The first result was Austerlitz, that famous triumph for France, but an event baleful in its influence upon the peace and welfare of Europe. This is one of the most dramatic battles of the world, so graphically told by Headley, the American historian, and Guizot, the able historian of France. It occurred on the 2nd of December and on this field Alexander appeared in person at the head of 50,000 men, but defeated, he was compelled to retreat to his own dominions. Soon, however, he again appeared on the theatre of war.
The scene of conflict was now changed to Poland. On December 26, 1806, was fought the battle of Pultusk, and on the 7th and 8th of February, 1807, that of Eyleau, neither of which engagements was decisive. On the 14th of the following June, however, the Russians were completely defeated at the battle of Friedland, which marked the zenith of Napoleon's glory.
Those of our readers who may visit New York City would do well to go to the Metropolitan Art Gallery and study carefully the great painting of the French artist Meissonier, which depicts with fidelity the crowning moment of this battle. The result of this victory was an interview between the two emperors which led to the famous peace of the treaty of Tilsit, soon to be broken.
The seizure of the Danish fleet by the English occasioned a declaration of war from Russia against that country but hostilities only extended to bloodless cessation of trade between the two nations. In fact it was of less importance than the now almost forgotten war between the United States and France which during the administration of President Madison did lead to some bloodshed on the sea.
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From General Nelson A. Miles
Thrilling Stories of The Russian-Japanese War, 1904
