The word spread quickly - Napoleon had escaped! On February 26, 1815, Napoleon escaped from exile on Elba. He landed on the French mainland on March 1. Napoleon announced that he had come to save the French from degradation and that his eagles would soon alight the spires of Notre Dame. French King Louis XVIII sent unit after unit to stop him, and on meeting that familiar gray-coated figure at the head of his daring few, they threw down their arms and welcomed him back in … Continue Reading ››