NAPOLEON

THE
FIRST

AN

INTIMATE

BIOGRAPHY

NAPOLEON

THE

INTIMATE

AN

FIRST

BIOGRAPHY

BY

WALTER
AUTHOR

OF

GEER

"napoleon

THE

THIRD,"

ETC.

ILLUSTRATED

NEW

YORK

BRENTANO'S

1921

.,

,.URISLIBRAF

3c

COPYRIGHT

BY

I921,

WALTER

GEER

4// rights
reserved

637 "3

THE

PLIMPTON

P E ES

"

N 0 R WO

^":4r.i';

0 D

"

A S S

"

'S

"

FOREWORD

books

OF

end, but

no

give
the

most

but

that

The
too

of

long

allow

to

the

"

the

time

are

for

come

was,

Let
and

"

are

us

better
then

nothing

known,

endeavor
extenuate,

of

Helena

impartial

more

Saint

has

to

nor

his

life,

him

been

since

think

estimate.
new

that

Facts
evidence

depict Napoleon
set

down

aught

in maUce."
Walter
New

York,

May,

1921

Cv]

his
their

elapsed
we

much

tion.
admira-

to

men

have

years

him

upon

survived

It

hearts

For

little value.

but

inspired

is

which

man.

during

view.

stir the

of

agony

clearer, motives

he

have

hundred

one

"

long-drawn
has

death,

unbiased

an

the

of blind

or

him

he

few

passed

about

which

life, to

that

is available.
as

in

as

Now

of

of

been

antipathy

his

hatred

and

fate, in death,

depths.

after

years

idolatry

picture
has

published

there

Napoleon

comparatively

are

profound

books

for many

there

judgment

no

either

about

unprejudiced

an

part

The
and

memoirs

and

Geer

CONTENTS

CHAPTER

ONE

1769-1789

EARLY

YEARS
PAGE

The

Family

Napoleon

of

Birthplace

Charles

"

and

Brienne

Death

"

Lieutenant

of

of

of the

Absence

Corsica

"

Abbe

Again

His

of

The

Fere

Talents

School

at

lence
Va-

Paris

to

Leave

Another

"

at

Second

"

Life

"

Visit

"

France

to

Militaire

La

de

Bonaparte

Ceded

"

"coIe

Regiment

Recognition

First

"

Advice

of

The

Corsica

"

The

"

The

"

Influences

Home

Father

"

Rousseau

Bonaparte

"

His

Artillery

Leave

"

Auxonne

Letitia

Childhood

Napoleon's

"

Jean Jacques

"

"

"

Saint-Ruff

de

CHAPTER

TWO

1789-1793

THE
Decay

Old

of the

Regime

the

Bastille

Napoleon
Oath

of

Paris
to

At

"

Again
the

The

"

Departure

for

The

"

of the

Corsica

Attack

of
"

Fourth
"

in

Napoleon

"

Tuileries

Break

"

Paoli

Varennes

to

Again

on

of
of the

King

the

Queen
Fall

"

Return

"

Lieutenant

Expedition

Maddalena
for

"

and

King

States-General

Corsica

Flight

"

The

"

the

First

Assembly

Captain Bonaparte

"

of

Appointed

"

to

Bankrupt

Leaves

Valence

Allegiance

Ajaccio

Final

Auxonne

State

Meeting

"

Napoleon

"

at

Regiment

The

"

Changes

Ministerial

"

REVOLUTION

with

Return

"

Paoli

"

France

17

CHAPTER

THREE
1793-1795

TOULON
L'Avenement
The

"

The

"

de

General

His

High

Recalled

Bonaparte

Bonaparte
"

Supper
of

and

His

"

Family

"

His

"

"

Appearance
with

The

"

"

the

Siege

Appointed

Restored

to

His

His

"

South

Appointed

"

Comrades

Former

Inspector
Rank

Character

of the

Army

of Toulon

of

Remembrance

of Conduct

Imprisoned

Personal

Napoleon

"

of Beaucaire

Brigade

Standard

VENDfiMIAIRE

AND

"

of Coasts

The

"

"

Corsican

CONTENTS
PAGE

Ordered

Expedition
"

Paris in 1795

Campaign
Three

Barras

Sections

of the

His

"

for the

Plan

Constitution

"

The

"

Disappointments

and

Hopes

"

Situation

Precarious

His

"

and

Napoleon

"

Revolt

"

Paris

to

Thirteen

Italian

of the

Year

Vendemiaire

Major-General Bonaparte

"

"

#.

CHAPTER

30

FOUR
1796

JOSJ^PHINE
of the Army of the Interior
First Meeting with
and
the Beauhamais
Origin The Taschers
of Josephine Alexandre
Birth and Childhood
de Beauhamais
His
His Marriage with Josephine
Childhood
Births of Eugene and
Hortense
The Separation
and Paris
Josephineat Fontainebleau
of Alexandre
Executed
Arrest
and
Alexandre
Josephine
Her Precarious Existence
The Hotel ChanJosephineReleased
tereine
Napoleon's Courtship
Josephine'sPersonal Appearance
Wrath
of the BonaThe
Josephine'sHesitation
Marriage
JosephineDescribed by Contemporaries
partes

Napoleon in Command
Josephine Her

"

"

"

"

"

"

"

"

"

"

"

"

"

"

"

"

"

"

"

"

"

....

42

FIVE

CHAPTER
1796

CAMPAIGN

THE

of the

Bonapartein Command
Situation

"

Battles

of

and

Montenotte

Entrance

into Milan

"

"

Quadrilateral
French in the Tyrol
of Arcole

Advance

"

Battle

"

Peace

"

Crossing of

"

to

the

the

with
Po

of Bassano

Piedmont
Battle

"

Mincio

The

"

Castiglioneand

"

"

of Lodi
Famous

Lonato

The

"

Repulse at Caldiero
Leadership of Bonaparte

Consummate

"

"

Mondovi

Siege of Mantua

"

Battle

Italy Condition of the Peninsula

Napoleon's Plan of Action

Armies

Napoleon's Proclamations
"

of

Army

Two

of the

ITALY

OF

"

"

SIX

CHAPTER
1797
FROM
Renewal

RIVOLI

of Hostilities
"

Battle of La

Favorita

The

Archduke

"

Austrians
at

"

Montebello

Battle

CAMPO

of Rivoli

"

Fall of Mantua

"

Charles

Preliminaries
"

TO

Family

"

Battles in

"

of Leoben
Affairs

The

"

"

Fate

FORMIO
March
The

C viii 3

Last

Styria
"

in

"

Italian Campaign
Retreat

of Venice

Josephine

Mantua

to

"

Italy
"

of the

Napoleon
Royalist

56

CONTENTS
PAGE

Plot

Paris

at

The

"

Napoleon in Paris
Italian Campaign

"

i8

Fructidor

The

Career

of Campo

Peace

"

of Talleyrand

Formio

of the

Results

"

"

71

CHAPTER

SEVEN

1798-1799
EGYPT

Napoleon

in Paris

Decides

"

"

the

on

Appointed to Command
Expeditionto Egypt

of

Army
Captures Malta
of the

"

"

England
Escapes

Marches
Cairo
Arrives at Alexandria
on
English Fleet
Destruction
The Occupation of Cairo
Battle of the Pyramids
The
Fleet
of the French
tion
Syrian ExpediTurkey Declares War
Acre
Its
Saint- Jean-d'
Advance
to
Capture of Jaffa
Assault
Acre
Last
in
Battle
of
Mont^Tabor
Place
on
History
Arrival at Jaffa
The SiegeAbandoned
Napoleon's First Retreat
the

"

"

"

"

"

"

"

"

"

"

"

"

"

"

"

Return

"

Cairo

to

Battle

"

Enthusiastic Reception

of

Aboukir

Return

"

Reconciliation with Josephine

"

CHAPTER

France

to

"

.91

EIGHT

1799

THE
France During the Year
Coalition

Seven

French

"

COUP
The

"

Defeats

D'ETAT
Bonapartes at

and

Victories

Paris

His Schemes
Sieyes Elected Director
Bonaparte
Preparationsfor the Coup d'"tat
The Generals at Bonaparte's House
the Ancients
maire at Paris
Resignationsof B arras, Sieyesand
"

"

of

The

"

"

The

"

"

"

"

Saved

at

by

Lucien

First Consul
"

Saint-Cloud

"

of the

Constitution

"

His

Events

"

Extensive

of the

Powers

Success of the New

19 Brumaire
Year
Eight

"

of

Role

The

18 Bru-

"

Centralization

"

Return

The
Ducos

"

Councils

Second

Difficulties of the Government

"

The

"

The

Day
Bonaparte,
of the Government

Regime

CHAPTER

107

NINE
1800

MARENGO
Bonaparte at the Luxembourg
First Consul

Moves

Season in Paris

to

"

Marriage

the Tuileries

"

of Caroline and
The

Life There

Murat
"

The

"

The

Winter

Military Situation
Improved Condition of
The Theatre of
France under Bonaparte
The Army of Reserve
War
The
Forces
Plan
of
Campaign
Opposing
Napoleon's
French
The
Fort Bard
Crossingof the Alps
Army in Piedmont
"

The

"

"

"

"

"

"

"

"

CONTENTS
PAGE
"

the

Crosses

Po

Battle

"

Turned

Defeat

Melas

of

Consternation

of

Victory

to

Napoleon

"

Montebello

Desaix

The

Army
Marengo

"

of

Battle

"

of

Death

"

Milan

at

"

of

Results

"

the

Campaign

123

CHAPTER

TEN

1799-1804

CONSULATE

THE
Victoryof Hohenlinden
Consular

Treaty of Luneville
The Concordat

"

Government

Royalist Plots
The
d'Enghien
after Marengo

"

The

"

Infernal

of Amiens
Code

The

"

Machine

for Life

Consulate

Peace

"

Execution

"

The

"

Napoleon
of the

"

Due

Ovation

The

to
Bonaparte
Malmaison
Hortense
Holidays
de Beauharnais
Her Marriage with Louis Bonaparte
Birth of
The
A
Napoleon Charles
Calumny Refuted
by Bourrienne
Reconstruction
of Paris
The
Consular
Court
plicity
Napoleon's SimA Sketch by an Englishman
Plan to Restore the French
Colonial Empire
The Hostilityof England
The War
Renewed
o
f
Trafalgar
^Battle
139
"

The

"

"

National

"

"

"

"

"

"

"

"

"

"

"

"

"

CHAPTER

ELEVEN
1804

THE
Reasons for the Establishment

The Empire Decreed

HereditaryRule
Plebiscite The Marshals
State
The
of

The

"

France

EMPIRE

of

"

Dignitariesof
Napoleon's Intellectual
"

"

His Place in

History

"

His

Power

of Work

"

The

"

National

of the

"

Exile of
Republican Generals
Napoleon's Role
The Visit to Aix-la-Chapelle The
Talisman
of Charlemagne
Coronation of the Emperor
The
Fete Given by the Marshals
poleon
ReligiousMarriage of Napoleon and Josephine
Baptism of NaThe Trip to Italy
Louis
Abandons
His Wife
Jerome
The Iron Crown of Italy
The Return
Eugene Appointed Viceroy

Moreau

Fate

"

Gifts

Fete

"

Difficulties of

"

"

"

"

"

"

"

"

"

"

"

to

"

France

156
CHAPTER

TWELVE
1805

AUSTERLITZ
The

Third

Coalition

Commanders
Staff"

His

Napoleon Dictates the Plan of Campaign

of the Corps i'Armie
Napoleon His Own Chief of
His Way
of Travelling
Military Household
His
"

"

"

"

"

Method

of Work"

Plans

of

the

Coalition

"

The

Grand

Army

CONTENTS
PAGE

Its Camps
The Fine Ulm Manoeuvre
Mack Surrenders
the Portress
Enters
Vienna
His Critical Position
Napoleon
He Advances
The Battle-fieldof Austerlitz
The Plan
to Brunn
of the Allies
Napoleon Preparesfor a Decisive Battle
Positions

Leaves

"

"

"

"

"

"

"

"

"

of the Corps

The
Napoleon Tells the Army His Plan of Battle
The "Sun
of Austerlitz ""
The
Anniversary of the Coronation
The French Take the Pratzen
Allied Attack
The Battle Won
The Emperor Francis Sues for Peace
The Treaty of Presburg
"

"

"

"

"

"

"

of the Coalition

End

"

Death

"

of Pitt

CHAPTER

169

THIRTEEN
1806

JENA

AND

AUERSTADT

Family Alliances
Joseph, King
Louis, King of Holland

The Italian Titular Fiefs

Naples
The
Peace
Question of Hanover
Overtures
End of the Holy Roman
Confederation of the Rhine
Napoleon'sDesire for Peace
Empire
Duplicity
Queen Louisa
of Prussia
Her Ultimatum
to
Strengthof the Two
Napoleon
Combatants
of the Prussian Army
The Seat of War
Advance
The Battle fieldsof Jena and AuerMovements of the French
Places
stadt
The
Prussians Defeated at Both
Dispersionof
.188
Their Army
Napoleon Enters Berlin in Triumph
of

"

"

"

"

"

"

"

"

"

"

"

"

"

"

"

"

"

"

"

FOURTEEN

CHAPTER

1807
THE
The

POLAND

IN

CAMPAIGN

Hesse-Cassel and Saxony

Negotiationsfor Peace
Advance
Towards
The Theatre of War
Polish Question
Madame
Walewska
of
Pultusk
Bennigsen's
the East
Battle
of
Battle
Eylau
Movement
Napoleon's Countermarch
sumption
ReWinter Quarters
Negotiationswith Prussia and Austria
of
Tilsit
Friedland
of
Battle
Treaty
of Hostilities
Berlin Decree

"

"

"

The

"

"

"

"

"

"

"

"

"

"

Death

"

"

"

Birth of Louis Napoleon

Napoleon Charles
The Court
Marriage of King Jerome

of

Grandeur

"

"

of the Empire
bleau

at

"

"

Fontainezo6

FIFTEEN

CHAPTER

1808

SPAIN

England Seizes
and the

the Danish

Papal

in Spain

"

The

Fleet

Napoleon

"

States Annexed

Royal Family

and

the Czar

Tuscany

"

Demands
Portugal Affairs
upon
Peace
Treaty of
The Prince of
"

"

"

"

Cxi]

CONTENTS
P^GE
Lisbon

at

"

"

ing
Meet-

Spam

Enters

"

The

"

Erfurt

The

"

"

Charles

of

Abdication

Junot
Joseph, King of Spain
Bayonne Conference
Grand
The
Army
The
Spanish Uprising
Madrid
of
of
the
Capture
Country
Topography
Paris
Returns
to
Moore
Napoleon
John
Fontainebleau

"

"

"

"

Death

of Sir
^p

224

SIXTEEN

CHAPTER

1809

WAGRAM

War

Court

The

at
"

"

"

and

Last

Victories in Bavaria

His

"

Fontainebleau

Her

Josephine

"

Errors

Strategy
Battle of Aspern
Battle of Wagram

"

Reinforced

Armies

Germany
"

ens
Austria ThreatTalleyrand
Napoleon's Preparations-^
of Berthier
Napoleon Joins
"

Brilliant

of Vienna

Capture

in

of Campaign
His

Army"

and

Fouche

"

Situation

"

Plan
Austria's,
the

Spain

Left

Napoleon

Why

Tuileries

Both

"

of Schonbrunn

Peace

"

the

of Lannes

Death

"

"

The

"

"

of

Divorce

*3S

Days

SEVENTEEN

CHAPTER

1810-1811

MARIE-LOUISE
The

Imperial Family

Austrian

Napoleon

"

Abandoned

"

Calls

Josephine Favors

"

Conference

Hapsburg Alliance
Negotiations

the

The

"

Russian

Signed for Marriage with

Contract

Marie-Louise

"

Vienna
Marie-Louise
Her
at
at
Compiegne
Ceremony
The
Civil
and
Personal
Religious Marriages
Appearance
Visit to Brussels
The
Fetes at Paris
Napoleon at Forty-one
Birth
Ball
of
the
The
The
Schwarzenberg
King of Rome
The

"

"

"

"

"

"

"

"

Private

Baptism

Honors

Bestowed

Holland

to

the

upon

of the Marshals

Value
"

Visit

"

"

The

"

The

"

Marshals
Common

Napoleon's Popularitywith

Empire at
Legion

The

"

Soldiers

Its Zenith
d'Honneur

The

"

Old

"

"

Guard

His Men
.

CHAPTER

254

EIGHTEEN
1812

MOSCOW
The

Peninsula

War

The

"

System

"

of the Grand

Commanding
Plans

"

The

Lines

Friction

Army

Officers
French

"

Cross

of Torres Vedras
with

Russia

"

Effects of the Continental

"

War

Inevitable

Preparationsfor the Campaign

Dresden
The
Napoleon
at
"

"

the Niemen

"

The

Advance

to

"

"

vance
AdThe

Russian

Smolensk

CONTENTS
PAGE

Battle of Smolensk
The Victory Indecisive
Heavy Losses
Marches
Moscow
Battle
of Borodino
A Pyrrhic
Napoleon
on
The
Victory The French Enter Moscow
poleon's
NaCity Burned
Fatal
The
Retreat
New
Route
The
Delay
Begun
Abandoned
Arrival
Smolensk
Beginning of Winter
A
at
Route
The
New
Vilna
The Army
to
Passage of the Beresina
Recrosses the Nieipen
Reasons
for
Napoleon Leaves for Paris
Failure
269
"

"

"

"

"

"

"

"

"

"

"

"

"

"

"

"

"

"

CHAPTER

NINETEEN
1813

LEIPZIG
Napoleon after Moscow
the Campaign
Plans

His

"

Victories Indecisive

The

"

Fatal Armistice

Position

of Dresden

Napoleon's Indecision
Retreat

to

Decline of

"

the Rhine

"

and Bautzen

Napoleon'sStrength The
Austria Joinsthe Allies
the Elbe
on
Danger of
"

"

"

Defeats

"

of

Battle

"

Preparationsfor

"

Battles of Lutzen

Napoleon's Base

"

Battle

"

Austria

on
"

Conditions of Peace

"

HostilitiesResumed
His

Reliance

of the Allies

"

Marshals

of the
French

Leipzig
"

"

Defeat

"

Battle of Hanau

"

CHAPTER

288

TWENTY
1814

CAMPAIGN

THE
Napoleon

Returns

Answer

of the Allies

Paris

to

The

"

The

and

Back

Abdication

"

The

on

Paris

"

Plan

"

of War

Theatre
Defeated

Evasive

"

"

Schwar-

The

"

"

"

"

Marmont's

Treason
"

The

Napoleon'sLife

"

Blucher

An

"

of Murat

Congressof Chatillon
Paris
Napoleon'sMove to the East
The
First
Napoleon at Fontainebleau

Napoleon Attempts Suicide

Island of Elba

"

Battle of Laon

Allies Advance

Allies Take

Rothiere

La

"

Peace

Defection

"

"

Battles of Brienne

The

SovereignsOffer
France

Napoleon's Preparations

"

zenbergDriven
"

The

"

Allies Invade

FRANCE

OF

"

The

Adieux

Abdication

Second

de Fontainebleau

"

"

The

There

304

TWENTY-ONE

CHAPTER

1815

WATERLOO
Napoleon Decides
at

Arrival

Cannes
at

to

Leave
March

"

Paris

"

The

Elba
to

New

"

Reasons

for His Return

the North

"

Ministry
"

n xiii 3

The

"

Defile of

The Landing

Laffray
Napoleon's Reception at
"

CONTENTS
PAGE

The
Situation Changes
Champ de Mai
Capital
of War
Plans
The Theatre
of
the
Personnel
Army
Napoleon's
Cross
French
the Sambre
The
Ligny and Quatre Bras
The
Orders
Advance
The
Health
to
Grouchy
Napoleon's
Field
of
Battle
The
rival
ArThe
Waterloo
English Resistanc^rThe Old Guard
The Great Cavalry Charge
of the Prussians
The Emperor Returns
Paris
The Cause of Napoleon's Fall
to
the

The

"

"

"

"

"

"

"

"

"

"

"

"

"

"

"

"

Final Abdication

The

"

324

CHAPTER

TWENTY-TWO
1815-1821

SAINT
Napoleon

Leaves

Saint

Helena

for

in Exile

Gourgaud

"

tholon

Rochefort

Arrives

"

His

"

Jamestown

Bertrands

Journal

"

Sir

"

Napoleon's Books
Remains

His

"

The

"

The

Montholons

Books

Hudson

of Las

Lowe
The

"

CHAPTER

France

"

"

"

Sent

to

His

panions
Com-

Las

Cases

and

Napoleon's

Monances
Griev-

Longwood

at

Illness and

His Tomb

"

"

Cases

Rooms

Last

"

to

to

"

Occupations

Brought Back

England
Longwood

Surrenders

Last Portrait of the Emperor

"

His

"

at

The

"

Antommarchi

"

HELENA

"

Death

"

in the Invalides

341

TWENTY-THREE
1769-1821

PERSONALITY
His

in History

OF

Influence

NAPOLEON

Social Equality
Europe
Political Liberty
Higher Education
Publicity Personal Appearance
Health
Method
of Work
Dictating Writing
Mental
His Career
Equipment
Family Relations
Physical
Moral
and
Courage
Statesmanship Moral
Imagination
Ambition
Lack
of Organization
Leadership Compared to
Place

"

upon

"

"

"

"

"

"

"

"

"

"

"

"

"

"

"

Caesar

"

"

"

"

"

357

APPENDIX
THE

BONAPARTES
Table

Genealogical

371

Biographical

MARSHALS
TITLES

OF

Notes
THE

CONFERRED

372
EMPIRE

BY

376
NAPOLEON

377

CHRONOLOGY

378

BIBLIOGRAPHY

381

INDEX

383

n xiv 3

ILLUSTRATIONS
PAGES

Napoleon

Frontispiece

....

Empress
Prince

Josephine
Talleyrand- Perigord

de

Marshal

SO

Lannes

102

King Murat

124

Marshal

Massena

Marshal

Soult

158
172

Marshal

Davout

Empress

Marie-Louise

Czar

188

254

Alexander

268

Marshal

Ney

Napoleon,

Emperor
Duke

of

1814
Francis

290
304

312

Wellington

324

Marshal

88

Bliicher

338

CxvH

MAPS

58

Valley of the Po

72

of Rivoli

Battle

Battle

of

Battle

of Austerlitz

180

Battle

of

200

Prussia

Jena

132

Poland

204

of Friedland

218

and

Battle

Spain

Marengo

and

Portugal

230

236

Valley of the Danube

Battle

of

Essling

240

Battle of Wagram

244

Russia

274

Battle

of Borodino

Battle

of

Northern
Battle

280

Leipzig

300

308

France
of Waterloo

330

n xvi

THE

NAPOLEON
Above

door

the

French:

"Napoleon

in
inscription
house
15 August

tablet bears

marble

FIRST

in this

born

was

the

1769."
ing
partly destrqpeddurFesch.
the Revolution, and later rebuilt by Cardinal
has hardly been occupied since the family left Corsica,
Napoleon's mother willed it to the King of Rome,
1793.

The

It
in

but

old

outlived

she

mansion

Bonaparte

him, and

was

her death

at

possessionof King Joseph. Later

Eugenie, who

Empress

it

owned

so

it

into the

came

acquired by the
of the family

was

many

shrines.
On

with

chamber
This
In

second

the

is the

floor,adjoining the
window

one

in which

room

salon, is

overlookingthe side
born.
Napoleon was

1762, in his celebrated book

"Le

Contrat

large

street.

Social,"

"There
is stillone
Jean Jacques Rousseau wrote:
country
in Europe susceptible of moulding by legislation the
"

of Corsica.

island

enabled

The

this brave

people

libertywell deserve
that blessingshould
that

this

Seven

years

verified

by

genius was
For

that
be

little island
later
the

the

birth

to

centuries

regain and

to
a

steadfastness

will

day

some

prophecy
"this

of

which

defend

teach

its

it how

presentiment

astonish

the

Europe."
philosopherwas

little island"

the whole

to

should

sage

preserved. I have

on

astonish

and

courage

of

one

whose

world.

the

Bonaparte family had lived

in provincial obscurity in Tuscany
first at Florence,
then at San-Miniato, and later at Sarzana, a little isolated
city of the State of Genoa.
From
father to son, there
had been a long series of notaries and
municipal syndics.
In 1529 a Bonaparte came
from
Sarzana to settle in
Corsica, and this little detached branch of the family
many

"

took

root

in

island

less

Italian,but almost barbarous,

amidst
the
institutions,the manners
and
the
of
the early Middle
passions
Ages. Though ruled in turn
by Carthaginians,Romans, Vandals; by Pisa, and
finallyby Genoa, the Corsicans had retained a
striking
an

mdividuahty. The

not

rock-bound

coast

and

mountainous

EARLY

YEARS

helped to
primitiveexistence.

preserve

the

The

for littleor

interior

State counted
when

account

honor. The
"In

they

vendetta

such

around

the

nothing.Laws

were

life centred

conflicted

with

code

Rose, "where

despised,where

family.
of

of

no

family

there
conspirator,
moody and
temperament,
constant,

which

and

commerce

merely a
up the typical
grew
exacting,but withal

woman

keen, brave and

the

the chief law of the island.

was

life,"says

were
agriculture
drudge and man

Corsican

Their

of

essential features

was

looked

on

the world

as

of the family and

glorification
the clan. Of this type Napoleon was
be the supreme
to
a chaotic
exemplar;and the Fates grantedhim as an arena
France and a distracted Europe."
a
handsome, courtlygentleman
Napoleon'sfather was
of unusual
culture and distinguished
but of a
manners,
feeble and even
frivolous character,too fond of pleasure
himself with his affairs. The 2 June 1764, at
to
occupy
the age of eighteen,he married
Letitia Ramolino, four
than himself,a girlof remarkable
beauty.
years
younger
Like her husband
she belongedto a good Florentine family,
a

for
fencing-school

which

had

her
From

settled in Corsica
She

century.

the

mother

lost her father

married

this union

was

the end

at

at

of the

fifteenth

of five years, and

Fesch, of Swiss origin.

the age

Captain
born, in 1763, an

only

Joseph
leon's
Napo-

son,

therefore
Fesch, afterwards
Cardinal, who
was
uncle, but only six years older than himself.

In

land

girlhoodthe
She
with

was

of

Letitia

lovely women,

beautiful

title of the "most

of medium

the small hands

and

had

height and
feet and

of

ears,

woman

borne

from

of Corsica."

gracefulcarriage,
the regularteeth,

forehead, the brilliant

lightbrown hair, the
and strong
the fine mouth
nose,
eyes, the long,well-formed
chin which Napoleon inherited from her.
dame
afterwards called "MaNapoleon's mother, who was
old age.
Mere," preservedher beauty till extreme
and Napoleon derived
She was
an
extraordinarywoman,
full
from her many
of his strongest qualities.She was

the

noble

l3

FIRST

THE

NAPOLEON

through woods and

Corsican
independence,

and followed her husband

of courage,
mountains

last

in the

days of

devoted to her
just priorto Napoleon'sbirth. She was
fortunes,
"Miswith
up
severitjj^
children, but brought them
she supsaid Napoleon,
ported
fatigues,"
privations,
the

body

and

son,

of

upon

man

mother

between

devotion

The

woman."

of

the head

all: she had

all,braved

lasted throughout their lives, is

which

of

one

episodesin modern history.

birth,Corsica, which
Some
years priorto Napoleon's
since 1300 had belonged to Genoa, had risen in rebellion
the
achieve its independence under
endeavored
and
to
of the Seven Years'
of Paoli. During the course
leadership

the

beautiful

most

sided with

War, Genoa

Fifteenth

the

Republic in its contest

1756 to 1759, French
principalharbors of the island.
possession
by France to secure

support that
Corsica. For three years, from

promised in
with
troops

to

return

occupiedthe

three

then

taken

Measures

were

resulted

Negotiationswith Genoa

of Corsica.

the

1768 by

in

Louis

France, and

of

terms

w^iichthe King

granted the sovereigntyof

clauses which

only formal. Paoli

were

in vain

the

island

in

treaty

of France

under

was

certain

generallyunderstood
protestedthat Genoa

to

had

rightto thus disposeof the Corsicans. He continued

finallydecisivelydefeated
unequal struggle,but was
May 1769, and left the island a month later.
thus

Corsica

became

French

only

few

months

strictive
re-

be
no

the
in

before

with
Napoleon. At the opening of the war
of
France, Charles Bonaparte had been an aide de camp
Paoli. After the victory of the enemy,
came
however, he be-

the

birth of

zealous supporter of the new

of the deputation sent to
member
a

French.

cordial welcome

his house

was

government,
sue

for peace

given

to

the

and
from

was

the

foreigners

wife
Ajaccio where his beautiful young
made
a
charming hostess, and the French commandant,
Comte
Marbceuf, was
a
frequentvisitor.
Nobilityhad not been recognizedin Corsica before the
French occupation,and the Genoese had done everything

at

in

1:43

EARLY
in their power
but
there was

little difference
and

so
aristocracy,

in the

island

of Hfe of nobles

and

between

that
the

The

peasants.

Government

French

new

debase the Corsican

to

of dress

manner

YEARS

pursued a different policy.

acceptingsuch titlesas could
nobility,

They estabUshed a
assisted in their research
be proved. The Bpnaparteswere
Duke
of Tuscany. They bore a count's
by the Grand
and their arms
bends argent
were
gules,two
coronet,
between

The

two

of

accounts

with

of the

stars

Napoleon'schildhood
of stories which

number

The

foundation.
from

his mother.

and

had

have

been

She tells us

that he

capacity

for

he later

lished
embel-

without
entirely

are

trustworthy narrative

most

great

second.

was

very

is derived
industrious

mathematics.

His

first

school

formerly
His power
of inspiring
and feeling
kept by the Jesuits.
deep affection was
displayed in early childhood. At the
time traces
of an
not
same
imperious dispositionwere
wanting. Napoleon at a later date frankly admitted that
turbulent, aggressiveand quarrelsome;
as
a
boy he was

teachers

he

afraid of

was

reference

no

but

one,

inequalityof

to

elder,was

the

and

nuns,

were

no

went

to

scratched without

bit and

size

or

Joseph,although

age.

for him.

match

certainlythe product of his island home. He

from
Political
a
proud, warlike, vindictive race.
sprang
conditions also profoundly influenced his mind
during his
earlier years. "The
in 1789,
historyof Corsica," he wrote
"is nothing but the chronicle of a perpetualstrugglebetween
wish to live in freedom
and their
a small peoplewho
neighbors who wish to oppress them." The final stage of
the long strugglehad been reached, as we
have seen, just
He

was

before

his

birth.

"I

was

to

Paoli. The

dying,"

he

father's

no
part made
he remained

Corsican
a

He

At

adored

wrote

subject and
Paoli and

Brienne, in

moment

born

when

change

difference
in his
a

he

my

to

country
of front on

the

heart, for

beneficiaryof

his

boy Napoleon.
many

the

years,

French

though
al-

King.

alien conquerors.
of rage, he exclaimed to Hour-

detested

the

was

THE

NAPOLEON
rienne:

ferai

"Je

Fran9ais

tes

FIRST
mal

le

tout

je

que

pourrai."
futile and

It is often
direction

and

influence

inquire into

the

exercis^upon

surroundings,but

child by
his mother's

Napoleon was
tainly
cerBoth
mentally and morally she
She was
conspicuous for her

son.

remarkable

of the

extent

his home

was

misleading to

woman.

her courage,
her love
strength of character, her energy,
her capacity for practical affairs. But
and
of power,
despite her occasional severity,her children both loved
and
respected her, and to her training and influence
character.
Napoleon ascribed the development of his own

The father
of his famous
with

"too

son,

entirelyupon
equal to the

fond
Their

children."

us

careless,and,

extravagant,

was

of

pleasureto
thus

care

their mother, and

in the words
occupy

devolved

well she

proved

self
himalmost
herself

task.

Until the age of nine. Napoleon's home

at Ajaccio,
was
their
to
frequently with his parents
though he went
the hills,not
far away.
Then
estates
country
among
the

came

father
of his

the
It
a

were

change in his life. The

being severely tried by the

first

largefamily, and

education

of his

decided

was

one

two

elder

continual

necessary

to

growth
provide for

sons.

make

Joseph a priestand Napoleon

ship
promised to give the latter a scholarRoyal militaryschools,and to procure

to

soldier. Marboeuf
in

it became

of his

resources

of the

ecclesiastical benefice

through his
nephew, the Bishop of Autun. He arranged to place both
of the best public
of them
at the College of Autun, one
schools in France, where
to
Joseph was
study classics,
and Napoleon to remain
short time to learn French.
a
The
1778 Charles Bonaparte left Ajaccio
15 December
with his two
little sons, one
aged ten and the other nine.
He
also had with him his young
brother-in-law,Joseph
Fesch, who was
to complete his studies for the priesthood
the Seminary of Aix.
at
As Napoleon tells us in his notes, they reached Autun
for

the

former

an

YEARS

EARLY
the firstday of

January.At the school,Josephwas thought

ambition.
be a good boy, shy, quiet,and without
to
pensive and sombre,
Napoleon, on the other hand, was
taking no part in the games, and walking about alone,
which
was
quite natural as he could not speak French.
He was
cleverer than Joseph, and learned with greater
he acquiredsufficientFrench to
In three months
facility.
and to write little exercises.
converse
fluently,
In the meantime
his father was
completingarrangements
schools
of
the
as
military
to enter
Napoleon at one
du roi. For this two
a pensionnaire
thingswere
necessary
and a
for
four
certificate
of
a
generations,
nobility
certificate of poverty.
For the firstthere was
no
difficulty,
for the Bonapartes could
show
eleven generationsof
As to the second, four Corsicans testified that
nobility.
Charles
had
his salary as
income
no
assessor,
except
and could not
suited
to
give his children the education
"

their rank.

