Morris tribune. [volume] (Morris, Minn.) 1880-2000, 1880-04-15
THE RETURN FROM ELBA
One Of the Most Striking Incidents in NapO-
Icons Career.

made preparations to leave the island
and return to France. A small brig was
at anchor in the oting, and three small
merchant vessels. In these four vessels,
during the night, a thousand troops were
embarked-nCt one, not even their officers
knowing where they were bound. AT
midday, under salute OF cannon, the
Emperor went on board the brig, and the
little fleet set sail tor the invasion of
France, and for the overthrow OF the
throne of the Bourbons, sustained by the
immense standing amy of France and
all the allied armies of Europe.
When the vessels were out of sight of
land, Napoleon, gathering around him
the whole ships company OF the brig,
four hundred IN number, sand to them :
1--WE are going to FIance-to Paris"
The exultation was boundless, for not
withStanding past reverses, every soldier
had unlimited confidence IN the fortunes
of the Emperor. The second day of their
VOYAGE Bourban man-of war bore down
upon them. The soldiers were concealed
below, while Napoleon stood by the side
OF the captain on the quarter-d deck. At
ter the exchange of few words, the man
of. war inquired after the Emperor at Elba.
Napoleon seized the trumpet and shouted
over the waters:
"He is marvelously WE'LL
Toward evening of the third day the
blue hills of France were seen IN the
splendor OF the setting sun. In the early
twilight of the next morning they had
reached the shore in the Gulf of Juan,
and the Emperor Immediately landed his
followers on the lonely beach, and biv-
ouacked in the olive grove near the shore.
Pointing to an olive leaf, he said:
1T is the symbo. of peace. 1t is a
lucky omen, and it will be realized"
He only took men enough with him,
as he said, to prevent his beng "collared
by tine police"
Most of the dav was spent in landing
the troops and stores, and at eleven
o'clock at night the little army, now six
hundred in number, with three small
pieces of cannon, commenced their march
of seven hundred miles tor the conquest
of the capital of France. Fortresses on
their line of march, which the labor Of
ages had strengthened, and which were
garrisoned by 100000 troops, they were
first to subdue.
Travelling rapidly all night and the
rext day, toward evening they reached
without opposition, the little town OF
Grasse, about fifty mlleJ distant. Herr
the peasants crowded around the Emper
or so enthusiastically that he afterwards
said,' could easily Lave taken two mil,
lions OF those peasants to Paris with
me-
The next two days they advanced six
ty miles to Dlgne, still encountering NJ
foe. The next day they reached Gap
thirty miles further on their way
The enthusiasm was now so intense and
universal that Napoleon needed no guard
The next day they were approaching
Grenoble. A strong garrison was sta
toned there. The commander posted
his troops, 5000 in number, in deflt
fanked by mountain and lake. Ma
poleon and his retlnue approached, anc
rode calmly along upon gentle trot un
til within a hundred PAGES or the impass
able wall of bayonets cleaning before
him. Then dismounting, and folding
his arms. he advanced alone to within
ten PAGES of the troops. Every eye wa
fixed upon him and there was silence al
of death. There he stood, with the cock
ed hat and gray Coat-the little corporal
"Flre!'' shouted the commandant. No
trigger was pulled. Had there beer
one single man among those six thou
sand willing to shoot, he would have re
ceived boundiess rewards from the Bour
no Of II
have been changed. Napoleon spread
open the lapel of his coat, uncoverlns
his breast, and said, "SoldIers, if there i
one among you who would kill his EN-
peror, let him do it. Here 1 am
After moments silence, one vo1c,
called out, "Vive iEmDereurr it wa.
the signal for a general burst of acclaim
from the soldiers and peasants, and fer,
scene OF enthusiasm such as no other mai
on earth ever excited. All military orde
was at an end. The troops rushed in in
describable tumult around the Emperor
each one eager to grasp his hand, ant
tears Of joy flowed freely. The Bourbon
commander put spurs to his horse an'
disappeared.
Il have come" said Napoleon, "be
cause | rely upon the people and upol
you. The throne of the BOurbons is lille
gitimate; it is not raised by the voice Q
the nation. The people are threatene
with the renewal of those teudal abuse
from which your victories had delivere,
them"
Grenoble was one of the most impor
tant fortified cities of France. 1t wa
midnight as Napoleon reached the walls
The commandments locked the gates ant
concealed the keys. They were power
less. The soldiers and people rose as on
man, and, tearing the gates from thei
hinges, in countless crowd, delirieu
with JOY, rushed out to meet the EmpeI
or. With torches and Examinations, an
ringing of bells and frantic shouts, the
conducted him to his quarters.
Napoleon allowed his little land twer
ty-tour hours for rest at Grenoble, an
then continued his journey toward Lyon
His path was thronged with 1eioicin
thousands, while bonfires blazed ali nigh
long on the adjacent hills. The INTEL
gence OF his landing had now reache
Paris, and the BourbOns were in conste
nation. Lyons, containing 100000 inhal
itants, was but two hundred and fft
miles from the capital. There were thrt
regiments stationed there and, in add
ton, 10000 of the National Gu lrd. we
disciplined and armed. But soldiers an
officers all alike shouted, "Vive + Empe
eurP and the whole city, like an undul
ton, surged from the gates to meet hin
Never before had the streets of Lyor
witnessed such delirium of 10Y. He
Napoleon remained three DAYS organi
ing anew mis- government, and attendir
to the myriad cares involved in cover,
ing nation of 10000, 900 of people. an
In preparing to meet the 1000, 600 trool
which allied Europe had in arms again
him.
On the 18th of March he resumed b
movement toward Paris. He had no
entered the most populous regions
France. The roads were everywbe
lined with crowds. Triumphal arch
gspanned the streets of every yillao
while a continuous roar of acclaim 3
companied every step. At Chalons
Was aJ1rnrisad f0 500 eavorol I.II