“Ride to the Sound of the Guns…”
Napoleon’s 1809 Campaign and the Spanish Ulcer

Convention Theme – July 16th - 19th, 2009

“My God, No, he gave the order to attack, we attack.”
– Prince to MacDonald concerning Napoleon’s orders
to attack the Austrians with the Army of Italy, 5 July 1809 Walpole

With the evacuation of the English from Corunna Napoleon returned to Paris triumphant and prepared to act on the threat posed by Austria mobilization. Austrian Archduke Charles marched into Bavaria proclaiming a War of German liberation, while Archduke John marched on Italy. Napoleon called up the conscripts and arrived in Donauworth with an army of 200,000 eight days after Charles invaded Bavaria. Thus begins Napoleon’s 1809 campaign that began with Abensburg (20 April) and Eggmuhl (22 April) and ended with Aspern-Essling (21-22 May) and Wagram (5-6 July).

Napoleon spent the next three years concerning himself with a new family, the Continental System, and Russia. In Spain Napoleon’s brother Joseph failed him, Massena failed him, Marmont failed him, and Joseph again failed him; he lost Spain to an upstart English General who up until his entrance into Spain had only fought ‘natives’.

Two links explaining related background:

• http://www.napoleonguide.com/campaign_5coalit.htm
• http://www.napoleonguide.com/campaign_peninwar.htm

Guests of Honor

It is too early to determine who might be invited, but the Convention Committee is already working on this!