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diff --git a/.gitattributes b/.gitattributes new file mode 100644 index 0000000..d7b82bc --- /dev/null +++ b/.gitattributes @@ -0,0 +1,4 @@ +*.txt text eol=lf +*.htm text eol=lf +*.html text eol=lf +*.md text eol=lf diff --git a/LICENSE.txt b/LICENSE.txt new file mode 100644 index 0000000..6312041 --- /dev/null +++ b/LICENSE.txt @@ -0,0 +1,11 @@ +This eBook, including all associated images, markup, improvements, +metadata, and any other content or labor, has been confirmed to be +in the PUBLIC DOMAIN IN THE UNITED STATES. + +Procedures for determining public domain status are described in +the "Copyright How-To" at https://www.gutenberg.org. + +No investigation has been made concerning possible copyrights in +jurisdictions other than the United States. Anyone seeking to utilize +this eBook outside of the United States should confirm copyright +status under the laws that apply to them. diff --git a/README.md b/README.md new file mode 100644 index 0000000..97e4fac --- /dev/null +++ b/README.md @@ -0,0 +1,2 @@ +Project Gutenberg (https://www.gutenberg.org) public repository for +eBook #55153 (https://www.gutenberg.org/ebooks/55153) diff --git a/old/55153-0.txt b/old/55153-0.txt deleted file mode 100644 index 8126331..0000000 --- a/old/55153-0.txt +++ /dev/null @@ -1,9956 +0,0 @@ -The Project Gutenberg EBook of Memoirs of General Count Rapp, First -aide-de-camp to Napoleon, by Jean Comte Rapp - -This eBook is for the use of anyone anywhere in the United States and most -other parts of the world at no cost and with almost no restrictions -whatsoever. You may copy it, give it away or re-use it under the terms of -the Project Gutenberg License included with this eBook or online at -www.gutenberg.org. If you are not located in the United States, you'll have -to check the laws of the country where you are located before using this ebook. - - - -Title: Memoirs of General Count Rapp, First aide-de-camp to Napoleon - -Author: Jean Comte Rapp - -Release Date: July 19, 2017 [EBook #55153] - -Language: English - -Character set encoding: UTF-8 - -*** START OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK GENERAL COUNT RAPP *** - - - - -Produced by MFR, Christian Boissonnas and the Online -Distributed Proofreading Team at http://www.pgdp.net (This -file was produced from images generously made available -by The Internet Archive) - - - - - - - - - -[Illustration: GENERAL RAPP. - -_Published, April 1828, by H. Colburn & Co. London._] - - - - - MEMOIRS - - OF - - GENERAL COUNT RAPP, - - FIRST AIDE-DE-CAMP TO NAPOLEON. - - - WRITTEN BY HIMSELF, - - AND PUBLISHED BY HIS FAMILY. - - - LONDON: - - PRINTED FOR HENRY COLBURN AND CO. CONDUIT STREET. - - 1823. - - - - -CONTENTS. - - - CHAPTER I.—Commencement of the Author's military career.—His - promotion.—Certificate from Desaix.—Good fortune - in Egypt.—Introduction to, and character of, Napoleon.—Servile - conduct of the old nobility. 1 - - CHAP. II.—Napoleon's temper.—His flatterers.—His clemency. 8 - - CHAP. III.—Napoleon's attachment to his family.—Lucien's - opposition to the views of Napoleon.—Napoleon's bounty to - Rapp.—Rapp's intercession for Requier and Damas.—Is - unsuccessful.—Writes to Requier.—Letter intercepted and - carried to Napoleon.—The Emperor greatly incensed at it.—Rapp - apologizes.—Is restored to favour.—Marries.—Bernadotte's - disgrace with the Emperor.—His restoration to favour. 12 - - CHAP. IV.—Napoleon's courage.—Infernal machine.—The - Emperor's escape. 19 - - CHAP. V.—Napoleon's readiness to receive advice.—His contempt - for ignorance.—His partiality to the game of _vingt et un_. 22 - - CHAP. VI.—The third Austrian war.—The French victorious.—The - Austrian army shut up in Ulm.—Summoned to - surrender.—Negotiation conducted by M. de Segur.—The - enemy surrender.—Napoleon's joy. 26 - - CHAP. VII.—The remainder of the Austrians pursued.—Defeated - by Murat.—Werneck's capitulation; disregarded by - Count Hohenzollern.—Correspondence.—Napoleon's proclamation. 40 - - CHAP. VIII.—The French march towards Vienna.—The - Russians defeated.—Napoleon's instructions to Murat on the - occupation of Vienna. 50 - - CHAP. IX.—Anecdote of the Emperor and Madame de - Brunny.—The advance of the French troops.—Stratagem - in crossing the Danube.—Austerlitz.—The advance-guard - of the French repulsed by the Russians.—The Russians - completely defeated.—Rapp wounded.—His promotion.—Napoleon's - kindness to him.—His recovery.—The Emperor's - instructions to Rapp.—Peace concluded. 54 - - CHAP. X.—The conduct of Prussia.—Rapp's mission.—Its - object.—His return.—The Grand Duchess of Darmstadt - offends the Emperor.—Her punishment.—The French troops - attacked by some Prussian detachments.—Rapp's appointment - to the command of the military division at Strasburg.—He - receives instructions.—The Emperor arrives at Mentz.—Rapp - joins him at Wurtzburg.—His mission to the Grand - Duke of Baden.—The impatience of the Prussian Generals to - commence the war.—Character of Prince Louis.—Demand of - Prussia.—Napoleon's proclamation.—Prussians defeated at - Schleitz.—Rapp sent to the King of Prussia.—Recalled.—Mission - of De Montesquiou.—His treatment. 66 - - CHAP. XI.—The calculations of the Duke of Brunswick.—He is - disconcerted at the movement of the French.—Manœuvres.—Napoleon - issues orders.—Battle of Auerstadt and Jena.—The - French victorious.—Rapp instructed to pursue the Russians.—He - enters Weimar.—The King of Prussia makes overtures.—Napoleon's - conduct.—He sends Duroc to visit the wounded.—Head-quarters - established at Weimar.—Movements of - the enemy.—Attacked and routed by Bernadotte at Halle.—Napoleon - visits the field of battle.—Goes to Dessau.—His treatment of the - old Duke. 79 - - CHAP. XII.—The Prussians closely pursued by the French.—Surrender - of a corps before Magdeburg.—Misfortunes of Prussia.—The French - prepare to march on Berlin.—Napoleon's instructions to Davoust. 89 - - CHAP. XIII.—The French set out for Potsdam.—Anecdote of - the Emperor and a female native of Egypt.—State of Potsdam.—Flight - of the Court.—Deputations to the Emperor.—Their - reception.—Napoleon's observations to the Duke of Brunswick's - envoy.—Head-quarters at Charlotteenburg—Napoleon's proclamation. 93 - - CHAP. XIV.—Napoleon reviews the third corps.—Effect of - the proclamation on the troops.—Surrender of 25,000 - Prussians.—The Duke of Weimar abandons his command.—Blucher - surrenders.—Napoleon's despatch to General Belliard.—Blucher - allowed to retire to Hamburg. 101 - - CHAP. XV.—Arrest of Prince Hatzfeld as a spy.—Napoleon's - determination to have him executed.—Intercession - for him.—The release of the Prince.—His letter to Count - Rapp.—Embassies to the Emperor.—Rapp authorised to - settle the affairs of the Court of Weimar.—The Duke permitted - to return to his estates.—His letter of thanks to Rapp. 107 - - CHAP. XVI.—Surrender of the Prussian fortresses.—Arrest - of the Prince of Wurtemberg.—Head-quarters at Posen.—State - of Poland.—Entry into Warsaw.—The Emperor's reception.—Anecdotes - of the Poles and of the French soldiers.—Passage - of the Vistula. 114 - - CHAP. XVII.—Affairs with the Russians.—Battle of Pultusk.—Rapp's - wounds.—His appointment to the government - of Thorn.—Blucher's letter to him.—He intercedes - for Blucher.—Is made Governor of Dantzic.—Contributions - levied.—Napoleon's dissatisfaction with Prussia. 124 - - CHAP. XVIII.—Fourth Austrian war (1809.)—Battle of - Esslingen.—Schill's insurrection.—Napoleon's feeling.—Battle - of Wagram.—Rapp's accident.—Rapp obtains the pardon of some - conspirators. 136 - - CHAP. XIX.—Attempt of a young German to assassinate - Napoleon.—Conversation and conduct of the assassin. 141 - - CHAP. XX.—Execution of the young German.—Peace concluded.—Rapp's - reception in Munich.—Situation of Bavaria.—Trait - of the King of Wurtemberg.—Napoleon's return to Fontainebleau. 147 - - CHAP. XXI.—Divorce of Josephine.—Marriage of Napoleon - and Maria-Louisa.—Napoleon displeased with Rapp; - sends him to Dantzic.—Rapp at Dantzic.—Character of - his garrison.—He gives offence to the Russian Resident. 151 - - CHAP. XXII.—Napoleon's dissatisfaction with Rapp, for - evading the anti-commercial decrees.—_Douane_ established - at Dantzic.—Discontent in the North of Germany.—Rapp's - representations.—Napoleon's ignorance of the German Character. 158 - - CHAP. XXIII.—Napoleon repairs to Dantzic.—Conversation - between the Emperor and Rapp. 164 - - CHAP. XXIV.—Napoleon proceeds to Kœnigsberg.—His - intentions.—The advance of the French troops. Their - arrival at Wilna.—Commencement of the Russian war. 168 - - CHAP. XXV.—Flight of the Russians.—Their rear-guard - defeated by the King of Naples.—His report of the - engagement.—Dispute between the King of Westphalia and - Vandamme. 171 - - CHAP. XXVI.—Rapp leaves Dantzic.—State of the roads.—Arrives - at Wilna.—Opening of the Polish Diet.—Speech of the - President.—Eloquence and negotiations of the Abbé de Pradt. 176 - - CHAP. XXVII.—Activity of the Emperor.—His instructions - to Hautpoult.—Distress of the army.—Hopes of Napoleon.—The - Russian Patriarch's denunciation of the French. 186 - - CHAP. XXVIII.—Battle of Smolensko.—Escape of the Russian - army.—Junot's inactivity.—He is in disgrace with the - Emperor.—Intercessions in his favour.—Rapp named for - the command of the Westphalian corps, instead of - Junot.—Character of Junot.—He is allowed to resume his - command.—Irruption of Tormasoff.—Napoleon's instructions to the - Duke de Belluno. 190 - - CHAP. XXIX.—Kutusow takes the command of the Russian army.—His - qualifications; his losses.—Rapp sent to reconnoitre.—Napoleon's - conversation before the battle of Borodino.—Proclamation. 197 - - CHAP. XXX.—Battle of Borodino.—Rapp's wounds. 204 - - CHAP. XXXI.—Retreat of the Russians.—Occupation and burning - of Moscow. 209 - - CHAP. XXXII.—The Emperor's delay at Moscow; its - motives and consequences.—His instructions to the Duke - de Belluno.—Deplorable state of the French army.—Rapp's - recovery.—The Emperor's anxiety about the wounded. 213 - - CHAP. XXXIII.—Retreat of the French.—The Emperor's - despatch to Mortier.—Battle at Malojaroslawitz.—Napoleon - visits the field of battle.—Surprised by some - Cossacks.—Rapp's conduct: the Emperor loads him - with eulogiums.—General Winzengerode taken prisoner.—His - treatment. 221 - - CHAP. XXXIV.—Deplorable condition of the French.—Mallet's - conspiracy.—The Emperor's surprise.—The - French cross the Borysthenes.—Attacked by the Russians.—Retreat - of the French.—Marshal Ney's courage. 230 - - CHAP. XXXV.—Continuation of the Retreat.—Capture of - Witepsk.—Loss of the magazines.—State of the weather.—Disasters - of the French.—Attacked by the Cossacks. 235 - - CHAP. XXXVI.—The Emperor's solicitude for Ney.—Receives - information of his escape from the Russians.—Embarrassment - of the French.—Battle of the Beresina.—Surrender - of Partonneau's division.—Retreat of the French - upon Wilna.—Napoleon sets out for Paris.—His instructions.—Rapp - proceeds to Dantzic. 242 - - CHAP. XXXVII.—Description of the town and garrison of - Dantzic.—Rapp's preparations.—His difficulties.—Losses - of the garrison by disease.—Scarcity of provisions.—Breaking - up of the ice. 254 - - CHAP. XXXVIII.—Conduct of the Allies.—General Detrées - sent to reconnoitre.—Skirmishes between the French and - Allies.—The Russians defeated at Langfuhr, and Ohra. 262 - - CHAP. XXXIX.—Destructive ravages of the epidemic.—Expedition - against Quadendorf.—Defeat of the Russians.—Ignorance - of the garrison of the progress of events.—The - epidemic disappears.—The Russian signals set on fire.—Attempts - to seduce the troops of the garrison.—Review of - the garrison on the glacis. 271 - - CHAP. XL.—The garrison's efforts to obtain provisions; its - difficulties.—Rapp sends an expedition into the Nerhung.—Is - successful.—He demands a loan from the Dantzickers.—Accusation - against the senator Piegeleau.—Conduct of the - Duke of Wurtemberg.—News of the victories of Lutzen - and Bautzen.—Its effect on the French troops.—The - Russians defeated.—The Allies solicit an armistice.—Rapp - receives the ribbon of the order of La Réunion.—Napoleon's - despatch to Rapp. 282 - - CHAP. XLI.—Conditions of the armistice.—Duke of Wurtemberg - raises obstacles to the fulfilment of them.—His - subterfuges.—Rapp's letter to the Prince de Neuchâtel.—Scarcity - of provisions.—Recommencement of hostilities. 292 - - CHAP. XLII.—Attempts of the besiegers.—Engagement - between the garrison and the Russians at the advanced - posts.—Details.—A second engagement.—The Russians - take Langfuhr.—Their intentions.—Rapp's preparations.—Ohra - put in a state of defence.—The Russians attack - Kabrun.—Their fleet fire on the French batteries; but are - repulsed.—Overflowing of the Vistula.—Combined attack - by the land and sea forces of the besiegers. 303 - - CHAP. XLIII.—Severity of the weather.—Scarcity of - provisions.—Attack of the Russians.—Their defeat.—Situation, - and plan of operations.—State of Dantzic, the magazines, and - the surrounding fortresses.—Condition of the - garrison.—Disaffection of the German troops.—Means used to - decoy them.—Rapp capitulates.—The Emperor Alexander annuls the - capitulation.—Rapp protests and surrenders. 323 - - CHAP. XLIV.—The garrison taken prisoners to Kiow.—Their - liberation.—The state of France in 1814.—Rapp's - treatment at Court.—The return from Elba.—Conversation - between Napoleon and Rapp.—Rapp's appointment to the - command of the army of the Upper Rhine.—Napoleon's - arrangements.—His letter to the allied Sovereigns.—Rapp - sets out for Alsace.—State of public feeling.—Enthusiasm - of the women at Mulhausen. 337 - - CHAP. XLV.—Preparations of the Allies.—Napoleon's letter - to Rapp.—Rapp receives fresh funds.—The Emperor's - despatch to Rapp. 352 - - CHAP. XLVI.—Amount and division of the French troops.—Rapp - receives news of the battle of Waterloo.—His - determination.—Rapp's advanced posts attacked.—Movements - of the Allies.—The success of the French.—Their retreat. 357 - - CHAP. XLVII.—Effect of the news of the battle of - Waterloo.—Disposition of Rapp's troops.—Battle of - Lampertheim.—Designs of the Allies.—Rapp throws himself into - Strasburg.—Prince of Wurtemberg's conduct.—Military - convention signed. 364 - - CHAP. XLVIII.—Mutiny of the garrison of Strasburg.—A - description of their conduct.—Dissolution of the army.—Rapp's - letter to the King.—Its effect.—Rapp's death.—Conclusion. 375 - - APPENDIX. - - Letter from General Rapp to the Duke of Wurtemberg. 405 - - Answer. 407 - - Letter from the Duke of Wurtemberg to his Excellency Count Rapp. 409 - - Answer. 410 - - Letter from the Duke of Wurtemberg to General Count Rapp. 411 - - Answer. 413 - - Letter from the Duke of Wurtemberg to General Rapp. 415 - - Capitulation of Dantzic. 417 - - Letter from the Duke of Wurtemberg to General Rapp. 424 - - Answer. 426 - - Letter from Count Rapp to the Duke of Wurtemberg. 428 - - To the same. 430 - - - - -MEMOIRS - -OF - -GENERAL RAPP, - -FIRST AIDE-DE-CAMP TO NAPOLEON. - - - - -CHAPTER I. - - -I do not pretend to be an historical character; but I was long near -a man who has been the object of base misrepresentations, and I -commanded brave troops whose services have been disowned. The former -overwhelmed me with favours; the latter would have laid down their -lives for me: these things I cannot forget. - -I served in the army for several years; and I was successful in some -enterprises, though without gaining distinction, as is usual with -those who hold subaltern rank. At length I was fortunate enough to -engage the attention of General Desaix. Our advance guard, which had -been thrown into disorder, was speedily rallied. I hastened forward -with a hundred hussars; we charged the Austrians, and succeeded in -putting them to flight. We were almost all covered with wounds; but -for these we were amply rewarded by the praises that were bestowed on -us. The General made me promise to take all requisite care of myself, -and he delivered to me the most flattering attestation that ever a -soldier obtained. I mention this circumstance, not because it procured -me a pair of epaulettes, but because it obtained for me the friendship -of that great man, and was the origin of my fortune. The attestation -was as follows: - - ARMY OF THE RHINE AND THE MOSELLE. - - “Head Quarters at Blotsheim, 30th Fructidor, year III. of the - French Republic one and indivisible. - - “I, the undersigned General of Division, commanding the right - wing of the above mentioned army, certify that citizen Jean Rapp, - lieutenant in the 10th regiment of Horse Chasseurs, has served - under my command with the said regiment during the two last - campaigns; that on all occasions he has given proofs of singular - intelligence, presence of mind and courage; that he has been - wounded three different times; and that, on the 9th Prairial of - the year II, at the head of a company of chasseurs, he attacked - a column of the enemy's hussars, whose number was five times - greater than his own force, with such devoted intrepidity, that - he cut them to pieces, covering the retreat of a portion of our - troops, and bearing away the honour of the victory. It cannot - be too deeply regretted that he has been the victim of his - valour, and has been dangerously wounded in such a way as to be - deprived of the use of his arm. He is a worthy object of national - gratitude, and well deserves to be appointed to some honorable - post, should he be rendered incapable of more active service. I - attest that citizen Rapp bears with him the friendship and esteem - of all who know him. - - DESAIX.” - -Having become the aide-de-camp of the modest conqueror of Offenburgh, -I fought under him in the campaigns of Germany and Egypt. I was made -the chief of a squadron at Sediman; where I had the happiness, at the -head of two hundred brave troops, to carry off the last remnant of -the Turkish artillery, and I was promoted to the rank of Colonel, at -Samanhout, near the ruins of Thebes. I was severely wounded in this -last affair; but I was honorably mentioned in the dispatches of the -General-in-chief. - -On the death of the brave Desaix, who was killed at Marengo, at the -moment when he had decided the victory, the First Consul deigned to -appoint me to a post about his own person. The favour which he would -have conferred on the conqueror of Upper Egypt was extended to me. -From that time I was in some manner permanently established, and my -connexions became more extended. - -Zeal, frankness, and some degree of military talent, procured for me -the confidence of Napoleon. He frequently remarked to those about -him, that few possessed a greater share of natural good sense and -discernment than Rapp. These praises were repeated to me, and I -must confess I was flattered by them: if this be weakness, I may be -excused; every one has some foible. I would have sacrificed my life -to prove my gratitude to the First Consul. He knew this; and he often -repeated to my friends that I was a grumbler—that I had a poor head -but a good heart. He treated both me and Lannes familiarly, using the -pronoun _thou_ when he spoke to us; if he addressed us by _you_ or -_Monsieur le General_, we became alarmed, we were sure that we were -out of favour. He had the weakness to attach importance to a gossiping -police system which for the most part deceived him by false reports. -That odious system of police embittered the happiness of his life; it -frequently incensed him against his best friends, his relations, and -even his wife. - -Napoleon attached but little importance to mere courage, which he -regarded as an ordinary kind of merit, common to all Frenchmen: he -set a higher value on intrepidity; and he was willing to pardon every -fault in an intrepid soldier. When any one solicited a favour, either -at an audience or a review, he never failed to enquire whether he had -been wounded. He declared that every wound was a quarter of nobility. -He honoured and rewarded the individuals who were thus distinguished, -and he had good reasons for so doing. However, he soon perceived -that they did not attend the antechambers, and he opened them to the -old nobility. This preference offended us; he remarked this, and was -displeased at our taking offence. “I see plainly,” said he to me -one day, “that these nobles whom I have placed in my household are -disagreeable to you.” I, however, very well deserved the privilege. -I had erased several gentlemen from the list of emigrants; I had -procured places for some, and had given money and pensions to others. -Some have remembered these favours, but the majority have forgotten -them; and consequently my purse has been closed since the return of -the King. Though my object was to relieve misfortune, and not to -obtain gratitude, yet I did not choose that the emigrants should -interpose between us and the great man whom we had raised on the -shield. - -I had forgotten this disagreeable scene; but Napoleon did not forget -any offensive observations that might escape him. In vain he sought -to assume the mask of severity; his natural disposition subdued his -efforts, and kind feelings always gained the ascendancy. He called me -to him: he spoke to me of the nobles and the emigrants; and suddenly -recurring to the scene above alluded to, he said: “You think, then, -that I have a predilection for these people; but you are mistaken. I -employ them, and you know why. Am I connected with nobility? I, who -was a poor Corsican gentleman?”—“Neither I nor the army,” I replied, -“have ever inquired into your origin. Your actions are sufficient -for us.” I related this conversation to several of my friends, among -others to Generals Mouton and Lauriston. - -Most of these same nobles, however, allege that they had yielded -only to compulsion. Nothing can be more false. I know of only -two who received Chamberlain's appointments unsolicited. Some -few declined advantageous offers; but with these exceptions, all -solicited, entreated, and importuned. There was a competition of zeal -and devotedness altogether unexampled. The meanest employment, the -humblest offices, nothing was rejected; it seemed to be an affair of -life and death. Should a treacherous hand ever find its way into the -portfolios of M.M. Talleyrand, Montesquiou, Segur, Duroc, &c., what -ardent expressions may be found to enrich the language of attachment. -But the individuals who held this language now vie with each other in -giving vent to hatred and invective. If they really felt for Napoleon -the profound hatred which they now evince, it must be confessed that, -in crouching at his feet for fifteen years, they did strange violence -to their feelings. And yet all Europe can bear witness, that from -their unrestrained manner, their never-varying smile, and their supple -marks of obedience, their services seemed to be of their own free -choice, and to cost them but little sacrifice. - - - - -CHAPTER II. - - -Many persons have described Napoleon as a violent, harsh, and -passionate man; this is because they have not known him. Absorbed -as he was in important business, opposed in his views, and impeded -in his plans, it was certainly natural that he should sometimes -evince impatience and inequality of temper. His natural kindness -and generosity soon subdued his irritation; but it must be observed -that, far from seeking to appease him, his confidents never failed to -excite his anger. “Your Majesty is right,” they would say, “such a one -deserves to be shot or broken, dismissed or disgraced: I have long -known him to be your enemy. An example must be made; it is necessary -for the maintenance of tranquillity.” - -If the matter in question had been to levy contributions on the -enemy's territory, Napoleon, perhaps, would demand twenty millions; -but he would be advised to exact ten millions more. He would be told -by those about him, “it is necessary that your Majesty should spare -your treasury, that you should maintain your troops at the expense of -foreign countries, or leave them to subsist on the territory of the -confederation.” - -If he entertained the idea of levying 200,000 conscripts, he was -persuaded to demand 300,000. If he proposed to pay a creditor whose -right was unquestionable, doubts were started respecting the legality -of the debt. The amount claimed was perhaps reduced to one half, or -one third; and it not unfrequently happened that the debt was denied -altogether. - -If he spoke of commencing war, the bold resolution was applauded. It -was said war enriched France; that it was necessary to astonish the -world, and to astonish it in a way worthy of the great nation. - -Thus, by being excited and urged to enter upon uncertain plans and -enterprises, Napoleon was plunged into continual war. Thus it was, -that his reign was impressed with an air of violence contrary to his -own character and habits, which were perfectly gentle. - -Never was there a man more inclined to indulgence, or more ready to -listen to the voice of humanity: of this I could mention a thousand -examples; but I confine myself to the following. - -Georges and his accomplices had been condemned. Josephine interceded -for M.M. Polignac, and Murat for M. de Rivière, and both succeeded in -their mediation. On the day of execution, the banker Scherer hastened -to Saint-Cloud, bathed in tears, and asked to speak with me. He begged -of me to solicit the pardon of his brother-in-law, M. de Russillon, -an old Swiss Major, who had been implicated in the affair. He was -accompanied by some of his countrymen, all relatives of the prisoner. -They observed that they were conscious the Major merited his sentence; -but that he was the father of a family, and that he was allied to the -most distinguished houses in the Canton of Bern. I yielded to their -entreaties, and I had no reason to regret having done so. - -It was seven in the morning. Napoleon was up and in his closet with -Corvisart, when I was announced. “Sire,” said I, “it is not long -since your Majesty settled the government of Switzerland by your -mediation. But you know that the people are not all equally satisfied; -the inhabitants of Bern in particular. You have now an opportunity -of proving to them your magnanimity and generosity. One of their -countrymen is to be executed this day. He is connected with the best -families in the country; if you grant his pardon it will certainly -produce a great sensation, and procure you many friends.”—“Who is this -man? What is his name?” inquired Napoleon.—“Russillon,” I replied. -On hearing this name, he became angry.—“Russillon,” said he, “is -more guilty than Georges himself.”—“I am fully aware of all that -your Majesty now does me the honour to tell me; but the people of -Switzerland, his family, his children, will bless you. Pardon him, not -on his own account, but for the sake of the many brave men who have -suffered for his folly.”—“Hark ye,” said he, turning to Corvisart, -while he took the petition from my hand, approved it, and hastily -returned it to me; “immediately despatch a courier to suspend the -execution.” The joy of the family may be easily guessed: to me they -testified their gratitude through the medium of the public papers. -Russillon was imprisoned along with his accomplices; but he afterwards -obtained his liberty. Since the return of the King, he has several -times visited Paris, though I have not seen him. He thinks that I -attached but little importance to the act of service I rendered him; -and he is right. - - - - -CHAPTER III. - - -No man possessed greater sensibility, or evinced more constancy in -his affections than Napoleon. He tenderly loved his mother, he adored -his wife, and he was fondly attached to his sisters, brothers, and -other relatives. All, with the exception of his mother, caused him -the bitterest vexation; yet he never ceased to overwhelm them with -riches and honours. Of all his relations, his brother Lucien proved -himself the most determined opposer of his views and plans. One day, -while they were disputing warmly on a subject which has now escaped -my recollection, Lucien drew out his watch, and dashing it violently -on the ground, he addressed to his brother these remarkable words: -“You will destroy yourself, as I have destroyed that watch; and the -time will come when your family and friends will not know where to -shelter their heads.” He married a few days after, without obtaining -his brother's consent, or even signifying his intention to him. This, -however, did not prevent Napoleon from receiving him in 1815; though -it was not without being urged to do so: Lucien was obliged to wait at -the out-posts; but he was speedily admitted to the Emperor's presence. - -Napoleon did not confine his generosity to his relatives; friendship, -services, all met their due reward. On this I can speak from -experience. I returned from Egypt, in the rank of aide-de-camp to the -brave General Desaix, and with two hundred louis which I had saved, -and which constituted my whole fortune. At the time of the abdication, -I possessed an income of 400,000 francs, arising out of endowments, -appointments, emoluments, extraordinary allowances, &c. I have lost -five sixths of this income; but I do not regret it: that which I still -possess forms a vast contrast to my early fortune. But what I regret -is the glory acquired at the price of so much blood and exertion: it -is for ever lost, and for that I am inconsolable. - -I was not the only one who shared the bounty of Napoleon; a thousand -others were in like manner overwhelmed with favours; and the injury -which he suffered, through the misconduct of some, proved no bar to -the exercise of his kindness. Whatever might be the depth of these -injuries, they were forgotten as soon as he was convinced that the -heart had no share in producing them. I could cite a hundred instances -of his indulgence in this respect; but the following will suffice. - -When he took the title of Emperor, the changes that were made in his -household, which had been hitherto exclusively military, gave umbrage -to several of us. We had been accustomed to enjoy the intimacy of the -great man, and we felt displeased at the reserve imposed upon us by -the imperial purple. - -Generals Regnier and Damas were at that time in disgrace: I was -intimate with both, and I was not in the habit of abandoning my -friends in misfortune. I had exerted every effort to remove Napoleon's -prejudices against these two general officers; but without success. -I one day resumed my intercession in favour of Regnier; and Napoleon -becoming impatient and out of humour, told me, dryly, that he wished -to hear no more about him. I wrote to inform the brave General, that -all my endeavours had proved unavailing: I entreated him to have -patience; and added a few phrases dictated by the disappointment -of the moment. I was so imprudent as to entrust my letter to the -conveyance of the post; and the consequence was, that it was opened -and sent to the Emperor. He read it over three or four times, ordered -some of my writing to be brought to him for the purpose of comparing -it, and could scarcely persuade himself that I had written it. He flew -into a violent rage, and despatched a courier from Saint Cloud to the -Tuileries, where I was lodged. I thought I was summoned for a mission, -and set out immediately. I found Caulincourt in the saloon of the -household with Cafarelli, and I asked him what was the news. He had -heard the whole affair; he seemed much vexed by it: but he said not a -word about it to me. I entered the apartments of Napoleon, who came -out of his closet, with the letter in his hand, in a furious rage. He -darted upon me those angry glances, which so often excited dismay. “Do -you know this writing?” said he.—“Yes, Sire,”—“It is yours?”—“Yes, -Sire.”—“You are the last person I should have suspected of this. Is it -possible that you can hold such language to my enemies? You, whom I -have treated so well! You, for whom I have done so much! You, the only -one of all my aides-de-camp, whom I lodged in the Tuileries!”—The door -of his closet was ajar: he observed this, and he threw it wide open, -in order that M. Menneval, one of the secretaries, might hear what -passed. “Begone,” said he, scanning me from head to foot, “begone; -you are an ungrateful man!”—“Sire,” I replied, “my heart was never -guilty of ingratitude.”—“Read this letter,” said he, presenting it to -me, “and judge whether I accuse you wrongfully.”—“Sire, of all the -reproaches that you can heap upon me, this is the most severe. Having -lost your confidence, I can no longer serve you.”—“Yes, you have -indeed forfeited my confidence.” I bowed respectfully, and withdrew. - -I resolved to retire to Alsace, and I was making preparations for -my departure, when Josephine sent to desire me to return and make -my best apologies to Napoleon. Louis, however, gave me contrary -advice, and I was not much inclined to obey the directions of the -Empress, as my resolution was formed. Two days elapsed, and I heard -no news from Saint Cloud. Some friends, among whom was Marshal -Bessières, called on me. “You are in the wrong,” said the Marshal, -“you cannot but acknowledge it. The respect and gratitude you owe to -the Emperor render it a duty to confess your fault.” I yielded to -these suggestions. No sooner had Napoleon received my letter, than -he desired me to attend him in one of his rides on horseback. He was -out of humour with me for some time; but one day he sent for me very -early at Saint Cloud. “I am no longer angry with you,” said he, with -exceeding kindness of manner; “you were guilty of a great piece of -folly; but it is all over—I have forgotten it. It is my wish that you -should marry.” He mentioned two young ladies, either of whom, he said, -would suit me. My marriage was brought about; but unfortunately it did -not prove a happy one. - -Bernadotte was in the deepest disgrace, and he deserved it. I met him -at Plombières, whither he had been permitted to go, accompanied by -his wife and son, for the benefit of the waters; and I had visited -the place for the same purpose. I had always admired Bernadotte's -kind and amiable disposition. I saw him frequently at Plombières. He -communicated to me the circumstance that most distressed him, and -begged that I would use my influence to bring about his reconciliation -with the Emperor, whom he said he had never ceased to admire, and -who had been prepossessed against him by calumnious reports. On my -return I learned that his friends, his brother-in-law, and Madame -Julie herself, had uselessly interceded in his behalf. Napoleon would -hear nothing they had to say; and his irritation against Bernadotte -continually increased. But I had promised to do what I could for -him; and I was bound to keep my word. The Emperor was preparing to -set out for Villiers, where Murat was to give a _fête_: he was in -high good-humour, and I determined to avail myself of this favourable -circumstance. I communicated my design to Marshal Bessières, who, -with myself, was to attend the Emperor: he tried to dissuade me from -my intention. He informed me that Madame Julie had that very morning -been at Malmaison, and that she had departed in tears for the ill -success of her suit. This circumstance was not calculated to inspire -me with confidence; but I nevertheless ventured on my mediation. I -informed Napoleon that I had seen Bernadotte at Plombières, that he -was dejected and deeply mortified by his disgrace. “He protests,” -added I, “that he has never failed in his love and devotion for -your Majesty.”—“Do not speak of him; he deserves to be shot,” said -Napoleon; and he set off at full gallop. At Murat's _fête_, I met -Joseph and his wife; and I told them how unlucky I had been. The -affair came to the knowledge of Bernadotte, who thanked me for my -good intentions. Notwithstanding his numerous misunderstandings with -Bernadotte, Napoleon subsequently forgave all his past offences, and -loaded him with wealth and honours. The Prince Royal is now about to -ascend the throne, while the author of his fortune is exiled to a rock -in the midst of the ocean. - - - - -CHAPTER IV. - - -It has been affirmed that Napoleon was not brave. A man who, from the -rank of lieutenant of artillery, rose to be the ruler of a nation like -France, could not surely be deficient in courage. Of this his conduct -on the 18th Brumaire, on the 5th Nivose, and during the plot of Arena, -are sufficient proofs, if proofs were wanting. He was well aware how -numerous were his enemies among the jacobins and the chouans; yet -every evening he walked out in the streets of Paris, and mingled with -the different groups, never accompanied by more than two individuals. -Lannes, Duroc, Bessières, or some of his aides-de-camp usually -attended him in these nocturnal excursions. This fact was well known -throughout Paris. - -The affair of the infernal machine has never been properly understood -by the public. The police had intimated to Napoleon that an attempt -would be made against his life, and cautioned him not to go out. -Madame Bonaparte, Mademoiselle Beauharnais, Madame Murat, Lannes, -Bessières, the aide-de-camp on duty, and lieutenant Lebrun, now duke -of Placenza, were all assembled in the saloon, while the First Consul -was writing in his closet. Haydn's Oratorio was to be performed that -evening: the ladies were anxious to hear the music, and we also -expressed a wish to that effect. The escort picquet was ordered out; -and Lannes requested that Napoleon would join the party. He consented; -his carriage was ready, and he took along with him Bessières and the -aide-de-camp on duty. I was directed to attend the ladies. Josephine -had received a magnificent shawl from Constantinople, and she that -evening wore it for the first time. “Allow me to observe, Madame,” -said I, “that your shawl is not thrown on with your usual elegance.” -She good humouredly begged that I would fold it after the fashion of -the Egyptian ladies. While I was engaged in this operation, we heard -Napoleon depart. “Come, sister,” said Madame Murat, who was impatient -to get to the theatre; “Bonaparte is going.” We stepped into the -carriage: the First Consul's equipage had already reached the middle -of the _Place Carrousel_. We drove after it; but we had scarcely -entered the _Place_ when the machine exploded. Napoleon escaped by a -singular chance. Saint-Regent, or his French servant, had stationed -himself in the middle of the _Rue Nicaise_. A grenadier of the escort, -supposing he was really what he appeared to be, a water-carrier, gave -him a few blows with the flat of his sabre, and drove him off. The -cart was turned round, and the machine exploded between the carriages -of Napoleon and Josephine. The ladies shrieked on hearing the report; -the carriage windows were broken, and Mademoiselle Beauharnais -received a slight hurt on her hand. I alighted, and crossed the _Rue -Nicaise_, which was strewed with the bodies of those who had been -thrown down, and the fragments of the walls that had been shattered -by the explosion. Neither the Consul nor any individual of his suite -sustained any serious injury. When I entered the theatre Napoleon was -seated in his box, calm and composed, and looking at the audience -through his opera-glass. Fouché was beside him. “Josephine,” said he, -as soon as he observed me. She entered at that moment, and he did not -finish his question. “The rascals,” said he, very coolly, “wanted to -blow me up. Bring me a book of the Oratorio.” - -The audience soon learned the danger he had escaped, and they saluted -him with testimonies of the deepest interest. These, I think, are -unequivocal proofs of courage. The men who have followed him on the -field of battle, cannot be at a loss to quote many more. - - - - -CHAPTER V. - - -Napoleon, whatever his detractors may say, was neither overbearing -nor obstinate in his opinions. He was eager to obtain information, -and he wished to hear the opinions of all who were entitled to -hold any. Among the members of the Council, the wish to please him -sometimes superseded every other consideration; but when he perceived -this, he never failed to restore the discussion to its proper tone. -“Gentlemen,” he would say to his lieutenants, “I summoned you here, -not to bring you over to my opinion, but to let me hear your's. -Explain to me your views; and I shall see whether the plans which you -propose are better than my own.” - -While we were at Boulogne, he gave a lesson of this kind to the -minister of the Marine. He had proposed some questions, to which M. -Decrès replied only by a string of compliments. Napoleon wrote to him -thus:—“I beg you will send me, in the course of to-morrow, a memorial -on the following question: _In the present state of affairs, what is -most proper to be done, should Admiral Villeneuve remain at Cadiz?_ -Raise your mind to the importance of present circumstances, and the -situation in which France and England are placed. Send me no more -letters like that which you addressed to me yesterday; they can answer -no purpose. I have but one wish, and that is, to succeed; for which, I -pray God,” &c. - -Two days before the battle of Austerlitz, a portion of the army was -stationed in an unfavourable position, and the general who occupied -it exaggerated its disadvantages. However, when the Council was -assembled, he not only admitted that the position was tenable, but he -even promised to defend it. “How is this, Marshal?” said the Grand -Duke of Berg. “What has become of the doubts you expressed but a -short while ago?—“What signifies flattering, when we have met for the -purpose of deliberating?” said Marshal Launes, in his turn. “We must -represent things in their true light to the Emperor; and leave him to -do what he may deem expedient.”—“You are right,” said Napoleon; “those -who wish to win my good graces must not deceive me.” - -But though he was always ready to receive advice from those who -were qualified to give it; yet he could not endure remarks made by -individuals who might happen to be ignorant of the subject of which -they were speaking. Fesch was one day about to make some observations -on the Spanish war. He had scarcely uttered two words, when Napoleon, -leading him to a window, said, “Do you see that star?”—It was noon, -and the archbishop replied that he saw none. “Well,” said Napoleon, -“so long as I am the only one who perceives it, I will pursue my own -course, and will hear no reflections on my conduct.” - -On his return from the Russian campaign, he was lamenting, with deep -emotion, the death of the many brave men, who had been sacrificed, not -by Cossack spears, but by the rigours of cold and hunger. A courtier, -who wished to throw in his word, said, with a very doleful air, “We -have, indeed, sustained a severe loss!”—“Yes,” replied Napoleon, -“Madame Barilli[1] is dead.” - -[1] A celebrated opera singer. - -He always sneered at folly; but he never shewed himself averse either -to pleasantry or frankness. - -Madame Bachioci one day brought to the Tuileries her relation, M. -d'A * * * *. She retired after introducing him to the saloon of the -household, and he was left alone with me. This M. d'A * * * *, like -many of his countrymen, had a very unprepossessing countenance. I was -distrustful of him; but, nevertheless, I informed the Emperor he was -waiting, and he was introduced. He had doubtless something important -to communicate. Napoleon, by a motion of his hand, directed me to -return to the saloon. I pretended not to observe him, and I remained, -for I was apprehensive for his safety. He advanced towards me, and -said that they wished to be alone. I then withdrew, but I left the -door of the chamber partly open. - -When Napoleon had dismissed M. d'A * * * *, he asked me why I had -been so reluctant to withdraw. “You know,” replied I, “that I am -not officious; but I must frankly confess that I do not like your -Corsicans.” He himself related this anecdote, which displeased some of -the individuals of his family. However, I am persuaded that he would -rather not have heard me speak of his countrymen in this way. - -One evening, after the battle of Wagram, we were playing at -_vingt-et-un_. Napoleon was very fond of this game: he used to try -to deceive those he was playing with, and was much amused at the -tricks he played. He had a great quantity of gold spread out upon the -table before him. “Rapp,” said he, “are not the Germans very fond of -these little Napoleons?”—“Yes, Sire, they like them much better than -the great one.”—“That, I suppose,” said he, “is what you call German -frankness.” - - - - -CHAPTER VI. - - -I was at the camp of Boulogne when the third war with Austria broke -out. The French were passing the Rhine. The remnants of the enemy's -army, which had been beaten and nearly cut to pieces, shut themselves -up in Ulm, and they were immediately summoned to surrender. The -account of this negotiation, which was conducted by M. de Segur, so -well pourtrays the confusion and anxiety of the unfortunate general, -that I cannot refrain from inserting it here. The following is M. de -Segur's own statement. - -“Yesterday, the 24th of Vendemiaire (16th of Oct.), the Emperor -desired me to attend him in his closet. He directed me to proceed to -Ulm, and to prevail on General Mack to surrender in five days, or, if -he absolutely required six, I was to allow him that time: I received -no other instructions. The night was dark; a terrible hurricane arose -and the rain poured in torrents: it was necessary to travel by cross -roads, and to adopt every precaution for avoiding the marshes, in -which man, horse, and mission, might all have come to an untimely end. -I had almost reached the gates of the city without finding any of our -advanced parties. All had withdrawn: sentinels, videttes, out-posts, -all had placed themselves under shelter. Even the parks of artillery -were abandoned; no fires, no stars were visible. I wandered about for -three hours before I could find a general: I passed through several -villages, and interrogated all whom I met; but without receiving any -satisfactory answer. - -“At length I found an artillery trumpeter, beneath a cassoon, half -buried in mud, and stiff with cold. We approached the ramparts of -Ulm. Our arrival had doubtless been expected; for M. de Latour, an -officer, who spoke French very well, presented himself on the first -summons. He tied a bandage over my eyes, and made me climb over the -fortifications. I remarked to my guide that the extreme darkness of -the night rendered it unnecessary to blindfold me; but he replied -that it was a custom that could not be dispensed with. We seemed to -have walked a considerable way. I entered into conversation with my -guide; my object was to ascertain what number of troops were shut up -in the city. I inquired whether we were far from the residences of -General Mack and the Archduke. 'They are close at hand,' replied my -guide. I concluded that all the remains of the Austrian army were -in Ulm, and the sequel of the conversation confirmed me in this -conjecture. At length we reached the inn where the general-in-chief -resided. He was a tall elderly man, and the expression of his pallid -countenance denoted a lively imagination. His features were disturbed -by a feeling of anxiety which he endeavoured to conceal. After -exchanging a few compliments, I told him my name; and then entering -upon the subject of my mission, I informed him that the Emperor -had sent me to invite him to surrender, and to settle with him the -conditions of the capitulation. These words evidently offended him; -and at first he seemed disinclined to listen to me further: but I -insisted on being heard; and I observed that having been received, -I, as well as the Emperor, might naturally suppose that he knew -how to appreciate his condition. But he replied, sharply, that his -situation would soon be changed, as the Russian army was advancing -to his assistance; that we should be placed between two fires, and -it would then be our turn to capitulate. I replied, that situated -as he was, it was not surprising he should be ignorant of what was -passing in Germany; but that I must inform him Marshal Bernadotte was -in possession of Ingolstadt and Munich, and that he had his advance -posts on the Inn, where the Russians had not yet shewn themselves. -'May I be the greatest ——,' exclaimed General Mack, angrily, 'if I -am not positively informed that the Russians are at Dachau! Do you -think to impose on me thus? Do you take me for a boy? No, Monsieur de -Segur, if I receive not assistance within eight days, I consent to -surrender my fortress, on condition that my troops shall be prisoners -of war, and my officers prisoners on parole. Eight days will allow -time for affording me assistance; and I shall thus fulfil my duty. -But I shall receive aid, I am certain!'—'Allow me to repeat, General, -that we are masters not only of Dachau, but of Munich also: besides, -allowing your supposition to be correct, if the Russians be really -at Dachau, five days will enable them to advance and attack us, and -these five days his Majesty is willing to grant you.'—'No, Sir,' -replied the Marshal, 'I demand eight days. I can listen to no other -proposition; I must have eight days; that period is indispensable to -my responsibility.'—'Then,' resumed I, 'the whole difficulty consists -in settling the difference between five and eight days. But I cannot -conceive why your Excellency should attach so much importance to this -point, seeing that the Emperor is before you, at the head of 100,000 -men; and that the corps of Marshal Bernadotte and General Marmont are -sufficient to retard for three days the advance of the Russians, even -supposing them to be where they are really very far from being.'—'They -are at Dachau,' repeated General Mack.—'Well, Baron! be it so: and -even allowing them to be at Augsburgh, we should only be the more -ready to come to an agreement with you. Do not force us to carry Ulm -by assault; for then, instead of waiting five days, it will be but -a morning's work for the Emperor to gain possession of it.'—'Sir,' -replied the General-in-chief, 'do not imagine that fifteen thousand -men are so easily subdued. The conquest will cost you dear.'—'Perhaps -a few hundred men,' I replied; 'while Germany will reproach you with -the loss of your army and the destruction of Ulm; in short, with -all the horrors of an assault, which his Majesty seeks to prevent, -by the proposition which he has charged me to make to you.'—'Rather -say,' exclaimed the Marshal, 'that it will cost you ten thousand -men! The strength of Ulm is known.'—'It consists in the heights -which surround it, and which are in our possession.'—'Come, come, -Sir, it is impossible that you can be ignorant of the strength of -Ulm!'—'Certainly not, Marshal; and I am the better able to appreciate -it, now that I am within the walls of the city.'—'Well, Sir,' resumed -the unfortunate General, 'you see men ready to defend themselves to -the utmost extremity, should your Emperor refuse to grant them an -armistice of eight days. I can hold out for a considerable time. Ulm -contains 3000 horses, which, rather than surrender, we will eat, -with as much pleasure as you would were you in our place.'—'Three -thousand horses!' I exclaimed: 'alas, Marshal! you must look forward -to dreadful misery before you can think of trusting to so pitiful a -resource.' - -“The Marshal eagerly assured me, that he had provisions for ten -days; but I believed no such thing. Day was beginning to dawn, and -the negotiation was no farther advanced than at the commencement of -our interview. I might have granted six days; but General Mack so -obstinately insisted on eight, that I concluded the concession of a -single day would be useless. I would not incur the risk, and I rose -to depart, saying, that my instructions required me to return before -day-light; and, in case my proposition should be rejected, to transmit -to Marshal Ney the order for commencing the attack. Here General Mack -complained of the conduct of the Marshal towards one of his flags -of truce, whose message he had refused to hear. I availed myself of -this circumstance to remark, that the Marshal's temper was hasty, -impetuous, and ungovernable; that he commanded the most numerous -corps, and that which was nearest the city; that he impatiently -awaited the order to commence the assault, which order I was to -transmit to him on my departure from Ulm. The old General, however, -was not intimidated; he insisted on being allowed an interval of eight -days, and urged me to make the proposal to the Emperor. - -“Poor General Mack was on the point of signing his own ruin, and that -of Austria. But notwithstanding his desperate situation, in which he -must have suffered the most cruel anxiety, he still refused to yield: -he preserved his presence of mind, and maintained the dispute in -an animated way. He defended the only thing that he could defend, -namely, time. He sought to retard the fall of Austria, of which he had -himself been the cause, and wished to procure her a few days longer -for preparation: when lost himself, he still contended for her. His -character, which was political rather than military, led him to exert -cunning in opposition to power. He was bewildered amidst a crowd of -conjectures. - -“About nine in the morning of the 25th, I rejoined the Emperor at -the Abbey of Elchingen, where I rendered him an account of the -negotiation. He appeared quite satisfied; and I left him. He however -desired me to attend him again; and finding that I did not come at -the very moment, he sent Marshal Berthier to me, with a written copy -of the propositions which he wished me to induce General Mack to sign -immediately. The Emperor granted the Austrian General eight days, -reckoning from the date of the 23d, the first day of the blockade; -thus their number was in reality reduced to six, which I might at -first have proposed, but which I would not concede. - -“However, in case of obstinate refusal, I was authorized to date the -eight days from the 25th, and thus the Emperor would still have gained -a day by the concession. The object was to enter Ulm speedily, in -order to augment the glory of the victory by its rapidity; to reach -Vienna before the town should recover from the shock, or the Russian -army could be in a situation to act; and, finally, our provisions were -beginning to fail us, which was another reason for urging us on. - -“Major-General Marshal Berthier intimated to me, that he would -approach the town; and that if the conditions were agreed on, he -should be glad if I would procure his admittance. - -“I returned to Ulm about noon. The precautions which had been observed -on my first visit were again repeated; but on this occasion I found -General Mack at the gate of the city. I delivered to him the Emperor's -ultimatum, and he withdrew to deliberate upon it with several of his -Generals, among whom I observed a Prince of Lichtenstein, and Generals -Klénau and Ginlay. In about a quarter of an hour, he returned, and -again began to dispute with me respecting the date. He mistook some -particular point in the written propositions, and this induced him -to believe that he would obtain an armistice of eight whole days, -reckoning from the 25th. In a singular transport of joy, he exclaimed, -“M. de Segur! my dear M. de Segur! I relied on the Emperor's -generosity; and I have not been deceived. Tell Marshal Berliner -I respect him. Tell the Emperor, that I have only a few trifling -observations to make; and that I will sign the propositions you have -brought me. But inform his Majesty, that Marshal Ney has behaved ill -to me—that he has treated me most disrespectfully. Assure the Emperor, -that I relied on his generosity.” Then, with increased warmth of -feeling, he added, “Monsieur de Segur, I value your esteem: I attach -importance to the opinion that you may entertain of me. I wish to show -you the paper I had signed; for I assure you my determination was -fixed.” So saying, he unfolded a sheet of paper, on which were written -these words: _Eight days, or death!_ signed, _Mack_. - -“I was thunderstruck at the joyful expression which animated his -countenance. I was unable to account for the puerile triumph he -evinced at so vain a concession. When on the point of sinking, to what -a frail twig did the poor General cling, in the hope of preserving -his own reputation, the honour of his army, and ensuring the safety -of Austria! He took my hand, pressed it cordially, and suffered me to -depart from Ulm without being blindfolded: he moreover allowed me to -introduce Marshal Berthier into the fortress without the observance -of the usual formalities; in short, he appeared perfectly delighted. -He started, in the presence of Marshal Berthier, another argument -respecting the dates. I explained the mistake that had occurred; and -the matter was to be referred to the Emperor. In the morning the -General assured me that he had provisions for ten days; but I had -already intimated to his Majesty, that he appeared to have a very -short supply; which, indeed, proved to be the case, for that very day -he solicited permission to have provision conveyed to the fortress. - - -“Mack, on finding that his position was turned, conceived, that by -throwing himself into Ulm and remaining there, he would draw the -Emperor beneath the ramparts, where he hoped to detain him, and thus -favour the flight of his other corps in different directions. He -thought he had sacrificed himself, and this idea served to uphold -his courage. When I entered upon my negotiations with him, he was of -opinion that our army was drawn up before Ulm, and unable to move. He -made the Archduke and Werneck secretly quit the city. One division -attempted to escape to Memmingen; another was flying to the mountains -of Tyrol: all were either actually made prisoners, or were on the -point of being taken. - -“On the 27th, General Mack came to see the Emperor at Elchingen: all -his illusions had vanished. - -“His Majesty, to convince him of the uselessness of detaining us -longer before Ulm, described to him all the horrors of his situation. -He assured him of our success on every point; informed him that -Werneck's corps, all his artillery, and eight of his Generals had -capitulated; that the Archduke himself was in danger, and that no -tidings had been received of the Russians. All this intelligence -came like a thunderbolt on the General-in-chief: his strength failed -him, and he was obliged to support himself against the wall of the -apartment. He was overpowered by the weight of his misfortune. He -acknowledged the extremity to which he was reduced; and frankly told -us, that the provisions in Ulm were exhausted. He however said, that -instead of 15,000 men, there were 24,000 fighting men, and 3000 -invalids; but that all were plunged into the deepest confusion, -and that every moment augmented the dangers of their situation. He -added, that he was convinced all hope had vanished, and he therefore -consented to surrender Ulm on the following day (the 28th) at three -o'clock. - -“On quitting his Majesty's presence, he saw some of our officers; and -I heard him say, 'It is mortifying to be disgraced in the estimation -of so many brave men: however, I have in my pocket my opinion, written -and signed, in which I refused to have my army parcelled out. But I -did not command; the Archduke John was there.' It is very possible -that Mack was obeyed only with reluctance. - -“On the 23th, 33,000 Austrians surrendered themselves prisoners. -They defiled before the Emperor. The infantry threw down their arms -on the other side of the ditch; the cavalry dismounted, laid down -their arms, and delivered up their horses to our cavalry on foot. The -troops, while surrendering their arms, shouted 'Vive l'Empereur!' Mack -was present: he said to the officers, who had addressed him without -knowing who he was, 'You see before you the unfortunate Mack!'” - -I was at Elchingen with Generals Mouton and Bertrand when Mack came to -present his respects to Napoleon. “I flatter myself, Gentlemen,” said -he to us, as he passed through the saloon of the aide-de-camp on duty, -“that you do not cease to regard me as a brave man, though I have been -obliged to capitulate with a force so considerable: it was difficult -to resist the manœuvres of your Emperor; his plans have ruined me.” - -Napoleon, who was overjoyed at his success, sent General Bertrand -to examine the returns of the army that was in Ulm. He brought -intelligence that there were 21,000 men in the city: the Emperor -could not believe this. “You speak their language,” said he to me; -“go and ascertain the truth.” I went; I interrogated the commanders -of corps, the generals, and the troops; and, from the information -thus collected, I learned that the garrison contained 26,000 men fit -for service. Napoleon, on hearing this, said, “I was mad, and that -the thing was impossible.” However, when the army defiled before us, -its number, as M. de Segur had stated, amounted to 33,000 men, and -nineteen generals: the cavalry and artillery were superb. - - - - -CHAPTER VII. - - -We had not been able to shut up all the Austrian force in Ulm. Werneck -escaped by the way of Heidenheim, and the Archduke hastened after him. -They were both in full flight; but Fate had pronounced her decree, -and against that there is no appeal. Napoleon being informed, in the -middle of the night, that they were advancing on Albeck, immediately -summoned the Grand-duke. “A division,” said he, “has escaped from -the garrison, and threatens our rear; pursue and destroy it: let not -one escape.” The rain descended in torrents, and the roads were in -a dreadful condition; but fatigue and danger were forgotten in the -triumph of victory. Our troops hastened onward intent on conquest. -Murat came up with the enemy, attacked and routed him. He pursued him -closely in his flight for the space of two leagues, scarcely allowing -him time to take breath. Some masses occupied Erbrectingen with -cannon. Night had set in and our horses were exhausted: we halted. The -9th light arrived about ten o'clock. We then advanced; the attack -was resumed; village, artillery, caissons, all were taken. General -Odonel endeavoured to keep his ground with his rear-guard; but he was -observed by one of our quarter-masters, who wounded him and made him -prisoner. It was midnight, our troops were overcome with fatigue, and -we pursued our triumph no farther. - -The enemy fled precipitately in the direction of Nordlingen, where -we possessed artillery and depôts. It was important to prevent his -reaching that point. Murat detached some parties, who, by harassing -and impeding him in his march, forced him to take up a position, that -is to say, to lose time. On the other hand, General Rivaud was to -put the bridge of Donnavert in a state of security, and to proceed -with the surplus of his force to the Wiesnitz. Every passage was -intercepted. These arrangements being made, the Prince began his -march and came up with the Archduke, who was deploying on Neresheim. -We attacked him with the enthusiasm inspired by victory: the shock -was irresistible; the cavalry fled, and the infantry laid down -their arms. Guns, standards, troops, all were taken in a mass: the -most terrible disorder prevailed. Klein, Fauconet, and Lanusses, -continued the pursuit, intercepted the enemy on every side, and -dispersed him in every direction. Werneck was summoned to surrender; -he hesitated; but a combination of extraordinary circumstances at -length induced him to do so. The officer appointed to escort the -French flag of truce crossed several plains in quest of his chief. He -met the Prince of Hohenzollern, to whom he communicated the object -of his mission. The Prince accompanied him, not doubting that the -Field-Marshal would accept the conditions. They directed their course -to Nordlingen, which they found occupied, not by the Austrians, but -by French troops. On the other hand, General Lasalle had advanced on -Merking, and had taken a thousand men. The fugitives spread alarm in -the enemy's head-quarters. These accounts staggered Werneck, and he -shewed himself disposed to treat. He detained the French officer and -sent as a hostage the Major of the regiment of Rannitz. He deferred -the negotiation until next day; for he wished to try the chances of -the night. As soon as it was dark, he proposed to combine his forces -with those of the Archduke; but the French intercepted the road, and -General Rivaud drove back Lichtenstein, and penetrated the great park, -which our hussars attacked in the rear. Werneck dared not go farther; -he thought himself surrounded, and he negotiated. Our troops occupied -the heights in order to be prepared against a surprise: but night -advanced; and Hohenzollern, who on the preceding day had regarded -the capitulation as inevitable, now availed himself of darkness to -elude it. General Miskiery followed his example: they escaped with -the cavalry and a few infantry troops, which had formed a part of the -corps that had laid down arms. It might have been supposed that they -were bound by the engagements of their chief; but no such thing; at -least they thought so, for they rejoined the wrecks of the Archduke's -force, with which they threw themselves on the Prussian territory. We -came up with them at Gunderhausen, and demanded the fulfilment of the -convention. The Prince of Schwartzenberg referred to orders, wished to -clear up doubts, to write, to explain; in a word, to gain time. - -The Prussians insisted on their neutrality; they required that the -city should not be attacked, and that the enemy's column should -evacuate it. A person in magisterial robes came, escorted by a party -of the Archduke's officers, to threaten us with the displeasure of -King William. Klein was not the man to be intimidated by this kind -of masquerade: he sent to the Grand Duke the magistrate in the -Austrian interest, and gave the signal for the attack. The Prince of -Schwartzenberg was quite disconcerted: he had not imagined that the -General was so near at hand. He protested against the violation of -the Prussian territory, and proposed that we should respect it and -not occupy Gunderhausen. Klein told him to set a good example, and he -would follow it. We continued to advance, and yet Schwartzenberg came -to no decision. Murat, tired of being taken for a dupe, gave orders -for terminating the discussions and marching forward. The enemy's -rear-guard then set off at full gallop, and left us in possession of -the place. We pursued him for several leagues, without being able to -come up with him. It was night, and we took a position. We resumed -our march at daybreak; but the Archduke had fled so rapidly that we -did not overtake the rear of his baggage until we reached Nuremberg. -A piquet of our advance-guard charged him, and obliged the escort -battalion to lay down their arms. The piquet then pressed forward, -and entered a woody road, thronged with artillery and baggage, -pursuing some hundreds of dragoons, who vainly endeavoured to rally -themselves. The great body of the Austrian force was awaiting us in -an advantageous position. Our chasseurs were obliged to fall back; -but the hussars and carabiniers advanced, and the army was completely -routed. The Archduke himself narrowly escaped being made prisoner. -This was a finishing stroke to the corps who had escaped from Ulm. In -the short space of five days, 7000 brave men marched over forty-five -leagues, destroyed an army of 25,000 men, took their military chest -and baggage, carried off 128 pieces of cannon, 11 standards, and made -from 12 to 15,000 prisoners. Of all the Archduke's force nothing now -remained but a few thousand unfortunate men scattered about in the -woods. - -Klein, however, persisted in his demands, and Werneck himself urged -the fulfilment of the conditions that had been entered into. They -required that the officers included in the capitulations should -surrender themselves prisoners. The French General addressed his -remonstrances to the Archduke, or, in his absence, to the General -commanding the Austrian army; but such disorder prevailed, that -the flag of truce was obliged to advance into the very heart of -Bohemia before he could find an officer to receive his dispatches. -The answer was long expected; but it at length arrived. It was a -letter from General Kollowrard, who transmitted to us the following -correspondence: - - TO COUNT HOHENZOLLERN, LIEUTENANT-GENERAL IN THE SERVICE OF HIS - IMPERIAL AND ROYAL MAJESTY. - - “You have submitted Lieutenant-general Werneck's letter to my - consideration. I must inform you that, according to the rules - of war and the law of nations, I regard the pretensions of the - French General as very illegal. - - “Consequently I declare that you, and the troops with whom - you have returned, cannot be included in the capitulation. I - therefore order you as well as them to continue to serve as - before. - - _Signed_, FERDINAND. - _Countersigned_, MORVAHL. Major and Aide-de-Camp. - - “Egra, Oct. 23, 1805.” - -By this document the capitulation was rendered no capitulation; and -thus Hohenzollern had fled without any violation of honour. He seemed -astonished at being required to surrender in a mass troops which he -was losing no less effectually in detail. His letter was curious; it -was as follows: - - TO FIELD MARSHAL BARON WERNECK. - - “Dear Comrade, - - “I cannot conceal my astonishment at the proposition that has - been made to me to surrender with the cavalry which formed part - of your corps. When I left you, you in my presence refused to - enter into any capitulation; and, for my part, I intended to - bring back the cavalry to the army at all hazards, if you could - not extricate yourself with the infantry. I endeavoured to do - this, and I succeeded. I do not understand by what law I can be - accounted a prisoner of war, not having been present at your - arrangements, in which I should never have suffered myself to be - included. Having been separated from you since yesterday, I no - longer conceive myself bound to fulfil your orders: I receive the - commands of his Royal Highness our General-in-chief. - - “I have the honour to be your very humble and obedient servant, - - _Signed_, LIEUT.-GEN. HOHENZOLLERN, - Privy Counsellor.” - -Napoleon was satisfied with himself, with the army and with every -body. He expressed his approbation of our conduct by the following -proclamation: - -“Soldiers of the Great Army! - -“In the space of fifteen days we have finished the campaign. All that -we proposed to do has been accomplished. We have driven from Bavaria -the troops of the House of Austria, and restored our ally to the -sovereignty of his States. - -“That army which, with equal presumption and imprudence, came to -station itself on our frontiers, has been annihilated. - -“But what does it signify to England? Her object is fulfilled. We are -no longer at Boulogne, and her subsidy will be neither more nor less. - -“Of the 100,000 men who composed that army, sixty thousand are -prisoners: they will supply the place of our conscripts in -agricultural labours. - -“Two hundred pieces of cannon, the whole park, ninety standards, and -all their Generals, are in our hands. Scarcely 15,000 men have escaped. - -“Soldiers! I announced to you a great battle; but thanks to the ill -concerted plans of the enemy, I have obtained all the success I -anticipated without encountering any risk; and it is a circumstance -unparalleled in the history of nations that so great a triumph should -have diminished our force only by 1500 men rendered unfit for service. - -“Soldiers! this success is due to the full confidence you reposed in -your Emperor, to your patience under fatigue and privation of every -kind, and to your singular intrepidity. - -“But we shall not stop here. You are eager to commence a second -campaign. - -“The Russian army, which English gold has transported from the further -extremity of Europe, will experience a similar fate. - -“The present campaign is particularly connected with the glory of -the French infantry; the question which has already been determined -in Switzerland and Holland, will now be decided for the second time; -namely, whether the French infantry be the first or the second in -Europe. - -“There are among the Russians no Generals over whom I can hope to -obtain glory. All my care will be to gain the victory with the least -possible effusion of blood: my soldiers are my children.” - - - - -CHAPTER VIII. - - -We had now done with the Austrians, and we advanced to meet the -Russians. Kutusoff affected resolution, and we thought him disposed -to fight. We congratulated ourselves on this new opportunity -of augmenting our glory. But all this was mere pretence on the -part of Kutusoff; he abandoned the Inn, the Traun, and the Ems, -and disappeared. We pressed forward on Vienna; we advanced with -inconceivable speed: never was a movement executed with such rapidity. -The Emperor became apprehensive; he feared lest by this precipitancy -our rear might be endangered, and our flank exposed to the Russians. -“Murat,” said he to me, “runs on like a blind man; he presses forward -as though the only object were to enter Vienna. The enemy has nobody -to oppose him; he may dispose of all his forces and destroy Mortier. -Direct Berthier to stop the columns.” Berthier came; Marshal Soult -received orders to fall back as far as Mautern. Davoust took up his -position at the junction of the roads of Lilienfeldt and Neustadt, -and Bernadotte stationed himself at Mælck. But these arrangements -did not prevent the engagement of which Napoleon feared the issue. -Four thousand French were attacked by the whole of the enemy's force; -but skill, courage, and the necessity of conquering, made amends -for our inferiority of numbers: the Russians were driven back. The -intelligence of this astonishing victory set our whole force in -motion: the Emperor pursued his march with even more eagerness than -he had before evinced in suspending it. He wished to come up with the -Austrians, to take the passage of the Danube, to turn and cut off -their allies, and beat them before they could receive reinforcements. -He hastily dispatched orders: men and horses, all were immediately -in motion. “The field is open,” said Napoleon, “Murat may yield to -his natural impetuosity; but he must take a wider range, he must -surprise the bridge.” He immediately wrote to him as follows:—“The -grand object at the present moment is to pass the Danube, in order -to drive the Russians from Krems by attacking their rear. The enemy -will probably destroy the bridge of Vienna; and yet, if there should -be any possibility of gaining it undamaged, that must be done. This -consideration alone can induce the Emperor to enter Vienna; and in -that case you must introduce into the city only a portion of your -cavalry and the grenadiers. It is necessary that you should ascertain -the force of the civic guard in Vienna. The Emperor presumes that you -have planted some pieces of cannon to intercept the passage across -the Danube between Krems and Vienna. Some parties of cavalry should -be stationed on the right bank of the river; but you mention nothing -of this to the Emperor. His Majesty thinks it necessary to know what -he has to trust to; so that if it should be possible to intercept the -Danube below Vienna, it may be done. General Suchet's division will -remain with a portion of your cavalry on the great road leading from -Vienna to Bukersdorf, at least if you be not master of the bridge -across the Danube, and if it has not been burned. In that case, -Suchet's division must repair thither, in order to be enabled to cross -the river with your cavalry and grenadiers, and to march on as rapidly -as possible to fall on the communications of the Russians. I think it -probable that the Emperor will remain all the day at Saint-Polten. - -“His Majesty recommends you, Prince, to transmit to him frequent -accounts of your proceedings. - -“When you arrive at Vienna, provide yourself with the best maps that -can be procured, of the environs of that city and of Lower Austria. - -“Should General Count Giulay, or any other individual, wish to have an -interview with the Emperor, send him hither with all speed. - -“The civic guard on duty at Vienna must amount to upwards of five -hundred men. - -“When once you reach Vienna you may easily obtain intelligence of the -arrival of the other Russian columns, as well as of the design of -those who have established themselves at Krems. - -“You will have your own cavalry, together with the corps of Marshals -Lannes and Davoust, in the operation of turning the Russians and -falling on their rear. As to the corps of Marshals Bernadotte and -Soult, they cannot be disposed of until we shall definitively know -what course the Russians may adopt. - -“After ten o'clock in the morning, you may enter Vienna. Endeavour -to surprise the bridge of the Danube, or, if it should be destroyed, -adopt the most speedy means of crossing the river: that is the grand -affair at present. But if, before ten o'clock, M. de Giulay should -present himself with proposals for negotiating and inducing you to -suspend your march, you may stop your movement on Vienna, but you must -nevertheless direct your attention to the best means of crossing the -Danube at Klosterburgh, or some other favourable point. - -“The Emperor directs that between Seghartz-Kirchen and Vienna you -shall station, at the distance of two French leagues from each other, -posts of cavalry consisting of ten men each, whose horses will serve -as relays to the officers whom you may send with accounts of your -movements. The men forming these posts may bear despatches from -Seghartz-Kirchen to Saint-Polten. Marshal Bessières will station posts -of the Emperor's guard.” - - - - -CHAPTER IX. - - -We were at Saint-Polten. Napoleon was riding on horseback on the -Vienna road, when he perceived an open carriage advancing, in which -were seated a priest and a lady bathed in tears. The Emperor was -dressed as usual in the uniform of a colonel of the chasseurs of -the guard. The lady did not know him. He enquired the cause of her -affliction, and whither she was going. Sir,” she replied, “I have -been robbed at about two leagues from hence by a party of soldiers, -who have killed my gardener. I am going to request that your Emperor -will grant me a guard. He once knew my family well, and lay under -obligations to them.”—“Your name?” enquired Napoleon—“De Brunny,” -answered the lady; “I am the daughter of M. de Marbœuf, formerly -governor of Corsica.”—“I am delighted to meet with you, Madam,” -exclaimed Napoleon, with the most charming frankness, “and to have -an opportunity of serving you. I am the Emperor.” The lady was -amazed. Napoleon consoled her, and directed her to wait for him at -head-quarters. He treated her with the utmost attention, granted -her a piquet of chasseurs of his guard, and sent her away happy and -contented. - -Napoleon had received a report, which he was reading with an air -of satisfaction. I entered his closet. “Well, Rapp,” said he, “do -you know that we have parties of our troops in the very heart of -Bohemia?”—“Yes, Sire.”—“Do you know what sort of cavalry has beat -the Houlans, captured posts, and taken magazines?”—“No, Sire.”—“Our -infantry mounted on draught horses!”—“How?”—He handed me the report. -Some of our detachments who had penetrated into Bohemia, suddenly -found themselves in an open tract of country: they had but twenty -dragoons; they would not fall back, and they dared not advance -further. In this perplexing situation, the commander thought of an -expedient. He collected together all the baggage horses, mounted his -infantry, and thus equipped, led them through the thick forests in -the neighbourhood of Egra. Some parties of the enemy's cavalry who -advanced to oppose them were driven back; we took men, horses and -provisions; the latter were committed to the flames. I returned the -report to the Emperor. “Well,” said he, “what think you of this new -kind of cavalry?”—“Admirable, Sire.”—“Men who have French blood in -their veins,” observed he, “always know how to deal death among the -enemy's ranks.” - -We marched close upon the enemy's rear-guard. We might easily have -taken it; but we avoided doing so. We wished to lull his vigilance: -we did not press him closely, and we circulated reports of peace. -We suffered both troops and baggage to escape us; but the loss of a -few men was of little consequence. The preservation of the bridges -was the important point: if they should be broken, it was determined -that we should repair them; we took our measures accordingly. The -troops, who were posted in _echelon_ on the road, were warned to -allow no demonstration to escape them that was likely to put the -enemy on his guard. No one was permitted to enter Vienna; but every -thing being examined, and every arrangement completed, the Grand Duke -took possession of the capital, and directed Lanusses and Bertrand -to make without delay a _reconnaissance_ on the river. They found at -the gates of the suburb a post of Austrian cavalry. There had been no -fighting for upwards of three days. It appeared as though an armistice -had been entered into. Lanusses and Bertrand accosted the Austrian -commandant, commenced a conversation with him, followed him closely, -and would not suffer him to quit them. On reaching the banks of the -river, they still persisted in following him, in spite of his wish to -get rid of them. The Austrian became impatient; the French generals -asked leave to communicate with the general commanding the troops -stationed on the left bank of the river. They obtained permission to -do so; but the 10th hussars were not allowed to accompany them, and -they were consequently obliged to halt and take a position. Meanwhile -our troops were advancing, led by the Grand Duke and Marshal Lannes. -The bridge still remained undamaged; but the trains were laid, and -the gunners held their matches in readiness: the least sign that -might have indicated the intention of passing by force would have -ruined the enterprize. It was necessary to resort to artifice; and -we succeeded in imposing on the simplicity of the Austrians. The two -marshals dismounted, and only a small detachment entered upon the -bridge. General Belliard advanced, walking with his hands behind -his back, accompanied by two officers of the staff: Lannes joined -him with some others; they walked about, talking together, and at -length joined the Austrians. The officer commanding the post, at -first directed them to stand back; but he at length permitted them to -advance, and they entered into conversation together. They repeated -what had already been affirmed by General Bertrand, namely, that -the negotiations were advancing, that the war was at an end, and -that there would be no more fighting and slaughter. “Why,” said the -Marshal, “do you keep your guns still pointed at us? Has there not -been enough of bloodshed? Do you wish to attack us, and to prolong -miseries which weigh more heavily on you than on us? Come, let us -have no more provocation; turn your guns.” Half persuaded and half -convinced, the commanding officer yielded. The artillery was turned in -the direction of the Austrians, and the troops laid down their arms in -bundles. During this conference the platoon of our advance-guard came -up slowly, and at length it arrived, masking sappers and gunners, -who threw the combustible matters into the river, sprinkled water on -the powder, and cut the trains. The Austrian commander, who was not -sufficiently acquainted with the French language to take much interest -in the conversation, perceived that the troop was gaining ground, and -endeavoured to make us understand that he could not permit it. Marshal -Lannes and General Belliard tried to satisfy him; they observed that -the cold was severe, and that our men were only marching about to -warm themselves. But the column still continued to advance, and it -was already three quarters over the bridge. The commander lost all -patience, and ordered his troops to fire: they instantly took up their -arms, and the artillerymen prepared their guns. Our situation was -terrible: a little less presence of mind on our part, and the bridge -would have been blown up, our troops in the river, and the campaign -at an end. But the Austrian had to deal with men who were not easily -disconcerted. Marshal Lannes seized him by the one arm and General -Belliard by the other. They threatened him, and drowned his voice -when he attempted to call for help. Meanwhile the Prince of Hogsberg -arrived accompanied by General Bertrand. An officer set off to render -an account of the state of affairs to the Grand Duke; and on his way -transmitted to the troop an order to quicken their march and arrive -speedily. The Marshal advanced to meet the Prince, complained of the -conduct of the commander of the post, requested that he might be -punished and removed from the rear-guard, where he might impede the -negotiations. Hogsberg fell into the snare: he deliberated, approved, -contradicted, and lost himself in a useless conversation. Our troops -made the most of their time; they arrived, debouched, and the -bridge was taken. Reconnaissances were immediately ordered in every -direction; and General Belliard led our columns on the road leading -to Stockrau, where they took a position. Hogsberg, mortified at his -ill-timed loquacity, proceeded to the Grand Duke, who, after a short -conversation, referred him to Napoleon, and also crossed the river. - -The Austrian piquet still kept guard on the bridge. We bivouacked -in confusion: the troops were mingled together at Stockrau as on -the banks of the river. Napoleon found that this interspersion was -not convenient, and he sent the Houlans to Vienna, where they were -disarmed. - -We arrived at Austerlitz. The Russians had a force Superior to ours. -They had repulsed our advance-guard, and they thought us already -subdued. The attack commenced; but instead of that easy conquest -which had been obtained merely by their guard, they every where -experienced the most obstinate resistance. The battle had already -lasted an hour, and it was still far from being decided in their -favour. They resolved to make a last attempt on our centre. The -Imperial guard deployed; infantry, cavalry, and artillery, advanced -on the bridge, without the movement being perceived by Napoleon; for -the nature of the ground screened it from his observation. A discharge -of musketry was soon heard: a brigade, commanded by General Schinner, -had been penetrated by the Russians. Napoleon ordered me to take the -Mamelukes, two squadrons of chasseurs, and one of grenadiers of the -guard, and to go forward to reconnoitre the state of things. I set off -at full gallop, and it was not until I came within gun-shot of the -scene of action, that I discovered the disaster. The enemy's cavalry -was in the midst of our square, and was sabring our troops. A little -further back we discerned masses of infantry and cavalry forming -the reserve. The enemy relinquished the attack, and turned to meet -me. Four pieces of artillery arrived and were placed in battery. I -advanced in good order; I had the brave Colonel Morland on my left, -and General Dallemagne on my right. “Do you see,” said I to my troop, -“our friends and brothers trampled on by the enemy: avenge them, -avenge our colours.” We rushed on the artillery, which was taken. The -cavalry, who awaited us, was repulsed by the same shock; they fled in -disorder, and we, as well as the enemy, trampled over the bodies of -our troops, whose squares had been penetrated. The men who had escaped -being wounded were rallied. A squadron of horse grenadiers arrived -to reinforce me; and I was enabled to receive the reserves, who came -up in aid of the Russian guard. We resumed the attack, which was -maintained with terrible fury. The infantry dared not venture to fire; -all was confusion; we fought man to man. Finally, the intrepidity -of our troops triumphed over every obstacle. The Russians fled and -dispersed. Alexander and the Emperor of Austria witnessed the defeat. -Stationed on a height, at a little distance from the field of battle, -they saw the guard, which was expected to decide the victory, cut to -pieces by a handful of brave men. Their guns and baggage had fallen -into our hands, and Prince Repnin was our prisoner. Unfortunately we -had a great number of men killed and wounded. Colonel Morland was no -more, and I had myself received a sabre wound in the head. I went -to render an account of this affair to the Emperor. My broken sabre, -my wound, the blood with which I was covered, the decided advantage -we had gained with so small a force over the enemy's chosen troops, -inspired Napoleon with the idea of the picture which was painted by -Gerard. - -The Russians, as I have already mentioned, hoped to defeat us with -their guard alone. This presumption offended Napoleon, and it was long -before he forgot it. - -After the battle of Austerlitz, Napoleon made me a General of -Division, and sent me to the Castle of Austerlitz until I should -recover from my wound, which, however, was not dangerous. The Emperor -visited me several times; once on the day on which he granted an -interview to the Emperor of Austria. He put into my hands two letters -which had been intercepted by our advanced posts; one was from Prince -Charles, and the other from a Prince Lichtenstein. Their contents were -rather important; and I got them translated. On his way back in the -evening, Napoleon came and had these letters read to him. He talked -to me a great deal about Francis II., his complaints and regrets; and -told me many curious circumstances respecting him. - -We set out for Shœnbrunn; and in about a fortnight after our arrival -thither, Napoleon sent for me: “Are you able to travel?” said -he:—“Yes, Sire.”—“Well, then, go and give an account of the battle of -Austerlitz to Marmont, in order to vex him for not having come; and -observe the effect that it will produce on the Italians.” He then gave -me the following instructions: - - “Monsieur General Rapp, you will proceed to Gratz, where you will - remain as long as may be necessary to communicate to General - Marmont the details of the battle of Austerlitz. Inform him that - the negotiations are open, but that nothing is concluded; and - that he must therefore hold himself in readiness for any event - that may occur. You must also make yourself acquainted with - General Marmont's situation, and ascertain what number of the - enemy's force is before him. Tell him, that I desire he will - send spies into Hungary; and that he will communicate to me all - the information he may collect. You must next repair to Laybach, - where you will find Marshal Massena, who has the command of the - eighth army corps; and transmit to me a correct report of his - situation. You will inform Massena, that if the negociations are - broken off, as it is possible they may be, he will be sent to - Vienna. Let me know what amount of the enemy's force Marshal - Massena has before him; and report to me the situation of his - corps in every point of view. You will next proceed to Palmanova, - after strongly urging Marshal Massena to arm and provision the - fortress in an effectual way, and you will inform me of the - state in which it is. Next proceed and examine the posts which - we occupy before Venice, and ascertain the state of our troops. - Thence you will repair to the army of General Saint-Cyr, who is - about to march on Naples: you must ascertain the nature and the - amount of his force. You will return by the way of Klagenfurth, - where you will see Marshal Ney, and then rejoin me. Do not fail - to write to me from every place at which you stop. Despatch - estafettes to me from Gratz, Laybach, Palmanova, Venice, and the - place where the army of Naples may be stationed. I pray God to - take you into his holy keeping. - - “NAPOLEON. - - Schœnbrunn, - 25 Frimaire, year XIV.” - -I rejoined Napoleon at Munich, whither he had gone to be present -at the marriage of Prince Eugène. The Prince came from Italy, and -I accompanied him. During my absence, peace had been concluded at -Vienna. The Emperor had an interview with Prince Charles: he intended -to have presented him with a magnificent sword; but he was displeased -with the Archduke, and the sword was not given. - -We set out for Paris. Acclamations resounded on every side: Napoleon -was never received with so much enthusiasm. - - - - -CHAPTER X. - - -During our stay at Ulm, the Prussians suddenly conceived the idea -that they had an ancient inheritance of glory to defend. They were -roused, and they took up arms. Haugwitz came to inform us of this -sudden reminiscence. But the battle of Austerlitz had taken place in -the interim. When the Minister arrived, nothing was thought of but -alliance and devotion. Napoleon was not the dupe of these diplomatic -protestations: he was aware of the intrigues and the chivalric scenes -that had been resorted to for the purpose of exciting the multitude. -Previous to the action he had said; “If I am beaten, they will march -upon my rear; if I am victorious, they will say that they wished to -have taken part with me.” They knew not how to make choice either of -peace or war; and they watched the progress of events. This indirect -policy was not without its effect; it cost them Anspach, Bareuth, a -part of the grand duchy of Berg, and their possessions in Westphalia. -They became enraged. I was sent to Hanover, which we had abandoned to -them. The ostensible motive of my journey was the delivering up of the -fortress of Hameln; its real purpose was to learn the state of the -public mind. I was directed to discover what was the general opinion -with regard to the Prussians, whether war was spoken of, whether -the army wished for it, and finally, to buy up at Hamburgh all the -pamphlets against Napoleon and France which I could procure. - -My mission was not difficult of execution. The Prussians were -exasperated and insolent; the Hanoverians detested them. The north -of Germany, however, relied on Prussia, whose power remained -undiminished. The Count of Schulemburgh was governor of King William's -new acquisition: he gave me rather a cold reception. Our success -at Ulm and Austerlitz appeared to him but indifferent. The latter -battle he affirmed was indecisive. He said it was like the battle -of Zorndoff, which was fought by Frederick the Great against the -Russians, and in which Count Schulemburgh had himself been engaged. -“What sort of victories would he have?” said the Emperor, when I told -him this anecdote. - -I went from Hanover to Hamburgh, where I found Bourienne. Here I was -well received, and I knew the reason why. - -I returned to France, and on my way passed through Munster, where I -saw General Blucher, whom I had known some years before. I paid him a -visit. He was not well disposed towards the French; yet he received me -with a great deal of civility. - -I remained a week with Augereau at Frankfort, in order to see and hear -all I could; for such were my instructions. Napoleon had just made -a demand for contributions on that town, and the inhabitants were -alarmed lest they should be obliged to pay them. - -We occupied Darmstadt. Marshal * * * * * * *, who had established -his head-quarters in the capital of that principality, was neither a -favourite with the Court nor with the people; and his staff was still -less liked. The Grand Duchess sent me an invitation, through Augereau, -who seemed to be partial to that country; I declined it, not having -any instructions to that effect. She commissioned him to transmit to -me her complaints. They were very severe. - -I departed for Wesel. I was to examine the state of feeling in that -quarter, which was already occupied by our troops. - -On my return, I gave Napoleon an account of all that I had seen and -heard. I concealed nothing from him. I spoke particularly in behalf -of Darmstadt; but he was enraged against the Duchess. She had written -a terrible letter to the King of Bavaria, relative to what she termed -the ill-assorted union of her niece Augusta with Prince Eugène. Among -other insulting expressions she made use of the words _horrible -marriage_. The Emperor, who conceived that the glory of having -achieved great deeds was well worth the advantage of having descended -from those who probably had no glory to boast of, could not pardon the -feudal prejudices of the Duchess. He was on the point of depriving her -of her states; but Maximilian interceded for her, and she escaped with -the punishment of a six months' occupation by our troops; that is to -say, her people were obliged to atone for the offence which her vanity -had led her to commit. - -Scarcely a fortnight had elapsed since my return to France. The Court -was at Saint-Cloud, and Napoleon was at the theatre. In the middle of -the performance he received a despatch from the Grand Duchy of Berg. -He opened it. It contained an account of an attack made on our troops -by some Prussian detachments. “I see,” said he, “they are determined -to try us. Mount your horse and seek the Grand Duke at Neuilly.” -Murat was already acquainted with the affair; he came immediately. -Napoleon conversed with him for an instant, and gave me orders next -day to take the command of the military division at Strasburg; to -organise battalions and marching squadrons at that place; to direct -them in succession upon Mentz, and to send to the latter place a large -quantity of artillery. The infantry embarked on the Rhine in order to -arrive earlier at the place of their destination. - -I corresponded directly with Napoleon. I employed couriers, -telegraphs, and all the most speedy modes of communication. I could -not venture to put a hundred men in motion, to change the place of -a gun, or to move a musquet, without informing him. I had been two -months engaged in these preparations, when he arrived at Mentz, -whence he wrote to me to join him at Wurtzburg. He sent me a letter -for the Grand Duke of Baden, and directed me to deliver it to the -Prince myself. The object of this letter was to request him to send -his grandson, the present Grand Duke, to the army. I found the -venerable old man in his ancient castle of Baden; he seemed at first -much affected by the contents of the letter; but he soon made up his -mind to send the young Prince, and he ordered preparations for his -departure. He did me the honour to recommend his grandson to me in -a very affectionate manner. The Prince set out on his journey two -days afterwards, and joined us at Wurtzburg. The King of Wirtemberg -was already there. He had just determined on his daughter's marriage -with Jerome. Napoleon was in particularly good humour. The alliance -pleased him. He was no less satisfied with the Grand Duke; for Murat -had singularly prepossessed him in favour of that Prince. In a letter -which Murat addressed to the Emperor some days before, he said;—“I -waited on the Grand Duke of Wurtzburg, whom the letter, and the news -which I communicated to him, that the treaty admitting him into -the confederation had been signed at Paris, have relieved from the -greatest anxiety; for he very much dreaded not being received into -the Confederation. He seemed particularly affected by the sentiments -of good will on the part of your Majesty which I expressed to him. -He evinces the greatest readiness to contribute every thing in his -power to the service of the army. To-day his admission into the -Confederation of the Rhine was proclaimed. Every preparation has been -made for receiving your Majesty at the Castle, where nothing seems to -be neglected which may render your stay here convenient and agreeable.” - -We had yet received no positive information with regard to the -Prussians; we knew not whether they were on the road to Magdeburg, -in Saxony, or at Gotha; or even what was the amount of their force. -We had, however, a sufficient number in the field. Gentlemen are -not more scarce on the other side of the Rhine than elsewhere: but -the reports were so contradictory, that it was impossible to form -any distinct idea on the subject. At one time it was said that the -enemy's advance-guard was at Hoff; that Coburg and Memmingen were -occupied; that the Prussians avoided partial actions, and wished -to try their fortune in a pitched battle. At another time it was -affirmed that Hohenlohe was advancing on Schleitz; that Ruchel had -formed his junction; that the Queen had gone to Erfurt; and that the -head-quarters were removed from Hoff to Nauenburgh. This arrangement -did not correspond with the nature of the places. It seemed -inconceivable. We were as uncertain with respect to the extent of the -enemy's forces as we were concerning their line of operations. Amidst -all these various accounts we learnt that Cronach was occupied. The -Grand Duke sent to inform us, that that citadel was under repair, and -would soon be in a state of defence. Napoleon was astonished that -the Prussians had not made themselves masters of it. “What could -have prevented them,” said he, “since they absolutely wanted war? -Was it the difficulty of the attempt?—The place was destitute both -of provisions and artillery. They had sufficient courage for the -enterprize. Did they not consider the place of sufficient importance -to try to secure it? That fort commands three great outlets; but these -gentlemen care little about positions, they are reserving themselves -for grand strokes; we will give them what they want.” - -Napoleon every moment received accounts of the Prussian army. Ruchel, -Blucher, and the Duke of Brunswick, were impatient to commence -the war, and Prince Louis was even more so. He urged and hastened -hostilities, and feared to let the opportunity escape. He was, -besides, a man of great courage and talent; all accounts agreed on -this point. Napoleon, who did not dislike this petulant eagerness, -was conversing with us one evening respecting the generals of the -enemy's army. Some one present happened to mention Prince Louis. “As -for him,” said he, “I foretell that he will be killed this campaign.” -Who could have thought that the prediction would so soon have been -fulfilled? - -Prussia at length explained herself. She required us to abandon our -conquests, and threatened us with her displeasure if we refused to -evacuate Germany and recross the Rhine. The demand was modest, and -worthy of those who urged it. Napoleon could not finish reading the -document; he threw it away contemptuously. “Does he think himself in -Champagne?” said he. “Does he want to give us a new edition of his -manifesto? What! does he pretend to mark out a route for our march -back. Really, I pity Prussia, I feel for William. He is not aware what -rhapsodies he is made to write. This is too ridiculous. Berthier, -they wish to give us a rendezvous of honour for the 8th; a beauteous -Queen will be a witness to the combat. Come, let us march on; and shew -our courtesy. We will not halt till we enter Saxony.” Then turning -immediately to his secretary, he hastily dictated the following -proclamation: - - “Soldiers! - - “The order for your return to France was issued. You were already - within a few days' march of your homes: triumphal fêtes awaited - you, and the preparations for your reception had commenced in the - capital; but while we thus too confidently resigned ourselves to - security, new plots were hatching under the mask of friendship - and alliance. Cries of war have been raised at Berlin, and for - two months we have been provoked with a degree of audacity which - calls for vengeance. - - “The same faction, the same headlong spirit, which, under favour - of our internal dissensions, led the Prussians fourteen years - ago to the plains of Champagne, still prevail in their Councils. - If they no longer wish to burn and destroy Paris; they now boast - their intention to plant their colours in the capital of our - allies. They would oblige Saxony, by a disgraceful transaction, - to renounce her independence, by ranking her in the list of their - provinces. They seek, in fine, to tear your laurels from your - brows. They expect us to evacuate Germany at the sight of their - army. What madness! Let them learn that it would be a thousand - times easier to destroy the great capital, than to sully the - honour of the children of the great people and their allies. In - their former attempt the plans of our enemies were frustrated. - They found in the plains of Champagne only shame, defeat, and - death; but the lessons of experience are forgotten, and there - are men in whom the feelings of hatred and jealousy never become - extinct. - - “Soldiers, there is not one of you who would wish to return to - France by any other path than that of honour. We ought not to - return except by passing beneath triumphal arches. - - “What! have we braved the inclemency of the seasons, the ocean - and the desert, have we subdued Europe often united against us; - have we extended our glory from East to West, only to return now, - like deserters, after having abandoned our allies, and to be told - that the French Eagle has fled in dismay before the Prussians. - - “But they have already arrived at our advance posts. Let us, - then, march upon them, since forbearance will not check their - infatuation. Let the Prussian army experience the fate which it - shared fourteen years ago. Let us teach them that if it is easy - to obtain an increase of territory and power with the friendship - of the great people, their enmity (which can only be provoked by - the neglect of prudence and reason) is more terrible than the - storms of the ocean.” - -Our soldiers only wished to fight. The Prussians occupied Saalfeld and -Schleitz; we charged them, routed them, and made a thousand prisoners. -These were the two first engagements which we had with them. I quitted -Murat, whom I had been ordered to follow, and went to render an -account of the affair of Schleitz to Napoleon, who had established -his head-quarters some leagues in the rear, at the residence of a -Princess of Reus-Lobenstein. On my arrival I found Napoleon engaged -with Berthier. I informed him of the success of the Grand Duke, and of -the defeat of Tauenzien. “Tauenzien!” exclaimed Napoleon, “one of the -Prussian intriguers! It was well worth our while to urge on the war -to such a length.” He told me I might retire and take some rest, as I -should be roused in a few hours to set out on a mission. I had no idea -whither I was to go. I was called about 5 o'clock. The Emperor gave -me a letter for King William, who at that time, I believe, held his -head-quarters at Sondershausen. “You must go,” said he, “as fast as -you can after the King of Prussia, and deliver to him this letter from -me. I ask him once more for peace, though hostilities have already -commenced. You must endeavour to convince the King of the danger of -his situation, and the fatal consequences which may result from it. -You will return immediately and bring me his answer: I shall now march -on Gera.” Our baggage was still in the rear. I had no carriage; but I -procured one from the coach-house of the Princess of Reus-Lobenstein, -put four good horses to it, and started about six o'clock. Before -I had proceeded a league on my journey, Napoleon sent after me. I -returned and went to his study, where he had been occupied the whole -of the night. He desired me to deliver the letter to Berthier. “Upon -reflection,” said he, “I will not have one of my aides-de-camp charged -with such a message. You are persons of too great importance to be -exposed to the chance of meeting with a bad reception.” The letter was -sent two days after by M. de Montesquiou: he started, I believe, from -Gera. The treatment he experienced is well known: he was stopped by -the Prince de Hohenlohe, at that time general-in-chief of the Prussian -army, who obliged him to be present at the battle of Jena, and did not -send the letter, as it is affirmed, until after the action. - -Several persons in Napoleon's suite were of opinion, that if I had -executed the commission with which I was at first charged, I should -have come up with the King of Prussia, and the war perhaps would -not have taken place. I do not think so. The gauntlet was thrown, -there was no alternative but to take it up. I do not even think that -Napoleon was more inclined for peace than King William. - - - - -CHAPTER XI. - - -We were now in possession of the whole course of the Saale, and in -a fair way to turn the enemy's army. The calculations of the Duke -of Brunswick were completely frustrated. He had formed the idea of -coming up with us on the Mainc, of occupying our wings by detached -corps, and penetrating our centre before we could concentrate our -forces. He still possessed all the threads of that vast spy system -which had harassed France since the emigrations. He knew the force -and the route marked out for several corps which were marching from -Meudon, and he did not doubt of anticipating us. Napoleon took a -pleasure in cherishing this illusion; he made preparations, and caused -reconnaissances to be taken through the whole of that line. The Duke -had no longer any doubt of having penetrated our intentions; we were -to debouch by Kœnigshaften; he made certain of that; he felt perfectly -convinced of it. Our movements on his centre were only a snare, a -_ruse de guerre_; we wished to deceive him, in order to prevent him -from debouching by the forests of Thuringen, whilst we proceeded -towards Coburg and Memmingen, in woody and mountainous countries, -where his cavalry would have no opportunity of acting, or at least -would be deprived of its advantage. It was of the utmost importance to -anticipate us, and he hurried to Kœnigshaften. - -The enemy were engaged in the woods; Napoleon marched on Schleitz, -sixty leagues from the presumed point of attack. The third corps -quietly reposed on the 10th at Nauenburgh, in the rear of the Duke -of Brunswick. Hostilities were of only two days' date, and that -Prince, who was already uncovered on his left, was on the eve of -being entirely cut to pieces. His communications with the Elbe were -in danger; and he was nearly reduced to the same extremities as Mack, -whom he had so violently censured. His advance-guard, on arriving -on the Mainc, found the field unoccupied. This circumstance seemed -incomprehensible; but still it never led him to suspect the danger to -which he was exposed. The rout of Saalfeld alone shook the confidence -which he had placed in his own safety. He hastily retraced his course. -Weimar and Hohenlohe were directed to come up speedily, and the army -of reserve was ordered to make a forced march. But some parties -mistook their route, and others did not use sufficient despatch, so -that a portion of the troops were not engaged in the battle. The Duke, -who was disconcerted at a system of movements so novel to him, knew -not what determination to adopt. All these marches and arrangements, -so rapidly succeeding each other, formed a mass of confusion, in -which he could discern neither plan nor object. The occupation of -Nauenburgh relieved him from this perplexity: he saw his left wing -about to be turned, or at least exposed; he would not wait longer; he -hastily rallied his army of reserve, which was advancing upon Halle, -and left Hohenlohe at the camp of Capellendorf to mask the retrograde -movement. His troops, who had not shared the disasters of Saalfeld -and Schleitz, ridiculed the beaten corps; they shouted “The King for -ever! the Queen for ever!” &c. They resolved to avenge the affront -offered to the Prussian arms: there were not enough Frenchmen for -them. The Duke himself had resumed his confidence. On the Auerstadt -road be found not more than thirty chasseurs. His communications -were free; it was impossible they could be intercepted: it was not -easy to surprise a skilful manœuvrer like the Duke. Hohenlohe's -Prussians were encamped behind the heights of Jena: their masses -extended as far as the eye could reach; they were prolonged beyond -Weimar. Napoleon reconnoitred them on the evening of the 13th, and -fixed the attack for the following day. In the night he distributed -orders for the movements of the different corps. “As to Davoust, he -must march on Apolda, so as to fall on the rear of the enemy's army. -He may take whatever route he may deem most expedient; I leave that -to himself, provided he take part in the battle: if Bernadotte be at -hand he may support him. Berthier, issue instructions accordingly.” -It was ten o'clock at night; all the arrangements were made, and yet -the general commanding the enemy's force flattered himself with the -hope that we could not debouch. But the axe of the pioneers removed -every obstacle; the rock was cut, and trenches were opened: the action -commenced on the right and the left; the conflict was terrible. -Davoust, in particular, was placed in a situation in which a man -of less firmness might have found his courage fail him. Bernadotte -refused to support him; he even forbade two divisions of the reserve -cavalry, which, however, were not under his command, from taking -part in the action. He paraded round Apolda, while 26,000 French -troops were engaged with 70,000 picked men, commanded by the Duke of -Brunswick and the King of Prussia. But this circumstance only added -to the glory of the commander, whom it might have ruined. Davoust's -plans were so well laid, his generals and his troops deployed with -such skill and courage, that Blucher, with his 12,000 cavalry, had -not the satisfaction to cut a single company. The King, the guards, -and the whole army, attacked our troops without obtaining better -success. Amidst the deluge of fire that surrounded them on all sides, -the French preserved all their national gaiety. A soldier, whom his -comrades had nicknamed _the Emperor_, impatient at the obstinacy -of the Prussians, exclaimed, “On with me, grenadiers!—Come, follow -the Emperor!”—He rushed into the thickest of the battle, the troop -followed him, and the Prussian guards were penetrated. He was made a -corporal: his friends remarked that he only wanted the protectorate. - -At Jena the victory had been no less brilliant: the rout was complete -and general; the enemy fled in the utmost confusion. - -In the evening I was directed, together with the Grand Duke, to -pursue the wrecks of the Prussian army. We took some Saxon battalions, -and we entered _pêle-mêle_ with them into Weimar. We stationed our -posts before the town, despatched some parties of cavalry on Erfurt -road, and presented ourselves at the castle. M. de Pappenheim, whom I -recollected having seen in Paris, came out to meet us. He was quite -alarmed; but we assured him he had no cause for apprehension. All -the Court, with the exception of the Grand Duke and his family, were -at Weimar. The Duchess received us with perfect politeness. I was -acquainted with several ladies of her suite, one of whom has since -become my sister-in-law. I endeavoured to calm their fears. They -took courage. Some few disorders took place; but they were of little -importance. - -Murat took up his quarters at the castle. I set out to join Napoleon -at Jena, in order to render him an account of the events of the -evening. He did not think that they would go beyond Weimar. He was -highly satisfied. The courage of the Duchess astonished him. He did -not imagine that the Court would have waited for him. He did not -like the family; this he often repeated. The night was far advanced, -and Napoleon had just received despatches from the second corps. -“Davoust,” said he to me, “has had a terrible engagement: he had -King William and the Duke of Brunswick opposed to him. The Prussians -fought desperately: they suffered dreadful slaughter. The Duke has -been dangerously wounded; and the whole army seems to be in terrible -disorder. Bernadotte did not behave well. He would have been pleased -had Davoust been defeated; but the affair reflects the highest honour -on the conqueror, and the more so as Bernadotte rendered his situation -a difficult one. That Gascon will never do better.” - -The battle was lost. The Russians were no longer eager to carry on -the war; they wished for and invoked peace. They were anxious to -terminate a contest in which they had had such ill success. By dint -of wishing for an armistice, they at length persuaded themselves -that one had been granted. Kalkreuth announced it: Blucher swore -that it was concluded: how could it be discredited. Soult, however, -was not to be caught in the snare. The imprudent generosity evinced -at Austerlitz had rendered him distrustful. He refused to afford a -passage to the troops whom he had cut off. “The convention you speak -of is impossible!” said he to the Field Marshal. “Lay down your arms. -I must receive the Emperor's orders. You shall retire if he permit -it.” Kalkreuth was unwilling to resort to this kind of expedient. It -always has somewhat the appearance of a defeat: and he would rather -have experienced one in good earnest. Some other columns were more -fortunate. But it was only deferring the evil moment: they were -obliged to surrender some leagues further on. It was not worth while -to resort to the deception. - -The King himself was disheartened by his misfortunes. Our hussars gave -him neither truce nor respite. He recollected all that Napoleon had -done to avoid hostilities; and he addressed a letter to him. It was -rather late to reply to overtures which had been so ill received. “It -would have been better,” said Napoleon, “had he explained himself two -days sooner; but no matter, I am willing to accede to any thing that -is compatible with the dignity and interests of France. I will send -Duroc to the King of Prussia. But there is something still more urgent -yet. Duroc, set out immediately. Proceed to Nauenburgh, to Dessau, -wherever we have wounded troops. See that they want for nothing: visit -them for me, each man individually. Give them all the consolation -their situation requires. Tell them—tell the Marshal, that he, his -generals and his troops, have acquired everlasting claims on my -gratitude.” - -He was not satisfied with this message. He wrote to assure him how -much he was pleased with his conduct. His letter was inserted in -the order of the day. The troops were transported with it: even the -wounded men could not refrain from expressing their delight. - -The Emperor established his head-quarters at Weimar. He shewed every -possible mark of respect to the Duchess, whom he found to be an -amiable and sensible woman, and of very dignified manners. - -Meanwhile the enemy was rallying on Magdeburg. The wrecks of the army -that had been engaged at Jena, the army of reserve, and the troops -of Old and New Prussia, hastily repaired to that place. The Duke of -Wirtemberg had already taken a position at Halle; and Bernadotte -proceeded thither. His corps had not been engaged at Auerstadt; and he -was eager for an opportunity to compensate the portion of glory he had -lost. He attacked the Prussians with the bayonet; killing and routing -all that opposed him. The carnage was dreadful. On the following day, -Napoleon visited the field of battle. He was struck with the sight of -the heaps of dead which surrounded the bodies of some of our soldiers. -He approached; and, observing on their uniform the numbers of the -32d, “So many of that regiment,” said he, “have been killed in Italy, -in Egypt, and elsewhere, that I should think none can now remain.” - -He proceeded to Dessau, and shewed every consideration to the old -Duke, who was there with his son. Some months before, a M. de Gussau, -who was attached to the Court of Baden, had said to me in Paris, “You -will probably go to war with the Prussians. Should that be the case, -and should you advance in this campaign as far as Dessau, I charge -you to respect its venerable sovereign, who is the father of his -subjects.” M. de Gussau must have been very much astonished to find, -that the French, instead of going only to Dessau, advanced as far as -the Niemen, and subsequently to twenty leagues beyond Moscow. - - - - -CHAPTER XII. - - -The Prussians fled at full speed; but the more rapidly they retreated, -the more eagerly we maintained the pursuit. Being overtaken within -sight of Magdeburg, they took refuge behind the entrenchments, -where they were soon forced to lay down their arms. The garrison -was invested; and William, who was there, thought himself happy in -escaping. All around him had crouched beneath the storm. Prussia was -no longer the valiant nation which entertained the idea of driving us -back upon the Rhine. A reverse of fortune had overthrown her; a single -blow had levelled her with the dust. She flew to meet defeat: she -yielded, and delivered herself up. Never was a nation laid so low. Her -fall was about to be completed: all our corps were preparing to march -on Berlin, and to take possession of the city. Napoleon, however, -reserved that honour for the corps which had most contributed to the -victory; namely, that commanded by Davoust. The following are the -instructions which he addressed to the Marshal: - - “ORDER TO MARSHAL DAVOUST. - - “Wittenberg, Oct. 23d, 1806. - - “If the parties of light troops, which you have of course - despatched on the roads leading to Dresden and the Spree, inform - you that you have no enemies on your flanks, you will direct your - march so as to be able to make your entry into Berlin on the 25th - of the present month, at noon. You will cause the General of - Brigade, Hullin, to be acknowledged as commander of the garrison - of Berlin. You may leave whatever regiment you think fit to do - duty in the city. You will despatch parties of light cavalry on - the roads to Kustrin, Langsberg, and Frankfort on the Oder. You - will station your army corps at the distance of a league or a - league and a half from Berlin; the right supported on the Spree, - and the left on the road to Langsberg. Fix your head-quarters on - the road to Kustrin, at some country residence in the rear of - your force. It is the Emperor's intention to afford his troops - a few days' repose; and therefore you will construct for them - huts of straw and wood. Generals, staff-officers, colonels, and - others, must be lodged in the villages in the rear of their - divisions, and no one in Berlin. The artillery must be stationed - in positions which cover the camp; the artillery-horses at the - piquets, and all in the best military order. - - “You will cut, that is to say, intercept, as early as possible, - the navigation of the Spree by a strong party, so as to stop all - the boats that may attempt to proceed from Berlin to the Oder. - - “To-morrow our head-quarters will be at Potsdam. Send one of your - aides-de-camp to inform me where you may be on the nights of the - 23d and 24th. - - “If Prince Ferdinand should be in Berlin, present your - compliments to him, and give him a guard, with entire freedom - from quartering. - - “Publish immediately the order for disarming the troops in - Berlin, leaving only 600 militia for the police-duty of the city. - The arms of the citizens must be conveyed to some place that may - be determined on, to be at the disposal of our army. - - “Make known to your corps that the Emperor, in directing it to be - the first to enter Berlin, gives a proof of his satisfaction of - the excellent conduct of the troops at the battle of Jena. - - “Be careful to direct that all the baggage, and particularly that - which is in bad condition, shall halt at the distance of two - leagues from Berlin, and rejoin the camp, without passing through - the capital, but by proceeding along another road on the right. - Finally, make your entrance into Berlin in the best possible - order, and by divisions, each division having its artillery, and - marching at the interval of an hour after each other. - - “The camp being formed, give orders that the troops proceed to - the city only by thirds, so that there may be always two-thirds - at the camp. As his Majesty expects to make his entrance into - Berlin, you may provisionally receive the keys of the city, - informing the magistrates that they must nevertheless deliver - them up to the Emperor on his arrival. You must require the - magistrates and persons of distinction to receive you at the - gates of the city, in all due form; and direct your officers to - make the best appearance that circumstances will permit. The - Emperor proposes that you shall make your entrance by the high - road of Dresden. - - “The Emperor will probably take up his abode in the palace of - Charlottemburgh. Give orders that every thing may be prepared for - his reception. - - “There is a little rivulet which falls into the Spree, at the - distance of a league and a half or two leagues from Berlin, and - which intersects the road leading to En.” - - - - -CHAPTER XIII. - - -We set out for Potsdam; and we were overtaken by a storm: it was so -violent and the rain fell in such torrents, that we took refuge in a -neighbouring house. Napoleon was wrapped in his grey military great -coat, and, on entering the house, he was much astonished to see a -young female, who seemed to be much agitated by his presence. She -proved to be a native of Egypt, and she evinced for Napoleon all the -religious veneration which he had been accustomed to receive from -the Arabs. She was the widow of an officer of the army of the East; -and fate had conducted her to Saxony, and to the very house in which -the Emperor was now received. Napoleon granted her a pension of 1200 -francs, and undertook to provide for the education of her son, who -was the only dowry her husband had left her. “This,” said Napoleon, -“is the first time I ever took shelter against a storm. I felt a -presentiment that a good action awaited me.” - -We found Potsdam uninjured. The Court had even fled so precipitately -that nothing had been removed. Frederick the Great's sword and belt, -and the cordon of his orders, all were left. Napoleon took possession -of them. “I prefer these trophies,” said he with enthusiasm, “to all -the King of Prussia's treasures. I will send them to my veterans who -served in the campaign of Hanover. I will present them to the governor -of the Hospital of Invalids, by whom they will be preserved as a -testimony of the victories of the great army, and the revenge it has -taken for the disasters of Rosbach.” - -No sooner had we entered Potsdam than we were besieged by deputations; -they came from Saxony, from Weimar, and from all quarters. Napoleon -received them with the utmost affability. The envoy of the Duke of -Brunswick, who recommended his subjects to the generosity of the -French, was, however, received less courteously than the rest. “If,” -said Napoleon to the person who presented the deputation, “I were to -demolish the city of Brunswick, if I were to leave not a stone of the -walls standing, what would your Prince think of me? And yet would not -the law of retaliation authorize me to do in Brunswick what the Duke -would have done in my capital? To announce the design of destroying -cities may be the act of a madman; but to attempt to sully the honour -of a whole army of brave troops, to wish to mark out a course for us -to quit Germany merely on the summons of the Prussian army, is a fact -which posterity will with difficulty credit. The Duke ought not to -have attempted such an outrage. When a general has grown grey in the -career of arms, he should know how to respect military honour. It was -not, certainly, in the plains of Champagne that the Duke acquired the -right of insulting the French standard. Such a proposition can reflect -dishonour only on him who made it. The disgrace does not attach itself -to the King of Prussia; but to the general to whom, in the present -difficult circumstances, he resigned the care of his affairs; in -short, to the Duke of Brunswick, whom France and Prussia will blame -for the calamities of the war. The violent example set by the old -General served as an authority for impetuous youth, and led the King -to act in opposition to his own opinion and positive conviction. -However, Sir, you may assure the inhabitants of Brunswick, that the -French will prove themselves generous enemies; that it is my desire, -as far as regards them, to alleviate the miseries of war; and that the -evils which may arise from the passage of the troops through their -territory, is contrary to my wish. Tell the Duke of Brunswick that he -shall be treated with all the consideration due to an enemy's officer; -but that I cannot acknowledge one of the King of Prussia's generals as -a sovereign. If the House of Brunswick should forfeit the sovereignty -of its ancestors, the blame must rest with the author of the two wars; -who, in the one, wished to sap the very foundation of the great French -capital; and, in the other, attempted to cast disgrace on 200,000 -brave troops, who, though they may perhaps be defeated, will never -be found to depart from the path of glory and honour. Much blood has -been shed within a few days. Prussia is the victim of great disasters; -and she may justly blame the man who, with a word, might have averted -them, if, like Nestor, raising his voice in the Council, he had said:— - -“Inconsiderate youths, be silent! Women, return to your domestic -duties. And you, Sire, listen to the companion of the most illustrious -of your predecessors. Since the Emperor Napoleon does not wish to -maintain hostilities, do not oblige him to chose between war and -dishonour. Do not engage in a dangerous conflict with an army, which -prides itself in fifteen years of glorious achievements, and whom -victory has accustomed to subdue every thing. - -“Instead of holding this language, which would have been so well -suited to the prudence of his age and the experience of his long -career, he was the first to raise the cry of war. He had even violated -the ties of blood, by arming a son (Prince Eugène of Wirtemberg) -against his father. He threatened to plant his standard on the palace -of Stuttgard; and accompanying all these acts by imprecations against -France, he declared himself the author of that wild manifesto, the -production of which he had disavowed for the space of fourteen years, -though it was out of his power to deny having affixed his signature to -it.” - -Spandau had been surrendered to Marshal Lannes. Napoleon visited the -fortress, and inspected it minutely. He sent me to Berlin, which had -been entered by Davoust, and directed me to present his compliments -to old Ferdinand and his wife. I found the Prince very melancholy -and dejected: he had just lost his son. The Princess appeared more -calm and resigned. I also went to pay compliments to the Prince Henry -and the Princess of Hesse, sister to the King of Prussia. The former -appeared very sensible to the attention evinced by Napoleon; the -latter had retired to a wing of the castle, where she lived tranquilly -in the society of her grand-children. The situation of this Princess -inspired me with interest and veneration. She appeared to take -courage, and she begged me to recommend her to Napoleon, who paid her -a visit immediately on his arrival. She inspired him with the same -favourable sentiments which I had conceived for her. - -The Emperor fixed his head-quarters at Charlottemburgh. On the -following day, he made his entrance into the capital, and addressed -the following proclamation to the army:— - - “Soldiers! - - “You have fulfilled my expectations, and fully justified the - confidence of the French people. You have endured privation and - fatigue with courage, equal to the intrepidity and presence of - mind which you evinced on the field of battle. You are the worthy - defenders of the honour of my crown, and the glory of the great - French people. So long as you continue to be animated by the - spirit which you now display, nothing can oppose you. I know not - how to distinguish any particular corps.... You have all proved - yourselves good soldiers. The following is the result of our - exertions in this campaign. - - “One of the first powers in Europe, which lately proposed to us - a dishonourable capitulation, has been overthrown. The forests - and defiles of Franconia, the Saale, and the Elbe, which our - fathers would not have crossed in seven years, we have traversed - in seven days; and in that short interval we have had four - engagements, and one great battle. Our entrance into Potsdam - and Berlin has preceded the fame of our victories. We have made - 60,000 prisoners, taken sixty-five standards, (among which are - the colours of the King of Prussia's guards), six hundred pieces - of cannon, and three fortresses. Among the prisoners, there are - upwards of twenty generals. But notwithstanding all this, more - than half our troops regret not having fired a single musket. All - the provinces of the Prussian monarchy, as far as the Oder, are - in our power. - - “Soldiers! the Russians boast of coming to meet us, but we will - advance to meet them; we will save them half their march: they - will meet with another Austerlitz in the midst of Prussia. A - nation which can so soon forget our generous treatment of her, - after that battle, in which the Emperor, his court, and the - wrecks of his army, owed their safety only to the capitulation - we granted them, is a nation that cannot successfully contend - with us. - - “While we march to meet the Russians, new corps, formed in - the interior of our empire, will repair hither, to occupy our - present stations, and protect our conquests. My people all - rose indignantly on hearing the disgraceful capitulation which - the Prussian ministers, in their madness, proposed to us. Our - frontier roads and towns are filled with conscripts, who are - burning with eagerness to march in your footsteps. We will not - again be the dupes of a treacherous peace. We will not lay down - our arms until we compel the English, those eternal enemies of - France, to renounce their plan of disturbing the Continent, and - to relinquish the tyranny which they maintain on the seas. - - “Soldiers! I cannot better express the sentiments I entertain for - you, than by assuring you that I bear in my heart the love which - you daily evince for me.” - - - - -CHAPTER XIV. - - -Napoleon next proceeded to the camp, and reviewed the third corps; -and every individual who had particularly distinguished himself was -rewarded, either by promotion or by a decoration. The generals, -officers, and subalterns, were assembled round the Emperor. “I wished -to call you together,” said he “in order to express my satisfaction of -your brilliant conduct in the battle of the 14th. I lost many brave -men, whom I looked upon as my sons; I deeply regret them; but, after -all, they fell on the field of glory—they perished like true soldiers! -You have rendered me a signal service on this memorable occasion. We -are, in particular, indebted to the excellent conduct of the third -corps, for the great results we have obtained. Tell your men that I am -satisfied with the courage they have displayed. Generals, officers, -subaltern officers, and privates, you possess eternal claims on my -gratitude and kindness.” The Marshal replied, that the third corps -would always prove itself worthy of the Emperor's confidence; that it -would constantly be to him what the 10th legion was to Cæsar. - -M. Denon was present at this interesting scene, which his pencil will, -perhaps, commemorate: but, whatever be the talent of the artist, he -can never convey an idea of the satisfaction and kindness which beamed -in the features of the sovereign; or the devotedness and gratitude -expressed in the countenances of all present, from the Marshal down to -the meanest soldier. - -The proclamation which Napoleon had addressed to the troops inspired -them with new ardour. They rushed forward to pursue the wrecks of -the forces, which had been engaged at Halle and Jena. The Prince of -Hohenlohe had rallied a considerable mass, with which he might have -escaped us; but he was not sufficiently speedy, he lost time, and -these delays afforded us the hope of seeing him cut off. Napoleon -impatiently looked for this event. “Bernadotte,” said he to me, as we -were entering the palace, “must by this time be at Bremen. He will -surely have come up with the Prussians; Murat will attack them with -his usual impetuosity; both together must have a greater force than is -necessary to beat them. In a few days hence the Prince of Hohenlohe, -with all his corps, will be in my hands; and I shall soon after have -all their artillery and baggage. But we must act together; for it is -not probable that they will suffer themselves to be taken without -coming to an engagement.” - -Every thing happened as Napoleon had foretold. The Prussians, who were -thrown into disorder by the attack of our cavalry, and the showers of -grape shot, were summoned to surrender by General Belliard, and they -laid down their arms. Twenty-five thousand picked troops, forty-five -standards, seventy-four pieces of artillery, defiled before us: it was -another conquest of Ulm. The Emperor was transported with his success: -“This is well,” said he; “but we have not yet got Blucher, who is so -clever at making extempore armistices. We must have him also.” He -immediately addressed the following lines to Murat: “Nothing is done, -so long as any thing remains undone. You have turned General Blucher's -cavalry; let me soon hear that his force has experienced the fate -of Hohenlohe's.” Berthier also wrote to him as follows, to call his -attention to the Duke of Weimar: “Independently of the little detached -columns, there are three principal ones: 1st. That commanded by Prince -Hohenlohe, which you have taken at Prentzlow; 2d. Blucher's column, -which at daybreak on the 28th quitted Wissemberg, and which you must -certainly have fallen in with to-day at Passelwalch; and 3d. The Duke -of Weimar's column, which escaped Marshal Soult, and effected the -passage of the Elbe, as it would appear, near Saudon and Havelsberg, -on the 26th, whence it proceeded in the direction of Wursterhausen, -Newrupin, Grausee, or Furstemberg. From Havelsberg to Furstemberg -is a distance of twenty-five leagues; consequently the Duke of -Weimar cannot reach Furstemberg on the 28th. But from Furstemberg -to Passelwalch is only twenty leagues distance; and if the enemy's -column should take that route, you will certainly fall in with it at -Passelwalch on the 30th or 31st. Thus it may be presumed that nothing -can escape between you and Marshals Lannes and Bernadotte. Such is the -information which I am enabled to communicate to you from the accounts -that have reached the Emperor.” - -But the Duke was tired of sharing the disasters of the Prussian army. -He negotiated and transferred the command of his troops to Blucher, -who, intent on his retreat, fled without caring or even knowing where -he went. His route disconcerted Napoleon. “What does he intend?” said -he; “whither is he going? I cannot imagine that he will throw himself -into Holstein; for when once there, he will find no means of retreat. -He cannot recross the Elbe; he will be driven up, and his troops -will be drowned. He will never think of making such an attempt. We -shall soon have him here.” Blucher laid down arms some days after. -He had passed through the whole of Prussia, and had violated the -Danish territory, with no other object than to defer for a few days -the surrender of between 20 and 25,000 men, the standards, and last -artillery of the Prussians. With a little more skill, Blucher might -have turned his obstinacy to better account. “Well,” said Napoleon, on -learning this news, “they are now advancing with the Austrians. They -will be more reserved in future; they will say nothing more about Ulm. -In three weeks they have four times renewed it. Blucher must be sent -to France, to Dijon; there he may amuse himself in forging armistices. -Write to General Belliard.” The following despatch was sent off: - - “Berlin, Oct. 13, 1806. - - “TO GENERAL BELLIARD, CHIEF OF THE GENERAL STAFF OF THE RESERVE - OF CAVALRY. - - “It is the Emperor's intention that the greatest care be taken - that all the prisoners belonging to the column of General - Blucher and the Duke of Weimar, should be sent to France. His - Majesty wishes that all the generals and officers should also - proceed to France. General Blucher will be conducted by an - officer to Dijon. The young Prince of Brunswick must also be - escorted by an officer to Chalons-sur-Marne. All the other - officers must be conveyed to the different quarters of France - fixed upon by the minister Dejean for the prisoners of war.” - -We did not venture to interrupt the Emperor until he had finished -dictating the despatch; but when he had concluded it we interceded -in favour of General Blucher. We represented that he had laid down -arms, that he was no longer dangerous, and that it was necessary to -make some allowance for his hussar habits. Napoleon acknowledged the -justice of our suggestions, and Blucher retired to Hamburgh. - - - - -CHAPTER XV. - - -Prince Hatzfeld had come to Potsdam as a deputy from the city of -Berlin, and had been well received. He rendered an account of his -mission, as well as I can recollect, to Count Hohenlohe, and reported -to him the state of the troops, artillery, and ammunition, that -were in the capital or which he had met on the road: his letter was -intercepted. Napoleon delivered it to me, with orders immediately -to arrest the Prince, and send him to the head-quarters of Marshal -Davoust, which were two leagues distant. Berthier, Duroc, Caulincourt, -and I, vainly endeavoured to appease the anger of Napoleon. He refused -to listen to our representations. M. de Hatzfeld had transmitted -reports relative to military affairs which were quite unconnected with -his mission: he had evidently been acting the part of a spy. Savary, -who, in his quality of commander of the military gendarmerie, usually -took cognizance of affairs of this kind, was then on a mission. I was -obliged to assume his functions during his absence. I gave orders for -the arrest of the Prince; but instead of having him conducted to the -head-quarters of Davoust, I placed him in the chamber of the officer -commanding the palace guard, whom I directed to treat him with every -mark of respect. - -Caulincourt and Duroc withdrew from the Emperor's apartment. Napoleon -was left alone with Berthier, and he directed him to sit down and -write the order by which M. de Hatzfeld was to be arraigned before a -military commission. The Major-general made some representations in -his favour. “Your Majesty will not, for so trivial an offence, shoot a -man who is connected with the first families in Berlin. The thing is -impossible, you will not think of it.” The Emperor grew more angry. -Neufchatel persisted in his intercession; Napoleon lost all patience, -and Berthier quitted the room. I was called in. I had overheard the -scene that had just taken place. I was afraid to hazard the least -reflection: I was in a state of agony. Besides the repugnance I felt -in being instrumental to so harsh a measure, it was necessary to write -as rapidly as the Emperor spoke; and I must confess I never possessed -that talent. He dictated to me the following order:— - -“Our cousin Marshal Davoust will appoint a military commission, -consisting of seven colonels of his staff, of which he will be the -president, to try the Prince of Hatzfeld on a charge of treason and -espionnage. - -“The sentence must be pronounced and executed before six o'clock in -the evening.” - -It was about noon. Napoleon directed me to despatch the order -immediately, and to send with it the Prince of Hatzfeld's letter. The -latter part of the instruction I did not however obey. My mind was -racked by the most painful emotions. I trembled for the Prince, and -I trembled for myself; since, instead of sending him to Davoust's -head-quarters, I had lodged him in the palace. - -Napoleon wished to have his horse saddled, as he intended to visit -Prince and Princess Ferdinand. As I was going out to give the -necessary orders I was informed that the Princess of Hatzfeld had -fainted in the antichamber, and that she had previously expressed a -wish to speak to me. I went to her. I did not conceal from her the -displeasure of Napoleon. I told her that we were going to ride out on -horseback, and I directed her to repair to Prince Ferdinand, and to -interest him in favour of her husband. I know not whether she did so; -but on our arrival at the palace we found her in one of the corridors, -and she threw herself in tears at the feet of the Emperor, to whom I -announced her name. - -The Princess was in a state of pregnancy. Napoleon was moved by her -situation, and directed her to proceed to the castle. He, at the -same time, desired me to write to Davoust, to order the trial to be -suspended:—he thought M. de Hatzfeld had departed. - -Napoleon returned to the palace, where Madame de Hatzfeld was waiting -for him. He desired her to enter the saloon: I was present. “Your -husband, Madam,” said he, “has brought himself into an unfortunate -scrape. According to our laws he deserves to be sentenced to death. -General Rapp, give me his letter. Here, Madam, read this.” The lady -trembled exceedingly. Napoleon immediately took the letter from -her hand, tore it, and threw the fragments into the fire. “I have -no other proof against the Prince of Hatzfeld, Madam; therefore he -is at liberty.” He ordered me immediately to release him from his -confinement at head-quarters. I acknowledged that I had not sent him -there; but he did not reproach me; he even seemed pleased at what I -had done. - -In this affair, Berthier, Duroc, and Caulincourt, behaved as they did -on all occasions, that is to say, like gallant men: Berthier's conduct -was particularly praiseworthy. - -No sooner had the Prince of Hatzfeld returned to his family, than he -was made acquainted with all that had passed. He wrote me a letter -expressive of his gratitude and the emotions by which he was agitated. -It was as follows:— - - “My dear General, - - “Amidst the sensations of every kind which I experienced - yesterday, I was not unmindful of the marks of your sensibility, - and the interest you evinced for me. Yesterday evening I devoted - wholly to the society of my family; and therefore I could not - until to-day discharge the debt I owe to you. - - “There are moments in life, the recollection of which can never - be effaced; and if you attach any value to the profound gratitude - and esteem of an honest man, you will be rewarded for the - interest you have shewn for me. - - “Accept the assurance of my high consideration, and of those - sentiments which render it impossible I can ever forget you. - - “I have the honour to be, - “My dear General, - “Your very humble and very obedient servant, - “PRINCE DE HATZFELD.” - - “Berlin, Sept. 30, 1806.” - -Envoys soon arrived at Berlin from all the courts of Germany, -petitioning Napoleon to shew favour to their respective Princes. -The Duchess of Weimar deputed to us a M. de Müller, who prayed for -a reduction of imposts, and for the return of the Duke, who was, I -believe, at Hamburgh. The Emperor did not like the formality of the -diplomatist. He found him troublesome, and he sent him to me. “I -have,” said he to me, “directed Talleyrand to refer this gentleman to -you; as I wish you to settle the affairs of the Court of Weimar.” He -would not hear the name of the Duke mentioned; he was as indignant -against him as he was favourably disposed towards the Duchess. -However, his anger became a little appeased, and he styled the Duchess -his cousin;—a distinction which was then of some importance. The Duke -received permission to return to his states. On his way thither he -requested to be presented to Napoleon; but that very day we set out -for Poland. He did me the honour to write me a letter, thanking me -for what I had done for his family; to whom, I believe, I had indeed -rendered some service. At a subsequent period, I again proved useful -to the Duke of Weimar, as I shall hereafter have occasion to mention. -The following is the letter he addressed to me. I quote documents of -this kind, because they describe the events of the period to which -they refer, and also because they are honourable to him to whom they -are addressed. - - “Sir, - - “Inspired with the warmest gratitude for the many favours you - have shewn to my family, and for the feelings of kind interest - which you have evinced for us, I was anxious for an opportunity - to assure you by word of mouth how much I am sensible of your - goodness; and at the same time to express to you, by the - particular desire of the Duchess, the high esteem she entertains - for you. Unfortunately, the precipitate departure of his Majesty - the Emperor and King prevented me from personally presenting my - respects to you this day. But I flatter myself that the period is - not far distant, when I shall enjoy the happiness of giving you - a verbal assurance that the high consideration I bear to you is - unalterable, and that I shall never cease to be, - - “Sir, - - “Your very humble and very obedient servant, - - “THE DUKE OF WEIMAR.” - - “Berlin, Nov. 24, 1806.” - - - - -CHAPTER XVI. - - -The Elector of Hesse, also, wished to treat; but the Emperor was so -much offended with that Prince, that he would not receive his envoy. -“As to him,” said he, “his reign is ended.” - -The gates of Magdeburgh were opened to Marshal Ney. Along with the -keys, there was brought to the Marshal a little box, containing some -valuables belonging, as it was said, to the Elector. They were found -in the fortress. - -Colbert, Custrin, and Stettin, were capitulating. The Grand Duke had -detached the light cavalry from Prentzlow, and they unexpectedly -appeared before the garrison. Evening was advancing. General Lasalle -announced that troops were following him. He summoned, threatened, and -intimidated the Governor, and induced him to come to overtures; but -General Belliard arrived, broke off the negotiation, and declared, -that if the fortress were not surrendered in the space of an hour, he -would overwhelm it with cannon-balls. The Prussians took the alarm: -they imagined that the army, the park, all was ready to destroy -them, and they surrendered to our hussars. Custrin was managed still -better. Our troops made a movement to cross the Oder. In course of -their march they fell in with some hundreds of Prussian troops, whom -they dispersed. The garrison fired upon them, and balls were flying -among our ranks. General Gudin intimated, that if the useless firing -were not discontinued the garrison should be immediately blown up. -The governor, becoming alarmed, proposed arrangements; but they were -rejected: he was told that none could be made. He persisted; but -the General continued his march, and there was no one to receive -his propositions. A despatch was sent off to General Petit, who was -a considerable distance off. The flag of truce still persisted in -coming to arrangements. “What arrangement would you have me listen -to?” said the General, gravely. “My instructions are positive. If the -garrison be not surrendered in two hours, I am ordered to destroy -it. We are preparing our batteries; forty mortars or howitzers will -immediately vomit a deluge of fire on your ramparts. There is the -colonel of the artillery;” (it happened, however, to be the colonel -of the eighty-fifth regiment of the line who at that moment came -forward;) “you shall see whether I am exaggerating. Colonel, are -your guns mounted, are your preparations completed?”