A History of Germany, from the Invasion of Germany by Marius to 1813, on the Plan of Mrs. Markham's Histories (Paperback)

This historic book may have numerous typos and missing text. Purchasers can usually download a free scanned copy of the original book (without typos) from the publisher. Not indexed. Not illustrated. 1847 edition. Excerpt: ... CHAPTER LXIV. INVASION OF FRANCE BY THE ALLIES.--ABDICATION OF NAPOLEON.--BATTLE OF WATERLOO. SECOND PEACE OF PARIS. A.D. 1814-15. Scarcely had Napoleon re-crossed the Rhine when the whole of the Rhenish confederacy abandoned him: an example which was soon followed by Holland, Switzerland, and Italy. The allies, now on the eve of entering France, issued a manifesto, in which they solemnly declared that they made war, not on the French nation, but on Napoleon alone. The people, nevertheless, remained unshaken in their attachment, and flocked in crowds to his standard. In the beginning of the year 1814 four armies invaded France from different quarters: Biilow, from Holland; Blucher, from Coblenz; the grand army under Schwartzenberg, from Switzerland; and the united forces of the English and Spaniards from the Pyrenees. A congress was held at Chatillon, and peace offered to Napoleon, on condition of his ceding all those provinces which had not formed part of the ancient kingdom of France; but this proposal he rejected with indignation, declaring that he would either retain all or lose all. On the 29th of January Blucher was attacked by the Emperor near the town of Brienne, so suddenly, that he narrowly escaped being taken prisoner. But a few days later (February 1) his division, supported by the whole army of the allies (who had now concentrated an overwhelming force of more than 100,000 men, under the command of the Emperor Alexander and theKing of Prussia), obtained a decisive victory over the French near La Rothiere. On the 3rd, Napoleon fell back on Troyes, the capital of Champagne; where Mortier was already occupied in erecting barricades and making other preparations for a vigorous defence. The allies, thinking Napoleon was educated...