of war on France 09.04.1809 was made hoping that the Prussians would immediately
offer help. This did not happen, confi rming Archduke Carls’ own opinion, who held the declaration
of war as too early. On one side, the complete reform of the k.k. military was not ended, on the other
side he declared Germanys support as an Illusion „Don’t rely on the Germans!“ and he sadly kept right.
Austria received only a little help from the British, and Russia (former allies from 1805) even declared
war on Austria 05.05.09!
In March 1809, Napoleon realised that a war with Austria couldn’t be avoided. Reinforcements were
sent to Southern Germany.
On 10.04.1809 Archduke Carl led the main power out of Bohemia and on to Bayern. However, they
were slow and Napoleon was able to unite his separated French and Rheinbund troops. The Austrians
were engaged in many battles between the 20.04.1809 (south of Regensburg e.g. Battle of Abensberg)
and the 22.04.1809. On this day they were fi nally defeated in Eggmьhl. The strategical initiative was
grabbed by the French and Vienna was occupied without a fi ght on 13.05.1809.
This was followed by Archduke Carls’ brilliant triumph in Aspern, which was unfortunately followed by
his defeat in Wagram.

FML Chasteler marched through Villach and into Tirol in the middle of March. At the same time Archduke
Carl ordered about 10,000 men in Pinzgau (Salzburg region) to join up with Chasteler.
During April and May the shorthanded k.k. troops, together with the Salzburger and Tirolean peasants,
enjoyed one success after another.
The military organisation of the Salzburgers and the Tiroleans were very similar. Altogether there were
23 rifl e and militia(landsturm)companies from Salzburg. Although the free Tirolean rifl eman were seen
by the military organisation as having the same rank as the sharpshooter companies, it often happened
that the enemy treated them as franctireurs and hung them on the spot if captured.
A „character study“ of the militia groups of 1809 appeared in Nьrnberg in 1810: ...“The militia (lLndsturm)
were dressed in uniforms. The jacket was grey, lined with green; the Tiroler hat, wide, round,
dark green with a light green band tucked with a few bird feathers; neck, breast and knees were naked.
The offi cers only wore a golden sword band to show their rank. The weapons of these unschooled
and unpractised soldiers were a colourful array. Old tool sheds were emptied to fi nd them weapons.
Matchlock rifl es were cleaned up for service. Where there were not enough, maces, halberds polearms,
pikes and other similar old fashioned weapons, even sickles were used. The best shooters of chamois
and other hunters brought their own drawn-barrel-guns“....

It can be seen at best how dangerous the French Emperor thought this uprising to be through the three
quality men he put in charge of his divisions. Commander-in-chief was the French marshal Lefebvre. The
two highest generals were from Bayern, Erasmus von Deroy and Karl Philipp von Wrede.
Napoleons orders were clear and unmistakable even though they were contradictory to the rules of war
at that time, „Charity and mercy are not for them“, no evidence of an uprising remain, it should be a
„reminder of revenge for these mountain people.“ Lefebvre had the right to do whatever was
necessary, as Napoleon said, „ils ont autorisй les massacres“. He even put a high bounty on
FML Chastelers’ head.
The military circles in Vienna were also convinced of the strategical importance of the Salzburg mountains.
This was proved to be correct by the battles fought on the Lueg pass. These battles have become
a glorious chapter in the history of Austria and those who defended him.
The orders were to block the ways to Styria, Carinthia, the Salzburg mountains and Tirol. Napoleon
had categorically said to Lefebvre, however, that the Lueg pass must be held open. He wanted to send
40,000 French and Bavarian troops into Tirol as soon as soldiers were available in Austria.
Already on the 1st May 1809 fi ghting had begun on the Lueg pass. The Austrians held the upper hand
against the half-hearted attacks of the Bavarians.

The Austrians sent a company forwards to Golling to get enough provisions to hold the pass for at least
8 days. While they were loading up the wagons the advance guard from the French and Bayerns arrived.
There followed a half an hour skirmish before the Austrians had to retreat due to the arrival of more
infantry. However, on the Lammer bridge, the Austrians managed to provide so much resistance that
the supply wagons were safely delivered to the pass.
After many small battles during May and June 1809, Andre Hofer gave the order to attack at last. The
appearance of the determined and well-known Father Haspinger got the ball rolling. Everything was
about „forwards against the Lueg“ and pushing out the enemy. 1,000 men were gathered together in
next few days. 1st company was given to Joseph Struber from Werfen and the 2nd to Peter Sieberer.
In diffi cult conditions Haspinger tried to bring the landlord Struber, Sieberer and their men into the best
possible positions. On 25th September Father Haspinger very early read Mass in Werfen and gave
absolution. At 6 o’clock he gave the order to march. What followed was a terrible massacre with heroic
fi ghting from the Pongauer companies. The Bayerns were attacked from along the Salzach river, and
from overhead from the Tennen- and Hagen mountains. At the same time the fl anks in Lammertal were
secured by rifl emen of Ennspongau.

