Napoleon's Marshals: Bessières, Macdonald, Masséna.

[@EpichistoryTv]

I hope you enjoy the latest installment of the Napoleon's Marshals series! Thank youto series consultant Lt.Col. Rémy Porte, whose blog on military history (in French) you can read here: guerres-et-conflits.over-blog.com/ And finally, no need to write in to say that Napoleon actually hated the Marseillaise! I am aware, but it's used here as a light-hearted nod to iconic French cultural imagery and music. Enjoy the video!

[@emmanuelfernandez04]

Thank You

[@mdmiloy5897]

OTTOMAN HABSBURG WARS PLEASE

[@mdmiloy5897]

I ENGOYED THIS VIDIO. THANK YOU

[@mdmiloy5897]

Please reply me

[@knightofhonour2937]

Thank you very much!

[@V4Ng0]

Napoleon to Macdonald: " I did not know you well.... I was prejudiced against you. I have done so much for so many others who have abandoned me.... and you..... who owe me nothing have remained faithful. I appreciate your loyalty too late" This hit me so hard ;_;

[@nixon9346]

Yea and the music...🤧

[@Conorp77]

And then Macdonald totally turned on him in 1815.

[@sauronmordor7494]

yes

[@toochangz]

Napoleon then gave MacDonald the sword of Murad Bey, one of the prized heirlooms from the Egyptian campaign.

[@sauronmordor7494]

@@toochangz ;)

[@crownprincesebastianjohano7069]

Regarding the Mighty Macdonald: His Outspokeness was once having dinner with King Louis XVIII and the Comte de Artois, Louis' ultra-royal brother who later became Charles X. Louis asked Mac what he thought of the Revolution. To the shock of all Mac responded that he loved the Revolution. He loved the Revolution as "How else would someone like me, not born into a noble family, have the great privilege of having dinner with his majesty?" Louis chuckled and said something to the effect of "There, you see! Even the worst circumstances can have positives."

[@freewal]

Louis XVIII was much more moderate than his brother the Conte d’Artois, the future Charles X. He understood that France had change a lot in 25 years.

[@crownprincesebastianjohano7069]

@@freewal Very true. Artois was, as Louis put it, "More Royalist than the King." Louis XVIII was not a terrible a king, and in his own way, perhaps underrated in his understanding of how to transition France from the Empire to a more settled state of affairs. His instinct was not to be blood thirsty. It is most unfortunate for everyone that his brother did not learn from his brother's example.

[@BountyFlamor]

@@crownprincesebastianjohano7069 The guy was smart enough to not take the progressive policies of the Revolution and Napoleon away, so people let him be.

[@theodorosgkountoulidis2385]

Liking before even watching. This is how strong the Epic History TV brand name is!

[@arlohurst1595]

Wasn't even 3 seconds after I clicked the video.

[@mbathroom1]

Same

[@Baamthe25th]

Brand so strong I'm rewatching the previous videos to refresh my memory. By the time this series is done, I will hav ewtached every video multiples times

[@darcboy1398]

So true

[@mingming919]

Ahhhh, to hear the brass at the beginning once more...

[@michaelsimarmata5880]

Gave me goosebumps every time

[@jimmyeastmond2719]

Egmont Overture by Ludwig van Beethoven

[@Danterobo]

Good for the era. Personally I love overture to Don Giovanni

[@loyaltyisroyalty5616]

Does anyone know what the first instrument is? I have 0 musical knowledge lol

[@af17317596]

@@loyaltyisroyalty5616 don't quote me on it but if I were to guess, a French horn maybe?

[@ChristianThePagan]

“His Outspokenness” ... now that’s a cool title.

[@nacionaldelacapital]

McDonald was born in 17 November 1765 tw.search.yahoo.com/search?p=Jacques+Mac+Donald&fr=yfp-search-sb Just like any Scorpio person will do. And may get into trouble. LOL

[@etiennejacquesjosephmacdon2560]

Yes, but not for me.

[@NaullyNicolas]

"I have spoken"

[@1987MartinT]

Kinda sounds like one of the things Han would call Leia before she told him to stop, and he started calling her by her first name.

[@andershoel78]

Så if others persons you dont know, do what you say, you are a King. Either you are a King, or they just want to send you to a mental hospital for disication.

[@TheFiresloth]

Davout : "The Iron Marshal" Massena : "The Darling Child of Victory" Lannes : "The French Achilles"; "Roland" Ney : "The Red Lion"; "The Bravest of the Braves" Soult : "The Duke of Damnation" Murat : "King Franconi" Suchet : "El Hombre Justo" St-Cyr : The Man of Ice", "The Owl" Marmont : "Marshal Judas"; "Proud-Ass" Bernadotte : "Fair-Legs" Augereau : "The Proud Bandit" MacDonald : "Alceste" (a Moliere character known for his blunt honesty) Victor : "The Drummer"; "Pretty-Sun" Mortier : "The Ram" Oudinot : "Thirty-five Wounds Marshal";"The Colander" Moncey : "Phebus"; "The Model of All Virtues" Poniatowski : "The Polish Bayard" The fact that they almost all went down with a cool nickname is pretty awesome.

