La Bataille de Bautzen 1813

War of 1812 In North America, the United States was in the midst of what Americans called the War of 1812 against the Great Britain. In 1813, there were more than 60 battles between the two sides. The Americans won important battles at First Frenchtown; Craney Island; Lake Erie; York; Thames; and Talladega while the British won major victories at Second Frenchtown; Niagara; Crysler’s Farm; and Beaver Dams. There were also many naval engagements, including one near the Galápagos Islands, showing how far-ranging the American naval presence would become. The war would drag on for another year with not much effect. Returning to Europe, the war in Spain continued. While the French forces in central and western Spain under Joseph were being bandied about by Wellesley, Marshal Suchet continued to confound his foes in eastern Spain. In Italy, the Viceroy, Prince Eugene, stymied the Austrians for most of the year, winning at Caldiero in November 1813. In music, Rossini wrote four operas in 1813, including The Italian Girl in Algiers. Beethoven wrote the 7th Symphony ( Pastoral). In literature, Jane Austen wrote her masterpiece, Pride and Prejudice, to great acclaim. In France, the Marquis de Sade wrote, Isabelle of Bavaria, Queen of France in 1813. But the controversial novel was not published till 1954. Discovering David’s 1813 Napoleon Finally, the Marshal Enterprises house artist, Jacques-Louis David was busy in 1813. He was known for his work in 1813 until recently as just having painted a lovely portrait of his wife, Madame David. However, it was discovered, just a few years ago, that David also painted another portrait of the Emperor Napoleon done in 1813. This was discovered after another painting was being cleaned; and David’s 1813 painting of Napoleon lurked just underneath. In the painting, Napoleon is wearing his National Guard uniform, symbolic of the struggle ahead for the Emperor and France to defend La Patrie from the onslaught of vengeful Prussian Landwehr; undisciplined Cossack marauders; all financed by greedy English bankers who were getting ready to descend upon France. We conclude our trip around the world where it started in 1813—surrounded by the carp ponds in Saxony. The field at Bautzen was the final resting ground for over 30,000 French; Russian; Prussian; Italian and German soldiers. Their role in the history of the world had ended. There was much to remember in 1813.

La Bataille de Bautzen 1813

Page ! of ! 4 5