Diary+Entry+3+Peter+Kim

December 14th, 1812

Dear Diary,

Quite a lot of time passed since Napoleon came to his rule. After Napoleon has came to reign, it did solve a lot of problems from the revolution. He was able to restore order and maintain it during his reign. However, there were enemies all around France. Remi, a great friend of mine, and I decided to join the national army of France. We were selected from our village, and were sent to Paris. After a few months of training with multitudes of other soldiers, we were actually sent in to battle! Training camp and actual battles are totally different things. I wasn't really scared of gore and battles because I have always been witnessing them during the revolution. Remi was in the same situation as me too. We easily assimilated into the army, and all the gruesome battles.

Our army triumphantly ravaged several other European nations. We conquered a lot of land and looted treasure. We were full of pride, and thought that every thing could be done under the leadership of Napoleon. I think from that point, things started to go wrong. Napoleon had been in too much pride, due to his pervious successes and victories in numerous battles. Thinking that he would easily conquer Russia, he led us to the Russian territory. He thought his army could slaughter every Russian in the path, and march ruthlessly until they reached the capital.

However, things were different. We weren't used to, or ready for the cold, cruel winter of Russia. Lots of my friends that I got to know during training died from hunger, cold and disease. Also, as the Russian forces fled from us, they destroyed and burnt down all the crops, villages and towns, in order to famish us and freeze us to death. Our soldiers were found dead in the mornings. They have died during their sleep due to the cold. Some soldiers died from hunger. Some soldiers had to cut off their toes, because the toes started to slowly die off. Lots of our troops ran off, trying to escape this freezing hell. After all this hard ships, somehow, we made it to Moscow. We were hoping for the Czar of Russia to give up his battle, and be conquered by the mighty army of France. However, all that was waiting for us at Moscow were burnt down buildings and ashes.

Our food and ammunitions were running low. We couldn't loot anything since the Russians were burning everything as they left. They kept on ambushing on our army from everywhere. Also, the ruthless winter weather was killing everyone. Remi and I had several moments of being on the verge of death, but with extreme fortune, we managed to survive. Hopelessly, we had to retreat. Even on our retreat, the Russians kept on attacking us. Those cruel swine....

When we came back to our territory, escaping Russia, almost everyone was dead or injured. I had to cut of my 4th and 5th left toe, because it started to rot from the cold. It was a devastating memory.