Napoleon's Soldiers in America

The surprising history of the French fighters who came to America—and helped build the young nation—after Napoleon's defeat and exile.

Early-nineteenth-century Europe had been in turmoil. The Napoleonic Wars that once ravaged the continent had ended, Napoleon had been exiled to St. Helena, and his Grande Armee lay in disarray. His most devoted officers and men, refusing allegiance to the hated Bourbons, looked for new and distant lands.

With hope, if not enthusiasm, they came to America....