Category Archives: war

Napoleon’s Humor

Posted on October 26, 2010 by 100swallows

Can you picture Napoleon Bonaparte giggling? Caulaincourt says he started joking while they were riding incognito through enemy country in a rickety sleigh and nearly freezing. Who was Caulaincourt? Napoleon’s Master of the Horse. Caulaincourt’s book, With Napoleon in Russia, … Continue reading →

Posted in books, history, Napoleon, war | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , | 5 Comments

Caesar’s Army: Basic Facts

Posted on September 19, 2010 by 100swallows

Organization A LEGION comprised 6000 soldiers. It was made up of 10 COHORTS, each containing 600 soldiers. The cohort was composed of 3  MANIPLES (200 soldiers each). A maniple contained  2 CENTURIES (one hundred men = a century) and their … Continue reading →

Posted in 1, Caesar, history, Romans, sword, war, warfare | Tagged , , , , , , , | 16 Comments

Mark Twain’s Scary Thunderstorm

Posted on February 12, 2010 by 100swallows

People boast a good deal about Alpine thunderstorms; but the storms which I have had the luck to see in the Alps were not the equals of some which I have seen in the Mississippi valley.  I may not have … Continue reading →

Posted in books, great writers, literature, Mark Twain, Writing | Tagged , , , | 2 Comments