CERISOLES - April 14, 1544

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Color throughout, including many uniform plates, re-enactor photos, and maps.

The engagement took place during the 1814 campaign. After Napoleon had retreated from Russia and lost the Battle of Leipzig, the allied armies had invaded France. Napoleon won a number of victories (such as the battle of Reims), but had little chance of success, with just 70,000 men against half a million allied forces.

Napoleon had achieved a remarkable victory with troops whose morale had suffered due to heavy casualties and the defeats at Craonne and Laon. According to the historian F.W.O. Maycock, success at Reims was 'surely one of the greatest triumphs of [Napoleon's] remarkable career, and speaks volumes for his powers as a leader of men.'

Napoleon once again interposed between the forces of Blucher and Schwarzenberg, putting him in position to move on the latter's line of communications. Reims would be Napoleon's final victory in the Campaign of 1814.

The campaign ended with the allies taking Paris on 31 March and Napoleon's abdication on 6 April.