Author: Benjamin J. Swenson

News Stories

Grant vs. Napoleon III: Reflections on Mexico’s Emperor, the British, and North American Civil War

Although a retrospective Grant offered his views on international aspects of the American Civil War, one figure appearing to elicit passion and vindictiveness not apparent to Young was the former president’s dislike of Napoleon III (1808-1873).

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El Empecinado of Spain: The Undaunted Guerrilla Who Eluded Napoleon

The most prominent guerrilla chieftain to emerge in central Spain during the War of Independence against Napoleon (1808-1814) was Juan Martín Díez, better known as El Empecinado

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Levée en masse: Napoleon’s Senate and Power to Raise Armies

Following the bloodless Coup of 18 Brumaire (November 9, 1799) and the overthrow of the Directory, General Napoleon consolidated his grip on France through a series of political maneuvers neutering checks and balances upon his authority.

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Escape from Perote: The “Hellhole” where Texans were Imprisoned   

One prisoner intent on escaping Perote was Thomas Jefferson Green. Green was one of a couple hundred Texans who became prisoners after a failed effort in late 1842 to assault the Rio Grande town of Ciudad Mier.

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The Mier Expedition’s “Bloody” Black-Bean Lottery of 1843 and Journey of John C.C. Hill

In September of 1842 Texans and Mexicans engaged in a series of skirmishes near San Antonio resulting in the deaths of three dozen Texans. In response, that November the Texans organized a retaliatory expedition of several hundred soldiers and pushed through Laredo towards Ciudad Mier – located on the Mexican side of the Rio Grande.

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