NAPOLEON'S STOMACH-
Suddenly.in the midst of an order to General Vandamme, who was to head off the retreat near Kulm, 100 miles to the north, the emperor gave a sharp cry, clapped a hand over his lower waistcoat buttons, and doubled up completely, unable to think or act. Napoleon had the stomach-ache.
You laugh at this; but let me tell you there is nothing so demoralising as pain. Headache and indigestion have wrecked more than one great cause. Men who can withstand armies have surrendered to the toothache. Napoleon was never victorious ou the sea because he was always too seasick to command in person. Napoleon coiild not endure pain, and lost his crown through a stomach-ache. For the cramp that caught him that day at Pirna kept him from pursuing his routed foes, and with that failure to act began the conqueror's downlall. At all events, he gave up his plans of con - ducting the pursuit in person. Ho returned to Dresden. Disaster fell upon his generals whenever they fought without him. Oudinot was beaten at Grossbeeren ; Macdonald was overthrown at Katzbach ; Vandamme was captured at Kulme ; Ney was louted at Dennewitz. Tho Allies turned back. With fresh troops swelling their recovering ranks, they drew about the man they had sworn to destroy. His vassals forsook him, his tributaries deserted him. France was left alone, and, yielding to the advice of his marshals rather than followinghis own wise judgment, Napoleon gave up his plan of marching upon Berlin. His enemies drew about him, thoy ioclosedSiim iu a ring of steel ; and on tho 16th of October, 1813, the Emperor and his men stood at bay under the walls of quaint old Leipsic—a handful against a host.
That bloodiest battle of modern times has been called the Battle of Nations. It was France against all Europe. For three days it raged. Ninety-four thousand men were killed or wounded. Then the Saxons in the ranks of France went over in a body to the enemy. Retreat was a necessity. Napoleon was beaten.
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Bibliographic details
Western Star, Issue 1300, 27 March 1897, Page 1 (Supplement)
Word Count
341NAPOLEON'S STOMACH- Western Star, Issue 1300, 27 March 1897, Page 1 (Supplement)
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