InreadingthehistoryofthisperiodwefindthatinwhateverplaceNapoleonhappenedtobe,therewasthecentralpointofaction.TheaffairsofEuropewerearrangedathisheadquartersinthesamemannerasifhehadbeeninParis.Everythingdependedonhisgoodorbadfortune.
Espionage,seduction,falsepromises,exactions,——allwereputinforcetopromotethesuccessofhisprojects;buthisdespotism,whichexciteddissatisfactioninFrance,andhiscontinualaggressions,whichthreatenedtheindependenceofforeignStates,renderedhimmoreandmoreunpopulareverywhere.
ThebattleofTrafalgartookplacewhileNapoleonwasmarchingonVienna,andonthedayafterthecapitulationofUlm.ThesoutherncoastofSpainthenwitnessedanengagementbetweenthirty—oneFrenchandaboutanequalnumberofEnglishships,andinspiteofthisequalityofforcetheFrenchfleetwasdestroyed.——[Theactualforcespresentwere27Englishshipsofthelineand38Franco—Spanishshipsoftheline;seeJames’
NavalHistory,vol.iii.p.459.]
Thisgreatbattleaffordedanotherproofofournavalinferiority.
AdmiresCalderfirstgaveusthelessonwhichNelsoncompleted,butwhichcostthelatterhislife.AccordingtothereportswhichDuroctransmittedtome,couragegavemomentaryhopetotheFrench;buttheywereatlengthforcedtoyieldtothesuperiornavaltacticsoftheenemy.ThebattleofTrafalgarparalysedournavalforce,andbanishedallhopeofanyattemptagainstEngland.
ThefavourwhichtheKing,ofPrussiahadshowntoDurocwaswithdrawnwhenhisMajestyreceivedintelligenceofthemarchofBernadotte’stroopsthroughtheMargravateofAnspach.AllaccountsconcurredrespectingthejustumbragewhichthatviolationofterritoryoccasionedtotheKingofPrussia.TheagentswhomIhadinthatquarteroverwhelmedmewithreportsoftheexcessescommittedbytheFrenchinpassingthroughtheMargravate.AletterIreceivedfromDuroccontainsthefollowingremarksonthissubject:
ThecorpsofMarshalBernadottehaspassedthroughAnapachandbysomemisunderstandingthishasbeenregardedatBerlinasaninsulttotheKing,aviolencecommitteduponhisneutrality.Howcanitbesupposed,especiallyunderpresentcircumstances,thattheEmperorcouldhaveanyintentionofinsultingorcommittingviolenceuponhisfriend?Besides,thereportshavebeenexaggerated,andhavebeenmadebypersonswhowishtofavourourenemiesratherthanus.However,IamperfectlyawarethatMarshalBernadotte’s70,000
menarenot70,000virgins.Bethisasitmay,thebusinessmighthavebeenfatal,andwill,atallevents,beveryinjurioustous.
LaforeatandIaretreatedveryharshly,thoughwedonotdeserveit.Alltheidlestoriesthathavebeengotupheremusthavereachedyou.ProbablyPrussiawillnotforgetthatFrancewas,andstillmaybe,theonlypowerinterestedinhergloryandaggrandisement.
AttheendofOctobertheKingofPrussia,farfromthinkingofwar,butincaseofitsoccurrencewishingtocheckitsdisastersasfaraspossible,proposedtoestablishalineofneutrality.ThiswasthefirstideaoftheConfederationoftheNorth.Duroc,fearinglesttheRussiansshouldenterHamburg,advisedme,asafriend,toadoptprecautions.ButIwasonthespot;Iknewallthemovementthelittledetachedcorps,andIwasundernoapprehension.
TheeditoroftheHamburg’Correspondent’sentmeeveryeveningaproofofthenumberwhichwastoappearnextday,——afavourwhichwasgrantedonlytotheFrenchMinister.Onthe20thofNovemberIreceivedtheproofasusual,andsawnothingobjectionableinit.Howgreat,therefore,wasmyastonishmentwhennextmorningIreadinthesamejournalanarticlepersonallyinsultingtotheEmperor,andinwhichthelegitimatesovereignsofEuropewerecalledupontoundertakeacrusadeagainsttheusurperetc.IimmediatelysentforM.Doormann,firstSyndicoftheSenateofHamburg.WhenheappearedhismortifiedlooksufficientlyinformedmethatheknewwhatIhadtosaytohim.I
reproachedhimsharply,andaskedhimhow,afterallIhadtoldhimoftheEmperor’ssusceptibility,hecouldpermittheinsertionofsuchanarticle.Iobservedtohimthatthisindecorousdiatribehadnoofficialcharacter,sinceithadnosignature;andthat,therefore,hehadactedindirectoppositiontoadecreeoftheSenate,whichprohibitedtheinsertioninthejournalsofanyarticleswhichwerenotsigned.Itoldhimplainlythathisimprudencemightbeattendedwithseriousconsequences.M.Doormanndidnotattempttojustifyhimaeltbutmerelyexplainedtomehowthethinghadhappened.
Onthe20thofNovember,intheevening,M.Forshmann,theRussiancharged’affaireswhohadinthecourseofthedayarrivedfromtheRussianheadquarterspresentedtotheeditoroftheCorrespondentthearticleinquestion.Theeditor,afterreadingthearticle,whichhethoughtexceedinglyindecorous,observedtoM.Forshmannthathispaperwasalreadymadeup,whichwasthefact,forIhadseenaproof.
M.Forshmann,however,insistedontheinsertionofthearticle.TheeditorthentoldhimthathecouldnotadmititwithouttheapprobationoftheSyndicCensor.M.ForshmannimmediatelywaiteduponM.Doormann,andwhenthelatterbeggedthathewouldnotinsistontheinsertionofthearticle,M.ForshmannproducedaletterwritteninFrench,which,amongotherthings,containedthefollowing:\"YouwillgettheenclosedarticleinsertedintheCorrespondentwithoutsufferingasinglewordtobealtered.Shouldthecensorrefuse,youmustapplytothedirectingBurgomaster,and,incaseofhisrefusal,toGeneralTolstoy,whowilldevisesomemeansofrenderingtheSenatemorecomplying,andforcingittoobserveanimpartialdeference.\"
M.Doorman,thinkinghecouldnottakeuponhimselftoallowtheinsertionofthearticle,went,accompaniedbyM.Forshmann,towaituponM.VonGraffen,thedirectingBurgomaster.MM.DoormanandVonGraffenearnestlypointedouttheimproprietyofinsertingthearticle;butM.
Forshmannreferredtohisorder,andaddedthatthecomplianceoftheSenateonthispointwastheonlymeansofavoidinggreatmischief.TheBurgomasterandtheSyndic,findingthemselvesthusforcedtoadmitthearticle,entreatedthatthefollowingpassageatleastmightbesuppressed:\"Iknowacertainchief,who,indefianceofalllawsdivineandhuman,——incontemptofthehatredheinspiresinEurope,aswellasamongthosewhomhehasreducedtobehissubjects,keepspossessionofausurpedthronebyviolenceandcrime.HisinsatiableambitionwouldsubjectallEuropetohisrule.Butthetimeiscomeforavengingtherightsofnations\"M.Forshmannagainreferredtohisorders,andwithsomedegreeofviolenceinsistedontheinsertionofthearticleinitscompleteform.TheBurgomasterthenauthorisedtheeditoroftheCorrespondenttoprintthearticlethatnight,andM.Forshmann,havingobtainedthatauthority,carriedthearticletotheofficeathalf—pasteleveno’clock.
SuchwastheaccountgivenmebyM.Doormann.IobservedthatIdidnotunderstandhowtheimaginaryapprehensionofanyviolenceonthepartofRussiashouldhaveinducedhimtoadmitsoinsolentanattackuponthemostpowerfulsovereigninEurope,whosearmswouldsoondictatelawstoGermany.TheSyndicdidnotdissemblehisfearoftheEmperor’sresentment,whileatthesametimeheexpressedahopethattheEmperorwouldtakeintoconsiderationtheextremedifficultyofasmallpowermaintainingneutralityintheextraordinarycircumstancesinwhichHamburgwasplaced,andthatthearticlesmightbesaidtohavebeenpresentedalmostatthepointoftheCossacks’spears.M.Doormannaddedthatarefusal,whichworldhavebroughtRussiantroopstoHamburg,mighthavebeenattendedbyveryunpleasantconsequencestome,andmighthavecommittedtheSenateinaverydifferentway.Ibeggedofhim,onceforall,tosetasideintheseaffairsallconsiderationofmypersonaldanger:andtheSyndic,afteraconversationofmorethantwohours,departedmoreuneasyinhismindthanwhenhearrived,andconjuringmetogiveafaithfulreportofthefactsastheyhadhappened.