[@terry7907]

Ney should have the Bravest of the Brave on your list.

[@veknus]

You missed out Lefebvfre

[@marc-antoinerave2572]

Bernadotte should have been renamed “the filthy traitor”

[@haveagreatday6822]

@@veknus what did they call him?

[@TheFiresloth]

@@terry7907 True, added.

[@megasalexandros714]

"If Bessieres can be a top 10 Napoleon's marshal then anyone can be" General Marmont, december 2nd 1804

[@MarvinT0606]

"Lol you lost to an Irishman with a hooky nose" Marshal Bessieres, 22 July 1812

[@omarbradley6807]

When a devout catholic is more loyal to Napoleon than you, it is not a good thing

[@Gabriel-se9el]

2th lol

[@bassgeeker1578]

Very funny from Marmont when you know that his name was turned in French as an ironic synonym for disloyalty after his switching during the 1814 French campaign where he was in charge to cover and defend Paris, but let the allied took it... Marmont and Grouchy were the two First empire marshals to live for a while after the end of the empire with a poor unreliable reputation... Marmont, also Duke of Raguse, let the verb “Raguser” in French as synonym of treason and disloyalty.

[@omarbradley6807]

@@bassgeeker1578 The difference between Marmont and Grouchy was who the first intentionally did harm by treason a couple of times, while Grouchy misunderstood the strategic situation

[@CosmicFaust]

“I’ve been looking forward to this.” - Count Dooku

[@d.s.archer5903]

6:56 the reason Lannes and Bessieres did not come to blows was because Massena intervened, ordered them to stop, and to part company. As others have noted, it says much for Massena’s authority that he was able to impose his will on Lannes.

[@Warui88]

You know you're intimidating when you can make Lannes heel.

[@AL4N22_PELIT]

@@Warui88 honestly I always saw bessieres as cold and dull. He certainly couldn't intimidate lannes.

[@avatar2350]

I must admit, at 17:11 i felt very sad. The dispear on Napoleon's portrait, the music and the brilliant narration... A true masterpice that honors the memory of past generations

[@thehistoryvideogameandgame4730]

And of course, They would never meet or fight alongside each other again.

[@DirtyBird28]

McDonald...Outspoken, honest, loyal, blunt, and good in a hard fight! Like a true Scotsman.

[@alister2228]

Potentiality, illigetimate though... No recognised by Neil Maceachan on his birth certificate. Macdonald was however raised by the Scottish community in the Sancerre region.

[@sauronmordor7494]

yes

[@toochangz]

He also banged Napoleon's sister (one of the reasons napoleon didn't like him)

[@sauronmordor7494]

@@toochangz ;=)

[@alister2228]

@@toochangz is that the three days story?

[@phigu198]

Poor Massena. He was clearly supremely capapble, but Napoleon overused him and gave him no time to recover before throwing him into Spain.

[@john6941]

Not to mention shooting him in the face.

[@haveagreatday6822]

He was Exhausted,old and sick poor guy probably just wanted to retire

[@0giwan]

He could probably be played by Harrison Ford....

[@haveagreatday6822]

@@0giwan wdym?

[@AJKecsk]

Literally shot in the face by Napoleon

[@seanpoore2428]

"There are fourteen of us!" I want an HBO historical dramatic comedy about these guys.

[@jaida728]

I am in complete agreement, I would really really love to see that.

[@CleversonSantos]

Me too mate!!! Imagine how great it would be!!!

[@Warui88]

The Marshals would totally make for a great show. Hijinks everywhere.

[@wowyourereallyreadingthis]

•M•A•R•S•H•A•L•S•

[@haveagreatday6822]

What did he meant by that?

[@fangexploring]

Seems like Massena and Macdonald combined would have made the perfect Marshal. They both sound fascinating characters, this has definitely made me want to learn more about them. These videos are so good I keep watching them again and again, thank you!

[@NDR-hn3ue]

*Only THREE Marshals for this episode . And there are ALREADY nearly 35 THOUSAND VIEWS !!! People LOVE this series.*

[@davidhoran7116]

These videos go to show that even though Napoleon was a strategic wizard, his successes were far from his alone.

[@mercenery1232]

Yeah many great leaders are those that know how and who to delegate work to the right men

[@lomax343]

Neither were his failures.

