The Project Gutenberg eBook of The Napoleon Gallery
Title: The Napoleon Gallery
Author: Etienne Achille Réveil
Release date: July 11, 2018 [eBook #57483]
Most recently updated: January 24, 2021
Language: English
Credits: Produced by Brian Coe, Chuck Greif and the Online
Distributed Proofreading Team at http://www.pgdp.net (This
book was produced from images made available by the
HathiTrust Digital Library.)
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Some corrections have been made. The names of places mentioned have been left as spelled in the original. Bounaparte has been corrected to Buonaparte where it appeared in the text. List of Illustrations (etext transcriber's note) |
THE
N a p o l e o n G a l l e r y
OR,
Illustrations of the Life and Times
OF THE
Emperor of France
ENGRAVED BY REVEIL, AND OTHER EMINENT ARTISTS, FROM ALL
THE MOST CELEBRATED PICTURES IN FRANCE
PUBLISHED BY
E S T E S & L A U R I A T
BOSTON
Copyright, 1888.
By Estes & Lauriat.
LIST OF ILLUSTRATIONS.
THE ACTION AT ST. ROCHE’S.
On the 4th of October, 1795, at six o’clock in the morning, Napoleon visited every post, and placed his troops in line. They were few in number, and might easily have been destroyed by the populace.
While everything portended a sanguinary affair, the danger becoming every instant more pressing, the Convention discussed the situation without coming to any decision. Suddenly a column of a few battalions headed by Lafond, an emigrant, appeared on Point Neuf, and obliged Cartaux to fall back under the posterns. At about a quarter past four some rockets were fired from the Hotel de Noailles. This was the signal for the attack. Lafond’s column wheeled round, and marched on the Pont Royal along the Quai Voltaire. This column was routed by the artillery of the Louvre and Pont Royal after rallying three times under the fire. St. Roche was taken, and every other post occupied by the sectionaries, was cleared. At six o’clock, the affray was over; and if a few cannon were heard during the night, they were discharged to destroy the barricades which some of the citizens still wished to maintain.
ENTERING MILAN.
On the 15th of May, 1796, Napoleon made his entry into Milan, amidst the acclamations of the populace; his troops passing under a triumphal arch. From that day the Italians adopted the tri-colored ensign—green, red and white.
Napoleon remained only a few days in Milan, where he received d’Este, natural brother of the Duke of Modena, who came to solicit the protection of the French army. Buonaparte treated with the Duke of Modena as he had done with the Duke of Parma.
In taking the command of the army in Italy, Napoleon, notwithstanding his extreme youth, inspired the soldiers, and even the old officers themselves, with absolute confidence.
The accompanying engraving is copied from a fresco painted by Andrea Appiani, who was commissioned to portray in the vice-regal palace at Milan the pageants of Napoleon. Thirty-five are there painted in oil, after the manner of Grisaille. This subject has been engraved by the best artists of Milan; it is rare and much sought after by amateurs.
“WHAT A LESSON FOR MAN!”
In Italy, after the battle of Bassano, Napoleon, followed by his staff rode over the field. The moon shed her light upon that scene of horror, and the profound silence of the night was disturbed only by the sad cries of the wounded, and the dismal groans of the dying. All at once a dog that had been lying on a dead body, came forward whining, running back and forth, seemingly divided between the desire of avenging the death of his master, and the fear of allowing the body to become cold. Napoleon stopped; his soul was stirred by the faithful friendship of the animal compared to the neglect with which the other victims were treated, and he remained absorbed in profound meditation.
“What a lesson for man!” at last he cried.
The incident was so deeply impressed upon his mind that twenty-five years after, he spoke of it again on the rock of St. Helena.
THE BATTLE OF RIVOLI.
Napoleon arrived at Rivoli about two o’clock in the morning of the 14th of January, 1797, where he was able to observe the line of the enemy’s fires who appeared to be encamped in five divisions, with a view of commencing the attack at different points. Joubert immediately received orders to act on the offensive; and the Fusileers engaged with one of the enemy’s columns, and repulsed it by day-break. Another Austrian column then marched upon the battery at Rivoli; in less than an hour this was defeated and driven back by Massena, when a third came to its aid, and would have thrown itself upon the battery, but the French artillery slaughtered all who came within gun-shot. The cavalry then charged with daring intrepidity, and the enemy were driven to the edge of the precipice, and rolled into the ravine below. Whilst this took place a fourth column arrived at the place to which it had been directed, on the heights of Pipoto, hoping to turn the French flank; but it was too late; it came just in time to see the destruction of the other divisions, and to foresee the fate which awaited itself. Seven thousand prisoners were taken, with twelve pieces of cannon, and a few ensigns. In the course of the day Napoleon was frequently surrounded by the enemy, and had several horses killed under him. In consideration of services performed on this occasion, Massena had the title of Duc de Rivoli conferred upon him.
NAPOLEON AT LONATO.
After Lonato had been taken by the Austrians, and again re-taken by Napoleon, August, 1796, five thousand Austrians deserted; when, learning that there were only 1200 French soldiers at Lonato, they marched toward that place, in the hope of clearing a road to the Nuncio. When near Lonato they sent to demand the surrender of the city. At that moment Napoleon arrived from Castiglione, when he ordered the messenger to be brought before him. “Go, tell your general,” said Napoleon, “that he is in the midst of the French army. I give him eight minutes to surrender; after that he has nothing to hope for!” Harassed and fatigued, not knowing which way to turn, these 5,000 men laid down their arms at his command.
DEFENDING THE REDOUBT OF MONTE LEGINO.
When Napoleon took command of the army of Italy, it was in a state of absolute destitution.
Napoleon arrived at Nice, reviewed the troops, and said, “Soldiers, you are badly equipped; you require many necessaries, but our government is not able to supply them. Your patience and the courage you have shown in the midst of these sterile rocks, are worthy of admiration; but here you gain no glory. I will conduct you into the more fertile plains, rich provinces and great cities shall be in our power, and you will have riches, honor, and glory!”
This proclamation was received with loud acclamations, and the army moved onward.
On the 10th of April, 1796, the central division of the enemy’s forces, commanded by General Argentan, had taken its position before the redoubts of Monte Legino, which were defended by Colonel Rampon. During the night the republican troops completely surrounded Argentan. Rampon, with his regiment, and Laharpe attacked him in front; while Massena and Augereau attacked him in the rear and in the flanks. The rout was complete, and the French made their entry into Piedmont.