The Napoleon Gallery: Illustrations of the Life and Times of the Emperor of France

On the 4th of October, 1795, at six o’clock in the morning, Napoleon visited every post, and placed his troops in line. They were few in number, and might easily have been destroyed by the populace.

While everything portended a sanguinary affair, the danger becoming every instant more pressing, the Convention discussed the situation without coming to any decision. Suddenly a column of a few battalions headed by Lafond, an emigrant, appeared on Point Neuf, and obliged Cartaux to fall back under the posterns. At about a quarter past four some rockets were fired from the Hotel de Noailles. This was the signal for the attack. Lafond’s column wheeled round, and marched on the Pont Royal along the Quai Voltaire. This column was routed by the artillery of the Louvre and Pont Royal after rallying three times under the fire. St. Roche was taken, and every other post occupied by the sectionaries, was cleared. At six o’clock, the affray was over; and if a few cannon were heard during the night, they were discharged to destroy the barricades which some of the citizens still wished to maintain.

On the 15th of May, 1796, Napoleon made his entry into Milan, amidst the acclamations of the populace; his troops passing under a triumphal arch. From that day the Italians adopted the tri-colored ensign—green, red and white.

Napoleon remained only a few days in Milan, where he received d’Este, natural brother of the Duke of Modena, who came to solicit the protection of the French army. Buonaparte treated with the Duke of Modena as he had done with the Duke of Parma.

In taking the command of the army in Italy, Napoleon, notwithstanding his extreme youth, inspired the soldiers, and even the old officers themselves, with absolute confidence.

The accompanying engraving is copied from a fresco painted by Andrea Appiani, who was commissioned to portray in the vice-regal palace at Milan the pageants of Napoleon. Thirty-five are there painted in oil, after the manner of Grisaille. This subject has been engraved by the best artists of Milan; it is rare and much sought after by amateurs.