Through

the eflfortsof his father

ceived
Napoleon finallyre-

appointment to Brienne, and left Autun

April,1779, taking leave of his brother, who was
to
there five years longer.This school was
of
one
an

twelve institutionswhich

nominallyfor

Louis the Fifteenth

had

23
main
re-

the

founded,

trainingof militarycadets, though as

of fact they were
conducted
matter
a
by the religious
their pupilsmany
orders, and included among
boys not
destined

the

for the

Army.
At Brienne, the boys wore
a
uniform, but otherwise
there was
nothing military about the establishment.
The teaching was
entirelyin the hands of the fathers,
and

was

rather

composition were

poor.

Latin

and

the

French

literature and

principalsubjectsof study, but

attention was
some
given to history,geography and
mathematics, and the accomplishmentswere
represented
not
was
by dancing and fencing.The discipline
severe,
but no
the
and
were
never
pupils
holidays were
given,
permitted to visit their homes or to receive visitors.
of about seven
hundred
For each pupil a yearly sum
1:73

NAPOLEON
francs

each

undertook

fathers

the

amount

separate
instruct

in advance, and

paid by quarterlyinstallments

was

for this

FIRST

THE

or

room

cell,to

to

give

boys
them,

clothe

and

feed

the

lined
outaccording to the curriculum
above. The pupils entered the schools at tne age of
six years.
During the long
eight or nine and remained
vacation, which lasted from the middle of September to
the second
of November,
although forbidden to leave
lesson a day and plenty
the school, the boys had only one

and

to

them

of recreation.
a monastery,
collegeof Brienne, originally

The
the

at

had

foot

hill

of the

accommodations

slept in

They

for

six

Chateau

the

hundred

one

corridors, each

two

cells about

seventy

which

on

feet

stands.

It

fiftystudents.

and

of which

square,

built

was

contained

furnished

with

taken in a
strap-bed,a water
jug, and basin. Meals were
and the
fare was
common
dining-hall,
quite generous.
At first.
Napoleon was
thoroughly unhappy at Brienne.
It is not difficult to imagine the feelings
of this little tenin
year-oldboy, amid such surroundings,among
strangers
a

of

and

He
with

bleak

climate

he grew
homesick
hills of his native island.
reconciled

more

memories

the

and

of the

school

to

barren

scape
land-

for the blue skies

Champagne,

green

became

In

land.

strange

But

his lot, and

he

gradually

in after-life his

by no means
unpleasant.
few
formed
others
a
lasting friendships,among
later to be his private secreBourrienne, who was
tary,
and

with

Petersburg.
During his

were

Lauriston, his last ambassador

to

Saint

short of
Brienne, Napoleon was
His eyes were
stature.
bright,his forehead spacious,his
lipsdelicately
shaped, but his oUve complexion gave him
air of ill-health. He was
an
low-stud
passionate and his felvery
stay

were

As
truth

at

afraid of him.

his intellectual progress

be that he was
to
seems

to

during
neither

these
a

years,

prodigy

nor

the
a

dunce, but only an ordinary lad. He never

learned Latin,
but on the other hand he was
in mathematics
distinguished

this distinction

by

his

to

standing

of

one

FIRST

THE

NAPOLEON

the 30 October.
associated with the name

for Paris
be

on

Brienne

will

always

Napoleon.

The

with
little village,

clustered about
some

Paris and
of

twenty-fivemiles to the east of

Troyes,the ancient capitalof Champagne.

near

lean
long-haired,

the bronze

de Ville there stands

the Hotel

Before

undersized lad

and

littlefurther
once

school

closed

of the

in which

convent

at

crown

old

an

friars. The
the

during the Revolution, and

is the

survivingmonument

there rises

street

school

the

enclosed

wall which
was

in this

on

statue

the immortal

"

school-boy of Brienne, with goldeneaglesand

his feet. A

of France

the heart

and

hundred

one

of

inhabitants,

its 1800

lies in
cross-roads,

two

his

friars,Napoleon and

the

companions left Brienne

companie
Ac-

mathematics.

in

only

the fathers

lived.
On
old
way

the

little elevation

cross-roads

the

near

stands

Chateau, where the Emperor stopped in 1805 on the

of
coronation,at Milan. The show-room
to his second
de poleon"
Nacoucher
Chateau
a
to-day is the "chambre

everythingin it carefullykept as he
visit the 31 January 18 14, during the

with
his last

on

the

left it
paign
Cam-

of France.
The

Militaire

Ecole

been

Fifteenth,had

plan was
like

Brienne,

few

by Louis

entirely
reorganizedin 1776.The

select each

to

Paris, founded

at

year

of the

from

most

national

new

schools,

deservingpupils,to

be

to be sent
to the school for
They were
of acquiring a general militaryeducation,
the purpose
and to have access
the magnificentriding-school,
the
to
best in Europe. The
subjects of study were
eight in
number:
mathematics, history and geography, French
and German
ing.
fortification,
drawing, and fencgrammar,
The young
drilled every
were
men
day, and twice a
week
exercised in firing.
also required
were
They were
learn by heart the exercises of the drill-book. Each
to
cadet had a separate room,
simply furnished with an iron
bedstead,a chair and a set of shelves. The old building,

educated

at

Paris.

the

the

C 103

YEARS

EARLY
which

is still standing,fronts

far from the Eiffel Tower

not

The

which

goes

under

even

Militaire

Ecole
the

and the Hotel des Invalides.

well

was

show that

to

ancien

governed

regime.It

was

finest educational

the

first of all. Saint-Germain,when

turn

out

the

career

estabhshments

dream

not

Napoleon, but

there

of the great soldier

was

in
he

that
can

and

vised,
super-

thingswere done well

undoubtedlyone of

some

the

school, certainlydid

Champ-de-Mars,

the

on

France, if

not

remodelled

the

it would

be

day

one

questionthat
profoundlyinfluenced
no

by the traininghe received there, and that the debt of

well deserved.
gratitudehe paid to his teachers was
The course
of study at the school was
hard, and
very
The
cadets worked
the discipline
severe.
eight hours a
allowed to go outside the gates, and
not
day. They were
Napoleon received permissionto visit his sister at Saintthere. But
Cyr only four times during the year he was
the discipline
tempt
was
sensiblyexercised,and a serious atmade to give the cadets a good education,and
was
fit them

to

be

to

of the world.

men

In

short,the school

favorablywith our West Point of to-day.

The
sojourn of Napoleon at the Ecole Militaire was
saddened
by the death of his father,which he felt severely.
buried first at Montpellier,
but his body was
Charles was

would

compare

the crypt of the church at

elder
also buried Louis and his two

later transferred
where

are

Napoleon

had

which

would

to

now

to

secure

Saint-Leu,
sons.

himself for the examination

prepare

his commission

in the

artillery.

held at Metz, was

almost
examination, which was
entirelyconfined to mathematics, in which he excelled.
who
of candidates
Out of the whole number
presented
were
themselves in 1785, fifty-eight
passed and received

The

eighteenfrom the
successful, Bonaparte being among
Four

their commissions.

school
number.
at

year

at

were

He
the
the

thus

of the

attained the honor

of

Paris

the

becoming an

ficer
of-

of sixteen, after having been less than a

tinguish
school. Although he had not
speciallydis-

age

himself

at

the Ecole

nil

he
Militaire,

won

his

grade,

FIRST.

THE

NAPOLEON

had
of those who
some
only ten months' work, over
surpassed him.
At the militaryschool,as at Brienne, Napoleon showed
dustriou
insigns of a deep and serious character. He waSPvery
and very
thoughtful.He had lost the sombre
and had
taciturnitywhich distinguishedhim at Brienne
after

become

companionable. But

more

thorough Corsican.
at
Napoleon was
which

Fere
last

journey
the

and

in

1785, and
with

later in company
ordered to the

they dined

garrisonat Valence
The
regiments of artillery.
The

given

best in the French

to

and

study

of the officers was

in the

by

kingdom. The

the

been

the

Lyon
first day

slept at Sens.
boat to Lyon, and

From
from

that

at

time
de

Regiment
Three

army.

three

comprised
La

Fere

days

seven

was

week

one
were

artillery
practice.The tone
and the regiment was
popular

to

excellent

town.

Napoleon
red

had

Valence.

to

of the

travelled

days

two

who

his

school

and

they took

his

spent

Paris

his friend Desmazis,

in the

He

de La

left the

from

out

Fontainebleau

at

Chalons-sur-Saone
there

set

best

of the

one
diligence,

Regiment

visits. He

regiment. They

same

the

preparations for

making

in

still remained

Valence.

at

farewell

paying

October

28

Paris

in

days

two

stationed

then

was

assigned to

once

he

put
first

now

facings.The
of that

uniform,
artillery

the

on

two

months

period,first

he

blue

with

drilled,like all

the

private,then as corporal,
He
did not
and then as sergeant.
begin his service as
second lieutenant until the first of January. His work was
hard
and confining.
His pay was
only 900 francs a year,
which
was
supplemented by an allowance of 125 francs
for lodging,and 200
francs from the Ecole Militaire,or
cadets

little more

than

100

as

francs

month.

Valence, which to-day is an attractive

30,000 inhabitants,is well situated
the River
step

from

Rhone
the

new

between
to

Lyon

and

old
on

the

Avignon.

the old quarter,

where

city of
banks

It is but

the

narrow

most
alof
a

YEARS

EARLY
streets

twist and

swift river. Here

and

turn

and

mark

the

house

Mile.
spinster.

the

near-by at

du Croissant

the Rue

business block, without

modern

the broad,

to

the cathedral,and

stands

of the Grande-Rue

corner

down

tumble

is

identifyingtablet

an

to

Napoleon lived. A
48 where
Bou, kept house for her old father, and
No.

at

about
francs
ten
Bonaparte paid them
real meal of
he ate his one
his lodging.When
the Place
walked
to
along the Grande-Rue

Sous-lieutenant
a

month

for

the

day, he
des Clercs,and turned
he

dined

Cafe

the

at

PeroUerie,where

into the littleRue

Trois-Pigeons.

des

Napoleon brought to Valence a letter of introduction

de Saint-Ruff, at
the Abbe
from the Bishop of Autun
to
the prefectureof the Department of
the old abbaye, now
the Drome, near
the foot of the Grande-Rue.
Through
him the boy officer also came
know
the Abbe
to
Raynal,
of the foremost
one
philosophersof France at the time.
have
been popular at Valence, and
to
Napoleon seems
though
received with kindness
was
by many
people. But, alhe
took
lessons
in dancing and
deportment,
which he had neglectedat the militaryschool,he remained
acquired, either then or
shy and awkward, and never
of the grands
afterwards, the distinguished manners
seigneursof the old regime.
He had the rightto a leave of six months
at the end of a
year'sservice,and left for Corsica the first of September
of the
on
account
1786, being allowed a month's
grace
Fesch, who
Lucien

had

of

and

years

he

to

be trained

me

I should

"Ah!

with

more

brother

afterwards:

of
was

uncle

his brother

for the

priesthood.
September, after
then

seventeen

latter said, many

gloriousEmperor will never

Joseph.
the

delighthis

unbounded
The

Napoleon, whom
like to meet
again as

for

and

his

old.

once

his

visited

Seminary,

Ajaccio the middle

nearly eight years. He

saw

and

indemnify
whom

left Brienne

month

one

Napoleon
mother

the

at

Aix

reached

absence

years

At

home.

still

was

who
He

an

his

from

distance

I loved
I knew

so

him

well, and
in

1786,

received

was

Corsica
His

the

have

it

for

expired
eight months

necessary,

was

Paris for the first time, as when

had

ground

however,

for

him

left Corsica

He

to

the

on

really

now

militaryschool
city.He lodged at

the

and

Four-Saint-

du

Rue

the theatres

to

went

He

year.

at

the

in

of

the

visit the

to

Cherbourg

de

Hotel

Honore.

allowed

been

not

thg first

on
on

his

on

ardor.

renewed

family affairs,he
September after a stay of just a

visit Paris

he

should

extended

was

of ill-health. As

saw

with

the love of

and

arms,

open

him

to

which

leave

April 1787

12

back

came

Elysian Fields." He

in the

meeting
eversnvherewith

is indeed

if there

FIRST

THE

NAPOLEON

Opera,
Palais-Royal. His
the

Italian

frequentedthe gardens of the

have
leave would
expired the first of December, but
he had
home
applied for a further
before startingfrom
and

of six

extension

months, which

difficult to
not
Apparently it was
Regiment de La Fere.
Napoleon returned to Ajaccio on

1788. He

his

found
and

his best

did

expirationof his leave, the

to
rejoinhis regiment, from
twenty-one
the
under

Napoleon,

months.
ancien
as

But

first

and

historians

some

the first day of

the

ary
Janu-

straitened circumstanc

very

help her. On the final

of June, he left Corsica
he

which

these

fegime,

to

in

leaves

obtain

in

mother

him.

duly accorded

was

had

been

indulgences were
it is
have

not

fair

absent
common

to

censure

vantage
done, for taking ad-

in the Army.
reallya custom
The regiment was
now
quartered at Auxonne, situated
between
Dijon and the Swiss frontier,where Napoleon
in the Pavilion
the caserne
rejoinedit. He lodged near
de la Ville. His room
was
simply furnished, and had
very
window.
The damp and cold climate proved very
but one
trying,after the dry and bracing air of Corsica. He wrote
I
in July: "I have nothing to do here except
work.
to
sleep very little since my illness. I go to bed at ten and
meal a day."
get up at four, and have only one
Although Napoleon was
tinuous
engaged in hard and conof what

was

labor, and

was

at

times

ill and

down-hearted.

EARLY

during the

fifteen months

far from

was

old

chum

who

leadinga

campaigns,
and

At
and
he

is

often

so

there

other

through

ranked

was

was

referred

Fesch

life. He

had

in the memoirs

to

present

is abundant

confidence

very

friends,

warm

all

later gave
him
evinced in the Italian

at

proof

the head

near

all the
that

regimental
he possessed

course

artillery

of

of the list.At this time

had
general in command
charged him with some
important work, and that
very
this unheard-of
favor to a junior lieutenant had excited
school of artillery
the jealousy of the captains.The
at
Auxonne
then commanded
was
by Baron du Teil, who
be. It
was
to
proud of it, as he had every reason
very
had the reputationof being the best in France, and was
visited by all foreignersof distinction when
to
they came
Du Teil was
the first to appreciatethe talents
the country.
of Napoleon, and the Emperor in his will left a hundred
francs to the sons
thousand
or
grandsons of his former
for the care
which
this worthy general
chief,"in return
had

bestowed

While
was

up

to

wrote

put

in

at

the

him."

Auxonne, Napoleon, for

under
room

upon

that

of

of his fellow-officers.

Auxonne, Napoleon finished his

was

Auxonne, he

soHtaryHfe. Besides his

many

him

at

military life,which

others. He

and

esteem

to

he spent
or

his soldiers,
as

and

dinners, and
the

of

over

power

Marbot

morose

attached

camaraderie

such

which

Desmazis, he had

remained

the

YEARS

for

arrest

with

an

some

unknown

twenty-four hours.

old

chair, an

He

reason,

shut

was

old bed, and

an

old

old worm-eaten
an
cupboard on top of which was
copy
else
voured
to
do. Napoleon deof the "Digest."Having nothing
the knowledge
his disposal,and
book
the one
at
later when
thus gained surprisedthe lawyers some
years
he was
Napoleon."
drawing up the "Code
of 1789 the contagion of the Revolution
In the summer
The
Auxonne.
reached
regiment took the part of the
sequence
rioters,and later broke out into open mutiny. In conof this,the regiment was
separatedand quartered
in different placesalong the Saone.

NAPOLEON
Another
he
a

was

allowed

month's

stopped at
de
at

period of
grace

to

leave

start

FIRST

was

now

for home

Valence

anyorie

and

called

said
may

to

due

the middle

being given him

Saint-RufF,who
present,

THE

on

him:

become

as

Napoleon, and
of September,

usual. On

his way

his old friend

he

Abbe
^jie

"As

things are going

King. If you become

King, Monsieur de Bonaparte,make your peace with the

Christian
will find it advantageous."
religion; you
Napoleon followed this advice later,when as First Consul
he negotiatedthe celebrated Concordat.

i:i6 3

NAPOLEON
the

tem,

THE

of which

essence

FIRST

class distinctions,and

was

the lowest
for all except
State stood the monarch, the

classes. At

leges
privi-

the head

of the

of the

might

embodiment

subjectto q^ control.
majesty of the nation. He was
"The
thing is legal because I wish it," said Louis the
of
Sixteenth, thus statingin a singlephrase the nature
the monarchy. The
King made the laws, levied the taxes,
and

them

spent

he

as

fit,declared

saw

alliances. There
limits

to

Paris
twelve

his power.
the capitalof
was

miles

at

away

palace in Europe,
a

built

the

the

during

million francs. Luxury was

where
everyprevailingnote. The Court was
composed of

18,000 people. In
the

nation

Court

the

in

of five hundred

cost

when

King lived
the most
magnificent
at
preceding century
the

France, but

Versailles

tracted
con-

peace,

theory practicallyno

in

were

made

war,

was

Nearly

Revolution,
bankrupt, the total yearly cost of

1789,
was

not

half of

on

far from

the

the

the

of

eve

hundred

national

income

million

francs.

required for

was

the payment
of the interest on
the national debt, which
in twelve
had
increased
by nearly three billion
years
francs. Every year the expenditureswere
largelyin excess
of the

and
receipts,

loans. At
to

loan

the

last the time

to

the

resultingdeficit

had

State, and

no

bankruptcy

impossible to increase the

clergywere
practicallyexempt

was

class,the third

when

come

taxes.

from

met

was

was

The

one

was

by

new

willing

imminent.
nobles

and

taxation, and the

It
the
maining
re-

already taxed to the

limit. The
financial situation could no longer be ignored,
and the King was
an
appeal to
finallyforced to make
the people by summoning their representatives.
Louis
the Sixteenth
a
good, well-meaning man,
was
but deficient in education and totallylackingin distinction,
either of body or mind. He
awkward, timid,
was
slow and uncertain. No
king could have been less to the
manner

He

estate,

was

born.
was

greatlyto

entirelyunder
his misfortune

the
as

well

influence
as

of

the

that of France.

Queen,
Marie-

THE

Antoinette

REVOLUTION

the

daughter of the great Empress Maria

of Austria,and she had been married
Theresa
Louis
to
in the hope of thus cementing an alliance between
two
which had long been enemies. She was
states
beautiful,
gracefuland vivacious, and could not very well help
despisingher lout of a husband. She had a strong will,a
of rapid decision; but she was
lackingin wisdom
power
and
the
experience,and utterly failed to understand
and the spiritof the times. She
French
temperament
had been born to the purple,
and had grown
up in Vienna,
of capitals.Her education was
of the gayest
one
very
was

defective. When
of Louis

she

she could

wilful

and

the wife

become

to

hardly read or write. Young

impatient of restraint,she

indiscretions

many

France

to

came

and

laid herself open

and

lous,
frivo-

committed

gossip and

to

calumny.
At

the

reign,Louis

of the finances

management

and

his

beginningof
of

man

abilityand

rare

the

Turgot,a

to

intrusted

had

great

He

courage.

the

statesman,

announced

his

in the words, "No

bankruptcy, no
increase of taxation,no
more
borrowing." But although
millions by suppressinguseless expendihe saved many
tures,
he offended those who benefited by existing
abuses,
and who were
opposed to all reform, includingthe Queen,
who
thus helped to
the financial situation
aggravate
and hasten the catastrophe.Louis finally
yieldedto the
vehement
importunitiesof the Queen and dismissed his
to

program

King

ablest minister.

Turgot
who
He

the

was
was

by Necker,

succeeded

was

father

of the

self-made

notorious
had

who

man,

This

showing
audacious

This

and

of Finance

was

infuriated

step

Necker

time

banker,
de Stael.

Madame

poverty to
publisha financial

had the courage to

of the State.
the income
and expenditures

Court, and the King

storm,

Genevan

risen from

great wealth. Necker

report

was

forced

more

once

members
to

of

the

yieldto

the

dismissed.

was

the Court
found

the

in

took

no

chances, and

Calonne, who
C193

was

Minister

only too ready

NAPOLEON

FIRST

THE

to
was
please,and
gratifytheir wishes. His purpose
for a while. Calonne
a
charming
was
please he did
of the
was
main, of gracefuladdress, who
past-master
found
gentleart of spending.In three years, in a tinie of proto

"

he borrowed

peace,

Then

the treasury
was
loans. He
float any more
well

as

proposed a
at

francs.

fall upon

the fate of

met

once

or

impossibleto

was

to

tax

half

nobles

Turgor

Necker.

and

Every other
now
yieldedto

resource

the

States-General

1789. Thus

to

having been
popular demand

meet

opened

three

of the

estates

It

commoners.

exhausted
and

Versailles

at

the

summoned

the

first of

King
the

May

chapterin the historyof France.

new

States-General

The
the

it

and

empty

and

commoners,

as

billion and

was

nation:
was

the
assembly representing

an

the

clergy,the nobilityand

old institution of France, but

an

fullydeveloped like the parliamentof

England. The last previous meeting had been held in
1614, during the early days of the reign of Louis the

one

that

had

Thirteenth.

never

It

great

national

State

out

was

now

revived, as

crisis in the

of its

that

hope

last resort, in a
it might pull the

deplorablesituation.

had had an equal

Formerly each one of the three estates
number
of delegates,
and each estate
had met
separately.
This
if
organizationwas
manifestly impossible now,
be accompHshed, as it left the nation
to
anything was
exactlywhere it had been, in the hands of the privileged
classes. At the first meeting,held the 5 May 1789, there
about

were
were

members

number

people

of
was

delegatesin sympathy
much
elected

commoners

members

half
over
a
present, of whom
of the third estate.
In reality,
however, the

1200

greater,

as

with
200

over

by the clergywere

the

cause

of the

300

of the
sentatives
repre-

all
parish priests,

by origin.

During the first sessions,there

the part of
of
statements

was

practical
unanimity

in the formal
clergy,nobles, and commoners
grievancesand of the reforms they favored.
Deep affection was expressedfor the King, and gratitude

on

1:203

THE

REVOLUTION

for his
a

and there was

summoning of the States-General,
generalfeelingof hopefulnessthat a way would easily

be found

the nation

from

its unfortunate

plight.
But the Government
had no plan to oflFer.The King, in
his opening speech,was
silent on
the great question of
the constitution,
and had nothing to say about whether
should vote
the estates
ment
by order or by head. The Governthus shirked
its responsibility
and
lost its opportunity
and a serious crisis soon
A
conflict
developed.
between
the orders on the questionof voting began on the
sixth of May and lasted until the end of June. Both sides
stood firm and the Government
allowed things to drift.
Finallya majority of the clergy and a minority of the
nobility
yielded,and on the 27 June the King commanded
all to sit with the third estate
in a singleassembly.The
National
now
Assembly was
complete, and its first act
the constitution.
to
was
on
appoint a committee
This crisis was
than another began to
no
sooner
over
of the Court
siderable
develop.At the inspiration
party, a conbody of troops, mainly foreignmercenaries,was
ordered by the King to the vicinityof Paris and Versailles.
It

to

extract

evident

was

that

attempt

an

was

be made

to

either

to

it entirely.
The
Assembly or to suppress
unexpected
Assembly was saved by the violent and totally
uprisingof the cityof Paris,which on the 14 July stormed
intimidate

the

the

Bastille.

The

Bastille

section of

Paris,which

terrorized the
Charles

was

city.It

the Fifth

to

commanding

fortress

for four
had

been

defend

centuries
built

the

eastern

half had

and

during the reignof

the suburb

which

contained

used
state
as
a
royal palace of Saint-Paul. It was
distinguishedoccupants
prison and had had many

the

"

among

others the "Man

there in 1703
A thousand

with

the Iron

Mask," who

after five years of confinement.

engravingsshow us the Bastille

as

it

died

was.

eightround towers, connected by massive

slits. In later
walls, ten feet thick, piercedby narrow
times, it had only one entrance, with a draw-bridgeover
It consisted of

1:21 a

the

moat

Saint-Antoine,which
its

by

city fosse

the

bridge.

own

on

of the Porte

approachedover

was

built

was

the south

city walls just to

of the

the Hne

the river. It

the side towards

on

FIRST

THE

NAPOLEON

"

regardedeverywherein
universal.
and joy was
France as the triumph of liberty,
declared the national holiday.A new
The
14 July was
the tricolor,
was
adopted.It was made up of the colors
flag,
The

of the Bastille was

capture

the old

with

blue, combined

cityof Paris,red and

of the

miUtary force, the

National Guard, was
organized.Three days later the King
to Paris and formallyratified these changes.
came
time the revolutionarymovement
began
At the same
created
National
France.
guards were
to
spread over
everywhere in imitation of Paris. The peasants took
of the Bourbons. A

banner

white

their

into

matters

made

and

feudalism
In this way
both at the
practically,

legallybut

violent

the Chateaux.

upon
not

hands

own

new

war

abolished,

was

capitaland

in

rural France.
In the midst

of these

September 1789, Napoleon left

Although the revolutionarymovement
of

reached

there, the whole

disorders,the middle

and

excesses

island

Auxonne
had
in

was

for Corsica.
as

of great

state

hardly

yet

The
unrest.
political
general desire of the people was
in the French
either for independenceor for incorporation
that their best chance
monarchy. The patriotic
party saw
for

freedom

and

even

was

and

to

forced

sanction

Napoleon

offence

Ajaccio wrote
Napoleon would be

for "il fermente

it was
He

extended
was

sans
on

taking the

the

to
to

the
cure

ground
at

National
and

1:223

when

his

naturally

baths

of

mander
com-

in Paris

regiment

his leave

of his continued

the

Guard.

of War

better with

cesse." Yet

citadel

the

over

authorities. The

the Minister

much

French

Bastia. The

the

gave

revolutionary

uprisingsin Ajaccio,

were

hoist the tricolor

to

at

that

the

organizationof a
prominent in this movement,

was

his conduct

with

desperateriotingsat

more

governor

alliance

an

France. There

in

movement

in

lay

expired

ill-health.

Orezza, when

THE
Paoli
one

once

landed

in Corsica after his exile of twentyjourney through France had been a prolonged

more

His

years.

REVOLUTION

ovation.

When

he

the

entered

the

met
17 July he was
le pere de la
cries of "Vive

with

harbor

of Bastia

salvos of

and
artillery
patrie!"He was now sixty-six
tall man,
with piercingeyes, and long
of age;
a
years
white hair. Napoleon lost no
time in joininghim, but
His leave soon
their relations were
not
long harmonious.
only waiting for a favorable wind
expired,and he was
embark.
to
Owing to adverse winds he did not finally
sail until the last of January, 1791.
back with his regiment at Auxonne
in
Napoleon was
February 1791 after an absence of nearly seventeen
He
months.
had stopped at Valence
old
visit some
to

on

friends,and did
twelfth

of the month.
his leave

months

and

whom

and

Although
liable

until the eleventh

he

had

or

considerablyexceeded

lose his pay

for three
well received by his colonel,

was

half,he

Auxonne

reach

not

was

to

presented certificates from the authorities at

above susAjacciowhich stated that his patriotismwas
picion
and that his return
had been delayed by stress
of
to

he

The

weather.

Minister

of War

of his colonel that the pay

acceded

which

to

he had

the

lost

amounting to nearly 250 francs,should

request

his absence,

by

be made

up

him.

to

On

his

brother
half

Louis

Heve

to

were

thus

pay

make

who

then

was

born

old, having been

Napoleon

of

had

one

ends

undertaken
extent

some

two

had

Napoleon

return

the

instead

hundred

this

the
extra

twelve
2

of

one
a

his

and

years

in order
at

to

support
It
month.

him

September 1778.

care

financial strain

francs

on
was

home.

to

re-

There

his meagre
not

easy

to

there was
shabby little room,
no
his bed, a table, two
furniture except
chairs,his portmanteau,
and his papers
and books. His brother slepton
in a little cabinet
He
a
mattress
adjoining his room.
himself prepared their frugalmeals.
During his second
sojourn at Auxonne, Napoleon
meet.

In his

about
on

with

brought

NAPOLEON
worked

habituallyfifteen

Louis

lessons in mathematics

progress.

At

later

FIRST

THE
or

sixteen hours
and

very

was

periodhe complained of

day. He
proud

gave

of his

his brother's

and reminded
him that for his sa^ he had
ingratitude,
of the necessaries of life.
deprived himself even
In 1791, by a decree of the National
Assembly, the
of the artillery
was
entirely
changed, and this
organization
arm
was
separatedfrom the infantry.The regimentslost
and were
henceforth
their former names
designatedby
numbers. La Fere becoming the First Regiment. Napoleon
was
appointed first-lieutenant of the Fourth Regiment,
known
formerly as the Regiment de Grenoble, now
for his new
in garrisonat Valence. He left Auxonne
post
the 14 June 1791 and arrived at Valence two
days later.
At Valence, he lived in his old lodgingswith Mile. Bou.
Louis boarded
looked after him
with the landlady,who
Uke a mother, but Napoleon took his meals at the Troisde Saint-RufF
was
dead,
Pigeons as before. The Abbe
several old friends and made
but Napoleon found
some
ardent supporter
of the
new
an
acquaintances.He was
tocrats,
arisRevolution, although nearly al]of the officers were
while

the

common

soldiers

were

on

the

side of

the nation.
Four

days after Napoleon's arrival at Valence occurred

the flightof the Royal family to Varennes, one
of the
of the Revolution.
As a result of
most
important events
legianc
this, all the officers were
requiredto take an oath of althe Assembly. This oath, which
had
be
to
to
written out
and signed by each officer,
executed by
was
Napoleon on the sixth of July.There is no doubt that at
the time he was
sincere Republican. The
a
necessityof
takingthis oath had a profound efi'ectin the army. Many
officers refused to take it and at once
emigrated.No less
than
thirty-twoofficers of the Fourth
Regiment took
this course.
broken. The
famous
Many family ties were
fell at Marengo, took the oath, whereas
Desaix, who
his two
brothers remained
faithful to the Ancien
Regime.
Serurier,while attempting to escape into Spain, was
I Hi

NAPOLEON

without

afford

to

was

general review of the first of

ordinarytimes he probably would have

In

too

The

severe.

the governn^nt

but

the army,

from
be

list of officers "absent

the

on

the

from

cause"

January 1792.
been dropped
not

he

expiredand

had

FIRST

THE

had

army

lost

could

so

many

anxious

to
only too
retain the services of all who were
willingto support the
in July 1792 Napoleon was
Therefore
Revolution.
instated
rewith the rank of captain.
He had reached Paris at the end of May, and the weeks
in July marked
which elapsed before his reinstatement
the lowest ebb in his fortunes. He was
obligedto pawn
his watch, and might have perishedof misery if he had
his old school-boy
been lucky enough to run
across
not

officers by

emigrationthat

they

were

friend Bourrienne.

During the four months that he spent at Paris,Napoleon

of the most
an
strikingevents
was
eye-witnessof some
of the great drama
of the Revolution. On the 20 June he
the King appear at one
of the windows
of the Tuileries
saw
with the red cap of Revolution
on
surged and roared in the Gardens
at

the

"Why

sightof
don't

they

canaille with

remark

taken

was

At Saint Helena

off four

? The

the

below.

attack
the

the

on

then

run

he told Las Cases

how,

at

cut

of that
fast

away

Tuileries

Guard

Swiss

boiled

he exclaimed

prophetic.Later,

was

and

His blood

five hundred

or

would

rest

while the mob

and

vulgar outrages,

sweep

cannon

enough." The
August, he saw
palace

these

his head

the

on

when

10

the

pieces.

to

the sound

of the

tocsin,he ran to the Carrousel,to the furniture shop of

able to
Fauvelet, Bourrienne's
brother, where he was
observe

all the

captured

events

of the

King
in the Riding School
Hotel Continental, Napoleon
and was
much
impressed by
saw

and

the

had

day.
taken

After

the

palace was

refuge with

the

sembly,
As-

the present site of the

into the Gardens
ventured

near

the

scenes

of

slaughterhe

there.

