Napoleon Bonaparte (1769-1821) began as a common solider in the French Army who, amidst the chaos and disorder that followed the French Revolution, rose to power and eventually became the country's leader, expanded its borders, conquered new territory and, by the early 1800's had created a vast French Empire of which he was Emperor. In 1812, Napoleon decided to expand his reach into Russia and led a huge, invading force deep into that country. They eventually reached Moscow, only to discover that the Russian forces had burnt the city to the ground, leaving the French Army without a means of feeding and housing themselves over the dangerous Russian winter. Napoleon began a long retreat that saw his army destroyed and reduced to a mere 20,000 troops. Taking advantage of Napoleon's weakness, Britain, Austria, and Prussia then formed an alliance with Russia against Napoleon and his power gradually ebbed until, on March 30, 1814, Paris was captured by the Allies and Napoleon was forced to abdicate a week later, on April 6, 1814. Two weeks after that, in the courtyard at Fontainebleau, Napoleon bid farewell to the remaining faithful officers of his Old Guard.