M.Doormannwasaveryworthyman,andIgaveafavourablerepresentationofhisexcusesandofthereadinesswhichhehadalwaysevincedtokeepoutoftheCorrespondentarticleshostiletoFrance;as,forexample,thecommencementofaproclamationoftheEmperorofGermanytohissubjects,andacompleteproclamationoftheKingofSweden.Asithappened,thegoodSyndicescapedwithnothingworsethanafright;Iwasmyselfastonishedatthesuccessofmyintercession.IlearnedfromtheMinisterforForeignAffairsthattheEmperorwasfuriouslyindignantonreadingthearticle,inwhichtheFrencharmywasoutragedaswellashe.
Indeed,hepaidbutlittleattentiontoinsultsdirectedagainsthimselfpersonally.Theireternalrepetitionhadinuredhimtothem;butattheideaofhisarmybeinginsultedhewasviolentlyenraged,andutteredthemostterriblethreats.
ItisworthyofremarkthattheSwedishandEnglishMinisters,assoonastheyreadthearticle,waitedupontheeditoroftheCorrespondent,andexpressedtheirastonishmentthatsuchalibelshouldhavebeenpublished.\"Victoriousarmies,\"saidthey,\"shouldbeansweredbycannonballsandnotbyinsultsasgrossastheyareridiculous.\"ThisopinionwassharedbyalltheforeignersatthattimeinHamburg.
CHAPTERXXXIV.
1805
DifficultiesofmysituationatHamburg——Toilandresponsibility——
Supervisionoftheemigrants——ForeignMinisters——Journals——PacketfromStrasburg——BonapartefondofnarratingGiulio,anextemporerecitationofastorycomposedbytheEmperor.
ThebriefdetailIhavegiveninthetwoorthreeprecedingchaptersoftheeventswhichoccurredpreviouslytoandduringthecampaignofAusterlitz,withthelettersofDurocandBernadotte,mayaffordthereadersomeideaofmysituationduringtheearlypartofmyresidenceinHamburg.Eventssucceededeachotherwithsuchincrediblerapidityastorendermylabourexcessive.Myoccupationsweredifferent,butnotlesslaborious,thanthosewhichIformerlyperformedwhenneartheEmperor;
and,besides,IwasnowloadedwitharesponsibilitywhichdidnotattachtomeastheprivatesecretaryofGeneralBonaparteandtheFirstConsul.
Ihad,infact,tomaintainaconstantwatchovertheemigrantsinAltona,whichwasnoeasymatter——tocorresponddailywiththeMinisterforForeignAffairsandtheMinisterofPolice——toconferwiththeforeignMinistersaccreditedatHamburg——tomaintainactiverelationswiththecommandersoftheFrencharmy——tointerrogatemysecretagents,andkeepastrictsurveillanceovertheirproceedings;itwas,besides,necessarytobeunceasinglyonthewatchforscurrilousarticlesagainstNapoleonintheHamburg’Corespondent’.Ishallfrequentlyhaveoccasiontospeakofallthesethings,andespeciallyofthemostmarkedemigrants,inamannerlessirregular,becausewhatIhavehithertosaidmay,insomesort,beconsideredmerelyasasummaryofallthefactsrelatingtotheoccurrenceswhichdailypassedbeforemyeyes.
InthemidstofthesemultifariousandweightyoccupationsIreceivedapacketwiththeStrasburgpostmarkatthetimetheEmpresswasinthatcity.Thispackethadnottheusualformofadiplomaticdespatch,andthesuperscriptionannouncedthatitcamefromtheresidenceofJosephine.Myreaders,Iventuretopresume,willnotexperiencelessgratificationthanIdidonaperusalofitscontents,whichwillbefoundattheendofthischapter;butbeforesatisfyingthecuriositytowhichIhaveperhapsgivenbirth,ImayhererelatethatoneofthepeculiaritiesofBonapartewasafondnessofextemporenarration;anditappearshehadnotdiscontinuedthepracticeevenafterhebecameEmperor.
Infact,Bonaparte,duringthefirstyearafterhiselevationtotheImperialthrone,usuallypassedthoseeveningsintheapartmentsoftheEmpresswhichhecouldstealfrompublicbusiness.Throwinghimselfonasofa,hewouldremainabsorbedingloomysilence,whichnoonedaredtointerrupt.Sometimes,however,onthecontrary,hewouldgivethereinstohisvividimaginationandhisloveofthemarvelous,or,tospeakmorecorrectly,hisdesiretoproduceeffect,whichwasperhapsoneofhisstrongestpassions,andwouldrelatelittleromances,whichwerealwaysofafearfuldescriptionandinunisonwiththenaturalturnofhisideas.Duringthoserecitalstheladies—in—waitingwerealwayspresent,tooneofwhomIamindebtedforthefollowingstory,whichshehadwrittennearlyinthewordsofNapoleon.\"Never,\"saidthisladyinherlettertome,\"didtheEmperorappearmoreextraordinary.Ledawaybythesubject,hepacedthesalonwithhastystrides;theintonationsofhisvoicevariedaccordingtothecharactersofthepersonageshebroughtonthescene;heseemedtomultiplyhimselfinordertoplaythedifferentparts,andnopersonneededtofeigntheterrorwhichhereallyinspired,andwhichhelovedtoseedepictedinthecountenancesofthosewhosurroundedhim.\"InthistaleIhavemadenoalterations,ascanbeattestedbythosewho,tomyknowledge,haveacopyofit.ItiscurioustocomparetheimpassionedportionsofitwiththestyleofNapoleoninsomeofthelettersaddressedtoJosephine.
EndofTheMemoirsofNapoleon,V8,1805
byLouisAntoineFauveletdeBourrienneMemoirsofNapoleonBonaparte,V9
byLouisAntoineFauveletdeBourrienneHisPrivateSecretaryEditedbyR.W.PhippsColonel,LateRoyalArtillery1891
CONTENTS:
CHAPTERI.toCHAPTERX.1805—1807
CHAPTERI.
1805.
AbolitionoftheRepublicancalendar——WarlikepreparationsinAustria——Planforre—organizingtheNationalGuard——NapoleoninStrasburg——GeneralMack——Proclamation——CaptainBernard’sreconnoiteringmission——TheEmperor’spretendedangerandrealsatisfaction——InformationrespectingRagusacommunicatedbyBernard——Rapidanddeservedpromotion——GeneralBernard’sretirementtotheUnitedStatesofAmerica.
IhadbeenthreemonthsatHamburgwhenIlearnedthattheEmperorhadatlastresolvedtoabolishtheonlyremainingmemorialoftheRepublic,namely,therevolutionarycalendar.Thatcalendarwasindeedanabsurdinnovation,forthenewdenominationsofthemonthswerenotapplicableinallplaces,eveninFrance;thecornofProvencedidnotwaittobeopenedbythesunofthemonthofMessidor.Onthe9thofSeptembera’Senates—consulte’decreedthatonthe1stofJanuaryfollowingthemonthsanddaysshouldresumetheirownnames.IreadwithmuchinterestLaplace’sreporttotheSenate,andmustconfessIwasverygladtoseetheGregoriancalendaragainacknowledgedbylaw,asithadalreadybeenacknowledgedinfact.Frenchmeninforeigncountriesexperiencedparticularinconveniencefromtheadoptionofasystemdifferentfromalltherestoftheworld.
AfewdaysaftertherevivaloftheoldcalendartheEmperordepartedforthearmy.WhenatHamburgitmaywellbesupposedthatIwasanxioustoobtainnews,andIreceivedplentyfromtheinteriorofGermanyandfromsomefriendsinParis.ThiscorrespondenceenablesmetopresenttomyreadersacomprehensiveandaccuratepictureofthestateofpublicaffairsuptothetimewhenNapoleontookthefield.Ihavealreadymentionedhowartfullyhealwaysmadeitappearthathewasanxiousforpeace,andthathewasalwaysthepartyattacked;his,conductprevioustothefirstconquestofViennaaffordsastrikingexampleofthisartifice.ItwasprettyevidentthatthetransformationoftheCisalpineRepublicintothekingdomofItaly,andtheunionofGenoatoFrancewereinfractionsoftreaties;yettheEmperor,nevertheless,pretendedthataLltheinfractionswerecommittedbyAustria.Thetruthis,thatAustriawasraisingleviesassecretlyaspossible,andcollectinghertroopsonthefrontiersofBavaria.AnAustriancorpsevenpenetratedintosomeprovincesoftheElectorate;allthisaffordedNapoleonapretestforgoingtotheaidofhisallies.
InthememorablesittingprecedinghisdeparturetheEmperorpresentedaprojectofa’Senatus—consulte’relativetothere—organisationoftheNationalGuard.TheMinisterforForeignAffairsreadanexplanationofthereciprocalconductofFranceandAustriasincethepeaceofLuneville,inwhichtheoffencesofFrancewereconcealedwithwonderfulskill.BeforethesittingbrokeuptheEmperoraddressedthemembers,statingthathewasabouttoleavethecapitaltoplacehimselfattheheadofthearmytoaffordpromptsuccourtohisallies,anddefendthedearestinterestsofhispeople.Heboastedofhiswishtopreservepeace,whichAustriaandRussia,ashealleged,had,throughtheinfluenceofEngland,beeninducedtodisturb.