Napoleon'ssister Elisa was at this

Cyr, one of the royalschools,which
C 263

time
was

pupilat

Saint-

suppressed by

THE

REVOLUTION

August. He obtained permissionto escort

her home, and they left Paris just after the "September
and travelled by Lyon to Marseille,reaching
Massacres"
decree of the i6

middle

Ajaccio the

and

fifth visit home,

have

been

the

she

Tuscany
she had

and

both

her

was

much

had

excellent

three

that
roof.
and

manners

sisters she

is said

to

morally and physicallymost

she

became

Grand

Minister of

own

influence

ForeignAffairs,

Pauline

over

Duchess
Caroline.

and

his

his position of
arrival, resumed
lieutenant-colonel of volunteers,to which he had

Napoleon,
second
been

who

one

the

Napoleon. When

resembled
of

joy.She

Of
ability.

considerable

Napoleon's

was

in thirteen years
reunited under the same

been

received with

Elisa was

This

the first time

family had

the whole

October.

of

elected

on

his

soon
previousvisit. He was
engaged
with his volunteers in an expeditionagainstthe island of
Sardinia,his first real militaryservice. Sardinia at that
off the Italian yoke, and
time seemed disposed
to throw
decided to send an
Government
the French
expedition
on

assist her. The

to

Truguet,
brave

but

man

his way
assist.

as

on

fleet

and

miral
of Ad-

military forces of Casabianca,

the

who

was

also

to

T..

He

Casabianca.

at

Ajaccio where

became

very

family and went to

He fell in
the girls.
him

But

command

absolutelyincapable.Semonville
ambassador
to
Constantinoplewas

Truguet arrived

with

the

under

was

to

nothing

Bacciochi
came

of

intimate

their house
love with
whom

it, and

he

with

Elisa,who

she

the

nightto

every

parte
Bonadance

indeed

afterwards

Truguet

meet

to

was

often

ferred
pre-

married.

regretted

Semonville
in later years that he had lost his opportunity.
had married
the
also stayed with the Bonapartes. He
widow
of M. de Montholon, who had four children,two

boys

and

Charles

two

de

Napoleon
girls.

Montholon, who

became

afterwards

much

attached

to

accompanied him

intimacy between the two families

Madame
continued after the Italian campaigns when
was
established at Paris with her family.Pauline
Letitia was
to

Saint Helena.

This

1:273

NAPOLEON
lived with
the

well

school

same

of the

members
and

FIRST

Semonville,

Mme.

Bonaparte, as

THE

de

Charles

as

de

Eugene

as

and

Jerome

Beauharnais, attended

Montholon.

The

younger

families treated each other asibrothers

two

sisters.

Truguet'ssquadron set sail on

he
order to assist the expedition,
attack

an

and

Louis

left Bonifacio

the

him, in command
A

landing was

which

the

was

fifty

Cesari. Cesari

Close

and

this is

to

of Garibaldi
islands

the

Strait of Bonifacio

in the

Sardinia.

residence

shepherds

hundred

and

the

at

close of his

inhabited

were

sailors who

Caprera

by

troops

landed

and

of Maddalena,

west

which

was

then

San

on

Stefano,a littleisland

soon

cold

was

intense, with

Notwithstanding these
of Maddalena

master

of the

forced

on

soldiers

the

certain. Whatever

may

the character
A

to

his

weather

career

critical stage had

Corsica. Paoli,who was

the

tower

poleon
Natwo

the

terrible.

was

to

set

ing
sail,leav-

fate.

conduct

casts

of

Napoleon, even
militaryreputation.
or

the

therefore
Napoleon was
enterprisejust as victoryseemed
be our
fortunate
judgment as to this un-

expedition,its
much

square

in

heavy rain and strong wind.

obstacles,Napoleon hoped to be
the followingday. But the crew

their

to

abandon

to

The

mutinied, and threatened

corvette

the

the

to

garrisonedonly by twenty-five Swiss.

built a battery,armed
with a mortar
and
and opened fire on
the two
small forts on

small guns,
oppositeisland of Maddalena.
The

reduced

few

Corsican

were

France claimed the islands on

language and customs.
ground that they had formerly belonged to Genoa.
The

two

with
February, and Napoleon was
and the volunteers.
of the artillery
be made
Maddalena, the largest
on
to

this time

life. At

plan of

18

and

Corsica

between

of Colonel

islands situated

eleven

of the

the

hundred

In

1793.

small force of

four

the command

under

volunteers

January

formed

by

fiftyregularsand

and

hundred

had

of Sardinia

the north

on

the 8

now

been

reached

no

reflection

if it did
in the

not

add

affairs of

stillin control of the government,

1:28 3

on

THE

REVOLUTION

againstthe Convention by the excesses

of the Jacobins and was
stronglysuspected of EngUsh
denounced
traitor by Napoleon's
as
a
leanings.He was
brother Lucien in a speech to the Jacobin Club
younger
been turned

had

at

Toulon, and

Paris. This

Napoleon

an

order

for

brought

matters

soon

forced

was

his
to

to

arrest

crisis in

make

Paoli and' the

Convention, and he did

that

he devoted

moment

of his former

hero

all of his
and

issued

was

Corsica, and

decision
not

from

between

hesitate. From

energiesto

friend. After

the

various

throw
over-

ventures
ad-

engaged in an unsuccessful attempt to drive

that there was
the Paoli party from Ajaccio.Convinced
further hope, he sent his mother
to prepare
a message
no
the existing
conditions it was
Under
for flight.
no
longer
possiblefor the Bonapartes to remain in safety on the
island. They had broken with the patriotic
party and cast
for Napoleon
their lot with its enemies. It was
necessary
rejoinhis regiment,so he decided to take his family
to
with him. On the ii June 1793 they all sailed for Toulon,
where
days later, and found Lucien
they arrived two
well
Napoleon's real farewaiting to receive them. This was
his native island,although he passed a few days
to
his return
from Egypt in 1799.
at Ajaccioon
As Rose points out, the interest of the events
above
in their intrinsic importance, but in
described lies,not
the signalproofwhich they afford of Bonaparte'swonderful
and will. In a losingcause
of mind
and in
endowments
which, when
a petty
sphere he displayedall the qualities
tion
the omens
favorable,impelled him to the dominawere
he

of

Continent.

1:293

THREE

CHAPTER
1793-1795

de

L'Avenement
The

Bonaparte

His

"

of Conduct

Paris

His

"

"

for

Plan
of

Constitution

have

WE

the

the

Vendemiaire

Thirteen

The

"

Year

Three

"L'Avenement

the

his

Imprisoned
to

Napoleon

and

Precarious

of

the

of

Standard

Ordered

"

"

"

Situation

Sections

The

"

Bonaparte]

what

at

Vandal

Bonaparte"

de
of

1795

His

"

Revolt

"

arrived

now

in

Campaign

Major-General

"

Paris

"

and

Expedition

"

The

General

High

Recalled

Corsican

Italian

His

"

"

Character
South

Appointed

"

of Coasts

Inspector

Rank

Army

Toulon

His

"

of the

Comrades

Disappointments

and

Hopes

"

Barras

His

to

the

of

Siege

"

Appearance

with

of Former

Appointed

Restored

"

The

"

Remembrance

"

Personal

Napoleon

"

Beaucaire"

of

His

"

Family

Bonaparte

"Supper
Brigade

VEND^MIAIRE

AND

TOULON

As

career.

calls

the

"

to

yet,

mencement
com-

all

ward
out-

the
captain of artillerywas
rather
slim, ill-proportioned, and
insignificant
same
wide
and
of
was
shapely, his forehead
youth. His head
hair
fell in stiff, flat
medium
height. His light brown
His eyes
his lean cheeks.
locks over
were
large and bluein color, with
penetrating glance. The
a
nose
was
gray
Roman
and
small, the lips full
finely formed, the moUth
appearance,

and

the

sensuous,

particularlyhis
neck

short
His

mien

showed

His

and

His

his

he

charmed
thus

career

but

awaken

little

had

not

gone

had

been

had

for

expectation
beyond

the

been

his

essentials

supplemented by

C303

wide

was

firm

when

then
so

and

he

his

everyone,

far

his

but

and

complexion
small
and
fine,
deep chest and

was

gait

generally sombre,
beautiful
teeth,

was

His

firm.

body

feet;

powerful.

were

brightened,

his

of

hands

and

round

chin
frame

The

sallow.

was

little

and

wonderful
as

future.
of his

eyes

ever.

commonplace

course

steady.

smiled

His

to

as

education

profession, but
of

reading.

He

TOULON
could
had

details

master

fund

vast

conception

of

showed

and

exploitsof

the great
So far,he seemed
than

the

far greater

was

trade

for the
he

His

scientific but

not

the

present time he
of arms,
the routine

heartilydisliked. Nor

it

had
and

had

he

that mastery
of strategy and tactics
derived from his study and analysisof the

he had

worse

to

he

his command.

at

was

since, and

or

signsof

given any

which

before

man

affairs

details of which

petty
yet

no

Up
practical.

taste

no

as

VENDEMIAIRE

of information

men

clear and

was

AND

world-conquerors.
a

neither much

man

world
than

in which
those

he

better

born, but

was

him

about

much

nor

in

he

perspicacity,

adroitness,adaptabilityand

perseverance.

qualitiesof leadershipwere
they existed.

but
scarcely recognizable,

On
the

their arrival

villageof

after

the

short

La
stay

Toulon,

at

Valette, at the
removed

they

one
refugeesat first was
brighterdays dawned
a

the

commissioner

yet

Bonapartes
gates

city,but

The

life of

of dire poverty.
But
for them.
Joseph was
the

army,

these

settled in

of that

Marseille.

to

with

superintendentof stores.
Julie,the daughter of

As

ently
pres-

Lucien

and

pointed
apa

August 1794 Joseph married

Monsieur
Clary, a wealthy silkmerchant
of Marseille, who
had
been a good friend of
the family during their period of distress,and who
now
his daughter. Masson
that she rerichlyendowed
ceived
states
dot of 150,000
a
francs, a sum
equivalent to a
million and a half to-day.About
the same
time there was
also some
talk of a marriage between
Napoleon and
of it, and
Desiree, another
daughter, but nothing came
she afterwards
married
Bernadotte, the future King of
Sweden.

In

Lucien, in the meanwhile, had

Catherine

Boyer, the daughter of

Maximin,

where

but
illiterate,
and

On

made
his

him
return

he

was
a

was

from

stationed.

young

good

an

woman

taken

as

his wife

inn-keeperat SaintShe was

absolutely
of excellent

character

wife.
Corsica

Napoleon

had

rejoinedhis

regimentat Nice, where

the remainder
being at
Here

he found

FIRST

THE

NAPOLEON

four
the

in command

of

stationed,
companies were
headquarters at Grenoble.
of the Army of
the artillery

Italy,Chevalier du Teil, the

He attached Napoleon to the

of his oid friend.

brother

service of the

teries.
bat-

coast

general revolt in the

departments of the South against the Constitution of
of Carteaux, of which Napoleon's regiment
1793. The
army
was
a part, was
employed in puttingdown the rising.
various missions to Lyon,
sent
on
Napoleon himself was
Valence, Avignon and Beaucaire. It was in the last named
the remarkable
pamphlet, "Le Souper
placethat he wrote
de Beaucaire," which
was
printed at the publicexpense,
and brought his name
favorablyto the attention of the,
At

this time

there

was

Convention.
It purports

to

record

discussion

(Napoleon himself),two merchants

and
of Nimes
MontpeUier.
united

action

under

the

between

of Marseille
It

urges

the

an

officer

and

zens
citi-

need

of

lead of the

Jacobins. This is a
patriotsand the despots
be stamped out
not
by

fightto the death between French

Revolution
of Europe. The
must
the foreigninvaders. On the ground of mere
expediency
of the Republic,and condone
must
men
rallyto the cause
the crimes of the Jacobins if they save
the country.
even
Better
the Reign of Terror than the vengeance
of the
the instinct of all men
of patriotic
Ancien Regime.Such was
and it saved France. As an expose of keen policy
feelings,
and
caire"
all-dominatingopportunism, "Le Souper de Beauis admirable.

publication.
Napoleon had his first
real chance in active militaryservice. Toulon, which was
of the placesin revolt againstthe Convention, had
one
opened its gates to the EngHsh, under Admiral Hood,
and they were
in possessionof the city.Carteaux
now
ordered to drive the enemy
was
out, and proceeded there
Shortly after

with his forces.

its

Dommartin,

who

was
artillery,
severelywounded
and Napoleon was
appointed to

1:32 a

was

in

his

in command

of the

early skirmish,
place.
an

NAPOLEON
December
wrote
to

to

the French

Aubry,

describe

the

THE
entered

the Minister
merit

FIRST

the

du Teil

General

town.

of War:

"I

have

words

no

of

science, as
Bonaparte: much
and too much
intelligence,
bravery.This^s but a
sketch of the qualities
of this rare
and it is
oificer,

much

feeble

for you,

Minister,to

him

consecrate

the service of the

to

chef de bataillon
Republic."Napoleon had been named
the 29 September, promoted to adjudant generalchef de
he received
brigadethe 27 October, and on the 22 December
his provisional
appointment as generalde brigade,
which was
confirmed
the 7 Janon
by the Government
uary
1794.

"To

have

been

at

Toulon"

Even
Napoleon's generosity.
of

francs.

6000

Marshals

of

honors.

and

and

Marmont

loaded

were

passport

to

received a pension

Carteaux

Victor, Suchet

France

always

was

with

became
titles and

Desaix, whom

Napoleon called the greatest of

his generals,
would
certainlyhave been included in the
list but for his untimely death at Marengo before the
dawn
of the Empire. Muiron
made
aide de camp
was
an
the same
day as Duroc, and was
Napoleon's chief of
staff in Italy.He fell at Arcole, in saving the Hfe of his
chief. The story of how Junot first attracted Napoleon's
attention
He

at

Toulon

also became
"Such

an

is

well

too

aide de camp

known
and

to

repeat

here.

duke.

the young

Napoleon," says Browning, "at

when
an
Englishmen are just taking their
age
young
Born
of
noble family but very poor, losinghis
degree.
a
father at an earlyage, with nothing but himself
to depend
upon,

French

was

he had

raised himself

by

other

to

the rank
than

of

general in the

those of

industryand
steadfastness,
highcharacter and devotion to duty, supported,
no
doubt, by talents almost without example.
In these first twenty-three
of his life there is not a
years
singleexample of meanness
of dishonesty,
or
of any
or
derogationfrom the high standard of conduct which he
had set before himself.
Surely,in his case also,the
youth is father of the man;
and twenty-threeyears
spent
134 3
army

no

arts

TOULON
the

under

VENDfiMIAIRE

AND

difficult circumstances

most

the qualitiesof

which

character, crowned

could

by high

try

success

legitimately
gained,are not likelyto have been followed
tion,
by twenty-threeother years stained by universal ambireckless duplicity,
and
aimless lust of bloodshed."
an
The
pay.

promotion of Napoleon meant

As generalof brigade he received

francs
and

rations. In

of Coasts, with
settled

in addition he had

and

year,

January 1794 he was

headquarters at Nice.

Antibes

at

for the first time

blow

fell upon

him.

dictatorshipof

meant

disaster

friends

of

the

the

On

the

Antibes.

this

seemed

was

moment

clear,a terrible
27

July

an

end.

all who

to

arrested
An

mother

Thermidor,
to
Robespierre came
known

were

Napoleon's

were

denounced

was

At

dictator, and

knowledge. He
10
August was

His

away.

the future

Robespierre

younger

near

for

miles

few

when

the

large increase in
a
salaryof 15,000
the rightto lodging
appointed Inspector
a

as

and

examination

have

of

been

imprisoned in

with

common

traitor,and

This

relations

matter

1794,

the

on

Fort

Carre

of his papers, which

had
any grounds for the charges

seized,failed to reveal
released.
againsthim, and after thirteen days he was
A few weeks
later,on the 14 September, he was
stored
rehis rank of general,and the same
took
month
to
been

part in the operationsof the

the crest
the Austrians
from
Riviera.

He

Army

of

Italywhich

of the

mountains

drove
of

the

then

of the
appointed to the command
in the expeditionfor the reconquest
of Corsica,
artillery
which was
in the full possession
of the English.The French

however,

navy,

ships were

the

board
the

not

was

in such

ready

to

wretched

condition

sail before

the

with

the

month

that

the

of March

sulted
English fleet reTwo
of the shipswere
disastrously.
captured and
remainder
took refuge in the Golfe Juan. After this
abandoned.
The
expeditionwas
troops already on

1795,
the

was

and

the

Army

then

an

transports

of

encounter

were

Italy.Corsica

disembarked
was,

and

for the moment,

detailed
lost.

to

NAPOLEON

Napoleon

THE

received

now

of the Army
artillery

the

royalistuprisingin

FIRST

orders

of the West
La

take

to

command

which

to

was

of

subdue

Vendee.

Accompanied by his
Marmont
and
aides de camp,
Junot, as als9 by his
for Paris in May
brother Louis, he set out
1795.
young
He was
held
at all pleasedwith the assignment,which
not
for miUtary glory,but on
little prospect
his arrival
out
in Paris he found even
more
disagreeableorders awaiting
the

of

Minister

The

him.

War, Aubry, had

transferred

him

of his youth.
to the infantry,
on
account
artillery
old quickly on
the field of battle," was
"One
grows
seen
Napoleon's retort to the minister,who had never
a
from

the

day of active service.

At

that time

service

than

had

Napoleon

the

artillerywas

the notion

unworthy

that

any

other

of him.

Later

of an
he
experiencein command
army
for the best inthat such
terests
was
not
specialization
saw
of great
what
operations,and that no matter
officers may
show, they have rarely,
brilliancyartillery
the true
espritmilitaire. He became
perhaps never,
so

he had

when

of this fact that

convinced

of the
and

had

he

Empire,

if later he gave

in his first promotion of

included

Marmont

to

only through favor and on

However,
Napoleon had
minister

over

this matter,

no

and

officer of

no

this

artillery,
high dignity,it was
of old

account

wish
was

shals
mar-

to
not

friendship.

break

with

foolish

the

enough

to

ill-health

for not
as
an
excuse
resign.He simply pleaded
accepting the assignment, and lingeredin Paris, hoping
that something favorable might turn
up.
of his abilities and
Ambitious, and fully conscious
that Napoleon should
it is not
qualifications,
strange
the assignment. At the head of
have
felt chagrined over
had been one
the Army of the North, Pichegru, who
of

his

masters

at

Brienne, had

northern

France

Jourdan,

in command

on

the

battle

and

was

driven

the

enemy

conquering the Low

of the

Army

of

out

of

Countries.

Sambre-et-Meuse,

the Austrians in the

1794 had defeated
of Fleurus. In December
of the preceding year,
26

June

TOULON

VENDEMIAIRE

AND

of his own
Hoche, a man
of Alsace, and covered

age, had

himself

driven the Austrians

out

with

glory.Saint-Cyr,a
sion.
a
generalof divicaptainof volunteers in 1792, was now
Bernadotte, sergeant-majorat the beginningof the
division. Kleber,
a
Revolution, also commanded
three years before,had also reached the same
and

on.

so

in
when

rank;

But

she removed
able

unteer
vol-

notwithstandingNapoleon's disappointment,
favored him more
than
realityFortune never

brought him
an

him

the

to

schemer

centre

could

from

the

of Provence

coast

of all influence
decide

the

at

and

Paris,where

fate of

partiesand

governments.

At

the time

Napoleon'sarrival in Paris in the early

of 1795, the citywas
the
summer
justbeginningto resume
and
customs
pleasures of the ancien regime, and the
Terror
remembered
was
only as a hideous nightmare.
in the streets;
theatres
Gay equipages were
again seen
crowded; gambling pervaded all classes of society.
were
Men
who
had grown
rich by speculationin the confiscated
State

of

lands

now

vied

with

bankers

and

brokers

in vulgar ostentation.
The

passing of the dark days of the Revolution was

series of military
also being furthered by the unparalleled
had practically
gained her "natural
triumphs. France
boundaries,"the Rhine and the Alps. In quick succession
after another sued for peace:
one
Tuscany in
government
February; Prussia in April; Hanover, Westphalia and
land
Saxony in May; Spain and Hesse-Cassel in July; Switzerin August. Such was
and Denmark
the state of France
seek his fortunes in the capital.
when
to
Napoleon came
with
At this time Napoleon formed a close relationship
Barras, who had been brought into prominence by the
As he afterwards
of the 9 Thermidor.
events
explained
Saint Helena:
dead; Barras was
at
"Robespierre was
playing a role of importance; and I had to attach myself
to
somebody or something."
The

Paul

career

Barras

of Barras
was

born

deserves

in Provence

1:373

few
in

words
1755

of notice.
of

good

NAPOLEON

family.In

his

THE

he served

youth

1789 he

British in India. In

FIRST

as

a
a

was

lieutenant

Bastille and

of the States-

member

active part in the

the Tuileries. The siege of

General, and took

againstthe

storming of

an

the

Toulon||"wedits

largelyto his activityand energy. The overthrow

which ended the Terror, was
of Robespierre,
accomplished
mainly by him. On subsequent occasions, as President
of the Convention, he acted with decision both against
of the
the intriguesof the Royalists and the excesses
Jacobins.But the chief chance for immortality of the
of Barras lies in the fact that he was
"privileged
name
vaulted
hold the stirrup for the great captain who
to
lightlyinto the saddle."
Probably through the influence of Barras, Napoleon
instructed at this time to prepare
a plan for the campaign
was
in Italy.The
of the French
plans which he
army
success

submitted

now

prepared a
modified

Prussia

separate

treaty

also under

were

to

seized

and

troops

set

attack

along the
off"the

separate

be

King

favorable

Northern
the
later

he

with

Such

himself

gainingundying

that

France.

to

Italy,the

country.

the mountains

across

of Sardinia from

peace

army

was

Once

stricken

contest

tiations
Negosoon

to

draw

was

carry

make

known

to

fertile
its

strikingplan
into

Piedmont,

Austrians,and

in the

could
the

was

the

into

monarch, who

plains of
suppliesfrom

which

year

execution, thereby

fame.

Notwithstandingthe favor
were
again at low ebb. On
was

the

Italy.The Riviera having been

Army of Italy,reinforced by the
with Spain, would
march
peace

the

by
and

coast

retired from

her in

secured,the
free

Robespierre,but
situation.
general political

of peace with France.

with Spain which were

way

had

only remaining adversary of any

Continent
Austria, and Napoleon
was

to

proposed to

he

of

request

had

which

same

The

peace.
importance on the

cut

the

at

April 1795,

made
lead

before

year

by the changes in the

In
and

essentiallythe

were

from

the

list of

CSS]

of

fairs
Barras, Napoleon's afthe 15 September his name
generalson active service

TOULON

VENDfiMIAIRE

AND

the ground that he had

on

he had

which

books;
At

this

in

The

The

to

The

to

and

put

by

up

and

change
followed

been

all Paris

soon

was

of Five

chosen

forever

Reign

the

to

of

no
were
legislative
powers
in the National
ecutive
Assembly. The exbe vested in a "Directory" of
to
be confided
to
was
legislative
power

"Council
be

and

in character

and

instead of

to

were

the

end

an

chambers
a

and

tion
Constitu-

new

Republichad

moderate

was

executive

while

men,

two

of the

Joseph;

dramatic

most

promulgationof the

Three

longer to be united
authoritywas
five

came

constitution

new

Terror.

was

of insurrection.

designed

was

accept

Talma.

actor

revolt of the Sections

open
state

the

there

moment

of the Year
an

appointed.He

from

money

in his fortunes.

by

the post to
forced to sell his

to

ask the assistance of his brother

to

borrow

to

been

refused

by

one:

"Council
The

Hundred."
Ancients

the

of Ancients"
five Directors

from

list drawn

Five

to have chargerespectHundred, and were

ively
and the
of Foreign Affairs,Finance, War, Justice,

the

Interior.
The

constitution

new

Radicals

extreme

nor

to

was

the

neither to the
satisfactory
who were
Royalists,
already

the monarchy. To protect themselves

talkingof restoring
againsta probable attack from the Paris populace,the
ordered to the capitala few thousand
Government
troops
of the
of the line. This precautioninflamed the wrath
All but
Parisians who
were
opposed to the Convention.
sections of the city revolted,asfour of the forty-eight
sembled
30,000

some

the

on

Menou,
The
who

was

fourth

Convention

militaryman,

and

was

in

panic,and

command.
in supreme
and he had sense
he

and

Guard,

General

of the forces of the Convention.

But

turned

to

Barras

Barras,

was

not

it. In

enough to know
officer who
artillery
young

thought of the
himself at Toulon.
distinguished
it was
not
likelytherefore that

his dilemma
had

of the National

resisted
successfully

of October

in command

put

troops

1:393

He

was

he would

Corsican,
have

any

NAPOLEON

THE

the

of

with

sympathy

Convention

by

than

more

five

to

the

outnumbered

Guard

National

The

at

of the

troops

but

one,

he

which

accepted.

once

active

the

offered him

Convention,

of the

forces

of the

command

Barras

Convention.

the

and

Bonaparte

for General

sent

enemies

FIRST

had

they

no

Everything depended therefore upon gettingthe

from the artillery
ordnance
park at Sablons to the Tuilentrusted by Napoleon to his future
eries. This task was
brother-in-law, Murat, a dashing cavalry officer,who
rushed to
and his men
Murat
carried it out
successfully.
outside the city at full speed, drove back the
the camp
cannon.

and
trying to seize the cannon,
dragged them to the Tuileries,where they arrived at six
the
o'clock in the morning. Neither the little generalnor

insurgents who

were

dashing cavaher

the

cannon

advanced

shot

When

receive

to

the

the

on

the archives

which

of

side this shot

by the
held

carried.
Guards

hesitated
the

gave

the 13
date ever
or

never

At

the

came.

once

insurgentsat the
During the afternoon
driven

to

Paris, it will

back

to

and

the

Suddenly

battle. As

day

missing

are

be known
streets

the
from

raked

were

the strong position

of Saint-Roch
was

church
and

preparations

attack.

of this

occurrences

the

were

the

signalfor

of the Convention

cannon

by

October,

insurgents saw

them, they

fired which

was

policereports
from

the

was

by the revolutionarycalendar, a
in the history of Napoleon and in the annals

France.

made

attack. It

the

to

memorable

the

crown

ploit
ex-

were

Vendemiaire

of them

this

that

placed at every point of vantage in

tion
streets
approachingthe Tuileries,where the ConvenA Httle later in the morning the insurgents
was
sitting.

The

of

dreamed

moment

for each

win

to

was

the

at

evening the

most

remote

National

quarters

of

city where

they were
easilycaptured and disarmed
the following
on
day. This is what Carlyle,in his vivid
but inaccurate way,
calls the "whifF of grapeshot which
ended
Paris

the

had

French
met

its

Revolution."
master.

But

C403

After
the

years

of

Revolution

tumult,
was

not

FOUR

CHAPTER
1796

JOSEPHINE

Josephine

Separation

The

Appearance
Marriage

Napoleon's

"

had
the

des

He

did

friends

guard
At

for
the

and

Paris.

his

and

mother

repaid

During
the

events

the
of

General

of

men

in

the

brilliant

and

carriages

up

society.
or

faction, but

made

the

Army

reorganized
Guard,

him

the

of October
13

was

provided

family,

with

month
the

Joseph

Jerome
well

his

forget

lucrative

and

was

for

not

secretary;

Lucien

much

too

did

he

lieutenant,

His

National

the

time

same

thoroughly

by

and

formed

Directory.

became

made

clique

any

temporaries
Con-

poleon
Interior, Na-

with

set

in

appearance

parties. He

the

consulship

uniform,

affiliate with

not

Interior

Fesch

do

his

made

in all

the

of

handsome

The

"

quarters

himself

surrounded

"

Personal

Hesitation

dominant

suitable

up

of

Released

Described

the

the

of

one

took

Capucines,
and

horses,

He

of

"

Arrest

"

Josephine's

"

Josephine

"

Army

become

State.

staff, donned

the

Paris

Josephine

"

Birth

Childhood
Hortense

and

and

with

"

His

"

Josephine's

"

Meeting

Beauharnais

Eugene

Chantereine

Hotel

Bonapartes

of

of

Executed

Courtship

the

commander

AS
Rue

of

Wrath

"

The

"

the

Fontainebleau

Alexandre

First

"

Beauharnais

de
Births

"

at

"

Existence

Precarious

Her

Josephine

Josephine

and

Alexandre

and

Alexandre

"

Josephine

"

Interior

the

Taschers

The

"

with

of

Army

Josephine

of

Marriage

His

"

the

Origin

Her

"

Childhood

and

of

Command

in

Napoleon

who,
basest

Bonaparte

and

family. Uncle

was

promised
Louis

position.
placed

never

almost

was

in

school

at

He

for.

could

without

ception,
ex-

ingratitude.

1795,

Vendemiaire,

his

short

chance

Vicomtesse

de

time

after

brought
Beauharnais.

gether
to-

JOSEPHINE
The

story

it is

too

As

been

has

good

not

General

en

Napoleon had
One
morning

to

be

told, and

denied, but

often

as

true.

second

ordered

ask

to

often

of

the

of the

Army

the disarmament

Interior,

of the Parisians.

boy presented himself at

permission to keep his father's

quarters
head-

young

sword.

the lad, became

interested in him, and
Bonaparte saw
of Eugene had
the mother
granted his request. Of course
her thanks. She was
call on
the general to express
to
a
lady, a grande dame, a former vicomtesse, the widow of
a

President

of

the

Constitutional

General-in-chief of the Army

much

Bonaparte:

to

the

of the Rhine.

title,the

noble air with

which

first time

Corsican
young
real lady of high

she

of

Convention,
All this

social

meant

position,the

For
expressedher gratitude.

the

in

the

this

found

himself

society.Josephine,with
pression
once
perceiveswhat an imshe
has made.
She
call
invites Napoleon to
some
evening when he has nothing better to do. The next
evening he rings at the porte-cochereof the hotel in the
Rue
be named
in his honor
Rue
to
Chantereine, soon
de la Victoire. The door is opened by the concierge,and
the general passes
through the long corridor,traverses
the small garden and enters
he is conthe house, where
ducted
the little salon, which
is also the dining-room.
to
The
is furnished
room
only with a round mahogany
of a
presence
her worldly experience,at

table, and
On

the

walls

four

chairs

covered

with

black

horse-hair.

hung a few printsframed in dark wood.

While
he is waiting for the mistress of the mansion
to
let
us
brieflyreview the past historyof Josephine,
appear,
of which
he knows
nothing.
In 1726 there landed at Martinique a French nobleman,
Gaspard-Joseph Tascher de la Pagerie,who, like many
others,came
a

young

woman

are

to

seek his fortune. There

of noble

and
children,two
sons
In 1756 the King had
energy,

and

in 1734 he married
whom
he had five

family,by
three daughters.
need

in the Antilles of

the first of November

he named

to

man

the

of

place

NAPOLEON

FIRST

THE

of Martinique and
of governor
and lieutenant-general
the other islands,Fran9oisde Beauharnais, who was
not

created

Except
from

the

little in

for the

until

later.

eight years

fact that

families

both

came
originaljn

in France, near
Blois,there was
locality
between
this grand seigneurwho
rived
arin the lands of his government,
wealthy

same

common

master

as

with

marquis

his income

of

livres,and

150,000

Taschers

these

of the island,without
in a corner
livingin want
without fortune,buried in debt.
position,
A little later,the eldest daughter of Gaspard-Joseph

who

were

entered

the household

of the

ant,
servan
as
upper
governor
demoiselle de compagnie. In a very short time she
or
gained a dominant positionin the family,which was

had

lessened

not

her

by

marriage

later with

Monsieur

Renaudin.

1761, the elder son of the originalTascher, named

Joseph-Gaspard,born in 1735, married Rose-Claire des
Vergers de Saunois,of a familybelongingto the ancienne
born
this marriage there was
noblesse of Brie. From
on
named
Mariethe 23 June 1763 a daughter who
was
In

This
Joseph-Rose.

Napoleon, she
under
the

the

by England
the

Then
liberty.

over

narrow

flag.Only
Martinique had
ended

age

she

la Providence

of

the Seven
ten

was

at

been

the

to

her
to

of the

terms

Years'

birth

France

Treaty

War.
up

in full

pension of the Dames

Fort-Royal,where

four years.
When
de Beauharnais
Franq:ois

the island of

returned

Josephine grew

years
sent

the

husband.

being born

not

before

days

ten

with

her future
from

escape

in accordance

of Paris which

de

had

French

island of

Until

Like
Josephine.

was

landed

in May
Martinique

1757 he
he had married

she

as

was

remained

governor

on

accompanied

six years before.

wife,whom
cousin,and had brought him a largefortune.
then
They had had two children,of whom
only one was
his young
She was
his

by

born
living,
Fran9ois,

1760 another

son

was

the

precedingyear. On

born

on

n44a

the

the 28

island who

May

received

JOSEPHINE
the

of Alexandre.

name

France

to

he

year

When

in the month

left in the

was

his father and

of Madame

care

the

Aprilof

of

mother

turned
re-

following

Tascher.

