Bonaparte Crossing the Rhine - Clawhammer Banjo

I always wondered what particular event this tune is about so if anyone knows more, please let me know! In 1800 Napoleon famously crossed the Alps to reconquer territory in Italy, but not the Rhine River. He did cross the Rhine on the way to the battle of Austerlitz, but 'crossing a river' is often used to symbolize a moment of no return for famous generals. Think of Caesar crossing the Rubicon and Washington crossing the Delaware; they both took a huge military gamble of which the outcome was uncertain.
For that reason it would make more sense to me if the tune is about Napoleon's campaign to Russia 1812.
However, Washington and Caesar both accomplished great victories after their crossings, Napoleon didn't in 1812. What do you guys think; is the tune about the campaign of 1800 or 1812?

[@donaldfransson2827]

Thank You for the wonderful music. Donald in Sweden

[@JelSnel]

Thank you Donald!

[@MrDent495]

Excellent, wonderful sensitive playing as always, thank you for sharing 🪕

[@JelSnel]

Thank you Neil!

[@MrDent495]

@@JelSnel I love my Tupelo, beautiful woody tone but it still rings as if my magic, I hope to play it half as well one day 😊

[@fastheartmartvideos]

Sounds great!

[@thomaskowalyshen5325]

Classy

[@drussthelegend3919]

Klinkt goed.

[@newtsfarm]

It's a great tune. What tuning are you using? I used to play Bonaparte's retreat on the fiddle and never bothered to find what that was about either so now you've got me wondering about the history of both of them. Hope someone can help us both out on that.

[@JelSnel]

Thanks! I'm tuned to Double C. I'm pretty sure Bonaparte retreat implies the loss of the Russian campaign in 1812. That was really the beginning of the end for him.. But someone else pointed out that many names/events are often combined randomly in fiddle tunes. I can imagine the historical knowledge of American fiddlers was limited, and they just chose a name that stuck. I'll keep my eyes open for more info!

[@newtsfarm]

@@JelSnel Thanks

[@tylerkelly1965]

Very nice playing. What model banjo are you playing?

[@JelSnel]

@@tylerkelly1965 thank you! This is an Ome Tupelo

[@unbanmenivezz2241]

sheesh bro this shit nice

[@larryeddings3185]

👍👍

[@zachb8012]

Seeing as it has no lyrics and there's quite a few Napoleon related marching tunes... there's a good chance it's just nonsense that sounded cool.

[@JelSnel]

Think I agree!