ThisaddressproducedaverypowerfulimpressioninHamburg.Formypart,IrecognisedinitNapoleon’susualboastingstrain;butonthisoccasioneventsseemedbentonjustifyingit.TheEmperormaycertainlyhaveperformedmorescientificcampaignsthanthatofAusterlitz,butneveranymoregloriousinresults.Everythingseemedtopartakeofthemarvellous,andIhaveoftenthoughtofthesecretjoywhichBonapartemusthavefeltonseeinghimselfatlastanthepointofcommencingagreatwarinGermany,forwhichhehadsooftenexpressedanardentdesire.HeproceededfirsttoStrasburg,whitherJosephineaccompaniedhim.
AllthereportsthatIreceivedagreedwiththestatementsofmyprivatecorrespondenceindescribingtheincredibleenthusiasmwhichprevailedinthearmyonlearningthatitwastomarchintoGermany.ForthefirsttimeNapoleonhadrecoursetoanexpeditiousmodeoftransport,and20,000carriagesconveyedhisarmy,asifbyenchantment,fromtheshoresoftheChanneltothebanksoftheRhine.Theideaofanactivecampaignfiredtheambitionofthejuniorpartofthearmy.Alldreamedofglory,andofspeedypromotion,andallhopedtodistinguishthemselvesbeforetheeyesofachiefwhowasidolisedbyhistroops.ThusduringhisshortstayatStrasburgtheEmperormightwithreasonprophesythesuccesswhichcrownedhiseffortsunderthewallsofVienna.
Rapp,whoaccompaniedhim,informedmethatonleavingStrasburgheobserved,inthepresenceofseveralpersons,\"ItwillbesaidthatI
madeMack’splanofcampaignforhim.TheCaudineForksareatUlm.\"
——[ThisallusiontotheCaudineForkswasalwaysinNapoleon’smouthwhenhesawanenemy’sarmyconcentratedonapoint,andforesawitsdefeat——Bourrienne.]——
ExperienceprovedthatBonapartewasnotdeceived;butIoughtonthisoccasiontocontradictacalumniousreportcirculatedatthattime,andsincemaliciouslyrepeated.IthasbeensaidthatthereexistedanunderstandingbetweenMackandBonaparte,andthatthegeneralwasboughtovertodeliverupthegatesofUlm.Ihavereceivedpositiveproofthatthisassertionisascandalousfalsehood;andtheonlythingthatcouldgiveitweightwasNapoleon’sintercessionafterthecampaignthatMackmightnotbeputonhistrial.InthisintercessionNapoleonwasactuatedonlybyhumanity.
OntakingthefieldNapoleonplacedhimselfattheheadoftheBavarians,withwhombeopposedtheenemy’sarmybeforethearrivalofhisowntroops.Assoonastheywereassembledhepublishedthefollowingproclamation,whichstillfurtherexcitedtheardourofthetroops.
SOLDIERS——Thewarofthethirdcoalitioniscommenced.TheAustrianarmyhaspassedtheInn,violatedtreaties,attackedanddrivenourallyfromhiscapital.Youyourselveshavebeenobligedtohasten,byforcedmarches,tothedefenceofourfrontiers.ButyouhavenowpassedtheRhine;andwewillnotstoptillwehavesecuredtheindependenceoftheGermanicbody,succouredourallies,andhumbledtheprideofourunjustassailants.Wewillnotagainmakepeacewithoutasufficientguarantee!Ourgenerosityshallnotagainwrongourpolicy.Soldiers,yourEmperorisamongyou!Youarebuttheadvancedguardofthegreatpeople.Ifitbenecessarytheywillallriseatmycalltoconfoundanddissolvethisnewleague,whichhasbeencreatedbythemaliceandthegoldofEngland.
But,soldiers,weshallhaveforcedmarchestomake,fatiguesandprivationsofeverykindtoendure.Still,whateverobstaclesmaybeopposedtous,wewillconquerthem;andwewillneverrestuntilwehaveplantedoureaglesontheterritoryofourenemies!
Intheconfidentialnotesofhisdiplomaticagents,inhisspeeches,andinhisproclamations,Napoleonalwaysdescribedhimselfastheattackedparty,andperhapshisveryearnestnessinsodoingsufficedtorevealthetruthtoallthosewhohadlearnedtoreadhisthoughtsdifferentlyfromwhathiswordsexpressedthem.
AtthecommencementofthecampaignofAusterlitzacircumstanceoccurredfromwhichistobedatedthefortuneofaverymeritoriousman.WhiletheEmperorwasatStrasburgheaskedGeneralMarescot,thecommander—in—
chiefoftheengineers,whetherhecouldrecommendfromhiscorpsabrave,prudent,andintelligentyoungofficer,capableofbeingentrustedwithanimportantreconnoiteringmission.TheofficerselectedbyGeneralMarescotwasacaptainintheengineers,namedBernard,whohadbeeneducatedinthePolytechnicSchool.Hesetoffonhismission,advancedalmosttoVienna,andreturnedtotheheadquartersoftheEmperoratthecapitulationofUlm.
Bonaparteinterrogatedhimhimself,andwaswellsatisfiedwithhisreplies;but,notcontentwithansweringverballythequestionsputbyNapoleon,CaptainBernardhaddrawnupareportofwhatheobserved,andthedifferentrouteswhichmightbetaken.AmongotherthingsheobservedthatitwouldbeagreatadvantagetodirectthewholearmyuponVienna,withoutregardtothefortifiedplaces;forthat,oncemasterofthecapitalofAustria,theEmperormightdictatelawstoalltheAustrianmonarchy.\"Iwaspresent,\"saidRapptome,\"atthisyoungofficer’sinterviewwiththeEmperor.Afterreadingthereport,wouldyoubelievethattheEmperorflewintoafuriouspassion?’How!’criedhe,’youareverybold,verypresumptuous!Ayoungofficertotakethelibertyoftracingoutaplanofcampaignforme!Begone,andawaitmyorders.’\"
This,andsomeothercircumstanceswhichIshallhavetoaddrespectingCaptainBernard,completelyrevealNapoleon’scharacter.RapptoldmethatassoonastheyoungofficerhadlefttheEmperorallatoncechangedhistone.\"That,\"saidhe,\"isacleveryoungman;hehastakenaproperviewofthings.Ishallnotexposehimtothechanceofbeingshot.PerhapsIshallsometimewanthisservices.TellBerthiertodespatchanorderforhisdepartureforElyria.\"
Thisorderwasdespatched,andCaptainBernard,who,likehiscomrades,wasardentlylookingforwardtotheapproachingcampaign,regardedasapunishmentwhatwas,ontheEmperor’spart,aprecautiontopreserveayoungmanwhosemeritheappreciated.Atthecloseofthecampaign,whentheEmperorpromotedthoseofficerswhohaddistinguishedthemselves,Bernard,whowasthoughttobeindisgrace,wasnotincludedinBerthier’slistamongthecaptainsofengineerswhomherecommendedtotherankofchefdebataillon;butNapoleonhimselfinscribedBernard’snamebeforealltherest.However,theEmperorforgothimforsometime;
anditwasonlyanaccidentalcircumstancethatbroughthimtohisrecollection.IneverhadanypersonalacquaintancewithBernard,butI
learnedfromRapp,howheafterwardsbecamehiscolleagueasaidedecamptotheEmperor;acircumstancewhichIshallnowrelate,thoughitreferstoalaterperiod.
BeforetheEmperorleftParisforthecampaignof1812hewishedtogainpreciseinformationrespectingRagusaandElyria.HesentforMarmont,butwasnotsatisfiedwithhisanswers.Hetheninterrogatedseveralothergenerals,buttheresultofhisinquiriesalwayswas,\"Thisisallverywell;butitisnotwhatIwant.IdonotknowRagusa.\"HethensentforGeneralDejean,whohadsucceededM.deMarescotasfirstinspectoroftheEngineers.