Here

he remained

for several years, and it was

until after
not
of his mother
that his father had him brought

the death

France, about

to

brother

he

the

two

his
the army,
de la Rochefoucauld

entered
Due
his

of the

1769. With his

the University of Heidelberg
to
years. In 1774, his brother having
Patricol was
tutor
engaged by the

sent

was

he remained

where

end

teacher

as

sister,Rohan-Chabot, and
Thus

him.

it

of his

years

that

happened
youth were

his

was

At

the

During these
god-mother, never
of

age

enteringthe army
given at that time to
assumed

claim.
for his
did

that

that

demand

the

of his

estate

of the

Sarre-infanterie.

the title of

chevalier,

of noble

which

he had
formed

Josephine.The
Pagerie should

de la

M.

alreadyhad

dot, as Alexandre
from

an

by the
appointment as

Renaudin

her niece

him.

obtained

sons

to

income

an

mother, with

families,

plan
Marquis
a

furnish

of 40,000

with

out

Alexandre
between

their childhood
her

over

The
the
on

where

join them.
he

was

at
once

was

far from

letter
Brest
set

the first interview

her future husband

Josephineand
days, and

This

Hvres

since

enthusiastic

appearance.

party

middle
the

to

of
expectation

the

Renaudin
received
1779 Madame
her brother saying that he had justarrived
Josephine after a terrible passage. She at

with

valid

no

25,000 more.
In October
from

with

Renaudin,

sightof

Madame

marriage with

not

at

lost

of vieomte,

of

sons

impressionable
Roche-Guyon, in a

Madame

regiment

two

Alexandre

years,

the younger

this time

At

most

he abandoned

On

and

the

de la Rochefoucauld
in his

sous-lieutenant

took

Alexandre

seventeen

favor of the Due

for the

he

passed

ducal chateau.
who

year

13

Mme.

slowlyto Paris,where they arrived

celebrated
The
November.
marriage was

travelled
of

December

Renaudin

in the
had

Us

church
a

house.

at

Noisy-le-Grand,

This

residence,for

her niece

to

gave

paid

she had

which

Immediately
went

she

spent

besides the

present,

the

the

Paris

had

for her

marriage
hotel

before, she

years

wedding

after

live in

to

of

sum

trousseau.

the

young^couple

the

Marquis,

Rue

rejoinedhis regiment
spring Alexandre
Brest, leavingJosephine alone in Paris,where she had
ordered
his regiment was
to
acquaintances.When
In the

Thevenot.
at
no

returned

Verdun, Alexandre
a

livres which

of 20,000

livres three

33,000

as

FIRST

THE

NAPOLEON

bachelor, making

society.In

fact

husband

Her

Josephine was
have

to

seems

his wife

introduce

to

presented at

never

worse

to

Court.

of her.

ashamed

been

embarrassed, ignorant;

awkward,

her

found

effort

no

he lived Uke

Paris,where

to

He

than

provincial,with
foolish ideas of conjugal love, tenderness, and jealousy.
he
be free to enjoy his fortune, and
He had married
to
had no idea of being tied down
by his wife.
On the 3 September 1781, in the Rue
Thevenot, was
named
who
born a son
was
Eugene, and on the 10 April
baptized the followingday,
1783, a daughter, who was
of Hortense-Eugenie.The
and received the name
previous
had sailed for Martinique as aide
September, Alexandre
de camp
of M. de Bouille. During the four years and over
that, he thought she

of his married
wife. On
he

wrote

to

accept

On

his

meet
a

life,he had

receiptof

the

furious letter

any

return

to

Rue

Masson

news

spent
of the

ten

with

months

birth

of

his

Hortense,

Mme.

to

in October

France

number

reconciliation,in the

mont,

not

Josephine in which he refused

for the paternityof the child.
responsibility

his wife. After

retired with

and

homely

was

of vain

month

Renaudin

1784, he declined

of
to

efforts

November,

the

Abbaye

arrive

to

to
at

Josephine
de

Panthe-

de Crenelle.
'isof the

opinion that Alexandre had no reason

to
reproach Josephine for any acts subsequent to their
marriage and that his imputation upon the subjectof the
birth of Hortense had no foundation
in fact. This opinion
be borne out
to
of the formal act of
seems
by the terms
separation which was
signed in March
1785. He agreed

JOSEPHINE
givehis wife

to

allowance of 5000 livres a year, to leave

her mother, and also Eugene until he was
an

Hortense

with

five years

old,and

to

pay

for the education of his

daughter.

The

pf great
was
sojourn of Josephine at Panthemont
like an
advantage to her in every way. The Abbaye was
immense
furnished hotel,of the highestrespectability,
of "la premiere distinction,"and
only to women
there Josephinefor the first time had an opportunityof
received
of her own
social rank. She was
meetingwomen
open

as

the

Vicomtesse

de

Beauharnais,

victim

the

woman,

young

reproac
unfortunate, ir-

an

of

barbarous

husband.

For
two

of the

woman

of the

she knew

essential

how

he.

to

world, Josephinealreadypossessed

she was
a
requisites:
coquette and
of the
Without
admittingthe justice

accusation of her husband, in these

had
these

respects he
serious grievanceagainsther. And

qualities,
Josephineadds, by

two

assimilation which
in

which

two

is in

her, that

societyis to

new

Little by little a

put

her

the

physicaleducation
in a class by herself.

which

into

all,who

changes the heavy and awkward

a
being desirable
being delicate and sou-pie,
knows

Panthemont

society,that

how

that

to

and

attract

Josephineforms

she makes

her

debut

to

facultyof

is effected in her

transformation

doubtedly
un-

to

sonality,
per-

Creole
above

hold. It is thus

at

her first relations with

in French

life. From

of fifteen months
was
point of view this retreat
her.
to
profitable
On
leaving Panthemont
early in 1786 Josephine,at
twenty-three years of age, found herself free,with an
of ir,ooo livres for the support of her daughter
income
and herself. At this time she sold the house at Noisy,
and with the proceeds she bought at Fontainebleau
a
she established
little house
et jardin,where
entre
cour
Here
she lived until June 1788,
herself with her aunt.
of her
she suddenly left for Martinique. None
when
for this
been able to find a reason
biographershas ever
1790 she redeparture.At the beginning of November
every

1:473

NAPOLEON
turned

des

have

to

another

made

attempt

husband, but without

and

The

with

children,and

her

it

It

the

being

summer

there

that

President

as

the

was

seems

her

was

the election of her husband

Convention.

at

Renaudin

Mme.

the

to

reconciliation with

success.

Marquis
tainebleau,Josephine passed
:

FIRST

unexpectedlyas she had left,and went

Asturies, Rue d'Anjou.At this time she

as

Hotel

THE

Fon-

of 1791 there
she learned of
of the Constitutional

June,

18

still at

and

three

days

the
opening
flightof the Royal family,the previous night. During
the two
followingweeks Alexandre de Beauharnais was
virtuallydictator of France.
In 1792 he served with distinction with the Army of
the North, and early in the followingyear was
put in
command
of the Army of the Rhine. A few months
later
the ground of lack of force and energy.
removed
he was
on
In the meantime, Josephine was
livingin her apartment
in Paris,Rue Saint-Dominique,except when
ing
visitlater the President

her

aunt

March

In

in

Fontainebleau.

at

1794,

Alexandre, who

in the country,
where
he was

retirement
Carmes
Five

had

been

arrested and

was

livingin

taken

to

the

imprisoned on the fourteenth.

confined in the same
later,Josephine was

weeks

prison.The
des

the session announced

old

Carmes

convent

of the

church

is still standing in the

of Saint- Joseph

Rue

Vaugirard

tween
be-

the

Luxembourg and the Theatre de I'Odeon. On

the 23 July,Alexandre
Four days later,
was
guillotined.
9 Thermidor, the fall of Robespierreended the Reign of
Terror. The life of Josephinewas
saved by this narrow
weeks
she was
released from
margin of time: in two
prison.
During the followingyear, the fortunes of Josephine
she left the prisonof the
at their lowest ebb. When
were
Carmes, she found herself a widow of over
thirtyyears,
with

children

two

remittances
money

which

which
she

and

without

she

received

from

borrowed

US]

on

sou.

every

With

the

small

Martinique,with
side, with bills

FIRST

THE

NAPOLEON

does

the bills? Barras, in his "Memoirs,"

met
to

But

Barras

and

could

she

not

color. Her

already wrinkled, but

that

the

Her

teeth

very

small mouth

in

fact

in October

1795,
hair,which

no

and

saw

was

rouge

subdued

ever

nut
chest-

skin

powder

under
one

hght.

them.

Her

than

slightlyopened,
finite
perfectlywith the inwith their long eyelashes,
with
her features,with the touching

never

was

more

accorded

which

of her

softness

with

apparent

bad, but

were

Her

brunette.

covered

so

not

was

smile

sweet

Napoleon,

complexion was

will

of the doubt.

already thirty-twoyears of age. Her

of a dark
was
thick, but fine in quafity,

was

was

Hiip.We

about

anything too mean

give Josephine the benefit
say

Josephine first met

When

Napoleon

liar,and he hated

notorious

was

not

therefore

his mistress.

that Josephinewas
ungallantly,

state, most

hesitate

not

eyes

the tender

expressionof

qualityof

her voice. "Et

cela"

avec

writes

of her

one

historians,"un

fringant,leger,mobile, aux
petit nez
narines perpetuellementbattantes,un
releve
nez
un
peu
du bout, engageant
le desir."
et
fripon,qui provoque
head

Her

could

however

not

be

mentioned

in

with her

signs of

no

body, so free and so svelte,which

embonpoint, which ended in the most

littlefeet. She

wore

"pour soutenir la gorge,

But
her generaldemeanor
the

rest.

This

belongs only to
chant."

was
a

her. "Elle

All her

not

even

showed
able
adorbrassiere

d'ailleurs bas

has

woman

corset,

no

parison
com-

more

of

way
a

movements

placee et plate."
important than all
herself which
carr3ring

de la grace
are

so

meme

en

gracious and

se

cou-

elegant

that you forgetthat she is only of medium

stature.
With
all these qualities,
the femme seduced Napoleon
their first interview,while

at

impressed him
maintien

calme

This

first call

soon

There

Napoleon
he

met

her

by

noble

et

was

was

many

air of

at

the

same

dignity,as

time
he

de I'ancienne societe

the dame

put

it,"ce

fran^aise."

quickly followed by another, and

a
daily visitor at the little hotel.
grands seigneurs,such as Segur,
nso3

EMPRESS

JOSfiPHINE

JOSEPHINE
Montesquiou, and Caulaincourt,who treated him, "petit
He was
noble," as an equal, almost as a comrade.
not
of the world to appreciate
the fact that
enough of a man
en
they came
bringtheir wives.
garqon, that they did not
The siegewas
not
long.Two weeks after the first visit,
than
more
Napoleon and Josephine were
already on
intimate

"Vous

ne

elle

car

voir

et

tendrement

est

as

soon

as

November,

bien

tort,

sur

vous

interets.

vos

embrasse.

vous

Beauharnais."

Napoleon follows Josephine everywhere.

the acquaintance of Madame
makes
TalHen;
is installed in the Luxembourg, in
Barras
the first reception of the new
he attends

this time
He

avez

aime;

vous

moi, j'aibesoin de

"Veuve
From

qui

him:

attachee.

vous

ami, je

mon

wrote

amie

une

dejeuner avec
avec

causer

"Bonsoir,

voir

she

fait delaissee,vous

demain

de

October

28

plus

tout

vous

"Venez

the

venez

I'avez

vous

On

terms.

on,

Director.
In the meantime

moved

fast. He

full of thoughts of thee. Sweet

awake

"I

have

events

Josephine,what

strange

effect you

writes her:
and

parable
incom-

have

on

my

heart,a scorching
your
your
thee. In the meantime,
flame. In three hours I shall see
kisses,but
dear love {mio dolce amor), a thousand
my

heart ! I draw

lips,from

from

give me any, for they set my blood on fire."

of
In January 1796, the anniversary of the execution
the "last king of France," Barras gives a grand dinner.
do

not

de Beauharnais, Mme.
Mme.
ladies present:
de Carvoisin. Bonaparte is a guest and is
Tallien,Mme.
greatlyplease the
to
full of life and gaiety,and seems
There

are

little Hortense, whom

ladies. Poor
school
seems

occupe

taken

from

present at the dinner, and

jealousof the attentions to her mother

for this occasion,was

to

have

been

whose
of the little general,
She

they had

said, "II parlaitavec

de

ma

mere."

she did

name

feu

et

not

even

know.

uniquement
paraissait

NAPOLEON

THE

FIRST

exactlywhat date Napoleon

conceived the idea of transforming "en mariage cette
For her part, Josephine took time to
fortune."
bonne
It is

make

to
impossible

her mind.

up

In

letter

at

say

to

friend she

him;

toward

she

that

does

not

feel any
ference.
her feelingis rather that of indif-

reallylove Napoleon,
aversion

admits

that

but

she

does

not

tinues,
courage," she conall sorts
of
of his knowledge upon
"the extent
all of which he talks equallywell,the vivacity
topics,
upon
of his mind, which enables him to grasp the thoughts of
others almost before they have been expressed,but I am
frightened,I admit, at the control he tries to exercise
over
everything about him. His searching glanc" has
something unusual and inexplicablein it, but which
of our
Directors; judge for
compels the respect even
has' not
feel
woman
a
to
yourselfwhether
good cause
intimidated
by it! Finally,that which ought to please
the force of his passion,which
he expresses
with
me,
an

which

energy

is

whose

lengthof

for

room

which

makes

should

love

to

cease

he has done
make

can

answer

me

for

me

If, after

will he

me,

of his sincerity,

withhold

? Will he

not
not

in the General

marriage, he
reproach me with
regret having failed
our

advantageous marriage? And

more

I make

then? What

the

ready to give.Can I,
hope to hold for any

youth

fit of dehrium?

doubt

is past,
this violent affection which

time

resembles

to

no

preciselythat

woman

what

leaves

which I have often been

consent
a

General's

the

admire

"I

will there be for

me

what
do?

to

Tears

will be my
only resource."
Josephine consulted all of her

told her that

go

far; that Carnot

give him
She

was

almost
not

Bonaparte

the

had

made

command

society friends. They

genius and that he would

no

of

an

secret

of his intention

army.

Still she

thirty-two
years
an

old

woman.

in love with

him.

but herself. But

hesitated.

of age. She was

faded. She
She liked Napoleon, but she
In fact she never
reallyloved

she

was

at

1:523

to

was
was

body
any-

the end of her resources,

JOSEPHINE
and

seemed

marriage

troubles.

She

the

finallyreached

February.
Nevertheless,she
to

be

to

has

only

way

decision

out

of her

the

last of

first of all

precautionsto take:

conceal

her age, for she does not wish to admit

least of all to this boy of twenty-six,that

passed the

From

thirty-twoyears.

confidence,she obtains

of

man

of

age

to

Calmelot, her
he

certificate that

one,
any-

she has

is

du
acquaintedwith Marie-JosephTascher, veuve
citoyen Beauharnais, that she is a native of the island
of the present ocof Martinique, and that on
account
cupation
of the island by the English it is impossibleto

well

her

procure

birth

certificate! Armed

certificate,
Josephine is able
born

June 1767,while

23

declare

to

she

with

this notarial
that

reallyborn

was

she

was

four years

earlier.

and

dated the 8 March

was
marriage contract
1796,
celebrated
the
fore
the marriage was
followingday bethe four witnesses were
Barras
a civil officer.Among

and

Tallien. No

The

mention

parents; they had not been

Two
days later General
of the

command

prisdes

Army

of

of the

of the

consent

consulted.

Bonaparte left alone

Italy."Heureusement,

take

to
on

avait

la lune de miel."

sur

avances

made

was

imagine than to describe the fury of the

Bonaparte family when they heard of the marriage of
Napoleon. He had anticipatedthe storm, for he had
It is easier

asked

not

the

Joseph, and
Paris. He
and

of his

consent

he

had

none

of them

to

before

Bonaparte family

declared

From

that

moment

hostile camps,
into active hostilities.
of

two

and

Louis

not

away

written
from

the advice

the first day, even

Beauharnais.
midst

mother; he had

Lucien

sent

asked

not

invited

had

From
the

had

to

of any of his friends

the wedding.

they had
a

met

vendetta

Josephine,
against the

Napoleon lived in
always ready to break

cssa

the
out

THE

NAPOLEON

FIRST

of her
to read the opinionof some
interesting
contemporariesregardingJosephine.To the captivating
all witnesses testify.
Even
of her person
charm
Lucien,
had
who
well-disposedtoward Jj^r,
not
particularly
was
he gives us the foladmit this. In his "Memoires"
to
^owing picture:
"Hardly to be noticed in the midst of this circle of
generallyreputed to be of easy morals, is
pretty women,
be

It may

very

Vicomte

of the

the widow

littlewit, she had

there

beauty, but
in the

below

de

Beauharnais.
of what

trace

no

Creole

certain

were

little,

With

could

be called

characteristics

pliantundulations of her figurewhich was

without
the average
height.Her face was

rather
natural

freshness,it is true, but the artificesof the toilet remedied

it appear
fairlywell by the light
of the chandeliers. In short,her person
not
was
entirely
of the attractions of her youth."
bereft of some

this defect

so

to

as

make

Arnault, in his "Souvenirs

Sexagenaire,"does her
"The
of her disposition,
He says:
better justice.
evenness
in her eye
her good-nature,the amiabilitythat shone
and which expresseditself not
only in her words but in
the tones
of her voice, a certain indolence
peculiarto
which
Creoles
was
recognizablein her carriage and
she was
when
even
movements
making an effort to please,
all these

lent

to

dazzlingbeauty
and

her

of her

d'un

charm

which

transcended

rivals Mesdames

two

the

Recamier

Tallien."

Madame

de

Remusat, who

had

known

Josephine since
of her
accurate
description
1793, givesperhaps the most
"Without
friend in these words:
beautiful,
being precisely
her whole person was
possessedof a peculiarcharm.
Her

features

delicate and

were

gentle,her tiny

mouth

teeth; her somewhat

by her clever

perfect,every
motion

of

use

outline well
and

was

easy

and

whatever

harmonious, her

fective
dexterouslyconcealed dedark complexion was
proved
imcosmetics. Her
figurewas

rounded

elegant.Her
she

wore

ns4

sion
expres-

and
taste

seemed

graceful; every
in dress

to

have

was

its

cellent,
ex-

beauty

CHAPTER

FIVE
1796

THE

in Command

Bonaparte

Situation

of

Montenotte

Two

and

Mondovi

Advance

Castiglione

sano

of

mainly
assures

me

to

that

reality
three

as

was

Directors

were

used

so

"

Mantua

Battle

"

of

Bas-

ship
Leader-

the

afraid

were

so

in

is

earned

of

the

devoted

to

The

appointment
and

In

and

Army

this

the

conditions

in

Italy

ns6

were

the

place,

but

bad,

was

and
he

the
had

just

second
and

the

he

might
the

get

saved

which

cannon

the

to

Interior,

effectively against the Sections

turned
against the Directors. In

easily be
the military

had

gratitude,

The

in

important

first

he

the

this

and

anxious

that

him

approval.

were

of

for

was

Barras

why

true

obtain

fact

their

their

him.

says,

given by
Josephine! But

to

reasons

It

Paris.

events,

"Barras

Italy." Barras

gave

him

two

of

Carnot,

of

these

that

Army

Bonaparte.

to

Army

assumed

will

gift

simply

the

he

was

great

main

of

had

General

the

false.

he

wedding

Josephine

the

wedding

given

and

commander

soldiers

of

Consummate

"

between

command

two

from

Convention
now

Tyrol

been

generally

of

Directors

were

away

by

made

command

him

the

Arcole

of

mations
Procla-

into Milan

Siege

"

command

in which

absolutely

is

other

There

has

letter

the

that

assertion

It

the

to

command

Napoleon

to

of

Napoleon's

if I marry

chief

states

in

French

connection

some

due

also

"

appointed
Italy.

was

the

Quadrilateral

Battle

before

weeks

been

him

The

Entrance

"

Battles

"

Napoleon's

"

"

Peninsula

Action

Bonaparte

TWO
there

Famous

"

Caldiero

at

of Lodi

of the

of

Plan

Piedmont

Battle

"

The

"

Condition

"

with

Peace
Po

Lonato

and

Repulse

"

of

of the

Italy

Napoleon's

"

"

Mincio

the

to

of

Army

Armies

the

Crossing

"

"

of the

ITALY

OF

CAMPAIGN

the

as

place,

posi-

THE

CAMPAIGN

French

tion of the

Army
only Bonaparte could

that

It will be remembered

had

drawn

French

had

said that

had

remarked

it

and

convinced
owed
his

to

save

the situation.

command

the

ought

studied

thought

was

in

Italy.Kellermann
a
lunatic,and Scherer
possible
proposed such an im-

of

fool who
be

to

to

sent

it

carry

out.

this

forty-eighthours with his bride

the army,
and during most
of this time
of Italybefore
his room
with the maps
he left Paris accompanied by his aides
spent

shut up in
him. The ii March
was

de camp,
and
Junot, Marmont, Berthier,Murat
He carried with him 48,000 francs in gold,a small
the

of

succor

of

want

an

Josephine.At

to

again. It is doubtful
fierylove-letters as
this time. He

by

if any
those of

adored

effusions,for

Marquise

de La

woman

ever

Napoleon

Tour

du

letters;he writes like

was

have

must

she

as

relayhe

every

her, while she

his ardor. She

for

sum

where
Chatillon-sur-Seine,

at

Duroc.

long time had been in

stopped a night with the

for

nearly everything.He

his first letter

his

which

army

father of Marmont

touched

Carnot

masterly plan and had become

of the strategic
parte
genius of its author. So Bonahis appointment,not to a disgraceful
intrigue,
own
commanding powers.

Napoleon only
before leavingfor
he

critical.It

the work

was

that

scheme

but

was

that the

generalsin

two

seen

ITALY

previousyear Napoleon
At that
up a plan for the campaign of Italy.
plan had been contemptuously rejectedby the

time, his

had

OF

had

afterwards

Pin, "I

he
wrote

her

received

such

Josephine at
only moderately
to

ing
trouble in read-

remarked

cannot

wrote

make

to
out

the
his

cat."

days with his

her a letter from Josephine.
mother
at Marseille and hand
stillvery far from being reconciled to
His mother
was
his marriage,and it was
only after a hard struggleand a
Letitia was
that Madame
finally
family council of war
He

turned

from

his

persuaded to write a
her
to
congratulation

route

very
new

to

pass

formal

two

and

stilted letter of

daughter-in-law.
ns7 3

THE

NAPOLEON
A

later,the

week

Nice
found

in

very

stretched

were

while

Allies

the

slopesof

northern
had

and

out

of the

advantage of inner

and

lines. Moreover, the French

troops were
clad, and for a long time had
equipped,worse

badly

commander,
his soldiers,
at
once
new

without

feed, equip or

to

money

their hearts

won

ringingproclamationswhich

those

been

not

all.

paid at
pay

he

therefore

shorter

The

at

precarioussituation. Its detachments

along the coast from Nice to ^vona,
occupied strong positionsalong the
the Maritime
Alps and the Apennines,

further

the

Napoleon arrived
Army of Italy,which

March,

29

command

took

and

FIRST

by

he knew

the first of
so

well how

write:

to

Govnearlynaked. The ernment

do nothing for you.
much, but can
owes
you
do you
Your
honor, but they
patience and courage
to lead you
bringyou neither profitnor glory.I am come
fertile plainsin the world. There you will
into the most
There you will find
find rich provincesand great towns.
glory, honor, and riches. Soldiers of Italy, can
your
fail
you.?"
courage
At this time, Italy,divided into twenty
small rival
The
the map.
King of Piedmont
states, existed only on
the Third, whose
Victor Amadeus
daughters had
was
"Soldiers!

married
de

the

You

are

hungry

Louis

afterwards

d'Artois,later Charles

Comte

the

brothers of Louis

two

Provence,

and

the

Sixteenth:

Comte

Eighteenth,

the Tenth.

This

and

fact had

againstFrance. The House

of Austria reignedover
Lombardy, and a prince of that
family governed Tuscany. The only heir of the Duke of
led him

Modena

to

the coalition

enter

had

married

Naples

The

Pius

of France

Catholic

whole

of the weak

consort

venerable

enemy

the

as

Church

Ferdinand.

Marie-Antoinette

of the unfortunate
of

the Archduke

on

Sixth, who

in the

Peninsula

was

new

occupied the
Ferdinand

wore

of the

account

the

sister
throne

the Fourth.

tiara,was

destruction

the
of the

RepubHc. Thus practically

allied against France.
Only

Cssn

I-oniitud*'

E^"a[

'I

Ji

rjin

i.r":*^nt.-)rh

CAMPAIGN

THE
the

republicsof

two

ITALY

OF

Venice

Genoa

and

nominally

were

neutral.
The

the time that

at
strength of the French army
mated
Napoleon arrived at headquarters may
safely be estibut it was
at about
cellent
composed of ex37,000 men,
of mountain
long inured to the fatigues
troops, now
warfare. His chief of staff was
Berthier,then forty-three
years old,who served in this capacityin all his campaigns
of small intellect,
but a
man
a
except the last. He was

useful officer in his

most

brave,
position,

Murat

Marmont,

and

exact

liable.
re-

and

Junot.
brated,
In command
of the divisions were
generalsalready celewhile
such as Massena, Augereau and Serurier,
were
Lannes, Bessieres,
serving in subordinate positions
On

Suchet

the staff were

and

also

Victor. All of these officers

attain distinction under

the

destined

were

to

Empire.

had
Bonaparte's appointment to the chief command
been favorablyreceived by several of these generals,
not
older and
and Augereau, were
much
who, like Massena
had seen
longer service than he. But the young general,
in

full of confidence

authorityand determination

air of

him, and the

to

himself,assumed

The

which

of discontent

murmurs

in the face of the

from

army

of about

was

were

dazzlingsplendorof

Piedmontese

the firstthat
natural

so

hushed

soon

his victories.

20,000

men

was

manded
com-

by General
The

Austrian
under

were

Colli,an officer of high reputation.

forces, amounting to some
men,
40,000

the

command

of

Beaulieu, an

experienced

general,but old and. inactive.

From
the

Nice

Maritime

armies.

French;

To

Alps
the

west

and
and

the
the

loftymountainous
Apennines divided

south

of these

ranges

ranges

the
were

of
two

the

the

on

There

mountains,

Genoa

to

one

dinians.
opposite side, the Austrians and Sarare
only four or five passes through the
of which

is

Savona, where

at

Napoleon

his forces. At the same

time a column
began to concentrate
was
pushed along the coast-line nearly to Genoa with
the idea of bringingpressure
bear upon
that city for
to

t59

of an
indemnity on
payment
in the seizure of a French

the

its neutral

within

to

their

at

say,

with
the

cross

Alps

at

avoid

he would

and

them

between

wedge

British

the

by

solved
re-

is

the fortifications which

Piedmont

enter

the

at

to

Savona.

Apennines above

the

the other routes, and

allied
of junctionof the two
a

vessel

escence
acqui-

originalplan, Napole^
their lowest point,that

his

junctionwith

this road

of its

account

port.

accordance

In

By

FIRST

THE

NAPOLEON

fended
de-

point

armies, and could thus drive

attack

then

either

one

the

or

that the plan

to note
pleased.It is interesting
similar to
of this,Napoleon's first campaign, was
very
In the first,he was
his last,the campaign of Waterloo.
opposed by the Sardinians and Austrians; in the last,
the armies
by the English and Prussians. In each case
opposed to him had divergentlines of communications.
he used his own
In each case
as
a wedge to
separate
army
he detached
and then, after defeatingone
the two
allies,
army,
other

he

as

containing force

massed
He

the
before

his brilliant
In this

been

had

against the

his forces

repeated in 1815

thus

years

of

rest

the

successful

so

the

he

army.

nineteen

beginningof

military career.
he

case

fortunate

more

was

road

than

in the Waterloo

small column

along the

Genoa, he led Beaulieu

towards

to

think

fore
attempting to turn his left. Beaulieu therethe protectionof Genoa
marched
with the bulk
to
of his forces,at the same
time
giving his lieutenant,
the mountains
from
MonteArgenteau, orders to cross
road which
to
notte
Savona, that is to say, by the same
Napoleon had chosen to enter Piedmont. If this movement
that

he

at

while

other
that

manoeuvre

campaign, for by sending the

Corniche

it in check

hold

to

was

'

had

been

in two,

Genoa

successful,it would

and

that

would

have

encountered
It
under

was

Colonel

of the

part

been
an

in

have

ceo

French

line

Savona

and

danger

obstacle

who

the

between

army

simple redoubt

Rampon,

cut

for

of capture.
But genteau
Arwhich
vance.
stopped his ad-

defended

by 1200
twenty-fourhours

men

held

THE

NAPOLEON
in

started

pursuit of

scarcely made
AprilNapoleon
and four days

and

overtook
later

intrenched

the

the 21
step by step. On
defeated
them
at Moq^ovi,
Cherasco

at

was

defend

to

fell back

Ceva, but

at

camp

Piedmontese, who

demoralized

the

attempt

any

FIRST

only

leagues

ten

Turin.

from

capital.The King
reigned in the Sardinian
of his people and offered to
the supplications
By the armistice signed on the 28 April,
peace.

Dismay
yielded to
make

the

from

withdrew

Piedmont

coalition,gave
Nice

her strongest
fortresses,ceded
her army.
and disbanded

Savoy

forced

acquired as

and

had

the

Austrians

them

base

for future

separate

taken
from
peace,

operationsagainst

Coni, Tortona

fortresses of

the

make

to

six

won

than
killed or captured more
victories,
12,000
men,
the
Sardinians
detached
than forty cannon,
more

their alliance and

of

France,

to

weeks, Napoleon had

three

in less than

Thus

and

three

up

and

sandria,
Ales-

artillery,
magazines and stores.
of deceivingthe Austrians
Napoleon, with the purpose
his future plans,had put a clause in the armistice
to
as
the Po was
of Valenza
be
on
to
providing that the town
Beaulieu
him.
surrendered
to
accordingly expected the
the passage
of the river at that point.
French
to
attempt
He therefore stronglyfortified the approaches to the Po
with

at

Pavia

behind

feint

also

and

Valenza,

the Ticino.

Valenza, marched

at

rightbank

of the river
the

four

miles

below

Here

he

crossed

turned

prepared

both

to

second

line of defence

at

But

Napoleon, after making a

his army
the
rapidly down

Placentia,a place about

junction of the Ticino

without

of the

serious

positions so

with

opposition,

twentythe Po.

and

carefullyfortified by

thus
the

Austrians.
Beaulieu

did

feel strong

enough to keep the field

against the French, so placing a small garrison in the
citadel of Milan, he retreated rapidlyon
Mantua, leaving
of the Adda
a
strong rear-guardto defend the passage
at
Lodi.
the 10
Here on
the
May the French overtook
not

THE

CAMPAIGN

OF

ITALY

Austrians, and carried the bridgeby

after

storm,

short

The
contest.
importance of this battle has
spirited
overestimated on account
of its spectacular
been greatly
features, but it produced a complete demoralization
the Austrian troops
by givingthem an idea of
among
The French lost only two
their own
hundred
inferiority.
thousand
and they took two
prisoners.
men,
free from the Austrians,
All of Lombardy
was
now
but

retired behind

who

celebrated

Mincio

the

within

the

Quadrilateral.

Napoleon celebrated this victoryby

flaming proclamations:
"Soldiers! You

descended

have

like

Apennines; you have

dispersedeverythingthat opposed your
summit

of the

delivered
is yours,

Austrian

from

her natural sentiments

Milan

and

which
a

barrier

to

you

protect

the

Ticino, and

for

been

Dukes

existence
political
menaced

tyranny,

another

of his

from

torrent

the

overthrown
progress.

has

and

mont,
Pied-

returned

to

of peace and friendship

for France.
the republicanflagwaves
out
through-

all Lombardy. The

their

lines of the

of Parma

and

Modena

owe

generosity.The army
with so much
pride no longer finds
itself against your
The
arms.
Po,

the Adda

to

your

have

not

checked

your

progress

singleday; these boasted bulwarks of Italy have

crossed as rapidly as the Apennines."

to Napoleon
Immediately after this,a deputationcame
the submission of Milan.
at his headquartersto offer him
He sent Massena
.of the city,which he
to take possession
himself entered on the 15 May, under a triumphal arch,
amid
the enthusiastic cries of the populace who
hailed
him as a son of Italyand the defender of her independence.
vesting
But Napoleon did not remain long at Milan. After inBeaulieu had left a garrison
the citadel in which
of 2000
Austrians,he proceeded with his main army to

the Mincio.
The

Austrian

was
position

one

1:633

of great

strength.The

river Mincio

river forms

This

of
the

two

carries ofF the

which

joinsthe

Garda

after

Po

of the

course

chief inner

the

Italy.From
Napoleons

many

FIRST

THE

NAPOLEON

of Lake
surpluswaters
of some
eighty miles.
vaders
barrier against all in-

the earliest times

the

of the

banks

which

contests

down

to

Mincio

have

tlipseof

have

decided

nessed
wit-

the fortunes

Peninsula. On its lowest course, where the

into a semicircular lagoon flanked by
river widens
out
This city,with
of Mantua.
is the historic town
marshes
of the

famous
Legnago, Verona and Peschiera, forms the most
history,the celebrated
strategical
positionof modern
Quadrilateral,
commanding the north side of the valley
of the Po, togetherwith the passes of the Adige.
attack the Austrian centre
The plan of Napoleon was
to
he made
at Borghetto,but in order to deceive the enemy,
a demonstration
againstPeschiera. Then on the 29 May,
he attacked Borghetto with his cavalryunder Murat
ported
supand carried the bridge.
by infantry and artillery

By this
army,

he

movement

part

of which

broke

the

centre

retired into the

of the Austrian

Tyrol

while

the

mainder
re-

took

invested.
refugein Mantua, which was now
The
of the ground favored
the siege of
peculiarities
the
fortress. The
semicircular
lagoon which
guards
Mantua
render
range

the

north, and the marshes on the south side,

assault very
but they also limit the
an
difficult;
of ground over
which sorties can
be made, thereby
on

Hghtening the
of the

work

blockade

of the

Napoleon

besiegers;and
left fewer

than

during

part

five thousand

for this purpose.

