Yes, yes... and now for the rest of the story!
Aw shucks, I just can't bring myself to do what I was going to do..............
This is a family forum if I remember correctly!
hence, the Rat scurries away, saving his banter for another day...
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| Napoleon's Famous Quote at Grenoble https://www.wargame.ch/board/nwc/viewtopic.php?f=5&t=14446 |
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| Author: | Aloysius Kling Sr [ Sat Jun 28, 2014 12:14 pm ] |
| Post subject: | Napoleon's Famous Quote at Grenoble |
I recently replied to a question in the Armchair General's Forum as to whether are not Napoleon actually said his famous quote:"I am your Emperor! Recognize me." He opened his grey coat. "If there is a single soldier who wants to kill me here I am! Below is my reply and I invite others to research it as well, I checked 5 of my books on this short period of history, 2 do not mention it other than to state he received a warm welcome at Grenoble. the following is what was in the other 3. I am going to research more later, but invite other comments. I have found reference in 3 of my books about the this period of Napoleonic history; The Final Act by Gregor Dallas by Gregor Dallas (Printed 1996) Page 289 "Soldiers of the 5th Regiment" he cried to the troops opposite, their guns trained on him, "I am your Emperor! Recognize me." He opened his grey coat. "If there is a single soldier who wants to kill me here I am! Waterloo the Hundred Days by David Chandler (Printed 1980) Page18 At the Laffrey Defile, not far from Grenoble, the narrow way was blocked on 7 March by the 5th Regiment of the Line, drawn up for battle order, It was a tense moment, but as each side looked to their muskets, priming, Napoleon strode forward and in a superb if theatrical gesture threw open his the breast of his grey overcoat and invited the Bourbon troops...'...to fire upon your Emperor'. The Hundred Days by Antony Brett-James (Printed 1964) Page 3 Apprehension was transformed into warm triumph at the Laffrey defile when Napoleon called to the 5th of the Line drawn up in his path: "If there is one soldier among you who wishes to kill his Emperor, here I am!" My conclusion is that Napoleon said something very similar to what has been attributed to him by various authors, maybe not the exact words. a brave and gutsy thing to do none the less. Battle On Al |
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| Author: | Scott Clawson [ Sat Jun 28, 2014 12:51 pm ] |
| Post subject: | Re: Napoleon's Famous Quote at Grenoble |
Yes, yes... and now for the rest of the story! Aw shucks, I just can't bring myself to do what I was going to do.............. This is a family forum if I remember correctly! hence, the Rat scurries away, saving his banter for another day...
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| Author: | Todd Schmidgall [ Sat Jun 28, 2014 5:40 pm ] |
| Post subject: | Re: Napoleon's Famous Quote at Grenoble |
Salute! This topic has made me think of a slightly related topic (related to the Hundred Days). This past Christmas one of my brothers (who works in a great book store called Powell's Books in Portland, Ore - can find them on-line, 'nuff of a plug for them), gave me a fantastic little booklet. It was obviously very old, a rustic red cover, with the writing: BATTLE OF WATERLOO, and upon opening it an intricately detailed map of the battlefield unfolds. Shows the situation at sunset, with the dispositions of the various Brig's and Regt's for all the forces, and an index on both sides of the map gives an account of the battle. The publisher was LT Hoffmann, a company in Brussels, Belgium. The only other information listed appears to be: Drawn for Cotton's Voice from Waterloo, and a smudgy date that might read 1816 or 1826... In faded pencil on the back of one of the folding map sections is written: 7-16-1886 initials? and below that: 10-13-1896 initials? Anyways, pretty cool. Regards, |
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| Author: | MCJones1810 [ Sat Jun 28, 2014 8:35 pm ] |
| Post subject: | Re: Napoleon's Famous Quote at Grenoble |
Nice, animated Rat!  Everything associated with Bonaparte involves propaganda. I can both envision him actually making the statement for effect, and also embellishing the incident after the event. I don't really know how you could conclusively confirm it either way. My guess is that the incident was generally true, but that the exact wording may have been modified for effect. History is always subjectively recorded, no matter how objective the writer intends to be. It is more a matter of a consciousness contained in an independent body. This forces different perceptions of a shared event. Add to this the fact that it is not immediately recorded, and you greatly increase the disparity of the recollection. |
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| Author: | Richard Bradshaw [ Sun Jun 29, 2014 6:55 am ] |
| Post subject: | Re: Napoleon's Famous Quote at Grenoble |
So what you are saying Mark, is that it could also be that as he sheepishly moved forward toward the 5th, he flung open his great coat and said, "Please, I beg of you don't shoot! I bruise easily! Take my wallet, my watch, whatever is in these coat pockets." But the 5th, due to a lack of consistent training and supplies, had not loaded their muskets so were unable to fire. So the 5th commander said, " Oh what the Hell, what have we got to lose. Let's join them lads!" Mark, you are certainly taking liberties with your sense of history ... |
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| Author: | David Guegan [ Sun Jun 29, 2014 8:25 am ] |
| Post subject: | Re: Napoleon's Famous Quote at Grenoble |
Richard Bradshaw wrote: So what you are saying Mark, is that it could also be that as he sheepishly moved forward toward the 5th, he flung open his great coat and said, "Please, I beg of you don't shoot! I bruise easily! Take my wallet, my watch, whatever is in these coat pockets." But the 5th, due to a lack of consistent training and supplies, had not loaded their muskets so were unable to fire. So the 5th commander said, " Oh what the Hell, what have we got to lose. Let's join them lads!"  Very funny!!!  Thanks!
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| Author: | MCJones1810 [ Sun Jun 29, 2014 11:50 am ] |
| Post subject: | Re: Napoleon's Famous Quote at Grenoble |
Richard Bradshaw wrote: So what you are saying Mark, is that it could also be that as he sheepishly moved forward toward the 5th, he flung open his great coat and said, "Please, I beg of you don't shoot! I bruise easily! Take my wallet, my watch, whatever is in these coat pockets." But the 5th, due to a lack of consistent training and supplies, had not loaded their muskets so were unable to fire. So the 5th commander said, " Oh what the Hell, what have we got to lose. Let's join them lads!" Mark, you are certainly taking liberties with your sense of history ... Well,yes Coronel Bradshaw, that is exactly what I am saying. It seems more fitting with the true nature of all things French, does it not? A deep understanding of human nature is essential to obtaining a more accurate perspective of historical events. |
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| Author: | clifton seeney [ Sat Jul 05, 2014 10:41 pm ] |
| Post subject: | Re: Napoleon's Famous Quote at Grenoble |
More likely they all fainted at the sight of him, and when Hollywood made him with a full Div of Ole Guard who would shot! |
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