\"Haveyouanyoneamongyourofficers,\"heasked,\"whoiswellacquaintedwithRagusa?\"Dejean,afteralittlereflection,replied,\"Sire,thereisachefdebataillonwhohasbeenalongtimeforgotten,butwhoknowsElyriaperfectly.\"——\"What’shisDame?\"——\"Bernard.\"——\"Ah!stop
Bernard!Irememberthatname.Whereishe?\"——\"AtAntwerp,Sire,employedonthefortifications.\"——\"Letatelegraphicdespatchbeimmediately,transmitted,——[bysemaphorearms.]——desiringhimtomounthishorseandcomewithallspeedtoParis.\"
ThepromptitudewithwhichtheEmperor’sorderswerealwaysexecutediswellknown.AfewdaysafterCaptainBernardwasintheEmperor’scabinetinParis.Napoleonreceivedhimverygraciously.Thefirstthinghesaidwas,\"TalktomeaboutRagusa.\"Thiswasafavouritemodeofinterrogationwithhiminsimilarcases,andIhaveheardhimsaythatitwasasurewayofdrawingoutallthatamanhadobservedinanycountrythathehadvisited.Bethatasitmay,hewasperfectlysatisfiedwithM.Bernard’sinformationrespectingElyria;andwhenthechefdebataillonhadfinishedspeakingNapoleonsaid,\"ColonelBernard,IamnowacquaintedwithRagusa.\"TheEmperorafterwardsconversedfamiliarlywithhim,enteredintodetailsrespectingthesystemoffortificationadoptedatAntwerp,referredtotheplanoftheworks,criticisedit,andshowedhowhewould,ifhebesiegedthetown,renderthemeansofdefenceunavailing.ThenewColonelexplainedsowellhowhewoulddefendthetownagainsttheEmperor’sattackthatBonapartewasdelighted,andimmediatelybestowedupon,theyoungofficeramarkofdistinctionwhich,asfarasIknow,henevergrantedbutuponthatsingleoccasion.TheEmperorwasgoingtopresideattheCouncilofState,anddesiredColonelBernardtoaccompanyhim,andmanytimesduringthesittingsbeaskedhimforhisopinionuponthepointswhichwereunderdiscussion.OnleavingtheCouncilNapoleonsaid,\"Bernard,youareinfuturemyaidedecamp.\"AfterthecampaignhewasmadeGeneralofBrigade,soonafterGeneralofDivision,andnowheisacknowledgedtobeoneoftheablestengineerofficersinexistence.
Clarke’ssillyconductdeprivedFranceofthisdistinguishedman,whorefusedthebrilliantoffersofseveralsovereignsofEuropeforthesakeofretiringtotheUnitedStatesofAmerica,wherehecommandstheEngineers,andhasconstructedfortificationsonthecoastoftheFloridaswhichareconsideredbyengineerstobemasterpiecesofmilitaryart.
CHAPTERII.
1805.
RapidityofNapoleon’svictories——MuratatWertingen——ConquestofNey’sduchy——TheFrencharmybeforeUlm——ThePrinceofLiechtensteinattheImperialheadquarters——HisinterviewwithNapoleondescribedbyRapp——CapitulationofUlmsignedbyBerthierandMack——Napoleonbeforeandafteravictory——Hisaddresstothecaptivegenerals——
TheEmperor’sproclamation——TenthousandprisonerstakenbyMurat——
BattleofCaldieroinItaly——LetterfromDuroc——AttemptstoretardtheEmperor’sprogress——FruitlessmissionofM.deGiulay——ThefirstFrencheaglestakenbytheRussians——BoldadventureofLannesandMurat——TheFrenchenterVienna——Savary’smissiontotheEmperorAlexander.
Toconveyanideaofthebrilliantcampaignof1805fromanabstractofthereportsandlettersIreceivedatHamburgIshould,likethealmanac—
makers,beobligedtonotedownavictoryforeveryday.WasnottherapidityoftheEmperor’sfirstoperationsathinghithertounprecedented?HedepartedfromParisonthe24thofSeptember,andhostilitiescommencedonthe2dofOctober.Onthe6thand7ththeFrenchpassedtheDanube,andturnedtheenemy’sarmy.Onthe8thMurat,atthebattleofWertingen,ontheDanube,took2000Austrianprisoners,amongstwhom,besidesothergeneralofficers,wasCountAuffemberg.
NextdaytheAustriansfellbackuponGunsburg,retreatingbeforeourvictoriouslegions,who,pursuingtheirtriumphalcourse,enteredAugsburgonthe10th,andMunichonthe12th.WhenIreceivedmydespatchesIcouldhavefanciedIwasreadingafabulousnarrative.TwodaysaftertheFrenchenteredMunich——thatistosay,onthe14th——anAustriancorpsof6000mensurrenderedtoMarshalSoultatMemingen,whilstNeyconquered,swordinhand,hisfutureDuchyofElchingen.
Finally,onthe17thofOctober,camethefamouscapitulationofGeneralMackatUlm,’andonthesamedayhostilitiescommencedinItalybetweentheFrenchandAustrians,theformercommandedbyMassenaandthelatterbyPrinceCharles.
——[PrinceMauriceLiechtensteinwassentbyGeneralMackasaflagoftrucetotheImperialheadquartersbeforeUlm.Hewas,accordingtocustom,ledblindfoldonhorseback.Rapp,whowaspresent,togetherwithseveralofNapoleon’saidesdecamp,afterwardsspoketomeofthePrince’sinterviewwiththeEmperor.IthinkhetoldmethatBerthierwaspresentlikewise.\"Picturetoyourself,\"saidRapp,\"theastonishment,orratherconfusion,ofthepoorPrincewhenthebandagewasremovedfromhiseyes.Heknewnothingofwhathadbeengoingon,anddidnotevensuspectthattheEmperorhadyetjoinedthearmy.WhenheunderstoodthathewasinthepresenceofNapoleonhecouldnotsuppressanexclamationofsurprise,whichdidnotescapetheEmperor,andheingenuouslyacknowledgedthatGeneralMackhadnoideahewasbeforethewallsofUlm.\"PrinceLiechtensteinproposedtocapitulateonconditionthatthegarrisonofUlmshouldbeallowedtoreturnintoAustria.Thisproposal,inthesituationinwhichthegarrisonstood,Rappsaid,madetheEmperorsmile.\"Howcanyouexpect,\"saidNapoleon,\"thatIcanaccedetosuchaproposition?WhatshallIgainbyit?Eightdays.
Ineightdaysyouwillbeinmypowerwithoutanycondition.DoyousupposeIamnotacquaintedwitheverything?YouexpecttheRussians?\"AtthenearesttheyareinBohemia.WereItoallowyoutomarchout,whatsecuritycanIhavethatyouwillnotjointhem,andafterwardsfightagainstme?Yourgeneralshavedeceivedmeoftenenough,andIwillnolongerbeduped.AtMarengoIwasweakenoughtoallowthetroopsofMelastomarchoutofAlessandria.Hepromisedtotreatforpeace.Whathappened?TwomonthsafterMoreauhadtofightwiththegarrisonofAlessandria.
Besides,thiswarisnotanordinarywar.AftertheconductofyourGovernmentIamnotboundtokeepanytermswithit.Ihavenofaithinitspromises.Youhaveattackedme.IfIshouldagreetowhatyouask,Mackwouldpledgehisword,Iknow.But,evenrelyingonhisgoodfaith,wouldbeheabletokeephispromise?Asfarasregardshimself——yes;butasregardshisarmy——no.IftheArchdukeFerdinandwerestillwithyouIcouldrelyuponhisword,becausehewouldberesponsiblefortheconditions,andhewouldnotdisgracehimself;butIknowhehasquittedUlmandpassedtheDanube.I
knowhowtoreachhim,however.\"
RappsaiditwasimpossibletoimaginetheembarrassmentofPrinceLiechtensteinwhilsttheEmperorwasspeaking.He,however,somewhatregainedhisself—possession,andobservedthat,unlesstheconditionswhichheproposedweregrantedthearmywouldnotcapitulate.\"Ifthatbethecase,\"saidNapoleon.\"youmayaswellgobacktoMack,forIwillnevergrantsuchconditions.Areyoujestingwithme?Stay;hereisthecapitulationofMemingen——showittoyourGeneral——lethimsurrenderonthesameconditions——Iwillconsenttonoothers.YourofficersmayreturntoAustria,butthesoldiersmustbeprisoners.Tellhimtobespeedy,forIhavenotimetolose.Themorehedelaystheworsehewillrenderhisownconditionandyours.To—morrowIshallhaveherethecorpstowhichMemingencapitulated,andthenweshallseewhatistobedone.