—“All is ready, -General; I only await your orders.”—“But stay for one moment, Sir; we -will offer terms of peace. You see,” said he to the Prussian officer, -“your town is about to be destroyed. You may as well avert misfortunes -which cannot change the state of affairs. Whether we be defeated -or victorious, we will nevertheless make the most of our present -advantages. A capitulation or a siege, we care not which. Choose, -but choose quickly; and observe, that I will treat with none but the -Governor.” The latter soon appeared upon the Oder. - -General Gauthier went to receive the Governor, and conducted him to a -neighbouring house. General Petit joined them, and the capitulation -was signed. Four thousand Prussians, with stores of provisions and -ammunition, surrendered to a regiment of infantry who had not even -summoned them, and who could not go forward to attack them. These -men were justifiable in asking us to cross the Rhine: they found us -dangerous neighbours. - -Napoleon sent Duroc to the King of Prussia; but nobody believed there -would be peace. - -As Caulincourt and I were walking about in the court-yard of the -Castle, a tall young man, with fair hair, came up to us and saluted -us. This was Prince Paul of Wurtemberg. He had just quitted the -Prussian army, in which he had served contrary to the wish of his -father, with whom, as well as with the Emperor, he was much out of -favour. “What is your Highness's errand here?” enquired Caulincourt. -The Prince replied, that he wished to be restored to the good graces -of the Emperor, and he requested the General to announce him. The -Duke de Vicenza agreed to do so; but Napoleon would not receive the -Prince. He ordered him to be arrested, and escorted by an officer -of gendarmerie to the States of the King his father, where he was -detained for several years. Caulincourt exerted every effort to soften -the rigours of his captivity. - -Our head-quarters were transferred to Posen. The spirit of -insurrection which had manifested itself on the first appearance -of our troops, burst forth with new violence. Kalisch had disarmed -the Prussian garrison, and the example was followed in many other -fortresses. Nothing was heard but imprecations upon the authors -of the division. Villages, towns, and even the city of Warsaw, -though occupied by the Russians, sent deputations, and demanded the -proclamation of the independence of Poland. “I would willingly -consent to it,” said Napoleon; “but, if the match were once kindled, -who knows where the conflagration might end? My first duty is to -attend to the interests of France: I must not sacrifice her for -Poland. We must leave the fate of the latter to time, the sovereign -who rules all; he alone can shew us what we ought to do.” - -Duroc rejoined us at Posen. We set out for Warsaw. On the way the -Grand Marshal's carriage was overturned, and his clavicle was broken -by the fall. Napoleon was very much concerned for the accident: Duroc -was a man whose services were almost indispensable to the Emperor. He -always enjoyed the highest favour and the greatest confidence, which -he in every respect deserved. Few men were so distinguished for tact, -spirit of business, and skill, as Duroc; and at the same time few were -so remarkable for modesty. His devotion to the Emperor was without -bounds. He had a good heart, and he was an honest man: his only fault -was his fear of displeasing, and his excessive timidity. - -At length we entered the Polish capital; the King of Naples had -preceded us, and had driven the Russians from the city. Napoleon was -received with enthusiasm. The Poles thought the moment of their -resuscitation had arrived, and that their wishes were fulfilled. It -would be difficult to describe the joy they evinced, and the respect -with which they treated us. The French troops, however, were not quite -so well pleased; they manifested the greatest repugnance to crossing -the Vistula. The idea of want and bad weather inspired them with the -greatest aversion to Poland: they were inexhaustible in their jokes -and epigrams on the country. They nevertheless beat the Russians in -the marshes of Nasielsk, at Golymin, at Pultusk, and subsequently at -Eylau. - -At a review, during which the Poles were pressing upon our troops, a -soldier, in a loud tone of voice, vented imprecations on the country -and the bad weather. A young female who was standing by said:—“You -are very ungrateful to dislike our country; for we like you very -much.”—“You are very kind,” replied the soldier; “but if you wish -me to believe you, you must give a good dinner to me and my comrade -here.” The friends of the young woman took the two soldiers home and -regaled them. - -The French soldiers were particularly fond of passing their jokes at -the theatre. One evening, when the curtain was very late of rising, -a grenadier, who was among the spectators, became impatient at the -delay. “Begin!” he called out, from the further end of the pit; “begin -directly, or I will not cross the Vistula.” - -M. de Talleyrand, who was driving in his carriage at a short distance -from Warsaw, stuck in the mud, and twelve hours elapsed before he -could be extricated. The soldiers who were much out of humour, -enquired who he was. The minister for foreign affairs replied an -individual of his suite. “Why does he come to a country like this with -his diplomacy?” said one of the soldiers. - -The French troops used to say that the four following words -constituted the whole language of the Poles:—_Kleba? niema; vota? -sara_: (some bread? there is none; some water? we will go and fetch -it.) This was all that was to be heard in Poland. - -Napoleon one day passed by a column of infantry in the neighbourhood -of Nasielsk, where the troops were suffering the greatest privations, -on account of the mud, which prevented the arrival of provisions. -“Papa, kleba?” exclaimed a soldier. “Niema,” replied the Emperor. The -whole column burst into a fit of laughter: they asked for nothing more. - -I relate these anecdotes, because they show the kind of spirit which -animated our troops. These brave veterans deserved more gratitude -than they obtained. - -Napoleon was amused with these jokes, and he smiled whenever allusion -was made to the reluctance of the army to cross the Vistula. Some -Generals augured unfavourably of the disposition of the troops, and -expressed their regret to find that disgust had succeeded enthusiasm. -“Have you spoken to them of the enemy?” said the Emperor; “are they -without enthusiasm when they face him?” Those men, said he to me -afterwards, know not how to appreciate my troops. They do not know -that they burn with ardour whenever the Russians and victory are -spoken of: I will rouse them. He called one of his secretaries, and -dictated to him the following proclamation. - - “Soldiers! - - “This day twelvemonth, at this very hour, you were on the - memorable field of Austerlitz: the Russian battalions were - dismayed, and fled in disorder, or were surrounded and compelled - to lay down their arms to the conquerors. On the following day - they circulated reports of peace; but these were false. No sooner - had they, through generosity that was perhaps reprehensible, - escaped the disasters of the third coalition, than they plotted - a fourth. But the ally, on whose tactics they founded their - principal hope, is no longer what he was: his citadels, his - capitals, his magazines, his arsenals, 280 standards, 700 pieces - of cannon, five great garrisons, are in our power. The Oder, - the Warta, the deserts of Poland, the severity of the weather, - have not for a moment impeded your advance: you have braved - every danger, and surmounted every obstacle; your enemies every - where fled at your approach. In vain did the Russians attempt - to defend the capital of ancient and illustrious Poland. The - French eagle hovers over the Vistula. At your approach the brave - and unfortunate Poles fancied they again beheld the legions of - Sobieski returning from their memorable expedition. - - “Soldiers! we will not lay down our arms until a general peace - shall have established and secured the power of our allies, and - restored to France her freedom of trade and the possession of her - colonies. On the banks of the Elbe and the Oder we have conquered - Pondicherry, our establishments in India, the Cape of Good Hope, - and the Spanish Colonies. What should give the Russians the right - of deciding the fate of Europe? What should give them the right - of defeating our just designs? Are not they, as well as we, the - men who fought at Austerlitz?” - -The troops were assembled in the square of Saxony. It was the -anniversary of the coronation, and the Russians occupied the suburb -of Prague. These circumstances, these recollections, this perspective -of glory, were hailed by loud acclamations. Our troops were inspired -by the prospect of victory, and all their prejudices vanished. The -enemy covered the left bank of the river. All the vessels had been -towed away; but one of our quarter-masters, in defiance of the Cossack -lances, succeeded in getting possession of a boat. This was enough: -the enemy raised his camp during the night, and we passed without any -impediment. The Bug presented greater difficulties; its left bank is -flat and marshy, and well calculated for defence; but Benigsen knew -not how to avail himself of his advantages. We threatened his flanks, -and we succeeded in floating the boats that had been sunk. The enemy -hesitated, and the river was crossed. The Russians returned to the -charge: they endeavoured to carry the head of the bridge, which we -had raised at Okuniew; but all had been foreseen; Davoust had adopted -every necessary precaution, and the enemy was routed, beaten, and -compelled to repass the Wkra. - - - - -CHAPTER XVII. - - -Meanwhile old Kaminski had taken the command of the Russian army, and -had fixed his head-quarters at Pultusk. His Generals concentrated -their forces, and every thing denoted the design of removing to this -side of the river. Napoleon hastened forward with the view of driving -them from their position. He visited the entrenched camp of Okuniew, -reconnoitred the river, the position of the Russians, and the plain -which it was necessary to cross in order to come up with them. This -plain, which was covered with trees, cut down wood, and marshes, -was almost as difficult to carry as the redoubts, behind which the -Cossacks had sheltered themselves. The Emperor examined it for a -considerable time. Some clumps of trees intercepted his view; but he -called for a ladder, and mounting on the roof of a hut, he was enabled -to observe the nature of the position occupied by the Russians, and -the movements that were taking place on the opposite bank of the -river. “We will pass,” said he; “send an officer hither.” The second -chief of the staff of the 3d corps presented himself, and wrote down -to the Emperor's dictation the following arrangements. - -“The first division is to proceed to the island, and to form itself at -as great a distance as possible from the enemy. - -“All the troops of the 3d division must remain at the head of the -bridge; and are to take no share in the attack: they are to remain in -reserve. - -“Battalions are to be formed with the eight companies of voltigeurs, -which, with the battalions of the 13th light, will form three columns. -These three columns are to proceed as secretly as possible to the -three extremities of the canal, and will halt in the centre of the -island, so as to be beyond reach of the fusillade. Each of these -columns will have three pieces of cannon in its rear. - -“Each company will detach its cannon, escorted by a company of -voltigeurs. These companies will commence the fusillade, covering -themselves with the hedges. Meanwhile the artillery officers will -plant their batteries, and fire grape-shot on the battalions and -troops with which the enemy will not fail to oppose our passage. - -“Bridges may be constructed under the protection of this artillery. - -“The three columns are to cross the river; and as soon as they shall -be stationed on the opposite side, three piquets of horse chasseurs, -each consisting of sixty men, will cross to charge the enemy, pursue -him speedily, and make prisoners. - -“The 17th regiment will cross immediately after, and range itself -in the order of battle, leaving between each battalion a space of -twenty-five toises; in the rear of which will be stationed three -squadrons of light cavalry. The remainder of the division will -afterwards cross, and form itself in the rear.” - -We advanced towards the heights occupied by the enemy, whom we -attacked on the right and the left: he was unable to resist the shock, -and was repulsed. Our troops evinced unexampled valour: Napoleon -applauded their courage; and he called Generals Morand and Petit, on -whom he bestowed the most flattering compliments. He wished to afford -some repose to the corps, who had just been engaged; and he detached -Friant's division in pursuit of the Russians. Our voltigeurs came up -with them at Nasielsk, attacked their left wing, routed, cut them up, -and took three pieces of cannon: they pursued them into the woods; -the fusillade commenced on both sides, and we experienced obstinate -resistance. We had no artillery, and we could not drive from their -position, columns which were protected by the nature of the ground, -and the grape-shot; but the courage of our troops made amends for -their deficiency of artillery. The signal for the attack was given: -the 48th, led on by the intrepid Barbanegre, rushed headlong upon the -enemy's masses, and routed them. Night approached, and the darkness -enabled them to escape from the thrusts of our bayonets. We collected -several pieces of cannon, which had stuck in the mud on the road. - -Some formidable masses of the enemy's force were before us; but they -did not venture to wait until we came up with them: they fled, some -towards Golymin and others towards Pultusk. I pursued those who fled -in the former direction, with the division of dragoons which the -Emperor had entrusted to my command. The Marshal detached Daultane -to cover the rear of the 5th corps, which he knew had proceeded to -Pultusk. There had been a complete thaw for the space of two days;—a -circumstance which was uncommon in Poland at that season of the -year. The ground over which we passed was a clayey soil, intersected -with marshes: the roads were excessively bad: cavalry, infantry, and -artillery stuck in the bogs; and it cost them the utmost difficulty to -extricate themselves. We advanced only a short league in the space of -two hours. Many of our officers stuck in the mud and remained there -during the whole of the battle of Pultusk. They served as marks for -the enemy to shoot at. - -The third division had no sooner debouched from the village than it -was informed by its pioneers that a considerable mass of cavalry -covered, at some distance a column of artillery and baggage. General -Friant ordered them to be watched by detachments of cavalry, as he -was well convinced that the cloud of Cossacks would disperse on -the appearance of the infantry. They fled, and we took artillery, -ammunition, carriages and cassoons of every kind. The General, pleased -with these advantages, went to take up a position for the night, when -a heavy cannonade was heard; it proceeded from Marshal Lannes' forces, -who were driven by the Russians from Pultusk. We had our turn on the -following day: they occupied a wood whence we wished to dislodge them; -our columns advanced, the voltigeurs were in front, and the infantry -were disposed _en echelon_ behind them. We experienced obstinate -resistance on the part of the enemy. He attacked us: we charged with -the bayonet; and our battalions drove him back on his own masses. We -remained masters of the field: it was covered with the bodies of the -dead, and with bags which the Russians had thrown down in order to fly -with the greater speed. The infantry was dislodged, and the cavalry -now advanced. I went forward to meet them and drove them back. But the -voltigeurs, who were dispersed about in the marshes, overwhelmed us -with their balls: I had my left arm broken. - -I had been four times wounded in the first campaigns of the army of -the Rhine, under Custine, Pichegru, Moreau, and Desaix; twice before -the ruins of Memphis, and in Upper Egypt before the ruins of Thebes; -at the battle of Austerlitz and at Golymin. I also received four other -wounds at Moscow, as I shall hereafter have occasion to mention. - -From Golymin I was removed to Warsaw. Napoleon arrived there on the -1st January, and he did me the honour to come and see me. “Well, -Rapp,” said he, “you are wounded again; and on your unlucky arm too.” -It was the ninth wound which I had received on my left arm, and the -Emperor therefore called it my unlucky arm.—“No wonder, Sire,” said I, -“we are always amidst battles.” “We shall perhaps have done fighting,” -he replied, “when we are eighty years old.” - -MM. Boyer and Yvan dressed my wound in his presence. When Napoleon saw -that the bone was really broken, he said, “His arm must be amputated. -He is now very ill; and this wound may be his death.” M. Boyer smiled -and said, “Your Majesty would go too hastily to work: the General is -young and vigorous; we shall cure him.”—“I hope,” said I, “this is not -the last time you will have occasion to make me suffer martyrdom.” - -Napoleon soon left Warsaw for the battle of Eylau, and established his -head-quarters at Osterode. Here I was appointed to the government of -Thorn, whither I was directed to proceed to complete the restoration -of my health. I forwarded provisions, artillery, and ammunition, to -carry on the siege of Dantzic. - -I was now the Providence of the Prussian Generals. They wrote to me -intreating my intercession in their behalf. Blucher himself did not -disdain to solicit the _grace_ of his Majesty the Emperor and King -of Italy. He was at first to have been conducted to Dijon, as has -been already mentioned; but he had laid down arms, and therefore -it signified little whether he was at Dijon or elsewhere. He was -permitted to retire to Hamburgh; but he soon grew tired of that city, -and begged to be allowed to go to the neighbourhood of Berlin. The -following is the letter which he addressed to me on this subject:— - - “Monsieur General, - - “Your Excellency will probably remember that I had the honour of - becoming acquainted with you some years ago, on your journey to - Munster; and the marks of attention you then condescended to show - me induce me to hope, that the unfortunate situation in which - I am now placed will not be absolutely indifferent to you. I - take the liberty of addressing your Excellency, to intreat your - intercession with his Majesty the Emperor of France and King of - Italy, that he may graciously order passports to be granted for - myself, the two officers my sons, and the rest of my family, to - enable us to retire to the environs of Berlin, or into Pomerania, - to one of my estates. Having lost my all by the chances of war, I - find it impossible to support the expenses attending a residence - in a city where every thing is so enormously dear as in Hamburgh. - Moreover I am in ill health, and I feel that it is only by living - in the bosom of my family, and leading a very retired life, that - I shall be able to recover myself. - - “These reasons, and the generosity of his Majesty the - Emperor, induce me to hope that he will deign to relieve my - painful situation by permitting me to make choice of a place - of residence; and the protection which your Excellency may - condescend to grant me in this affair will add feelings of the - deepest gratitude to the sentiments of high consideration, with - which I have the honour to be, - - “Your Excellency's - “Very humble and very obedient Servant, - “BLUCHER, Lieut.-Gen. - - “Hamburgh, November 15, 1806.” - -The Emperor refused to grant the request, but the General cannot have -forgotten the manner in which I treated him. It is in his power to say -whether the French know how to respect misfortune. - -On the surrender of Dantzic, I was appointed Governor of the city, -with the rank of General-in-chief. - -Napoleon arrived at Dantzic on the 29th of May, and he spent two days -there. He expected that this new acquisition would afford immense -resources, particularly in specie. I received the strictest orders -to collect the contributions, which amounted to twenty millions, -and which were extended to thirty in provisions by the treaty which -I sometime after entered into with the town. I was furnished with -a _carte blanche_, and was authorized to adopt any means I chose -for effecting the collection; but I found the thing impossible. -It occasioned me the greatest annoyance. Sometimes one measure of -severity was resorted to, and sometimes another. The common people, -as well as the richest and most considerable of the citizens, were -all threatened in their turns. I constantly used my utmost endeavour -to elude these violent orders; I spared the inhabitants of Dantzic -many causes of discontent. At the peace, they still owed 17,000,000 of -contributions. - -Napoleon was present at the battles of Heilsberg, and Friedland. Eight -days after his departure he wrote to me as follows:— - -“M. de Talleyrand will proceed to Dantzic, and will stay with you some -time. You will receive and treat him like a prince. You are aware of -the esteem and attachment I entertain for that Minister,” &c. He might -have escaped many misfortunes had he never quarrelled with Talleyrand. - -After the treaty of Tilsit, Napoleon sent me private instructions. -He informed me of the probability of peace, and ordered me to keep -a vigilant eye over Prussia and the Royal family. He was still -incensed against William and his subjects. I could not guess the -reason. Berthier explained it to me; and I did not think it a just -one. Berthier came to Dantzic to deliver me fresh instructions, and -to remind me of the directions I had received, to be on my guard -against the plots which might be hatching around me. I was to remain -at Dantzic until the cessation of hostilities. The Russians were for -us. We had fine sport with the English; in less than two years those -islanders were to be obliged to sue for peace. - -In fine, I remained at Dantzic. I corresponded directly with -Napoleon: most of his letters evinced an extraordinary degree of -dissatisfaction, in which I must confess I myself participated for a -considerable time. - -The language and conduct of some Prussian officers contributed to keep -up the prejudice against them. I treated them with great severity; -the least fault was punished to the utmost; but at the same time I -always rendered them justice, and never allowed them to be molested. -Tranquillity, however, was restored. Each party mutually laid aside -their animosity, and confidence was re-established. I saw and received -the Prussians; and I may say, that from the first year after I -obtained the command, all the reports which I forwarded to Paris were -distinguished by moderation and truth. I represented to Napoleon that -it was difficult for the Prussians so soon to forget their former -greatness; that the public mind was becoming tranquil, and that the -King, the ministers, and the Royal family never ceased to recommend to -the people that resignation which misfortune renders indispensable. - -I always wrote to this purport. I had no cause to complain of any one; -for my own part, I was on very good terms with the civil and military -authorities. I saw them frequently; and all of them, I may say, placed -the greatest confidence in me. They were sensible of the justice of my -proceedings. - -All the commandants, however, did not act in the same way: their -reports, and the disasters of Baylen, excited fresh doubts in -Napoleon's mind with regard to the conduct of Prussia. He charged me -to double my vigilance: “Overlook nothing in the Prussians,” he said -to me in one of his letters; “they must not be allowed to raise their -heads.” - -The news of the disasters which we had experienced in the peninsula at -length spread over Germany, and awakened new hopes; the public mind -was violently agitated. I informed Napoleon of this; but he disliked -the revival of painful recollections, and was still more averse to -unpleasing anticipations of the future. He replied to me: “Germans are -not Spaniards; the character of the German bears no resemblance to -that of the fierce Catalonian.” - - - - -CHAPTER XVIII. - - -The interview of Erfurt took place. Napoleon set out for Spain; he -attacked and dispersed all that were opposed to him; and the English -army would have been destroyed had he been enabled to pursue it -himself; but the fourth Austrian war broke out, and he was obliged to -hurry to the assistance of Bavaria. Prince Berthier sent me orders -to rejoin the army. The Emperor was already with it; I found him at -Landshut, just after he had gained the battle of Ratisbonne; I was -not well pleased with my reception: he asked me drily, “How do your -Prussians and Dantzickers get on? You ought to have made the latter -pay me what they owe me. You see we have not all been killed in Spain; -I still have men enough left to beat the Austrians.” I felt the -allusion. - -We marched on Vienna. The Emperor became more good-humoured, and -treated me more kindly. The battle of Esslingen took place. Thousands -of brave men lost their lives; Marshal Lannes was disabled; the -cavalry and artillery were destroyed; and the village of Esslingen, -the most important point that remained for us to defend, was inundated -by twenty battalions of Hungarian grenadiers. We could no longer -maintain our station: the enemy had already penetrated into the -square-work which Napoleon had directed to be fortified the day -before. Count Lobau advanced to meet them, and checked their progress; -but they immediately received reinforcements. The Emperor perceived -this, and I was directed to take two battalions of the young guard, -and to hasten to the assistance of our troops: I was to disengage -them, to effect a retreat with them, and to take a position between -the village and the remainder of the guard, on the banks of the -Danube, near the bridge which had been broken. The Austrian columns -advanced from all quarters on this point: our position became most -hazardous. On our left, Massena still occupied Gros Aspern; he had -lost great numbers of his force, but he still maintained his ground. -I placed myself at the head of my two battalions and entered the -village. I drew up my troops in the rear of General Mouton, and went -to deliver to him the Emperor's orders; but the whole of the enemy's -reserve, under the command of the Archduke Charles, deployed at some -distance. “You have,” said I to Count Lobau, “astonished those masses -by your resistance; let us charge them with the bayonet, and drive -them back upon the columns that are advancing: if we succeed, the -Emperor and the army will give us credit for our success; if we fail, -the responsibility will rest with me.”—“With both of us,” replied -the General. Our five battalions moved forward, charged, repulsed, -and dispersed the enemy at the point of the bayonet. We were masters -of the village. The Archduke endeavoured in vain to recover it: five -times he led his troops to the charge, and five times he was defeated. -He experienced immense loss: ours was also considerable. Generals -Mouton and Grosse were wounded; several other officers were killed. -Napoleon was delighted with this affair; he complimented me very -highly, and added, “If ever you did well in not executing my orders, -you have done so to-day; for the safety of the army depended on the -taking of Esslingen.” - -Napoleon thought that the people of Vienna were more unfavourable -to us than in our preceding campaigns; he made the remark to me. I -replied that despair had contributed greatly to produce the feeling; -that the people were every where tired of us and of our victories. He -did not like this sort of reflections. - -Schill was then traversing Saxony: Napoleon was informed of the -circumstance, and was vexed at it. This was a mode of sounding the -public opinion. Prussia was making a prelude to that insurrectionary -war, which she afterwards maintained against us. I confess, I did -not believe the fact when I heard of it; I entertained too high an -opinion of the national loyalty. I endeavoured to subdue the Emperor's -prejudices; but his suspicions were stronger than any thing I could -say to remove them. Another circumstance contributed to render him -distrustful;—the conduct of the Russians was not more frank than -that of the Prussians; they were shuffling. This want of good faith -rendered him furious: he resolved to be revenged on them; but he -required time for it. - -The battle of Wagram took place: I was not engaged in it. Three days -before the battle, I had accompanied Napoleon to the island of Lobau: -I was in one of the Emperor's carriages with General Lauriston. We -were overturned, and I had one of my shoulders dislocated, and three -ribs broken. - -The Emperor pursued the enemy as far as Znaim, and returned to -establish himself at Schoenbrunn; where he afterwards learnt the -defeat and death of Schill. This news gave him satisfaction, though -he would have been better pleased had that partisan been taken -prisoner. - -During the negotiations there were several conspiracies at Vienna. -Some persons, who were convicted of having been engaged in them, were -condemned to death; two citizens and a Jew were to be executed; I was -fortunate enough to obtain their pardon. - -Napoleon was pretty generally in good humour; but the reports -forwarded to him by the police occasionally interrupted his gaiety. -His enemies had spread a ridiculous report of his insanity, which -vexed him. “It is the fauxbourg St. Germain,” said he, “which invents -these fine stories; they will provoke me at last to send the whole -tribe of them to _la Champagne pouilleuse_.” - -One day I was soliciting him for the promotion of two officers: “I -will not make so many promotions,” said he; “Berthier has already made -me do too much in that way.” Then, turning to Lauriston; “Lauriston,” -said he, “we did not get on so fast in our time; did we? I continued -for many years in the rank of Lieutenant!”—“That may be, Sire, but -you have since made up famously for your lost time.”—He laughed at my -repartee, and my request was granted. - - - - -CHAPTER XIX. - - -Meanwhile the negotiations for peace were proceeding very slowly, -and Germany was still suffering. A young man, instigated by a blind -feeling of patriotism, formed the design of delivering his country -from him whom he regarded as the cause of its misfortunes. He -presented himself at Schoenbrunn on the 23d October, while the troops -were defiling: I was on duty; Napoleon was standing between the Prince -de Neufchatel and me. The young man, who was named St. * * *, advanced -to the Emperor. Berthier, conceiving that he was about to present a -petition, stepped forward and told him to deliver it to me. He replied -that he wished to speak to Napoleon; but he was again told, that if -he had any communication to make, he must apply to the aide-de-camp -on duty. He withdrew to a short distance, repeating that he would -speak with Napoleon only. He came forward again, and approached very -near the person of the Emperor. I drew him back and told him in -German that he must withdraw: that if he had any thing to solicit, -he would be heard after the parade. His right hand was thrust into -a side-pocket under his great-coat, and he held a paper, one end of -which was visible. I was struck with the expression of his eyes when -he looked at me: his decided manner roused my suspicions. I called to -an officer of gendarmerie who was on the spot, and ordered him to be -put under arrest and conducted to the Castle. The attention of every -one present was so occupied with the parade, that nobody noticed what -was going forward. I was soon after informed that a large carving -knife had been found on St. * * *. I told Duroc what I had learnt, -and we went together to the place to which he had been conducted. We -found him sitting on a bed, on which were laid the portrait of a young -female, a portfolio, and a purse containing a few old louis-d'or. I -asked his name.—“I can tell it only to Napoleon,” was his reply.—“What -did you intend to do with the knife that was found upon you?”—“That -I can tell only to Napoleon.”—“Did you propose to assassinate -him?”—“Yes, Sir.”—“Why?”—“That I can tell only to him.” - -I went to communicate this singular circumstance to the Emperor. He -desired that the young man might be conducted to his closet. I went -out to give this order; and on my return I found Bernadotte, Berthier, -Savary, and Duroc, with the Emperor. St. * * * was brought in by two -gendarmes, with his hands tied behind him. He appeared perfectly -composed. The presence of Napoleon made not the least impression on -him, but he saluted him respectfully. The Emperor asked him whether -he could speak French, and he replied in a firm tone: “Very little.” -Napoleon then directed me to ask him, in his name, the following -questions:— - -“Where were you born?”—“In Naumburgh.”—“What is your father?”—“A -protestant minister.”—“How old are you?”—“I am eighteen years of -age.”—“What did you intend to do with the knife?”—“To kill you.”—“You -are mad, young man; you are an _illuminato_.”—“I am not mad; and I -know not what is meant by an _illuminato_.”—“You are sick, then.”—“I -am not sick; on the contrary, I am in good health.”—“Why did you wish -to assassinate me?”—“Because you have caused the misfortunes of my -country.”—“Have I done you any harm?”—“You have done harm to me as -well as to all Germans.”—“By whom were you sent? Who instigated you -to this crime?”—“Nobody. I determined to take your life, from the -conviction that I should thereby render the highest service to my -country and to Europe.”—“Is this the first time you ever saw me?”—“I -saw you at Erfurt at the time of the interview.”—“Did you then intend -to assassinate me?”—“No; I thought that you would no longer wage war -in Germany; I was then one of your most ardent admirers.”—“How long -have you been in Vienna?”—“Ten days.”—“Why did you so long defer the -execution of your design?”—“I came to Schoenbrunn a week ago; but -the parade was over when I arrived, and I postponed the execution -of my design until this day.”—“I tell you, you are either mad or -sick.”—“Neither the one nor the other.”—“Desire Corvisart to come -here.”—“Who is Corvisart?”—“He is a physician,” I replied. “I have -no need of him.” We remained silent until the doctor arrived. St. * -* * evinced the utmost indifference. At length Corvisart made his -appearance. Napoleon directed him to feel the young man's pulse. “Am -I not quite well, Sir?”—“He is in very good health,” said the doctor, -addressing himself to the Emperor.—“I told you so,” said St. * * *, -with an air of satisfaction. - -Napoleon was embarrassed by the unconcerned manner of the offender. - -“You are a wild enthusiast,” said he; “you will ruin your family. I -am willing to grant your life, if you ask pardon for the crime which -you intended to commit, and for which you ought to be sorry.”—“I want -no pardon,” replied St. * * *, “I feel the deepest regret for not -having executed my design.”—“You seem to think very lightly of the -commission of a crime!”—“To kill you would not have been a crime, -but a duty.”—“Whose portrait is that that was found upon you?”—“It -is the portrait of a young lady to whom I am attached.”—“She will be -very much distressed to hear of the unhappy situation in which you -are placed!”—“She will regret to hear that I have not succeeded. She -detests you no less than I do.”—“Would you not be grateful were I to -pardon you?”—“I would notwithstanding seize the first opportunity of -taking your life.” - -Napoleon was confounded. He ordered the prisoner to be led away; and -then entered into conversation with us, and said a great deal on -the subject of the _illuminati_. In the evening he sent for me, and -said: “The circumstance that occurred to-day is very extraordinary. -The plots of Berlin and Weimar are at the bottom of this affair.”—I -repelled these suspicions. “Women are capable of any thing,” -resumed Napoleon.—“Neither man nor woman connected with those two -courts,” I replied, “would ever conceive the idea of so atrocious a -crime.”—“Recollect the affair of Schill.”—“It bears no resemblance -to a crime like this.”—“You may say what you please, General, but I -know I am no favourite either at Berlin or Weimar.”—“That's very true: -you cannot reasonably expect to be a favourite at either of those -courts. But because they dislike you, does it follow that they would -assassinate you?” He communicated the same suspicions to * * * * *. - -Napoleon ordered me to write to General Lauer, directing him to -interrogate St. * * *, with the view of obtaining some confession -from him. But he made none. He persisted in asserting that he had -acted entirely from the impulse of his own mind, and not from the -instigation of any one. - -The departure from Schoenbrunn was fixed for the 27th of October. -Napoleon rose at five in the morning and sent for me. We walked out to -the great road to see the Imperial Guard pass along on its departure -for France. We were alone. Napoleon again spoke to me of St. * * *. -“That a young man of his age,” said he, “a German, a protestant, and -well educated, should attempt the commission of such a crime, is a -thing unparalleled. Enquire how he died.” - - - - -CHAPTER XX. - - -A heavy fall of rain obliged us to return from our walk. I wrote to -General Lauer, requesting that he would give us an account of the -last moments of St. * * *. He informed me that the prisoner had been -executed at seven in the morning of the 27th; that he had taken no -sustenance since the 24th; that food had been offered to him, but that -he had constantly refused it, because, as he said, he had sufficient -strength to walk to the place of execution. He was informed that peace -was concluded; and this intelligence seemed to agitate him. His last -words were:—_Liberty for ever! Germany for ever! Death to the Tyrant!_ -I delivered the report to Napoleon. He desired me to keep the knife -that had been found upon the criminal: it is still in my possession. - -Napoleon informed me that the preliminaries of the peace were not -yet signed, but that the articles of the treaty were all drawn up, -and that it would be ratified at Munich, where we were to stop. We -arrived at Nymphenburgh: the Court of Bavaria was residing there -at the time. I had not had the honour of seeing the King since the -campaign of Austerlitz. He lodged me in his palace, and gave me many -proofs of his confidence and kindness. He described to me the unhappy -situation of his subjects; and added, that if another state of things -were not speedily established, he should be obliged to put the key -under the door and set off. These were the expressions he used. - -I bore this last conversation in mind; for I was determined to report -it, not with the view of injuring the King, but for the sake of -proving to Napoleon that all the indemnities which he granted to his -allies were far from satisfying them and compensating for the burthens -imposed on them by the war. - -Peace was ratified. We left Nymphenburgh and arrived at Stuttgard. -Napoleon was received in a style of magnificence, and was lodged in -the palace, together with all his suite. The King was laying out a -spacious garden, and men who had been condemned to the galleys were -employed to labour in it. The Emperor asked the King who the men were -who worked in chains: he replied that they were for the most part -rebels who had been taken in his new possessions. We set out on the -following day. On the way Napoleon alluded to the unfortunate wretches -whom he had seen at Stuttgard. “The King of Wurtemberg,” said he, “is -a very harsh man; but he is very faithful: of all the sovereigns in -Europe he possesses the greatest share of understanding.” We stopped -for an hour at Rastadt, where the Princes of Baden and Princess -Stephanie had arrived for the purpose of paying their respects to -the Emperor. The Grand Duke and Duchess accompanied him as far as -Strasburg. On his arrival in that city he received despatches which -again excited his displeasure against the Faubourg St. Germain. We -proceeded to Fontainbleau: no preparations had been made for the -Emperor's reception; there was not even a guard on duty: but shortly -after, the whole court arrived, as well as the different members of -Napoleon's family. - -The Emperor had several long conferences with the Minister of -Police. He complained of the Faubourg St. Germain. The contrast of -humility and boldness alternately displayed by the old nobility, in -the anti-chambers and saloons, disconcerted him: he could scarcely -conceive that these men were so base and perfidious as to destroy with -the one hand while they solicited favours with the other. He appeared -inclined to severity; but Fouché dissuaded him from that course. -“It is a traditionary remark,” said he, “that the Seine flows, the -Faubourg intrigues, solicits, devours, and calumniates. This is in the -order of nature; every thing has its attributes.” Napoleon yielded; -he avenged himself only on men. It was proposed that he should make a -solemn entry into the capital; but this he declined: the conqueror of -the world was superior to the triumphs which transported the Romans. -On the following day the court left Fontainbleau. The Emperor rode -to Paris without stirrups: he outstripped all his escort; none but a -chasseur of the guard was able to keep up with him. In this manner he -arrived at the Tuileries. - -Napoleon was now approaching one of the most important epochs of his -life. - - - - -CHAPTER XXI. - - -The Imperial divorce was publicly spoken of in Paris, but opinions -varied with regard to the choice of the future Empress. The Princesses -of Russia and Saxony, and the Archduchess of Austria, were talked of. -The Russian alliance first became the subject of consideration. M. de -Metternich learnt this and made overtures which were accepted. All the -members of the Imperial family were, however, averse to the Austrian -alliance. They dreaded the subtlety of the Vienna court, and foresaw -that it would consent and lend itself to any thing the Emperor might -require, until a favourable opportunity should occur, when the mask -would be thrown off, and Austria would be foremost in bringing about -his ruin; but the marriage was determined on, and remonstrances were -useless. I was appointed to be present at the ceremony: this was no -trifling favour, for a great part of the court was obliged to mingle -with the crowd. I must confess, however, that I had no right to expect -it, as I had indulged in some reflections on the divorce, which had -been reported to the Emperor. I felt for Josephine, who had always -proved herself amiable, simple, and unassuming. She was banished to -Malmaison: I frequently visited her, and she made me the confidant of -her sorrows. I have seen her weep for hours together; she spoke of her -attachment for Bonaparte, for so she used to call him in our presence. -She regretted the close of her splendid career: this was very natural. - -The day after the marriage we received orders to attend and make the -three bows to the Imperial couple, who were seated on the throne. -I could not obey the summons, being confined by a headache, which -attacks me pretty regularly every week; I sent to inform the Grand -Marshal of this circumstance. Napoleon did not believe I was unwell; -he thought I was unwilling to submit to the etiquette, and he was -therefore displeased with me. He gave orders that I should return to -Dantzic. The Duke de Feltre met me on the Boulevards, and communicated -to me the Emperor's intentions. I applied for instructions: Napoleon -answered drily, that I had only to keep watch over Prussia, to treat -the Russians with respect, and to give an account of what was going on -in the ports of the Baltic; adding that I might dispense with passing -through Berlin. I stayed a few days at Strasburg, and Frankfort, and -arrived on the 10th of June at Dantzic. - -I was very well received by the troops and the inhabitants. They -complained very much of General Grabowski: the Dantzickers did not -like him, but they were in the wrong, he was an excellent man. - -The garrison was soon increased. It received an augmentation of Saxon, -Baden, Wurtemburgh, Westphalian, and Hessian troops: they formed -a complete army. This increase of force displeased me, because it -imposed a heavy burthen on the citizens: for my own part, I had no -reason to complain. The sentiments of the troops were by no means -equivocal, and their respective sovereigns, with but few exceptions, -seized that opportunity of assuring me of their good will. I shall -content myself with the insertion of the King of Bavaria's letter. - - “Munich, April 15, 1811. - - “My dear Rapp, - - “You are about to have my 14th regiment of infantry under - your command: I recommend it to your kindness and attention. - The Colonel is a brave man, who will fulfil his duty. The - Lieutenant-colonel and the two Majors are valuable men, as are - all the officers of the regiment. The troops are excellent, and - in good condition: they are very well pleased, my dear General, - to be placed under the command of an officer like you; _und noch - dazu ein Elsasser_, (and moreover a native of Alsace.) - - “Address yourself directly to me whenever you may have any thing - to communicate relative to the welfare of my troop, if you have - any complaint to make, or if it fails in the discharge of its - duty—a circumstance which I hope will not occur. I eagerly seize - this opportunity, my dear Rapp, to repeat to you the assurance of - my constant friendship. - - “MAXIMILIAN JOSEPH.” - -I received instructions to close the port of the town, and to watch -those of Prussia. Davoust came to take the command of Hamburgh: I was -not under his orders, but I was to correspond with him, and with M. de -St. Marsan. Though I was not acquainted with the latter gentleman, yet -I esteemed him greatly; his letters proved him to be a worthy man, who -was desirous of seeing harmony restored between the two nations. This -was also my wish. - -Our opinions perfectly agreed. * * * * * * * frequently wrote to -advise me not to place confidence in that diplomatist, whom he -described as a traitor sold to King William and his ministers. He -doubtless wrote to the same effect to Napoleon; but fortunately, -when that prince had once formed his opinion with respect to any -individual, he paid little attention to the reports that were -addressed to him. Nothing short of finding him, as Napoleon himself -expressed it, with his hand in his pocket, could induce him to -withdraw his confidence. - -My situation, however, became disagreeable. On the one side, the -Dantzickers complained of the maintenance of the troops, of the -burthens that were imposed upon them, and of being deprived of -their trade. On the other, the ministers urged me to collect the -contributions in order to meet the expenses of a secret expedition and -the extension of the fortifications. The contractors threatened to -stop the supplies. I knew not what to do. I derived some funds from -the taxes raised on Prussia; but these were insufficient. However, by -dint of perseverance and representations, I succeeded in obtaining the -sums necessary for paying the supplies, and by degrees the town was -relieved from that burthen. - -Funds were assigned to me for completing the fortifications, and -making the necessary preparations for the secret expedition, which -however was no longer a secret. - -The French ministers once proposed to Napoleon to have the garrison -maintained by the Prussian government. A letter was written to me -for my advice on this subject, and I replied, that if ever such -a determination should be entered into, I would immediately quit -Dantzic, in spite of every consideration. I must do justice to Marshal -Davoust, who was likewise consulted in this business. He showed that -the measure was dangerous and impracticable. The idea was abandoned. - -I cannot pass over in silence a strange misunderstanding in which I -became involved at Dantzic. - -I gave a dinner to which I invited the Prussian and Russian residents. -I placed the former on my right hand and the latter on my left. The -Russian resident took offence at this arrangement. He imagined I -intended to affront him, the Russian court, and all the Russians -in the world. He complained of my conduct; and his complaint was -transmitted from St. Petersburgh to M. de Champagny, who communicated -it to Napoleon. I was blamed; I was said to have been wanting in the -respect due to the resident of a great nation, in assigning the post -of honour to the resident of Prussia, and I was called upon to make -reparation for the error I had committed. I confess I felt hurt at -this. My reply to the minister was that I did not give diplomatic -dinners; that the foreign Consuls were not accredited with the -Governor but with the Senate; that I might place beside me at my own -table whomsoever I pleased; that I conceived the complaints of the -resident to be ridiculous, and that I would not receive him again. -I kept my word, and here the affair ended. I consider it proper to -relate this anecdote, because it proves the attempts which were making -even at that period to conciliate the good graces of Russia. - - - - -CHAPTER XXII. - - -Nothing could have been more repugnant to the wishes of the -Dantzickers than having among them French custom-house officers, whom -for some time there had been an idea of establishing at Dantzic. I -repelled the proposition as strenuously as I possibly could. The -presence of these officers would have destroyed the small portion -of trade which I still tolerated, notwithstanding the outcries of -Napoleon. - -This measure would have been felt as no less a grievance along the -whole coast of the Baltic, which, I frankly confess, I did not -watch with the vigilance that was prescribed to me. Complaints were -in consequence poured out against me; but I knew from whence they -proceeded, and I did not concern myself much about them. Napoleon -was, however, enraged at my indulgence; he reproached me for it. “To -allow the Prussians and Dantzickers to carry on trade,” said he, “is -to betray me,” * * * * * wrote to the same effect, and sent spies -in every direction. Napoleon became tired of reports and complaints. -He directed Bertrand to inform me how much he was dissatisfied with -me. That General wrote to me, “The Emperor knows, my dear Rapp, that -you permit contraband trade in Prussia and at Dantzic; I must inform -you that he is displeased with you,” &c. Outcries were raised, but -I paid no regard to them, and continued to exercise my power with -moderation. The Custom-house establishment was set on foot. It is -well known how severely it was felt, particularly in the conquered -countries. The individuals connected with this department in Dantzic -aped independence, and refused to obey any orders save those of the -Minister Sucy. In support of these pretensions reference was made -to the example of the Custom establishment of Hamburgh. I cut the -matter short, by sending the Director of the Customs to Weichselmunde, -where he underwent six days' imprisonment. Such an act of severity -was unexampled; it was accounted as great a crime as high treason. -The minister complained of it; but, to his great surprise, Napoleon -replied, that if I had inflicted punishment I had reasons for doing -so. “Besides,” said he, “Dantzic is in a state of siege, and in that -case a Governor is omnipotent.” The officers of the Customs learnt -that they had presumed too much on their credit; they became more -circumspect, and behaved themselves better to the Dantzickers. Trade -recovered a certain degree of security, which was augmented by my -releasing several ships that had been captured by our pirates. Fresh -remonstrances were made, but with no better success than before. - -I received orders to commit all articles of English merchandize to the -flames. This measure would have been most disastrous: I evaded it, and -notwithstanding the presence of the officers of the Customs, Dantzic -lost no more than what amounted to two hundred francs, and Kœnigsberg -still less. I do not speak of the merchandize procured by captures. - -The continental system, and the rigorous measures employed by Napoleon -in the North of Germany, excited more and more dissatisfaction. The -people were exasperated. I was frequently applied to for reports on -their situation: I described them such as they really were—oppressed, -ruined, and driven to the last extremity. I pointed out those secret -societies, in which the whole nation was enrolled, where hatred -brooded on vengeance, and despair collected and combined her plans. -But Napoleon looked upon those societies with contempt. He little -knew the character of the Germans. He thought they possessed neither -vigour nor energy; he compared them and their pamphlets to “those -little dogs who bark but dare not bite.” At a later period we learned, -by experience, what they were capable of. - -I was also frequently called upon for reports respecting the affairs -of Russia and the army which was assembling at Wilna. I was applied -to for my opinion as to what course France or Germany would adopt, -in case of an expedition to the other side of the Niemen turning -out unfortunate, or failing altogether. My answer was literally as -follows. It will be difficult to give credit to a prediction which has -unfortunately been so fully realised:— - -“If your Majesty should experience reverses, you may be assured that -the Russians and Germans would all rise in a mass to throw off the -yoke. A crusade would be set on foot. All your allies would abandon -you: even the King of Bavaria, on whom you place so much reliance, -would join the coalition. I make an exception only in favour of the -King of Saxony; he, perhaps, would remain faithful to you; but his -subjects would compel him to make common cause with your enemies.” - -Napoleon, as may be supposed, was not well pleased with this -communication. He sent it to Marshal Davoust, directing him to peruse -it, and to write to inform me that the Emperor was greatly astonished -that one of his aides-de-camp could have presumed to address such -a letter to him,—that my reports resembled the pamphlets published -on the other side of the Rhine, which I appeared to find pleasure -in reading,—that, finally, the Germans should never be treated as -Spaniards. The Marshal executed his commission, and I was for a long -time out of favour with Napoleon. Experience has proved whether or not -my judgment was correct; and I took the liberty to make that remark to -the Emperor, as I shall state hereafter. - -When he obliged the King of Prussia to send to Magdeburgh all the -prohibited merchandize which had been confiscated at Kœnigsberg, I -addressed him in the most urgent tone: I represented to him how much -that measure was calculated to excite discontent, and to exasperate -the nation. M. de Clerambaut, who was then Consul General, wrote to -him in the same strain; but our representations were not attended to. - -The war with Russia was on the eve of breaking out; Napoleon -deliberated as to the course he should pursue with regard to Prussia. -To enter into an alliance with King William would not have been -the means of subduing the doubts and prejudices of that monarch. -To dethrone him would have been a violent measure; but it was one, -however, which was advised by many persons whom I will not name. The -Emperor was urged to deprive the Prussian monarch of his States, and -to keep possession of them himself. Perhaps William has never yet been -made fully acquainted with the danger which threatened him; I knew -its full extent: I pitied the King of Prussia and his subjects, and I -opposed the design to the utmost of my power. - -Instructions had already been sent to * * * *. That general expected -to commence his march immediately. What was his astonishment when, -instead of an order for invading Prussia, he received information of a -treaty of alliance with that country? The intelligence of that event -afterwards reached me, and it afforded me great satisfaction. - - - - -CHAPTER XXIII. - - -The grand army was already on the Vistula. Napoleon quitted Paris, -repaired to the capital of Saxony, and thence to Dantzic. He had -been preceded by the King of Naples, who had solicited permission to -go to Dresden, but without success. The refusal had mortified him -exceedingly: he told me that the Emperor caused him great vexation and -unhappiness; such, at least, was his own account. We were the first -persons whom the Emperor received. He began the conversation with me -by a rather odd question—“What do these Dantzickers do with their -money; they gain a good deal, and I spend a good deal among them?” I -replied that their situation was far from being prosperous—that they -were suffering greatly; in short, that they were at their last gasp. -“There will be a change soon,” he replied, “that is agreed upon; but I -will keep them to myself.” - -He was fatigued, and in consequence the King of Naples and I withdrew. -I was recalled in a moment, and I remained with the Emperor while -he dressed. He asked me several questions respecting the duty of the -fortress. When he was dressed, and his valet-de-chambre had left the -room, he said, “Well, General Rapp, the Prussians have become our -allies, and the Austrians will shortly be so too.” “Unfortunately, -Sire,” replied I, “we do a great deal of mischief as allies; I receive -complaints against our troops from all quarters.” “That is merely -a passing cloud,” said he: “I shall see whether Alexander really -intends to go to war; I will avoid it if I can.” Then, changing the -conversation all at once, he said, “Did you observe how queer Murat -looked? he seems ill.” I replied, “No, Sire, he is not ill, but out of -humour.”—“Why out of humour?” said he; “is he not satisfied with being -a King?”—“He says, he is not a King.”—“Why, then, does he act so like -a fool? He ought to be a French man, and not a Neapolitan.” - -In the evening I had the honour to sup with Napoleon, the King of -Naples, and the Prince de Neufchatel. Before we sat down to table -we conversed on the subject of the war with Russia: we were in the -saloon. The Emperor suddenly perceiving a marble bust on a bracket, -said, “Whose head is that?” “Sire,” I replied, “it is the Queen of -Prussia's.” “So, General Rapp, you keep the bust of the fair Queen in -your house: She did not like me.” “Sire,” I replied, “I presume I may -be allowed to possess the bust of a pretty woman: besides she is the -wife of a King who is now your ally.” - -Next morning we went out on horseback; Napoleon visited the fortress, -and did not appear satisfied with the works. When he perceived that I -was not aware what object displeased him, he flew into a passion and -said, before a number of persons, “That he did not understand why his -governors took upon themselves to act the part of sovereigns, and that -he wished his orders to be executed.” There had, indeed, been a little -deviation from the strict letter of his commands; but it was trifling, -and was not worth the words that were made about it. The King of -Naples said to me, in a low tone of voice, “Do not vex yourself about -these reproaches; the Emperor is out of temper. He received letters -this morning which put him in an ill humour.” We afterwards returned -home. Napoleon received the generals and officers under my command, -as well as the civil authorities. To the latter he put many questions -respecting trade and finances. They deplored the state of their -affairs. “It will change soon,” said he, “I will keep you to myself; -it is a thing determined upon: none but the great families prosper.” -Then perceiving M. de Franzins the elder, he said, “You do not -complain, M. de Franzins; your affairs are in a thriving condition; -you have amassed a fortune of at least ten millions.” - -In the evening I had again the honour of supping with Napoleon, the -King of Naples, and the Prince de Neufchatel. Napoleon maintained -silence for a long time: at length he suddenly asked how far it was -from Dantzic to Cadiz. “Too far, Sire,” I replied. “Ah! I understand -you, General,” said he; “but we shall be further off a few months -hence.”—“So much the worse,” I added. The King of Naples and the -Prince de Neufchatel did not speak a word. “I see, Gentlemen,” said -Napoleon, “that you do not wish for war. The King of Naples does not -like to leave his beautiful kingdom, Berthier wishes to hunt at Gros -Bois, and General Rapp longs to be back to his superb hotel in Paris.” -“I must confess,” I observed, “Sire, that your Majesty has not spoiled -me; I know very little of the pleasures of the capital.” - -Murat and Berthier continued to observe profound silence: they seemed -to be piqued at something. After dinner they told me that I had done -right to speak as I did to Napoleon. “But,” replied I, “you should not -have allowed me to speak alone.” - - - - -CHAPTER XXIV. - - -Napoleon quitted Dantzic, and proceeded to Kœnigsberg. Murat -accompanied him, and General Belliard was also there. He spoke to -them a great deal about Spain, and his brother, with whom he was -dissatisfied. General Flahaut returned from a mission on which he -had been sent to Prince Schwartzenberg. He rendered an account of -the devotedness of the Prince, and of his impatience to attack the -Russians. The Emperor did not appear to place perfect reliance on the -sincerity of the Prince; however, he allowed himself to be persuaded -that, at length, his protestations might become sincere, and that -benefits might inspire sentiments of gratitude. He explained his plan -and intentions as follows:—“If Alexander,” said he, “persists in his -refusal to execute the conventions which we have mutually entered -into, if he will not accede to the last proposals I made him, I will -pass the Niemen, defeat his army, and possess myself of Russian -Poland. This last territory I will unite to the Grand Duchy: I will -convert it into a kingdom; where I will leave 50,000 men, whom the -country must support. The inhabitants wish to form themselves again -into a national corps. They are a warlike people, and will soon -possess a numerous and disciplined force. Poland wants arms: I will -supply them: she will be a check upon the Russians; a barrier against -the irruptions of the Cossacks. But I am embarrassed on one point; I -know not what course to adopt with regard to Galicia. The Emperor of -Austria, or rather his Council, is reluctant to part with it: I have -offered ample compensation for it, but it has been refused. I must -await the course of events, which alone can show us what ought to be -done. Poland, if well organized, may furnish 50,000 cavalry,—what say -you, General Belliard?” “I think so, Sire,” replied the General; “if -your Majesty would mount the infantry of the Vistula on horseback, it -would make excellent light cavalry, and might thus be successfully -opposed to the cloud of Cossacks which precede the Russian -forces.”—The Emperor said, “We shall see what can be done. You will -return with Murat and leave your Swiss: by the by, what do you think -of the Swiss?”—“They will march, Sire; they will fight. They have -improved greatly; they would not be known for the same troops that -they were six weeks ago. I will go and see them to-morrow.”—“Well,” -observed the Emperor, “rejoin Murat and inspect all the cavalry in -company with him.” - -The proposals which the Emperor had spoken of were not accepted. The -Russians complained of our forces and our commercial measures, and -they required that we should evacuate Germany. We marched forward -and arrived on the banks of the Niemen, which five years before had -been the scene of our victories. The troops raised shouts of joy. -Napoleon proceeded to the advanced posts, disguised as a chasseur, and -reconnoitred the banks of the river, in company with General Axo. He -afterwards spoke for a few moments with the King of Naples; pointing -out to him the points at which it would be proper to throw bridges -over the river, and directing him to concentrate his troops, in order -that the passage might be rapidly effected. The cavalry was mounted; -the infantry was under arms; never was there a grander spectacle. -Eblé set to work; the pontoons were laid at midnight: at one o'clock -we were on the right bank of the Niemen, and General Pajol was at -Kowsno, which had been evacuated by Bagawouth, and we took possession -of it without striking a blow. We continued to press on; we marched -incessantly, but we perceived only a few Pulks of Cossacks blending -with the line of the horizon. We arrived at Wilna, and found its -immense magazines in flames. We extinguished the fire, and the greater -part of the provisions were saved. - - - - -CHAPTER XXV. - - -The conflagration, the sight of the ground which had been so often -trodden by the Polish legions on their return from their glorious -expeditions, excited fresh ardour; the troops were inspired by the -force of their recollections. We dashed on in pursuit of the enemy; -but the rain fell in torrents and the cold had become severe. We were -now in the bogs and quagmires of Pultusk, and we were destitute both -of shelter and clothing. All this, however, would have been nothing, -had the Russians ventured to let us come up with them; but they -reached the Borysthenes and crossed the Dwina, flying and ravaging -the country which they passed through: we were maintaining a racing -contest, rather than carrying on a war. They had now lost all unity -and connexion, and we abandoned the hope of coming to an engagement. -The enemy, however, having gained ground by dint of speed, succeeded -in rallying his forces, and he took refuge in the works which he had -constructed at Drissa. But he was soon in danger of being attacked -in his intrenchments and of having his retreat cut off. He did not -venture to incur this double risk, and therefore fled. He would -have been lost, had he delayed for a few hours: all the necessary -arrangements were made for attacking his flank and intercepting him. -He owed his safety to a _coup de main_. Some of our advanced corps, -not being sufficiently vigilant, were surprised by Wittgenstein. -Napoleon concluded that the Russians were marching upon us, and halted -his columns. This delay saved them: when we arrived at Beszenkownzi -they had effected their retreat. The King of Naples followed them. He -came up with them, and attacked them at Ostrowno. He charged them some -leagues further on and routed all their rear-guard. The following is -his report, which I insert because it is characteristic of the manner -of this prince, who deserved to die only on the field of battle:— - -“I ordered the first corps of the reserve of cavalry and two -battalions of light infantry to advance. They were followed by -Delzons' division. We came up with the enemy's rear-guard about two -leagues from Ostrowno. It was advantageously posted behind a deep -ravine, with a great mass of artillery, and having its front and -flanks covered by thick woods. A little firing took place on both -sides; I sent the battalions to check the enemy's infantry who were -repulsing our hussars. Delzons' division arrived and the cavalry had -nothing farther to do. The Viceroy made his arrangements, and we -marched upon the enemy and crossed the ravine. The foreign cavalry -which lined the bank of the Dwina protected our left, and debouched in -the plain. The rest of the light troops advanced along the high road -in proportion as the enemy's infantry retrograded. The cuirassiers -were left in reserve behind the ravine, and the batteries were -mounted. My right was covered by immense woods, and I had numerous -parties of pioneers. The enemy was driven to the second position in -the rear of the ravine, where the reserve was stationed. He brought -us back into the ravine, and he was again repulsed: he drove us back -a second time, and was on the point of taking our guns, which had got -entangled in a defile, through which they were passing in order to -take a position on the heights. Our left was repulsed, and the enemy -made a bold movement on our right: the foreign brigade was on the -point of being dispersed. In this state of things nothing but a charge -of cavalry could enable us to recover ourselves; I attempted it. We -advanced to meet the enemy's infantry, which was marching boldly along -the plain. The brave Poles rushed on the Russian battalions: not a man -escaped, not a single prisoner was made; all were killed, not even -the wood protected them from the sabres of our cavalry. At the same -time the squares were broken by the charge. General Girardin, who was -leading the battalions on the left, made a movement on the right, and -advanced along the high road on the enemy's rear; the troops on the -right performed the same manœuvre. General Piré supported them; he -charged at the head of the eighth hussars. The enemy was routed, and -owed his safety only to the ravines which retarded our advance. The -whole division followed the movement: the infantry advanced along the -high road and the cavalry debouched on the heights. I gave orders for -firing on five or six cavalry regiments that were before us. In this -situation your Majesty came up with me; you ordered me to pursue the -enemy, and I drove him to a league and a half beyond Witepsk. Such, -Sire, is the narrative of our late engagement with the Russians. The -enemy has had about three thousand killed and a great number wounded; -we have scarcely lost a man. This result was, in a great measure, the -work of Count Belliard, who on this occasion gave new proofs of his -devotedness and courage. To him we are indebted for the preservation -of the artillery of Delzons' division.” - -Fatigue and even lassitude have, in the long run, the effect of -inspiring courage. Barclay experienced this. He several times -entertained the design of risking the fate of a battle; but a -foreboding of defeat constantly possessed him at the sight of our -troops. Whenever he found them within sight, he hurried his retreat; -he beheld without concern his magazines, his guns, and his works -fall into our hands. He had but one object in view, which was to -keep constantly a few leagues in advance of us. Bagration imitated -this example, but he occasionally evinced resolution. He had several -engagements with our advance-guard. Marshal Davoust pursued him -vigorously; but the King of Westphalia advanced but slowly. A dispute -arose between this sovereign and Vandamme; and, in consequence, the -orders were not executed. This circumstance saved the Russian Prince. -He gained ground, reached Mohiloff, and was beaten: he certainly would -have fared worse but for the dispute between Vandamme and the King of -Westphalia, which Napoleon of course could not foresee. The Russians, -who were dispersed along the banks of the Niemen, combined their -forces on the shores of the Borysthenes. They were preparing for the -defence, and we for the attack of Smolensko. - - - - -CHAPTER XXVI. - - -I had left Dantzick, and I traversed Lithuania; the country was -dreary, it was made up of woods and steeps—an unlimited picture of -poverty and desolation. It was at that season of the year when Nature -displays her riches, yet vegetation was weak and drooping, every thing -in those fatal countries depicted wretchedness, every thing foretold -the disasters which were to overwhelm us. - -The rain still continued, the roads were broken up, and impassable, -the men were losing themselves in the mud, and perishing from fatigue -and hunger: ten thousand horses lay lifeless on the ground that we had -gone over within these two days; never had such a frightful mortality -before signalized the commencement of a campaign; our soldiers, -continually sliding on the clayey ground, were exhausted in fruitless -exertions: most of them were unable to keep up, they lagged behind; -the allied troops especially had a prodigious number in arrear. It was -easy to foresee that the issue of the war would be disastrous: we had -in our favour force and courage, but Nature took part with them;—we -were to fall. However, I arrived at Wilna; I found there the Duke -de Bassano, whose prognostics were less gloomy, General Hogendorp, -Napoleon's aide-de-camp, with whom I was yet unacquainted, and General -Jomini, who afterwards deserted our colours. All augured better than -myself of the struggle in which we were engaged. It presented itself, -indeed, under specious auspices: all Poland was in motion; men, women, -peasants, citizens, gentlemen, all were animated with the most noble -enthusiasm; troops were organising, administrations were forming, -resources were collecting, and the people were preparing themselves -to drive oppression beyond the Borysthenes. The Diet of Warsaw had -opened; the Polish nation, which had so long been beaten by the -tempest, thought that it had at last reached a port; no sacrifice -seemed too much for it. The speech of the President had excited -general acclamations, every where it had been received with joy. I -was curious to read it; M. de Bassano gave it me. “It might have been -better,” he observed, “but still it is tolerable.” The Emperor would -have wished it stronger in facts, and its expressions less tinged with -the affectation of learning. It was the energy of the patriot, and not -the measured movements of the orator, that was necessary in so serious -a juncture; nevertheless it produced its effect. - -“For a long time there had existed in the centre of Europe a -celebrated nation, mistress of an extensive and fruitful country, -brilliant with the double glory of war and arts, protecting for ages, -with an unwearied arm, the barriers of Europe against the barbarians -who raged around its frontiers. A numerous people prospered in this -land. Nature repaid their labours with liberality. Often had her kings -taken a place in history by the side of those who had most honoured -the supreme rank. - -“This country is Poland; you are that people: but what are you become? -How has the dilaceration of our country been effected? How has this -family, which even when it was divided did not separate, which had -remained united through ages of divisions, how has this powerful -family seen itself dismembered? What have been its crimes, who its -judges? By what right has it been attacked, invaded, effaced from the -list of states and nations? Whence have the oppressors come, whence -the chains? The indignant universe would answer us—every state, every -people would tell us that it thought that it saw its tomb open by the -side of that of Poland; and that in the audacious profanation of the -laws on which all societies alike repose, in the insulting contempt -which was manifested for them to accomplish our ruin, the world -might think itself put in subjection to the temporary purposes of -monarchs, and that now it would have no other law. Europe, alarmed and -threatened, would point out to our just resentment the empire which, -while it caressed us, was particularly preparing to press upon her -with an increased force. It is Russia that is the author of all our -evils. Within a century she advances with gigantic stride towards a -people who before were ignorant of her name. - -“Poland perceived immediately the first effects of this increase of -the Russian power. Placed in her immediate vicinity, she received -her first, as her last blows. Who could enumerate them from the time -when, in 1717, Russia tried her influence by the disbanding of the -Polish army? Since that epoch, what moment has been exempt from her -influence or her outrages? If this crafty power joined herself to -Poland, it is to impose on her, as in 1764, that fatal guarantee which -made the integrity of our frontiers dependent on the perpetuation of -anarchy; to make that anarchy the means of accomplishing her ambitious -designs. The world knows what they have been since that unlucky -epoch. It is since then that, by partition after partition, Poland -has been seen completely to disappear, without crime and without -vengeance; it is since that time that the Poles have heard with -indignation the insulting language of the Repnins, of the Sivers; it -is since then that the Russian soldier bathed himself in the blood of -their fellow-citizens, as a prelude to that for ever execrable day, -must we recall it, in which, in the midst of the shouts of a savage -conqueror, Warsaw heard the cries of the population of Prague, which -was destroyed by fire and murder. Pole, for it is time to make that -name which we should never lose resound in your ears, these are the -hateful means by which Russia has succeeded in appropriating to -herself our fine provinces; these are the claim, the only claim, she -possesses on us. Force alone could enchain us, force may also break -the fetters which she alone has forged. These fetters shall be broken. -Poland, then, shall exist,—what do we say? She exists already, or -rather she has never ceased to exist. How can the perfidy, the plots, -the violence, under which she has fallen—how can they have affected -her right? Yes, we are still Poland; we are so by the title that we -hold from nature, from society, from our ancestors, from those sacred -titles which the universe recognizes, and which form the safeguard of -mankind.” - -I was carried away by enthusiasm. I had so often seen the brave Polish -legions in Italy, in Egypt, and elsewhere! They were right indeed, -they were still Poland. “In point of courage,” I said to the Duke, -“nothing will surprise me on the part of this brave people; but I own -I did not suspect it of this sort of talent.” “You are right,” replied -M. de Bassano, “they have plenty of other things to do than to make -harangues!” “Who, then, is the writer?” “The Abbé.” “What Abbé? Do -you think the Emperor has a predilection for churchmen?” “No; but in -fine, at the present time, it is not without powerful considerations -that an embassy is confided to a priest.” “Is it the Archbishop?” -“The very man; we have sent him to Warsaw to intoxicate the Poles by -his eloquence. I do not think him very skilful in business, but he is -entirely devoted to the Emperor;—that is the main affair. His enemies -accuse him of being ambitious and restless, without steadiness in his -affections, or in his ideas of praising white and black; of being the -mere creature of circumstance. I believe this picture a caricature. I -myself am persuaded that, if events compromise the glory of our arms, -he will not be seen among the ranks of our detractors.” “I firmly -believe it; he has abused the Cossacks too much ever to become their -patriarch.” - -The deputation of the Diet was still at Wilna. I was acquainted with a -few of the members. I saw them; they talked to me of their hopes, of -their means, of their rights. These ideas struck me, I gave an account -of them to the Duke.—“You are admirable!” said he in reply. “What! -do you not recognize the Archbishop? Do you not see with what art he -betrays himself? and these biblical reminiscences, to whom would you -have them occur but to a priest. Besides I will give you the document.” - -“Sire, the Diet of the Grand Duchy of Warsaw, assembled at the -approach of the powerful armies of your Majesty, recognized at the -outset that it had rights to reclaim and duties to fulfil; with an -unanimous voice, it has constituted itself a general confederation -of Poland; it has declared the kingdom of Poland re-established in -its rights; and, at the same time, that the acts of usurpation and -arbitrary power, by which its existence had been destroyed, were null -and of no effect. - -“Sire, your Majesty labours for posterity and for history. If Europe -cannot mistake our rights, she can still much less mistake our -duties. A free and independent nation, since the remotest times, we -have not lost our territory and our independence, either by treaties -or by conquest, but by perfidy and treachery. Treachery has never -constituted rights. We have seen our last king dragged away to St. -Petersburgh, where he perished; and our nation torn to shreds by -princes with whom we were not at war, and by whom we have not been -conquered. - -“Our rights appear thus evident to the eyes of God and men. We, Poles, -we have the right to re-establish the throne of the Jagellons and -Sobieskis, to re-assert our national independence, to re-assemble our -divided members, to arm ourselves in defence of our native country, -and to prove, by fighting in its defence, that we are the worthy -descendants of our ancestors. - -“Can your Majesty disown us or blame us, for having done that which -our duty, as Poles, demanded of us; and for having resumed our rights? -Yes, Sire. Poland is proclaimed from this day; she exists by the laws -of equity, but she ought to exist in fact; right and justice proclaim -our resolution to be legitimate; but it ought to be supported on our -part. Has not God punished Poland enough for its divisions? will he -perpetuate our misfortunes? and must the Poles, after having cherished -the love of their country, go down to the tomb wretched and without -hope? No, Sire. You have been sent by Providence, power is placed in -the hands of your Majesty, and the existence of the Grand Duchy is due -to the power of your arms. - -“Say, Sire, Let the kingdom of Poland exist! and the decree will be -to the world equivalent to the reality. We are sixteen millions of -Poles, among whom there is not one whose blood, arms, and fortune, -are not devoted to your Majesty: every sacrifice will appear to us -light, if it has for its object the reestablishment of our native -country. From the Dwina to the Dniester, from the Borysthenes to the -Oder, one word only from your Majesty will command every arm, every -effort, every heart. This unexampled war which Russia has dared to -declare, notwithstanding the recollections of Austerlitz, Pultusk, -Eylau, Friedland; in spite of the oaths taken at Tilsit and at -Erfurth, is, we have no doubt, an effect of Providence, which, moved -by the misfortunes of our nation, has determined to bring them to a -termination. The second Polish war has only just begun, and already -we pay our homage to your Majesty in the capital of the Jagellons. -Already are the eagles of your Majesty on the Dwina, and the armies of -Russia, separated, divided, cut up, wander in uncertainty, and seek in -vain to unite and to form themselves, &c.” - -“It is well.—Yes, undoubtedly; but he is so enchanted with the -_chef-d'œuvre_, that he would think himself wanting to his glory if he -did not publish to the world that his genius protects Poland. Twenty -times a-day I am obliged to moderate these excesses of self-love. This -very morning I have been remonstrating with him on the impropriety -of his freaks of vanity. He _Ossianizes_; do you recollect the word? -It describes him admirably. But now, if his style goes well, his -embassy scarcely moves. But for Duroc, who covers him with his wing, -I would have already sent him to his flocks. What the devil has the -almonership in common with embassies? Why should he put himself to the -trouble of so much exertion, to do nothing of any possible use?” - - - - -CHAPTER XXVII. - - -I resumed my route: it was through forests, steeps, every thing that -is most wild in nature; but I met at every step officers who were -going on missions; they gave me news of my friends, of the army. I -forgot the scenes that I was passing through; I discussed the probable -chances of the war; they talked to me of the valour of the troops, of -the prodigious activity of the Emperor. It was indeed inconceivable, -the movements, the administrations, the measures of security and -precaution; he embraced every thing, he was equal to every thing. The -instructions that were given to M. d'Hautpoult are an example of it. -They merit preservation. - - “The orderly officer d'Hautpoult will go to Ostrowno, and - from thence to Beszenkowiczi. He will see at Ostrowno whether - the village is inhabited, and whether it has an engineer to - re-organize it; he will see at Beszenkowiczi whether the bridges - are erected, and if a bridge of rafts has been substituted for - the fixed one, which would not stand the first swelling of the - river; he will see whether the _tête-du-pont_ is in progress; he - will see also the hospital, the workhouse, the magazines, and - in fine, if the country begins to be re-organized. He will give - me an account of the troops that he may meet, whether cavalry, - artillery, or military equipages. He will see at Beszenkowiczi - the fourth regiment of the chasseurs of the guard, and the - battalion of Hesse Darmstadt, which I have commanded to remain - there till farther orders. There should also be there several - pieces of artillery; he must take care that every thing be in - its proper position, and that the works at the _tête-du-pont_ be - proceeded with in order to finish it. He will inform himself if - there are any news of the Cossacks, and, if it is necessary, he - will remain one day at Beszenkowiczi in order to see every thing, - and draw up his despatch. He will write to me from that quarter, - taking care to send his letter by the first estafette that may - pass through Beszenkowiczi. He will continue his road to Polozk, - from whence he will send me his second despatch; he will see the - functionaries of the town, hospital, and workhouse. He will - inform me how many prisoners the Duke de Reggio has taken in the - different affairs which have just taken place; how many wounded; - all that he can learn on this matter, and on the situation of - the Duke de Reggio's corps. The Duke de Tarentum having taken - Dünabourg, the orderly officer d'Hautpoult will learn whether - the communication between the two corps has been effected. He - will get every information which can make me acquainted with - the nature of the forces opposed to the Duke de Reggio; he will - remain with this Marshal (to whom he will send the inclosed - letter) till he shall have attacked the enemy, cleared the right - bank of the river, and effected his communication with Dünabourg. - - “NAPOLEON.” - -But all this vigilance did not remedy the evil. The soldiers who were -unable to keep up with their corps increased visibly; they encumbered -our rear. I gave an account to the Emperor, whom I joined at the -_bivouac_ three leagues on this side of Smolensko, of the melancholy -picture that I had had incessantly before my eyes during the whole of -my journey. “It is the effect of long marches; I will strike a great -blow, and every one will rally. You come from Wilna. What is Hogendorp -doing? he is wallowing in indolence. Has he not his wife with him?” -I knew nothing about it; I could not answer. Napoleon replied, “If he -had his wife, she must go back to France, or at least that he must -send her to Germany on the rear. Berthier is going to write to him.” -Some papers were brought in that had just been translated; some were -the accounts of the victories in which some handfuls of Cossacks had -beaten us all; others were proclamations and addresses, in which we -were designated as a troop of missionaries. “See,” said Napoleon -to me, “you had no suspicion that we were apostles; but here it is -proved that we are coming with damnation for the Russians. These -poor Cossacks are going to become idolators. But here is another of -a different kind; here, read, it is pure Russian. Poor Platoff! All -are of equal strength in these dreary climates!” I read it; it was -a long rhapsody with which the patriarch seasoned a relic of St. -Sergius that he offered to the Emperor Alexander. He ended it with -this paragraph: “The city of Moscow, the first capital of the empire, -the new Jerusalem, receives its Christ, as a mother, in the arms of -her zealous sons; and through the mist which is rising foreseeing the -brilliant glory of his power, it sings in transports, Hosanna, blessed -be he who cometh! Let the arrogant, the brazen Goliath carry from the -borders of France mortal terror to the confines of Russia; pacific -religion, this sling of the Russian David shall suddenly bow the -head of his sanguinary pride. This image of St. Sergius, the ancient -defender of the happiness of our country, is offered to your Imperial -Majesty.” - - - - -CHAPTER XXVIII. - - -The affair of Smolensko took place. The battle was obstinate, the -cannonade violent. The Russians, taken in flank and enfiladed, were -defeated. They could not defend those walls which so many times had -witnessed their victories; they evacuated them; but the bridges and -public buildings were a prey to the flames. The churches in particular -poured out torrents of fire and smoke. The domes, the spires, and the -multitude of small towers which arose above the conflagration, added -to the effect of the picture, and produced those ill-defined emotions -which are only to be found on the field of battle. We entered the -place. It was half consumed, of a barbarous appearance, encumbered -with the bodies of the dead and wounded, which the flames had already -reached. The spectacle was frightful. What a train is that of glory! - -We were obliged to turn our views from these scenes of slaughter. The -Russians were flying; our cavalry rushed to the pursuit, and soon -came up with the rear-guard. Korff attempted to make a stand; he was -overwhelmed. Barclay came forward with his masses. We, on our side, -received reinforcements; the action became terrible: Ney attacked in -front, Junot on the flank: the enemy's army would have been cut off -if the Duke had pressed forward. Wearied with not seeing him appear, -Murat ran to him, “What are you about? Why do you not come on?” “My -Westphalians are wavering.” “I will give them an impetus.” The King -of Naples put himself at the head of a few squadrons, charged, and -overthrew every thing that opposed him. “There is thy Marshal's staff -half gained; complete the work, the Russians are lost.” Junot did -not complete it; whether from fatigue or distrust, the brave of the -brave slumbered amidst the sound of the cannon, and the enemy, who -were coming up to support their rear, again fell back on their line. -The engagement became terrible; the brave Gudin lost his life, and -the Russian army escaped us. Napoleon visited the places where the -battle had been fought. “It was not at the bridge—it is there—at the -village, where the eighth corps ought to have debouched—that the -battle hinged. What was Junot doing?” The King of Naples endeavoured -to extenuate his fault: the troops, the obstacles, all the customary -commonplaces were employed. Berthier, who had always loved the Duke, -interested himself for him; Caulincourt did the same. Every one -pleaded to the utmost in favour of a brave man who could be reproached -with nothing but a moment of forgetfulness. But the advantages we -had lost were too great. Napoleon sent for me. “Junot has just -lost for ever his Marshal's staff. I give you the command of the -Westphalian corps: you speak their language, you will show them an -example, you will make them fight.” I was flattered with this mark -of confidence, and expressed my sense of it; but Junot was covered -with wounds, he had signalized himself in Syria, in Egypt, every -where; I begged the Emperor to forget a moment's absence of mind on -account of twenty years' courage and devotion. “He is the cause of -the Russian army not having laid down its arms. This affair will, -perhaps, hinder me from going to Moscow. Put yourself at the head -of the Westphalians.” The tone with which he pronounced these last -words was already much softened. The services of the old aide-de-camp -extenuated the inactivity of the 8th corps. I resumed: “Your Majesty -has just talked to me of Moscow. The army is not in expectation of -such an expedition.” “The glass is full, I must drink it off. I have -just received good news: Schwartzenberg is in Wolhinia, Poland is -organizing, I shall have every kind of assistance.” - -I left Napoleon to make known to the Prince of Neuchâtel and the -Duke de Vicenze the disgrace with which Junot was threatened. “I am -afflicted,” said the Prince to me, “to see his troops taken from him; -but I cannot but own that he has caused the failure of one of the -finest operations of the campaign. See on what the success of war -depends; on the forgetfulness, on the absence of a moment: you do not -seize the occasion in its flight, it disappears, and returns no more. -No one has more courage or more ability. He adds to the qualities of -the soldier the most extensive knowledge; he is intrepid, clever, -agreeable, and good-natured. He forgot himself for an hour; he has -made himself many enemies. However, I and Caulincourt will see what -is to be done.” They managed so well that Junot kept his post. I was -very glad of it; first, because it saved him from disgrace, and next -because I did not much like his troops. Unfortunately, lassitude had -succeeded the impetuosity of his youth. He did not show at the battle -of Moscowa that elasticity, that energy, of which he had so many times -given an example; and the affair of Vereia raised to its height the -dissatisfaction of the Emperor. - -We learnt, some days after, the irruption of Tormasoff. We were -uneasy; we discussed these long points, on the dangers to which one is -exposed in advancing to an excessive distance beyond the line of one's -operations. Without doubt Napoleon heard us. He came to us, talked a -good deal of the manner in which he had secured the rear, of the corps -which formed our wings, and of that chain of posts which extended -from the Niemen to our actual position. “Tormasoff,” he said to us, -“has put all the children at Warsaw in alarm. They saw him already -officiating at Prague; but see, he is sent back quicker than he came.” -He went into his closet, and began to dictate with indifference, but -loud enough to prevent us losing a word, instructions for the Duke de -Belluno. - - - NAPOLEON TO THE MAJOR-GENERAL. - - “Dorogobuj, August 26, 1812. - - “My cousin, write to the Duke de Belluno to go in person to - Wilna, in order that he may see there the Duke de Bassano, - and inform himself of affairs and the state of things; that - I shall be the day after to-morrow at Wjaezma, that is, five - days' march from Moscow; that it is possible that, in that - situation, communications will be intercepted; that some one - then must take the command, and act according to circumstances; - that I have ordered the 129th regiment, the Illyrian regiment, - the Westphalian regiment which was at Kœnigsberg, and the two - Saxon regiments, to march for Minsk; and that, moreover, I have - placed between Minsk and Mohilow the Dombrowski division, twelve - battalions strong, with a brigade of light cavalry; that it is - important for his corps to approach Wilna, and that he must - guide himself according to circumstances, in order to be in a - condition to support Smolensko, Witepsk, Mohilow, and Minsk; that - the Dombrowski division ought to be sufficient to keep up the - communications from Minsk by Orza as far as Smolensko, since it - has only to watch the Russian division of General Hetzel which - is at Mozyr, from 6 to 8000 men strong, most of them recruits, - and against which, moreover, General Schwartzenberg can act; - that the new reinforcements which I shall send to Minsk will - also be able to assist against all accidents; and at all events - the movement of the Duke de Belluno to Minsk and Orza, and from - thence to Smolensko, appears to me calculated to support our - rear; that I have four towns and men in garrison at Witepsk, and - as many at Smolensko; that the Duke de Belluno taking position - thus, between the Dnieper and Dwina, can easily communicate with - me, will be able quickly to receive my orders, and will find - himself in condition to protect the communications from Minsk - and from Witepsk, as well as those from Smolensko to Moscow; - that I suppose that General Gouvion Saint-Cyr has sufficient of - the second and sixth corps to keep in check Witgenstein, and to - have nothing to fear from him; that the Duke de Tarentum can - march on Riga and invest the fortress; in fine, that I order - the four demi-brigades, making 9000 men, who formed part of the - Lagrange division, to march for Kowno; that also it should only - be in case General Gouvion Saint-Cyr should be beaten by General - Witgenstein, and obliged to pass the Dwina, that the Duke de - Belluno is to march to his support in the first instance; that, - this case excepted, he is to follow his course for Smolensko. On - this, &c. - - (Signed) “NAPOLEON.” - - - - -CHAPTER XXIX. - - -The army continued its movements, always driving before it the troops -it had defeated at Valontina. _Te Deums_ were often sung in Russia; -they are sung for every thing in that happy country: but the victories -after Tolly's fashion did not calm the anxiety of the nation; she -perceived that this mode of conquering would soon drive her into -Siberia; she resolved to put her destinies into other hands. Kutusow -drew from the feet of images his military inspirations; he fasted, -he prayed, he flattered the priests and the nobility; Heaven could -not refuse him its assistance: he was appointed. Admirable in courts, -pasquinades are not sufficient on the field of battle; all religious -mummeries are of no avail against a good manœuvre: he experienced -it. The King of Naples, who had a soldier's contempt for amulets, -attacks him and cuts his troops to pieces. He wished to make a stand -at Chevarino, but the cavalry is put in motion, the charge is sounded, -he is overturned, and thrown back on his intrenchments; courage -overpowers the saints of Russia. This beginning did not augur well; -Heaven answered coldly to the zeal of the Cossacks. Supplications -were redoubled; Kutusow displayed his images; the army defiled before -the virgin of Smolensko, of which we wished to dispossess the devout -nation: prayers, vows and offerings were made, and the orators of the -Calmucks uttered the following homily:— - - “Brethren! - - “You see before you, in this image, the object of your piety, an - appeal addressed to Heaven that it may unite with men against the - tyrant who disturbs the universe. Not content with destroying - millions of creatures, images of God, this arch-rebel against - all laws, both divine and human, penetrates into our sanctuaries - with an armed hand, defiles them with blood, overturns your - altars, and exposes the very ark of the Lord consecrated in this - holy image of our church to the profanations of fortune, of the - elements, and of sacrilegious hands. Fear not, then, but that - God, whose altars have been thus insulted by this worm which his - almighty power has drawn from the dust, will be with us; fear not - that he will refuse to extend his buckler over your ranks, and to - fight his enemy with the sword of Saint Michael.” - - “It is in this belief that I wish to fight, conquer, and die, - certain that my dying eyes will see victory. Soldiers, do your - duty: think on the sacrifice of your cities in flames, and - on your children, who implore your protection; think on your - Emperor, your lord, who considers you as the nerve of his power, - and to-morrow, before the sun shall have gone down, you will have - traced your faith and your fidelity on your country's soil with - the blood of the aggressor and his warriors.” - -The sword of Saint Michael is undoubtedly a formidable sword, but -active soldiers are of still more consequence; Kutusow did not -therefore spare libations; he proportionably increased the fervour of -the Cossacks. As for us, we had no inspired men, no preachers, not -even subsistence; but we bore the inheritance of a long glory; we -were going to decide whether the Tartars or ourselves were to give -laws to the world; we were on the confines of Asia, farther than any -European army had ever gone. Success was not doubtful: thus Napoleon -saw, with the most lively joy, the processions of Kutusow. “Good,” -he observed to me, “they are now busy with pasquinades, they shall -not escape us again.” He reconnoitred, despatched orders for moving, -and prepared himself for the battle of the morrow. The King of Naples -thought these preparations superfluous; he had made himself master of -the principal redoubt; the left of this position was turned: he did -not believe that the Russians would accept battle; he thought that -they would withdraw during the night. This was not their project; -they dug, they threw up the earth, they strengthened their position. -The next day we perceived them all at work. It was eleven o'clock; -Napoleon sent me to reconnoitre; I was charged to approach as near as -possible to the enemy's line. I rid myself of my white feathers, I -put on a soldier's cloak, and examined every thing with the greatest -care possible; I was only accompanied by one chasseur of the guard. In -several places I passed by Russian sentinels: the village of Borodino -was only separated from our posts by a narrow but a deep ravine: I -advanced too far; they fired at me two discharges of grape-shot. I -withdrew, and returned about two o'clock; I came and gave an account -of every thing I had seen. Napoleon was discoursing with the King of -Naples and the Prince of Neuchâtel; Murat had entirely changed his -opinion; surprised to see at daybreak the enemy's line unmoved, he had -thought action approaching, and had prepared for it. Other generals -still maintained that the Russians would not dare to run the risk: as -for me, I asserted the contrary. I observed that they had plenty of -men, in a very good position; I was convinced that they would attack -us, if we did not prevent them. Napoleon did me the honour to be of my -opinion, which was also that of Berthier: he called for his horses, -and made the same reconnoissance in person. He was received as I had -been before Borodino; the grape-shot obliged him to withdraw. What he -saw effectually convinced him that he had not been deceived: on his -return he gave orders in consequence. - -Night came on. I was in attendance; I slept in Napoleon's tent. The -part where he slept was generally separated by a partition of cloth -from that which was reserved for the aide-de-camp in attendance. The -Emperor slept very little: I waked him several times to give him in -reports and accounts from the advanced posts, which all proved to him -that the Russians expected to be attacked. At three in the morning -he called a valet de chambre, and made him bring some punch; I had -the honour of taking some with him. He asked me if I had slept well; -I answered, that the nights were already cold, that I had often been -awaked. He said, “We shall have an affair to-day with this famous -Kutusow. You recollect, no doubt, that it was he who commanded at -Braunau, in the campaign of Austerlitz. He remained three weeks in -that place, without leaving his chamber once. He did not even get -on horseback to see the fortifications. General Benigsen, though as -old, is a more vigorous fellow than he. I do not know why Alexander -has not sent this Hanoverian to replace Barclay.” He took a glass of -punch, read some reports, and added, “Well, Rapp, do you think that -we shall manage our concerns properly to-day?”—“There is not the -least doubt of it, Sire; we have exhausted all our resources, we are -obliged to conquer.” Napoleon continued his discourse, and replied: -“Fortune is a liberal mistress; I have often said so, and begin to -experience it.”—“Your Majesty recollects that you did me the honour to -tell me at Smolensko, that the glass was full, that it must be drunk -off.”—“It is at present the case more than ever: there is no time -to lose. The army moreover knows its situation: it knows that it can -only find provisions at Moscow, and that it has not more than thirty -leagues to go. This poor army is much reduced, but what remains of it -is good; my guard besides is untouched.” He sent for Prince Berthier, -and transacted business till half past five. We mounted on horseback: -the trumpets sounded, the drums were beaten; and as soon as the troops -knew it, there was nothing but acclamations. “It is the enthusiasm of -Austerlitz. Let the proclamation be read.” - - “Soldiers! - - “This is the battle that you have so long wished for! Henceforth - victory depends on you; we want her; she will give us abundance - of good winter-quarters, and a quiet return to our country. - Behave yourselves as at Austerlitz, at Friedland, at Witepsk, at - Smolensko; and let the remotest posterity quote your conduct on - this day, and let it be said of you, 'he was at that great battle - under the walls of Moscow.'” - -The acclamations redoubled, the troops were incessantly demanding to -fight, the action soon began. - - - - -CHAPTER XXX. - - -The wings were composed of Italians and Poles; Napoleon acted on the -left of the enemy's masses. Beyond this we had no precise information; -women, children, old people, cattle, all had disappeared; there -was not a person left who could give us the least information. Ney -marched towards the enemy, and broke through them with that force, -that impetuosity, of which he had given so many proofs. We carried -the three redoubts which supported the enemy. He came up with fresh -troops; confusion began in our ranks; we gave up two of these works; -the last even was in danger. The Russians already crowned the crest of -the ditches. The King of Naples sees the danger, flies to the spot, -alights from his horse, enters, mounts the parapet; he calls and -animates the soldiers. The redoubt is strengthened, the fire becomes -terrible, the assailants dare not try the assault. Some squadrons -appear; Murat mounts his horse, charges, routs the columns scattered -over the plain. We retake the retrenchments, and finally establish -ourselves in them. This trait of boldness decided the fate of the day. - -General Compans had just been wounded; I went to take the command of -his division. It made a part of the corps d'armée of Marshal Davoust. -It had already taken one of the intrenched positions of the enemy; -it had also suffered much. I consulted, on my arrival, with Marshal -Ney, whose right I supported. Our troops were in confusion, we rallied -them, we rushed headlong on the Russians, we made them expiate their -success. Neither discharges of cannon nor musquetry could stop us. -The infantry, the cavalry, charged with fury from one extremity of -the line to the other. I had never before seen such carnage. We had -inclined too much towards the right; the King of Naples remained -alone, exposed to the havoc of the batteries of Seminskoe. He had -nothing but cavalry; a deep ravine separated him from the village: -it was not easy to take it, but it was necessary to do so under -pain of being swept away by the grape-shot. General Belliard, who -only perceives a screen of light cavalry, conceives the design of -driving it off and moving by the left on the redoubt. “Run to Latour -Maubourg,” Murat said to him; “tell him to take a brigade of French -and Saxon cuirassiers, to pass the ravine, to put all to the sword, -to arrive at full gallop at the back of the redoubt, and to spike all -the cannon. If he should fail, let him return in the same direction. -You shall place a battery of forty pieces of cannon and a part of -the reserve to protect the retreat.” Latour Maubourg put himself in -movement, routed, dispersed the Russians, and made himself master of -the works. Friant came up to occupy them. All the reserve passed, -and established itself on the left of the village. There remained a -last retrenchment, which took us in flank and commanded our position. -The reserve had taken one, it thought that it could take another. -Caulincourt advanced, and spread far and wide confusion and death. He -falls suddenly on the redoubt, and gets possession of it. A soldier -hidden in an embrasure stretched him dead. He slept the sleep of the -brave; he was not a witness of our disasters. - -Every thing was in flight; the fire had ceased, the carnage had -paused. General Belliard went to reconnoitre a wood situated at -some distance. He perceived the road which converged on us; it was -covered with troops and convoys, which were retreating. If they had -been intercepted, all the right of the enemy's army had been taken in -the segment in which it was placed. He came and informed Murat of -it. “Run and give an account of it to the Emperor,” said the Prince. -He went, but Napoleon did not think the moment come. “I do not see -sufficiently clear on my chess-board; I expect news from Poniatowski. -Return, examine, come back.” The General returned, indeed, but it -was too late. The Russian guard was advancing; infantry, cavalry, -all were coming up to renew the attack. The General had only time to -collect a few pieces of cannon. “Grape-shot, grape shot, and nothing -but grape shot,” he said to the artillerymen. The firing began; its -effect was terrible; in one instant the ground was covered with dead. -The shattered column was dissipated like a shadow. It did not fire one -shot. Its artillery arrived a few moments after; we got possession -of it. The battle was gained, but the firing was still terrible. The -balls and shots were pouring down by my side. In the space of one -hour I was struck four times, first with two shots rather slightly, -then with a bullet on the left arm, which carried away the sleeve of -my coat and shirt close to the skin. I was then at the head of the -sixty-first regiment, which I had known in Upper Egypt. There were a -few officers present who were there; it was rather singular to meet -here. I soon received a fourth wound; a ball struck me on my left hip -and threw me headlong from my horse:—it was the twenty-second. I was -obliged to quit the field of battle; I informed Marshal Ney of it, his -troops were mixed with mine. - -General Dessaix, the only general of that division who was not -wounded, succeeded me; a moment after he had his arm broken; Friant -was not wounded till afterwards. - -I was dressed by the surgeon of Napoleon, who also came himself -to visit me. “Is it, then, always your turn? How are things going -on?” “Sire, I believe that you will be obliged to make your guard -charge.” “I shall take good care not to do so. I do not wish to see it -destroyed. I am sure to gain the battle without its taking a part.” -It did not charge in effect, with the exception of thirty pieces of -cannon, which did wonders. - -The day ended; fifty thousand men lay on the field of battle. A -multitude of generals were killed and wounded: we had forty disabled. -We made some prisoners, took some pieces of cannon: this result did -not compensate for the losses which it had cost us. - - - - -CHAPTER XXXI. - - -The Russian army retreated towards the capital: it made some -resistance at Mojaisk, and arrived at Moscow. We took this city -without striking a blow. Murat entered it in the train of the -Cossacks, discoursed with their chiefs, and even gave a watch to one -of them. They were expressing the admiration which his courage excited -in them, and the dejection that a series of misfortunes produces, when -some discharges of musquetry were heard: it was from a few hundred -citizens who had taken arms. They themselves put an end to this -useless firing, and continued their retreat. - -Napoleon entered the next day. He fixed his quarters in the Kremlin, -with a part of his guard, and the persons of his household; but we -were so badly accommodated that I was obliged to take another lodging. -I settled myself at some distance, in a house which belonged to a -member of the Nareschkin family. I arrived at four o'clock in the -afternoon. The town was still complete: the custom-house alone was a -prey to the flames, which devoured it before any Frenchman appeared; -but night came on—it was the signal for the fire. Left and right, -every where there was a blaze; public buildings, temples, private -property, all were in flames. The conflagration was general—nothing -was to escape. The wind blew with violence; the fire made rapid -progress. At midnight the blaze was so terrific, that my aides-de-camp -waked me; they supported me; I reached a window from which I beheld -the spectacle, which was becoming frightful. The fire was advancing -towards us: at four o'clock I was informed that I must remove from -my quarters. I left them; a few moments after, the house was reduced -to ashes. I ordered them to conduct me in the direction of the -Kremlin; every thing was in confusion. I returned back and went to the -quarters of the Germans. A house belonging to a Russian General had -been appointed for me; I hoped to be able to stay there to recover -from my wounds; but when I arrived, volumes of fire and smoke were -already issuing from it. I did not go in; I returned once more to the -Kremlin. On the road I perceived some Russian artisans and soldiers, -who were dispersed about in the houses, and were employed in setting -fire to them: our patroles killed some of them in my presence, and -arrested a considerable number. I met Marshal Mortier. “Where are you -going?” said he to me. “The fire drives me out from wherever I fix -my quarters: I am now determined to go to the Kremlin.”—“Every thing -there is in confusion, the fire is increasing in every direction; -rather go from it.”—“Where can one retreat?”—“To my hotel; my -aide-de-camp will conduct you.” I followed him; the house was close to -the foundling hospital. We got there with difficulty; it was already -in flames. I determined again to go to the Kremlin. I passed the -Moskowa to fix myself opposite to the palace, which was yet untouched. -I met in my road General Laribossière, accompanied by his son, who -was ill; Talbouet joined us: we all quartered ourselves in the houses -placed on the banks of the river. My landlord was an honest hatter, -who felt for my situation, and bestowed all possible care on me. I was -just settled with this worthy artisan, when the fire shewed itself -on every side. I quitted in haste: the quays are narrow; if I had -delayed, I could not have escaped with my carriage. We crossed the -water, and established ourselves in the open air behind the walls of -the Kremlin; this was the only means of getting any rest. The wind -was still blowing with increasing violence, and it fed the flames. I -removed once more, for the last time: I withdrew to the neighbourhood -of one of the barriers; the houses were detached and scattered, -the fire could not reach them. The one that I occupied was small, -convenient, and belonged to a Prince Gallitzin. I supported while I -remained there, during fifteen days, at the least a hundred and fifty -refugee inhabitants. - -Napoleon was, in his turn, obliged to retreat before the flames. He -quitted the Kremlin, and fixed his head-quarters out of the town, -in a palace where he took up his residence. He did not stay there -long; he returned to the palace of the Czars as soon as the fire was -extinguished. He sent, almost every morning, General Narbonne to -inquire after me. This General, like many others of our army, was very -uneasy. He often said to me, that the Emperor was wrong in calculating -on peace; that we were not in a condition to dictate conditions; -that the Russians had not sacrificed their capital to accept of -disadvantageous terms. “They are amusing us, in order to take their -revenge, and to have fairer sport.” - - - - -CHAPTER XXXII. - - -Moscow was destroyed: the occupation of its ruins was neither safe nor -advantageous: we were too far removed from our wings; we could not -procure subsistence, and we had no interest in guarding the ruins. -Every one was of opinion that we must not remain there, but it was not -agreed what it was best to do. The King of Naples proposed to march -towards Kaluga, to destroy there the only establishments which Russia -possessed, and to return and go into cantonments on the Boristhenes. -The Cossacks could not be followed to the extremity of the world; the -longest flight must have its end; we were ready for fighting, but we -did not wish to persevere longer in a chase. Such was the purport -of the proclamation that he recommended before putting the army in -motion. The Viceroy thought, on the contrary, that we should march -towards the Russians, give them battle, and push them on Petersburg, -and then march for Riga: we could thus have rejoined Macdonald, and -afterwards established ourselves on the Dwina. Others presented -other plans; all were good—all were practicable; but the Emperor -had some particular information; he would have judged correctly, -if the Russians had not received inspirations from England. Much -fault has been found with this delay: it is an error, since events -have condemned it; but those who exclaim against it were not in the -secret of our affairs or negotiations; they may, without too much -modesty, believe that the sagacity of that great man was not below -that which Nature has given to them. He was deceived; we have felt -the consequences; perhaps one day it will be known what combinations -misled him. However that may be, we delayed, we negotiated, we gave -battle; we decided nothing. The army of Moldavia was continuing its -movement; it was advancing, but it was not yet known in what line it -was to act. Some pretended that it would unite with Kutusow, others -feared that it would march upon our rear. We were uncertain of what -was preparing; the Emperor himself was not free from uneasiness, but -he knew to a man what troops he had in _echelon_ from the Rhine to -Moscow; he thought his calculations safe; he confined himself to the -despatching of instructions: those that he addressed to the Duke de -Belluno are worth citing. They prove what kind of _slumber_ it was -that he has been reproached with. - - - NAPOLEON TO THE MAJOR-GENERAL. - - “My cousin, inform the Duke de Belluno that I have not yet given - orders for his movement, because that depends on the movement - of the enemy: that the Russian army from Moldavia, consisting - of three divisions, or twenty thousand men strong, infantry, - cavalry, and artillery included, passed the Dnieper in the - beginning of September; that it may march towards Moscow to - reinforce the army under the command of General Kutusow, or - towards Volhinia to reinforce that of Tormasoff; that General - Kutusow's army, beaten at the battle of Moskowa, is at present - on the Kaluga, which would lead us to believe that it expects - reinforcements which might come from Moldavia, by the road of - Kiow; that, in this case, the Duke de Belluno would receive - orders to join the great army, either by the road of Jelnia - and Kaluga, or any other; that if, on the contrary, the twenty - thousand men from Moldavia relieve Tormasoff, this reinforcement - will raise Tormasoff's force to forty thousand men; but that - our right, under the command of Prince Schwartzenberg, would be - still of equal force—as that Prince, with the Austrians, Poles, - and Saxons, has about forty thousand men; that moreover I have - demanded of the Emperor of Austria, that the corps which the - Austrian General Reuss commands at Leinberg should move; and - that Prince Schwartzenberg should receive a reinforcement of ten - thousand men; that, on the other side, the Emperor Alexander - reinforces as much as he can the garrison of Riga, and the corps - of Wittgenstein, in order to dislodge Marshal Saint-Cyr from - Polozk, and the Duke of Tarentum from Riga and Dünaburg; that - letters which came from Prince Schwartzenberg, dated the 24th, - would tend to prove that the army of Moldavia, instead of coming - towards Moscow, has reached the army of Tormasoff and reinforced - it; that it is necessary then to know what will be done; that, - in this state of things, I desire that the Duke de Belluno will - canton his corps from Smolensko to Orsza; that he will keep up - an exact correspondence by all the estafettes with the Duke de - Bassano, in order that that Minister may write to him and give - him all the news that he shall have from different parts; that - he will send a steady, discreet, and intelligent officer to - General Schwartzenberg and General Regnier; that this officer - shall learn from General Schwartzenberg what is passing, and - from General Regnier the true state of affairs; that he will - regularly correspond with the Governor of Minsk; and lastly, - that he will send agents in different directions to know what is - passing; that the division of Gerard shall be placed on the side - of Orsza, where it will be four or five days' march from Minsk, - three from Witepsk, four or five from Polozk; that the other - division, which shall be between Orsza and Smolensko, shall be - in a condition to give it speedy assistance; and that lastly, - the third division shall be near Smolensko. That, by this means, - his corps d'armée will rest itself, and be able easily to find - subsistence; that it will be necessary to station it above the - route, in order to leave the great communications free for the - troops which arrive; that in this position he will be equally - able to march upon Minsk, or upon Wilna, if the centre of our - communications and of our depôts be threatened; or if Marshal - Saint-Cyr should be driven from Polozk, or to execute the order - that he might receive to return to Moscow by the road of Jelnia - and of Kaluga—if the taking of Moscow and the new state of things - should determine the enemy to reinforce himself with a portion of - the troops from Moldavia; that the Duke de Belluno will thus form - the chief reserve, to go either to the relief of Schwartzenberg - and cover Minsk, or to the assistance of Marshal Saint-Cyr and - cover Wilna, or to Moscow to reinforce the main army. That - General Dombrowski, who has a division of 8000 infantry, and - 12,000 Polish horse, is under his orders, which will increase - his corps d'armée to four divisions; that the brigade of reserve - from Wilna, composed of four Westphalian regiments, of two - battalions from Hesse-Darmstadt, which towards the end of the - month will arrive from Swedish Pomerania, and of eight pieces - of cannon, will also be under his orders; that, in fine, in the - course of November, two new divisions will assemble;—the one - at Warsaw, that is, the thirty-second division, which will be - augmented by three battalions from Wurtsburg, and will remain - under the command of General Durutte; the other at Kœnigsberg, - that is, the thirty-fourth, which was in Pomerania under the - orders of General Morand, and which, also increased by some - battalions, will be commanded by General Loison. Thus, whether it - be necessary to march to the assistance of Prince Schwartzenberg, - or to the assistance of Marshal Saint-Cyr, the Duke de Belluno - will always assemble a mass of forty thousand men; that, as the - correspondence by estafette is quick, I always give my orders; - and that it would only be in the event of Minsk or Wilna being - threatened or menaced, that the Duke de Belluno should march - of his own authority to protect these two grand depôts of the - army; that the Duke de Belluno, having the general command over - all Lithuania and the governments of Smolensko and of Witepsk, - should every where accelerate the progress of the administration, - and especially take efficacious measures that the requisitions - for corn and forage be carried into effect; that there are - ovens at Mohilow, at Orsza, at Rasasna, and at Dubrowna; that - he must get a great deal of biscuit ready, and put himself in - a situation to have thirty days' provisions secured for his - corps, without taking any thing from the military transports, or - from the convoys which may be passing for the army. The Duke de - Belluno will take care to keep up a correspondence at Witepsk: - he is at liberty to send troops to support that point, and to - maintain himself there; he can then go in person to Mohilow, - to Witepsk, or Smolensko, to know the ground, and to expedite - the administration. If, by any accident, the communication with - Moscow should be intercepted, he would take care to send cavalry - and infantry to open it again.” - -We had no longer either food or forage; men and horses were alike -exhausted; retreat became indispensable. A question arose as to the -means of carrying away our wounded. I began to be able to walk; on -the 13th I went to the palace: Napoleon asked with kindness in what -state my wounds were, how I was going on. He showed me the portrait of -the King of Rome, which he had received at the moment we were going -to begin the battle of the Moskowa. He had shown it to most of the -Generals. I had to carry orders; the battle began; we had other things -to attend to. He wished now to make me amends; he looked for the -medallion, and observed, with a satisfaction which betrayed itself in -his eyes:—“My son is the finest child in France.” - -A moment after, a memorial was brought from the Intendant-general, -who required forty-five days to remove the wounded. “Forty-five days! -he is deceived. If nothing were done, part would get well and part -would die; there would only be the remainder to remove; and experience -proves, that three months after a battle there remains but the sixth -part of the wounded. I wish to remove them; I will not let them remain -here exposed to the brutality of the Russians.” We perceived from -the saloon the workmen who were busy in taking away the cross of the -great Ivan. “Do you see what a flock of ravens hover around that lump -of old iron? Do they think to hinder us from taking it away? I will -send that cross to Paris, I will have it placed on the dome of the -Invalids.” - -It was the 18th of October; the departure was fixed for the 19th. My -wound was not quite closed up. I mounted on horseback to see if I -could bear the motion. - - - - -CHAPTER XXXIII. - - -The next day I went early to the Kremlin. Scarcely had I reached -the palace, when Napoleon came out of it to leave Moscow for ever; -he perceived me. “I hope that you will not follow me on horseback, -you are not in a fit state to do it; you can get into one of my -carriages.” I thanked him, and replied that I thought I should be in a -condition to accompany him. We quitted this capital, and we took the -road of Kaluga; when we were about three leagues distance, the Emperor -stopped to wait for news from Mortier, who had orders to destroy the -Kremlin on leaving the place. He was walking in a field with M. Daru; -this gentleman left him; I was called. “Well, Rapp, we are going to -retreat to the frontiers of Poland by the road of Kaluga: I shall take -up good winter-quarters. I hope that Alexander will make peace.”—“You -have waited a long time, Sire; the inhabitants foretel that it will -be a severe winter.”—“Poh! poh! with your inhabitants. It is the 19th -of October to-day, you see how fine it is. Do you not recognise my -star? Besides, I could not leave without sending on all the sick and -wounded. I was not to give them up to the rage of the Russians.”—“I -believe, Sire, that you would have done better to have left them at -Moscow; the Russians would not have hurt them; whilst they are exposed -for want of aid to die on the road.” Napoleon was not of that opinion; -but all that he said to me in the way of encouragement did not deceive -even himself; his countenance bore the marks of uneasiness. - -At last an officer despatched from the Marshal arrived: it was my -aide-de-camp Turkheim, who informed us that Moscow was tranquil; -that some pulks of Cossacks had appeared in the environs, but they -took care not to approach the Kremlin, or any of the quarters still -occupied by the French troops. We proceeded on our march. In the -evening we arrived at Krasno Pachra. The look of the country was not -encouraging to Napoleon. The hideous aspect, the wild air of the -slaves, was revolting to eyes accustomed to other climates. “I would -not leave a man there; I would give all the treasures of Russia not -to leave a single wounded man behind. We must take horses, waggons, -carriages—every thing to carry them on. Send me a secretary.” The -secretary came; it was to write to Mortier what he had just been -telling me. It is of use to copy the despatch: these instructions are -not unworthy to be known. Those who have so often declaimed against -his indifference should study them. - - - “TO THE MAJOR-GENERAL. - - “Acquaint the Duke de Treviso, that as soon as his business in - Moscow is finished, that is, on the 23d at three o'clock in - the morning, he is to begin to march, and that he must come on - the 24th to Kubinskoe; and from that place, instead of going - to Mojaisk, he is to proceed to Vereia, where he will arrive - on the 25th. He will serve as an intermediate force between - Mojaisk, where the Duke d'Abrantes is, and Borowsk, where the - army will be. It will be right for him to send officers to - Fominskoe to inform us of his march; he will take with him the - Adjutant-commandant Bourmont, the Bavarians, and the Spaniards - who are at the palace of Gallitzin. All the Westphalians of the - first and second posts, and all the Westphalians that he can - find, he must assemble and direct towards Mojaisk: if they are - not in sufficient number, he will protect their passage with the - cavalry. The Duke de Treviso will inform the Duke d'Abrantes of - every thing relative to the surrender of Moscow. It is necessary - that he write to us to-morrow the 22d, not by the road of Desma, - but by that of Karapowo and Fominskoe. On the 23d he will send us - a letter by the road of Mojaisk: his officer will leave the road - at Kubinskoe to come to Fominskoe, as the head-quarters on the - 23d are likely to be at Borowsk or at Fominskoe. Whether the Duke - de Treviso perform his operation at three o'clock in the morning - of to-morrow the 22d, or on the 23d at the same hour, as I have - since ordered him, he is in either case to follow these same - directions; by these means the Duke de Treviso may be considered - as the rear-guard of the army. I cannot too strongly recommend - to place on the waggons belonging to the young guard, or those - belonging to the dismounted cavalry, in short, on all that can - be found, the men who remain still in the hospitals. The Romans - gave civic crowns to those who saved citizens; the Duke will - deserve as many as he may save soldiers. He must mount them on - his horses, and on those of all his people. - - “This is what the Emperor did at the siege of Saint-Jean d'Acre. - He ought the rather to take this step, because as soon as the - convoy shall have joined the army, it will have waggons and - horses, which the consumption of provisions will have rendered - useless. The Emperor hopes that he shall have the pleasure of - thanking the Duke de Treviso, for having saved five hundred men. - He ought, as is but just, to begin with the officers, then the - sub-officers, and to give the French the preference. He must - assemble all the generals and officers, under his command, to - make them sensible of the importance of this measure, and how - much they will gain the Emperor's esteem, by saving for him five - hundred men.” - -We marched on towards Borusk, where we arrived on the fourth day: the -town was completely abandoned. In the mean time, Kutusow was peaceably -engaged in issuing his proclamations: he was quite at ease in his camp -at Tarentino; he kept up no watch, either on his front or wings; -he had no idea at all of the movement we were making. He learned at -last, that we were marching towards Kaluga; he soon broke up his -cantonments, and appeared at Malojaroslawitz at the same time as our -columns. The action began: we heard from Borusk a distant cannonade. I -was suffering greatly from my wound, but I would not leave Napoleon: -we mounted horse. We arrived towards evening in sight of the field -of battle: they were still fighting; but the firing soon ceased. -Prince Eugène had forced a position, which must have been defended to -extremity. Our troops had covered themselves with glory. It is a day -that the army of Italy ought to inscribe in its calendar. Napoleon -bivouacked at a league and a half from the scene. The next day we took -horse at half-past seven in the morning, to visit the ground on which -the battle had been fought; the Emperor was placed between the Duke -de Vicenza, Prince de Neuchâtel, and myself. We had scarcely quitted -the huts where we had passed the night, when we perceived a cloud of -Cossacks; they proceeded from a wood in advance on our right. They -were drawn up in pretty regular files: we took them for French cavalry. - -The Duke de Vicenza was the first who recognised them. “Sire, -these are Cossacks.”—“That is impossible,” replied Napoleon. They -rushed upon us shouting with all their might. I seized the Emperor's -horse by the bridle; I turned it round myself. “But these are our -troops?”—“They are the Cossacks; make speed.”—“They are Cossacks, -indeed,” said Berthier.