Jakob Walter's diary provided an insight into Walter's sense of identity throughout the process of Napoleonic Wars. Pain and misery were a constant challenge to Walter, bringing him a step closer to mental and physical breakdown with each day of the war. However, faith in God and love for his family were important parts of Walter's identity that pushed him to go further.
Of German origin, Walter did not share French glory or Russian patriotism1: he does not portray hatred towards Russians, or affection towards Napoleon. Without enthusiasm the Germans obediently served the Grande Armeé, obligated to do so because of the alliance with France. Even though Walter generally refused to openly comment on the political context of the combat, in the part where he wrote how "[Napoleon's] outward appearance seemed indifferent and unconcerned over the wretchedness of his soldiers "2 is still apparent that he disapproved Napoleon's approach.
The suffering of Napoleonic soldiers was the most influential factor on the worldview of early nineteenth-century Walter. He avoided explaining and interpreting Napoleonic Wars, but rather presented the impact of diverse layers of influence on his experience as a soldier of the Grande Armeé in the most brutal campaign of 1812-18133. Walter described combat as a period when inhumanity of soldiers and commanders began to mount, frequently transforming them into callous brutes. On multiple occasions, Walter portrayed how the soldiers were running wild at that time4, meaning that the brutality of the combat triggered violence and vandalism in each soldier. The combat also affected Walter, making him cruel and indifferent to the scene around him. Therefore, the impact of the war on every soldier was terrifyingly astonishing, in a way that the misery and pain of the combat brought out the worst in all of the soldiers, even Walter.
Misery and pain of each combat influenced Walter to strengthen sense of himself, which he did not think about much at the beginning of Napoleonic Wars.