[@PipoZePoulp]

By the time of the Napoleonic Wars, the army and military cadres had a decade of experience, owning to the civil war and Wars of the Revolution. It took 15 years for the rest of European Powers to catch up.

[@RexGalilae]

@@PipoZePoulp This is a very one-sided view. The French didn't gain experience fighting trees. They mainly fought the Austrians and the Russians during this era who had the same opportunity to gain this amount of pedigree. It's often convenient to retroactively attach merit to circumstance but the inescapable truth lay in a few talented men France could produce that were influential in creating a new style of warfare that lasted for about about a century

[@fredbarker9201]

Napoleon, riding on the wave of the revolution, promoted meritocracy in the army. That’s why they were so good. The rest of Europe’s army’s were littered with nobles only their on account of their birth.

[@anantbisht6355]

Massena was shot in the face Oudinot: _Pathetic_

[@haveagreatday6822]

Oudinot was wounded mostly in his bodies, Not his His face although he did has scars on the face

[@laurentparodi5261]

@@haveagreatday6822 Oudinot was shot in the head in 1794

[@haveagreatday6822]

@@laurentparodi5261 ok i didnt know that

[@sjsbviufvibwvuspi]

@@laurentparodi5261 a certain someone else was also shot in the head but still died

[@metallica27796]

Murat was shot in the jaw

[@dakapo8985]

"There is 14 of us" what a champ.

[@haveagreatday6822]

What does that mean?

[@braxtonfriday8713]

@@haveagreatday6822 he meant "your congratulations mean nothing to me, there are so many others with this 'honor'"

[@dakapo8985]

@@haveagreatday6822 That he had the mind of a champion.

[@rick7424]

That is ego which got in the way of his potential.

[@rick7424]

18:22 MacDonald was praises because he was not vain or ambitious/opportunistic.

[@HunterKiller762]

Honestly, I wish there'd be an HBO series about the lives of these men. Each are unique and quiet interesting in there own ways.

[@dumbcow7722GD]

Is anyone not gonna talk about how epic the music is when Massena showed up, fitting for a man like him.

[@loyaltyisroyalty5616]

iPhone notification: Napoleon’s Marshals part 4 Me to my family: “Everyone needs to leave me the hell alone for the next 30mins!...plz n thnx”

[@ralexmarquez]

Hahaha! it's the Epic History effect.

[@lukeparslow6780]

I see you're a man of culture as well

[@johnnyjoestar5193]

I swear everytime I watch a new EHTV video I always get interrupted😭

[@jcg7990]

Lol 😁😂 yes !

[@benjaminvidstein6029]

I was surprised at Massena being at 6. I had always thought he was one of his best commanders, but now I think otherwise. Great video : ) My prediction for the next 6 are: 6. Suchet 5. Berthier 4. Ney 3. Lannes 2. Soult 1. Davout

[@EpichistoryTv]

I think Masséna probably was one of the best - when he was completely fit. But after 1810 I think he just wanted a quiet life with his money and his mistress! If the rankings were done another way - every Marshals at the peak of his abilities - I think he'd probably be top 5. Your predictions are VERY close but I will say no more.

[@Sam-AZ]

@@EpichistoryTv Ney is no.1

[@janvokurka2401]

I think Ney won't be at the fourth place Suchet will surpass him imo. But otherwise I agree with the ranking. Maybe Lannes changes with Soult in this series though.

[@sephiroth5815]

Why Soult outranked Lannes ? Lannes is far better than Soult. Maybe more than Davout

[@Thomas194.]

@@EpichistoryTv I think Marshal Lannes will be number 1 beacause of excellent commanding skills specially with his loyal grenadiers among the troops, one of Napoleon's closest friend, fully trusted. Also, the Grande Armee loved this brillant commander.

[@napoleonibonaparte7198]

Napoleon Souvenirs might as well supply my officer corps

[@theyoungbonaparte3739]

For my campaign aganst Italy

[@etiennejacquesjosephmacdon2560]

@@theyoungbonaparte3739 Oh Boney!

[@etiennejacquesjosephmacdon2560]

@trueblueprussian 23 you are late Prussia...

[@etiennejacquesjosephmacdon2560]

@trueblueprussian 23 being late is...rather bemusing in the history of warfare you know...

[@etiennejacquesjosephmacdon2560]

@trueblueprussian 23 damn you prussians! :)

[@b.chaline4394]

Along with Lannes, MacDonald is probably the most likeable of Napoleon's marshals. A loyal and chivalrous man to the end, more interested in serving his country than accumulating wealth ; a rare feat among his peers!

[@lord_napoli]

Me and my family have been waiting for this for literally months!

[@doctortabasco]

And we have to keep waiting!!

