Part 1

# The Napoleon Gallery: or, Illustrations of the life and times of the emperor of France ### By Réveil, Etienne Achille

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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.)

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.

THE

NAPOLEON GALLERY

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

ESTES & LAURIAT

BOSTON

_Copyright, 1888._

BY ESTES & LAURIAT.

LIST OF ILLUSTRATIONS.

I. THE ACTION AT ST. ROCHE’S II. ENTERING MILAN III. “WHAT A LESSON FOR MAN!” IV. THE BATTLE OF RIVOLI V. NAPOLEON AT LONATO VI. DEFENDING THE REDOUBT OF MONTE LEGINO VII. PRELIMINARIES OF THE PEACE OF LEOBEN VIII. CROSSING THE BRIDGE AT ARCOLA IX. THE CISALPINE REPUBLIC X. THE BATTLE OF THE PYRAMIDS XI. THE REVOLT OF CAIRO XII. THE FIGHT AT BENOUTH XIII. THE SPEECH AT THE PYRAMIDS XIV. “ALL WHOM I COMMAND ARE MY CHILDREN” XV. BUONAPARTE PARDONING THE REBELS AT CAIRO XVI. THE PLAGUE OF JAFFA XVII. “YOU ARE THE GREATEST OF MEN!” XVIII. NAPOLEON INSCRIBING HIS NAME ON MOUNT SINAI XIX. NAPOLEON AT MALMAISON XX. THE BATTLE OF MARENGO XXI. THE BATTLE OF ABOUKIR XXII. THE REVIEW BY THE FIRST CONSUL XXIII. BUONAPARTE AT MOUNT ST. BERNARD XXIV. THE DEATH OF DESAIX XXV. THE CORONATION OF NAPOLEON XXVI. THE FIRST CORPS CROSSING THE MAINE XXVII. THE FOURTH CORPS AT DONAWERTH XXVIII. THE EMPEROR’S ARRIVAL AT AUGSBURG XXIX. NAPOLEON CROWNED KING OF ITALY XXX. NAPOLEON CROSSING THE RHINE AT KEHL XXXI. THE FOURTH CORPS ENTERING AUGSBURG XXXII. NAPOLEON ADDRESSES THE ARMY XXXIII. THE SURRENDER OF ULM XXXIV. NAPOLEON RECEIVING THE KEYS OF VIENNA XXXV. THE MORNING OF AUSTERLITZ XXXVI. PRESENTATION OF AUSTRIAN ENSIGNS TO THE FRENCH SENATE XXXVII. THE SEVENTY-SIXTH REGIMENT RECOVERING ITS COLORS XXXVIII. THE NIGHT BEFORE THE BATTLE OF AUSTERLITZ XXXIX. THE BATTLE OF AUSTERLITZ XL. NAPOLEON’S INTERVIEW WITH THE AUSTRIAN EMPEROR XLI. STATUES ON THE COLUMN OF THE GRAND ARMY XLII. THE DUCHESS OF WEIMAR AND NAPOLEON XLIII. NAPOLEON RECEIVING THE DEPUTIES OF THE SENATE XLIV. THE SWORD OF FREDERICK THE GREAT XLV. THE BATTLE OF JENA XLVI. MARSHAL NEY AT ELCHINGEN XLVII. NAPOLEON’S CLEMENCY XLVIII. THE FIELD OF BATTLE AT EYLAU XLIX. THE BATTLE OF FRIEDLAND L. THE SIMPLON PASS LI. BATTLE OF ESSLING LII. NAPOLEON WOUNDED AT RATISBON LIII. THE COMBAT AT SOMO SIERRA LIV. NAPOLEON’S INTERVIEW WITH THE PRUSSIAN QUEEN LV. THE RETREAT FROM MOSCOW LVI. THE DEATH OF THE DUKE OF MONTEBELLO LVII. NAPOLEON AT THE TOMB OF FREDERICK THE GREAT LVIII. THE PEASANT OF THE RHINE LIX. THE REDOUBT OF KABRUNN LX. “IS IT TRUE THAT THINGS ARE GOING SO BADLY?” LXI. THE BATTLE OF MOSCOW LXII. THE SKIRMISH LXIII. “EVERY ONE TO HIS OWN CALLING” LXIV. THE DEATH OF PONIATOWSKI LXV. NAPOLEON AT LUTZEN LXVI. THE BATTLE OF MONTMIRAIL LXVII. NAPOLEON AT MONTEREAU LXVIII. NAPOLEON’S FAREWELL AT FONTAINBLEAU LXIX. THE BATTLE OF HAINAU LXX. NAPOLEON AT ARCIS-SUR-AUBE LXXI. FILIAL ANXIETY OF A CONSCRIPT LXXII. THE TURNPIKE OF CLICHY LXXIII. THE RETURN FROM ELBA LXXIV. NAPOLEON AT CHARLEROI LXXV. NAPOLEON AT WATERLOO LXXVI. NAPOLEON SALUTING WOUNDED FOES LXXVII. NAPOLEON IN 1815 LXXVIII. TAKING THE OATH OF ALLEGIANCE LXXIX. A SOLDIER’S FAREWELL LXXX. A SOLDIER AT WATERLOO LXXXI. A FIELD HOSPITAL LXXXII. ARC DE TRIOMPHE DE L’ETOILE LXXXIII. DEATH-BED OF NAPOLEON LXXXIV. NAPOLEON AS LIEUTENANT-COLONEL LXXXV. THE TRIUMPHAL COLUMN LXXXVI. STATUE OF NAPOLEON BY CHAUDET LXXXVII. APOTHEOSIS LXXXVIII. NAPOLEON, EMPEROR LXXXIX. THE DEATH-MASK OF NAPOLEON XC. THE FUNERAL PROCESSION AT THE ARC DE TRIOMPHE XCI. ESPLANADE OF THE HOTEL DES INVALIDES XCII. THE CATAFALQUE, DÔME DES INVALIDES XCIII. THE FUNERAL CAR XCIV. OPENING THE CASKET XCV. ROYAL COURT OF THE HOTEL DES INVALIDES

