"Napoleon’s Military Carriage at Madame Tussaud’s" Topic

"Among the many relics at Madame Tussaud's was Napoleon's military carriage used by him on many of his campaigns and while he was exiled on Elba. The carriage had been captured at Genappe during the Waterloo campaign. The French overturned cannons and carriages and from behind these barricades, they fired muskets attempting to stop the Prussians. However, it was the Prussian horse-artillery that dispersed the French, and "the town was taken, along with Napoleon's traveling carriage, private papers, hat and sword."

The capture of Napoleon's military carriage was accomplished by Major Heinrich Eugen, Baron von Keller, who also killed the driver during the fight. Keller claimed that Napoleon escaped through one door as a he was attempting to force open the other. In fact, he said Napoleon's exit was so hasty, he dropped his sword and mantle, and then when Napoleon leapt on his horse, he lost his hat too…"

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Amicalement
Armand

I never heard this story but I suppose he was in a little bit of a rush. Hard to picture Napoleon leaping at all but you'd think von Keller could've mailed him his hat.

"when Napoleon leapt on his horse, he lost his hat too…"

That was 40,000 troops lost in one fell blow…

(smile)

Amicalement
Armand

The story is nonsense, as in the other thread running concurrently. Boney was nowhere near the carriage after crossing the border, let alone in Genappe in retreat.

But here there is a tiny image of the fire remnant of the carriage which, in all my research, I have never seen before.

If the greatest statesman and military commander in the history of humankind (sic) has to poke off on a horse, he must have had a right kicking?

@ConnaughtRanger

he must have had a right kicking

More British propaganda and Nappy bashing. We all know that those troops on the flank was Grouchy, not Prussians. It's obvious that La Garde were not defeated, just a nasty rumour spread about by maniac Wellington fans.

No one ever said "La Garde recule" or "Save qui peut" and every single French unit marched off with bands playing and shouting "Vive L'Empereur!"

The Eagles in the National Army Museum and Edinburgh Castle are also well known fakes. Everybody knows that Wellington actually lost, many squares were broken and loads of standards taken. They are just 19th century holograms meant to fool us.

The carriage is also a fake, is is a little known fact that Keller was a keen amateur carpenter and knocked up it up overnight on the 18th. That's why in his will he specified that an agent after 110 years would set fire to it, before someone discovered the deception. That's true dat is.

The whole losing thing was really an inspired political ruse so His Majesty could out manoever his traitorous enemies. Everybody who says otherwise are just jealous and bad historians because they don't recognise the Greatness of Him.

Fleeing from the battlefield in the midst of a crowd of fugitives? How dare they spread such lies about the greatest man who ever lived? All this interrupting my hero worship with these so called facts makes me sick.

People forget that "propaganda" works for both sides…

Wellington fly on horse at Quatre Brass nearly to be taken by French Cavalry… and he was not a coward for that… by memory this was not the first time his horse save his life…

And Napoleon wasn't short… (smile)

Amicalement
Armand

"How dare they spread such lies about the greatest man who ever lived?"
Get with the programme – this is The Miniatures Page.

Tango01

My Napoleon is very short. About 6mm!

ConnaughtRanger

I find it difficult to talk with so much tongue in my cheek. But you are most welcome