Researchers from the Institut Pasteur and Aix‑Marseille University have sequenced DNA from 13 soldiers who died during Napoleon Bonaparte’s ill-fated 1812 Russian campaign, uncovering direct evidence of two lethal infections: Paratyphoid fever and Relapsing fever.

 

 

 

 

They identified traces of Salmonella enterica Paratyphi C in four individuals, and Borrelia recurrentis, which causes relapsing fever, in two others. These pathogens match historical descriptions of burning fevers, exhaustion and digestive distress that ravaged the army enduring starvation, bitter cold and lice infestations. Though the sample is small compared with the thousands of fallen soldiers, this marks the first genetic confirmation of these infections in Napoleon’s troops.

 

 

 

 

The study highlights how infectious disease—in concert with weather, supply failures and combat losses—likely played a major role in the catastrophic collapse of the campaign. By applying next-generation sequencing techniques to century-old remains, the researchers also offer a fresh window into how pathogens circulated and evolved in historical populations, shedding light on both military history and infectious-disease evolution. 

 

Key Takeaways:

 

Ancient DNA from 1812 soldiers confirms presence of paratyphoid fever and relapsing fever in Napoleon’s Russian campaign.

 

These infections, combined with cold, hunger and poor sanitation, likely worsened the army’s massive losses.

 

The study demonstrates how genomic archaeology can link historical events with microbial evolution, offering insights for both history and disease research.

 

 

Adapted From:

https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2025/10/251026021727.htm

Waiting for someone to state they got the diseases from vaccines...

1 minute ago, Purdey said:

Waiting for someone to state they got the diseases from vaccines...

Your comment is unforgiveable. I was planning to use a lot more words to make the same but less well. 

I was planning to congratulate the member who posted this fascinating story but it turns out they are a moderator. Because I don't want to be accused of sucking up, I didn't. Or did I just do that anyway?

8 minutes ago, Bacon1 said:

The study highlights how infectious disease—in concert with weather, supply failures and combat losses—likely played a major role in the catastrophic collapse of the campaign

You forget to mention the sacrifice of Moscow. Which we ought to remember, as it shows how far Russian fanatics are prepared to go to defend the Holy Russia. Next time, soon, they'll just vitrify her.

2 minutes ago, Alan Zweibel said:

Your comment is unforgiveable. I was planning to use a lot more words to make the same but less well. 

I was planning to congratulate the member who posted this fascinating story but it turns out they are a moderator. Because I don't want to be accused of sucking up, I didn't. Or did I just do that anyway?

 

Go ahead.

 

Mods like being appreciated 👍 

2 minutes ago, Peter Crow said:

You forget to mention the sacrifice of Moscow. Which we ought to remember, as it shows how far Russian fanatics are prepared to go to defend the Holy Russia. Next time, soon, they'll just vitrify her.

 

Why not start a thread, I'm sure many members would appreciate it.

 

1 minute ago, Bacon1 said:

 

Go ahead.

 

Mods like being appreciated 👍 

I'm trying but I've got a resentment problem with authority figures.

15 minutes ago, Purdey said:

Waiting for someone to state they got the diseases from vaccines...

Or got the diseases because they didn't get a Bill Gates vaccine.  We should refer this to Johnny. 😉

Interesting study.

Occasionally this forum does throw up some gems!

 

That said, disease and death from disease were common in all armies at that time, equipment, feeding and medical, in fact all logistical services were hopelessly inadaquate. Communications and transport infrastructure was virtually non existant, and the practise of forraging just didn't work in the Russian winter. All armies did it to some extent but in the Napoleonic French Army " living off the land" was policy. The huge, underdeveloped, often uncultivated frozen wastes of Russia doomed them. Malnutrition and exposure bred disease.

10 minutes ago, Bacon1 said:

 

Why not start a thread, I'm sure many members would appreciate it.

 

I thought the topic was interesting, and worth contributing by adding something that was essential to the outcome of the campaign of Russia.

 

If a was to start a new topic, I'd start on Bonaparte's amazing feat in building a large army  in less than 100 days after leaving detention. Not enough to match Arthur Wellesley though.

 

Interesting times..

32 minutes ago, Peter Crow said:

I thought the topic was interesting, and worth contributing by adding something that was essential to the outcome of the campaign of Russia.

 

If a was to start a new topic, I'd start on Bonaparte's amazing feat in building a large army  in less than 100 days after leaving detention. Not enough to match Arthur Wellesley though.

 

Interesting times..

 

Thread started:

 

https://aseannow.com/topic/1377229-napoleon’s-return-from-elba-the-start-of-the-hundred-days/#elShareItem_449971965_menu