French military genius. Emperor. Most powerful man in Europe. History books teem with Napoleon Bonaparte's early-1800s triumphs. But there was one situation the storied strategist wasn't ready for: an army of bunny rabbits.

Question

Bonaparte proclaimed himself emperor of France in 1804 and eventually conquered much of Europe. In 1807, after signing a treaty with Russia, Bonaparte decided his latest victory required a celebration. And he believed that meaningful occasion should include a rabbit hunt.

Orders were sent to Bonaparte's chief of staff, Baron Louis-Alexandre Berthier. He was to plan an outdoor feast and round up some rabbits for the planned hunting excursion.

Sources vary on the number of rabbits Berthier obtained for the hunt—some say hundreds, while others say thousands. Either way, numerous cages full of rabbits were placed along the edges of a grassy field. When the trumpets sounded to signal the rabbits' release, everyone assumed the creatures would panic and bolt for freedom into the wilderness, and the hunt would start.

Wackiness broke out instead. The bunnies bounded straight toward Bonaparte and his guests, and the battle of the bombarding bunnies began.

Bonaparte and his fellow fighters weren't prepared for the rabbits' aggression. Confusion reigned as the mob of fluffy creatures swarmed the men. The rabbits nibbled their boots, climbed up their legs, and generally caused chaos. The men tried to shoo them away with whips and sticks, giving Bonaparte a chance to flee the fight.

Bonaparte dashed toward his carriage to retreat from the rabbit raid, but accounts of the battle say he wasn't quick enough. The bunny battalion divided into two swarms and surrounded the emperor as he clambered into the carriage, fending off the rabbits that followed him inside.

Eventually the carriage horses trotted away from the furry attackers, ending the siege, and Berthier's error was discovered. Bonaparte's chief of staff had gotten tame rabbits from farmers, so the animals were accustomed to people. Instead of running from the hunters, the hungry rabbits were expecting the men to feed them. Oops.

The failed celebration hunt wasn't Bonaparte's most famous defeat—that would come in 1815 at the Battle of Waterloo, which sent the leader into exile. But the bunny battle was no doubt the wildest.

Answer 1

Napoleon Bonaparte, a renowned military genius and emperor of France, faced an unexpected challenge in the form of an army of bunny rabbits. In 1807, after signing a treaty with Russia, Bonaparte decided to organize a rabbit hunt as part of the celebration. His chief of staff, Baron Louis-Alexandre Berthier, was tasked with arranging the event and obtaining the rabbits.

Accounts of the number of rabbits vary, with some sources claiming there were hundreds and others suggesting thousands. Regardless, numerous cages filled with rabbits were positioned along the edges of a grassy field. When the signal was given to release the rabbits, it was expected that they would scatter in different directions, initiating the hunt.

However, instead of fleeing into the wilderness, the bunnies stampeded straight towards Bonaparte and his guests, initiating a comical and chaotic scene. The rabbits attacked the men, nibbling their boots and climbing up their legs. The unexpected aggression of the rabbits caught the participants off guard, and they tried to fend them off with whips and sticks.

In the midst of the chaos, Bonaparte made his escape towards his carriage. However, the bunny brigade split into two groups, surrounding the emperor as he attempted to climb into the carriage. Even inside the carriage, he had to fend off the persistent rabbits.

Eventually, the carriage horses managed to escape the furry onslaught, ending the peculiar siege. It was later discovered that Berthier had obtained tame rabbits from farmers who had raised them around humans. As a result, instead of running away from the hunters, the rabbits had expected to be fed by them.

While the bunny battle may not be Napoleon Bonaparte's most famous defeat—his exile following the Battle of Waterloo takes that title—it certainly stands out as one of the most bizarre incidents he encountered.

Answer 2

Based on information in the article, which of the following best describes how tame rabbits and wild rabbits are different?

A.Tame rabbits live in large groups, while wild rabbits live alone.
B.Tame rabbits are suitable for hunting, while wild rabbits are not.
C.Tame rabbits do not like people, while wild rabbits swarm them.
D.Tame rabbits are accustomed to people, while wild rabbits run away.

Answer 3

D. Tame rabbits are accustomed to people, while wild rabbits run away.

Answer 4

Think about the article. Why did Napoleon want to have a rabbit hunt?

A.The emperor wanted to show everyone in France that he could hunt.
B.The emperor wanted to prove to Europe that he was powerful.
C.The emperor wanted to celebrate the signing of a treaty with Russia.
D.The emperor wanted to prepare for the Battle of Waterloo.

Answer 5

C. The emperor wanted to celebrate the signing of a treaty with Russia.

Answer 6

Which is the closest synonym for the word aggression, as it is used in the article?

A.assault
B.anxiety
C.assistance
D.apology

Answer 7

A. assault

Answer 8

Which of these sentences is most important to include in a summary of this article?

A.Orders were sent to Bonaparte's chief of staff, Baron Louis-Alexandre Berthier.
B.Trumpets sounded at the outdoor feast to signal the rabbits' release.
C.Sources vary on the number of rabbits that were obtained for the hunt.
D.Bonaparte and his fellow fighters weren't prepared for the rabbits' aggression.

Answer 9

D. Bonaparte and his fellow fighters weren't prepared for the rabbits' aggression.