Napoleon Bonaparte history

NAPOLEON BONAPARTE

The isle of Elba is well noted in Italy and the world over for it's natural beauty, and its richness of mineral ores found beneath the surface, Its notoriety is also bound to a name: Napoleon Bonaparte. Elba represented a place of brief exile for Napoleon colored by many aspects. He stayed there and also reigned there for less than a year between 1814 and 1815, then fled and went on to his defeat at Waterloo and then to the less comfortable exile on Sant'Elena in the middle of the Atlantic Ocean. He arrived on Elba at the beginning of May 1814. Before, there had been the disastrous Russian Campaign and the defeat at Lipsia. Napoleon's legacy on Elba is mostly displayed in two museums, housed in two buildings that were once Napoleon's residences: The Villa dei Mullino (the city residence in the historical center of Portoferraio) and The Villa Martino (the larger of the two a few kilometers from the island capital in the direction of Procchio Marina do Campo). Napoleon also bequeathed some books and paintings to the island. 

NAPOLEON ON 'ELBA ISLAND
On March 31, 1814, the coalition forces of England, Prussia, Russia, and Austria entered Paris. Napoleon was forced to abdicate. The Treaty of Fontainebleau on April 11 assigned Napoleon the Isle of Elba as his principality and he was given an annual pension of two million francs. In 1814, the governor of Elba, General Dalesme and his garrison were numbered less than 500. At the same time the mine in Rio was shut down because transportation of the minerals was impossible. The return of the few veterans of the Napoleonic war and the dispersal of the military of garrisons due to the uncertain climate created by the defeat and abdication of Napoleon fostered hostility towards the French. On April 1814, a dispatch arrived from the Minister of War Dupont to General Dalesme commander of the isle of Elba: This is to inform you that the unexpected events occurring within the French government have been the consequence of the abdication of Napoleon Bonaparte and for the arrival of the coming French Emperor, you will hand over the piazza at Portoferraio the moment he sets foot on the island.� Dalesme, worried about the reaction of the islanders, arrived to order the consignment of weapons, and even Napoleon, who on orders from Commander Usher landed with the frigate Undaunted on the shores of Elba May 3rd, was not sure what kind of welcome awaited him. He was preceded by a proclamation and sent a flag that he designed, based on a merchant flag of the Grand Duke that was white with a red band to which he added three gold bees. He also substituted the French cockade with another of differing colors. The Elbans greeted him with great enthusiasm. Napoleon disembarked at the pier in front of the Porta a Mare; he was given the keys to the city by Maria Traditi who, along with the authorities, accompanied him to the Parish where the mass (The Deum) was celebrated by the vicar of the island, Monsignor Arrighi. After having settled in for several days in the uncomfortable setting of the Biscotteria (bakery) that was used as the seat of the administration. Napoleon decided to renovate some of the administrative buildings, situated between Fort Falcon and Fort Stella, for his various uses. And so was born the Villa die Mulini. He used the ground floor as his residence and the first floor held the reception room. The small theater next door was used as a room for playing cards and where a small orchestra and two singers could perform to an audience of upper class locals. Public festivals were organized with great success like that on August 16 with horse races, a ball, and fireworks.

LIFE STYLE FROM NAPOLEON BONAPARTE

For his summer residence he readapted a house in the valley of San Martino near Portoferraio, but because of the hot climate, he only used it during the coolest periods. Nearby he set up a glass and ceramic factory that had a modest success. The climate in Madonna del Monte near Marciana proved to be healthier and it was here that he would discretely receive Maria Waleska and her son. Napoleon, in no position to alienate his father-in-law the Emperor of Austria always hoped for a visit from Maria Luisa. Waiting for his pension that never arrived, Napoleon could only count on the meager earnings from the island. His plan to create blasts furnaces on Elba proved impractical. In compensation he took possession of the proceeds of the mines. Collecting the taxes from the Elban citizens was not easy. In the case of Capoliveri, military intervention was necessary. At the moment of his departure, his personal finances were greatly reduced and he left behind a multitude of debts. The late or missed payment of salaries caused disorder and desertion amongst the soldiers some of whom were punished with confinement on the island of Pianosa that Napoleon had attempted to colonize. The maintenance of an army was burdensome and justified only by the fear of abduction by his enemies. A French and Corsican battalion was recruited and added to the Grenadiers of the Guard and to the Polish Lancers. The troops were assembled in a hurry and with effort. There were a little less than a thousand undisciplined but well armed men who cost more than a thousand francs. To them were added some isolated officials who out of nostalgia came to offer their use, like General Boinod, who was completely deaf and was named Inspector General of Inspections. Napoleon's staff officers consisted of Bertrand who was Minister of the Interior and Civic Affairs, Drouot who was Governor of the island, while Cambronne was Commander of the Guard. However, every decision was made by Napoleon in person. The Port of Portoferraio experienced an unusual liveliness. The influx of foreigners wishing to meet the governor was considerable and the great quantity of goods and provisions that were necessary to sustain the court and the military brought many to Portoferraio in search of a profit. To Napoleon's pre-existing small fleet was added a brig (the Inconstant) and a rowboat belonging to the Undaunted. He requisitioned two feluccas, rechristened La Mouche and L'Abeille that were assigned the surveillance of the mines at Rio. A small cargo ship, never delivered, was ordered from the dockyards of Marciana and later a xebec, the Etrusco was acquisitioned and rechristened L'Etoile. For various reasons they had difficulty finding sufficient mariners for the small fleet (some came from Capraia and others from around Liguria. Napoleon acted as though he intended to remain on Elba, but warned that Congress, convened in Vienna on November 1st were planning to confine him elsewhere, he began plotting his escape, confidant that, once arrived in France, he would be supported by the army that had in great part remained faithful to him. And so with great caution on account of the many spies who were watching him, Napoleon began to prepare for his escape.