MY FRIEND PASCAL CAZOTTES

Pascal has a sense of humour and I was very pleased that he liked by little Gimped tribute to one of today's most prolific and distinguished writers in the field of Napoleonic studies. His articles on the SNI/INS website are superb and detailed and a real treasure for those blessed with the ability to read the French language. Pascal has recently been involved in the mammoth task of editing a new French magazine VIVE L'EMPEREUR. As a mere author I blanch at the colossal effort, intellectual ability and stamina required for such a task.

As well as being a brilliant writer in his own language, Pascal translated my article about Napoleon and the Tamboran eruption into French and included it in the very first edition of the magazine. He has also sent me many very rare pictures and images from C19th French magazines, and here are some of them:

NAPOLEON SHOWS THEM HOW

Napoleon never forgot that he was a gunner and he was forever showing his men how to sight the pieces, often under a veritable hail of shot and shell. On many occasions his soldiers begged him to retire but the Emperor retorted that the bullet that would kill him had yet to be cast. His physical bravery was a constant example to his soldiers, especially the young Marie Louises whom he relied upon in 1814. When a spluttering shell landed amongst some of them, Napoleon rode his horse over the shell. When it exploded, it did for the unfortunate horse but the Emperor scrambled to his feet, dusted himself off and smiled a silent "Eh bien!"

Crossing the Niemen 1812

Here are more of the pictures that Pascal has sent me. Some are impossible to place but they give a vivid image of the times.

Coignet at Austerlitz

Plan of the Battle of Borodino

Ben Weider

Ben founded the International Napoleonic Society. He was a gentleman and a great scholar and the world is somewhat lost and more empty without him. Pascal and I cherish his memory and, in celebration of his great life we try to maintain his legacy - Ben wanted to make sure that Napoleon's memory would not be tarnished and besmirched by poor historians and lazy historiography. We salute you Ben.

Mon ami Pascal

C. JOHN TARTTELIN FINS 2012