MakeMackclearlyunderstandthathehasnoalternativebuttoconformtomywill.\"
TheimperioustoneswhichNapoleonemployedtowardshisenemiesalmostalwayssucceeded,anditproducedtheaccustomedeffectuponMack.OnthesamedaythatPrinceLiechtensteinhadbeenatourheadquartersMackwrotetotheEmperor,statingthathewouldnothavetreatedwithanyotheronsuchterms;butthatheyieldedtotheascendencyofNapoleon’sfortune;andonthefollowingdayBerthierwassentintoUlm,fromwhencehereturnedwiththecapitulationsigned.ThusNapoleonwasnotmistakenrespectingtheCaudineForksoftheAustrianarmy.ThegarrisonofUlmmarchedoutwithwhatarecalledthehonoursofwar,andwereledprisonersintoFrance.——Bourrienne.]——
Napoleon,whowassoviolentlyirritatedbyanyobstaclewhichopposedhim,andwhotreatedwithsomuchhauteureverybodywhoventuredtoresisthisinflexiblewill,wasnolongerthesamemanwhen,asaconqueror,hereceivedthevanquishedgeneralsatUlm.Hecondoledwiththemontheirmisfortune;andthis,Icanaffirm,wasnottheresultofafeelingofprideconcealedbeneathafeignedgenerosity.Althoughheprofitedbytheirdefeathepitiedthemsincerely.Howfrequentlyhasheobservedtome,\"Howmuchtobepitiedisageneralonthedayafteralostbattle.\"HehadhimselfexperiencedthismisfortunewhenhewasobligedtoraisethesiegeofSt.Jeand’Acre.Atthatmomenthewould,Ibelieve,havestrangledDjezzar;butifDjezzarhadsurrendered,hewouldhavetreatedhimwiththesameattentionwhichheshowedtoMackandtheothergeneralsofthegarrisonofUlm.Thesegeneralswereseventeeninnumber,andamongthemwasPrinceLiechtenstein.TherewerealsoGeneralKlenau(BarondeGiulay),whohadacquiredconsiderablemilitaryreputationintheprecedingwars,andGeneralFresnel,whostoodinamorecriticalsituationthanhiscompanionsinmisfortune,forhewasaFrenchman,andanemigrant.
Rapptoldmethatitwasreallypainfultoseethesegenerals.TheybowedrespectfullytotheEmperor,havingMackattheirhead.Theypreservedamournfulsilence,andNapoleonwasthefirsttospeak,whichhedidinthefollowingterms:\"Gentlemen,IfeelsorrythatsuchbravemenasyouareshouldbethevictimsofthefolliesofaCabinetwhichcherishesinsaneprojects,andwhichdoesnothesitatetocommitthedignityoftheAustriannationbytraffickingwiththeservicesofitsgenerals.Yournamesareknowntome——theyarehonourablyknownwhereveryouhavefought.Examinetheconductofthosewhohavecommittedyou.
Whatcouldbemoreiniquitousthantoattackmewithoutadeclarationofwar?Isitnotcriminaltobringforeigninvasionuponacountry?IsitnotbetrayingEuropetointroduceAsiaticbarbaritiesintoherdisputes?
IfgoodpolicyhadbeenfollowedtheAulicCouncil,insteadofattackingme,wouldhavesoughtmyallianceinordertodrivebacktheRussianstothenorth.ThealliancewhichyourCabinethasformedwillappearmonstrousinhistory.Itistheallianceofdogs,shepherds,andwolvesagainstsheep——suchaschemecouldneverhavebeenplannedinthemindofastatesman.ItisfortunateforyouthatIhavenotbeendefeatedintheunjuststruggletowhichIhavebeenprovoked;ifIhad,theCabinetofViennawouldhavesoonperceiveditserror,forwhich,perhaps,itwillyetonedaypaydearly.\"
Whatachangefifteendaysofsuccess,crownedbythecaptureofUlm,hadmadeinaffairs!AtHamburgIknewthroughmyagentstowhatadegreeoffollythehopesofNapoleon’senemieshadrisenbeforehebeganthecampaign.ThesecurityoftheCabinetofViennawasreallyinexplicable;
notonlydidtheynotdreamoftheseriesofvictorieswhichmadeNapoleonmasterofalltheAustrianmonarchy,buttheassistantsofDrakeandalltheintriguersofthatsorttreatedFrancealreadyasaconqueredcountry,anddisposedofsomeofourprovinces.Intheexcessoftheirfolly,toonlygiveoneinstance,theypromisedthetownofLyonstotheKingofSardinia,torecompensehimforthetemporaryoccupationofPiedmont.
——[Inthetreatiesanddeclarations(seeMartensandThiers,tomev.
p.355)thereisratheratendencytoselltheskinofthebearbeforekillinghim.]——
WhileNapoleonflatteredhisprisonersattheexpenseoftheirGovernmenthewishedtoexpresssatisfactionattheconductofhisownarmy,andwiththisviewhepublishedaremarkableproclamation,whichinsomemeasurepresentedanabstractofallthathadtakenplacesincetheopeningofthecampaign.
Thisproclamationwasasfollows:——
SOLDIERSOFTHEGRANDARMY——Inafortnightwehavefinishedanentirecampaign.Whatweproposedtodohasbeendone.WehavedriventheAustriantroopsfromBavaria,andrestoredourallytothesovereigntyofhisdominions.
Thatarmy,which,withequalpresumptionandimprudence,marcheduponourfrontiers,isannihilated.
ButwhatdoesthissignifytoEngland?Shehasgainedherobject.
WearenolongeratBoulogne,andhersubsidywillbeneithermorenorless.
Ofahundredthousandmenwhocomposedthatarmy,sixtythousandareprisoners.Theywillreplaceourconscriptsinthelaboursofagriculture.
Twohundredpiecesofcannon,thewholeparkofartillery,ninetyflags,andalltheirgeneralsareinourpower.Fifteenthousandmenonlyhaveescaped.
Soldiers!Iannouncedtoyoutheresultofagreatbattle;but,thankstotheill—devisedschemesoftheenemy,Iwasenabledtosecurethewished—forresultwithoutincurringanydanger,and,whatisunexampledinthehistoryofnations,thatresulthasbeengainedatthesacrificeofscarcelyfifteenhundredmenkilledandwounded.
Soldiers!thissuccessisduetoyourunlimitedconfidenceinyourEmperor,toyourpatienceinenduringfatiguesandprivationsofeverykind,andtoyoursingularcourageandintrepidity.
Butwewillnotstophere.Youareimpatienttocommenceanothercampaign!
TheRussianarmy,whichEnglishgoldhasbroughtfromtheextremitiesoftheuniverse,shallexperiencethesamefateasthatwhichwehavejustdefeated.
IntheconflictinwhichweareabouttoengagethehonouroftheFrenchinfantryisespeciallyconcerned.WeshallnowseeanotherdecisionofthequestionwhichhasalreadybeendeterminedinSwitzerlandandHolland;namely,whethertheFrenchinfantryisthefirstorthesecondinEurope.
AmongtheRussianstherearenogeneralsincontendingagainstwhomIcanacquireanyglory.AllIwishistoobtainthevictorywiththeleastpossiblebloodshed.Mysoldiersare,mychildren.
Thisproclamationalwaysappearedtomeamasterpieceofmilitaryeloquence.Whilehelavishedpraisesonhistroops,heexcitedtheiremulationbyhintingthattheRussianswerecapableofdisputingwiththemthefirstrankamongtheinfantryofEurope,andheconcludedhisaddressbycallingthemhischildren.
Thesecondcampaign,towhichNapoleonallegedtheysoeagerlylookedforward,speedilyensued,andhostilitieswerecarriedonwithadegreeofvigourwhichfiredtheenthusiasmofthearmy.HeavenknowswhataccountswerecirculatedoftheRussians,who,asBonapartesolemnlystatedinhisproclamation,hadcomefromtheextremityoftheworld.
Theywererepresentedashalf—nakedsavages,pillaging,destroyingandburningwherevertheywent.Itwasevenassertedthattheywerecannibals,andhadbeenseentoeatchildren.Inshort,atthatperiodwasintroducedthedenominationofnorthernbarbarianswhichhassincebeensogenerallyappliedtotheRussians.TwodaysafterthecapitulationofUlmMuratobtainedthecapitulationofTrochtelfingenfromGeneralYarneck,andmade10,000prisoners,sothat,withoutcountingkilledandwounded,theAustrianarmyhadsustainedadiminutionof50,000menafteracampaignoftwentydays.Onthe27thofOctobertheFrencharmycrossedtheInn,andthuspenetratedintotheAustrianterritory.SalzburgandBrannanwereimmediatelytaken.ThearmyofItaly,underthecommandofMassena,wasalsoobtaininggreatadvantages.
Onthe30thofOctober,thatistosay,theverydayonwhichtheGrandArmytooktheabove—mentionedfortresses,thearmyofItaly,havingcrossedtheAdige,foughtasanguinarybattleatCaldiero,andtook5000
Austrianprisoners.
Intheextraordinarycampaign,whichhasbeendistinguishedbythenameof\"theCampaignofAusterlitz,\"theexploitsofourtroopssucceededeachotherwiththerapidityofthought.IconfessIwasequallyastonishedanddelightedwhenIreceivedanotefromDuroc,sentbyanextraordinarycourier,andcommencinglaconicallywiththewords,\"WeareinVienna;theEmperoriswell.\"
Duroc’sletterwasdatedthe13thNovember,andthewords,\"WeareinVienna,\"seemedtometheresultofadream.ThecapitalofAustria,whichfromtimeimmemorialhadnotbeenoccupiedbyforeigners——thecitywhichSobieskihadsavedfromOttomanviolence,hadbecomethepreyoftheImperialeagleofFrance,which,afteralapseofthreecenturies,avengedthehumiliationsformerlyimposeduponFrancisI.bythe’AquilaGrifagna’ofCharlesV.DurochadlefttheEmperorbeforethecampofBoulognewasraised;hismissiontoBerlinbeingterminated,herejoinedtheEmperoratLintz.
