BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCH.
Napoleon Bonaparte was born at Ajaccio, Corsica, on August 15, 1769, the fourth child of Charles Bonaparte and Lætitia Romolino. He was educated in France at the Royal Military Schools of Brienne and of Paris, and when sixteen years old was appointed second lieutenant in a French artillery regiment. From November, 1785, to May, 1792, he was alternately with his regiment and on leaves of absence in Corsica. Sympathizing with the French Revolution, he attempted to aid the Revolutionary party in Corsica against the party of the Corsican patriot, Paoli, but was defeated, and obliged with his family to fly to France. In October, 1793, he was given command of the artillery at the siege of Toulon, and distinguished himself in the capture of the town. After a year and a half of military service in the south, he returned to Paris, and on the 13th Vendémiaire (October 5), 1795, he commanded the troops of the Convention against the sections. This led to his being appointed, in 1796, commander-in-chief of the Army of Italy. He went to his
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