[@landfish8039]

This series just makes my day

[@RaduOsraldescu]

You're not alone

[@sirfatty5068]

Now just do this for Alexander's Companions and my life is complete.

[@VladissimoTheMocker]

Actually all of my "yes" goes to this

[@francogutierrez1793]

And Caesar's legates too

[@anthonykatonlopez8061]

I concur

[@btg7760]

No he should continue the Napoleonic series

[@ChanahsCreativeEdits]

@@francogutierrez1793 Roman = Greek wannabes 🙄

[@crownprincesebastianjohano7069]

Haha! In before anyone else! Great work as usual! Outstanding! Bessieres was underserved. He was a solid general, also loyal and stalwart. And boy did he and Lannes hate one another. In Marbot's memoirs he relates the story of where Lannes, who Marbot was ADC for, during a battle ordered him to take a message to Bessieres to attack. Lannes told Marbot to give Bessieres the order exactly as Lannes had said it, which was gravely insulting. Marbot did this and Bessieres was incensed and cried out that he'd show that popinjay what courage means. Besseries than launched him the attack with great vigor. Lannes later explained to Marbot that insulting Bessieres was the best way to ensure that he launched the attack as violently as possible to disjoint the enemy.

[@EpichistoryTv]

Haha, yes. And as far as I know, it was all because Lannes blew the budget for the Consular Guard, and Murat and Bessières told on him, and got him sacked!

[@onetwothreefourfive12345]

thats a hilarious detail thanks for sharing haha

[@onetwothreefourfive12345]

pretty clever

[@МаксРогозин-е1ю]

@@EpichistoryTv only suchet deserves to be number 1

[@b.chaline4394]

I highly recommend the novel "The Battle" by French author Patrick Rambaud - it's a tale of the Battle of Essling, from the point of view of French protagonists, whether they be common soldiers or high ranking officers. It is one of the very best Napoleonic fictions even written, and Masséna is a standout in it. There is one scene in particular that is totally awesome, in which Masséna addresses his aide, the Marquess of Sainte-Croix : "And you, my little Sainte-Croix, with your conspicuously aristocratic name, who do you believe in?" "I believe only in you, Your Grace." "Ah! Good answer."

[@stevec7770]

Good book

[@canisrah]

Incredible series. Absolute masterpiece. Engaging, and deeply authentic.

[@jeanlannes8710]

I am addicted to these! Seeing an analysis like this of Roman generals would be fantastic.

[@dogestranding5047]

It's awesome that you were able to get a former French Chief Historian to help you on this video. Epic History TV is easily one of the greatest KZbin channels out there. Marshal MacDonald seemed like a genuinely good and well-intentioned man. I didn't know much about him before other than seeing his name and thinking it was out of place for someone in the French army, but he's one of my favorite Marshals now.

[@Kidvirus44]

out of place ? The oldest alliance in the entire world, scott and french. with irland too, not so old but still... Jeanne d'arc entered in orlean with musicians/soldiers playing the march of robert bruce (la marche des soldats de bruce < french name). Thats a very old story between our people

[@FranceIsPropertyofEngland]

​@@Kidvirus44The oldest alliance goes to England and Portugal. It still stands to this day and started in medieval times. The auld alliance between Scotland and France ended with the acts of union. It's not there anymore.

[@omarbradley6807]

MacDonald was too loyal to France, he avoided politics at all, however being an inmediate subordinate of Dummoriez was a bad step in his luck, and then he was an inmediate subordinate of Moreau, who was another bad step in his luck

[@haveagreatday6822]

He is literally the dear child of badluck

[@joshuagrover795]

But at least MacDonald "Walk the walk" as much as "Talked the talk" by rigorously defending former colleagues like Marshal Davout and ensuring most of the time the ex Marshals and soldiers were treated well and fair.

[@1987MartinT]

Wellington also said about Masséna that he was the fiercest opponent he ever fought aside from Napoleon himself.

[@EK-gr9gd]

Well, Old Nosey has been generous to his adversaries always.

[@TheWorldisaLIE2]

@@EK-gr9gd yeah it makes himself and record look better if he talks up his opponents lol

[@etoiledesneiges-d]

Wellington didn't fight that much.apart from the peninsular campaign. A bright commander, but except in Waterloo, he only fought isolated french corps/marshals.

[@EK-gr9gd]

@@etoiledesneiges-d The Duke did most of his campaigns, without a staff genius like Berthier. George Kennedy got the commissary under control. But beside that Wellington was much of a one man enterprise.

[@thunderbird1921]

Considering Messena crushed Naples almost singlehandedly, it's easy to see why he might say that. On a related note, I've always wondered how different history might have been if Carlos IV or his son were not overthrown in Spain and they split Portugal with Napoleon as planned. Would the British still have pushed the allied Spanish-French army out in the end?

