History will always remind us that Napoleon’s greatest loss came at Waterloo, resulting in the death of over 25,000 soldiers and the capture of 9,000 more. But perhaps the most upsetting loss came eight years prior, when the French emperor and his men were attacked by a ruthless horde of long-eared, furry bunnies.
Celebrating the Treaties of Tilsit
There are several historical accounts of what took place on that fateful day. Most historians agree that in July 1807, after signing the Treaties of Tilsit to end the war between Imperial Russia and the French Empire, Napoleon proposed a rabbit hunt to celebrate. He assigned his Chief of Staff and rabbit-fetcher, Alexandre Berthier, to set it up.
Estimates of how many bunnies were gathered vary, with some saying as many as 3,000 rabbits were present for the occasion. After an outdoor luncheon consisting of military higher-ups, Berthier unleashed the horde of bunnies, initiating the hunt.