The enemy were pushed back and had no time to remove the bridge over the so-called „alten Klause“.
Very quickly, however, Captain Fuchs gathered his bayerish troops together and with reinforcements
who were already waiting south of Golling he reattacked.
Three times the Bayerns tried to take Brunneck chapel where the most important Pongauer forces were
and three times they were pushed back. At 2pm, under heavy loss, they managed it at last. The two
Pongauer captains Seidl and Ramischek lost their lives.
At about 5pm Peter Sieberer came out of the Bluntautal and opened fi re on the Bayerish right fl ank. At
the same time Haspinger stormed forward. The Bavarians had to leave the little church and retriet back
to Golling, crossing the Lammer-bridge. Setting this bridge under fi re, it was impossible for the Austrians
to follow them. At the night of the 27th September, the Bavarians retrieted back in the direction of
Hallein and Salzburg.
Even on the 27th September, Haspinger stormed into the fl at Salzach valley and met resistance
in Kuchl.
On 29th September he had control of Hallein after a skirmish at Georgenberg.
When Napoleon heard of this he said angrily, „I am disappointed with the Bavarian troops, tell me if the
Bavarians want my esteem or my contempt.“

Struber, who beat 6,000 French and Bayern troops with just 400, was immediately a people’s hero and
was awarded the rank of Major by Andre Hofer one day after the Lueg pass victory.
The storming of the Lueg pass is a model example for the adept use of strong fl anking platoons on
diffi cult to negotiate high mountain paths, by blocking the enemy with their own main forces.
A huge thank you from the rest of the country remained allusive. In 1817 Struber became an honorary
medal but the earlier decrees never happened and a promised diploma was later refused. In 1833 he
was allowed a small pension. (Alms).
Struber lived until 1845, esteemed by his neighbours. The erection of a statue was prevented by the
emperors’ offi cials for decades.
On 22nd February 1898 the „Wiener Zeitung“ was at last allowed to print in the late edition, a quote
from a Salzburg newspaper: ...“The k.k. ministry for Culture and education has decided, in the circumstances
that the Joseph Struber society has sent a sketch for the Joseph Struber memorial (..) that is
more or less acceptable, for the erection of the memorial (..) subvention of fi ve hundred gulden“....

The Presentation:
The battle and camp areas are found directly beside the Lammer river on whose opposite side is the long
meadow which leads directly to the Lueg pass.
In the right of the picture underneath is a small hill surrounded by trees. In front of this the k.k. troops,
supported by the Salzburger militia and peasants, will try and storm the French/Bavarian stronghold and
push them north.
An important part of this presentation will be taken over by the Austrian Jдgerkompanie who will be on
the other side of the river and will start the battle by crossing the river.
There will be a confrontation between plundering French and the rescuing Austrians direct in the Markt
Golling. We also wish to re-enact the historical episode of the rescued provisions. In between the presentations,
the k.k. and French regiments will demonstrate their exercises, camp life, drill and a parade
of all actors.
Napoleon himself (Mark Schneider) will lead his troops.

The Camp:
In a fi eld right by the Lueg pass there will be a divided camp with Austrian and Bayern/French soldiers.
Here the uniforms can be repaired, the rifl es cleaned, food is cooked, eaten, music is made, soldiers
sleep - actual living history.
As well as this classical camp life we offer information points where the public can collect information
about the soldiers’ equipment, the regiments, the history etc... They can also try out different things.
Music and song are a further highlight of this historical/romantic camp life.

The Battle of Lueg pass 2009 - detailed programme
Friday 04th September 2009:
09 am onwards Setting-up of market
12 am onwards Arrival of actors, reception and registration by the grenadiers of the IR3,
distribution of coupons for food and gunpowder,
directions to campsite and putting up tent
06 pm Offi cers meeting about programme of Friday evening
07.30 - 08 pm March of Austrians and French/Bavarians to the village of Golling, report to the
authorities (Mayor), fi rst skirmish, „plunderings“ by the French, defending by the
Austrians, march back to camp, afterwards camplife, music,
10 pm Meeting and generals dinner in Burg Golling for offi cers.

Saturday 5th September 2009:
07.30 am wake-up, breakfast
09 am Information focus: Infantry, Cavalry, artillery: kit, uniform, exercise, drill, getting the
crowd involved, shooting practise, drill with shooting, presentation of the cavalry
(hitting the target etc...)
12 pm lunch
01.30 pm parade on the battle fi eld, presentation of individual troop sections
02.30 pm Battle (60 to 90 mins) The Salzburg and Tirol traditional groups, who are actively a
part of the battle, are under the command of the k.k army. They will be armed
with threshers, scythes etc.. The few with carabineers (Werndl, Wenzl) are under
the command of the 1st Austrian Jдgerkompanie.
04 pm information to the public, camp life, camp fi re
06 pm dinner
07 pm ceremonial act on Lueg pass with a delegation from the re-enactor. At least one
section from each group is expected with minimum a fl ag, an offi cer and one man.
A shuttle will bring the participants to the Lueg pass and return
09.30 pm fi ring a salute by the artillery on the battlefi eld
10 pm camp life with historical music

Sunday 6th September 2009:
08 am wake-up, breakfast
09.30 am ceremonial act with open air morning worship on battle fi eld
11 am Information focus: Infantry, Cavalry, artillery: kit, uniform, exercise, drill, getting the
crowd involved, shooting practise, drill with shooting, presentation of the cavalry
(hitting the target etc...)
12 pm lunch
01.30 pm parade on the battle fi eld, presentation of individual troop sections
02 pm Battle (60 to 90 mins) The Salzburg and Tirol traditional groups, who are actively a
part of the battle, are under the command of the k.k army. They will be armed
with threshers, scythes etc. The few with carabineers (Werndl, Wenzl) are under
the command of the 1st Austrian Jдgerkompanie.
16.00 Uhr taking down the camp, end of event.

What we offer the re-enactors:
• Play area of 30,000m2 with the impressive background of the Salzburg mountains
• Camp site for actors and horses
• Provisions from the day of arrival for actors (meat and vegetables for self- cooking, water, beer)
and horses (water, hay, oats)
• Fire wood and straw for the sleeping bags
• Gunpowder
• Sanitary facilities inc. Showers