The Telegraph-courier. [volume] (Kenosha, Wis.) 1888-1946, 1907-06-20
Napoleon's Zenith 1907.

| tory in the battle Of Friedland, June
| IA, 1907, was the elimination Of his
upward career. His lucky star did not
withdraw its favor at once but there
was an unmistakable waning, even on
the battlefield, after Friedland. Just
! seven years before to a day he had
won the battle at Marengo, Italy, which
| placed him at the head of France. Be
| tween Marengo and Friedland came
| the victory at Austerlitz, which brought
| Austria at the feet Of the Corsican,
and Jena, which despoiled the ancient
kingdom of Prussia and humbled the
crown of Frederick the Great Vast
| political consequences involving not
alone Napoleon's career, but the des-
| tiny of France and the map Of Europe,
| hung upon the result Of Friedland.
Had Napoleon been defeated by Al.
exander |. Of Russia at Friedland his
successes at Jena and Austerlitz would
have been undone Prussia would
have been restored. Austria would
have been aided by the conqueror at
Friedland to take revenge for Austen
litz and would in the end have won
back the Italian territory lost at Ma
rengo. Friedland resembled the battle
of Marengo in military sense. At
Marengo Napoleon so Unanswered as
to force the enemy, Austrians, to leave
their Notifications and attack the
French. The Austrians began the at
tack when the French were scattered
over a wide field and at the close Of the
day were nominally victors. Napoleon,
however, gathered his forces and by a
most impetuous attack, ordered after
5 o'clock, won decisive triumph.
At Friedland Napoleon again maneu-
vered to draw the enemy-Russians,
under General Bennigsen-from their
Notifications In SO doing he separated
his several corps by many miles, and
Bennigsen fell upon the French corps
Of Lannes at the town Of Friedland, on
the banks of the river ALE. The Rus
SLAMS crossed the ALE to get at Lannes,
but, failing in rapidity and decision,
were stood off by the French until 6
o'clock in the afternoon, when Napo-
leon and his whole army reached the
field. Bennigsen was caught in trap,
with the river behind him, spanned by
but one good bridge and a poor pom
toon bridge and having only a single
ford and that almost useless. Napo-
Icons chief of artillery, Senarmont,
trained thirty guns to play upon the
river crossings, supporting by cannon
fire desperate attacks made by the
French infantry, under Marshal Ney
and Marshal Victor. The Russian dis
aster was as great as that suffered by
the Austrians at Marengo, and Napo-
leon was again in a position to dictate
terms which settled the fate of king
doms.
Il
ander /. of Russia was the savior of
Europe as against the grasping de
signs Of Napoleon. A few days later
he met his conqueror at Tilsit and in
the most notable treaty Of modern
times recognized the Corsican "upstaTt"
as the legitimate emperor of France.
All of Napoleon's acts, even the dis
memberment of the kingdom of Alex
ander's ally, Frederick of Prussia,
were sanctioned Small wonder that
Napoleon said in his last days that this
was perhaps the happiest moment in
his life, because 81 found myself vic
torious, debating laws, having emper-
ors and kings pay me court"
1t is interesting to note here how Ma
poleon's career was marked in periods
Of just seven years. At the age Of
twentyfour, in 1893, he scored his first
battle triumph at the siege Of Toulon.
Every year up to 1900, when he was
thirty-one, saw him advance, and that
year, at Marengo, he showed himself
the master soldier of his time Each
year added new martial or political
victories up to 1907, when at Fried
land the Emperor Napoleon, who was
then thirty eight, became master Of
Europe But the tide turned In 1903
he engaged in disastrous war in
Spain. In 1909, although victorious
against Austria at Wagram, he mad to
reckon for it later, and in that year he
divorced Josephine. In 1910 his Ill
starred marriage with the Austrian
| princess; in 1911 the birth Of a son and
| heir, which served but to intensity the
| hatred of neighboring courts; In 1912
| the disastrous campaign in Russia, fol-
lowed in 1913 by the great coalition Of
| all the powers against him and defeat
! in several colossal battles, ending In
| his dethronement at the age Of forty
! five, In 1914. Seven years later he