FONTAINBLEAU

PEACE OF.—Concluded between France and Denmark, in 1670. Treaty of ditto between the Emperor of Germany and Holland, signed November 8th, 1785. Second Treaty of ditto, between Napoleon and the Royal Family of Spain, October 27th, 1807. Concordat of ditto, between Napoleon and Pope Pius VII, January 25th, 1813. Entered by the Austrians, February 17th, 1814. Napoleon here resigned his imperial dignity, and bade farewell to his army, April 5th, 1814. FONTENOY.—Fought, April 30th, 1745,—according to others, May 11th, 1745—between the French, commanded by Count Saxe, and the English, Han over i ans, Dutch, and Austrians, commanded by the Duke of Cumber land. “The French entered upon the war with great alacrity. They besieged Fribourg, and in the beginning of the succeeding campaign invested the strong city of Tourney. Although the Allies were inferior in number, and although commanded by the Duke of Cumber land, yet, they resolved, if po ible, to save the city by hazarding a battle. They accordingly marched against the enemy, and took post in sight of the French, who were encamped on an eminence, the village of St. Antoine on the right, a wood on the left, and the town of Fontenoy before them. This advantageous situation did not repre the ardour of the English, who began the attack at two o’clock in the morning, and pre ing forward, bore down all opposition. They were for nearly an hour victorious, and confident of succe , while Saxe, a soldier of fortune, who commanded the French army, was at that time sick of the same disorder of which he afterwards died. However, he was carried about to all the posts in a litter, and a ured his attendants that, notwithstanding all unfavourable appearances, the day was his own. A column of the English, without any command, but by mere mechanical courage, had advanced upon the enemy’s lines, which, opening, formed an avenue on each side to receive them. It was then that the French artillery on the three sides began to play on this forlorn body, which, though they continued for a long time unshaken, were obliged at last to retreat. This was one of the most bloody battles that had been fought in this age; the Allies left on the field 12,000 men, and the French bought their victory with nearly an equal number of slain.” FORT DU QUESNE.— United States. —Famous in the French war of Canada with the English. The following extract well describes the expedition: “Braddock, who had been recommended to this service by the Duke of Cumber land, set forward upon this expedition in June, and left the cultivated parts of the country on the 10th, at the head of 2200 men, directing his march to that part of the country whence Major Washington had retreated the year before. Being at length within ten miles of the French fortre he was appointed to besiege, and marching forward through the forest with full confidence of succe , on a sudden his whole army was astonished by a general discharge of arms, both in front and flank, from an enemy that still remained unseen. It was now too late to think of retreating; the troops had pa ed into the defile which the enemy had artfully permitted them to do before they offered to fire. The vanguard of the English therefore, fell back in consternation upon the main body, and the panic soon became general. The officers alone disdained to fly, while Braddock himself still continued to command his brave a ociates, discovering at once the greatest intrepidity and imprudence. An enthusiast to the discipline of war, he disdained to fly from the field, or to permit his men to quit their ranks, when their only method of treating the Indian army was by precipitate attack, or an immediate desertion of the field of battle. At length Braddock, having received a musket shot through the lungs, dropped, and a total confusion ensued. All the artillery, ammunition, and baggage of the army was left to the enemy, and the lo sustained by the English amounted to 700 men. The remnant of the army, in this emergency, was saved by the courage and ability of Washington, who first here appears conspicuously on the theatre of this world’s great events.” FORT ERIE.— Canada. —This fortre was taken by the American General Brown, July 3rd, 1814. Defended by only 170 men, no wonder it yielded to the Americans with 4000 strong. On the 15th August, General Drummond tried to retake it, but failed. September 17th the besieged made a sortie but were driven back, each side losing 600 men. Evacuated by the Americans, who blew up to the fort November 5th, 1814. FORT NIAGARA.— Canada. —Captured by Sir William Johnston. In the war of 1813 it was surprised and captured by the Canadians. FREDERECKSHALL.—Rendered memorable by the death of Charles XII of Sweden, who was killed by a cannon ball before its walls, and while in the trenches leaning against the parapet examining the works. He was found in that position with his hand on his sword and a prayer book in his pocket.—December 11th, 1718. It is now generally believed that some traitor shot the King with a pistol. FRENCH TOWN.— Canada. —This town was taken from the British by the American General Winchester, January 22nd, 1813. Retaken by the British forces under General Proctor immediately afterwards, when the American commander and the whole of his troops were made prisoners of war.