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Hi, all: I'm looking for sources discussing looting by Russian troops in Italy during the Napoleonic Wars, particularly the 1799 campaigns. I've consulted several English, Italian, and French sources which discuss the campaigns generally; they mention looting, but provide few details. Some of these sources suggest that Russian looting was no worse than that of other armies, but how bad were other armies? These texts indicate that British troops looted during the Peninsular War. True? Moreover, there's the claim that French forces traveled quickly, with small supply trains, because they lived off the land. Was "living off the land" a truly commercial practice or a euphemism for looting? (I realize that the French plundered art objects and valuables from Italy, but I'm interested here in more mundane looting [food, portable property] by soldiers, rather than by politicians or officials). Finally, a broader question: I've come across comments that indicate it common practice to allow troops, after a victorious battle, three days of looting to compensate for their poor pay and food. True? Any "rules" as to what might or might not be looted (churches?)? Rules about treatment of civilians? At times, troops could be punished for looting, so who set the rules for what was permissible when? I realize this presents a swirl of questions, but any leads on specific information about this, as well as more general information about 18th- and early-19th-century looting by soldiers, would be greatly appreciated. Feel free to respond off-list if that seems best. Cheers! -- Arnold -- ------------------------------------ Arnold Anthony Schmidt, Ph.D. Professor of English California State University http://www.csustan.edu/ENGLISH/schmidt/schmidt.htm
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