——[AssoonasBonapartebecameEmperorheconstitutedhimselftheavengerofalltheinsultsgiventothesovereigns,whomhestyledhispredecessors.AllthatrelatedtothehonourofFrancewassacredtohim.ThusheremovedthecolumnofRosbachfromthePrussianterritory.——Bourrienne.]——
BeforeInoticedthesingularmissionofM.HaugwitztotheEmperorNapoleon,andtheresultofthatmission,whichcircumstancesrendereddiametricallythereverseofitsobject,IwillrelatewhatcametomyknowledgerespectingsomeothernegotiationsonthepartofAustria,theevidentintentofwhichwastoretardNapoleon’sprogress,andtherebytodupehim.M.deGiulay,oneofthegeneralsincludedinthecapitulationofUlm,hadreturnedhometoacquainthissovereignwiththedisastrousevent.Hedidnotconceal,eitherfromtheEmperorFrancisortheCabinetofVienna,thedestructionoftheAustrianarmy,andtheimpossibilityofarrestingtherapidadvanceoftheFrench.M.deGiulaywassentwithaflagoftrucetotheheadquartersofNapoleon,toassurehimofthepacificintentionsoftheEmperorofAustria,andtosolicitanarmistice.ThesnarewastooclumsynottobeimmediatelydiscoveredbysocraftyamanasNapoleon.
——[Metternich(tomeii.p.346,compareFrenchedition,tomeii.
p.287)says,\"Letusholdalwaystheswordinonehandandtheolivebranchintheother;alwaysreadytonegotiate,butonlynegotiatingwhileadvancing.HereisNapoleonssystem.]——
Hehadalwayspretendedaloveforpeace,thoughbewasoverjoyedattheideaofcontinuingawarsosuccessfullycommenced,andhedirectedGeneralGiulaytoassuretheEmperorofAustriathathewasnotlessanxiousforpeacethanhe,andthathewasreadytotreatforit,butwithoutsuspendingthecourseofhisoperations.Bonaparte,indeed,couldnot,withoutadegreeofimprudenceofwhichhewasincapable,consenttoanarmistice;forM.deGiulay,thoughentrustedwithpowersfromAustria,hadreceivednonefromRussia.Russia,therefore,mightdisavowthearmisticeandarriveintimetodefendVienna,theoccupationofwhichwassoimportanttotheFrencharmy.TheRussians,indeed,wereadvancingtoopposeus,andthecorpsofourarmy,commandedbyMortierontheleftbankoftheDanube,experiencedinthefirstengagementacheckatDirnstein,whichnotalittlevexedtheEmperor.Thiswasthefirstreverseoffortunewehadsustainedthroughoutthecampaign.Itwastrivial,tobesure,butthecapturebytheRussiansofthreeFrencheagles,thefirstthathadfallenintothehandsoftheenemy,wasverymortifyingtoNapoleon,andcausedhimtoprolongforsomedayshisstaffatSt.Folten,wherehethenwas.
TherapidoccupationofViennawasduetothesuccessfultemerityofLannesandMurat,twomenalikedistinguishedforcourageanddaringspirit.AboldartificeofthesegeneralspreventedthedestructionoftheThaborbridgeatVienna,withoutwhichourarmywouldhaveexperiencedconsiderabledifficultyinpenetratingintotheAustriancapital.Thisactofcourageandpresenceofmind,whichhadsogreataninfluenceontheeventsofthecampaign,wasdescribedtomebyLannes,whotoldthestorywithanairofgaiety,unaccompaniedbyanyself—
complacency,andseemedratherpleasedwiththetrickplayedupontheAustriansthanproudofthebrilliantactionwhichhadbeenperformed.
BoldenterprisesweresonaturaltoLannesthathewasfrequentlytheonlypersonwhosawnothingextraordinaryinhisownexploits.Alas!
whatmenweresacrificedtoNapoleon’sambition!
ThefollowingisthestoryoftheBridgeofThaborasIhearditfromLannes:——
——[IwasonedaywalkingwithMurat,ontherightbankoftheDanube,andweobservedontheleftbank,whichwasoccupiedbytheAustrians,someworksgoingon,theevidentobjectofwhichwastoblowupthebridgeontheapproachofourtroops.Thefoolshadtheimpudencetomakethesepreparationsunderourverynoses;butwegavethemagoodlesson.Havingarrangedourplan,wereturnedtogiveorders,andIentrustedthecommandofmycolumnofgrenadierstoanofficeronwhosecourageandintelligenceIcouldrely.I
thenreturnedtothebridge,accompaniedbyMuratandtwoorthreeotherofficers.Weadvanced,unconcernedly,andenteredintoconversationwiththecommanderofapostinthemiddleofthebridge.Wespoketohimaboutanarmisticewhichwastobespeedilyconcluded:WhileconversingwiththeAustrianofficerswecontrivedtomakethemturntheireyestowardstheleftbank,andthen,agreeablytotheorderswehadgiven,mycolumnofgrenadiersadvancedonthebridge.TheAustriancannoneers,ontheleftbank,seeingtheirofficersinthemidstofus,didnotdaretofire,andmycolumnadvancedataquickstep.MuratandI,attheheadofit,gainedtheleftbank.Allthecombustiblespreparedforblowingupthebridgewerethrownintotheriver,andmymentookpossessionofthebatterieserectedforthedefenceofthebridgehead.ThepoordevilsofAustrianofficerswereperfectlyastoundedwhenItoldthemtheyweremyprisoners.
Such,aswellasIcanrecollect,wastheaccountgivenbyLannes,wholaughedimmoderatelyindescribingtheconsternationoftheAustrianofficerswhentheydiscoveredthetrickthathadbeenplayeduponthem.
WhenLannesperformedthisexploithehadlittleideaofthe,importantconsequenceswhichwouldattend,it.HehadnotonlysecuredtotheremainderoftheFrencharmyasureandeasyentrancetoVienna,but,withoutbeingawareofit,hecreatedaninsurmountableimpedimenttothejunctionoftheRussianarmywiththeAustriancorps,commandedbyPrinceCharles,who,beingpressedbyMassena,hastilyadvancedintotheheartoftheHereditaryStates,wherehefullyexpectedagreatbattlewouldtakeplace.
AssoonasthecorpsofMuratandLanneshadtakenpossessionofViennatheEmperororderedallthedivisionsofthearmytomarchuponthatcapital.
——[ThestorytotoldinmuchthesamewayinTheirs(tomevi,p.
260),Rupp(p.57),andSavory(tomeii.p.162),butasErreurs(tomei.p.814)pointsout,BourriennemakesanoddmistakeinbelievingtheThaborBridgegavetheFrenchaccesstoVienna.Thecapitalisontherightbank,andwasalreadyintheirpower.Thepossessionofthebridgeenabledthemtopassovertotheleftbank,andtoadvancetowardsAusterlitzbeforetheArchdukeCharles,comingfromItaly,couldmakehisjunctionwiththealliedarmy.
Seeplan48ofThiers’Atlas,or58ofAlison’s.TheimmediateresultofthesuccessofthisratherdoubtfulartificewouldhavebeenthedestructionofthecorpsofKutusoff;butMuratinhisturnwasdeceivedbyBagrationintobeliefinanarmistice.Infact,bothsidesatthistimefellintocuriouserrors.]——
NapoleonestablishedhisheadquartersatSchoenbrunn,whereheplannedhisoperationsforcompellingthecorpsofPrinceCharlestoretiretoHungary,andalsoforadvancinghisownforcestomeettheRussians.
MuratandLannesalwayscommandedtheadvancedguardduringtheforcedmarchesorderedbyNapoleon,whichwereexecutedinawaytrulymiraculous.
Tokeepuptheappearanceofwishingtoconcludepeaceassoonasreasonablepropositionsshouldbemadetohim,NapoleonsentforhisMinisterforforeignAffairs,whospeedilyarrivedatVienna,andGeneralSavarywassentonamissiontotheEmperorAlexander.ThedetailsofthismissionIhavelearnedonlyfromtheaccountofitgivenbytheDucdeRovigoinhisapologeticMemoirs.InspiteoftheDuke’seagernesstoinduceabeliefinNapoleon’spacificdisposition,theveryfactsonwhichhesupportshisargumentleadtothecontraryconclusion.NapoleonwishedtodictatehisconditionsbeforetheissueofabattlethesuccessofwhichmightappeardoubtfultotheyoungEmperorofRussia,andtheseconditionsweresuchashemightimposewhenvictoryshouldbedeclaredinfavourofoureagles.Itmustbecleartoeveryreflectingpersonthatbyalwaysproposingwhatheknewcouldnotbehonourablyaccededto,hekeptuptheappearanceofbeingapacificator,whileatthesametimeheensuredtohimselfthepleasureofcarryingonthewar.
CHAPTERIII.