—“Without doubt,” added Mouton. Napoleon gave -some orders and withdrew. I advanced at the head of the squadron on -duty: we were overthrown; my horse received a wound six inches deep, -from a lance, and fell, with me under him: we were trampled under -foot by these barbarians. Fortunately they perceived at some distance -a troop of artillery; they ran towards the spot. Marshal Bessières -had time to come up, with the horse grenadiers of the guard; he -charged them, and retook from them the covered waggons and the pieces -of cannon, which they were carrying away. I raised myself again on -my legs; I was replaced in my saddle, and proceeded as far as the -bivouac. When Napoleon saw my horse covered with blood, he feared that -I had again been wounded: he asked me whether I was. I replied that -I had got off with a few contusions. He then began to laugh at our -adventure, which, nevertheless, I did not find very amusing. - -I was well repaid by the account which he published of this affair; he -loaded me with eulogiums: I never before experienced pleasure compared -to that which I felt on reading the flattering things which he said -of me. “General Rapp,” says the bulletin, “had one horse killed under -him in this charge. The intrepidity of which this general officer has -given so many proofs, is manifested on all occasions.” I repeat with -pride the praises of this great man: I shall never forget them. - -We returned to the field of battle: Napoleon wished to visit the place -which had been the theatre of Prince Eugène's glory. He found that the -position of the Russians had been excellent; he was astonished that -they had allowed it to be forced. He perceived, from the appearance of -the dead bodies, that the militia had been confounded with the troops -of the line, and that if they had not fought with skill, they had gone -to it at least with courage. The enemy's army retired some leagues, on -the road to Kaluga, and encamped. - -The retreat was intercepted: we threw ourselves to the right on -Vereia; we arrived there early the next day, and slept there: it was -in that town that Napoleon learned that the Kremlin had been blown up. -General Winzengerode had not sufficiently restrained his impatience; -he had ventured into this capital before our troops had evacuated it. -They cut up his retreat; he tried to make them believe that he came to -treat with them. He was born on the territory of the Confederation; he -had no inclination to be made a prisoner; he was taken nevertheless, -in spite of the white handkerchief that he was waving. Napoleon sent -for him, and fell into a violent passion, treated him with contempt, -branded him with the name of traitor, and threatened to punish him; -he even told me that a commission must be named to proceed with the -trial of the gentleman immediately; he had him escorted by chosen -gendarmes, and ordered him to be confined _au secret_. Winzengerode -sought several times to exculpate himself; but Napoleon would not -hear him. It has been pretended in the Russian army that this general -spoke with courage, and said very strong things to the Emperor. It -is not the fact:—anxiety was marked on his countenance, every thing -expressed the disorder of mind into which the Emperor's anger had -thrown him. Each of us endeavoured to appease the Emperor; the King -of Naples, the Duke de Vicenza particularly, suggested to him how -much, in the present situation of things, any violence towards a man -who hid his origin under the quality of a Russian general, would be -to be lamented: there was no council of war, and the affair rested -there. As for us, Winzengerode ought not to complain of our treatment: -his situation inspired us all with interest. His aide-de-camp was -treated with much kindness. Napoleon asked him his name. “Nareschkin,” -replied the young officer.—“Nareschkin! one of that name is not made -to be the aide-de-camp of a deserter.” We were hurt at this want of -consideration; we sought every means imaginable to make the general -forget it. - - - - -CHAPTER XXXIV. - - -We set off the next day; and reached the great road from Moscow by -Mojaisk. - -The cold, the privations, were extreme; the hour of disasters had -come on us! We found our wounded lying dead on the road, and the -Russians waiting for us at Viasma. At the sight of these columns the -soldiers collected a remnant of energy, fell upon them, and defeated -them. But we were harassed by troops animated by abundance, and by -hope of plunder. At every step we were obliged to halt, and fight; we -slackened our march over a wasted country, which we should have gone -over with the greatest rapidity. Cold, hunger, the Cossacks,—every -scourge was let loose upon us. The army was sinking under the -weight of its misfortunes; the road was strewed with the dead: our -sufferings exceeded imagination. How many sick and wounded generals -did I meet in this terrible retreat, whom I believed that I should -never again see! Of this number was General Friant, whose wounds were -still open; General Durosnel, who travelled with a nervous fever, -almost continually delirious; and the brave General Belliard, who was -wounded by a gun-shot, in the battle of the Moskowa. He had formerly -penetrated nearly into Ethiopia; he had carried our colours farther -than ever the Roman eagles had flown; he must have found a difference -between the two climates. - -We marched for Smolensko: it was to have been the end of our miseries; -we were to have found there food and clothing, wherewith to defend -ourselves from the pests which were consuming us: we were not more -than eighteen leagues from it. Napoleon lodged in one of those -little block-houses that had been constructed to receive detachments -from fifty to sixty men, employed to protect the correspondence -and communications. I was on duty: some time had elapsed since any -despatches had arrived; at last one came. I delivered it to the -Emperor. He opened the parcel with haste; a _Moniteur_ was uppermost. -He ran it over; the first article which caught his eye was the -enterprise of Mallet; he had not read the despatches, he did not -know what it was. “What is this! what! plots! conspiracies!” He -opened his letters, they contained the detail of the attempt: he was -thunderstruck. That police which knew every thing, which guessed at -every thing, had suffered itself to be taken by surprise. Napoleon -could not recover himself. “Savary in _La Force_! The minister of -the police arrested, carried to a prison, and there shut up!” I went -to transmit some orders. The event had already transpired. Surprise, -astonishment were depicted on every countenance; and some reflections -were made which till then had been withheld. The carelessness of the -agents of the police was manifest. They are only alert because there -is a general belief in their vigilance. Napoleon was not astonished -that these wretches who frequent saloons and taverns, who obstruct -every thing, who insinuate themselves every where, should not have -found out the plot; but he could not conceive the weakness of Rovigo. -“Why did he not rather let them kill him, than be arrested! Doucet and -Hullin showed much more courage.” - -We proceeded on our journey; we crossed the Borysthenes. The Emperor -fixed his head-quarters in a country-house that had been laid waste, -twelve leagues from Smolensko, and one and a half behind the river. -The banks, on the water-side, are very step in this part; they were -covered with hoar frost. Napoleon was afraid that the artillery would -not be able to get over them; he charged me to join Ney, who commanded -the rear-guard, to remain with him till every thing was out of danger. -I found the Marshal engaged in giving chase to the Cossacks: I -communicated to him the orders that I had to transmit to him, and we -retired to a block-house which was to support the passage, and where -the head-quarters were fixed. - -A part of the infantry crossed over, the remainder bivouacked in a -little wood, on the bank where we were. We were engaged all night -in getting the cannon across. The last was on the ascent, when the -enemy appeared. They attacked immediately, with considerable masses; -we received their charges without being shaken; but our end was -attained: we had no object in fighting; we retreated. We left behind -a few hundreds of men, whom wounds and exhaustion had put out of a -condition to follow. Poor creatures! they complained, they groaned, -and called for death; it was a heart-rending sight; but what could we -do. Every one was bending under the burthen of life, and supported -it with difficulty; no one had sufficient strength to share it with -others. The Russians pursued us, they wished to pass by main force. -Ney received them with that vigour, that impetuosity, which he always -displayed in his attacks: they were repulsed, and the bridge became a -prey to the flames. The firing ceased, we withdrew during the night. -I joined Napoleon at Smolensko the day after the next in the evening. -He knew that a ball had grazed my head, and that another had killed -my horse; he observed to me: “You may be at ease now, you will not be -killed this campaign.”—“I hope that your Majesty may not be deceived; -but you often gave the same assurance to poor Lannes, who nevertheless -was killed.”—“No! no! you will not be killed.”—“I believe it; but I -may be still frozen to death.” The Emperor bestowed eulogiums on -Marshal Ney. “What a man! what a soldier! what a vigorous fellow!” -He only talked thus by exclamations; he could not find words to -express the admiration which this intrepid Marshal inspired him with. -The Prince de Neuchâtel entered; the conversation again turned on -Mallet and Savary. Napoleon was merry at the expense of the Duke; his -surprise, his arrest, were the subject of a thousand pleasantries; of -which the burthen always was, that he should rather have been killed, -than have allowed himself to be taken. - - - - -CHAPTER XXXV. - - -The retreat had been disastrous. Every scourge that Nature has -in store we had experienced; but every day brought us nearer to -Smolensko: we were to find in that town repose and abundance. We -were marching, hope sustained us; she too was going to abandon us; -our misfortunes were to be as unheard-of as our victories. The -fourth corps lost its cannon; Augereau's brigade was destroyed, and -Witepsk taken; we had no more ammunition, or means of subsistence; -we were in a frightful situation: it was necessary to be resigned. -We put ourselves in motion; we arrived the following day at Krasnoi. -Kutusow, who was bearing on us with all his forces, had already an -advanced-guard there; it retired at the sight of our soldiers, and -took post a league farther on, halting on the left on the borders -of a forest, which it covered with fires. Napoleon sent for me, and -said—“We have the Russian infantry quite close to us; it is the first -time that they have shown so much boldness. I command you to charge -them with the bayonet about midnight, surprise them, teach them not -to be so desirous to approach so near to my head-quarters. I place at -your disposal all that remains of the young guard.” I had made all the -preparations, I was waiting near the fire of a Polish bivouac till -the hour should arrive, when General Narbonne came and said, “Give -up your troops to the Duke de Treviso; his Majesty does not wish you -to be killed in this affair; he reserves for you another destiny.” I -received this counter-order with pleasure, I did not conceal it. I -was weakened by fatigue, by sufferings, and cold. I was not inclined -to march against the enemy; moreover, his Cossacks had already given -him the alarm; he was prepared; he received us as well as he could. -He was nevertheless beaten and thrown back on his masses, which were -in positions parallel to the road, and extended in some sort from -Smolensko to Krasnoi; they attacked us in flank, they ought to have -been able to defeat us. Fortunately the illusion of our glory still -continued; we were protected by the remembrance of our victories. -Kutusow saw from a distance our columns which were defiling on the -road, but did not venture to attack them. He decided at last on -running the risk; but a peasant informed him that Napoleon was at -Krasnoi, that the guard occupied all the neighbourhood. This news -damped his courage: he revoked the orders that he had despatched. - -We had long before taken the measure of his capacity; we always -took it into our account; it was one of our resources; he might -nevertheless change his mind, rush to arms, and destroy us. We all -perceived it; but we had no news from Eugène. Davoust and Ney were -in the rear; we could not leave them. The temperature moreover -became every day more severe; the Russians also suffered; they had -slumbered hitherto, they might slumber still. Napoleon resolved to -take the chance of it; he waited. Every thing turned out as he had -foreseen. Milloradowitz wished to intercept the fourth corps, but he -could not reach it. Five thousand infantry, who had neither horses -to clear away the assailants, nor cannon to defend themselves with, -constantly repulsed the multitudes of soldiers which were rushing on -them, made head against all this advanced-guard, and escaped. Davoust -followed; the enemy flattered themselves that they could take their -revenge on the Marshal, but the Emperor prevented it. He extended his -line on the left of Krasnoi, brought some troops into action, and -opened a pretty well sustained fire of artillery. Kutusow, alarmed -at the sight of the 14 or 15,000 men who had been drawn together, -recalled his detached corps: the Marshal passed over, and came to -take part in the action. The end was attained, the firing ceased, -and the retreat commenced. The enemy tried to prevent it; but the -first regiment of the voltigeurs of the guard repulsed all their -attacks; neither the cavalry, the infantry, nor grape shot could -move it: it perished on the spot. This heroic resistance struck the -Russians; they discontinued the pursuit. As soon as we were out of one -embarrassment, we fell into another. We in number from 14 to 15,000 -men, had ventured to place ourselves in line against Kutusow's 20,000; -we had extricated ourselves, without a reverse, from a situation -where we ought to have been all taken; but our provisions, our rear -was lost. Minsk had been surprised; the army of Moldavia covered -the Beresina; Ney was still behind: never had our situation been so -terrible. Napoleon, who was astonished at this disastrous complication -of affairs, despatched orders to resume the offensive, and to take -Polosk. Success appeared to him easy. “If the Duke de Belluno shew -energy, the enterprise cannot fail; the character of the troops that -he commands ensures it. It is Ney that I am uneasy about; what is to -become of him.” This Marshal was in an unparalleled situation; all the -valour, the _sang froid_, and perseverance of that intrepid warrior -were necessary to extricate him; he had received on the night of the -16th or 17th news of Eugène's battle, and Davoust's departure. These -two events could not move him. “All the Cossacks of Russia,” said he, -on learning it, “should not hinder me from executing my instructions; -I will not depart from them a tittle.” He concluded his arrangements, -and proceeded to march: 6,000 infantry, three hundred horses, and -twelve pieces of cannon composed all his force. He was annoyed by -the light troops of the enemy which hovered round his flanks; he -was marching in close order, ready to receive any attack. At three -o'clock, his vanguard reached Katowa, and halted in sight of the corps -of Milloradowitz. The weather was foggy; neither party could see what -troops were before them. Ney crosses a ravine which separated him -from the enemy's troops, breaks through the first line, routs the -second, and would have defeated the whole army if the ravages of the -artillery had not prevented him. He was obliged to sound a retreat; -but his attack had been so impetuous that they dared not pursue him. -He lighted night-fires, as if he intended to stop all night: the -Russians imitated him. As soon as he had taken some rest, he removed -his quarters, and resolved to interpose the Borysthenes as a line of -separation between him and the enemy's troops, which were too numerous -for him to be able to force: he rushed into the stream, on the ice, -and reached the opposite bank; but new dangers were awaiting him there. - -The Cossacks covered the plain; they charged us, and kept up a furious -fire of grape shot. Ney, who could not make any return to this -destructive cannonade, hastened his march, dispersing, overthrowing -every thing that dared oppose him. He marched for a wood which was not -far distant; he was on the point of reaching it, when a battery was -unmasked on him and disorganized his column. The soldiers waver and -throw down their arms, but the Marshal soon restores them to their -courage; his words, his voice, his example, encourage the most timid: -they rush on; the enemy's artillery fly; we are masters of the wood. -But there were neither roads nor paths through this thicket; it was -intersected by so many ravines, and there were so many obstacles, that -it was with infinite difficulty that it was traversed: nearly all -the _matériel_ was left in it. The Cossacks became the more daring; -for two days they never ceased renewing their attacks: but they had -themselves been obliged to make a circuit, their cannon was in arrear, -they had no artillery; a few voltigeurs did justice on them. Ney was -close upon Orsza: the night was advanced; he marched in silence: he -flattered himself that he had at last ridded himself of the enemy. On -a sudden he perceives the fires of bivouacs, he discovers the camp -of a numerous army. He did not know whether he should rejoice or -tremble, whether they were Russians or French, when a fire opened upon -him removes his uncertainty: the reconnoitring parties are received -with discharges of musquetry; explosions, cries, drums, are mingled -and confounded together; one would have thought that we were to give -battle to all Russia. Furious at seeing danger return at the moment -when he thought that he had escaped from it, the Marshal makes an -effort to open a passage; he rushes towards the fires—but the camp is -deserted: it is a trick, a stratagem. Platoff had, it appears, taken -us for his own troops; he had thought to frighten us with shadows. The -Duke disdained to follow a few Cossacks, who had been employed in this -phantasmagoria; he continued his march, and three leagues further on -reached the fourth corps. - - - - -CHAPTER XXXVI. - - -While this was going on, we had left Krasnoi. Napoleon marched on foot -at the head of his guard, and often talked of Ney; he called to mind -his _coup d'œil_, so accurate and true, his courage proof against -every thing, in short all the qualities which made him so brilliant on -the field of battle.—“He is lost. Well! I have three hundred millions -in the Tuileries, I would give them if he were restored to me.”—He -fixed his head-quarters at Dombrowna. He lodged with a Russian lady -who had the courage not to abandon her house. I was on duty that -day: the Emperor sent for me towards one o'clock in the morning; he -was very much dejected; it was difficult for him not to be so; the -scene was frightful. He observed to me, “My affairs are going on very -badly; these poor soldiers rend my heart; I cannot, however, relieve -them.”—There was a cry of “To arms!”—Firing was heard; every thing -was in an uproar. “Go, see what it is,” Napoleon said to me with -the greatest _sang froid_; “I am sure that they are some rogues of -Cossacks who want to hinder us from sleeping.” It was in reality a -false alarm. He was not satisfied with some personages whom I abstain -from naming.—“What a set of tragedy-kings, without energy, courage, -or moral force! Have I been able to deceive myself to such a degree? -To what men have I trusted myself? Poor Ney! with whom have I matched -thee?” - -We set off for Orsza, and fixed our quarters at a Jesuits' convent. -Napoleon despaired of ever seeing the rear-guard. Neither did we see -any more the Russian infantry; it was probable that they had taken -some position: they ought to have let nothing escape. The next day we -pushed on two leagues farther; we halted in a wretched hamlet. It was -there that the Emperor learnt, towards the evening, of Ney's arrival, -and his having joined the fourth corps. It may be easily conceived -what joy he experienced, and in what manner he received the Marshal -on the next day. We reached Borisow; Oudinot had beaten Lambert; the -fugitives had joined Tchitschagoff, and covered the right bank of -the Beresina. Napoleon was uneasy: we had neither a bridge-train nor -subsistence. The main army was advancing, and the troops from Moldavia -blockaded the passage: we were surrounded on every side: the situation -was frightful, and unheard-of. Nothing less than the talents and the -great decision of the Emperor was necessary to extricate us from so -great a difficulty: no Frenchman, not even Napoleon, could expect to -escape. - -This prince stopped a short time at Borisow, gave orders for the false -attack which saved us, and marched towards Oudinot's head-quarters a -few leagues distant. We slept a little on this side of the place, at -a country house which belonged to a Prince Radzivill. General Mouton -and myself passed the night there on a handful of straw; we thought on -the morrow, and our reflexions were not cheerful. We set off on our -journey at four o'clock: we were in one of the Emperor's calèches. We -perceived the fires of the Russians; they occupied the opposite bank; -the woods, the marshes, were full of them; they reached beyond our -range of sight. The river was deep, muddy, all covered with floating -pieces; it was here that we were to cross or surrender. We augured -badly of success. The General explained himself with frankness: he had -often done it before Napoleon, who treated him as a malcontent, but -nevertheless liked him much. - -We arrived at Oudinot's head-quarters: day was just beginning to -dawn; the Emperor conversed a moment with the Marshal, took some -refreshment, and gave orders. Ney took me apart; we went out together; -he said to me, in German, “Our situation is unparalleled; if Napoleon -extricates himself to-day, he must have the devil in him.” We were -very uneasy, and there was sufficient cause. The King of Naples came -to us, and was not less solicitous. “I have proposed to Napoleon,” he -observed to us, “to save himself, and cross the river at a few leagues -distance from hence. I have some Poles who would answer for his -safety, and would conduct him to Wilna, but he rejects the proposal, -and will not even hear it mentioned. As for me, I do not think we -can escape.” We were all three of the same opinion. Murat replied, -“We will all get over; we can never think of surrendering.” While -conversing, we perceived the enemy were filing off; their masses had -disappeared, the fires were extinguished, nothing more than the ends -of the columns, which were lost in the wood, were seen, and from five -to six hundred Cossacks that were scattered on the plain. We examined -with the telescope; we were convinced that the camp was raised. I went -to Napoleon, who was conversing with Marshal Oudinot.—“Sire, the enemy -have left their position.”—“That is impossible.” The King of Naples -and Marshal Ney arrived, and confirmed what I had just announced. The -Emperor came out from his barrack, cast his eye on the other side -of the river. “I have outwitted the Admiral (he could not pronounce -the name Tchitschagoff); he believes me to be at the point where I -ordered the false attack; he is running to Borisow.” His eyes sparkled -with joy and impatience; he urged the erection of the bridges, and -mounted twenty pieces of cannon in battery. These were commanded by -a brave officer with a wooden leg, called Brechtel; a ball carried -it off during the action, and knocked him down. “Look,” he said, to -one of his gunners, “for another leg, in waggon No. 5.” He fitted it -on, and continued his firing. The Emperor made sixty men swim across, -under the command of Colonel Jacqueminot. They ventured imprudently -in pursuit of the Cossacks; one of them was taken and questioned, -and informed the Russians where Napoleon was. Tchitschagoff retraced -his steps, but it was too late; Napoleon, his guard, Ney, Oudinot, -and all the troops which these Marshals retained, had passed. The -Admiral, confused by having been duped, forgot the marshes of Lemblin. -The bridge, which extended a league and a quarter over this swampy -ground, was our only escape; if it had been destroyed, he would have -had our fate still in his hands: but Witgenstein commenced the firing -on the left bank; he occupied the right; his soldiers were wallowing -in plenty; a handful of men, sinking under the burthen of a wretched -life, might have been trampled under foot. He neglected the defile, -Eugène hastened to get possession of it; we were sure of our rear, we -waited for Tchitschagoff. - -We were 8000, fainting from fatigue and hunger: he had the army of -Moldavia. The issue of the combat did not appear doubtful to him; he -advanced with the ardour of victory; the action commenced; the troops -were intermixed; the ground was heaped with the dead. Ney directs, -animates the charges; every where the Russians are surrounded. -They rally; they bring up fresh forces: but Berkeim comes up; the -cuirassiers rush on their columns—all are cut to pieces. - -Napoleon was surrounded by his guard, which he had drawn up in order -of battle at the entrance of the forest; it was still fine, and of -an imposing appearance. Two thousand prisoners defiled before them; -we were intoxicated with so noble a result: our joy was but of short -duration, the account given by some Russians damped it. Partonneau had -been taken; all his division had laid down their arms; an aide-de-camp -of Marshal Victor came to confirm this sad news. Napoleon was deeply -affected with so unexpected a misfortune—“Must this loss come to spoil -all, after having escaped as by a miracle, and having completely -beaten the Russians.” The combat was still very warm on the left -bank: from four to five thousand men opposed to the enemy's army an -obstinate resistance. “Go and see what is the state of things; ascend -the right bank, examine what is passing on the left, come and give -me an account of it.” I went and saw brilliant charges of infantry -and cavalry; those which General Fournier conducted were particularly -conspicuous by their simultaneousness and impetuosity. But the -disproportion was immense; we were forced to give way; the horrors of -the bridge began: it is useless to recall this scene of desolation. - -We left the dreary banks of the Beresina, where we had acquired so -much glory and experienced so many misfortunes: we marched on towards -Wilna. We discoursed of nothing, we were occupied with nothing, but -the arrival of the Austrians; the lowest soldier, dreamed of nothing -but Schwartzenberg. Where is he? What is he doing? Why does he not -appear? I will not permit myself any reflexion on the movement of this -prince, then our ally. - -For a long time we had no news from France; we were ignorant of what -was going on in the Grand Duchy; we were informed of it at Malotechno. -Napoleon received nineteen despatches at once. It was there, I -believe, that he determined on the plan of quitting the army, but he -did not execute it till at Smorgoni, eighteen leagues from Wilna. We -reached that place. The Emperor sent for me towards two o'clock; he -carefully closed the doors of the apartment that he occupied, and said -to me: “Well, Rapp, I set out this night for Paris; my presence is -necessary there for the good of France, and even for the welfare of -this unfortunate army. I shall give the command of it to the King of -Naples.”—I was not prepared for this mark of confidence, for I frankly -avow that I was not in the secret of the journey.—“Sire,” I answered, -“your departure will cause a melancholy sensation among the troops; -they do not expect it.”—“My return is indispensable; it is necessary -to watch over Austria, and keep Prussia within bounds.”—“I am ignorant -of what the Austrians will do; their sovereign is your father-in-law: -but for the Prussians, you will not keep them: our disasters are too -great; they will profit by them.”—Napoleon walked up and down with -his hands behind his back; he kept silence for a moment, and replied: -“When they know that I am at Paris, and see me at the head of the -nation, and of 1,200,000 men which I shall organize, they will look -twice before they make war. Duroc, Caulincourt, and Mouton, will set -off with me, Lauriston will go to Warsaw, and you will return to -Dantzic; you will see Ney at Wilna, with whom you will stop at least -four days: Murat shall join you; you shall try to rally the army as -well as you are able. The magazines are full, you will find every -thing in abundance. You will stop the Russians; you shall strike a -blow with Ney, if it is necessary. He will have already the Loyson -division, composed of 18,000 fresh troops; Wrede also is bringing -up to him 10,000 Bavarians; other reinforcements are on the march. -You will go into cantonments.” Napoleon departed. I received orders -from the Major-general, who informed me in a letter what Napoleon had -already told me himself; he sent me at the same time a private letter -from the Emperor, in which he repeated, “Do all you can to rally the -army at Wilna, remain there four days at least; then you will go to -Dantzic.” The next day I set off. The cold was so intense, that when -I arrived at Wilna, I had my nose, one of my ears, and two fingers -frozen. I stopped at General Hogendorp's, and went straight to Marshal -Ney's quarters; I informed him of Napoleon's orders, and of the -conversation which I had with him at the moment of his departure. The -Marshal was greatly astonished at Napoleon's estimate of the number of -his troops. “Just now,” he said to me, “I beat the call to arms, and -I was not able to raise five hundred: every one is frozen, fatigued, -and discouraged; no one will make any further effort. You have the -appearance of being in pain; go and rest yourself; to-morrow we shall -see.”—The next day I went to him: the King of Naples had just arrived -with the guard. We conversed much about our situation. Ney wished for -a retreat, he thought it indispensable. “It is forced on us: there -are no means of stopping a day longer.” He had not ended before the -report of cannon was heard. The Russians arrived in force; they were -fighting at the distance of half a league from us. All at once we -saw the Bavarians returning in confusion: they were _pêle-mêle_ with -those of our troops that had been dragging behind: confusion was at -its height; as Ney had foretold, it was impossible to do any thing -with our troops. The King of Naples came to us: he still hoped to make -some resistance; but the reports which he received from the heights of -Wilna undeceived him. He immediately ordered a retrograde movement, -and went towards the Niemen. “I advise you,” said the Prince, “to -set off without delay for Dantzic, where your presence will soon -be wanted. The least delay may cause you to fall into the hands of -the Cossacks: that would be an untoward accident, which would be -profitable neither to the army nor to the Emperor.” - -I followed this advice: I hired two Jews who conducted me to the -Niemen. My equipages, which had hitherto fortunately escaped all -disaster, were already on the road. - -We soon arrived at the fatal heights where we were obliged to abandon -all the remainder of our _matériel_. It was impossible to ascend -it.—Our horses were worn out in unsuccessful attempts; we assisted -them, we urged them, but the ground was so slippery, so steep, that -we were obliged to give up the undertaking. I consulted with my -aide-de-camp on the steps which it was best to take. My Israelites -proposed that we should follow a cross road, which had, besides other -things, the advantage of being shorter: they begged me to trust to -them; they would answer for me. I believed them: we sat off; on the -next evening we were across the Niemen. I suffered horribly; my -fingers, my nose, my ear, were beginning to give me great uneasiness, -when a Polish barber pointed out a remedy, rather disagreeable, but -which succeeded. I arrived at last at Dantzic; the King of Naples -followed at some days march distance; Macdonald, whom the Prussians -had so unworthily betrayed, was coming after us. “It is only by a -miracle,” he informed me, “that myself, my staff, and the seventh -division, have not been destroyed: we were delivered up; our legs -saved us.” He sent me his troops, which were incorporated with those -that I had under my orders. The Russians appeared almost immediately. -General Bachelet had a very smart engagement with them. They spread -themselves around the place, and the blockade began. - - - - -CHAPTER XXXVII. - - -Dantzic appears made by nature for a fortress: washed on the north by -the Vistula, protected on the south-west by a chain of precipitous -heights, it is defended on all other sides by an inundation, which is -spread by means of two rivers which traverse it, the Radaune, and the -Mottlaw. Struck with the advantages of so fine a situation, Napoleon -had resolved to render it impregnable; he had caused some immense -works to be began. _Têtes-de-pont_, forts, intrenched camps, were -to protect it from insult and overlook the course of the river; but -time had been wanting, and most of the works were either imperfect -or scarcely traced out. No magazine was bomb-proof, no shelter -sufficiently solid to keep the garrison in security; the casemates -were uninhabitable, the quarters were in ruins, and the parapets -tumbling down. The cold, still very severe, had frozen the waters; and -Dantzic, the situation of which is naturally so happy and so strong, -was nothing more than a place open at every point. - -The garrison was not in a better state; it was composed of a confused -mass of soldiers of all kinds and of all nations: there were French, -Germans, Poles, Africans, Spaniards, Dutch, and Italians. The greater -number, worn out or diseased, had been thrown into Dantzic because -they were unable to continue their march: they had hoped to find -some relief there; but destitute of all medicines, of animal food -and vegetables, without spirits or forage, I was obliged to send -away those who were not absolutely incapable of leaving the place. -Nevertheless I had 35,000 left, out of which there were not above 8 -or 10,000 fighting men; even these were nearly all recruits who had -neither experience nor discipline. This circumstance, indeed, did not -much alarm me; I was acquainted with our soldiers; I knew that for -them to fight well they only wanted an example. I was resolved not to -spare myself. - -Such was the deplorable state in which the place and the troops -charged with defending it were found. It was necessary first to -provide for the most important point—to shelter ourselves from -attack. The thing was not easy; the snow covered the fortifications; -it obstructed all the covert ways, all the avenues: the cold was -extreme; the thermometer was more than twenty degrees below zero[2], -and the ice was already several inches thick. Nevertheless there was -no time for hesitation; it was necessary to resolve to be carried by -assault, or to submit to fresh fatigues almost as excessive as those -we had experienced. I concerted with two men whose devotedness was -equal to their intelligence; these were Colonel Richemont and General -Campredon, both were attached to the engineer corps of which the -latter had the command. - -[2] Of Reaumur. _Translator._ - -I gave orders to raise new works, and to clear the waters of the -Vistula. This undertaking appeared impracticable, on account of the -severity of the season; nevertheless the troops undertook it with -their accustomed zeal. Notwithstanding the cold which overwhelmed -them, they never suffered a murmur or a complaint to escape them. They -executed the tasks which were prescribed to them with a devotion and -constancy beyond all praise. At last, after unparalleled difficulties, -they surmounted every obstacle; the ice, broken by hatchets and moved -with levers towards the sea, assisted by the force of the stream, -opened in the middle of the river a channel from sixteen to seventeen -metres broad, and two leagues and a half in length. But we were -destined to see difficulties return as soon as they were overcome: -scarcely had an unexpected success crowned our efforts, when the cold -set in with redoubled severity; in one night the Vistula, the ditches, -were covered with a sheet of ice almost as thick as the one we had -broken. In vain were boats moved up and down incessantly, to keep up -by agitation the fluidity of the water; neither these precautions -nor the rapidity of the river could preserve it. It was necessary to -resume those labours, which had cost us so much, and which a moment -had destroyed. Day and night were employed in breaking the ice; we -could not nevertheless prevent its forming again a third time: but -more obstinate even than the elements which combined against us, -our soldiers opposed their courage to these obstacles, and at last -succeeded in triumphing over them. - -On all the remainder of the front of the plain the same zeal was -shown and the same difficulties occurred: the earth, frozen several -feet deep, resisted the spade and braved the efforts of the pioneers; -nothing could separate this compact mass;—even the axe rebounded. It -was necessary to have recourse to fire to melt it; great piles of -wood, placed at distances from each other, and kept up for a long -time, were the only means which enabled us to make excavations and to -raise the necessary palisades. With great labour and perseverance, we -had at last the satisfaction of seeing in a state of defence works -that had only just been begun. The Holm, Weichselmunde, the entrenched -camp of Neufahrwasser, and the multitude of forts which protect the -approaches of Dantzic, were put in a situation to be able to offer -a noble resistance; and, if this town was not raised to the degree -of strength of which it was susceptible, it was at least capable of -supporting a siege, the duration and adventures of which are not -amongst those events which do most honour to foreign arms. - -These fatigues were more than human power could support. Bivouacking, -privations, continual service, aggravated their severity: disease, -consequently, was not slow in making its appearance. From the first -days of January every sun took from us fifty men: at the end of the -following month we were losing as many as a hundred and thirty; and -we counted more than 15,000 sick. From the troops, the epidemic had -passed to the inhabitants: it committed among them the most dreadful -ravages; no age nor sex was spared; those who were afflicted by -poverty, and those who were surrounded by ease and luxury, were alike -its prey. All gave way, all perished; the young, first entering on -the path of life—the old, whose career was nearly run. Grief reigned -in every family; consternation was in every breast. Dantzic, at other -times so lively, now plunged in a melancholy silence, only offered -in every direction to the saddened eye the pomp and processions of -funerals. The sound of the bells, the hearses, the images of death -reproduced under every form, aggravated a situation already so -deplorable. The minds of the troops began to be shaken. I hastened to -cut up the evil by its root; I interdicted these funeral solemnities -which the piety of the living consecrates to the dead. - -I had not waited for the epidemic to rage in all its violence before -I opposed it. As soon as the first symptoms had been observed, I -had caused hospitals to be opened, medicines, beds, and every thing -which is necessary for this part of the service to be purchased. A -wholesome and plentiful food would have been more efficacious; but -we were so badly provisioned, that we could scarcely furnish for -each day's allowance two ounces of fresh meat. A little salt meat, -some dried beans, composed all that we had in our power to offer to -men worn out by long privations. This state of things was cruel; I -could not, however, remedy it any way. I had, in vain, despatched a -vessel for Stralsund, in order to draw from Swedish Pomerania, which -we still possessed, food and medicines; the sloop, charged with my -despatches, assailed by a violent tempest, was driven on shore. We -were approaching the Equinox: the Baltic was already agitated by -storms: it was not possible to make a second attempt. - -Courage was the only resource we had left. It was only at the point of -the sword that we could obtain the means of subsistence; but, whatever -was the devotedness of the troops, prudence did not warrant conducting -them against the enemy, exhausted as they were by disease and misery. -It was necessary to resign ourselves to fate, and patiently hope -that the gentle influence of the fine season would come to recruit -our strength: this was not far distant; all the signs which announce -it were already showing themselves The weather was milder, the ice -was beginning to melt, the breaking up of the frost was near, and we -flattered ourselves that the inundation would relieve, to a certain -degree, the fatigues that we were suffering; but that which was -expected to solace our misfortunes was always that which raised them -to their height. - -The Vistula cleared itself with violence: since 1775 there had never -been an example of such impetuosity in the current: the finest part -of Dantzic, its magazines, its arsenals, became a prey to the waves; -the country was covered with water; nothing presented itself, for the -extent of several leagues, but the afflicting spectacle of trees torn -up by their roots, of houses in ruins, of men, of cattle floating -lifeless and in confusion among the loose ice. Our destruction -appeared inevitable: all our works were demolished; our palisades -carried away, our sluices broken, our forts opened and undermined by -the waves, left us without the means of defence before a numerous -enemy. We could no longer communicate with the Holm, a position so -important, and of which the fortifications were nearly annihilated. -The island of Heubude was in a deplorable state: our posts of the -Werder, those of the Nerhung, had been submerged. To complete our -misfortunes, we were threatened, when the Vistula should resume its -course, with seeing the inundation which habitually surrounded the -place dried up. - - - - -CHAPTER XXXVIII. - - -But the Allies did not well second the elements which were fighting -for them. Instead of at once coming to the attack, they wasted -their time in miserable intrigues: there were proclamations on -proclamations, some for the magistracy, some for the inhabitants, -some for the soldiers. Some were excited to revolt, others to -desert: the brave Poles, the Westphalians, the Bavarians, were, -in turns, solicited, pressed, and menaced. This paper-war gave me -little uneasiness; I knew the fidelity of my troops; I had the -greatest confidence in them. I gave them a proof of it; as soon as -the proclamations reached us, I had them read at the head of the -regiments. This open conduct pleased them; they were grateful for it; -they only had the greater contempt for an enemy who seemed to hold -their honour more cheap than their courage, and they themselves often -brought to me these fine productions of Russian genius, without having -even read them. - -The besiegers persisted in remaining inactive before the place: I -occasionally roused them from the lethargy into which they were -plunged. These gentlemen threatened us rather insolently with an -assault; they had even, towards the end of January, ordered a great -number of ladders in the villages of the Werder. I resolved to make -them see that we were not yet reduced so low. On the 29th I put -some troops in motion in the direction of Brantau; General Granjean -debouched from Stries with four battalions, a troop of cavalry, and -two field-pieces; he routed, in his excursion, some bands of Baskirs -and Cossacks: this was the prelude to a more serious action. - -I knew that fresh troops had arrived before the place, and that they -were spread about in the Nerhung, and occupied in force Bohnsack and -Stries: I sent to reconnoitre them. General Detrées was charged with -this expedition. He routed, at first, every thing which presented -itself in his way; but his riflemen abandoned themselves too much -to the pursuit, and had nearly become victims of their rashness: a -cloud of Cossacks fell on them, and would have cut them to pieces if -Colonel Farine had not saved them. We were less fortunate at another -point: our advanced posts had orders to keep under arms, to observe -the movements of the enemy, but not to engage in action: Colonel -Heering, who commanded at Stolzenberg, could not contain himself; -he imprudently descended into the plain, and attacked the Cossacks -with thoughtless impetuosity; his troops, surprised in a defile, -could not withstand the shock of the cavalry, and were broken. This -piece of folly cost us 250 men. The enemy grew warm: this trivial -success had given them confidence. Towards three in the afternoon, -their columns presented themselves before Langfuhr, and succeeded in -establishing themselves there. Thirty men posted in front of this -village were taken prisoners: they had gone into a house, and had made -a long resistance; the ground was heaped with dead, but, seeing no -chance of relief, they were obliged to lay down their arms, for want -of ammunition. I immediately gave orders to retake this position: -General Granjean began to march with eight battalions, four pieces of -artillery, and some cavalry: the attack was completely successful; the -Russians were routed and put to flight. They endeavoured to return to -the charge, but, always broken, always overwhelmed by our cavalry, -they appeared at last decided on retreating. We were not slow in -following their example. The field of battle was nearly deserted, when -the Neapolitans left in Langfuhr were suddenly assaulted by swarms -of Cossacks, supported by a numerous infantry. General Husson and the -Commandant Szembeck came up rapidly with a Polish battalion, charged -the enemy with the bayonet, and made a dreadful slaughter of them. - -This check calmed the petulance of the Allies; there was no more -question about ladders or assaults. On my side, I left them quiet: I -was not in a condition to give them frequent alarms. My troops were -exhausted: on their legs night and day, worn out by disease, pierced -with cold, badly clothed, still worse fed, they could with difficulty -sustain themselves:—nothing equalled their wretchedness but the -resignation with which they supported it. Soldiers with their noses -and ears frost-bitten, or wounds still open, cheerfully performed the -service of the advanced posts. When I saw them defiling on parade, -muffled up in furs, their heads wrapped in bandages, or walking with -the help of sticks, I was affected even to tears. I should willingly -have given some relief to men so unfortunate, but yet so constant: the -Russians did not suffer it. They had imagined that their proclamations -had produced all the effect they expected from them; that we were -fighting among ourselves, and that the people were in a state of -revolt: they resolved to profit by such a fine conjuncture, and to -take us. - -It was now the month of March; on the 5th, at daybreak, they poured -like swarms on my advanced posts, they covered, they inundated all my -line, and spread themselves in multitudes in the villages which it -included. At the report of so sudden an attack, I gave the necessary -orders, and proceeded towards Langfuhr with the General of division -Granjean. We had scarcely gone a few steps when we heard the charge -furiously sounded: it was the chiefs of battalion Claumont and Blaer, -who were charging with the bayonet a column of Russians of 3 or 4000 -men, and dispersing them. We doubled our speed in order to assist -them, but the attack had been so impetuous that we could not arrive in -time: we reached the village just as the acclamations of the soldiers -announced their victory. I hastened to congratulate them on this fine -feat of arms, which it really was, as less than 800 men had completely -routed four times their number of infantry and cavalry. They had even -nearly got possession of their cannon; three Neapolitan voltigeurs -were already cutting the traces of the horses that had been killed, -when they were charged in their turn and obliged to leave their prize. - -Fortune was less favourable to us in other points: General Franceschi -supported himself with difficulty in advance of Alt-Schottland, he -gave ground, defending it, however, foot by foot: he followed his -instructions, and saved time. The brave Colonel Buthler came in -haste to his assistance. Scarcely had the Bavarians arrived at the -first houses of the village, when they rushed with impetuosity on -the enemy, repulsed him, charged him with the bayonet, and succeeded -in preventing his advance; but while they were making a resistance -on one side, the Russians threatened them on the other. After three -unsuccessful attacks, they had at last triumphed over the fine -resistance of the chief of battalion Clement, and had made themselves -masters of Stolzenberg: they were already debouching from this -village, and were about to take us in flank. This movement should -have been decisive; I hastened to prevent it. I gave orders to the -sixth Neapolitan regiment to occupy on the right a small hill which -strengthened our position. General Detrées conducted the attack, -charged, and took the summit; the enemy hastily attempted to retake -it, but could not succeed. Quite covered with bruises, with his -clothes full of holes from bullets, Colonel Dégennero opposed an -invincible resistance, and forced them to retreat. In the mean time, -General Bachelu, with four battalions under his orders, mounted -the heights on the right of Schidlitz: on a sudden he rushes on the -Allies, attacks them in flank, and overthrows them. In vain they -endeavour to fortify themselves in the houses; our voltigeurs, led on -by Lieutenant Bouvenot and the sub-officer Tarride, break through the -window-frames, destroy the doors, kill, take, or disperse all that -they meet, and get possession of one piece of artillery: a Russian -General animated his troops to defend it, but the impulse was given; -three brave fellows, the sub-lieutenant Vanus, the Quarter-masters -Autresol and Hatuite, rush furiously upon it, and get possession of it. - -It was three o'clock in the afternoon, and the Allies still occupied -Schottland and Ohra; notwithstanding his courage, the chief of -battalion Boulan had not been able to dislodge them. I resolved to -try a second time a manœuvre which had so well succeeded;—I turned -them. While I led on a false attack by the head of Schottland, General -Bachelu masked his march, and went towards Ohra; he was followed by -three battalions of infantry, a hundred and fifty horses and a light -battery. Our troops boiled with impatience; as soon as they heard -the charge begin, they uttered cries of joy, sprang forwards against -the enemy, broke his ranks, and completely routed him. He rallied, -and returned to the charge; but the grape-shot was redoubled: the -bayonet carried disorder among his ranks. He flies, he endeavours to -escape through every outlet, but finds none that are not intercepted. -Necessity rouses his courage, he rallies, debouches, and rushes on us. -The confusion becomes terrible. He struggles to escape from disgrace, -our soldiers to consummate the victory; on either side, they press -on; they attack with fury. An adjutant-major of the 29th of the line, -Delondres, rushed into the middle of the Russians; a few brave fellows -followed him: death and confusion waited on his steps; but soon -overpowered by their number, exhausted by large wounds, he is obliged -to lay down his arms: but his spirits return; he recovers himself; -indignation gives him strength: he attacks his escort, takes it, and -comes to bear a part in the victory: it was no longer disputed. Our -troops, who had come forth at the noise of the firing, had ranged -themselves in front of Ohra, and commenced a destructive firing, which -overpowered the enemy:—he gave way, broke his ranks, and only escaped -death by invoking the clemency of the conqueror. - -In a moment the streets were heaped with the dead. Five hundred men -laid down their arms: most of them belonged to that army of Moldavia -which we had almost destroyed at the passage of the Beresina. - -The enemy fled in every direction. In the Nerhung, at Neufahrwasser, -every where, he expiated by defeat the success which he had gained -by surprise. Major Nongarède had only to shew himself, to disperse -clouds of Cossacks who were skirmishing without success with some -weak Neapolitan posts which we had in the rear. Some detachments of -dragoons gave chase to the Russians who had ventured in front of -Saspe, and took Brasen. - -We again occupied the positions that we held before the attack: -unfortunately they had cost us dear. We had 600 men _hors de combat_; -it is true that most of these soon recovered from their wounds. Of -this number was Major Horadam, Colonel d'Egloffstein, and General -Devilliers, who will be found to figure so often in this narrative. - -The enemy had suffered more; 2000 of their troops lay on the dust, we -had between 11 and 12,000 prisoners in our hands, and one piece of -artillery. - -This day was one of the most glorious of the siege: it was a fresh -example of what courage and discipline may effect. Under the walls of -Dantzic, as at the passage of the Beresina, worn out by want or by -disease, we were still the same; we appeared on the field of battle -with the same ascendancy, the same superiority. - - - - -CHAPTER XXXIX. - - -The Russians might have been _satisfied_. It was not likely that they -would return soon to the charge. However, the transactions of the -5th had convinced me of the necessity of different measures, which -I was unwilling to take. They had only succeeded in penetrating as -far as the foot of Bichofsberg, where Colonel Figuier was keeping a -strict look out, by the protection of an old convent of Capuchins: -this neighbourhood was too dangerous; I caused the old edifice to be -pulled down. Some houses in several villages, and particularly in -Schottland, were fortified. We had retaken this place, but with great -difficulty: the resistance had been so great, that it was at one -time a question whether we should not burn it. I rejected this cruel -expedient: I could not make up my mind to ruin inhabitants who had -already suffered so much during the first siege. I thought it more -honourable to drive off the Russians at the point of the bayonet, and -I succeeded; but I did not like to run this perilous risk again. - -In the mean time the epidemic was far from subsiding: it appeared, on -the contrary, to gather fresh strength every day. Six thousand men had -already perished; 18,000 men were lying inanimate in the hospitals. -General Franceschi, whom death had spared so many times on the field -of battle, had just expired. Every hour, every minute, increased our -losses, and carried off our most valiant soldiers. Substantial food -would have saved them; but our provisions were coming to an end. We -had no longer any quantity of animal food or cattle; straw even was -wanting for the beds of our sick: I resolved on seeking for some -remedy for evils which so many brave men were enduring. The attempt -was dangerous; but they well deserved that I should expose myself to -some dangers in order to relieve them. - -For a long time I had purposed sending an expedition against -Quadendorf, where it was supposed there were abundant resources. I -had hitherto deferred it because the troops which were at my disposal -appeared to me insufficient; but necessity spoke more forcibly than -all these considerations: I hesitated no longer. General Devilliers -crowned the heights of Wonneberg and of Pitzendorf; his right -supported on Zigangenberg, and the left by the brigade of General -Husson. He commenced without delay an alternate fire of artillery and -musquetry. While the enemy returned this harmless fire as well as -they could, General Heudelet debouched by the valley of Matzlaw, and -got possession of the post charged with its defence. General Bachelu -marched in front. Twelve hundred men, and six pieces of cannon, under -the command of General Gault, were advancing in the second line, -and formed the reserve. Five hundred Russians wished to prevent our -entrance into Borgfeld. They were trampled under foot: all who escaped -the bayonet perished by the edge of the sabre: all were put to death. -The enemy came up with their masses, and were not more successful. -Overpowered, broken before they were in a state of defence, they -found safety only in flight. They were not allowed time to place -their artillery in battery; pursued without intermission, they were -obliged to leave the field without firing a single round: the Poles -were irresistible; chiefs and soldiers, all rushed on the Russians -with a determination and boldness of which there is no example. A -drummer, the brave Mattuzalik, knocked down one of the enemy with his -drumsticks, and compelled him to surrender. - -While we drove them before us, General Heudelet threatened their -rear. As soon as the enemy perceived this movement, it was no longer -a flight, it was disorder, confusion, of which it is difficult to -form an idea. They deserted their wounded and their hospitals; they -evacuated, with all speed, Schweiskopff, Saint-Albrecht, and did not -halt till they reached the other side of Praust, which our voltigeurs -entered pell-mell with them. - -On arriving at Saint-Albrecht, I learned that the Russians were -still maintaining their ground on the banks of the Mottlaw. I made -arrangements to prevent their receiving any relief while we attacked -them. Major Scifferlitz, with a battalion of the 13th Bavarian, -assisted by a company of Westphalians and the flotilla, was charged -with this attack. It took place with perfect concert and great -impetuosity: 300 Russians were laid in the dust with their chief, who -had fallen under the blows of the brave Zarlinwski; the remainder -were drowned or taken. A hundred of them were escaping through the -inundation, when they were overtaken by Lieutenant Faber, who charged -them at the head of some brave troops, up to the neck in water, and -brought them back. A mere boy, young Kern, animated our soldiers; he -went before them; excited them; he threw himself into the thickest -of the fight. His comrades paused, and hesitated to follow him. He -turned to them with the boldness which courage inspires; “Forward! -Bavarians!” he exclaimed, and they were carried away by his impulse. - -The day was drawing to a close: the Russians displayed such large -numbers of troops in front of Quadendorf, that I did not judge it -right to continue the attack. We returned to Dantzic, after having -caused the enemy an immense loss, and having taken from them 350 men. -This was almost the only result of so brilliant a sally. Scarcely did -it procure us a hundred head of cattle. We had been anticipated: all -that the villages had contained had been removed to the rear. - -Independently of the attempt to procure provisions, I had another -object in view, which did not succeed better. Since the commencement -of the blockade I had no channel of communication with the French -army: I was not aware of its force, or of its fortune. I had put -every means in operation in order to get some information on these -points; but the hatred was so general and so rooted, no bribery had -been able to overcome it. I hoped that the burgomasters would be more -tractable, but they knew nothing but the reports that were circulated -by the Russians. I remained in a state of the most complete ignorance -of every thing that was going on around me. - -After all, whatever might be the course of events, the place was to -be defended, and defended to the very last moment; that is to say, -we had to live as long as possible with the resources that we still -possessed. I redoubled my economy; and, as something is generally -gained by an interchange of ideas, I formed a commission which was -exclusively charged with the care of the provisions. Count Heudelet -was the president; it was of very great service. It applied itself in -a particular manner to ameliorate the condition of the hospitals. It -made purchases of linen, of medicines, and substituted for butter, -which was no longer to be procured, gelatine. All the wine and fresh -meat we had was reserved for the sick; and in order that they might -not fail us, the commission seized, after a valuation on both sides, -the cellars and the cattle which were found in the place. The troops -no longer received any animal food but the flesh of horses, which had -been obtained in the same way. But all the cares of the commission -could not subdue the epidemic: it might be said that this cruel pest -was inflamed in proportion to the opposition it met. Continually more -violent, more irremediable, it burst forth with fresh strength in -those places that it had already attacked, and assailed those that had -before escaped. Weichselmunde, Neufahrwasser, previously free from its -attacks, now became a prey to its ravages. The troops, the population, -from one extremity of our lines to the other, struggled in the agonies -of a cruel disease. Those who escaped, and those who fell, equally -deserved pity. Given up to all the convulsions of delirium, they wept, -they groaned, they dwelt on the remembrance of their battles and their -pleasures, which no longer existed but in their dreams.—Now calm, now -furious, they called on their country, their parents, the friends of -their childhood; they prayed for, they shuddered at, the destiny of -the brave men who had perished;—torn alternately by contrary passions, -they breathed out the remnant of life in the horrors of despair. - -The more remedies were lavished, the more the sufferings increased. -The evil spread by means of those very efforts which were used to -destroy it. Every day of the last fortnight of March carried off more -than 200 men. The epidemic gradually ceased to be so destructive; but -it was not till the end of May that it was subdued altogether. It had -by that time swept away 5500 inhabitants, and 12,000 brave soldiers. -Among this number was General Gault: an excellent officer, a soldier -full of courage—he deserved a better lot. - -Disease was making war on us for the benefit of the Russians, while -they themselves disturbed us but very little. The expedition of -Borgfeld had cooled their courage; they made intrenchments, they -fortified themselves, they were only engaged in defensive measures. -Nevertheless, as it was absolutely necessary to give some signs of -life, they every now and then endeavoured to surprise my advanced -posts. Annoyed by these insignificant attacks, I wished in return -to break their slumbers as they were breaking ours. They had above -Brentau a signal which furnished me with the means. Our business was -to burn it: I intrusted the management of it to two officers, whose -intelligence and courage I had experienced. They were the chiefs -of battalion Zsembeck and Potocki. On a dark night they went forth -from Langfuhr, and marched for a long time without being perceived: -discharges of musquetry at length apprised them that they were -discovered; they immediately rushed on and overthrew the enemy. -Potocki advanced towards Brentau, and dispersed a numerous body of -infantry which opposed his passage. Forty men threw themselves into -a kind of block-house: a voltigeur followed them, and summoned them -to surrender; he was killed. The Poles, quite furious, immediately -inundated the redoubt, and exterminated all the Russians that it -contained. - -Whilst these things were going on in the village, Zsembeck made -himself master of the signal. He set fire to it, and immediately -descended into the plain, overthrew and cut to pieces the detachments -which he found in his way, and pushed on as far as the walls of Oliwa, -where he threw some shells. At the same time the brave Devillain, -quarter-master to the eighth, swept, with a dozen hussars, all that -part of our advanced posts. He charged with so much boldness that -the Cossacks were terrified and broken. Success encouraged him; he -extended himself to the right, reconnoitred, searched the wood, and -did not join our troops till the moment they were retiring. - -Meanwhile all the signals were on fire. The Russian army ran to arms, -and expected every moment to see itself attacked; it passed in this -state the rest of the night and the whole of the next day. We repaid -them in a mass the alarms which they had given us in detail. - -The political horizon became every day more cloudy. Prussia had thrown -aside the mask; she made war against us by insurrection. This event -could not be hidden from the soldiers, the Russians had too great an -interest in informing them of it. I consequently threw no obstacle in -the way of its being made known. Immediately attempts to seduce the -soldiers again began to be resorted to. The enemy thought that the -confidence and attachment of our troops were shaken. The disproportion -between the means of attack and defence, money, promises, every thing -was brought into play to engage them to desert. A bounty was offered -as a recompense for shame: I was justified in offering one as a reward -for fidelity. I promised a reward of 200 francs to any one who should -deliver up a man convicted of seducing our soldiers. This measure had -its effect. Most of the emissaries that the besiegers had in the place -were pointed out to me. According to our laws they had incurred the -pain of death; but men in general are less wicked than unfortunate. -Nearly all of them were fathers of families who had yielded to -necessity. I delivered them up to the derision of the soldiers; I -ordered their heads to be shaved, and dismissed them. This device -kept them at home; I was freed from them without having recourse to -executions. - -The garrison appeared very little disturbed by the increase which -it had learned the enemy had received. Nevertheless I wished it to -judge of itself what it was still capable of. It was near Easter. -The weather was mild, the sky clear. I appointed a review; it took -place in the face of the army which was besieging us. At daybreak -the inhabitants, the sick even, occupied the heights of Langfuhr; -they spread themselves on the glacis and avenues, and crowned all the -ascents from the plain which separates Stries from Oliwa. The troops -were not long before they appeared. Seven thousand men, followed by a -numerous artillery, all in magnificent condition, successively ranged -themselves in order of battle. They manœuvred, they defiled, with -unparalleled precision. The Russians, astonished at so much boldness, -did not venture to trouble us: they, also ranged in order of battle, -were spectators of our movements, without throwing any obstacle in the -way. It would have been, however, a fine opportunity for them; not a -piece was loaded; I had particularly prohibited the use of cartridge. -The bayonet alone was to punish them, if they were rash enough to -give the slightest insult. This measure was, perhaps, rather a bold -one, but it was necessary to exalt the courage of the soldier, and to -convince him of the contempt that the boasting of foreigners deserved. - - - - -CHAPTER XL. - - -After parading, the question was how we should subsist; this was much -less easy. The enemy had rifled all the villages, and had left neither -forage nor cattle; no more resources were to be had, unless we sought -them at the distance of several leagues. I had gained experience at -Borgfeld, and I acted accordingly. I had obtained exact information on -the facilities and the obstacles which an expedition into the Nerhung -presented; I knew the number, the position of the troops, and their -complete security. I made my arrangements. Twelve hundred chosen -men, three hundred and fifty horse, a company of light artillery -with eight pieces of cannon, commanded by General Bachelu, advanced -towards Heubude. The enemy, driven in, endeavoured in vain to defend -Bonhsack. Bachelu does not give him time to recollect himself, charges -him, routs him, and drives him back in confusion as far as Woldern. -The enemy's principal forces occupy this village. Near five thousand -men receive him and support him; but, always carried forward by the -same impetuosity, our troops come up running, and prevent him from -deploying. They presently commence the attack: a part of them spread -as sharpshooters, over the downs and the plain, the rest remain in -line and commence a destructive fire. Our artillery, our cavalry, come -up, and complete the defeat: it was so prompt and so decided, that the -artillery did not attempt to fire a single round; it escaped with all -speed from the field of battle. A column of Lithuanians ventured to -stem the torrent. Colonel Farine rushed on it with his dragoons, and -compelled it to lay down its arms. The reserve was still untouched. -The brave Redou marches towards them; he watches them, seizes the -moment when they are retiring, charges them, and takes them prisoners: -at the same time Captain Neumann goes in pursuit of the fugitives, -flies from left to right, scatters confusion in all directions, and -with a handful of soldiers gathers up some hundreds of the Allied -troops, whom he obliges to surrender. This advantage cost him two -wounds. The sub-lieutenant Schneider was still more hurt, and alone -received twelve lance-wounds. - -I had myself followed the movement of General Bachelu: I advanced as -far as Woldern; but the Russians were flying in such disorder, that -it appeared to me useless to follow them any farther. The troops that -had defeated them, were quite sufficient to pursue them. As soon as -I learnt that they had driven them back more than twelve leagues, -I stopped their march. They fixed their quarters, and employed -themselves in taking away the forage and cattle that we found in the -places that we had got possession of. - -The reserve that I had with me was useless, owing to the promptitude -and dexterity with which General Bachelu had conducted this -expedition. I ordered it to cross the Vistula. It landed in front of -the fortress of Lacosta, and marched towards the dyke, which the enemy -still occupied. At the same time the gun-boats came up the river and -commenced the attack. The Russians soon gave way, and dispersed. We -extended ourselves without any obstacle over the whole extent of the -Werder. - -We remained four days in these different positions. General Bachelu, -on the right bank of the river, rifled that part of Nerhung that he -had taken; whilst with the aid of our boats we drew, from the left -side, all the resources that we could get. Five hundred head of horned -cattle, four hundred head of sheep, twelve hundred quintals of hay, -eight hundred of straw, and two thousand three hundred decalitres of -oats, were the result of this expedition. The enemy tried to intercept -our convoys; but the _sang-froid_ and dexterity of Lieutenant -Hoékinski and of the Commissary Belisal, triumphed over all obstacles. -The attacks of the Russians even turned to our advantage, and brought -us a hundred head of oxen, which the intrepid Brelinski took from -them after having defeated them. The army employed in the siege did -not attempt to disturb us. Immoveable in its lines, it only appeared -occupied with the demonstrations our troops were making on the side -of Langfuhr, and Newschottland. Its uneasiness was so great, that -the noise of a heavy shower of rain was mistaken for our advance;—it -thought itself attacked, set on fire its signals on the left, and -spread alarm as far as Pitzendorf. - -We had revictualled our hospitals; but our own situation was not -changed. Two ounces of horse-flesh, and one ounce of salt beef, still -formed our daily ration. As soon as I was out of one difficulty I -fell into another. I had procured some provisions, but the military -chest was exhausted; it had not been able to meet the expense of -paying for the provisions we had carried off. I was obliged to issue -bills payable on the raising of the blockade. Nevertheless it was -necessary to secure the pay of the soldiers, to cover the expenses of -the artillery, and the engineer department; without which the place -would fall of itself. To what expedient, what means to have recourse -in this extremity? There was but one. I was unwilling to adopt it; but -every thing gave way to necessity: I demanded a loan of 3,000,000 from -the inhabitants. - -The inhabitants of Dantzic were indignant at this measure. They -complained, murmured, and threatened some commotion. The enemy became -more pressing. The fleet, the land forces, all assumed a more hostile -attitude. It was at this conjuncture that Baron Servien, condemned to -death for decoying soldiers, accused the senator Piegeleau, of being -at the head of a conspiracy formed in the interest of Russia. The -reputation of this magistrate was untarnished, but the charges were -so detailed, so precise, and the consequences of imprudent security -so serious, that I ordered him to be arrested. His innocence was -soon established. I had for a short time doubted the honesty of this -respectable man: it was my duty to make him an acknowledgment. I made -it in the way which appeared to me best fitted to calm the impression -of this unpleasant adventure. The citizens had remained quiet, and the -frequent skirmishes, which had appeared to me suspicious, were owing -to the increase of troops which had arrived before the fortress. - -The Duke of Wurtemburg had just taken the command of it. More -enterprising, more restless, than General Levis, he did not allow my -advanced posts breathing-time; if he failed in one point, he tried -another. Driven back at Langfuhr, put to flight at Zigangenberg, he -threw himself on Ohra. As badly received in that position as in the -former ones, he did not the less return to the charge; he attacked at -one time Stolzenberg, Schidlitz, and the post of the barrier: defeated -at all these points, he tried again, and again was defeated. No check -discouraged him; he tried a last effort; he rushed during the night on -my troops, who were refreshing themselves after their fatigues, and -took some houses, which he set fire to; but at the sight of the two -battalions which ran to arms, he was alarmed, and retreated. - -The patroles and sentinels were continually engaged. These combats, -in which individual courage is put most to the test, were all to our -advantage. The Cossacks did not shine at all in them. Three of them -combined for the purpose of overpowering a dragoon of the 12th, called -Drumes: this brave fellow waits for them with firmness; knocked down -by a blow from a lance, he rises, seizes the end of the weapon, draws -his adversary to him, and lays him dead on the spot. Héquet, another -dragoon of the same regiment, resisted four of these barbarians: -although wounded, he knocked down one, killed another, and put the -rest to flight. I could cite a thousand traits of the same kind. - -These continual attacks harassed my soldiers. I could not suffer -them to be insulted by the Cossacks. We took arms: General Granjean -commanded the right, General Devilliers the centre, and the left was -under the direction of Count Heudelet. The unexpected appearance of -our columns froze the enemy with dread. Their horses were grazing -freely on the plain, their infantry was at rest in the camps: they -did not expect this attack. At the moment we were beginning to move, -I received the authentic news of the immortal victories of Lutzen and -Bautzen: I communicated it, I proclaimed it, I spread it abroad. Joy, -intoxication, enthusiasm, are at their height; all these sentiments -are shewn at once; our troops are impatient for the fight they burn to -conquer. From left to right the cry of “Forward!” is re-echoed. The -signal is given. Immediately the artillery is unmasked: the troops -approach the enemy, the combat begins, the ground is covered with -heaps of dead. Captain Preutin pours his fire upon the enemy, and -forces them to evacuate Schœnfeld. The Polish horse-artillery comes -up at a gallop, places itself within half gun-shot distance, and -overthrows every thing in its way. Major Bellancourt and the chief of -battalion Duprat press on and bear down the fugitives: they disperse -them as often as they rally. Defeated at the centre, the enemy throws -himself on our left, and threatens Ohra. Major Schneider opposes -a stout resistance. This excellent officer defends himself at one -point, while he attacks at another, and makes up by his courage for -the insufficiency of the means at his disposal. Generals Brissau and -Husson run to his assistance. The Russians, overpowered, cannot stem -the torrent; they are put to flight, and do not stop till they reach -the heights behind Wonneburg. They soon change their plan, and rush on -our right wing, which receives them with admirable firmness. Colonel -d'Engloffstein, Major Horadam, Lieutenant-colonel Hope, emulate one -another in exertions. Sergeants Vigneux and Auger also set an example -of courage. I rush to the midst of this bloody contest: I order the -Poles of the 10th to advance, with five pieces of cannon which were in -reserve. The combat grows warmer, and becomes more and more terrible. -The Russians at last give way, and escape in confusion from the camp -of Pitzkendorf. I did not think it right to pursue them: sufficient -for the day are the evils thereof. They had about 1800 men put _hors -de combat_. I caused the firing to cease. On our side we reckoned four -hundred killed or wounded. - -The Allies, conquered in two consecutive battles, had solicited an -armistice. The war had been carried back to the Oder. We were once -more the arbiters of fortune. Our glory was so much the more pure, as -it was entirely the result of that impetuous courage which supplies -the want of experience, and does not give way before any obstacle. -Mere recruits had triumphed over the combined forces of Prussia and -Russia. Captain Planat brought us the news of it at the moment when -the defeated besiegers were seeking safety in flight. Napoleon had -added to his despatches proofs of his munificence: he condescended to -grant me the ribbon of the order of _La Réunion_. He authorised me -to make promotions, to confer marks of honour, and to point out the -superior officers that I thought fit for advancement. His victories -had exalted the courage of the troops; the soldiers once more swore by -his genius; they saw him again triumphing on the banks of the Vistula. -His despatch was conceived in the following terms. - - “Monsieur le Comte Rapp, - - “The Major-general acquaints you with the situation of affairs. - I hope that peace will be concluded in the course of the year; - but if my expectations are disappointed, I shall come to raise - your blockade. Our armies have never been more numerous or in a - finer condition. You will see by the journals all the measures - which I have taken, and which have secured me 1,200,000 men - under arms, and 100,000 horse. My relations with Denmark are - very amicable, where Baron Alquier still continues my minister. - I need not recommend you to be deaf to all insinuations, and at - all events to keep the important fortress which I have confided - to you. Inform me by the return of the officer what soldiers have - most distinguished themselves. The promotion and the decoration - which you shall think they have deserved, you may consider - as conferred; and you may bestow decorations of the Legion of - Honour to the number of ten crosses of officers, and a hundred - of knights. Make choice of the men that have rendered the most - important services, and send me the list by return of the - officer, in order that the Chancellor of the Legion of Honour may - be instructed of the appointments. You may also fill up in your - ranks all the vacant appointments, as far as the rank of Captain - inclusive. Send also an account of these promotions. On this I - pray God, &c. - - “NAPOLEON.” - - “Neumark, June 5, 1813.” - - - - -CHAPTER XLI. - - -The sovereigns had fixed on the conditions of the armistice. Every -fortress was to be revictualled once in five days, and to have a -league of ground beyond its lines; but the Duke of Wurtemberg took on -himself to elude this engagement. He contested my statement of our -positions; he disputed about the limits. After several conferences, -we came to a provisional arrangement, and we remitted the question to -persons appointed to settle it. There then arose new difficulties; -at one time they alleged want of provisions, at another want of -conveyance. The allowances, at all times incomplete, were constantly -in arrears; at last they were entirely suspended. The Duke stood in -need of a pretext; he found one: he pretended that we had broken the -truce, because we had done justice on some band of robbers which -infested our rear. His letter, which could have been transmitted to me -in two hours, was two days before it reached me. So many subterfuges -made me indignant: I went straight to the point; I told him that I -would have no more tergiversation, and that he must fight or fulfil -the conditions stipulated on. He replied by talking of the cause of -nations and of kings. This language was curious; I expressed to him -how much it astonished me, coming from the mouth of a prince, whose -sovereign had been our ally for five years, and whose brother was -still fighting for us. This last example touched him a little. He -replied peevishly, “That a Russian General-in-chief did not think -himself inferior in any respect to a king of the Confederation, since -it only depended on the Emperor Alexander to raise him to that -dignity, and that then he might be a king as well as another; that he -would, however, only be so under this slight condition, that it should -not be at the expense of any power or person.” - -The troops ran to arms: but the Duke was unwilling to take the -consequences of this rupture. He offered to continue the supplies. -They ought to have been sent on the 24th, but they did not come -till the 26th, and were never complete. Tainted meat, and flour so -very bad that we did not venture to make any use of it till we had -made experiments on it, were the only provisions that the Russians -furnished us with. They were not more faithful as to the quantity: we -did not receive above two-thirds of what was guaranteed to us by the -treaty. - -The Prince de Neuchâtel told me that it was necessary to hold out till -the month of May following. The thing was quite impossible; I had -neither provisions nor troops sufficient for so prolonged a defence. I -pointed it out to him; my despatch was precise. Every thing that was -possible we were ready to undertake, but good intentions do not create -means. - - “Dantzic, June 16, 1813. - - “My Prince, - - “I received the letter which your Highness did me the honour to - write me from Neumark, of the 5th of June. M. Planat has also - sent me a collection of _Moniteurs_, containing the detail of the - decisive battles gained by Napoleon over the combined forces. I - had had, from the day before M. Planat's arrival, intelligence - of the brilliant successes of the armies of Napoleon. This good - news has produced on the garrison the best effect: it has seen - that I had not flattered it with vain hopes; and the patience and - courage of which it has given proofs have found the reward that - they were entitled to expect. - - “The armistice has also been transmitted to me, and I write - to your Highness particularly on this subject. I ought not to - conceal that this suspension of arms, in the state things are in, - must be more disadvantageous than advantageous to the garrison; - for disease still occasions us a loss of 1100 men a month, the - consequence of which will be that by the 1st of August we shall - have lost 1700 men. - - “Our provisions, moreover, will be consumed; and, if the Duke of - Wurtemberg does not show a better disposition towards us than he - has done, we shall not be able to save, as otherwise we should - have done, a part of the provisions that he is bound to furnish - us. Till the month of October my situation will not give me any - uneasiness, but beyond that period it will be a painful one - indeed; for we shall want men to defend the immense range of our - fortifications, provisions for the defenders, and we shall have - no more to hope for from resources within or without. - - “The account of the composition for the rations since the - blockade will shew your Highness that I have carried into - execution, in the distribution of the provision, the rigid - economy which our situation demanded, and that to this end I - have employed all the resources of which I could avail myself: - but these resources are exhausting; and it would be useless to - reckon on those which might be derived from the expulsion of - the inhabitants; indeed, it is only necessary, in order to be - convinced of this painful truth, to recollect that two years ago - Napoleon called by requisition on the inhabitants of Dantzic, - for 600,000 quintals of corn—an order which was most rigorously - carried into execution. At that time only 23,000 quintals were - left for the subsistence of its inhabitants. Since that period - they have lived on this quantity, and some trifling portions - which had been concealed from the strictest searches. - - “I have given above an account of the loss which disease still - produces every month. The accounts of the situation of the - troops present an effective force of 20,558 men; which supposes, - according to the estimates (but too accurate) which I have - already given, that the garrison will be reduced, at the end of - the armistice, to 20,000 men, from which number must be deducted - at least 2,000 who will be in the hospitals, even supposing that - want does not increase the ravages of disease. What would be - our condition, then, by the month of May, when the progress of - mortality which the actual state of things supposes will have - mowed down so many of our men? It results from the calculation - which we are able to make, (admitting that winter diseases do - not materially increase the number of deaths, and allowing for - a loss of 1000 only per month,) that the sum total of the loss - would be, by the 1st of May, 8000 men, omitting altogether those - who may perish in actions, or who may die from the consequence - of their wounds. There would only remain, then, by the month - of May, an effective force of 11,000 men, of whom there will - certainly be 3000 in the hospitals: how is it possible to defend - fortifications so extensive with so feeble a garrison? - - “I have already given orders for the construction of works - intended to defend the entrance of Mottlaw, an extremely weak - point when the rivers are frozen. I am going on besides with - every thing which can secure my communication, but, I repeat, men - are wanting for the defences. Your Highness must not doubt that, - if it becomes necessary, I will do every thing which honour and - my devotion to the Emperor can suggest, to maintain myself in - some point or other of Dantzic. - - “The state of the magazines will prove to your Highness that - our resources are very limited. You will, no doubt, think that - I shall manage them with all the care which the desire to make - an honourable defence inspires me with: it is with this object - in view that I have added to the commission for the management - of provisions, which the law has appointed in places in a state - of siege, a considerable number of members in addition to those - which it requires. - - “I have put them under the presidency of the General of the - division Count Heudelet. This commission is instructed to lay - before me all the measures which may tend to economy and to the - welfare of the soldiers; it has rendered great service, and I am - sorry that I did not give it at an earlier period the attributes - which it now possesses. - - “The article of finances merits very particular attention on - the part of the Emperor and your Highness. All the funds which - have been left at my disposal have been consumed, and I have been - obliged to have recourse to a forced loan, which I imposed on - all those who were still able to yield any thing. This loan has - been put into execution with great severity towards those who - pretended not to be able to contribute to the common defence; - but notwithstanding all the pains which were taken in respect - to this, and all the measures which were resorted to in order - to conduce to similar results, up to the present time, only - 1,700,000 francs have been raised, and there will be great - difficulty in levying the rest. - - “The expenses of the pay of the army, those of the constructions - in the engineer department, as well as those which concern - manual labour (for all the materials which are in the place - will be taken, as has been done for these two months past, by - requisition, to be paid for on demand at the raising of the - blockade); the sums for the artillery; those for the hospitals, - for the different branches of the service, for provisions, that - is to say, in short, for every thing that is necessary for manual - and daily labour; for the constructions in the marine department, - clothing—all these expenses, of which I have ordered an estimate - to be made, amount to more than 900,000 francs per month. - - “A foreign commercial house has offered to provide funds here, - provided that the paymaster-general guarantee him reimbursement - at Paris. It would be a great security of tranquillity, if I saw - this affair settled; but I should prefer that the funds were sent - to me, for otherwise some circumstance might happen which would - stop the stipulated payment in the second month. Your Highness is - well aware that there are no means of dispensing with punctual - payment of all the expenses alluded to above, especially with a - garrison composed like the one which I command; I beseech you, - then, to solicit from his Majesty measures which may secure the - payment of the sums which I stand in absolute need of. - - “I ought not to close without observing to your Highness that - the quantity of powder which now remains in our magazines is not - nearly in proportion to what would be necessary for a siege. - - “To conclude, Monseigneur, I have thought it right to make - beforehand all the observations which occur to my mind on the - insufficiency of men for the defence, on the inadequacy of - the means of subsistence, on the funds necessary to meet our - expenses, in short, on our supplies in every department which - are at all in proportion to our approaching wants. I beseech your - Highness, then, to lay before the Emperor the painful situation - in which we shall be placed, if his Majesty does not come to our - aid. What remains of the garrison is in other respects excellent, - and the performance of its part may be relied on, by means of a - few rewards well applied for unlimited devotion. It will do all - that the Emperor can expect from his best soldiers, and will - justify the confidence which his Majesty has placed in it, and - the favour which he has bestowed on it by placing it among the - number of the corps of his Grand Army. - - “I am, &c. - - (Signed) “COUNT RAPP.” - -The armistice was meanwhile approaching its termination. The troops, -the ammunition, the artillery for the siege were arriving in abundance -before the place. We soon had 300 pieces of cannon of large calibre, -and 60,000 fighting troops before us. The disproportion was immense; -but we had conquered when enfeebled by disease, we might hope to -conquer again. Nothing but the means of subsistence was wanting. -The Russians were so convinced of this that they gave chase to the -smallest craft which went fishing. Their gun-boats had even captured -some of the craft which had not gone beyond the limits. I immediately -despatched a flag of truce to the Admiral. I represented to him that -the sea ought to be free for a league from the shore, and that I -should know how to make the conditions of the armistice respected, -if they again attempted to infringe them. He promised to conform to -the conditions, and no more to molest our boats. He did not, indeed, -molest them; but that very evening he carried off our unfortunate -fishermen, who had retired, without suspicion of what was to happen, -to their huts. He dreaded the abundance which a few pounds of fish -would produce in the fortress. The peasants and the course of the -waters were not better treated. They entrapped the former, and turned -the latter in another direction. It appeared to them as if every -thing was put in motion to get us food; that it was coming on us in -every direction. It was in vain for me to protest; indeed, never -were pretences or excuses wanting. At last the Prince of Wolkonski -announced to me the recommencement of hostilities; I received this -news with sincere satisfaction. Our relations were too disagreeable -for me not to desire to see them ended. - - - - -CHAPTER XLII. - - -The enemy was full of confidence; he fought, he intrigued, he -flattered himself with the hopes of taking the place by storm or -reducing it to ashes; but through the vigilance and intrepidity of -my soldiers all his attempts failed. His incendiary rockets were -wasted on our ramparts; his attacks were repulsed, and his emissaries -discovered. Several of these wretches had already introduced -themselves into our magazines, and were preparing to set them on -fire. I perhaps ought to have made an example of them; but I dreaded -lest this example might be dangerous: I feared that it would give a -knowledge of the crime to those who were then ignorant of it, and that -it would spread alarm amongst the troops. I pretended to believe that -they had endeavoured to pilfer some provisions, and I dismissed them; -but I issued such severe proclamations against theft, that I kept -malevolence at a distance. - -After three days of humiliation and fatigue the besiegers succeeded -at last in getting possession of the wood of Ohra. Driven from it -almost immediately, they re-appear with new forces, and drive in our -detachment. The battalion on duty takes a second time its arms, and -rushes to its relief. Major Legros attacks the wood; two companies -of grenadiers march on the village; the troops meet each other, they -charge, they drive, they overthrow: the struggle becomes frightful. -Captain Capgrau seizes by the hair a Prussian officer: whilst he -throws him on the ground, he himself is on the point of being killed; -a soldier already touches him with his bayonet. Lieutenant Sabatier -turns aside the blow, closes on the Cossack, and runs him through with -his sabre; but at the moment he saves his chief, he receives in the -throat a wound which compels him to quit the field of battle. In the -wood, in the village, every where, the Russians are defeated: Captain -Duchat kills four himself; Commandant Charton, Lieutenants Devrine and -Blanchard, mow them down in heaps; a crowd of brave fellows rush into -the midst of them and increase the disorder. Francou, whose valour -a short time afterwards was so famous, Martin, Couture, Rochette, -Schlitz, Lepont, Bennot, Soudè, Paris, Belochio, all sub-officers of -the light troops, the carabineer Richida, the drummer Breiquier rush -even to the centre of their columns, and give them up to the swords of -our soldiers. - -Fresh troops take the place of those who are defeated, and establish -themselves in the wood; our heroes led on by Lieutenant Joly Delatour, -rush forward, attack and defeat them. The enemy, nevertheless, do not -lose courage; they form again into ranks, and present themselves a -third time: but always overcome, always cut in pieces, they at last -discontinue their attacks. - -Early the next day the enemy throw themselves on Stries and -Heiligenbrun, and take possession of Langfuhr. Our advanced posts -fall back on two block-houses, situated on the right and left of the -village. The Russians pursue them, and prepare to attack them; but -the Poles fire on them with such rapidity and precision that they are -forced to retreat. They return in greater force, they cover, they -inundate the defiles of the Jesch Kental; they threaten Heiligenbrun, -they debouch by Stries; all my line is under fire. These manœuvres -left no doubt as to their intentions; it was clear that they had -serious views on Langfuhr; I determined to anticipate them, and march -out to meet them. I assembled my troops, the left in the village, the -centre in the ravines of Zigangenberg, and the right extending as far -as Ohra. Twenty-four pieces of cannon, commanded by General Lepin, -are placed in the middle between the two wings. They immediately -commence a firing: the enemy's redoubts, his masses, his camp at -Pitzkendorf, every thing is ploughed up by our ball, we dismount two -of his pieces. The Poles, the Bavarians, the Westphalians, and 250 -horse, commanded by General Farine, debouch at the same time. The -brave Szembeck, already engaged with the Russians, was driving them -from Duvelkam; as soon as our soldiers perceive this defeat, they -grow warm, and they are encouraged; they rush on the redoubts at -Pitzkendorf. The allies, driven back on their works, endeavour in vain -to defend themselves; young Centurione at the head of his hussars, -overcomes every obstacle, but falls covered with wounds. At the sight -of this excellent officer carried off at so tender an age, the thirst -for vengeance kindles the courage of our men: infantry and cavalry -pour pell-mell on the redoubts. The trumpeter Bernardin, the chasseur -Olire, the Quarter-master Boucher, throw themselves into the midst of -the Russians; Lieutenant Tirion, already wounded, goes straight to the -officer who commands them, and takes him prisoner. From that moment -it is no longer a battle—it is slaughter, it is carnage, all perish -at the point of the bayonet, or only owe their lives to the mercy of -the conquerors. Whilst our soldiers are giving themselves up to the -fire of their courage, a cloud of Cossacks rush on them, and threaten -to cut them in pieces; but General Cavaignac moves up so promptly -with the reserve of cavalry, the troops charge with such zeal, the -Commanding-Adjutant de Erens, the chiefs of squadrons Bel and Zeluski, -Captains Gibert, Fayaux, Vallier, Pateski, and Bagatho, display so -much intelligence and skill that the enemy is completely routed, and -disperses in the most frightful confusion. - -The cannonade grew warmer and warmer. The Russians still occupied -the Johanisberg, the ground in front of Pitzkendorf, and made a -furious attack on Langfuhr. I detached against them a battalion of -the Vistula, which was supported by the Neapolitans commanded by -General Détrées, having under his orders General Pépé, who has since -been rendered so famous by the events which have occurred in his own -country. The brave Szembeck commenced the attack; it was made with -great regularity and impetuosity. The Russians, routed at the point of -the bayonet, overthrown by destructive charges, seek safety by flight. -The Poles pursue them with increased boldness; the drummer Hhade -seizes one of them by the cartouche-box, pulls him from the ranks and -disarms him. Captain Fatczinsky forgets that he is wounded, rushes -into a house which they occupy, kills their chief, and makes thirty of -them prisoners. - -The Neapolitans are not less impetuous; they press forward in pursuit -of the fugitives, drive them on and fire upon them. General Pépé, -Colonel Lebon, the Commandants Balathier, and Sourdet, Captains -Chivandier and Cianculli direct and excite their courage, and give at -once both precept and example. - -On the opposite side of the mountain the conflict was not less -obstinate or bloody. At the appointed signal, Colonel Kaminsky had -marched on the Russians and had dislodged them; he drove them before -him—the pursuit was hot. Reinforcements arrive; our adversaries -endeavour to stem the torrent, but the Poles pursue them with -impetuosity. Roseizensky, Drabizclwsky, Doks, Zaremba, Zygnowicz, -followed by men devoted to their leaders, rush on them and cut them in -pieces. - -We were masters of Johanisberg. The weather was terrible; the enemy -was flying at a distance. I ordered a retreat to be sounded—it was -done in the most perfect order. At six o'clock every thing was -tranquil. But the Russians were not long before they made their -appearance again. They attack at the same time the Belvedere and the -heights of Heiligenbrun; they keep up a very smart firing; but they -are nevertheless unable to obtain the slightest advantage. Colonel -Kaminsky, and Commander Szembeck display a courage and skill which -disconcert them. They withdraw, but at the same time two battalions, -supported by a numerous cavalry, march on the village of Stries. -Kaminsky rushes to its defence. The Russians return immediately to -the charge; they scale the heights, they attack the Belvedere, push -on, and press their attacks. All their attempts fail against the -excellent arrangements of Major Deskur, and the valour of the chiefs -of battalion Johman and Robiesky. - -This was not the first diversion they had tried. They had already -driven in our advanced posts from Schidlitz to Ohra: Major Schneider, -attacked in front and flank, only maintained this suburb by courage. -He perceived a numerous column which imprudently entered the great -broad-street: he charged it, poured a shower of grape-shot on it, and -destroyed it. General Husson came up with the reserve. We resumed the -offensive; in an instant the wood and the village are taken, and the -Russians thrown into dreadful confusion. The chief of battalion, -Boulanger, disarmed eight of them; a sergeant who had been wounded -by a musquet-ball, the brave Vestel, disarmed three: the sub-officer -Cornu rescued one of our men, and took his escort prisoners. - -I was once more master of the Johanisberg and of Langfuhr, but this -success could not be durable; it was evident that the Russians, -continually returning to the charge with fresh troops, must in the -end succeed. Moreover, these two positions were so far separated from -each other, that they could neither injure me much, nor be of much use -to me. I gave, in consequence, orders to evacuate them, if the Allies -presented themselves in force. But their audacity had given place to -timidity. They were afraid of removing from the heights; they dared -not take possession of a village that had been abandoned. Impatient, -nevertheless, to get possession of it, they engage in a general action -to make themselves masters of a post which I had resolved not to -defend. The troops take arms; the fleet supports them. The whole of -my line is attacked: eighty gun-boats fire in concert, and pour their -shot on Neufahrwasser. Schelmulle, New-Schottland, Ohra, Zigangendorf -became a prey to the flames. The enemy's troops spread themselves as -a torrent in the plain; they overthrow or set fire to every thing -that opposes their passage: I came up in the midst of this terrible -confusion. But already the courage of the Russians had declined; they -were repulsed by a handful of brave men under the command of Major -Poyeck, and left the approaches of Kabrun filled with heaps of dead -bodies. I gave orders to pursue them: the impetuous Gibert rushed -forward with his chasseurs. Captain Maisonneuve joined him; they -charged: the disorderly multitude was repulsed and driven back on -Schelmulle. This party of the Russians, joined by the troops which -occupied the village, received, without being broken, the destructive -vollies of Captain Ostrowsky; but almost immediately turned by Captain -Marnier, one of the bravest officers in the French army, they fled, -disbanded themselves, and sought for refuge amidst the ruins of -buildings which they had given to the flames. - -The struggle was not less warm at Langfuhr: attacked by 12,000 -Russians, our posts fought and struggled in the very midst of the -immense columns of the enemy. Sergeant Szhatkowsky stood in need of -all his courage to escape from the Cossacks. Employed on a work in -front of the village, with thirteen men, he was surrounded by these -irregular troops; he immediately rallied his workmen, faced on one -side, attacked on the other, and constantly marching and fighting, at -last disengaged himself without losing a man. - -The Russians, humiliated by their losses, marched on the village. -Two houses, which I had put in a state to resist a _coup de main_, -defended its entrance: our adversaries attacked them in flank, pressed -on, and attempted an escalade; but a destructive fire threw them -into confusion, and compelled them to retreat. To increase their -misfortunes, the Neapolitans appear, and attack them. Colonels Lebon -and Dégennero pressed on, broke through the cavalry, and penetrated -into Langfuhr. The cavalry returned to the charge with greater numbers -and audacity; it took advantage of impediments, seized the right -moment, and charged our battalions as they were scattered up and -down the streets. A bloody conflict ensued; the brave Paliazzi fell, -pierced with ten lance wounds: Captains Nicolaü, Angeli, Dégennero, -are covered with wounds, and are compelled to leave the field of -battle. In vain the intrepid Grimaldi, in vain Lieutenants Amato, -Legendre, Hubert, Pouza, Gomez, and Zanetti endeavoured to stem the -torrent; numbers prevailed: we were compelled to retreat. A few brave -fellows, engaged too far in front, were unable to follow, and were -cut off; but far from giving way to despair, their courage increased -at the sight of danger; they rallied round the Adjutant-major Odiardi. -They advance, they turn, they retrograde, and at last reach the -fortified houses. Already were they attacked for the second time; -the Allies, enraged at the resistance, threw themselves on the -pallisadoes; tore them from the ground, and appeared about to triumph -over all these obstacles: but, laid in the dust as soon as they were -open to our fire, they soon despaired of success: unable to take the -houses, they set fire to them. Our brave fellows are not disconcerted: -some continued the firing, others subdue the flames; and the enemy is -not advanced farther than before. A thick smoke hid from our view the -two houses; I was still ignorant whether our troops occupied them, -or whether the Allies had made themselves masters of them. Reports -announced the latter; I resolved, nevertheless, to make an attempt -to know; but the balls, fired from off the houses, were falling on -us in showers: I concluded that they were lost. One circumstance -in particular rendered it probable: the firing had ceased, while -the flames were still raging. I was unwilling, however, to believe -that they had been given up; I ordered a fresh reconnoissance. The -neighbourhood of these two posts was heaped with dead bodies, clad -in white capotes. Deceived by the colour of the dress, the officers -whom I had sent were persuaded that the Bavarians had perished; all -asserted it, all were convinced of it. The loss of such brave men was -melancholy, and deserved not to be admitted on appearances. I charged -one of my aides-de-camp, Captain Marnier, to ascertain the real state -of the case: this mission could not be disagreeable to him; he had, -at the battle of Uclès, summoned a Spanish division to lay down its -arms, and had taken it: the spears of the Cossacks would not stop -him. At daybreak he set out from Kabrun, with eight men who requested -to follow him; he proceeded, running, to the house on the right. -Immediately the barriers were opened, the detachment joined him, and -made its retreat, in spite of the Russians who rushed forward to -intercept it. - -That on the left still remained; but the greatest difficulty was -overcome. I was certain that it still existed: I issued orders -that it should be relieved. A battalion advanced; no sooner was it -perceived by these admirable soldiers, than they placed their wounded -in the midst of it, and rushed forth on the Allies. Several received -wounds; the brave Dalwick was struck by a ball, which shattered his -left shoulder, but he continued to fight with ardour. The contest -became more and more bloody. The Bavarians, inflamed with the noble -desire to save their countrymen, and animated by the example of two -intrepid officers, Adjutant-major Seiferlitz and Lieutenant Muck, -threw themselves precipitately on the enemy, broke through them, and -at last brought off in safety this handful of devoted soldiers. They -made a kind of triumphal entry: every one was anxious to see them, and -to congratulate them: all spoke of their constancy, and boasted of -their resignation. Alone, abandoned to their own resources, without -provisions, without ammunition, parched with thirst, suffocated -by the smoke, they had braved the threats, repulsed the summons, -and rejected with disdain the insinuations of the enemy. Captain -Fahrebeck in particular was loaded with encomiums; his _sang-froid_ -was admired, his courage extolled; his firmness and his prudence -were the subject and the theme of every one's conversation. It was -natural that I should testify to these brave fellows how much I was -satisfied with them: I inserted in the order of the day the perils -that they had faced, the risks they had run; and I lodged the wounded -in my own hotel. Every day I visited them; every day I made myself -acquainted with their situation, and assured myself that their wants -were supplied. An officer, who was in my confidence, M. Romeru, was -moreover instructed to lavish on them the cares and the consolation -which I was not able to give them myself. - -As soon as the enemy was master of Langfuhr, he began to labour; works -upon works were constructed: his exertions were unremitted. His design -was to narrow my position more and more, and ultimately to compel me -to shut myself up in the fortress. This plan was admirable; the only -question was how to execute it; this was a more difficult affair. -I had covered the fronts of Oliwa and Hagelsberg by a formidable -entrenched camp; nine works composed it: the lunette of Istria -occupied the culminating point of the heights, which command the fort -and defile of Hagelsberg; it was flanked by the batteries Kirgeur -and Caulincourt. A selection was afterwards made among the hillocks -situated between these works and the road of Langfuhr, of those -which were most advantageously situated, and they were fortified. -The following was the arrangement of these redoubts: going on the -right from Caulincourt, the redoubt Romeuf, the battery Grabowsky, -the redoubt Deroy, the battery Montbrun. In fine, to complete this -line of fortifications and to extend it as far as the Vistula, two -batteries more were established; the one called Fitzer, across the -road of Langfuhr, the other known by the name of Gudin, was little -farther distant; it rested on an artificial inundation, which extended -as far as the dyke on the left of the Vistula, and formed the right -of all our line, which still enclosed two batteries which were placed -on the other side of the river. All these works were palisadoed, -provided with barracks, and powder magazines. I ordered moreover two -barrack camps to be erected; the one to hold four hundred men, towards -the extreme left behind Kirgeur, and the other a hundred and fifty, -behind Montbrun. The part of this line which extends from Montbrun to -Gudin was connected by a kind of covered road; that which extended to -the left was sufficiently protected by the badness of the ground. I -thought, moreover, that it was necessary to secure the power of acting -on the offensive in a part of these works. - -Ohra was also put in a state of defence. A mass of houses, which -communicated with each other, and the doors and windows of which had -been carefully walled up; parapets and palisadoes, which had no other -outlet but a tongue of land, bounded by two beds of water, rather -deep, formed an advanced retrenchment, known under the name of the -_first entrenchment_ of Ohra; the second, situated four hundred yards -in its rear, was composed of the same materials, and was supported on -a large Jesuit's convent, which had been fortified. The heights and -defiles which approach the suburb were fortified; the redoubt with -which they were surmounted prevented the enemy from turning us, and -soon became famous under the name of the batteries and lines of Friuli. - -Whilst we were executing these works the enemy frequently skirmished -with our advanced posts: Schidlitz, Ohra, Stolzenberg, were in turn -the object of his attacks, Repulsed at every point, he attempted to -surprise Heubade; but he there met with more than his match. The -Commandant Carré, an old soldier, full of vigilance, and acquainted -with all kinds of stratagems, perceived his columns, succeeded in -making them engage each other, and retired without loss from a -critical situation. - -Quite ashamed at this cruel mystification, the Russians flatter -themselves with the prospect of taking revenge at Kabrun. They -surround it, they scale it, but received by a destructive firing, -directed by Captain Nazzewski, they withdrew leaving the ditches -filled with dead. They march once more on Schidlitz: put to -flight the first time, they return to the charge with fresh vigour -and impetuosity; but Adjutant-major Bouttin, Captains Kleber and -Feuillade, raise to such a degree the courage of our soldiers, that -they throw themselves on the Allies, and defeat them. - -The fleet also was not idle: on the 4th, at daybreak, it appeared, -drawn up in line of battle; it had failed two days before in two -consecutive attacks, and completely wasted more than seven thousand -rounds of cannon-shot. Shame, thirst after vengeance, every thing -incited it to fight: it was the explosion of a volcano. The frigates -and the gun-boats thundered forth at once, and covered us with a -shower of shells: but far from being discomposed, our batteries are -managed with increased coolness and regularity. Officers and soldiers, -all soar above danger, and only think on victory. A gunner, engaged -in spunging a gun, had an arm carried off; Captain Pomerenski takes -up the spunging-rod and performs duty. Sergeant Viard serves a piece -which fires red-hot balls, and points it as at the polygon; Lieutenant -Milewski manages and superintends his own, sinks one gun-boat, damages -others, and compels them to leave the scene of action. Captain -Leppigé, Sergeant-major Zackowski, Sergeant Radzmiski, Corporal -Multarowski, set the most admirable examples of coolness and skill. -Captain Henrion, Lieutenant Hagueny, Captain of the frigate Rousseau, -the seamen Despeistre and Costo, the Corporals Davis and Dubous stick -to their cannon, and do not cease to fight them till the enemy fly. -The fleet, convinced of the inutility of its efforts, makes to sea, -with the satisfaction of having fired nine thousand rounds in order -to kill two men. It had also dismounted two of our pieces; but it -had lost two gun-boats, nine others were seriously damaged, and its -frigates were full of holes from our shells and ball. - -We very soon had a more formidable enemy to contend with. The Vistula -suddenly rises, overflows, or breaks down the dykes, and escapes -with impetuosity. The place, the fortifications, become a prey to -the waves. The bridges are carried away, the sluices destroyed, and -the banks broken up; the waters, now without impediment, rush into -the ditches, and undermine the bastions. Those of Bœren, and Braunn -Ross were in ruins, and it was to be feared, that, when the Vistula -should return to its natural bed, the inundation could not be kept -up; but the engineer department was not negligent in this critical -juncture, they succeeded in re-establishing the breaches, by means -of great dexterity and perseverance; and when the water subsided, -the inundation kept up by the branches which run through the Werder -scarcely experienced any change of level. - -The turn of the Russians had now arrived: they had profited by the -embarrassment which the swelling of the waters caused us; they had -raised battery on battery; and on the 15th of November they unmasked -a score lined with guns of the largest calibre. The fleet also came -up to try its powers against our forts. Masses of infantry were ready -to give the assault as soon as the palisadoes should be destroyed; -three bomb-vessels and forty gun-boats pour in a dreadful fire -upon Newfahrwasser. Danger, far from dejecting, only animates our -soldiers; they swear they will conquer, they swear they will punish -the assailants. The troops of the line keep close to the cannon, the -artillery points them, as at a review; they damage and dismast a crowd -of gun-boats. Of a sudden, a terrible explosion is heard: a ball had -pierced the Sainte-Barbe, the sloop disappeared. The same explosion -was repeated. We congratulate, and encourage each other, we are eager -to imitate the heroes who fire with such admirable precision. Three -vessels become nearly at the same time a prey to the flames, and the -first line of ships retires all covered with wreck. The second takes -its place, without being more successful, and the divisions thus -succeed each other every three hours, without slackening the fire. -At last, disheartened by the obstacles which were opposed to it, by -the courage of our soldiers, the excellent arrangements of Colonel -Rousselot, and the vigilance of Major François, the fleet retires to -repair its losses. Twelve hours fighting, and 20,000 discharges of -cannon, had no other result than the killing and wounding of half a -dozen of our men, and the damaging of three of our gun-carriages. -This was the last attempt. A few months earlier it would have been -infallible, but in war the very moment should be seized. - -The troops were more successful. They attacked our posts in advance -of Ohra, and got possession of that of the Etoile on the heights at -the right of the village. Major Legros does not allow them time to -establish themselves; four chosen companies, under the command of -Captains Valard and Aubry, march without delay to the point of attack. -They take the Russians by surprise, and cut them in pieces. In vain do -they appear with fresh troops; repulsed, put to flight, they disperse, -though without losing courage; they make a fresh attempt, but met -by a destructive discharge of musquetry, they disband and fall under -the fire of two companies placed in the village of Stadtgebieth which -annihilate them. - - - - -CHAPTER XLIII. - - -The season became every day more severe. The rains were incessant, -and produced a fetid fog which the sun, without heat, could scarcely -dissipate. But what was still worse, the scarcity still continued to -increase. Horses, dogs, cats were eaten, we had exhausted all our -resources, our salt even failed us. It is true that industry supplied -the deficiency. Some soldiers conceived the idea of boiling some -old planks which had formerly belonged to a storehouse; the trial -succeeded. We sprung this new mine, and the hospitals were supplied. -The population was reduced to the last extremity, it lived on nothing -but _malt_ and _bran_, and it had not even enough of these to satisfy -its wants. In this state of distress I thought the philanthropic -allies would not repulse their fellow-countrymen. I drove out of -the fortress the prisoners and the beggars, all, in a word, who had -no provisions. But the Prussians were inexorable, and but for the -inhabitants of Saint-Albrecht, they would have left them to perish -from want. Others went to the quarters occupied by the Russians, -and were not better received. Without shelter, without food of any -kind, they would have perished under the eyes of these liberators -of humanity, if I had not taken pity on their wretchedness. I gave -them some relief, and sent them to their homes. Several begged to be -employed in the fortifications, and they received half or a quarter -of a loaf of ammunition bread for their wages. In the mean time -the enemy had completed their works. From time to time they tried -their batteries, and seemed to perform a prelude to a more serious -action. On the 10th, accordingly, they all began to fire towards -the close of the day. The town, the Holme, the entrenched camp of -Newfahrwasser are inundated with shells, grenades, and red hot balls. -The fire breaks forth, and consumes the convent of the Dominicans. -The Russian prisoners who were kept in the building were on the point -of perishing, when our soldiers rushed in and saved them from death. -The flames continuing to increase in violence, wreathed round the -neighbouring houses, and threatened to reduce them to ashes. At the -same time the Allies presented themselves in strength before our -posts of Ohra, and drove them back as far as Stadtgebieth. I came -up with Count Heudelet. The enemy, overthrown at the point of the -bayonet, attempted in vain to return to the charge; General Husson -and Major Legros repulsed all their attacks. A mistake augmented -their losses. Two of their columns took each other for the enemy, and -engaged accordingly. They recognised their friends by the cries of the -wounded, but more than 300 men were already laid in the dust. On our -side we had a hundred _hors de combat_. - -Early the next day the enemy appeared before the houses beyond -Stadtgebieth. Driven back twice, he set fire to them. Although twice -wounded, Captain Basset was unwilling to give them up, but it was -not long before the progress of the flames compelled him; he retired -fighting all the way. The Allies, being masters of the village, pushed -on, without halting, to the level of the Etoile, and took it. The -posts which remained on the descent of the hill were henceforth too -weak, and I called them in. The enemy at last took possession of this -position, but he paid sufficiently dear for a mere embankment of -earth. - -The farther he advanced towards Langfuhr, the more perilous his -situation became; taken in flank and in rear, thundered on by the -batteries of the Holme, he was soon unable to debouch from the -redoubts he had raised at Kabrun. Confused at having mistaken the -true point of attack, he concentrated his forces, and marched on the -heights of Ohra. He tried every means to get possession of them, and I -neglected none to defend them. I improved, I extended my works. I made -every one contribute his skill and information. Superior officers of -each department of the army, under the presidency of General Granjean, -consulted on the measures which the security of the place required. -They put our provisions and our ammunition out of the reach of the -ravages of fire. They portion out the provisions, and organize the -engine department, and get mills in readiness; so that if the shells -should destroy what we already possessed there were others to supply -their loss. In the mean time the Allies continued their bombardment. -Fire succeeded fire, and threatened to reduce every thing to ashes. -On a sudden the batteries ceased, the firing was suspended. At this -unexpected silence, the inhabitants resumed their courage; they ran, -they fled to the relief of the quarters that were on fire. Poor -people! there was nothing to save from the flames but a few walls; the -place was on the brink of its ruin. - -The enemy had only stopped the firing in order to resume it with -greater fury. As soon as his arrangements were made, he opened it with -violence. The batteries of the Etoile, those of Johannisberg, Kabrun, -Schellmule, Langfuhr, fire rounds upon rounds, and overwhelm us with -shells, rockets, and red hot balls. Fires break out, the edifices -are falling to ruins. Dantzic presents the appearance of a volcano -whose eruptions issue forth, disappear, and again shew themselves -in every direction. The two banks of the Mottlaw, the Butter-Marck, -the Poggenful, the Speicher-Insell, all are destroyed. In vain do -the troops run to their assistance, an unintermitting shower of -projectiles triumphs over their efforts, and a loss of several -millions aggravates the misfortunes of this wretched population. - -Our forts and our villages were not in a better condition. Ohra in -particular was nothing but a heap of ashes. Five batteries were -blazing against it without intermission; clouds of riflemen, sheltered -by the inequalities of the ground, overwhelmed us with shot, and -impeded the working of our guns. The first entrenchment, almost -annihilated by fire and balls, still held out. Major Schneider -defended it with a degree of valour and prudence which still -promised a long resistance; but it was on the point of being taken -by approaches and I gave it up. I also relinquished the head of -Schidlitz. The enemy had tried some days before to make themselves -masters of it. Three companies had presented themselves before our -posts, but being vigorously charged by Captain Leclerc and Lieutenant -Kowalzky, they were routed, and sought their safety in flight. This -lesson was not thrown away; the Allies returned with more considerable -forces, and established themselves there. A very serious accident -befell us soon after. A shell burst in a magazine of wood, and set -it on fire. Powder is not quicker; in an instant every thing is in -a blaze. The flames, propagated by a strong wind, spread themselves -from point to point, and present a heap of fire which no effort can -extinguish. A sad spectator of so cruel a disaster, I hoped at least -to save the distant buildings. My expectation was still deceived, -and we had the misfortune to see the greatest part of our provisions -consumed before our eyes. Officers and soldiers, all were plunged in -mournful silence, all beheld with amazement this scene of desolation, -when of a sudden a terrible discharge of musquetry is heard. The -enemy were attacking the lines of Frioul, and were getting possession -of them. Captain Chambure flies to their relief. This valiant officer -commanded a chosen troop called the _free company_, or the _enfants -perdus_; he rushes into the redoubt, and cuts the Russians in pieces. -Not a man escapes: those who avoid the bayonet perish under the fire -of the chiefs of the battalion, Clauron and Dybowski. Lieutenant -Conrad gives a proof on this occasion of singular firmness. With a -shoulder fractured by a ball, he throws himself into the thickest -of the fight; Chambure extricates him: “You are wounded,” he said -to him, “this is no longer a place for you, go, and announce to the -general that we are in the redoubt.”—“Captain,” replied the intrepid -lieutenant, “I have still my right-hand, you have only your left,”—and -he continues to fight. - -Defeated on the left, our assailants throw themselves on the right, -and drive us back as far as our forts. I did not judge it right to -resume the attack, in a dark night; I waited till the next day. Two -columns, commanded by Generals Breissau and Devilliers, marched at -the same time on Stolzenberg and Schidlitz; the Russians occupied -them in force; but our troops fought with so much zeal—Major Deskur, -the Chiefs of the battalions, Poniatowski, Crikicowski, and Carré, -Captains Fahrebeck, Perrin, Kalisa, and Rousin, led them on with so -much skill and valour, that the Allies were broken, and left the -field of battle heaped with their dead. Unfortunately, our success -was dearly bought: General Breissau, so estimable for his talents -and courage, was dangerously wounded. In vain all the aid of art was -lavished on him; he expired after a month of acute suffering. - -Our troops were victorious; but what a spectacle awaited them -within the fortress; rubbish and ruins were the only remains of our -magazines. One alone had escaped the fury of the flames. Indebted for -its preservation to Colonel Cottin, and the second in command of the -staff Marquessac, it had only been secured by dint of their zeal and -perseverance. The chief of squadron Turckheim, who had also given so -many proofs of zeal, and Lieutenant Fleurz, had also succeeded in -saving 4000 quintals of corn: all the rest was in flames; every thing -else had perished. We did not preserve two months' provisions, which -the flames, continually more active, and an unceasing bombardment, -threatened with destruction. - -The Russians advanced slowly, but yet they advanced.—They had got -possession of different posts, and marched in mass on Stolzenberg. -Too weak to offer an effectual resistance, our soldiers had evacuated -it. General Husson assembled a few troops, and sounded the charge. -It took place with remarkable impetuosity. Captain Milsent, and -Adjutant-Major Rivel, moved forwards at the head of some of our -bravest soldiers, came up with the enemy and defeated him. - -Captain Chambure was preparing a more severe lesson for our -assailants. He embarked in a dark night, deceived the vigilance of -the fleet, and landed opposite to Bohnsack. He surprises the village, -sets fire to the habitations and magazines, slaughters the men and -horses, and returns to his boats. They were no longer on the shore. -The trumpets were sounding, the call to arms was heard; death appeared -inevitable. Nevertheless, he does not lose courage, he calms the -soldiers, throws himself across the enemy's entrenchments, and arrives -safe and sound at the moment it was thought he was destroyed. He soon -begins another march, and proceeds to Brœsen; he falls unexpectedly on -the troops which occupy it, defeats them, and does not retire till he -has burnt their camp. Scarcely has he returned, when he rushes upon -a more perilous enterprise.—He penetrates into the enemy's trenches, -defeats and drives in their posts, and returns to shelter himself -behind our batteries. Lieutenant Jaimebon, seriously wounded at the -beginning of the attack, fought as if he had not been affected by the -pain; it was so acute that the fear alone of discouraging the soldiers -was capable of stifling his groans. He died five days afterwards: -honour be to his memory! - -The _free company_ became every day more audacious. Trenches, -palisadoes, were trifling obstacles; it penetrated every where. In -the middle of a dark night, it stole along from tree to tree, the -whole length of the avenue of Langfuhr, without being perceived by the -Russians. On a sudden it leaped into their works, killed some of the -Russians, drove out the others, and pursued them as far as Kabrun. -The brave Surimont, the intrepid Rozay, Payen, Dezeau, Gonipet, and -Francore, threw themselves on the redoubt, and carried it. A hundred -men were put to the sword, the others owed their escape only to flight. - -We carried on with our besiegers a war of surprise and bravery; they -combated us by stratagems and proclamations. Their batteries were -unceasing, and our magazines were destroyed. Our troops, wasted -and harassed by labour and want of sleep, had nothing to renew -their strength but a little bread and an ounce of the flesh of our -horses; if we might give that name to the wretched skeletons of -animals, which, rejected by the cavalry and waggon train, had turned -the mill, till being unable to stand any longer they were led to -the slaughter-houses. It was to men so fatigued with fighting and -suffering, that the Russians promised repose and abundance. Every -attempt to decoy them was used. Gold, silver, threats, the anger -of their sovereigns, the voice of their country, were offered and -invoked. The Duke assisted his emissaries;—he wrote, intreated, -protested, assailed officers, and soldiers. Desertion began to -prevail among our foreign troops, they even refused to do any duty. -The Bavarians, the Poles themselves, too well acquainted with our -misfortunes, feared to make a sacrilegious use of their arms, and -remained in a state of inaction. We were reduced to our mere national -troops, that is to say, to less than 6000 men; and we had an extent -of more than two leagues to defend. I resolved to inform the Emperor -of this painful situation. This was not an easy task; all Germany -was in a state of insurrection; the sea was covered with the enemy's -squadrons. But no dangers, no obstacles, deterred Captain Marnier; he -undertook this adventurous expedition, captured a vessel, sailed along -with the English fleet and escaped from it. - -The Duke of Wurtemburg attempted to seduce every one. I was not -myself free from his attempts. He exalted his resources, depreciated -mine, spoke of France, of Siberia, and proposed to me to give up -the fortress.—His threats and his offers were addressed to a wrong -quarter: I convinced him of this, and I heard no more of them. More -suitable means were brought into play; the fires were increased, -and the bombardment, continually growing more furious, was kept up -night and day. The town, the Bischfberg, the redoubts of Frioul were -battered to pieces. Supported by so tremendous a fire of artillery, -the Russians expected to carry us by assault. They advanced provided -with hatchets and ladders, and rushed on the Gudin battery. Captain -Razumsky commanded it; he received them with discharges of grape-shot, -and overthrew them. They nevertheless rallied, and attempted an -escalade; but overpowered by a destructive firing, they dispersed -at the sight of Major Deskur, and left their arms and ladders in -the possession of the valiant Captains Zbiewski, and Propocki. They -attempted, with as little success, to make themselves masters of the -Fitzer battery, in the avenue of Langfuhr. Colonel Plessman, Captain -Renouard, and Adjutant Stolling, made a resistance which they could -not overcome: three times they return to the charge, as often are they -defeated. - -The redoubts of Frioul were meanwhile in a deplorable condition; -without parapets and mines, overwhelmed by shell and grape-shot, -they presented no means of defence: I ordered them to be deserted. -The greatest part of the fortifications was still untouched, but our -provisions were approaching to their termination. - -The season when the ice appears was arrived. Twenty thousand men would -have been necessary for me to withstand the progress of the besiegers, -to guard the forts, to secure the inundation, and to keep the course -of the water free. The contest was too unequal; to have continued the -defence would merely have been to spill blood for the pleasure of -spilling it. - -I conceived I had found a plan which was consistent both with my duty -and with humanity. I calculated the number of days that the remainder -of our provisions would last us; I proposed to suspend hostilities, -and to surrender the fortress at the end of that term, if the course -of affairs did not alter the arrangement. Negotiation began, the -firing ceased. General Houdelet and Colonel Richemont went to the -enemy's camp and concluded a capitulation, in which the power of -returning to France was particularly guaranteed to us. A part of the -articles had been already executed; the Russian prisoners had been -sent back, the forts had been given up, when I learnt that the Emperor -Alexander refused his ratification. The Duke of Wurtemberg offered -me to put things in their former condition. This was a mockery: But -what could we do? We had no more provisions. It was necessary to be -resigned. He managed things as he wished, and we took the road to -Russia. - -Affected by our misfortunes, our allies wished to have suffered them -in common with us. The Poles broke their arms in pieces; the Bavarians -swore never to turn them against us. But duty bids the affections be -silent. It became necessary to separate. General Prince de Radziwill -and Colonel Butler, both so distinguished by their character and by -their achievements, led them back to their country. - -Thus ended, after one year's fighting, a defence, in which we had to -encounter every calamity and every obstacle;—a defence, which is not -one of the least proofs of what the courage and patriotism of French -soldiers are able to effect. - - - - -CHAPTER XLIV. - - -We were conducted to Kiow. We were there informed of the prodigies -performed by that handful of brave men who had not despaired of the -safety of their country. They had triumphed at Montmirail, at Sézanne, -at Champaubert, in every part where the enemy had dared to await -them. All Europe fled before them; the coalition was dissolved. The -obstinacy of a soldier snatched from us the fruits of victory. It -became necessary to fight and conquer again; but ammunition failed us; -the corps did not arrive, the generals were haranguing the troops to -make them capitulate. Every thing was lost; our glory, our conquests -vanished as a shadow; even the signs of them were repudiated. - -The end of the coalition was attained. Our captivity was no longer -profitable; we were set at liberty. We returned to France: what a -spectacle did she present! The body of emigrants had invaded the army -and the anti-chambers; they were bending under the ensigns of command -and decorations. The first person that I met at the Tuileries was a -chief of a battalion, whom I had formerly assisted and protected: he -was become lieutenant-general; he did not know me again. Another, -who was with me a long time at Dantzic, had not a better memory. -This last person I had received at the recommendation of the Duke -de Cadore, I had experienced his sickening adulations: he used to -style me _Monseigneur_, your _Excellency_; he would willingly have -called me the _Eternal_. In proportion as I told him how much these -fooleries displeased me, he increased them; he even conceived the idea -of attending at my _levee_. If it had depended on him I must have -conceived myself a sovereign. His malversations delivered me from this -obstinate flatterer; they became so glaring that the government was -on the point of proceeding against him. I saved this gentleman from -the shame of punishment; but I made him retire: he went to exercise -his industry at.... He soon became acquainted with our reverses, was -alarmed, took post, and never stopped till he was on this side of the -Rhine: his fear had served him better than courage could have done. He -had large epaulets, and four or five decorations. This was well for -the opening of his career:—promotion does not go on so quickly on -the field of battle. He withdrew as soon as he saw me: apparently his -costume embarrassed him. I met a third, who, also, did not feel quite -at ease in my presence. Formerly attached to Josephine, he had given -proof of a truly exquisite foresight; in order to be provided against -all unforeseen cases which might occur in promenades and journeys, he -had provided himself with a silver gilt vessel. When a circumstance -required it, he drew it from his pocket, presented it, took it, -emptied it, wiped it, and put it away with care. This shewed the very -instinct of domesticity. - -But all these worthies, so ardent for the treasury, for decorations -and commands, soon shewed the amount of their courage. Napoleon -appeared, they were eclipsed. They had flocked to Louis XVIII., the -dispenser of favours; but they had not a trigger to pull for Louis -XVIII. in misfortune. We tried a few dispositions; but the people, the -soldiers had never been accomplices of the humiliations of France; -they refused to fight against the colours that they adored, and the -Emperor peaceably resumed the reins of government. - -Generals Bertrand and Lemarrois wrote to me to come to the Tuileries; -I returned to Paris. A new invitation was waiting for me at my hotel; -the grand-marshal informed me that his Majesty wished to see me. I -did not like to keep him waiting; I went just as I was, quite sure -that Napoleon would know how to appreciate duty and affection. I was -introduced immediately. - -_Napoleon._ “You are there, Monsieur General Rapp; you have been much -wanted? Whence do you come?” - -_Rapp._ “From Ecouen, where I have left my troops at the disposal of -the minister of war.” - -_Napoleon._ “Did you really intend to fight against me?” - -_Rapp._ “Yes, Sire.” - -_Napoleon._ “The Devil!” - -_Rapp._ “The determination was compulsory.” - -_Napoleon._ (In an animated tone.) “F....! I was very well aware that -you were before me. If an engagement had taken place, I would have -sought you out on the field of battle: I would have shewn you the head -of Medusa: Would you have dared to fire at me?” - -_Rapp._ “Undoubtedly,—my duty ...” - -_Napoleon._ “This is going too far. But the soldiers would not have -obeyed you; they have preserved more affection for me. Besides, if you -had fired a single shot, your peasants of Alsace would have stoned -you.” - -_Rapp._ “You will agree, Sire, that the situation was a very painful -one: you abdicate, you leave us, you engage us to serve the King; you -return. All the power of old recollections cannot deceive us.” - -_Napoleon._ “How is that? What do you mean to say? Do you think that I -have returned without alliance, without an agreement?... Moreover, my -system is changed: no more war, no more conquests; I wish to reign in -peace, and promote the welfare of my subjects.” - -_Rapp._ “You are pleased to say so; but your anti-chambers are already -full of those flatterers who have always encouraged your inclination -for arms.” - -_Napoleon._ “Bah! bah!... Did you often go to the Tuileries?” - -_Rapp._ “Sometimes, Sire.” - -_Napoleon._ “How did those folks behave to you?” - -_Rapp._ “I have no reason to complain of them.” - -_Napoleon._ “The King appears to have received you well on your return -from Russia?” - -_Rapp._ “Quite so, Sire.” - -_Napoleon._ “Without doubt. Cajoled first, then sent about your -business. This is what would have befallen you all;—for, after all, -you were not their men; you could not suit them: other titles, other -rights were necessary to please them.” - -_Rapp._ “The King delivered France from the Allies.” - -_Napoleon._ “Very true; but at what price! and his engagements, has he -kept them? Why did he not hang Ferrand for his speech on the national -domains? It is that, it is the insolence of the nobles and priests -which made me leave the island of Elba. I might have come with three -millions of peasants who ran to me to tell their grievances, and offer -their services. But I was certain of not finding resistance in my -way to Paris. The Bourbons are very fortunate that I have returned: -without me they would at last have had a dreadful revolution. - -“Have you read Chateaubriand's pamphlet, which does not even allow me -courage on the field of battle? Have you not sometimes seen me stand -fire? Am I a coward?” - -_Rapp._ “I have felt, in common with all honourable men, indignation -at an accusation as unjust as it is mean.” - -_Napoleon._ “Did you sometimes see the Duke d'Orleans?” - -_Rapp._ “I only saw him once.” - -_Napoleon._ “He is the only one who has discretion and tact! The -others have bad men about them and are very ill-advised. They do not -like me; they will now be more furious than ever; there is good reason -for it. I am arrived without striking a blow. They are now about to -cry me down as _ambitious_; that is their eternal reproach: they have -nothing else to say.” - -_Rapp._ “They are not the only persons who accuse you of ambition.” - -_Napoleon._ “How ... am I ambitious? When people are ambitious are -they as fat as I am?” (He struck his stomach with both hands). - -_Rapp._ “Your Majesty jokes.” - -_Napoleon._ “No: I have wished that France should be what she ought -to be; but I have never been ambitious. Besides, what do these folks -think of? It becomes them well to assume importance with the nation -and the army. Is it their courage on which they pride themselves?” - -_Rapp._ “They have occasionally shewn some—in the army of Condé for -instance.” - -_Napoleon._ “What is that order that I see on you?” - -_Rapp._ “The Legion of Honour.” - -_Napoleon._ “The Devil! They have had, however, the sense to make a -handsome decoration of it. And these two crosses here?” (He touched -them). - -_Rapp._ “Saint Louis and the Lily.” (He smiled). - -_Napoleon._ “What do you think of that ... Berthier, who did not -like to remain. He will return; I forgive him all; on one condition -however—it is, that he will wear his _garde du corps_ uniform to -appear before me. But enough of this. Well, General Rapp, we must -serve France once more, and we shall rescue ourselves from the -condition in which we are.” - -_Rapp._ “Confess, Sire, (since you have had the goodness sometimes to -permit me to speak to you freely), confess that you were wrong in not -making peace at Dresden? every thing was repaired if you had concluded -it. Do you recollect my reports on the spirit of Germany? you treated -them as pamphlets; you blamed me.” - -_Napoleon._ “I could not make peace at Dresden; the Allies were not -sincere. Besides, if every one had done his duty at the renewal of -hostilities, I should again have been the master of the world. I had -already gained to my side 32,000 Austrians.” - -_Rapp._ “It is only a moment since your Majesty had no ambition, and -now we hear again of the sovereignty of the world.” - -_Napoleon._ “Ah! well, that's true.