Alarmed
at
mined
deterNapoleon's progress, Austria now
effort for the reUef of Mantua
to make
a great
and
for the recovery
of Italy.The possessionof Mantua
was
of decisive importance.If Napoleon should take and keep
men

it,Austria would

be

banished
from
practically
Italy and
her prestigedestroyed.She must
therefore relieve it, or
lose not only her power
in the Peninsula but her rank in
Europe.
The Austrian army
in the Tyrol was
increased to 60,000

1:643

THE
and

men

old

an

put

brave

of Marshal

soldier,who

had

Wurmser,

distinguished

the main

soldiers shut

12,000

were

ITALY

campaigns.Besides

in several

there

army

OF

the command

under
but

man

himself

CAMPAIGN

Austrian

in Mantua.

up

had

One
altogether45,000 men.
division,
besiegingMantua, while the others
10,000
strong, was
were
posted at Legnago and Verona.
From
of the Austrian army,
Trent, the headquarters,
there were
three direct routes
the Quadrilateral:one
to
by the west side of Lake Garda, the other two down the
one
to Rivoli by the
Adige on the east side of the lake
rightbank of the river and the other to Verona by the

Napoleon

"

left bank.
divided his forces into

Wurmser
strong,

commanded

armies

two

one,

by Quasdanovich, took

the

25,000

by

route

Garda; the other, 35,000 strong,

commanded
himself,descended the Adige in
by Wurmser
two
columns, one on each side of the river. By this plan,

the

side of Lake

west

expected

Wurmser
French

to

envelop

and

the

capture

whole

army.

Napoleon, not beingstrong enough to take the offensive,

waited for developments.The 30 July he learned that the
Austrians were
advancing on both sides of the lake. He
decided
at

siege of Mantua

and

to

concentrate

all his available troops at the lower end of Lake

his central position he could fall
where
from

once

Garda
with

raise the

to

almost

armies.

On

his entire force

the

next

day

on

either of the

Austrian

two

his forces and

he concentrated

he attacked and defeated Quasdanovich,

day following
the west
side of
on
forcinghim back into the mountains
the

the lake. He
to
on

meet

turned

then

who

Wurmser,

Lonato

and

part of his army

On
the third

on

one

In

the

had

had

of

his march
Lonato

at

defeated

the

and
with
on

and
two

marched

of his divisions

one

while
Castiglione,

August,
and

his columns

directed

he continued

Napoleon attacked
which

back

the main
Mantua.

Castiglione,

Austrian

sions
divi-

crossed the Mincio.

meantime

Wurmser

1:653

arrived

had
"

at

Mantua,

NAPOLEON

THE

FIRST

in the
garrison,and then marched
out
direction of Castiglioneto find the French. On the fifth
of August Napoleon fought the second
battle of Castiglione

revictualled

the

Wurmser

in which

Napoleon

the Mincio.

raised

driveq^across

victory,attacked

army,

which

army,

of

with

again

was

Wurmser,
Austrian
commander,

The

before.

as

up

another

the command

put under

his

finallydrove the Austrians into

was
again invested. In six days he
three pitched battles,and had almost

Wurmser's

annihilated

now

followed

and

and

again at Peschiera
the Tyrol. Mantua
had fought and won

Austria

beaten

was

the

same

pose
pur-

who

had

nothing from experience,again divided his forces.

in the
with
men
Leaving Davidovich
Tyrol,
20,000
learned

with

the

remainder
descend

to

road,

previouslydescribed,which

not

course

far

as

Bassano,

as

through

passes

of his army,
26,000 strong, he prepared
the valley of the Brenta
by another

Vicenza

and

follows the

river's

then

leaving the river

valley of the Adige at

into the

Verona.
about

the

fortifications
his army

siege and

there,,he

ascended
and

Napoleon

soldiers. Leaving 8000

42,000
continue

to

reinforcements

received

Having

the

defeated

3000

himself

before Mantua

troops

at

Verona

with

the

Adige. Early

had

now

to

hold

the

main

body
September he

in

Davidovich, drove

him

further

of
tacked
at-

into

Tyrol and gained possessionof Trent. This was

an
in
that
it
the
French the
opened to
important position
valleyof the Brenta a'nd allowed them to debouch directly
Wurmser's
Until Napoleon reached this point,
rear.
upon
the

he

not

was

With

of Wurmser's

aware

soldiers he

30,000

Davidovich
had

already

down
before

and

Leaving a

Wurmser,

in order

he should
small

reach

found

now

defeated.

the Brenta

march

down
himself

the

He

decided

to

overtake

former
to

and

the Brenta.
tween
directlybeof whom

march

he

rapidly

crush Wurmser

Mantua.

force in the
66

Tyrol

to

contain

the

ll
de-

THE

Austrians, with

feated

Wurmser

Bassano.

which

French

to

in front

and

or

ensued

on

about

The

critical

He

turn.

he

with

them

in his

Austrian

was
more

he had

himself

with

He

and

his

either

to

government

increased

by

in

Napoleon had hardly 40,000

who were
besiegingMantua. The
the command

Legnago
safety.

To

men,
new

make

of October

while

to

part

of his

to

the middle

50,000 men,
shut up in Mantua.

was

fight

of

way

reachingin

By

own

district of

determined

now

had

the remainder

marched

he succeeded

at

and in the battle

course,

forces

under

rear.

defeated.
decisively

was

fourth effort to relieve Mantua.

8000

the Austrians

positionand hardly
expected to find the

escape;

men,

and

Marching

safetyin the mountainous

12,000

which

their army
with 20,000

Wurmser.

had

found

not

Friuli,while Wurmser
Mantua

Bassano

at

of his forces found

army,

up

chose the former

surrender. He

which

came

in

could

off. He

cut

he

Massena

destroy their communications

expected to
were

divisions of

overtake

was

way

ITALY

to

days

two

OF

the

hurried

Augereau, he
fiftymiles in
knew

CAMPAIGN

Wurmser

oppose

these

includingthe
Austrian

army

Alvinzy.Towards the end of

follows: Alvinzy with 30,000
October, the positionwas
as
the Piave threateningan advance
men
was
on
Vicenza.
on
Davidovich
with 20,000 more
in the Tyrol.The main
was
was

French

army

Napoleon
carried

which

now

of

numbered

decided

to

about

30,000

the

reverse

at

was

Verona.

operation he

had

attack
and
successfullyagainst Wurmser;
defeat Alvinzy on the Piave,and then strike back through
the valleyof the Brenta
of Davidovich.
at the flank 'and rear
But this time, his plan failed. On the 12 November
the two
armies met
of Verona
a few miles east
at Caldiero,
and the French
were
severelydefeated,with the loss of
out

three thousand

men,

and

forced

Napoleon's positionwas

to

retreat

to

Verona.

highly critical,for
Davidovich had descended the Adige and was
only held
in check
by a division occupying the strong position
of Rivoli. Only a few miles separatedthe two
Austrian
1:673

now

NAPOLEON
armies and

it

FIRST

THE

appeared

if their

as

junctioncould

be

not

prevented.
in this

precariouscondition.
Napoleon
with his incomparablefirmness of decision now
de^rmined
of the most
hazard
one
to
daring turning movements
When

affairs were

history records. It

which
drive

Alvinzy

column

from
at

But,
it

as

must

the

on

should

Tyrol

November

rightbank

part of the
the stream
forces

he

crossed

to

before

overwhelm

the

his detachment

into the

his troops
in silence and

town

Adige, as

both

banks

is

the

on

natural

the

on

ordered

if to

take

to

passed

placethe

up
over

river between

themselves.

and

town
as

the

of the

the enemy
lies on
Verona

his

Caldiero

cost

plainswest of Verona.
Caldiero could not be taken by a frontal attack,
be turned by a flankingmovement.
At nightfall
14

the

to

the

all

at

necessary

heights of

Rivoli and debouch

They

arms.

the

from

was

of the

right.Napoleon
fortification and

side. The

west

river,but the main

made

concentrated

marched

army

of

use

with

dumb

had begun. But

resignation,
supposing the retreat
on
leavingthe west gate of Verona, instead of taking the
road to Peschiera,the order was
given to turn to the left
and

march

This
roused

the river.

down

seized

strikingmanoeuvre
the enthusiasm

of the

all

army.

imaginationsand

The

Army of Italy realized that they were

positionthat a few days before they

of the

veterans

about
had

to

turn

been

not

able

force.

to

Alvinzy, who

advancing from
fortified city on
his

was

Verona, had this

mountains.

impassable
Adige, deep and unfordable.
were

which

defile of Villa Nova

was

the

and

rear

and

flows south

only
was

Alpon, about
Arcole from

route

On

front. On

his left

he could

Alpon which
the Adige.On

the river

three miles from

which

towards

was

his
the

right
river

Directlyto his rear was the

he had just passed and which

by which

into

Caldiero

its

rises

near

his left

Villa Nova

the left bank

of the

mouth, is the village

of

the battle takes

1168 3

retire. To

its name.

THE

NAPOLEON

cavalry charge. Alarmed

of French

by

FIRST

the

noise

in their

troops

rear,

and

by the

pearance
ap-

the demoralized

and

suddenly gave way

Napoleon debouched
the open plainwith allhis forces and drove thfm back
upon
far as Bassano. Thus, after three days of most
desperate
as
he was
again victorious.
fighting,
remained
quiet
During the battle of Arcole, Wurmser
arrive
had
before
Mantua.
not
expected to
at
Alvinzy
and had asked Wurmser
the placeuntil the 23 November
sortie until then. By that date, however,
make
a
not
to
the campaign was
over.
white-coats

"These

brilliant

results,"says

Rose, "were

due

marily
pri-

of Bonaparte. His
leadership
of profiting
geographical instincts discerned the means
when
by natural obstacles and of turning them
they
seemed
his
divine
their
to
screen
Prompt to
opponents.
plans,he bewildered them by the audacity of his combinations,
which
overbore
their columns
with superior
to

force

at

the

the

consummate

very

Genius

even

time

when

he

seemed

commanding had
by Frederick or Marlborough."
so

1:703

not

doomed
been

to

cumb.
suc-

displayed

CHAPTER

SIX
1797

FROM

RIVOLI

of Hostilities

Renewal
La

of

Favorita

Archduke

of

Affairs

Fructidor

Career

Fall

Charles

Family
i8

Battle

"

"

Preliminaries

of

of

of

Rivoli

in

Talleyrand

of

in

made

January

30,000

while

towards

Verona,

columns

threatened

in

under

and

marched

the

lower

mander.
com-

his

valley
smaller

two

from

main

the

time

Adige

was

same

down

same

The

"

Mantua

the

"

The

"

Paris

concentrated

now

at

the

and

Paris

at

relieve

"

Montebello

at

"

The

"

Austrians

the

Napoleon
Italian Campaign

1797

men,

of

Napoleon
Royalist Plot

to

Battle

"

Campaign

"

attempt

Alvinzy
force, about

"

Mantua

to

Italian

Retreat

"

Formio

of the

last Austrian

THE

Italy

March

Last

Styria

Campo

Results

"

The

of Venice

in

FORMIO

The

"

"

Fate

"

Josephine

"

CAMPO

Mantua

Battles

"

Leoben

Peace

"

TO

Vicenza

and

Padua.
In

attack
this time
with

his

with

men,

17,000

men

Legnago.
were

about
await
On

with

into

second
the

Aside

to

Provera,
two

the

Adige

to

10,000

offensive, he

developments.
the 12 January
division, his
one

Provera
force

the

hastened

his

1:71 3

attacked

base

at

under
had

and

Serurier

only

32,000

Austrians
to

and

of

corps

Verona

were

Verona

having approached

was

quarters
head-

Accordingly, on
the Adige with

upon

soldiers

that

his

his

divided

Napoleon

disposal. Informed
the

descend

marched

besieging Mantua,
take

from

Legnago.

advance

Rivoli, while

upon

advanced

principal
Verona;

his

from

corps,

having

parts,

from

made

vicinity of
to
plan. It was

new

first corps
and
Verona

while

his

at

men

January, Alvinzy began

10

had

in the

the

upon

28,000

who

French

proposed to try
main
force, the
in the Tyrol down

Bassano
the

the

upon

he

Provera

Alvinzy

previous campaign,

his

to

Verona

defeated

by

the

division

of

captured. The
attack

he learned

the

which

Austrians

from

was

this direction. The

being

were

pulsed
re-

making

not

aft^^noon

next

pressed and had been

Rivoli. Feeling that the
compelled to fall back upon
Austrian
main
attack would
be made
down
the Adige,
made
his plans accordingly.He
sent
Napoleon at once
orders
to
Joubert to hold the plateau of Rivoli at all
and set out
hazards
with all of his forces for that point,
which
he himself reached
by daybreak of the fourteenth.
As you

that

with

Austrians

looo

Napoleon that Alvinzy

convinced
his main

nearly

Massena,
ease

FIRST

THE

NAPOLEON

hard

was

irregular-shaped
plateau of Rivoli
winter
on
a
day, looking north, you
see
immediately
before you
the bold snow-clad
Baldo.
height of Monte
On your
the Adige,
right,at the foot of the plateau runs
which has just emerged from the Tyrolese Alps, and continues
its rapid course
down
the plainsof the Po. A
to
ferior
good road runs
along the left,or east bank, and an inone
along the right.Six miles to the west is the broad
of Lake Garda, of which glimpsesmay
be caught.
expanse
Through the plain which surrounds the plateau, from
north
which

to

stand

Joubert

south

on

runs

the

swift

is bridged or fordable

at

number

called

the

Tasso,

of

places.Parallel
plateau a long ridge

down
towards
the
Adige comes
The
RivoU
terminating in the heights of San Marco.
defensive position.
a
plateau makes
strong
very
to

the

stream

At

about

ten

o'clock

on

the

night of

the

January,
Rivoli,fearingto
13

Jouberthad given orders to retire from

be overwhelmed
by the Austrians. At this moment
rived
arthe message
from Bonaparte saying that he was
on
his way
with reinforcements
and ordering him
hold
to
the position.
The fallingweather
had
ceased
and
it was
a
clear,
cold moonlight night when
Bonaparte reached Joubert's
headquarters about four in the morning. Knowing the
well,he could easilydivine the positionsand also
country

FROM

RIVOLI

plans of the
camp-fires.

the

The

which

foot-hills of the
since the

famous

mountains

the

and
the

Legnago
main

two

With

view

before

army,

wide-spreadHghts of

their

Adige breaks through the

est
low-

Alps to

the lowlands

enter

earliest times.

The

river

been

has

through

cuts

just before arrivingoppositethe plateau

Rivoli,flows

at

the

FORMIO

CAMPO
the

by

enemy

by

gorge

TO

past

that

towards

the

thence

and

town

past

Verona

Alvinzy was marching by

roads which he on oppositesides of the river.
of surrounding and capturingthe French
he had divided his
passing the mountains
sea.

of about 5000 men

forces into six parts. One column
was
descend the Adige along the road on the left bank of
to
the

river,while another column

of 9000 men
and ascend

along the rightbank

plateau of Rivoli. Three other

the road
the

the

over

mountain

while the sixth

the

column,

slopeof

western

left and

roads

rear.

An

these six columns

and

attack

strong,

4000

Baldo

Monte

columns

was

and

the
to

should
the

heightsto

were

French
march

attack

follow

to

pass

front,
around

the French

examination
were

of the map
will show that
all separatedfrom each other by

impassablebarriers. Notwithstandingall these

practically
the night of the 13 January had
if Alvinzy, on
errors,
of the plateau of Rivoli,he would still
gained possession
of success.
have had great chances
By an hour's march he
could have reached
a
positionfor battle,where
strong
would
hardly have
Napoleon with his inferior numbers
the crowning act of that
ventured to attack him. This was
which
series of errors
together caused the defeat at
of the worst
ever
Rivoli
experiencedby Austrian
one
"

arms.

field.
plateau of Rivoli for the battleNapoleon displayed excellent judgment. He had
portance
passed through the placeand realized the impreviously
The
of the position.
membering
facultyof seeing and re-

his choice of the

In

the features
was

one

of the

of

country

which

he traversed

of Napoleon's
peculiarities
distinguishing

mind.

1:733

NAPOLEON

FIRST

THE

break,
Napoleon arrived at Rivoli just before dayand
he saw
the Hghts from the six Austrian camps
passable
perceivedthat Alvinzy had separatedhis columns by imWhen

obstacles. In his front

only Joubert'sdivision

had

would

Massena
At

of 10,000, on
with 8000 more.

be up
began the battle which

soon

earlydawn

fate of Mantua.

For

time

some

advantage and the result

order

restored

soon

in the

their

rightand

confusion. The

great

the

by

under

reserves

Austrian

whole

The

plateau on

the

turn

to

battle ended

Austrian

in the

west

Rey

and

the

But

Baldo

in

which

in full

soon

and

defeat

worst

had

attempted
was
completely cut off
compelled to surrender.

was

army

settle the

Monte

towards
column

the

to

Napoleon
ranks. Every successive
violentlyrepulsedand

was

fell back

centre

field,but

Austrians

the

French

attack of the Austrians

the

was

in suspense.

was

He

28,000 Austria*.

were

The

retreat.

complete rout

most

had thus far sustained. The army

Imperialarms
was
pursued into the Tyrol and 13,000 prisonerswere
captured in the next two days. Out of 28,000 Austrians,
with whom
Alvinzy began the battle,he had left on the
nightof the sixteenth but 13,000 soldiers. Thus ended the
the

which

battle of Rivoli
greatest
In

which

is considered

be

to

one

of Napoleon's

tactical victories.

the meantime,

Provera

with

about

8000

Austrians,

half of his corps, had forced the line of the Adige

crossed the river a few miles above Legnago. He then

almost
and

marched

pursuit.He
both
on

was

twice

attacked

occasions his losses

the

6000

Mantua

rapidly towards

men

morning

with

by

were

before Mantua.

Here

the

severe,

of the fifteenth he
he

Augereau
French, and

but

in
on

nevertheless

finallyappeared with

was

held in check

for

until
day and a night by the blockading French army
Napoleon arrived with reinforcements.
Immediately after the battle of Rivoli, Napoleon
learned of this movement
by Provera, and he started at
once

with Massena's

division for Mantua.

1:74 a

Although this

NAPOLEON
this dark

In
make

one

Rhine
.

Charles who

recalled

was

forces and
now

to

to

had

This

Vienna.

Italy.The

reconquer
won

great

to

glory on

the

of the

Ilhperial
from
advancing by the
brother of the Emperor,

French

the

decided

Austria

take the command

to

prevent

road

open

effort

supreme

more

FIRST

humiUation

of

hour

Archduke

young

THE

in his day second

only twenty-fiveyears of age, was
only to Napoleon as a general.The Aulic Council ordered
the borders
him into Friuli,
a district of the Italian Alps on

then

of

the sixth Austrian

Venice, where

had

the French, who

Bernadotte

with

15,000
the main

Charles with

the

Rhine

the

to

respect

northward

18,000

the

to

to

men

the French

forded

After
surprise.
in good order.

Piave.

were

repress

the

Tyrol, marched

he reached

on

the

rapidly
16 March

the

and

stream

gallantfightof
Massena

took

the Austrians

three hours

had

advanced

by

they retreated
from the

Tyrol

direct line of communication

most
with the
Charles was
therefore obligedto retreat
capital.

rushing river
pursuit.
several

on

the

eastward

The

stationed

expected. During the following

night

was

In the meantime

due

was

inferior in every
advanced
by the Piave,

forces

Massena

French.

he

cut

the

on

the Austrian

Tagliamento, which

Austrian

army

strengthenedforces resolved to take

from
the
before the contingent ordered
of his foe. The
reach the camp
campaign

long before

and

Austrian

part of the forces of Lusignan and drove him

towards
Belluno. Napoleon, leavingJoubert

captured
with

arrival of

his

long,for

not

was

the

men.

the westward

with

should

by

to

Taghamento through which ran

An
Vienna.
auxiliaryforce under

to

to

offensive

assemble.

of the

reaches
the upper
the direct road

Lusignan was
Napoleon

reinforced

been

to

inferior in numbers

force, unlike the others,was

This

was

army

severe

into the
which

valley of the Isonzo, behind the

he hoped would
stop the French

cold, however, had

places,where

the French

C76a

formed

in
ice-bridges

easilycrossed.

Massena

FROM

CAMPO

TO

RIVOLI

captured Tarvis,thus closingthe

from

the

both Trieste and

Rhine

FORMIO

arrive. After

to

was

tachmen
by which the de-

route

Fiume, the only harbors

seizing

the Austrian

on

Napoleon crossed the pass of Tarvis and entered

Germany. At the end of the month of March, Charles,
reduced by a fourth,was
with his army
beyond the river
coast,

Mur

the road

on

Vienna.

to

Tyrol had not been so successful. The

had risen against him, but after several
whole country
he forced his way
into the valleyof
severe
engagements,
and marched
down that river to joinNapoleon.
the Drave
Under
the circumstances.Napoleon on the last day of
addressed
Charles
what
he called a "philoMarch
to
sophical
letter,"suggesting a suspension of hostilities.
Joubert in

soldiers,"he said, "make

"Brave
Has

the

this

not

enough men
humanity?"

and

continued

of Leoben

the capture
miles

of

the

Imperial cabinet
in Vienna

six years ? Have

inflicted enough evils

lasted

one

He

had

his

the

Among

to

Who

and

he

would

was

There

glad

to

was

Venice, and the Tyrol was

not

crossed

expected from
however,

was

Rhine

the

that
too

as

last the

dismay

all

at

Leoben

receive

was

by

was

to

be the

no

means

Austrian

the

potentiar
pleni-

revolutionarymovement
aflame

in his

planned, and

quarter.

strong

dred
hun-

preparationshad been
Imperialfamily to Hungary.
little girlof six years named
have
then
imagined that

situation of Napoleon

secure

after

one

The

for peace.

treat

thirteen years later this littleArchduchess

bride of the Conqueror of Italy!
The

and

however,
pursuit,

and

great,

flightof the
was
a
fugitives

Marie-Louise.

sorrowing

on

within
the 7 Aprilwas
Austrian
at
capital.Then

decided

been

desire peace.
killed
not
we

on

for the

made

and

war

to

The

rear.
no

Moreau

help could

in
had
be

party in Vienna,
Governbe resisted and the ment
peace

glad to accept the off^erof Napoleon. On the

closed and
18
adopted.
April the preliminarieswere
According to these,France was to have Belgium and the
was

line of

the

Rhine.

Austria

obtained

1:773

the

mainland

of

THE

NAPOLEON

Venice, togetherwith

Istria and

FIRST
Dalmatia.

When

the

Paris

ratified as a
they were
of course,
even
though they had been negotiated
matter
the
thing, howev||f,
agent. One
by an unauthorized
Directors notified Bonaparte he must
not
do, namely,
to

reached

of Leoben

terms

interfere further

affairs of Venice.

in the

This

order

eighth of May, but just a week

before Venice as an independent state had ceased to exist.
had
which
The
events
transpiredin Venetia during
for his
this last campaign gave Napoleon a good excuse
that the peace
action. Just at the moment
negotiations
were
being conducted, the inhabitants of the Venetian
and
there were
mainland
rose
against the invaders
him

reached

the

on

of the

massacres

the

to

of Venice
actions
could

was

could
in fact

cessions which

French

Verona

at

and

elsewhere.

cording
Ac-

articles

signed at Leoben, the city

retained its independence,but her
to have
be chastised by annihilation. Venice
now
indemnify the Hapsburgs for the further
secret

exacted

France

from

them

elsewhere.

Napoleon first entered Milan after the battle

Lodi, in May 1796, he occupied the palace of the

When
of

Austrian

Archduke.

he

to

went

Venezia,

On

live in the

the

most

Josephine was
from

occasion

Serbelloni
behind

few

squares
is far handsomer

the

than

beautiful
installed

of his

Palace

on

next

the

the cathedral. The

visit,
Corso
loni
Serbel-

the

Royal Palace and probably

of all the palacesof Milan. Here
on
by Napoleon when she came

Paris.

During the first weeks of the campaign. Napoleon was

continuallyurgingJosephineto join him in Italy.Finally
yieldingto his demands, she left Paris for Milan the last
week in June 1796.Here she passed most
of the summer,
except for a short visit to headquartersbefore the battle
of Castiglione.
after
Having resumed the siegeof Mantua
Milan
this victory,Napoleon went
where he passed a
to
fortnightwith his wife. The Austrians then began a new
offensive,and he was
obligedto rejoinhis troops.
1:783

FROM

While

RIVOLI

TO

FORMIO

CAMPO

Bonaparte was

gaininghis victories,Josephine
bored to death at Milan, At this time she wrote
a
was
Mme.
letter to her aunt
Renaudin, who had justmarried
the Marquis de Beauharnais, the father of her first
This letter shows the feelingof sadness which
husband.
oppressedJosephine,separated from her children and
Parisian

her

friends.

going to Paris
which
ran
epistle
"Monsieur
the
the
of
to

The

Due

Serbelloni

de

charged with

was

who

deliveryof this

the

follows:

as

will tell you, my

dear
I have been received in

Serbelloni
in which

manner

was

of

aunt,

Italy.All

Duke
the Grand
princeshave given me fetes,even
Tuscany, the brother of the Emperor. Well, I prefer
be a simpleprivateindividual in France! I do not care

for the honors

true

that

my

of this country;
health contributes

much

to

It is

bored.

much

am

make

sad.

me

If good fortune could assure

indisposed.
good
band
amiable hushealth,I ought to be well. I have the most
that a woman
could hope for. I have no
chance
wishes are his. All day long he is
to desire anything.My
of adoration before me, as if I were
in a position
a divinity.
I

often

am

have

I could

not

tell you

how

better

much

husband.

loved. He

am

of whom

M.

M.

by

fine

will

often writes my
dren,
chilis sending Hortense
by

he is very fond. He
Serbelloni
beautiful
enamelled
a

surrounded

Serbelloni

pearls; to Eugene

repeating-watch
handsome
gold

watch."
weeks
after the battle of
Early in December, two
back in Milan. Lavalette,
Arcole,Napoleon was once more
who
had just been appointed aide de camp,
givesin his
"Memoirs"

an

number.

aides de

Colonel

camp

of

Muiron, who

Murat, who
included

of

the

life

at

the

Palace.

Serbelloni
The

account
interesting

in

had
the

Bonaparte

had

been

justbeen

made

number.

The

Junot,afterwards

Due

1:793

killed

at

Arcole, and

general,were

first aide

eightin

then

were

de

d'Abrantes, who

no

longer

camp

had

was

first

NAPOLEON

THE

Napoleon's attention

attracted

and natural wit. The

colonel

Marmont,

second

FIRST
Toulon

by

his

bravery

the future Due

de

Ragusa,

at

was

who
of artillery,

belonged to
Burgundy. He

highly considered family of

of good education, of boundless
man
deeply attached to his commander,
and

for the first time

met

whom

he

w^s
ana

was

also had

Toulon.

at

and

Junot

Less brilliant than

ambition,

old

an

but of

Marmont,

more

Duroc, the future Grand Marechal

character,was
Palais,the devoted friend of Napoleon, who served

stable
du

in all the

campaigns

of the

by his side at Bautzen in 1813.

Among the other aides de camp
Bonaparte,then just eighteenyears
Directeur-General

the

future

the

remaining three

The

des

became

never

until he

Empire

killed

was

the young
Louis
of age, and Lavalette,

were

Postes.
known

The

of

names

fame.

to

after the battle of Rivoli,

February, a month
Bonaparte signedwith the Pope the Treaty of Tolentino.
then
He was
only three marches from the capitaland
nothing would have been easier than for him to enter the
Eternal City in triumph. He had the wisdom
do
not
to
the only continental capital
in which he
was
so, and Rome
19

foot.

set

never

The

same

during this
"Not
To

one,

My

my

from

word

only

think

only for

me

day Napoleon wrote

Josephinehis
first campaign of Italy:
of you,

Dieu!

love

to

have

on

her

part

so

I done?

only Josephine,to

rigorousa

my

live
loved

treatment?

beloved, I implore you, think often of me, and write

do not love me.
or
Do you
day. You are ill,
every
you

then think that my heart is of marble

and love me.
Pour la vie a toi."
me
It is
to

what

wife,to enjoy only the happinessof

I merit

do

Bon

you.

last letter

matter

her husband

of regret

during

that

this

same

it is

the

? Write

me,

letters of

period have

think of

Josephine
not

been

be presumed from
to
preserved,but
Napoleon's
constant
reproaches that she responded but rarely to

cson

FROM
his sentimental
letters

"Est-il
she admired
she

but

was

Milan

his
heat

to

is

second

of the

one

last

his

which

the

had

received

not

he had

looked

for.

places in Italy,during
there. Napoleon left the
his residence at the lovely

summer

up

which

few miles from

he

hottest

took

city and

villa of Montebello
road

show

to

her

because

was

his tenderness

and

of the

hesitate

not

funny Creole accent,

drole,Bonaparte!" She was
proud of him,
his glory,she was
fascinated by his prestige,
in love with him. If Napoleon later became
not

response

As

FORMIO

friends,saying with

less devoted, it
that

CAMPO

effusions. She did

her

to

TO

RIVOLI

is situated

city.It

the

on

then

was

Como

old

great

country

palace sittingfar back from the highroad in a largepark

fountains
with
cool shady avenues,
and
all the
pretty
Froim the broad
exquisiteloveliness of an Italian retreat.
the front and sides of the
that ran
around
high terrace
side and the beautiful
one
on
villa,the Alps could be seen
tiful
spiresof the Milan cathedral on the other. This beaulunatic asylum.
villa is now
a
of his family rejoinedhim.
Here most
of the members
with the desire of obtaining
Madame
Bonaparte came
his approval of the marriage of her eldest daughter
of
Elisa. A suitor had presented himself in the person
but noble family of Genoa.
Felix Bacciochi, of a poor
he passed
stupid and insignificant,
Although his face was
The
for a handsome
man.
marriage had taken place at
Marseille the first of May
1797, in spiteof the formal opposition
his
and
It
of Napoleon.
to
to secure
was
pardon,

persuadehim

to

furnish

dot, that his mother

now

came

Milan.

to

Napoleon finallygave
time
had
then

announced

arranged

to

was

Pauline

man

beauty and grace.

could hardly read or
of twenty-four.He

although blonde,

bore

the
and

some

But

at

marriage
Leclerc.

extremely pretty,

of

child,who

approval,and

his mother

between

sixteen,and

his

she

with
was

small

resemblance

a
an
was

rare

he
was
bination
com-

ignorant
a

in stature,
to

same

which

Pauline

write. Leclerc
was

the

some
hand-

and,

Napoleon.

THE

NAPOLEON

FIRST

during the siegeof Toulon.

He had been attached to Napoleon's staff in Italy,and
On the 14 June,
was
highly esteemed by his commander.
the marriage was
celebrated,with both civil and rqj|gious
time
forms, by the express wish of Napoleon. At the same
had

Napoleon

Two

Bacciochi.

and

by

by the Church

blessed

had

he

which

him

first met

the

the

later

days

received

brothers, Joseph, Napoleon and

a
capitalof 40,000 francs, which
share of the
This

total of 320,000
reunion, where there

family
of

weeks, duringwhich
husband

Joseph also
diplomaticpost
take

up

at

present

was

Bonaparte left
accompanied her.

Madame

to

she

were

for

He

Parma, but before

at

his duties he

the

Corsica.

left Montebello.
received

fore
therements
ele-

many

visit of

two

marriages,

two

and

EUsa

had

been

he

could

her

given
go

notice of his

there

ment
appoint-

salaryof 60,000 francs

his wife and
in gold.He at once
set out, taking with him
Caroline. On leavingMilan, Napoleon
his youngest
sister,
sent
Jerome back to collegeat Paris. Pauline remained
minister

as

in

Rome, with

dot,

be their

must

so

prolonged.After

not

of

to

which

three

francs.

discord,was

the

way

stated

was

contracts

from

Louis, by

Bonaparte familyproperty,

reached

have

of Elisa

signed the

were

sisters each

two

civil union

at

had

Italy with Leclerc,who

in the

been

named

chief of staff

army.

What

of

space

change

family

in the

years! Before

two

the

fortunes

in the

of the

events

short

13 Vende-

livingin misery in Paris; Joseph

was
looking for a small consulshipin Italy; Lucien, for
small post in the commissary department; Louis was
a
student at Chalons. Two
later Napoleon is the
a
years
commander-in-chief
of the victorious Army
of Italy;
Lucien is head of the comat Rome;
Joseph is ambassador
missary;
Louis is captain of cavalry; the two
girlsare
miaire, Napoleon

married

and
state

the

was

endowed;
to

the

Corsica,which

mother
had

English.
1:823

has

returned

in

just been evacuated

ereign
sov-

by

THE

NAPOLEON

FIRST

Josephinewas then thirty-fouryears of age. Her dark

concealed
and faded complexion was
by the rouge and
She
art.
powder which she employed with consummate
adroit in hiding the imperfectionsof nature^^The
was
the
eleganceof her form, the grace of her movements,
of her voice, all the
softness of her eyes and of the tone
harmony of her person, gave to her an exceptionalcharm.
all the more
which was
Add
coquetterie
to this a Creole

it seemed

agreeablebecause

pleasedwithout

which

conversation

natural

and
ever

involuntary,a
being pretentious,

manifested
on
kindness of heart which was
every
traditions
of
the
best
recalled
the
which
occasion, manners
in dress,with toilettes
Court of Versailles,
taste
an
exquisite
stand
which queens
might have envied, and you can easilyundera

which

the charm

exercised

In order
d'etat

the

of

course

the

But

soon

was

woman

heart and

so

mind

eminently fascinating
of Bonaparte.