[@crownprincesebastianjohano7069]

What can one say about Massena? He was Massena. Even if he always brought his mistresses on campaign.

[@MarvinT0606]

It was that myth of Massena that broke him in Spain. He developed too many bad habits in Italy that wouldn't pass muster in a unforgiving theater like Spain.

[@EK-gr9gd]

And he was a damned looter! Second to Soult.

[@TheKastroman]

Here is another view of Masséna's lidership of the invasion of Portugal: The Duke of Wellington wrote of the murder, thefts and worse: “The British people, I’m certain, wouldn’t believe the indecent behaviours of the French after their retreat. I have never seen, nor heard, nor read of such behaviour and am convinced their actions have no equal in world history. You will hear several shocking recounts which should be told to the world at large. They killed all the countryfolk they found. Every day, we found the bodies of women, young and old, who were either stabbed, or shot. Since we were near Condexia, they regularly sent patrols to fetch all girls over the age of 10 to the camp to satisfy the soldiery… Every child we met was in tears, mourning the death of a parent. The houses were systematically burned … They dug up and looted the graves. Two days ago, one of our patrols entered a village where they found 36 corpses, most of whom were in their beds…”

[@MarvinT0606]

@@TheKastroman Soult, Massena, and Murat were primarily responsible for the large-scale violence in Spain

[@sanfordwong]

Come on his health was bad at that moment. Now I'm very understanding about why he had to bring his mistress with him to take care his everyday living. Battlefield is a very harsh environment especially in Spain instead of Germany or Italy. If Napoleon called him to Russia, he would be very likely to died there.

[@napoleonibonaparte7198]

I can imagine a decrepit Greek architecture hall with the hall’s sides lined with statues of the Marshal’s, with myself in at the end... with chants of, “Terror Belli, Decus Pacis” while walking down the hall.

[@natehammar7353]

This hall must be made to exist if it doesn’t. We already know what order to put them in. 😏

[@ralexmarquez]

if you guys were to do a series on the Diadochi and the battles they waged, It'd be grand

[@stefanfilipovits21]

Oh hell yeah! That sounds great

[@santamaria7733]

Napoleonic wars: Me and the boys taking on the monarchy

[@lukebrand6382]

the revolution marches on the legs of the boys

[@khameronsmith108]

Gf: Come over Me: Can't me and the boys are fighting for the glory of the Emperor

[@yazui.i.9368]

Because of the effort made on this Channel, my interest in History and Wars went pretty high starting from last year on. I must say if there would be more people like you guys, spreading history so interestingly, than usual people like me learn more

[@archibaldmccutcheon5884]

Incredibly well done! Massena in his prime would have made anyone suffer restless nights. Being a proud member of Clan Donald was quite pleased with McDonald's placement. He has similarities to Longstreet. Lee's Old War Horse. Can't wait for your next installment. Maybe get an answer to the Ney question. I myself believe he resides in restful peace in North Carolina.

[@joshuagrover795]

In his prime Masséna was alongside Lannes and Davout as one of France's finest commanders especially with independent command. If Napoleon had let him recover from his campaigns instead of throwing him immediately back into the fight, then his military abilities despite aging might well have been sharp and decisive a big "what if." Clearly a man with many raw military abilities, incredible since he never received any formal education or military training. The only other problem with Masséna was his love for looting.

[@brianjtarr]

I would love to see more more of his battles when you're finished with the marshals. You could still do Marengo, Dresden, the Egyptian Campaign... The list goes on. In fact, it's kinda strange that there's a video about Toulon, and then the next battle you cover is twelve years later. Such high quality videos every time.

[@PipoZePoulp]

"Good and brave, but unlucky" Bad luck was the worst flaw in a general according to Napoleon. Ambition and treachery, he could work with or around, Fortune he couldn't.

[@TumbleweedMK4]

At first I was shocked that Massena was so low on the list, but then, given the Marshalate time frame being from 1804- 1815, it is true that most of his legendary performances were well before then.

[@antivalidisme5669]

I won't lie, gotta love Bayonne's omnipresence on your maps of France ;) MacDonald was brave for sure, but he was a noble person too.

[@sauronmordor7494]

;)

[@frozenfire5917]

"When Masséna was opposed to me on the field, I never slept comfortably"

[@maartenroelofs6665]

It has been 2 and a half months already since part 4, when is part 5 coming? The other parts were only 4 weeks apart if im correct. You guys are my favorite history channel!

[@Princeofthebow]

Truly beautiful! We want part 5!