—Besides, Marmont, the senators.... -My plan was arranged so as not to let a single ally escape.” - -_Rapp._ “All these misfortunes are the consequence of the reverses at -Leipsic: you might have prevented them by accepting peace at Dresden.” - -_Napoleon._ “You are ignorant what such a peace would have been:” (and -suddenly growing warm,) “Would you be afraid to go to war again; you, -who have been my aide-de-camp for fifteen years? On your return from -Egypt, at the death of Desaix, you were nothing but a soldier; I have -made a man of you: now you may pretend to any thing.” - -_Rapp._ “I have never let slip any opportunity of shewing my gratitude -to you for it; and if I am yet alive, it is not my fault.” - -_Napoleon._ “I shall never forget your conduct in the retreat from -Moscow. Ney and you are of that small number who have the soul -thoroughly well tempered. Besides, at your siege of Dantzic you did -more than impossibilities.” - -Napoleon fell on my neck and pressed me with vehemence against him for -at least two minutes, He embraced me several times, and said to me, -pulling my mustachios— - -“Come, come, a hero of Egypt and Austerlitz can never forsake me. -You shall take the command of the army of the Rhine, while I treat -with the Austrians and Russians. I hope that, in a month's time, you -will receive my wife and son at Strasburg. It is my pleasure that from -this evening you perform the duty of my _aide-de-camp_. Write to Count -Maison to come to embrace me; he is a brave man, I wish to see him.” - -Napoleon related a part of this conversation to some persons about -him. He told them that I had spoken to him with too great liberty, -and that he had pulled my ears. Fortune smiled on him. The courtiers -came round him in multitudes:—it was enthusiasm, devotion: they boiled -with zeal. These protestations had not, however, all the effect they -had promised themselves. Many were rejected; one particularly, who -persisted in obtruding his services, was repulsed with severity. -Loaded with favours, gold, and dignities, he had overwhelmed his -unfortunate benefactor with insults; he was treated with loathing -and contempt. These gentlemen boast at present of an incorruptible -fidelity. They find fault with the indulgence of the King in the -saloons of the Faubourg Saint-Germain. They would like to see all -those who were employed during the hundred days led to the scaffold. -Chance has served them, appearances are for them; let it be so: -but the generals, the ministers of Napoleon, the officers attached -to his person, know full well what to think of these stoics of -the ante-chamber. Sooner or later the royal government will be -enlightened: there is wherewithal to supply the place of the red book. - -Napoleon sent for me on the 29th of March, and informed me that I -must set out for the army of the Rhine. He gave me the grand eagle -of the Legion of Honour, which he had destined for me after the -siege of Dantzic. He told me that within fifteen days my forces -should be raised to 40,000 men, (I had 15,000 at the commencement -of hostilities); I observed to him that this was very little in -comparison with those that we were going to have on our hands; that -the Congress (its declaration was already known) threatened us with -a deluge of soldiers. “The declaration you allude to is false,” he -replied angrily; “it was fabricated at Paris: however, go. Lecourbe -will command in Franche Comté; Suchet in the Alps; Clausel on the -Garonne. We have great chance of success. Gerard goes to Metz: he has -just tormented me to give him that Bourmont, I yielded to him with -regret: I never liked that man's countenance.” - -“The propositions I have made to the Sovereigns have been coldly -received. Nevertheless all hopes of arrangement are not destroyed. -It is possible that the energy with which opinion is pronounced, -may incline them to sentiments of peace. I am going to make another -attempt. This is the letter that I write to them: - - “Sir, my Brother. - - “You will have learnt in the course of the last month, my return - to the coasts of France, my entry into Paris, and the departure - of the family of the Bourbons. The true nature of these events - must already be known to your Majesty. They are the work of an - irresistible power, the work of the unanimous wish of a great - nation which knows its duties, and its rights. The dynasty, which - force restored to the French people, was not made for them. The - Bourbons have not consented to link themselves either to their - opinions or their manners. France had a right to separate herself - from them. Her voice called for a liberator. The hope which - prompted me on to the greatest of sacrifices had been deceived. - I came, and from the point at which I reached the shore, the - love of my people has borne me even to the bosom of my capital. - The first wish of my heart is to repay so much kindness by the - maintenance of an honourable peace. The reestablishment of the - Imperial Throne was necessary for the happiness of the French: - my most earnest wish is to render it, at the same time, useful - to the consolidation of the repose of Europe. Enough glory has - shone by turns around the colours of different nations; the - vicissitudes of fortune have often enough made great calamities - follow great successes. A finer arena is open to-day to - Sovereigns, and I am the first to descend into it: after having - presented to the world the spectacle of great combats, it will - be more pleasant henceforth to know no other rivalry than that - of the advantages of peace; and no other struggle than the holy - contest, whose people shall be most happy. France hastens to - proclaim with frankness this noble end of her wishes. Jealous - of her own independence, the invariable principle of her policy - will be the most unbounded respect for the independence of other - nations. If, happily, such are, as I trust they are, the personal - sentiments of your Majesty, a general calm is secured for a long - time, and justice seated on the confines of the different states, - will suffice alone to guard their frontiers. - - “I am with esteem, &c.” - -But all overtures were useless. He was above human stature; he secured -the supremacy of France; this was the grievance which nothing could -counterbalance; I was convinced of it. His destruction was resolved on. - -I set out for Alsace: the hostile attitude of foreign courts had -excited general indignation in that province: all generous minds, -all who abhor a foreign yoke, were preparing themselves to repulse -this league of kings, who, under pretext of fighting with one man, -only sought to enrich themselves with our spoils. The inhabitants, -by concert and by a spontaneous movement, had rushed to the heights -which command the defiles, to the roads or passages, and laboured -at the construction of entrenchments; women and children put their -hands to the work. They diverted and animated each other, by singing -patriotic songs. There was between all the citizens a rivalry in -zeal and devotion; some raised redoubts, others cast balls, mounted -old muskets, and fitted the cartouches. In fine, every hand was in -movement, every one wished to labour in the common defence. - -An affecting scene, and worthy of ancient times, took place at -Mulhausen, when I arrived there. A ball was given, the most -distinguished persons of the town were met, the assembly was -brilliant and numerous. Towards the close of the evening, war and -invasion of the territory were talked of; every one communicated his -advice, every one told his hopes and his fears. - -The ladies were talking together, and conversed on the dangers of -their country. On a sudden one of the youngest proposed to her -companions that they should swear, never to marry any Frenchman who -had not defended the frontiers. Cries of joy, clapping of hands, -resounded from every part of the room. The looks of all present were -directed towards the ladies; the rest of the company came up, and -crowded round them. I went with the throng, I applauded this generous -proposal, I had the honour of administering the oath, which every one -of the fair patriots came to receive at my hands. - -This trait recalls the marriage of the Samnites, but it has something -perhaps still more admirable in it: that which was an institution -among the people in question, was with us the effect of a spontaneous -resolution; with them patriotism was in the law, with us it was in the -hearts of our fair countrywomen. - - - - -CHAPTER XLV. - - -All this zeal however did not fill up my ranks; the time was passing -away, and the recruits did not come in. The allies formed themselves -in corps on the left bank of the river; they could cross at any time; -my situation was become very critical. I communicated to the Emperor -the accounts of my number and situation. He could not conceal his -surprise. “So few men! Alsace, the patriotism of which is so ardent! -No matter—victory will soon raise battalions. There is nothing to -despair of; war has its chances, we shall get through it!”—Napoleon -had ordered me, four days before, not to leave a single soldier of -the line in the fortified places; to take from the depôts all who -were in a condition to serve; to inundate and make good the lines of -Weissembourg, and to keep up carefully my communications with Bitche. -I was engaged in these measures; but he found that I did not proceed -with sufficient celerity; he wrote to me. - - “Monsieur General Rapp, - - “I have received your letter of the 12th of May; I see by the - statement you have annexed, that the 18th regiment of the line, - of which your army has two battalions, 1200 men strong, can - furnish you with a third battalion, of 600 men; order it to set - off immediately from Strasburg to join you. The 32d can only - supply a reinforcement of 200 men to your active battalions, - which will raise them to 1200 men. The 39th and 55th can furnish - you their third battalions; order them to join you. The 58th can - furnish you with 200 men, to make its two battalions complete. - The 103d can complete its two first battalions to 1200 men; the - 104th the same. The 7th light regiment can furnish you with its - third battalion; in the same manner the 10th light regiment. You - can then, with a little activity, reinforce your infantry with - 4000 men. I am surprised that there has not been more voluntary - enlistment in Alsace for these regiments. The 39th of the line - is recruited in the Upper Rhine; that department ought at least - to have furnished 2000 veteran troops, which, divided between - the 39th, 32d, and 18th, ought to raise the third, and even the - fourth battalions, to their full numbers. The 10th light, which - is recruiting in Upper Saône, ought to receive many recruits. The - 57th, which is recruiting in the Doubs, ought also to receive - a great number. The 7th light, the 58th, and the 104th, which - recruit in the Lower Rhine, ought to be complete. Inform me - for what reason all the men that you have at your depôts, are - not immediately clothed, and do not fill up your ranks. Let me - also know what men are announced for these regiments, from the - different departments. Do you expect that by the 1st of June your - third battalions will be complete, and that each regiment will - amount to 1800 men, which will make 7000 men for each of your - divisions? Are you satisfied with the generals of division, and - of brigade, under your command? What will be the condition of - the 2d chasseurs, the 7th and 19th dragoons, all of which have - their depôts in your division, by the 1st of June? These three - regiments had at their depôt 400 men, and 300 horses: they must - have received an increase since. By the 1st of June, with active - measures, this division ought to have 1500 horse. The third - division has also all its depôts in your arrondissement: it has - 1200 men at its depôt; it ought, then, to furnish you with 2000 - horses. - - “Paris, May 14th 1815.” “NAPOLEON.” - -I immediately replied to the questions which he had put to me; I -explained to him the deplorable state into which the army had fallen: -arms, horses, clothing, it was necessary to have every thing renewed. -I could not have more than 22,000 men at my disposal by the 1st of -June. The picture was not brilliant, but the Emperor made so admirable -an use of his resources, that we were never justified in despairing. -He put fresh funds at my disposal; he stimulated my zeal, begged me -to neglect nothing to increase my forces, and to reconnoitre all the -defiles. His despatch deserves to be known. - - “COUNT RAPP, - - “I received your letter of the 18th of May. I have allotted - 13,000,000 francs for clothing in the distribution of May. Orders - for considerable sums have been sent to each corps of your army: - be assured that they will be paid. I cannot reconcile to my mind - that you will not be able to have at your disposal by the 1st - of June more than 22,000 men, when the force at the depôts is - 4000 men. Send for the third battalion of the 18th regiment, the - third of the 39th, the third of the 57th, the third of the 7th - light, the fourth of the 10th light, which will raise you one - regiment of four battalions, four of three battalions, and four - of two battalions, or twenty-four battalions in all. Hasten the - clothing; money is in the course of being transmitted to you, and - will not be wanting. The enumeration of your cavalry, which you - have sent me, is not correct. How is it that the 6th cuirassiers - has only its third and fourth squadrons at the depôt? What is - then become of its fifth squadron? The same observation for the - 19th dragoons. You have 1787 men, and only 427 horses; but you - do not inform me how many men there are in detachment to take - the horses of the gendarmes, how many there are to be remounted - at the depôt of Versailles, how many horses the regiment is - to receive from the contracts it has made, or how many the - departments are to furnish. If you are sufficiently active, you - ought soon to have 1500 or 1600 of these 1700 men mounted, which, - joined to those now composing the squadrons, will increase your - cavalry to near 4000 men. You look at these matters too lightly; - remove the obstacles by your own exertions; see the depôts, - and augment your army. Keep spies on the look out to know what - is passing on the other side of the Rhine, and principally at - Mentz and Thionville; and make yourself acquainted with all the - openings of the Vosges. - - “NAPOLEON.” - “Paris, May 20th 1815.” - - - - -CHAPTER XLVI. - - -I went to occupy the lines of the Lauter. Twenty-three years before we -had defended them; but then they were in a good condition, the left -bank of the river was protected; we had 80,000 fighting men, a corps -of reserve, and the army of the Upper Rhine assisted us. Nothing of -that sort existed now. The lines were merely a heap of ruins: the -banks and the sluices, which formed their principal strength, were -nearly destroyed, and the places which supported them were neither -armed nor even secure against a _coup de main_. We scarcely reckoned -15,000 infantry, which were divided into three divisions, under the -orders of Generals Rottembourg, Albert, and Grandjean. Two thousand -horse, under Count Merlin, composed all our cavalry. From Weissemburg -as far as Huninguen on one side, and to Belgium on the other, the -frontiers were completely unprotected. In this state of things -Germesheim became an important position; defended by a considerable -garrison, and twenty-four pieces of cannon, it could not be carried -but by main force. I despaired not of success, and I made, as soon as -the news of hostilities reached me, a general reconnoissance, in which -I got possession of Haun, of Auwailler, and of all the villages of -the Queich. The chief of squadron Turckheim took at a gallop that of -Gottenstein, and the Bavarian detachments which occupied it. - -On the 21st, towards midnight, all the arrangements were made, and the -columns of attack were already in march, when news of the disaster -of Waterloo was announced. The columns were immediately recalled. I -well knew that the enemy would lose no time in crossing the river; -I hastened to take the administrative measures that circumstances -required, and to put in a state of defence the fortresses which were -under my command. I threw a battalion of the line into Landau, whither -I ordered the treasuries of the country to be removed. But already, -as I had foreseen, the troops of the coalition had passed the Rhine -at Oppenheim and at Germesheim, and had spread themselves in every -direction; our soldiers were obliged to fight their way in order to -arrive at their destination. We retreated behind the Lauter; and the -rumour of the invasion of the Upper Rhine by the Grand Army under -the command of Schwartzenberg having reached me at the same time, I -despatched, post haste, two battalions to reinforce the garrisons of -Neuf Brisack and of Schelestadt. - -The Russians, Austrians, Bavarians, Wurtemburgers, Badeners, and -a multitude from other nations, assembled to the number of more -than 60,000 men, under the orders of the Prince-Royal, now King of -Wurtemburg, soon outfronted the feeble corps under my command. - -I had first determined to defend Alsace foot by foot, retiring -towards the Vosges, the Meurthe, the Moselle and the Marne: but I -learnt that the army of the Moselle, which supported me on my left, -had marched towards the north; that the enemy's columns already -occupied Sarrebruck, and inundated Lorraine: this movement then was -no longer practicable. On the other hand, a hasty decision, in such -an unexpected juncture, might be attended with the most serious -consequences. I temporized, in hopes of receiving orders to regulate -my movements. But after the despatch which informed me of our -misfortunes, I did not receive another till the entry of Louis XVIII -into Paris. - -In the evening of the 24th the Wurtemburg cavalry attacked my advanced -posts, the chasseurs of the 7th and the dragoons of the 11th took -arms, rushed on the enemy, and cut them in pieces. The next day the -army continued its movement of concentration; I fixed my quarters in -advance of the forest of Haguenau, the right of the army at Seltz, the -centre at Surbourg, and the left, being my cavalry, on the road to -Bitche, which the enemy had already invested. - -This position was only a temporary one—it was too extended: I -only took it to avoid retiring suddenly behind the town, and thus -allowing the enemy to penetrate between that place and Saverne, which -Lieutenant-general Desbureaux occupied with a battalion of the line, -some partisans, and a few lancers. - -General Rottembourg was intrusted with the task of observing the -Rhine on our rear and on the right.—I had only been able to allow him -a brigade, which I had left at Seltz; out of this I was obliged to -withdraw the 40th regiment the moment the Austrians appeared. There -only remained with him the 39th, whose second battalion formed the -advanced posts, and the reserve. The first, a company of sappers and -eight pieces of cannon, composed the line of battle for more than -half a league of ground. The situation, without being bad in itself, -had nothing particularly encouraging in it. The small town of Seltz, -supported on the Rhine, is situated on the two banks of the Seltzbach. -This river is pretty secure for about 400 yards, but farther up it is -fordable every where, and the woods on its banks render the passage of -it still more easy. On the other hand, I feared a landing which the -enemy could easily effect behind the right, and to which I could make -but a feeble opposition, whilst all my attention was wanted to the -front, which, as I have said, extended to a great distance. - -In this alternative General Rottembourg decided on keeping a watch -on the Rhine only by means of patroles, and he sent a company to -guard the fords from the mill at Seltz to Nideradern. He placed his -artillery on a small eminence on the right bank, to the left of the -town; and what remained of his soldiers he sent forward to support the -second battalion, which occupied the advanced posts and the wood. - -At eleven o'clock the enemy, having assembled his masses, commenced -the attack by a well-sustained fire of musquetry, which he supported -with eight pieces of cannon. The opposition of our troops was -obstinate, and for a long time was effectual, but at last this small -advanced post was compelled to retreat into the wood. It maintained -itself there with heroic courage, and resisted for a long time the -efforts of from 8 to 9000 men, aided by a numerous artillery. In -fine, after a few hours of the finest resistance, this handful of -valiant troops retreated in the greatest order, and rejoined the first -battalion. - -Emboldened by this success our adversaries brought down their masses. -They debouched by the main road, and marched on Seltz, of which they -thought to get possession without difficulty. We allowed them to come -up under the fire of our batteries; as soon as they could play, a -tremendous discharge carried death into their ranks. Encouraged by -their numbers, they nevertheless continued to advance, and the combat -recommenced with more vigour than before. But, constantly repelled by -the valour of our soldiers, and mowed down by the French artillery, -the Austrians in the end gave way, and retired in confusion into -the wood. Their movements from that time became uncertain, and they -hesitated a long time what they should do. Our cannon continued to -carry destruction into their ranks. Attack was not more dangerous than -inaction; they again advanced, and succeeded in getting possession -of the part of the town situated on the left bank. But this triumph -cost them dear: a few shells, thrown on the houses of which they -were in possession, compelled them to leave them, and to regain, in a -great hurry, their first place of shelter: our batteries fired with -increased fury, and the fugitives suffered an immense loss. - -This was not the only attack in which they failed. At the commencement -of the action they had advanced by the main road from Weissembourg -to Haguenau on Surbourg, which was occupied by a battalion of the -18th, under the command of Colonel Voyrol. This village was valiantly -defended: for more than two hours the enemy could not penetrate into -it; but they at last brought up forces so considerable, that under the -apprehension of seeing the position turned, General Albert ordered it -to be evacuated. Our soldiers withdrew behind the Saare, where they -joined the remainder of the regiment. Attacked in this position by -some chosen troops of the Austrian army, they remained immoveable. -Wearied with so many fruitless attacks, and convinced that they could -not succeed in forcing men who appeared determined to die at their -post, nor in getting possession of the avenues of the forest, the -Allies at last decided on retreating. - -We had three hundred men killed and wounded. The Austrians, by -their own account, had lost 2000 men, and had two pieces of cannon -dismounted. - -Our troops had scarcely taken a few hours rest, when I was obliged to -put them again on their march. The Allied army of the Upper Rhine was -advancing on Strasburg; I had received this news during the action. I -had not a moment to lose: I marched immediately towards that place, -and the result has shewn whether this measure was proper. - - - - -CHAPTER XLVII. - - -It was during this retreat that the soldiers heard of the disastrous -battle of Waterloo, and the Emperor's abdication, which, to that -moment, I had carefully concealed from them. These events produced an -universal discouragement, and desertion soon found its way among them. -Fatal projects entered the minds even of those who were least carried -away by passion. Excited by malevolence, some wished to return to -their homes; others proposed to throw themselves as partisans into the -Vosges. - -I was immediately informed of these intentions. I directly foresaw -what terrible consequences they might produce. I issued an order -of the day; it succeeded; their minds were tranquillized, but it -was not long before anxiety revived. When we reached Haguenau, the -... regiment, formerly so illustrious, loudly proclaimed the design -of quitting the army, and of repairing with its artillery into the -mountains. The cannon were already harnessed, and one battalion had -taken up its arms. I was informed of it; I rushed to the spot; I took -in my hand the eagle of the rebels, and placing myself in the midst of -them, “Soldiers,” I cried, “I learn that it is proposed among you to -desert us. In an hour's time we shall fight; do you wish the Austrians -to think that you have fled from the field of honour? Let the brave -swear never to quit their eagles or their general-in-chief. I grant -permission to the cowards to depart.” At these words, all exclaimed, -“Long live Rapp! long live our general!” Every one swore to die by his -standard, and tranquillity was restored. - -We immediately began our march, and reached the Souffel, two leagues -in advance of Strasburg. The fifteenth division had its right on the -river Ill, its centre at Hoenheim, its left at Souffelweyersheim, and -extended to the road from Brumpt; the sixteenth occupied Lampertheim, -Mundolsheim, the three villages of Hausbergen, with its left resting -on the road from Saverne: lastly, the seventeenth was in columns on -the road from Molsheim, with two regiments of cavalry; two others -were placed in the rear of the fifteenth division at Bischeim. Such -was the situation of our troops on the morning of the 28th, when the -enemy attacked with impetuosity the village of Lampertheim, which was -occupied by a battalion of the 10th, under the command of General -Beurmann. This battalion alone sustained for a long time the attacks -of 8000 infantry, and the continued firing of six pieces of cannon. -However, as the number of the assailants was continually increasing, -it withdrew behind the river, and, conformably to its orders, -stationed itself at Mundolsheim. - -The enemy's columns, from 40 to 50,000 men strong, advanced -immediately by the roads from Brumpt and Bishweiller. All these -arrangements, and the masses of cavalry which covered the first -of these roads, announced that their project was to separate the -divisions of Generals Rottembourg and Albert, in order to overwhelm -the latter. I did not mistake the design of the Allies, but I had not -the power of uniting my troops, which had deployed in an immense -plain, and were already engaged throughout the whole line. There only -remained one expedient; I adopted it immediately, fortunately it was a -most fatal one for the enemy. I closed the 10th regiment into columns, -in the very midst of the firing; I ordered the 32d to advance; and -I moved it _en echelon_ after having formed it into a square. The -rest of the division of Albert remained in reserve on the height of -Hiderhausbergen. - -Defending the ground foot by foot, General Rottembourg changed -the front of his division, throwing his left wing into the rear, -and proceeded to cover the villages of Hoenheim, Bischeim and -Schittigheim, threatening the flank of the troops which were engaged -between these two divisions. This was according to his orders. - -The 103d was placed on the road from Brumpt, and the 36th left -Souffelweyersheim to support it; but scarcely had it begun to march -when the Allies attacked the village. I immediately despatched a -company to defend this important position. Our soldiers advanced to -it, running, but our adversaries had taken possession of it before -they could arrive. Captain Chauvin supported with extraordinary -courage the fire of a cloud of sharpshooters, and thus gave time for -General Fririon to come up. This officer left a battalion and four -pieces of cannon to cover the road, and advanced in charging time with -the rest of his forces. General Gudin seconded this movement, and -manœuvred on the road from Bischweiller: the Austrians gave way, and -withdrew; but the reinforcements which they every moment received left -our troops no chance of maintaining their position. On the other hand, -the assailants had outflanked the 10th, and the moment had arrived -for effecting the movement which I had ordered. Consequently the 16th -division wheeled back its left wing perpendicularly to the rear, while -it preserved the head of Hoenheim, from whence our artillery raked -the enemy in flank and rear. At the same time the gallant General -Beurmann, attacked on every side and already surrounded, sallied -forth from Mundolsheim at the head of the 10th, and retreated without -disorder towards the division. - -The Austrians on their side advanced on the road from Brumpt with -enormous masses of cavalry and infantry, supported by a formidable -artillery. They penetrated between the two divisions, and arrived -without obstacle on four pieces of cannon which had been continually -pouring discharges of grape-shot on their columns. They were -taken; but the enemy presented his flank to the troops of General -Rottembourg, and to two regiments of cavalry which were on his front. -I took advantage of this circumstance: put myself at the head of the -11th dragoons, and the 7th horse chasseurs. I made a rapid charge: -I routed the first line, penetrated the second, and overthrew every -thing that offered me any resistance. We made a dreadful slaughter of -the Austrian and Wurtemburg cavalry. At the same time the 32d came up -at the charge in close columns, and prevented them from rallying. They -were thrown back on their own infantry, whom they put to flight. - -General Rottembourg, on his side, pushed forward his right wing, and -opened on the enemy, who defiled in confusion before his columns, -a most destructive fire of artillery and musquetry; in an instant -the field of battle is covered with the slain, and the immense army -of the Prince of Wurtemburg is routed. The defeat was so complete -that baggage, which was two leagues in the rear, was attacked and -plundered, and the Prince himself lost his equipages. The confusion -extended itself as far as Haguenau, and would have gone still farther -if 30,000 Russians, who came up from Weissembourg, had not by their -presence encouraged the fugitives. The night which came on, and the -risk that there would have been in adventuring against forces so -superior to our own, prevented us from profiting by our successes. We -could not retake our artillery, the enemy had made haste to remove it -to his rear. - -It cost him very dear to keep it. He had from 1500 to 2000 men killed, -and a still more considerable number wounded. On our side there were -about 700 killed and wounded. Of this number were two Captains of -light artillery, Favier and Dandlau, both wounded in defending their -cannon, and Colonel Montagnier, who performed such signal service on -this occasion. - -The enemy's General revenged himself for this defeat by -devastation. The day after the battle he set on fire the village -of Souffelweyersheim, under pretext that the peasants had fired on -his troops. This was not the fact, and the name of the Prince of -Wurtemburg will remain for ever sullied by an action which plunged a -multitude of families into misery. - -Whether the vigour with which we had repulsed all their attacks had -given them a distaste for making new ones, or from some other motive, -our adversaries remained some days without undertaking any thing. I -took advantage of this repose to provision Strasburg, and to fortify -myself in my positions. I also had time to give to all commanders of -places, who were under my command, the most precise instructions. - -Meantime the allied army continued to increase; fresh corps arrived -every day to swell its numbers: very soon 70,000 men deployed before -us, and pressed us on every side. Flags of truce came one after the -other, without having any marked object in view. I proposed to the -enemy's General a suspension of arms, during which I might send an -officer to Paris, and receive orders from the government. The Prince -of Wurtemburg refused, without however renouncing the system of -communication that he had adopted. - -It was about this time that he sent for the pastor of Wendenheim, a -respectable man and an excellent patriot. “Are you acquainted,” he -said to him, “with General Rapp?”—“Yes, my Lord.”—“Will you undertake -a mission to him?”—“Assuredly, if its object is in no respect contrary -to the interests of my country.”—“Well then, go, and tell him that -if he will deliver up Strasburg to me for the King of France, wealth -and honours shall be showered on him.”—“My Lord, General Rapp is an -Alsacian, and consequently a good Frenchman; never will he consent to -dishonour his military career. I consequently beseech your Highness -to entrust some one else with this message.” At these words the -venerable pastor bowed and departed, leaving the Prince astonished -and confused at having proposed in vain this piece of meanness. -Nevertheless, his Highness was not discouraged. On the 3d of June, he -despatched General Vacquant to me, with a flag of truce, to demand -of me in the name of the King of France the surrender of Strasburg. -In order to inspire more confidence, the Austrian officer wore an -enormous white ribband and the decoration of the lily. I asked him -whether he came from the King; he replied that he did not. “Well -then,” I said to him, “I will not give up the place till my soldiers -shall have eaten the thighs of Austrians, as those I had at Dantzic -ate those of Russians.” Importuned by the insignificant communications -which the commander of the allied forces was every day sending me, I -endeavoured to penetrate into his motives. With this object a general -_reconnoissance_ was made on the 6th on the Austrian positions. -Our soldiers took some posts of cavalry, cut others to pieces, and -returned to the camp, after having made all the enemy's army get under -arms. - -Having heard, two days after, a heavy cannonade in the direction of -Phalzburg, I resolved to make a second reconnoissance, as well to make -myself precisely acquainted with the forces that I had before me, -as to hinder the Prince of Wurtemburg from detaching troops against -that place. Albert's division and the cavalry marched against the -entrenched camp, which the Austrians had formed all the way from the -strong position of Oberhausbergen to Hiderhausbergen. The attack -commenced at three o'clock in the morning: it was impetuous, and -crowned with the most complete success. The enemy's cavalry were -repulsed and put to flight by the brigade of General Grouvel; the -principal villages were taken at the point of the bayonet, and the -entrenchments carried by force. Several officers were taken in their -beds, and others at the very moment they were rushing to arms. Some -generals escaped in their shirts, and owed their safety only to the -darkness which protected them. - -The 10th light infantry, commanded by the gallant Colonel Cretté, -displayed in this affair the same valour as at the battle of the 28th. -The 18th, under the orders of Colonel Voyrol, one of the most intrepid -officers in the French army, made itself master of the village of -Mittelhausbergen, where he withstood for a long time numerous forces, -and incessant attacks on every point. - -The signal for retreat having been given, General Albert ordered the -57th to form in _echelon_ towards the attack on the right, and the -32d towards that on the left. We retired in the best order. The -enemy endeavoured to disturb us; he attacked our troops. The 57th -received him without wavering, and opened a fire at musquet-length -which disorganized his columns. Twice the allied cavalry returned to -the charge, twice was it repulsed with loss. General Laroche, who led -it on, was wounded, and fell under the feet of the horses; he would -have perished if the French had not come to his assistance. “Friends,” -cried he, “I once served in your ranks, save me.” He was immediately -taken up, and restored to his own men. A troop of cuirassiers had -nearly surprised the 18th in its retrograde movement, but the chief -of the staff, Colonel Schneider, having skilfully opposed to it -a battalion that he had by him, broke their shock, and saved the -regiment from an inevitable defeat. - -The Allies, convinced that they could not succeed in cutting us off, -left us peaceably to continue our march. Our troops returned to their -camp, after having accurately ascertained the immense superiority of -the forces that they had to contend with. Both parties entered into -cantonments. A military convention was signed a few days afterwards, -and hostilities ceased throughout all Alsace. - - - - -CHAPTER XLVIII. - - -Inactivity soon engendered sedition. Other armies, other corps, which -had not the excuse of being misled by a political combination, had -trampled under foot military discipline. Is it strange that, in the -midst of the general effervescence, my soldiers should for a moment -have forgotten themselves? this episode is painful to me. I ought -neither to write it, nor omit it. I can well bear the blame which -Joubert, Massena, and so many other Generals, whom I do not pretend -to equal, have incurred. The following are the terms in which this -act of disobedience is related by an anonymous writer:—he has not -thought proper to tell every thing, but it is my own conduct that is -concerned; I must imitate his reserve. I submit, moreover, to the -judgment which he has delivered. - -“The Austrians, despairing of ever getting possession of Strasburg by -force of arms, endeavoured to form an understanding with a party in -the town. They succeeded by their sagacity in the application of the -two means which act the most powerfully on the heart of men—gold and -terror. They decoyed some by the attraction of riches, they subdued -others by making them dread the vengeance of the government. When they -were in this manner assured of all those whom they thought open to -seduction, they hastened to execute their perfidious designs. - -“From the commencement of the campaign our soldiers had been in a -state of irritation, well calculated to promote the secret views -of the enemy: they were acquainted with the disastrous affair of -Waterloo, they knew all the details of it; but they had too much -confidence in the skill of that celebrated man, with whom they had -five times triumphed over all Europe—they had too often seen him, by -sudden inspirations, regain his hold of victory when she was escaping -from him, to believe that his military genius had on the sudden -abandoned him; they were perpetually thinking of this disaster, and -they could never think of it without rage. Persuaded as they were -that our troops had continued the same, and that they had to do with -the same enemies, such a defeat appeared to them inconceivable. Not -knowing the true cause of it, they attributed all our misfortunes to -treason. Traitors had given intelligence of our plans; traitors had -commanded false manœuvres, traitors had raised the cry of _sauve qui -peut!_ There were traitors among the generals, among the officers, -among the soldiers; and who knew whether there were none but in the -army of the north? Who knew whether the corps, of which they were a -part, their regiment, their company, were not infested with them? -Could they reckon on their chiefs, on their comrades? Every one was -suspected, it was necessary to distrust every one! - -“Such was the language in which anger found vent, which malevolence -caught up, magnified, envenomed, and which every soldier in the end -repeated and believed. This idea soon became the medium through -which every thing was explained. Accustomed to keep the field, they -saw themselves with pain compelled to retreat before an enemy whom -they despised. It would have been natural to attribute his progress -to an immense numerical superiority. They chose to explain it -otherwise; their chiefs were in correspondence with the Austrians. -Several circumstances, as unfortunate as they were unavoidable, -concurred to give to this opinion an appearance of probability, in -the prejudiced eyes of these soldiers. The first of these was the -order which General Rapp received, to disband the army, and to -dismiss each soldier separately, without money and without arms. The -next was, an injunction sent to him by the government to deliver -to the Russian commissioners ten thousand musquets taken from the -arsenal at Strasburg. These two despatches obliged him to enter -into a correspondence with the Allies. The frequent interchange of -messengers which took place on this occasion produced a bad effect on -their minds. The mystery which the General was obliged to observe, -to conceal from the troops the removal of the firearms, increased -the irritation; malevolence raised it to its height. It was loudly -said that Count Rapp had sold himself, that he had received several -millions of francs from the Austrians to introduce them into the -fortress, and that if he discharged the soldiers individually, and -without arms, it was in consequence of an agreement to deliver them up -to the enemy. - -“As soon as these seeds of discontent had been once sown in the -different corps, they were developed of themselves; the instigators -had nothing more to do than to observe their progress, to combine -the incidents calculated to augment the disorders, and to render -inevitable the catastrophe which they were preparing. - -“Although General Rapp was far from suspecting such a plot, he had -taken, in some way, all the measures that he could take to frustrate -it. As soon as the ministerial despatch relative to the disbanding -the troops reached him, he had despatched with all speed to Paris one -of his aides-de-camp, the chief of squadron Marnier. This officer saw -the ministers repeatedly, and represented to them into what violence -the army would be led, if the whole amount of the pay due to it was -not discharged; but he could only obtain, notwithstanding the most -earnest solicitations, a bill for 400,000 francs, on the chest of the -war department. His return with this trifling sum, destroyed all the -hopes that had been excited. The General-in-chief, who saw the troops -getting more and more exasperated, left nothing untried to allay the -storm. The want of money was the principal cause of dissatisfaction. -To put an end to this source of discontent, Count Rapp endeavoured -to raise a loan in Strasburg. The inhabitants having demanded of him -a security, he solicited from the minister of Finance authority to -pledge the stores of tobacco in the town: the minister refused it. -Nevertheless, by the interposition of General Semelé, who commanded -the fortress, a sum of 160,000 francs was obtained. Such slight -supplies could not satisfy the soldiers, who were inflamed by false -reports, and among whom the insurrection was not slow in breaking out. -It was sudden and general, and presented a character quite peculiar. I -will enter into all the details of it, because they will serve to make -the spirit of the French soldiery better known. - -“On the 2d of September, about eight in the morning, about sixty -subaltern officers of different regiments met in one of the bastions -of the place. They agreed on a plan of obedience to the orders for the -disbanding of the army, but on conditions, from which they resolved -not to swerve. This declaration began in the following manner. - - “In the name of the army of the Rhine, the officers, - sub-officers, and soldiers, will obey the orders issued for the - disbanding of the army only on the following conditions: - - “Art. I. The officers, sub-officers, and soldiers, will not leave - the army till they have received all the pay that is due to them. - - “Art. II. They will set out all on the same day, carrying their - arms, baggage, and fifty cartridges each,” &c. &c. - -“As soon as this document was drawn up, they repaired to the -General-in-chief to communicate it to him. The General, who was at the -time unwell, was taking a bath. Astonished at this unexpected visit, -he gave orders that they should be admitted. Five officers immediately -entered the bathing room; they explained the object of their mission, -and declared that the army would not submit to be disbanded till those -conditions should have been fulfilled. At the word conditions the -General in a rage sprang out of the bath, and tearing the paper out of -the hands of the speaker, cried, “What, Sirs, do you wish to impose -conditions on me? you refuse to obey! conditions on me!” - -“The tone of his voice, the look of Count Rapp, and perhaps the -attitude in which he presented himself, struck the deputation. It -retired in confusion, and each of the officers returned to give an -account to his regiment of the bad reception they had met with. - -“The sub-officers, who were assembled to the number of about 500, -were waiting for the General's answer. They clearly perceived, when -they were made acquainted with it, that such a man was not easily -intimidated, and that they were not likely to be more successful in -such an attempt than their chiefs. But their determination was taken; -they came and ranged themselves in line of battle in the palace-yard, -and demanded to be introduced to the General-in-chief. An aide-de-camp -came down to know the purpose which brought them there; they refused -to enter into any explanation with him. 'Who is the chief of the -troop?' asked the officer.—'No one! Every one!' they all replied -together. He called into the centre of the court the oldest of each -regiment; he remonstrated with them on the act of disobedience that -they were rendering themselves guilty of. A thousand voices at once -interrupted him. 'Money! money!—we will be paid what is due to us; we -know how to get ourselves paid!' - -“The chief of the staff Colonel Schneider, whose courage they had so -often admired in the midst of danger, arrived at this conjuncture, -and endeavoured, but with as little success, to quiet them. 'Money!' -they again repeated, 'money!' Wearied with uttering their cries, -and holding out useless threats, and not being able to get at the -General-in-chief, they dispersed, after having fixed on a rendezvous. -The greatest part went to the parade, where they immediately proceeded -to the election of the new chiefs whom they had determined on having. -One of them, called Dalouzi, sergeant in the 7th light regiment, -well known for his ability, his courage, and particularly for a -soldier-like oratory which was peculiar to him, was unanimously -elected. 'You want to be paid,' he said to his comrades, 'and it -is for this that you are here.'—'Yes!' they replied with a common -voice.—'Well then! if you will promise to obey me, and to abstain from -all confusion, to respect property, to protect persons, I swear by my -head that you shall be paid within twenty-four hours.' This speech was -received with cries of joy, and the sergeant was appointed General. -He immediately chose for the chief of the staff the drum-major of the -58th; a second sub-officer was charged with the office of governor of -the fortress; a third with the command of the first division; another -with that of the second, and so on. The regiments had colonels, the -battalions and squadrons chiefs, and the companies captains; in short, -a complete staff was formed. - -“The other sub-officers had returned to the barracks, where the -soldiers were waiting with impatience for the result of the step -that had been taken. The drum was immediately beat to arms, and all -the corps, infantry, cavalry, and artillery, marched in order and in -double quick time to the parade. The organization was scarcely ended -when they arrived there. As soon as they appeared, the new chiefs went -and took command, and marched the troops to the points they had orders -to occupy. - -“In the mean time General Rapp, astonished to see so serious an -insurrection break out, had dressed himself in haste, in hopes -of ascertaining the motives of these seditious movements, and of -succeeding in quieting them. But the different operations of which we -have just given an account had been effected with such celerity, that -at the moment when he set out, accompanied by his adjutant-general and -a few officers, several columns, followed by a numerous populace, were -already debouching through all the streets leading from the square -of the palace. As soon as they perceived the General, the troops -hastily put themselves in order of battle, and charged bayonets to -hinder him from passing. Immediately furious cries were heard in the -rear ranks. “Fire! he has sold the army.—Fire then!” Some wretches, -scattered among the troops, excited them by their gestures and voices -to massacre this brave man. Rage spread from man to man, and confusion -was soon at its height. The soldiers, enraged, loaded their musquets; -the ranks were doubled, eight pieces of cannon arrived at a gallop, -and were immediately loaded with grape-shot. - -“Every time that General Rapp addressed those who menaced him, -vociferations commenced, and irritating cries were uttered with -increased violence. Musquets were repeatedly levelled at him, and the -pieces of cannon were constantly directed against his person, and the -gunners followed all his movements. 'Stand aside!' they exclaimed, -'that we may fire on him.' A howitzer was constantly kept so directly -pointed at the group which surrounded the General, that he perceived -it. He ran to the cannoneer who was holding the match, 'Well! what -would you do, wretched man? (he said to him) do you wish to kill me? -Fire then, here I am at the mouth of your gun.' 'Ah, General,' the -soldier exclaimed, letting the match fall from his hand, 'I was at the -siege of Dantzick with you, I would give you my life; but my comrades -will be paid, and I am obliged to do as they do and he resumed his -match. - -“Wearied with senseless questions, with appeals without any object, -deafened by the clamours of the multitude, the mass of which was -continually increasing, the General decided at last on returning to -the palace. - -“The troops followed him, and the different avenues were immediately -occupied by eight pieces of cannon, a thousand infantry, and a -squadron of cavalry. This guard called itself the Exterior guard of -the palace. A battalion came and established itself in the court, -and took the name of Interior guard. Nearly sixty sentinels were -placed in pairs at all the gates, and on the stair-case which led to -the apartment of Count Rapp; there were also some for a few moments -at the door of his bed-chamber. The telegraph and the mint were -immediately taken possession of. To shew that they had no bad designs, -a detachment was sent to the hotel of the Austrian General Volkman, -who was in the place, and was put at his disposal. The drawbridges -were raised, and there was no communication with any one out of -the fortress without a permission signed by the new commander. The -drum-major of the 58th repaired with a trumpet to the head-quarters of -the Allies, and signified to them that if they respected the truce, -the garrison would not commit any act of hostility, but that if they -endeavoured to take advantage of the misunderstanding which existed -between the chief and the soldiers, it would know how to oppose a -noble resistance. - -“Meanwhile Dalouzi had established his staff at the Parade, and had -appointed two commissions, the one for the provisions, composed of -quarter-master-sergeants, and the other for the finances, composed of -sergeant-majors: they constituted themselves permanent, deliberated on -the measures best calculated to maintain the public tranquillity, and -to put the town in a state of security against surprise. The posts of -the citadel and those of the interior were doubled; guards were even -placed at some old posterns, which, till then, had been neglected; the -outer line was strengthened, the troops bivouacked in the squares, -and in the streets; in fact no precaution was omitted which the most -suspicious prudence could suggest. In order to prevent the excesses to -which malevolence might excite the soldiers, it was forbidden, under -pain of death, to enter any of the places where brandy, wine, or beer, -was sold. The same punishment was denounced against all who should be -guilty of plunder, riot, or insubordination. Lastly, still better to -secure the public tranquillity, it was resolved that the army should -be informed of its situation every six hours. - -“These arrangements having been made, the receiver-general, and the -inspector of reviews, were sent for. The latter made a calculation -of the sums necessary for the present year's pay, the other presented -the account of what he had in the chest; after which, Dalouzi convoked -the town council, to whom he declared the motives which had made the -garrison take arms, and requested the mayor to take means to get funds -necessary to pay the arrears. - -“He then despatched to Count Rapp a deputation, composed of the new -governor and of five or six general-sergeants: 'Well, what do you -want of me again?' cried the General in a tone of indignation and -contempt.—'You are unworthy to wear the French uniform. I believed -that you were men of honour; I am deceived. You allow yourselves to -be seduced by wretches. What do you wish to do? Why do these guards -surround the palace? Why is this artillery pointed against me? Am I -then so formidable? Is it believed that I wish to escape? Why should -I escape? I fear nothing—I do not fear you. But to the point, what do -you want of me?' He repeated this question. The agitation of Count -Rapp while pronouncing these words was a striking contrast to the -melancholy air of the deputation. These sub-officers, ashamed of -keeping a chief whom they loved, and whose valour and fidelity were -so well known to them, a prisoner, kept a profound silence. They were -on the point of withdrawing, when one of them spoke: 'General', he -said, 'we have learned that the other corps of the army have been -paid; our soldiers also are resolved to be paid; they are in a state -of revolt, but they obey us. We only ask what is due to us, the slight -indemnification for so much blood and so many wounds; we only ask for -what is indispensable to enable us to perform our march and withdraw -to our homes. The troops will not return to order, it is a thing -firmly resolved on, until every one be paid.'—'There is not enough -money in the chest,' replied the General. 'It was my intention to have -you paid, stoppages and all. I despatched an aide-de camp to Paris; -he saw the ministers, but they could only give him 400,000 francs. It -is this sum, together with that in the chest of the paymaster, which -I will order to be divided among the different regiments.'—'The army -will be paid, my General.'—'I have told you all that I have to say -to you; withdraw, and return as soon as possible to order.—If the -enemy unfortunately should be acquainted with what is going on here, -what will become of you?'—'All this has been foreseen, my General: -a regiment of cavalry and twelve pieces of cannon, have set out to -reinforce the division which is at the camp. It is easy for you to get -us paid; and you have every thing to fear on the part of the soldiers, -if in twenty-four hours from this time their request is not complied -with.'—'What is it to me what you and your soldiers may do? I repeat -that you shall only have the funds which are destined for you. Do -not hope that whatever happens, you can compel me to do what my duty -prohibits.—'General, the soldiers can conduct you to the citadel, they -can even shoot you; we answer for them now, but if you do not cause us -to be paid....'—'I have nothing more to say to you, quit my house. If -you shoot me, so be it; I prefer death to shame. You are the enemies -of order, you are the instruments of malevolence and of a conspiracy -which you yourselves are not acquainted with. The enemy perhaps is in -concert; I make you responsible for every thing that may happen. You -have heard me; begone! I am ashamed to converse with rebels!' - -“The word conspiracy made a very deep impression upon them: they -remained silent for some time. They began again, however, and one -of them said, that if there were among them any who had secret -intentions, they were ignorant of it; that for themselves they only -wanted their pay; but that paid they would be, and that they were -going to bring to him the civil authorities, in order that he might -give directions for raising the funds: after which they withdrew. - -“Whilst the council was consulting on the means of securing public -tranquillity, and of liquidating the pay in arrear, the army had -effected different movements; it had marched and counter-marched, -always at a running pace, without uttering a word, without venting -a threat against the officers whom it had put under arrest. This -silence, rather extraordinary for French soldiers, had something -sinister about it at which the inhabitants were alarmed. Nevertheless -the troops at last became calm, but they held no communication with -the towns-people; they even refused to answer their questions. In the -streets, in the squares, groups were continually seen forming, which -dispersed after they had communicated in a very low tone either orders -or opinions. The whole town was plunged in melancholy disquietude: -fatal epochs were recalled to their recollection—they feared to see -them revive: every one trembled for his property—for his life. Never -was there a more terrifying scene than that which this large city then -presented. - -“The General-in-chief having learned that the inhabitants had -consented to raise the necessary funds, and that they yielded to fear -what they had for so long a time refused to his entreaties, despatched -the adjutant-general to the civil authorities to settle with them -about the distribution of the loan. This officer was conducted to the -town-hall by a corporal and six men who did not quit him. He finished -his accounts, and returned to the palace under the same escort. - -“In the mean time, the Generals and chiefs of corps, employed in turn -threats and entreaties to bring back the mutineers to their duty. -The men, who loved their superiors, and who would not have dared to -fail in duty before their faces, had recourse to artifice to escape -from the ascendancy and the representations which they dreaded. When -an officer went in one direction, care was taken to oppose to him in -the front rank soldiers of a different corps and description, and -while he harangued these, the others vociferated from behind. If, -in spite of this tactic, he succeeded in getting at one of his own -men, and reproached him: 'Me, my Officer,' the other replied with -hypocritical mildness, 'I am not doing any thing, I am not speaking a -word;' and he immediately buried himself in the crowd. The troops soon -adopted a general measure to free themselves from these importunate -solicitations, and all those who had any important command were -ordered to keep to their homes. - -“The alarms of the citizens were soon tranquillized, the retreat -was sounded a long time before night, and from that moment patroles -succeeded one another without interruption. Several orders of the day -were read at each post. They recommended tranquillity and obedience, -and promised that the payments should be made within twenty-four -hours. One of these orders was thus worded: - - 'Every thing is going on well, the inhabitants are raising the - money, and the payments have begun. - - (Signed,) GARRISON.' - -“The town was ordered to be illuminated, in order that it might be -more easy to keep up a strict watch. - -“The secret instigators of the insurrection did not fail to perceive -that a degree of wisdom presided in all the councils, which rendered -their case desperate, that their end was baffled if they did not -succeed in again inflaming the minds of the soldiery, and in exciting -some commotion in which blood might be spilt. - -“With this view, about five o'clock in the afternoon, a horse -chasseur arrived at full gallop on the parade, announcing that three -waggons full of gold had just been stopped belonging to General -Rapp, who was sending them out of the city under the protection of -the Austrians. 'These three waggons,' he added, 'have been taken -to the covered bridge, and here is the receipt I am bearing to our -commander-in-chief;—General Rapp must be shot; he is a traitor, he has -sold us to the enemy.' - -“Whatever irritation still remained, this speech produced little -effect. The troops used their chief roughly to compel him to levy -contributions, but they did not entertain any suspicion against him. -His reputation as a man of honour remained unblemished, and his -integrity was no more doubted by them than his courage. Such open -provocations to murder excited distrust, and the soldiers became more -circumspect. Some, however, propagated alarms, and wished that his -person should be secured; but the army had the good sense to repel -suggestions the complete perfidiousness of which it did not perhaps at -first perceive. - -“As soon as one expedient failed, the conspirators attempted another, -and left nothing untried to spill blood, persuaded that if it had -once flowed, it would be easy to make it flow again. The General's -coachman was driving from the palace to the stables a cart laden -with straw. The sentinels made some objections to allow it to pass: -it however went on, but scarcely was it out, when some ill-disposed -persons cried, Treason, and pretended that under the pretext of -removing straw the military chest was carried off. Immediately the -multitude rushed on the cart and on its load, in order to search -it the better. Nothing was found; they loaded it again, demanding -nevertheless that it should go back: the horses took fright, set off, -and ran over a child. - -“At this sight fury redoubled, the guards were forced, the multitude -rushed tumultuously into the court of the palace, seized the coachman, -and massacred him without pity in the hands of an officer who had -come forth to defend him. The disorder was not meant to stop at the -death of a servant; but groupes of soldiers came up, forced the most -infuriated to restrain themselves, and thus the blow once more failed. - -“All the attempts to get General Rapp massacred by the hands of -his troops having failed, recourse was had to extraordinary means -of assassinating him. As soon as night was come, a multitude of -individuals succeeded each other, and used force to introduce -themselves into his bed-chamber. But the aides-de-camp and some -officers defended the door with courage, and preserved their chief -from insult. - -“In the midst of this effervescence an event suddenly happened to -cool the soldiery, and contributed to restore them to order. The -enemy's line drew its cantonments closer round the town, at the very -moment the insurrection broke out, and also received considerable -reinforcements. This coincidence of the measures adopted by the -Austrians with an event which they ought not to have been acquainted -with, gave much room for conjecture: thus the outer division -immediately doubled their main guards; fresh troops and artillery came -from the town. - -“The enemy, intimidated, durst not make any attempt. Perhaps he -was also awaiting the result of the plots which he had framed in -Strasburg; perhaps he feared to enter into an engagement with an army -so much the more formidable, as it had put itself under the necessity -of conquering; and as it continued, for all that related to the -military arrangements, to receive its orders from General Rottembourg, -whose courage and skill the Austrians had experienced more than once -during this campaign. The enemy, therefore, remained in position, and -appeared to be waiting till the favourable moment should arrive. On -its side, the army was on its guard against the tricks prepared for -it, and pursued, with calmness and firmness, the only end which it had -in view, the discharge of the pay in arrear. - -“General _Garrison_ redoubled his vigilance to preserve public -tranquillity, and went forth attended by his staff, all dressed in -their uniform and on horseback, to secure the execution of his orders. -As soon as he appeared the drums beat to arms, the guards were turned -out, and rendered him all the honours due to a Commander-in-chief. - -“Thus Strasburg presented the appearance of the most perfect order in -the midst of disorder; and the most severe discipline reigned in an -army in a state of revolt. - -“The loan having been raised, the pay-officers, according to the -numerical order of the regiments, were conducted under a good escort -to the pay-master-general, where they received the sums necessary -for the pay of their corps. But they were enjoined not to make any -individual payments until all the regiments should have received what -was owing to them. Thus passed the first day: there was less agitation -on the second. Still there was an attempt to make the troops believe -some rumours calculated to produce disturbance, but little attention -was paid to them. Towards evening, the orders given to the sentinels -of the palace became less strict; the aides-de-camp had leave to go -out under escort. A file of grenadiers was appointed to escort them -where they wished, and to conduct them back again. - -“During the night the posts were all renewed. Individuals, in the -uniform of sub-officers, presented themselves once more to penetrate -into the General's apartments, to satisfy themselves, as they said, -that he had not escaped. The altercations between them and the -officers of the staff were warmer than ever; the latter, nevertheless, -in the end prevailed. In fine, the division of the funds was effected -towards nine o'clock in the morning. Immediately the call to arms was -sounded, the army assembled, withdrew its posts, raised the siege of -the palace, and repaired to the parade. General Garrison, accompanied -by all his staff, drew up the troops in line, and addressed to them -the following proclamation. We give it _verbatim_. - - “'Soldiers of the Army of the Rhine, - - “'The bold step which has just been taken by your sub-officers - to obtain justice, and the complete discharge of your pay, has - compromised them with the civil and military authorities. It - is in your good conduct, your resignation, and your excellent - discipline that they hope to find safety; that which you have - maintained up to the present time is the best guarantee of it; - and of this they hope for a continuance. - - “'Soldiers, the pay-officers have in their possession all that is - owing to you; the garrison will return to its former situation, - the posts will remain till the General-in-chief shall have - given orders in consequence. On their return from the parade, - the sergeant-majors and quarter-masters shall repair to their - pay-officers, and shall take note before paying the troops from - MM. the Colonels, in order to keep back what is not due. - - “'The infantry is to be disbanded—it will take superior orders; - and the cavalry, still having no order, will wait its lot, in - order to give up, at least before setting off, the horses, arms, - and all that belongs to the Government, in order that it may be - said they are Frenchmen: they have served with honour, they have - obtained payment of what was due to them, and have submitted to - the orders of the King, under the glorious title of the Army of - the Rhine. - - “'By order of the Army of the Rhine.'” - -“The Sergeant-General, after having delivered this speech, which -the army heard in silence, made the two divisions of infantry, -the cavalry, and artillery defile before him, and went in great -pomp to display at the offices of the Prefect and Mayor the white -flags that had been made by his orders. The troops then returned to -their barracks, and submitted themselves to the authority of their -respective officers. - -“As soon as they were restored to liberty, the Generals, Colonels, and -superior officers were anxious to repair to Count Rapp, to express to -him the pain they had experienced at seeing the army thus unmindful -of the rein of discipline. They even caused a protest against the -seditious movements which the army had given way to, to be printed, -which they all signed, and which contained expressions very flattering -to the General-in-Chief. - -“Two days after, they laid down their arms at the arsenal, and all the -corps were disbanded. Dalouzi, as leader of the revolt, had incurred -the penalty of death; but he was pardoned on account of the good order -that he had maintained in the midst of the insurrection.”[3] - -[3] Summary of the Operations of the Armies of the Rhine and Jura, -1815. - -The army was dissolved; my command having expired, there was nothing -to keep me any longer in Alsace. But the good souls of the Faubourg -Saint-Germain had imagined that we were a source of terror to Europe. -On the field of battle I believe we were, and the Allies did not -disallow it. In other respects this was thinking too highly of us. -With regard to plots and conspiracies, it is not we who deserved the -palm. I, nevertheless, went to meet that which they wished to allot to -me. I wrote to the King, I did not attempt to disguise my sentiments -from him. If I had been able to throw the whole coalition into the -Rhine I would have done it; I did not conceal it. My letter was thus -worded. - - “Sire, - - “I do not endeavour to justify my conduct. Your Majesty knows - that the bent of my mind and my military education have always - led me to defend the French territory against all foreign - aggression: I could not, above all, hesitate to offer my life in - defence of Alsace, which gave me birth. - - “If I have preserved the esteem of your Majesty, I desire to - finish my career in my own country; if it were otherwise, I - should be the first to demand to go and pass my days abroad: I - could not live in my country without the esteem of my sovereign.” - - “I only ask this; I have need of nothing more.” - -This letter was of use. Marks of regard that had escaped the Monarch -kept malevolence within bounds. I passed some months at Paris without -being disturbed; but the race of emigrants had filled the chambers -and harangued at the tribune. Their vociferations against all the men -distinguished for their talent and courage whom France can boast of, -gave me such a disgust that I withdrew. I went into Switzerland, where -at least aristocracy did not present the scandalous spectacle of the -rage of the present time combined with the meanness of the past. The -ordinance of the 5th of September was issued a short time afterwards: -I returned to Paris, where I live quietly in the bosom of my family, -and where I have experienced happiness which till then was unknown to -me. - - * * * * * - -Here the Memoirs terminate. We will only add a few words. - -Become a member of the House of Peers, the General was called into -the presence of the King. This favour did not make him unfaithful to -old recollections. So many immortal days were too deeply engraved in -his mind! He could not forget our victories, or him who had conducted -them, or those who had obtained them! He had often taken so glorious a -part in them! Courage does not disinherit herself. In like manner the -brave soldiers who were persecuted by men whom they had eclipsed on -the field of battle always found in their General a devoted protector. -His purse, his credit were open to them. Never did he repel the -unfortunate. Those who had none of the privileges which the standard -gives, participated in his benefits; it was sufficient if they were in -distress. Misfortune was something sacred in his eyes. - -The state of inactivity into which on a sudden he had fallen, after a -life of alarms and fatigue, hastened to a fatal termination the wounds -with which he was covered. His health was gone; he soon ended the -term assigned him by Nature. He beheld death without emotion, ordered -himself to be put in a position so as to front the enemy, whom he had -always looked in the face, and expired, offering up his prayers for -France and his family. - - - - -DOCUMENTS - -ILLUSTRATIVE OF THE MEMOIRS. - - - _Letter from General Rapp to the Duke of Wurtemberg._ - - _June 14th, 1813._ - - Colonel Richemont has communicated to me the letter which your - Royal Highness honoured him with, the ... of this month. I learn - with pain that the very conciliatory proposals made, in my name, - by M. Richemont, have not been accepted, and that discussions - have arisen on points which appeared to afford no room for any - debate whatever. - - I must observe to your Royal Highness, generally, that the - armistice was not demanded by the Emperor Napoleon, which - supposes that all the articles ought to be construed favourably - to the French army; but since the intentions of the treaty are - disputed, I see no other means of attaining the object of your - Royal Highness, and my own, than by proposing to your Excellency - to leave, as regards the limits, things in their present state, - and to inform the commissioners appointed by articles 9 and 12 - of the armistice, of the difficulties which have arisen in the - execution of article 6. I therefore beg your Highness to name, - conjointly with myself, two officers who shall be instructed - to repair to those commissioners, and who can speedily bring a - report of the solution we are to expect. - - I also consent that the article relative to supplies be only - settled provisionally, that is to say, that if your Royal - Highness would not take upon yourself to allow us 30,000 rations - of victuals, reckoning from the day of the armistice, which, - according to the returns of the force of the garrison, is - necessary, Colonel Richemont will be able to settle with the - Russian commissioners, the quantities which shall be supplied - to us on account, to be deducted from the amount which shall be - definitively appointed by the commissioners of the armistice, to - whom it will be referred, as well as the article of limits. - - The officer who brought the armistice would have been able to - notify at the Imperial head-quarters the discussions which have - arisen, if his instructions did not oblige him to delay his - departure till after the first distribution which is to be made - to the garrison by the directions of the General commanding the - blockade. - - I should have greatly desired that we could have come to an - understanding, on the execution of the treaty, as I have reason - to fear that false inferences may be drawn from the delay of - this officer, as to the good understanding which the armistice - supposes to exist between us; a contingency which I should the - more lament, as it appears to me that your Highness might have - acceded to the proposals of Colonel Richemont, which I should - most certainly have done in your place, without fearing the least - reproach for it from my sovereign. - - (Signed,) COUNT RAPP. - - - ANSWER. - - _Sulmin, June 15th, 1813._ - - I received the letter which your Excellency did me the honour to - write to me, dated the 14th of June, and I must frankly confess - that it is my duty to enter into the fullest explanation of - the cause of the misunderstandings which exist relative to the - literal execution of the articles of the truce. - - This treaty having laid down fixed principles, in order to avoid - every subject of dispute, it appears to me, that it would be - infinitely more simple and natural to adhere strictly to it. I - confess to your Excellency that it is with sincere pain that I - agree to depart from it according to your proposition. It appears - to me that by this arrangement, which you wish, both of us, to - a certain degree, exceed the limits of our powers, and that it - would be much better to settle between us the line of neutrality - according to the literal sense of the armistice. Nevertheless, - to avoid all farther discussion, I consent to let things remain - on their present footing: I will even order the commanders - of my advanced posts to come to an understanding with yours - about making some arrangements, which may be agreeable to your - Excellency, in respect to sentinels and piquets, to prevent any - collision between our light troops. - - Respecting what concerns the article of provisions, the - commission assembled for that purpose has already commenced its - sittings, and I hope that Colonel Richemont will soon be able to - announce that this article has been definitively settled. - - As to what regards the two officers whom your Excellency would - send to the commissioners appointed definitively to settle - all the difficulties which appear to arise respecting the - stipulations of the truce, I must observe, that it is not in - my power to grant them the necessary passports: the article of - provisions, which will be forthwith settled, will allow, in the - course of a few days, Captain Planat to undertake this commission. - - Be persuaded, moreover, General, that accustomed, in the course - of twenty-five years' service to fulfil with exactness the orders - of my sovereign, I should have acted in a very different manner, - if I had agreed to the propositions which have been made to me - by Colonel Richemont, and which deviated so essentially from the - articles of a truce, the simple and natural expressions of which - leave no room for the least discussion. - - Your Excellency, moreover, will always find me ready to do - whatever may be agreeable to you, and which at the same time may - not be inconsistent with my duty. I shall eagerly seize all the - opportunities that I can to convince you that nothing equals the - high consideration with which I have the honour to be, &c. - - (Signed,) ALEXANDER, DUKE OF WURTEMBERG. - - _Letter from the Duke of Wurtemberg to his Excellency Count Rapp._ - - _From my head-quarters, July 12, 1813._ - - (Received on the 14th, though the Duke was but two leagues from - Dantzic.) - - GENERAL, - - A messenger, who has just arrived from head-quarters, brings me - an order for suspending the allowances which have been hitherto - made to the garrison of Dantzic. The corps of Volunteers under - the orders of the Prussian Major Lutzow having been attacked, - during the continuance of the truce, without the least cause, - is announced to me as the reason which has caused this - determination, and which is not to be varied from until this - affair shall be definitively settled. - - In communicating the orders which I have received to you, I - announce at the same time that this affair, which will probably - soon be settled, does not however change the other articles of - the truce, which are to remain in full force. - - I have the honour be, &c. - - (Signed,) ALEXANDER, DUKE OF WURTEMBERG, - - General of Cavalry. - - ANSWER. - - _Dantzic, July 14, 1813._ - - Monsieur le DUC, - - From the commencement of the arrangements agreed upon between us, - in consequence of the armistice, I have seen, with much pain, - that your Royal Highness does not fulfil them with that exactness - which such stipulations demand. - - I have perceived, in the delay of all the deliveries, a secret - war which was destroying in detail the spirit of the armistice. - In spite of my continual protests, a great part of the provisions - has been left in arrear; you have not even supplied what is due - at present, and it is in this state of things that I receive, - to-day, the 14th, the letter from your Highness, dated the 12th, - which informs me that you have orders to suspend the provisions. - This suspension has actually taken place these four days past, - that is to say, since the 10th; and as our correspondence may - reach each other in two hours, I will not conceal from your - Highness with what sentiments I must look at the difference - between the date and the arrival of your despatch. - - The conditions of an armistice, my Lord Duke, are alike binding - on both the parties; and as soon as one of them allows himself - to annul one of the principal and most essential clauses, the - armistice is from that moment broken, and he puts himself in - a state of war against the other. It is in this light, that I - consider from henceforth the declaration you have made; and - although your Highness informs me that the other articles of the - truce shall remain, you must perceive that I cannot accept such - modifications but by the orders of my sovereign. It only remains - to me, then, to beg you to acquaint me whether the six days - which are to precede the recommencement of hostilities are to be - reckoned from the 12th at one o'clock in the morning, or from the - 14th at twelve. - - I must declare to you, that I account you responsible for - the rupture of an armistice that was concluded between our - sovereigns, and that I cannot listen to any evasive explication - until after the reception of all the provisions which are due to - me. - - (Signed,) COUNT RAPP. - - - _Letter from the Duke of Wurtemberg to General Count Rapp._ - - _From my head-quarters, July 15, 1813._ - - I have just received the letter which you have addressed to me, - and I cannot conceal from your Excellency that I have been more - than ordinarily surprised at its contents. - - It would be absolutely useless again to repeat to your Excellency - what MM. Generals Borozdin and Jelebtzou have not failed to - observe to you repeatedly, that is to say, that the momentary - delays which the garrison of Dantzic has experienced in being - revictualled have only been occasioned by the sudden change - of the arrangement that was proposed and demanded by your - Excellency, of buying the provisions by your own commissaries, - which has necessarily produced the greatest embarrassment; - the Prussian commissaries having excused themselves on the - state of entire destitution of the provinces contiguous to - Dantzic, which have been already charged for so long a time - with the provisioning of my troops. If, as I have several times - requested, there had been at my head-quarters, conformably to - the stipulations of the truce, a French commissary permanently, - he would have been able to convince himself of the extreme - embarrassment that the Prussian commissaries have felt in - procuring waggons, and the necessary provisions for revictualling - Dantzic, and for the maintenance of my own troops; so that it - is not the army forming the blockade which has thrown obstacles - in the way of revictualling the place. Moreover, it is only my - sovereign, the august Emperor Alexander, to whom I must render an - account of my actions. - - * * * * * - - I now come to an article of far greater importance, since it may - be attended with the most serious consequences; for it appears, - according to the letter of your Excellency, that you are decided - on recommencing hostilities on your own authority, whilst the - places, Stettin and Custrin, are also temporarily deprived, - as well as Dantzic, of the provisions stipulated for in the - armistice. I hope, however, that you will seriously consider - what you are about to do, and I render you responsible for all - the measures you may take, and which may prevent the belligerent - powers from coming to an adjustment of their differences. - - I send you an exact copy of the letter which I received from - the Commander-in-chief of all the armies, Barclay de Tolly; you - will see, that far from there being any thoughts of recommencing - hostilities, I am expressly prohibited from doing so. - - If, in spite of all my observations, which I have had formally - certified by my Generals, commanders of corps, you do not think - fit to wait patiently till the affair of the legion of Lutzow, - which has caused the temporary cessation of the revictualling of - Dantzic, (of which the arrears, by the way, are only suspended,) - and of the other fortresses, is amicably settled, and you - attack my forces, I will prove to you that my brave Russians - do not stand in dread of the menaces of any one, and that they - are moreover ready to shed their blood for the cause of all - sovereigns and all nations. - - (Signed,) ALEXANDER, DUKE OF WURTEMBERG. - - - ANSWER. - - _Dantzic, July 16, 1813._ - - I received the letter which your Royal Highness did me the honour - to write to me on the 15th of this month. I will not again touch - on the different observations which you make on the non-execution - of the conditions of the armistice; they have been constantly - brought forward, and always victoriously refuted; and therefore - present nothing new. General Heudelet, whom I sent to the - conference that was demanded by General Borozdin, has made known - on my part the only expedient for a provisional arrangement which - could again take place between us. - - In a letter of the 14th instant, I intreated your Royal Highness - to appoint at what precise time the six days between the rupture - and the commencement of hostilities were to begin; to this I have - had no positive answer. I must, therefore, acquaint you, that as - the letter of your Royal Highness, dated the 12th, only reached - me on the 14th at noon, and I can consider your positive and - official refusal to continue the supplies as nothing else than - a rupture of the armistice, hostilities will recommence on the - 20th; I owe this determination to the Emperor and to my corps - d'armée. Six guns fired from the different forts of Dantzic, at - noon, shall leave no doubt on this subject. I beg your Royal - Highness not to consider as a threat the obligation which I am - under to interpret the violation of one of the articles of the - treaty as a formal declaration, annulling the armistice; I know - the brave Russian troops, whom I have often fought with, and I - know that they are worthy to be opposed to our own. - - Here, my Lord, my letter would close, were I not compelled to - make a remark to your Royal Highness on some expressions of - your letter of the 15th, that I also am only accountable to my - sovereign for my determinations; that, as for what your Highness - calls the cause of all sovereigns and all nations, these are - very extraordinary phrases in the letter of a prince, who knows - better than any one that the Emperor Alexander, his sovereign, - was engaged during five years, in our alliance against the - despotism of a maritime power, which would make all the Continent - tributary to it; and that his august brother, the King of - Wurtemberg, has been for a long time past one of the most staunch - supporters of this same cause. - - (Signed,) COUNT RAPP. - - - _Letter from the Duke of Wurtemberg to General Rapp._ - - _From my head-quarters, July 17, 1813._ - - GENERAL, - - I should have nothing more to add to the letter which I wrote - to your Excellency, dated the 15th of July, if the formal - declaration of war which you make to me, as from one power to - another, did not oblige me still to make a few important remarks, - before the commencement of hostilities which you axe about to - undertake. - - I will observe to you, then, (although it is absolutely - impossible for me, officially, to accept the declaration, that - you are about to begin hostilities, and though I must declare - you, once more, responsible for all the consequences that this - event may produce) that if, in spite of my observations, you, - nevertheless, persist in a determination which, as I believe, - will not even be approved by the Emperor Napoleon, the period - for the rupture which you fix for the 20th of July at mid-day, - is contrary to the 2d and 3d articles of the armistice; since, - after the 20th of July, the term of the expiration of the truce, - hostilities should not take place, according to article 9th, - till six days after the 20th of July, which will bring us to the - 26th of the month; and it would be really singular for us to be - the only two chiefs of corps on the theatre of war to recommence - hostilities. - - I am convinced, that with a little patience we shall soon hear - that the affairs of the Cabinets are taking a different turn. - What would be then the regret of your Excellency if, by too much - precipitation, you should once more create difficulties between - the two Courts, of which my own has nothing to reproach itself - with, since it was very natural that it should for the time take - measures of retaliation, after it had learnt the destruction of - the corps of Lutzow in the midst of the armistice;—as it is not - possible to bring to life the men so destroyed, while it will, - on the other hand, be very possible to furnish the garrison of - Dantzic with the provisions in arrear. - - I now close my letter, General, compelled to make an observation - or two on the last phrases in yours, which have appeared to me - extremely strange. All Europe, and, I dare say, France also, is - perfectly acquainted with the reasons which caused the rupture - of the peace that was signed at Tilsit. It also knows the - dictatorial tone which the ambassador Count Lauriston assumed in - the heart of the capital of Peter the Great. The august Emperor - Alexander was compelled, by such an excess of audacity, to appeal - to his sword; he was obliged to surround himself with his valiant - soldiers to open the churches, and to confide himself to a - generous and faithful people, who have proved to him what may be - done by a nation happy in its own territory, but who have not - hesitated a moment to arm themselves in defence of their honour - and of their sovereign. - - As to what concerns my brother, the King of Wurtemberg, whom your - Excellency calls one of the most staunch supporters of the cause - which you defend, I can assure your Excellency that a Russian - General-in-chief does not think himself inferior in any respect - to a King of the Confederation, since it only depends on the - Emperor Alexander to elevate me to that dignity, if he thinks - fit; and then I shall be king like any other; I should, however, - premise one small condition, that is, that it should not be at - the expense of any power, or any person. - - (Signed,) ALEXANDER, DUKE OF WURTEMBERG. - - - CAPITULATION OF DANTZIC. - - Capitulation of the fortress of Dantzic under special conditions, - concluded between their Excellencies Lieutenant-general Borozdin, - Major-general Welljaminoff, in quality of chief of the staff, - and the Colonels of Engineers, Manfredi and Pullet, intrusted - with full powers by his Royal Highness the Duke of Wurtemberg, - Commander-in-chief of the troops besieging Dantzic, on one part; - - And their Excellencies Count Heudelet, general of division, the - General of Brigade d'Hericourt, Adjutant-general; and - Colonel Richemont intrusted with full powers from his Excellency - Count Rapp, aide-de-camp of the Emperor, Commander-in-chief of - the 10th corps d'armée, on the other part. - - ARTICLE I. The troops forming the garrison of Dantzic, and of - the forts and redoubts thereunto belonging, shall leave the town - with their arms and baggage on the 1st of January, 1814, at ten - o'clock in the morning, by the gate of Oliwa, and shall lay down - their arms before the battery of Gottes-Engel, if by that period - the blockade of the garrison of Dantzic is not raised by a corps - d'armée, equivalent in force to the besieging army, or if a - treaty concluded between the belligerent powers shall not by that - time have fixed the fate of the city of Dantzic. The officers - shall retain their swords, in consideration of the vigorous - defence and distinguished conduct of the garrison. The company - of the Imperial guard, and a battalion of six hundred men, shall - retain their arms, and shall take with them two six-pounders, - with the ammunition waggons belonging to them. Twenty-five - horsemen shall also preserve their arms and their horses. - - ART. II. The forts of Weichselmunde, the Holm, and the - intermediate works shall, together with the keys of the outer - gate of Oliwa, be given up to the combined army, on the morning - of the 24th Dec. 1813. - - ART. III. Immediately on the signature of the present - capitulation, the fort La Corte, that of Neufahrwasser, with its - dependencies, and the left bank of the Vistula, as far as the - height of the redoubt Gudin, and the line of redoubts extending - from this last-mentioned work on the Zigangenberg, as well as the - Mowenkrugschantz shall be surrendered in their present condition, - without any deterioration, into the hands of the besieging army. - The bridge which at present connects the _tête-du-pont_ of - Fahrwasser with the fort of Weichselmunde, shall be removed and - placed at the mouth of the Vistula, between Neufahrwasser and the - Nowenkrugschantz. - - ART. IV. The garrison of Dantzic shall be prisoners of war, and - shall be escorted to France. The governor, Count Rapp, formally - engages that neither officers nor soldiers shall serve again, - until their perfect exchange, against any of the powers now at - war with France. There shall be drawn up an exact muster-roll of - the names of the generals, officers, and soldiers composing the - garrison of Dantzic, without any exception. There shall be two - copies of this roll. Each of the generals and officers shall sign - a promise and give his word of honour not to serve against Russia - or her allies till his perfect exchange. An exact muster-roll - shall be also made of all the soldiers who are actually under - arms, and another of those who are sick or wounded. - - ART. V. The governor, Count Rapp, engages to accelerate as - much as possible the exchange of the individuals forming the - garrison of Dantzic, rank for rank, for an equal number of - prisoners belonging to the allied powers. But if, contrary to all - expectation, this exchange should not take place for want of the - necessary number of Russians, Austrians, Prussians, or other - prisoners belonging to the courts allied against France, or if - the said courts should throw obstacles in the way of it, then at - the end of a year and a day, dating from Jan. 1, 1814, new style, - the individuals forming the garrison of Dantzic shall be released - from the formal obligation contracted in Art. IV. of the present - capitulation, and may be again employed by their government. - - ART. VI. The Polish troops and others belonging to the garrison - shall be at full liberty to follow the lot of the French army, - and in that case shall be treated in the same manner, excepting - those troops whose sovereigns may be in alliance with the - coalition against his Majesty the Emperor Napoleon, who shall - be forwarded to the states or armies of their sovereigns, - according to the orders which they shall receive from them, and - which orders they shall send officers or messengers to request, - immediately after the signature of the present capitulation. The - Polish and other officers shall give each his word of honour in - writing not to serve against the allied powers till his perfect - exchange, conformably to the explanation given by Art. V. - - ART. VII. All prisoners, of whatever nation they may be, who - belong to the powers at war with France, and who are at present - in Dantzic, shall be set at liberty without exchange, and sent - to the Russian advanced posts by the gate Peters-Hagen, on the - morning of the 12th of December, 1813. - - ART VIII. The sick and wounded belonging to the garrison shall - be treated in the same manner, and with the same care as those of - the allied powers; they shall be sent back to France after their - perfect recovery, under the same conditions as the rest of the - troops forming the garrison of Dantzic. A commissary of war, and - medical officers shall be left with these invalids to attend to - them and to claim their removal. - - ART. IX. As soon as a certain number of individuals belonging to - the troops of the allied powers shall have been exchanged for an - equal number of individuals belonging to the garrison of Dantzic, - then the latter may consider themselves free from their preceding - engagement, contracted formally in Art. IV. of the present - capitulation. - - ART. X. The troops of the garrison of Dantzic, with the exception - of those who, according to the terms of Art. VI. are to receive - orders from their sovereigns, shall proceed by ordinary marches - in four columns, at two days march distance one from the other, - and according to the route annexed, and shall be escorted to the - advanced posts of the French army. The garrison of Dantzic shall - be supplied on its march according to the statement annexed. The - 1st column shall begin its march the 2d Jan. 1814; the 2d on the - 4th Jan. and so on. - - ART. XI. All Frenchmen being non-combatants, and not in the - service of the army, may follow, if they think fit, the troops - of the garrison; but they cannot claim the rations fixed for - the soldiery: they are, moreover, at liberty to dispose of the - property which may be recognized as belonging to them. - - ART. XII. On the 12th December, 1813, shall be delivered up - to the commissioner appointed by the besieging army, all the - cannon, mortars, &c. &c., arms, military stores, plans, drawings, - sketches, the military chests, all the magazines of every - description, the pontoons, all effects belonging to the engineer - corps, to the marine, to the artillery, to the train, to the - waggon department, &c. &c. without any exception; and a duplicate - inventory shall be made of them, which shall be forwarded to the - chief of the staff of the combined army. - - ART. XIII. The generals, officers of the staff, and other - officers, shall retain their baggage, and the horses they are - entitled to under the regulations of the French army, and shall - receive the necessary forage during their march. - - ART. XIV. All details respecting the means of conveyance to be - furnished, whether for the sick and wounded, or for the corps and - officers, shall be regulated by the heads of the staff of the two - armies. - - ART. XV. There shall be reserved to the senate of Dantzic, the - right of urging on the Emperor Napoleon all its rights to the - liquidation of such debts as may exist on any part, and his - Excellency the governor engages to give those to whom the debts - have been contracted, acknowledgments certifying the justice of - their claims, but under no pretext shall hostages be retained on - account of these debts. - - ART. XVI. Hostilities of all kinds shall cease on both sides from - the signature of the present treaty. - - - ART. XVII. Every article on which a doubt may arise shall always - be interpreted in favour of the garrison. - - ART. XVIII. Four exact copies of the present capitulation shall - be made, two in the Russian, and two in the French language, to - be transmitted in duplicate to the two Generals-in-chief. - - ART. XIX. After the signature of these official documents the - governor, General Count Rapp, shall be at liberty to send a - courier to his government; he shall be accompanied to the - advanced posts of the French army by a Russian officer. - - Done and agreed to at Langfuhr, this 29th of November, 1813. - - (Signed,) - - The General of Division Count HEUDELET, General d'HERICOURT, - Colonel RICHEMONT, Lieutenant-General Chevalier BOROZDIN, - Major-General WELLJAMINOFF, in quality of Head of the Staff, the - Colonel of Engineers MANFREDI, Colonel of Engineers PULLET. - - Seen and approved, - - COUNT RAPP. - - - _Letter from the Duke of Wurtemberg to General Rapp._ - - _From my head-quarters at Pelouken, December 23, 1813._ - _11 o'clock at night._ - - GENERAL, - - I am bound to inform you that I have just received a despatch - from his Imperial Majesty, which acquaints me, that the - capitulation concluded between your Excellency and myself has - been approved by the Emperor; excepting the part which concerns - the return of the garrison to France. Although it does not belong - to me to examine whether an apprehension lest the garrison of - Dantzic might be forced, like that of Thorn, to resume active - service before it should be perfectly exchanged, and after it - should have passed the Rhine, may have had its weight, I am - nevertheless obliged to acquaint your Excellency with the precise - will of his Majesty, being at the same time persuaded that none - of the Generals or Officers, forming part of the brave garrison - of Dantzic, would permit themselves in any case to be wanting - to their engagements, of which I myself would be willingly the - guarantee. His Majesty has also formally authorized me to declare - to you, General, that the garrison shall not be sent into the - distant provinces of Russia, if your Excellency gives up the - fortress without further injury, according to the terms of the - capitulation. You may choose for your particular abode and for - that of the Generals and Officers, any one of the towns of Revel, - Pleskow, Zaliega and Orel, to remain there till the garrison is - exchanged. Besides, it is understood of itself, that the Generals - and Officers will preserve all the advantages which have been - secured to them under the capitulation. As to what concerns the - Polish troops who are at present in Dantzic, the pleasure of his - Majesty is, that they be sent quietly to their homes on quitting - the fortress, and in like manner the German troops. - - I must believe, General, that your Excellency certainly will not - hesitate to consent to these arrangements, since it is to be - believed that the war will not last a year, and then every one - will immediately return to his own country; and I am so much the - more persuaded that your Excellency will take this determination, - because in the opposite case I should not be able to spare you, - or your garrison, any of the inevitable rigours which a perfectly - useless resistance would carry in its train, the infallible - consequence of which would be transportation of the garrison - to the most distant provinces of the Russian empire, without - the possibility of their enjoying the least of those advantages - which are now perfectly secured to them; together with all the - conveniences necessary for the route stipulated for in the - capitulation. - - If, however, your Excellency, contrary to all expectation, - should take a determination as unexpected as prejudicial to - the interests of the garrison, I will then restore to you, the - day after to-morrow, Saturday, at noon, all the works which - have been surrendered to the besieging army, except the fort of - Neufahrwasser, since the supreme will of his Majesty is that your - Excellency should previously send out of the fortress all the - German troops at present in Dantzic with their arms and baggage, - as the Confederation of the Rhine exists no longer, and all the - states which composed it have become our allies; and in this - case Neufahrwasser also shall be given up to you immediately and - without the smallest difficulty. I will send also to Dantzic - by the gate of Oliwa, all the stragglers as soon as they shall - have returned; and in the event in question, hostilities shall - recommence the day after they are given up, at nine o'clock in - the morning. - - (Signed) The Duke of WURTEMBERG. - - P. S. I beg your Excellency to be so good as to let me have your - answer to-morrow morning. If General Heudelet or any other of - the Generals were sent to my head-quarters, it would infinitely - facilitate the conclusion of an affair which may terminate to - your satisfaction. - - I have written on this subject to his Majesty by a Courier. - - - ANSWER. - - MY LORD, - - I made a capitulation with your Royal Highness:—to-day you - announce to me that, without having any respect for it, the - Emperor Alexander orders that the garrison of Dantzic shall be - sent into Russia as prisoners of war, instead of returning to - France. - - The 10th Corps d'Armée leaves it to Europe, to history, to - posterity, to decide on so extraordinary an infraction of the - faith of treaties, against which I solemnly protest. - - In consequence of these sacred principles, I have the honour to - inform your Royal Highness that, holding strictly to the text of - a capitulation, which I must not consider as annihilated because - it is violated, I will execute it punctually; and that I am ready - this very day to give up to the troops of your Highness, the - forts of Weichselmunde, Napoleon, and the Holm, as well as all - the magazines, and to leave the fortress with my garrison on the - 1st of January next. - - At that period, force, and the abuse of power, may drag us to - Russia, to Siberia, or wherever they please. We shall submit to - suffer, to die even if it be necessary, victims of our confidence - in a solemn treaty. The Emperor Napoleon and France are powerful - enough, sooner or later, to avenge us. - - In this state of things, my Lord, there remains no arrangement - for me to make with your Royal Highness; referring myself - entirely to the capitulation of the 29th of November, which, I - repeat, may be infringed, but cannot be annihilated. - - (Signed,) COUNT RAPP. - - _Dantzic, December 23, 1813._ - - - _Letter from Count Rapp to the Duke of Wurtemberg._ - - MY LORD, - - My aide-de-camp delivered to me yesterday the letter which your - Royal Highness has done me the honour to address to me. - - By your return of the letter which you received from me, I - imagine your Royal Highness imputes to me exasperated feelings. - Your Highness does not render me justice: I have been a soldier - twenty-two years; I am habituated to good and to evil fortune. - - Your Highness does me the honour to say, that it was quite to - be expected that the Emperor Alexander should have the power - of ratifying, or not ratifying, the capitulation. Either your - Highness was furnished with full powers or you were not; under - the last supposition my conduct would have been very different - from what it has been. - - Marshal Kalkreuth, after a very short defence, obtained a very - honourable capitulation. I even recollect that the Emperor - Napoleon, who was not twenty leagues from the fortress, was - dissatisfied with it, but he would not put his commander-in-chief - in an unpleasant position by annulling the capitulation. It was - impossible to perform it with more fidelity and delicacy than - it was executed with, by Marshal Lefebvre and myself. Marshal - Kalkreuth is still living, and has preserved the remembrance - of our proceedings. There are Prussian officers at your - head-quarters who can also bear witness to them. - - Your Highness does me the honour to say that his Majesty orders - that all things shall be put upon their previous footing, if I - wish to recommence hostilities. Your Highness knows perfectly - well that the advantages were at the time of entering on the - capitulation on our side, for you had constantly made us offers - which you pretended to be favourable; you know that now it is - quite the contrary: this assertion stands in no need of proofs. - - Besides, my Lord, it is you who have always proposed to me - to enter into an arrangement to stop the effusion of blood; - offering, as the fundamental condition, our return to France. The - correspondence of your Highness attests this fact. - - Your Highness knows well in what situation we are placed, and - that it is altogether impossible, in all respects, to prolong our - defence. The choice which you leave me becomes perfectly illusory. - - I pray your Highness to cause to be occupied to-day - Weichselmunde, the Holm, and the intermediate works. I have only - left in them small detachments to prevent waste. I desire also - that your Highness will send commissaries to receive inventories - of our magazines of all kinds. I attach importance to this, that - there may be no complaints, and that we may not be reproached - with having deteriorated any thing; not in the fear of going to - Russia with fewer conveniences, which your Highness insists on - in your letter, but through the desire of religiously fulfilling - all my engagements. - - I have the honour again to declare to your Highness, that - the garrison of Dantzic will leave the fortress on the 1st - of January, in the morning, in execution of Art. I. of the - capitulation of November 29; to which I entirely adhere, and - to which it is quite useless to add any other arrangement. - Circumstances will, after the evacuation, place us entirely at - the disposal of your Highness. - - I have the honour, &c. - - COUNT RAPP. - - - TO THE SAME. - - _December 26, 1813._ - - MY LORD, - - General Manfredi has delivered to me your Royal Highness's letter - of yesterday, the 25th instant. Having had already the honour to - treat with you on the first articles of this letter, the last is - the only one that seems to require an answer. Your Royal Highness - declares to me that you cannot allow me to leave Dantzic without - a previous arrangement. On my part, thinking it impossible to - open again the capitulation of November 29, approved of by your - Royal Highness and by me, I have the honour to declare that, - having no means of prolonging my defence, I put myself from the - 31st of December at your disposal, together with the troops under - my orders. This arrangement, my Lord, is very simple: it is for - your Royal Highness to regulate the fate of the garrison. - - I content myself with recommending to your generosity, the - soldiers, especially those who, by their infirmities and wounds, - more particularly claim my solicitude. - - I recommend to you also the non-combatants, the women, the - children, and the Frenchmen, resident in Dantzic. - - (Signed,) COUNT RAPP. - - -THE END. - - -LONDON: - -PRINTED BY S. AND R. BENTLEY, DORSET STREET. - - - - - ┌───────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────┐ - │ Transcriber's Note: │ - │ │ - │ The original spelling, hyphenation, and punctuation have been │ - │ retained, with the exception of apparent typographical errors │ - │ which have been corrected. │ - │ │ - │ Ambiguous hyphens at the ends of lines were retained. │ - │ │ - │ Italicized words are surrounded by underline characters, │ - │ _like this_. │ - │ │ - │ Errors corrected: │ - │ Charlottemberg (p. iii) and Charlottemburgh (pp. 96, 98) │ - │ changed to Charlottenburg. │ - │ Wittemberg (p. 90) changed to Wittenberg. │ - │ Cremen (p. 102) changed to Bremen. │ - │ Konigsberg (pp. iv, 162, 168, 218) changed to Kœnigsberg. │ - │ Saint-Albretch (p. 324) changed to Saint-Albrecht │ - │ Weljaminoff (p. 423) changed to Welljaminoff. │ - └───────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────┘ - - - - - -End of the Project Gutenberg EBook of Memoirs of General Count Rapp, First -aide-de-camp to Napoleon, by Jean Comte Rapp - -*** END OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK GENERAL COUNT RAPP *** - -***** This file should be named 55153-0.txt or 55153-0.zip ***** -This and all associated files of various formats will be found in: - http://www.gutenberg.org/5/5/1/5/55153/ - -Produced by MFR, Christian Boissonnas and the Online -Distributed Proofreading Team at http://www.pgdp.net (This -file was produced from images generously made available -by The Internet Archive) - - -Updated editions will replace the previous one--the old editions will -be renamed. - -Creating the works from print editions not protected by U.S. copyright -law means that no one owns a United States copyright in these works, -so the Foundation (and you!) can copy and distribute it in the United -States without permission and without paying copyright -royalties. 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You may copy it, give it away or re-use it under the terms of -the Project Gutenberg License included with this eBook or online at -www.gutenberg.org. If you are not located in the United States, you'll have -to check the laws of the country where you are located before using this ebook. - - - -Title: Memoirs of General Count Rapp, First aide-de-camp to Napoleon - -Author: Jean Comte Rapp - -Release Date: July 19, 2017 [EBook #55153] - -Language: English - -Character set encoding: UTF-8 - -*** START OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK GENERAL COUNT RAPP *** - - - - -Produced by MFR, Christian Boissonnas and the Online -Distributed Proofreading Team at http://www.pgdp.net (This -file was produced from images generously made available -by The Internet Archive) - - - - - - -</pre> - - -<div class="transnote covernote"> - <p class="center"> The cover image was created by the transcriber - and is placed in the public domain.</p> -</div> - -<div class="figcenter"><a name="frontis.jpg" id="frontis.jpg"></a> - <img src="images/frontis.jpg" width="362" height="600" - alt="" /> - <div class="caption">GENERAL RAPP.<br /> - <i>Published, April 1828, by H. Colburn & Co. London.</i> - </div> -</div> - -<div class="chapter"> -<h1 class="p2">MEMOIRS<br /><br /> - <span class="xx-smaller">OF</span><br /><br /> - <span class="larger">GENERAL COUNT RAPP,</span> -</h1> - -<p class="ac noindent p2">FIRST AIDE-DE-CAMP TO NAPOLEON.</p> - - -<p class="ac noindent p2">WRITTEN BY HIMSELF,<br /><br /> -<span class="smaller">AND PUBLISHED BY HIS FAMILY.</span></p> - -<hr class="small" /> - -<p class="ac noindent p4">LONDON:<br /> - <span class="x-smaller">PRINTED FOR HENRY COLBURN AND CO. CONDUIT - STREET. - 1823.</span></p> -</div> - -<hr class="chap" /> - - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_i" id="Page_i">[Pg i]</a></span></p> - -<div class="chapter"> - <h2><a name="CONTENTS" id="CONTENTS"></a>CONTENTS.</h2> -</div> - -<table id="TOC" summary="CONTENTS"> - <tbody> - <tr> - <td class="c1"><a href="#CHAPTER_I"><span class="smcap">Chapter - I</span>.</a>—Commencement of the Author's military career.—His - promotion.—Certificate from Desaix.—Good fortune in Egypt.—Introduction - to, and character of, Napoleon.—Servile conduct of the old nobility. - </td> - <td class="c2">1</td> - </tr> - <tr> - <td class="c1"><a href="#CHAPTER_II"><span class="smcap">Chap. - II</span>.</a>—Napoleon's temper.—His flatterers.—His clemency. - </td> - <td class="c2">8</td> - </tr> - <tr> - <td class="c1"><a href="#CHAPTER_III"><span class="smcap">Chap. - III</span>.</a>—Napoleon's attachment to his family.—Lucien's - opposition to the views of Napoleon.—Napoleon's bounty to Rapp.—Rapp's - intercession for Requier and Damas.—Is unsuccessful.—Writes to - Requier.—Letter intercepted and carried to Napoleon.—The Emperor - greatly incensed at it.—Rapp apologizes.—Is restored to - favour.—Marries.—Bernadotte's disgrace with the Emperor.—His restoration - to favour. - </td> - <td class="c2">12</td> - </tr> - <tr> - <td class="c1"><a href="#CHAPTER_IV"><span class="smcap">Chap. - IV</span>.</a>—Napoleon's courage.—Infernal machine.—The Emperor's escape. - </td> - <td class="c2">19</td> - </tr> - <tr> - <td class="c1"><a href="#CHAPTER_V"><span class="smcap">Chap. - V</span>.</a>—Napoleon's readiness to receive advice.—His contempt for - ignorance.—His partiality to the game of <i>vingt et un</i>. - </td> - <td class="c2">22</td> - </tr> - <tr> - <td class="c1"><a href="#CHAPTER_VI"><span class="smcap">Chap. - VI</span>.</a>—The third Austrian war.—The French victorious.—The Austrian - army shut up in Ulm.—Summoned to surrender.—Negotiation conducted by M. - de Segur.—The enemy surrender.—Napoleon's joy. - </td> - <td class="c2">26</td> - </tr> - <tr> - <td class="c1"><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_ii" id="Page_ii">[Pg ii] - </a></span><a href="#CHAPTER_VII"><span class="smcap">Chap. - VII</span>.</a>—The remainder of the Austrians pursued.—Defeated by - Murat.—Werneck's capitulation; disregarded by Count - Hohenzollern.—Correspondence.—Napoleon's proclamation. - </td> - <td class="c2">40</td> - </tr> - <tr> - <td class="c1"><a href="#CHAPTER_VIII"><span class="smcap">Chap. - VIII</span>.</a>—The French march towards Vienna.—The Russians - defeated.—Napoleon's instructions to Murat on the occupation of Vienna. - </td> - <td class="c2">50</td> - </tr> - <tr> - <td class="c1"><a href="#CHAPTER_IX"><span class="smcap">Chap. - IX</span>.</a>—Anecdote of the Emperor and Madame de Brunny.—The advance - of the French troops.—Stratagem in crossing the Danube.—Austerlitz.—The - advance-guard of the French repulsed by the Russians.—The Russians - completely defeated.—Rapp wounded.—His promotion.—Napoleon's kindness - to him.—His recovery.—The Emperor's instructions to Rapp.—Peace concluded. - </td> - <td class="c2">54</td> - </tr> - <tr> - <td class="c1"><a href="#CHAPTER_X"><span class="smcap">Chap. - X</span>.</a>—The conduct of Prussia.—Rapp's mission.—Its object.—His - return.—The Grand Duchess of Darmstadt offends the Emperor.—Her - punishment.—The French troops attacked by some Prussian detachments.—Rapp's - appointment to the command of the military division at Strasburg.—He - receives instructions.—The Emperor arrives at Mentz.—Rapp joins him at - Wurtzburg.—His mission to the Grand Duke of Baden.—The impatience of the - Prussian Generals to commence the war.—Character of Prince Louis.—Demand - of Prussia.—Napoleon's proclamation.—Prussians defeated at Schleitz.—Rapp - sent to the King of Prussia.—Recalled.—Mission of De Montesquiou.—His - treatment. - </td> - <td class="c2">66</td> - </tr> - <tr> - <td class="c1"><a href="#CHAPTER_XI"><span class="smcap">Chap. - XI</span>.</a>—The calculations of the Duke of Brunswick.—He is - disconcerted at the movement of the French.—Manœuvres.—Napoleon - issues orders.—Battle of Auerstadt and Jena.—The French victorious.—Rapp - instructed to pursue the Russians.—He enters Weimar.—The King of Prussia - makes overtures.—Napoleon's conduct.—He sends Duroc to visit the - wounded.—Head-quarters - <span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_iii" id="Page_iii">[Pg iii]</a></span> - established at Weimar.—Movements of the - enemy.—Attacked and routed by Bernadotte at Halle.—Napoleon visits the - field of battle.—Goes to Dessau.—His treatment of the old Duke. - </td> - <td class="c2">79</td> - </tr> - <tr> - <td class="c1"><a href="#CHAPTER_XII"><span class="smcap">Chap. - XII</span>.</a>—The Prussians closely pursued by the French.—Surrender - of a corps before Magdeburg.—Misfortunes of Prussia.—The French prepare - to march on Berlin.—Napoleon's instructions to Davoust. - </td> - <td class="c2">89</td> - </tr> - <tr> - <td class="c1"><a href="#CHAPTER_XIII"><span class="smcap">Chap. - XIII</span>.</a>—The French set out for Potsdam.—Anecdote of the Emperor - and a female native of Egypt.—State of Potsdam.—Flight of the - Court.—Deputations to the Emperor.—Their reception.—Napoleon's - observations to the Duke of Brunswick's envoy.—Head-quarters at - Charlotteenburg—Napoleon's proclamation. - </td> - <td class="c2">93</td> - </tr> - <tr> - <td class="c1"><a href="#CHAPTER_XIV"><span class="smcap">Chap. - XIV</span>.</a>—Napoleon reviews the third corps.—Effect of the - proclamation on the troops.—Surrender of 25,000 Prussians.—The Duke of - Weimar abandons his command.—Blucher surrenders.—Napoleon's despatch to - General Belliard.—Blucher allowed to retire to Hamburg. - </td> - <td class="c2">101</td> - </tr> - <tr> - <td class="c1"><a href="#CHAPTER_XV"><span class="smcap">Chap. - XV</span>.</a>—Arrest of Prince Hatzfeld as a spy.—Napoleon's - determination to have him executed.—Intercession for him.—The release of - the Prince.—His letter to Count Rapp.—Embassies to the Emperor.—Rapp - authorised to settle the affairs of the Court of Weimar.—The Duke - permitted to return to his estates.—His letter of thanks to Rapp. - </td> - <td class="c2">107</td> - </tr> - <tr> - <td class="c1"><a href="#CHAPTER_XVI"><span class="smcap">Chap. - XVI</span>.</a>—Surrender of the Prussian fortresses.—Arrest of the Prince - of Wurtemberg.—Head-quarters at Posen.—State of Poland.—Entry into - Warsaw.—The Emperor's reception.—Anecdotes of the Poles and of the French - soldiers.—Passage of the Vistula. - </td> - <td class="c2">114</td> - </tr> - <tr> - <td class="c1"> - <span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_iv" id="Page_iv">[Pg iv]</a></span> - <a href="#CHAPTER_XVII"><span class="smcap">Chap. - XVII</span>.</a>—Affairs with the Russians.—Battle of Pultusk.—Rapp's - wounds.—His appointment to the government of Thorn.—Blucher's letter to - him.—He intercedes for Blucher.—Is made Governor of Dantzic.—Contributions - levied.—Napoleon's dissatisfaction with Prussia. - </td> - <td class="c2">124</td> - </tr> - <tr> - <td class="c1"><a href="#CHAPTER_XVIII"><span class="smcap">Chap. - XVIII</span>.</a>—Fourth Austrian war (1809.)—Battle of Esslingen.—Schill's - insurrection.—Napoleon's feeling.—Battle of Wagram.—Rapp's accident.—Rapp - obtains the pardon of some conspirators. - </td> - <td class="c2">136</td> - </tr> - <tr> - <td class="c1"><a href="#CHAPTER_XIX"><span class="smcap">Chap. - XIX</span>.</a>—Attempt of a young German to assassinate - Napoleon.—Conversation and conduct of the assassin. - </td> - <td class="c2">141</td> - </tr> - <tr> - <td class="c1"><a href="#CHAPTER_XX"><span class="smcap">Chap. - XX</span>.</a>—Execution of the young German.—Peace concluded.—Rapp's - reception in Munich.—Situation of Bavaria.—Trait of the King of - Wurtemberg.—Napoleon's return to Fontainebleau. - </td> - <td class="c2">147</td> - </tr> - <tr> - <td class="c1"><a href="#CHAPTER_XXI"><span class="smcap">Chap. - XXI</span>.</a>—Divorce of Josephine.—Marriage of Napoleon and - Maria-Louisa.—Napoleon displeased with Rapp; sends him to Dantzic.—Rapp at - Dantzic.—Character of his garrison.—He gives offence to the Russian Resident. - </td> - <td class="c2">151</td> - </tr> - <tr> - <td class="c1"><a href="#CHAPTER_XXII"><span class="smcap">Chap. - XXII</span>.</a>—Napoleon's dissatisfaction with Rapp, for evading the - anti-commercial decrees.—<i>Douane</i> established at Dantzic.—Discontent - in the North of Germany.—Rapp's representations.—Napoleon's ignorance of - the German Character. - </td> - <td class="c2">158</td> - </tr> - <tr> - <td class="c1"><a href="#CHAPTER_XXIII"><span class="smcap">Chap. - XXIII</span>.</a>—Napoleon repairs to Dantzic.—Conversation between the - Emperor and Rapp. - </td> - <td class="c2">164</td> - </tr> - <tr> - <td class="c1"><a href="#CHAPTER_XXIV"><span class="smcap">Chap. - XXIV</span>.</a>—Napoleon proceeds to Kœnigsberg.—His intentions.—The - advance of the French troops. Their arrival at Wilna.—Commencement of the - Russian war. - </td> - <td class="c2">168</td> - </tr> - <tr> - <td class="c1"><a href="#CHAPTER_XXV"><span class="smcap">Chap. - XXV</span>.</a>—Flight of the Russians.—Their rear-guard defeated by the - King of Naples.—His report of the engagement.—Dispute - <span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_v" id="Page_v">[Pg v]</a></span> - between the King of Westphalia and Vandamme. - </td> - <td class="c2">171</td> - </tr> - <tr> - <td class="c1"><a href="#CHAPTER_XXVI"><span class="smcap">Chap. - XXVI</span>.</a>—Rapp leaves Dantzic.—State of the roads.—Arrives at - Wilna.—Opening of the Polish Diet.—Speech of the President.—Eloquence and - negotiations of the Abbé de Pradt. - </td> - <td class="c2">176</td> - </tr> - <tr> - <td class="c1"><a href="#CHAPTER_XXVII"><span class="smcap">Chap. - XXVII</span>.</a>—Activity of the Emperor.—His instructions to - Hautpoult.—Distress of the army.—Hopes of Napoleon.—The Russian - Patriarch's denunciation of the French. - </td> - <td class="c2">186</td> - </tr> - <tr> - <td class="c1"><a href="#CHAPTER_XXVIII"><span class="smcap">Chap. - XXVIII</span>.</a>—Battle of Smolensko.—Escape of the Russian army.—Junot's - inactivity.—He is in disgrace with the Emperor.—Intercessions in his - favour.—Rapp named for the command of the Westphalian corps, instead - of Junot.—Character of Junot.—He is allowed to resume his - command.—Irruption of Tormasoff.—Napoleon's instructions to the Duke de - Belluno. - </td> - <td class="c2">190</td> - </tr> - <tr> - <td class="c1"><a href="#CHAPTER_XXIX"><span class="smcap">Chap. - XXIX</span>.</a>—Kutusow takes the command of the Russian army.—His - qualifications; his losses.—Rapp sent to reconnoitre.—Napoleon's - conversation before the battle of Borodino.—Proclamation. - </td> - <td class="c2">197</td> - </tr> - <tr> - <td class="c1"><a href="#CHAPTER_XXX"><span class="smcap">Chap. - XXX</span>.</a>—Battle of Borodino.—Rapp's wounds. - </td> - <td class="c2">204</td> - </tr> - <tr> - <td class="c1"><a href="#CHAPTER_XXXI"><span class="smcap">Chap. - XXXI</span>.</a>—Retreat of the Russians.—Occupation and burning of Moscow. - </td> - <td class="c2">209</td> - </tr> - <tr> - <td class="c1"><a href="#CHAPTER_XXXII"><span class="smcap">Chap. - XXXII</span>.</a>—The Emperor's delay at Moscow; its motives and - consequences.—His instructions to the Duke de Belluno.—Deplorable state - of the French army.—Rapp's recovery.—The Emperor's anxiety about - the wounded. - </td> - <td class="c2">213</td> - </tr> - <tr> - <td class="c1"><a href="#CHAPTER_XXXIII"><span class="smcap">Chap. - XXXIII</span>.</a>—Retreat of the French.—The Emperor's despatch to - Mortier.—Battle at Malojaroslawitz.—Napoleon visits the field of - battle.—Surprised by some Cossacks.—Rapp's conduct: the Emperor loads - him with eulogiums.—General Winzengerode taken prisoner.—His treatment. - </td> - <td class="c2">221</td> - </tr> - <tr> - <td class="c1"> - <span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_vi" id="Page_vi">[Pg vi]</a></span> - <a href="#CHAPTER_XXXIV"><span class="smcap">Chap. - XXXIV</span>.</a>—Deplorable condition of the French.—Mallet's - conspiracy.—The Emperor's surprise.—The French cross the - Borysthenes.—Attacked by the Russians.—Retreat of the French.—Marshal - Ney's courage. - </td> - <td class="c2">230</td> - </tr> - <tr> - <td class="c1"><a href="#CHAPTER_XXXV"><span class="smcap">Chap. - XXXV</span>.</a>—Continuation of the Retreat.—Capture of Witepsk.—Loss - of the magazines.—State of the weather.—Disasters of the French.—Attacked - by the Cossacks. - </td> - <td class="c2">235</td> - </tr> - <tr> - <td class="c1"><a href="#CHAPTER_XXXVI"><span class="smcap">Chap. - XXXVI</span>.</a>—The Emperor's solicitude for Ney.—Receives information - of his escape from the Russians.—Embarrassment of the French.—Battle of - the Beresina.—Surrender of Partonneau's division.—Retreat of the - French upon Wilna.—Napoleon sets out for Paris.—His instructions.—Rapp - proceeds to Dantzic. - </td> - <td class="c2">242</td> - </tr> - <tr> - <td class="c1"><a href="#CHAPTER_XXXVII"><span class="smcap">Chap. - XXXVII</span>.</a>—Description of the town and garrison of Dantzic.—Rapp's - preparations.—His difficulties.—Losses of the garrison by disease.—Scarcity - of provisions.—Breaking up of the ice. - </td> - <td class="c2">254</td> - </tr> - <tr> - <td class="c1"><a href="#CHAPTER_XXXVIII"><span class="smcap">Chap. - XXXVIII</span>.</a>—Conduct of the Allies.—General Detrées sent to - reconnoitre.—Skirmishes between the French and Allies.—The Russians - defeated at Langfuhr, and Ohra. - </td> - <td class="c2">262</td> - </tr> - <tr> - <td class="c1"><a href="#CHAPTER_XXXIX"><span class="smcap">Chap. - XXXIX</span>.</a>—Destructive ravages of the epidemic.—Expedition against - Quadendorf.—Defeat of the Russians.—Ignorance of the garrison of the - progress of events.—The epidemic disappears.—The Russian signals set on - fire.—Attempts to seduce the troops of the garrison.—Review of the - garrison on the glacis. - </td> - <td class="c2">271</td> - </tr> - <tr> - <td class="c1"><a href="#CHAPTER_XL"><span class="smcap">Chap. - XL</span>.</a>—The garrison's efforts to obtain provisions; its - difficulties.—Rapp sends an expedition into the Nerhung.—Is - successful.—He demands a loan from the Dantzickers.—Accusation against - the senator Piegeleau.—Conduct of the Duke of Wurtemberg.—News of the - victories of Lutzen - <span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_vii" id="Page_vii">[Pg vii]</a></span> - and Bautzen.—Its effect on the French troops.—The Russians defeated.—The - Allies solicit an armistice.—Rapp receives the ribbon of the order of - La Réunion.—Napoleon's despatch to Rapp. - </td> - <td class="c2">282</td> - </tr> - <tr> - <td class="c1"><a href="#CHAPTER_XLI"><span class="smcap">Chap. - XLI</span>.</a>—Conditions of the armistice.—Duke of Wurtemberg raises - obstacles to the fulfilment of them.—His subterfuges.—Rapp's letter to - the Prince de Neuchâtel.—Scarcity of provisions.—Recommencement of - hostilities. - </td> - <td class="c2">292</td> - </tr> - <tr> - <td class="c1"><a href="#CHAPTER_XLII"><span class="smcap">Chap. - XLII</span>.</a>—Attempts of the besiegers.—Engagement between the - garrison and the Russians at the advanced posts.—Details.—A second - engagement.—The Russians take Langfuhr.—Their intentions.—Rapp's - preparations.—Ohra put in a state of defence.—The Russians attack - Kabrun.—Their fleet fire on the French batteries; but are - repulsed.—Overflowing of the Vistula.—Combined attack by the land and - sea forces of the besiegers. - </td> - <td class="c2">303</td> - </tr> - <tr> - <td class="c1"><a href="#CHAPTER_XLIII"><span class="smcap">Chap. - XLIII</span>.</a>—Severity of the weather.—Scarcity of provisions.—Attack - of the Russians.—Their defeat.—Situation, and plan of operations.—State of - Dantzic, the magazines, and the surrounding fortresses.—Condition of - the garrison.—Disaffection of the German troops.—Means used to decoy - them.—Rapp capitulates.—The Emperor Alexander annuls the capitulation.—Rapp - protests and surrenders. - </td> - <td class="c2">323</td> - </tr> - <tr> - <td class="c1"><a href="#CHAPTER_XLIV"><span class="smcap">Chap. - XLIV</span>.</a>—The garrison taken prisoners to Kiow.—Their - liberation.—The state of France in 1814.—Rapp's treatment at Court.—The - return from Elba.—Conversation between Napoleon and Rapp.—Rapp's - appointment to the command of the army of the Upper Rhine.—Napoleon's - arrangements.—His letter to the allied Sovereigns.—Rapp sets out for - Alsace.—State of public feeling.—Enthusiasm of the women at Mulhausen. - </td> - <td class="c2">337</td> - </tr> - <tr> - <td class="c1"> - <span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_viii" id="Page_viii">[Pg viii]</a></span> - <a href="#CHAPTER_XLV"><span class="smcap">Chap. - XLV</span>.</a>—Preparations of the Allies.—Napoleon's letter to - Rapp.—Rapp receives fresh funds.—The Emperor's despatch to Rapp. - </td> - <td class="c2">352</td> - </tr> - <tr> - <td class="c1"><a href="#CHAPTER_XLVI"><span class="smcap">Chap. - XLVI</span>.</a>—Amount and division of the French troops.—Rapp receives - news of the battle of Waterloo.—His determination.—Rapp's advanced posts - attacked.—Movements of the Allies.—The success of the French.—Their retreat. - </td> - <td class="c2">357</td> - </tr> - <tr> - <td class="c1"><a href="#CHAPTER_XLVII"><span class="smcap">Chap. - XLVII</span>.</a>—Effect of the news of the battle of Waterloo.—Disposition - of Rapp's troops.—Battle of Lampertheim.—Designs of the Allies.—Rapp - throws himself into Strasburg.—Prince of Wurtemberg's conduct.—Military - convention signed. - </td> - <td class="c2">364</td> - </tr> - <tr> - <td class="c1"><a href="#CHAPTER_XLVIII"><span class="smcap">Chap. - XLVIII</span>.</a>—Mutiny of the garrison of Strasburg.—A description of - their conduct.—Dissolution of the army.—Rapp's letter to the King.—Its - effect.—Rapp's death.—Conclusion. - </td> - <td class="c2">375</td> - </tr> - <tr> - <td class="c1-1">APPENDIX. - </td> - </tr> - <tr> - <td class="c1">Letter from <a href="#RAPP_1">General Rapp</a> to the Duke of - Wurtemberg. - </td> - <td class="c2">405</td> - </tr> - <tr> - <td class="c1"><a href="#ANSWER_1">Answer</a> - </td> - <td class="c2">407</td> - </tr> - <tr> - <td class="c1">Letter from the <a href="#WURT_1">Duke of Wurtemberg</a> to - his Excellency Count Rapp. - </td> - <td class="c2">409</td> - </tr> - <tr> - <td class="c1"><a href="#ANSWER_2">Answer</a> - </td> - <td class="c2">410</td> - </tr> - <tr> - <td class="c1">Letter from the <a href="#WURT_2">Duke of Wurtemberg</a> to - General Count Rapp. - </td> - <td class="c2">411</td> - </tr> - <tr> - <td class="c1"><a href="#ANSWER_3">Answer</a> - </td> - <td class="c2">413</td> - </tr> - <tr> - <td class="c1">Letter from the <a href="#WURT_3">Duke of Wurtemberg</a> to - General Rapp. - </td> - <td class="c2">415</td> - </tr> - <tr> - <td class="c1"><a href="#DANTZIC">Capitulation of Dantzic.</a> - </td> - <td class="c2">417</td> - </tr> - <tr> - <td class="c1">Letter from the <a href="#WURT_4">Duke of Wurtemberg</a> to - General Rapp. - </td> - <td class="c2">424</td> - </tr> - <tr> - <td class="c1"><a href="#ANSWER_4">Answer</a> - </td> - <td class="c2">426</td> - </tr> - <tr> - <td class="c1">Letter from <a href="#RAPP_2">Count Rapp</a> to the Duke of - Wurtemberg. - </td> - <td class="c2">428</td> - </tr> - <tr> - <td class="c1"><a href="#SAME">To the same.</a> - </td> - <td class="c2">430</td> - </tr> - </tbody> -</table> - -<hr class="chap" /> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_1" id="Page_1">[Pg 1]</a></span></p> - - -<p class="ac noindent"><span class="larger">MEMOIRS</span><br /> - -<span class="x-smaller">OF</span><br /> - -<span class="x-larger">GENERAL RAPP,</span><br /> - -<span class="x-smaller">FIRST AIDE-DE-CAMP TO NAPOLEON.</span></p> - - - -<hr class="chap" /> - -<div class="chapter p4"> - <h2><a name="CHAPTER_I" id="CHAPTER_I"></a>CHAPTER I.</h2> -</div> - -<p><span class="smcap">I</span> do not pretend to be an historical character; -but I was long near -a man who has been the object of base misrepresentations, and I -commanded brave troops whose services have been disowned. The former -overwhelmed me with favours; the latter would have laid down their -lives for me: these things I cannot forget.</p> - -<p>I served in the army for several years; and I was successful in some -enterprises, though without gaining distinction, as is usual with -those who hold subaltern rank. At length I was fortunate enough to -engage the attention of General Desaix. Our advance guard, which had -been thrown -<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_2" id="Page_2">[Pg 2]</a></span> -into disorder, was speedily rallied. I hastened forward -with a hundred hussars; we charged the Austrians, and succeeded in -putting them to flight. We were almost all covered with wounds; but -for these we were amply rewarded by the praises that were bestowed on -us. The General made me promise to take all requisite care of myself, -and he delivered to me the most flattering attestation that ever a -soldier obtained. I mention this circumstance, not because it procured -me a pair of epaulettes, but because it obtained for me the friendship -of that great man, and was the origin of my fortune. The attestation -was as follows:</p> - -<div class="bq"> -<p class="ac noindent">ARMY OF THE RHINE AND THE MOSELLE.</p> - -<p class="ar smaller">"Head Quarters at Blotsheim, 30th Fructidor, year<br /> -III. of the French Republic one and indivisible.</p> - -<p>"I, the undersigned General of Division, commanding the right -wing of the above mentioned army, certify that citizen Jean Rapp, -lieutenant in the 10th regiment of Horse Chasseurs, has served -under my command with the said regiment during the two last -campaigns; that on all occasions he has given proofs of singular -intelligence, presence of mind and courage; that he has been -wounded three different times; and that, on the -<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_3" id="Page_3">[Pg 3]</a></span> -9th Prairial of the year II, at the head of a company of chasseurs, he attacked -a column of the enemy's hussars, whose number was five times -greater than his own force, with such devoted intrepidity, that -he cut them to pieces, covering the retreat of a portion of our -troops, and bearing away the honour of the victory. It cannot -be too deeply regretted that he has been the victim of his -valour, and has been dangerously wounded in such a way as to be -deprived of the use of his arm. He is a worthy object of national -gratitude, and well deserves to be appointed to some honorable -post, should he be rendered incapable of more active service. I -attest that citizen Rapp bears with him the friendship and esteem -of all who know him.</p> - -<p class="ar"><span class="smcap">Desaix.</span>"</p> -</div> -<p>Having become the aide-de-camp of the modest conqueror of Offenburgh, -I fought under him in the campaigns of Germany and Egypt. I was made -the chief of a squadron at Sediman; where I had the happiness, at the -head of two hundred brave troops, to carry off the last remnant of -the Turkish artillery, and I was promoted to the rank of Colonel, at -Samanhout, near the ruins of Thebes. I was severely wounded in this -last affair; but I was honorably mentioned in the dispatches of the -General-in-chief.</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_4" id="Page_4">[Pg 4]</a></span></p> - -<p>On the death of the brave Desaix, who was killed at Marengo, at the -moment when he had decided the victory, the First Consul deigned to -appoint me to a post about his own person. The favour which he would -have conferred on the conqueror of Upper Egypt was extended to me. -From that time I was in some manner permanently established, and my -connexions became more extended.</p> - -<p>Zeal, frankness, and some degree of military talent, procured for me -the confidence of Napoleon. He frequently remarked to those about -him, that few possessed a greater share of natural good sense and -discernment than Rapp. These praises were repeated to me, and I -must confess I was flattered by them: if this be weakness, I may be -excused; every one has some foible. I would have sacrificed my life -to prove my gratitude to the First Consul. He knew this; and he often -repeated to my friends that I was a grumbler—that I had a poor head -but a good heart. He treated both me and Lannes familiarly, using the -pronoun <i>thou</i> when he spoke to us; if he addressed us by <i>you</i> or -<i>Monsieur le General</i>, we became alarmed, we were sure that we were -out of favour. He had the weakness to attach importance to a gossiping -police system which for the most part deceived him -<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_5" id="Page_5">[Pg 5]</a></span> -by false reports. -That odious system of police embittered the happiness of his life; it -frequently incensed him against his best friends, his relations, and -even his wife.</p> - -<p>Napoleon attached but little importance to mere courage, which he -regarded as an ordinary kind of merit, common to all Frenchmen: he -set a higher value on intrepidity; and he was willing to pardon every -fault in an intrepid soldier. When any one solicited a favour, either -at an audience or a review, he never failed to enquire whether he had -been wounded. He declared that every wound was a quarter of nobility. -He honoured and rewarded the individuals who were thus distinguished, -and he had good reasons for so doing. However, he soon perceived -that they did not attend the antechambers, and he opened them to the -old nobility. This preference offended us; he remarked this, and was -displeased at our taking offence. "I see plainly," said he to me -one day, "that these nobles whom I have placed in my household are -disagreeable to you." I, however, very well deserved the privilege. -I had erased several gentlemen from the list of emigrants; I had -procured places for some, and had given money and pensions to others. -Some have remembered these favours, but the majority -<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_6" id="Page_6">[Pg 6]</a></span> -have forgotten them; and consequently my purse has been closed since the return of -the King. Though my object was to relieve misfortune, and not to -obtain gratitude, yet I did not choose that the emigrants should -interpose between us and the great man whom we had raised on the -shield.</p> - -<p>I had forgotten this disagreeable scene; but Napoleon did not forget -any offensive observations that might escape him. In vain he sought -to assume the mask of severity; his natural disposition subdued his -efforts, and kind feelings always gained the ascendancy. He called me -to him: he spoke to me of the nobles and the emigrants; and suddenly -recurring to the scene above alluded to, he said: "You think, then, -that I have a predilection for these people; but you are mistaken. I -employ them, and you know why. Am I connected with nobility? I, who -was a poor Corsican gentleman?"—"Neither I nor the army," I replied, -"have ever inquired into your origin. Your actions are sufficient -for us." I related this conversation to several of my friends, among -others to Generals Mouton and Lauriston.</p> - -<p>Most of these same nobles, however, allege that they had yielded -only to compulsion. Nothing can be more false. I know of only -two who received Chamberlain's appointments unsolicited. -<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_7" id="Page_7">[Pg 7]</a></span> Some -few declined advantageous offers; but with these exceptions, all -solicited, entreated, and importuned. There was a competition of zeal -and devotedness altogether unexampled. The meanest employment, the -humblest offices, nothing was rejected; it seemed to be an affair of -life and death. Should a treacherous hand ever find its way into the -portfolios of M.M. Talleyrand, Montesquiou, Segur, Duroc, &c., what -ardent expressions may be found to enrich the language of attachment. -But the individuals who held this language now vie with each other in -giving vent to hatred and invective. If they really felt for Napoleon -the profound hatred which they now evince, it must be confessed that, -in crouching at his feet for fifteen years, they did strange violence -to their feelings. And yet all Europe can bear witness, that from -their unrestrained manner, their never-varying smile, and their supple -marks of obedience, their services seemed to be of their own free -choice, and to cost them but little sacrifice.</p> - -<hr class="chap" /> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_8" id="Page_8">[Pg 8]</a></span></p> - - -<div class="chapter p4"> - <h2><a name="CHAPTER_II" id="CHAPTER_II"></a>CHAPTER II.</h2> -</div> - - -<p><span class="smcap">Many</span> persons have described Napoleon as a violent, -harsh, and -passionate man; this is because they have not known him. Absorbed -as he was in important business, opposed in his views, and impeded -in his plans, it was certainly natural that he should sometimes -evince impatience and inequality of temper. His natural kindness -and generosity soon subdued his irritation; but it must be observed -that, far from seeking to appease him, his confidents never failed to -excite his anger. "Your Majesty is right," they would say, "such a one -deserves to be shot or broken, dismissed or disgraced: I have long -known him to be your enemy. An example must be made; it is necessary -for the maintenance of tranquillity."