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.

[Illustration: THE ACTION AT St. ROCHE’S.]

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.

[Illustration: ENTERING MILAN.]

“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.

[Illustration: WHAT A LESSON FOR MAN.]

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.

[Illustration: THE BATTLE OF RIVOLI.]

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.

[Illustration: NAPOLEON AT LONATO.]

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.

[Illustration: DEFENDING THE REDOUBT OF MONTE LEGINO.]

THE PRELIMINARIES OF THE PEACE OF LEOBEN.

Some hours after receiving despatches from the Directory, Napoleon wrote to the Archduke Charles to make overtures of peace to him; the Archduke immediately answered that he would learn the opinion of his Court, having no power to treat alone.

At last, on the 7th of April, 1797, the head-quarters were fixed at Leoben, when Generals Bellegarde and Merfield presented themselves to demand an armistice of ten days, previous to making a definitive peace. The armistice was signed the same evening, but the French agreed to five days only. The Austrian plenipotentiaries arrived at Leoben on the 13th of April, and the preliminaries were signed on the 18th.

The scene in the picture is in a pavillion of the Bishop’s palace in the midst of a garden. The French general is saying to the Austrian envoys: “If we are not agreed upon that point, I continue my march, and behold the road to victory!”

The picture contains some historical portraits; among others, Lavalette, aide-de-camp to Napoleon, who wrote under the dictation of his general; to the left of Lavalette are Louis Buonaparte and Eugene Beauharnais, leaning his head on the future king of Holland. There are also portraits of Berthier, Massena, Augereau, and Murat, then inseparable associates of Napoleon.

[Illustration: PRELIMINARIES OF THE PEACE OF LEOBEN.]

CROSSING THE BRIDGE OF ARCOLA.

The marsh of Arcola is crossed by three causeways,--each of which was occupied by a French column. Alvinzi, supposing them only a few light troops, contented himself by ordering two small divisions to disperse them; these were checked and nearly routed by the strong columns of infantry to which they unexpectedly found themselves opposed. It was necessary that Arcola, which was defended by two battalions of Croates should be taken, in order to gain the bridge of Villeneuve, which was the only retreat of Alvinzi. The fire continuing unabated, Napoleon, determined on making a last effort, seized an ensign and planted it on the bridge with his own hand. He had advanced his column to the centre of the bridge, when a fresh body of Austrians arrived and commenced a sharp fire on his flank, which compelled those in the rear to retire. The grenadiers at the head of the column, finding themselves abandoned by their comrades, gave way; but not willing to lose their general, bore him in their arms through the midst of the dead and the dying. In the confusion he was precipitated into the marsh, where he lay surrounded by his enemies, and would probably have been taken prisoner had not the grenadiers, perceiving his danger, raised the cry, “Forward--forward--save the general!” At this the troops returned to the charge, and finally drove the Austrians out of the village. Nov. 1796.

[Illustration: CROSSING THE BRIDGE AT ARCOLA.]