[@Mike22Katana]

Absolutely wonderful channel and series, can't believe I have only just stumbled across this! My total novice stab at the top 5. 1. Davout 2. Soult 3. Berthier 4. Suchet 5a. Lannes 5b. Ney

[@jpharris5757]

As a true blue Brit, I've obviously always been blind to the French perspective, reading the only 'real' account of how things were. note: limited in depth reading. This Chanel is excellent to provide counter points and thoroughly enjoyable and readily digestible accounts, but really loving these Marshal reviews. Just hurry up with the next 3...

[@sephiroth5815]

This channel improved my history knowledge. Thank you Epic History :D

[@victoriousomen]

I absolutely love these biographies! They give such extra depth to the previous battle videos, feature some truly inspirational individuals and portray the age in amazing detail. Thank you!

[@josephbenjamin2413]

"Massena was notorious for extorting vast sums from the local Italians, often while his own troops went hungry and without pay." My heart fell when I heard this. The man forgot his roots.

[@alanclark4722]

Best series i've watched in along time.

[@faridmakhluffarras524]

Messena: *Got shot in his Eyeball by Napoleon Berthier: It was my fault Man i wonder how Napoleon feel in that moment

[@haveagreatday6822]

To be fair Napoleon had always been a little bit intimidated by Massena since his on par with Moreau and Jourdan and infact his above Dumouriez,Serurier and Most of Napoleon’s Other marshal such as Lannes,Mortier,Bessieres,Soult and Macdonald. So i think Napoleon was kinda hella Scared that he shot massena. But Massena wasn’t really the type of person to be vengeful

[@kevindalton2981]

So Christmas came early this year. Thank you Epic History TV

[@deuxpomme9777]

Hearing the intro always hypes me up I swear this is the best youtube channel for the Napoleonic wars, Love the video as always epic history tv!!!! Much love to you guys over there 💜

[@cjthegood]

If circumstances were favorable, I think both MacDonald and Masséna would have been ranked higher. Honestly, I thought Masséna would have been included in the Top 5 marshals. But, after learning about his unfortunate blunders, I've seen this ranking as reasonable. In the case of MacDonald, if he hadn't been too close to Moreau, he wouldn't have been suspected by Napoleon. Maybe he would have been included in the first batch of marshals and have fought during the emperor's earlier campaigns.

[@aydrianna22]

"It is a terrible loss for you and your children, but an even greater loss for me." lol anyone else think that's a bit weird to write to a grieving widow?

[@Talyrion]

For all his talents, Napoléon wasn't the most considerate person in the world, I'm afraid.

[@YiannissB.]

Imagine being that widow. “Thnx your majesty. That really helped...”

[@duxveritatis2569]

I mean he was one of his few true friends and a very good subject so it's not that weird. Especially in a time where service to your country was held on very high regard.

[@aydrianna22]

@@duxveritatis2569 Oh, I'm not doubting that he was closer to Napolean, just a funny thing to actually say to the spouse and her children lol.

[@ryandepaulo]

@@duxveritatis2569 "my true friend and very good subject is more important than your husband or father" lol it's so napoleon

[@paulblees4522]

Please make also videos about great generals, politicians and other interesting persons of this time (like Eugène de Beauharnais, Fouché, Talleyrand and Tsar Alexander)

[@toochangz]

Massena visited Great Britain on his later years, apparently he and Wellington got along really well in their later years At one dinner Massena came up to Wellington and grabbed him and playfully said "I finally caught you!" Massena then pointed to his grey hair and said "Wellington turned every hair on my body grey in Portugal." Wellington and Soult also met late in life but did not have as good a relationship as Wellington and Massena did

[@centurymemes1208]

Umm isn't that Wellington when he grabbed soult instead of massena? Besides massena died in 1817

[@suprakashchakraborty546]

Epic history T. V. Is my favorite history channel, which always give perfect history documentaries and it is the only channel from where I created a great taste for history.Thank you Epic History T.V for making such extraordinary documentries.

[@spectator6964]

A million thanks for this video! Excellent work as always. I thought Massena might rank higher........I still expect to see my man Davout take the top spot!

[@karimsamyhaidri8132]

Bessières was killed at Rippach few meters away from Ney who said: "It's our fate to all". His aide de camp was also killed by a cannon ball that day.

[@michaelbaker9150]

I would love a historical comedy with all these marshals.

[@stefanfilipovits21]

The team who did The Death Of Stalin would be perfect for that

[@Hasdrubhaal]

Greatest history channel on youtube, no doubt. Narrator is so damn good. Can't say how many times I've listened to the Napoleonic Wars series. It's my favourite series ever.