</p> - -<p>If the matter in question had been to levy contributions on the -enemy's territory, Napoleon, perhaps, would demand twenty millions; -but he would be advised to exact ten millions more. He would be told -by those about him, "it is necessary that -<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_9" id="Page_9">[Pg 9]</a></span> -your Majesty should spare -your treasury, that you should maintain your troops at the expense of -foreign countries, or leave them to subsist on the territory of the -confederation."</p> - -<p>If he entertained the idea of levying 200,000 conscripts, he was -persuaded to demand 300,000. If he proposed to pay a creditor whose -right was unquestionable, doubts were started respecting the legality -of the debt. The amount claimed was perhaps reduced to one half, or -one third; and it not unfrequently happened that the debt was denied -altogether.</p> - -<p>If he spoke of commencing war, the bold resolution was applauded. It -was said war enriched France; that it was necessary to astonish the -world, and to astonish it in a way worthy of the great nation.</p> - -<p>Thus, by being excited and urged to enter upon uncertain plans and -enterprises, Napoleon was plunged into continual war. Thus it was, -that his reign was impressed with an air of violence contrary to his -own character and habits, which were perfectly gentle.</p> - -<p>Never was there a man more inclined to indulgence, or more ready to -listen to the voice of humanity: of this I could mention a thousand -examples; but I confine myself to the following.</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_10" id="Page_10">[Pg 10]</a></span></p> - -<p>Georges and his accomplices had been condemned. Josephine interceded -for M.M. Polignac, and Murat for M. de Rivière, and both succeeded in -their mediation. On the day of execution, the banker Scherer hastened -to Saint-Cloud, bathed in tears, and asked to speak with me. He begged -of me to solicit the pardon of his brother-in-law, M. de Russillon, -an old Swiss Major, who had been implicated in the affair. He was -accompanied by some of his countrymen, all relatives of the prisoner. -They observed that they were conscious the Major merited his sentence; -but that he was the father of a family, and that he was allied to the -most distinguished houses in the Canton of Bern. I yielded to their -entreaties, and I had no reason to regret having done so.</p> - -<p>It was seven in the morning. Napoleon was up and in his closet with -Corvisart, when I was announced. "Sire," said I, "it is not long -since your Majesty settled the government of Switzerland by your -mediation. But you know that the people are not all equally satisfied; -the inhabitants of Bern in particular. You have now an opportunity -of proving to them your magnanimity and generosity. One of their -countrymen is to be executed this day. He is connected with the best -families in the country; if you grant his pardon it will -<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_11" id="Page_11">[Pg 11]</a></span> certainly -produce a great sensation, and procure you many friends."—"Who is this -man? What is his name?" inquired Napoleon.—"Russillon," I replied. -On hearing this name, he became angry.—"Russillon," said he, "is -more guilty than Georges himself."—"I am fully aware of all that -your Majesty now does me the honour to tell me; but the people of -Switzerland, his family, his children, will bless you. Pardon him, not -on his own account, but for the sake of the many brave men who have -suffered for his folly."—"Hark ye," said he, turning to Corvisart, -while he took the petition from my hand, approved it, and hastily -returned it to me; "immediately despatch a courier to suspend the -execution." The joy of the family may be easily guessed: to me they -testified their gratitude through the medium of the public papers. -Russillon was imprisoned along with his accomplices; but he afterwards -obtained his liberty. Since the return of the King, he has several -times visited Paris, though I have not seen him. He thinks that I -attached but little importance to the act of service I rendered him; -and he is right.</p> - -<hr class="chap" /> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_12" id="Page_12">[Pg 12]</a></span></p> - - - -<div class="chapter p4"> - <h2><a name="CHAPTER_III" id="CHAPTER_III"></a>CHAPTER III.</h2> -</div> - - -<p><span class="smcap">No</span> man possessed greater sensibility, -or evinced more constancy in -his affections than Napoleon. He tenderly loved his mother, he adored -his wife, and he was fondly attached to his sisters, brothers, and -other relatives. All, with the exception of his mother, caused him -the bitterest vexation; yet he never ceased to overwhelm them with -riches and honours. Of all his relations, his brother Lucien proved -himself the most determined opposer of his views and plans. One day, -while they were disputing warmly on a subject which has now escaped -my recollection, Lucien drew out his watch, and dashing it violently -on the ground, he addressed to his brother these remarkable words: -"You will destroy yourself, as I have destroyed that watch; and the -time will come when your family and friends will not know where to -shelter their heads." He married a few days after, without obtaining -his brother's consent, or even signifying his intention to him. This, -however, did -<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_13" id="Page_13">[Pg 13]</a></span> -not prevent Napoleon from receiving him in 1815; though -it was not without being urged to do so: Lucien was obliged to wait at -the out-posts; but he was speedily admitted to the Emperor's presence.</p> - -<p>Napoleon did not confine his generosity to his relatives; friendship, -services, all met their due reward. On this I can speak from -experience. I returned from Egypt, in the rank of aide-de-camp to the -brave General Desaix, and with two hundred louis which I had saved, -and which constituted my whole fortune. At the time of the abdication, -I possessed an income of 400,000 francs, arising out of endowments, -appointments, emoluments, extraordinary allowances, &c. I have lost -five sixths of this income; but I do not regret it: that which I still -possess forms a vast contrast to my early fortune. But what I regret -is the glory acquired at the price of so much blood and exertion: it -is for ever lost, and for that I am inconsolable.</p> - -<p>I was not the only one who shared the bounty of Napoleon; a thousand -others were in like manner overwhelmed with favours; and the injury -which he suffered, through the misconduct of some, proved no bar to -the exercise of his kindness. Whatever might be the depth of these -injuries, <span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_14" id="Page_14">[Pg 14]</a></span> -they were forgotten as soon as he was convinced that the -heart had no share in producing them. I could cite a hundred instances -of his indulgence in this respect; but the following will suffice.</p> - -<p>When he took the title of Emperor, the changes that were made in his -household, which had been hitherto exclusively military, gave umbrage -to several of us. We had been accustomed to enjoy the intimacy of the -great man, and we felt displeased at the reserve imposed upon us by -the imperial purple.</p> - -<p>Generals Regnier and Damas were at that time in disgrace: I was -intimate with both, and I was not in the habit of abandoning my -friends in misfortune. I had exerted every effort to remove Napoleon's -prejudices against these two general officers; but without success. -I one day resumed my intercession in favour of Regnier; and Napoleon -becoming impatient and out of humour, told me, dryly, that he wished -to hear no more about him. I wrote to inform the brave General, that -all my endeavours had proved unavailing: I entreated him to have -patience; and added a few phrases dictated by the disappointment -of the moment. I was so imprudent as to entrust my letter to the -conveyance of the post; and the consequence was, that it was opened -and sent to the Emperor. He read it over three or -<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_15" id="Page_15">[Pg 15]</a></span> -four times, ordered -some of my writing to be brought to him for the purpose of comparing -it, and could scarcely persuade himself that I had written it. He flew -into a violent rage, and despatched a courier from Saint Cloud to the -Tuileries, where I was lodged. I thought I was summoned for a mission, -and set out immediately. I found Caulincourt in the saloon of the -household with Cafarelli, and I asked him what was the news. He had -heard the whole affair; he seemed much vexed by it: but he said not a -word about it to me. I entered the apartments of Napoleon, who came -out of his closet, with the letter in his hand, in a furious rage. He -darted upon me those angry glances, which so often excited dismay. "Do -you know this writing?" said he.—"Yes, Sire,"—"It is yours?"—"Yes, -Sire."—"You are the last person I should have suspected of this. Is it -possible that you can hold such language to my enemies? You, whom I -have treated so well! You, for whom I have done so much! You, the only -one of all my aides-de-camp, whom I lodged in the Tuileries!"—The door -of his closet was ajar: he observed this, and he threw it wide open, -in order that M. Menneval, one of the secretaries, might hear what -passed. "Begone," said he, scanning me from head to foot, "begone; -you are an ungrateful man!"—"Sire," I replied, -<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_16" id="Page_16">[Pg 16]</a></span> -"my heart was never -guilty of ingratitude."—"Read this letter," said he, presenting it to -me, "and judge whether I accuse you wrongfully."—"Sire, of all the -reproaches that you can heap upon me, this is the most severe. Having -lost your confidence, I can no longer serve you."—"Yes, you have -indeed forfeited my confidence." I bowed respectfully, and withdrew.</p> - -<p>I resolved to retire to Alsace, and I was making preparations for -my departure, when Josephine sent to desire me to return and make -my best apologies to Napoleon. Louis, however, gave me contrary -advice, and I was not much inclined to obey the directions of the -Empress, as my resolution was formed. Two days elapsed, and I heard -no news from Saint Cloud. Some friends, among whom was Marshal -Bessières, called on me. "You are in the wrong," said the Marshal, -"you cannot but acknowledge it. The respect and gratitude you owe to -the Emperor render it a duty to confess your fault." I yielded to -these suggestions. No sooner had Napoleon received my letter, than -he desired me to attend him in one of his rides on horseback. He was -out of humour with me for some time; but one day he sent for me very -early at Saint Cloud. "I am no longer angry with you," said he, with -exceeding kindness of manner; "you -<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_17" id="Page_17">[Pg 17]</a></span> -were guilty of a great piece of -folly; but it is all over—I have forgotten it. It is my wish that you -should marry." He mentioned two young ladies, either of whom, he said, -would suit me. My marriage was brought about; but unfortunately it did -not prove a happy one.</p> - -<p>Bernadotte was in the deepest disgrace, and he deserved it. I met him -at Plombières, whither he had been permitted to go, accompanied by -his wife and son, for the benefit of the waters; and I had visited -the place for the same purpose. I had always admired Bernadotte's -kind and amiable disposition. I saw him frequently at Plombières. He -communicated to me the circumstance that most distressed him, and -begged that I would use my influence to bring about his reconciliation -with the Emperor, whom he said he had never ceased to admire, and -who had been prepossessed against him by calumnious reports. On my -return I learned that his friends, his brother-in-law, and Madame -Julie herself, had uselessly interceded in his behalf. Napoleon would -hear nothing they had to say; and his irritation against Bernadotte -continually increased. But I had promised to do what I could for -him; and I was bound to keep my word. The Emperor was preparing to -set out for Villiers, where Murat was to give a <i>fête</i>: he was -<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_18" id="Page_18">[Pg 18]</a></span> in -high good-humour, and I determined to avail myself of this favourable -circumstance. I communicated my design to Marshal Bessières, who, -with myself, was to attend the Emperor: he tried to dissuade me from -my intention. He informed me that Madame Julie had that very morning -been at Malmaison, and that she had departed in tears for the ill -success of her suit. This circumstance was not calculated to inspire -me with confidence; but I nevertheless ventured on my mediation. I -informed Napoleon that I had seen Bernadotte at Plombières, that he -was dejected and deeply mortified by his disgrace. "He protests," -added I, "that he has never failed in his love and devotion for -your Majesty."—"Do not speak of him; he deserves to be shot," said -Napoleon; and he set off at full gallop. At Murat's <i>fête</i>, I met -Joseph and his wife; and I told them how unlucky I had been. The -affair came to the knowledge of Bernadotte, who thanked me for my -good intentions. Notwithstanding his numerous misunderstandings with -Bernadotte, Napoleon subsequently forgave all his past offences, and -loaded him with wealth and honours. The Prince Royal is now about to -ascend the throne, while the author of his fortune is exiled to a rock -in the midst of the ocean.</p> - -<hr class="chap" /> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_19" id="Page_19">[Pg 19]</a></span></p> - - -<div class="chapter p4"> - <h2><a name="CHAPTER_IV" id="CHAPTER_IV"></a>CHAPTER IV.</h2> -</div> - - -<p><span class="smcap">It</span> has been affirmed that Napoleon -was not brave. A man who, from the -rank of lieutenant of artillery, rose to be the ruler of a nation like -France, could not surely be deficient in courage. Of this his conduct -on the 18th Brumaire, on the 5th Nivose, and during the plot of Arena, -are sufficient proofs, if proofs were wanting. He was well aware how -numerous were his enemies among the jacobins and the chouans; yet -every evening he walked out in the streets of Paris, and mingled with -the different groups, never accompanied by more than two individuals. -Lannes, Duroc, Bessières, or some of his aides-de-camp usually -attended him in these nocturnal excursions. This fact was well known -throughout Paris.</p> - -<p>The affair of the infernal machine has never been properly understood -by the public. The police had intimated to Napoleon that an attempt -would be made against his life, and cautioned him not to go out. -Madame Bonaparte, Mademoiselle -<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_20" id="Page_20">[Pg 20]</a></span> -Beauharnais, Madame Murat, Lannes, -Bessières, the aide-de-camp on duty, and lieutenant Lebrun, now duke -of Placenza, were all assembled in the saloon, while the First Consul -was writing in his closet. Haydn's Oratorio was to be performed that -evening: the ladies were anxious to hear the music, and we also -expressed a wish to that effect. The escort picquet was ordered out; -and Lannes requested that Napoleon would join the party. He consented; -his carriage was ready, and he took along with him Bessières and the -aide-de-camp on duty. I was directed to attend the ladies. Josephine -had received a magnificent shawl from Constantinople, and she that -evening wore it for the first time. "Allow me to observe, Madame," -said I, "that your shawl is not thrown on with your usual elegance." -She good humouredly begged that I would fold it after the fashion of -the Egyptian ladies. While I was engaged in this operation, we heard -Napoleon depart. "Come, sister," said Madame Murat, who was impatient -to get to the theatre; "Bonaparte is going." We stepped into the -carriage: the First Consul's equipage had already reached the middle -of the <i>Place Carrousel</i>. We drove after it; but we had scarcely -entered the <i>Place</i> when the machine exploded. Napoleon escaped by a -singular chance. -<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_21" id="Page_21">[Pg 21]</a></span> -Saint-Regent, or his French servant, had stationed -himself in the middle of the <i>Rue Nicaise</i>. A grenadier of the escort, -supposing he was really what he appeared to be, a water-carrier, gave -him a few blows with the flat of his sabre, and drove him off. The -cart was turned round, and the machine exploded between the carriages -of Napoleon and Josephine. The ladies shrieked on hearing the report; -the carriage windows were broken, and Mademoiselle Beauharnais -received a slight hurt on her hand. I alighted, and crossed the <i>Rue -Nicaise</i>, which was strewed with the bodies of those who had been -thrown down, and the fragments of the walls that had been shattered -by the explosion. Neither the Consul nor any individual of his suite -sustained any serious injury. When I entered the theatre Napoleon was -seated in his box, calm and composed, and looking at the audience -through his opera-glass. Fouché was beside him. "Josephine," said he, -as soon as he observed me. She entered at that moment, and he did not -finish his question. "The rascals," said he, very coolly, "wanted to -blow me up. Bring me a book of the Oratorio."</p> - -<p>The audience soon learned the danger he had escaped, and they saluted -him with testimonies of the deepest interest. These, I think, are -unequivocal <span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_22" id="Page_22">[Pg 22]</a></span> -proofs of courage. The men who have followed him on the -field of battle, cannot be at a loss to quote many more.</p> - - - -<hr class="chap" /> - - -<div class="chapter p4"> - <h2><a name="CHAPTER_V" id="CHAPTER_V"></a>CHAPTER V.</h2> -</div> - - -<p><span class="smcap">Napoleon</span>, whatever his -detractors may say, was neither overbearing -nor obstinate in his opinions. He was eager to obtain information, -and he wished to hear the opinions of all who were entitled to -hold any. Among the members of the Council, the wish to please him -sometimes superseded every other consideration; but when he perceived -this, he never failed to restore the discussion to its proper tone. -"Gentlemen," he would say to his lieutenants, "I summoned you here, -not to bring you over to my opinion, but to let me hear your's. -Explain to me your views; and I shall see whether the plans which you -propose are better than my own."</p> - -<p>While we were at Boulogne, he gave a lesson of this kind to the -minister of the Marine. He had proposed some questions, to which M. -Decrès replied only by a string of compliments. Napoleon -<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_23" id="Page_23">[Pg 23]</a></span> wrote to him -thus:—"I beg you will send me, in the course of to-morrow, a memorial -on the following question: <i>In the present state of affairs, what is -most proper to be done, should Admiral Villeneuve remain at Cadiz?</i> -Raise your mind to the importance of present circumstances, and the -situation in which France and England are placed. Send me no more -letters like that which you addressed to me yesterday; they can answer -no purpose. I have but one wish, and that is, to succeed; for which, I -pray God," &c.</p> - -<p>Two days before the battle of Austerlitz, a portion of the army was -stationed in an unfavourable position, and the general who occupied -it exaggerated its disadvantages. However, when the Council was -assembled, he not only admitted that the position was tenable, but he -even promised to defend it. "How is this, Marshal?" said the Grand -Duke of Berg. "What has become of the doubts you expressed but a -short while ago?—"What signifies flattering, when we have met for the -purpose of deliberating?" said Marshal Launes, in his turn. "We must -represent things in their true light to the Emperor; and leave him to -do what he may deem expedient."—"You are right," said Napoleon; "those -who wish to win my good graces must not deceive me."</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_24" id="Page_24">[Pg 24]</a></span></p> - -<p>But though he was always ready to receive advice from those who -were qualified to give it; yet he could not endure remarks made by -individuals who might happen to be ignorant of the subject of which -they were speaking. Fesch was one day about to make some observations -on the Spanish war. He had scarcely uttered two words, when Napoleon, -leading him to a window, said, "Do you see that star?"—It was noon, -and the archbishop replied that he saw none. "Well," said Napoleon, -"so long as I am the only one who perceives it, I will pursue my own -course, and will hear no reflections on my conduct."</p> - -<p>On his return from the Russian campaign, he was lamenting, with deep -emotion, the death of the many brave men, who had been sacrificed, not -by Cossack spears, but by the rigours of cold and hunger. A courtier, -who wished to throw in his word, said, with a very doleful air, "We -have, indeed, sustained a severe loss!"—"Yes," replied Napoleon, -"Madame Barilli[1] is dead."</p> - -<p>[1] A celebrated opera singer.</p> - -<p>He always sneered at folly; but he never shewed himself averse either -to pleasantry or frankness.</p> - -<p>Madame Bachioci one day brought to the Tuileries her relation, M. -d'A * * * *. She retired -<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_25" id="Page_25">[Pg 25]</a></span> -after introducing him to the saloon of the -household, and he was left alone with me. This M. d'A * * * *, like -many of his countrymen, had a very unprepossessing countenance. I was -distrustful of him; but, nevertheless, I informed the Emperor he was -waiting, and he was introduced. He had doubtless something important -to communicate. Napoleon, by a motion of his hand, directed me to -return to the saloon. I pretended not to observe him, and I remained, -for I was apprehensive for his safety. He advanced towards me, and -said that they wished to be alone. I then withdrew, but I left the -door of the chamber partly open.</p> - -<p>When Napoleon had dismissed M. d'A * * * *, he asked me why I had -been so reluctant to withdraw. "You know," replied I, "that I am -not officious; but I must frankly confess that I do not like your -Corsicans." He himself related this anecdote, which displeased some of -the individuals of his family. However, I am persuaded that he would -rather not have heard me speak of his countrymen in this way.</p> - -<p>One evening, after the battle of Wagram, we were playing at -<i>vingt-et-un</i>. Napoleon was very fond of this game: he used to try -to deceive those he was playing with, and was much amused at the -<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_26" id="Page_26">[Pg 26]</a></span> -tricks he played. He had a great quantity of gold spread out upon the -table before him. "Rapp," said he, "are not the Germans very fond of -these little Napoleons?"—"Yes, Sire, they like them much better than -the great one."—"That, I suppose," said he, "is what you call German -frankness."</p> - - -<hr class="chap" /> - -<div class="chapter p4"> - <h2><a name="CHAPTER_VI" id="CHAPTER_VI"></a>CHAPTER VI.</h2> -</div> - - -<p><span class="smcap">I was</span> at the camp of -Boulogne when the third war with Austria broke -out. The French were passing the Rhine. The remnants of the enemy's -army, which had been beaten and nearly cut to pieces, shut themselves -up in Ulm, and they were immediately summoned to surrender. The -account of this negotiation, which was conducted by M. de Segur, so -well pourtrays the confusion and anxiety of the unfortunate general, -that I cannot refrain from inserting it here. The following is M. de -Segur's own statement.</p> - -<p>"Yesterday, the 24th of Vendemiaire (16th of Oct.), the Emperor -desired me to attend him in -<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_27" id="Page_27">[Pg 27]</a></span> -his closet. He directed me to proceed to -Ulm, and to prevail on General Mack to surrender in five days, or, if -he absolutely required six, I was to allow him that time: I received -no other instructions. The night was dark; a terrible hurricane arose -and the rain poured in torrents: it was necessary to travel by cross -roads, and to adopt every precaution for avoiding the marshes, in -which man, horse, and mission, might all have come to an untimely end. -I had almost reached the gates of the city without finding any of our -advanced parties. All had withdrawn: sentinels, videttes, out-posts, -all had placed themselves under shelter. Even the parks of artillery -were abandoned; no fires, no stars were visible. I wandered about for -three hours before I could find a general: I passed through several -villages, and interrogated all whom I met; but without receiving any -satisfactory answer.</p> - -<p>"At length I found an artillery trumpeter, beneath a cassoon, half -buried in mud, and stiff with cold. We approached the ramparts of -Ulm. Our arrival had doubtless been expected; for M. de Latour, an -officer, who spoke French very well, presented himself on the first -summons. He tied a bandage over my eyes, and made me climb over the -fortifications. I remarked -<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_28" id="Page_28">[Pg 28]</a></span> -to my guide that the extreme darkness of -the night rendered it unnecessary to blindfold me; but he replied -that it was a custom that could not be dispensed with. We seemed to -have walked a considerable way. I entered into conversation with my -guide; my object was to ascertain what number of troops were shut up -in the city. I inquired whether we were far from the residences of -General Mack and the Archduke. 'They are close at hand,' replied my -guide. I concluded that all the remains of the Austrian army were -in Ulm, and the sequel of the conversation confirmed me in this -conjecture. At length we reached the inn where the general-in-chief -resided. He was a tall elderly man, and the expression of his pallid -countenance denoted a lively imagination. His features were disturbed -by a feeling of anxiety which he endeavoured to conceal. After -exchanging a few compliments, I told him my name; and then entering -upon the subject of my mission, I informed him that the Emperor -had sent me to invite him to surrender, and to settle with him the -conditions of the capitulation. These words evidently offended him; -and at first he seemed disinclined to listen to me further: but I -insisted on being heard; and I observed that having been received, -I, as well as the Emperor, might naturally -<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_29" id="Page_29">[Pg 29]</a></span> -suppose that he knew -how to appreciate his condition. But he replied, sharply, that his -situation would soon be changed, as the Russian army was advancing -to his assistance; that we should be placed between two fires, and -it would then be our turn to capitulate. I replied, that situated -as he was, it was not surprising he should be ignorant of what was -passing in Germany; but that I must inform him Marshal Bernadotte was -in possession of Ingolstadt and Munich, and that he had his advance -posts on the Inn, where the Russians had not yet shewn themselves. -'May I be the greatest ——,' exclaimed General Mack, angrily, 'if I -am not positively informed that the Russians are at Dachau! Do you -think to impose on me thus? Do you take me for a boy? No, Monsieur de -Segur, if I receive not assistance within eight days, I consent to -surrender my fortress, on condition that my troops shall be prisoners -of war, and my officers prisoners on parole. Eight days will allow -time for affording me assistance; and I shall thus fulfil my duty. -But I shall receive aid, I am certain!'—'Allow me to repeat, General, -that we are masters not only of Dachau, but of Munich also: besides, -allowing your supposition to be correct, if the Russians be really -at Dachau, five days will -<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_30" id="Page_30">[Pg 30]</a></span> -enable them to advance and attack us, and -these five days his Majesty is willing to grant you.'—'No, Sir,' -replied the Marshal, 'I demand eight days. I can listen to no other -proposition; I must have eight days; that period is indispensable to -my responsibility.'—'Then,' resumed I, 'the whole difficulty consists -in settling the difference between five and eight days. But I cannot -conceive why your Excellency should attach so much importance to this -point, seeing that the Emperor is before you, at the head of 100,000 -men; and that the corps of Marshal Bernadotte and General Marmont are -sufficient to retard for three days the advance of the Russians, even -supposing them to be where they are really very far from being.'—'They -are at Dachau,' repeated General Mack.—'Well, Baron! be it so: and -even allowing them to be at Augsburgh, we should only be the more -ready to come to an agreement with you. Do not force us to carry Ulm -by assault; for then, instead of waiting five days, it will be but -a morning's work for the Emperor to gain possession of it.'—'Sir,' -replied the General-in-chief, 'do not imagine that fifteen thousand -men are so easily subdued. The conquest will cost you dear.'—'Perhaps -a few hundred men,' I replied; 'while Germany will reproach -<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_31" id="Page_31">[Pg 31]</a></span> you with -the loss of your army and the destruction of Ulm; in short, with -all the horrors of an assault, which his Majesty seeks to prevent, -by the proposition which he has charged me to make to you.'—'Rather -say,' exclaimed the Marshal, 'that it will cost you ten thousand -men! The strength of Ulm is known.'—'It consists in the heights -which surround it, and which are in our possession.'—'Come, come, -Sir, it is impossible that you can be ignorant of the strength of -Ulm!'—'Certainly not, Marshal; and I am the better able to appreciate -it, now that I am within the walls of the city.'—'Well, Sir,' resumed -the unfortunate General, 'you see men ready to defend themselves to -the utmost extremity, should your Emperor refuse to grant them an -armistice of eight days. I can hold out for a considerable time. Ulm -contains 3000 horses, which, rather than surrender, we will eat, -with as much pleasure as you would were you in our place.'—'Three -thousand horses!' I exclaimed: 'alas, Marshal! you must look forward -to dreadful misery before you can think of trusting to so pitiful a -resource.'</p> - -<p>"The Marshal eagerly assured me, that he had provisions for ten -days; but I believed no such thing. Day was beginning to dawn, and -the negotiation was no farther advanced than at the -<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_32" id="Page_32">[Pg 32]</a></span> -commencement of -our interview. I might have granted six days; but General Mack so -obstinately insisted on eight, that I concluded the concession of a -single day would be useless. I would not incur the risk, and I rose -to depart, saying, that my instructions required me to return before -day-light; and, in case my proposition should be rejected, to transmit -to Marshal Ney the order for commencing the attack. Here General Mack -complained of the conduct of the Marshal towards one of his flags -of truce, whose message he had refused to hear. I availed myself of -this circumstance to remark, that the Marshal's temper was hasty, -impetuous, and ungovernable; that he commanded the most numerous -corps, and that which was nearest the city; that he impatiently -awaited the order to commence the assault, which order I was to -transmit to him on my departure from Ulm. The old General, however, -was not intimidated; he insisted on being allowed an interval of eight -days, and urged me to make the proposal to the Emperor.</p> - -<p>"Poor General Mack was on the point of signing his own ruin, and that -of Austria. But notwithstanding his desperate situation, in which he -must have suffered the most cruel anxiety, he still refused to yield: -he preserved his presence of -<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_33" id="Page_33">[Pg 33]</a></span> -mind, and maintained the dispute in -an animated way. He defended the only thing that he could defend, -namely, time. He sought to retard the fall of Austria, of which he had -himself been the cause, and wished to procure her a few days longer -for preparation: when lost himself, he still contended for her. His -character, which was political rather than military, led him to exert -cunning in opposition to power. He was bewildered amidst a crowd of -conjectures.</p> - -<p>"About nine in the morning of the 25th, I rejoined the Emperor at -the Abbey of Elchingen, where I rendered him an account of the -negotiation. He appeared quite satisfied; and I left him. He however -desired me to attend him again; and finding that I did not come at -the very moment, he sent Marshal Berthier to me, with a written copy -of the propositions which he wished me to induce General Mack to sign -immediately. The Emperor granted the Austrian General eight days, -reckoning from the date of the 23d, the first day of the blockade; -thus their number was in reality reduced to six, which I might at -first have proposed, but which I would not concede.</p> - -<p>"However, in case of obstinate refusal, I was authorized to date the -eight days from the 25th, and thus the Emperor would still have gained -a -<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_34" id="Page_34">[Pg 34]</a></span> -day by the concession. The object was to enter Ulm speedily, in -order to augment the glory of the victory by its rapidity; to reach -Vienna before the town should recover from the shock, or the Russian -army could be in a situation to act; and, finally, our provisions were -beginning to fail us, which was another reason for urging us on.</p> - -<p>"Major-General Marshal Berthier intimated to me, that he would -approach the town; and that if the conditions were agreed on, he -should be glad if I would procure his admittance.</p> - -<p>"I returned to Ulm about noon. The precautions which had been observed -on my first visit were again repeated; but on this occasion I found -General Mack at the gate of the city. I delivered to him the Emperor's -ultimatum, and he withdrew to deliberate upon it with several of his -Generals, among whom I observed a Prince of Lichtenstein, and Generals -Klénau and Ginlay. In about a quarter of an hour, he returned, and -again began to dispute with me respecting the date. He mistook some -particular point in the written propositions, and this induced him -to believe that he would obtain an armistice of eight whole days, -reckoning from the 25th. In a singular transport of joy, he exclaimed, -"M. de Segur! my dear M. de Segur! I relied on the Emperor's -generosity; -<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_35" id="Page_35">[Pg 35]</a></span> -and I have not been deceived. Tell Marshal Berliner -I respect him. Tell the Emperor, that I have only a few trifling -observations to make; and that I will sign the propositions you have -brought me. But inform his Majesty, that Marshal Ney has behaved ill -to me—that he has treated me most disrespectfully. Assure the Emperor, -that I relied on his generosity." Then, with increased warmth of -feeling, he added, "Monsieur de Segur, I value your esteem: I attach -importance to the opinion that you may entertain of me. I wish to show -you the paper I had signed; for I assure you my determination was -fixed." So saying, he unfolded a sheet of paper, on which were written -these words: <i>Eight days, or death!</i> signed, <i>Mack</i>.</p> - -<p>"I was thunderstruck at the joyful expression which animated his -countenance. I was unable to account for the puerile triumph he -evinced at so vain a concession. When on the point of sinking, to what -a frail twig did the poor General cling, in the hope of preserving -his own reputation, the honour of his army, and ensuring the safety -of Austria! He took my hand, pressed it cordially, and suffered me to -depart from Ulm without being blindfolded: he moreover allowed me to -introduce Marshal Berthier into the fortress without -<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_36" id="Page_36">[Pg 36]</a></span> -the observance -of the usual formalities; in short, he appeared perfectly delighted. -He started, in the presence of Marshal Berthier, another argument -respecting the dates. I explained the mistake that had occurred; and -the matter was to be referred to the Emperor. In the morning the -General assured me that he had provisions for ten days; but I had -already intimated to his Majesty, that he appeared to have a very -short supply; which, indeed, proved to be the case, for that very day -he solicited permission to have provision conveyed to the fortress.</p> - - -<p>"Mack, on finding that his position was turned, conceived, that by -throwing himself into Ulm and remaining there, he would draw the -Emperor beneath the ramparts, where he hoped to detain him, and thus -favour the flight of his other corps in different directions. He -thought he had sacrificed himself, and this idea served to uphold -his courage. When I entered upon my negotiations with him, he was of -opinion that our army was drawn up before Ulm, and unable to move. He -made the Archduke and Werneck secretly quit the city. One division -attempted to escape to Memmingen; another was flying to the mountains -of Tyrol: all were either actually made prisoners, or were on the -point of being taken.</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_37" id="Page_37">[Pg 37]</a></span></p> - -<p>"On the 27th, General Mack came to see the Emperor at Elchingen: all -his illusions had vanished.</p> - -<p>"His Majesty, to convince him of the uselessness of detaining us -longer before Ulm, described to him all the horrors of his situation. -He assured him of our success on every point; informed him that -Werneck's corps, all his artillery, and eight of his Generals had -capitulated; that the Archduke himself was in danger, and that no -tidings had been received of the Russians. All this intelligence -came like a thunderbolt on the General-in-chief: his strength failed -him, and he was obliged to support himself against the wall of the -apartment. He was overpowered by the weight of his misfortune. He -acknowledged the extremity to which he was reduced; and frankly told -us, that the provisions in Ulm were exhausted. He however said, that -instead of 15,000 men, there were 24,000 fighting men, and 3000 -invalids; but that all were plunged into the deepest confusion, -and that every moment augmented the dangers of their situation. He -added, that he was convinced all hope had vanished, and he therefore -consented to surrender Ulm on the following day (the 28th) at three -o'clock.</p> - -<p>"On quitting his Majesty's presence, he saw -<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_38" id="Page_38">[Pg 38]</a></span> -some of our officers; and -I heard him say, 'It is mortifying to be disgraced in the estimation -of so many brave men: however, I have in my pocket my opinion, written -and signed, in which I refused to have my army parcelled out. But I -did not command; the Archduke John was there.' It is very possible -that Mack was obeyed only with reluctance.</p> - -<p>"On the 23th, 33,000 Austrians surrendered themselves prisoners. -They defiled before the Emperor. The infantry threw down their arms -on the other side of the ditch; the cavalry dismounted, laid down -their arms, and delivered up their horses to our cavalry on foot. The -troops, while surrendering their arms, shouted 'Vive l'Empereur!' Mack -was present: he said to the officers, who had addressed him without -knowing who he was, 'You see before you the unfortunate Mack!'"</p> - -<p>I was at Elchingen with Generals Mouton and Bertrand when Mack came to -present his respects to Napoleon. "I flatter myself, Gentlemen," said -he to us, as he passed through the saloon of the aide-de-camp on duty, -"that you do not cease to regard me as a brave man, though I have been -obliged to capitulate with a force so considerable: it was difficult -to resist the manœuvres of your Emperor; his plans have ruined me."</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_39" id="Page_39">[Pg 39]</a></span></p> - -<p>Napoleon, who was overjoyed at his success, sent General Bertrand -to examine the returns of the army that was in Ulm. He brought -intelligence that there were 21,000 men in the city: the Emperor -could not believe this. "You speak their language," said he to me; -"go and ascertain the truth." I went; I interrogated the commanders -of corps, the generals, and the troops; and, from the information -thus collected, I learned that the garrison contained 26,000 men fit -for service. Napoleon, on hearing this, said, "I was mad, and that -the thing was impossible." However, when the army defiled before us, -its number, as M. de Segur had stated, amounted to 33,000 men, and -nineteen generals: the cavalry and artillery were superb.</p> - -<hr class="chap" /> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_40" id="Page_40">[Pg 40]</a></span></p> - - - -<div class="chapter p4"> - <h2><a name="CHAPTER_VII" id="CHAPTER_VII"></a>CHAPTER VII.</h2> -</div> - - -<p><span class="smcap">We</span> had not been able -to shut up all the Austrian force in Ulm. Werneck -escaped by the way of Heidenheim, and the Archduke hastened after him. -They were both in full flight; but Fate had pronounced her decree, -and against that there is no appeal. Napoleon being informed, in the -middle of the night, that they were advancing on Albeck, immediately -summoned the Grand-duke. "A division," said he, "has escaped from -the garrison, and threatens our rear; pursue and destroy it: let not -one escape." The rain descended in torrents, and the roads were in -a dreadful condition; but fatigue and danger were forgotten in the -triumph of victory. Our troops hastened onward intent on conquest. -Murat came up with the enemy, attacked and routed him. He pursued him -closely in his flight for the space of two leagues, scarcely allowing -him time to take breath. Some masses occupied Erbrectingen with -cannon. Night had set in and our horses were exhausted: we halted. The -9th light arrived about ten o'clock. -<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_41" id="Page_41">[Pg 41]</a></span> -We then advanced; the attack -was resumed; village, artillery, caissons, all were taken. General -Odonel endeavoured to keep his ground with his rear-guard; but he was -observed by one of our quarter-masters, who wounded him and made him -prisoner. It was midnight, our troops were overcome with fatigue, and -we pursued our triumph no farther.</p> - -<p>The enemy fled precipitately in the direction of Nordlingen, where -we possessed artillery and depôts. It was important to prevent his -reaching that point. Murat detached some parties, who, by harassing -and impeding him in his march, forced him to take up a position, that -is to say, to lose time. On the other hand, General Rivaud was to -put the bridge of Donnavert in a state of security, and to proceed -with the surplus of his force to the Wiesnitz. Every passage was -intercepted. These arrangements being made, the Prince began his -march and came up with the Archduke, who was deploying on Neresheim. -We attacked him with the enthusiasm inspired by victory: the shock -was irresistible; the cavalry fled, and the infantry laid down -their arms. Guns, standards, troops, all were taken in a mass: the -most terrible disorder prevailed. Klein, Fauconet, and Lanusses, -continued the pursuit, intercepted the -<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_42" id="Page_42">[Pg 42]</a></span> -enemy on every side, and -dispersed him in every direction. Werneck was summoned to surrender; -he hesitated; but a combination of extraordinary circumstances at -length induced him to do so. The officer appointed to escort the -French flag of truce crossed several plains in quest of his chief. He -met the Prince of Hohenzollern, to whom he communicated the object -of his mission. The Prince accompanied him, not doubting that the -Field-Marshal would accept the conditions. They directed their course -to Nordlingen, which they found occupied, not by the Austrians, but -by French troops. On the other hand, General Lasalle had advanced on -Merking, and had taken a thousand men. The fugitives spread alarm in -the enemy's head-quarters. These accounts staggered Werneck, and he -shewed himself disposed to treat. He detained the French officer and -sent as a hostage the Major of the regiment of Rannitz. He deferred -the negotiation until next day; for he wished to try the chances of -the night. As soon as it was dark, he proposed to combine his forces -with those of the Archduke; but the French intercepted the road, and -General Rivaud drove back Lichtenstein, and penetrated the great park, -which our hussars attacked in the rear. Werneck dared not go farther; -he thought himself surrounded, -<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_43" id="Page_43">[Pg 43]</a></span> -and he negotiated. Our troops occupied -the heights in order to be prepared against a surprise: but night -advanced; and Hohenzollern, who on the preceding day had regarded -the capitulation as inevitable, now availed himself of darkness to -elude it. General Miskiery followed his example: they escaped with -the cavalry and a few infantry troops, which had formed a part of the -corps that had laid down arms. It might have been supposed that they -were bound by the engagements of their chief; but no such thing; at -least they thought so, for they rejoined the wrecks of the Archduke's -force, with which they threw themselves on the Prussian territory. We -came up with them at Gunderhausen, and demanded the fulfilment of the -convention. The Prince of Schwartzenberg referred to orders, wished to -clear up doubts, to write, to explain; in a word, to gain time.</p> - -<p>The Prussians insisted on their neutrality; they required that the -city should not be attacked, and that the enemy's column should -evacuate it. A person in magisterial robes came, escorted by a party -of the Archduke's officers, to threaten us with the displeasure of -King William. Klein was not the man to be intimidated by this kind -of masquerade: he sent to the Grand Duke the -<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_44" id="Page_44">[Pg 44]</a></span> -magistrate in the -Austrian interest, and gave the signal for the attack. The Prince of -Schwartzenberg was quite disconcerted: he had not imagined that the -General was so near at hand. He protested against the violation of -the Prussian territory, and proposed that we should respect it and -not occupy Gunderhausen. Klein told him to set a good example, and he -would follow it. We continued to advance, and yet Schwartzenberg came -to no decision. Murat, tired of being taken for a dupe, gave orders -for terminating the discussions and marching forward. The enemy's -rear-guard then set off at full gallop, and left us in possession of -the place. We pursued him for several leagues, without being able to -come up with him. It was night, and we took a position. We resumed -our march at daybreak; but the Archduke had fled so rapidly that we -did not overtake the rear of his baggage until we reached Nuremberg. -A piquet of our advance-guard charged him, and obliged the escort -battalion to lay down their arms. The piquet then pressed forward, -and entered a woody road, thronged with artillery and baggage, -pursuing some hundreds of dragoons, who vainly endeavoured to rally -themselves. The great body of the Austrian force was awaiting us in -an advantageous position. Our chasseurs were obliged to -<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_45" id="Page_45">[Pg 45]</a></span> fall back; -but the hussars and carabiniers advanced, and the army was completely -routed. The Archduke himself narrowly escaped being made prisoner. -This was a finishing stroke to the corps who had escaped from Ulm. In -the short space of five days, 7000 brave men marched over forty-five -leagues, destroyed an army of 25,000 men, took their military chest -and baggage, carried off 128 pieces of cannon, 11 standards, and made -from 12 to 15,000 prisoners. Of all the Archduke's force nothing now -remained but a few thousand unfortunate men scattered about in the -woods.</p> - -<p>Klein, however, persisted in his demands, and Werneck himself urged -the fulfilment of the conditions that had been entered into. They -required that the officers included in the capitulations should -surrender themselves prisoners. The French General addressed his -remonstrances to the Archduke, or, in his absence, to the General -commanding the Austrian army; but such disorder prevailed, that -the flag of truce was obliged to advance into the very heart of -Bohemia before he could find an officer to receive his dispatches. -The answer was long expected; but it at length arrived. It was a -letter from General Kollowrard, who transmitted to us the following -correspondence:</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_46" id="Page_46">[Pg 46]</a></span></p> - -<div class="bq"> -<p class="hanging noindent smcap">To Count Hohenzollern, Lieutenant-General in the - Service of his Imperial and Royal Majesty.</p> - -"You have submitted Lieutenant-general Werneck's letter to my -consideration. I must inform you that, according to the rules -of war and the law of nations, I regard the pretensions of the -French General as very illegal. - -"Consequently I declare that you, and the troops with whom -you have returned, cannot be included in the capitulation. I -therefore order you as well as them to continue to serve as -before. - -<p class="ar"><i>Signed</i>, <span class="smcap">Ferdinand.</span><br /> -<i>Countersigned</i>, <span class="smcap">Morvahl.</span> - <br /> -Major and Aide-de-Camp.</p> - -<p>"Egra, Oct. 23, 1805."</p> -</div> - -<p>By this document the capitulation was rendered no capitulation; and -thus Hohenzollern had fled without any violation of honour. He seemed -astonished at being required to surrender in a mass troops which he -was losing no less effectually in detail. His letter was curious; it -was as follows:</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_47" id="Page_47">[Pg 47]</a></span></p> - -<div class="bq"> - -<p class="ac noindent smcap">To Field Marshal Baron Werneck.</p> - -<p>"Dear Comrade,</p> - -<p>"I cannot conceal my astonishment at the proposition that has -been made to me to surrender with the cavalry which formed part -of your corps. When I left you, you in my presence refused to -enter into any capitulation; and, for my part, I intended to -bring back the cavalry to the army at all hazards, if you could -not extricate yourself with the infantry. I endeavoured to do -this, and I succeeded. I do not understand by what law I can be -accounted a prisoner of war, not having been present at your -arrangements, in which I should never have suffered myself to be -included. Having been separated from you since yesterday, I no -longer conceive myself bound to fulfil your orders: I receive the -commands of his Royal Highness our General-in-chief.</p> - -<p>"I have the honour to be your very humble and obedient servant,</p> - -<p class="ar"><i>Signed</i>, <span class="smcap">Lieut.-Gen. Hohenzollern,</span><br /> -Privy Counsellor."</p> -</div> - -<p>Napoleon was satisfied with himself, with the army and with every -body. He expressed -<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_48" id="Page_48">[Pg 48]</a></span> -his approbation of our conduct by the following -proclamation:</p> - -<div class="bq"> -<p>"Soldiers of the Great Army!</p> - -<p>"In the space of fifteen days we have finished the campaign. All -that we proposed to do has been accomplished. We have driven from -Bavaria the troops of the House of Austria, and restored our ally -to the sovereignty of his States.</p> - -<p>"That army which, with equal presumption and imprudence, came to -station itself on our frontiers, has been annihilated.</p> - -<p>"But what does it signify to England? Her object is fulfilled. We -are no longer at Boulogne, and her subsidy will be neither more -nor less.</p> - -<p>"Of the 100,000 men who composed that army, sixty thousand are -prisoners: they will supply the place of our conscripts in -agricultural labours.</p> - -<p>"Two hundred pieces of cannon, the whole park, ninety standards, -and all their Generals, are in our hands. Scarcely 15,000 men -have escaped.</p> - -<p>"Soldiers! I announced to you a great battle; but thanks to -the ill concerted plans of the enemy, I have obtained all the -success I anticipated without encountering any risk; and it is a -circumstance unparalleled in the history of nations that so great -a triumph should have -<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_49" id="Page_49">[Pg 49]</a></span> -diminished our force only by 1500 men rendered unfit for service.</p> - -<p>"Soldiers! this success is due to the full confidence you reposed -in your Emperor, to your patience under fatigue and privation of -every kind, and to your singular intrepidity.</p> - -<p>"But we shall not stop here. You are eager to commence a second -campaign.</p> - -<p>"The Russian army, which English gold has transported from the -further extremity of Europe, will experience a similar fate.</p> - -<p>"The present campaign is particularly connected with the glory -of the French infantry; the question which has already been -determined in Switzerland and Holland, will now be decided for -the second time; namely, whether the French infantry be the first -or the second in Europe.</p> - -<p>"There are among the Russians no Generals over whom I can hope to -obtain glory. All my care will be to gain the victory with the -least possible effusion of blood: my soldiers are my children."</p> -</div> - -<hr class="chap" /> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_50" id="Page_50">[Pg 50]</a></span></p> - -<div class="chapter p4"> - <h2><a name="CHAPTER_VIII" id="CHAPTER_VIII"></a>CHAPTER VIII.</h2> -</div> - - -<p><span class="smcap">We</span> had now done -with the Austrians, and we advanced to meet the -Russians. Kutusoff affected resolution, and we thought him disposed -to fight. We congratulated ourselves on this new opportunity -of augmenting our glory. But all this was mere pretence on the -part of Kutusoff; he abandoned the Inn, the Traun, and the Ems, -and disappeared. We pressed forward on Vienna; we advanced with -inconceivable speed: never was a movement executed with such rapidity. -The Emperor became apprehensive; he feared lest by this precipitancy -our rear might be endangered, and our flank exposed to the Russians. -"Murat," said he to me, "runs on like a blind man; he presses forward -as though the only object were to enter Vienna. The enemy has nobody -to oppose him; he may dispose of all his forces and destroy Mortier. -Direct Berthier to stop the columns." Berthier came; Marshal Soult -received orders to fall back as far as Mautern. Davoust took up his -position at the -<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_51" id="Page_51">[Pg 51]</a></span> -junction of the roads of Lilienfeldt and Neustadt, -and Bernadotte stationed himself at Mælck. But these arrangements -did not prevent the engagement of which Napoleon feared the issue. -Four thousand French were attacked by the whole of the enemy's force; -but skill, courage, and the necessity of conquering, made amends -for our inferiority of numbers: the Russians were driven back. The -intelligence of this astonishing victory set our whole force in -motion: the Emperor pursued his march with even more eagerness than -he had before evinced in suspending it. He wished to come up with the -Austrians, to take the passage of the Danube, to turn and cut off -their allies, and beat them before they could receive reinforcements. -He hastily dispatched orders: men and horses, all were immediately -in motion. "The field is open," said Napoleon, "Murat may yield to -his natural impetuosity; but he must take a wider range, he must -surprise the bridge." He immediately wrote to him as follows:—"The -grand object at the present moment is to pass the Danube, in order -to drive the Russians from Krems by attacking their rear. The enemy -will probably destroy the bridge of Vienna; and yet, if there should -be any possibility of gaining it undamaged, that must be done. This -consideration alone can -<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_52" id="Page_52">[Pg 52]</a></span> -induce the Emperor to enter Vienna; and in -that case you must introduce into the city only a portion of your -cavalry and the grenadiers. It is necessary that you should ascertain -the force of the civic guard in Vienna. The Emperor presumes that you -have planted some pieces of cannon to intercept the passage across -the Danube between Krems and Vienna. Some parties of cavalry should -be stationed on the right bank of the river; but you mention nothing -of this to the Emperor. His Majesty thinks it necessary to know what -he has to trust to; so that if it should be possible to intercept the -Danube below Vienna, it may be done. General Suchet's division will -remain with a portion of your cavalry on the great road leading from -Vienna to Bukersdorf, at least if you be not master of the bridge -across the Danube, and if it has not been burned. In that case, -Suchet's division must repair thither, in order to be enabled to cross -the river with your cavalry and grenadiers, and to march on as rapidly -as possible to fall on the communications of the Russians. I think it -probable that the Emperor will remain all the day at Saint-Polten.</p> - -<p>"His Majesty recommends you, Prince, to transmit to him frequent -accounts of your proceedings.</p> - -<p>"When you arrive at Vienna, provide yourself -<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_53" id="Page_53">[Pg 53]</a></span> -with the best maps that -can be procured, of the environs of that city and of Lower Austria.</p> - -<p>"Should General Count Giulay, or any other individual, wish to have an -interview with the Emperor, send him hither with all speed.</p> - -<p>"The civic guard on duty at Vienna must amount to upwards of five -hundred men.</p> - -<p>"When once you reach Vienna you may easily obtain intelligence of the -arrival of the other Russian columns, as well as of the design of -those who have established themselves at Krems.</p> - -<p>"You will have your own cavalry, together with the corps of Marshals -Lannes and Davoust, in the operation of turning the Russians and -falling on their rear. As to the corps of Marshals Bernadotte and -Soult, they cannot be disposed of until we shall definitively know -what course the Russians may adopt.</p> - -<p>"After ten o'clock in the morning, you may enter Vienna. Endeavour -to surprise the bridge of the Danube, or, if it should be destroyed, -adopt the most speedy means of crossing the river: that is the grand -affair at present. But if, before ten o'clock, M. de Giulay should -present himself with proposals for negotiating and inducing you to -suspend your march, you may stop your movement on Vienna, but you must -nevertheless direct your attention -<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_54" id="Page_54">[Pg 54]</a></span> -to the best means of crossing the -Danube at Klosterburgh, or some other favourable point.</p> - -<p>"The Emperor directs that between Seghartz-Kirchen and Vienna you -shall station, at the distance of two French leagues from each other, -posts of cavalry consisting of ten men each, whose horses will serve -as relays to the officers whom you may send with accounts of your -movements. The men forming these posts may bear despatches from -Seghartz-Kirchen to Saint-Polten. Marshal Bessières will station posts -of the Emperor's guard."</p> - - -<hr class="chap" /> - -<div class="chapter p4"> - <h2><a name="CHAPTER_IX" id="CHAPTER_IX"></a>CHAPTER IX.</h2> -</div> - - -<p><span class="smcap">We</span> were at Saint-Polten. -Napoleon was riding on horseback on the -Vienna road, when he perceived an open carriage advancing, in which -were seated a priest and a lady bathed in tears. The Emperor was -dressed as usual in the uniform of a colonel of the chasseurs of -the guard. The lady did not know him. He enquired the cause of her -affliction, and whither she was going. Sir," -<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_55" id="Page_55">[Pg 55]</a></span> -she replied, "I have -been robbed at about two leagues from hence by a party of soldiers, -who have killed my gardener. I am going to request that your Emperor -will grant me a guard. He once knew my family well, and lay under -obligations to them."—"Your name?" enquired Napoleon—"De Brunny," -answered the lady; "I am the daughter of M. de Marbœuf, formerly -governor of Corsica."—"I am delighted to meet with you, Madam," -exclaimed Napoleon, with the most charming frankness, "and to have -an opportunity of serving you. I am the Emperor." The lady was -amazed. Napoleon consoled her, and directed her to wait for him at -head-quarters. He treated her with the utmost attention, granted -her a piquet of chasseurs of his guard, and sent her away happy and -contented.</p> - -<p>Napoleon had received a report, which he was reading with an air -of satisfaction. I entered his closet. "Well, Rapp," said he, "do -you know that we have parties of our troops in the very heart of -Bohemia?"—"Yes, Sire."—"Do you know what sort of cavalry has beat -the Houlans, captured posts, and taken magazines?"—"No, Sire."—"Our -infantry mounted on draught horses!"—"How?"—He handed me the report. -Some of our detachments who had penetrated into Bohemia, suddenly -found themselves in an open tract of country: they -<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_56" id="Page_56">[Pg 56]</a></span> -had but twenty -dragoons; they would not fall back, and they dared not advance -further. In this perplexing situation, the commander thought of an -expedient. He collected together all the baggage horses, mounted his -infantry, and thus equipped, led them through the thick forests in -the neighbourhood of Egra. Some parties of the enemy's cavalry who -advanced to oppose them were driven back; we took men, horses and -provisions; the latter were committed to the flames. I returned the -report to the Emperor. "Well," said he, "what think you of this new -kind of cavalry?"—"Admirable, Sire."—"Men who have French blood in -their veins," observed he, "always know how to deal death among the -enemy's ranks."</p> - -<p>We marched close upon the enemy's rear-guard. We might easily have -taken it; but we avoided doing so. We wished to lull his vigilance: -we did not press him closely, and we circulated reports of peace. -We suffered both troops and baggage to escape us; but the loss of a -few men was of little consequence. The preservation of the bridges -was the important point: if they should be broken, it was determined -that we should repair them; we took our measures accordingly. The -troops, who were posted in <i>echelon</i> on the road, were warned to -allow no demonstration to escape them that was -<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_57" id="Page_57">[Pg 57]</a></span> -likely to put the -enemy on his guard. No one was permitted to enter Vienna; but every -thing being examined, and every arrangement completed, the Grand Duke -took possession of the capital, and directed Lanusses and Bertrand -to make without delay a <i>reconnaissance</i> on the river. They found at -the gates of the suburb a post of Austrian cavalry. There had been no -fighting for upwards of three days. It appeared as though an armistice -had been entered into. Lanusses and Bertrand accosted the Austrian -commandant, commenced a conversation with him, followed him closely, -and would not suffer him to quit them. On reaching the banks of the -river, they still persisted in following him, in spite of his wish to -get rid of them. The Austrian became impatient; the French generals -asked leave to communicate with the general commanding the troops -stationed on the left bank of the river. They obtained permission to -do so; but the 10th hussars were not allowed to accompany them, and -they were consequently obliged to halt and take a position. Meanwhile -our troops were advancing, led by the Grand Duke and Marshal Lannes. -The bridge still remained undamaged; but the trains were laid, and -the gunners held their matches in readiness: the least sign that -might have indicated the intention of passing by force -<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_58" id="Page_58">[Pg 58]</a></span> -would have -ruined the enterprize. It was necessary to resort to artifice; and -we succeeded in imposing on the simplicity of the Austrians. The two -marshals dismounted, and only a small detachment entered upon the -bridge. General Belliard advanced, walking with his hands behind -his back, accompanied by two officers of the staff: Lannes joined -him with some others; they walked about, talking together, and at -length joined the Austrians. The officer commanding the post, at -first directed them to stand back; but he at length permitted them to -advance, and they entered into conversation together. They repeated -what had already been affirmed by General Bertrand, namely, that -the negotiations were advancing, that the war was at an end, and -that there would be no more fighting and slaughter. "Why," said the -Marshal, "do you keep your guns still pointed at us? Has there not -been enough of bloodshed? Do you wish to attack us, and to prolong -miseries which weigh more heavily on you than on us? Come, let us -have no more provocation; turn your guns." Half persuaded and half -convinced, the commanding officer yielded. The artillery was turned in -the direction of the Austrians, and the troops laid down their arms in -bundles. During this conference the platoon of our advance-guard came -up slowly, and at length -<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_59" id="Page_59">[Pg 59]</a></span> -it arrived, masking sappers and gunners, -who threw the combustible matters into the river, sprinkled water on -the powder, and cut the trains. The Austrian commander, who was not -sufficiently acquainted with the French language to take much interest -in the conversation, perceived that the troop was gaining ground, and -endeavoured to make us understand that he could not permit it. Marshal -Lannes and General Belliard tried to satisfy him; they observed that -the cold was severe, and that our men were only marching about to -warm themselves. But the column still continued to advance, and it -was already three quarters over the bridge. The commander lost all -patience, and ordered his troops to fire: they instantly took up their -arms, and the artillerymen prepared their guns. Our situation was -terrible: a little less presence of mind on our part, and the bridge -would have been blown up, our troops in the river, and the campaign -at an end. But the Austrian had to deal with men who were not easily -disconcerted. Marshal Lannes seized him by the one arm and General -Belliard by the other. They threatened him, and drowned his voice -when he attempted to call for help. Meanwhile the Prince of Hogsberg -arrived accompanied by General Bertrand. An officer set off to render -an account of the state of -<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_60" id="Page_60">[Pg 60]</a></span> -affairs to the Grand Duke; and on his way -transmitted to the troop an order to quicken their march and arrive -speedily. The Marshal advanced to meet the Prince, complained of the -conduct of the commander of the post, requested that he might be -punished and removed from the rear-guard, where he might impede the -negotiations. Hogsberg fell into the snare: he deliberated, approved, -contradicted, and lost himself in a useless conversation. Our troops -made the most of their time; they arrived, debouched, and the -bridge was taken. Reconnaissances were immediately ordered in every -direction; and General Belliard led our columns on the road leading -to Stockrau, where they took a position. Hogsberg, mortified at his -ill-timed loquacity, proceeded to the Grand Duke, who, after a short -conversation, referred him to Napoleon, and also crossed the river.</p> - -<p>The Austrian piquet still kept guard on the bridge. We bivouacked -in confusion: the troops were mingled together at Stockrau as on -the banks of the river. Napoleon found that this interspersion was -not convenient, and he sent the Houlans to Vienna, where they were -disarmed.</p> - -<p>We arrived at Austerlitz. The Russians had a force Superior to ours. -They had repulsed our advance-guard, and they thought us already -subdued. -<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_61" id="Page_61">[Pg 61]</a></span> -The attack commenced; but instead of that easy conquest -which had been obtained merely by their guard, they every where -experienced the most obstinate resistance. The battle had already -lasted an hour, and it was still far from being decided in their -favour. They resolved to make a last attempt on our centre. The -Imperial guard deployed; infantry, cavalry, and artillery, advanced -on the bridge, without the movement being perceived by Napoleon; for -the nature of the ground screened it from his observation. A discharge -of musketry was soon heard: a brigade, commanded by General Schinner, -had been penetrated by the Russians. Napoleon ordered me to take the -Mamelukes, two squadrons of chasseurs, and one of grenadiers of the -guard, and to go forward to reconnoitre the state of things. I set off -at full gallop, and it was not until I came within gun-shot of the -scene of action, that I discovered the disaster. The enemy's cavalry -was in the midst of our square, and was sabring our troops. A little -further back we discerned masses of infantry and cavalry forming -the reserve. The enemy relinquished the attack, and turned to meet -me. Four pieces of artillery arrived and were placed in battery. I -advanced in good order; I had the brave Colonel Morland on my left, -and General -<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_62" id="Page_62">[Pg 62]</a></span> -Dallemagne on my right. "Do you see," said I to my troop, -"our friends and brothers trampled on by the enemy: avenge them, -avenge our colours." We rushed on the artillery, which was taken. The -cavalry, who awaited us, was repulsed by the same shock; they fled in -disorder, and we, as well as the enemy, trampled over the bodies of -our troops, whose squares had been penetrated. The men who had escaped -being wounded were rallied. A squadron of horse grenadiers arrived -to reinforce me; and I was enabled to receive the reserves, who came -up in aid of the Russian guard. We resumed the attack, which was -maintained with terrible fury. The infantry dared not venture to fire; -all was confusion; we fought man to man. Finally, the intrepidity -of our troops triumphed over every obstacle. The Russians fled and -dispersed. Alexander and the Emperor of Austria witnessed the defeat. -Stationed on a height, at a little distance from the field of battle, -they saw the guard, which was expected to decide the victory, cut to -pieces by a handful of brave men. Their guns and baggage had fallen -into our hands, and Prince Repnin was our prisoner. Unfortunately we -had a great number of men killed and wounded. Colonel Morland was no -more, and I had myself received a sabre wound in the head. -<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_63" id="Page_63">[Pg 63]</a></span> I went -to render an account of this affair to the Emperor. My broken sabre, -my wound, the blood with which I was covered, the decided advantage -we had gained with so small a force over the enemy's chosen troops, -inspired Napoleon with the idea of the picture which was painted by -Gerard.</p> - -<p>The Russians, as I have already mentioned, hoped to defeat us with -their guard alone. This presumption offended Napoleon, and it was long -before he forgot it.</p> - -<p>After the battle of Austerlitz, Napoleon made me a General of -Division, and sent me to the Castle of Austerlitz until I should -recover from my wound, which, however, was not dangerous. The Emperor -visited me several times; once on the day on which he granted an -interview to the Emperor of Austria. He put into my hands two letters -which had been intercepted by our advanced posts; one was from Prince -Charles, and the other from a Prince Lichtenstein. Their contents were -rather important; and I got them translated. On his way back in the -evening, Napoleon came and had these letters read to him. He talked -to me a great deal about Francis II., his complaints and regrets; and -told me many curious circumstances respecting him.</p> - -<p>We set out for Shœnbrunn; and in about a -<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_64" id="Page_64">[Pg 64]</a></span> -fortnight after our arrival -thither, Napoleon sent for me: "Are you able to travel?" said -he:—"Yes, Sire."—"Well, then, go and give an account of the battle of -Austerlitz to Marmont, in order to vex him for not having come; and -observe the effect that it will produce on the Italians." He then gave -me the following instructions:</p> - -<div class="bq"> -<p>"Monsieur General Rapp, you will proceed to Gratz, where you will -remain as long as may be necessary to communicate to General -Marmont the details of the battle of Austerlitz. Inform him that -the negotiations are open, but that nothing is concluded; and -that he must therefore hold himself in readiness for any event -that may occur. You must also make yourself acquainted with -General Marmont's situation, and ascertain what number of the -enemy's force is before him. Tell him, that I desire he will -send spies into Hungary; and that he will communicate to me all -the information he may collect. You must next repair to Laybach, -where you will find Marshal Massena, who has the command of the -eighth army corps; and transmit to me a correct report of his -situation. You will inform Massena, that if the negociations are -broken off, as it is possible they may be, he will be sent to -<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_65" id="Page_65">[Pg 65]</a></span> -Vienna. Let me know what amount of the enemy's force Marshal -Massena has before him; and report to me the situation of his -corps in every point of view. You will next proceed to Palmanova, -after strongly urging Marshal Massena to arm and provision the -fortress in an effectual way, and you will inform me of the -state in which it is. Next proceed and examine the posts which -we occupy before Venice, and ascertain the state of our troops. -Thence you will repair to the army of General Saint-Cyr, who is -about to march on Naples: you must ascertain the nature and the -amount of his force. You will return by the way of Klagenfurth, -where you will see Marshal Ney, and then rejoin me. Do not fail -to write to me from every place at which you stop. Despatch -estafettes to me from Gratz, Laybach, Palmanova, Venice, and the -place where the army of Naples may be stationed. I pray God to -take you into his holy keeping.</p> - -<p class="ar smcap">"Napoleon.</p> - -<p>Schœnbrunn,<br /> -25 Frimaire, year XIV."</p> -</div> - -<p>I rejoined Napoleon at Munich, whither he had gone to be present -at the marriage of Prince Eugène. The Prince came from Italy, and -I accompanied him. During my absence, -<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_66" id="Page_66">[Pg 66]</a></span> -peace had been concluded at -Vienna. The Emperor had an interview with Prince Charles: he intended -to have presented him with a magnificent sword; but he was displeased -with the Archduke, and the sword was not given.</p> - -<p>We set out for Paris. Acclamations resounded on every side: Napoleon -was never received with so much enthusiasm.</p> - - -<hr class="chap" /> - -<div class="chapter p4"> - <h2><a name="CHAPTER_X" id="CHAPTER_X"></a>CHAPTER X.</h2> -</div> - - -<p><span class="smcap">During</span> our stay at Ulm, -the Prussians suddenly conceived the idea -that they had an ancient inheritance of glory to defend. They were -roused, and they took up arms. Haugwitz came to inform us of this -sudden reminiscence. But the battle of Austerlitz had taken place in -the interim. When the Minister arrived, nothing was thought of but -alliance and devotion. Napoleon was not the dupe of these diplomatic -protestations: he was aware of the intrigues and the chivalric scenes -that had been resorted to for the purpose of exciting the multitude. -Previous to the action -<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_67" id="Page_67">[Pg 67]</a></span> -he had said; "If I am beaten, they will march -upon my rear; if I am victorious, they will say that they wished to -have taken part with me." They knew not how to make choice either of -peace or war; and they watched the progress of events. This indirect -policy was not without its effect; it cost them Anspach, Bareuth, a -part of the grand duchy of Berg, and their possessions in Westphalia. -They became enraged. I was sent to Hanover, which we had abandoned to -them. The ostensible motive of my journey was the delivering up of the -fortress of Hameln; its real purpose was to learn the state of the -public mind. I was directed to discover what was the general opinion -with regard to the Prussians, whether war was spoken of, whether -the army wished for it, and finally, to buy up at Hamburgh all the -pamphlets against Napoleon and France which I could procure.</p> - -<p>My mission was not difficult of execution. The Prussians were -exasperated and insolent; the Hanoverians detested them. The north -of Germany, however, relied on Prussia, whose power remained -undiminished. The Count of Schulemburgh was governor of King William's -new acquisition: he gave me rather a cold reception. Our success -at Ulm and Austerlitz appeared to him but indifferent. The latter -battle -<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_68" id="Page_68">[Pg 68]</a></span> -he affirmed was indecisive. He said it was like the battle -of Zorndoff, which was fought by Frederick the Great against the -Russians, and in which Count Schulemburgh had himself been engaged. -"What sort of victories would he have?" said the Emperor, when I told -him this anecdote.</p> - -<p>I went from Hanover to Hamburgh, where I found Bourienne. Here I was -well received, and I knew the reason why.</p> - -<p>I returned to France, and on my way passed through Munster, where I -saw General Blucher, whom I had known some years before. I paid him a -visit. He was not well disposed towards the French; yet he received me -with a great deal of civility.</p> - -<p>I remained a week with Augereau at Frankfort, in order to see and hear -all I could; for such were my instructions. Napoleon had just made -a demand for contributions on that town, and the inhabitants were -alarmed lest they should be obliged to pay them.</p> - -<p>We occupied Darmstadt. Marshal * * * * * * *, who had established -his head-quarters in the capital of that principality, was neither a -favourite with the Court nor with the people; and his staff was still -less liked. The Grand Duchess sent me an invitation, through Augereau, -who seemed to be -<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_69" id="Page_69">[Pg 69]</a></span> -partial to that country; I declined it, not having -any instructions to that effect. She commissioned him to transmit to -me her complaints. They were very severe.</p> - -<p>I departed for Wesel. I was to examine the state of feeling in that -quarter, which was already occupied by our troops.</p> - -<p>On my return, I gave Napoleon an account of all that I had seen and -heard. I concealed nothing from him. I spoke particularly in behalf -of Darmstadt; but he was enraged against the Duchess. She had written -a terrible letter to the King of Bavaria, relative to what she termed -the ill-assorted union of her niece Augusta with Prince Eugène. Among -other insulting expressions she made use of the words <i>horrible -marriage</i>. The Emperor, who conceived that the glory of having -achieved great deeds was well worth the advantage of having descended -from those who probably had no glory to boast of, could not pardon the -feudal prejudices of the Duchess. He was on the point of depriving her -of her states; but Maximilian interceded for her, and she escaped with -the punishment of a six months' occupation by our troops; that is to -say, her people were obliged to atone for the offence which her vanity -had led her to commit.</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_70" id="Page_70">[Pg 70]</a></span></p> - -<p>Scarcely a fortnight had elapsed since my return to France. The Court -was at Saint-Cloud, and Napoleon was at the theatre. In the middle of -the performance he received a despatch from the Grand Duchy of Berg. -He opened it. It contained an account of an attack made on our troops -by some Prussian detachments. "I see," said he, "they are determined -to try us. Mount your horse and seek the Grand Duke at Neuilly." -Murat was already acquainted with the affair; he came immediately. -Napoleon conversed with him for an instant, and gave me orders next -day to take the command of the military division at Strasburg; to -organise battalions and marching squadrons at that place; to direct -them in succession upon Mentz, and to send to the latter place a large -quantity of artillery. The infantry embarked on the Rhine in order to -arrive earlier at the place of their destination.</p> - -<p>I corresponded directly with Napoleon. I employed couriers, -telegraphs, and all the most speedy modes of communication. I could -not venture to put a hundred men in motion, to change the place of -a gun, or to move a musquet, without informing him. I had been two -months engaged in these preparations, when he arrived at Mentz, -whence he wrote to me to join him at Wurtzburg. He sent me a letter -for the Grand Duke of Baden, -<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_71" id="Page_71">[Pg 71]</a></span> -and directed me to deliver it to the -Prince myself. The object of this letter was to request him to send -his grandson, the present Grand Duke, to the army. I found the -venerable old man in his ancient castle of Baden; he seemed at first -much affected by the contents of the letter; but he soon made up his -mind to send the young Prince, and he ordered preparations for his -departure. He did me the honour to recommend his grandson to me in -a very affectionate manner. The Prince set out on his journey two -days afterwards, and joined us at Wurtzburg. The King of Wirtemberg -was already there. He had just determined on his daughter's marriage -with Jerome. Napoleon was in particularly good humour. The alliance -pleased him. He was no less satisfied with the Grand Duke; for Murat -had singularly prepossessed him in favour of that Prince. In a letter -which Murat addressed to the Emperor some days before, he said;—"I -waited on the Grand Duke of Wurtzburg, whom the letter, and the news -which I communicated to him, that the treaty admitting him into -the confederation had been signed at Paris, have relieved from the -greatest anxiety; for he very much dreaded not being received into -the Confederation. He seemed particularly affected by the sentiments -of good will on the part of your Majesty which I expressed -<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_72" id="Page_72">[Pg 72]</a></span> to him. -He evinces the greatest readiness to contribute every thing in his -power to the service of the army. To-day his admission into the -Confederation of the Rhine was proclaimed. Every preparation has been -made for receiving your Majesty at the Castle, where nothing seems to -be neglected which may render your stay here convenient and agreeable."</p> - -<p>We had yet received no positive information with regard to the -Prussians; we knew not whether they were on the road to Magdeburg, -in Saxony, or at Gotha; or even what was the amount of their force. -We had, however, a sufficient number in the field. Gentlemen are -not more scarce on the other side of the Rhine than elsewhere: but -the reports were so contradictory, that it was impossible to form -any distinct idea on the subject. At one time it was said that the -enemy's advance-guard was at Hoff; that Coburg and Memmingen were -occupied; that the Prussians avoided partial actions, and wished -to try their fortune in a pitched battle. At another time it was -affirmed that Hohenlohe was advancing on Schleitz; that Ruchel had -formed his junction; that the Queen had gone to Erfurt; and that the -head-quarters were removed from Hoff to Nauenburgh. This arrangement -did not correspond with the nature of the -<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_73" id="Page_73">[Pg 73]</a></span> -places. It seemed -inconceivable. We were as uncertain with respect to the extent of the -enemy's forces as we were concerning their line of operations. Amidst -all these various accounts we learnt that Cronach was occupied. The -Grand Duke sent to inform us, that that citadel was under repair, and -would soon be in a state of defence. Napoleon was astonished that -the Prussians had not made themselves masters of it. "What could -have prevented them," said he, "since they absolutely wanted war? -Was it the difficulty of the attempt?—The place was destitute both -of provisions and artillery. They had sufficient courage for the -enterprize. Did they not consider the place of sufficient importance -to try to secure it? That fort commands three great outlets; but these -gentlemen care little about positions, they are reserving themselves -for grand strokes; we will give them what they want."</p> - -<p>Napoleon every moment received accounts of the Prussian army. Ruchel, -Blucher, and the Duke of Brunswick, were impatient to commence -the war, and Prince Louis was even more so. He urged and hastened -hostilities, and feared to let the opportunity escape. He was, -besides, a man of great courage and talent; all accounts agreed on -this point. Napoleon, who did not dislike this -<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_74" id="Page_74">[Pg 74]</a></span> -petulant eagerness, -was conversing with us one evening respecting the generals of the -enemy's army. Some one present happened to mention Prince Louis. "As -for him," said he, "I foretell that he will be killed this campaign." -Who could have thought that the prediction would so soon have been -fulfilled?</p> - -<p>Prussia at length explained herself. She required us to abandon our -conquests, and threatened us with her displeasure if we refused to -evacuate Germany and recross the Rhine. The demand was modest, and -worthy of those who urged it. Napoleon could not finish reading the -document; he threw it away contemptuously. "Does he think himself in -Champagne?" said he. "Does he want to give us a new edition of his -manifesto? What! does he pretend to mark out a route for our march -back. Really, I pity Prussia, I feel for William. He is not aware what -rhapsodies he is made to write. This is too ridiculous. Berthier, -they wish to give us a rendezvous of honour for the 8th; a beauteous -Queen will be a witness to the combat. Come, let us march on; and shew -our courtesy. We will not halt till we enter Saxony." Then turning -immediately to his secretary, he hastily dictated the following -proclamation:</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_75" id="Page_75">[Pg 75]</a></span></p> - -<div class="bq"> - -<p>"Soldiers!</p> - -<p>"The order for your return to France was issued. You were already -within a few days' march of your homes: triumphal fêtes awaited -you, and the preparations for your reception had commenced in the -capital; but while we thus too confidently resigned ourselves to -security, new plots were hatching under the mask of friendship -and alliance. Cries of war have been raised at Berlin, and for -two months we have been provoked with a degree of audacity which -calls for vengeance.</p> - -<p>"The same faction, the same headlong spirit, which, under favour -of our internal dissensions, led the Prussians fourteen years -ago to the plains of Champagne, still prevail in their Councils. -If they no longer wish to burn and destroy Paris; they now boast -their intention to plant their colours in the capital of our -allies. They would oblige Saxony, by a disgraceful transaction, -to renounce her independence, by ranking her in the list of their -provinces. They seek, in fine, to tear your laurels from your -brows. They expect us to evacuate Germany at the sight of their -army. What madness! Let them learn that it would be a thousand -times easier to destroy the great capital, than to sully the -honour of the children of the great people and their allies. In -their former attempt -<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_76" id="Page_76">[Pg 76]</a></span> -the plans of our enemies were frustrated. -They found in the plains of Champagne only shame, defeat, and -death; but the lessons of experience are forgotten, and there -are men in whom the feelings of hatred and jealousy never become -extinct.</p> - -<p>"Soldiers, there is not one of you who would wish to return to -France by any other path than that of honour. We ought not to -return except by passing beneath triumphal arches.</p> - -<p>"What! have we braved the inclemency of the seasons, the ocean -and the desert, have we subdued Europe often united against us; -have we extended our glory from East to West, only to return now, -like deserters, after having abandoned our allies, and to be told -that the French Eagle has fled in dismay before the Prussians.</p> - -<p>"But they have already arrived at our advance posts. Let us, -then, march upon them, since forbearance will not check their -infatuation. Let the Prussian army experience the fate which it -shared fourteen years ago. Let us teach them that if it is easy -to obtain an increase of territory and power with the friendship -of the great people, their enmity (which can only be provoked by -the neglect of prudence and reason) is more terrible than the -storms of the ocean."</p> -</div> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_77" id="Page_77">[Pg 77]</a></span></p> - -<p>Our soldiers only wished to fight. The Prussians occupied Saalfeld and -Schleitz; we charged them, routed them, and made a thousand prisoners. -These were the two first engagements which we had with them. I quitted -Murat, whom I had been ordered to follow, and went to render an -account of the affair of Schleitz to Napoleon, who had established -his head-quarters some leagues in the rear, at the residence of a -Princess of Reus-Lobenstein. On my arrival I found Napoleon engaged -with Berthier. I informed him of the success of the Grand Duke, and of -the defeat of Tauenzien. "Tauenzien!" exclaimed Napoleon, "one of the -Prussian intriguers! It was well worth our while to urge on the war -to such a length." He told me I might retire and take some rest, as I -should be roused in a few hours to set out on a mission. I had no idea -whither I was to go. I was called about 5 o'clock. The Emperor gave -me a letter for King William, who at that time, I believe, held his -head-quarters at Sondershausen. "You must go," said he, "as fast as -you can after the King of Prussia, and deliver to him this letter from -me. I ask him once more for peace, though hostilities have already -commenced. You must endeavour to convince the King of the danger of -his situation, and the fatal -<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_78" id="Page_78">[Pg 78]</a></span> -consequences which may result from it. -You will return immediately and bring me his answer: I shall now march -on Gera." Our baggage was still in the rear. I had no carriage; but I -procured one from the coach-house of the Princess of Reus-Lobenstein, -put four good horses to it, and started about six o'clock. Before -I had proceeded a league on my journey, Napoleon sent after me. I -returned and went to his study, where he had been occupied the whole -of the night. He desired me to deliver the letter to Berthier. "Upon -reflection," said he, "I will not have one of my aides-de-camp charged -with such a message. You are persons of too great importance to be -exposed to the chance of meeting with a bad reception." The letter was -sent two days after by M. de Montesquiou: he started, I believe, from -Gera. The treatment he experienced is well known: he was stopped by -the Prince de Hohenlohe, at that time general-in-chief of the Prussian -army, who obliged him to be present at the battle of Jena, and did not -send the letter, as it is affirmed, until after the action.</p> - -<p>Several persons in Napoleon's suite were of opinion, that if I had -executed the commission with which I was at first charged, I should -have come up with the King of Prussia, and the war perhaps would -<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_79" id="Page_79">[Pg 79]</a></span> -not have taken place. I do not think so. The gauntlet was thrown, -there was no alternative but to take it up. I do not even think that -Napoleon was more inclined for peace than King William.</p> - - -<hr class="chap" /> - -<div class="chapter p4"> - <h2><a name="CHAPTER_XI" id="CHAPTER_XI"></a>CHAPTER XI.</h2> -</div> - - -<p><span class="smcap">We</span> were now in possession -of the whole course of the Saale, and in -a fair way to turn the enemy's army. The calculations of the Duke -of Brunswick were completely frustrated. He had formed the idea of -coming up with us on the Mainc, of occupying our wings by detached -corps, and penetrating our centre before we could concentrate our -forces. He still possessed all the threads of that vast spy system -which had harassed France since the emigrations. He knew the force -and the route marked out for several corps which were marching from -Meudon, and he did not doubt of anticipating us. Napoleon took a -pleasure in cherishing this illusion; he made preparations, and caused -reconnaissances to be taken through the whole of that line. The Duke -had no longer any doubt of -<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_80" id="Page_80">[Pg 80]</a></span> -having penetrated our intentions; we were -to debouch by Kœnigshaften; he made certain of that; he felt perfectly -convinced of it. Our movements on his centre were only a snare, a -_ruse de guerre_; we wished to deceive him, in order to prevent him -from debouching by the forests of Thuringen, whilst we proceeded -towards Coburg and Memmingen, in woody and mountainous countries, -where his cavalry would have no opportunity of acting, or at least -would be deprived of its advantage. It was of the utmost importance to -anticipate us, and he hurried to Kœnigshaften.</p> - -<p>The enemy were engaged in the woods; Napoleon marched on Schleitz, -sixty leagues from the presumed point of attack. The third corps -quietly reposed on the 10th at Nauenburgh, in the rear of the Duke -of Brunswick. Hostilities were of only two days' date, and that -Prince, who was already uncovered on his left, was on the eve of -being entirely cut to pieces. His communications with the Elbe were -in danger; and he was nearly reduced to the same extremities as Mack, -whom he had so violently censured. His advance-guard, on arriving -on the Mainc, found the field unoccupied. This circumstance seemed -incomprehensible; but still it never led him to suspect the danger to -which he was exposed. The rout of Saalfeld -<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_81" id="Page_81">[Pg 81]</a></span> -alone shook the confidence -which he had placed in his own safety. He hastily retraced his course. -Weimar and Hohenlohe were directed to come up speedily, and the army -of reserve was ordered to make a forced march. But some parties -mistook their route, and others did not use sufficient despatch, so -that a portion of the troops were not engaged in the battle. The Duke, -who was disconcerted at a system of movements so novel to him, knew -not what determination to adopt. All these marches and arrangements, -so rapidly succeeding each other, formed a mass of confusion, in -which he could discern neither plan nor object. The occupation of -Nauenburgh relieved him from this perplexity: he saw his left wing -about to be turned, or at least exposed; he would not wait longer; he -hastily rallied his army of reserve, which was advancing upon Halle, -and left Hohenlohe at the camp of Capellendorf to mask the retrograde -movement. His troops, who had not shared the disasters of Saalfeld -and Schleitz, ridiculed the beaten corps; they shouted "The King for -ever! the Queen for ever!" &c. They resolved to avenge the affront -offered to the Prussian arms: there were not enough Frenchmen for -them. The Duke himself had resumed his confidence. On the Auerstadt -road be found not more than thirty chasseurs. -<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_82" id="Page_82">[Pg 82]</a></span> -His communications -were free; it was impossible they could be intercepted: it was not -easy to surprise a skilful manœuvrer like the Duke. Hohenlohe's -Prussians were encamped behind the heights of Jena: their masses -extended as far as the eye could reach; they were prolonged beyond -Weimar. Napoleon reconnoitred them on the evening of the 13th, and -fixed the attack for the following day. In the night he distributed -orders for the movements of the different corps. "As to Davoust, he -must march on Apolda, so as to fall on the rear of the enemy's army. -He may take whatever route he may deem most expedient; I leave that -to himself, provided he take part in the battle: if Bernadotte be at -hand he may support him. Berthier, issue instructions accordingly." -It was ten o'clock at night; all the arrangements were made, and yet -the general commanding the enemy's force flattered himself with the -hope that we could not debouch. But the axe of the pioneers removed -every obstacle; the rock was cut, and trenches were opened: the action -commenced on the right and the left; the conflict was terrible. -Davoust, in particular, was placed in a situation in which a man -of less firmness might have found his courage fail him. Bernadotte -refused to support him; he even forbade two divisions of the reserve -cavalry, -<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_83" id="Page_83">[Pg 83]</a></span> -which, however, were not under his command, from taking -part in the action. He paraded round Apolda, while 26,000 French -troops were engaged with 70,000 picked men, commanded by the Duke of -Brunswick and the King of Prussia. But this circumstance only added -to the glory of the commander, whom it might have ruined. Davoust's -plans were so well laid, his generals and his troops deployed with -such skill and courage, that Blucher, with his 12,000 cavalry, had -not the satisfaction to cut a single company. The King, the guards, -and the whole army, attacked our troops without obtaining better -success. Amidst the deluge of fire that surrounded them on all sides, -the French preserved all their national gaiety. A soldier, whom his -comrades had nicknamed <i>the Emperor</i>, impatient at the obstinacy -of the Prussians, exclaimed, "On with me, grenadiers!—Come, follow -the Emperor!"—He rushed into the thickest of the battle, the troop -followed him, and the Prussian guards were penetrated. He was made a -corporal: his friends remarked that he only wanted the protectorate.</p> - -<p>At Jena the victory had been no less brilliant: the rout was complete -and general; the enemy fled in the utmost confusion.</p> - -<p>In the evening I was directed, together with -<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_84" id="Page_84">[Pg 84]</a></span> -the Grand Duke, to -pursue the wrecks of the Prussian army. We took some Saxon battalions, -and we entered <i>pêle-mêle</i> with them into Weimar. We stationed our -posts before the town, despatched some parties of cavalry on Erfurt -road, and presented ourselves at the castle. M. de Pappenheim, whom I -recollected having seen in Paris, came out to meet us. He was quite -alarmed; but we assured him he had no cause for apprehension. All -the Court, with the exception of the Grand Duke and his family, were -at Weimar. The Duchess received us with perfect politeness. I was -acquainted with several ladies of her suite, one of whom has since -become my sister-in-law. I endeavoured to calm their fears. They -took courage. Some few disorders took place; but they were of little -importance.</p> - -<p>Murat took up his quarters at the castle. I set out to join Napoleon -at Jena, in order to render him an account of the events of the -evening. He did not think that they would go beyond Weimar. He was -highly satisfied. The courage of the Duchess astonished him. He did -not imagine that the Court would have waited for him. He did not -like the family; this he often repeated. The night was far advanced, -and Napoleon had just received despatches from the second corps. -"Davoust," -<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_85" id="Page_85">[Pg 85]</a></span> -said he to me, "has had a terrible engagement: he had -King William and the Duke of Brunswick opposed to him. The Prussians -fought desperately: they suffered dreadful slaughter. The Duke has -been dangerously wounded; and the whole army seems to be in terrible -disorder. Bernadotte did not behave well. He would have been pleased -had Davoust been defeated; but the affair reflects the highest honour -on the conqueror, and the more so as Bernadotte rendered his situation -a difficult one. That Gascon will never do better."</p> - -<p>The battle was lost. The Russians were no longer eager to carry on -the war; they wished for and invoked peace. They were anxious to -terminate a contest in which they had had such ill success. By dint -of wishing for an armistice, they at length persuaded themselves -that one had been granted. Kalkreuth announced it: Blucher swore -that it was concluded: how could it be discredited. Soult, however, -was not to be caught in the snare. The imprudent generosity evinced -at Austerlitz had rendered him distrustful. He refused to afford a -passage to the troops whom he had cut off. "The convention you speak -of is impossible!" said he to the Field Marshal. "Lay down your arms. -I must receive the Emperor's orders. You shall -<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_86" id="Page_86">[Pg 86]</a></span> -retire if he permit -it." Kalkreuth was unwilling to resort to this kind of expedient. It -always has somewhat the appearance of a defeat: and he would rather -have experienced one in good earnest. Some other columns were more -fortunate. But it was only deferring the evil moment: they were -obliged to surrender some leagues further on. It was not worth while -to resort to the deception.</p> - -<p>The King himself was disheartened by his misfortunes. Our hussars gave -him neither truce nor respite. He recollected all that Napoleon had -done to avoid hostilities; and he addressed a letter to him. It was -rather late to reply to overtures which had been so ill received. "It -would have been better," said Napoleon, "had he explained himself two -days sooner; but no matter, I am willing to accede to any thing that -is compatible with the dignity and interests of France. I will send -Duroc to the King of Prussia. But there is something still more urgent -yet. Duroc, set out immediately. Proceed to Nauenburgh, to Dessau, -wherever we have wounded troops. See that they want for nothing: visit -them for me, each man individually. Give them all the consolation -their situation requires. Tell them—tell the Marshal, that he, his -generals and his troops, have acquired everlasting claims on my -gratitude."</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_87" id="Page_87">[Pg 87]</a></span></p> - -<p>He was not satisfied with this message. He wrote to assure him how -much he was pleased with his conduct. His letter was inserted in -the order of the day. The troops were transported with it: even the -wounded men could not refrain from expressing their delight.</p> - -<p>The Emperor established his head-quarters at Weimar. He shewed every -possible mark of respect to the Duchess, whom he found to be an -amiable and sensible woman, and of very dignified manners.</p> - -<p>Meanwhile the enemy was rallying on Magdeburg. The wrecks of the army -that had been engaged at Jena, the army of reserve, and the troops -of Old and New Prussia, hastily repaired to that place. The Duke of -Wirtemberg had already taken a position at Halle; and Bernadotte -proceeded thither. His corps had not been engaged at Auerstadt; and he -was eager for an opportunity to compensate the portion of glory he had -lost. He attacked the Prussians with the bayonet; killing and routing -all that opposed him. The carnage was dreadful. On the following day, -Napoleon visited the field of battle. He was struck with the sight of -the heaps of dead which surrounded the bodies of some of our soldiers. -He approached; and, observing on their uniform the -<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_88" id="Page_88">[Pg 88]</a></span> -numbers of the -32d, "So many of that regiment," said he, "have been killed in Italy, -in Egypt, and elsewhere, that I should think none can now remain."</p> - -<p>He proceeded to Dessau, and shewed every consideration to the old -Duke, who was there with his son. Some months before, a M. de Gussau, -who was attached to the Court of Baden, had said to me in Paris, "You -will probably go to war with the Prussians. Should that be the case, -and should you advance in this campaign as far as Dessau, I charge -you to respect its venerable sovereign, who is the father of his -subjects." M. de Gussau must have been very much astonished to find, -that the French, instead of going only to Dessau, advanced as far as -the Niemen, and subsequently to twenty leagues beyond Moscow.</p> - -<hr class="chap" /> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_89" id="Page_89">[Pg 89]</a></span></p> - - - -<div class="chapter p4"> - <h2><a name="CHAPTER_XII" id="CHAPTER_XII"></a>CHAPTER XII.</h2> -</div> - - -<p><span class="smcap">The</span> Prussians fled at -full speed; but the more rapidly they retreated, -the more eagerly we maintained the pursuit. Being overtaken within -sight of Magdeburg, they took refuge behind the entrenchments, -where they were soon forced to lay down their arms. The garrison -was invested; and William, who was there, thought himself happy in -escaping. All around him had crouched beneath the storm. Prussia was -no longer the valiant nation which entertained the idea of driving us -back upon the Rhine. A reverse of fortune had overthrown her; a single -blow had levelled her with the dust. She flew to meet defeat: she -yielded, and delivered herself up. Never was a nation laid so low. Her -fall was about to be completed: all our corps were preparing to march -on Berlin, and to take possession of the city. Napoleon, however, -reserved that honour for the corps which had most contributed to the -victory; namely, that commanded by Davoust. The following are the -instructions which he addressed to the Marshal:</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_90" id="Page_90">[Pg 90]</a></span></p> - -<div class="bq"> -<p class="ac noindent">"ORDER TO MARSHAL DAVOUST.</p> - -<p class="ar">"Wittenberg, Oct. 23d, 1806.</p> - -<p>"If the parties of light troops, which you have of course -despatched on the roads leading to Dresden and the Spree, inform -you that you have no enemies on your flanks, you will direct your -march so as to be able to make your entry into Berlin on the 25th -of the present month, at noon. You will cause the General of -Brigade, Hullin, to be acknowledged as commander of the garrison -of Berlin. You may leave whatever regiment you think fit to do -duty in the city. You will despatch parties of light cavalry on -the roads to Kustrin, Langsberg, and Frankfort on the Oder. You -will station your army corps at the distance of a league or a -league and a half from Berlin; the right supported on the Spree, -and the left on the road to Langsberg. Fix your head-quarters on -the road to Kustrin, at some country residence in the rear of -your force. It is the Emperor's intention to afford his troops -a few days' repose; and therefore you will construct for them -huts of straw and wood. Generals, staff-officers, colonels, and -others, must be lodged in the villages in the rear of their -<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_91" id="Page_91">[Pg 91]</a></span> -divisions, and no one in Berlin. The artillery must be stationed -in positions which cover the camp; the artillery-horses at the -piquets, and all in the best military order.</p> - -<p>"You will cut, that is to say, intercept, as early as possible, -the navigation of the Spree by a strong party, so as to stop all -the boats that may attempt to proceed from Berlin to the Oder.</p> - -<p>"To-morrow our head-quarters will be at Potsdam. Send one of your -aides-de-camp to inform me where you may be on the nights of the -23d and 24th.</p> - -<p>"If Prince Ferdinand should be in Berlin, present your -compliments to him, and give him a guard, with entire freedom -from quartering.</p> - -<p>"Publish immediately the order for disarming the troops in -Berlin, leaving only 600 militia for the police-duty of the city. -The arms of the citizens must be conveyed to some place that may -be determined on, to be at the disposal of our army.</p> - -<p>"Make known to your corps that the Emperor, in directing it to be -the first to enter Berlin, gives a proof of his satisfaction of -the excellent conduct of the troops at the battle of Jena.</p> - -<p>"Be careful to direct that all the baggage, and particularly that -which is in bad condition, shall halt at the distance of two -leagues from Berlin, and rejoin the camp, without passing through -<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_92" id="Page_92">[Pg 92]</a></span> -the capital, but by proceeding along another road on the right. -Finally, make your entrance into Berlin in the best possible -order, and by divisions, each division having its artillery, and -marching at the interval of an hour after each other.</p> - -<p>"The camp being formed, give orders that the troops proceed to -the city only by thirds, so that there may be always two-thirds -at the camp. As his Majesty expects to make his entrance into -Berlin, you may provisionally receive the keys of the city, -informing the magistrates that they must nevertheless deliver -them up to the Emperor on his arrival. You must require the -magistrates and persons of distinction to receive you at the -gates of the city, in all due form; and direct your officers to -make the best appearance that circumstances will permit. The -Emperor proposes that you shall make your entrance by the high -road of Dresden.</p> - -<p>"The Emperor will probably take up his abode in the palace of -Charlottemburgh. Give orders that every thing may be prepared for -his reception.</p> - -<p>"There is a little rivulet which falls into the Spree, at the -distance of a league and a half or two leagues from Berlin, and -which intersects the road leading to En."</p> -</div> - -<hr class="chap" /> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_93" id="Page_93">[Pg 93]</a></span></p> - - -<div class="chapter p4"> - <h2><a name="CHAPTER_XIII" id="CHAPTER_XIII"></a>CHAPTER XIII.</h2> -</div> - - -<p><span class="smcap">We</span> set out for Potsdam; -and we were overtaken by a storm: it was so -violent and the rain fell in such torrents, that we took refuge in a -neighbouring house. Napoleon was wrapped in his grey military great -coat, and, on entering the house, he was much astonished to see a -young female, who seemed to be much agitated by his presence. She -proved to be a native of Egypt, and she evinced for Napoleon all the -religious veneration which he had been accustomed to receive from -the Arabs. She was the widow of an officer of the army of the East; -and fate had conducted her to Saxony, and to the very house in which -the Emperor was now received. Napoleon granted her a pension of 1200 -francs, and undertook to provide for the education of her son, who -was the only dowry her husband had left her. "This," said Napoleon, -"is the first time I ever took shelter against a storm. I felt a -presentiment that a good action awaited me."</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_94" id="Page_94">[Pg 94]</a></span></p> - -<p>We found Potsdam uninjured. The Court had even fled so precipitately -that nothing had been removed. Frederick the Great's sword and belt, -and the cordon of his orders, all were left. Napoleon took possession -of them. "I prefer these trophies," said he with enthusiasm, "to all -the King of Prussia's treasures. I will send them to my veterans who -served in the campaign of Hanover. I will present them to the governor -of the Hospital of Invalids, by whom they will be preserved as a -testimony of the victories of the great army, and the revenge it has -taken for the disasters of Rosbach."</p> - -<p>No sooner had we entered Potsdam than we were besieged by deputations; -they came from Saxony, from Weimar, and from all quarters. Napoleon -received them with the utmost affability. The envoy of the Duke of -Brunswick, who recommended his subjects to the generosity of the -French, was, however, received less courteously than the rest. "If," -said Napoleon to the person who presented the deputation, "I were to -demolish the city of Brunswick, if I were to leave not a stone of the -walls standing, what would your Prince think of me? And yet would not -the law of retaliation authorize me to do in Brunswick what the Duke -would have done in my capital? To announce the design of destroying -<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_95" id="Page_95">[Pg 95]</a></span> -cities may be the act of a madman; but to attempt to sully the honour -of a whole army of brave troops, to wish to mark out a course for us -to quit Germany merely on the summons of the Prussian army, is a fact -which posterity will with difficulty credit. The Duke ought not to -have attempted such an outrage. When a general has grown grey in the -career of arms, he should know how to respect military honour. It was -not, certainly, in the plains of Champagne that the Duke acquired the -right of insulting the French standard. Such a proposition can reflect -dishonour only on him who made it. The disgrace does not attach itself -to the King of Prussia; but to the general to whom, in the present -difficult circumstances, he resigned the care of his affairs; in -short, to the Duke of Brunswick, whom France and Prussia will blame -for the calamities of the war. The violent example set by the old -General served as an authority for impetuous youth, and led the King -to act in opposition to his own opinion and positive conviction. -However, Sir, you may assure the inhabitants of Brunswick, that the -French will prove themselves generous enemies; that it is my desire, -as far as regards them, to alleviate the miseries of war; and that the -evils which may arise from the passage of the troops through their -<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_96" id="Page_96">[Pg 96]</a></span> -territory, is contrary to my wish. Tell the Duke of Brunswick that he -shall be treated with all the consideration due to an enemy's officer; -but that I cannot acknowledge one of the King of Prussia's generals as -a sovereign. If the House of Brunswick should forfeit the sovereignty -of its ancestors, the blame must rest with the author of the two wars; -who, in the one, wished to sap the very foundation of the great French -capital; and, in the other, attempted to cast disgrace on 200,000 -brave troops, who, though they may perhaps be defeated, will never -be found to depart from the path of glory and honour. Much blood has -been shed within a few days. Prussia is the victim of great disasters; -and she may justly blame the man who, with a word, might have averted -them, if, like Nestor, raising his voice in the Council, he had said:—</p> - -<p>"Inconsiderate youths, be silent! Women, return to your domestic -duties. And you, Sire, listen to the companion of the most illustrious -of your predecessors. Since the Emperor Napoleon does not wish to -maintain hostilities, do not oblige him to chose between war and -dishonour. Do not engage in a dangerous conflict with an army, which -prides itself in fifteen years of glorious -<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_97" id="Page_97">[Pg 97]</a></span> -achievements, and whom -victory has accustomed to subdue every thing.</p> - -<p>"Instead of holding this language, which would have been so well -suited to the prudence of his age and the experience of his long -career, he was the first to raise the cry of war. He had even violated -the ties of blood, by arming a son (Prince Eugène of Wirtemberg) -against his father. He threatened to plant his standard on the palace -of Stuttgard; and accompanying all these acts by imprecations against -France, he declared himself the author of that wild manifesto, the -production of which he had disavowed for the space of fourteen years, -though it was out of his power to deny having affixed his signature to -it."</p> - -<p>Spandau had been surrendered to Marshal Lannes. Napoleon visited the -fortress, and inspected it minutely. He sent me to Berlin, which had -been entered by Davoust, and directed me to present his compliments -to old Ferdinand and his wife. I found the Prince very melancholy -and dejected: he had just lost his son. The Princess appeared more -calm and resigned. I also went to pay compliments to the Prince Henry -and the Princess of Hesse, sister to the King of Prussia. The former -appeared very sensible to -<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_98" id="Page_98">[Pg 98]</a></span> -the attention evinced by Napoleon; the -latter had retired to a wing of the castle, where she lived tranquilly -in the society of her grand-children. The situation of this Princess -inspired me with interest and veneration. She appeared to take -courage, and she begged me to recommend her to Napoleon, who paid her -a visit immediately on his arrival. She inspired him with the same -favourable sentiments which I had conceived for her.</p> - -<p>The Emperor fixed his head-quarters at Charlottemburgh. On the -following day, he made his entrance into the capital, and addressed -the following proclamation to the army:—</p> - -<div class="bq"> - -<p>"Soldiers!</p> - -<p>"You have fulfilled my expectations, and fully justified the -confidence of the French people. You have endured privation and -fatigue with courage, equal to the intrepidity and presence of -mind which you evinced on the field of battle. You are the worthy -defenders of the honour of my crown, and the glory of the great -French people. So long as you continue to be animated by the -spirit which you now display, nothing can oppose you. I know not -how to distinguish any particular corps.... You have all proved -<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_99" id="Page_99">[Pg 99]</a></span> -yourselves good soldiers. The following is the result of our -exertions in this campaign.</p> - -<p>"One of the first powers in Europe, which lately proposed to us -a dishonourable capitulation, has been overthrown. The forests -and defiles of Franconia, the Saale, and the Elbe, which our -fathers would not have crossed in seven years, we have traversed -in seven days; and in that short interval we have had four -engagements, and one great battle. Our entrance into Potsdam -and Berlin has preceded the fame of our victories. We have made -60,000 prisoners, taken sixty-five standards, (among which are -the colours of the King of Prussia's guards), six hundred pieces -of cannon, and three fortresses. Among the prisoners, there are -upwards of twenty generals. But notwithstanding all this, more -than half our troops regret not having fired a single musket. All -the provinces of the Prussian monarchy, as far as the Oder, are -in our power.</p> - -<p>"Soldiers! the Russians boast of coming to meet us, but we will -advance to meet them; we will save them half their march: they -will meet with another Austerlitz in the midst of Prussia. A -nation which can so soon forget our generous treatment of her, -after that battle, in which the Emperor, his court, and the -<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_100" id="Page_100">[Pg 100]</a></span> -wrecks of his army, owed their safety only to the capitulation -we granted them, is a nation that cannot successfully contend -with us.</p> - -<p>"While we march to meet the Russians, new corps, formed in -the interior of our empire, will repair hither, to occupy our -present stations, and protect our conquests. My people all -rose indignantly on hearing the disgraceful capitulation which -the Prussian ministers, in their madness, proposed to us. Our -frontier roads and towns are filled with conscripts, who are -burning with eagerness to march in your footsteps. We will not -again be the dupes of a treacherous peace. We will not lay down -our arms until we compel the English, those eternal enemies of -France, to renounce their plan of disturbing the Continent, and -to relinquish the tyranny which they maintain on the seas.</p> - -<p>"Soldiers! I cannot better express the sentiments I entertain for -you, than by assuring you that I bear in my heart the love which -you daily evince for me."</p> -</div> - -<hr class="chap" /> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_101" id="Page_101">[Pg 101]</a></span></p> - - - -<div class="chapter p4"> - <h2><a name="CHAPTER_XIV" id="CHAPTER_XIV"></a>CHAPTER XIV.</h2> -</div> - - -<p><span class="smcap">Napoleon</span> next proceeded to the camp, -and reviewed the third corps; -and every individual who had particularly distinguished himself was -rewarded, either by promotion or by a decoration. The generals, -officers, and subalterns, were assembled round the Emperor. "I wished -to call you together," said he "in order to express my satisfaction of -your brilliant conduct in the battle of the 14th. I lost many brave -men, whom I looked upon as my sons; I deeply regret them; but, after -all, they fell on the field of glory—they perished like true soldiers! -You have rendered me a signal service on this memorable occasion. We -are, in particular, indebted to the excellent conduct of the third -corps, for the great results we have obtained. Tell your men that I am -satisfied with the courage they have displayed. Generals, officers, -subaltern officers, and privates, you possess eternal claims on my -gratitude and kindness." The Marshal replied, that the third corps -would always prove itself worthy of the Emperor's confidence; -<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_102" id="Page_102">[Pg 102]</a></span> that it -would constantly be to him what the 10th legion was to Cæsar.</p> - -<p>M. Denon was present at this interesting scene, which his pencil will, -perhaps, commemorate: but, whatever be the talent of the artist, he -can never convey an idea of the satisfaction and kindness which beamed -in the features of the sovereign; or the devotedness and gratitude -expressed in the countenances of all present, from the Marshal down to -the meanest soldier.</p> - -<p>The proclamation which Napoleon had addressed to the troops inspired -them with new ardour. They rushed forward to pursue the wrecks of -the forces, which had been engaged at Halle and Jena. The Prince of -Hohenlohe had rallied a considerable mass, with which he might have -escaped us; but he was not sufficiently speedy, he lost time, and -these delays afforded us the hope of seeing him cut off. Napoleon -impatiently looked for this event. "Bernadotte," said he to me, as we -were entering the palace, "must by this time be at Bremen. He will -surely have come up with the Prussians; Murat will attack them with -his usual impetuosity; both together must have a greater force than is -necessary to beat them. In a few days hence the Prince of Hohenlohe, -with all his corps, will be in my hands; and -<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_103" id="Page_103">[Pg 103]</a></span> -I shall soon after have -all their artillery and baggage. But we must act together; for it is -not probable that they will suffer themselves to be taken without -coming to an engagement."</p> - -<p>Every thing happened as Napoleon had foretold. The Prussians, who were -thrown into disorder by the attack of our cavalry, and the showers of -grape shot, were summoned to surrender by General Belliard, and they -laid down their arms. Twenty-five thousand picked troops, forty-five -standards, seventy-four pieces of artillery, defiled before us: it was -another conquest of Ulm. The Emperor was transported with his success: -"This is well," said he; "but we have not yet got Blucher, who is so -clever at making extempore armistices. We must have him also." He -immediately addressed the following lines to Murat: "Nothing is done, -so long as any thing remains undone. You have turned General Blucher's -cavalry; let me soon hear that his force has experienced the fate -of Hohenlohe's." Berthier also wrote to him as follows, to call his -attention to the Duke of Weimar: "Independently of the little detached -columns, there are three principal ones: 1st. That commanded by Prince -Hohenlohe, which you have taken at Prentzlow; 2d. Blucher's column, -which at daybreak on the 28th quitted -<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_104" id="Page_104">[Pg 104]</a></span> -Wissemberg, and which you must -certainly have fallen in with to-day at Passelwalch; and 3d. The Duke -of Weimar's column, which escaped Marshal Soult, and effected the -passage of the Elbe, as it would appear, near Saudon and Havelsberg, -on the 26th, whence it proceeded in the direction of Wursterhausen, -Newrupin, Grausee, or Furstemberg. From Havelsberg to Furstemberg -is a distance of twenty-five leagues; consequently the Duke of -Weimar cannot reach Furstemberg on the 28th. But from Furstemberg -to Passelwalch is only twenty leagues distance; and if the enemy's -column should take that route, you will certainly fall in with it at -Passelwalch on the 30th or 31st. Thus it may be presumed that nothing -can escape between you and Marshals Lannes and Bernadotte. Such is the -information which I am enabled to communicate to you from the accounts -that have reached the Emperor."</p> - -<p>But the Duke was tired of sharing the disasters of the Prussian army. -He negotiated and transferred the command of his troops to Blucher, -who, intent on his retreat, fled without caring or even knowing where -he went. His route disconcerted Napoleon. "What does he intend?" said -he; "whither is he going? I cannot imagine that he will throw himself -into Holstein; for when once -<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_105" id="Page_105">[Pg 105]</a></span> -there, he will find no means of retreat. -He cannot recross the Elbe; he will be driven up, and his troops -will be drowned. He will never think of making such an attempt. We -shall soon have him here." Blucher laid down arms some days after. -He had passed through the whole of Prussia, and had violated the -Danish territory, with no other object than to defer for a few days -the surrender of between 20 and 25,000 men, the standards, and last -artillery of the Prussians. With a little more skill, Blucher might -have turned his obstinacy to better account. "Well," said Napoleon, on -learning this news, "they are now advancing with the Austrians. They -will be more reserved in future; they will say nothing more about Ulm. -In three weeks they have four times renewed it. Blucher must be sent -to France, to Dijon; there he may amuse himself in forging armistices. -Write to General Belliard." The following despatch was sent off:</p> - -<div class="bq"> - -<p class="ar">"Berlin, Oct. 13, 1806.</p> - -<p class="hanging noindent smcap">"To General Belliard, Chief of the General - Staff of the Reserve of Cavalry.</p> - -<p>"It is the Emperor's intention that the greatest care be taken -that all the prisoners belonging to the column -<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_106" id="Page_106">[Pg 106]</a></span> -of General -Blucher and the Duke of Weimar, should be sent to France. His -Majesty wishes that all the generals and officers should also -proceed to France. General Blucher will be conducted by an -officer to Dijon. The young Prince of Brunswick must also be -escorted by an officer to Chalons-sur-Marne. All the other -officers must be conveyed to the different quarters of France -fixed upon by the minister Dejean for the prisoners of war."</p> -</div> - -<p>We did not venture to interrupt the Emperor until he had finished -dictating the despatch; but when he had concluded it we interceded -in favour of General Blucher. We represented that he had laid down -arms, that he was no longer dangerous, and that it was necessary to -make some allowance for his hussar habits. Napoleon acknowledged the -justice of our suggestions, and Blucher retired to Hamburgh.</p> - -<hr class="chap" /> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_107" id="Page_107">[Pg 107]</a></span></p> - - -<div class="chapter p4"> - <h2><a name="CHAPTER_XV" id="CHAPTER_XV"></a>CHAPTER XV.</h2> -</div> - - -<p><span class="smcap">Prince Hatzfeld</span> had come to -Potsdam as a deputy from the city of -Berlin, and had been well received. He rendered an account of his -mission, as well as I can recollect, to Count Hohenlohe, and reported -to him the state of the troops, artillery, and ammunition, that -were in the capital or which he had met on the road: his letter was -intercepted. Napoleon delivered it to me, with orders immediately -to arrest the Prince, and send him to the head-quarters of Marshal -Davoust, which were two leagues distant. Berthier, Duroc, Caulincourt, -and I, vainly endeavoured to appease the anger of Napoleon. He refused -to listen to our representations. M. de Hatzfeld had transmitted -reports relative to military affairs which were quite unconnected with -his mission: he had evidently been acting the part of a spy. Savary, -who, in his quality of commander of the military gendarmerie, usually -took cognizance of affairs of this kind, was then on a mission. I was -obliged -<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_108" id="Page_108">[Pg 108]</a></span> -to assume his functions during his absence. I gave orders for -the arrest of the Prince; but instead of having him conducted to the -head-quarters of Davoust, I placed him in the chamber of the officer -commanding the palace guard, whom I directed to treat him with every -mark of respect.</p> - -<p>Caulincourt and Duroc withdrew from the Emperor's apartment. Napoleon -was left alone with Berthier, and he directed him to sit down and -write the order by which M. de Hatzfeld was to be arraigned before a -military commission. The Major-general made some representations in -his favour. "Your Majesty will not, for so trivial an offence, shoot a -man who is connected with the first families in Berlin. The thing is -impossible, you will not think of it." The Emperor grew more angry. -Neufchatel persisted in his intercession; Napoleon lost all patience, -and Berthier quitted the room. I was called in. I had overheard the -scene that had just taken place. I was afraid to hazard the least -reflection: I was in a state of agony. Besides the repugnance I felt -in being instrumental to so harsh a measure, it was necessary to write -as rapidly as the Emperor spoke; and I must confess I never possessed -that talent. He dictated to me the following order:—</p> - -<p>"Our cousin Marshal Davoust will appoint a -<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_109" id="Page_109">[Pg 109]</a></span> -military commission, -consisting of seven colonels of his staff, of which he will be the -president, to try the Prince of Hatzfeld on a charge of treason and -espionnage.</p> - -<p>"The sentence must be pronounced and executed before six o'clock in -the evening."</p> - -<p>It was about noon. Napoleon directed me to despatch the order -immediately, and to send with it the Prince of Hatzfeld's letter. The -latter part of the instruction I did not however obey. My mind was -racked by the most painful emotions. I trembled for the Prince, and -I trembled for myself; since, instead of sending him to Davoust's -head-quarters, I had lodged him in the palace.</p> - -<p>Napoleon wished to have his horse saddled, as he intended to visit -Prince and Princess Ferdinand. As I was going out to give the -necessary orders I was informed that the Princess of Hatzfeld had -fainted in the antichamber, and that she had previously expressed a -wish to speak to me. I went to her. I did not conceal from her the -displeasure of Napoleon. I told her that we were going to ride out on -horseback, and I directed her to repair to Prince Ferdinand, and to -interest him in favour of her husband. I know not whether she did so; -but on our arrival at the palace we found her in one of the corridors, -and she threw -<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_110" id="Page_110">[Pg 110]</a></span> -herself in tears at the feet of the Emperor, to whom I -announced her name.</p> - -<p>The Princess was in a state of pregnancy. Napoleon was moved by her -situation, and directed her to proceed to the castle. He, at the -same time, desired me to write to Davoust, to order the trial to be -suspended:—he thought M. de Hatzfeld had departed.</p> - -<p>Napoleon returned to the palace, where Madame de Hatzfeld was waiting -for him. He desired her to enter the saloon: I was present. "Your -husband, Madam," said he, "has brought himself into an unfortunate -scrape. According to our laws he deserves to be sentenced to death. -General Rapp, give me his letter. Here, Madam, read this." The lady -trembled exceedingly. Napoleon immediately took the letter from -her hand, tore it, and threw the fragments into the fire. "I have -no other proof against the Prince of Hatzfeld, Madam; therefore he -is at liberty." He ordered me immediately to release him from his -confinement at head-quarters. I acknowledged that I had not sent him -there; but he did not reproach me; he even seemed pleased at what I -had done.</p> - -<p>In this affair, Berthier, Duroc, and Caulincourt, behaved as they did -on all occasions, that is to say, like gallant men: Berthier's conduct -was particularly praiseworthy.</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_111" id="Page_111">[Pg 111]</a></span></p> - -<p>No sooner had the Prince of Hatzfeld returned to his family, than he -was made acquainted with all that had passed. He wrote me a letter -expressive of his gratitude and the emotions by which he was agitated. -It was as follows:—</p> - -<div class="bq"> -<p>"My dear General,</p> - -<p>"Amidst the sensations of every kind which I experienced -yesterday, I was not unmindful of the marks of your sensibility, -and the interest you evinced for me. Yesterday evening I devoted -wholly to the society of my family; and therefore I could not -until to-day discharge the debt I owe to you.</p> - -<p>"There are moments in life, the recollection of which can never -be effaced; and if you attach any value to the profound gratitude -and esteem of an honest man, you will be rewarded for the -interest you have shewn for me.</p> - -<p>"Accept the assurance of my high consideration, and of those -sentiments which render it impossible I can ever forget you.</p> - -<p class="ar">"I have the honour to be,<br /> - "My dear General,<br /> - "Your very humble and very obedient servant,<br /> - <span class="smcap">"Prince de Hatzfeld."</span></p> - -<p class="smaller">"Berlin, Sept. 30, 1806."</p> - -</div> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_112" id="Page_112">[Pg 112]</a></span></p> - -<p>Envoys soon arrived at Berlin from all the courts of Germany, -petitioning Napoleon to shew favour to their respective Princes. -The Duchess of Weimar deputed to us a M. de Müller, who prayed for -a reduction of imposts, and for the return of the Duke, who was, I -believe, at Hamburgh. The Emperor did not like the formality of the -diplomatist. He found him troublesome, and he sent him to me. "I -have," said he to me, "directed Talleyrand to refer this gentleman to -you; as I wish you to settle the affairs of the Court of Weimar." He -would not hear the name of the Duke mentioned; he was as indignant -against him as he was favourably disposed towards the Duchess. -However, his anger became a little appeased, and he styled the Duchess -his cousin;—a distinction which was then of some importance. The Duke -received permission to return to his states. On his way thither he -requested to be presented to Napoleon; but that very day we set out -for Poland. He did me the honour to write me a letter, thanking me -for what I had done for his family; to whom, I believe, I had indeed -rendered some service. At a subsequent period, I again proved useful -to the Duke of Weimar, as I shall hereafter have occasion to mention. -The following is the letter he addressed to me. I quote documents of -<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_113" id="Page_113">[Pg 113]</a></span> -this kind, because they describe the events of the period to which -they refer, and also because they are honourable to him to whom they -are addressed.</p> - -<div class="bq"> - -<p>"Sir,</p> - -<p>"Inspired with the warmest gratitude for the many favours you -have shewn to my family, and for the feelings of kind interest -which you have evinced for us, I was anxious for an opportunity -to assure you by word of mouth how much I am sensible of your -goodness; and at the same time to express to you, by the -particular desire of the Duchess, the high esteem she entertains -for you. Unfortunately, the precipitate departure of his Majesty -the Emperor and King prevented me from personally presenting my -respects to you this day. But I flatter myself that the period is -not far distant, when I shall enjoy the happiness of giving you -a verbal assurance that the high consideration I bear to you is -unalterable, and that I shall never cease to be,</p> - -<p><span style="margin-left: 50%;">"Sir,</span></p> -<p class="ar">"Your very humble and very obedient servant,<br /> - <span class="smcap">"The Duke of Weimar.</span>"</p> -<p class="smaller">"Berlin, Nov. 24, 1806."</p> -</div> - -<hr class="chap" /> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_114" id="Page_114">[Pg 114]</a></span></p> - - - -<div class="chapter p4"> - <h2><a name="CHAPTER_XVI" id="CHAPTER_XVI"></a>CHAPTER XVI.</h2> -</div> - - -<p><span class="smcap">The</span> Elector of Hesse, -also, wished to treat; but the Emperor was so -much offended with that Prince, that he would not receive his envoy. -"As to him," said he, "his reign is ended."</p> - -<p>The gates of Magdeburgh were opened to Marshal Ney. Along with the -keys, there was brought to the Marshal a little box, containing some -valuables belonging, as it was said, to the Elector. They were found -in the fortress.</p> - -<p>Colbert, Custrin, and Stettin, were capitulating. The Grand Duke had -detached the light cavalry from Prentzlow, and they unexpectedly -appeared before the garrison. Evening was advancing. General Lasalle -announced that troops were following him. He summoned, threatened, and -intimidated the Governor, and induced him to come to overtures; but -General Belliard arrived, broke off the negotiation, and declared, -that if the fortress were not surrendered in the space of an hour, he -would overwhelm it with cannon-balls. The Prussians took the alarm: -they imagined that the army, the -<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_115" id="Page_115">[Pg 115]</a></span> -park, all was ready to destroy -them, and they surrendered to our hussars. Custrin was managed still -better. Our troops made a movement to cross the Oder. In course of -their march they fell in with some hundreds of Prussian troops, whom -they dispersed. The garrison fired upon them, and balls were flying -among our ranks. General Gudin intimated, that if the useless firing -were not discontinued the garrison should be immediately blown up. -The governor, becoming alarmed, proposed arrangements; but they were -rejected: he was told that none could be made. He persisted; but -the General continued his march, and there was no one to receive -his propositions. A despatch was sent off to General Petit, who was -a considerable distance off. The flag of truce still persisted in -coming to arrangements. "What arrangement would you have me listen -to?" said the General, gravely. "My instructions are positive. If the -garrison be not surrendered in two hours, I am ordered to destroy -it. We are preparing our batteries; forty mortars or howitzers will -immediately vomit a deluge of fire on your ramparts. There is the -colonel of the artillery;" (it happened, however, to be the colonel -of the eighty-fifth regiment of the line who at that moment came -forward;) "you shall see whether -<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_116" id="Page_116">[Pg 116]</a></span> -I am exaggerating. Colonel, are -your guns mounted, are your preparations completed?"—"All is ready, -General; I only await your orders."—"But stay for one moment, Sir; we -will offer terms of peace. You see," said he to the Prussian officer, -"your town is about to be destroyed. You may as well avert misfortunes -which cannot change the state of affairs. Whether we be defeated -or victorious, we will nevertheless make the most of our present -advantages. A capitulation or a siege, we care not which. Choose, -but choose quickly; and observe, that I will treat with none but the -Governor." The latter soon appeared upon the Oder.</p> - -<p>General Gauthier went to receive the Governor, and conducted him to a -neighbouring house. General Petit joined them, and the capitulation -was signed. Four thousand Prussians, with stores of provisions and -ammunition, surrendered to a regiment of infantry who had not even -summoned them, and who could not go forward to attack them. These -men were justifiable in asking us to cross the Rhine: they found us -dangerous neighbours.</p> - -<p>Napoleon sent Duroc to the King of Prussia; but nobody believed there -would be peace.