FUN WITH MAPS ISSUE 2024-194

By Steve Kovacs (Introduction by Chuck Gibson)

LOVELAND, OH (October 28, 2024) – In this edition of Fun with Maps we recognize the military graduation of an iconic General – small in stature, but large in history.  

THE LITTLE GENERAL

At the age of 16 on October 28, 1785, Napoleon Bonaparte graduated from military school. 

While he may have gone on to be a great general, he evidently was not a great student, ranking number 42 in the Ecole Militaire’s class of 58.  Second Lieutenant Bonaparte left to join the artillery forces in Valence in the La Fere regiment.

In 1795, Bonaparte returned to the now-closed school to establish his military headquarters.  The building became the barracks for the Consular Guards and eventually the Imperial Guards.

Many military celebrations have been, and still are, held in the Champs-de-Mars where the building is located.  The main French military school today is located there, and the extensive grounds allow for the cavalry training that has made the French army a leader in horsemanship.

Since the complex is a functioning school, it is not open to visitors regularly.  However, it is open, free of charge, to visitors during European Heritage Days which take place during the third week of September.

Napoleon is from the island of Corsica, and thus we present Ortelius’ map of the island from 1602.

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Steve Kovacs and his wife Theresa reside in Loveland, Ohio where they raised their two children. He is a passionate collector of antique maps.

Visit his antique map boutique world-on-paper online. Watch for his daily feature Steve Kovacs: Fun with Maps here on Loveland Beacon.