THE CISALPINE REPUBLIC.

The independence of the Cisalpine Republic was declared on the 29th of June, 1797. A general federation of the national guards and of the authorities of the new Republic was held in the Lazaretto of Milan. On the 14th of July, thirty thousand of the national guard and deputies from the departments swore fealty to the new Commonwealth.

The Cisalpine Directory named its own ministers, the administrative authorities, and governed the Republic as an independent State. The keys of Milan, and of all the fortified places were duly remitted by the French to the Cisalpine officers, and the army quitted the States of the Republic and were cantoned upon the Venetian territory.

Napoleon, after the treaty of Campo Formio, returned to Milan to complete the organization of this new State, and the administrative measures of its army. He bade adieu to the Italian people in an address, wherein he told them, that they were the first who had ever acquired liberty without a revolution. “_We_ have given liberty to you; know how to keep it. You are, after France, the most populous and the richest republic. Prove yourselves worthy of your destiny, by enacting wise and moderate laws, and by enforcing them with energy.” He told them to be sure that they had a sufficient sense of the dignity which attaches to a free people and promised them the protection of the French nation should they be attacked by neighboring States.

[Illustration: THE CISALPINE REPUBLIC.]

THE BATTLE OF THE PYRAMIDS.

The subject of the accompanying engraving is derived from the account already given of the Battle of the Pyramids, at the moment when Napoleon, pointing to those remains of antiquity, and addressing his soldiers, exclaimed, “_Soldats! du haut de ces pyramides, quarante siècles vous contemplent_.” The results of this battle are well known, the name of Buonaparte, now spread panic through the East; and the Sultan Kebir or King of Fire, as he was called from the deadly effects of the musketry in this engagement was considered as the destined scourge of God, whom it was hopeless to resist.

[Illustration: THE BATTLE OF THE PYRAMIDS.]

THE REVOLT OF CAIRO.

While the French were masters of Cairo, a conspiracy was formed against them which exploded on the 21st of October, 1798. The populace, at the instigation of the Sheiks, had sworn by Mahomet to exterminate the French. At the commencement of the insurrection, General Dupuy was mortally wounded, and several others were killed; when the drums were heard beating to arms, the Turks repaired to the Grand Mosque, where they assembled to the number of about 8,000. Here they were ordered to surrender, but refused, and seemed determined to defend themselves to the last, when Napoleon commanded bombs to be thrown from the citadel; this spread dismay and terror amongst the besieged, which was greatly increased by the French bursting open the doors. In a few moments the carnage became dreadful. The fanaticism of the revolters prevented their perceiving the impossibility of successful resistance to the French, who had been infuriated by seeing Brigadier-General Sulkowski slain by the multitude. Girodet has produced a very animated picture of the scene. The most remarkable group is that where a man completely naked supports a young Turk, richly dressed, who is about to receive his death-wound. Near him is a negro, also naked, aiming to ward off the fatal blow, and holding the head of a young Frenchman. On the left is an Hussar of extraordinary stature, whose weapon seems to threaten death to the unfortunate Turk.

[Illustration: THE REVOLT OF CAIRO.]

THE FIGHT AT BENOUTH.

General Belliard learned that 2000 Mekkains and more than 1000 Arabs, conducted by Hassan, had attacked the flotilla at Benouth, and captured it, notwithstanding an active resistance. Although he had with him only 600 men of the 21st light dragoons, he crossed the Nile, and sought the enemy now strengthened by the arrival of 400 Mamelukes. The fight was long and obstinate. The enemy lost their cannon, and fled in alarm; part to the boats, where the French soldiery, in their fury, soon reached them; more to Benouth, and into the castle, which they had previously fortified. There they defended themselves fiercely, and repulsed several attacks. The order was then given to burn the village and the castle; and its occupants were soon surrounded with flames, which they were unable to extinguish, and which closed up every means of egress; their only chance of escape was to cut their way through the French soldiers, which they attempted as a forlorn hope, when they were repulsed by a body of riflemen, whilst a column rushing upon a breach made in the wall, kept them within the castle, where they all perished.--_March, 1799._

The original of this painting, by M. Langlois, is in the Orleans Gallery, at the Palais Royal.

[Illustration: THE FIGHT AT BENOUTH.]

THE SPEECH AT THE PYRAMIDS.