Fructidor, it is

necessary

of

events
political

at

the

constitution

new

Revolution

in the coup
review briefly

Bonaparte'sshare

understand

to

adoptionof
that

the

over

Paris. At
it was

entirelya

was

Royalist revolts broke

to

out

the time

generallythought
thing of the past.

in the West

and there

communistic

plot at Paris for the overthrow

Royalistsbegan to gain ground. The

Directors. The
for the

renewal

of

third part
for them, and

in

of the

of the

of the

Councils

tions
elecsulted
re-

large gains
they succeeded in
electingto the Directory a constitutional Royalist,Barthelemy.Another director,Carnot, also favored moderate
opinions.A crisis rapidlydeveloped between the Jacobin
Councils
majorityin the Directoryand the two legislative
in each of which the Royalistshad the majority.
The chief reliance of the Royalistswas
in Pichegru,the
of Holland, a former Jacobin, who
had now
conqueror
trigues
given his adhesion to the Royalistparty. That their inaimed

clearlybeen
Matters

at

the

restoration

of the

Bourbons

has

proved.
came

to

crisis in

1:84 a

July

when

the

majority

FROM

RIVOLI

Councils

of the

who

sought

would

defiance
the

by

the

FORMIO

listen

to

but

Barras

these

to

and

two

behests,and

received

deputies was

Army

isters
Directory min-

the

on

Royalist aims.

refused

of

CAMPO
force

to

favor

other Directors
this

TO

with

claim
ac-

to
satisfactory

most

circumstances, Bonaparte'sconduct

was

not

was

civiHans.
these

Under

cautious

very

Paris his

to

him

the

on

of

May

he

sent

trusted aide de camp, Lavalette,with instructio

keep aloof from entanglementsand to report

the

Directors
leave

The

In the month

most

to
to

reserved.

and

of affairs. The

state

brief

to

double

go

last of

statingthat

note

Paris,"where

to

July he
Augereau

sent

had

to
quested
re-

his affairs call him."

role which

Bonaparte was
playing was
His officialenvoy
to
plainlyshown in thfese preparations.
the Jacobin general,
the child of the faubourgs,
Paris was
the capitalwas
to
Augereau, while his secret
envoy
in whom
he had complete confidence,
Lavalette, a man
whose

social relations

and

manners

those

were

of the

regime.Through Augereau he aimed to keep in

touch with the Republicans,through Lavalette,with the
Royalists.Already he had in view that systern of fusion
His plan
which was
to be the basis of his internal policy.
ancien

was

to

advantage of the

take

d'etat, and

the

at

time

same

complicityin the movement.

certain to
Augereau was
turned out. He preparedto
time

When

the

of the

drew
capital,

eries,where

he

came,

the

to

appear

with

act

end

occupiedthe
of troops
sat, invaded

coup

clear of

energy,

matters

cordon

Councils

of the

consequences

and

any

so

it

by a singleblow.
strategicpoints
around
the

the Tuil-

chambers

of

Temple the Royalists

there present, with their leader, Pichegru. Barthelemy
also seized, but Carnot, warned
by a friend,fled
was
during the earlyhours of this eventful day, i8 Fructidor,
of the
the 4 September. The
remaining members
or
the

and consignedto
deputies,

Councils

now

Directory with

laws

passed severe
extensive

the

almost

and

CSS

which

entrusted

absolute

the

powers.

THE

NAPOLEON

FIRST

Augereau fullyexpected that

but

thelemy,

would

be

be elected in

to

his great

of the

one

place of Carnot
disappointment he

to

Directors

two

he

and

Bar-

was

not

chosen.

"

While

these

events

Austria

with
whole

the

disorder

the

the

Royalistsat
victorious

his

d'etat of Fructidor
That

least for the present the

Towards
the middle

about

liamento

which
reached
interview

his residence
a

close the

residence

ofF. On
the

war;

it with

into
be

it

the

was

October

Austrian

very

necessary

16

your

Austrian

in the

diplomatic
a

he

fine

of the

Tagtions,
negotia-

conclude

to

had

had
or

decisive

It seemed
plenipotentiaries.

Arising from his seat

floor,Bonaparte exclaimed

agreement.
on

the

well, you

all his force

thousand

tiations.
nego-

was

left bank

shall have

seizinga magnificentporcelainliqueur set

threw

of the

leagues from Udine. The

been dragging along for months,

had

with

wish

coup

four

impossibleto reach an
and stamping his foot
"You

the

upon

point where

them

break

situated

house

This

Austria.

negotiationswith
country

to

wife, took up
Passeriano,to bring to

of

Chateau

arise. The

progress
render

his

accompanied by

ready

impossible at
of the Royalists.
return
of September 1797
Bonaparte,

seemed

event

Venetia

in

occasion
the

helped on

1797,

that

army

should

Austria

invade

of

autumn

the

had

case

the

the
Emperor
his advantage. Such
to
not
Bonaparte, while
tenant,
Paris through his lieu-

of

result

would

been

retained

again to

far into

hopes

the

to

in France

might have
strikingdown

had

and

summer

mainly owing

gotiations
happening at Paris the nedragged on slowly through

were

it." Then

(cabaret)he

the

floor,where it broke
fragments."Look," he cried,"such will
on

monarchy

before

three

months

have

elapsed!"Then he rushed from the room.

he gave
On leavingthe conference chamber
orders to
Charles of the resumption of hostilities
notifythe Archduke
after a delay of twenty-four hours. The following
day the Peace of Campo Formio was
signed1 It bore the
Csea

of

name

TOCAMPO

RIVOLI

FROM

FORMIO

villagesituated halfway

Udine

between

and

Passeriano.

principalarticles

The

Austria

summarized:

and

Hc, Belgium

the

Venice

city of

west

Lake

as

ceded

to

treaty
may
French
the

left bank

the

of

Rhine.

be

thus

RepubOf

the

possessions,France gained the

Austria
acquired Istria,Dalmatia,

Isles,while

Ionian

the

Venetian

extensive

once

the

of

Garda,

mainland

the

and

the

of Venetia

and

Adige

the

lower

far

as

of

part

river Po.

the

At

the

of the peace
of Campo
Formio, great joy
France. A hundred
articles and
newspaper

news

reignedall over

letters show

contemporary

numerous

happiness." On
Bonaparte resounded.

with

enthusiasm

places
of gunpowder.
It made
had

The

with

wisdom

for itself

an

nation

"drunk

praisesof General
tremendous
explosionof

From

French

the

remotest

Hke

ran

country
lightedtrain

nation
ideal

loved Bonaparte.
literally
pictureof the hero who

The

affection of the country

crowned
virtues and
attributed
him
to
valor,

brought it peace.

him

was

the

faubourgs of Paris it

the

to

It

affection.

and

side

every

us

all the

easy.
unmagnanimity. The Directory alone was
It tried to keep the hero away
from
the capital.
Paris was
on
set
beholding its god, and the Directors

But

and

forced

were

for him.

send

to

later Bonaparte
Leaving Josephine in Italy,a month
for Paris, travellingby way
left Milan
of Geneva, where
he stopped for a day. He was
accompanied by his aides
de

Duroc
and Lavalette, as well
Marmont,
his physician Yvan.
Bourrienne, and

camp,

secretary,

journey
in

and

received

was

all the
with

the

evening
Napoleon

the

Rue

one

months

as

series of ovations.

At

Berne

and

at

his

as

The
Bale

cities

salvos
of the
took

5 December.
his residence
up

Chantereine
before

celebrity.

through which he passed, he was

He finally
reached Paris
of artillery.

from
an

which

obscure

man,

in the

he had
to

little hotel
set

which

out

of

twenty-

he returned

of his first visitors

One

Talleyrand,the

was

Foreign Affairs,who

of

interview

His

respects.

cordial. To

see

FIRST

THE

NAPOLEON

talk with

Bonaparte, to

"General

December:

lo

is

is often

garden."

most

was
was

bition
amtjite

the

smallest
of

livingin

mansion

This

his

pay

"Moniteur"

horses. He

alone in his modest

Understandingthe

in the

without

out
two

recounted

rarely,and

plain.He goes
simplecarriagewith
arid

him,

Bonaparte

Chantereine.

wife's house. Rue

to

once

Directors

the

with

The
of every
one.
papers
read
details of his life. You
can
the

at

came

ister
Min-

new

is

simple

escort,
seen

his

in

walking

character,and knowing that

Parisian

capitalis not long drawn to the

clusion.
same
object, Bonaparte kept himself studiouslyin sewhich contrasted strongly
He affected a simplicity
with his glory.
As soon
as
Bonaparte returned to Paris, Talleyrand,
who desired to win his favor, wished to giye a largefete
in his honor, but awaited
the return
of Josephine. She
finallyreached Paris on the second of January 1798 and
the ball took placethe next
night.
The Minister of Foreign Affairs was
installed in a new
and
hotel in the Faubourg Saint-Germain.
sumptuous
the attention of the great

It
Rue

review

achieve
would

Bac

du

at

the

corner

of the

Grenelle.

de

To

Rue

in the

situated

was

the
be

to

destined to
Talleyrand,who was
diplomatic reputation of the age,
the historyof the Revolution.
After

the life of
greatest
recount

prominent part in the Fete de la Federation,

the 14 July 1790, Talleyrand remained
in Paris until the
he
tained
obday after the "September Massacres," when
a
passport for England. After a residence of over
taking

in

year

London,

under
for the

the

United

the

pelled
exbeginningof 1794 he was
provisionsof the Alien Act. He embarked

at

States,where

he

awaited

events.

An

terestin
in-

"Recollections"

of his stay in America

is given in the
of the Marquise de La Tour
du Pin.

After the death

of

account

Robespierrehe
CSS

made

an

attempt

to

PRINCE

DE

TALLEYRAND-PfiRIGORD

THE

NAPOLEON

from

had

Louvre

The

the

valued

days

seemed

indebted

enriched

been

of Parma,
galleries

were

to

more

than

assured

for

at

the

FIRST

two

by

Florence
hundred

France, and

Conqueror

of

n9o3

Italy.

the
and

masterpieces
Rome, which

millions.
for these

Happy
sl^^was

CHAPTER

SEVEN

1798-1799
EGYPT
Napoleon

in

Decides

Paris

Appointed
Expedition

"

the

on

English Fleet
the Pyramids
Fleet
Turkey
Advance
Jaffa

Arrives

"

The

"

of

Mont-Tabor

Napoleon's
of

ON

Last

"

Return

"

No

Marches

of England

Escapes

"

Cairo

on

Destruction

"

on

Arrival

of

French

Syrian Expedition
Capture of
in History
Its Place
Battle
The
Acre
Abandoned
Siege
Return
Cairo
Battle
at
to
Jaffa
Enthusiastic Reception
ation
Reconcili"

"

"

"

"

"

"

"

the

Battle

"

of the

The

"

France

Captures

of Cairo

Assault

to

Army
Malta

"

Jean-d'Acre

"

of the

"

"

Josephine

his
the

from

return

height
In

of

War

Saint-

First Retreat

Aboukir
with

Occupation

to

"

Egypt

to

"

Alexandria

at

Declares

"

Command

to

of his

Italy,Napoleon
glory,and yet he

vain the crowds

showed

appeared
not

was

for him

at

tented.
cona

sort

could

idolatry.Nothing
sovereign had ever

satisfyhis boundless ambition.

pression
produced in the capital the im-

of the victor of Rivoli. His

Chantereine, the
the

to

Rue

de

of which

name

had

conceal

to

enthusiastic

was

la Victoire, had

palacesof kings. Every

himself

acclaims

time

littlehotel in the

he

soon

to

be

changed

more

prestigethan

went

to

in the back

the

Rue

the

theatre

he

avoid

the

of his loge to

of the

spectators.
the
in
glory of her husband
participated

and
Josephine
turned
nothing troubled her happiness. Her son Eugene had reHortense
from
was
near
Italy and her daughter
her at the school of Madame
Campan at Saint-Germain.
been so happy. The
She had never
Bonapartes had not
her
and
her
succeeded
in creating dissension between
husband.

had

become

But

She

was

rejoicedto

the rendez-vous

neither

the

see

of the

affection of

that

her

little hotel

best Parisian

Josephine,nor

the

society.
flattery

that

him

to

^j^omme

of action, he

Desirous

it

be

must

gratifyingto

very

have

replied,"The people
going to
eagerlyif I were

he
of his fellow-citizens,

the acclaims

the

capable
being inNapoleon,

cet

paresse

I'univers."

success

anxiety to the hour that would

Bourrienne
marked
republic curiosityappeased.When

the

would

of

said of

once

de

peu

nor

with

forward

looked
see

un

de

serait le bienfaiteur

thoughts

Talleyrand

of repose. As
qui donnerait

"Celui

surrounded,

was

distract the

kind, could

of every

he

by whom

of the admirers

FIRST

THE

NAPOLEON

crowd

around

just as

me

scaffold."

The

of December

tenth
at

the

this occasion

he

to

was

An

Formio.

Campo

in

Luxembourg

rectors
given by the Diof Bonaparte. On
honor
formally the Treaty of

fete

present

address

was

of fulsome

flatterywas

nounced
pro-

which

sponded.
Bonaparte brieflyreby Talleyrand, to
Then Barras spoke, the climax of his oration
being reached when, pointing northwards, he exclaimed,
"Go
there and capture
the giant Corsair that infests the
that have too
long
seas;
outrages
go punish in London
been left unavenged." Whereupon, as if overcome
by his
the general. "Here," says
Rose,
emotion, he embraced

"the

curtain

hero's

falls on
to

soon

career,

the first,
or
rise

of the young
adventures
which

Italian,act

Oriental

on

recall the

exploitsof Alexander."
rectory
Early in 1798 Bonaparte was
appointed by the Dithe chief command
of England,
of the Army
to
and on
the tenth of February he left on
of
short tour
a
inspectionof the northern ports. He returned to Paris by
of Antwerp and Brussels. He was
convinced
that any
way
againstEngland in this direction would be barren
attempts
to

were

of results. In
he thus

"Whatever

gain

years

without
task

ever

that

report

sums

naval

supremacy

undertaken.
and

concentrate

the Government

the whole

up

efforts
the

to

we

We

must

all

our

shall
To

supremacy.

is the

ruary
Feb-

situation:

make,

we

the 23

on

most

for

not

invade

England

daring and

reallygive

some

up

attention and

difficult
the
resources

pedition
ex-

EGYPT
the

on

Rhine,

in order

Hamburg;

and

would

which

to

depriveEngland

else undertake

or

had

little

expedition

eastern

an

her trade with

menace

of Hanover

the Indies."

obtaining the
of the Directory to his Oriental plans,as they
consent
were
pleasedat the thought of his departurefrom France.
unknown, yet
Although the object of his expeditionwas
wished
him. Not only military
to
one
accompany
every
Bonaparte

desired

men

to

take

difficultyin

but

part,

also civilians

"

savants,

engineersand artists. Bourrienne, who was in the secret,

asked Bonaparte how
long he expected to remain in
"A few months
six years
or
Egypt, to which he replied,
all depends on circumstances."
On the third of May
1798, Napoleon and Josephine,
after having dined at the Luxembourg with Barras, en
to the Theatre
Fran9aisto hear Talma
petitcotnite,went
The
in "Macbeth."
hero of Italy was
saluted with the
acclaim as during the first days of his return.
At
same
the end of the performance he returned
home, and at
midnight set out for Toulon, accompanied by Josephine,
Eugene, Bourrienne, Duroc, and Lavalette. Paris was
morning, when
ignorant of his departure,and the next
stillin the Rue de la Victoire,
one
thought he was
every
"

he

already far

was

on

his way

allowed
her

Josephine to
daughter before

know

the

destination

would

be allowed

even

The

party

to

go

of the

at

the

to

Saint-Germain

He

coast.

departure.She

her

had

not

to

brace
em-

did

not

whether

or
expedition,

she

it.

accompany

arrived

to

Toulon

on

the

ninth

of

May.

detained in
Bonaparte wished to sail at once, but he was
of
days by contrary winds. In anticipation
port for ten
invasion of England, nearly all the shipsof the British
an

blockadingthe
guarding the Englishcoast.
navy

were

in the
two

then
not

Mediterranean

days

before

driven
able

to

northern
There

take

was

until Nelson

not

of France
a

arrived

1:933

and

warship left
off Toulon

sailingof the French fleet. He

and
to
sea
by a violent wind
his station again until the
up

the

out

ports

was
was

first

NAPOLEON
of

June,when

THE

the French

FIRST

fleet was

already twelve days

its way.

on

mainly
objectsof the Egyptian expeditionwere
Malta
way
halffive in number, namely: (i) To capture
as"
station; (2) To establish a French colony in Africa
and cotton, to compensate
for the production of sugar
The

for the

loss of the

England; (3) To

West

India

islands in the

with

war

through the Isthmus of Suez and

vance
seize the Red Sea; (4) To make
Egypt a base for an adoutlet to
eastern
India; and (5) To open
on
an
French
and eventually to exclude
England
commerce,
in the Orient.
from
all her possessions
In the expeditionwere
officers who
to
were
tain
atmany
the Empire, such as Murat
great distinction under
and

then both in command

Davout, who were
Bessieres,Lannes, and Junot. Berthier

of Staff. Desaix
and

cut

Marmont

of

commanded

was

Kleber

and

were

officer

The
and

of

Chief

divisions,

brigade.The cavalry, 4000 strong,

by a stalwart mulatto, Alexandre
The

romancer.

Desaix, small

was

The
active,a born commander.
Kleber, an officer of
was
army
marvellous

the head

was

goons;
dra-

the father of the great

Dumas,

at

of

most

in stature,

handsomest
great

courage,

tinguishe
dis-

but very

man

in the

capable of

deeds.

French

fleet

comprised

one

hundred

battle-ships

nearly four hundred

transports carryingabout 3S,C)00

of steam
and the wireless.
Napoleon's

In this age
expeditionwould have

troops.

been

overtaken

and

destroyedin
less than a week. Even in those days it was
only by the
incredible good luck that he and his big fleet safely
most
traversed
sailors was

the

Mediterranean, while the greatest of British

scouringthe sea in search of him. While Nelson

for the southern

settinghis course
part of Italy on
the assumption that the French
headed
expeditionwas
for Naples or Sicily,
Napoleon was
steeringtoward the
African shore, passing outside of Corsica,Sardinia and
and making for Malta, which was
reached after a
Sicily,
was

sail of about

three weeks.

1:943

EGYPT
This

island

held

by the Knights of Saint John, the

last of those companies of Christian soldiers who
had
the infidelsin Palestine. After having
once
on
waged war
been driven from Jerusalem to the rock of Saint-Jeand'Acre and from there to Rhodes, they had found refuge
behind

the

Master

at

At

was

of this barren

ramparts

surrendered

once

Malta

there

was

without

found

an

island. The
any

Grand

defence.

immense

supply

of

munitions,including1200
guns. The order
of the Knights of Saint John was
abolished and the island
French plan.Leaving a garrisonof 4000
on
a
reorganized
Bonaparte continued his route toward Egypt.
men,
By this time Nelson had begun to suspect that the
French
for
were
going to Egypt and had set his course
and

weapons

Alexandria.

With

his faster vessels he

during the night and

the

French

arrived

at

fleet. Not

passed the French

Alexandria

findingthe
Syrian coast.

two

days

fore
be-

French

there

he

again set sail,for the

Bonaparte reached Alexandria on the evening of the
the debarkation
of his troops
30 June and commenced
the same
night.The next day he marched on the city.
Alexandria
in its earlier days was
protectedon the
sea-front by an
island, and this in Caesar's time was
On this island was
joinedto the mainland by a causeway.
of the "Seven
the Pharos, a lighthouse
4(X) feet high,one
Wonders
of the World."
This causeway
had gradually
until the northern
been widened
part of the city had
become
closed
a
peninsula,the projectingpoints of which enthe east, and the Old,
two
ports, the New, on
the

on

The

west.

Alexandria

of

to-day,with

its 400,000

inhabitants,

squalidvillageof 5000 people

that has surwhich Napoleon found. The only landmark
vived
the changes of the centuries is Pompey's Pillar
of the city.
which stilllooms above the roofs and towers
The once
famous
lighthouseof Pharos has disappeared
is much

and

From

changed

fort
a

covers

mound

from

the

the site.
near

Pompey's column, Napoleon

1:953

di-

NAPOLEON
rected the assault upon

the

landed, but

the

been

yet

carried

by assault

and

the

THE

FIRST

town.

His

artilleryhad

first outworks

city and

forts

easily

were

the
capitulated

day.

same

not

"

Egypt at that time was nominally a part of the Sultan's

ruled by the
domains, under a Viceroy; actuallyit was
whose
warlike
capital city was
caste
a
Mamelukes,
commanded
Bey
by Murad
were
Cairo. The Mamelukes
brave officer and controlled
a
was
Bey. Murad
military affairs,while Ibrahim, who waS rich and

Ibrahim

and

after the civil administration.

wise, looked

time to concert
give the Mamelukes
at once
of defence, Bonaparte decided to push on
to
Cairo. Saint Louis had requiredfour months
the capital;Napoleon made
from Alexandria
to

In order
means

toward
march

the

not

to

distance

same

in fifteen

days.

July, Napoleon
with his army
marched
to the Nile,keeping pace
parallel
ing
with the flotillawhich carried his supphes. Before reachto
the capitalit was
fight.On the 13 July
necessary
encountered
the French
Murad, who was
posted, with
the villageof Chebreisse, with his
4000 horsemen, near
covered by a
rightflank restingon the river where it was
flotillas.
the two
combat
flotilla.The
began between
Bonaparte immediately attacked, adopting the order of
sion
battle used by the Russians againstthe Turks, each divibeing formed in squares enclosingthe equipagesand
lukes
the few cavalry which he possessed.In vain the Mamethrew themselves
againstthe solid squares of the
French; at last, harassed by the fire of the French artillery,
they fell back toward the capital.
Leaving

The

Alexandria

French

of the Nile
had

to

army

on

then

Embabeh,

the

sixth

of

continued

its way
up the banks
lukes
oppositeCairo. There the Mame-

their

and
fortified camp,
there that superb
the invaders. On the
waiting to overwhelm

cavalry was
21
July the French arrived in sight of the capital,and
the same
fought the Battle of the Pyramids.
day was
had been fought since the
dramatic
No more
engagement
1:963

NAPOLEON

THE

poleon had given orders

at

whether

once

it

was

FIRST

his admiral

to

him

to

report to
possiblefor the fleet to enter

of Alexandria, and if not, whether

roads against the
himself in Aboukir

he

port

could

the

defend

superior for^ of
neither of these plans was
the enemy.
In case
practicable,
sail immediately for Corfu
he was
directed to set
and
Toulon.
The
admiral
thought his positionwas
nable,
impregby Nelson

attacked

was

August. The

harbor

of Aboukir.

the

evening
hours
thirty-six

on

battle lasted

of

Here

the

and

he

first of
ended

in

nearly all of the French fleet. Brueys

gloriousdeath expiated his fault which proved so

the destruction

by

in the

remained

and

fatal

to

This
order

to

the

of

French.

disaster
restore

which

was

the

he

severe

to

of his army,

moral

could

blow

no

Bonaparte.
he aflFected

longer feel.

Even

some

But
a

in

fidence
con-

of his

highestofficers complained of their miserable position.

The
never
more
versatiUtyof Napoleon's genius was
marked
than at this time of discouragement,and with his
he developed constructive
of the highest
savants
powers
order which
made
the army
independent of Europe. The
food supply was
increased by extending the cultivation of
and
constructed
for grinding
rice; windmills were
corn
and
and bakeries. Founderies
corn, as well as largeovens
workshops soon
began to supply tools and machinery,
manufactured.
even
gunpowder was
the bounds
Much
also was
done to extend
of learning.
of CafAstronomy gained much
by the observations
farelli.An exact
of Egypt was
begun; the engineers
survey
of the Nile and made
the course
and geologists
examined
and
its
records of the alluvial deposits at its mouth
on
of science and
banks. "The
motherland
learningafter a
since the Arab
well-nigh barren interval of iioo
years
conquest,"says Rose, "was now
developed and illumined
by the applicationof the arts with which in the dim past
she

had

enriched

the

life of barbarous

of this incalculable, debt

the

enterpriseof Bonaparte. It

is

was
one

payment
Europe. The redue primarily to

of his many

titles

EGYPT
fame

to

and

How
homage of posterity.
poor by
of
encyclopedicgenius are the giftseven
to

side of this

brilHant

most

the

foes! At

Charles of Austria

that

time

same

the

the

his

Archduke

his
ease
on
vegetatingin glorious
fore
Nelson after his recent
triumph was
estates.
bending beof a professional
the whims
beauty.While the Admiral
of Naples, his great
tarnished his fame on the Siren coast
bent

opponent

was

all the

of

resources

fertile intellect

to

under the gloom of disaster,

and, even
position,
threw a gleam of lightinto the dark continent."
Meanwhile, Turkey, encouraged by the destruction of

retrieve his

the

French

sendingan
while

fleet,had
army

another

declared

war

on

France

through Syriafor the recovery

assembling at
expedition was

and
of

was

Egypt,

Rhodes.

Bonaparte, as usual,decided to take the initiative and to

attack and destroy the Syrian force before the cessation
allow the other Turkish exof the winter's galeswould
pedition
to
a
landing at Aboukir.
attempt
The
fertile Delta of the Nile is separated from Syria
by the desert of El Jofar.Across this desert run several
the most
caravan
northerly of which crosses
routes,
from a point located on the present
to the coast
parallel
Suez

Canal

via

El Arish

to

Gaza.

It is

an

old travelled

long,with a fair supply of wells at

convenient
distances. The sea
being closed to the French
of reaching
by the disaster of Aboukir, the only way
Syria was to follow the path for centuries covered by the
route

about

150

miles

caravans.

The

first of

about
January 1799 there were
30,000
French troops in Egypt, of whom
tailed
denearly 13,000 were
with
for the Syrian expedition.Desaix
10,000
left in Upper Egypt, while Marmont, with
was
troops
in Lower
about 7000 men,
was
Egypt. The divisions of
Kleber, Bon, Lannes, and Reynier, each of about 2500
formed the Syrian Army, togetherwith the cavalry
men,
of

Murat, about

800

strong,

and

some

2000

"Guides,"
good siege

Camel-riders,Sappers and Artillerymen.A

equipment was to go to Jaffaby sea. Engineershad
1:99 a

cleared

THE

NAPOLEON
on

the

of the columns;

and

the wells

out

the divisions

commanded

the

avoid

to

who

with

road; camels

day's distance apart,

water
supply.
Bonaparte left Cairo on
at

FIRST
water

ordered

were

ahead

went

march

to

overtaxingthe

limited
"

the tenth of

February.Reynier,

column, had reached

advance

El

previousday, and found the placeheld by 2000

He
immediately attacked and drove the garrison
men.
Two
into the fort with a loss of about 500 men.
days later
the sixteenth Bonaparte himself
Kleber came
up, and on
the fort finally
arrived. After considerable correspondence,
Arish the

surrendered
The
after

very

united

army

the

proceeded to Gaza which was

hours.
fatiguingmarch of forty-eight
then

army
a

the nineteenth.

on

this

near

city,which

leavingthe

enemy,

French

had

in

been

reached
All the

evacuated

possessionof its

by

great

magazines.
Gaza, which

to-day is
then

was

in Biblical

only

he

pulled down

took it without
On

the

town.

place whose

the

bered
remem-

gates

were

shoulders, and

of the house
pillars
had to besiegethe

the gates, but

enter

habitant
in-

40,000

It will be

his stalwart

before he could

months

the

on

Philistines. Alexander

3000
two

small

historyas

carried off by Samson

where

important place of

an

and
town

slew
for

Napoleon

a shot.
firing

third of March

the army
reached Jaffa,which
assault three days later. Contrary to the

by
orders of Bonaparte,some
2000
prisonerswere
taken, and
be done with
to what
the questionat once
arose
as
to
was
If they were
these men.
kept they would consume
rations,
and the army
was
alreadyshort of food. If,on the other
released,they would probably rejointhe
hand, they were
of fact, a part of them
Turks. As a matter
had already
been dischargedat El Arish on their promise not to serve
taken in
now
again againstthe French, and they were
difficult problem and it was
It was
solved in the
a
arms.
was

carried

least merciful
down.

This

way:

incident

the Turks
been

has

100

were

one

taken

out

of the

most

and

shot

severely

EGYPT
criticized in
modern

Bonaparte'scareer,

militarywriters

afford
of

those
The

to

on

by most
yet it is justified
the ground that a general cannot

sacrifice the vital interests of

his army

to

humanity.

main

Turkish

force,under

Ahmed

Bey, known as
Saint-Jean-d'Acre.

at
Djezzar ("the Butcher"), was
for the defence of the
Djezzar had taken every means
invested on
the eighteenth of March.
place,which was
The
fortifications consisted of a wall flanked by towers
and surrounded
of attack
by a ditch. The French means
sufficientto overcome
these slight
not
were
even
obstacles,
the EngHsh cruisers,had
for Sidney Smith, commanding
captured the French siegetrain which had been sent from
Alexandria
the guns on the walls.
by sea, and had mounted
Associated with Djezzar in defence of Acre were
two
crossed
the
of
who had
men
path
Napoleon in other years

and

in other

lands. One

of them

was

young

English

after serving with the Swedish

sailor of fortune,who
Turkish
fleets had joined the British Navy and was

Toulon

when

it fell under

the fire of

and
at

Napoleon'sbatteries.

Sidney Smith. The other ally of Djezzar was

a
Ecole
of
the
Militaire
in Paris and
Frenchman, a graduate
of Napoleon. At the school they had quarrelled
a classmate
Phelippeaux, an aristocrat by birth
constantly.This was
and an enemy
of the Repubhc.
was
a
place of considerable imporSaint-Jean-d'Acre
tance
which
had figuredlargelyin the Crusades, being
taken and retaken several times during the twelfth century.
held for a hundred
After this it was
by the
years
the last Christian strongKnights of Saint John and was
hold
in Palestine. It stands on a peninsulawith an exposed
and useless harbor, but Haifa at the south of it has a large
roadstead. The place has someand fairlywell-protected
times
Palestine.
been called the key of
fallen somewhat
had
In 1799 the works
into decay,
although Djezzar had done much to repairthe defences
French
trenches were
the land side. The
on
opened on the
March
and the first assault was
made
20
eightdays later.

This

was

NAPOLEON

Napoleon now
a

Turkish

received

of the approach
intelligence

Damascus

from

army

this hostile force Kleber

with his division and

FIRST

THE

Palestine. To

and

toward
dispatched

was

with

also Murat

the

of

meet

Jordan

his detachment

of

had
cavalry.A few days later,learningthat the enemy
about to be attacked,
passed the Jordan and that Kleber was
Napoleon flew to his assistance. Leaving the camp
before Acre on the 15 April,the next
morning he arrived
The Turkish
in sight of the enemy,
Mont-Tabor.
near
vision
forces,about 20,(xx) strong, entirelysurrounded the diof Kleber who
was
maintaining his positionwith
ments,
great bravery.On the arrival of Bonaparte with reinforcethe enemy,
sistance
already discouragedby the stout reof Kleber's squares,
fled in disorder. This singular

victory had such

an

the Turks

eff"ectupon

that

they did

again during the siege.

Mont-Tabor
is the most
historic of all of Napoleon's
battle-fields. It is "a place called in the
extraordinary
Hebrew
Armageddon." The night after the battle
tongue
where
of Annunciation
Napoleon sleptin the monastery
not

venture

to

the Fathers

trouble the French

have

since the bedroom

treasured

warrior
rested.
young
In the meantime
the

siegewas

but

The

with

with

little success.

great

when
Rhodes

valor. Five

pushed

Turks

with

defended

had

been

the

obstinacy
themselves

already been

assaults had

flotilla appeared, which

where

fitted

made,
out

at

this
reprovisionthe port. Seeking to anticipate
Napoleon ordered another assault to be made on
succor.
the eighthof May, which was
also repulsed.
He was
fore
thereobligedto prepare to retreat, but was
unwillingto
retire without making one
more
attempt. On the morning
and the evening of the tenth of May, the attack was
newed
refor the seventh and eighthtimes. Led with reckless
gallantryby the heroic Lannes, the troops gained part of
the wall and planted the tricolor on
the northeast tower.
But
all further progress
checked
was
by the Enghsh
marines who had poured into the town
and the Turkish
to

reinforcements

which

landed

were

102

in time

to

save

the

MARSHAL

LANNES

NAPOLEON

Alexandria, and

on

the

2000

While
under
a

nien

at

of

all who
except

into the fort and

prisoners.
with Sidney Smith
arrangements
after the battle. Napoleon sent
him

making some
flagof truce

their escape

made

who

later taken

were

to

killed in the

not

about

regainthe vessels,and
battle perishedin the
wa^s,

endeavored

enemy

were

the 25 July attacked the Turks

them with great slaughter.Many

on

and defeated

Aboukir

FIRST

THE

chest of coffee and

him

of

case

batch

brandy. In

for these

return

of

European newspapers,
verses
only six weeks old. From these Napoleon learned of the reof the French armies in Italyand on the Rhine and
of affairs under
of the disorganizedand disgraceful
state
gifts,Smith

sent

Directory at Paris. Under

his duty to
that it was

the

prolonginghis
completelyconquered and
motive

for

it. Kleber, who

was

these circumstances
return

to

France.

