At Leipsic, Napoleon was caught between the allied army and the Elbe. The retreat across the river cost the French 50,000 men.
At Waterloo, the high plateau sloping gradually to a plain, various hamlets on front and flank and the forest in rear, made a perfect topography for a defensive battle.
At Sedan, the Emperor, Napoleon III, and his army were enclosed between the Prussian army and the frontier of Belgium and captured.
“Where the real general incessantly sees prepared by Nature means admirably adapted for his needs, the commander lacking such talents sees nothing.”—Hannibal.