174
WILIIELNNI DER SIEGREICIIE
PAGE
3.
12. 4.
responsibility, refused obedience to Napoleon, and
concluded an armistice with the Russians.
The whole nation was determined to shake off the foreign
Joke.
The king left Berlin and went to Breslau uhere, on
February 3, 1813, he published the famous “ Appeal
to my People.
. Having made an alliance with the Emperor of Russia for
13. 8.
14. 10.
11.
15. 12.
—
*
16. 14.
15.
17. 16.
17.
18. 18.
the liberation of Europe, King Frederick William
declared war against Napoleon.
Those uho did not take part in the war at least con-
tributed to its expense.
The king's state of health made it impossible for him to
take part himself in the campaign.
Prince William who was then sixteen and had just been
made captain, earned bis spurs in the battle of Bar-
sur-Aube.
. The valley of the river Aube was bordered by vineyards
which were occupied by Russian troops.
IIis Mlajesty as well as the two princes were exposed to
the greatest danger.
Tihe onl) thing to do is to go back.
The king noticed the terrible losses of the tuo Russian
regiments which fouglit likc tigers and did not yield an
inch.
Prince William distinguished himself by the calmness and
alacrity with which he carried out his father's order.
The heights of Montmartre having been stormed by the
Prussian guards, the allied troops made their sclemn
entry into Paris on Alarch 0, 1814.
On llay 30 peace was made; Napoleon was deposed
and banished.
Soon after his return to Berlin Prince William was con-
firmed. .
Hcpromisedinhisconscssionthathewouldneversorget
thatbeforeGodaprinccisonlyaman1ikeothermen,
and that he would always persorm his official duties
with the utmost punctuality.
Napoleon having returned from Elba and having raised
a large army once more tried his fortunc against the
allied troops, but was utterly defeated in the memorable
battle of Waterloo on June 18, 1815.