November 13, 1805 – Napoleon’s Army Conquers Vienna with a Ruse de Guerre

On this day in history, Marshals Murat and Lannes of Napoleon’s French army crossed the Danube by the Tabor bridge and entered Vienna without a shot. The French spread the false news that a peace agreement had been signed, and Vienna had been declared an open city. By the time the Austrians learned the truth, it was too late.

Napoleon was ecstatic over this coup, and promptly entered Vienna, staying the night at the Habsburg palace at Schönbrunn.

Later, Napoleon allied himself with the Habsburg dynasty by marrying the Archduchess Marie-Louise, daughter of Emperor Francis I. They had one son, Napoléon François Charles Joseph Bonaparte, known as Franz, Duke of Reichstadt, but he died at age 21.

Napoleon’s son Franz, Duke of Reichstadt