</p> - -<p>As Caulincourt and I were walking about in -<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_117" id="Page_117">[Pg 117]</a></span> -the court-yard of the -Castle, a tall young man, with fair hair, came up to us and saluted -us. This was Prince Paul of Wurtemberg. He had just quitted the -Prussian army, in which he had served contrary to the wish of his -father, with whom, as well as with the Emperor, he was much out of -favour. "What is your Highness's errand here?" enquired Caulincourt. -The Prince replied, that he wished to be restored to the good graces -of the Emperor, and he requested the General to announce him. The -Duke de Vicenza agreed to do so; but Napoleon would not receive the -Prince. He ordered him to be arrested, and escorted by an officer -of gendarmerie to the States of the King his father, where he was -detained for several years. Caulincourt exerted every effort to soften -the rigours of his captivity.</p> - -<p>Our head-quarters were transferred to Posen. The spirit of -insurrection which had manifested itself on the first appearance -of our troops, burst forth with new violence. Kalisch had disarmed -the Prussian garrison, and the example was followed in many other -fortresses. Nothing was heard but imprecations upon the authors -of the division. Villages, towns, and even the city of Warsaw, -though occupied by the Russians, sent deputations, and demanded the -proclamation of -<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_118" id="Page_118">[Pg 118]</a></span> -the independence of Poland. "I would willingly -consent to it," said Napoleon; "but, if the match were once kindled, -who knows where the conflagration might end? My first duty is to -attend to the interests of France: I must not sacrifice her for -Poland. We must leave the fate of the latter to time, the sovereign -who rules all; he alone can shew us what we ought to do."</p> - -<p>Duroc rejoined us at Posen. We set out for Warsaw. On the way the -Grand Marshal's carriage was overturned, and his clavicle was broken -by the fall. Napoleon was very much concerned for the accident: Duroc -was a man whose services were almost indispensable to the Emperor. He -always enjoyed the highest favour and the greatest confidence, which -he in every respect deserved. Few men were so distinguished for tact, -spirit of business, and skill, as Duroc; and at the same time few were -so remarkable for modesty. His devotion to the Emperor was without -bounds. He had a good heart, and he was an honest man: his only fault -was his fear of displeasing, and his excessive timidity.</p> - -<p>At length we entered the Polish capital; the King of Naples had -preceded us, and had driven the Russians from the city. Napoleon was -received with enthusiasm. The Poles thought -<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_119" id="Page_119">[Pg 119]</a></span> -the moment of their -resuscitation had arrived, and that their wishes were fulfilled. It -would be difficult to describe the joy they evinced, and the respect -with which they treated us. The French troops, however, were not quite -so well pleased; they manifested the greatest repugnance to crossing -the Vistula. The idea of want and bad weather inspired them with the -greatest aversion to Poland: they were inexhaustible in their jokes -and epigrams on the country. They nevertheless beat the Russians in -the marshes of Nasielsk, at Golymin, at Pultusk, and subsequently at -Eylau.</p> - -<p>At a review, during which the Poles were pressing upon our troops, a -soldier, in a loud tone of voice, vented imprecations on the country -and the bad weather. A young female who was standing by said:—"You -are very ungrateful to dislike our country; for we like you very -much."—"You are very kind," replied the soldier; "but if you wish -me to believe you, you must give a good dinner to me and my comrade -here." The friends of the young woman took the two soldiers home and -regaled them.</p> - -<p>The French soldiers were particularly fond of passing their jokes at -the theatre. One evening, when the curtain was very late of rising, -a grenadier, who was among the spectators, became impatient -<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_120" id="Page_120">[Pg 120]</a></span> at the -delay. "Begin!" he called out, from the further end of the pit; "begin -directly, or I will not cross the Vistula."</p> - -<p>M. de Talleyrand, who was driving in his carriage at a short distance -from Warsaw, stuck in the mud, and twelve hours elapsed before he -could be extricated. The soldiers who were much out of humour, -enquired who he was. The minister for foreign affairs replied an -individual of his suite. "Why does he come to a country like this with -his diplomacy?" said one of the soldiers.</p> - -<p>The French troops used to say that the four following words -constituted the whole language of the Poles:—_Kleba? niema; vota? -sara_: (some bread? there is none; some water? we will go and fetch -it.) This was all that was to be heard in Poland.</p> - -<p>Napoleon one day passed by a column of infantry in the neighbourhood -of Nasielsk, where the troops were suffering the greatest privations, -on account of the mud, which prevented the arrival of provisions. -"Papa, kleba?" exclaimed a soldier. "Niema," replied the Emperor. The -whole column burst into a fit of laughter: they asked for nothing more.</p> - -<p>I relate these anecdotes, because they show the kind of spirit which -animated our troops. These -<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_121" id="Page_121">[Pg 121]</a></span> -brave veterans deserved more gratitude -than they obtained.</p> - -<p>Napoleon was amused with these jokes, and he smiled whenever allusion -was made to the reluctance of the army to cross the Vistula. Some -Generals augured unfavourably of the disposition of the troops, and -expressed their regret to find that disgust had succeeded enthusiasm. -"Have you spoken to them of the enemy?" said the Emperor; "are they -without enthusiasm when they face him?" Those men, said he to me -afterwards, know not how to appreciate my troops. They do not know -that they burn with ardour whenever the Russians and victory are -spoken of: I will rouse them. He called one of his secretaries, and -dictated to him the following proclamation.</p> - -<p>"Soldiers!</p> - -<p>"This day twelvemonth, at this very hour, you were on the -memorable field of Austerlitz: the Russian battalions were -dismayed, and fled in disorder, or were surrounded and compelled -to lay down their arms to the conquerors. On the following day -they circulated reports of peace; but these were false. No sooner -had they, through generosity that was perhaps reprehensible, -escaped the disasters of the third coalition, than they -plotted<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_122" id="Page_122">[Pg 122]</a></span> -a fourth. But the ally, on whose tactics they founded their -principal hope, is no longer what he was: his citadels, his -capitals, his magazines, his arsenals, 280 standards, 700 pieces -of cannon, five great garrisons, are in our power. The Oder, -the Warta, the deserts of Poland, the severity of the weather, -have not for a moment impeded your advance: you have braved -every danger, and surmounted every obstacle; your enemies every -where fled at your approach. In vain did the Russians attempt -to defend the capital of ancient and illustrious Poland. The -French eagle hovers over the Vistula. At your approach the brave -and unfortunate Poles fancied they again beheld the legions of -Sobieski returning from their memorable expedition.</p> - -<p>"Soldiers! we will not lay down our arms until a general peace -shall have established and secured the power of our allies, and -restored to France her freedom of trade and the possession of her -colonies. On the banks of the Elbe and the Oder we have conquered -Pondicherry, our establishments in India, the Cape of Good Hope, -and the Spanish Colonies. What should give the Russians the right -of deciding the fate of Europe? What should give them the right -of defeating our just designs? Are not they, as well as we, the -men who fought at Austerlitz?"</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_123" id="Page_123">[Pg 123]</a></span></p> - -<p>The troops were assembled in the square of Saxony. It was the -anniversary of the coronation, and the Russians occupied the suburb -of Prague. These circumstances, these recollections, this perspective -of glory, were hailed by loud acclamations. Our troops were inspired -by the prospect of victory, and all their prejudices vanished. The -enemy covered the left bank of the river. All the vessels had been -towed away; but one of our quarter-masters, in defiance of the Cossack -lances, succeeded in getting possession of a boat. This was enough: -the enemy raised his camp during the night, and we passed without any -impediment. The Bug presented greater difficulties; its left bank is -flat and marshy, and well calculated for defence; but Benigsen knew -not how to avail himself of his advantages. We threatened his flanks, -and we succeeded in floating the boats that had been sunk. The enemy -hesitated, and the river was crossed. The Russians returned to the -charge: they endeavoured to carry the head of the bridge, which we -had raised at Okuniew; but all had been foreseen; Davoust had adopted -every necessary precaution, and the enemy was routed, beaten, and -compelled to repass the Wkra.</p> - -<hr class="chap" /> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_124" id="Page_124">[Pg 124]</a></span></p> - - - -<div class="chapter p4"> - <h2><a name="CHAPTER_XVII" id="CHAPTER_XVII"></a>CHAPTER XVII.</h2> -</div> - - -<p><span class="smcap">Meanwhile</span> old Kaminski had -taken the command of the Russian army, and -had fixed his head-quarters at Pultusk. His Generals concentrated -their forces, and every thing denoted the design of removing to this -side of the river. Napoleon hastened forward with the view of driving -them from their position. He visited the entrenched camp of Okuniew, -reconnoitred the river, the position of the Russians, and the plain -which it was necessary to cross in order to come up with them. This -plain, which was covered with trees, cut down wood, and marshes, -was almost as difficult to carry as the redoubts, behind which the -Cossacks had sheltered themselves. The Emperor examined it for a -considerable time. Some clumps of trees intercepted his view; but he -called for a ladder, and mounting on the roof of a hut, he was enabled -to observe the nature of the position occupied by the Russians, and -the movements that were taking place on the opposite bank of the -river. "We will pass," said he; "send an officer hither." The -<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_125" id="Page_125">[Pg 125]</a></span> second -chief of the staff of the 3d corps presented himself, and wrote down -to the Emperor's dictation the following arrangements.</p> - -<p>"The first division is to proceed to the island, and to form itself at -as great a distance as possible from the enemy.</p> - -<p>"All the troops of the 3d division must remain at the head of the -bridge; and are to take no share in the attack: they are to remain in -reserve.</p> - -<p>"Battalions are to be formed with the eight companies of voltigeurs, -which, with the battalions of the 13th light, will form three columns. -These three columns are to proceed as secretly as possible to the -three extremities of the canal, and will halt in the centre of the -island, so as to be beyond reach of the fusillade. Each of these -columns will have three pieces of cannon in its rear.</p> - -<p>"Each company will detach its cannon, escorted by a company of -voltigeurs. These companies will commence the fusillade, covering -themselves with the hedges. Meanwhile the artillery officers will -plant their batteries, and fire grape-shot on the battalions and -troops with which the enemy will not fail to oppose our passage.</p> - -<p>"Bridges may be constructed under the protection of this artillery.</p> - -<p>"The three columns are to cross the river; and -<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_126" id="Page_126">[Pg 126]</a></span> -as soon as they shall -be stationed on the opposite side, three piquets of horse chasseurs, -each consisting of sixty men, will cross to charge the enemy, pursue -him speedily, and make prisoners.</p> - -<p>"The 17th regiment will cross immediately after, and range itself -in the order of battle, leaving between each battalion a space of -twenty-five toises; in the rear of which will be stationed three -squadrons of light cavalry. The remainder of the division will -afterwards cross, and form itself in the rear."</p> - -<p>We advanced towards the heights occupied by the enemy, whom we -attacked on the right and the left: he was unable to resist the shock, -and was repulsed. Our troops evinced unexampled valour: Napoleon -applauded their courage; and he called Generals Morand and Petit, on -whom he bestowed the most flattering compliments. He wished to afford -some repose to the corps, who had just been engaged; and he detached -Friant's division in pursuit of the Russians. Our voltigeurs came up -with them at Nasielsk, attacked their left wing, routed, cut them up, -and took three pieces of cannon: they pursued them into the woods; -the fusillade commenced on both sides, and we experienced obstinate -resistance. We had no artillery, and we could not drive from their -position, -<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_127" id="Page_127">[Pg 127]</a></span> -columns which were protected by the nature of the ground, -and the grape-shot; but the courage of our troops made amends for -their deficiency of artillery. The signal for the attack was given: -the 48th, led on by the intrepid Barbanegre, rushed headlong upon the -enemy's masses, and routed them. Night approached, and the darkness -enabled them to escape from the thrusts of our bayonets. We collected -several pieces of cannon, which had stuck in the mud on the road.</p> - -<p>Some formidable masses of the enemy's force were before us; but they -did not venture to wait until we came up with them: they fled, some -towards Golymin and others towards Pultusk. I pursued those who fled -in the former direction, with the division of dragoons which the -Emperor had entrusted to my command. The Marshal detached Daultane -to cover the rear of the 5th corps, which he knew had proceeded to -Pultusk. There had been a complete thaw for the space of two days;—a -circumstance which was uncommon in Poland at that season of the -year. The ground over which we passed was a clayey soil, intersected -with marshes: the roads were excessively bad: cavalry, infantry, and -artillery stuck in the bogs; and it cost them the utmost difficulty to -extricate themselves. We advanced only a short league in -<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_128" id="Page_128">[Pg 128]</a></span> -the space of -two hours. Many of our officers stuck in the mud and remained there -during the whole of the battle of Pultusk. They served as marks for -the enemy to shoot at.</p> - -<p>The third division had no sooner debouched from the village than it -was informed by its pioneers that a considerable mass of cavalry -covered, at some distance a column of artillery and baggage. General -Friant ordered them to be watched by detachments of cavalry, as he -was well convinced that the cloud of Cossacks would disperse on -the appearance of the infantry. They fled, and we took artillery, -ammunition, carriages and cassoons of every kind. The General, pleased -with these advantages, went to take up a position for the night, when -a heavy cannonade was heard; it proceeded from Marshal Lannes' forces, -who were driven by the Russians from Pultusk. We had our turn on the -following day: they occupied a wood whence we wished to dislodge them; -our columns advanced, the voltigeurs were in front, and the infantry -were disposed <i>en echelon</i> behind them. We experienced obstinate -resistance on the part of the enemy. He attacked us: we charged with -the bayonet; and our battalions drove him back on his own masses. We -remained masters of the field: it was covered with the bodies -<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_129" id="Page_129">[Pg 129]</a></span> of the -dead, and with bags which the Russians had thrown down in order to fly -with the greater speed. The infantry was dislodged, and the cavalry -now advanced. I went forward to meet them and drove them back. But the -voltigeurs, who were dispersed about in the marshes, overwhelmed us -with their balls: I had my left arm broken.</p> - -<p>I had been four times wounded in the first campaigns of the army of -the Rhine, under Custine, Pichegru, Moreau, and Desaix; twice before -the ruins of Memphis, and in Upper Egypt before the ruins of Thebes; -at the battle of Austerlitz and at Golymin. I also received four other -wounds at Moscow, as I shall hereafter have occasion to mention.</p> - -<p>From Golymin I was removed to Warsaw. Napoleon arrived there on the -1st January, and he did me the honour to come and see me. "Well, -Rapp," said he, "you are wounded again; and on your unlucky arm too." -It was the ninth wound which I had received on my left arm, and the -Emperor therefore called it my unlucky arm.—"No wonder, Sire," said I, -"we are always amidst battles." "We shall perhaps have done fighting," -he replied, "when we are eighty years old."</p> - -<p>MM. Boyer and Yvan dressed my wound in his presence. When Napoleon saw -that the -<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_130" id="Page_130">[Pg 130]</a></span> -bone was really broken, he said, "His arm must be amputated. -He is now very ill; and this wound may be his death." M. Boyer smiled -and said, "Your Majesty would go too hastily to work: the General is -young and vigorous; we shall cure him."—"I hope," said I, "this is not -the last time you will have occasion to make me suffer martyrdom."</p> - -<p>Napoleon soon left Warsaw for the battle of Eylau, and established his -head-quarters at Osterode. Here I was appointed to the government of -Thorn, whither I was directed to proceed to complete the restoration -of my health. I forwarded provisions, artillery, and ammunition, to -carry on the siege of Dantzic.</p> - -<p>I was now the Providence of the Prussian Generals. They wrote to me -intreating my intercession in their behalf. Blucher himself did not -disdain to solicit the <i>grace</i> of his Majesty the Emperor and King -of Italy. He was at first to have been conducted to Dijon, as has -been already mentioned; but he had laid down arms, and therefore -it signified little whether he was at Dijon or elsewhere. He was -permitted to retire to Hamburgh; but he soon grew tired of that city, -and begged to be allowed to go to the neighbourhood -<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_131" id="Page_131">[Pg 131]</a></span> -of Berlin. The following is the letter which he addressed to me on -this subject:—</p> - -<div class="bq"> - -<p>"Monsieur General,</p> - -<p>"Your Excellency will probably remember that I had the honour of -becoming acquainted with you some years ago, on your journey to -Munster; and the marks of attention you then condescended to show -me induce me to hope, that the unfortunate situation in which -I am now placed will not be absolutely indifferent to you. I -take the liberty of addressing your Excellency, to intreat your -intercession with his Majesty the Emperor of France and King of -Italy, that he may graciously order passports to be granted for -myself, the two officers my sons, and the rest of my family, to -enable us to retire to the environs of Berlin, or into Pomerania, -to one of my estates. Having lost my all by the chances of war, I -find it impossible to support the expenses attending a residence -in a city where every thing is so enormously dear as in Hamburgh. -Moreover I am in ill health, and I feel that it is only by living -in the bosom of my family, and leading a very retired life, that -I shall be able to recover myself.</p> - -<p>"These reasons, and the generosity of his Majesty the -Emperor, induce me to hope that he will -<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_132" id="Page_132">[Pg 132]</a></span> -deign to relieve my -painful situation by permitting me to make choice of a place -of residence; and the protection which your Excellency may -condescend to grant me in this affair will add feelings of the -deepest gratitude to the sentiments of high consideration, with -which I have the honour to be,</p> - -<p class="ac">"Your Excellency's</p> -<p class="ar">"Very humble and very obedient Servant,<br /> - <span class="smcap">"Blucher</span>, Lieut.-Gen.</p> -<p class="smaller">"Hamburgh, November 15, 1806."</p> - -</div> -<p>The Emperor refused to grant the request, but the General cannot have -forgotten the manner in which I treated him. It is in his power to say -whether the French know how to respect misfortune.</p> - -<p>On the surrender of Dantzic, I was appointed Governor of the city, -with the rank of General-in-chief.</p> - -<p>Napoleon arrived at Dantzic on the 29th of May, and he spent two days -there. He expected that this new acquisition would afford immense -resources, particularly in specie. I received the strictest orders -to collect the contributions, which amounted to twenty millions, -and which were extended to thirty in provisions by the treaty which -I sometime after entered into with the town. I was furnished with -a <i>carte blanche</i>, and was authorized -<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_133" id="Page_133">[Pg 133]</a></span> -to adopt any means I chose -for effecting the collection; but I found the thing impossible. -It occasioned me the greatest annoyance. Sometimes one measure of -severity was resorted to, and sometimes another. The common people, -as well as the richest and most considerable of the citizens, were -all threatened in their turns. I constantly used my utmost endeavour -to elude these violent orders; I spared the inhabitants of Dantzic -many causes of discontent. At the peace, they still owed 17,000,000 of -contributions.</p> - -<p>Napoleon was present at the battles of Heilsberg, and Friedland. Eight -days after his departure he wrote to me as follows:—</p> - -<p>"M. de Talleyrand will proceed to Dantzic, and will stay with you some -time. You will receive and treat him like a prince. You are aware of -the esteem and attachment I entertain for that Minister," &c. He might -have escaped many misfortunes had he never quarrelled with Talleyrand.</p> - -<p>After the treaty of Tilsit, Napoleon sent me private instructions. -He informed me of the probability of peace, and ordered me to keep -a vigilant eye over Prussia and the Royal family. He was still -incensed against William and his subjects. I could not guess the -reason. Berthier explained it to me; and I did not think it a just -one. Berthier -<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_134" id="Page_134">[Pg 134]</a></span> -came to Dantzic to deliver me fresh instructions, and -to remind me of the directions I had received, to be on my guard -against the plots which might be hatching around me. I was to remain -at Dantzic until the cessation of hostilities. The Russians were for -us. We had fine sport with the English; in less than two years those -islanders were to be obliged to sue for peace.</p> - -<p>In fine, I remained at Dantzic. I corresponded directly with -Napoleon: most of his letters evinced an extraordinary degree of -dissatisfaction, in which I must confess I myself participated for a -considerable time.</p> - -<p>The language and conduct of some Prussian officers contributed to keep -up the prejudice against them. I treated them with great severity; -the least fault was punished to the utmost; but at the same time I -always rendered them justice, and never allowed them to be molested. -Tranquillity, however, was restored. Each party mutually laid aside -their animosity, and confidence was re-established. I saw and received -the Prussians; and I may say, that from the first year after I -obtained the command, all the reports which I forwarded to Paris were -distinguished by moderation and truth. I represented to Napoleon that -it was difficult for the Prussians so soon to forget their former -greatness; that the public mind was -<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_135" id="Page_135">[Pg 135]</a></span> -becoming tranquil, and that the -King, the ministers, and the Royal family never ceased to recommend to -the people that resignation which misfortune renders indispensable.</p> - -<p>I always wrote to this purport. I had no cause to complain of any one; -for my own part, I was on very good terms with the civil and military -authorities. I saw them frequently; and all of them, I may say, placed -the greatest confidence in me. They were sensible of the justice of my -proceedings.</p> - -<p>All the commandants, however, did not act in the same way: their -reports, and the disasters of Baylen, excited fresh doubts in -Napoleon's mind with regard to the conduct of Prussia. He charged me -to double my vigilance: "Overlook nothing in the Prussians," he said -to me in one of his letters; "they must not be allowed to raise their -heads."</p> - -<p>The news of the disasters which we had experienced in the peninsula at -length spread over Germany, and awakened new hopes; the public mind -was violently agitated. I informed Napoleon of this; but he disliked -the revival of painful recollections, and was still more averse to -unpleasing anticipations of the future. He replied to me: "Germans are -not Spaniards; the character of the German bears no resemblance to -that of the fierce Catalonian."</p> - -<hr class="chap" /> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_136" id="Page_136">[Pg 136]</a></span></p> - - -<div class="chapter p4"> - <h2><a name="CHAPTER_XVIII" id="CHAPTER_XVIII"></a>CHAPTER XVIII.</h2> -</div> - - -<p><span class="smcap">The</span> interview of Erfurt -took place. Napoleon set out for Spain; he -attacked and dispersed all that were opposed to him; and the English -army would have been destroyed had he been enabled to pursue it -himself; but the fourth Austrian war broke out, and he was obliged to -hurry to the assistance of Bavaria. Prince Berthier sent me orders -to rejoin the army. The Emperor was already with it; I found him at -Landshut, just after he had gained the battle of Ratisbonne; I was -not well pleased with my reception: he asked me drily, "How do your -Prussians and Dantzickers get on? You ought to have made the latter -pay me what they owe me. You see we have not all been killed in Spain; -I still have men enough left to beat the Austrians." I felt the -allusion.</p> - -<p>We marched on Vienna. The Emperor became more good-humoured, and -treated me more kindly. The battle of Esslingen took place. Thousands -of brave men lost their lives; Marshal Lannes was disabled; the -cavalry and artillery -<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_137" id="Page_137">[Pg 137]</a></span> -were destroyed; and the village of Esslingen, -the most important point that remained for us to defend, was inundated -by twenty battalions of Hungarian grenadiers. We could no longer -maintain our station: the enemy had already penetrated into the -square-work which Napoleon had directed to be fortified the day -before. Count Lobau advanced to meet them, and checked their progress; -but they immediately received reinforcements. The Emperor perceived -this, and I was directed to take two battalions of the young guard, -and to hasten to the assistance of our troops: I was to disengage -them, to effect a retreat with them, and to take a position between -the village and the remainder of the guard, on the banks of the -Danube, near the bridge which had been broken. The Austrian columns -advanced from all quarters on this point: our position became most -hazardous. On our left, Massena still occupied Gros Aspern; he had -lost great numbers of his force, but he still maintained his ground. -I placed myself at the head of my two battalions and entered the -village. I drew up my troops in the rear of General Mouton, and went -to deliver to him the Emperor's orders; but the whole of the enemy's -reserve, under the command of the Archduke Charles, deployed at some -distance. "You -<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_138" id="Page_138">[Pg 138]</a></span> -have," said I to Count Lobau, "astonished those masses -by your resistance; let us charge them with the bayonet, and drive -them back upon the columns that are advancing: if we succeed, the -Emperor and the army will give us credit for our success; if we fail, -the responsibility will rest with me."—"With both of us," replied -the General. Our five battalions moved forward, charged, repulsed, -and dispersed the enemy at the point of the bayonet. We were masters -of the village. The Archduke endeavoured in vain to recover it: five -times he led his troops to the charge, and five times he was defeated. -He experienced immense loss: ours was also considerable. Generals -Mouton and Grosse were wounded; several other officers were killed. -Napoleon was delighted with this affair; he complimented me very -highly, and added, "If ever you did well in not executing my orders, -you have done so to-day; for the safety of the army depended on the -taking of Esslingen."</p> - -<p>Napoleon thought that the people of Vienna were more unfavourable -to us than in our preceding campaigns; he made the remark to me. I -replied that despair had contributed greatly to produce the feeling; -that the people were every where tired of us and of our victories. He -did not like this sort of reflections.</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_139" id="Page_139">[Pg 139]</a></span></p> - -<p>Schill was then traversing Saxony: Napoleon was informed of the -circumstance, and was vexed at it. This was a mode of sounding the -public opinion. Prussia was making a prelude to that insurrectionary -war, which she afterwards maintained against us. I confess, I did -not believe the fact when I heard of it; I entertained too high an -opinion of the national loyalty. I endeavoured to subdue the Emperor's -prejudices; but his suspicions were stronger than any thing I could -say to remove them. Another circumstance contributed to render him -distrustful;—the conduct of the Russians was not more frank than -that of the Prussians; they were shuffling. This want of good faith -rendered him furious: he resolved to be revenged on them; but he -required time for it.</p> - -<p>The battle of Wagram took place: I was not engaged in it. Three days -before the battle, I had accompanied Napoleon to the island of Lobau: -I was in one of the Emperor's carriages with General Lauriston. We -were overturned, and I had one of my shoulders dislocated, and three -ribs broken.</p> - -<p>The Emperor pursued the enemy as far as Znaim, and returned to -establish himself at Schoenbrunn; where he afterwards learnt the -defeat and death of Schill. This news gave him satisfaction, -<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_140" id="Page_140">[Pg 140]</a></span> though -he would have been better pleased had that partisan been taken -prisoner.</p> - -<p>During the negotiations there were several conspiracies at Vienna. -Some persons, who were convicted of having been engaged in them, were -condemned to death; two citizens and a Jew were to be executed; I was -fortunate enough to obtain their pardon.</p> - -<p>Napoleon was pretty generally in good humour; but the reports -forwarded to him by the police occasionally interrupted his gaiety. -His enemies had spread a ridiculous report of his insanity, which -vexed him. "It is the fauxbourg St. Germain," said he, "which invents -these fine stories; they will provoke me at last to send the whole -tribe of them to <i>la Champagne pouilleuse</i>."</p> - -<p>One day I was soliciting him for the promotion of two officers: "I -will not make so many promotions," said he; "Berthier has already made -me do too much in that way." Then, turning to Lauriston; "Lauriston," -said he, "we did not get on so fast in our time; did we? I continued -for many years in the rank of Lieutenant!"—"That may be, Sire, but -you have since made up famously for your lost time."—He laughed at my -repartee, and my request was granted.</p> - -<hr class="chap" /> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_141" id="Page_141">[Pg 141]</a></span></p> - - -<div class="chapter p4"> - <h2><a name="CHAPTER_XIX" id="CHAPTER_XIX"></a>CHAPTER XIX.</h2> -</div> - - -<p><span class="smcap">Meanwhile</span> the negotiations -for peace were proceeding very slowly, -and Germany was still suffering. A young man, instigated by a blind -feeling of patriotism, formed the design of delivering his country -from him whom he regarded as the cause of its misfortunes. He -presented himself at Schoenbrunn on the 23d October, while the troops -were defiling: I was on duty; Napoleon was standing between the Prince -de Neufchatel and me. The young man, who was named St. * * *, advanced -to the Emperor. Berthier, conceiving that he was about to present a -petition, stepped forward and told him to deliver it to me. He replied -that he wished to speak to Napoleon; but he was again told, that if -he had any communication to make, he must apply to the aide-de-camp -on duty. He withdrew to a short distance, repeating that he would -speak with Napoleon only. He came forward again, and approached very -near the person of the Emperor. I drew him back and -<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_142" id="Page_142">[Pg 142]</a></span> -told him in -German that he must withdraw: that if he had any thing to solicit, -he would be heard after the parade. His right hand was thrust into -a side-pocket under his great-coat, and he held a paper, one end of -which was visible. I was struck with the expression of his eyes when -he looked at me: his decided manner roused my suspicions. I called to -an officer of gendarmerie who was on the spot, and ordered him to be -put under arrest and conducted to the Castle. The attention of every -one present was so occupied with the parade, that nobody noticed what -was going forward. I was soon after informed that a large carving -knife had been found on St. * * *. I told Duroc what I had learnt, -and we went together to the place to which he had been conducted. We -found him sitting on a bed, on which were laid the portrait of a young -female, a portfolio, and a purse containing a few old louis-d'or. I -asked his name.—"I can tell it only to Napoleon," was his reply.—"What -did you intend to do with the knife that was found upon you?"—"That -I can tell only to Napoleon."—"Did you propose to assassinate -him?"—"Yes, Sir."—"Why?"—"That I can tell only to him."</p> - -<p>I went to communicate this singular circumstance to the Emperor. He -desired that the young -<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_143" id="Page_143">[Pg 143]</a></span> -man might be conducted to his closet. I went -out to give this order; and on my return I found Bernadotte, Berthier, -Savary, and Duroc, with the Emperor. St. * * * was brought in by two -gendarmes, with his hands tied behind him. He appeared perfectly -composed. The presence of Napoleon made not the least impression on -him, but he saluted him respectfully. The Emperor asked him whether -he could speak French, and he replied in a firm tone: "Very little." -Napoleon then directed me to ask him, in his name, the following -questions:—</p> - -<p>"Where were you born?"—"In Naumburgh."—"What is your father?"—"A -protestant minister."—"How old are you?"—"I am eighteen years of -age."—"What did you intend to do with the knife?"—"To kill you."—"You -are mad, young man; you are an <i>illuminato</i>."—"I am not mad; and I -know not what is meant by an <i>illuminato</i>."—"You are sick, then."—"I -am not sick; on the contrary, I am in good health."—"Why did you wish -to assassinate me?"—"Because you have caused the misfortunes of my -country."—"Have I done you any harm?"—"You have done harm to me as -well as to all Germans."—"By whom were you sent? Who instigated you -to this crime?"—"Nobody. I determined to take your -<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_144" id="Page_144">[Pg 144]</a></span> -life, from the -conviction that I should thereby render the highest service to my -country and to Europe."—"Is this the first time you ever saw me?"—"I -saw you at Erfurt at the time of the interview."—"Did you then intend -to assassinate me?"—"No; I thought that you would no longer wage war -in Germany; I was then one of your most ardent admirers."—"How long -have you been in Vienna?"—"Ten days."—"Why did you so long defer the -execution of your design?"—"I came to Schoenbrunn a week ago; but -the parade was over when I arrived, and I postponed the execution -of my design until this day."—"I tell you, you are either mad or -sick."—"Neither the one nor the other."—"Desire Corvisart to come -here."—"Who is Corvisart?"—"He is a physician," I replied. "I have -no need of him." We remained silent until the doctor arrived. St. * -* * evinced the utmost indifference. At length Corvisart made his -appearance. Napoleon directed him to feel the young man's pulse. "Am -I not quite well, Sir?"—"He is in very good health," said the doctor, -addressing himself to the Emperor.—"I told you so," said St. * * *, -with an air of satisfaction.</p> - -<p>Napoleon was embarrassed by the unconcerned manner of the offender.</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_145" id="Page_145">[Pg 145]</a></span></p> - -<p>"You are a wild enthusiast," said he; "you will ruin your family. I -am willing to grant your life, if you ask pardon for the crime which -you intended to commit, and for which you ought to be sorry."—"I want -no pardon," replied St. * * *, "I feel the deepest regret for not -having executed my design."—"You seem to think very lightly of the -commission of a crime!"—"To kill you would not have been a crime, -but a duty."—"Whose portrait is that that was found upon you?"—"It -is the portrait of a young lady to whom I am attached."—"She will be -very much distressed to hear of the unhappy situation in which you -are placed!"—"She will regret to hear that I have not succeeded. She -detests you no less than I do."—"Would you not be grateful were I to -pardon you?"—"I would notwithstanding seize the first opportunity of -taking your life."</p> - -<p>Napoleon was confounded. He ordered the prisoner to be led away; and -then entered into conversation with us, and said a great deal on -the subject of the <i>illuminati</i>. In the evening he sent for me, and -said: "The circumstance that occurred to-day is very extraordinary. -The plots of Berlin and Weimar are at the bottom of this affair."—I -repelled these suspicions. "Women are capable of any thing," -resumed Napoleon.—"Neither -<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_146" id="Page_146">[Pg 146]</a></span> -man nor woman connected with those two -courts," I replied, "would ever conceive the idea of so atrocious a -crime."—"Recollect the affair of Schill."—"It bears no resemblance -to a crime like this."—"You may say what you please, General, but I -know I am no favourite either at Berlin or Weimar."—"That's very true: -you cannot reasonably expect to be a favourite at either of those -courts. But because they dislike you, does it follow that they would -assassinate you?" He communicated the same suspicions to * * * * *.</p> - -<p>Napoleon ordered me to write to General Lauer, directing him to -interrogate St. * * *, with the view of obtaining some confession -from him. But he made none. He persisted in asserting that he had -acted entirely from the impulse of his own mind, and not from the -instigation of any one.</p> - -<p>The departure from Schoenbrunn was fixed for the 27th of October. -Napoleon rose at five in the morning and sent for me. We walked out to -the great road to see the Imperial Guard pass along on its departure -for France. We were alone. Napoleon again spoke to me of St. * * *. -"That a young man of his age," said he, "a German, a protestant, and -well educated, should attempt the commission of such a crime, is a -thing unparalleled. Enquire how he died."</p> - -<hr class="chap" /> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_147" id="Page_147">[Pg 147]</a></span></p> - - -<div class="chapter p4"> - <h2><a name="CHAPTER_XX" id="CHAPTER_XX"></a>CHAPTER XX.</h2> -</div> - - -<p><span class="smcap">A</span> heavy fall of rain -obliged us to return from our walk. I wrote to -General Lauer, requesting that he would give us an account of the -last moments of St. * * *. He informed me that the prisoner had been -executed at seven in the morning of the 27th; that he had taken no -sustenance since the 24th; that food had been offered to him, but that -he had constantly refused it, because, as he said, he had sufficient -strength to walk to the place of execution. He was informed that peace -was concluded; and this intelligence seemed to agitate him. His last -words were:—_Liberty for ever! Germany for ever! Death to the Tyrant!_ -I delivered the report to Napoleon. He desired me to keep the knife -that had been found upon the criminal: it is still in my possession.</p> - -<p>Napoleon informed me that the preliminaries of the peace were not -yet signed, but that the articles of the treaty were all drawn up, -and that it would be ratified at Munich, where we were to stop. -<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_148" id="Page_148">[Pg 148]</a></span> We -arrived at Nymphenburgh: the Court of Bavaria was residing there -at the time. I had not had the honour of seeing the King since the -campaign of Austerlitz. He lodged me in his palace, and gave me many -proofs of his confidence and kindness. He described to me the unhappy -situation of his subjects; and added, that if another state of things -were not speedily established, he should be obliged to put the key -under the door and set off. These were the expressions he used.</p> - -<p>I bore this last conversation in mind; for I was determined to report -it, not with the view of injuring the King, but for the sake of -proving to Napoleon that all the indemnities which he granted to his -allies were far from satisfying them and compensating for the burthens -imposed on them by the war.</p> - -<p>Peace was ratified. We left Nymphenburgh and arrived at Stuttgard. -Napoleon was received in a style of magnificence, and was lodged in -the palace, together with all his suite. The King was laying out a -spacious garden, and men who had been condemned to the galleys were -employed to labour in it. The Emperor asked the King who the men were -who worked in chains: he replied that they were for the most part -rebels -<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_149" id="Page_149">[Pg 149]</a></span> -who had been taken in his new possessions. We set out on the -following day. On the way Napoleon alluded to the unfortunate wretches -whom he had seen at Stuttgard. "The King of Wurtemberg," said he, "is -a very harsh man; but he is very faithful: of all the sovereigns in -Europe he possesses the greatest share of understanding." We stopped -for an hour at Rastadt, where the Princes of Baden and Princess -Stephanie had arrived for the purpose of paying their respects to -the Emperor. The Grand Duke and Duchess accompanied him as far as -Strasburg. On his arrival in that city he received despatches which -again excited his displeasure against the Faubourg St. Germain. We -proceeded to Fontainbleau: no preparations had been made for the -Emperor's reception; there was not even a guard on duty: but shortly -after, the whole court arrived, as well as the different members of -Napoleon's family.</p> - -<p>The Emperor had several long conferences with the Minister of -Police. He complained of the Faubourg St. Germain. The contrast of -humility and boldness alternately displayed by the old nobility, in -the anti-chambers and saloons, disconcerted him: he could scarcely -conceive that these men were so base and perfidious as to destroy with -the one hand while they solicited favours with the -<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_150" id="Page_150">[Pg 150]</a></span> -other. He appeared -inclined to severity; but Fouché dissuaded him from that course. -"It is a traditionary remark," said he, "that the Seine flows, the -Faubourg intrigues, solicits, devours, and calumniates. This is in the -order of nature; every thing has its attributes." Napoleon yielded; -he avenged himself only on men. It was proposed that he should make a -solemn entry into the capital; but this he declined: the conqueror of -the world was superior to the triumphs which transported the Romans. -On the following day the court left Fontainbleau. The Emperor rode -to Paris without stirrups: he outstripped all his escort; none but a -chasseur of the guard was able to keep up with him. In this manner he -arrived at the Tuileries.</p> - -<p>Napoleon was now approaching one of the most important epochs of his -life.</p> - -<hr class="chap" /> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_151" id="Page_151">[Pg 151]</a></span></p> - - -<div class="chapter p4"> - <h2><a name="CHAPTER_XXI" id="CHAPTER_XXI"></a>CHAPTER XXI.</h2> -</div> - - -<p><span class="smcap">The</span> Imperial divorce -was publicly spoken of in Paris, but opinions -varied with regard to the choice of the future Empress. The Princesses -of Russia and Saxony, and the Archduchess of Austria, were talked of. -The Russian alliance first became the subject of consideration. M. de -Metternich learnt this and made overtures which were accepted. All the -members of the Imperial family were, however, averse to the Austrian -alliance. They dreaded the subtlety of the Vienna court, and foresaw -that it would consent and lend itself to any thing the Emperor might -require, until a favourable opportunity should occur, when the mask -would be thrown off, and Austria would be foremost in bringing about -his ruin; but the marriage was determined on, and remonstrances were -useless. I was appointed to be present at the ceremony: this was no -trifling favour, for a great part of the court was obliged to mingle -with the crowd. I must confess, however, that I had no right to expect -it, as I had indulged in some reflections -<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_152" id="Page_152">[Pg 152]</a></span> - -on the divorce, which had -been reported to the Emperor. I felt for Josephine, who had always -proved herself amiable, simple, and unassuming. She was banished to -Malmaison: I frequently visited her, and she made me the confidant of -her sorrows. I have seen her weep for hours together; she spoke of her -attachment for Bonaparte, for so she used to call him in our presence. -She regretted the close of her splendid career: this was very natural.</p> - -<p>The day after the marriage we received orders to attend and make the -three bows to the Imperial couple, who were seated on the throne. -I could not obey the summons, being confined by a headache, which -attacks me pretty regularly every week; I sent to inform the Grand -Marshal of this circumstance. Napoleon did not believe I was unwell; -he thought I was unwilling to submit to the etiquette, and he was -therefore displeased with me. He gave orders that I should return to -Dantzic. The Duke de Feltre met me on the Boulevards, and communicated -to me the Emperor's intentions. I applied for instructions: Napoleon -answered drily, that I had only to keep watch over Prussia, to treat -the Russians with respect, and to give an account of what was going on -in the ports of the Baltic; adding that I might dispense with passing -<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_153" id="Page_153">[Pg 153]</a></span> -through Berlin. I stayed a few days at Strasburg, and Frankfort, and -arrived on the 10th of June at Dantzic.</p> - -<p>I was very well received by the troops and the inhabitants. They -complained very much of General Grabowski: the Dantzickers did not -like him, but they were in the wrong, he was an excellent man.</p> - -<p>The garrison was soon increased. It received an augmentation of Saxon, -Baden, Wurtemburgh, Westphalian, and Hessian troops: they formed -a complete army. This increase of force displeased me, because it -imposed a heavy burthen on the citizens: for my own part, I had no -reason to complain. The sentiments of the troops were by no means -equivocal, and their respective sovereigns, with but few exceptions, -seized that opportunity of assuring me of their good will. I shall -content myself with the insertion of the King of Bavaria's letter.</p> - -<div class="bq"> -<p class="ar">"Munich, April 15, 1811.</p> - -<p class="noindent">"My dear Rapp,</p> - -<p>"You are about to have my 14th regiment of infantry under -your command: I recommend it to your kindness and attention. -The Colonel is a brave man, who will fulfil his duty. The -<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_154" id="Page_154">[Pg 154]</a></span> -Lieutenant-colonel and the two Majors are valuable men, as are -all the officers of the regiment. The troops are excellent, and -in good condition: they are very well pleased, my dear General, -to be placed under the command of an officer like you; <i>und noch -dazu ein Elsasser</i>, (and moreover a native of Alsace.)</p> - -<p>"Address yourself directly to me whenever you may have any thing -to communicate relative to the welfare of my troop, if you have -any complaint to make, or if it fails in the discharge of its -duty—a circumstance which I hope will not occur. I eagerly seize -this opportunity, my dear Rapp, to repeat to you the assurance of -my constant friendship.</p> - -<p class="ar"><span class="smcap">"Maximilian Joseph."</span></p> -</div> - -<p>I received instructions to close the port of the town, and to watch -those of Prussia. Davoust came to take the command of Hamburgh: I was -not under his orders, but I was to correspond with him, and with M. de -St. Marsan. Though I was not acquainted with the latter gentleman, yet -I esteemed him greatly; his letters proved him to be a worthy man, who -was desirous of seeing harmony restored between the two nations. This -was also my wish.</p> - -<p>Our opinions perfectly agreed. * * * * * * * frequently wrote to -advise me not to place confidence in -<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_155" id="Page_155">[Pg 155]</a></span> -that diplomatist, whom he -described as a traitor sold to King William and his ministers. He -doubtless wrote to the same effect to Napoleon; but fortunately, -when that prince had once formed his opinion with respect to any -individual, he paid little attention to the reports that were -addressed to him. Nothing short of finding him, as Napoleon himself -expressed it, with his hand in his pocket, could induce him to -withdraw his confidence.</p> - -<p>My situation, however, became disagreeable. On the one side, the -Dantzickers complained of the maintenance of the troops, of the -burthens that were imposed upon them, and of being deprived of -their trade. On the other, the ministers urged me to collect the -contributions in order to meet the expenses of a secret expedition and -the extension of the fortifications. The contractors threatened to -stop the supplies. I knew not what to do. I derived some funds from -the taxes raised on Prussia; but these were insufficient. However, by -dint of perseverance and representations, I succeeded in obtaining the -sums necessary for paying the supplies, and by degrees the town was -relieved from that burthen.</p> - -<p>Funds were assigned to me for completing the fortifications, and -making the necessary preparations -<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_156" id="Page_156">[Pg 156]</a></span> -for the secret expedition, which -however was no longer a secret.</p> - -<p>The French ministers once proposed to Napoleon to have the garrison -maintained by the Prussian government. A letter was written to me -for my advice on this subject, and I replied, that if ever such -a determination should be entered into, I would immediately quit -Dantzic, in spite of every consideration. I must do justice to Marshal -Davoust, who was likewise consulted in this business. He showed that -the measure was dangerous and impracticable. The idea was abandoned.</p> - -<p>I cannot pass over in silence a strange misunderstanding in which I -became involved at Dantzic.</p> - -<p>I gave a dinner to which I invited the Prussian and Russian residents. -I placed the former on my right hand and the latter on my left. The -Russian resident took offence at this arrangement. He imagined I -intended to affront him, the Russian court, and all the Russians -in the world. He complained of my conduct; and his complaint was -transmitted from St. Petersburgh to M. de Champagny, who communicated -it to Napoleon. I was blamed; I was said to have been wanting in the -respect due to the resident of a great nation, -<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_157" id="Page_157">[Pg 157]</a></span> -in assigning the post -of honour to the resident of Prussia, and I was called upon to make -reparation for the error I had committed. I confess I felt hurt at -this. My reply to the minister was that I did not give diplomatic -dinners; that the foreign Consuls were not accredited with the -Governor but with the Senate; that I might place beside me at my own -table whomsoever I pleased; that I conceived the complaints of the -resident to be ridiculous, and that I would not receive him again. -I kept my word, and here the affair ended. I consider it proper to -relate this anecdote, because it proves the attempts which were making -even at that period to conciliate the good graces of Russia.</p> - -<hr class="chap" /> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_158" id="Page_158">[Pg 158]</a></span></p> - - -<div class="chapter p4"> - <h2><a name="CHAPTER_XXII" id="CHAPTER_XXII"></a>CHAPTER XXII.</h2> -</div> - - -<p><span class="smcap">Nothing</span> could have been more -repugnant to the wishes of the -Dantzickers than having among them French custom-house officers, whom -for some time there had been an idea of establishing at Dantzic. I -repelled the proposition as strenuously as I possibly could. The -presence of these officers would have destroyed the small portion -of trade which I still tolerated, notwithstanding the outcries of -Napoleon.</p> - -<p>This measure would have been felt as no less a grievance along the -whole coast of the Baltic, which, I frankly confess, I did not -watch with the vigilance that was prescribed to me. Complaints were -in consequence poured out against me; but I knew from whence they -proceeded, and I did not concern myself much about them. Napoleon -was, however, enraged at my indulgence; he reproached me for it. "To -allow the Prussians and Dantzickers to carry on trade," said he, "is -to betray me," * * * * * wrote to the same effect, -<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_159" id="Page_159">[Pg 159]</a></span> -and sent spies -in every direction. Napoleon became tired of reports and complaints. -He directed Bertrand to inform me how much he was dissatisfied with -me. That General wrote to me, "The Emperor knows, my dear Rapp, that -you permit contraband trade in Prussia and at Dantzic; I must inform -you that he is displeased with you," &c. Outcries were raised, but -I paid no regard to them, and continued to exercise my power with -moderation. The Custom-house establishment was set on foot. It is -well known how severely it was felt, particularly in the conquered -countries. The individuals connected with this department in Dantzic -aped independence, and refused to obey any orders save those of the -Minister Sucy. In support of these pretensions reference was made -to the example of the Custom establishment of Hamburgh. I cut the -matter short, by sending the Director of the Customs to Weichselmunde, -where he underwent six days' imprisonment. Such an act of severity -was unexampled; it was accounted as great a crime as high treason. -The minister complained of it; but, to his great surprise, Napoleon -replied, that if I had inflicted punishment I had reasons for doing -so. "Besides," said he, "Dantzic is in a state of siege, and in that -case a Governor is omnipotent." The officers of the Customs learnt that -<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_160" id="Page_160">[Pg 160]</a></span> -they had presumed too much on their credit; they became more -circumspect, and behaved themselves better to the Dantzickers. Trade -recovered a certain degree of security, which was augmented by my -releasing several ships that had been captured by our pirates. Fresh -remonstrances were made, but with no better success than before.</p> - -<p>I received orders to commit all articles of English merchandize to the -flames. This measure would have been most disastrous: I evaded it, and -notwithstanding the presence of the officers of the Customs, Dantzic -lost no more than what amounted to two hundred francs, and Kœnigsberg -still less. I do not speak of the merchandize procured by captures.</p> - -<p>The continental system, and the rigorous measures employed by Napoleon -in the North of Germany, excited more and more dissatisfaction. The -people were exasperated. I was frequently applied to for reports on -their situation: I described them such as they really were—oppressed, -ruined, and driven to the last extremity. I pointed out those secret -societies, in which the whole nation was enrolled, where hatred -brooded on vengeance, and despair collected and combined her plans. -But Napoleon looked upon those societies with contempt. He little -knew the character of the Germans. -<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_161" id="Page_161">[Pg 161]</a></span> -He thought they possessed neither -vigour nor energy; he compared them and their pamphlets to "those -little dogs who bark but dare not bite." At a later period we learned, -by experience, what they were capable of.</p> - -<p>I was also frequently called upon for reports respecting the affairs -of Russia and the army which was assembling at Wilna. I was applied -to for my opinion as to what course France or Germany would adopt, -in case of an expedition to the other side of the Niemen turning -out unfortunate, or failing altogether. My answer was literally as -follows. It will be difficult to give credit to a prediction which has -unfortunately been so fully realised:—</p> - -<p>"If your Majesty should experience reverses, you may be assured that -the Russians and Germans would all rise in a mass to throw off the -yoke. A crusade would be set on foot. All your allies would abandon -you: even the King of Bavaria, on whom you place so much reliance, -would join the coalition. I make an exception only in favour of the -King of Saxony; he, perhaps, would remain faithful to you; but his -subjects would compel him to make common cause with your enemies."</p> - -<p>Napoleon, as may be supposed, was not well -<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_162" id="Page_162">[Pg 162]</a></span> -pleased with this -communication. He sent it to Marshal Davoust, directing him to peruse -it, and to write to inform me that the Emperor was greatly astonished -that one of his aides-de-camp could have presumed to address such -a letter to him,—that my reports resembled the pamphlets published -on the other side of the Rhine, which I appeared to find pleasure -in reading,—that, finally, the Germans should never be treated as -Spaniards. The Marshal executed his commission, and I was for a long -time out of favour with Napoleon. Experience has proved whether or not -my judgment was correct; and I took the liberty to make that remark to -the Emperor, as I shall state hereafter.</p> - -<p>When he obliged the King of Prussia to send to Magdeburgh all the -prohibited merchandize which had been confiscated at Kœnigsberg, I -addressed him in the most urgent tone: I represented to him how much -that measure was calculated to excite discontent, and to exasperate -the nation. M. de Clerambaut, who was then Consul General, wrote to -him in the same strain; but our representations were not attended to.</p> - -<p>The war with Russia was on the eve of breaking out; Napoleon -deliberated as to the course he should pursue with regard to Prussia. -To enter into an alliance with King William would not -<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_163" id="Page_163">[Pg 163]</a></span> -have been the means of subduing the doubts and prejudices of that monarch. -To dethrone him would have been a violent measure; but it was one, -however, which was advised by many persons whom I will not name. The -Emperor was urged to deprive the Prussian monarch of his States, and -to keep possession of them himself. Perhaps William has never yet been -made fully acquainted with the danger which threatened him; I knew -its full extent: I pitied the King of Prussia and his subjects, and I -opposed the design to the utmost of my power.</p> - -<p>Instructions had already been sent to * * * *. That general expected -to commence his march immediately. What was his astonishment when, -instead of an order for invading Prussia, he received information of a -treaty of alliance with that country? The intelligence of that event -afterwards reached me, and it afforded me great satisfaction.</p> - -<hr class="chap" /> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_164" id="Page_164">[Pg 164]</a></span></p> - - -<div class="chapter p4"> - <h2><a name="CHAPTER_XXIII" id="CHAPTER_XXIII"></a>CHAPTER XXIII.</h2> -</div> - - -<p><span class="smcap">The</span> grand army was -already on the Vistula. Napoleon quitted Paris, -repaired to the capital of Saxony, and thence to Dantzic. He had -been preceded by the King of Naples, who had solicited permission to -go to Dresden, but without success. The refusal had mortified him -exceedingly: he told me that the Emperor caused him great vexation and -unhappiness; such, at least, was his own account. We were the first -persons whom the Emperor received. He began the conversation with me -by a rather odd question—"What do these Dantzickers do with their -money; they gain a good deal, and I spend a good deal among them?" I -replied that their situation was far from being prosperous—that they -were suffering greatly; in short, that they were at their last gasp. -"There will be a change soon," he replied, "that is agreed upon; but I -will keep them to myself."</p> - -<p>He was fatigued, and in consequence the King of Naples and I withdrew. -I was recalled in a moment, and I remained with the Emperor while -<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_165" id="Page_165">[Pg 165]</a></span> -he dressed. He asked me several questions respecting the duty of the -fortress. When he was dressed, and his valet-de-chambre had left the -room, he said, "Well, General Rapp, the Prussians have become our -allies, and the Austrians will shortly be so too." "Unfortunately, -Sire," replied I, "we do a great deal of mischief as allies; I receive -complaints against our troops from all quarters." "That is merely -a passing cloud," said he: "I shall see whether Alexander really -intends to go to war; I will avoid it if I can." Then, changing the -conversation all at once, he said, "Did you observe how queer Murat -looked? he seems ill." I replied, "No, Sire, he is not ill, but out of -humour."—"Why out of humour?" said he; "is he not satisfied with being -a King?"—"He says, he is not a King."—"Why, then, does he act so like -a fool? He ought to be a French man, and not a Neapolitan."</p> - -<p>In the evening I had the honour to sup with Napoleon, the King of -Naples, and the Prince de Neufchatel. Before we sat down to table -we conversed on the subject of the war with Russia: we were in the -saloon. The Emperor suddenly perceiving a marble bust on a bracket, -said, "Whose head is that?" "Sire," I replied, "it is the Queen of -Prussia's." "So, General Rapp, you -<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_166" id="Page_166">[Pg 166]</a></span> -keep the bust of the fair Queen in -your house: She did not like me." "Sire," I replied, "I presume I may -be allowed to possess the bust of a pretty woman: besides she is the -wife of a King who is now your ally."</p> - -<p>Next morning we went out on horseback; Napoleon visited the fortress, -and did not appear satisfied with the works. When he perceived that I -was not aware what object displeased him, he flew into a passion and -said, before a number of persons, "That he did not understand why his -governors took upon themselves to act the part of sovereigns, and that -he wished his orders to be executed." There had, indeed, been a little -deviation from the strict letter of his commands; but it was trifling, -and was not worth the words that were made about it. The King of -Naples said to me, in a low tone of voice, "Do not vex yourself about -these reproaches; the Emperor is out of temper. He received letters -this morning which put him in an ill humour." We afterwards returned -home. Napoleon received the generals and officers under my command, -as well as the civil authorities. To the latter he put many questions -respecting trade and finances. They deplored the state of their -affairs. "It will change soon," said he, "I will keep you to myself; -it is a thing determined upon: none but the great -<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_167" id="Page_167">[Pg 167]</a></span> -families prosper." -Then perceiving M. de Franzins the elder, he said, "You do not -complain, M. de Franzins; your affairs are in a thriving condition; -you have amassed a fortune of at least ten millions."</p> - -<p>In the evening I had again the honour of supping with Napoleon, the -King of Naples, and the Prince de Neufchatel. Napoleon maintained -silence for a long time: at length he suddenly asked how far it was -from Dantzic to Cadiz. "Too far, Sire," I replied. "Ah! I understand -you, General," said he; "but we shall be further off a few months -hence."—"So much the worse," I added. The King of Naples and the -Prince de Neufchatel did not speak a word. "I see, Gentlemen," said -Napoleon, "that you do not wish for war. The King of Naples does not -like to leave his beautiful kingdom, Berthier wishes to hunt at Gros -Bois, and General Rapp longs to be back to his superb hotel in Paris." -"I must confess," I observed, "Sire, that your Majesty has not spoiled -me; I know very little of the pleasures of the capital."</p> - -<p>Murat and Berthier continued to observe profound silence: they seemed -to be piqued at something. After dinner they told me that I had done -right to speak as I did to Napoleon. "But," replied I, "you should not -have allowed me to speak alone."</p> - -<hr class="chap" /> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_168" id="Page_168">[Pg 168]</a></span></p> - - -<div class="chapter p4"> - <h2><a name="CHAPTER_XXIV" id="CHAPTER_XXIV"></a>CHAPTER XXIV.</h2> -</div> - - -<p><span class="smcap">Napoleon</span> quitted Dantzic, -and proceeded to Kœnigsberg. Murat -accompanied him, and General Belliard was also there. He spoke to -them a great deal about Spain, and his brother, with whom he was -dissatisfied. General Flahaut returned from a mission on which he -had been sent to Prince Schwartzenberg. He rendered an account of -the devotedness of the Prince, and of his impatience to attack the -Russians. The Emperor did not appear to place perfect reliance on the -sincerity of the Prince; however, he allowed himself to be persuaded -that, at length, his protestations might become sincere, and that -benefits might inspire sentiments of gratitude. He explained his plan -and intentions as follows:—"If Alexander," said he, "persists in his -refusal to execute the conventions which we have mutually entered -into, if he will not accede to the last proposals I made him, I will -pass the Niemen, defeat his army, and possess myself of Russian -Poland. This last territory I -<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_169" id="Page_169">[Pg 169]</a></span> -will unite to the Grand Duchy: I will -convert it into a kingdom; where I will leave 50,000 men, whom the -country must support. The inhabitants wish to form themselves again -into a national corps. They are a warlike people, and will soon -possess a numerous and disciplined force. Poland wants arms: I will -supply them: she will be a check upon the Russians; a barrier against -the irruptions of the Cossacks. But I am embarrassed on one point; I -know not what course to adopt with regard to Galicia. The Emperor of -Austria, or rather his Council, is reluctant to part with it: I have -offered ample compensation for it, but it has been refused. I must -await the course of events, which alone can show us what ought to be -done. Poland, if well organized, may furnish 50,000 cavalry,—what say -you, General Belliard?" "I think so, Sire," replied the General; "if -your Majesty would mount the infantry of the Vistula on horseback, it -would make excellent light cavalry, and might thus be successfully -opposed to the cloud of Cossacks which precede the Russian -forces."—The Emperor said, "We shall see what can be done. You will -return with Murat and leave your Swiss: by the by, what do you think -of the Swiss?"—"They will march, Sire; they will fight. They have -improved greatly; they -<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_170" id="Page_170">[Pg 170]</a></span> -would not be known for the same troops that -they were six weeks ago. I will go and see them to-morrow."—"Well," -observed the Emperor, "rejoin Murat and inspect all the cavalry in -company with him."</p> - -<p>The proposals which the Emperor had spoken of were not accepted. The -Russians complained of our forces and our commercial measures, and -they required that we should evacuate Germany. We marched forward -and arrived on the banks of the Niemen, which five years before had -been the scene of our victories. The troops raised shouts of joy. -Napoleon proceeded to the advanced posts, disguised as a chasseur, and -reconnoitred the banks of the river, in company with General Axo. He -afterwards spoke for a few moments with the King of Naples; pointing -out to him the points at which it would be proper to throw bridges -over the river, and directing him to concentrate his troops, in order -that the passage might be rapidly effected. The cavalry was mounted; -the infantry was under arms; never was there a grander spectacle. -Eblé set to work; the pontoons were laid at midnight: at one o'clock -we were on the right bank of the Niemen, and General Pajol was at -Kowsno, which had been evacuated by Bagawouth, and we took possession -of it without striking a blow. We continued -<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_171" id="Page_171">[Pg 171]</a></span> -to press on; we marched -incessantly, but we perceived only a few Pulks of Cossacks blending -with the line of the horizon. We arrived at Wilna, and found its -immense magazines in flames. We extinguished the fire, and the greater -part of the provisions were saved.</p> - -<hr class="chap" /> - -<div class="chapter p4"> - <h2><a name="CHAPTER_XXV" id="CHAPTER_XXV"></a>CHAPTER XXV.</h2> -</div> - - -<p><span class="smcap">The</span> conflagration, -the sight of the ground which had been so often -trodden by the Polish legions on their return from their glorious -expeditions, excited fresh ardour; the troops were inspired by the -force of their recollections. We dashed on in pursuit of the enemy; -but the rain fell in torrents and the cold had become severe. We were -now in the bogs and quagmires of Pultusk, and we were destitute both -of shelter and clothing. All this, however, would have been nothing, -had the Russians ventured to let us come up with them; but they -reached the Borysthenes and crossed the Dwina, flying and ravaging -the country which they passed through: we were maintaining -<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_172" id="Page_172">[Pg 172]</a></span> -a racing -contest, rather than carrying on a war. They had now lost all unity -and connexion, and we abandoned the hope of coming to an engagement. -The enemy, however, having gained ground by dint of speed, succeeded -in rallying his forces, and he took refuge in the works which he had -constructed at Drissa. But he was soon in danger of being attacked -in his intrenchments and of having his retreat cut off. He did not -venture to incur this double risk, and therefore fled. He would -have been lost, had he delayed for a few hours: all the necessary -arrangements were made for attacking his flank and intercepting him. -He owed his safety to a <i>coup de main</i>. Some of our advanced corps, -not being sufficiently vigilant, were surprised by Wittgenstein. -Napoleon concluded that the Russians were marching upon us, and halted -his columns. This delay saved them: when we arrived at Beszenkownzi -they had effected their retreat. The King of Naples followed them. He -came up with them, and attacked them at Ostrowno. He charged them some -leagues further on and routed all their rear-guard. The following is -his report, which I insert because it is characteristic of the manner -of this prince, who deserved to die only on the field of battle:—</p> - -<p>"I ordered the first corps of the reserve of cavalry -<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_173" id="Page_173">[Pg 173]</a></span> -and two battalions of light infantry to advance. They were followed by -Delzons' division. We came up with the enemy's rear-guard about two -leagues from Ostrowno. It was advantageously posted behind a deep -ravine, with a great mass of artillery, and having its front and -flanks covered by thick woods. A little firing took place on both -sides; I sent the battalions to check the enemy's infantry who were -repulsing our hussars. Delzons' division arrived and the cavalry had -nothing farther to do. The Viceroy made his arrangements, and we -marched upon the enemy and crossed the ravine. The foreign cavalry -which lined the bank of the Dwina protected our left, and debouched in -the plain. The rest of the light troops advanced along the high road -in proportion as the enemy's infantry retrograded. The cuirassiers -were left in reserve behind the ravine, and the batteries were -mounted. My right was covered by immense woods, and I had numerous -parties of pioneers. The enemy was driven to the second position in -the rear of the ravine, where the reserve was stationed. He brought -us back into the ravine, and he was again repulsed: he drove us back -a second time, and was on the point of taking our guns, which had got -entangled in a defile, through which they were passing in order to -take a position on -<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_174" id="Page_174">[Pg 174]</a></span> -the heights. Our left was repulsed, and the enemy -made a bold movement on our right: the foreign brigade was on the -point of being dispersed. In this state of things nothing but a charge -of cavalry could enable us to recover ourselves; I attempted it. We -advanced to meet the enemy's infantry, which was marching boldly along -the plain. The brave Poles rushed on the Russian battalions: not a man -escaped, not a single prisoner was made; all were killed, not even -the wood protected them from the sabres of our cavalry. At the same -time the squares were broken by the charge. General Girardin, who was -leading the battalions on the left, made a movement on the right, and -advanced along the high road on the enemy's rear; the troops on the -right performed the same manœuvre. General Piré supported them; he -charged at the head of the eighth hussars. The enemy was routed, and -owed his safety only to the ravines which retarded our advance. The -whole division followed the movement: the infantry advanced along the -high road and the cavalry debouched on the heights. I gave orders for -firing on five or six cavalry regiments that were before us. In this -situation your Majesty came up with me; you ordered me to pursue the -enemy, and I drove him to a league and a half beyond Witepsk. -<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_175" id="Page_175">[Pg 175]</a></span> -Such, Sire, is the narrative of our late engagement with the Russians. The -enemy has had about three thousand killed and a great number wounded; -we have scarcely lost a man. This result was, in a great measure, the -work of Count Belliard, who on this occasion gave new proofs of his -devotedness and courage. To him we are indebted for the preservation -of the artillery of Delzons' division."</p> - -<p>Fatigue and even lassitude have, in the long run, the effect of -inspiring courage. Barclay experienced this. He several times -entertained the design of risking the fate of a battle; but a -foreboding of defeat constantly possessed him at the sight of our -troops. Whenever he found them within sight, he hurried his retreat; -he beheld without concern his magazines, his guns, and his works -fall into our hands. He had but one object in view, which was to -keep constantly a few leagues in advance of us. Bagration imitated -this example, but he occasionally evinced resolution. He had several -engagements with our advance-guard. Marshal Davoust pursued him -vigorously; but the King of Westphalia advanced but slowly. A dispute -arose between this sovereign and Vandamme; and, in consequence, the -orders were not executed. This circumstance saved the Russian -<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_176" id="Page_176">[Pg 176]</a></span> -Prince. -He gained ground, reached Mohiloff, and was beaten: he certainly would -have fared worse but for the dispute between Vandamme and the King of -Westphalia, which Napoleon of course could not foresee. The Russians, -who were dispersed along the banks of the Niemen, combined their -forces on the shores of the Borysthenes. They were preparing for the -defence, and we for the attack of Smolensko.</p> - - -<hr class="chap" /> - -<div class="chapter p4"> - <h2><a name="CHAPTER_XXVI" id="CHAPTER_XXVI"></a>CHAPTER XXVI.</h2> -</div> - - -<p><span class="smcap">I had</span> left Dantzick, -and I traversed Lithuania; the country was -dreary, it was made up of woods and steeps—an unlimited picture of -poverty and desolation. It was at that season of the year when Nature -displays her riches, yet vegetation was weak and drooping, every thing -in those fatal countries depicted wretchedness, every thing foretold -the disasters which were to overwhelm us.</p> - -<p>The rain still continued, the roads were broken up, and impassable, -the men were losing themselves -<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_177" id="Page_177">[Pg 177]</a></span> -in the mud, and perishing from fatigue -and hunger: ten thousand horses lay lifeless on the ground that we had -gone over within these two days; never had such a frightful mortality -before signalized the commencement of a campaign; our soldiers, -continually sliding on the clayey ground, were exhausted in fruitless -exertions: most of them were unable to keep up, they lagged behind; -the allied troops especially had a prodigious number in arrear. It was -easy to foresee that the issue of the war would be disastrous: we had -in our favour force and courage, but Nature took part with them;—we -were to fall. However, I arrived at Wilna; I found there the Duke -de Bassano, whose prognostics were less gloomy, General Hogendorp, -Napoleon's aide-de-camp, with whom I was yet unacquainted, and General -Jomini, who afterwards deserted our colours. All augured better than -myself of the struggle in which we were engaged. It presented itself, -indeed, under specious auspices: all Poland was in motion; men, women, -peasants, citizens, gentlemen, all were animated with the most noble -enthusiasm; troops were organising, administrations were forming, -resources were collecting, and the people were preparing themselves -to drive oppression beyond the Borysthenes. The Diet of Warsaw had -opened; -<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_178" id="Page_178">[Pg 178]</a></span> -the Polish nation, which had so long been beaten by the -tempest, thought that it had at last reached a port; no sacrifice -seemed too much for it. The speech of the President had excited -general acclamations, every where it had been received with joy. I -was curious to read it; M. de Bassano gave it me. "It might have been -better," he observed, "but still it is tolerable." The Emperor would -have wished it stronger in facts, and its expressions less tinged with -the affectation of learning. It was the energy of the patriot, and not -the measured movements of the orator, that was necessary in so serious -a juncture; nevertheless it produced its effect.</p> - -<p>"For a long time there had existed in the centre of Europe a -celebrated nation, mistress of an extensive and fruitful country, -brilliant with the double glory of war and arts, protecting for ages, -with an unwearied arm, the barriers of Europe against the barbarians -who raged around its frontiers. A numerous people prospered in this -land. Nature repaid their labours with liberality. Often had her kings -taken a place in history by the side of those who had most honoured -the supreme rank.</p> - -<p>"This country is Poland; you are that people: but what are you become? -How has the dilaceration -<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_179" id="Page_179">[Pg 179]</a></span> -of our country been effected? How has this -family, which even when it was divided did not separate, which had -remained united through ages of divisions, how has this powerful -family seen itself dismembered? What have been its crimes, who its -judges? By what right has it been attacked, invaded, effaced from the -list of states and nations? Whence have the oppressors come, whence -the chains? The indignant universe would answer us—every state, every -people would tell us that it thought that it saw its tomb open by the -side of that of Poland; and that in the audacious profanation of the -laws on which all societies alike repose, in the insulting contempt -which was manifested for them to accomplish our ruin, the world -might think itself put in subjection to the temporary purposes of -monarchs, and that now it would have no other law. Europe, alarmed and -threatened, would point out to our just resentment the empire which, -while it caressed us, was particularly preparing to press upon her -with an increased force. It is Russia that is the author of all our -evils. Within a century she advances with gigantic stride towards a -people who before were ignorant of her name.</p> - -<p>"Poland perceived immediately the first effects of this increase of -the Russian power. Placed in -<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_180" id="Page_180">[Pg 180]</a></span> -her immediate vicinity, she received -her first, as her last blows. Who could enumerate them from the time -when, in 1717, Russia tried her influence by the disbanding of the -Polish army? Since that epoch, what moment has been exempt from her -influence or her outrages? If this crafty power joined herself to -Poland, it is to impose on her, as in 1764, that fatal guarantee which -made the integrity of our frontiers dependent on the perpetuation of -anarchy; to make that anarchy the means of accomplishing her ambitious -designs. The world knows what they have been since that unlucky -epoch. It is since then that, by partition after partition, Poland -has been seen completely to disappear, without crime and without -vengeance; it is since that time that the Poles have heard with -indignation the insulting language of the Repnins, of the Sivers; it -is since then that the Russian soldier bathed himself in the blood of -their fellow-citizens, as a prelude to that for ever execrable day, -must we recall it, in which, in the midst of the shouts of a savage -conqueror, Warsaw heard the cries of the population of Prague, which -was destroyed by fire and murder. Pole, for it is time to make that -name which we should never lose resound in your ears, these are the -hateful means by which Russia has succeeded in appropriating to -<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_181" id="Page_181">[Pg 181]</a></span> -herself our fine provinces; these are the claim, the only claim, she -possesses on us. Force alone could enchain us, force may also break -the fetters which she alone has forged. These fetters shall be broken. -Poland, then, shall exist,—what do we say? She exists already, or -rather she has never ceased to exist. How can the perfidy, the plots, -the violence, under which she has fallen—how can they have affected -her right? Yes, we are still Poland; we are so by the title that we -hold from nature, from society, from our ancestors, from those sacred -titles which the universe recognizes, and which form the safeguard of -mankind."</p> - -<p>I was carried away by enthusiasm. I had so often seen the brave Polish -legions in Italy, in Egypt, and elsewhere! They were right indeed, -they were still Poland. "In point of courage," I said to the Duke, -"nothing will surprise me on the part of this brave people; but I own -I did not suspect it of this sort of talent." "You are right," replied -M. de Bassano, "they have plenty of other things to do than to make -harangues!" "Who, then, is the writer?" "The Abbé." "What Abbé? Do -you think the Emperor has a predilection for churchmen?" "No; but in -fine, at the present time, it is not without powerful considerations -that an embassy is confided to a priest." "Is it the -<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_182" id="Page_182">[Pg 182]</a></span> -Archbishop?" -"The very man; we have sent him to Warsaw to intoxicate the Poles by -his eloquence. I do not think him very skilful in business, but he is -entirely devoted to the Emperor;—that is the main affair. His enemies -accuse him of being ambitious and restless, without steadiness in his -affections, or in his ideas of praising white and black; of being the -mere creature of circumstance. I believe this picture a caricature. I -myself am persuaded that, if events compromise the glory of our arms, -he will not be seen among the ranks of our detractors." "I firmly -believe it; he has abused the Cossacks too much ever to become their -patriarch."</p> - -<p>The deputation of the Diet was still at Wilna. I was acquainted with a -few of the members. I saw them; they talked to me of their hopes, of -their means, of their rights. These ideas struck me, I gave an account -of them to the Duke.—"You are admirable!" said he in reply. "What! -do you not recognize the Archbishop? Do you not see with what art he -betrays himself? and these biblical reminiscences, to whom would you -have them occur but to a priest. Besides I will give you the document."</p> - -<p>"Sire, the Diet of the Grand Duchy of Warsaw, assembled at the -approach of the powerful armies of your Majesty, recognized at the -<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_183" id="Page_183">[Pg 183]</a></span> -outset that it had rights to reclaim and duties to fulfil; with an -unanimous voice, it has constituted itself a general confederation -of Poland; it has declared the kingdom of Poland re-established in -its rights; and, at the same time, that the acts of usurpation and -arbitrary power, by which its existence had been destroyed, were null -and of no effect.</p> - -<p>"Sire, your Majesty labours for posterity and for history. If Europe -cannot mistake our rights, she can still much less mistake our -duties. A free and independent nation, since the remotest times, we -have not lost our territory and our independence, either by treaties -or by conquest, but by perfidy and treachery. Treachery has never -constituted rights. We have seen our last king dragged away to St. -Petersburgh, where he perished; and our nation torn to shreds by -princes with whom we were not at war, and by whom we have not been -conquered.</p> - -<p>"Our rights appear thus evident to the eyes of God and men. We, Poles, -we have the right to re-establish the throne of the Jagellons and -Sobieskis, to re-assert our national independence, to re-assemble our -divided members, to arm ourselves in defence of our native country, -and to prove, by fighting in its defence, that we are the worthy -descendants of our ancestors.</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_184" id="Page_184">[Pg 184]</a></span></p> - -<p>"Can your Majesty disown us or blame us, for having done that which -our duty, as Poles, demanded of us; and for having resumed our rights? -Yes, Sire. Poland is proclaimed from this day; she exists by the laws -of equity, but she ought to exist in fact; right and justice proclaim -our resolution to be legitimate; but it ought to be supported on our -part. Has not God punished Poland enough for its divisions? will he -perpetuate our misfortunes? and must the Poles, after having cherished -the love of their country, go down to the tomb wretched and without -hope? No, Sire. You have been sent by Providence, power is placed in -the hands of your Majesty, and the existence of the Grand Duchy is due -to the power of your arms.</p> - -<p>"Say, Sire, Let the kingdom of Poland exist! and the decree will be -to the world equivalent to the reality. We are sixteen millions of -Poles, among whom there is not one whose blood, arms, and fortune, -are not devoted to your Majesty: every sacrifice will appear to us -light, if it has for its object the reestablishment of our native -country. From the Dwina to the Dniester, from the Borysthenes to the -Oder, one word only from your Majesty will command every arm, every -effort, every heart. This unexampled -<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_185" id="Page_185">[Pg 185]</a></span> -war which Russia has dared to -declare, notwithstanding the recollections of Austerlitz, Pultusk, -Eylau, Friedland; in spite of the oaths taken at Tilsit and at -Erfurth, is, we have no doubt, an effect of Providence, which, moved -by the misfortunes of our nation, has determined to bring them to a -termination. The second Polish war has only just begun, and already -we pay our homage to your Majesty in the capital of the Jagellons. -Already are the eagles of your Majesty on the Dwina, and the armies of -Russia, separated, divided, cut up, wander in uncertainty, and seek in -vain to unite and to form themselves, &c."</p> - -<p>"It is well.—Yes, undoubtedly; but he is so enchanted with the -_chef-d'œuvre_, that he would think himself wanting to his glory if he -did not publish to the world that his genius protects Poland. Twenty -times a-day I am obliged to moderate these excesses of self-love. This -very morning I have been remonstrating with him on the impropriety -of his freaks of vanity. He <i>Ossianizes</i>; do you recollect the word? -It describes him admirably. But now, if his style goes well, his -embassy scarcely moves. But for Duroc, who covers him with his wing, -I would have already sent him to his flocks. What the -<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_186" id="Page_186">[Pg 186]</a></span> -devil has the -almonership in common with embassies? Why should he put himself to the -trouble of so much exertion, to do nothing of any possible use?"</p> - - -<hr class="chap" /> - -<div class="chapter p4"> - <h2><a name="CHAPTER_XXVII" id="CHAPTER_XXVII"></a>CHAPTER XXVII.</h2> -</div> - -<p><span class="smcap">I resumed</span> my route: -it was through forests, steeps, every thing that -is most wild in nature; but I met at every step officers who were -going on missions; they gave me news of my friends, of the army. I -forgot the scenes that I was passing through; I discussed the probable -chances of the war; they talked to me of the valour of the troops, of -the prodigious activity of the Emperor. It was indeed inconceivable, -the movements, the administrations, the measures of security and -precaution; he embraced every thing, he was equal to every thing. The -instructions that were given to M. d'Hautpoult are an example of it. -They merit preservation.</p> - -<div class="bq"> -<p>"The orderly officer d'Hautpoult will go to Ostrowno, and -from thence to Beszenkowiczi. He will see at Ostrowno whether -the village is -<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_187" id="Page_187">[Pg 187]</a></span> -inhabited, and whether it has an engineer to -re-organize it; he will see at Beszenkowiczi whether the bridges -are erected, and if a bridge of rafts has been substituted for -the fixed one, which would not stand the first swelling of the -river; he will see whether the <i>tête-du-pont</i> is in progress; he -will see also the hospital, the workhouse, the magazines, and -in fine, if the country begins to be re-organized. He will give -me an account of the troops that he may meet, whether cavalry, -artillery, or military equipages. He will see at Beszenkowiczi -the fourth regiment of the chasseurs of the guard, and the -battalion of Hesse Darmstadt, which I have commanded to remain -there till farther orders. There should also be there several -pieces of artillery; he must take care that every thing be in -its proper position, and that the works at the <i>tête-du-pont</i> be -proceeded with in order to finish it. He will inform himself if -there are any news of the Cossacks, and, if it is necessary, he -will remain one day at Beszenkowiczi in order to see every thing, -and draw up his despatch. He will write to me from that quarter, -taking care to send his letter by the first estafette that may -pass through Beszenkowiczi. He will continue his road to Polozk, -from whence he will send me his second despatch; he will see the -functionaries of -<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_188" id="Page_188">[Pg 188]</a></span> -the town, hospital, and workhouse. He will -inform me how many prisoners the Duke de Reggio has taken in the -different affairs which have just taken place; how many wounded; -all that he can learn on this matter, and on the situation of -the Duke de Reggio's corps. The Duke de Tarentum having taken -Dünabourg, the orderly officer d'Hautpoult will learn whether -the communication between the two corps has been effected. He -will get every information which can make me acquainted with -the nature of the forces opposed to the Duke de Reggio; he will -remain with this Marshal (to whom he will send the inclosed -letter) till he shall have attacked the enemy, cleared the right -bank of the river, and effected his communication with Dünabourg.</p> - -<p class="ar smcap">"Napoleon."</p> -</div> - -<p>But all this vigilance did not remedy the evil. The soldiers who were -unable to keep up with their corps increased visibly; they encumbered -our rear. I gave an account to the Emperor, whom I joined at the -<i>bivouac</i> three leagues on this side of Smolensko, of the melancholy -picture that I had had incessantly before my eyes during the whole of -my journey. "It is the effect of long marches; I will strike a great -blow, and every one will rally. You come from Wilna. What is Hogendorp doing? -<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_189" id="Page_189">[Pg 189]</a></span> -he is wallowing in indolence. Has he not his wife with him?" -I knew nothing about it; I could not answer. Napoleon replied, "If he -had his wife, she must go back to France, or at least that he must -send her to Germany on the rear. Berthier is going to write to him." -Some papers were brought in that had just been translated; some were -the accounts of the victories in which some handfuls of Cossacks had -beaten us all; others were proclamations and addresses, in which we -were designated as a troop of missionaries. "See," said Napoleon -to me, "you had no suspicion that we were apostles; but here it is -proved that we are coming with damnation for the Russians. These -poor Cossacks are going to become idolators. But here is another of -a different kind; here, read, it is pure Russian. Poor Platoff! All -are of equal strength in these dreary climates!" I read it; it was -a long rhapsody with which the patriarch seasoned a relic of St. -Sergius that he offered to the Emperor Alexander. He ended it with -this paragraph: "The city of Moscow, the first capital of the empire, -the new Jerusalem, receives its Christ, as a mother, in the arms of -her zealous sons; and through the mist which is rising foreseeing the -brilliant glory of his power, it sings in transports, Hosanna, blessed -be he who cometh! -<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_190" id="Page_190">[Pg 190]</a></span> -Let the arrogant, the brazen Goliath carry from the -borders of France mortal terror to the confines of Russia; pacific -religion, this sling of the Russian David shall suddenly bow the -head of his sanguinary pride. This image of St. Sergius, the ancient -defender of the happiness of our country, is offered to your Imperial -Majesty."</p> - - -<hr class="chap" /> - -<div class="chapter p4"> - <h2><a name="CHAPTER_XXVIII" id="CHAPTER_XXVIII"></a>CHAPTER XXVIII.</h2> -</div> - - -<p><span class="smcap">The</span> affair of Smolensko -took place. The battle was obstinate, the -cannonade violent. The Russians, taken in flank and enfiladed, were -defeated. They could not defend those walls which so many times had -witnessed their victories; they evacuated them; but the bridges and -public buildings were a prey to the flames. The churches in particular -poured out torrents of fire and smoke. The domes, the spires, and the -multitude of small towers which arose above the conflagration, added -to the effect of the picture, and produced those ill-defined emotions -which are only to be found on the field of battle. We entered the -place. It was half consumed, of a barbarous appearance, encumbered -with the -<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_191" id="Page_191">[Pg 191]</a></span> -bodies of the dead and wounded, which the flames had already -reached. The spectacle was frightful. What a train is that of glory!</p> - -<p>We were obliged to turn our views from these scenes of slaughter. The -Russians were flying; our cavalry rushed to the pursuit, and soon -came up with the rear-guard. Korff attempted to make a stand; he was -overwhelmed. Barclay came forward with his masses. We, on our side, -received reinforcements; the action became terrible: Ney attacked in -front, Junot on the flank: the enemy's army would have been cut off -if the Duke had pressed forward. Wearied with not seeing him appear, -Murat ran to him, "What are you about? Why do you not come on?" "My -Westphalians are wavering." "I will give them an impetus." The King -of Naples put himself at the head of a few squadrons, charged, and -overthrew every thing that opposed him. "There is thy Marshal's staff -half gained; complete the work, the Russians are lost." Junot did -not complete it; whether from fatigue or distrust, the brave of the -brave slumbered amidst the sound of the cannon, and the enemy, who -were coming up to support their rear, again fell back on their line. -The engagement became terrible; the brave Gudin lost his life, and -the Russian army escaped us. Napoleon visited the places where -<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_192" id="Page_192">[Pg 192]</a></span> -the -battle had been fought. "It was not at the bridge—it is there—at the -village, where the eighth corps ought to have debouched—that the -battle hinged. What was Junot doing?" The King of Naples endeavoured -to extenuate his fault: the troops, the obstacles, all the customary -commonplaces were employed. Berthier, who had always loved the Duke, -interested himself for him; Caulincourt did the same. Every one -pleaded to the utmost in favour of a brave man who could be reproached -with nothing but a moment of forgetfulness. But the advantages we -had lost were too great. Napoleon sent for me. "Junot has just -lost for ever his Marshal's staff. I give you the command of the -Westphalian corps: you speak their language, you will show them an -example, you will make them fight." I was flattered with this mark -of confidence, and expressed my sense of it; but Junot was covered -with wounds, he had signalized himself in Syria, in Egypt, every -where; I begged the Emperor to forget a moment's absence of mind on -account of twenty years' courage and devotion. "He is the cause of -the Russian army not having laid down its arms. This affair will, -perhaps, hinder me from going to Moscow. Put yourself at the head -of the Westphalians." The tone with which he pronounced these last -<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_193" id="Page_193">[Pg 193]</a></span> -words was already much softened. The services of the old aide-de-camp -extenuated the inactivity of the 8th corps. I resumed: "Your Majesty -has just talked to me of Moscow. The army is not in expectation of -such an expedition." "The glass is full, I must drink it off. I have -just received good news: Schwartzenberg is in Wolhinia, Poland is -organizing, I shall have every kind of assistance."</p> - -<p>I left Napoleon to make known to the Prince of Neuchâtel and the -Duke de Vicenze the disgrace with which Junot was threatened. "I am -afflicted," said the Prince to me, "to see his troops taken from him; -but I cannot but own that he has caused the failure of one of the -finest operations of the campaign. See on what the success of war -depends; on the forgetfulness, on the absence of a moment: you do not -seize the occasion in its flight, it disappears, and returns no more. -No one has more courage or more ability. He adds to the qualities of -the soldier the most extensive knowledge; he is intrepid, clever, -agreeable, and good-natured. He forgot himself for an hour; he has -made himself many enemies. However, I and Caulincourt will see what -is to be done." They managed so well that Junot kept his post. I was -very glad of it; first, because it saved him from -<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_194" id="Page_194">[Pg 194]</a></span> -disgrace, and next -because I did not much like his troops. Unfortunately, lassitude had -succeeded the impetuosity of his youth. He did not show at the battle -of Moscowa that elasticity, that energy, of which he had so many times -given an example; and the affair of Vereia raised to its height the -dissatisfaction of the Emperor.</p> - -<p>We learnt, some days after, the irruption of Tormasoff. We were -uneasy; we discussed these long points, on the dangers to which one is -exposed in advancing to an excessive distance beyond the line of one's -operations. Without doubt Napoleon heard us. He came to us, talked a -good deal of the manner in which he had secured the rear, of the corps -which formed our wings, and of that chain of posts which extended -from the Niemen to our actual position. "Tormasoff," he said to us, -"has put all the children at Warsaw in alarm. They saw him already -officiating at Prague; but see, he is sent back quicker than he came." -He went into his closet, and began to dictate with indifference, but -loud enough to prevent us losing a word, instructions for the Duke de -Belluno.</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_195" id="Page_195">[Pg 195]</a></span></p> - - -<div class="bq"> -<p class="ac smcap">Napoleon to the Major-General.</p> - -<p class="ar">"Dorogobuj, August 26, 1812.</p> - -<p>"My cousin, write to the Duke de Belluno to go in person to -Wilna, in order that he may see there the Duke de Bassano, -and inform himself of affairs and the state of things; that -I shall be the day after to-morrow at Wjaezma, that is, five -days' march from Moscow; that it is possible that, in that -situation, communications will be intercepted; that some one -then must take the command, and act according to circumstances; -that I have ordered the 129th regiment, the Illyrian regiment, -the Westphalian regiment which was at Kœnigsberg, and the two -Saxon regiments, to march for Minsk; and that, moreover, I have -placed between Minsk and Mohilow the Dombrowski division, twelve -battalions strong, with a brigade of light cavalry; that it is -important for his corps to approach Wilna, and that he must -guide himself according to circumstances, in order to be in a -condition to support Smolensko, Witepsk, Mohilow, and Minsk; that -the Dombrowski division ought to be sufficient to keep up the -communications from Minsk by Orza as far as Smolensko, since it -has only to watch the Russian division of General Hetzel which -is at<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_196" id="Page_196">[Pg 196]</a></span> -Mozyr, from 6 to 8000 men strong, most of them recruits, -and against which, moreover, General Schwartzenberg can act; -that the new reinforcements which I shall send to Minsk will -also be able to assist against all accidents; and at all events -the movement of the Duke de Belluno to Minsk and Orza, and from -thence to Smolensko, appears to me calculated to support our -rear; that I have four towns and men in garrison at Witepsk, and -as many at Smolensko; that the Duke de Belluno taking position -thus, between the Dnieper and Dwina, can easily communicate with -me, will be able quickly to receive my orders, and will find -himself in condition to protect the communications from Minsk -and from Witepsk, as well as those from Smolensko to Moscow; -that I suppose that General Gouvion Saint-Cyr has sufficient of -the second and sixth corps to keep in check Witgenstein, and to -have nothing to fear from him; that the Duke de Tarentum can -march on Riga and invest the fortress; in fine, that I order -the four demi-brigades, making 9000 men, who formed part of the -Lagrange division, to march for Kowno; that also it should only -be in case General Gouvion Saint-Cyr should be beaten by General -Witgenstein, and obliged to pass the Dwina, that the Duke de -<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_197" id="Page_197">[Pg 197]</a></span> -Belluno is to march to his support in the first instance; that, -this case excepted, he is to follow his course for Smolensko. On -this, &c.</p> - -<p class="ar">(Signed) <span class="smcap">"Napoleon."</span></p> -</div> - - -<hr class="chap" /> - -<div class="chapter p4"> - <h2><a name="CHAPTER_XXIX" id="CHAPTER_XXIX"></a>CHAPTER XXIX.</h2> -</div> - - -<p><span class="smcap">The</span> army continued -its movements, always driving before it the troops -it had defeated at Valontina. <i>Te Deums</i> were often sung in Russia; -they are sung for every thing in that happy country: but the victories -after Tolly's fashion did not calm the anxiety of the nation; she -perceived that this mode of conquering would soon drive her into -Siberia; she resolved to put her destinies into other hands. Kutusow -drew from the feet of images his military inspirations; he fasted, -he prayed, he flattered the priests and the nobility; Heaven could -not refuse him its assistance: he was appointed. Admirable in courts, -pasquinades are not sufficient on the field of battle; all religious -mummeries are of no avail against a good manœuvre: he experienced -it. The King of Naples, who had a soldier's contempt for amulets, -attacks -<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_198" id="Page_198">[Pg 198]</a></span> -him and cuts his troops to pieces. He wished to make a stand -at Chevarino, but the cavalry is put in motion, the charge is sounded, -he is overturned, and thrown back on his intrenchments; courage -overpowers the saints of Russia. This beginning did not augur well; -Heaven answered coldly to the zeal of the Cossacks. Supplications -were redoubled; Kutusow displayed his images; the army defiled before -the virgin of Smolensko, of which we wished to dispossess the devout -nation: prayers, vows and offerings were made, and the orators of the -Calmucks uttered the following homily:—</p> - -<div class="bq"> - -<p>"Brethren!</p> - -<p>"You see before you, in this image, the object of your piety, an -appeal addressed to Heaven that it may unite with men against the -tyrant who disturbs the universe. Not content with destroying -millions of creatures, images of God, this arch-rebel against -all laws, both divine and human, penetrates into our sanctuaries -with an armed hand, defiles them with blood, overturns your -altars, and exposes the very ark of the Lord consecrated in this -holy image of our church to the profanations of fortune, of the -elements, and of sacrilegious hands. Fear not, then, but that -God, whose altars have been -<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_199" id="Page_199">[Pg 199]</a></span> -thus insulted by this worm which his -almighty power has drawn from the dust, will be with us; fear not -that he will refuse to extend his buckler over your ranks, and to -fight his enemy with the sword of Saint Michael."</p> - -<p>"It is in this belief that I wish to fight, conquer, and die, -certain that my dying eyes will see victory. Soldiers, do your -duty: think on the sacrifice of your cities in flames, and -on your children, who implore your protection; think on your -Emperor, your lord, who considers you as the nerve of his power, -and to-morrow, before the sun shall have gone down, you will have -traced your faith and your fidelity on your country's soil with -the blood of the aggressor and his warriors."</p> -</div> - -<p>The sword of Saint Michael is undoubtedly a formidable sword, but -active soldiers are of still more consequence; Kutusow did not -therefore spare libations; he proportionably increased the fervour of -the Cossacks. As for us, we had no inspired men, no preachers, not -even subsistence; but we bore the inheritance of a long glory; we -were going to decide whether the Tartars or ourselves were to give -laws to the world; we were on the confines of Asia, farther than any -European army had ever gone. Success -<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_200" id="Page_200">[Pg 200]</a></span> -was not doubtful: thus Napoleon -saw, with the most lively joy, the processions of Kutusow. "Good," -he observed to me, "they are now busy with pasquinades, they shall -not escape us again." He reconnoitred, despatched orders for moving, -and prepared himself for the battle of the morrow. The King of Naples -thought these preparations superfluous; he had made himself master of -the principal redoubt; the left of this position was turned: he did -not believe that the Russians would accept battle; he thought that -they would withdraw during the night. This was not their project; -they dug, they threw up the earth, they strengthened their position. -The next day we perceived them all at work. It was eleven o'clock; -Napoleon sent me to reconnoitre; I was charged to approach as near as -possible to the enemy's line. I rid myself of my white feathers, I -put on a soldier's cloak, and examined every thing with the greatest -care possible; I was only accompanied by one chasseur of the guard. In -several places I passed by Russian sentinels: the village of Borodino -was only separated from our posts by a narrow but a deep ravine: I -advanced too far; they fired at me two discharges of grape-shot. I -withdrew, and returned about two o'clock; I came and gave an -<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_201" id="Page_201">[Pg 201]</a></span> -account of every thing I had seen. Napoleon was discoursing with the King of -Naples and the Prince of Neuchâtel; Murat had entirely changed his -opinion; surprised to see at daybreak the enemy's line unmoved, he had -thought action approaching, and had prepared for it. Other generals -still maintained that the Russians would not dare to run the risk: as -for me, I asserted the contrary. I observed that they had plenty of -men, in a very good position; I was convinced that they would attack -us, if we did not prevent them. Napoleon did me the honour to be of my -opinion, which was also that of Berthier: he called for his horses, -and made the same reconnoissance in person. He was received as I had -been before Borodino; the grape-shot obliged him to withdraw. What he -saw effectually convinced him that he had not been deceived: on his -return he gave orders in consequence.</p> - -<p>Night came on. I was in attendance; I slept in Napoleon's tent. The -part where he slept was generally separated by a partition of cloth -from that which was reserved for the aide-de-camp in attendance. The -Emperor slept very little: I waked him several times to give him in -reports and accounts from the advanced posts, which all proved to him -that the Russians expected to be -<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_202" id="Page_202">[Pg 202]</a></span> -attacked. At three in the morning -he called a valet de chambre, and made him bring some punch; I had -the honour of taking some with him. He asked me if I had slept well; -I answered, that the nights were already cold, that I had often been -awaked. He said, "We shall have an affair to-day with this famous -Kutusow. You recollect, no doubt, that it was he who commanded at -Braunau, in the campaign of Austerlitz. He remained three weeks in -that place, without leaving his chamber once. He did not even get -on horseback to see the fortifications. General Benigsen, though as -old, is a more vigorous fellow than he. I do not know why Alexander -has not sent this Hanoverian to replace Barclay." He took a glass of -punch, read some reports, and added, "Well, Rapp, do you think that -we shall manage our concerns properly to-day?"—"There is not the -least doubt of it, Sire; we have exhausted all our resources, we are -obliged to conquer." Napoleon continued his discourse, and replied: -"Fortune is a liberal mistress; I have often said so, and begin to -experience it."—"Your Majesty recollects that you did me the honour to -tell me at Smolensko, that the glass was full, that it must be drunk -off."—"It is at present the case more than ever: there is no time -<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_203" id="Page_203">[Pg 203]</a></span> -to lose. The army moreover knows its situation: it knows that it can -only find provisions at Moscow, and that it has not more than thirty -leagues to go. This poor army is much reduced, but what remains of it -is good; my guard besides is untouched." He sent for Prince Berthier, -and transacted business till half past five. We mounted on horseback: -the trumpets sounded, the drums were beaten; and as soon as the troops -knew it, there was nothing but acclamations. "It is the enthusiasm of -Austerlitz. Let the proclamation be read."</p> - -<div class="bq"> -<p>"Soldiers!</p> - -<p>"This is the battle that you have so long wished for! Henceforth -victory depends on you; we want her; she will give us abundance -of good winter-quarters, and a quiet return to our country. -Behave yourselves as at Austerlitz, at Friedland, at Witepsk, at -Smolensko; and let the remotest posterity quote your conduct on -this day, and let it be said of you, 'he was at that great battle -under the walls of Moscow.'"</p> - -</div> -<p>The acclamations redoubled, the troops were incessantly demanding to -fight, the action soon began.</p> - -<hr class="chap" /> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_204" id="Page_204">[Pg 204]</a></span></p> - - - -<div class="chapter p4"> - <h2><a name="CHAPTER_XXX" id="CHAPTER_XXX"></a>CHAPTER XXX.</h2> -</div> - - -<p><span class="smcap">The</span> wings were -composed of Italians and Poles; Napoleon acted on the -left of the enemy's masses. Beyond this we had no precise information; -women, children, old people, cattle, all had disappeared; there -was not a person left who could give us the least information. Ney -marched towards the enemy, and broke through them with that force, -that impetuosity, of which he had given so many proofs. We carried -the three redoubts which supported the enemy. He came up with fresh -troops; confusion began in our ranks; we gave up two of these works; -the last even was in danger. The Russians already crowned the crest of -the ditches. The King of Naples sees the danger, flies to the spot, -alights from his horse, enters, mounts the parapet; he calls and -animates the soldiers. The redoubt is strengthened, the fire becomes -terrible, the assailants dare not try the assault. Some squadrons -appear; Murat mounts his horse, charges, routs the columns scattered -over <span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_205" id="Page_205">[Pg 205]</a></span> -the plain. We retake the retrenchments, and finally establish -ourselves in them. This trait of boldness decided the fate of the day.</p> - -<p>General Compans had just been wounded; I went to take the command of -his division. It made a part of the corps d'armée of Marshal Davoust. -It had already taken one of the intrenched positions of the enemy; -it had also suffered much. I consulted, on my arrival, with Marshal -Ney, whose right I supported. Our troops were in confusion, we rallied -them, we rushed headlong on the Russians, we made them expiate their -success. Neither discharges of cannon nor musquetry could stop us. -The infantry, the cavalry, charged with fury from one extremity of -the line to the other. I had never before seen such carnage. We had -inclined too much towards the right; the King of Naples remained -alone, exposed to the havoc of the batteries of Seminskoe. He had -nothing but cavalry; a deep ravine separated him from the village: -it was not easy to take it, but it was necessary to do so under -pain of being swept away by the grape-shot. General Belliard, who -only perceives a screen of light cavalry, conceives the design of -driving it off and moving by the left on the redoubt. "Run to Latour -Maubourg," Murat said to him; "tell him to take a brigade of -<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_206" id="Page_206">[Pg 206]</a></span> -French and Saxon cuirassiers, to pass the ravine, to put all to the sword, -to arrive at full gallop at the back of the redoubt, and to spike all -the cannon. If he should fail, let him return in the same direction. -You shall place a battery of forty pieces of cannon and a part of -the reserve to protect the retreat." Latour Maubourg put himself in -movement, routed, dispersed the Russians, and made himself master of -the works. Friant came up to occupy them. All the reserve passed, -and established itself on the left of the village. There remained a -last retrenchment, which took us in flank and commanded our position. -The reserve had taken one, it thought that it could take another. -Caulincourt advanced, and spread far and wide confusion and death. He -falls suddenly on the redoubt, and gets possession of it. A soldier -hidden in an embrasure stretched him dead. He slept the sleep of the -brave; he was not a witness of our disasters.</p> - -<p>Every thing was in flight; the fire had ceased, the carnage had -paused. General Belliard went to reconnoitre a wood situated at -some distance. He perceived the road which converged on us; it was -covered with troops and convoys, which were retreating. If they had -been intercepted, all the right of the enemy's army had been taken in -the <span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_207" id="Page_207">[Pg 207]</a></span> -segment in which it was placed. He came and informed Murat of -it. "Run and give an account of it to the Emperor," said the Prince. -He went, but Napoleon did not think the moment come. "I do not see -sufficiently clear on my chess-board; I expect news from Poniatowski. -Return, examine, come back." The General returned, indeed, but it -was too late. The Russian guard was advancing; infantry, cavalry, -all were coming up to renew the attack. The General had only time to -collect a few pieces of cannon. "Grape-shot, grape shot, and nothing -but grape shot," he said to the artillerymen. The firing began; its -effect was terrible; in one instant the ground was covered with dead. -The shattered column was dissipated like a shadow. It did not fire one -shot. Its artillery arrived a few moments after; we got possession -of it. The battle was gained, but the firing was still terrible. The -balls and shots were pouring down by my side. In the space of one -hour I was struck four times, first with two shots rather slightly, -then with a bullet on the left arm, which carried away the sleeve of -my coat and shirt close to the skin. I was then at the head of the -sixty-first regiment, which I had known in Upper Egypt. There were a -few officers present who were there; it was rather singular to meet -here. I soon received -<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_208" id="Page_208">[Pg 208]</a></span> -a fourth wound; a ball struck me on my left hip -and threw me headlong from my horse:—it was the twenty-second. I was -obliged to quit the field of battle; I informed Marshal Ney of it, his -troops were mixed with mine.</p> - -<p>General Dessaix, the only general of that division who was not -wounded, succeeded me; a moment after he had his arm broken; Friant -was not wounded till afterwards.</p> - -<p>I was dressed by the surgeon of Napoleon, who also came himself -to visit me. "Is it, then, always your turn? How are things going -on?" "Sire, I believe that you will be obliged to make your guard -charge." "I shall take good care not to do so. I do not wish to see it -destroyed. I am sure to gain the battle without its taking a part." -It did not charge in effect, with the exception of thirty pieces of -cannon, which did wonders.</p> - -<p>The day ended; fifty thousand men lay on the field of battle. A -multitude of generals were killed and wounded: we had forty disabled. -We made some prisoners, took some pieces of cannon: this result did -not compensate for the losses which it had cost us.</p> - -<hr class="chap" /> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_209" id="Page_209">[Pg 209]</a></span></p> - - - -<div class="chapter p4"> - <h2><a name="CHAPTER_XXXI" id="CHAPTER_XXXI"></a>CHAPTER XXXI.</h2> -</div> - - -<p><span class="smcap">The</span> Russian army -retreated towards the capital: it made some -resistance at Mojaisk, and arrived at Moscow. We took this city -without striking a blow. Murat entered it in the train of the -Cossacks, discoursed with their chiefs, and even gave a watch to one -of them. They were expressing the admiration which his courage excited -in them, and the dejection that a series of misfortunes produces, when -some discharges of musquetry were heard: it was from a few hundred -citizens who had taken arms. They themselves put an end to this -useless firing, and continued their retreat.</p> - -<p>Napoleon entered the next day. He fixed his quarters in the Kremlin, -with a part of his guard, and the persons of his household; but we -were so badly accommodated that I was obliged to take another lodging. -I settled myself at some distance, in a house which belonged to a -member of the Nareschkin family. I arrived at four o'clock -<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_210" id="Page_210">[Pg 210]</a></span> -in the afternoon. The town was still complete: the custom-house alone was a -prey to the flames, which devoured it before any Frenchman appeared; -but night came on—it was the signal for the fire. Left and right, -every where there was a blaze; public buildings, temples, private -property, all were in flames. The conflagration was general—nothing -was to escape. The wind blew with violence; the fire made rapid -progress. At midnight the blaze was so terrific, that my aides-de-camp -waked me; they supported me; I reached a window from which I beheld -the spectacle, which was becoming frightful. The fire was advancing -towards us: at four o'clock I was informed that I must remove from -my quarters. I left them; a few moments after, the house was reduced -to ashes. I ordered them to conduct me in the direction of the -Kremlin; every thing was in confusion. I returned back and went to the -quarters of the Germans. A house belonging to a Russian General had -been appointed for me; I hoped to be able to stay there to recover -from my wounds; but when I arrived, volumes of fire and smoke were -already issuing from it. I did not go in; I returned once more to the -Kremlin. On the road I perceived some Russian artisans and soldiers, -who were dispersed about in the houses, and were employed in setting -fire to <span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_211" id="Page_211">[Pg 211]</a></span> -them: our patroles killed some of them in my presence, and -arrested a considerable number. I met Marshal Mortier. "Where are you -going?" said he to me. "The fire drives me out from wherever I fix -my quarters: I am now determined to go to the Kremlin."—"Every thing -there is in confusion, the fire is increasing in every direction; -rather go from it."—"Where can one retreat?"—"To my hotel; my -aide-de-camp will conduct you." I followed him; the house was close to -the foundling hospital. We got there with difficulty; it was already -in flames. I determined again to go to the Kremlin. I passed the -Moskowa to fix myself opposite to the palace, which was yet untouched. -I met in my road General Laribossière, accompanied by his son, who -was ill; Talbouet joined us: we all quartered ourselves in the houses -placed on the banks of the river. My landlord was an honest hatter, -who felt for my situation, and bestowed all possible care on me. I was -just settled with this worthy artisan, when the fire shewed itself -on every side. I quitted in haste: the quays are narrow; if I had -delayed, I could not have escaped with my carriage. We crossed the -water, and established ourselves in the open air behind the walls of -the Kremlin; this was the only means of getting any rest. The wind -was <span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_212" id="Page_212">[Pg 212]</a></span> -still blowing with increasing violence, and it fed the flames. I -removed once more, for the last time: I withdrew to the neighbourhood -of one of the barriers; the houses were detached and scattered, -the fire could not reach them. The one that I occupied was small, -convenient, and belonged to a Prince Gallitzin. I supported while I -remained there, during fifteen days, at the least a hundred and fifty -refugee inhabitants.</p> - -<p>Napoleon was, in his turn, obliged to retreat before the flames. He -quitted the Kremlin, and fixed his head-quarters out of the town, -in a palace where he took up his residence. He did not stay there -long; he returned to the palace of the Czars as soon as the fire was -extinguished. He sent, almost every morning, General Narbonne to -inquire after me. This General, like many others of our army, was very -uneasy. He often said to me, that the Emperor was wrong in calculating -on peace; that we were not in a condition to dictate conditions; -that the Russians had not sacrificed their capital to accept of -disadvantageous terms. "They are amusing us, in order to take their -revenge, and to have fairer sport."</p> - -<hr class="chap" /> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_213" id="Page_213">[Pg 213]</a></span></p> - - - -<div class="chapter p4"> - <h2><a name="CHAPTER_XXXII" id="CHAPTER_XXXII"></a>CHAPTER XXXII.</h2> -</div> - - -<p><span class="smcap">Moscow</span> was destroyed: -the occupation of its ruins was neither safe nor -advantageous: we were too far removed from our wings; we could not -procure subsistence, and we had no interest in guarding the ruins. -Every one was of opinion that we must not remain there, but it was not -agreed what it was best to do. The King of Naples proposed to march -towards Kaluga, to destroy there the only establishments which Russia -possessed, and to return and go into cantonments on the Boristhenes. -The Cossacks could not be followed to the extremity of the world; the -longest flight must have its end; we were ready for fighting, but we -did not wish to persevere longer in a chase. Such was the purport -of the proclamation that he recommended before putting the army in -motion. The Viceroy thought, on the contrary, that we should march -towards the Russians, give them battle, and push them on Petersburg, -and then march for Riga: we could thus have rejoined Macdonald, and -afterwards -<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_214" id="Page_214">[Pg 214]</a></span> -established ourselves on the Dwina. Others presented -other plans; all were good—all were practicable; but the Emperor -had some particular information; he would have judged correctly, -if the Russians had not received inspirations from England. Much -fault has been found with this delay: it is an error, since events -have condemned it; but those who exclaim against it were not in the -secret of our affairs or negotiations; they may, without too much -modesty, believe that the sagacity of that great man was not below -that which Nature has given to them. He was deceived; we have felt -the consequences; perhaps one day it will be known what combinations -misled him. However that may be, we delayed, we negotiated, we gave -battle; we decided nothing. The army of Moldavia was continuing its -movement; it was advancing, but it was not yet known in what line it -was to act. Some pretended that it would unite with Kutusow, others -feared that it would march upon our rear. We were uncertain of what -was preparing; the Emperor himself was not free from uneasiness, but -he knew to a man what troops he had in <i>echelon</i> from the Rhine to -Moscow; he thought his calculations safe; he confined himself to the -despatching of instructions: those that he addressed to the Duke de -Belluno are worth -<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_215" id="Page_215">[Pg 215]</a></span> -citing. They prove what kind of <i>slumber</i> it was -that he has been reproached with.</p> - -<div class="bq"> -<p class="ac noindent smcap">Napoleon to the Major-General.</p> - -<p>"My cousin, inform the Duke de Belluno that I have not yet given -orders for his movement, because that depends on the movement -of the enemy: that the Russian army from Moldavia, consisting -of three divisions, or twenty thousand men strong, infantry, -cavalry, and artillery included, passed the Dnieper in the -beginning of September; that it may march towards Moscow to -reinforce the army under the command of General Kutusow, or -towards Volhinia to reinforce that of Tormasoff; that General -Kutusow's army, beaten at the battle of Moskowa, is at present -on the Kaluga, which would lead us to believe that it expects -reinforcements which might come from Moldavia, by the road of -Kiow; that, in this case, the Duke de Belluno would receive -orders to join the great army, either by the road of Jelnia -and Kaluga, or any other; that if, on the contrary, the twenty -thousand men from Moldavia relieve Tormasoff, this reinforcement -will raise Tormasoff's force to forty thousand men; but that -our right, under the command of Prince Schwartzenberg, would be -still of equal force—as that Prince, with the Austrians, -<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_216" id="Page_216">[Pg 216]</a></span>Poles, -and Saxons, has about forty thousand men; that moreover I have -demanded of the Emperor of Austria, that the corps which the -Austrian General Reuss commands at Leinberg should move; and -that Prince Schwartzenberg should receive a reinforcement of ten -thousand men; that, on the other side, the Emperor Alexander -reinforces as much as he can the garrison of Riga, and the corps -of Wittgenstein, in order to dislodge Marshal Saint-Cyr from -Polozk, and the Duke of Tarentum from Riga and Dünaburg; that -letters which came from Prince Schwartzenberg, dated the 24th, -would tend to prove that the army of Moldavia, instead of coming -towards Moscow, has reached the army of Tormasoff and reinforced -it; that it is necessary then to know what will be done; that, -in this state of things, I desire that the Duke de Belluno will -canton his corps from Smolensko to Orsza; that he will keep up -an exact correspondence by all the estafettes with the Duke de -Bassano, in order that that Minister may write to him and give -him all the news that he shall have from different parts; that -he will send a steady, discreet, and intelligent officer to -General Schwartzenberg and General Regnier; that this officer -shall learn from General Schwartzenberg what is passing, and -from General Regnier the true state of affairs; that he will -regularly correspond with the Governor -<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_217" id="Page_217">[Pg 217]</a></span> -of Minsk; and lastly, -that he will send agents in different directions to know what is -passing; that the division of Gerard shall be placed on the side -of Orsza, where it will be four or five days' march from Minsk, -three from Witepsk, four or five from Polozk; that the other -division, which shall be between Orsza and Smolensko, shall be -in a condition to give it speedy assistance; and that lastly, -the third division shall be near Smolensko. That, by this means, -his corps d'armée will rest itself, and be able easily to find -subsistence; that it will be necessary to station it above the -route, in order to leave the great communications free for the -troops which arrive; that in this position he will be equally -able to march upon Minsk, or upon Wilna, if the centre of our -communications and of our depôts be threatened; or if Marshal -Saint-Cyr should be driven from Polozk, or to execute the order -that he might receive to return to Moscow by the road of Jelnia -and of Kaluga—if the taking of Moscow and the new state of things -should determine the enemy to reinforce himself with a portion of -the troops from Moldavia; that the Duke de Belluno will thus form -the chief reserve, to go either to the relief of Schwartzenberg -and cover Minsk, or to the assistance of Marshal Saint-Cyr and -cover Wilna, or to Moscow to reinforce the main -<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_218" id="Page_218">[Pg 218]</a></span> army. That -General Dombrowski, who has a division of 8000 infantry, and -12,000 Polish horse, is under his orders, which will increase -his corps d'armée to four divisions; that the brigade of reserve -from Wilna, composed of four Westphalian regiments, of two -battalions from Hesse-Darmstadt, which towards the end of the -month will arrive from Swedish Pomerania, and of eight pieces -of cannon, will also be under his orders; that, in fine, in the -course of November, two new divisions will assemble;—the one -at Warsaw, that is, the thirty-second division, which will be -augmented by three battalions from Wurtsburg, and will remain -under the command of General Durutte; the other at Kœnigsberg, -that is, the thirty-fourth, which was in Pomerania under the -orders of General Morand, and which, also increased by some -battalions, will be commanded by General Loison. Thus, whether it -be necessary to march to the assistance of Prince Schwartzenberg, -or to the assistance of Marshal Saint-Cyr, the Duke de Belluno -will always assemble a mass of forty thousand men; that, as the -correspondence by estafette is quick, I always give my orders; -and that it would only be in the event of Minsk or Wilna being -threatened or menaced, that the Duke de Belluno should march -of his <span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_219" id="Page_219">[Pg 219]</a></span> -own authority to protect these two grand depôts of the -army; that the Duke de Belluno, having the general command over -all Lithuania and the governments of Smolensko and of Witepsk, -should every where accelerate the progress of the administration, -and especially take efficacious measures that the requisitions -for corn and forage be carried into effect; that there are -ovens at Mohilow, at Orsza, at Rasasna, and at Dubrowna; that -he must get a great deal of biscuit ready, and put himself in -a situation to have thirty days' provisions secured for his -corps, without taking any thing from the military transports, or -from the convoys which may be passing for the army. The Duke de -Belluno will take care to keep up a correspondence at Witepsk: -he is at liberty to send troops to support that point, and to -maintain himself there; he can then go in person to Mohilow, -to Witepsk, or Smolensko, to know the ground, and to expedite -the administration. If, by any accident, the communication with -Moscow should be intercepted, he would take care to send cavalry -and infantry to open it again."</p> - -</div> - -<p>We had no longer either food or forage; men and horses were alike -exhausted; retreat became -<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_220" id="Page_220">[Pg 220]</a></span> -indispensable. A question arose as to the -means of carrying away our wounded. I began to be able to walk; on -the 13th I went to the palace: Napoleon asked with kindness in what -state my wounds were, how I was going on. He showed me the portrait of -the King of Rome, which he had received at the moment we were going -to begin the battle of the Moskowa. He had shown it to most of the -Generals. I had to carry orders; the battle began; we had other things -to attend to. He wished now to make me amends; he looked for the -medallion, and observed, with a satisfaction which betrayed itself in -his eyes:—"My son is the finest child in France."</p> - -<p>A moment after, a memorial was brought from the Intendant-general, -who required forty-five days to remove the wounded. "Forty-five days! -he is deceived. If nothing were done, part would get well and part -would die; there would only be the remainder to remove; and experience -proves, that three months after a battle there remains but the sixth -part of the wounded. I wish to remove them; I will not let them remain -here exposed to the brutality of the Russians." We perceived from -the saloon the workmen who were busy in taking away the cross of the -great Ivan. "Do you see what a flock of ravens hover around that -<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_221" id="Page_221">[Pg 221]</a></span> -lump of old iron? Do they think to hinder us from taking it away? I will -send that cross to Paris, I will have it placed on the dome of the -Invalids."</p> - -<p>It was the 18th of October; the departure was fixed for the 19th. My -wound was not quite closed up. I mounted on horseback to see if I -could bear the motion.</p> - - -<hr class="chap" /> - -<div class="chapter p4"> - <h2><a name="CHAPTER_XXXIII" id="CHAPTER_XXXIII"></a>CHAPTER XXXIII.</h2> -</div> - - -<p><span class="smcap">The</span> next day -I went early to the Kremlin. Scarcely had I reached -the palace, when Napoleon came out of it to leave Moscow for ever; -he perceived me. "I hope that you will not follow me on horseback, -you are not in a fit state to do it; you can get into one of my -carriages." I thanked him, and replied that I thought I should be in a -condition to accompany him. We quitted this capital, and we took the -road of Kaluga; when we were about three leagues distance, the Emperor -stopped to wait for news from Mortier, who had orders to destroy the -Kremlin on leaving the place. -<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_222" id="Page_222">[Pg 222]</a></span> -He was walking in a field with M. Daru; -this gentleman left him; I was called. "Well, Rapp, we are going to -retreat to the frontiers of Poland by the road of Kaluga: I shall take -up good winter-quarters. I hope that Alexander will make peace."—"You -have waited a long time, Sire; the inhabitants foretel that it will -be a severe winter."—"Poh! poh! with your inhabitants. It is the 19th -of October to-day, you see how fine it is. Do you not recognise my -star? Besides, I could not leave without sending on all the sick and -wounded. I was not to give them up to the rage of the Russians."—"I -believe, Sire, that you would have done better to have left them at -Moscow; the Russians would not have hurt them; whilst they are exposed -for want of aid to die on the road." Napoleon was not of that opinion; -but all that he said to me in the way of encouragement did not deceive -even himself; his countenance bore the marks of uneasiness.</p> - -<p>At last an officer despatched from the Marshal arrived: it was my -aide-de-camp Turkheim, who informed us that Moscow was tranquil; -that some pulks of Cossacks had appeared in the environs, but they -took care not to approach the Kremlin, or any of the quarters still -occupied by the French troops. We proceeded on our march. In the -<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_223" id="Page_223">[Pg 223]</a></span> -evening we arrived at Krasno Pachra. The look of the country was not -encouraging to Napoleon. The hideous aspect, the wild air of the -slaves, was revolting to eyes accustomed to other climates. "I would -not leave a man there; I would give all the treasures of Russia not -to leave a single wounded man behind. We must take horses, waggons, -carriages—every thing to carry them on. Send me a secretary." The -secretary came; it was to write to Mortier what he had just been -telling me. It is of use to copy the despatch: these instructions are -not unworthy to be known. Those who have so often declaimed against -his indifference should study them.</p> - -<div class="bq"> -<p class="ac noindent smcap">"To the Major-General.</p> - -<p>"Acquaint the Duke de Treviso, that as soon as his business in -Moscow is finished, that is, on the 23d at three o'clock in -the morning, he is to begin to march, and that he must come on -the 24th to Kubinskoe; and from that place, instead of going -to Mojaisk, he is to proceed to Vereia, where he will arrive -on the 25th. He will serve as an intermediate force between -Mojaisk, where the Duke d'Abrantes is, and Borowsk, where the -army will be. It will be right for him to send officers to -Fominskoe to inform us of his -<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_224" id="Page_224">[Pg 224]</a></span> -march; he will take with him the -Adjutant-commandant Bourmont, the Bavarians, and the Spaniards -who are at the palace of Gallitzin. All the Westphalians of the -first and second posts, and all the Westphalians that he can -find, he must assemble and direct towards Mojaisk: if they are -not in sufficient number, he will protect their passage with the -cavalry. The Duke de Treviso will inform the Duke d'Abrantes of -every thing relative to the surrender of Moscow. It is necessary -that he write to us to-morrow the 22d, not by the road of Desma, -but by that of Karapowo and Fominskoe. On the 23d he will send us -a letter by the road of Mojaisk: his officer will leave the road -at Kubinskoe to come to Fominskoe, as the head-quarters on the -23d are likely to be at Borowsk or at Fominskoe. Whether the Duke -de Treviso perform his operation at three o'clock in the morning -of to-morrow the 22d, or on the 23d at the same hour, as I have -since ordered him, he is in either case to follow these same -directions; by these means the Duke de Treviso may be considered -as the rear-guard of the army. I cannot too strongly recommend -to place on the waggons belonging to the young guard, or those -belonging to the dismounted cavalry, in short, on all that can -be found, the men who remain -<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_225" id="Page_225">[Pg 225]</a></span> -still in the hospitals. The Romans -gave civic crowns to those who saved citizens; the Duke will -deserve as many as he may save soldiers. He must mount them on -his horses, and on those of all his people.