The Coeur d'Alene press. (Coeur d'Alene, Idaho) 1906-1907, 1907-06-20

tory Ia the battle Of Friedlabd, Jun9
II, 1907. was the elimination Of his
upward career. His lucky star ala not
withdraw In favor at once, but there
was an unmistakable waning, even on
the battlefield. after Friedland Just
seven years before to day he had
won the battle al MREengo. Italy, which
placed him Nc the head Of France. BE.
tween MarenRo and Friediand came
the victory at AusterIitE, which brought
Austria az the feet of the CorsIcan,
and Jena. which despoiled the ancient
Kingdom Of Prussia aud BUNDLED tho
crown Of Frederick the Great. Vast
political consequences Involving not
alone Nnpoloons career, hut the des-
tiny OF France and the map OF Europe,
hung upon the result Of Frledland.
Had Napoleon been defeated by Al.
exandcr !. % Russia at Friedland bis
successes at Jena and AusterltE would
have been undone. Prussia would
have been restored. Austria would
have been aided by the conqueror NJ
Friedland 10 take revenge Tor Auster.
lltE and would in the end have won
back the Italian territory lost ut MA.
rcngo, Frledland resembled the battle
Of Marcngo In a military sense Al
Marengo Napoleon 40 Unanswered rs
70 force tho enemy, Austriana, 20 leave
their Notifications and attack the
French The Austrians began the at.
tack when the French were scattered
over wide Held and az the close Of the
day wore nominally vlctors. Napoleon,
however, gathered his forces and by
most impetnous attack, ordered after
8 o'clock, won decisive triumph.
At FTiedland Napoleon again maneu-
yered 10 draw the enemy Russians,
under General Dennlgsgn- their
fortIncations. In 10 doing he separated
bis several corps by many miles, and
BennIgsen fell upon the French corps
OF IAnnes 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 rapidlty and decision,
were stood on BY the French until 0
o'clock In the afternoon, when Napo-
Icon ana his whole army reached the
teld, Iiennigsen was caught IN trap,
with the river behind him, spanned by
but one good bridge ana a poor pom.
toon bridge and having only a single
ford aud that almost useless. Napo.
leon'a chief Of artillery, senarmont,
trained thirty guns TO play upon the
river crossings, supporting by cannon
are desperate attacks made by the
French infantry. under Marshal Ney
and Marshal Victor The Russian dis
astcr was as great as that suffered by
the Austrlans NJ MaFengo, and Napo-
leon was again In a position 10 dictate
terms which settled the fate Of king
d0ma
Before the battle Of Briedland Alex.
andeF l. Of Russia was the savior Of
Europe as against the grasping de.
signs Of Napoleon. A few days later
he mot his eondueror at Tilslt and in
the most notable treaty OF modern
times recognized the COrslcan "upstart"
~ the legitimate emperor OF France.
All OF NapoIeon's actn. even tho dis
membermant OF the Kingdom Of Alex.
audeFs ally. Frederick Of Prussia.
were sanctioned. Small wonder that
Napoleon said IN his last days that this
was perhaps the happiest moment in
biz NE. because II found myself vie.
toFious. debating laws. having emper.
crs ana kings pay me court"
II In interesting 60 note here how Ma
poleoa's career was marked In periods
Of Just seven years. At tho age Of
twenty -four. In iTn0, he scored his frst
battle triumph at the siege Of TouIon.
Every year up 10 1900. when 10 was
thlrty.on saw him advance. and that
year. at Marengo. he showed himself
the master soldier % bis time. Each
year added new martial or political
Victories up 10 1907. when at Fried.
land the Emperor Napoleon. VINO was
then thirty eight. became master Of
Europe. But tn tide turned In lsOa
b. engaged IN . disastFOus war 10
spain. IN 1900. although victorious
against Austria II wagFam. he had %
FeCkon for Il later. and m that year be
divorced Joasphins. In 1910 hia ~
starred marriage with ths Austrian
princoss; In 1911 the birth Of q son ami
heiF. which served bot 10 intensity the
hatred u nslghhoEin9 courts: IN 1919
che disastr0us campaign IN Russia. fol.
lgwei IN isf3 ~ n great eoalitioa u
ell the powers against him and defeat
h aeversl colossal battles. endina N
biz dethrgnsrneuf 81 ne ass % fUgty.
aye. 10 isfA suvsn years later he
died q loasly eHiie at o. Helena