He

cided
he dehad

stay in Egypt. The country

the only task left was
to

leftin command,

was

as

no
was

guard

capableas

any

carryingout Napoleon'splans.
Napoleon therefore set sail for France on the 24 August
with four small vessels. He was
accompanied by Lannes
and Murat, both recently
wounded, as well as by Berthier,
of

one

Bessieres,and Lavalette. He also took

his secretary,
Bourrienne, and Eugene de

Duroc, Marmont,
him

with

Beauharnais.

Sidney Smith having gone to Cyprus for repairs.

northwest wind
unmolested.
A
Napoleon slipped out
obligedthe vessels to run close to the African coast, and
they took twenty days to make three hundred miles. By
eluded the English ships
great good fortune the frigates
cruisingbetween Malta and Cape Bon. Finally an east
Sir

wind
In

came

up

and

Sardinia

was

reached

and then Corsica.

the

days

detained
for nine
port of Ajaccio Napoleon was
received of
was
by adverse winds. There full news

the French

October, the
France.

Provence

The
were

in

Italy.Finally,on the seventh of

wind having become
favorable,he sailed for
of
the mountains
followingevening when
in full sight,
by the rays of the settingsun

reverses

104

EGYPT

Englishvessels was seen on the horizon. All on

parte
board
thought they would certainlybe captured.Bonaalone kept his usual calm. He pointedout to the
officersof the ship that the settingsun which lightedup
the sails of the Englishvessels on the horizon would leave
in the shadow the sailsof his frigates.
"Nous voyons," he
ne
sommes
Courage, done!" On
said, "et nous
pas vus.
the morning of the 9 October,at eighto'clock,
they entered
short distance from Frejus.
the bay of Saint-Raphael,
a
The voyage
had lasted forty-six
days.
As soon
it was
known
that Bonaparte had returned
as
the shore was
covered with a multitude of people.Napoleon
had feared that he might be detained by quarantine
but the crowd cried: "No
quarantinefor you!
regulations
A horse was
The
plague rather than the Austrians!"
a

fleet of

brought

him

to

which

he

of the crowds

mounted, and
he entered

amidst

Frejus where

only a few hours. His route to Paris

triumph. At Aix, at Avignon, at Valence, he
with

indescribable

transports

Lyon

he remained

before

she could

return.

the

of enthusiasm.

was

clamations
ac-

he

mained
re-

long

one

received

was

Arrived

at

to the
day, and in the evening went
theatre, where he was
obligedto conceal himself in the
At midnight he again set out, but instead
back of his loge.
towards Macon, he went
of takingthe usual route
by way
in a voiture de posie at great
of the Bourbonnais, travelling
speed,not stoppingby night or day.
Paris had been notified by telegraphof the return
of the
hero, and the evening of the 10 October, while diningat
tory,
the Luxembourg with Gohier, the President of the Direcinformed
of the landing of her husband.
Josephine was
That same
nightshe left Paris to meet
Napoleon en
route, but as she took the usual road through Bourgogne,
while he was
followingthe route of the Bourbonnais, she
successful in meeting him, and he reached Paris
not
was

Napoleon
October.

He

arrived

Paris

directlyto

went

Victoire where,

in

as

upon

his

on

the

morning

his house
return

1:1053

from

of the

in the Rue

Italy,he

16

de la
found

NAPOLEON
no

one

to

receive him.

THE
His

FIRST

brothers,in the absence

of

and
his wrath
to
arouse
Josephine,took every means
of a separationor a
and he began to talk at once
jealousy,
divorce. Upon Josephine's
he refused to see her and
return
remained
locked up in his room.
Finally,at the si^gestion
of a friend,she sent
for her children,Eugene and Hortheir arrival joined their supplications
to
on
tense, who
decided to open
those of their mother. Napoleon finally
the door, and when
his brothers arrived the following
given.
morning, they found that all had been forgottenand for-

faults,real or imaginary.
Notwithstandingall of Josephine's
a reconciliation
Napoleon was very wise in effecting
with his wife. Separationat that time would have caused
which might have interfered seriously
with his
a scandal
plans.He did well to cut short the accusations of his
brothers and to employ his activities in more
serious matters
than family troubles. With her perfecttact
and consummate
knowledge of the society of Paris and the
world, Josephineproved very useful in his plans.
political
If the

expeditionto Egypt was not beneficial to France,

it was
He always had the talent of placing
to Napoleon.
his successes
in the limelight,
while he left his reverses
in
the shadow.
heard
far away,
and the French
Egypt was
only of the brilliant victories of Bonaparte.The expedition
was

to

not

success,

and yet for him

the throne.

nio6

it served

as

footstool

CHAPTER

EIGHT
1799

THE
France

the

During

Coalition

"

"

Generals

Resignations
"

Events

and

Bonapartes

Victories

Director

His

"

for the

the

the

Brumaire

19

Year

Eight

"

d'Etat

The

"

The

by

Consul

First

the

Paris

at

Lucien

"

"

tution
Consti-

"

Extensive

His

"

parte
Bona-

Ancients

Saint-Cloud

at

Success

"

Second
ment
Governof

Return
of the

Councils

Saved

Day

The

"

of

Brumaire

i8

Government

the

Role

The

"

The

"

The

"

Bonaparte,

"

of

Paris

at

Difficulties

Schemes

Coup
at
Bonaparte's House
Barras, Sieyes and Ducos

Centralization

"

The

"

"

of

of

of
Powers

Seven
Defeats

Sieyes Elected
Preparations

"

The

Year

French

D'fiTAT

COUP

of

the

New

Regime

the

DURING
Napoleon

Year

Seven

of

spent

in

Egypt,

in

occurred

events

the

France

Republic, which
important
many

of

which

he

was

of the interruption of communications

ignorant on account
by the English cruisers. Too royalist for the Republicans,
republican for the Royalists, the Directory was
no
too
longer taken seriously.The fetes of the Luxembourg had
that
lost their prestige,and
looking toward
one
was
every
where
the rising sun
of the horizon
to
was
part
appear.
Although several aristocratic salons had been opened they
the
other
little frequented. But, on
but
hand, the
were
theatres, the subscription balls,the pubhc gardens and the
All parties were
cafes were
crowded.
awaiting the return
Parisian
of Bonaparte. The
public was
more
preoccupied
with

the

The

Paris

the

banks
of

Consulate

arrived

After

before

the

Josephine

did

of the
the
and
the

Year

with

than

Seven

those

of the

foreshadowed

the

Empire. The change

change in politics.
of the

embarkment
not

Nile

return

of

her

directly
C 107

husband
to

Paris

in

at

but

Seine.

Paris

of

manners

Toulon,
went

to

take the

at

waters

months.

FIRST

THE

NAPOLEON
Plombieres

Egyptian
occupationof

of the

she received the first news

Here

three

she remained

where

taking of Malta to the

Cairo,and learned by Bonaparte'sletters that sl"e must
give up the idea of rejoininghim. Later she heard that
sailed
which she was
to have
"Pomone"
the frigate
upon
for Egypt had been capturedby an English cruiser upon
of September
leavingToulon. At the end of the month
back in Paris. At this time she bought
1798 Josephinewas
from
expedition,

the

of Malmaison
for 160,000 francs the estate
of Rueil. Here she passedthe
the village
well

as

she

the

as

lived in Paris

of 1799.

season

summer

at

little hotel

her

situated

near

During

of 1798
the winter

in the

Rue

autumn

de

la

Victoire.
in Paris Josephinewas
very
During the winter season
prominent in society.The life of the capitalsuited her
and
the
perfectly.She loved balls, dinners, concerts
theatre. A perfectfemme de salon, she presided with a
real

talent

over

circle of friends

Her

admirers.

and

at her hotel in the Rue

Thursday receptions

de la Victoire

well-deserved

reputation.
Josephinefrequentedthe societyboth of the Royalists
all the fetes of
at
and the Republicans.She was
present
in the good graces
of the official
the Directory and was
had

world. Her

relations with Barras

continued

all her frivolous airs she manoeuvred

With

The
diplomatist.

of

be excellent.

to

like
have

mate
consum-

been

helped
Josephine it is possiblethat
by their wives. Without
would
have become
Napoleon never
Emperor. In spite
she
of his orders to her not to mingle in political
affairs,
efficacious promoters
of the most
of his plans,
one
was
and during his absence she adroitlyprepared for him the
greatest

men

field of action.
With

the

Bonapartes, Josephine showed

She concealed
terms

with
for

and

her dislike and

had

the

all the members

of the

Egypt, Napoleon

had wished

his brothers

and

art

108

3i

to
at

tact.

keep on good

to

family.Before

well settled
sisters,

much

his departure

his

mother,

Paris.

During

see

THE
his absence

his mother

D'ETAT

COUP

exercised

great

authorityover

with
endowed
an
family.She was
energeticwoman,
an
imperiouscharacter and an iron will,firm to the point
she
of obstinacy.Economical
even
to avarice for herself,
was
prodigalin everythingwhich touched the glory
very
of her son
Napoleon. Although very kind-hearted, she
unable to pardon
appeared to be very cold. She was

the

and her
her prodigality,
Josephineher frivolous manners,
exaggeratedlove of dress. She would have wished for
serious and more
cal,
economiNapoleon a wife who was more
and regretted
which she thought could not
a marriage
bringhappinessto her son.
a
Joseph, the eldest of the family,was
worthy man,
kind and sympathetic,
with courteous
and an
manners
agreeableface. Having married an heiress.Mile. Julie
Clary, he possessedquite a considerable fortune for that
public
Retime. After having been ambassador
of the French
Rome, he had returned to Paris bringingwith
at
him his wife's sister.
Mile. Desiree Clary,whom
Napoleon
had once
thought of marrying.While at Rome, her fiance,
General
Duphot, had been killed three days before the
date set for their marriage.After several months of mourning
she found
consolation,and in August 1798, at the
home
of Joseph in Paris, she married
Bernadotte, the
future King of Sweden.
Lucien was
the youngest
of the deputiesof the Council
He was
of Five Hundred.
of rare
of
a
man
intelligence,
solid instruction,with a real passion for literature. In
spite of his youth he exercised a great influence over
his colleagues.
In 1794 while filling
of a modest
the position
of the little villageof Saintemploye in the warehouse
Maximin
he had married the daughter of an inn-keeper,
Catherine
Boyer. Although his wife had no education she
able to hold her place
and was
soon
was
pretty and sweet
in the

most

fashionable

salons.

Bonaparte had accompaniedhis brother to Egypt

of the expedition
but during the course
aide de camp,
returned to Paris as a bearer of dispatches.
Although

Louis
as

he

109

NAPOLEON
later he
either
terms

him

be

to

was

THE

hostile towards

more

Lucien, at this
with his sister-in-law,
who

Joseph

as

The

FIRST

or

time

he

Josephine than
was

amicable

on

already thinkingof

was

son-in-law.

of the brothers of

Napoleon, Jerome, then

and mischievous,
a boy of fifteen,
was
amiable, intelligent
fond of pleasure,
and much
bored at having young
Eugene
de Beauharnais
held
constantly
as
a model.
up before him
Mme.
Letitia resided with her son
Joseph. Of the three
sisters of Napoleon, Elisa and Pauline were
both livingin
Paris with their husbands.
The youngest
sister,
Caroline,
her education at Saint-Germain
was
at the school
finishing
of Madame
Campan, where Hortense de Beauharnais was
The demoiselles Bonaparte had inherited the
also a pupil.
Pauline,who was
beauty of their mother, especially
sidered
conyoungest

the
It

was

beautiful

most

by

no

means

in Paris.

woman

for

easy

remain

Josephine to

on

affectionate terms, with this numerous

not
to say
friendly,
and powerful family. The Bonapartes had only begun to
the Beauharnais
their antagonism towards
show
which
much
friction during the Empire.
to cause
so
was
Besides these family troubles,Josephine had
money
for her toilette,
difficulties.She spent exorbitant
and
sums
marked
her household was
by a strange melange of luxury
and misery. She had superb jewels but was
often short
her smallest debts.
of money
to pay
with her Creole nonchalance, did not
embarrassments

with

sweet

manners

Josephine,however,
take her pecuniary
endowed
Amiable, affectionate,
seriously.
and an even
kinddisposition,
very

hearted,she could well be called

offended

any

either

poHticsor

on

one.

She
on

never

any

entered

into any
other subject.
She

supreme

forgivingto her
degree the qualitiesthat

overlook

her faults.

her

to

friends and

During the
had
states

reversed

of southern

She

never

discussions,
was

enemies.

She

caused

every

devoted
had
one

to

to

Bonaparte in Egypt the Directory

policy in regard to the two
principal
and Naples were
Italy.Both Rome

absence
his

charmeuse.

of

Clio

NAPOLEON
While
The

there,in May
and

his

on

had

return

mihtary chief
Joubert,lost his

to

advances

life at

Moreau,

to

serve

he

elected

was

attempted

to

Paris he declared

at

once

Gohier,

but

much

without

Minister

of War

Such

men.

rid of the three

Girondist,and Molins.

former

and
the

was

aroundfor
choice,
made

He

success.

of Barras.

ceeded,
suc-

With

stronglyrepublican

Directory,in place of whom

elderly,respectableadvocate;

an

hostility

His first
his purposes.
the battle of Novi. He next

of the

members

he got

his

look

to

however, in gainingthe adhesion

his assistance

tion,
his elec-

prevent

to

began

Directory.

the

to

He

the Government.

to

1799,

Directors

other

FIRST

THE

Bernadotte

speedilyraised a new
position of affairs

elected

were

Roger-Ducos,
was
appointed
of 100,000

army

Bonaparte's

on

return.

On
the

Palais-Bourbon.

the

Directory
that

rest.

feet

news

made
had

in session

the

his appearance
been received

with
from

ment
announce-

Egypt: "General

the

landed

at

spread in the city, Paris,which

to
lying senseless and almost dead, sprang
as

of

messengers

the

at

Frejuson the seventeenth of this month

General
Bonaparte. ..."
Nobody listened to the
The
their
their party, were
on
Deputies, whatever
with acclamations.
shouting and cheering.The galleries
rang
There was
As soon
of wild delight.
a moment

Berthier
with

Deputies were
of the
Suddenly one

19. Vendemiaire

the

news

quivering with delight,laughing, weeping;

seen
exchanging frantic embraces, rushing
thither for

news.

One

name

was

heard

had

been

her

feet,

men

were

hither

and

direction:

in every

"Bonaparte! Bonaparte!" Bonaparte had landed.

Thiebault
relates that he happened to turn
into the
and there beheld a most
Palais-Royal
extraordinarysight.
Men
clustered about a passer-by who
shouted
and
were
he hurried along; then the groups
broke
gesticulated
as
each individual ran
off Uke lightning,
as
though
up, and
deliver
miraculous
One of these,as
to
some
pieceof news.
he ran, knocked
chronicler and
shouted
against our
to
him

as

he

fled,"General

Bonaparte has

landed

at

Frejus!"

THE
Within
bands
On

hour

an

D'fiTAT

COUP

all Paris

making holiday and military

was

crashing out triumphal marches in the

side congratulationsand
embraces
were
In every theatre that night an actor
came

were

every

the stage and announced

the
of the audience, and in every
in honor of the return.

Napoleon

alliance with

an

talent for

had

weak

news

he

drew

lost office

at

once

like

man

with

saw

through

the

office in the

upon

plaudits
emptied

advantages

of

malcontents

who

political
changes, such

recent

month

the

changed.
ex-

Sieyeswho had a great

small intelligence.
In a

his side all the

to

Talleyrand and Cambaceres.

from

were
glasses

tavern

intriguecombined

time

short

as

his arrival

on

amidst the wild

street.

The

former

had

been dismissed

of

July because of his

notorious acceptance
of bribes from foreigngovernments.
Most
of the generals were
also dissatisfied and ready
for a change, with the exceptionof Bernadotte
and Jourdan, who refused to hsten to any proposals.The assistance
of the policewas
of the great power
also secured through
the adhesion
of the new
prefect,the former
regicide
Fouche.

Sieyes,Barras

With

and

Ducos

as

traitors in the Directory,

the Ancients

with

favorable, and the Five Hundred

under
the presidency of Lucien, with the soldiers and
policeon his side.Napoleon's plans seemed sure of success.
his return.

Napoleon became
aware
of the distrust of the Directory.The very
rival
day of his arhe went
the president,
to call on
to the Luxembourg
the Directors, the chief of the Moderate
Gohier. Among
the former Abbe
Sieyes.Moreau, celebrated for
party was
rival. Gohier invited Napoleon
his victories,
was
a possible
and Josephine to dinner to meet
Sieyes,but Napoleon
"duringthe repast would not say a word to Sieyesand did
Immediately

not

rage.

in, his direction. Sieyes left the table in a

arrived. It was
the first
the dinner Moreau

look

even

After

interview

between

the

be flattered

to

later,as

upon

token

of

two

illustrious
each

generals,who
other. A

meeting
friendship,Bonaparte
at

sent

few

peared
ap-

days

Moreau

THE

NAPOLEON
with diamonds.

sabre enriched

the

was

day of

the

the

Luxembourg

successful

so

Brumaire

i8

Directors

take part in the coup d'etat.

for the coming event,
the preparations

wish

not

Napoleon

will that the

winning his good

Moreau
guarded at
in

did

FIRST

who

"

to

Josephine
Barras, Gohier,
exercised a real influence over
men
and Talleyrand, and
perhaps
Sieyes,Fouche, Moreau
have
failed.
her tact
without
Napoleon's plans might
more
simple than usual in his
During this period he was
During

like

which

great-coat

gray

his brilliant uniform

concealed

He

manners.

of

party

later,"trembled
I did; this was

he said
what

to

careful.

most

was

in

put

at

become

to

to

return;

my

made

use

Directory,"

"The

any.

the

legendary.

in its favor. He

thought that he was

all without
attachinghimself

Every

destined

was

under

was

careful

very

epochs of my life when

Abbe
Sieyes and promised

one

of the

saw

the

constitution;I received
Jacobins,the agents of the Bourbons; I

operation his verbose

the chiefs of the

refused the counsels

of

no

but I

one,

gave

advice

no

cept
ex-

in the interest of my
plaiis.
Every one thought that
he had an iron in the fire,and, when
I became head of the

State, there

pleasedwith
On
a

in France

not

was

the fourth

six hundred

of November

Temple
It
Saint-Sulpice.
looked

one

the side of
had

an

bread
aide
the
tour

air
and

guests

In his

not

de

la

of the

two

present

was

oflFered to

was

feel

at

him

Councils.

by five
The place

Victoire,formerly the Church

not

was

He

did

of

not

very

remain

even

banquet.Risingbrusquely from
and

did

joyous occasion. Every

and no one
had anything to say. Seated by
on
Gohier, presidentof the Directory,Bonaparte
sombre
and bored. He ate nothing but
at once
drank
only the wine brought to him by his

de camp.
of the

which

Bonaparte

which

members

the

was

party

success."

my

subscription
banquet

or

room,

then

said

few words

until the end

the table he made

of
a

of the

principal

has described the

reception

to

some

retired.

"Souvenirs,"Arnault
C

"4

THE
that

did the honors

There

D'ETAT

the hotel in the Rue

eveningat

grace.

COUP

of her salon with

present

were

de la Victoire.
than

more

from

men

phine
Jose-

her usual

all the

parties:
the president

Jacobins and even

generals,
deputies,
Royalists,
The
of the Directory.
as
evening passed the same
usual. Little by littlethe salon became empty. Fouche and
who
the last to go, took leave of Josephine,
Gohier,among
her apartment.
Arnault
Bonaparte if the affair was

went

to

asked

day and said that he would

Napoleon repliedthat it had
the

as

whether

to

Ancients
in

act

leave. He

to

stillset for the

like

have

to

been

could

the last

was

his instructions.

off until the

put

make

not

following

their minds

up

cooperationwith

eenth
eight-

him,

against

or

him.
The

followingdays Bonaparte

two

arranged the final details

simple and ingenious.An
of

case

of their program,
which
article of the Constitution

Three, then in force,authorized

the Year

danger

the

to

his adherents

and

publicweal

to

was

of

the Ancients

convoke

that is,both Councils, outside

Legislatif,

in

the

Corps
capitalin

the

order

the influence of the

be free from

to

generaland

choose

troops

who

confide

to

were

protect

to

him

the

mob;

no

of the

The
legislature.

tution
Consti-

It

provided that from the moment

the placeof meeting was
voted

discussion

of the

arranged that

was

between

matter

this

vote

to

the command

also

change of

also

the

should

that such
there should
two

be

chambers.

be taken

by

the

Brumaire; that the new

ing
placeof meetparte
should be the Palace of Saint-Cloud, and that Bona-

Ancients

on

the i8

should
Ancients

were

Tuileries where
Five Hundred

be

in command

put

to

be

the
which

convoked

of the
for

was

to

meet

eight o'clock
held. The

meetingswere
at

troops.

The

in the

Council

of

eleven o'clock would

obHged to submit without discussion.

The great question now
how, before the vote, to
was
bringtogether,the first thing in the morning, the troops
of the
the success
who
to
were
absolutelynecessary
scheme. The
were
at
17th Division,whose headquarters

thus

be

C IIS 3

NAPOLEON

Paris, was
Minister

of

He

Bonaparte's orders.

and

War

had

not

of any
the very

command

formal

no

was

under
arousingsuspicions,

without

How,

kind.

under

not

FIRST

THE

they assemble |^e force

it? Several
overthrow
which
days before, the
to
was
Guard,
officers of the Army of Paris,and of the National
of the

eyes

had

could

Government,

expressed a

Bonaparte.It

wish

to

decided

was

their respects

pay

that

the i8 Brumaire

they

should

to

General

be received

six o'clock in the

morning,
and this very
explainedby a projected
early hour was
journey on the part of the General. Three regiments of
cavalry had also solicited the honor of parading before
in reinformed that he would
him. They were
view
pass them
o'clock the same
morning. For his tripfrom
at seven
at

his house

the house

in the

needed

escort

an

at

With

from

be invited

to

five o'clock in the

dragoons of
orders

la Victoire

to

the

Tuileries he

cavalry.It was
arranged that one of
devoted
partisans,a Corsican, Colonel

Sebastiani,should
his hotel

de

of

Napoleon's most
at

Rue

at

his

be present

morning

on

with

horse back
two

dred
hun-

his

regiment.Sebastiani without asking

superiorofficers accepted this appointment.

brilliant staff of

officers,
generalsand mounted
preceded and followed by the dragoons of his escort. Napoleon
in
the
t
he
the
moment
to go
was
Tuileries,
morning to
that the decree was
voted by the Council of the Ancients.
There

he

would

receive

the

chief command

of all the

troops in garrisonat Paris and in the suburbs and would

be charged to guard the two
Councils during the session
of the

followingday at Saint-Cloud. During the day of

the eighteenth,Barras would
also be persuaded to give
his resignation,
which following
those of Sieyesand RogerDucos would
disorganizethe Directory.The other two
members
be guarded by General
would
the
Moreau
at
dred
Luxembourg. It was hoped that the Council of Five Hunwould not oppose these plans and that the revolution,
masked
under such legalappearances,
would
be carried
through without violence.
1:1163

THE
At

five o'clock

bastiani

D'fiTAT

COUP

Semorning of the eighteenth,

dens
eighthundred dragoons to occupy the Gar-

sent

the

on

Revolution, now
he himself,with two

of the Tuileries and the Place de la

the

Place

hundred

de

Concorde, while

la

regiment,took his place before the

Bonaparte in the Rue de la Victoire.

of his

men

residence of General
An

Lefebvre, the commander

later arrived

hour

of the

district.The orders had been sent to the different

military
regiments without his knowledge and he was
surprised
the dragoons of Sebastiani. But Bonapartehad
to perceive
trouble in gaininghim to his cause.
"Here," said he,
no
"is the Turkish

sabre which

Pyramids. Accept it. Do

defenders
hands

of

who

you,

wish

country,

our

I bore

the Battle of the

at

are

to

of the bravest

one

it

see

perish in

the

"

come
lawyerswho are ruiningit? Lefebvre,overjoy, cried,"Let us throw the lawyers at once

of the
with

into the river."

The

hotel and

full uniform.

dotte,who

The

meantime

at

Council of the Ancients

a

short

should
the

debate
meet

in civilian

at

it

of the

had

begun

eighto'clock.

Saint-Cloud

Paris and
his

the

present

should

be

sent

the necessary

As
sent

to

among

as

soon

mounted

summon

his
whom

furthermore
for

to

at

session of the
After

the

Corps Legislatif
on
followingday,
wings of the Palace;
cution
charged with the exethe

noon

two

be

decree; and that all the troops

receive

in

immediately put under

that General
Bonaparte

be

his commission

and

take

oath.
this

had

vote

been

Bonapartefrom
could be

taken

messenger

his hotel. He

was

immediately

by a brilliant escort,
Moreau, Macdonald,
distinguished

horse, and

followed

Lefebvre,Berthier,Lannes,
out

that

at

vicinityshould

orders, and

Napoleon.
the

sittingin the
General Bonaparte should

that

Berna-

was

Tuileries

voted

was

costume

officers in

the

Councils

two

filled with

soon

were

refused the solicitations of

the

In

garden
only one

Marmont

for the Tuileries escorted

nii7

by
3

the

and

Murat, he

set

tiani.
dragoons of Sebas-

NAPOLEON
There
one

were

Gardens, which

Bonaparte

were

peoplearound the Palace,as every

what was
going on. The gates of the
closed.
occupiedby the troops, were

traversed

Gardens

the
de

front of the Pavilion

Here

the

to

the session

descended

the

to

of the
who

Council

of

Five

deputieslearned

o'clock the

Hundred

that

remained

except

to

no

where

with

met

indignationof
president,Lucien
to

debate
to

arrange

eleven
the decree
parte,
Bona-

that office in honor

was

explicit

possible.Nothing

was

meet

he

astic
enthusi-

at

with

Ancients, but their

had just been elected

point, and

the

speak

to

Gardens

of his brother, stated that the Constitution

on

deputy

one

chance

hailed him

the troops, who

acclamations.
the

of the

adjourned.

was

Bonaparte now
passedin review
When

fore
be-

short

matter

Only

the Constitution.
support
noticed the omission and before he had
oath

in
dismou||:ing

he delivered

carefullyavoided

he

in which

and,

I'Horloge,
presented himself

of the Ancients.

the Council
address

FIRST

few

very

ignorantof

was

THE

at

Saint-Cloud

the

followingday.
the

Of

five

Directors,two,

Sieyes and Roger-Ducos,

in their resignations
had alreadyhanded
as
arranged.A
of Talleyrand,now
third,Barras, upon the demand
lowed
foltheir example,and left Paris for his estate, Grosbois.
of the morning.
Very well satisfied with the events
his residence,where
to
he found
Napoleon returned
and
reassured. All the preparationshad
Josephinehappy
been carried out
as
planned. Moreau was occupyingthe
and Murat
Luxembourg, Lannes the Tuileries,
the Chateau
of Saint-Cloud.
The

revolution

historythe
the
The
Cloud

Brumaire

out

by Bonaparte is

d'etat of the i8 Brumaire.

called in

Nevertheless

only the prelude.The decisive day

that of the nineteenth. The
night passed quietly.
from
followingmorning the route
Paris to Saint-

was

coup

carried

was

was

covered

with

troops, and

curiosity-seekers.
C

"8

filled with
carriages

THE

NAPOLEON

the knell of

sounded

this cry had

FIRST

Robespierre,and

parte
Bona-

with a
and his officers,
appeared lost. But Murat
forced their way
few grenadiers,
through the crowd and
tired
escorted their generalto safety.For a short tim^he reand then descended
yard
courtto the
again to his room
and
This

dred
Bonaparte into the Council of Five Hun-

of

entry

resulted in

had

fortunate

was

his horse.

mounted

for him
this

Assembly. In

the

and

rashness.

formal

motion

his brother

that

Lucien
crisis,

and

coolness

He

declined

of

showed

to

receive

as

had

Napoleon

as

outlawry and it
presidentof
was
much

sourcefulnes
re-

impetuosity
motion

the

and,

chair
claiminghis rightto speak, he left the presidential
make
the tribune. Finding it impossible
and ascended
to
he sent a
his voice heard againstthe howls of the deputies,
which

message

grenadierswho

of half a dozen
resulted in the appearance
escorted him
from the hall. Mounting a

Assembly

that the

that his life and

and
to

the soldiers in

he addressed

horse

was

dominated

declaring

ringingtones,
by

that of his brother

of

band

were

no

assassins,
longer safe,

he, as presidentof the Assembly, called

that

order. He

restore

greetedwith

was

on

them

loud shouts of "Vive

Bonaparte!" Murat gave the orders and the drums beat

Murat
made
for the
the charge.Followed by the infantry,
At the sightof the troops,
door of the council chamber.
hurried to leave the hall,most
the legislators
of them
by
the windows,

of the

room

two

Councils,under

met

in the

Cloud, and
and

the

was

Sunday evening,the
after the eventful day

On

and

and

lo

soon

cleared.

November

1799,

ately
immedi-

of the 19 Brumaire, a "rump"

the presidencyof Lucien Bonaparte,

hallsof the Palace of Saintthe Directors,

unanimously voted to remove
now

deserted

appoint in their place three Consuls, Sieyes,Ducos

Bonaparte. The meeting then adjourned for four

months, after appointinga commission

the Consuls
Thus

was

to

in the

of a new
preparation
fulfilledthe prophecy made

Burke
by Edmund
in France," that

in his "Reflections

French

libertywould

with

cooperate

constitution.

eightyears
on

before

the Revolution
fall

victim

to

THE
the

first great
himself.
The

D'fiTAT

COUP

general who

Constitution

drew

the eyes

of all men

to

of the Year

Eight,the fourth since

the founding of the RepubHc, was
hastilyprepared and
into effect a month
later. It was
the work
went
principally
of Bonaparte,and was
in
designedto put supreme
power
his hands. The result was
the organization
of the Consulate
which
In

lasted for five years, from 1799 to

held in the earlydays of
plebiscite

Constitution
of

three million

over

January,the
by the overwhelming majority
againstabout fifteen thousand

ratified

was

1804.

votes

in the

negative.It was a remarkable verdict of the nation,

and gave Bonaparte the soundest of titles to power.
At this time Sieyesand Ducos
resignedtheir temporary
consuls

as
positions

Senate.

The

Lebrun.

The

two

new

former

was

latter

the

man;

and

was

consuls
learned

with

rewarded

were

moderate

in the

seats

Cambaceres

were

and

juristand a very tactful

with leaningstowards
a

constitutional

valuable
to
monarchy. Both were
prove
assistants to Bonaparte, Cambaceres
being intrusted with
the generaloversightof legislation,
and Lebrun
with that
of finance. The new
ministryincluded Talleyrand,Foreign
Affairs;Berthier,War; Lucien Bonaparte, Interior;and

Fouche, the Police.

The three Consuls, who
should

ten

years,

but

in order

to

have

put

the

to

were

been

for the

serve

by the

chosen

Senate,

into immediate

Government

new

new

of

term

operation the Constitution designatedwho they should

be: Bonaparte, First Consul; Cambaceres, the second, and
Lebrun, the third.
all the
Practically
hands

of the

executive

First Consul.

placed in the
appoint ministers,

were

powers

He

to

was

and
and the navy,
ambassadors, the officers of the army
civil officers,,
numerous
includingthe judges.He had the
to

power
to

The

make

the

and

war

approval of

First Consul

Bills were
legislation.
and

were

then

to

was

to

negotiatetreaties
Corps Legislatif.

peace

the

also
be

and

have

to

the initiative in all

preparedby

be submitted

to

ject
sub-

Council

of

State,

Tribunate, which

had

NAPOLEON
the

discuss them

rightto

went

but

them

vote

but

to

not

which

the

the Constitution,and

others,was
also

was

and

of the Tribunate

had
The

the

elect the

elaborate system which it is unnecessary

detail as it was
only a sham.

machinery

to

power

guardian of
Consuls, the

Legislature,
through

the

describe in

to

an

All this elaborate

then

Senate, a third

be the

to

to

They

them.

vote

discuss them.

to

not

body, higherthan
members

FIRST

Body,
Legislative

the

to

THE

designedto deceive

was

ence
peopleand keep up the fiction of the continued existof fact,Bonapartewas
of the Republic.As a matter
To be sure, he was
only elected
sovereignin all but name.
for ten years, and had no power
to bequeath his ofiice to

the

heir,but all these details he

an

He

secured

now

the

to

was

of

enactment

law which

in his hands. There

all local government
in charge of the civil administration
for
sub-prefect

town

every

local

than

Every

all

"

under

to

tired of the

was

the continual

excesses

changes jn

the

ready for a return to

law and order. The First Consul
nation

an

was

be

mayor

fect
pre-

for

Paris. All
tive
execu-

ally
effectu-

more

of the Revolution
and

government,

safe and

soon

ment,
depart-

end, and the

even
capital
monarchy.

