The Case:
A magnificent sword that has been handed down for generations in a St. Martinville family has a mystery around it.
The sword belonged to their great-great-grandfather, Jean Julien Rousseau, who was a doctor and soldier in Napoleon Bonaparte's battle for Austria in Wagram.
Family lore has that Napoleon had ordered the Army to cross Danube River, and he soldier carrying one of the Division’s battle flags was killed. Colonel Rousseau picked up the flag and led the troops over the bridge. Napoleon personally rewarded him with this sword for his bravery.
The History Detectives investigate whether this sword really could have belonged to Napoleon Bonaparte.
Related Content
Technique:
Technique:
Related Links
Explore
-
Also in Season 1
Pop Lloyd Baseball Field
Why was this baseball field named after an African-American ballplayer in a time of racial tension?
-
Also with Wes Cowan
Valley Forge Map
Did George Washington use this map during the American Revolution?
-
Also with Wes Cowan
Bob Dylan Guitar
Is this the guitar Bob Dylan played at the Newport Folk Festival in 1965?
-
Also with Wes Cowan
Lawrence Billy Club
Was this truncheon used in the famous Bread and Roses labor strike?
-
Related Investigation
War Dog letter
The military put great effort into a new War Dogs program during WWII. What went wrong on Cat Island?
-
Also in Season 1
Pebble in the Sand
Is this rock found on a beach a link to an ancient civilization or just another pebble in the sand?
Comments
This is a place for opinions, comments, questions and discussion; a place where viewers of History Detectives can express their points of view and connect with others who value history. We ask that posters be polite and respectful of all opinions. History Detectives reserves the right to delete comments that don’t conform to this conduct. We will not respond to every post, but will do our best to answer specific questions, or address an error.