How The Redoubt Was Taken 1896

"How The Redoubt Was Taken" by Prosper Mérimée is a historical account written in the late 19th century. The book recounts a soldier's first experience in battle during a military engagement, focusing on the fearless nature of warfare and the emotional turmoil faced by soldiers. It serves as a vivid portrayal of the chaos of battle and the psychological challenges of combat. The narrative follows a young French soldier who joins his regiment just before an assault on the Russian-held redoubt of Cheverino. As he prepares for battle, he struggles with feelings of isolation and fear about the possible injuries he might face. A tall and imposing captain becomes his commander, and after a brief encounter filled with dark humor and superstition, the battle begins. In the chaos, the narrator witnesses the horrendous aftermath of the melee, including the fall of his captain. Ultimately, he finds himself unexpectedly promoted and leading the charge, contributing to his regiment's eventual victory over the Russians. The experience encapsulates the brutality of war and the fleeting nature of life amid military glory. (This is an automatically generated summary.)

Prosper Mérimée was a French writer in the movement of Romanticism, one of the pioneers of the novella, a short novel or long short story. He was also a noted archaeologist and historian, an important figure in the history of architectural preservation. He is best known for his novella Carmen, which became the basis of Bizet's opera Carmen. He learned Russian, a language for which he had great affection, before translating the work of several notable Russian writers, including Pushkin and Gogol, into French. From 1830 until 1860 he was the inspector of French historical monuments, responsible for the protection of many historic sites, including the medieval citadel of Carcassonne and the restoration of the façade of the cathedral of Notre-Dame de Paris. Along with the writer George Sand, he discovered the series of tapestries called The Lady and the Unicorn, arranging for their preservation. He was instrumental in the creation of Musée national du Moyen Âge in Paris, where the tapestries now are displayed. The official database of French monuments, the Base Mérimée, bears his name.