1805.
MyfunctionsatHamburg——TheKingofSwedenatStralsund——
MybulletindescribingthesituationoftheRussianarmies——Duroc’srecallfromBerlin——GeneralDumouriez——RecruitingoftheEnglishinHanover——ThedaughterofM.deMarbeofandNapoleon——TreacheryoftheKingofNaples——TheSunofAusterlitz——PrinceDolgioroukiRapp’saccountofthebattleofAusterlitz——Gerard’spicture——
Eugene’smarriage.
Imustnowrelatehow,inconformitywithmyinstructions,IwasemployedinHamburginaidingthesuccessoftheFrencharmy.IhadsentanagenttoobservetheRussiantroops,whichwereadvancingbyforcedmarchestothebanksoftheElbe.ThisagenttransmittedtomefromGadbuschanaccountoftheroutestakenbythedifferentcolumns.ItwasthensupposedthattheywouldmarchuponHollandbythewayofBremenandOldenburg.OnthereceiptofthusintelligencetheElectorateofHanoverwasevacuatedbytheFrench,andGeneralBarbou,whohadcommandedthereconcentratedhisforcesinHamelin.
Onthe2dofNovember1805theKingofSwedenarrivedatStralsund.I
immediatelyintimatedtoourGovernmentthatthiscircumstancewouldprobablygiveanewturntotheoperationsofthecombinedarmy,forhithertotheuncertaintyofitsmovementsandthesuccessivecounter—
ordersaffordednopossibilityofascertaininganydeterminedplan.Theintentionseemedtobe,thatalltheSwedo—RussiantroopsshouldcrosstheElbeatthesamepoint;viz.,Lauenburg,sixmilesfromHamburg.
Therewasnotonthe5thofNovemberasingleRussianonthesouthernbankoftheElbe.
ThefirstcolumnofthegrandRussianarmypassedthroughWarsawonthe1stofNovember,andonthe2dtheGrand—DukeConstantinewasexpectedwiththeGuards.Thiscolumn,whichamountedto6000men,wasthefirstthatpassedthroughPrussianPoland.
AtthistimewemomentarilyexpectedtoseetheHanoverianarmylandedonthebanksoftheWeserortheElbe,augmentedbysomethousandsofEnglish.TheirdesignapparentlywaseithertoattackHolland,ortoattemptsomeoperationontherearofourGrandArmy.
TheFrenchGovernmentwasveryanxioustoreceiveaccurateaccountsofthemarchoftheSwedo—RussiantroopsthroughHanover,andoftheRussianarmythroughPoland.MyagentsatWarsawandStralsund,whowereexceedinglyactiveandintelligent,enabledmetosendoffabulletindescribingthestateofHanover,themovementsoftheRussiansandSwedes,togetherwithinformationofthearrivalofEnglishtroopsintheElbe,andastatementoftheforceofthecombinedarmyinHanover,whichconsistedof15,000Russians,8000Swedes,and12,000English;makinginall35,000men.
ItwasprobablyonaccountofthisbulletinthatNapoleonexpressedtoDurochissatisfactionwithmyservices.TheEmperoronrecallingDurocfromBerlindidnotmanifesttheleastapprehensionrespectingPrussia.
Durocwrotetomethefollowingletterontheoccasionofhisrecall:
MYDEARBOURRIENNE——TheEmperorhavingthoughtmyservicesnecessarytothearmyhasrecalledme.IyesterdayhadafarewellaudienceoftheKingandQueen,whotreatedmeverygraciously.HisMajestypresentedmewithhisportraitsetindiamonds.TheEmperorAlexanderwillprobablydeparttomorrow,andtheArchdukeAnthonyvaryspeedily.Wecannotbuthopethattheirpresenceherewillfacilitateagoodunderstanding.
(Signed)DUROC.
WheneverforeignarmieswereopposingFrancethehopesoftheemigrantsrevived.TheyfalselyimaginedthatthepowerscoalescedagainstNapoleonwerelabouringintheircause;andmanyofthementeredtheRussianandAustrianarmies.OfthisnumberwasGeneralDumouriez.
IreceivedinformationthathehadlandedatStadeonthe21stofNovember;butwhitherheintendedtoproceedwasnotknown.AmannamedSt.Martin,whosewifelivedwithDumouriez,andwhohadaccompaniedthegeneralfromEnglandtoStade,cametoHamburg,whereheobservedgreatprecautionsforconcealment,andboughttwocarriages,whichwereimmediatelyforwardedtoStade.St,Martinhimselfimmediatelyproceededtothelatterplace.Iwasblamedfornothavingarrestedthisman;buthehadacommissionattestingthathewasintheEnglishservice,and,asIhavebeforementioned;aforeigncommissionwasasafeguard;andtheonlyonewhichcouldnotbeviolatedinHamburg.
InDecember1805theEnglishrecruitinginHanoverwaskeptupwithoutinterruption,andattendedwithextraordinarysuccess.Sometimesahundredmenwereraisedinaday.ThemiseryprevailinginGermany,whichhadbeenravagedbythewar,thehatredagainsttheFrench,andthehighbountythatwasofferedenabledtheEnglishtoprocureasmanymenastheywished.
TheKingofSweden,meditatingonthestirheshouldmakeinHanover,tookwithhimacampprinting—presstopublishthebulletinsofthegrandSwedisharmy.——ThefirstofthesebulletinsannouncedtoEuropethathisSwedishMajestywasabouttoleaveStralsund;andthathisarmywouldtakeupitspositionpartlybetweenNelsenandHaarburg,andpartlybetweenDomitzandthefrontiersofHamburg.
AmongtheanecdotesofNapoleonconnectedwiththiscampaignIfindinmynotesthefollowing,whichwasrelatedtomebyRapp.SomedaysbeforehisentranceintoViennaNapoleon,whowasridingonhorsebackalongtheroad,dressedinhisusualuniformofthechasseursoftheGuard,metanopencarriage,inwhichwereseatedaladyandapriest.Theladywasintears,andNapoleoncouldnotrefrainfromstoppingtoaskherwhatwasthecauseofherdistress.\"Sir,\"shereplied,forshedidnotknowtheEmperor,\"Ihavebeenpillagedatmyestate,twoleaguesfromhence,byapartyofsoldiers,whohavemurderedmygardener.IamgoingtoseekyourEmperor,whoknowsmyfamily,towhomhewasonceundergreatobligations.\"——\"Whatisyourname?\"inquiredNapoleon.——\"DeBunny,\"
repliedthelady.\"IamthedaughterofMdeMarbeuf,formerlyGovernorofCorsica.\"——\"Madame,\"exclaimedNapoleon,\"IamtheEmperor.Iamdelightedtohavetheopportunityofservingyou.\"——\"Youcannotconceive,\"continuedRapp,\"theattentionwhichtheEmperorshowedMadamedeBunny.Heconsoledher,pitiedher,almostapologisedforthemisfortuneshehadsustained.’Willyouhavethegoodness,Madame,’saidhe,’togoandwaitformeatmyhead—quarters?Iwilljoinyouspeedily;everymemberofM.deMarbeuf’sfamilyhasaclaimonmyrespect.’TheEmperorimmediatelygaveherapicquetofchasseursofhisguardtoescorther.Hesawheragainduringtheday,whenheloadedherwithattentions,andliberallyindemnifiedherforthelossesshehadsustained.\"
ForsometimeprevioustothebattleofAusterlitzthedifferentcorpsofthearmyintersectedeverypartofGermanyandItaly,alltendingtowardsViennaasacentralpoint.AtthebeginningofNovemberthecorpscommandedbyMarshalBernadottearrivedatSaltzburgatthemomentwhentheEmperorhadadvancedhisheadquarterstoBraunau,wheretherewerenumerousmagazinesofartilleryandavastquantityofprovisionsofeverykind.ThejunctionofthecorpscommandedbyBernadotteinHanoverwiththeGrandArmywasapointofsuchhighimportancethatBonapartehaddirectedtheMarshaltocomeupwithhimasspeedilyaspossible,andtotaketheshortestroad.ThisorderobligedBernadottetopassthroughtheterritoryofthetwoMargravates.
AtthattimewewereatpeacewithNaples.InSeptembertheEmperorhadconcludedwithFerdinandIV.atreatyofneutrality.ThistreatyenabledCarraSt.Cyr,whooccupiedNaples,toevacuatethatcityandtojoinMassenainUpperItaly;bothreachedtheGrandArmyonthe28thofNovember.ButnosoonerhadthetroopscommandedbyCarraSt.CyrquittedtheNeapolitanterritorythantheKingofNaples,influencedbyhisMinisters,andaboveallbyQueenCaroline,brokethetreatyofneutrality,orderedhostilepreparationsagainstFrance,openedhisportstotheenemiesoftheEmperor,andreceivedintohisStates12,000
Russiansand8000English.ItwasonthereceiptofthisnewsthatBonaparte,inoneofhismostviolentbulletins,styledtheQueenofNaplesasecondFredegonda.ThevictoryofAusterlitzhavinggivenpowerfulsupporttohisthreats,thefallofNapleswasdecided,andshortlyafterhisbrotherJosephwasseatedontheNeapolitanthrone.