[@Rublecurrency]

For Russian People Massena is a special historical figure not because of his victories over enemies (for example over russo-austrian army at Zurich) but because of his attempt to trap and destroy Suvorov's army after defeating allies at Zurich. He was beaten by Suvorov who had 14 thousand soldiers VS 24 thousand of Massena's army at Mutotal, Switzerland. After Suvorov's death, Massena said "I would give all my victories for one Suvorov's Swiss campaign" That defeat didnt make Massena a bad general, because of Suvorov's brilliant military leadership, may be at one level with Napoleon at that time.. For me Massena is one of 5 Best french marshals as Ney, Lannes, Davout and Murat.

[@khalidal-hasan9535]

My favourite KZbin series. Thank you Epic History for this great content 👏 👌 ❤

[@Juandinggong]

Waiting for the Part 5 desperately. We appreciate your hard work

[@soapmaker2263]

This is my favorite channel on all of youtube.

[@saifakib8346]

If Davout doesn't Win I am gonna take legal action.

[@mobitouchiha]

Make it a class action. He is in all but name Napoleons Labienus.

[@babmax9499]

Lannes could win if it would not be incredible

[@CosmicFaust]

The amazing series continues. Thanks for all the hard work EHTV! It really is greatly appreciated 😁. After this series, will you be working on new ones (like World War 2)?

[@shubhambeniwal7146]

*Waiting for next part Lannes and Davout in particular.I believe the Imperial Guard would have changed tide of Waterloo if used by Napoleon with Lannes or Davout as Commander in earlier stages of battle.*

[@yrsjhydjmdhyt]

The Battle of Waterloo may have turned out different if Lannes and Davout were present. But the outcome of Napoleon’s downfall was never in question. No one single country can outlast an alliance determined to destroy you forever. Napoleonic France was simply worn down, not defeated by brilliant war maneuvers.

[@Benkenobi8118]

@@yrsjhydjmdhyt Disagree. After Schonbrunn and the war of the 5th coalition, it was just Britain vs France. I think had he not invaded Russia, and went to Spain, he could have won. But I don't know how it would have worked after his death. The powers that be were determined to crush the French.

[@yrsjhydjmdhyt]

@@Benkenobi8118 Wrong. The Russian invasion only accelerated the inevitable. There was no way Napoleonic France could match the resources of the Coalition. Take a look at the makeup of the French army that fought at Austerlitz vs Wagram vs Waterloo. You will see an continual decline of quality soldiers. Whether it was 1815 or a few years later, a single country cannot win a war of attrition.

[@nixon9346]

@@yrsjhydjmdhyt i dont see decline at wagram,it was big battle with alot of cassualties and austrians were getting better.Napoleon lost his army in russia,i mean 500k soldiers,you just cant recover from that.

[@natehammar7353]

@@nixon9346 Exactly. The generals, veterans, and most especially horses, lost in Russia made Leipzig and Waterloo inevitable. Napoleon couldn’t beat Russia in Russia, but he was the master of the rest of Europe, especially with Emperor Francis’ treatment of Charles, the only commander to really defeat the Grand Army.

[@owenowen212]

The production quality and historical detail of your documentaries is simply outstanding.

[@TanzaniaCountryball]

Wow, nice! I literally woke up and then found this was uploaded literally 42 seconds ago lol

[@auswhofan]

This is a top notch quality production, gripping viewing, love it!

[@thebulletthatkilledjfk8803]

Only problem with these vids is that you have to wait a month for another. Thx for all the likes guys, I don't really post comments so its pretty cool.

[@Warui88]

Get your ladder, Lannes, we're going in early to get the next one!

[@NDR-hn3ue]

YES !!!

[@julianius484]

True but making quality videos such as this takes time.

[@etiennejacquesjosephmacdon2560]

@@julianius484 yes, trust me it is highly efficient at killing time (both the process of making this video and watching it AGAIN just to ensure there's no mistake)

[@cagatayaksu6549]

I Just LOVE This Channel ❤️❤️❤️

[@andretorres75]

Thank you for another great video. Can’t wait for the top 6. Stories about the route and retreat of the French from Portugal are still told today. Actually my grandfather’s house is near one of Wellington’s headquarters in Trancoso (near Almeida).

[@AtheAetheling]

My Brain: Buy the flag of the Imperial Guard from that website. Me: why? My Brain: You gotta

[@rollingthunder8630]

This video was 28 minutes?? Felt like it lasted a few minutes!! More please!

[@ICfilm80]

One of my favorite historical series by far. It makes me sad though that Napoleon lost. :(

[@nixon9346]

You just cant force whole europe to adopt continental system,that was his mistake

[@ICfilm80]

@@nixon9346 Agreed, though the EU did it a century and a half later. He was a visionary in most other ways.

[@nixon9346]

@@ICfilm80 what do you mean by that

[@ICfilm80]

@@nixon9346 Well his legal codes are still largely in use today and he was a firm believer in a meritocratic sort of nationalism that rewarded capable individuals regardless of birth. He was an enlightened nationalist.