</p> - -<p>"This is what the Emperor did at the siege of Saint-Jean d'Acre. -He ought the rather to take this step, because as soon as the -convoy shall have joined the army, it will have waggons and -horses, which the consumption of provisions will have rendered -useless. The Emperor hopes that he shall have the pleasure of -thanking the Duke de Treviso, for having saved five hundred men. -He ought, as is but just, to begin with the officers, then the -sub-officers, and to give the French the preference. He must -assemble all the generals and officers, under his command, to -make them sensible of the importance of this measure, and how -much they will gain the Emperor's esteem, by saving for him five -hundred men."</p> - -</div> -<p>We marched on towards Borusk, where we arrived on the fourth day: the -town was completely abandoned. In the mean time, Kutusow was peaceably -engaged in issuing his proclamations: he was quite at ease in his camp -at Tarentino; he kept up no watch, either on his -<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_226" id="Page_226">[Pg 226]</a></span> -front or wings; -he had no idea at all of the movement we were making. He learned at -last, that we were marching towards Kaluga; he soon broke up his -cantonments, and appeared at Malojaroslawitz at the same time as our -columns. The action began: we heard from Borusk a distant cannonade. I -was suffering greatly from my wound, but I would not leave Napoleon: -we mounted horse. We arrived towards evening in sight of the field -of battle: they were still fighting; but the firing soon ceased. -Prince Eugène had forced a position, which must have been defended to -extremity. Our troops had covered themselves with glory. It is a day -that the army of Italy ought to inscribe in its calendar. Napoleon -bivouacked at a league and a half from the scene. The next day we took -horse at half-past seven in the morning, to visit the ground on which -the battle had been fought; the Emperor was placed between the Duke -de Vicenza, Prince de Neuchâtel, and myself. We had scarcely quitted -the huts where we had passed the night, when we perceived a cloud of -Cossacks; they proceeded from a wood in advance on our right. They -were drawn up in pretty regular files: we took them for French cavalry.</p> - -<p>The Duke de Vicenza was the first who -<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_227" id="Page_227">[Pg 227]</a></span> -recognised them. "Sire, -these are Cossacks."—"That is impossible," replied Napoleon. They -rushed upon us shouting with all their might. I seized the Emperor's -horse by the bridle; I turned it round myself. "But these are our -troops?"—"They are the Cossacks; make speed."—"They are Cossacks, -indeed," said Berthier.—"Without doubt," added Mouton. Napoleon gave -some orders and withdrew. I advanced at the head of the squadron on -duty: we were overthrown; my horse received a wound six inches deep, -from a lance, and fell, with me under him: we were trampled under -foot by these barbarians. Fortunately they perceived at some distance -a troop of artillery; they ran towards the spot. Marshal Bessières -had time to come up, with the horse grenadiers of the guard; he -charged them, and retook from them the covered waggons and the pieces -of cannon, which they were carrying away. I raised myself again on -my legs; I was replaced in my saddle, and proceeded as far as the -bivouac. When Napoleon saw my horse covered with blood, he feared that -I had again been wounded: he asked me whether I was. I replied that -I had got off with a few contusions. He then began to laugh at our -adventure, which, nevertheless, I did not find very amusing.</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_228" id="Page_228">[Pg 228]</a></span></p> - -<p>I was well repaid by the account which he published of this affair; he -loaded me with eulogiums: I never before experienced pleasure compared -to that which I felt on reading the flattering things which he said -of me. "General Rapp," says the bulletin, "had one horse killed under -him in this charge. The intrepidity of which this general officer has -given so many proofs, is manifested on all occasions." I repeat with -pride the praises of this great man: I shall never forget them.</p> - -<p>We returned to the field of battle: Napoleon wished to visit the place -which had been the theatre of Prince Eugène's glory. He found that the -position of the Russians had been excellent; he was astonished that -they had allowed it to be forced. He perceived, from the appearance of -the dead bodies, that the militia had been confounded with the troops -of the line, and that if they had not fought with skill, they had gone -to it at least with courage. The enemy's army retired some leagues, on -the road to Kaluga, and encamped.</p> - -<p>The retreat was intercepted: we threw ourselves to the right on -Vereia; we arrived there early the next day, and slept there: it was -in that town that Napoleon learned that the Kremlin had been blown up. -General Winzengerode had not -<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_229" id="Page_229">[Pg 229]</a></span> -sufficiently restrained his impatience; -he had ventured into this capital before our troops had evacuated it. -They cut up his retreat; he tried to make them believe that he came to -treat with them. He was born on the territory of the Confederation; he -had no inclination to be made a prisoner; he was taken nevertheless, -in spite of the white handkerchief that he was waving. Napoleon sent -for him, and fell into a violent passion, treated him with contempt, -branded him with the name of traitor, and threatened to punish him; -he even told me that a commission must be named to proceed with the -trial of the gentleman immediately; he had him escorted by chosen -gendarmes, and ordered him to be confined <i>au secret</i>. Winzengerode -sought several times to exculpate himself; but Napoleon would not -hear him. It has been pretended in the Russian army that this general -spoke with courage, and said very strong things to the Emperor. It -is not the fact:—anxiety was marked on his countenance, every thing -expressed the disorder of mind into which the Emperor's anger had -thrown him. Each of us endeavoured to appease the Emperor; the King -of Naples, the Duke de Vicenza particularly, suggested to him how -much, in the present situation of things, any violence towards a -<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_230" id="Page_230">[Pg 230]</a></span> -man -who hid his origin under the quality of a Russian general, would be -to be lamented: there was no council of war, and the affair rested -there. As for us, Winzengerode ought not to complain of our treatment: -his situation inspired us all with interest. His aide-de-camp was -treated with much kindness. Napoleon asked him his name. "Nareschkin," -replied the young officer.—"Nareschkin! one of that name is not made -to be the aide-de-camp of a deserter." We were hurt at this want of -consideration; we sought every means imaginable to make the general -forget it.</p> - -<hr class="chap" /> - -<div class="chapter p4"> - <h2><a name="CHAPTER_XXXIV" id="CHAPTER_XXXIV"></a>CHAPTER XXXIV.</h2> -</div> - - -<p><span class="smcap">We</span> set off the next day; -and reached the great road from Moscow by Mojaisk.</p> - -<p>The cold, the privations, were extreme; the hour of disasters had -come on us! We found our wounded lying dead on the road, and the -Russians waiting for us at Viasma. At the sight of these columns the -soldiers collected a remnant of energy, fell upon them, and defeated -them. But -<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_231" id="Page_231">[Pg 231]</a></span> -we were harassed by troops animated by abundance, and by -hope of plunder. At every step we were obliged to halt, and fight; we -slackened our march over a wasted country, which we should have gone -over with the greatest rapidity. Cold, hunger, the Cossacks,—every -scourge was let loose upon us. The army was sinking under the -weight of its misfortunes; the road was strewed with the dead: our -sufferings exceeded imagination. How many sick and wounded generals -did I meet in this terrible retreat, whom I believed that I should -never again see! Of this number was General Friant, whose wounds were -still open; General Durosnel, who travelled with a nervous fever, -almost continually delirious; and the brave General Belliard, who was -wounded by a gun-shot, in the battle of the Moskowa. He had formerly -penetrated nearly into Ethiopia; he had carried our colours farther -than ever the Roman eagles had flown; he must have found a difference -between the two climates.</p> - -<p>We marched for Smolensko: it was to have been the end of our miseries; -we were to have found there food and clothing, wherewith to defend -ourselves from the pests which were consuming us: we were not more -than eighteen leagues from it. Napoleon lodged in one of those -<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_232" id="Page_232">[Pg 232]</a></span> -little block-houses that had been constructed to receive detachments -from fifty to sixty men, employed to protect the correspondence -and communications. I was on duty: some time had elapsed since any -despatches had arrived; at last one came. I delivered it to the -Emperor. He opened the parcel with haste; a <i>Moniteur</i> was uppermost. -He ran it over; the first article which caught his eye was the -enterprise of Mallet; he had not read the despatches, he did not -know what it was. "What is this! what! plots! conspiracies!" He -opened his letters, they contained the detail of the attempt: he was -thunderstruck. That police which knew every thing, which guessed at -every thing, had suffered itself to be taken by surprise. Napoleon -could not recover himself. "Savary in <i>La Force</i>! The minister of -the police arrested, carried to a prison, and there shut up!" I went -to transmit some orders. The event had already transpired. Surprise, -astonishment were depicted on every countenance; and some reflections -were made which till then had been withheld. The carelessness of the -agents of the police was manifest. They are only alert because there -is a general belief in their vigilance. Napoleon was not astonished -that these wretches who frequent saloons and taverns, -<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_233" id="Page_233">[Pg 233]</a></span> -who obstruct -every thing, who insinuate themselves every where, should not have -found out the plot; but he could not conceive the weakness of Rovigo. -"Why did he not rather let them kill him, than be arrested! Doucet and -Hullin showed much more courage."</p> - -<p>We proceeded on our journey; we crossed the Borysthenes. The Emperor -fixed his head-quarters in a country-house that had been laid waste, -twelve leagues from Smolensko, and one and a half behind the river. -The banks, on the water-side, are very step in this part; they were -covered with hoar frost. Napoleon was afraid that the artillery would -not be able to get over them; he charged me to join Ney, who commanded -the rear-guard, to remain with him till every thing was out of danger. -I found the Marshal engaged in giving chase to the Cossacks: I -communicated to him the orders that I had to transmit to him, and we -retired to a block-house which was to support the passage, and where -the head-quarters were fixed.</p> - -<p>A part of the infantry crossed over, the remainder bivouacked in a -little wood, on the bank where we were. We were engaged all night -in getting the cannon across. The last was on the ascent, when the -enemy appeared. -<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_234" id="Page_234">[Pg 234]</a></span> -They attacked immediately, with considerable masses; -we received their charges without being shaken; but our end was -attained: we had no object in fighting; we retreated. We left behind -a few hundreds of men, whom wounds and exhaustion had put out of a -condition to follow. Poor creatures! they complained, they groaned, -and called for death; it was a heart-rending sight; but what could we -do. Every one was bending under the burthen of life, and supported -it with difficulty; no one had sufficient strength to share it with -others. The Russians pursued us, they wished to pass by main force. -Ney received them with that vigour, that impetuosity, which he always -displayed in his attacks: they were repulsed, and the bridge became a -prey to the flames. The firing ceased, we withdrew during the night. -I joined Napoleon at Smolensko the day after the next in the evening. -He knew that a ball had grazed my head, and that another had killed -my horse; he observed to me: "You may be at ease now, you will not be -killed this campaign."—"I hope that your Majesty may not be deceived; -but you often gave the same assurance to poor Lannes, who nevertheless -was killed."—"No! no! you will not be killed."—"I believe it; but I -may be still frozen to death." The -<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_235" id="Page_235">[Pg 235]</a></span> -Emperor bestowed eulogiums on -Marshal Ney. "What a man! what a soldier! what a vigorous fellow!" -He only talked thus by exclamations; he could not find words to -express the admiration which this intrepid Marshal inspired him with. -The Prince de Neuchâtel entered; the conversation again turned on -Mallet and Savary. Napoleon was merry at the expense of the Duke; his -surprise, his arrest, were the subject of a thousand pleasantries; of -which the burthen always was, that he should rather have been killed, -than have allowed himself to be taken.</p> - -<hr class="chap" /> - -<div class="chapter p4"> - <h2><a name="CHAPTER_XXXV" id="CHAPTER_XXXV"></a>CHAPTER XXXV.</h2> -</div> - - -<p><span class="smcap">The</span> retreat had been -disastrous. Every scourge that Nature has -in store we had experienced; but every day brought us nearer to -Smolensko: we were to find in that town repose and abundance. We -were marching, hope sustained us; she too was going to abandon us; -our misfortunes were to be as unheard-of as our victories. The -fourth corps lost its cannon; Augereau's brigade was -<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_236" id="Page_236">[Pg 236]</a></span> -destroyed, and -Witepsk taken; we had no more ammunition, or means of subsistence; -we were in a frightful situation: it was necessary to be resigned. -We put ourselves in motion; we arrived the following day at Krasnoi. -Kutusow, who was bearing on us with all his forces, had already an -advanced-guard there; it retired at the sight of our soldiers, and -took post a league farther on, halting on the left on the borders -of a forest, which it covered with fires. Napoleon sent for me, and -said—"We have the Russian infantry quite close to us; it is the first -time that they have shown so much boldness. I command you to charge -them with the bayonet about midnight, surprise them, teach them not -to be so desirous to approach so near to my head-quarters. I place at -your disposal all that remains of the young guard." I had made all the -preparations, I was waiting near the fire of a Polish bivouac till -the hour should arrive, when General Narbonne came and said, "Give -up your troops to the Duke de Treviso; his Majesty does not wish you -to be killed in this affair; he reserves for you another destiny." I -received this counter-order with pleasure, I did not conceal it. I -was weakened by fatigue, by sufferings, and cold. I was not inclined -to march against the enemy; moreover, his Cossacks had -<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_237" id="Page_237">[Pg 237]</a></span> -already given -him the alarm; he was prepared; he received us as well as he could. -He was nevertheless beaten and thrown back on his masses, which were -in positions parallel to the road, and extended in some sort from -Smolensko to Krasnoi; they attacked us in flank, they ought to have -been able to defeat us. Fortunately the illusion of our glory still -continued; we were protected by the remembrance of our victories. -Kutusow saw from a distance our columns which were defiling on the -road, but did not venture to attack them. He decided at last on -running the risk; but a peasant informed him that Napoleon was at -Krasnoi, that the guard occupied all the neighbourhood. This news -damped his courage: he revoked the orders that he had despatched.</p> - -<p>We had long before taken the measure of his capacity; we always -took it into our account; it was one of our resources; he might -nevertheless change his mind, rush to arms, and destroy us. We all -perceived it; but we had no news from Eugène. Davoust and Ney were -in the rear; we could not leave them. The temperature moreover -became every day more severe; the Russians also suffered; they had -slumbered hitherto, they might slumber still. Napoleon resolved to -take the chance of it; he waited. Every thing turned -<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_238" id="Page_238">[Pg 238]</a></span> -out as he had -foreseen. Milloradowitz wished to intercept the fourth corps, but he -could not reach it. Five thousand infantry, who had neither horses -to clear away the assailants, nor cannon to defend themselves with, -constantly repulsed the multitudes of soldiers which were rushing on -them, made head against all this advanced-guard, and escaped. Davoust -followed; the enemy flattered themselves that they could take their -revenge on the Marshal, but the Emperor prevented it. He extended his -line on the left of Krasnoi, brought some troops into action, and -opened a pretty well sustained fire of artillery. Kutusow, alarmed -at the sight of the 14 or 15,000 men who had been drawn together, -recalled his detached corps: the Marshal passed over, and came to -take part in the action. The end was attained, the firing ceased, -and the retreat commenced. The enemy tried to prevent it; but the -first regiment of the voltigeurs of the guard repulsed all their -attacks; neither the cavalry, the infantry, nor grape shot could -move it: it perished on the spot. This heroic resistance struck the -Russians; they discontinued the pursuit. As soon as we were out of one -embarrassment, we fell into another. We in number from 14 to 15,000 -men, had ventured to place ourselves in line against Kutusow's 20,000; -we -<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_239" id="Page_239">[Pg 239]</a></span> -had extricated ourselves, without a reverse, from a situation -where we ought to have been all taken; but our provisions, our rear -was lost. Minsk had been surprised; the army of Moldavia covered -the Beresina; Ney was still behind: never had our situation been so -terrible. Napoleon, who was astonished at this disastrous complication -of affairs, despatched orders to resume the offensive, and to take -Polosk. Success appeared to him easy. "If the Duke de Belluno shew -energy, the enterprise cannot fail; the character of the troops that -he commands ensures it. It is Ney that I am uneasy about; what is to -become of him." This Marshal was in an unparalleled situation; all the -valour, the <i>sang froid</i>, and perseverance of that intrepid warrior -were necessary to extricate him; he had received on the night of the -16th or 17th news of Eugène's battle, and Davoust's departure. These -two events could not move him. "All the Cossacks of Russia," said he, -on learning it, "should not hinder me from executing my instructions; -I will not depart from them a tittle." He concluded his arrangements, -and proceeded to march: 6,000 infantry, three hundred horses, and -twelve pieces of cannon composed all his force. He was annoyed by -the light troops of the enemy which hovered round his flanks; he -was <span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_240" id="Page_240">[Pg 240]</a></span> -marching in close order, ready to receive any attack. At three -o'clock, his vanguard reached Katowa, and halted in sight of the corps -of Milloradowitz. The weather was foggy; neither party could see what -troops were before them. Ney crosses a ravine which separated him -from the enemy's troops, breaks through the first line, routs the -second, and would have defeated the whole army if the ravages of the -artillery had not prevented him. He was obliged to sound a retreat; -but his attack had been so impetuous that they dared not pursue him. -He lighted night-fires, as if he intended to stop all night: the -Russians imitated him. As soon as he had taken some rest, he removed -his quarters, and resolved to interpose the Borysthenes as a line of -separation between him and the enemy's troops, which were too numerous -for him to be able to force: he rushed into the stream, on the ice, -and reached the opposite bank; but new dangers were awaiting him there.</p> - -<p>The Cossacks covered the plain; they charged us, and kept up a furious -fire of grape shot. Ney, who could not make any return to this -destructive cannonade, hastened his march, dispersing, overthrowing -every thing that dared oppose him. He marched for a wood which was not -far distant; he was on the point of reaching it, when a battery was -unmasked <span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_241" id="Page_241">[Pg 241]</a></span> -on him and disorganized his column. The soldiers waver and -throw down their arms, but the Marshal soon restores them to their -courage; his words, his voice, his example, encourage the most timid: -they rush on; the enemy's artillery fly; we are masters of the wood. -But there were neither roads nor paths through this thicket; it was -intersected by so many ravines, and there were so many obstacles, that -it was with infinite difficulty that it was traversed: nearly all -the <i>matériel</i> was left in it. The Cossacks became the more daring; -for two days they never ceased renewing their attacks: but they had -themselves been obliged to make a circuit, their cannon was in arrear, -they had no artillery; a few voltigeurs did justice on them. Ney was -close upon Orsza: the night was advanced; he marched in silence: he -flattered himself that he had at last ridded himself of the enemy. On -a sudden he perceives the fires of bivouacs, he discovers the camp -of a numerous army. He did not know whether he should rejoice or -tremble, whether they were Russians or French, when a fire opened upon -him removes his uncertainty: the reconnoitring parties are received -with discharges of musquetry; explosions, cries, drums, are mingled -and confounded together; one would have thought that we were to give -battle to all Russia. Furious -<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_242" id="Page_242">[Pg 242]</a></span> -at seeing danger return at the moment -when he thought that he had escaped from it, the Marshal makes an -effort to open a passage; he rushes towards the fires—but the camp is -deserted: it is a trick, a stratagem. Platoff had, it appears, taken -us for his own troops; he had thought to frighten us with shadows. The -Duke disdained to follow a few Cossacks, who had been employed in this -phantasmagoria; he continued his march, and three leagues further on -reached the fourth corps.</p> - -<hr class="chap" /> - -<div class="chapter p4"> - <h2><a name="CHAPTER_XXXVI" id="CHAPTER_XXXVI"></a>CHAPTER XXXVI.</h2> -</div> - - -<p><span class="smcap">While</span> this was going on, -we had left Krasnoi. Napoleon marched on foot -at the head of his guard, and often talked of Ney; he called to mind -his <i>coup d'œil</i>, so accurate and true, his courage proof against -every thing, in short all the qualities which made him so brilliant on -the field of battle.—"He is lost. Well! I have three hundred millions -in the Tuileries, I would give them if he were restored to me."—He -fixed his head-quarters at Dombrowna. He lodged with a Russian lady -<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_243" id="Page_243">[Pg 243]</a></span> -who had the courage not to abandon her house. I was on duty that -day: the Emperor sent for me towards one o'clock in the morning; he -was very much dejected; it was difficult for him not to be so; the -scene was frightful. He observed to me, "My affairs are going on very -badly; these poor soldiers rend my heart; I cannot, however, relieve -them."—There was a cry of "To arms!"—Firing was heard; every thing -was in an uproar. "Go, see what it is," Napoleon said to me with -the greatest <i>sang froid</i>; "I am sure that they are some rogues of -Cossacks who want to hinder us from sleeping." It was in reality a -false alarm. He was not satisfied with some personages whom I abstain -from naming.—"What a set of tragedy-kings, without energy, courage, -or moral force! Have I been able to deceive myself to such a degree? -To what men have I trusted myself? Poor Ney! with whom have I matched -thee?"</p> - -<p>We set off for Orsza, and fixed our quarters at a Jesuits' convent. -Napoleon despaired of ever seeing the rear-guard. Neither did we see -any more the Russian infantry; it was probable that they had taken -some position: they ought to have let nothing escape. The next day we -pushed on two leagues farther; we halted in a wretched hamlet. It was -there that the Emperor learnt, towards the -<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_244" id="Page_244">[Pg 244]</a></span> -evening, of Ney's arrival, -and his having joined the fourth corps. It may be easily conceived -what joy he experienced, and in what manner he received the Marshal -on the next day. We reached Borisow; Oudinot had beaten Lambert; the -fugitives had joined Tchitschagoff, and covered the right bank of -the Beresina. Napoleon was uneasy: we had neither a bridge-train nor -subsistence. The main army was advancing, and the troops from Moldavia -blockaded the passage: we were surrounded on every side: the situation -was frightful, and unheard-of. Nothing less than the talents and the -great decision of the Emperor was necessary to extricate us from so -great a difficulty: no Frenchman, not even Napoleon, could expect to -escape.</p> - -<p>This prince stopped a short time at Borisow, gave orders for the false -attack which saved us, and marched towards Oudinot's head-quarters a -few leagues distant. We slept a little on this side of the place, at -a country house which belonged to a Prince Radzivill. General Mouton -and myself passed the night there on a handful of straw; we thought on -the morrow, and our reflexions were not cheerful. We set off on our -journey at four o'clock: we were in one of the Emperor's calèches. We -perceived the fires of the Russians; they occupied the opposite bank; -the woods, the marshes, -<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_245" id="Page_245">[Pg 245]</a></span> -were full of them; they reached beyond our -range of sight. The river was deep, muddy, all covered with floating -pieces; it was here that we were to cross or surrender. We augured -badly of success. The General explained himself with frankness: he had -often done it before Napoleon, who treated him as a malcontent, but -nevertheless liked him much.</p> - -<p>We arrived at Oudinot's head-quarters: day was just beginning to -dawn; the Emperor conversed a moment with the Marshal, took some -refreshment, and gave orders. Ney took me apart; we went out together; -he said to me, in German, "Our situation is unparalleled; if Napoleon -extricates himself to-day, he must have the devil in him." We were -very uneasy, and there was sufficient cause. The King of Naples came -to us, and was not less solicitous. "I have proposed to Napoleon," he -observed to us, "to save himself, and cross the river at a few leagues -distance from hence. I have some Poles who would answer for his -safety, and would conduct him to Wilna, but he rejects the proposal, -and will not even hear it mentioned. As for me, I do not think we -can escape." We were all three of the same opinion. Murat replied, -"We will all get over; we can never think of surrendering." While -conversing, we perceived the -<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_246" id="Page_246">[Pg 246]</a></span> -enemy were filing off; their masses had -disappeared, the fires were extinguished, nothing more than the ends -of the columns, which were lost in the wood, were seen, and from five -to six hundred Cossacks that were scattered on the plain. We examined -with the telescope; we were convinced that the camp was raised. I went -to Napoleon, who was conversing with Marshal Oudinot.—"Sire, the enemy -have left their position."—"That is impossible." The King of Naples -and Marshal Ney arrived, and confirmed what I had just announced. The -Emperor came out from his barrack, cast his eye on the other side -of the river. "I have outwitted the Admiral (he could not pronounce -the name Tchitschagoff); he believes me to be at the point where I -ordered the false attack; he is running to Borisow." His eyes sparkled -with joy and impatience; he urged the erection of the bridges, and -mounted twenty pieces of cannon in battery. These were commanded by -a brave officer with a wooden leg, called Brechtel; a ball carried -it off during the action, and knocked him down. "Look," he said, to -one of his gunners, "for another leg, in waggon No. 5." He fitted it -on, and continued his firing. The Emperor made sixty men swim across, -under the command of Colonel Jacqueminot. They ventured imprudently -<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_247" id="Page_247">[Pg 247]</a></span> -in pursuit of the Cossacks; one of them was taken and questioned, -and informed the Russians where Napoleon was. Tchitschagoff retraced -his steps, but it was too late; Napoleon, his guard, Ney, Oudinot, -and all the troops which these Marshals retained, had passed. The -Admiral, confused by having been duped, forgot the marshes of Lemblin. -The bridge, which extended a league and a quarter over this swampy -ground, was our only escape; if it had been destroyed, he would have -had our fate still in his hands: but Witgenstein commenced the firing -on the left bank; he occupied the right; his soldiers were wallowing -in plenty; a handful of men, sinking under the burthen of a wretched -life, might have been trampled under foot. He neglected the defile, -Eugène hastened to get possession of it; we were sure of our rear, we -waited for Tchitschagoff.</p> - -<p>We were 8000, fainting from fatigue and hunger: he had the army of -Moldavia. The issue of the combat did not appear doubtful to him; he -advanced with the ardour of victory; the action commenced; the troops -were intermixed; the ground was heaped with the dead. Ney directs, -animates the charges; every where the Russians are surrounded. -They rally; they bring up fresh forces: but Berkeim comes up; the -cuirassiers rush on their columns—all are cut to pieces.</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_248" id="Page_248">[Pg 248]</a></span></p> - -<p>Napoleon was surrounded by his guard, which he had drawn up in order -of battle at the entrance of the forest; it was still fine, and of -an imposing appearance. Two thousand prisoners defiled before them; -we were intoxicated with so noble a result: our joy was but of short -duration, the account given by some Russians damped it. Partonneau had -been taken; all his division had laid down their arms; an aide-de-camp -of Marshal Victor came to confirm this sad news. Napoleon was deeply -affected with so unexpected a misfortune—"Must this loss come to spoil -all, after having escaped as by a miracle, and having completely -beaten the Russians." The combat was still very warm on the left -bank: from four to five thousand men opposed to the enemy's army an -obstinate resistance. "Go and see what is the state of things; ascend -the right bank, examine what is passing on the left, come and give -me an account of it." I went and saw brilliant charges of infantry -and cavalry; those which General Fournier conducted were particularly -conspicuous by their simultaneousness and impetuosity. But the -disproportion was immense; we were forced to give way; the horrors of -the bridge began: it is useless to recall this scene of desolation.</p> - -<p>We left the dreary banks of the Beresina, where -<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_249" id="Page_249">[Pg 249]</a></span> -we had acquired so -much glory and experienced so many misfortunes: we marched on towards -Wilna. We discoursed of nothing, we were occupied with nothing, but -the arrival of the Austrians; the lowest soldier, dreamed of nothing -but Schwartzenberg. Where is he? What is he doing? Why does he not -appear? I will not permit myself any reflexion on the movement of this -prince, then our ally.</p> - -<p>For a long time we had no news from France; we were ignorant of what -was going on in the Grand Duchy; we were informed of it at Malotechno. -Napoleon received nineteen despatches at once. It was there, I -believe, that he determined on the plan of quitting the army, but he -did not execute it till at Smorgoni, eighteen leagues from Wilna. We -reached that place. The Emperor sent for me towards two o'clock; he -carefully closed the doors of the apartment that he occupied, and said -to me: "Well, Rapp, I set out this night for Paris; my presence is -necessary there for the good of France, and even for the welfare of -this unfortunate army. I shall give the command of it to the King of -Naples."—I was not prepared for this mark of confidence, for I frankly -avow that I was not in the secret of the journey.—"Sire," I answered, -"your departure -<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_250" id="Page_250">[Pg 250]</a></span> -will cause a melancholy sensation among the troops; -they do not expect it."—"My return is indispensable; it is necessary -to watch over Austria, and keep Prussia within bounds."—"I am ignorant -of what the Austrians will do; their sovereign is your father-in-law: -but for the Prussians, you will not keep them: our disasters are too -great; they will profit by them."—Napoleon walked up and down with -his hands behind his back; he kept silence for a moment, and replied: -"When they know that I am at Paris, and see me at the head of the -nation, and of 1,200,000 men which I shall organize, they will look -twice before they make war. Duroc, Caulincourt, and Mouton, will set -off with me, Lauriston will go to Warsaw, and you will return to -Dantzic; you will see Ney at Wilna, with whom you will stop at least -four days: Murat shall join you; you shall try to rally the army as -well as you are able. The magazines are full, you will find every -thing in abundance. You will stop the Russians; you shall strike a -blow with Ney, if it is necessary. He will have already the Loyson -division, composed of 18,000 fresh troops; Wrede also is bringing -up to him 10,000 Bavarians; other reinforcements are on the march. -You will go into cantonments." -<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_251" id="Page_251">[Pg 251]</a></span> -Napoleon departed. I received orders -from the Major-general, who informed me in a letter what Napoleon had -already told me himself; he sent me at the same time a private letter -from the Emperor, in which he repeated, "Do all you can to rally the -army at Wilna, remain there four days at least; then you will go to -Dantzic." The next day I set off. The cold was so intense, that when -I arrived at Wilna, I had my nose, one of my ears, and two fingers -frozen. I stopped at General Hogendorp's, and went straight to Marshal -Ney's quarters; I informed him of Napoleon's orders, and of the -conversation which I had with him at the moment of his departure. The -Marshal was greatly astonished at Napoleon's estimate of the number of -his troops. "Just now," he said to me, "I beat the call to arms, and -I was not able to raise five hundred: every one is frozen, fatigued, -and discouraged; no one will make any further effort. You have the -appearance of being in pain; go and rest yourself; to-morrow we shall -see."—The next day I went to him: the King of Naples had just arrived -with the guard. We conversed much about our situation. Ney wished for -a retreat, he thought it indispensable. "It is forced on us: there -are no means of stopping a day longer." He had not ended -<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_252" id="Page_252">[Pg 252]</a></span> -before the -report of cannon was heard. The Russians arrived in force; they were -fighting at the distance of half a league from us. All at once we -saw the Bavarians returning in confusion: they were <i>pêle-mêle</i> with -those of our troops that had been dragging behind: confusion was at -its height; as Ney had foretold, it was impossible to do any thing -with our troops. The King of Naples came to us: he still hoped to make -some resistance; but the reports which he received from the heights of -Wilna undeceived him. He immediately ordered a retrograde movement, -and went towards the Niemen. "I advise you," said the Prince, "to -set off without delay for Dantzic, where your presence will soon -be wanted. The least delay may cause you to fall into the hands of -the Cossacks: that would be an untoward accident, which would be -profitable neither to the army nor to the Emperor."</p> - -<p>I followed this advice: I hired two Jews who conducted me to the -Niemen. My equipages, which had hitherto fortunately escaped all -disaster, were already on the road.</p> - -<p>We soon arrived at the fatal heights where we were obliged to abandon -all the remainder of our <i>matériel</i>. It was impossible to ascend -it.—Our horses were worn out in unsuccessful attempts; -<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_253" id="Page_253">[Pg 253]</a></span> -we assisted -them, we urged them, but the ground was so slippery, so steep, that -we were obliged to give up the undertaking. I consulted with my -aide-de-camp on the steps which it was best to take. My Israelites -proposed that we should follow a cross road, which had, besides other -things, the advantage of being shorter: they begged me to trust to -them; they would answer for me. I believed them: we sat off; on the -next evening we were across the Niemen. I suffered horribly; my -fingers, my nose, my ear, were beginning to give me great uneasiness, -when a Polish barber pointed out a remedy, rather disagreeable, but -which succeeded. I arrived at last at Dantzic; the King of Naples -followed at some days march distance; Macdonald, whom the Prussians -had so unworthily betrayed, was coming after us. "It is only by a -miracle," he informed me, "that myself, my staff, and the seventh -division, have not been destroyed: we were delivered up; our legs -saved us." He sent me his troops, which were incorporated with those -that I had under my orders. The Russians appeared almost immediately. -General Bachelet had a very smart engagement with them. They spread -themselves around the place, and the blockade began.</p> - -<hr class="chap" /> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_254" id="Page_254">[Pg 254]</a></span></p> - - -<div class="chapter p4"> - <h2><a name="CHAPTER_XXXVII" id="CHAPTER_XXXVII"></a>CHAPTER XXXVII.</h2> -</div> - - -<p><span class="smcap">Dantzic</span> appears made -by nature for a fortress: washed on the north by -the Vistula, protected on the south-west by a chain of precipitous -heights, it is defended on all other sides by an inundation, which is -spread by means of two rivers which traverse it, the Radaune, and the -Mottlaw. Struck with the advantages of so fine a situation, Napoleon -had resolved to render it impregnable; he had caused some immense -works to be began. <i>Têtes-de-pont</i>, forts, intrenched camps, were -to protect it from insult and overlook the course of the river; but -time had been wanting, and most of the works were either imperfect -or scarcely traced out. No magazine was bomb-proof, no shelter -sufficiently solid to keep the garrison in security; the casemates -were uninhabitable, the quarters were in ruins, and the parapets -tumbling down. The cold, still very severe, had frozen the waters; and -Dantzic, the situation of which is naturally so happy and so -<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_255" id="Page_255">[Pg 255]</a></span> -strong, -was nothing more than a place open at every point.</p> - -<p>The garrison was not in a better state; it was composed of a confused -mass of soldiers of all kinds and of all nations: there were French, -Germans, Poles, Africans, Spaniards, Dutch, and Italians. The greater -number, worn out or diseased, had been thrown into Dantzic because -they were unable to continue their march: they had hoped to find -some relief there; but destitute of all medicines, of animal food -and vegetables, without spirits or forage, I was obliged to send -away those who were not absolutely incapable of leaving the place. -Nevertheless I had 35,000 left, out of which there were not above 8 -or 10,000 fighting men; even these were nearly all recruits who had -neither experience nor discipline. This circumstance, indeed, did not -much alarm me; I was acquainted with our soldiers; I knew that for -them to fight well they only wanted an example. I was resolved not to -spare myself.</p> - -<p>Such was the deplorable state in which the place and the troops -charged with defending it were found. It was necessary first to -provide for the most important point—to shelter ourselves from -attack. The thing was not easy; the snow covered the fortifications; -it obstructed all the covert ways, all the -<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_256" id="Page_256">[Pg 256]</a></span> -avenues: the cold was -extreme; the thermometer was more than twenty degrees below zero[2], -and the ice was already several inches thick. Nevertheless there was -no time for hesitation; it was necessary to resolve to be carried by -assault, or to submit to fresh fatigues almost as excessive as those -we had experienced. I concerted with two men whose devotedness was -equal to their intelligence; these were Colonel Richemont and General -Campredon, both were attached to the engineer corps of which the -latter had the command.</p> - -<p>[2] Of Reaumur. <i>Translator.</i></p> - -<p>I gave orders to raise new works, and to clear the waters of the -Vistula. This undertaking appeared impracticable, on account of the -severity of the season; nevertheless the troops undertook it with -their accustomed zeal. Notwithstanding the cold which overwhelmed -them, they never suffered a murmur or a complaint to escape them. They -executed the tasks which were prescribed to them with a devotion and -constancy beyond all praise. At last, after unparalleled difficulties, -they surmounted every obstacle; the ice, broken by hatchets and moved -with levers towards the sea, assisted by the force of the stream, -opened in the middle of the river a channel from sixteen to -<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_257" id="Page_257">[Pg 257]</a></span> -seventeen metres broad, and two leagues and a half in length. But we were -destined to see difficulties return as soon as they were overcome: -scarcely had an unexpected success crowned our efforts, when the cold -set in with redoubled severity; in one night the Vistula, the ditches, -were covered with a sheet of ice almost as thick as the one we had -broken. In vain were boats moved up and down incessantly, to keep up -by agitation the fluidity of the water; neither these precautions -nor the rapidity of the river could preserve it. It was necessary to -resume those labours, which had cost us so much, and which a moment -had destroyed. Day and night were employed in breaking the ice; we -could not nevertheless prevent its forming again a third time: but -more obstinate even than the elements which combined against us, -our soldiers opposed their courage to these obstacles, and at last -succeeded in triumphing over them.</p> - -<p>On all the remainder of the front of the plain the same zeal was -shown and the same difficulties occurred: the earth, frozen several -feet deep, resisted the spade and braved the efforts of the pioneers; -nothing could separate this compact mass;—even the axe rebounded. It -was necessary to have recourse to fire to melt it; great piles of -wood, placed at distances from each other, -<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_258" id="Page_258">[Pg 258]</a></span> -and kept up for a long -time, were the only means which enabled us to make excavations and to -raise the necessary palisades. With great labour and perseverance, we -had at last the satisfaction of seeing in a state of defence works -that had only just been begun. The Holm, Weichselmunde, the entrenched -camp of Neufahrwasser, and the multitude of forts which protect the -approaches of Dantzic, were put in a situation to be able to offer -a noble resistance; and, if this town was not raised to the degree -of strength of which it was susceptible, it was at least capable of -supporting a siege, the duration and adventures of which are not -amongst those events which do most honour to foreign arms.</p> - -<p>These fatigues were more than human power could support. Bivouacking, -privations, continual service, aggravated their severity: disease, -consequently, was not slow in making its appearance. From the first -days of January every sun took from us fifty men: at the end of the -following month we were losing as many as a hundred and thirty; and -we counted more than 15,000 sick. From the troops, the epidemic had -passed to the inhabitants: it committed among them the most dreadful -ravages; no age nor sex was spared; those who were afflicted by -poverty, and those who were -<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_259" id="Page_259">[Pg 259]</a></span> -surrounded by ease and luxury, were alike -its prey. All gave way, all perished; the young, first entering on -the path of life—the old, whose career was nearly run. Grief reigned -in every family; consternation was in every breast. Dantzic, at other -times so lively, now plunged in a melancholy silence, only offered -in every direction to the saddened eye the pomp and processions of -funerals. The sound of the bells, the hearses, the images of death -reproduced under every form, aggravated a situation already so -deplorable. The minds of the troops began to be shaken. I hastened to -cut up the evil by its root; I interdicted these funeral solemnities -which the piety of the living consecrates to the dead.</p> - -<p>I had not waited for the epidemic to rage in all its violence before -I opposed it. As soon as the first symptoms had been observed, I -had caused hospitals to be opened, medicines, beds, and every thing -which is necessary for this part of the service to be purchased. A -wholesome and plentiful food would have been more efficacious; but -we were so badly provisioned, that we could scarcely furnish for -each day's allowance two ounces of fresh meat. A little salt meat, -some dried beans, composed all that we had in our power to offer to -men worn out by long privations. This state of things -<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_260" id="Page_260">[Pg 260]</a></span> -was cruel; I could not, however, remedy it any way. I had, in vain, despatched a -vessel for Stralsund, in order to draw from Swedish Pomerania, which -we still possessed, food and medicines; the sloop, charged with my -despatches, assailed by a violent tempest, was driven on shore. We -were approaching the Equinox: the Baltic was already agitated by -storms: it was not possible to make a second attempt.</p> - -<p>Courage was the only resource we had left. It was only at the point of -the sword that we could obtain the means of subsistence; but, whatever -was the devotedness of the troops, prudence did not warrant conducting -them against the enemy, exhausted as they were by disease and misery. -It was necessary to resign ourselves to fate, and patiently hope -that the gentle influence of the fine season would come to recruit -our strength: this was not far distant; all the signs which announce -it were already showing themselves The weather was milder, the ice -was beginning to melt, the breaking up of the frost was near, and we -flattered ourselves that the inundation would relieve, to a certain -degree, the fatigues that we were suffering; but that which was -expected to solace our misfortunes was always that which raised them -to their height.</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_261" id="Page_261">[Pg 261]</a></span></p> - -<p>The Vistula cleared itself with violence: since 1775 there had never -been an example of such impetuosity in the current: the finest part -of Dantzic, its magazines, its arsenals, became a prey to the waves; -the country was covered with water; nothing presented itself, for the -extent of several leagues, but the afflicting spectacle of trees torn -up by their roots, of houses in ruins, of men, of cattle floating -lifeless and in confusion among the loose ice. Our destruction -appeared inevitable: all our works were demolished; our palisades -carried away, our sluices broken, our forts opened and undermined by -the waves, left us without the means of defence before a numerous -enemy. We could no longer communicate with the Holm, a position so -important, and of which the fortifications were nearly annihilated. -The island of Heubude was in a deplorable state: our posts of the -Werder, those of the Nerhung, had been submerged. To complete our -misfortunes, we were threatened, when the Vistula should resume its -course, with seeing the inundation which habitually surrounded the -place dried up.</p> - -<hr class="chap" /> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_262" id="Page_262">[Pg 262]</a></span></p> - - -<div class="chapter p4"> - <h2><a name="CHAPTER_XXXVIII" id="CHAPTER_XXXVIII"></a>CHAPTER XXXVIII.</h2> -</div> - - -<p><span class="smcap">But</span> the Allies -did not well second the elements which were fighting -for them. Instead of at once coming to the attack, they wasted -their time in miserable intrigues: there were proclamations on -proclamations, some for the magistracy, some for the inhabitants, -some for the soldiers. Some were excited to revolt, others to -desert: the brave Poles, the Westphalians, the Bavarians, were, -in turns, solicited, pressed, and menaced. This paper-war gave me -little uneasiness; I knew the fidelity of my troops; I had the -greatest confidence in them. I gave them a proof of it; as soon as -the proclamations reached us, I had them read at the head of the -regiments. This open conduct pleased them; they were grateful for it; -they only had the greater contempt for an enemy who seemed to hold -their honour more cheap than their courage, and they themselves often -brought to me these fine productions of Russian genius, without having -even read them.</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_263" id="Page_263">[Pg 263]</a></span></p> - -<p>The besiegers persisted in remaining inactive before the place: I -occasionally roused them from the lethargy into which they were -plunged. These gentlemen threatened us rather insolently with an -assault; they had even, towards the end of January, ordered a great -number of ladders in the villages of the Werder. I resolved to make -them see that we were not yet reduced so low. On the 29th I put -some troops in motion in the direction of Brantau; General Granjean -debouched from Stries with four battalions, a troop of cavalry, and -two field-pieces; he routed, in his excursion, some bands of Baskirs -and Cossacks: this was the prelude to a more serious action.</p> - -<p>I knew that fresh troops had arrived before the place, and that they -were spread about in the Nerhung, and occupied in force Bohnsack and -Stries: I sent to reconnoitre them. General Detrées was charged with -this expedition. He routed, at first, every thing which presented -itself in his way; but his riflemen abandoned themselves too much -to the pursuit, and had nearly become victims of their rashness: a -cloud of Cossacks fell on them, and would have cut them to pieces if -Colonel Farine had not saved them. We were less fortunate at another -point: our advanced posts had orders to keep under arms, to observe -the -<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_264" id="Page_264">[Pg 264]</a></span> -movements of the enemy, but not to engage in action: Colonel -Heering, who commanded at Stolzenberg, could not contain himself; -he imprudently descended into the plain, and attacked the Cossacks -with thoughtless impetuosity; his troops, surprised in a defile, -could not withstand the shock of the cavalry, and were broken. This -piece of folly cost us 250 men. The enemy grew warm: this trivial -success had given them confidence. Towards three in the afternoon, -their columns presented themselves before Langfuhr, and succeeded in -establishing themselves there. Thirty men posted in front of this -village were taken prisoners: they had gone into a house, and had made -a long resistance; the ground was heaped with dead, but, seeing no -chance of relief, they were obliged to lay down their arms, for want -of ammunition. I immediately gave orders to retake this position: -General Granjean began to march with eight battalions, four pieces of -artillery, and some cavalry: the attack was completely successful; the -Russians were routed and put to flight. They endeavoured to return to -the charge, but, always broken, always overwhelmed by our cavalry, -they appeared at last decided on retreating. We were not slow in -following their example. The field of battle was nearly deserted, when -the Neapolitans left in Langfuhr -<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_265" id="Page_265">[Pg 265]</a></span> -were suddenly assaulted by swarms -of Cossacks, supported by a numerous infantry. General Husson and the -Commandant Szembeck came up rapidly with a Polish battalion, charged -the enemy with the bayonet, and made a dreadful slaughter of them.</p> - -<p>This check calmed the petulance of the Allies; there was no more -question about ladders or assaults. On my side, I left them quiet: I -was not in a condition to give them frequent alarms. My troops were -exhausted: on their legs night and day, worn out by disease, pierced -with cold, badly clothed, still worse fed, they could with difficulty -sustain themselves:—nothing equalled their wretchedness but the -resignation with which they supported it. Soldiers with their noses -and ears frost-bitten, or wounds still open, cheerfully performed the -service of the advanced posts. When I saw them defiling on parade, -muffled up in furs, their heads wrapped in bandages, or walking with -the help of sticks, I was affected even to tears. I should willingly -have given some relief to men so unfortunate, but yet so constant: the -Russians did not suffer it. They had imagined that their proclamations -had produced all the effect they expected from them; that we were -fighting among ourselves, and that the people were -<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_266" id="Page_266">[Pg 266]</a></span> -in a state of revolt: they resolved to profit by such a fine conjuncture, and to -take us.</p> - -<p>It was now the month of March; on the 5th, at daybreak, they poured -like swarms on my advanced posts, they covered, they inundated all my -line, and spread themselves in multitudes in the villages which it -included. At the report of so sudden an attack, I gave the necessary -orders, and proceeded towards Langfuhr with the General of division -Granjean. We had scarcely gone a few steps when we heard the charge -furiously sounded: it was the chiefs of battalion Claumont and Blaer, -who were charging with the bayonet a column of Russians of 3 or 4000 -men, and dispersing them. We doubled our speed in order to assist -them, but the attack had been so impetuous that we could not arrive in -time: we reached the village just as the acclamations of the soldiers -announced their victory. I hastened to congratulate them on this fine -feat of arms, which it really was, as less than 800 men had completely -routed four times their number of infantry and cavalry. They had even -nearly got possession of their cannon; three Neapolitan voltigeurs -were already cutting the traces of the horses that had been killed, -when they were charged in their turn and obliged to leave their prize.</p> - -<p>Fortune was less favourable to us in other -<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_267" id="Page_267">[Pg 267]</a></span> -points: General Franceschi -supported himself with difficulty in advance of Alt-Schottland, he -gave ground, defending it, however, foot by foot: he followed his -instructions, and saved time. The brave Colonel Buthler came in -haste to his assistance. Scarcely had the Bavarians arrived at the -first houses of the village, when they rushed with impetuosity on -the enemy, repulsed him, charged him with the bayonet, and succeeded -in preventing his advance; but while they were making a resistance -on one side, the Russians threatened them on the other. After three -unsuccessful attacks, they had at last triumphed over the fine -resistance of the chief of battalion Clement, and had made themselves -masters of Stolzenberg: they were already debouching from this -village, and were about to take us in flank. This movement should -have been decisive; I hastened to prevent it. I gave orders to the -sixth Neapolitan regiment to occupy on the right a small hill which -strengthened our position. General Detrées conducted the attack, -charged, and took the summit; the enemy hastily attempted to retake -it, but could not succeed. Quite covered with bruises, with his -clothes full of holes from bullets, Colonel Dégennero opposed an -invincible resistance, and forced them to retreat. In the mean time, -General -<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_268" id="Page_268">[Pg 268]</a></span> -Bachelu, with four battalions under his orders, mounted -the heights on the right of Schidlitz: on a sudden he rushes on the -Allies, attacks them in flank, and overthrows them. In vain they -endeavour to fortify themselves in the houses; our voltigeurs, led on -by Lieutenant Bouvenot and the sub-officer Tarride, break through the -window-frames, destroy the doors, kill, take, or disperse all that -they meet, and get possession of one piece of artillery: a Russian -General animated his troops to defend it, but the impulse was given; -three brave fellows, the sub-lieutenant Vanus, the Quarter-masters -Autresol and Hatuite, rush furiously upon it, and get possession of it.</p> - -<p>It was three o'clock in the afternoon, and the Allies still occupied -Schottland and Ohra; notwithstanding his courage, the chief of -battalion Boulan had not been able to dislodge them. I resolved to -try a second time a manœuvre which had so well succeeded;—I turned -them. While I led on a false attack by the head of Schottland, General -Bachelu masked his march, and went towards Ohra; he was followed by -three battalions of infantry, a hundred and fifty horses and a light -battery. Our troops boiled with impatience; as soon as they heard -the charge begin, they uttered cries of joy, sprang forwards against -the <span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_269" id="Page_269">[Pg 269]</a></span> -enemy, broke his ranks, and completely routed him. He rallied, -and returned to the charge; but the grape-shot was redoubled: the -bayonet carried disorder among his ranks. He flies, he endeavours to -escape through every outlet, but finds none that are not intercepted. -Necessity rouses his courage, he rallies, debouches, and rushes on us. -The confusion becomes terrible. He struggles to escape from disgrace, -our soldiers to consummate the victory; on either side, they press -on; they attack with fury. An adjutant-major of the 29th of the line, -Delondres, rushed into the middle of the Russians; a few brave fellows -followed him: death and confusion waited on his steps; but soon -overpowered by their number, exhausted by large wounds, he is obliged -to lay down his arms: but his spirits return; he recovers himself; -indignation gives him strength: he attacks his escort, takes it, and -comes to bear a part in the victory: it was no longer disputed. Our -troops, who had come forth at the noise of the firing, had ranged -themselves in front of Ohra, and commenced a destructive firing, which -overpowered the enemy:—he gave way, broke his ranks, and only escaped -death by invoking the clemency of the conqueror.</p> - -<p>In a moment the streets were heaped with the dead. Five hundred men -laid down their arms: -<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_270" id="Page_270">[Pg 270]</a></span> -most of them belonged to that army of Moldavia -which we had almost destroyed at the passage of the Beresina.</p> - -<p>The enemy fled in every direction. In the Nerhung, at Neufahrwasser, -every where, he expiated by defeat the success which he had gained -by surprise. Major Nongarède had only to shew himself, to disperse -clouds of Cossacks who were skirmishing without success with some -weak Neapolitan posts which we had in the rear. Some detachments of -dragoons gave chase to the Russians who had ventured in front of -Saspe, and took Brasen.</p> - -<p>We again occupied the positions that we held before the attack: -unfortunately they had cost us dear. We had 600 men <i>hors de combat</i>; -it is true that most of these soon recovered from their wounds. Of -this number was Major Horadam, Colonel d'Egloffstein, and General -Devilliers, who will be found to figure so often in this narrative.</p> - -<p>The enemy had suffered more; 2000 of their troops lay on the dust, we -had between 11 and 12,000 prisoners in our hands, and one piece of -artillery.</p> - -<p>This day was one of the most glorious of the siege: it was a fresh -example of what courage and discipline may effect. Under the walls of -Dantzic, as at the passage of the Beresina, worn out by -<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_271" id="Page_271">[Pg 271]</a></span> -want or by -disease, we were still the same; we appeared on the field of battle -with the same ascendancy, the same superiority.</p> - - - -<hr class="chap" /> - - -<div class="chapter p4"> - <h2><a name="CHAPTER_XXXIX" id="CHAPTER_XXXIX"></a>CHAPTER XXXIX.</h2> -</div> - - -<p><span class="smcap">The</span> Russians -might have been <i>satisfied</i>. It was not likely that they -would return soon to the charge. However, the transactions of the -5th had convinced me of the necessity of different measures, which -I was unwilling to take. They had only succeeded in penetrating as -far as the foot of Bichofsberg, where Colonel Figuier was keeping a -strict look out, by the protection of an old convent of Capuchins: -this neighbourhood was too dangerous; I caused the old edifice to be -pulled down. Some houses in several villages, and particularly in -Schottland, were fortified. We had retaken this place, but with great -difficulty: the resistance had been so great, that it was at one -time a question whether we should not burn it. I rejected this cruel -expedient: I could not make up my mind to ruin inhabitants who -<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_272" id="Page_272">[Pg 272]</a></span> -had already suffered so much during the first siege. I thought it more -honourable to drive off the Russians at the point of the bayonet, and -I succeeded; but I did not like to run this perilous risk again.</p> - -<p>In the mean time the epidemic was far from subsiding: it appeared, on -the contrary, to gather fresh strength every day. Six thousand men had -already perished; 18,000 men were lying inanimate in the hospitals. -General Franceschi, whom death had spared so many times on the field -of battle, had just expired. Every hour, every minute, increased our -losses, and carried off our most valiant soldiers. Substantial food -would have saved them; but our provisions were coming to an end. We -had no longer any quantity of animal food or cattle; straw even was -wanting for the beds of our sick: I resolved on seeking for some -remedy for evils which so many brave men were enduring. The attempt -was dangerous; but they well deserved that I should expose myself to -some dangers in order to relieve them.</p> - -<p>For a long time I had purposed sending an expedition against -Quadendorf, where it was supposed there were abundant resources. I -had hitherto deferred it because the troops which were at my disposal -appeared to me insufficient; but necessity -<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_273" id="Page_273">[Pg 273]</a></span> -spoke more forcibly than -all these considerations: I hesitated no longer. General Devilliers -crowned the heights of Wonneberg and of Pitzendorf; his right -supported on Zigangenberg, and the left by the brigade of General -Husson. He commenced without delay an alternate fire of artillery and -musquetry. While the enemy returned this harmless fire as well as -they could, General Heudelet debouched by the valley of Matzlaw, and -got possession of the post charged with its defence. General Bachelu -marched in front. Twelve hundred men, and six pieces of cannon, under -the command of General Gault, were advancing in the second line, -and formed the reserve. Five hundred Russians wished to prevent our -entrance into Borgfeld. They were trampled under foot: all who escaped -the bayonet perished by the edge of the sabre: all were put to death. -The enemy came up with their masses, and were not more successful. -Overpowered, broken before they were in a state of defence, they -found safety only in flight. They were not allowed time to place -their artillery in battery; pursued without intermission, they were -obliged to leave the field without firing a single round: the Poles -were irresistible; chiefs and soldiers, all rushed on the Russians -with a determination and boldness of which there is no -<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_274" id="Page_274">[Pg 274]</a></span> -example. A drummer, the brave Mattuzalik, knocked down one of the enemy with his -drumsticks, and compelled him to surrender.</p> - -<p>While we drove them before us, General Heudelet threatened their -rear. As soon as the enemy perceived this movement, it was no longer -a flight, it was disorder, confusion, of which it is difficult to -form an idea. They deserted their wounded and their hospitals; they -evacuated, with all speed, Schweiskopff, Saint-Albrecht, and did not -halt till they reached the other side of Praust, which our voltigeurs -entered pell-mell with them.</p> - -<p>On arriving at Saint-Albrecht, I learned that the Russians were -still maintaining their ground on the banks of the Mottlaw. I made -arrangements to prevent their receiving any relief while we attacked -them. Major Scifferlitz, with a battalion of the 13th Bavarian, -assisted by a company of Westphalians and the flotilla, was charged -with this attack. It took place with perfect concert and great -impetuosity: 300 Russians were laid in the dust with their chief, who -had fallen under the blows of the brave Zarlinwski; the remainder -were drowned or taken. A hundred of them were escaping through the -inundation, when they were overtaken by Lieutenant Faber, who charged -them at the head of some brave troops, -<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_275" id="Page_275">[Pg 275]</a></span> -up to the neck in water, and -brought them back. A mere boy, young Kern, animated our soldiers; he -went before them; excited them; he threw himself into the thickest -of the fight. His comrades paused, and hesitated to follow him. He -turned to them with the boldness which courage inspires; "Forward! -Bavarians!" he exclaimed, and they were carried away by his impulse.</p> - -<p>The day was drawing to a close: the Russians displayed such large -numbers of troops in front of Quadendorf, that I did not judge it -right to continue the attack. We returned to Dantzic, after having -caused the enemy an immense loss, and having taken from them 350 men. -This was almost the only result of so brilliant a sally. Scarcely did -it procure us a hundred head of cattle. We had been anticipated: all -that the villages had contained had been removed to the rear.</p> - -<p>Independently of the attempt to procure provisions, I had another -object in view, which did not succeed better. Since the commencement -of the blockade I had no channel of communication with the French -army: I was not aware of its force, or of its fortune. I had put -every means in operation in order to get some information on these -points; but the hatred was so general and so rooted, no bribery had -been able to overcome it. -<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_276" id="Page_276">[Pg 276]</a></span> -I hoped that the burgomasters would be more -tractable, but they knew nothing but the reports that were circulated -by the Russians. I remained in a state of the most complete ignorance -of every thing that was going on around me.</p> - -<p>After all, whatever might be the course of events, the place was to -be defended, and defended to the very last moment; that is to say, -we had to live as long as possible with the resources that we still -possessed. I redoubled my economy; and, as something is generally -gained by an interchange of ideas, I formed a commission which was -exclusively charged with the care of the provisions. Count Heudelet -was the president; it was of very great service. It applied itself in -a particular manner to ameliorate the condition of the hospitals. It -made purchases of linen, of medicines, and substituted for butter, -which was no longer to be procured, gelatine. All the wine and fresh -meat we had was reserved for the sick; and in order that they might -not fail us, the commission seized, after a valuation on both sides, -the cellars and the cattle which were found in the place. The troops -no longer received any animal food but the flesh of horses, which had -been obtained in the same way. But all the cares of the commission -could not subdue the epidemic: it might be said -<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_277" id="Page_277">[Pg 277]</a></span> -that this cruel pest -was inflamed in proportion to the opposition it met. Continually more -violent, more irremediable, it burst forth with fresh strength in -those places that it had already attacked, and assailed those that had -before escaped. Weichselmunde, Neufahrwasser, previously free from its -attacks, now became a prey to its ravages. The troops, the population, -from one extremity of our lines to the other, struggled in the agonies -of a cruel disease. Those who escaped, and those who fell, equally -deserved pity. Given up to all the convulsions of delirium, they wept, -they groaned, they dwelt on the remembrance of their battles and their -pleasures, which no longer existed but in their dreams.—Now calm, now -furious, they called on their country, their parents, the friends of -their childhood; they prayed for, they shuddered at, the destiny of -the brave men who had perished;—torn alternately by contrary passions, -they breathed out the remnant of life in the horrors of despair.</p> - -<p>The more remedies were lavished, the more the sufferings increased. -The evil spread by means of those very efforts which were used to -destroy it. Every day of the last fortnight of March carried off more -than 200 men. The epidemic gradually ceased to be so destructive; but -it was not till -<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_278" id="Page_278">[Pg 278]</a></span> -the end of May that it was subdued altogether. It had -by that time swept away 5500 inhabitants, and 12,000 brave soldiers. -Among this number was General Gault: an excellent officer, a soldier -full of courage—he deserved a better lot.</p> - -<p>Disease was making war on us for the benefit of the Russians, while -they themselves disturbed us but very little. The expedition of -Borgfeld had cooled their courage; they made intrenchments, they -fortified themselves, they were only engaged in defensive measures. -Nevertheless, as it was absolutely necessary to give some signs of -life, they every now and then endeavoured to surprise my advanced -posts. Annoyed by these insignificant attacks, I wished in return -to break their slumbers as they were breaking ours. They had above -Brentau a signal which furnished me with the means. Our business was -to burn it: I intrusted the management of it to two officers, whose -intelligence and courage I had experienced. They were the chiefs -of battalion Zsembeck and Potocki. On a dark night they went forth -from Langfuhr, and marched for a long time without being perceived: -discharges of musquetry at length apprised them that they were -discovered; they immediately rushed on and overthrew the enemy. -Potocki advanced towards Brentau, and dispersed -<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_279" id="Page_279">[Pg 279]</a></span> -a numerous body of -infantry which opposed his passage. Forty men threw themselves into -a kind of block-house: a voltigeur followed them, and summoned them -to surrender; he was killed. The Poles, quite furious, immediately -inundated the redoubt, and exterminated all the Russians that it -contained.</p> - -<p>Whilst these things were going on in the village, Zsembeck made -himself master of the signal. He set fire to it, and immediately -descended into the plain, overthrew and cut to pieces the detachments -which he found in his way, and pushed on as far as the walls of Oliwa, -where he threw some shells. At the same time the brave Devillain, -quarter-master to the eighth, swept, with a dozen hussars, all that -part of our advanced posts. He charged with so much boldness that -the Cossacks were terrified and broken. Success encouraged him; he -extended himself to the right, reconnoitred, searched the wood, and -did not join our troops till the moment they were retiring.</p> - -<p>Meanwhile all the signals were on fire. The Russian army ran to arms, -and expected every moment to see itself attacked; it passed in this -state the rest of the night and the whole of the next day. We repaid -them in a mass the alarms which they had given us in detail.</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_280" id="Page_280">[Pg 280]</a></span></p> - -<p>The political horizon became every day more cloudy. Prussia had thrown -aside the mask; she made war against us by insurrection. This event -could not be hidden from the soldiers, the Russians had too great an -interest in informing them of it. I consequently threw no obstacle in -the way of its being made known. Immediately attempts to seduce the -soldiers again began to be resorted to. The enemy thought that the -confidence and attachment of our troops were shaken. The disproportion -between the means of attack and defence, money, promises, every thing -was brought into play to engage them to desert. A bounty was offered -as a recompense for shame: I was justified in offering one as a reward -for fidelity. I promised a reward of 200 francs to any one who should -deliver up a man convicted of seducing our soldiers. This measure had -its effect. Most of the emissaries that the besiegers had in the place -were pointed out to me. According to our laws they had incurred the -pain of death; but men in general are less wicked than unfortunate. -Nearly all of them were fathers of families who had yielded to -necessity. I delivered them up to the derision of the soldiers; I -ordered their heads to be shaved, and dismissed them. This device -<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_281" id="Page_281">[Pg 281]</a></span> -kept them at home; I was freed from them without having recourse to -executions.</p> - -<p>The garrison appeared very little disturbed by the increase which -it had learned the enemy had received. Nevertheless I wished it to -judge of itself what it was still capable of. It was near Easter. -The weather was mild, the sky clear. I appointed a review; it took -place in the face of the army which was besieging us. At daybreak -the inhabitants, the sick even, occupied the heights of Langfuhr; -they spread themselves on the glacis and avenues, and crowned all the -ascents from the plain which separates Stries from Oliwa. The troops -were not long before they appeared. Seven thousand men, followed by a -numerous artillery, all in magnificent condition, successively ranged -themselves in order of battle. They manœuvred, they defiled, with -unparalleled precision. The Russians, astonished at so much boldness, -did not venture to trouble us: they, also ranged in order of battle, -were spectators of our movements, without throwing any obstacle in the -way. It would have been, however, a fine opportunity for them; not a -piece was loaded; I had particularly prohibited the use of cartridge. -The bayonet alone was to punish them, if they were rash enough to -give the slightest insult. -<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_282" id="Page_282">[Pg 282]</a></span> -This measure was, perhaps, rather a bold -one, but it was necessary to exalt the courage of the soldier, and to -convince him of the contempt that the boasting of foreigners deserved.</p> - - - -<hr class="chap" /> - -<div class="chapter p4"> - <h2><a name="CHAPTER_XL" id="CHAPTER_XL"></a>CHAPTER XL.</h2> -</div> - - -<p><span class="smcap">After</span> parading, -the question was how we should subsist; this was much -less easy. The enemy had rifled all the villages, and had left neither -forage nor cattle; no more resources were to be had, unless we sought -them at the distance of several leagues. I had gained experience at -Borgfeld, and I acted accordingly. I had obtained exact information on -the facilities and the obstacles which an expedition into the Nerhung -presented; I knew the number, the position of the troops, and their -complete security. I made my arrangements. Twelve hundred chosen -men, three hundred and fifty horse, a company of light artillery -with eight pieces of cannon, commanded by General Bachelu, advanced -towards Heubude. The enemy, driven in, endeavoured -<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_283" id="Page_283">[Pg 283]</a></span> -in vain to defend -Bonhsack. Bachelu does not give him time to recollect himself, charges -him, routs him, and drives him back in confusion as far as Woldern. -The enemy's principal forces occupy this village. Near five thousand -men receive him and support him; but, always carried forward by the -same impetuosity, our troops come up running, and prevent him from -deploying. They presently commence the attack: a part of them spread -as sharpshooters, over the downs and the plain, the rest remain in -line and commence a destructive fire. Our artillery, our cavalry, come -up, and complete the defeat: it was so prompt and so decided, that the -artillery did not attempt to fire a single round; it escaped with all -speed from the field of battle. A column of Lithuanians ventured to -stem the torrent. Colonel Farine rushed on it with his dragoons, and -compelled it to lay down its arms. The reserve was still untouched. -The brave Redou marches towards them; he watches them, seizes the -moment when they are retiring, charges them, and takes them prisoners: -at the same time Captain Neumann goes in pursuit of the fugitives, -flies from left to right, scatters confusion in all directions, and -with a handful of soldiers gathers up some hundreds of the Allied -troops, whom he obliges to -<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_284" id="Page_284">[Pg 284]</a></span> -surrender. This advantage cost him two -wounds. The sub-lieutenant Schneider was still more hurt, and alone -received twelve lance-wounds.</p> - -<p>I had myself followed the movement of General Bachelu: I advanced as -far as Woldern; but the Russians were flying in such disorder, that -it appeared to me useless to follow them any farther. The troops that -had defeated them, were quite sufficient to pursue them. As soon as -I learnt that they had driven them back more than twelve leagues, -I stopped their march. They fixed their quarters, and employed -themselves in taking away the forage and cattle that we found in the -places that we had got possession of.</p> - -<p>The reserve that I had with me was useless, owing to the promptitude -and dexterity with which General Bachelu had conducted this -expedition. I ordered it to cross the Vistula. It landed in front of -the fortress of Lacosta, and marched towards the dyke, which the enemy -still occupied. At the same time the gun-boats came up the river and -commenced the attack. The Russians soon gave way, and dispersed. We -extended ourselves without any obstacle over the whole extent of the -Werder.</p> - -<p>We remained four days in these different positions. General Bachelu, -on the right bank -<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_285" id="Page_285">[Pg 285]</a></span> -of the river, rifled that part of Nerhung that he -had taken; whilst with the aid of our boats we drew, from the left -side, all the resources that we could get. Five hundred head of horned -cattle, four hundred head of sheep, twelve hundred quintals of hay, -eight hundred of straw, and two thousand three hundred decalitres of -oats, were the result of this expedition. The enemy tried to intercept -our convoys; but the <i>sang-froid</i> and dexterity of Lieutenant -Hoékinski and of the Commissary Belisal, triumphed over all obstacles. -The attacks of the Russians even turned to our advantage, and brought -us a hundred head of oxen, which the intrepid Brelinski took from -them after having defeated them. The army employed in the siege did -not attempt to disturb us. Immoveable in its lines, it only appeared -occupied with the demonstrations our troops were making on the side -of Langfuhr, and Newschottland. Its uneasiness was so great, that -the noise of a heavy shower of rain was mistaken for our advance;—it -thought itself attacked, set on fire its signals on the left, and -spread alarm as far as Pitzendorf.</p> - -<p>We had revictualled our hospitals; but our own situation was not -changed. Two ounces of horse-flesh, and one ounce of salt beef, still -formed -<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_286" id="Page_286">[Pg 286]</a></span> -our daily ration. As soon as I was out of one difficulty I -fell into another. I had procured some provisions, but the military -chest was exhausted; it had not been able to meet the expense of -paying for the provisions we had carried off. I was obliged to issue -bills payable on the raising of the blockade. Nevertheless it was -necessary to secure the pay of the soldiers, to cover the expenses of -the artillery, and the engineer department; without which the place -would fall of itself. To what expedient, what means to have recourse -in this extremity? There was but one. I was unwilling to adopt it; but -every thing gave way to necessity: I demanded a loan of 3,000,000 from -the inhabitants.</p> - -<p>The inhabitants of Dantzic were indignant at this measure. They -complained, murmured, and threatened some commotion. The enemy became -more pressing. The fleet, the land forces, all assumed a more hostile -attitude. It was at this conjuncture that Baron Servien, condemned to -death for decoying soldiers, accused the senator Piegeleau, of being -at the head of a conspiracy formed in the interest of Russia. The -reputation of this magistrate was untarnished, but the charges were -so detailed, so precise, and the consequences of imprudent security -so serious, that I ordered him to be arrested. His innocence was -<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_287" id="Page_287">[Pg 287]</a></span> -soon established. I had for a short time doubted the honesty of this -respectable man: it was my duty to make him an acknowledgment. I made -it in the way which appeared to me best fitted to calm the impression -of this unpleasant adventure. The citizens had remained quiet, and the -frequent skirmishes, which had appeared to me suspicious, were owing -to the increase of troops which had arrived before the fortress.</p> - -<p>The Duke of Wurtemburg had just taken the command of it. More -enterprising, more restless, than General Levis, he did not allow my -advanced posts breathing-time; if he failed in one point, he tried -another. Driven back at Langfuhr, put to flight at Zigangenberg, he -threw himself on Ohra. As badly received in that position as in the -former ones, he did not the less return to the charge; he attacked at -one time Stolzenberg, Schidlitz, and the post of the barrier: defeated -at all these points, he tried again, and again was defeated. No check -discouraged him; he tried a last effort; he rushed during the night on -my troops, who were refreshing themselves after their fatigues, and -took some houses, which he set fire to; but at the sight of the two -battalions which ran to arms, he was alarmed, and retreated.</p> - -<p>The patroles and sentinels were continually engaged. These combats, -in which individual courage -<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_288" id="Page_288">[Pg 288]</a></span> -is put most to the test, were all to our -advantage. The Cossacks did not shine at all in them. Three of them -combined for the purpose of overpowering a dragoon of the 12th, called -Drumes: this brave fellow waits for them with firmness; knocked down -by a blow from a lance, he rises, seizes the end of the weapon, draws -his adversary to him, and lays him dead on the spot. Héquet, another -dragoon of the same regiment, resisted four of these barbarians: -although wounded, he knocked down one, killed another, and put the -rest to flight. I could cite a thousand traits of the same kind.</p> - -<p>These continual attacks harassed my soldiers. I could not suffer -them to be insulted by the Cossacks. We took arms: General Granjean -commanded the right, General Devilliers the centre, and the left was -under the direction of Count Heudelet. The unexpected appearance of -our columns froze the enemy with dread. Their horses were grazing -freely on the plain, their infantry was at rest in the camps: they -did not expect this attack. At the moment we were beginning to move, -I received the authentic news of the immortal victories of Lutzen and -Bautzen: I communicated it, I proclaimed it, I spread it abroad. Joy, -intoxication, enthusiasm, -<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_289" id="Page_289">[Pg 289]</a></span> -are at their height; all these sentiments -are shewn at once; our troops are impatient for the fight they burn to -conquer. From left to right the cry of "Forward!" is re-echoed. The -signal is given. Immediately the artillery is unmasked: the troops -approach the enemy, the combat begins, the ground is covered with -heaps of dead. Captain Preutin pours his fire upon the enemy, and -forces them to evacuate Schœnfeld. The Polish horse-artillery comes -up at a gallop, places itself within half gun-shot distance, and -overthrows every thing in its way. Major Bellancourt and the chief of -battalion Duprat press on and bear down the fugitives: they disperse -them as often as they rally. Defeated at the centre, the enemy throws -himself on our left, and threatens Ohra. Major Schneider opposes -a stout resistance. This excellent officer defends himself at one -point, while he attacks at another, and makes up by his courage for -the insufficiency of the means at his disposal. Generals Brissau and -Husson run to his assistance. The Russians, overpowered, cannot stem -the torrent; they are put to flight, and do not stop till they reach -the heights behind Wonneburg. They soon change their plan, and rush on -our right wing, which receives them with admirable firmness. Colonel -d'Engloffstein, Major Horadam, Lieutenant-colonel -<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_290" id="Page_290">[Pg 290]</a></span> -Hope, emulate one -another in exertions. Sergeants Vigneux and Auger also set an example -of courage. I rush to the midst of this bloody contest: I order the -Poles of the 10th to advance, with five pieces of cannon which were in -reserve. The combat grows warmer, and becomes more and more terrible. -The Russians at last give way, and escape in confusion from the camp -of Pitzkendorf. I did not think it right to pursue them: sufficient -for the day are the evils thereof. They had about 1800 men put <i>hors -de combat</i>. I caused the firing to cease. On our side we reckoned four -hundred killed or wounded.</p> - -<p>The Allies, conquered in two consecutive battles, had solicited an -armistice. The war had been carried back to the Oder. We were once -more the arbiters of fortune. Our glory was so much the more pure, as -it was entirely the result of that impetuous courage which supplies -the want of experience, and does not give way before any obstacle. -Mere recruits had triumphed over the combined forces of Prussia and -Russia. Captain Planat brought us the news of it at the moment when -the defeated besiegers were seeking safety in flight. Napoleon had -added to his despatches proofs of his munificence: he condescended to -grant me the ribbon -<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_291" id="Page_291">[Pg 291]</a></span> -of the order of <i>La Réunion</i>. He authorised me -to make promotions, to confer marks of honour, and to point out the -superior officers that I thought fit for advancement. His victories -had exalted the courage of the troops; the soldiers once more swore by -his genius; they saw him again triumphing on the banks of the Vistula. -His despatch was conceived in the following terms.</p> - -<div class="bq"> -<p>"Monsieur le Comte Rapp,</p> - -<p>"The Major-general acquaints you with the situation of affairs. -I hope that peace will be concluded in the course of the year; -but if my expectations are disappointed, I shall come to raise -your blockade. Our armies have never been more numerous or in a -finer condition. You will see by the journals all the measures -which I have taken, and which have secured me 1,200,000 men -under arms, and 100,000 horse. My relations with Denmark are -very amicable, where Baron Alquier still continues my minister. -I need not recommend you to be deaf to all insinuations, and at -all events to keep the important fortress which I have confided -to you. Inform me by the return of the officer what soldiers have -most distinguished themselves. The promotion and the decoration -which you shall think they have deserved, you -<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_292" id="Page_292">[Pg 292]</a></span> -may consider -as conferred; and you may bestow decorations of the Legion of -Honour to the number of ten crosses of officers, and a hundred -of knights. Make choice of the men that have rendered the most -important services, and send me the list by return of the -officer, in order that the Chancellor of the Legion of Honour may -be instructed of the appointments. You may also fill up in your -ranks all the vacant appointments, as far as the rank of Captain -inclusive. Send also an account of these promotions. On this I -pray God, &c.</p> - -<p class="ar smcap">"Napoleon."</p> - -<p>"Neumark, June 5, 1813."</p> -</div> - - -<hr class="chap" /> - -<div class="chapter p4"> - <h2><a name="CHAPTER_XLI" id="CHAPTER_XLI"></a>CHAPTER XLI.</h2> -</div> - - -<p><span class="smcap">The</span> sovereigns had fixed -on the conditions of the armistice. Every -fortress was to be revictualled once in five days, and to have a -league of ground beyond its lines; but the Duke of Wurtemberg took on -himself to elude this engagement. He contested my statement of our -positions; he disputed about the limits. After several conferences, -<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_293" id="Page_293">[Pg 293]</a></span> -we came to a provisional arrangement, and we remitted the question to -persons appointed to settle it. There then arose new difficulties; -at one time they alleged want of provisions, at another want of -conveyance. The allowances, at all times incomplete, were constantly -in arrears; at last they were entirely suspended. The Duke stood in -need of a pretext; he found one: he pretended that we had broken the -truce, because we had done justice on some band of robbers which -infested our rear. His letter, which could have been transmitted to me -in two hours, was two days before it reached me. So many subterfuges -made me indignant: I went straight to the point; I told him that I -would have no more tergiversation, and that he must fight or fulfil -the conditions stipulated on. He replied by talking of the cause of -nations and of kings. This language was curious; I expressed to him -how much it astonished me, coming from the mouth of a prince, whose -sovereign had been our ally for five years, and whose brother was -still fighting for us. This last example touched him a little. He -replied peevishly, "That a Russian General-in-chief did not think -himself inferior in any respect to a king of the Confederation, since -it only depended on the Emperor Alexander to raise him to that -<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_294" id="Page_294">[Pg 294]</a></span> -dignity, and that then he might be a king as well as another; that he -would, however, only be so under this slight condition, that it should -not be at the expense of any power or person."</p> - -<p>The troops ran to arms: but the Duke was unwilling to take the -consequences of this rupture. He offered to continue the supplies. -They ought to have been sent on the 24th, but they did not come -till the 26th, and were never complete. Tainted meat, and flour so -very bad that we did not venture to make any use of it till we had -made experiments on it, were the only provisions that the Russians -furnished us with. They were not more faithful as to the quantity: we -did not receive above two-thirds of what was guaranteed to us by the -treaty.</p> - -<p>The Prince de Neuchâtel told me that it was necessary to hold out till -the month of May following. The thing was quite impossible; I had -neither provisions nor troops sufficient for so prolonged a defence. I -pointed it out to him; my despatch was precise. Every thing that was -possible we were ready to undertake, but good intentions do not create -means.</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_295" id="Page_295">[Pg 295]</a></span></p> - -<div class="bq"> -<p class="ar">"Dantzic, June 16, 1813.</p> - -<p>"My Prince,</p> - -<p>"I received the letter which your Highness did me the honour to -write me from Neumark, of the 5th of June. M. Planat has also -sent me a collection of <i>Moniteurs</i>, containing the detail of the -decisive battles gained by Napoleon over the combined forces. I -had had, from the day before M. Planat's arrival, intelligence -of the brilliant successes of the armies of Napoleon. This good -news has produced on the garrison the best effect: it has seen -that I had not flattered it with vain hopes; and the patience and -courage of which it has given proofs have found the reward that -they were entitled to expect.</p> - -<p>"The armistice has also been transmitted to me, and I write -to your Highness particularly on this subject. I ought not to -conceal that this suspension of arms, in the state things are in, -must be more disadvantageous than advantageous to the garrison; -for disease still occasions us a loss of 1100 men a month, the -consequence of which will be that by the 1st of August we shall -have lost 1700 men.</p> - -<p>"Our provisions, moreover, will be consumed; and, if the Duke of -Wurtemberg does not show a better disposition towards us than he -has done, <span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_296" id="Page_296">[Pg 296]</a></span> -we shall not be able to save, as otherwise we should -have done, a part of the provisions that he is bound to furnish -us. Till the month of October my situation will not give me any -uneasiness, but beyond that period it will be a painful one -indeed; for we shall want men to defend the immense range of our -fortifications, provisions for the defenders, and we shall have -no more to hope for from resources within or without.</p> - -<p>"The account of the composition for the rations since the -blockade will shew your Highness that I have carried into -execution, in the distribution of the provision, the rigid -economy which our situation demanded, and that to this end I -have employed all the resources of which I could avail myself: -but these resources are exhausting; and it would be useless to -reckon on those which might be derived from the expulsion of -the inhabitants; indeed, it is only necessary, in order to be -convinced of this painful truth, to recollect that two years ago -Napoleon called by requisition on the inhabitants of Dantzic, -for 600,000 quintals of corn—an order which was most rigorously -carried into execution. At that time only 23,000 quintals were -left for the subsistence of its inhabitants. Since that period -they have lived on this quantity, and some trifling portions -which had been concealed from the strictest searches.</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_297" id="Page_297">[Pg 297]</a></span></p> - -<p>"I have given above an account of the loss which disease still -produces every month. The accounts of the situation of the -troops present an effective force of 20,558 men; which supposes, -according to the estimates (but too accurate) which I have -already given, that the garrison will be reduced, at the end of -the armistice, to 20,000 men, from which number must be deducted -at least 2,000 who will be in the hospitals, even supposing that -want does not increase the ravages of disease. What would be -our condition, then, by the month of May, when the progress of -mortality which the actual state of things supposes will have -mowed down so many of our men? It results from the calculation -which we are able to make, (admitting that winter diseases do -not materially increase the number of deaths, and allowing for -a loss of 1000 only per month,) that the sum total of the loss -would be, by the 1st of May, 8000 men, omitting altogether those -who may perish in actions, or who may die from the consequence -of their wounds. There would only remain, then, by the month -of May, an effective force of 11,000 men, of whom there will -certainly be 3000 in the hospitals: how is it possible to defend -fortifications so extensive with so feeble a garrison?</p> - -<p>"I have already given orders for the construction of works -intended to defend the entrance of Mottlaw, -<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_298" id="Page_298">[Pg 298]</a></span> -an extremely weak point when the rivers are frozen. I am going on besides with -every thing which can secure my communication, but, I repeat, men -are wanting for the defences. Your Highness must not doubt that, -if it becomes necessary, I will do every thing which honour and -my devotion to the Emperor can suggest, to maintain myself in -some point or other of Dantzic.</p> - -<p>"The state of the magazines will prove to your Highness that -our resources are very limited. You will, no doubt, think that -I shall manage them with all the care which the desire to make -an honourable defence inspires me with: it is with this object -in view that I have added to the commission for the management -of provisions, which the law has appointed in places in a state -of siege, a considerable number of members in addition to those -which it requires.</p> - -<p>"I have put them under the presidency of the General of the -division Count Heudelet. This commission is instructed to lay -before me all the measures which may tend to economy and to the -welfare of the soldiers; it has rendered great service, and I am -sorry that I did not give it at an earlier period the attributes -which it now possesses.</p> - -<p>"The article of finances merits very particular -<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_299" id="Page_299">[Pg 299]</a></span> -attention on the part of the Emperor and your Highness. All the funds which -have been left at my disposal have been consumed, and I have been -obliged to have recourse to a forced loan, which I imposed on -all those who were still able to yield any thing. This loan has -been put into execution with great severity towards those who -pretended not to be able to contribute to the common defence; -but notwithstanding all the pains which were taken in respect -to this, and all the measures which were resorted to in order -to conduce to similar results, up to the present time, only -1,700,000 francs have been raised, and there will be great -difficulty in levying the rest.</p> - -<p>"The expenses of the pay of the army, those of the constructions -in the engineer department, as well as those which concern -manual labour (for all the materials which are in the place -will be taken, as has been done for these two months past, by -requisition, to be paid for on demand at the raising of the -blockade); the sums for the artillery; those for the hospitals, -for the different branches of the service, for provisions, that -is to say, in short, for every thing that is necessary for manual -and daily labour; for the constructions in the marine department, -clothing—all these expenses, of which I have ordered an estimate -to be <span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_300" id="Page_300">[Pg 300]</a></span> -made, amount to more than 900,000 francs per month.</p> - -<p>"A foreign commercial house has offered to provide funds here, -provided that the paymaster-general guarantee him reimbursement -at Paris. It would be a great security of tranquillity, if I saw -this affair settled; but I should prefer that the funds were sent -to me, for otherwise some circumstance might happen which would -stop the stipulated payment in the second month. Your Highness is -well aware that there are no means of dispensing with punctual -payment of all the expenses alluded to above, especially with a -garrison composed like the one which I command; I beseech you, -then, to solicit from his Majesty measures which may secure the -payment of the sums which I stand in absolute need of.</p> - -<p>"I ought not to close without observing to your Highness that -the quantity of powder which now remains in our magazines is not -nearly in proportion to what would be necessary for a siege.</p> - -<p>"To conclude, Monseigneur, I have thought it right to make -beforehand all the observations which occur to my mind on the -insufficiency of men for the defence, on the inadequacy of -the means of subsistence, on the funds necessary to meet our -expenses, in short, on our supplies in -<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_301" id="Page_301">[Pg 301]</a></span> -every department which -are at all in proportion to our approaching wants. I beseech your -Highness, then, to lay before the Emperor the painful situation -in which we shall be placed, if his Majesty does not come to our -aid. What remains of the garrison is in other respects excellent, -and the performance of its part may be relied on, by means of a -few rewards well applied for unlimited devotion. It will do all -that the Emperor can expect from his best soldiers, and will -justify the confidence which his Majesty has placed in it, and -the favour which he has bestowed on it by placing it among the -number of the corps of his Grand Army.</p> - -<p class="ac">"I am, &c.</p> -<p class="ar">(Signed) <span class="smcap">"Count Rapp."</span></p> -</div> - -<p>The armistice was meanwhile approaching its termination. The troops, -the ammunition, the artillery for the siege were arriving in abundance -before the place. We soon had 300 pieces of cannon of large calibre, -and 60,000 fighting troops before us. The disproportion was immense; -but we had conquered when enfeebled by disease, we might hope to -conquer again. Nothing but the means of subsistence was wanting. -The Russians were so convinced of this that they gave chase to the -smallest craft which went fishing. Their -<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_302" id="Page_302">[Pg 302]</a></span> -gun-boats had even captured -some of the craft which had not gone beyond the limits. I immediately -despatched a flag of truce to the Admiral. I represented to him that -the sea ought to be free for a league from the shore, and that I -should know how to make the conditions of the armistice respected, -if they again attempted to infringe them. He promised to conform to -the conditions, and no more to molest our boats. He did not, indeed, -molest them; but that very evening he carried off our unfortunate -fishermen, who had retired, without suspicion of what was to happen, -to their huts. He dreaded the abundance which a few pounds of fish -would produce in the fortress. The peasants and the course of the -waters were not better treated. They entrapped the former, and turned -the latter in another direction. It appeared to them as if every -thing was put in motion to get us food; that it was coming on us in -every direction. It was in vain for me to protest; indeed, never -were pretences or excuses wanting. At last the Prince of Wolkonski -announced to me the recommencement of hostilities; I received this -news with sincere satisfaction. Our relations were too disagreeable -for me not to desire to see them ended.</p> - -<hr class="chap" /> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_303" id="Page_303">[Pg 303]</a></span></p> - - -<div class="chapter p4"> - <h2><a name="CHAPTER_XLII" id="CHAPTER_XLII"></a>CHAPTER XLII.</h2> -</div> - - -<p><span class="smcap">The</span> enemy was full -of confidence; he fought, he intrigued, he -flattered himself with the hopes of taking the place by storm or -reducing it to ashes; but through the vigilance and intrepidity of -my soldiers all his attempts failed. His incendiary rockets were -wasted on our ramparts; his attacks were repulsed, and his emissaries -discovered. Several of these wretches had already introduced -themselves into our magazines, and were preparing to set them on -fire. I perhaps ought to have made an example of them; but I dreaded -lest this example might be dangerous: I feared that it would give a -knowledge of the crime to those who were then ignorant of it, and that -it would spread alarm amongst the troops. I pretended to believe that -they had endeavoured to pilfer some provisions, and I dismissed them; -but I issued such severe proclamations against theft, that I kept -malevolence at a distance.</p> - -<p>After three days of humiliation and fatigue the -<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_304" id="Page_304">[Pg 304]</a></span> -besiegers succeeded at last in getting possession of the wood of Ohra. Driven from it -almost immediately, they re-appear with new forces, and drive in our -detachment. The battalion on duty takes a second time its arms, and -rushes to its relief. Major Legros attacks the wood; two companies -of grenadiers march on the village; the troops meet each other, they -charge, they drive, they overthrow: the struggle becomes frightful. -Captain Capgrau seizes by the hair a Prussian officer: whilst he -throws him on the ground, he himself is on the point of being killed; -a soldier already touches him with his bayonet. Lieutenant Sabatier -turns aside the blow, closes on the Cossack, and runs him through with -his sabre; but at the moment he saves his chief, he receives in the -throat a wound which compels him to quit the field of battle. In the -wood, in the village, every where, the Russians are defeated: Captain -Duchat kills four himself; Commandant Charton, Lieutenants Devrine and -Blanchard, mow them down in heaps; a crowd of brave fellows rush into -the midst of them and increase the disorder. Francou, whose valour -a short time afterwards was so famous, Martin, Couture, Rochette, -Schlitz, Lepont, Bennot, Soudè, Paris, Belochio, all sub-officers of -the light troops, the carabineer Richida, -<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_305" id="Page_305">[Pg 305]</a></span> -the drummer Breiquier rush -even to the centre of their columns, and give them up to the swords of -our soldiers.</p> - -<p>Fresh troops take the place of those who are defeated, and establish -themselves in the wood; our heroes led on by Lieutenant Joly Delatour, -rush forward, attack and defeat them. The enemy, nevertheless, do not -lose courage; they form again into ranks, and present themselves a -third time: but always overcome, always cut in pieces, they at last -discontinue their attacks.</p> - -<p>Early the next day the enemy throw themselves on Stries and -Heiligenbrun, and take possession of Langfuhr. Our advanced posts -fall back on two block-houses, situated on the right and left of the -village. The Russians pursue them, and prepare to attack them; but -the Poles fire on them with such rapidity and precision that they are -forced to retreat. They return in greater force, they cover, they -inundate the defiles of the Jesch Kental; they threaten Heiligenbrun, -they debouch by Stries; all my line is under fire. These manœuvres -left no doubt as to their intentions; it was clear that they had -serious views on Langfuhr; I determined to anticipate them, and march -out to meet them. I assembled my troops, the left in the village, the -centre in the ravines of Zigangenberg, -<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_306" id="Page_306">[Pg 306]</a></span> -and the right extending as far -as Ohra. Twenty-four pieces of cannon, commanded by General Lepin, -are placed in the middle between the two wings. They immediately -commence a firing: the enemy's redoubts, his masses, his camp at -Pitzkendorf, every thing is ploughed up by our ball, we dismount two -of his pieces. The Poles, the Bavarians, the Westphalians, and 250 -horse, commanded by General Farine, debouch at the same time. The -brave Szembeck, already engaged with the Russians, was driving them -from Duvelkam; as soon as our soldiers perceive this defeat, they -grow warm, and they are encouraged; they rush on the redoubts at -Pitzkendorf. The allies, driven back on their works, endeavour in vain -to defend themselves; young Centurione at the head of his hussars, -overcomes every obstacle, but falls covered with wounds. At the sight -of this excellent officer carried off at so tender an age, the thirst -for vengeance kindles the courage of our men: infantry and cavalry -pour pell-mell on the redoubts. The trumpeter Bernardin, the chasseur -Olire, the Quarter-master Boucher, throw themselves into the midst of -the Russians; Lieutenant Tirion, already wounded, goes straight to the -officer who commands them, and takes him prisoner. From that moment -it is no longer a -<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_307" id="Page_307">[Pg 307]</a></span> -battle—it is slaughter, it is carnage, all perish -at the point of the bayonet, or only owe their lives to the mercy of -the conquerors. Whilst our soldiers are giving themselves up to the -fire of their courage, a cloud of Cossacks rush on them, and threaten -to cut them in pieces; but General Cavaignac moves up so promptly -with the reserve of cavalry, the troops charge with such zeal, the -Commanding-Adjutant de Erens, the chiefs of squadrons Bel and Zeluski, -Captains Gibert, Fayaux, Vallier, Pateski, and Bagatho, display so -much intelligence and skill that the enemy is completely routed, and -disperses in the most frightful confusion.</p> - -<p>The cannonade grew warmer and warmer. The Russians still occupied -the Johanisberg, the ground in front of Pitzkendorf, and made a -furious attack on Langfuhr. I detached against them a battalion of -the Vistula, which was supported by the Neapolitans commanded by -General Détrées, having under his orders General Pépé, who has since -been rendered so famous by the events which have occurred in his own -country. The brave Szembeck commenced the attack; it was made with -great regularity and impetuosity. The Russians, routed at the point of -the bayonet, overthrown by destructive charges, seek safety by flight. -The Poles pursue them with increased boldness; the -<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_308" id="Page_308">[Pg 308]</a></span> -drummer Hhade -seizes one of them by the cartouche-box, pulls him from the ranks and -disarms him. Captain Fatczinsky forgets that he is wounded, rushes -into a house which they occupy, kills their chief, and makes thirty of -them prisoners.</p> - -<p>The Neapolitans are not less impetuous; they press forward in pursuit -of the fugitives, drive them on and fire upon them. General Pépé, -Colonel Lebon, the Commandants Balathier, and Sourdet, Captains -Chivandier and Cianculli direct and excite their courage, and give at -once both precept and example.</p> - -<p>On the opposite side of the mountain the conflict was not less -obstinate or bloody. At the appointed signal, Colonel Kaminsky had -marched on the Russians and had dislodged them; he drove them before -him—the pursuit was hot. Reinforcements arrive; our adversaries -endeavour to stem the torrent, but the Poles pursue them with -impetuosity. Roseizensky, Drabizclwsky, Doks, Zaremba, Zygnowicz, -followed by men devoted to their leaders, rush on them and cut them in pieces.</p> - -<p>We were masters of Johanisberg. The weather was terrible; the enemy -was flying at a distance. I ordered a retreat to be sounded—it was -done in the most perfect order. At six o'clock every thing was -tranquil. But the Russians were not -<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_309" id="Page_309">[Pg 309]</a></span> -long before they made their -appearance again. They attack at the same time the Belvedere and the -heights of Heiligenbrun; they keep up a very smart firing; but they -are nevertheless unable to obtain the slightest advantage. Colonel -Kaminsky, and Commander Szembeck display a courage and skill which -disconcert them. They withdraw, but at the same time two battalions, -supported by a numerous cavalry, march on the village of Stries. -Kaminsky rushes to its defence. The Russians return immediately to -the charge; they scale the heights, they attack the Belvedere, push -on, and press their attacks. All their attempts fail against the -excellent arrangements of Major Deskur, and the valour of the chiefs -of battalion Johman and Robiesky.</p> - -<p>This was not the first diversion they had tried. They had already -driven in our advanced posts from Schidlitz to Ohra: Major Schneider, -attacked in front and flank, only maintained this suburb by courage. -He perceived a numerous column which imprudently entered the great -broad-street: he charged it, poured a shower of grape-shot on it, and -destroyed it. General Husson came up with the reserve. We resumed the -offensive; in an instant the wood and the village are taken, and the -Russians thrown into dreadful confusion. The -<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_310" id="Page_310">[Pg 310]</a></span> -chief of battalion, -Boulanger, disarmed eight of them; a sergeant who had been wounded -by a musquet-ball, the brave Vestel, disarmed three: the sub-officer -Cornu rescued one of our men, and took his escort prisoners.</p> - -<p>I was once more master of the Johanisberg and of Langfuhr, but this -success could not be durable; it was evident that the Russians, -continually returning to the charge with fresh troops, must in the -end succeed. Moreover, these two positions were so far separated from -each other, that they could neither injure me much, nor be of much use -to me. I gave, in consequence, orders to evacuate them, if the Allies -presented themselves in force. But their audacity had given place to -timidity. They were afraid of removing from the heights; they dared -not take possession of a village that had been abandoned. Impatient, -nevertheless, to get possession of it, they engage in a general action -to make themselves masters of a post which I had resolved not to -defend. The troops take arms; the fleet supports them. The whole of -my line is attacked: eighty gun-boats fire in concert, and pour their -shot on Neufahrwasser. Schelmulle, New-Schottland, Ohra, Zigangendorf -became a prey to the flames. The enemy's troops spread themselves as -a torrent in the plain; they overthrow -<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_311" id="Page_311">[Pg 311]</a></span> -or set fire to every thing -that opposes their passage: I came up in the midst of this terrible -confusion. But already the courage of the Russians had declined; they -were repulsed by a handful of brave men under the command of Major -Poyeck, and left the approaches of Kabrun filled with heaps of dead -bodies. I gave orders to pursue them: the impetuous Gibert rushed -forward with his chasseurs. Captain Maisonneuve joined him; they -charged: the disorderly multitude was repulsed and driven back on -Schelmulle. This party of the Russians, joined by the troops which -occupied the village, received, without being broken, the destructive -vollies of Captain Ostrowsky; but almost immediately turned by Captain -Marnier, one of the bravest officers in the French army, they fled, -disbanded themselves, and sought for refuge amidst the ruins of -buildings which they had given to the flames.</p> - -<p>The struggle was not less warm at Langfuhr: attacked by 12,000 -Russians, our posts fought and struggled in the very midst of the -immense columns of the enemy. Sergeant Szhatkowsky stood in need of -all his courage to escape from the Cossacks. Employed on a work in -front of the village, with thirteen men, he was surrounded by these -irregular troops; he immediately rallied his -<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_312" id="Page_312">[Pg 312]</a></span> -workmen, faced on one -side, attacked on the other, and constantly marching and fighting, at -last disengaged himself without losing a man.</p> - -<p>The Russians, humiliated by their losses, marched on the village. -Two houses, which I had put in a state to resist a <i>coup de main</i>, -defended its entrance: our adversaries attacked them in flank, pressed -on, and attempted an escalade; but a destructive fire threw them -into confusion, and compelled them to retreat. To increase their -misfortunes, the Neapolitans appear, and attack them. Colonels Lebon -and Dégennero pressed on, broke through the cavalry, and penetrated -into Langfuhr. The cavalry returned to the charge with greater numbers -and audacity; it took advantage of impediments, seized the right -moment, and charged our battalions as they were scattered up and -down the streets. A bloody conflict ensued; the brave Paliazzi fell, -pierced with ten lance wounds: Captains Nicolaü, Angeli, Dégennero, -are covered with wounds, and are compelled to leave the field of -battle. In vain the intrepid Grimaldi, in vain Lieutenants Amato, -Legendre, Hubert, Pouza, Gomez, and Zanetti endeavoured to stem the -torrent; numbers prevailed: we were compelled to retreat. A few brave -fellows, engaged too far in front, were unable to follow, and -<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_313" id="Page_313">[Pg 313]</a></span> -were -cut off; but far from giving way to despair, their courage increased -at the sight of danger; they rallied round the Adjutant-major Odiardi. -They advance, they turn, they retrograde, and at last reach the -fortified houses. Already were they attacked for the second time; -the Allies, enraged at the resistance, threw themselves on the -pallisadoes; tore them from the ground, and appeared about to triumph -over all these obstacles: but, laid in the dust as soon as they were -open to our fire, they soon despaired of success: unable to take the -houses, they set fire to them. Our brave fellows are not disconcerted: -some continued the firing, others subdue the flames; and the enemy is -not advanced farther than before. A thick smoke hid from our view the -two houses; I was still ignorant whether our troops occupied them, -or whether the Allies had made themselves masters of them. Reports -announced the latter; I resolved, nevertheless, to make an attempt -to know; but the balls, fired from off the houses, were falling on -us in showers: I concluded that they were lost. One circumstance -in particular rendered it probable: the firing had ceased, while -the flames were still raging. I was unwilling, however, to believe -that they had been given up; I ordered a fresh reconnoissance. The -neighbourhood of these -<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_314" id="Page_314">[Pg 314]</a></span> -two posts was heaped with dead bodies, clad -in white capotes. Deceived by the colour of the dress, the officers -whom I had sent were persuaded that the Bavarians had perished; all -asserted it, all were convinced of it. The loss of such brave men was -melancholy, and deserved not to be admitted on appearances. I charged -one of my aides-de-camp, Captain Marnier, to ascertain the real state -of the case: this mission could not be disagreeable to him; he had, -at the battle of Uclès, summoned a Spanish division to lay down its -arms, and had taken it: the spears of the Cossacks would not stop -him. At daybreak he set out from Kabrun, with eight men who requested -to follow him; he proceeded, running, to the house on the right. -Immediately the barriers were opened, the detachment joined him, and -made its retreat, in spite of the Russians who rushed forward to -intercept it.</p> - -<p>That on the left still remained; but the greatest difficulty was -overcome. I was certain that it still existed: I issued orders -that it should be relieved. A battalion advanced; no sooner was it -perceived by these admirable soldiers, than they placed their wounded -in the midst of it, and rushed forth on the Allies. Several received -wounds; the brave Dalwick was struck by a ball, -<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_315" id="Page_315">[Pg 315]</a></span> -which shattered his -left shoulder, but he continued to fight with ardour. The contest -became more and more bloody. The Bavarians, inflamed with the noble -desire to save their countrymen, and animated by the example of two -intrepid officers, Adjutant-major Seiferlitz and Lieutenant Muck, -threw themselves precipitately on the enemy, broke through them, and -at last brought off in safety this handful of devoted soldiers. They -made a kind of triumphal entry: every one was anxious to see them, and -to congratulate them: all spoke of their constancy, and boasted of -their resignation. Alone, abandoned to their own resources, without -provisions, without ammunition, parched with thirst, suffocated -by the smoke, they had braved the threats, repulsed the summons, -and rejected with disdain the insinuations of the enemy. Captain -Fahrebeck in particular was loaded with encomiums; his <i>sang-froid</i> -was admired, his courage extolled; his firmness and his prudence -were the subject and the theme of every one's conversation. It was -natural that I should testify to these brave fellows how much I was -satisfied with them: I inserted in the order of the day the perils -that they had faced, the risks they had run; and I lodged the wounded -in my own hotel. Every day I visited them; every day I -<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_316" id="Page_316">[Pg 316]</a></span> -made myself acquainted with their situation, and assured myself that their wants -were supplied. An officer, who was in my confidence, M. Romeru, was -moreover instructed to lavish on them the cares and the consolation -which I was not able to give them myself.</p> - -<p>As soon as the enemy was master of Langfuhr, he began to labour; works -upon works were constructed: his exertions were unremitted. His design -was to narrow my position more and more, and ultimately to compel me -to shut myself up in the fortress. This plan was admirable; the only -question was how to execute it; this was a more difficult affair. -I had covered the fronts of Oliwa and Hagelsberg by a formidable -entrenched camp; nine works composed it: the lunette of Istria -occupied the culminating point of the heights, which command the fort -and defile of Hagelsberg; it was flanked by the batteries Kirgeur -and Caulincourt. A selection was afterwards made among the hillocks -situated between these works and the road of Langfuhr, of those -which were most advantageously situated, and they were fortified. -The following was the arrangement of these redoubts: going on the -right from Caulincourt, the redoubt Romeuf, the battery Grabowsky, -the redoubt Deroy, the battery -<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_317" id="Page_317">[Pg 317]</a></span> -Montbrun. In fine, to complete this -line of fortifications and to extend it as far as the Vistula, two -batteries more were established; the one called Fitzer, across the -road of Langfuhr, the other known by the name of Gudin, was little -farther distant; it rested on an artificial inundation, which extended -as far as the dyke on the left of the Vistula, and formed the right -of all our line, which still enclosed two batteries which were placed -on the other side of the river. All these works were palisadoed, -provided with barracks, and powder magazines. I ordered moreover two -barrack camps to be erected; the one to hold four hundred men, towards -the extreme left behind Kirgeur, and the other a hundred and fifty, -behind Montbrun. The part of this line which extends from Montbrun to -Gudin was connected by a kind of covered road; that which extended to -the left was sufficiently protected by the badness of the ground. I -thought, moreover, that it was necessary to secure the power of acting -on the offensive in a part of these works.</p> - -<p>Ohra was also put in a state of defence. A mass of houses, which -communicated with each other, and the doors and windows of which had -been carefully walled up; parapets and palisadoes, which had no other -outlet but a tongue of land, -<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_318" id="Page_318">[Pg 318]</a></span> -bounded by two beds of water, rather -deep, formed an advanced retrenchment, known under the name of the -<i>first entrenchment</i> of Ohra; the second, situated four hundred yards -in its rear, was composed of the same materials, and was supported on -a large Jesuit's convent, which had been fortified. The heights and -defiles which approach the suburb were fortified; the redoubt with -which they were surmounted prevented the enemy from turning us, and -soon became famous under the name of the batteries and lines of Friuli.</p> - -<p>Whilst we were executing these works the enemy frequently skirmished -with our advanced posts: Schidlitz, Ohra, Stolzenberg, were in turn -the object of his attacks, Repulsed at every point, he attempted to -surprise Heubade; but he there met with more than his match. The -Commandant Carré, an old soldier, full of vigilance, and acquainted -with all kinds of stratagems, perceived his columns, succeeded in -making them engage each other, and retired without loss from a -critical situation.</p> - -<p>Quite ashamed at this cruel mystification, the Russians flatter -themselves with the prospect of taking revenge at Kabrun. They -surround it, they scale it, but received by a destructive firing, -directed by Captain Nazzewski, they withdrew leaving the ditches -filled with dead. They march -<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_319" id="Page_319">[Pg 319]</a></span> -once more on Schidlitz: put to -flight the first time, they return to the charge with fresh vigour -and impetuosity; but Adjutant-major Bouttin, Captains Kleber and -Feuillade, raise to such a degree the courage of our soldiers, that -they throw themselves on the Allies, and defeat them.</p> - -<p>The fleet also was not idle: on the 4th, at daybreak, it appeared, -drawn up in line of battle; it had failed two days before in two -consecutive attacks, and completely wasted more than seven thousand -rounds of cannon-shot. Shame, thirst after vengeance, every thing -incited it to fight: it was the explosion of a volcano. The frigates -and the gun-boats thundered forth at once, and covered us with a -shower of shells: but far from being discomposed, our batteries are -managed with increased coolness and regularity. Officers and soldiers, -all soar above danger, and only think on victory. A gunner, engaged -in spunging a gun, had an arm carried off; Captain Pomerenski takes -up the spunging-rod and performs duty. Sergeant Viard serves a piece -which fires red-hot balls, and points it as at the polygon; Lieutenant -Milewski manages and superintends his own, sinks one gun-boat, damages -others, and compels them to leave the scene of action. Captain -Leppigé, Sergeant-major Zackowski, Sergeant -<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_320" id="Page_320">[Pg 320]</a></span> -Radzmiski, Corporal -Multarowski, set the most admirable examples of coolness and skill. -Captain Henrion, Lieutenant Hagueny, Captain of the frigate Rousseau, -the seamen Despeistre and Costo, the Corporals Davis and Dubous stick -to their cannon, and do not cease to fight them till the enemy fly. -The fleet, convinced of the inutility of its efforts, makes to sea, -with the satisfaction of having fired nine thousand rounds in order -to kill two men. It had also dismounted two of our pieces; but it -had lost two gun-boats, nine others were seriously damaged, and its -frigates were full of holes from our shells and ball.</p> - -<p>We very soon had a more formidable enemy to contend with. The Vistula -suddenly rises, overflows, or breaks down the dykes, and escapes -with impetuosity. The place, the fortifications, become a prey to -the waves. The bridges are carried away, the sluices destroyed, and -the banks broken up; the waters, now without impediment, rush into -the ditches, and undermine the bastions. Those of Bœren, and Braunn -Ross were in ruins, and it was to be feared, that, when the Vistula -should return to its natural bed, the inundation could not be kept -up; but the engineer department was not negligent in this critical -juncture, they succeeded in re-establishing the -<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_321" id="Page_321">[Pg 321]</a></span> -breaches, by means -of great dexterity and perseverance; and when the water subsided, -the inundation kept up by the branches which run through the Werder -scarcely experienced any change of level.</p> - -<p>The turn of the Russians had now arrived: they had profited by the -embarrassment which the swelling of the waters caused us; they had -raised battery on battery; and on the 15th of November they unmasked -a score lined with guns of the largest calibre. The fleet also came -up to try its powers against our forts. Masses of infantry were ready -to give the assault as soon as the palisadoes should be destroyed; -three bomb-vessels and forty gun-boats pour in a dreadful fire -upon Newfahrwasser. Danger, far from dejecting, only animates our -soldiers; they swear they will conquer, they swear they will punish -the assailants. The troops of the line keep close to the cannon, the -artillery points them, as at a review; they damage and dismast a crowd -of gun-boats. Of a sudden, a terrible explosion is heard: a ball had -pierced the Sainte-Barbe, the sloop disappeared. The same explosion -was repeated. We congratulate, and encourage each other, we are eager -to imitate the heroes who fire with such admirable precision. Three -vessels become nearly at the same time a -<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_322" id="Page_322">[Pg 322]</a></span> -prey to the flames, and the -first line of ships retires all covered with wreck. The second takes -its place, without being more successful, and the divisions thus -succeed each other every three hours, without slackening the fire. -At last, disheartened by the obstacles which were opposed to it, by -the courage of our soldiers, the excellent arrangements of Colonel -Rousselot, and the vigilance of Major François, the fleet retires to -repair its losses. Twelve hours fighting, and 20,000 discharges of -cannon, had no other result than the killing and wounding of half a -dozen of our men, and the damaging of three of our gun-carriages. -This was the last attempt. A few months earlier it would have been -infallible, but in war the very moment should be seized.</p> - -<p>The troops were more successful. They attacked our posts in advance -of Ohra, and got possession of that of the Etoile on the heights at -the right of the village. Major Legros does not allow them time to -establish themselves; four chosen companies, under the command of -Captains Valard and Aubry, march without delay to the point of attack. -They take the Russians by surprise, and cut them in pieces. In vain do -they appear with fresh troops; repulsed, put to flight, they disperse, -though -<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_323" id="Page_323">[Pg 323]</a></span> -without losing courage; they make a fresh attempt, but met -by a destructive discharge of musquetry, they disband and fall under -the fire of two companies placed in the village of Stadtgebieth which -annihilate them.</p> - - -<hr class="chap" /> - -<div class="chapter p4"> - <h2><a name="CHAPTER_XLIII" id="CHAPTER_XLIII"></a>CHAPTER XLIII.</h2> -</div> - - -<p><span class="smcap">The</span> season became -every day more severe. The rains were incessant, -and produced a fetid fog which the sun, without heat, could scarcely -dissipate. But what was still worse, the scarcity still continued to -increase. Horses, dogs, cats were eaten, we had exhausted all our -resources, our salt even failed us. It is true that industry supplied -the deficiency. Some soldiers conceived the idea of boiling some -old planks which had formerly belonged to a storehouse; the trial -succeeded. We sprung this new mine, and the hospitals were supplied. -The population was reduced to the last extremity, it lived on nothing -but <i>malt</i> and <i>bran</i>, and it had not even enough of these to satisfy -its wants. In this state of distress I -<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_324" id="Page_324">[Pg 324]</a></span> -thought the philanthropic -allies would not repulse their fellow-countrymen. I drove out of -the fortress the prisoners and the beggars, all, in a word, who had -no provisions. But the Prussians were inexorable, and but for the -inhabitants of Saint-Albrecht, they would have left them to perish -from want. Others went to the quarters occupied by the Russians, -and were not better received. Without shelter, without food of any -kind, they would have perished under the eyes of these liberators -of humanity, if I had not taken pity on their wretchedness. I gave -them some relief, and sent them to their homes. Several begged to be -employed in the fortifications, and they received half or a quarter -of a loaf of ammunition bread for their wages. In the mean time -the enemy had completed their works. From time to time they tried -their batteries, and seemed to perform a prelude to a more serious -action. On the 10th, accordingly, they all began to fire towards -the close of the day. The town, the Holme, the entrenched camp of -Newfahrwasser are inundated with shells, grenades, and red hot balls. -The fire breaks forth, and consumes the convent of the Dominicans. -The Russian prisoners who were kept in the building were on the point -of perishing, when our soldiers rushed in and saved them from death. -The flames <span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_325" id="Page_325">[Pg 325]</a></span> -continuing to increase in violence, wreathed round the -neighbouring houses, and threatened to reduce them to ashes. At the -same time the Allies presented themselves in strength before our -posts of Ohra, and drove them back as far as Stadtgebieth. I came -up with Count Heudelet. The enemy, overthrown at the point of the -bayonet, attempted in vain to return to the charge; General Husson -and Major Legros repulsed all their attacks. A mistake augmented -their losses. Two of their columns took each other for the enemy, and -engaged accordingly. They recognised their friends by the cries of the -wounded, but more than 300 men were already laid in the dust. On our -side we had a hundred <i>hors de combat</i>.</p> - -<p>Early the next day the enemy appeared before the houses beyond -Stadtgebieth. Driven back twice, he set fire to them. Although twice -wounded, Captain Basset was unwilling to give them up, but it was -not long before the progress of the flames compelled him; he retired -fighting all the way. The Allies, being masters of the village, pushed -on, without halting, to the level of the Etoile, and took it. The -posts which remained on the descent of the hill were henceforth too -weak, and I called them in. The enemy at last took possession of this -position, but -<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_326" id="Page_326">[Pg 326]</a></span> -he paid sufficiently dear for a mere embankment of earth.</p> - -<p>The farther he advanced towards Langfuhr, the more perilous his -situation became; taken in flank and in rear, thundered on by the -batteries of the Holme, he was soon unable to debouch from the -redoubts he had raised at Kabrun. Confused at having mistaken the -true point of attack, he concentrated his forces, and marched on the -heights of Ohra. He tried every means to get possession of them, and I -neglected none to defend them. I improved, I extended my works. I made -every one contribute his skill and information. Superior officers of -each department of the army, under the presidency of General Granjean, -consulted on the measures which the security of the place required. -They put our provisions and our ammunition out of the reach of the -ravages of fire. They portion out the provisions, and organize the -engine department, and get mills in readiness; so that if the shells -should destroy what we already possessed there were others to supply -their loss. In the mean time the Allies continued their bombardment. -Fire succeeded fire, and threatened to reduce every thing to ashes. -On a sudden the batteries ceased, the firing was suspended. At this -unexpected silence, the inhabitants resumed their courage; they ran, -<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_327" id="Page_327">[Pg 327]</a></span> -they fled to the relief of the quarters that were on fire. Poor -people! there was nothing to save from the flames but a few walls; the -place was on the brink of its ruin.</p> - -<p>The enemy had only stopped the firing in order to resume it with -greater fury. As soon as his arrangements were made, he opened it with -violence. The batteries of the Etoile, those of Johannisberg, Kabrun, -Schellmule, Langfuhr, fire rounds upon rounds, and overwhelm us with -shells, rockets, and red hot balls. Fires break out, the edifices -are falling to ruins. Dantzic presents the appearance of a volcano -whose eruptions issue forth, disappear, and again shew themselves -in every direction. The two banks of the Mottlaw, the Butter-Marck, -the Poggenful, the Speicher-Insell, all are destroyed. In vain do -the troops run to their assistance, an unintermitting shower of -projectiles triumphs over their efforts, and a loss of several -millions aggravates the misfortunes of this wretched population.</p> - -<p>Our forts and our villages were not in a better condition. Ohra in -particular was nothing but a heap of ashes. Five batteries were -blazing against it without intermission; clouds of riflemen, sheltered -by the inequalities of the ground, overwhelmed us with shot, and -impeded the working of our -<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_328" id="Page_328">[Pg 328]</a></span> -guns. The first entrenchment, almost -annihilated by fire and balls, still held out. Major Schneider -defended it with a degree of valour and prudence which still -promised a long resistance; but it was on the point of being taken -by approaches and I gave it up. I also relinquished the head of -Schidlitz. The enemy had tried some days before to make themselves -masters of it. Three companies had presented themselves before our -posts, but being vigorously charged by Captain Leclerc and Lieutenant -Kowalzky, they were routed, and sought their safety in flight. This -lesson was not thrown away; the Allies returned with more considerable -forces, and established themselves there. A very serious accident -befell us soon after. A shell burst in a magazine of wood, and set -it on fire. Powder is not quicker; in an instant every thing is in -a blaze. The flames, propagated by a strong wind, spread themselves -from point to point, and present a heap of fire which no effort can -extinguish. A sad spectator of so cruel a disaster, I hoped at least -to save the distant buildings. My expectation was still deceived, -and we had the misfortune to see the greatest part of our provisions -consumed before our eyes. Officers and soldiers, all were plunged in -mournful silence, all beheld with amazement this scene of desolation, -when of a sudden -<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_329" id="Page_329">[Pg 329]</a></span> -a terrible discharge of musquetry is heard. The -enemy were attacking the lines of Frioul, and were getting possession -of them. Captain Chambure flies to their relief. This valiant officer -commanded a chosen troop called the <i>free company</i>, or the <i>enfants -perdus</i>; he rushes into the redoubt, and cuts the Russians in pieces. -Not a man escapes: those who avoid the bayonet perish under the fire -of the chiefs of the battalion, Clauron and Dybowski. Lieutenant -Conrad gives a proof on this occasion of singular firmness. With a -shoulder fractured by a ball, he throws himself into the thickest -of the fight; Chambure extricates him: "You are wounded," he said -to him, "this is no longer a place for you, go, and announce to the -general that we are in the redoubt."—"Captain," replied the intrepid -lieutenant, "I have still my right-hand, you have only your left,"—and -he continues to fight.</p> - -<p>Defeated on the left, our assailants throw themselves on the right, -and drive us back as far as our forts. I did not judge it right to -resume the attack, in a dark night; I waited till the next day. Two -columns, commanded by Generals Breissau and Devilliers, marched at -the same time on Stolzenberg and Schidlitz; the Russians occupied -them in force; but our troops fought with so much -<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_330" id="Page_330">[Pg 330]</a></span> -zeal—Major Deskur, the Chiefs of the battalions, Poniatowski, Crikicowski, and Carré, -Captains Fahrebeck, Perrin, Kalisa, and Rousin, led them on with so -much skill and valour, that the Allies were broken, and left the -field of battle heaped with their dead. Unfortunately, our success -was dearly bought: General Breissau, so estimable for his talents -and courage, was dangerously wounded. In vain all the aid of art was -lavished on him; he expired after a month of acute suffering.