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| | Chapter 20 - Bernadotte |
 | | John Baptiste Julius Bernadotte, destined to be one of the greatest, and by far the most fortunate of Napoleon's lieutenants, was born at Pau, the capital of Bearne, Jan. 26th, 1764. |
 | | Notwithstanding his superior acquirements, and his good conduct, the year 1789 found Bernadotte only a serjeant; but after the revolutionary torrent swept away the artificial distinctions of society, and cleared the military stage for the exhibition and success of plebeian merit, his rise was most rapid. |
 | | In electing Bernadotte, the States were influenced, first, by his high reputation throughout Europe; and next, by the hope that such an election would be agreeable to Napoleon, and transform the most formidable of their enemies into a steadfast friend. |
| www.napoleonic-literature.com /Book_23/Chapter20-Bernadotte.htm (4181 words) |
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