The Hidden Enemies of Napoleon's Army: What DNA Reveals

Napoleon's retreat from Russia in 1812 was a disaster. About 300, 000 soldiers died out of a force of roughly 500, 000. This event marked the start of the end for Napoleon's empire. Scientists recently studied DNA from the teeth of 13 French soldiers buried in a mass grave in Vilnius, Lithuania. They found evidence of two new pathogens: paratyphoid fever and louse-borne relapsing fever. These diseases were not previously known to have affected the army during this retreat. The Vilnius site holds the remains of 2, 000 to 3, 000 soldiers. Many arrived exhausted, starving, and ill. They were quickly buried in mass graves. Scientists already knew about typhus and trench fever in these soldiers. Now, they have discovered two more diseases. Paratyphoid fever is usually spread through food or water. It causes fever, headache, abdominal pain, and sometimes diarrhea or constipation. Louse-borne relapsing fever is spread by body lice. It causes recurring high fever, headache, muscle pain, and weakness. Four of the 13 soldiers tested positive for paratyphoid fever. Two tested positive for relapsing fever. These symptoms match historical accounts of the retreat. A previous study found typhus and trench fever in other soldiers from the same cemetery. The new study did not find these diseases. This shows that multiple infections were circulating among the soldiers. They were already weakened by cold, hunger, and exhaustion. Napoleon's invasion of Russia in 1812 failed. The army faced dwindling supplies, counter-attacks, and the harsh Russian winter. The new findings show that the soldiers suffered from many different diseases. This adds complexity to the story of their plight. The study does not say how widespread these new pathogens were. But it helps explain the medical challenges of the retreat. Ancient DNA analysis is improving. It can provide new insights into historical events. Scientists can now test historical hypotheses directly. They can confirm or complicate old narratives. This helps historians and scientists understand complex crises better.