</p> - -<p>Our troops were victorious; but what a spectacle awaited them -within the fortress; rubbish and ruins were the only remains of our -magazines. One alone had escaped the fury of the flames. Indebted for -its preservation to Colonel Cottin, and the second in command of the -staff Marquessac, it had only been secured by dint of their zeal and -perseverance. The chief of squadron Turckheim, who had also given so -many proofs of zeal, and Lieutenant Fleurz, had also succeeded in -saving 4000 quintals of corn: all the rest was in flames; every thing -else had perished. We did not preserve two months' provisions, which -the flames, continually more active, and an unceasing bombardment, -threatened with destruction.</p> - -<p>The Russians advanced slowly, but yet they advanced.—They had got -possession of different -<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_331" id="Page_331">[Pg 331]</a></span> -posts, and marched in mass on Stolzenberg. -Too weak to offer an effectual resistance, our soldiers had evacuated -it. General Husson assembled a few troops, and sounded the charge. -It took place with remarkable impetuosity. Captain Milsent, and -Adjutant-Major Rivel, moved forwards at the head of some of our -bravest soldiers, came up with the enemy and defeated him.</p> - -<p>Captain Chambure was preparing a more severe lesson for our -assailants. He embarked in a dark night, deceived the vigilance of -the fleet, and landed opposite to Bohnsack. He surprises the village, -sets fire to the habitations and magazines, slaughters the men and -horses, and returns to his boats. They were no longer on the shore. -The trumpets were sounding, the call to arms was heard; death appeared -inevitable. Nevertheless, he does not lose courage, he calms the -soldiers, throws himself across the enemy's entrenchments, and arrives -safe and sound at the moment it was thought he was destroyed. He soon -begins another march, and proceeds to Brœsen; he falls unexpectedly on -the troops which occupy it, defeats them, and does not retire till he -has burnt their camp. Scarcely has he returned, when he rushes upon -a more perilous enterprise.—He penetrates into the enemy's trenches, -defeats and -<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_332" id="Page_332">[Pg 332]</a></span> -drives in their posts, and returns to shelter himself -behind our batteries. Lieutenant Jaimebon, seriously wounded at the -beginning of the attack, fought as if he had not been affected by the -pain; it was so acute that the fear alone of discouraging the soldiers -was capable of stifling his groans. He died five days afterwards: -honour be to his memory!</p> - -<p>The <i>free company</i> became every day more audacious. Trenches, -palisadoes, were trifling obstacles; it penetrated every where. In -the middle of a dark night, it stole along from tree to tree, the -whole length of the avenue of Langfuhr, without being perceived by the -Russians. On a sudden it leaped into their works, killed some of the -Russians, drove out the others, and pursued them as far as Kabrun. -The brave Surimont, the intrepid Rozay, Payen, Dezeau, Gonipet, and -Francore, threw themselves on the redoubt, and carried it. A hundred -men were put to the sword, the others owed their escape only to flight.</p> - -<p>We carried on with our besiegers a war of surprise and bravery; they -combated us by stratagems and proclamations. Their batteries were -unceasing, and our magazines were destroyed. Our troops, wasted -and harassed by labour and -<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_333" id="Page_333">[Pg 333]</a></span> -want of sleep, had nothing to renew -their strength but a little bread and an ounce of the flesh of our -horses; if we might give that name to the wretched skeletons of -animals, which, rejected by the cavalry and waggon train, had turned -the mill, till being unable to stand any longer they were led to -the slaughter-houses. It was to men so fatigued with fighting and -suffering, that the Russians promised repose and abundance. Every -attempt to decoy them was used. Gold, silver, threats, the anger -of their sovereigns, the voice of their country, were offered and -invoked. The Duke assisted his emissaries;—he wrote, intreated, -protested, assailed officers, and soldiers. Desertion began to -prevail among our foreign troops, they even refused to do any duty. -The Bavarians, the Poles themselves, too well acquainted with our -misfortunes, feared to make a sacrilegious use of their arms, and -remained in a state of inaction. We were reduced to our mere national -troops, that is to say, to less than 6000 men; and we had an extent -of more than two leagues to defend. I resolved to inform the Emperor -of this painful situation. This was not an easy task; all Germany -was in a state of insurrection; the sea was covered with the enemy's -squadrons. But no dangers, no obstacles, deterred -<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_334" id="Page_334">[Pg 334]</a></span> -Captain Marnier; he -undertook this adventurous expedition, captured a vessel, sailed along -with the English fleet and escaped from it.</p> - -<p>The Duke of Wurtemburg attempted to seduce every one. I was not -myself free from his attempts. He exalted his resources, depreciated -mine, spoke of France, of Siberia, and proposed to me to give up -the fortress.—His threats and his offers were addressed to a wrong -quarter: I convinced him of this, and I heard no more of them. More -suitable means were brought into play; the fires were increased, -and the bombardment, continually growing more furious, was kept up -night and day. The town, the Bischfberg, the redoubts of Frioul were -battered to pieces. Supported by so tremendous a fire of artillery, -the Russians expected to carry us by assault. They advanced provided -with hatchets and ladders, and rushed on the Gudin battery. Captain -Razumsky commanded it; he received them with discharges of grape-shot, -and overthrew them. They nevertheless rallied, and attempted an -escalade; but overpowered by a destructive firing, they dispersed -at the sight of Major Deskur, and left their arms and ladders in -the possession of the valiant Captains Zbiewski, and Propocki. They -attempted, with as little success, to make themselves -<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_335" id="Page_335">[Pg 335]</a></span> -masters of the -Fitzer battery, in the avenue of Langfuhr. Colonel Plessman, Captain -Renouard, and Adjutant Stolling, made a resistance which they could -not overcome: three times they return to the charge, as often are they -defeated.</p> - -<p>The redoubts of Frioul were meanwhile in a deplorable condition; -without parapets and mines, overwhelmed by shell and grape-shot, -they presented no means of defence: I ordered them to be deserted. -The greatest part of the fortifications was still untouched, but our -provisions were approaching to their termination.</p> - -<p>The season when the ice appears was arrived. Twenty thousand men would -have been necessary for me to withstand the progress of the besiegers, -to guard the forts, to secure the inundation, and to keep the course -of the water free. The contest was too unequal; to have continued the -defence would merely have been to spill blood for the pleasure of -spilling it.</p> - -<p>I conceived I had found a plan which was consistent both with my duty -and with humanity. I calculated the number of days that the remainder -of our provisions would last us; I proposed to suspend hostilities, -and to surrender the fortress at the end of that term, if the course -of affairs did not alter the arrangement. Negotiation began, the -firing ceased. General Houdelet and Colonel -<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_336" id="Page_336">[Pg 336]</a></span> -Richemont went to the -enemy's camp and concluded a capitulation, in which the power of -returning to France was particularly guaranteed to us. A part of the -articles had been already executed; the Russian prisoners had been -sent back, the forts had been given up, when I learnt that the Emperor -Alexander refused his ratification. The Duke of Wurtemberg offered -me to put things in their former condition. This was a mockery: But -what could we do? We had no more provisions. It was necessary to be -resigned. He managed things as he wished, and we took the road to -Russia.</p> - -<p>Affected by our misfortunes, our allies wished to have suffered them -in common with us. The Poles broke their arms in pieces; the Bavarians -swore never to turn them against us. But duty bids the affections be -silent. It became necessary to separate. General Prince de Radziwill -and Colonel Butler, both so distinguished by their character and by -their achievements, led them back to their country.</p> - -<p>Thus ended, after one year's fighting, a defence, in which we had to -encounter every calamity and every obstacle;—a defence, which is not -one of the least proofs of what the courage and patriotism of French -soldiers are able to effect.</p> - -<hr class="chap" /> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_337" id="Page_337">[Pg 337]</a></span></p> - - - -<div class="chapter p4"> - <h2><a name="CHAPTER_XLIV" id="CHAPTER_XLIV"></a>CHAPTER XLIV.</h2> -</div> - - -<p><span class="smcap">We</span> were conducted -to Kiow. We were there informed of the prodigies -performed by that handful of brave men who had not despaired of the -safety of their country. They had triumphed at Montmirail, at Sézanne, -at Champaubert, in every part where the enemy had dared to await -them. All Europe fled before them; the coalition was dissolved. The -obstinacy of a soldier snatched from us the fruits of victory. It -became necessary to fight and conquer again; but ammunition failed us; -the corps did not arrive, the generals were haranguing the troops to -make them capitulate. Every thing was lost; our glory, our conquests -vanished as a shadow; even the signs of them were repudiated.</p> - -<p>The end of the coalition was attained. Our captivity was no longer -profitable; we were set at liberty. We returned to France: what a -spectacle did she present! The body of emigrants had invaded the army -and the anti-chambers; they were -<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_338" id="Page_338">[Pg 338]</a></span> -bending under the ensigns of command -and decorations. The first person that I met at the Tuileries was a -chief of a battalion, whom I had formerly assisted and protected: he -was become lieutenant-general; he did not know me again. Another, -who was with me a long time at Dantzic, had not a better memory. -This last person I had received at the recommendation of the Duke -de Cadore, I had experienced his sickening adulations: he used to -style me <i>Monseigneur</i>, your <i>Excellency</i>; he would willingly have -called me the <i>Eternal</i>. In proportion as I told him how much these -fooleries displeased me, he increased them; he even conceived the idea -of attending at my <i>levee</i>. If it had depended on him I must have -conceived myself a sovereign. His malversations delivered me from this -obstinate flatterer; they became so glaring that the government was -on the point of proceeding against him. I saved this gentleman from -the shame of punishment; but I made him retire: he went to exercise -his industry at.... He soon became acquainted with our reverses, was -alarmed, took post, and never stopped till he was on this side of the -Rhine: his fear had served him better than courage could have done. He -had large epaulets, and four or five decorations. This was well for -the opening of his -<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_339" id="Page_339">[Pg 339]</a></span> -career:—promotion does not go on so quickly on -the field of battle. He withdrew as soon as he saw me: apparently his -costume embarrassed him. I met a third, who, also, did not feel quite -at ease in my presence. Formerly attached to Josephine, he had given -proof of a truly exquisite foresight; in order to be provided against -all unforeseen cases which might occur in promenades and journeys, he -had provided himself with a silver gilt vessel. When a circumstance -required it, he drew it from his pocket, presented it, took it, -emptied it, wiped it, and put it away with care. This shewed the very -instinct of domesticity.</p> - -<p>But all these worthies, so ardent for the treasury, for decorations -and commands, soon shewed the amount of their courage. Napoleon -appeared, they were eclipsed. They had flocked to Louis XVIII., the -dispenser of favours; but they had not a trigger to pull for Louis -XVIII. in misfortune. We tried a few dispositions; but the people, the -soldiers had never been accomplices of the humiliations of France; -they refused to fight against the colours that they adored, and the -Emperor peaceably resumed the reins of government.</p> - -<p>Generals Bertrand and Lemarrois wrote to me to come to the Tuileries; -I returned to Paris. A new invitation was waiting for me at my hotel; -<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_340" id="Page_340">[Pg 340]</a></span> -the grand-marshal informed me that his Majesty wished to see me. I -did not like to keep him waiting; I went just as I was, quite sure -that Napoleon would know how to appreciate duty and affection. I was -introduced immediately.</p> - -<p><i>Napoleon.</i> "You are there, Monsieur General Rapp; you have been much -wanted? Whence do you come?"</p> - -<p><i>Rapp.</i> "From Ecouen, where I have left my troops at the disposal of -the minister of war."</p> - -<p><i>Napoleon.</i> "Did you really intend to fight against me?"</p> - -<p><i>Rapp.</i> "Yes, Sire."</p> - -<p><i>Napoleon.</i> "The Devil!"</p> - -<p><i>Rapp.</i> "The determination was compulsory."</p> - -<p><i>Napoleon.</i> (In an animated tone.) "F....! I was very well aware that -you were before me. If an engagement had taken place, I would have -sought you out on the field of battle: I would have shewn you the head -of Medusa: Would you have dared to fire at me?"</p> - -<p><i>Rapp.</i> "Undoubtedly,—my duty ..."</p> - -<p><i>Napoleon.</i> "This is going too far. But the soldiers would not have -obeyed you; they have preserved more affection for me. Besides, if you -had fired a single shot, your peasants of Alsace would have stoned -you."</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_341" id="Page_341">[Pg 341]</a></span></p> - -<p><i>Rapp.</i> "You will agree, Sire, that the situation was a very painful -one: you abdicate, you leave us, you engage us to serve the King; you -return. All the power of old recollections cannot deceive us."</p> - -<p><i>Napoleon.</i> "How is that? What do you mean to say? Do you think that I -have returned without alliance, without an agreement?... Moreover, my -system is changed: no more war, no more conquests; I wish to reign in -peace, and promote the welfare of my subjects."</p> - -<p><i>Rapp.</i> "You are pleased to say so; but your anti-chambers are already -full of those flatterers who have always encouraged your inclination -for arms."</p> - -<p><i>Napoleon.</i> "Bah! bah!... Did you often go to the Tuileries?"</p> - -<p><i>Rapp.</i> "Sometimes, Sire."</p> - -<p><i>Napoleon.</i> "How did those folks behave to you?"</p> - -<p><i>Rapp.</i> "I have no reason to complain of them."</p> - -<p><i>Napoleon.</i> "The King appears to have received you well on your return -from Russia?"</p> - -<p><i>Rapp.</i> "Quite so, Sire."</p> - -<p><i>Napoleon.</i> "Without doubt. Cajoled first, then sent about your -business. This is what would have befallen you all;—for, after all, -you -<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_342" id="Page_342">[Pg 342]</a></span> -were not their men; you could not suit them: other titles, other -rights were necessary to please them."</p> - -<p><i>Rapp.</i> "The King delivered France from the Allies."</p> - -<p><i>Napoleon.</i> "Very true; but at what price! and his engagements, has he -kept them? Why did he not hang Ferrand for his speech on the national -domains? It is that, it is the insolence of the nobles and priests -which made me leave the island of Elba. I might have come with three -millions of peasants who ran to me to tell their grievances, and offer -their services. But I was certain of not finding resistance in my -way to Paris. The Bourbons are very fortunate that I have returned: -without me they would at last have had a dreadful revolution.</p> - -<p>"Have you read Chateaubriand's pamphlet, which does not even allow me -courage on the field of battle? Have you not sometimes seen me stand -fire? Am I a coward?"</p> - -<p><i>Rapp.</i> "I have felt, in common with all honourable men, indignation -at an accusation as unjust as it is mean."</p> - -<p><i>Napoleon.</i> "Did you sometimes see the Duke d'Orleans?"</p> - -<p><i>Rapp.</i> "I only saw him once."</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_343" id="Page_343">[Pg 343]</a></span></p> - -<p><i>Napoleon.</i> "He is the only one who has discretion and tact! The -others have bad men about them and are very ill-advised. They do not -like me; they will now be more furious than ever; there is good reason -for it. I am arrived without striking a blow. They are now about to -cry me down as <i>ambitious</i>; that is their eternal reproach: they have -nothing else to say."</p> - -<p><i>Rapp.</i> "They are not the only persons who accuse you of ambition."</p> - -<p><i>Napoleon.</i> "How ... am I ambitious? When people are ambitious are -they as fat as I am?" (He struck his stomach with both hands).</p> - -<p><i>Rapp.</i> "Your Majesty jokes."</p> - -<p><i>Napoleon.</i> "No: I have wished that France should be what she ought -to be; but I have never been ambitious. Besides, what do these folks -think of? It becomes them well to assume importance with the nation -and the army. Is it their courage on which they pride themselves?"</p> - -<p><i>Rapp.</i> "They have occasionally shewn some—in the army of Condé for -instance."</p> - -<p><i>Napoleon.</i> "What is that order that I see on you?"</p> - -<p><i>Rapp.</i> "The Legion of Honour."</p> - -<p><i>Napoleon.</i> "The Devil! They have had, however, the sense to make a -handsome decoration -<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_344" id="Page_344">[Pg 344]</a></span> -of it. And these two crosses here?" (He touched -them).</p> - -<p><i>Rapp.</i> "Saint Louis and the Lily." (He smiled).</p> - -<p><i>Napoleon.</i> "What do you think of that ... Berthier, who did not -like to remain. He will return; I forgive him all; on one condition -however—it is, that he will wear his <i>garde du corps</i> uniform to -appear before me. But enough of this. Well, General Rapp, we must -serve France once more, and we shall rescue ourselves from the -condition in which we are."</p> - -<p><i>Rapp.</i> "Confess, Sire, (since you have had the goodness sometimes to -permit me to speak to you freely), confess that you were wrong in not -making peace at Dresden? every thing was repaired if you had concluded -it. Do you recollect my reports on the spirit of Germany? you treated -them as pamphlets; you blamed me."</p> - -<p><i>Napoleon.</i> "I could not make peace at Dresden; the Allies were not -sincere. Besides, if every one had done his duty at the renewal of -hostilities, I should again have been the master of the world. I had -already gained to my side 32,000 Austrians."</p> - -<p><i>Rapp.</i> "It is only a moment since your Majesty had no ambition, and -now we hear again of the sovereignty of the world."</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_345" id="Page_345">[Pg 345]</a></span></p> - -<p><i>Napoleon.</i> "Ah! well, that's true.—Besides, Marmont, the senators.... -My plan was arranged so as not to let a single ally escape."</p> - -<p><i>Rapp.</i> "All these misfortunes are the consequence of the reverses at -Leipsic: you might have prevented them by accepting peace at Dresden."</p> - -<p><i>Napoleon.</i> "You are ignorant what such a peace would have been:" (and -suddenly growing warm,) "Would you be afraid to go to war again; you, -who have been my aide-de-camp for fifteen years? On your return from -Egypt, at the death of Desaix, you were nothing but a soldier; I have -made a man of you: now you may pretend to any thing."</p> - -<p><i>Rapp.</i> "I have never let slip any opportunity of shewing my gratitude -to you for it; and if I am yet alive, it is not my fault."</p> - -<p><i>Napoleon.</i> "I shall never forget your conduct in the retreat from -Moscow. Ney and you are of that small number who have the soul -thoroughly well tempered. Besides, at your siege of Dantzic you did -more than impossibilities."</p> - -<p>Napoleon fell on my neck and pressed me with vehemence against him for -at least two minutes, He embraced me several times, and said to me, -pulling my mustachios—</p> - -<p>"Come, come, a hero of Egypt and Austerlitz -<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_346" id="Page_346">[Pg 346]</a></span> -can never forsake me. -You shall take the command of the army of the Rhine, while I treat -with the Austrians and Russians. I hope that, in a month's time, you -will receive my wife and son at Strasburg. It is my pleasure that from -this evening you perform the duty of my <i>aide-de-camp</i>. Write to Count -Maison to come to embrace me; he is a brave man, I wish to see him."</p> - -<p>Napoleon related a part of this conversation to some persons about -him. He told them that I had spoken to him with too great liberty, -and that he had pulled my ears. Fortune smiled on him. The courtiers -came round him in multitudes:—it was enthusiasm, devotion: they boiled -with zeal. These protestations had not, however, all the effect they -had promised themselves. Many were rejected; one particularly, who -persisted in obtruding his services, was repulsed with severity. -Loaded with favours, gold, and dignities, he had overwhelmed his -unfortunate benefactor with insults; he was treated with loathing -and contempt. These gentlemen boast at present of an incorruptible -fidelity. They find fault with the indulgence of the King in the -saloons of the Faubourg Saint-Germain. They would like to see all -those who were employed during the hundred days led to the scaffold. -Chance has served them, appearances -<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_347" id="Page_347">[Pg 347]</a></span> -are for them; let it be so: -but the generals, the ministers of Napoleon, the officers attached -to his person, know full well what to think of these stoics of -the ante-chamber. Sooner or later the royal government will be -enlightened: there is wherewithal to supply the place of the red book.</p> - -<p>Napoleon sent for me on the 29th of March, and informed me that I -must set out for the army of the Rhine. He gave me the grand eagle -of the Legion of Honour, which he had destined for me after the -siege of Dantzic. He told me that within fifteen days my forces -should be raised to 40,000 men, (I had 15,000 at the commencement -of hostilities); I observed to him that this was very little in -comparison with those that we were going to have on our hands; that -the Congress (its declaration was already known) threatened us with -a deluge of soldiers. "The declaration you allude to is false," he -replied angrily; "it was fabricated at Paris: however, go. Lecourbe -will command in Franche Comté; Suchet in the Alps; Clausel on the -Garonne. We have great chance of success. Gerard goes to Metz: he has -just tormented me to give him that Bourmont, I yielded to him with -regret: I never liked that man's countenance."</p> - -<p>"The propositions I have made to the Sovereigns -<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_348" id="Page_348">[Pg 348]</a></span> -have been coldly -received. Nevertheless all hopes of arrangement are not destroyed. -It is possible that the energy with which opinion is pronounced, -may incline them to sentiments of peace. I am going to make another -attempt. This is the letter that I write to them:</p> - -<div class="bq"> -<p class="noindent">"Sir, my Brother.</p> - -<p>"You will have learnt in the course of the last month, my return -to the coasts of France, my entry into Paris, and the departure -of the family of the Bourbons. The true nature of these events -must already be known to your Majesty. They are the work of an -irresistible power, the work of the unanimous wish of a great -nation which knows its duties, and its rights. The dynasty, which -force restored to the French people, was not made for them. The -Bourbons have not consented to link themselves either to their -opinions or their manners. France had a right to separate herself -from them. Her voice called for a liberator. The hope which -prompted me on to the greatest of sacrifices had been deceived. -I came, and from the point at which I reached the shore, the -love of my people has borne me even to the bosom of my capital. -The first wish of my heart is to repay so much kindness by the -<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_349" id="Page_349">[Pg 349]</a></span> -maintenance of an honourable peace. The reestablishment of the -Imperial Throne was necessary for the happiness of the French: -my most earnest wish is to render it, at the same time, useful -to the consolidation of the repose of Europe. Enough glory has -shone by turns around the colours of different nations; the -vicissitudes of fortune have often enough made great calamities -follow great successes. A finer arena is open to-day to -Sovereigns, and I am the first to descend into it: after having -presented to the world the spectacle of great combats, it will -be more pleasant henceforth to know no other rivalry than that -of the advantages of peace; and no other struggle than the holy -contest, whose people shall be most happy. France hastens to -proclaim with frankness this noble end of her wishes. Jealous -of her own independence, the invariable principle of her policy -will be the most unbounded respect for the independence of other -nations. If, happily, such are, as I trust they are, the personal -sentiments of your Majesty, a general calm is secured for a long -time, and justice seated on the confines of the different states, -will suffice alone to guard their frontiers.</p> - -<p><span style="margin-left: 50%;">"I am with esteem, &c."</span></p> -</div> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_350" id="Page_350">[Pg 350]</a></span></p> - -<p>But all overtures were useless. He was above human stature; he secured -the supremacy of France; this was the grievance which nothing could -counterbalance; I was convinced of it. His destruction was resolved on.</p> - -<p>I set out for Alsace: the hostile attitude of foreign courts had -excited general indignation in that province: all generous minds, -all who abhor a foreign yoke, were preparing themselves to repulse -this league of kings, who, under pretext of fighting with one man, -only sought to enrich themselves with our spoils. The inhabitants, -by concert and by a spontaneous movement, had rushed to the heights -which command the defiles, to the roads or passages, and laboured -at the construction of entrenchments; women and children put their -hands to the work. They diverted and animated each other, by singing -patriotic songs. There was between all the citizens a rivalry in -zeal and devotion; some raised redoubts, others cast balls, mounted -old muskets, and fitted the cartouches. In fine, every hand was in -movement, every one wished to labour in the common defence.</p> - -<p>An affecting scene, and worthy of ancient times, took place at -Mulhausen, when I arrived there. A ball was given, the most -distinguished -<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_351" id="Page_351">[Pg 351]</a></span> -persons of the town were met, the assembly was -brilliant and numerous. Towards the close of the evening, war and -invasion of the territory were talked of; every one communicated his -advice, every one told his hopes and his fears.</p> - -<p>The ladies were talking together, and conversed on the dangers of -their country. On a sudden one of the youngest proposed to her -companions that they should swear, never to marry any Frenchman who -had not defended the frontiers. Cries of joy, clapping of hands, -resounded from every part of the room. The looks of all present were -directed towards the ladies; the rest of the company came up, and -crowded round them. I went with the throng, I applauded this generous -proposal, I had the honour of administering the oath, which every one -of the fair patriots came to receive at my hands.</p> - -<p>This trait recalls the marriage of the Samnites, but it has something -perhaps still more admirable in it: that which was an institution -among the people in question, was with us the effect of a spontaneous -resolution; with them patriotism was in the law, with us it was in the -hearts of our fair countrywomen.</p> - -<hr class="chap" /> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_352" id="Page_352">[Pg 352]</a></span></p> - - - -<div class="chapter p4"> - <h2><a name="CHAPTER_XLV" id="CHAPTER_XLV"></a>CHAPTER XLV.</h2> -</div> - - -<p><span class="smcap">All</span> this zeal -however did not fill up my ranks; the time was passing -away, and the recruits did not come in. The allies formed themselves -in corps on the left bank of the river; they could cross at any time; -my situation was become very critical. I communicated to the Emperor -the accounts of my number and situation. He could not conceal his -surprise. "So few men! Alsace, the patriotism of which is so ardent! -No matter—victory will soon raise battalions. There is nothing to -despair of; war has its chances, we shall get through it!"—Napoleon -had ordered me, four days before, not to leave a single soldier of -the line in the fortified places; to take from the depôts all who -were in a condition to serve; to inundate and make good the lines of -Weissembourg, and to keep up carefully my communications with Bitche. -I was engaged in these measures; but he found that I did not proceed -with sufficient celerity; he wrote to me.</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_353" id="Page_353">[Pg 353]</a></span></p> - -<div class="bq"> -<p>"Monsieur General Rapp,</p> - -<p>"I have received your letter of the 12th of May; I see by the -statement you have annexed, that the 18th regiment of the line, -of which your army has two battalions, 1200 men strong, can -furnish you with a third battalion, of 600 men; order it to set -off immediately from Strasburg to join you. The 32d can only -supply a reinforcement of 200 men to your active battalions, -which will raise them to 1200 men. The 39th and 55th can furnish -you their third battalions; order them to join you. The 58th can -furnish you with 200 men, to make its two battalions complete. -The 103d can complete its two first battalions to 1200 men; the -104th the same. The 7th light regiment can furnish you with its -third battalion; in the same manner the 10th light regiment. You -can then, with a little activity, reinforce your infantry with -4000 men. I am surprised that there has not been more voluntary -enlistment in Alsace for these regiments. The 39th of the line -is recruited in the Upper Rhine; that department ought at least -to have furnished 2000 veteran troops, which, divided between -the 39th, 32d, and 18th, ought to raise the third, and even the -fourth battalions, to their full numbers. The 10th light, -<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_354" id="Page_354">[Pg 354]</a></span> which -is recruiting in Upper Saône, ought to receive many recruits. The -57th, which is recruiting in the Doubs, ought also to receive -a great number. The 7th light, the 58th, and the 104th, which -recruit in the Lower Rhine, ought to be complete. Inform me -for what reason all the men that you have at your depôts, are -not immediately clothed, and do not fill up your ranks. Let me -also know what men are announced for these regiments, from the -different departments. Do you expect that by the 1st of June your -third battalions will be complete, and that each regiment will -amount to 1800 men, which will make 7000 men for each of your -divisions? Are you satisfied with the generals of division, and -of brigade, under your command? What will be the condition of -the 2d chasseurs, the 7th and 19th dragoons, all of which have -their depôts in your division, by the 1st of June? These three -regiments had at their depôt 400 men, and 300 horses: they must -have received an increase since. By the 1st of June, with active -measures, this division ought to have 1500 horse. The third -division has also all its depôts in your arrondissement: it has -1200 men at its depôt; it ought, then, to furnish you with 2000 -horses.</p> - -<p class="ar smcap">"Napoleon."</p> -<p class="noindent">"Paris, May 14th 1815."</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_355" id="Page_355">[Pg 355]</a></span></p> -</div> -<p>I immediately replied to the questions which he had put to me; I -explained to him the deplorable state into which the army had fallen: -arms, horses, clothing, it was necessary to have every thing renewed. -I could not have more than 22,000 men at my disposal by the 1st of -June. The picture was not brilliant, but the Emperor made so admirable -an use of his resources, that we were never justified in despairing. -He put fresh funds at my disposal; he stimulated my zeal, begged me -to neglect nothing to increase my forces, and to reconnoitre all the -defiles. His despatch deserves to be known.</p> - -<div class="bq"> - -<p class="noindent smcap">"Count Rapp,</p> - -<p>"I received your letter of the 18th of May. I have allotted -13,000,000 francs for clothing in the distribution of May. Orders -for considerable sums have been sent to each corps of your army: -be assured that they will be paid. I cannot reconcile to my mind -that you will not be able to have at your disposal by the 1st -of June more than 22,000 men, when the force at the depôts is -4000 men. Send for the third battalion of the 18th regiment, the -third of the 39th, the third of the 57th, the third of the 7th -light, the fourth of the 10th light, which will raise you one -regiment of four battalions, -<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_356" id="Page_356">[Pg 356]</a></span> -four of three battalions, and four -of two battalions, or twenty-four battalions in all. Hasten the -clothing; money is in the course of being transmitted to you, and -will not be wanting. The enumeration of your cavalry, which you -have sent me, is not correct. How is it that the 6th cuirassiers -has only its third and fourth squadrons at the depôt? What is -then become of its fifth squadron? The same observation for the -19th dragoons. You have 1787 men, and only 427 horses; but you -do not inform me how many men there are in detachment to take -the horses of the gendarmes, how many there are to be remounted -at the depôt of Versailles, how many horses the regiment is -to receive from the contracts it has made, or how many the -departments are to furnish. If you are sufficiently active, you -ought soon to have 1500 or 1600 of these 1700 men mounted, which, -joined to those now composing the squadrons, will increase your -cavalry to near 4000 men. You look at these matters too lightly; -remove the obstacles by your own exertions; see the depôts, -and augment your army. Keep spies on the look out to know what -is passing on the other side of the Rhine, and principally at -Mentz and Thionville; and make yourself acquainted with all the -openings of the Vosges.</p> - -<p class="ar smcap">"Napoleon."</p> -<p class="noindent">"Paris, May 20th 1815."</p> - -</div> - -<hr class="chap" /> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_357" id="Page_357">[Pg 357]</a></span></p> - - - -<div class="chapter p4"> - <h2><a name="CHAPTER_XLVI" id="CHAPTER_XLVI"></a>CHAPTER XLVI.</h2> -</div> - - -<p><span class="smcap">I</span> went to occupy -the lines of the Lauter. Twenty-three years before we -had defended them; but then they were in a good condition, the left -bank of the river was protected; we had 80,000 fighting men, a corps -of reserve, and the army of the Upper Rhine assisted us. Nothing of -that sort existed now. The lines were merely a heap of ruins: the -banks and the sluices, which formed their principal strength, were -nearly destroyed, and the places which supported them were neither -armed nor even secure against a <i>coup de main</i>. We scarcely reckoned -15,000 infantry, which were divided into three divisions, under the -orders of Generals Rottembourg, Albert, and Grandjean. Two thousand -horse, under Count Merlin, composed all our cavalry. From Weissemburg -as far as Huninguen on one side, and to Belgium on the other, the -frontiers were completely unprotected. In this state of things -Germesheim became an important position; defended by a considerable -<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_358" id="Page_358">[Pg 358]</a></span> -garrison, and twenty-four pieces of cannon, it could not be carried -but by main force. I despaired not of success, and I made, as soon as -the news of hostilities reached me, a general reconnoissance, in which -I got possession of Haun, of Auwailler, and of all the villages of -the Queich. The chief of squadron Turckheim took at a gallop that of -Gottenstein, and the Bavarian detachments which occupied it.</p> - -<p>On the 21st, towards midnight, all the arrangements were made, and the -columns of attack were already in march, when news of the disaster -of Waterloo was announced. The columns were immediately recalled. I -well knew that the enemy would lose no time in crossing the river; -I hastened to take the administrative measures that circumstances -required, and to put in a state of defence the fortresses which were -under my command. I threw a battalion of the line into Landau, whither -I ordered the treasuries of the country to be removed. But already, -as I had foreseen, the troops of the coalition had passed the Rhine -at Oppenheim and at Germesheim, and had spread themselves in every -direction; our soldiers were obliged to fight their way in order to -arrive at their destination. We retreated behind the Lauter; and the -rumour of the invasion of the -<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_359" id="Page_359">[Pg 359]</a></span> -Upper Rhine by the Grand Army under -the command of Schwartzenberg having reached me at the same time, I -despatched, post haste, two battalions to reinforce the garrisons of -Neuf Brisack and of Schelestadt.</p> - -<p>The Russians, Austrians, Bavarians, Wurtemburgers, Badeners, and -a multitude from other nations, assembled to the number of more -than 60,000 men, under the orders of the Prince-Royal, now King of -Wurtemburg, soon outfronted the feeble corps under my command.</p> - -<p>I had first determined to defend Alsace foot by foot, retiring -towards the Vosges, the Meurthe, the Moselle and the Marne: but I -learnt that the army of the Moselle, which supported me on my left, -had marched towards the north; that the enemy's columns already -occupied Sarrebruck, and inundated Lorraine: this movement then was -no longer practicable. On the other hand, a hasty decision, in such -an unexpected juncture, might be attended with the most serious -consequences. I temporized, in hopes of receiving orders to regulate -my movements. But after the despatch which informed me of our -misfortunes, I did not receive another till the entry of Louis XVIII -into Paris.</p> - -<p>In the evening of the 24th the Wurtemburg cavalry attacked my advanced -posts, the chasseurs -<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_360" id="Page_360">[Pg 360]</a></span> -of the 7th and the dragoons of the 11th took -arms, rushed on the enemy, and cut them in pieces. The next day the -army continued its movement of concentration; I fixed my quarters in -advance of the forest of Haguenau, the right of the army at Seltz, the -centre at Surbourg, and the left, being my cavalry, on the road to -Bitche, which the enemy had already invested.</p> - -<p>This position was only a temporary one—it was too extended: I -only took it to avoid retiring suddenly behind the town, and thus -allowing the enemy to penetrate between that place and Saverne, which -Lieutenant-general Desbureaux occupied with a battalion of the line, -some partisans, and a few lancers.</p> - -<p>General Rottembourg was intrusted with the task of observing the -Rhine on our rear and on the right.—I had only been able to allow him -a brigade, which I had left at Seltz; out of this I was obliged to -withdraw the 40th regiment the moment the Austrians appeared. There -only remained with him the 39th, whose second battalion formed the -advanced posts, and the reserve. The first, a company of sappers and -eight pieces of cannon, composed the line of battle for more than -half a league of ground. The situation, without being bad in itself, -had nothing particularly -<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_361" id="Page_361">[Pg 361]</a></span> -encouraging in it. The small town of Seltz, -supported on the Rhine, is situated on the two banks of the Seltzbach. -This river is pretty secure for about 400 yards, but farther up it is -fordable every where, and the woods on its banks render the passage of -it still more easy. On the other hand, I feared a landing which the -enemy could easily effect behind the right, and to which I could make -but a feeble opposition, whilst all my attention was wanted to the -front, which, as I have said, extended to a great distance.</p> - -<p>In this alternative General Rottembourg decided on keeping a watch -on the Rhine only by means of patroles, and he sent a company to -guard the fords from the mill at Seltz to Nideradern. He placed his -artillery on a small eminence on the right bank, to the left of the -town; and what remained of his soldiers he sent forward to support the -second battalion, which occupied the advanced posts and the wood.</p> - -<p>At eleven o'clock the enemy, having assembled his masses, commenced -the attack by a well-sustained fire of musquetry, which he supported -with eight pieces of cannon. The opposition of our troops was -obstinate, and for a long time was effectual, but at last this small -advanced post was compelled to retreat into the wood. It maintained -<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_362" id="Page_362">[Pg 362]</a></span> -itself there with heroic courage, and resisted for a long time the -efforts of from 8 to 9000 men, aided by a numerous artillery. In -fine, after a few hours of the finest resistance, this handful of -valiant troops retreated in the greatest order, and rejoined the first -battalion.</p> - -<p>Emboldened by this success our adversaries brought down their masses. -They debouched by the main road, and marched on Seltz, of which they -thought to get possession without difficulty. We allowed them to come -up under the fire of our batteries; as soon as they could play, a -tremendous discharge carried death into their ranks. Encouraged by -their numbers, they nevertheless continued to advance, and the combat -recommenced with more vigour than before. But, constantly repelled by -the valour of our soldiers, and mowed down by the French artillery, -the Austrians in the end gave way, and retired in confusion into -the wood. Their movements from that time became uncertain, and they -hesitated a long time what they should do. Our cannon continued to -carry destruction into their ranks. Attack was not more dangerous than -inaction; they again advanced, and succeeded in getting possession -of the part of the town situated on the left bank. But this triumph -cost them dear: a few shells, -<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_363" id="Page_363">[Pg 363]</a></span> -thrown on the houses of which they -were in possession, compelled them to leave them, and to regain, in a -great hurry, their first place of shelter: our batteries fired with -increased fury, and the fugitives suffered an immense loss.</p> - -<p>This was not the only attack in which they failed. At the commencement -of the action they had advanced by the main road from Weissembourg -to Haguenau on Surbourg, which was occupied by a battalion of the -18th, under the command of Colonel Voyrol. This village was valiantly -defended: for more than two hours the enemy could not penetrate into -it; but they at last brought up forces so considerable, that under the -apprehension of seeing the position turned, General Albert ordered it -to be evacuated. Our soldiers withdrew behind the Saare, where they -joined the remainder of the regiment. Attacked in this position by -some chosen troops of the Austrian army, they remained immoveable. -Wearied with so many fruitless attacks, and convinced that they could -not succeed in forcing men who appeared determined to die at their -post, nor in getting possession of the avenues of the forest, the -Allies at last decided on retreating.</p> - -<p>We had three hundred men killed and wounded. The Austrians, by -their own account, had lost -<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_364" id="Page_364">[Pg 364]</a></span> -2000 men, and had two pieces of cannon -dismounted.</p> - -<p>Our troops had scarcely taken a few hours rest, when I was obliged to -put them again on their march. The Allied army of the Upper Rhine was -advancing on Strasburg; I had received this news during the action. I -had not a moment to lose: I marched immediately towards that place, -and the result has shewn whether this measure was proper.</p> - - -<hr class="chap" /> - -<div class="chapter p4"> - <h2><a name="CHAPTER_XLVII" id="CHAPTER_XLVII"></a>CHAPTER XLVII.</h2> -</div> - - -<p><span class="smcap">It</span> was during -this retreat that the soldiers heard of the disastrous -battle of Waterloo, and the Emperor's abdication, which, to that -moment, I had carefully concealed from them. These events produced an -universal discouragement, and desertion soon found its way among them. -Fatal projects entered the minds even of those who were least carried -away by passion. Excited by malevolence, some wished to return to -their homes; others proposed to throw themselves as partisans into the -Vosges.</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_365" id="Page_365">[Pg 365]</a></span></p> - -<p>I was immediately informed of these intentions. I directly foresaw -what terrible consequences they might produce. I issued an order -of the day; it succeeded; their minds were tranquillized, but it -was not long before anxiety revived. When we reached Haguenau, the -... regiment, formerly so illustrious, loudly proclaimed the design -of quitting the army, and of repairing with its artillery into the -mountains. The cannon were already harnessed, and one battalion had -taken up its arms. I was informed of it; I rushed to the spot; I took -in my hand the eagle of the rebels, and placing myself in the midst of -them, "Soldiers," I cried, "I learn that it is proposed among you to -desert us. In an hour's time we shall fight; do you wish the Austrians -to think that you have fled from the field of honour? Let the brave -swear never to quit their eagles or their general-in-chief. I grant -permission to the cowards to depart." At these words, all exclaimed, -"Long live Rapp! long live our general!" Every one swore to die by his -standard, and tranquillity was restored.</p> - -<p>We immediately began our march, and reached the Souffel, two leagues -in advance of Strasburg. The fifteenth division had its right on the -river Ill, its centre at Hoenheim, its left at Souffelweyersheim, and -extended to the -<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_366" id="Page_366">[Pg 366]</a></span> -road from Brumpt; the sixteenth occupied Lampertheim, -Mundolsheim, the three villages of Hausbergen, with its left resting -on the road from Saverne: lastly, the seventeenth was in columns on -the road from Molsheim, with two regiments of cavalry; two others -were placed in the rear of the fifteenth division at Bischeim. Such -was the situation of our troops on the morning of the 28th, when the -enemy attacked with impetuosity the village of Lampertheim, which was -occupied by a battalion of the 10th, under the command of General -Beurmann. This battalion alone sustained for a long time the attacks -of 8000 infantry, and the continued firing of six pieces of cannon. -However, as the number of the assailants was continually increasing, -it withdrew behind the river, and, conformably to its orders, -stationed itself at Mundolsheim.</p> - -<p>The enemy's columns, from 40 to 50,000 men strong, advanced -immediately by the roads from Brumpt and Bishweiller. All these -arrangements, and the masses of cavalry which covered the first -of these roads, announced that their project was to separate the -divisions of Generals Rottembourg and Albert, in order to overwhelm -the latter. I did not mistake the design of the Allies, but I had not -the power of uniting my troops, which had -<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_367" id="Page_367">[Pg 367]</a></span> -deployed in an immense -plain, and were already engaged throughout the whole line. There only -remained one expedient; I adopted it immediately, fortunately it was a -most fatal one for the enemy. I closed the 10th regiment into columns, -in the very midst of the firing; I ordered the 32d to advance; and -I moved it <i>en echelon</i> after having formed it into a square. The -rest of the division of Albert remained in reserve on the height of -Hiderhausbergen.</p> - -<p>Defending the ground foot by foot, General Rottembourg changed -the front of his division, throwing his left wing into the rear, -and proceeded to cover the villages of Hoenheim, Bischeim and -Schittigheim, threatening the flank of the troops which were engaged -between these two divisions. This was according to his orders.</p> - -<p>The 103d was placed on the road from Brumpt, and the 36th left -Souffelweyersheim to support it; but scarcely had it begun to march -when the Allies attacked the village. I immediately despatched a -company to defend this important position. Our soldiers advanced to -it, running, but our adversaries had taken possession of it before -they could arrive. Captain Chauvin supported with extraordinary -courage the fire of a cloud of sharpshooters, and thus gave time for -General Fririon to come up. -<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_368" id="Page_368">[Pg 368]</a></span> -This officer left a battalion and four -pieces of cannon to cover the road, and advanced in charging time with -the rest of his forces. General Gudin seconded this movement, and -manœuvred on the road from Bischweiller: the Austrians gave way, and -withdrew; but the reinforcements which they every moment received left -our troops no chance of maintaining their position. On the other hand, -the assailants had outflanked the 10th, and the moment had arrived -for effecting the movement which I had ordered. Consequently the 16th -division wheeled back its left wing perpendicularly to the rear, while -it preserved the head of Hoenheim, from whence our artillery raked -the enemy in flank and rear. At the same time the gallant General -Beurmann, attacked on every side and already surrounded, sallied -forth from Mundolsheim at the head of the 10th, and retreated without -disorder towards the division.</p> - -<p>The Austrians on their side advanced on the road from Brumpt with -enormous masses of cavalry and infantry, supported by a formidable -artillery. They penetrated between the two divisions, and arrived -without obstacle on four pieces of cannon which had been continually -pouring discharges of grape-shot on their columns. They were -taken; but the enemy presented his flank to -<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_369" id="Page_369">[Pg 369]</a></span> -the troops of General -Rottembourg, and to two regiments of cavalry which were on his front. -I took advantage of this circumstance: put myself at the head of the -11th dragoons, and the 7th horse chasseurs. I made a rapid charge: -I routed the first line, penetrated the second, and overthrew every -thing that offered me any resistance. We made a dreadful slaughter of -the Austrian and Wurtemburg cavalry. At the same time the 32d came up -at the charge in close columns, and prevented them from rallying. They -were thrown back on their own infantry, whom they put to flight.</p> - -<p>General Rottembourg, on his side, pushed forward his right wing, and -opened on the enemy, who defiled in confusion before his columns, -a most destructive fire of artillery and musquetry; in an instant -the field of battle is covered with the slain, and the immense army -of the Prince of Wurtemburg is routed. The defeat was so complete -that baggage, which was two leagues in the rear, was attacked and -plundered, and the Prince himself lost his equipages. The confusion -extended itself as far as Haguenau, and would have gone still farther -if 30,000 Russians, who came up from Weissembourg, had not by their -presence encouraged the fugitives. The night which came on, and the -risk that there would have -<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_370" id="Page_370">[Pg 370]</a></span> -been in adventuring against forces so -superior to our own, prevented us from profiting by our successes. We -could not retake our artillery, the enemy had made haste to remove it -to his rear.</p> - -<p>It cost him very dear to keep it. He had from 1500 to 2000 men killed, -and a still more considerable number wounded. On our side there were -about 700 killed and wounded. Of this number were two Captains of -light artillery, Favier and Dandlau, both wounded in defending their -cannon, and Colonel Montagnier, who performed such signal service on -this occasion.</p> - -<p>The enemy's General revenged himself for this defeat by -devastation. The day after the battle he set on fire the village -of Souffelweyersheim, under pretext that the peasants had fired on -his troops. This was not the fact, and the name of the Prince of -Wurtemburg will remain for ever sullied by an action which plunged a -multitude of families into misery.</p> - -<p>Whether the vigour with which we had repulsed all their attacks had -given them a distaste for making new ones, or from some other motive, -our adversaries remained some days without undertaking any thing. I -took advantage of this repose to provision Strasburg, and to fortify -myself in my positions. I also had time to give to all commanders -<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_371" id="Page_371">[Pg 371]</a></span> -of -places, who were under my command, the most precise instructions.</p> - -<p>Meantime the allied army continued to increase; fresh corps arrived -every day to swell its numbers: very soon 70,000 men deployed before -us, and pressed us on every side. Flags of truce came one after the -other, without having any marked object in view. I proposed to the -enemy's General a suspension of arms, during which I might send an -officer to Paris, and receive orders from the government. The Prince -of Wurtemburg refused, without however renouncing the system of -communication that he had adopted.</p> - -<p>It was about this time that he sent for the pastor of Wendenheim, a -respectable man and an excellent patriot. "Are you acquainted," he -said to him, "with General Rapp?"—"Yes, my Lord."—"Will you undertake -a mission to him?"—"Assuredly, if its object is in no respect contrary -to the interests of my country."—"Well then, go, and tell him that -if he will deliver up Strasburg to me for the King of France, wealth -and honours shall be showered on him."—"My Lord, General Rapp is an -Alsacian, and consequently a good Frenchman; never will he consent to -dishonour his military career. I consequently beseech your Highness -to entrust some one else with this message." -<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_372" id="Page_372">[Pg 372]</a></span> -At these words the -venerable pastor bowed and departed, leaving the Prince astonished -and confused at having proposed in vain this piece of meanness. -Nevertheless, his Highness was not discouraged. On the 3d of June, he -despatched General Vacquant to me, with a flag of truce, to demand -of me in the name of the King of France the surrender of Strasburg. -In order to inspire more confidence, the Austrian officer wore an -enormous white ribband and the decoration of the lily. I asked him -whether he came from the King; he replied that he did not. "Well -then," I said to him, "I will not give up the place till my soldiers -shall have eaten the thighs of Austrians, as those I had at Dantzic -ate those of Russians." Importuned by the insignificant communications -which the commander of the allied forces was every day sending me, I -endeavoured to penetrate into his motives. With this object a general -<i>reconnoissance</i> was made on the 6th on the Austrian positions. -Our soldiers took some posts of cavalry, cut others to pieces, and -returned to the camp, after having made all the enemy's army get under -arms.</p> - -<p>Having heard, two days after, a heavy cannonade in the direction of -Phalzburg, I resolved to make a second reconnoissance, as well to make -myself precisely acquainted with the forces that -<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_373" id="Page_373">[Pg 373]</a></span> -I had before me, -as to hinder the Prince of Wurtemburg from detaching troops against -that place. Albert's division and the cavalry marched against the -entrenched camp, which the Austrians had formed all the way from the -strong position of Oberhausbergen to Hiderhausbergen. The attack -commenced at three o'clock in the morning: it was impetuous, and -crowned with the most complete success. The enemy's cavalry were -repulsed and put to flight by the brigade of General Grouvel; the -principal villages were taken at the point of the bayonet, and the -entrenchments carried by force. Several officers were taken in their -beds, and others at the very moment they were rushing to arms. Some -generals escaped in their shirts, and owed their safety only to the -darkness which protected them.</p> - -<p>The 10th light infantry, commanded by the gallant Colonel Cretté, -displayed in this affair the same valour as at the battle of the 28th. -The 18th, under the orders of Colonel Voyrol, one of the most intrepid -officers in the French army, made itself master of the village of -Mittelhausbergen, where he withstood for a long time numerous forces, -and incessant attacks on every point.</p> - -<p>The signal for retreat having been given, General Albert ordered the -57th to form in <i>echelon</i> towards the attack on the right, and the -32d towards -<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_374" id="Page_374">[Pg 374]</a></span> -that on the left. We retired in the best order. The -enemy endeavoured to disturb us; he attacked our troops. The 57th -received him without wavering, and opened a fire at musquet-length -which disorganized his columns. Twice the allied cavalry returned to -the charge, twice was it repulsed with loss. General Laroche, who led -it on, was wounded, and fell under the feet of the horses; he would -have perished if the French had not come to his assistance. "Friends," -cried he, "I once served in your ranks, save me." He was immediately -taken up, and restored to his own men. A troop of cuirassiers had -nearly surprised the 18th in its retrograde movement, but the chief -of the staff, Colonel Schneider, having skilfully opposed to it -a battalion that he had by him, broke their shock, and saved the -regiment from an inevitable defeat.</p> - -<p>The Allies, convinced that they could not succeed in cutting us off, -left us peaceably to continue our march. Our troops returned to their -camp, after having accurately ascertained the immense superiority of -the forces that they had to contend with. Both parties entered into -cantonments. A military convention was signed a few days afterwards, -and hostilities ceased throughout all Alsace.</p> - -<hr class="chap" /> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_375" id="Page_375">[Pg 375]</a></span></p> - - - -<div class="chapter p4"> - <h2><a name="CHAPTER_XLVIII" id="CHAPTER_XLVIII"></a>CHAPTER XLVIII.</h2> -</div> - - -<p><span class="smcap">Inactivity</span> soon -engendered sedition. Other armies, other corps, which -had not the excuse of being misled by a political combination, had -trampled under foot military discipline. Is it strange that, in the -midst of the general effervescence, my soldiers should for a moment -have forgotten themselves? this episode is painful to me. I ought -neither to write it, nor omit it. I can well bear the blame which -Joubert, Massena, and so many other Generals, whom I do not pretend -to equal, have incurred. The following are the terms in which this -act of disobedience is related by an anonymous writer:—he has not -thought proper to tell every thing, but it is my own conduct that is -concerned; I must imitate his reserve. I submit, moreover, to the -judgment which he has delivered.</p> - -<p>"The Austrians, despairing of ever getting possession of Strasburg by -force of arms, endeavoured to form an understanding with a party in -the town. They succeeded by their sagacity in the application -<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_376" id="Page_376">[Pg 376]</a></span> -of the -two means which act the most powerfully on the heart of men—gold and -terror. They decoyed some by the attraction of riches, they subdued -others by making them dread the vengeance of the government. When they -were in this manner assured of all those whom they thought open to -seduction, they hastened to execute their perfidious designs.</p> - -<p>"From the commencement of the campaign our soldiers had been in a -state of irritation, well calculated to promote the secret views -of the enemy: they were acquainted with the disastrous affair of -Waterloo, they knew all the details of it; but they had too much -confidence in the skill of that celebrated man, with whom they had -five times triumphed over all Europe—they had too often seen him, by -sudden inspirations, regain his hold of victory when she was escaping -from him, to believe that his military genius had on the sudden -abandoned him; they were perpetually thinking of this disaster, and -they could never think of it without rage. Persuaded as they were -that our troops had continued the same, and that they had to do with -the same enemies, such a defeat appeared to them inconceivable. Not -knowing the true cause of it, they attributed all our misfortunes to -treason. Traitors had given intelligence -<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_377" id="Page_377">[Pg 377]</a></span> -of our plans; traitors had -commanded false manœuvres, traitors had raised the cry of <i>sauve qui -peut!</i> There were traitors among the generals, among the officers, -among the soldiers; and who knew whether there were none but in the -army of the north? Who knew whether the corps, of which they were a -part, their regiment, their company, were not infested with them? -Could they reckon on their chiefs, on their comrades? Every one was -suspected, it was necessary to distrust every one!</p> - -<p>"Such was the language in which anger found vent, which malevolence -caught up, magnified, envenomed, and which every soldier in the end -repeated and believed. This idea soon became the medium through -which every thing was explained. Accustomed to keep the field, they -saw themselves with pain compelled to retreat before an enemy whom -they despised. It would have been natural to attribute his progress -to an immense numerical superiority. They chose to explain it -otherwise; their chiefs were in correspondence with the Austrians. -Several circumstances, as unfortunate as they were unavoidable, -concurred to give to this opinion an appearance of probability, in -the prejudiced eyes of these soldiers. The first of these was the -order which General -<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_378" id="Page_378">[Pg 378]</a></span> -Rapp received, to disband the army, and to -dismiss each soldier separately, without money and without arms. The -next was, an injunction sent to him by the government to deliver -to the Russian commissioners ten thousand musquets taken from the -arsenal at Strasburg. These two despatches obliged him to enter -into a correspondence with the Allies. The frequent interchange of -messengers which took place on this occasion produced a bad effect on -their minds. The mystery which the General was obliged to observe, -to conceal from the troops the removal of the firearms, increased -the irritation; malevolence raised it to its height. It was loudly -said that Count Rapp had sold himself, that he had received several -millions of francs from the Austrians to introduce them into the -fortress, and that if he discharged the soldiers individually, and -without arms, it was in consequence of an agreement to deliver them up -to the enemy.</p> - -<p>"As soon as these seeds of discontent had been once sown in the -different corps, they were developed of themselves; the instigators -had nothing more to do than to observe their progress, to combine -the incidents calculated to augment the disorders, and to render -inevitable the catastrophe which they were preparing.</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_379" id="Page_379">[Pg 379]</a></span></p> - -<p>"Although General Rapp was far from suspecting such a plot, he had -taken, in some way, all the measures that he could take to frustrate -it. As soon as the ministerial despatch relative to the disbanding -the troops reached him, he had despatched with all speed to Paris one -of his aides-de-camp, the chief of squadron Marnier. This officer saw -the ministers repeatedly, and represented to them into what violence -the army would be led, if the whole amount of the pay due to it was -not discharged; but he could only obtain, notwithstanding the most -earnest solicitations, a bill for 400,000 francs, on the chest of the -war department. His return with this trifling sum, destroyed all the -hopes that had been excited. The General-in-chief, who saw the troops -getting more and more exasperated, left nothing untried to allay the -storm. The want of money was the principal cause of dissatisfaction. -To put an end to this source of discontent, Count Rapp endeavoured -to raise a loan in Strasburg. The inhabitants having demanded of him -a security, he solicited from the minister of Finance authority to -pledge the stores of tobacco in the town: the minister refused it. -Nevertheless, by the interposition of General Semelé, who commanded -the -<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_380" id="Page_380">[Pg 380]</a></span> -fortress, a sum of 160,000 francs was obtained. Such slight -supplies could not satisfy the soldiers, who were inflamed by false -reports, and among whom the insurrection was not slow in breaking out. -It was sudden and general, and presented a character quite peculiar. I -will enter into all the details of it, because they will serve to make -the spirit of the French soldiery better known.</p> - -<p>"On the 2d of September, about eight in the morning, about sixty -subaltern officers of different regiments met in one of the bastions -of the place. They agreed on a plan of obedience to the orders for the -disbanding of the army, but on conditions, from which they resolved -not to swerve. This declaration began in the following manner.</p> - -<div class="bq"> -<p>"In the name of the army of the Rhine, the officers, -sub-officers, and soldiers, will obey the orders issued for the -disbanding of the army only on the following conditions:</p> - -<p>"Art. I. The officers, sub-officers, and soldiers, will not leave -the army till they have received all the pay that is due to them.</p> - -<p>"Art. II. They will set out all on the same day, carrying their -arms, baggage, and fifty cartridges each," &c. &c.</p> -</div> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_381" id="Page_381">[Pg 381]</a></span></p> - -<p>"As soon as this document was drawn up, they repaired to the -General-in-chief to communicate it to him. The General, who was at the -time unwell, was taking a bath. Astonished at this unexpected visit, -he gave orders that they should be admitted. Five officers immediately -entered the bathing room; they explained the object of their mission, -and declared that the army would not submit to be disbanded till those -conditions should have been fulfilled. At the word conditions the -General in a rage sprang out of the bath, and tearing the paper out of -the hands of the speaker, cried, "What, Sirs, do you wish to impose -conditions on me? you refuse to obey! conditions on me!"</p> - -<p>"The tone of his voice, the look of Count Rapp, and perhaps the -attitude in which he presented himself, struck the deputation. It -retired in confusion, and each of the officers returned to give an -account to his regiment of the bad reception they had met with.</p> - -<p>"The sub-officers, who were assembled to the number of about 500, -were waiting for the General's answer. They clearly perceived, when -they were made acquainted with it, that such a man was not easily -intimidated, and that they were not likely to be more successful in -<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_382" id="Page_382">[Pg 382]</a></span> -such an attempt than their chiefs. But their determination was taken; -they came and ranged themselves in line of battle in the palace-yard, -and demanded to be introduced to the General-in-chief. An aide-de-camp -came down to know the purpose which brought them there; they refused -to enter into any explanation with him. 'Who is the chief of the -troop?' asked the officer.—'No one! Every one!' they all replied -together. He called into the centre of the court the oldest of each -regiment; he remonstrated with them on the act of disobedience that -they were rendering themselves guilty of. A thousand voices at once -interrupted him. 'Money! money!—we will be paid what is due to us; we -know how to get ourselves paid!'</p> - -<p>"The chief of the staff Colonel Schneider, whose courage they had so -often admired in the midst of danger, arrived at this conjuncture, -and endeavoured, but with as little success, to quiet them. 'Money!' -they again repeated, 'money!' Wearied with uttering their cries, -and holding out useless threats, and not being able to get at the -General-in-chief, they dispersed, after having fixed on a rendezvous. -The greatest part went to the parade, where they immediately proceeded -to the election of the new chiefs whom they had -<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_383" id="Page_383">[Pg 383]</a></span> -determined on having. -One of them, called Dalouzi, sergeant in the 7th light regiment, -well known for his ability, his courage, and particularly for a -soldier-like oratory which was peculiar to him, was unanimously -elected. 'You want to be paid,' he said to his comrades, 'and it -is for this that you are here.'—'Yes!' they replied with a common -voice.—'Well then! if you will promise to obey me, and to abstain from -all confusion, to respect property, to protect persons, I swear by my -head that you shall be paid within twenty-four hours.' This speech was -received with cries of joy, and the sergeant was appointed General. -He immediately chose for the chief of the staff the drum-major of the -58th; a second sub-officer was charged with the office of governor of -the fortress; a third with the command of the first division; another -with that of the second, and so on. The regiments had colonels, the -battalions and squadrons chiefs, and the companies captains; in short, -a complete staff was formed.</p> - -<p>"The other sub-officers had returned to the barracks, where the -soldiers were waiting with impatience for the result of the step -that had been taken. The drum was immediately beat to arms, and all -the corps, infantry, cavalry, and artillery, marched in order and in -double quick time to the -<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_384" id="Page_384">[Pg 384]</a></span> -parade. The organization was scarcely ended -when they arrived there. As soon as they appeared, the new chiefs went -and took command, and marched the troops to the points they had orders -to occupy.</p> - -<p>"In the mean time General Rapp, astonished to see so serious an -insurrection break out, had dressed himself in haste, in hopes -of ascertaining the motives of these seditious movements, and of -succeeding in quieting them. But the different operations of which we -have just given an account had been effected with such celerity, that -at the moment when he set out, accompanied by his adjutant-general and -a few officers, several columns, followed by a numerous populace, were -already debouching through all the streets leading from the square -of the palace. As soon as they perceived the General, the troops -hastily put themselves in order of battle, and charged bayonets to -hinder him from passing. Immediately furious cries were heard in the -rear ranks. "Fire! he has sold the army.—Fire then!" Some wretches, -scattered among the troops, excited them by their gestures and voices -to massacre this brave man. Rage spread from man to man, and confusion -was soon at its height. The soldiers, enraged, loaded their musquets; -the ranks -<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_385" id="Page_385">[Pg 385]</a></span> -were doubled, eight pieces of cannon arrived at a gallop, -and were immediately loaded with grape-shot.</p> - -<p>"Every time that General Rapp addressed those who menaced him, -vociferations commenced, and irritating cries were uttered with -increased violence. Musquets were repeatedly levelled at him, and the -pieces of cannon were constantly directed against his person, and the -gunners followed all his movements. 'Stand aside!' they exclaimed, -'that we may fire on him.' A howitzer was constantly kept so directly -pointed at the group which surrounded the General, that he perceived -it. He ran to the cannoneer who was holding the match, 'Well! what -would you do, wretched man? (he said to him) do you wish to kill me? -Fire then, here I am at the mouth of your gun.' 'Ah, General,' the -soldier exclaimed, letting the match fall from his hand, 'I was at the -siege of Dantzick with you, I would give you my life; but my comrades -will be paid, and I am obliged to do as they do and he resumed his -match.</p> - -<p>"Wearied with senseless questions, with appeals without any object, -deafened by the clamours of the multitude, the mass of which was -continually increasing, the General decided at last on returning to -the palace.</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_386" id="Page_386">[Pg 386]</a></span></p> - -<p>"The troops followed him, and the different avenues were immediately -occupied by eight pieces of cannon, a thousand infantry, and a -squadron of cavalry. This guard called itself the Exterior guard of -the palace. A battalion came and established itself in the court, -and took the name of Interior guard. Nearly sixty sentinels were -placed in pairs at all the gates, and on the stair-case which led to -the apartment of Count Rapp; there were also some for a few moments -at the door of his bed-chamber. The telegraph and the mint were -immediately taken possession of. To shew that they had no bad designs, -a detachment was sent to the hotel of the Austrian General Volkman, -who was in the place, and was put at his disposal. The drawbridges -were raised, and there was no communication with any one out of -the fortress without a permission signed by the new commander. The -drum-major of the 58th repaired with a trumpet to the head-quarters of -the Allies, and signified to them that if they respected the truce, -the garrison would not commit any act of hostility, but that if they -endeavoured to take advantage of the misunderstanding which existed -between the chief and the soldiers, it would know how to oppose a -noble resistance.</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_387" id="Page_387">[Pg 387]</a></span></p> - -<p>"Meanwhile Dalouzi had established his staff at the Parade, and had -appointed two commissions, the one for the provisions, composed of -quarter-master-sergeants, and the other for the finances, composed of -sergeant-majors: they constituted themselves permanent, deliberated on -the measures best calculated to maintain the public tranquillity, and -to put the town in a state of security against surprise. The posts of -the citadel and those of the interior were doubled; guards were even -placed at some old posterns, which, till then, had been neglected; the -outer line was strengthened, the troops bivouacked in the squares, -and in the streets; in fact no precaution was omitted which the most -suspicious prudence could suggest. In order to prevent the excesses to -which malevolence might excite the soldiers, it was forbidden, under -pain of death, to enter any of the places where brandy, wine, or beer, -was sold. The same punishment was denounced against all who should be -guilty of plunder, riot, or insubordination. Lastly, still better to -secure the public tranquillity, it was resolved that the army should -be informed of its situation every six hours.</p> - -<p>"These arrangements having been made, the receiver-general, and the -inspector of reviews, -<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_388" id="Page_388">[Pg 388]</a></span> -were sent for. The latter made a calculation -of the sums necessary for the present year's pay, the other presented -the account of what he had in the chest; after which, Dalouzi convoked -the town council, to whom he declared the motives which had made the -garrison take arms, and requested the mayor to take means to get funds -necessary to pay the arrears.</p> - -<p>"He then despatched to Count Rapp a deputation, composed of the new -governor and of five or six general-sergeants: 'Well, what do you -want of me again?' cried the General in a tone of indignation and -contempt.—'You are unworthy to wear the French uniform. I believed -that you were men of honour; I am deceived. You allow yourselves to -be seduced by wretches. What do you wish to do? Why do these guards -surround the palace? Why is this artillery pointed against me? Am I -then so formidable? Is it believed that I wish to escape? Why should -I escape? I fear nothing—I do not fear you. But to the point, what do -you want of me?' He repeated this question. The agitation of Count -Rapp while pronouncing these words was a striking contrast to the -melancholy air of the deputation. These sub-officers, ashamed of -keeping a chief whom they loved, and whose -<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_389" id="Page_389">[Pg 389]</a></span> -valour and fidelity were -so well known to them, a prisoner, kept a profound silence. They were -on the point of withdrawing, when one of them spoke: 'General', he -said, 'we have learned that the other corps of the army have been -paid; our soldiers also are resolved to be paid; they are in a state -of revolt, but they obey us. We only ask what is due to us, the slight -indemnification for so much blood and so many wounds; we only ask for -what is indispensable to enable us to perform our march and withdraw -to our homes. The troops will not return to order, it is a thing -firmly resolved on, until every one be paid.'—'There is not enough -money in the chest,' replied the General. 'It was my intention to have -you paid, stoppages and all. I despatched an aide-de camp to Paris; -he saw the ministers, but they could only give him 400,000 francs. It -is this sum, together with that in the chest of the paymaster, which -I will order to be divided among the different regiments.'—'The army -will be paid, my General.'—'I have told you all that I have to say -to you; withdraw, and return as soon as possible to order.—If the -enemy unfortunately should be acquainted with what is going on here, -what will become of you?'—'All this has been foreseen, my General: -a regiment of cavalry and twelve pieces of cannon, have set out -<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_390" id="Page_390">[Pg 390]</a></span> -to reinforce the division which is at the camp. It is easy for you to get -us paid; and you have every thing to fear on the part of the soldiers, -if in twenty-four hours from this time their request is not complied -with.'—'What is it to me what you and your soldiers may do? I repeat -that you shall only have the funds which are destined for you. Do -not hope that whatever happens, you can compel me to do what my duty -prohibits.—'General, the soldiers can conduct you to the citadel, they -can even shoot you; we answer for them now, but if you do not cause us -to be paid....'—'I have nothing more to say to you, quit my house. If -you shoot me, so be it; I prefer death to shame. You are the enemies -of order, you are the instruments of malevolence and of a conspiracy -which you yourselves are not acquainted with. The enemy perhaps is in -concert; I make you responsible for every thing that may happen. You -have heard me; begone! I am ashamed to converse with rebels!'</p> - -<p>"The word conspiracy made a very deep impression upon them: they -remained silent for some time. They began again, however, and one -of them said, that if there were among them any who had secret -intentions, they were ignorant of it; that for themselves they only -wanted their pay; -<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_391" id="Page_391">[Pg 391]</a></span> -but that paid they would be, and that they were -going to bring to him the civil authorities, in order that he might -give directions for raising the funds: after which they withdrew.</p> - -<p>"Whilst the council was consulting on the means of securing public -tranquillity, and of liquidating the pay in arrear, the army had -effected different movements; it had marched and counter-marched, -always at a running pace, without uttering a word, without venting -a threat against the officers whom it had put under arrest. This -silence, rather extraordinary for French soldiers, had something -sinister about it at which the inhabitants were alarmed. Nevertheless -the troops at last became calm, but they held no communication with -the towns-people; they even refused to answer their questions. In the -streets, in the squares, groups were continually seen forming, which -dispersed after they had communicated in a very low tone either orders -or opinions. The whole town was plunged in melancholy disquietude: -fatal epochs were recalled to their recollection—they feared to see -them revive: every one trembled for his property—for his life. Never -was there a more terrifying scene than that which this large city then -presented.</p> - -<p>"The General-in-chief having learned that the -<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_392" id="Page_392">[Pg 392]</a></span> -inhabitants had -consented to raise the necessary funds, and that they yielded to fear -what they had for so long a time refused to his entreaties, despatched -the adjutant-general to the civil authorities to settle with them -about the distribution of the loan. This officer was conducted to the -town-hall by a corporal and six men who did not quit him. He finished -his accounts, and returned to the palace under the same escort.</p> - -<p>"In the mean time, the Generals and chiefs of corps, employed in turn -threats and entreaties to bring back the mutineers to their duty. -The men, who loved their superiors, and who would not have dared to -fail in duty before their faces, had recourse to artifice to escape -from the ascendancy and the representations which they dreaded. When -an officer went in one direction, care was taken to oppose to him in -the front rank soldiers of a different corps and description, and -while he harangued these, the others vociferated from behind. If, -in spite of this tactic, he succeeded in getting at one of his own -men, and reproached him: 'Me, my Officer,' the other replied with -hypocritical mildness, 'I am not doing any thing, I am not speaking a -word;' and he immediately buried himself in the crowd. The troops soon -adopted a general measure to free themselves -<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_393" id="Page_393">[Pg 393]</a></span> -from these importunate -solicitations, and all those who had any important command were -ordered to keep to their homes.</p> - -<p>"The alarms of the citizens were soon tranquillized, the retreat -was sounded a long time before night, and from that moment patroles -succeeded one another without interruption. Several orders of the day -were read at each post. They recommended tranquillity and obedience, -and promised that the payments should be made within twenty-four -hours. One of these orders was thus worded:</p> - -<div class="bq"> -<p>'Every thing is going on well, the inhabitants are raising the -money, and the payments have begun.</p> - -<p class="ar">(Signed,) <span class="smcap">Garrison.'</span></p> -</div> - -<p>"The town was ordered to be illuminated, in order that it might be -more easy to keep up a strict watch.</p> - -<p>"The secret instigators of the insurrection did not fail to perceive -that a degree of wisdom presided in all the councils, which rendered -their case desperate, that their end was baffled if they did not -succeed in again inflaming the minds of the soldiery, and in exciting -some commotion in which blood might be spilt.</p> - -<p>"With this view, about five o'clock in the -<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_394" id="Page_394">[Pg 394]</a></span> -afternoon, a horse -chasseur arrived at full gallop on the parade, announcing that three -waggons full of gold had just been stopped belonging to General -Rapp, who was sending them out of the city under the protection of -the Austrians. 'These three waggons,' he added, 'have been taken -to the covered bridge, and here is the receipt I am bearing to our -commander-in-chief;—General Rapp must be shot; he is a traitor, he has -sold us to the enemy.'</p> - -<p>"Whatever irritation still remained, this speech produced little -effect. The troops used their chief roughly to compel him to levy -contributions, but they did not entertain any suspicion against him. -His reputation as a man of honour remained unblemished, and his -integrity was no more doubted by them than his courage. Such open -provocations to murder excited distrust, and the soldiers became more -circumspect. Some, however, propagated alarms, and wished that his -person should be secured; but the army had the good sense to repel -suggestions the complete perfidiousness of which it did not perhaps at -first perceive.</p> - -<p>"As soon as one expedient failed, the conspirators attempted another, -and left nothing untried to spill blood, persuaded that if it had -once -<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_395" id="Page_395">[Pg 395]</a></span> -flowed, it would be easy to make it flow again. The General's -coachman was driving from the palace to the stables a cart laden -with straw. The sentinels made some objections to allow it to pass: -it however went on, but scarcely was it out, when some ill-disposed -persons cried, Treason, and pretended that under the pretext of -removing straw the military chest was carried off. Immediately the -multitude rushed on the cart and on its load, in order to search -it the better. Nothing was found; they loaded it again, demanding -nevertheless that it should go back: the horses took fright, set off, -and ran over a child.</p> - -<p>"At this sight fury redoubled, the guards were forced, the multitude -rushed tumultuously into the court of the palace, seized the coachman, -and massacred him without pity in the hands of an officer who had -come forth to defend him. The disorder was not meant to stop at the -death of a servant; but groupes of soldiers came up, forced the most -infuriated to restrain themselves, and thus the blow once more failed.</p> - -<p>"All the attempts to get General Rapp massacred by the hands of -his troops having failed, recourse was had to extraordinary means -of assassinating him. As soon as night was come, a multitude of -individuals succeeded each other, -<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_396" id="Page_396">[Pg 396]</a></span> -and used force to introduce -themselves into his bed-chamber. But the aides-de-camp and some -officers defended the door with courage, and preserved their chief from insult.</p> - -<p>"In the midst of this effervescence an event suddenly happened to -cool the soldiery, and contributed to restore them to order. The -enemy's line drew its cantonments closer round the town, at the very -moment the insurrection broke out, and also received considerable -reinforcements. This coincidence of the measures adopted by the -Austrians with an event which they ought not to have been acquainted -with, gave much room for conjecture: thus the outer division -immediately doubled their main guards; fresh troops and artillery came -from the town.</p> - -<p>"The enemy, intimidated, durst not make any attempt. Perhaps he -was also awaiting the result of the plots which he had framed in -Strasburg; perhaps he feared to enter into an engagement with an army -so much the more formidable, as it had put itself under the necessity -of conquering; and as it continued, for all that related to the -military arrangements, to receive its orders from General Rottembourg, -whose courage and skill the Austrians had experienced more than once -during this campaign. The enemy, therefore, remained -<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_397" id="Page_397">[Pg 397]</a></span> -in position, and -appeared to be waiting till the favourable moment should arrive. On -its side, the army was on its guard against the tricks prepared for -it, and pursued, with calmness and firmness, the only end which it had -in view, the discharge of the pay in arrear.</p> - -<p>"General <i>Garrison</i> redoubled his vigilance to preserve public -tranquillity, and went forth attended by his staff, all dressed in -their uniform and on horseback, to secure the execution of his orders. -As soon as he appeared the drums beat to arms, the guards were turned -out, and rendered him all the honours due to a Commander-in-chief.</p> - -<p>"Thus Strasburg presented the appearance of the most perfect order in -the midst of disorder; and the most severe discipline reigned in an -army in a state of revolt.</p> - -<p>"The loan having been raised, the pay-officers, according to the -numerical order of the regiments, were conducted under a good escort -to the pay-master-general, where they received the sums necessary -for the pay of their corps. But they were enjoined not to make any -individual payments until all the regiments should have received what -was owing to them. Thus passed the first day: there was less agitation -on the second. Still there was an attempt to make the troops believe -some -<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_398" id="Page_398">[Pg 398]</a></span> -rumours calculated to produce disturbance, but little attention -was paid to them. Towards evening, the orders given to the sentinels -of the palace became less strict; the aides-de-camp had leave to go -out under escort. A file of grenadiers was appointed to escort them -where they wished, and to conduct them back again.</p> - -<p>"During the night the posts were all renewed. Individuals, in the -uniform of sub-officers, presented themselves once more to penetrate -into the General's apartments, to satisfy themselves, as they said, -that he had not escaped. The altercations between them and the -officers of the staff were warmer than ever; the latter, nevertheless, -in the end prevailed. In fine, the division of the funds was effected -towards nine o'clock in the morning. Immediately the call to arms was -sounded, the army assembled, withdrew its posts, raised the siege of -the palace, and repaired to the parade. General Garrison, accompanied -by all his staff, drew up the troops in line, and addressed to them -the following proclamation. We give it <i>verbatim</i>.</p> - -<div class="bq"> -<p class="noindent">"'Soldiers of the Army of the Rhine,</p> - -<p>"'The bold step which has just been taken by your sub-officers -to obtain justice, and the complete -<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_399" id="Page_399">[Pg 399]</a></span> -discharge of your pay, has compromised them with the civil -and military authorities. It -is in your good conduct, your resignation, and your excellent -discipline that they hope to find safety; that which you have -maintained up to the present time is the best guarantee of it; -and of this they hope for a continuance.</p> - -<p>"'Soldiers, the pay-officers have in their possession all that is -owing to you; the garrison will return to its former situation, -the posts will remain till the General-in-chief shall have -given orders in consequence. On their return from the parade, -the sergeant-majors and quarter-masters shall repair to their -pay-officers, and shall take note before paying the troops from -MM. the Colonels, in order to keep back what is not due.</p> - -<p>"'The infantry is to be disbanded—it will take superior orders; -and the cavalry, still having no order, will wait its lot, in -order to give up, at least before setting off, the horses, arms, -and all that belongs to the Government, in order that it may be -said they are Frenchmen: they have served with honour, they have -obtained payment of what was due to them, and have submitted to -the orders of the King, under the glorious title of the Army of -the Rhine.</p> - -<p class="ar">"'By order of the Army of the Rhine.'"</p> -</div> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_400" id="Page_400">[Pg 400]</a></span></p> - -<p>"The Sergeant-General, after having delivered this speech, which -the army heard in silence, made the two divisions of infantry, -the cavalry, and artillery defile before him, and went in great -pomp to display at the offices of the Prefect and Mayor the white -flags that had been made by his orders. The troops then returned to -their barracks, and submitted themselves to the authority of their -respective officers.</p> - -<p>"As soon as they were restored to liberty, the Generals, Colonels, and -superior officers were anxious to repair to Count Rapp, to express to -him the pain they had experienced at seeing the army thus unmindful -of the rein of discipline. They even caused a protest against the -seditious movements which the army had given way to, to be printed, -which they all signed, and which contained expressions very flattering -to the General-in-Chief.</p> - -<p>"Two days after, they laid down their arms at the arsenal, and all the -corps were disbanded. Dalouzi, as leader of the revolt, had incurred -the penalty of death; but he was pardoned on account of the good order -that he had maintained in the midst of the insurrection."[3]</p> - -<p>[3] Summary of the Operations of the Armies of the Rhine and Jura, -1815.</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_401" id="Page_401">[Pg 401]</a></span></p> - -<p>The army was dissolved; my command having expired, there was nothing -to keep me any longer in Alsace. But the good souls of the Faubourg -Saint-Germain had imagined that we were a source of terror to Europe. -On the field of battle I believe we were, and the Allies did not -disallow it. In other respects this was thinking too highly of us. -With regard to plots and conspiracies, it is not we who deserved the -palm. I, nevertheless, went to meet that which they wished to allot to -me. I wrote to the King, I did not attempt to disguise my sentiments -from him. If I had been able to throw the whole coalition into the -Rhine I would have done it; I did not conceal it. My letter was thus -worded.</p> - -<div class="bq"> -<p>"Sire,</p> - -<p>"I do not endeavour to justify my conduct. Your Majesty knows -that the bent of my mind and my military education have always -led me to defend the French territory against all foreign -aggression: I could not, above all, hesitate to offer my life in -defence of Alsace, which gave me birth.</p> - -<p>"If I have preserved the esteem of your Majesty, I desire to -finish my career in my own country; if it were otherwise, I -should be the first to demand to go and pass my days abroad: I could not live -<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_402" id="Page_402">[Pg 402]</a></span> -in my country without the esteem of my sovereign."</p> - -<p>"I only ask this; I have need of nothing more."</p> -</div> - -<p>This letter was of use. Marks of regard that had escaped the Monarch -kept malevolence within bounds. I passed some months at Paris without -being disturbed; but the race of emigrants had filled the chambers -and harangued at the tribune. Their vociferations against all the men -distinguished for their talent and courage whom France can boast of, -gave me such a disgust that I withdrew. I went into Switzerland, where -at least aristocracy did not present the scandalous spectacle of the -rage of the present time combined with the meanness of the past. The -ordinance of the 5th of September was issued a short time afterwards: -I returned to Paris, where I live quietly in the bosom of my family, -and where I have experienced happiness which till then was unknown to -me.</p> - -<hr class="chap" /> - -<p>Here the Memoirs terminate. We will only add a few words.</p> - -<p>Become a member of the House of Peers, the General was called into -the presence of the King. This favour did not make him unfaithful to -old <span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_403" id="Page_403">[Pg 403]</a></span> -recollections. So many immortal days were too deeply engraved in -his mind! He could not forget our victories, or him who had conducted -them, or those who had obtained them! He had often taken so glorious a -part in them! Courage does not disinherit herself. In like manner the -brave soldiers who were persecuted by men whom they had eclipsed on -the field of battle always found in their General a devoted protector. -His purse, his credit were open to them. Never did he repel the -unfortunate. Those who had none of the privileges which the standard -gives, participated in his benefits; it was sufficient if they were in -distress. Misfortune was something sacred in his eyes.</p> - -<p>The state of inactivity into which on a sudden he had fallen, after a -life of alarms and fatigue, hastened to a fatal termination the wounds -with which he was covered. His health was gone; he soon ended the -term assigned him by Nature. He beheld death without emotion, ordered -himself to be put in a position so as to front the enemy, whom he had -always looked in the face, and expired, offering up his prayers for -France and his family.</p> - -<hr class="chap" /> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_405" id="Page_405">[Pg 405]</a></span></p> - -<div class="chapter p4"> - <h2><a name="DOCUMENTS" id="DOCUMENTS"></a>DOCUMENTS</h2> -</div> - -<p class="ac noindent">ILLUSTRATIVE OF THE MEMOIRS.</p> - -<div class="bq"> -<p class="ac noindent"><a name="RAPP_1" id="RAPP_1"></a><i>Letter from General Rapp to - the Duke of Wurtemberg.</i></p> - -<p class="ar"><i>June 14th, 1813.</i></p> - -<p><span class="smcap">Colonel</span> Richemont has communicated -to me the letter which your -Royal Highness honoured him with, the ... of this month. I learn -with pain that the very conciliatory proposals made, in my name, -by M. Richemont, have not been accepted, and that discussions -have arisen on points which appeared to afford no room for any -debate whatever.</p> - -<p>I must observe to your Royal Highness, generally, that the -armistice was not demanded by the Emperor Napoleon, which -supposes that all the articles ought to be construed favourably -to the French army; but since the intentions of the treaty are -disputed, I see no other means of attaining the object of your -Royal Highness, and my own, than by proposing to your Excellency -to leave, as regards the limits, things in their present state, -and to inform the commissioners appointed by articles 9 and 12 -of the armistice, of the difficulties which have arisen in the -execution of article 6. I -<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_406" id="Page_406">[Pg 406]</a></span> -therefore beg your Highness to name, -conjointly with myself, two officers who shall be instructed -to repair to those commissioners, and who can speedily bring a -report of the solution we are to expect.</p> - -<p>I also consent that the article relative to supplies be only -settled provisionally, that is to say, that if your Royal -Highness would not take upon yourself to allow us 30,000 rations -of victuals, reckoning from the day of the armistice, which, -according to the returns of the force of the garrison, is -necessary, Colonel Richemont will be able to settle with the -Russian commissioners, the quantities which shall be supplied -to us on account, to be deducted from the amount which shall be -definitively appointed by the commissioners of the armistice, to -whom it will be referred, as well as the article of limits.</p> - -<p>The officer who brought the armistice would have been able to -notify at the Imperial head-quarters the discussions which have -arisen, if his instructions did not oblige him to delay his -departure till after the first distribution which is to be made -to the garrison by the directions of the General commanding the -blockade.</p> - -<p>I should have greatly desired that we could have come to an -understanding, on the execution of the treaty, as I have reason -to fear that false inferences may be drawn from the delay of -this officer, as to the good understanding which the armistice -supposes to exist between us; a contingency which I should the -more lament, as it appears to me that your Highness might have -acceded to the proposals of Colonel Richemont, which I should -<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_407" id="Page_407">[Pg 407]</a></span> -most certainly have done in your place, without fearing the least -reproach for it from my sovereign.</p> - -<p class="ar">(Signed,) <span class="smcap">Count Rapp.</span></p> - - -<p class="p2 ac noindent"><a name="ANSWER_1" id="ANSWER_1"></a>ANSWER</p> - -<p class="ar"><i>Sulmin, June 15th, 1813.</i></p> - -<p><span class="smcap">I received</span> the letter which your Excellency -did me the honour to -write to me, dated the 14th of June, and I must frankly confess -that it is my duty to enter into the fullest explanation of -the cause of the misunderstandings which exist relative to the -literal execution of the articles of the truce.</p> - -<p>This treaty having laid down fixed principles, in order to avoid -every subject of dispute, it appears to me, that it would be -infinitely more simple and natural to adhere strictly to it. I -confess to your Excellency that it is with sincere pain that I -agree to depart from it according to your proposition. It appears -to me that by this arrangement, which you wish, both of us, to -a certain degree, exceed the limits of our powers, and that it -would be much better to settle between us the line of neutrality -according to the literal sense of the armistice. Nevertheless, -to avoid all farther discussion, I consent to let things remain -on their present footing: I will even order the commanders -of my advanced posts to come to an understanding with yours -about making some arrangements, which may be agreeable to your -Excellency, -<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_408" id="Page_408">[Pg 408]</a></span> -in respect to sentinels and piquets, to prevent any -collision between our light troops.</p> - -<p>Respecting what concerns the article of provisions, the -commission assembled for that purpose has already commenced its -sittings, and I hope that Colonel Richemont will soon be able to -announce that this article has been definitively settled.</p> - -<p>As to what regards the two officers whom your Excellency would -send to the commissioners appointed definitively to settle -all the difficulties which appear to arise respecting the -stipulations of the truce, I must observe, that it is not in -my power to grant them the necessary passports: the article of -provisions, which will be forthwith settled, will allow, in the -course of a few days, Captain Planat to undertake this commission.</p> - -<p>Be persuaded, moreover, General, that accustomed, in the course -of twenty-five years' service to fulfil with exactness the orders -of my sovereign, I should have acted in a very different manner, -if I had agreed to the propositions which have been made to me -by Colonel Richemont, and which deviated so essentially from the -articles of a truce, the simple and natural expressions of which -leave no room for the least discussion.</p> - -<p>Your Excellency, moreover, will always find me ready to do -whatever may be agreeable to you, and which at the same time may -not be inconsistent with my duty. I shall eagerly seize all the -opportunities that I can to convince you that nothing equals the -high consideration with which I have the honour to be, &c.</p> - -<p class="ar">(Signed,) <span class="smcap"> -Alexander, Duke of Wurtemberg.</span></p> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_409" id="Page_409">[Pg 409]</a></span></p> - -<p class="p4 ac noindent"><a name="WURT_1" id="WURT_1"></a><i>Letter from the Duke of - Wurtemberg to his Excellency Count Rapp.</i></p> - -<p class="ar"><i>From my head-quarters, July 12, 1813.</i></p> - -<p>(Received on the 14th, though the Duke was but two leagues from -Dantzic.)</p> - -<p class="smcap">General,</p> - -<p>A messenger, who has just arrived from head-quarters, brings me -an order for suspending the allowances which have been hitherto -made to the garrison of Dantzic. The corps of Volunteers under -the orders of the Prussian Major Lutzow having been attacked, -during the continuance of the truce, without the least cause, -is announced to me as the reason which has caused this -determination, and which is not to be varied from until this -affair shall be definitively settled.</p> - -<p>In communicating the orders which I have received to you, I -announce at the same time that this affair, which will probably -soon be settled, does not however change the other articles of -the truce, which are to remain in full force.</p> - -<p class="ac">I have the honour be, &c.</p> - -<p class="ar">(Signed,) <span class="smcap">Alexander, Duke of Wurtemberg,</span></p> - -<p class="ar">General of Cavalry.</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_410" id="Page_410">[Pg 410]</a></span></p> - -<p class="p2 ac noindent"><a name="ANSWER_2" id="ANSWER_2"></a>ANSWER</p> - - -<p class="ar"><i>Dantzic, July 14, 1813.</i></p> - -<p>Monsieur le Duc,</p> - -<p><span class="smcap">From</span> the commencement -of the arrangements agreed upon between us, -in consequence of the armistice, I have seen, with much pain, -that your Royal Highness does not fulfil them with that exactness -which such stipulations demand.</p> - -<p>I have perceived, in the delay of all the deliveries, a secret -war which was destroying in detail the spirit of the armistice. -In spite of my continual protests, a great part of the provisions -has been left in arrear; you have not even supplied what is due -at present, and it is in this state of things that I receive, -to-day, the 14th, the letter from your Highness, dated the 12th, -which informs me that you have orders to suspend the provisions. -This suspension has actually taken place these four days past, -that is to say, since the 10th; and as our correspondence may -reach each other in two hours, I will not conceal from your -Highness with what sentiments I must look at the difference -between the date and the arrival of your despatch.</p> - -<p>The conditions of an armistice, my Lord Duke, are alike binding -on both the parties; and as soon as one of them allows himself -to annul one of the principal and most essential clauses, the -armistice is from that moment broken, and he puts himself in -a state of war against the other. It is in this light, that I -consider from henceforth the declaration you have made; and -although your -<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_411" id="Page_411">[Pg 411]</a></span> -Highness informs me that the other articles of the -truce shall remain, you must perceive that I cannot accept such -modifications but by the orders of my sovereign. It only remains -to me, then, to beg you to acquaint me whether the six days -which are to precede the recommencement of hostilities are to be -reckoned from the 12th at one o'clock in the morning, or from the -14th at twelve.</p> - -<p>I must declare to you, that I account you responsible for -the rupture of an armistice that was concluded between our -sovereigns, and that I cannot listen to any evasive explication -until after the reception of all the provisions which are due to -me.</p> - -<p class="ar">(Signed,) <span class="smcap">Count Rapp.</span></p> - - -<p class="p4 ac noindent"><a name="WURT_2" id="WURT_2"></a><i>Letter from the Duke of - Wurtemberg to General Count Rapp.</i></p> - -<p class="ar"><i>From my head-quarters, July 15, 1813.</i></p> - -<p><span class="smcap">I have</span> just received the letter -which you have addressed to me, -and I cannot conceal from your Excellency that I have been more -than ordinarily surprised at its contents.</p> - -<p>It would be absolutely useless again to repeat to your Excellency -what MM. Generals Borozdin and Jelebtzou have not failed to -observe to you repeatedly, that is to say, that the momentary -delays which the garrison of Dantzic has experienced in being -revictualled have only been occasioned by the sudden change -of the arrangement -<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_412" id="Page_412">[Pg 412]</a></span> -that was proposed and demanded by your -Excellency, of buying the provisions by your own commissaries, -which has necessarily produced the greatest embarrassment; -the Prussian commissaries having excused themselves on the -state of entire destitution of the provinces contiguous to -Dantzic, which have been already charged for so long a time -with the provisioning of my troops. If, as I have several times -requested, there had been at my head-quarters, conformably to -the stipulations of the truce, a French commissary permanently, -he would have been able to convince himself of the extreme -embarrassment that the Prussian commissaries have felt in -procuring waggons, and the necessary provisions for revictualling -Dantzic, and for the maintenance of my own troops; so that it -is not the army forming the blockade which has thrown obstacles -in the way of revictualling the place. Moreover, it is only my -sovereign, the august Emperor Alexander, to whom I must render an -account of my actions.</p> - -<hr class="sect" /> - -<p>I now come to an article of far greater importance, since it may -be attended with the most serious consequences; for it appears, -according to the letter of your Excellency, that you are decided -on recommencing hostilities on your own authority, whilst the -places, Stettin and Custrin, are also temporarily deprived, -as well as Dantzic, of the provisions stipulated for in the -armistice. I hope, however, that you will seriously consider -what you are about to do, and I render you responsible for all -<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_413" id="Page_413">[Pg 413]</a></span> -the measures you may take, and which may prevent the belligerent -powers from coming to an adjustment of their differences.</p> - -<p>I send you an exact copy of the letter which I received from -the Commander-in-chief of all the armies, Barclay de Tolly; you -will see, that far from there being any thoughts of recommencing -hostilities, I am expressly prohibited from doing so.</p> - -<p>If, in spite of all my observations, which I have had formally -certified by my Generals, commanders of corps, you do not think -fit to wait patiently till the affair of the legion of Lutzow, -which has caused the temporary cessation of the revictualling of -Dantzic, (of which the arrears, by the way, are only suspended,) -and of the other fortresses, is amicably settled, and you -attack my forces, I will prove to you that my brave Russians -do not stand in dread of the menaces of any one, and that they -are moreover ready to shed their blood for the cause of all -sovereigns and all nations.</p> - -<p class="ar">(Signed,) <span class="smcap">Alexander, Duke of Wurtemberg.</span></p> - - -<p class="p2 ac noindent"><a name="ANSWER_3" id="ANSWER_3"></a>ANSWER</p> - - -<p class="ar"><i>Dantzic, July 16, 1813.</i></p> - -<p><span class="smcap">I received</span> the letter -which your Royal Highness did me the honour -to write to me on the 15th of this month. I will not again touch -on the different observations which you make on the non-execution -of the conditions of the armistice; they have been constantly -brought forward, and always victoriously refuted; and therefore -present <span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_414" id="Page_414">[Pg 414]</a></span> -nothing new. General Heudelet, whom I sent to the -conference that was demanded by General Borozdin, has made known -on my part the only expedient for a provisional arrangement which -could again take place between us.</p> - -<p>In a letter of the 14th instant, I intreated your Royal Highness -to appoint at what precise time the six days between the rupture -and the commencement of hostilities were to begin; to this I have -had no positive answer. I must, therefore, acquaint you, that as -the letter of your Royal Highness, dated the 12th, only reached -me on the 14th at noon, and I can consider your positive and -official refusal to continue the supplies as nothing else than -a rupture of the armistice, hostilities will recommence on the -20th; I owe this determination to the Emperor and to my corps -d'armée. Six guns fired from the different forts of Dantzic, at -noon, shall leave no doubt on this subject. I beg your Royal -Highness not to consider as a threat the obligation which I am -under to interpret the violation of one of the articles of the -treaty as a formal declaration, annulling the armistice; I know -the brave Russian troops, whom I have often fought with, and I -know that they are worthy to be opposed to our own.</p> - -<p>Here, my Lord, my letter would close, were I not compelled to -make a remark to your Royal Highness on some expressions of -your letter of the 15th, that I also am only accountable to my -sovereign for my determinations; that, as for what your Highness -calls the cause of all sovereigns and all nations, these are -very extraordinary phrases in the letter of a prince, who knows -better <span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_415" id="Page_415">[Pg 415]</a></span> -than any one that the Emperor Alexander, his sovereign, -was engaged during five years, in our alliance against the -despotism of a maritime power, which would make all the Continent -tributary to it; and that his august brother, the King of -Wurtemberg, has been for a long time past one of the most staunch -supporters of this same cause.</p> - -<p class="ar">(Signed,) <span class="smcap">Count Rapp.</span></p> - - -<p class="p4 ac noindent"><a name="WURT_3" id="WURT_3"></a><i>Letter from the Duke of - Wurtemberg to General Rapp.</i></p> - -<p class="ar"><i>From my head-quarters, July 17, 1813.</i></p> - -<p class="smcap">General,</p> - -<p><span class="smcap">I should</span> have -nothing more to add to the letter which I wrote -to your Excellency, dated the 15th of July, if the formal -declaration of war which you make to me, as from one power to -another, did not oblige me still to make a few important remarks, -before the commencement of hostilities which you axe about to -undertake.</p> - -<p>I will observe to you, then, (although it is absolutely -impossible for me, officially, to accept the declaration, that -you are about to begin hostilities, and though I must declare -you, once more, responsible for all the consequences that this -event may produce) that if, in spite of my observations, you, -nevertheless, persist in a determination which, as I believe, -will not even be approved by the Emperor Napoleon, the period -for the rupture which you fix for the 20th of July at mid-day, -is contrary -<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_416" id="Page_416">[Pg 416]</a></span> -to the 2d and 3d articles of the armistice; since, -after the 20th of July, the term of the expiration of the truce, -hostilities should not take place, according to article 9th, -till six days after the 20th of July, which will bring us to the -26th of the month; and it would be really singular for us to be -the only two chiefs of corps on the theatre of war to recommence -hostilities.</p> - -<p>I am convinced, that with a little patience we shall soon hear -that the affairs of the Cabinets are taking a different turn. -What would be then the regret of your Excellency if, by too much -precipitation, you should once more create difficulties between -the two Courts, of which my own has nothing to reproach itself -with, since it was very natural that it should for the time take -measures of retaliation, after it had learnt the destruction of -the corps of Lutzow in the midst of the armistice;—as it is not -possible to bring to life the men so destroyed, while it will, -on the other hand, be very possible to furnish the garrison of -Dantzic with the provisions in arrear.</p> - -<p>I now close my letter, General, compelled to make an observation -or two on the last phrases in yours, which have appeared to me -extremely strange. All Europe, and, I dare say, France also, is -perfectly acquainted with the reasons which caused the rupture -of the peace that was signed at Tilsit. It also knows the -dictatorial tone which the ambassador Count Lauriston assumed in -the heart of the capital of Peter the Great. The august Emperor -Alexander was compelled, by such an excess of audacity, to appeal -to his sword; he was obliged to surround himself with his valiant -soldiers to open the churches, -<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_417" id="Page_417">[Pg 417]</a></span> -and to confide himself to a -generous and faithful people, who have proved to him what may be -done by a nation happy in its own territory, but who have not -hesitated a moment to arm themselves in defence of their honour -and of their sovereign.</p> - -<p>As to what concerns my brother, the King of Wurtemberg, whom your -Excellency calls one of the most staunch supporters of the cause -which you defend, I can assure your Excellency that a Russian -General-in-chief does not think himself inferior in any respect -to a King of the Confederation, since it only depends on the -Emperor Alexander to elevate me to that dignity, if he thinks -fit; and then I shall be king like any other; I should, however, -premise one small condition, that is, that it should not be at -the expense of any power, or any person.</p> - -<p class="ar">(Signed,) -<span class="smcap">Alexander, Duke of Wurtemberg.</span></p> - -<p class="p4 ac noindent"><a name="DANTZIC" id="DANTZIC"></a>CAPITULATION OF - DANTZIC.</p> - - -<p class="hanging"><span class="smcap">Capitulation</span> -of the fortress of Dantzic under special conditions, -concluded between their Excellencies Lieutenant-general Borozdin, -Major-general Welljaminoff, in quality of chief of the staff, -and the Colonels of Engineers, Manfredi and Pullet, intrusted -with full powers by his Royal Highness the Duke of Wurtemberg, -Commander-in-chief of the troops besieging Dantzic, on one part;</p> - -<p class="hanging">And their Excellencies Count Heudelet, general of division, the -General of Brigade d'Hericourt, Adjutant-general; -<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_418" id="Page_418">[Pg 418]</a></span> and -Colonel Richemont intrusted with full powers from his Excellency -Count Rapp, aide-de-camp of the Emperor, Commander-in-chief of -the 10th corps d'armée, on the other part.</p> - -<p><span class="smcap">Article I.</span> The troops -forming the garrison of Dantzic, and of the -forts and redoubts thereunto belonging, shall leave the town with -their arms and baggage on the 1st of January, 1814, at ten o'clock -in the morning, by the gate of Oliwa, and shall lay down their arms -before the battery of Gottes-Engel, if by that period the blockade of -the garrison of Dantzic is not raised by a corps d'armée, equivalent -in force to the besieging army, or if a treaty concluded between -the belligerent powers shall not by that time have fixed the fate -of the city of Dantzic. The officers shall retain their swords, in -consideration of the vigorous defence and distinguished conduct of -the garrison. The company of the Imperial guard, and a battalion of -six hundred men, shall retain their arms, and shall take with them -two six-pounders, with the ammunition waggons belonging to them. -Twenty-five horsemen shall also preserve their arms and their horses.</p> - -<p><span class="smcap">Art. II.</span> The forts of -Weichselmunde, the Holm, and the intermediate -works shall, together with the keys of the outer gate of Oliwa, be -given up to the combined army, on the morning of the 24th Dec. 1813.</p> - -<p><span class="smcap">Art. III.</span> Immediately -on the signature of the present capitulation, -the fort La Corte, that of Neufahrwasser, with its dependencies, and -the left bank of the -<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_419" id="Page_419">[Pg 419]</a></span> -Vistula, as far as the height of the redoubt -Gudin, and the line of redoubts extending from this last-mentioned -work on the Zigangenberg, as well as the Mowenkrugschantz shall be -surrendered in their present condition, without any deterioration, -into the hands of the besieging army. The bridge which at present -connects the <i>tête-du-pont</i> of Fahrwasser with the fort of -Weichselmunde, shall be removed and placed at the mouth of the -Vistula, between Neufahrwasser and the Nowenkrugschantz.</p> - -<p><span class="smcap">Art. IV.</span> The garrison -of Dantzic shall be prisoners of war, and shall -be escorted to France. The governor, Count Rapp, formally engages that -neither officers nor soldiers shall serve again, until their perfect -exchange, against any of the powers now at war with France. There -shall be drawn up an exact muster-roll of the names of the generals, -officers, and soldiers composing the garrison of Dantzic, without -any exception. There shall be two copies of this roll. Each of the -generals and officers shall sign a promise and give his word of honour -not to serve against Russia or her allies till his perfect exchange. -An exact muster-roll shall be also made of all the soldiers who are -actually under arms, and another of those who are sick or wounded.</p> - -<p><span class="smcap">Art. V.</span> The governor, -Count Rapp, engages to accelerate as much as -possible the exchange of the individuals forming the garrison of -Dantzic, rank for rank, for an equal number of prisoners belonging to -the allied powers. But if, contrary to all expectation, this exchange -should not take place for want of the necessary -<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_420" id="Page_420">[Pg 420]</a></span> -number of Russians, -Austrians, Prussians, or other prisoners belonging to the courts -allied against France, or if the said courts should throw obstacles in -the way of it, then at the end of a year and a day, dating from Jan. -1, 1814, new style, the individuals forming the garrison of Dantzic -shall be released from the formal obligation contracted in Art. IV. -of the present capitulation, and may be again employed by their -government.</p> - -<p><span class="smcap">Art. VI.</span> The Polish troops -and others belonging to the garrison shall -be at full liberty to follow the lot of the French army, and in that -case shall be treated in the same manner, excepting those troops whose -sovereigns may be in alliance with the coalition against his Majesty -the Emperor Napoleon, who shall be forwarded to the states or armies -of their sovereigns, according to the orders which they shall receive -from them, and which orders they shall send officers or messengers to -request, immediately after the signature of the present capitulation. -The Polish and other officers shall give each his word of honour -in writing not to serve against the allied powers till his perfect -exchange, conformably to the explanation given by Art. V.</p> - -<p><span class="smcap">Art. VII.</span> All prisoners, -of whatever nation they may be, who belong -to the powers at war with France, and who are at present in Dantzic, -shall be set at liberty without exchange, and sent to the Russian -advanced posts by the gate Peters-Hagen, on the morning of the 12th of -December, 1813.</p> - -<p><span class="smcap">Art VIII.</span> The sick and wounded belonging to the -<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_421" id="Page_421">[Pg 421]</a></span> -garrison shall be -treated in the same manner, and with the same care as those of the -allied powers; they shall be sent back to France after their perfect -recovery, under the same conditions as the rest of the troops forming -the garrison of Dantzic. A commissary of war, and medical officers -shall be left with these invalids to attend to them and to claim their -removal.</p> - -<p><span class="smcap">Art. IX.</span> As soon as a certain -number of individuals belonging to the -troops of the allied powers shall have been exchanged for an equal -number of individuals belonging to the garrison of Dantzic, then the -latter may consider themselves free from their preceding engagement, -contracted formally in Art. IV. of the present capitulation.</p> - -<p><span class="smcap">Art. X.</span> The troops of -the garrison of Dantzic, with the exception of -those who, according to the terms of Art. VI. are to receive orders -from their sovereigns, shall proceed by ordinary marches in four -columns, at two days march distance one from the other, and according -to the route annexed, and shall be escorted to the advanced posts of -the French army. The garrison of Dantzic shall be supplied on its -march according to the statement annexed. The 1st column shall begin -its march the 2d Jan. 1814; the 2d on the 4th Jan. and so on.</p> - -<p><span class="smcap">Art. XI.</span> All Frenchmen -being non-combatants, and not in the service of -the army, may follow, if they think fit, the troops of the garrison; -but they cannot claim the rations fixed for the soldiery: they -are, moreover, at liberty to dispose of the property which may be -recognized as belonging to them.</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_422" id="Page_422">[Pg 422]</a></span></p> - -<p><span class="smcap">Art. XII.</span> On the 12th -December, 1813, shall be delivered up -to the commissioner appointed by the besieging army, all the -cannon, mortars, &c. &c., arms, military stores, plans, drawings, -sketches, the military chests, all the magazines of every -description, the pontoons, all effects belonging to the engineer -corps, to the marine, to the artillery, to the train, to the -waggon department, &c. &c. without any exception; and a duplicate -inventory shall be made of them, which shall be forwarded to the -chief of the staff of the combined army.</p> - -<p><span class="smcap">Art. XIII.</span> The generals, -officers of the staff, and other -officers, shall retain their baggage, and the horses they are -entitled to under the regulations of the French army, and shall -receive the necessary forage during their march.</p> - -<p><span class="smcap">Art. XIV.</span> All details -respecting the means of conveyance to be -furnished, whether for the sick and wounded, or for the corps and -officers, shall be regulated by the heads of the staff of the two -armies.</p> - -<p><span class="smcap">Art. XV.</span> There shall be -reserved to the senate of Dantzic, the -right of urging on the Emperor Napoleon all its rights to the -liquidation of such debts as may exist on any part, and his -Excellency the governor engages to give those to whom the debts -have been contracted, acknowledgments certifying the justice of -their claims, but under no pretext shall hostages be retained on -account of these debts.</p> - -<p><span class="smcap">Art. XVI.</span> Hostilities of -all kinds shall cease on both sides from the signature of the present treaty.</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_423" id="Page_423">[Pg 423]</a></span></p> - -<p><span class="smcap">Art. XVII.</span> Every article on -which a doubt may arise shall always be interpreted in favour of the garrison.</p> - -<p><span class="smcap">Art. XVIII.</span> Four exact copies -of the present capitulation shall -be made, two in the Russian, and two in the French language, to -be transmitted in duplicate to the two Generals-in-chief.</p> - -<p><span class="smcap">Art. XIX.</span> After the -signature of these official documents the -governor, General Count Rapp, shall be at liberty to send a -courier to his government; he shall be accompanied to the -advanced posts of the French army by a Russian officer.</p> - -<p>Done and agreed to at Langfuhr, this 29th of November, 1813.</p> - -<p class="ac">(Signed,)</p> - -<p class="hanging">The General of Division Count <span class="smcap">Heudelet,</span> -General d'<span class="smcap">Hericourt,</span> Colonel -<span class="smcap">Richemont,</span> Lieutenant-General Chevalier -<span class="smcap">Borozdin,</span> Major-General -<span class="smcap">Welljaminoff,</span> in quality of Head of the Staff, the -Colonel of Engineers <span class="smcap">Manfredi,</span> Colonel of Engineers -<span class="smcap">Pullet.</span></p> - -<p class="ac">Seen and approved,</p> - -<p class="ar smcap">Count Rapp.</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_424" id="Page_424">[Pg 424]</a></span></p> - -<p class="p4 ac noindent"><a name="WURT_4" id="WURT_4"></a><i>Letter from the Duke of - Wurtemberg to General Rapp.</i></p> - -<p class="ar"><i>From my head-quarters at Pelouken, December 23, 1813.<br /> -11 o'clock at night.</i></p> - -<p><span class="smcap">General,</span></p> - -<p><span class="smcap">I</span> am bound to inform -you that I have just received a despatch -from his Imperial Majesty, which acquaints me, that the -capitulation concluded between your Excellency and myself has -been approved by the Emperor; excepting the part which concerns -the return of the garrison to France. Although it does not belong -to me to examine whether an apprehension lest the garrison of -Dantzic might be forced, like that of Thorn, to resume active -service before it should be perfectly exchanged, and after it -should have passed the Rhine, may have had its weight, I am -nevertheless obliged to acquaint your Excellency with the precise -will of his Majesty, being at the same time persuaded that none -of the Generals or Officers, forming part of the brave garrison -of Dantzic, would permit themselves in any case to be wanting -to their engagements, of which I myself would be willingly the -guarantee. His Majesty has also formally authorized me to declare -to you, General, that the garrison shall not be sent into the -distant provinces of Russia, if your Excellency gives up the -fortress without further injury, according to the terms of -<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_425" id="Page_425">[Pg 425]</a></span> the -capitulation. You may choose for your particular abode and for -that of the Generals and Officers, any one of the towns of Revel, -Pleskow, Zaliega and Orel, to remain there till the garrison is -exchanged. Besides, it is understood of itself, that the Generals -and Officers will preserve all the advantages which have been -secured to them under the capitulation. As to what concerns the -Polish troops who are at present in Dantzic, the pleasure of his -Majesty is, that they be sent quietly to their homes on quitting -the fortress, and in like manner the German troops.</p> - -<p>I must believe, General, that your Excellency certainly will not -hesitate to consent to these arrangements, since it is to be -believed that the war will not last a year, and then every one -will immediately return to his own country; and I am so much the -more persuaded that your Excellency will take this determination, -because in the opposite case I should not be able to spare you, -or your garrison, any of the inevitable rigours which a perfectly -useless resistance would carry in its train, the infallible -consequence of which would be transportation of the garrison -to the most distant provinces of the Russian empire, without -the possibility of their enjoying the least of those advantages -which are now perfectly secured to them; together with all the -conveniences necessary for the route stipulated for in the -capitulation.</p> - -<p>If, however, your Excellency, contrary to all expectation, -should take a determination as unexpected as prejudicial to -the interests of the garrison, I will then restore to you, the -day after to-morrow, Saturday, at noon, all -<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_426" id="Page_426">[Pg 426]</a></span> -the works which have been surrendered to the besieging army, except the fort of -Neufahrwasser, since the supreme will of his Majesty is that your -Excellency should previously send out of the fortress all the -German troops at present in Dantzic with their arms and baggage, -as the Confederation of the Rhine exists no longer, and all the -states which composed it have become our allies; and in this -case Neufahrwasser also shall be given up to you immediately and -without the smallest difficulty. I will send also to Dantzic -by the gate of Oliwa, all the stragglers as soon as they shall -have returned; and in the event in question, hostilities shall -recommence the day after they are given up, at nine o'clock in -the morning.</p> - -<p class="ar">(Signed) The Duke of -<span class="smcap">Wurtemberg.</span></p> - -<p>P. S. I beg your Excellency to be so good as to let me have your -answer to-morrow morning. If General Heudelet or any other of -the Generals were sent to my head-quarters, it would infinitely -facilitate the conclusion of an affair which may terminate to -your satisfaction.</p> - -<p>I have written on this subject to his Majesty by a Courier.</p> - - -<p class="p2 ac noindent"><a name="ANSWER_4" id="ANSWER_4"></a>ANSWER</p> - -<p class="smcap">My Lord,</p> - -<p>I made a capitulation with your Royal Highness:—to-day you -announce to me that, without having any respect for it, the -Emperor Alexander orders that the garrison -<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_427" id="Page_427">[Pg 427]</a></span> -of Dantzic shall be sent into Russia as prisoners of war, instead of returning to -France.</p> - -<p>The 10th Corps d'Armée leaves it to Europe, to history, to -posterity, to decide on so extraordinary an infraction of the -faith of treaties, against which I solemnly protest.</p> - -<p>In consequence of these sacred principles, I have the honour to -inform your Royal Highness that, holding strictly to the text of -a capitulation, which I must not consider as annihilated because -it is violated, I will execute it punctually; and that I am ready -this very day to give up to the troops of your Highness, the -forts of Weichselmunde, Napoleon, and the Holm, as well as all -the magazines, and to leave the fortress with my garrison on the -1st of January next.</p> - -<p>At that period, force, and the abuse of power, may drag us to -Russia, to Siberia, or wherever they please. We shall submit to -suffer, to die even if it be necessary, victims of our confidence -in a solemn treaty. The Emperor Napoleon and France are powerful -enough, sooner or later, to avenge us.</p> - -<p>In this state of things, my Lord, there remains no arrangement -for me to make with your Royal Highness; referring myself -entirely to the capitulation of the 29th of November, which, I -repeat, may be infringed, but cannot be annihilated.</p> - -<p class="ar">(Signed,) <span class="smcap">Count Rapp.</span></p> -<p><i>Dantzic, December 23, 1813.</i></p> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_428" id="Page_428">[Pg 428]</a></span></p> - - -<p class="p4 ac noindent"><a name="RAPP_2" id="RAPP_2"></a><i>Letter from Count Rapp to - the Duke of Wurtemberg.</i></p> - - -<p class="smcap">My Lord,</p> - -<p>My aide-de-camp delivered to me yesterday the letter which your -Royal Highness has done me the honour to address to me.</p> - -<p>By your return of the letter which you received from me, I -imagine your Royal Highness imputes to me exasperated feelings. -Your Highness does not render me justice: I have been a soldier -twenty-two years; I am habituated to good and to evil fortune.</p> - -<p>Your Highness does me the honour to say, that it was quite to -be expected that the Emperor Alexander should have the power -of ratifying, or not ratifying, the capitulation. Either your -Highness was furnished with full powers or you were not; under -the last supposition my conduct would have been very different -from what it has been.</p> - -<p>Marshal Kalkreuth, after a very short defence, obtained a very -honourable capitulation. I even recollect that the Emperor -Napoleon, who was not twenty leagues from the fortress, was -dissatisfied with it, but he would not put his commander-in-chief -in an unpleasant position by annulling the capitulation. It was -impossible to perform it with more fidelity and delicacy than -it was executed with, by Marshal Lefebvre and myself. Marshal -Kalkreuth is still living, and has preserved the remembrance -of our proceedings. There are Prussian -<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_429" id="Page_429">[Pg 429]</a></span> -officers at your head-quarters who can also bear witness to them.</p> - -<p>Your Highness does me the honour to say that his Majesty orders -that all things shall be put upon their previous footing, if I -wish to recommence hostilities. Your Highness knows perfectly -well that the advantages were at the time of entering on the -capitulation on our side, for you had constantly made us offers -which you pretended to be favourable; you know that now it is -quite the contrary: this assertion stands in no need of proofs.</p> - -<p>Besides, my Lord, it is you who have always proposed to me -to enter into an arrangement to stop the effusion of blood; -offering, as the fundamental condition, our return to France. The -correspondence of your Highness attests this fact.</p> - -<p>Your Highness knows well in what situation we are placed, and -that it is altogether impossible, in all respects, to prolong our -defence. The choice which you leave me becomes perfectly illusory.</p> - -<p>I pray your Highness to cause to be occupied to-day -Weichselmunde, the Holm, and the intermediate works. I have only -left in them small detachments to prevent waste. I desire also -that your Highness will send commissaries to receive inventories -of our magazines of all kinds. I attach importance to this, that -there may be no complaints, and that we may not be reproached -with having deteriorated any thing; not in the fear of going to -Russia with fewer conveniences, which your Highness -<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_430" id="Page_430">[Pg 430]</a></span> -insists on in your letter, but through the desire of religiously fulfilling -all my engagements.</p> - -<p>I have the honour again to declare to your Highness, that -the garrison of Dantzic will leave the fortress on the 1st -of January, in the morning, in execution of Art. I. of the -capitulation of November 29; to which I entirely adhere, and -to which it is quite useless to add any other arrangement. -Circumstances will, after the evacuation, place us entirely at -the disposal of your Highness.</p> - -<p class="ac">I have the honour, &c.</p> - -<p class="ar"><span class="smcap">Count Rapp.</span></p> - - -<p class="p4 ac noindent"><a name="SAME" id="SAME"></a>TO THE SAME</p> - - -<p class="ar"><i>December 26, 1813.</i></p> - -<p class="smcap">My Lord,</p> - -<p>General Manfredi has delivered to me your Royal Highness's letter -of yesterday, the 25th instant. Having had already the honour to -treat with you on the first articles of this letter, the last is -the only one that seems to require an answer. Your Royal Highness -declares to me that you cannot allow me to leave Dantzic without -a previous arrangement. On my part, thinking it impossible to -open again the capitulation of November 29, approved of by your -Royal Highness and by me, I have the honour to declare that, -having no means of prolonging my defence, I put myself from the -31st of December at your disposal, together with the troops under -my orders. This arrangement, my Lord, is very simple: it -<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_431" id="Page_431">[Pg 431]</a></span> -is for your Royal Highness to regulate the fate of the garrison.</p> - -<p>I content myself with recommending to your generosity, the -soldiers, especially those who, by their infirmities and wounds, -more particularly claim my solicitude.</p> - -<p>I recommend to you also the non-combatants, the women, the -children, and the Frenchmen, resident in Dantzic.</p> - -<p class="ar">(Signed,) <span class="smcap">Count Rapp.</span></p> -</div> - -<p class="p4 ac">THE END.</p> - - -<p class="p4 ac smaller">LONDON:<br /> -PRINTED BY S. AND R. BENTLEY, DORSET STREET.</p> - - -<div class="transnote p2"> - <h3>Transcriber's Note:</h3> - <ul> - <li>The original spelling, hyphenation, and punctuation have been retained, - with the exception of apparent typographical errors which have been - corrected.</li> - <li>Ambiguous hyphens at the ends of lines were retained.</li> - <li>Errors corrected: - <ul> - <li>Charlottemberg (p. iii) and Charlottemburgh (pp. 96, 98) changed to - Charlottenburg.</li> - <li>Wittemberg (p. 90) changed to Wittenberg.</li> - <li>Cremen (p. 102) changed to Bremen.</li> - <li>Konigsberg (pp. iv, 162, 168, 218) changed to Kœnigsberg.</li> - <li>Saint-Albretch (p. 324) changed to Saint-Albrecht</li> - <li>Weljaminoff (p. 423) changed to Welljaminoff.</li> - </ul> - </li> - </ul> -</div> - - - - - - - - -<pre> - - - - - -End of the Project Gutenberg EBook of Memoirs of General Count Rapp, First -aide-de-camp to Napoleon, by Jean Comte Rapp - -*** END OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK GENERAL COUNT RAPP *** - -***** This file should be named 55153-h.htm or 55153-h.zip ***** -This and all associated files of various formats will be found in: - http://www.gutenberg.org/5/5/1/5/55153/ - -Produced by MFR, Christian Boissonnas and the Online -Distributed Proofreading Team at http://www.pgdp.net (This -file was produced from images generously made available -by The Internet Archive) - - -Updated editions will replace the previous one--the old editions will -be renamed. - -Creating the works from print editions not protected by U.S. copyright -law means that no one owns a United States copyright in these works, -so the Foundation (and you!) can copy and distribute it in the United -States without permission and without paying copyright -royalties. 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