of
Napoleon, and 50,000 of the allies. The French fled towards Erfurt, and
finding no refuge there, continued their flight to Mentz and the Rhine.
As he hastened towards the Rhine his path was intercepted by an army of
Bavarians, who had taken up their position at Hanau; but he routed
them, and then established his troops on the Rhine, the allies encamping
opposite, and occupying Frankfort as their head-quarters. After the
battle of Leipsic, Europe gained her freedom, and seeing every nation
taking up arms against him, Napoleon sued for peace. He was offered
France, with the Rhine for its boundary, but he rejected this dominion
as too limited for his sway. War continued; and in January, 1814, the
allies crossed the Rhine, and invaded France. Thus menaced, the entire
male population of France was summoned to arms, 30,000 of the national
guard of Paris were put in motion, and the last resources of France
called into action. Napoleon was defeated by the Austrian and Prussian
forces at Brienne, in which battle he lost many cannon and prisoners.
Peace on equitable terms was again offered him, but peace was again
refused: he resolved to conquer or perish. Victory again waited on his
arms at Champaubert, where the Prussians had arrived in their onward
march to Paris, and he subsequently gained a victory over the Prussians
at Montmirail, and also over the Austrians at Montereau. After the
battle of Montmirail, a last effort was made to bring him to terms with
the allies, but he refused to sheathe his sword. He gained a victory
over the Russians at Craonne, but his loss was so great that it was
tantamount to defeat. The Russians retreated to Laon, where they
united with the Prussians, and where, three days after, they routed and
destroyed the French division of forces under Marmont. Hope now fled,
and Napoleon sought peace on any terms. But it was now too late: the
allies had recently agreed to drive him from his throne as a ruler
dangerous to the peace of the world. His own subjects moreover, were now
conspiring against him. Paris, Bordeaux, and other cities, were sending
upwards shouts for the return of the reign of the Bourbons. Rendered
desperate, Napoleon now turned to combat with the Austrians under
Schwartzenberg at Arcis; but after a faint struggle his troops
retreated. In the meantime the Russians and Prussians were hastening
onwards to Paris. It was on the 27th of March that the Parisians heard
the sound of war approach