Atlengthcamethegranddaywhen,touseNapoleon’sexpression,theSunofAusterlitzrose.Allourforceswereconcentratedononepoint,atabout40leaguesbeyondVienna.ThereremainednothingbutthewreckoftheAustrianarmy,thecorpsofPrinceCharlesbeingbyscientificmanoeuvreskeptatadistancefromthelineofoperations;buttheRussiansaloneweresuperiortousinnumbers,andtheirarmywasalmostentirelycomposedoffreshtroops.Themostextraordinaryillusionprevailedintheenemy’scamp.ThenorthofEuropehasitsGasconsaswellasthesouthofFrance,andthejuniorportionoftheRussianarmyatthisperiodassumedanabsurdbraggadociotone.OntheveryeveofthebattletheEmperorAlexandersentoneofhisaidesdecamp,PrinceDolgorouki,asaflagoftrucetoNapoleon.ThePrincecouldnotrepresshisself—sufficiencyeveninthepresenceoftheEmperor,andRappinformedmethatondismissinghimtheEmperorsaid,\"Ifyouwereon’theheightsofMontmartre,’Iwouldanswersuchimpertinenceonlybycannon—
balls.\"Thisobservationwasveryremarkable,inasmuchassubsequenteventsrendereditaprophecy.
Astothebattleitself,IcandescribeitalmostaswellasifIhadwitnessedit,forsometimeafterIhadthepleasureofseeingmyfriendRapp,whowassentanamissiontoPrussia.Hegavemethefollowingaccount:
\"WhenwearrivedatAusterlitztheRussianswerenotawareofthescientificplanswhichtheEmperorhadlaidfordrawingthemuponthegroundhehadmarkedout;andseeingouradvancedguardsfallbackbeforetheirstheyalreadyconsideredthemselvesconquerors.
TheysupposedthattheirGuardalonewouldsecureaneasytriumph.
Buttheactioncommenced,andtheyexperiencedanenergeticresistanceonallpoints.Atoneo’clockthevictorywasyetuncertain,fortheyfoughtadmirably.Theywishedtomakealasteffortbydirectingclosemassesagainstourcentre.TheirImperialGuarddeployed;theirartillery,cavalry,andinfantrymarcheduponabridgewhichtheyattacked,andthismovement,whichwasconcealedbytherisingandfallingoftheground,wasnotobservedbyNapoleon.IwasatthatmomentneartheEmperor,awaitinghisorders.Weheardawell—maintainedfiringofmusketry.TheRussianswererepulsingoneofourbrigades.TheEmperororderedmetotakesomeoftheMamelukes,twosquadronsofchasseurs,andoneofgrenadiersoftheGuard,andtogoandreconnoitrethestateofthings.Isetoffatfullgallop,andsoondiscoveredthedisaster.
TheRussiancavalryhadpenetratedoursquares,andwassabringourmen.Iperceivedinthedistancesomemassesofcavalryandinfantry;whichformedthereserveoftheRussians.Atthatmomenttheenemyadvancedtomeetus,bringingwithhimfourpiecesofartillery,andrangedhimselfinorderofbattle.IhadthebraveMorlandonmyleft,andGeneralD’Allemagneonmyright.’Forward,mylads!’exclaimedItomytroop.’Seehowyourbrothersandfriendsarebeingcuttopieces.Avengethem!avengeourflag!
Forward!’Thesefewwordsrousedmymen.Weadvancedasswiftlyasourhorsescouldcarryusupontheartillery,whichwastaken.Theenemy’scavalry,whichawaitedusfirmly,wasrepulsedbythesameshock,andfledindisorder,gallopingaswedidoverthewrecksofoursquares.TheRussiansralliedbutasquadronofhorsegrenadierscameuptoreinforceme,andthusenabledmetoholdgroundagainstthereservesoftheRussianGuard.Wechargedagain,andthischargewasterrible.ThebraveMorlandwaskilledbymy,side.Itwasdownrightbutchery.Wewereopposedmantoman,andweresomingledtogetherthattheinfantryofneitheronenortheothersidecouldventuretofireforfearofkillingitsownmen.
Atlengththeintrepidityofourtroopsovercameeveryobstacle,andtheRussiansfledindisorder,insightofthetwoEmperorsofRussiaandAustria,whohadstationedthemselvesonaheightinordertowitnessthebattle.Theysawadesperateone,\"saidRapp,\"andItrusttheyweresatisfied.Formypart,mydearfriend,I
neverspentsogloriousaday.WhatareceptiontheEmperorgavemewhenIreturnedtoinformhimthatwehadwonthebattle!Myswordwasbroken,andawoundwhichIreceivedonmyheadwasbleedingcopiously,sothatIwascoveredwithblood!HemademeaGeneralofDivision.TheRussiansdidnotreturntothecharge;wehadtakenalltheircannonandbaggage,andPrinceRepninwasamongtheprisoners.\"
ThusitwasthatRapprelatedtomethisfamousbattleofwhichhewasthehero,asKellermanhadbeentheheroofMarengo.WhatnowremainsofAusterlitz?Therecollection,theglory,andthemagnificentpictureofGerard,theideaofwhichwassuggestedtotheEmperorbythesightofRappwiththebloodstreamingfromhiswound.
IcannotforbearrelatinghereafewparticularswhichIlearnedfromRapprespectinghismissionafterthecureofhiswound;andthemarriageofPrinceEugenetothePrincessAugustaofBavaria.ThefriendshipwhichRappcherishedformewasofthemostsincerekind.DuringmydisgracehedidnotevenconcealitfromNapoleon;andwhoeverknowsanythingoftheEmperor’sCourtwillacknowledgethatthatwasagreatermarkofcouragethanthecarryingofaredoubtormakingthemostbrilliantchargeofcavalry.Rapppossessedcourageofeverykind,anexcellentheart,andadownrightfrankness,whichforatimebroughthimintodisgracewithNapoleon.TheonlythingforwhichRappcouldbereproachedwashisextremeprejudiceagainstthenobility,whichIamconvincedwasthesolereasonwhyhewasnotcreatedaDuke.TheEmperormadehimaCountbecausehewishedthatallhisaidesdecampshouldhavetitles.
\"HehadbeenafortnightatSchoenbrunn,\"saidRapptome,andIhadnotyetresumedmyduties,whentheEmperorsentforme.HeaskedmewhetherIwasabletotravel,andonmyreplyingintheaffirmative,hesaid,’Gothen,andgiveanaccountofthebattleofAusterlitztoMarmont,andvexhimfornothavingbeenatit.’Isetoff,andinconformitywiththeinstructionsIhadreceivedfromtheEmperorIproceededtoGratz,whereIfoundMarmont,whowasindeeddeeplymortifiedatnothavinghadashareinthegreatbattle.
Itoldhim,astheEmperorhaddirectedme,thatthenegotiationswerecommenced,butthatnothingwasyetconcluded,andthattherefore,atallevents,hemustholdhimselfinreadiness.I
ascertainedthesituationofhisarmyinStyria,andtheamountoftheenemy’sforcebeforehim:TheEmperorwishedhimtosendanumberofspiesintoHungary,andtotransmittohimadetailedreportfromtheircommunications.InextproceededtoLaybach,whereIfoundMassenaattheheadoftheeighthcorps,andI
informedhimthattheEmperorwishedhimtomarchinallhasteuponVienna,incaseheshouldhearoftheruptureofthenegotiations.
IcontinuedtheitinerarymarkedoutformeuntilIreachedVenice,andthencetillImetthetroopsofCarraSt.Cyr,whohadreceivedorderstomarchbackuponNaplesassoonastheEmperorheardofthetreacheryoftheKingofNaplesandthelandingoftheEnglishandRussians.HavingfulfilledthesedifferentmissionsIproceededtoKlagenfurth,whereIsawMarshalNey,andIafterwardsrejoinedtheEmperoratMunich.ThereIhadthepleasureoffindingourfriendsassembled,andamongthemJosephine,stillasaffableandamiableasever.HowdelightedIwaswhen,anmyarrival,IlearnedthattheEmperorhadadoptedEugene.IwaspresentathismarriagewiththePrincessAugustaofBavaria.Astome,youknowIamnotveryfondoffetes,andtheEmperormighthavedispensedwithmyperformingthedutiesofChamberlain;EugenehadnoideaofwhatwasgoingonwhentheEmperorsenttodesirehispresenceatMunichwithallpossiblespeed.He,too,remainsunchanged;heisstillouroldcomrade.Atfirsthewasnotmuchpleasedwiththeideaofapoliticalmarriage;butwhenhesawhisbridehewasquiteenchanted;andnowonder,forIassureyousheisaverycharmingwoman.\"