The Birmingham age-herald., 1914-08-30
A History of Modern Europe

once or twice to give actual battle to the Russians. Ney in a heroic attempt to break through the surrounding enemy lost 5200 out of his 5000 troops There was severe fighting under Victor, Ney and Oudinot at the crossing of the Bere- siva, but the total number of available men was now less than 10000. Shortly afterward the half starved fugitiyes di- vided. some going home to Austria, others Irussians, joined their late opponents, the Russians. The remainder continued their flight.
 The EHperor reached Paris and set about raising new army. Nor was he any too soon. The allies preparations were already under way, and their num- Der was swelled by many thousand men Who had at one time or another fought under Napoleons banners. The news of his defeat in Russia and of the dispersal Of his army spread all over central Europe and greatly heartened the allies and all who desired to escape from the Napoleonic yoke.
 France, however, still controlled parts of Prussia and had forces stationed there These found it prudent soon to withdraw to positions better calculated for defense. Napoleon got his army together with sur prising swiftness, drawing not only from France but from Italy and the provinces of the Rhine. By March, 1913, he had a 'c' >S VI obOdt @uosvuV Alci Ol lnt way lO the Elbe. Next month he assumed com mand. On May he entered Lutzen. The next day the Russians and Prussians at tackled him. At the proper moment his artillery opened a way, through the en- emy for his forces. The allies retreated, but the result was undecided. There were other encounters between the French and the retreating allies, especially that at Mautzen, and Napoleon found sur prising spirit in his opponents and dis covered that they had greatly improved in tactics. By agreement an armstice of six weeks ensued
 At the close of that period hostilities were resumed. and at Dresden he put to rout the Austrian and Russian forces his last substantial victory. The torpor. mental and physical. which was observed In him during the Russian campaign now returned News of Butchers defeat of Macdonald and other reverses seemed to upset his judgment completely and his staff was convinced that nc was breaking down mentally.
 By fall the,allies with increased forces We're harrying his Hanks. .Gn October 1J and IF there were prelifidnary skir- mishes about Leipsic. and on the 18th a decisive battle was fought Bernadotte. Napoleon E old marshall but now with the enemy; Butcher who was to assist in Waterloo, and Schwarzenberg led the allies. Almost at the moment of battle Napoleons Saxons went over to the en- emy and turned against him. and the Emperor gave the signal for retreat. Then the Bavarians deserted and the French found in their path a large force, including the latest deserters. They made short work of them and continued their retreat to Mayence.
 From now on Napoleon was on the de- fense. for the allies kept after him in larger numbers than ever They in- vaded France by several routes The way was not all clear, however, for the French resisted them stubbornly at La Rothieres, Montmirail. and Laon, some times with success and again not
 It was clear that the allies could not be prevented from entering Paris. for ' desperately as the French fought to de- fend their soil and to hinder the advance of their enemies. they were outnumbered,