[@nixon9346]

@@ICfilm80 no i mean EU did it century later

[@ftr1453]

Such a great work! With these videos you are rising up a new generation of Napoleon's time lovers. Thank you and continue with it!

[@thomascrozet3500]

Can't wait to hear about Marshal Davout! His name never came out yet, but man he will get the first spot! Loyal - Undefeated - GameChanger - Effective. I know that the others 5 left are very good but still...

[@prathamatwal936]

The best KZbin channel not only in history but in the whole KZbin ever no doubt in that

[@Tonykiprop]

Impressed with Napoleon admitting misjudgement of Macdonald's character in as much as it came late.

[@Kidvirus44]

napoleon suffer modern propaganda. Both from the winners, and from french republic.

[@avalle4493]

Epic History and Kings&Generals videos on the same day😍 Christmas is really coming.

[@arveanturtelcontar6138]

Moreau would have been a marshal if not for Moreau's wife's ambitions and the intrigues that arose from Moreau's wife and the Moreau club.

[@ernestoA.1999]

Moreau was known to be jealous of Bonaparte’s military talents

[@etoiledesneiges-d]

Moreau was a direct competitor to Napoleon due to his wife's ambition. He was the first choice for the brumaire coup, but declined as he hadn't the balls to perform it.

[@freewal]

Étoile summarise it. Sieyes was looking for a general to make the coup. Moreau didn’t have the balls. Napoleon did it and he became the Fist Consul then Emperor. End of story. Then the Moreau’s wife was jealous and pushed his husband to commit a coup. Women had a crucial political role... jealousy and bad advices.

[@thehistoryvideogameandgame4730]

Moreau was made a posthumous marshal by Louis XVIII in 1814

[@ernestoA.1999]

The History, Video Game And Game Show Fan No , Moreau was killed at the battle of Dresden 1813

[@sanfordwong]

Thanks for your channel giving very fair words about Massena. Yes I regard him should be a top 5 or even top 3 Marshals by his whole military achievements, but you are right his best achievements mostly made before he was a Marshal. Then I expect Suchet may be in next chapter, as if it is important to count the achievements after rewarded Marshal's baton. Top 3 very likely to be Davout/Soult/Lannes.

[@warhead_beast7661]

Here in Dresden we have an memorial for Jean-Victor Moreau because at the battle of Dresden, a cannon shot shattered both his legs. He died a day later near Dresden of his wounds.

[@freewal]

Moreau is a traitor. Opposed to Napoleon to protect the Republic but finally offering his services to monarchs. He was a fool.

[@SirHector1999]

You guys do astounding work! You have created thee place to learn about the napoleonic wars! Thank you for all the hard work and I can't get enough of your napoleonic content, I really can't thank you guys enough❤

[@TLOK1918]

I almost shed a tear when Napoleon was talking to Macdonald in that final meeting. It's so refreshing to see him acknowledge his mistakes and show genuine admiration and gratitude even for those of his men who oppose him out of principle. Just goes to show how wrong his being characterized as an egotistical megalomaniac is. I was also surprised to see Masséna ranked so low--I would've thought Ney would be #7--but it makes sense if we are ranking them as a whole and not just in their peak shape. I'll still wait for the next part before deciding whether I agree though. Great video as always!

[@nixon9346]

Nay will be 6

[@jeandupond7283]

Video très intéressante comme d'habitude. Merci !

[@fatboibrian9047]

don't know if anyone else agrees, I think a game with the art style and animation would make an amazing game

[@internetstrangerstrangerofweb]

I remember so many years ago when you guys made your first videos on the Napoleonic war. I was immediately hooked. It’s so amazing to see how your channel has grown and improved. You should have so many more subscribers. Goes to show how broken KZbin is. Simply astounding work as usual, epic history! They should use this in colleges!

[@AAAA-zc9gz]

Duke of wellington: When massena opposed to me on the field I never slept comfortably. Damn! Massena must be a real fighter even when he is outnumbered he still find ways on how to win battles.

[@joshuagrover795]

At the same time Masséna's health was very poor but could still scare opponents.

[@felixgagnon8323]

The intro of this mini series is just on point. Love the dramatic music!

[@marquelleliang9940]

Last time I was this early, New France was still a French colony...

[@hyperjohn6627]

I love this channel!!! Thank you so much for doing this!!

[@LaCitadelleYT]

As good as always. Btw, Masséna's nickname given by Napoléon was "L'Enfant chéri de la Victoire", the "beloved children of Victory", not gâté/spoilt. I guess the next three will be Suchet Berthier and Ney, and the podium will be Soult Lannes and Davout, though I'd personally rank Ney higher not for his tactical ability but his courage and badassery alone