If the Lédonian population was not directly involved in the event, what happened that day is undoubtedly the most important thing that took place in Lons-le-Saunier during its history with consequences not only for France but also for Europe.
Mandated to arrest Napoleon after his landing from the island of Elba from which he had escaped, Marshal Ney “turns his coat” and rallies himself to his former emperor who had named him Prince of Moskowa and who found itself at the crossroads of history.
Landing at Golfe Juan, Napoleon received an enthusiastic welcome from the regiments of the South. It is the same throughout its rise along the Rhône valley.
The only one for this mission
The government of Louis XVIII, which Ney had joined, appealed to the latter, believing that he was the only one who could stop the former Emperor who intended to become one again.
The Prince of Moscow promises that he will “bring Bonaparte back to an iron cage”. He immediately left for Besançon where he was to take command of the 60e et 77e line regiments. They are already on their way to Lons-le-Saunier.
The marshal reached the capital on March 12 “very early in the morning”. Napoleon is in Lyon where he holds a grand review at Place Bellecour. The regiments of Grenoble and Bourg-en-Bresse rallied.
A doubt persists
Locked in his hotel room at La Pomme d’Or (then located on rue Saint-Désiré), Ney, nervous, was torn by doubt. It is true that he owes a lot to Bonaparte. On the night of the 14th, at two o’clock in the morning, after the prefect of Ain had fled, he received two emissaries who brought him a message.
After reading it, he called his generals – including Lecourbe – and expressly asked them to accompany him to the review of the regiments ordered for noon.
In front of the assembled troops and having passed on horseback in front of the front of the troops, he read in a loud voice the proclamation he had written during the night.
“Long live the Emperor”
It begins with “the cause of the Bourbons is lost forever!” » and ends with “Long live the Emperor”. A huge exclamation of joy responds. Which is not entirely unanimous since the field marshal De Grivel breaks his sword and gallops off shouting: “Long live the King! »
Colonel Dubalen retires, the prefect of Jura, absent, resigns and the Café Bourbon, reputed to be monarchist, is ransacked. A few weeks later it will be Waterloo. Ney will be arrested on August 5 and shot on December 7, himself commanding the firing squad.
Swiss
