Walking with Joseph

Six Months and Counting 18 Dec 2011 [First of three posts prior to 18 June 1812]
Joseph Stanzel is my gr.gr.grandfather. He was born [tbd] somewhere near Strasbourg, France? about 1788. I estimate he was conscripted into Napoleon's Army in 1806. From a family document the method of recruitment in those days was rather simple. It was carried out by a recruitment officer who came to each home. "If you had sons eighteen yrs of age or older, they were obliged to reach into a leather pouch which contained white and black balls. If you drew a white ball, you stayed at home, if a black ball, you were in the army. [I wonder if this is the origin of the expression 'blacked balled'] If the army was in need of more recruits, the officer removed some of the white balls. There was no medical checkup in those days and the young man was sent off for training usually in the infantry"
A few events in Europe; French Revolution 1789-1795; Napoleon in Egypt 1798 and he returned to France 23 Aug 1799; Brittain attacked Copenhagen, 2 Apr 1801; Peace of Amiens, 24 Mar 1802; Brittain declares war on France, 16 May 1803; Napoleon, b. 15 Aug 1769 in Corsica, crowns himself Emperor, 2 Dec 1804; Nelson dies at Battle of Trafalgar, 21 Oct 1805; Confederation of the Rhine, 12 July 1806; British Bombard Copenhagen and sieze Danish Fleet, 2-7 Sep 1807.
Most of above events taken from 'The Napoleonic Wars' by Gunther Rothenberg, 1999.
Walking with Joseph will deal with events in Europe. On 18 Jan 2012 we start 'Walking with Andrew' which will deal with events in North America. Andrew Spearman was a Sgt in 100th Reg't. We will hear more about him later. Both Joseph and Andrew settled in Goulbourn Twp as part of the Richmond Military Settlement, 1818