Napoleon
Table of Contents
No. 9

200th Anniversary

General Napoleon Bonaparte was only 26 years old when he took command of the French army of Italy in 1796. In just one year, he defeated five separate armies, battered Sardinia-Piedmont out of the First Coalition, conquered northern Italy, and forced Austria to seek peace. While much has been written about the Corsican's first campaign, less is known about the army that enabled him to rise to fame. Here we present a detailed list and history of the infantry and cavalry units that fought under Bonaparte, 1796-1797.

Cover: Keith Rocco's French Revolutionary line officer symbolizes our in-depth examination of Bonaparte's Army of Italy in 1796-1797.
Large Cover (203K)

Units and Uniforms

SWEDISH JAGARE AND THE STORMING OF LEIPZIG

After three days of continuous pounding, Napoleon's Grande Armee was forced to retreat from the battlefield around Leipzig in October 1813. Before the French troops could get away, the allies of the Sixth Coalition were determined to wreck more damage on the morning of what would bethe fourth and final day of the largest battle fought during the Napoleonic wars. Except for a few artillery units, the Swedish forces had not fought. This article details the dramatic baptism of fire of the elite Swedish jagare infantry as they followed the Prussians into the city and participated in the vicious street fighting.

Featured Scholar

CORSICA AND NAPOLEON

Dorothy Carrington grew up in an era when women were not encouraged to seek higher learning or careers outside of marraige. Despite the obstacles and detours of a fascinating life, she has become one of the world's foremost contemporary scholars of Corsican culture and a noted expert on the early life of Napoleon Bonaparte. Instead of our usual interview, Dr. June Burton asked Dr. Carrington to send us something on her struggles and accomplishments which are published here in an exclusive feature. Includes photos of modern-day Corsican monuments to Napoleon.

Game Review

JENA

The Prussian Army of 1806 was overmatched and outclassed by its "modern" opponent, Napoleon's new Grande Armee. Such a one-sided situation usually does not make for a good game. However, this design by Clash of Arms surprises with a variety of scenarios that are more competitive than might be expected in a board game that covers the campaign which David Chandler noted, "Seldom in history has an army been reduced to impotence more swiftly or decisively."

Departments

Napoleonic Library: Reviews of selected books

The Dream-Hunters of Corsica

Britain and the Defeat of Napoleon 1807-1815

Napoleonic Calendar: Letters, News, and Events

Letter from David Chandler recognizes more Napoleonic historians

The Loss of Gordon Bond (1939-1997)

Upcoming Events