On the 21st of July the army came within sight of the Pyramids, which, but for their regularity of outline might have been taken for a distant ridge of rocky mountains. While every eye was fixed on these hoary monuments of the past, the troops gained the brow of a gentle eminence, and saw at length spread out before them the vast armies of the Beys, its right, posted on an intrenched camp by the Nile, its centre and left composed of that brilliant cavalry with which they were by this time acquainted. Napoleon, riding forward to reconnoitre, perceived, what escaped the observation of all his staff, that the guns of the entrenched camp were not provided with carriages; and instantly decided on his plan of attack. He prepared to throw his force on the left, where the guns could not be made available. “Soldiers,” said Napoleon, “from the summit of yonder pyramid, forty ages behold you;” and the battle began.

[Illustration: THE SPEECH AT THE PYRAMIDS.]

“ALL WHOM I COMMAND ARE MY CHILDREN.”

We may easily form an idea of the condition of the Egyptians, subject to the oppression of the Mamelukes on the one hand, and the rapacity of the Arabs on the other, when the French entered their territory under Napoleon, announcing themselves as avengers and liberators, as we find by the following occurrence, which has furnished the subject of M. Delorme’s composition.

One day when Buonaparte was surrounded by the grand Sheiks, some one told him that the Arabs of the tribe of Osnadis had entered with an armed band into a village, driven off the herds, and killed an unfortunate fellah, who endeavored to make some resistance. Full of indignation, he ordered 200 dromedaries and 300 horsemen to take the field in pursuit of the guilty party. The Sheiks, surprised at the animated tone in which this command was given, looked at each other, for to them the life of a poor fellah was of no consequence. One of them observed to him that he had better not embroil himself with the Arabs, a people always dangerous, who could retaliate more than the evil he could inflict on them. “Wherefore,” added the Sheik Elmodi, “all this stir? Because they have killed a fellah! Was he then thy cousin?” “More than that!” cried Napoleon with energy, “all whom I command are my children!” And his gesture, more weighty than his words, sufficiently indicated that he took under his protection the unfortunate who came to plead for vengeance. “_Taib!_” cried the astonished Sheik, “thou speakest like a prophet.”--1798.

[Illustration: “ALL WHOM I COMMAND ARE MY CHILDREN.”]

BUONAPARTE PARDONING THE REBELS AT CAIRO.

Buonaparte had great difficulty in subduing the revolts at Cairo, and his work was only effected by an immense sacrifice of human life. He succeeded in forcing the rebels to take refuge in the mosque of Eleazar in the Isle of Ronda, whose approaches they secured with strong barricades. Here Napoleon summoned them to surrender; and by his order the divan, the principal sheiks and doctors of the law presented themselves at the barricades, to induce them if possible to comply with his summons. They were received by a fusilade, when, at a given signal, General Dommartin opened a battery upon the mosque. This battery was kept in constant and fearful play, and produced such consternation and terror among the rebels, that they cried loudly for permission to capitulate: “You refused mercy when I offered it,” replied the General, “the hour of vengeance has arrived; you commenced this tumult, it is for me to finish it.”

Reduced to despair, they attempted a sortie, but were met by the French grenadiers. At length they threw down their arms and surrendered at discretion; imploring mercy, and uttering their cry of distress, _Amman!_

[Illustration: BUONAPARTE PARDONING THE REBELS AT CAIRO.]

THE PLAGUE OF JAFFA.

On the 6th of May, 1799, Buonaparte summoned the commandant of the garrison of Jaffa to surrender, who replied to the demand by very unceremoniously decapitating the messenger who carried the summons. The French commenced the attack on the city, and soon became masters of it; they put the garrison to the sword, and abandoned the city to pillage by the soldiers. This horrible scene lasted for six and thirty hours; and to the disgrace of the French be it said, they massacred their prisoners without mercy.

“This conduct on the part of the French,” says one of their own historians, “conquerors so generous in Egypt, no motive to vengeance could justify, but it became no less calamitous to them than it was to their victims. The plague, that terrible scourge of the East, began its ravages among the French soldiery the very day after the taking of Jaffa.”

The frightful cry, “It is the plague!” spread itself amongst the soldiers, and struck terror into the hearts of the most courageous.

On his return to Jaffa, on the 24th of May, Buonaparte repaired to the hospital, where there were many of the soldiers, some of them wounded, some afflicted with ophthalmia, uttering most pitiable cries. The painter has attempted to convey an idea of this scene, and represents Buonaparte as touching a patient under the blight of the plague.

[Illustration: THE PLAGUE OF JAFFA.]

“YOU ARE THE GREATEST OF MEN.”

Buonaparte reached Alexandria on the evening of the 24th of July, 1799, where he found his army already posted in the neighborhood of Aboukir, and prepared to attack the Turks on the morrow.