Bourbon

the

appointed from

came

placed

of each

centralized in the

was

one

to

was

smaller divisions,and

thus
self-government

power

and

commune

or

later.

arrange

sane

showed

the

regime of
that he proposed

partisan
rallyall factions to his support and adopt a nonand thoroughly national policy.All regicides
excluded from high office except
few who, like
a
were
valuable to be dispensed with. The
too
Fouche, were
declared Royalemigresof Fructidor returned,and even
ists
back. Equally generous
welcomed
parte's
Bonawere
was

to

treatment
were

allowed

to

of the Roman
return

and

to

Catholic
officiatein

Church.

Priests

placeswhere

no

raised. The royalist

oppositionwas
risingin the Vendee
was
finally
put down, and the Breton "Chouans," under
their peasant
crushed.
leader, Georges Cadoudal, were
Thus ended the civil war
which for nearlyseven
years had

devastated the heart of France.

122

CHAPTER

NINE
1800

MARENGO
Bonaparte
Season
France
The

"

the

Paris

to

Bonaparte
Opposing Forces
Fort

"

Melas

Bard

of Desaix

day

THE

The

"

The

Marengo
Campaign
"

The

"

in

Crossing

"

of

nation
Conster-

"

Crosses
Turned

of

of War

Theatre

Piedmont

Defeat

The

Condition

Campaign
Army

"

Winter

The

"

the
to

Po

"

Victory

of the

Results

after the

November

II

of

of

Army
"

Murat

and
There

Improved

"

Plan

Milan

at

Life

of Reserve

French

Battle

"

"

The

Situation

Army

The

"

Caroline

of

"

Napoleon's

"

Napoleon

"

Montebello

of

Death

Tuileries

Military

The

"

Marriage

"

the

under

Alps

Battle

Moves

in

of

"

Luxembourg

the

at

Consul

First

coup

1799,

of 19 Brumaire,
Consuls
three
took

d'etat
the

the
up

That

Luxembourg.
evening
the public buildings and
of the private houses
were
many
illuminated.
Bonaparte, although sovereign in fact, was
the feelings of the
in appearance:
he considered
not
yet
the
Republicans; but little by little he began to accustom
no
people to his reign.Josephine was
longer designated as
the "Citizeness
called "Madame."
Bonaparte," but was
At
the
Petit-Luxembourg,
occupied the
Napoleon
the right as you
the ground floor, on
enter
on
apartment
from
the Rue
near
a
Vaugirard. His cabinet was
private
staircase
which
led to the first floor where
Josephine was
served
o'clock
lodged. After the dejeuner which
at ten
was
with his aides de camp
few minutes
Bonaparte chatted
a
their

and

then

set

residence

himself

five o'clock.

After

apartment,

where

in the

to

this the
he

work.

The

First Consul

received

the

dinner

was

went

to

visit

of

served

at

Josephine's

his

ministers,

of
always with especial pleasure that of the Minister
Foreign Affairs, Talleyrand. At midnight, and sometimes
the signal for retiring,saying brusquely,
earlier, he gave
and

"AUons

nous

coucher!"

123

NAPOLEON

FIRST

THE

At the Luxembourg, Josephinebegan

of the ancien

to

receive persons
stilloffended

title "Madame"

regime.The

Republicans,who regrettedthe change from the

to
of "Citizeness." Napoleon began gradi^lly
simplicity
with the republicanfetes,while still preserving
do away
some
revolutionarymemories. He abolished the fete of
the 2 1_ January, anniversaryof the death of Louis the
Sixteenth,while keeping as national holidaysthe 14 July,
and the i" Vendemiaire, comthe day of the Bastille,
memorating
the founding of the RepubHc. He allowed his
wife to surround
herself with members of the old Court,
sister
but he consented
the marriage of his youngest
to
of the inn-keeperof
with a soldier of fortune, the son
many

Cahors.
brated
celeJanuary 1800 at the Luxembourg was
the civil marriage of Caroline
Bonaparte with
mony
cereMurat, then only a generalof division. The religious
not
casion
was
performed until two years later on the ocof the marriage of Louis Bonaparte with Hortense
On

the

20

de Beauharnais.
not
twenty-nine
25 March
1771, was
the time of his marriage,while Caroline,

Murat, born the

of age
the same

years

born

at

day in 1782,

In the words

younger.

sisters of

Napoleon,

of Madame
Caroline

exactly eleven

was

Recamier:
the

was

"Of
who

one

years

all the

most

sembled
re-

perfectlybeautiful as her
sister Pauline,but she stronglypossessedthe Napoleonic
and an imperious will,
she had much
intelligence
type;
him.

and

her

the

She

not

was

the somewhat

between

contrast

and

countenance

as

childish grace of
the decision of her character made

extremelyattractive."
In the whole French Army there was
cavalier than Murat.
Young, handsome,
her

his brilliantuniforms,on
he

attracted

there

was

never

the

of

every

sympathy

124

striking

one.

or

with
life,
in a review,

Nevertheless

Napoleon and
hesitated long before

between

his great cavalrycommander,

and he
givinghim the hand of his sister.But

more

full of

the field of battle

attention
much

no

Murat

and Caroline

KING

MURAT

NAPOLEON
It

brother
Paris

he

FIRST
the

had

shop of

Bourrienne's

watched

the

mob

of

tunate
surgingthrough the place and had seen the unforKing appear at the window with the red czpmf the

his head!

on

Tuileries,
Napoleon took possessionof the suite

In the

the Fourteenth

of Louis

occupied

the

of

rooms

the first floor,while

on

Marie-Antoinette

arrangement
suite of the First

The

Gardens,

was

known

of Louis

just

"

the

Consul, which
time

in the

Josephine

below

later under

of the

reverse

Empire.
the

Carrousel

the

near

Revolution

the

since from

eightyears

not

was

THE

Second

faced
the

on

teenth
Four-

Apartment of His Majesty." The

size.
of medium
cabinet,Hghted by only one window, was
Next to this room
the bureau topographique,
or
was
mapwhich
and
had
a
adjoiningwas
large bed-room,
room,
been that of the kings,where
lit de parade had
been
a
that Bonaparte
placed.Bourrienne tells us in his "Memoirs"
rarelysleptthere, for he had very simple tastes
and was
fond of luxury. Pour m'exprimer en termes
not
bourgeois,au Luxembourg, a la Malmaison, et pendant
les premiers temps
qu'ilhabita les Tuileries,Bonaparte
couchait avec
femme."
sa
Every night he descended by a
littlestairwayto the rooms
of Josephinewho
lived below
the "Winter

as

"

him

the

on

ground floor. She had

Marie-Antoinette
toilette

was

bedroom

and

During the

furnished

the

suite of

simply.Adjoiningher cabinet de
the apartment
of Hortense, consisting
of a
a
study.
very

winter of 1800 Paris

thought only of pleasure.

The officialworld set the example, and the season
was
very
brilliant.The finest balls were
those givenby Lucien Bonaparte,
who
Minister
of the Interior occupied the
as
magnificent Hotel

Brissac. Besides

the officialfetes,there

those of the great bankers of the day, which

the traditions of the former fermiers
The
generaux.
were

belongingto

the

old

aristocracyof the

Germain

not

yet

mingle in

were

seen

did
at

the

theatres,the
C

126

recalled
persons

Faubourg Saintthe new

society,but they
and at private
concerts,

MARENGO
dinners. All

societyentered into the social

whirl,and the dance was never
so
popular.The reopening
of the masked
balls of the Opera was
the great feature of
the Carnival of 1800. For a period of ten years the Parisians
had been deprivedof this entertainment so popular
with them. Nothing else was
talked of in the capital.
But

classes of

while

Paris danced

played,the First Consul

serious problems. The military
very
with regard to the three Powers with

occupied with

was

situation of France
which

she

still at

was

and

war

such

was

that there

but

was

little chance

as

he

to

was

of peace save
through victory.As soon
in office Bonaparte had made
overtures
pacific

the Allies and

Paul

had

had

been

abandoned

the Coalition. The

which

ment,
English GovernFrench
garrisons

reduce the
to
hoped soon
in Malta
and Egypt, refused to make
peace,
not
dangerous except on the sea. With Austria
that the campaign must
be fought to a finish.
At

the time

that

affairs of France
the

empty:

was

were

soldiers

it

it was

was

clear

the winter

ill-fed and

were

civil
ill-clad;

public
Vendee; and the armies of the Re-

demoralized

were

but

Bonaparte became First Consul the

in a deplorablestate.
The treasury

stillraged in the

war

the Czar

far successful that

so

from

frequentdefeats.

the energy
of
and activity
everywhere in evidence. The finances were

During

of 1800

Napoleon were
armed
and
placed upon a firm basis;the soldiers were
and
equipped;the civil war was crushed out; and the spirit
aroused
patriotismof the soldiers were
mations.
by his proclaAt the

same

time he

began

to

drilland organize,
collect,

in different parts of France, various

later to unite near
Lake Geneva
were

bodies of

men,

who

and form

the

Army

of Reserve.
In the
had

springof

The

remnant

been

driven

1800

the

of the
out

militarysituation was
French

of northern

C 127 3

army

under

Italy by

the

as

lows.
fol-

Massena

superior

NAPOLEON

THE

FIRST

vasion
vicinityof Genoa. An inthreatened
of France
was
along the line of the
had been lost.
Riviera. All of Bonaparte's conquests
In southern Germany, Kray with 1 50,000 men
m^aced
with
the Rhine, while Moreau
an
nearlyequal stood
army
had a great strategic
the defensive at Bale. The French
on
advantage in their possessionof Switzerland, which like a
German
the
two
gigantic bastion projected between
reinforce the army
armies. Bonaparte's first plan was
to
of Moreau, which, under his supervision,should cut the
line of communications.
Austrian
This scheme
was
given
parte
Bonawhom
of the oppositionof Moreau
account
up on

forces of Melas

could
At
driven

this

not

and

afford

moment

into Genoa

in the

was

to

came

where

superiorforces of Melas.
his plans and decided to
in Italy.

offend.
the

news

that Massena

had

been

being besieged by the

Bonaparte immediately altered
munications
move
againstthe Austrian comhe

was

enteringinto a descriptionof this campaign it is

describe briefly
the topography of the theatre
to
necessary
Brilliant in its conception, perfect in its
of operations.
of the most
execution, the Campaign of Marengo is one
of all of Napoleon's militaryoperations,and
interesting
minute
well deserves
description.
a
ous
SeparatingSwitzerland from Italyis the loftymountainthe Swiss Alps. Extending south from
as
range known
Switzerland to within about thirty miles of the
western
and
France
forming the boundary line between
sea, and
Italy, are the French Alps. Turning east from this point
is called the Maritime
and approaching the sea, the range
Alps, and stillfurther east, along the shores of the Gulf of
the Apennines.
as
Genoa, is known
With the exceptionof a few passes, this great mountain
mountable
chain, almost encirclingnorthern
Italy,forms an insurbarrier to militaryoperations.
To-day magnificent
the Alps, and they are
highways cross
pierced by
which
Turin
and
Milan
several tunnels
within
bring
a
Before

MARENGO
few hours of France
of the

there

eighteenthcentury

track for
made

Switzerland,but in the last year

and

Napoleon.Snow

the

for the

mountain

even

wagon

and
and ice,glaciers
both

passes

of

passage

not

was

and

troops,

avalanches,
difficult and dangerous
almost
impassable for

cavalryand artillery.
The

Austrian

120,000

able

Italyconsisted
of General

command

old for active service. The

too

was

army

and

Genoa,

near

of about

Melas,
greater

an

part

along the Apennines

scattered
was
Alps. The remainder
and Lombardy, occupying the fortresses
throughoutPiedmont
had
and guardingthe passes of the Alps.The army
its base on
the Quadrilateral,
and its line of communications
was
by several roads down the valleyof the Po.
the Army of Italy,less
Opposed to the Austrians was
and

the

the

under

men

but
officer,

of the

in northern

army

than

which

Maritime

40,000

strong,

under

the

command

of

Massena,

shut up in Genoa.
Meanwhile
the Army of Reserve, the very existence of
which was
doubted by the Austrians, was
being rapidly
was

assembled
On
of the

now

near

Lake

the sixth of

Geneva.

May, Bonaparte left Paris

operations.An

article in the

the First Consul

so

from

to

take

charge

constitution

new

hibited
pro-

mand,
comexercising
any military

Berthier,the chief of staff,was

the
nominally

of the Army of Reserve.

general-in-chief
Vast supplieshad been collected at Geneva
and every
preparationmade for the passage of the Alps. Bonaparte
and thence to Lausanne, at which
proceeded to Geneva
assembled. After
placesthe greater part of the army was
amine
receivingthe reports of officers who had been sent to exthe several passes of the Alps, he decided to move
the greater part of his forces over
the pass
Saint-Bernard.
By taking this route, which

shortest,he could reach Milan

advantageof
His plan was
while

two

of the Grandwas

much

quickerand gain the

the
great

time.
to

lead 35,000

smaller detachments

129

men
were

into Italyby this pass,

to

cross

by

the Petit-

NAPOLEON
and

Saint-Bernard

Austrians

near

march

to

on

Army

the

about
the

Turin.

Once

Milan

and

4000

men,

division of

the

at

Mont-Cenis

time

same

and

attack

the

in

await

Rhine, which

of the

FIRST

Simplon. Thurreau's

from

descend

to

was

the

Italy,of

of

Army

the

THE

Italy,Bonapartein^nded
the corps of Moncey from
was
to march
by way of the

Saint-Gothard.
From

the

and

through Martigny

passes

feet,and then descends

into the

Piedmont.

by

the Aosta

valleyof

the

route

the little hamlet

the Grand-Saint-Bernard

Pierre,crosses
8cx50

Geneva

end of Lake

eastern

at

of Saint-

elevation of

an

the

of Saint-Remy
village
thence into the plainof

and

lies the

into the
also opens
Saint-Gothard
is at a considerable

valleyof

the

south

which
Petit-Saint-Bernard,
the east, and

to

Italy

of the Grand-

little to

the Aosta. The

to

leads

Milan.

to
directly

more

distance

distributed
supplieswhich had been collected were
four hospitals
at different pointsalongthe route, and
were
established for the care
of the sick and injured.
The ammunition
and gun-carriages
were
transportedon the backs
The

of

mules, and

the

of trees, hollowed

Alps by

the

On

the

about
cannon.

cannon

the army

May,
four

Lannes. A

and
to

was

by

cross

Berthier

sent

the
Martigny to supervise
crossed first.He

morning, in

order

and

men

receive the divisions

to

he himself remained

movement.

left Saint-Pierre
to

of 5000

avoid

Saint-Remy

at

two

o'clock

the
the

danger of the avalanches,

same
day. The entire

days, and on the twentieth all five

includingthat of Chabran, had arrived safelyin

crossed

corps,

were

the Petit-Saint-Bernard.

Saint-Remy, while

and reached

the

fifth corps

forward

at

at

There

cavalry and forty

commanded
by Murat,

were

corps

their arrival

army

dragged across

its march.

began

on

in the

and

the trunks

including
4000

men,

Chabran

Lannes

within

the soldiers themselves.

3S,ooo
The

Bonaparte

for that purpose,

out

Victor,Duhesme
under

enclosed

were

valleyof

in five

the Aosta. The

filledwith

enthusiasm.

soldiers
Never

c 1303

were

gay

and cheerful

had their love and

ad-

MARENGO

Corporal" been so great. Like the

in the
they had crossed the Alps,and now
great Hannibal
fertile plainsof Italythey not
only hoped for,but felt
confident of victory.
But a great difficulty
tance
A short diswas
yet to be met.
down
the narrow
valley,upon a perpendicularrock,

miration for the "Little

the small

stood

probablethat

it seemed

entire army.

the

Martigny,

But

Bard.

the

hurried

news,

precisionsoon

horses

were

obstacle.

around

fort

by foot-pathswhich were
a dark
night the soldiers

on

The

past the fort.

The
lower valley of the

Austrians, who

thousand
driven
took

back

Turin.

refugein

greater

of

part

his

leaguesnortheast

troops,

about

the

ioo,cx30

the

at

hauled

the guns

by

troops

he

followingday
himself

at

existence

Alessandria

was

cannon

struck
was

to

over

learned

and

Italywith a
cavalry. He

with

consternation.

was

few

Lannes

Chivasso, about

with

of his army,
scattered

Army

of the
a

and

four

now

in

serve,
of Re-

thousand

few

reduced

throughout

Italy.The largestcontingent,of about 30,000

engaged in the siegeof Genoa.
received information
On the 21 May, Melas
of French

by

capital.

remainder

men,

sent

positionuntil they finally

27 May, Bonaparte with the

was

army

of

way

rendered

defended

was

Alps,

soon

attacked

were

of the

was

while

On

of the

Still incredulous
Melas

Aosta

positionto

from

and

men

the

found

the

and
passable,

moment

across

overcoming
the

For

stop the progress of

First Consul, who
still at
was

the

receiptof

on

Fort

this fort would

.his wonderful

with

and

formidable

but

to

northern
men,

was

of the sage
pasthe Grand-Saint-Bernard.
The

certaintythat Bonaparte
largearmy, well equipped with
not
only surprised but
was

to

already threatened, and

His

line of

he did

not

communications
know

which

way

turn.

Melas
rushed to Turin,
Hastily collecting
10,000
men,
where he was
joinedby several other detachments, raising
his total force to about
16,000 troops. He fullyexpected

NAPOLEON
to

be

at

attacked

once

Bonaparte's plan. He
the Po

down

by

the

by

FIRST

French, but such

Lannes

ordered

After

attempted
Bonaparte entered

which

to

rapidly
for Milan

out

defeatinga consi^rableforce
the

oppose

Milan

set

not

was

march

to

Pavia, while he himself

on

of Novara.

way

THE

of

passage

the second

on

of

Ticino,

the

June. Here

he

days to await the arrival of Moncey's

crossingby the Saint-Gothard. In the
was
corps, which
with the cavalry to seize the
Murat
meantime
he sent
of the Po at Placentia,where he had passed the
crossings
river four years before during his first campaign in Italy,
justpriorto the battle of Lodi.
in possessionof all of Piedmont
The French were
now
and Lombardy north of the river Po, which they strongly
Chivasso to Cremona.
In this territory
held from
they
had already seized all the Austrian
communications
and
captured immense
quantitiesof suppliesand ammunition.
Melas, who was
no
longer in doubt as to Bonaparte's
his forces to break
intentions,now
began to concentrate
him.
through the net which was
rapidlyclosingaround
He ordered allhis available forces to march on Alessandria,
and his army
was
materiallyincreased by the surrender
of Genoa
the fourth of June.
on
On the sixth of June, Moncey's corps
of 15,000 men
several

remained

reached

Milan

command

of

and

Napoleon

issued
Victor
few

and

these
who

to

orders

Murat,

miles below

During

raised the forces under

for the

about

Pavia

32,000

and

movements

bore

about

march
an

the immediate

60,000 troops.
three

corps

men,

to

to

the

Austrian

of

cross

He

mediatel
im-

Lannes,
the

Po

Stradella Pass.

courier

was

tured,
cap-

dispatch from Melas tellingof the

and of his plan of operations.
capture of Genoa
After occupying the Stradella Pass, Lannes and Victor
received an order from Napoleon to march
towards
west
Montebello
and meet
the Austrians coming from Genoa.
On the ninth of June at this placeLannes with
only 9000
men
encountered
Austrians
whom
16,000
he decisively
defeated

after

stubborn

contest

132

which

was

dell
finally

English

NHe

1 1

Frotiih

Cav;dry

n.

IC

AustriarLS
eSr

Infajjtry

"""I
mm

ArtilleiT

MARENGO
cided by the arrival of Victor with 5000
Lannes

gave

imperishablerenown

and

title of Due de Montebello.

The First Consul who had left Milan
arrived

the field just at

on

the end

This

men.

for him

won

the

victory
the

morning
Being

same

of the battle.

deficient in

while Melas was

cavalryand artillery,
strong
in both, he decided to fallback to a position
in front of the
Stradella Pass, where his flanks would be^well protected,
and await the Austrian attack. The following
day, Desaix
arrived on
his return
from
Egypt, and was
given the

command

of

corps.

days for the

and attack him. Napoleon could
longer and accordingly decided
Melas. Leaving a force to occupy

Austrians

After waiting two

he marched
Stradella,
he

crossed

the

suspense

advance

to

and

no

seek

the fortified camp

at
Alessandria. On the 13 June

towards

Scrivia and

the

bear

advance

to

into the

debouched

plain ot

Marengo.
An
ago

on

any

hundred

of the moderate

one

would

looking west
extending to

see

and

hillocks

before

him

an

This

the river Bormida.

twenty

near

up,

as

ditches. It

is
was

usually the
an

years

San Giuliano

almost

flat

plainwas

meadows, vineyardsand olive orchards,and

with
cut

standing one

observer

plain

covered
was

not

in

Italy,by canals and

admirable field for cavalryevolutions.
case

halfway to the Bormida the observer would see

the littlevillage
of Marengo, past which ran a meandering
brook, bordered by marshes, with high banks here and
there. Just beyond ran the Bormida, which here pursues
an
irregularcourse, with extensive loops.At a distance
of six or seven
miles,in the background, could be seen,
through the trees which bordered the river,the walls
several
and towers
of Alessandria. Across the plain ran
roads connecting the villagesand farms. Such
country
battle-field of Marengo, which even
the famous
day
towas
is littlechanged.
About

During
ordered

the

Victor

afternoon
to

of

the

thirteenth

proceed to Marengo.
C 133 3

Here

Bonaparte
only a small

NAPOLEON
detachment
driven

of the Austrians
the

across

Napoleon
abandoned

From

He

route.

were

therefore

quickly

was

indications

all these

the conclusion

Alessandria and

another

found, which

was

Bormida.

to

came

FIRST

THE

that the Austrians

had

attempting to escape
directed Desaix, ^th

by
one

division of his corps, about six thousand

march
to
men,
Novi
short distance south of Marengo in order to
a
on

interceptMelas

if he

endeavoringto

was

by

escape

this

route.

It thus

happened that on the evening of the 13 June

Napoleon was
unprepared for the battle of the following
day. Contrary to all his principleshe had scattered his
forces in the face of the enemy.
He nearly paid dearly
for this

Meanwhile

error.

The
Melas

did

called

communications

know

not

council

what

of

march

Pavia; second, to

on

stand

siege there

third,to

retire

Po

and

and

therefore

Valenza

at

Genoa

to

and

and

prepare

British

the

supported by

the Bormida

cross

He

fusion.
con-

three plans of action

the

cross

in

was

severed

pursue.

which

at

war

all

were

to

course

suggested: first,to

were

to

Austrian

Alessandria

at

French

attack the

fleet;
in the

their way

through.
The third plan was
adopted. It was decided to cross the
river the next
morning and attack the French. The army
numbered
of Melas
men
including7000 cavalry,
32,000
endeavor

to

and he had

cut

hundred

two

At

daybreak
Austrians began

cannon.

morning

the

on

to

cross

the river.

They

outposts

and

and drove back the French

had

Marengo. Victor,who
before,received
succeeded
Lannes

in

At
and

one

ten

made

Marengo.

attack

driving them

arrived

line of battle
than

the

on

now

the

numbered

Both

Melas

determined
sides

arrived

at

fourteenth, the
at

Marengo

of the Austrians
back.

At

attacked

once

advanced

his corps.
about
15,000

towards
the

and

about

field with

half the Austrian

o'clock

of the

ten

The
men,

at

night
first

o'clock
French
or

less

troops.

attacked
effort

the whole
to

line

gain possessionof

fought desperately
"

1:1343

French

the Austrians

MARENGO
with

the energy

were

unavailingto

numbers,

and

give way.

They
by the

followed
Such
arrived

orders

sent

him

and

thousand

fury, but

critical

to

The

out

of

Melas

any

returned

great

to

bore

Zach

At

Meanwhile
troops

about

Monnier,

five o'clock

back.

Napoleon

at

troops

once

about

behind

the
three

driven

the
he

dispatch to
day he had

now

felt the

of his seventy
left the army
in command
Zach.

for the purpose

of pursuing
believed to be completely

troops

had

the
in

Austrian

advance

marching

order

begun

hillocks

formed

he

to

At

the
halted

had

Desaix's
Giuliano

rallyand
San

near

arrived.

Marengo

San

sible
pos-

retreat.

weight

He

he

Desaix
at

sent

but

the

o'clock

the

not

was

been

and

staff.General

four

behind

turned

French

brought

part of their cavalry

than two-thirds
of their

him.

Napoleon

first cannon-shot
and

to

greater

rearranged his
about

had

the troops moving forward

in line of battle.

than

his

They

exertions, and

the French, whom

routed.

Giuliano

hurried

ordered

he

courage,

heavily upon

now

It

victory.During

and

of his chief of

French.

Alessandria
his

energy

effects of his
years

to

Napoleon
had
already

then

demoralized, retired

Giuliano.

announcing

shown

San

He

had

longer, and

almost

San

of the

destroyed; and more

had been captured.

Vienna

towards

and

been

cannon

forced

were

o'clock.

return

beyond Marengo; the

had

superior

regiments of cavalry,making in all about seven

renewed
with increased
The strugglewas
men.
all the efforts of Napoleon could not now
turn

French,

miles

Lannes

of

all the troops he could collect. He

Consular
Guard, the division of

hold

hillocks

attacks

of aflFairswhen

state

the tide of battle in favor

to

and

eleven

at

Desaix

the

two

furious

French

Austrians.

victorious

field

to

the front with

with

Victor

the efforts of the

retired in disorder

the

on

resist the

both

the

was

despair.All

of

rather

arrange

Giuliano.
sound

gan,
be-

At

of the

his division

division

and

the

into line of battle.

NAPOLEON

THE

FIRST

appeared from behind

the risingground in front of the French Hnes, they were
surprisedto find the whole French army in positionfor
attacked with fury an^everybattle. The French at once
When

captured, including General

were

the

Two

thousand

Zach

himself.

Austrians.

the

overwhelmed

where

of Zach

column

the advance

men

tinuing
Con-

forced the Austrians

advance, the French

back

Marengo. Here they attempted to make a stand but

the
were
again defeated and retired in disorder across
Alessandria.
Bormida
to
By ten o'clock that night all
the Austrians had recrossed the river. Napoleon had won
in the afternoon the battle that he had lost in the morning:
to

turned into a great victory.

great disaster was
the French
On the followingmorning when
were
to

in

cross

the

Bormida

Alessandria,Melas

headquartersto propose
day the negotiationswere
was
signed.By the terms
to

of northern

French
killed

and
the

at

his death
the French
as

"Of

the
he

return

far

as

were

the

nation.

At

Saint

an

of

was
war

same

armistice
allowed
and

to

the

Quadrilateraland

to

fortified cities.

engaged, both
heavy. Desaix

very

battle of the afternoon

deeplyregrettedby

was

That

agreed to give up

numbers

losses

beginningof

honors

the
the

and

Melas

of surrender

the

Austrian

officer to the French

an

completed

Italyas

proportion to

to

of surrender.

terms

all the fortresses and

surrender

him

In

Mantua.

proceed to

In

sent

Alessandria with

evacuate

whole

in order

paring
pre-

trians
attack the Aus-

the

First Consul

the
was

and

and

Helena, Napoleon spoke of

follows:
all the

generalsI ever had under me, Desaix and

Kleber possessedthe greatest talents
Desaix.
especially
Kleber loved gloryonly in as far as it was
the means
of
Desaix
procuring him riches and pleasures,whereas
and
loved glory for itself,
despised everything else. To
him riches and pleasurewere
did he give
valueless,nor
them
moment's
a
a
thought.He was
little,
black-looking
inch
than
about
shorter
I
an
man,
always badly
am,
comfort or
dressed,sometimes even
ragged, and despising
"

C 1363

MARENGO

Egypt, I made him a present of a

several times, but he always lost
completefield-equipage
it. Wrapt in a cloak, Desaix threw himself under a gun,
and sleptas contentedlyas if he were
in a palace.
For him
luxury had no charms."
Napoleon had begun the passage of the Grand-SaintBernard
and just a month
later he received
^on the 15 May
the surrender of the Austrian army
in Italy.In
he had
crossed the Alps, entered
month
Milan,
one
severed the Austrian communications, fought and won
of the
a
great battle and as a result obtained possession
greater part of northern Italy.
Referringto this period of Napoleon's career, Alison,
in his
who certainly
be accused of any prejudice
cannot
convenience.

favor,writes
"The
assumed
of

When

as

sudden
the

in

follows:
resurrection

helm, is

of France

of the

one

European history.
.

most

When
.

when

Napoleon
extraordinarypassages
he seized the helm

November, 1799, he found the armies defeated and

ruined; the frontier invaded both on the sides of Italy
in

spair,
the soldiers in deGermany; the arsenals empty;
desertingtheir colours; the Royalistsrevolting
generalanarchy in the interior;
againstthe government;
the energiesof the Republic apthe treasury
empty;
parently
exhausted.
Instantly,as if by enchantment,
changed; order reappeared out of chaos,
everythingwas
of the
talent emerged from obscurity,vigour arose
out
and

elements
veterans

of

weakness.

crowded

to

The

their

arsenals

were

filled,the

eagles,the conscriptsjoyfully

the
pacified,
was
repaired to the frontier.La Vendee
six
than
exchequer began to overflow. In little more
months
after Napoleon's accession,the Austrians
were
of Ulm, Italy
the cannon
forced to seek refuge under
was
among
regained,unanimity and enthusiasm prevailed
nation
of the
the people, and the revived energy
was
of conquest."
launched into a career
In his admirable
monograph on "The Campaign of
Marengo," Sargent says:

137

NAPOLEON
"At

this time

vigorous in

was

had
which

obstacle

no

he

often

was

would
of

master

why

to

daunt.

times

take. So

able
The

tactician,and
he

was

so

With

of

In

great

had

will

tuition
marvellousinjust what course
his information,

was

militarymatters,
under

short, he

fact that he

He

accurate

predictwhat,

to

happen.

war.

succeed.
foresee

to

profound his knowledge

so

great

at

would

his adversaries
he

could

able

was

FIRST

Bonaparte was thirtyyears of age; he

mind
and body. He was
ambitious, and
determination

massive

THE

was

that

certain conditions,
a

consummate

a
great organizer,
is the real reason
strategist,

successful in

war.

was

Among

all other

great

soldiersof the world, it would

be difficult to select a
singleone who possessed in so marked
a
degree all these
As
qualities.

by either
Caesar or
Alexander; as a tactician he was
equal to
he surpassed
Marlborough or Frederick; as a strategist,
an

he
organizer,

was

not

excelled

soldier of ancient or of modern

times. Take
him
every
all in all he was,
perhaps, the foremost soldier of the
world."

ni38 3

NAPOLEON

Egypt

evacuate

the

peace,

only a

to

for

his

name

Revolution

taxes,

was

ten

for

changed into
given the power

was

years
was

of the

in

1789,

the

equal under

were

law, paying the

citizen continued

regime was
restored,and

never

equal opportunity

an

both in the civil and

employment

were

ancien

have

to

same

Bourbons

in life.The

chances

All

return.

to

never

was

fifteen years
later,but the
forever. Feudal duties were

French

every

was

principalideas of the
preservedby Bonaparte,that of Equality.

enjoyingequal

abolished

last

to

countries,and

both

and Bonaparte
life,

Consulate, one

citizens

return

to

for

Consulate

abolished
Privilege,
French

destined

successor.

the

Under

those

far exceeded

everywhere.

enthusiasm

August the

Consulate

France, which

popularin

very

was

year,

received with
In

of

monarchy.
which
unfortunatelywas

of the ancient
The

said
Although nothing was
Belgium, she virtuallyrecognized

and

boundaries

new

FIRST

Malta.

and

Rhine

the

about

THE

in the

military

service.
But
of the

Bonaparte did

believe in the other

not

Revolution, that

Liberty.He

of

did

leadingidea

not

think

the

prepared for it.

people either desired it or were
According to the expositionof his ideas,as set forth by
his nephew at a later date,it was
the intention of Napoleon
the edifice" with the cap of liberty,
finallyto "crown
but he was
prevented from so doing by the continual
wars
waged againsthim by the despots of Europe and
Waterloo. But whatever
at
by his final overthrow
our
French

views

may

as

that

remains
any

be

kind

to

the

under

of these

correctness

Napoleon

in France.

His

there

career

was

ideas,the fact
no

was

libertyof

long denial

one

or

negation of it.
The

activities of
and

at

that

time

Bonaparte as
and
far-reaching,

has

First Consul
the work

remained, while

remitting
un-

were

which

his conquests

he

did
have

passed away.
One

of his firstacts

was

to

make

140

peace

with the

Church,

THE

CONSULATE

the wise advice of the old Abbe

de Saint-RufF.
following
He perceivedthat one of the strongest elements of strength
of the Monarchy was
its close aUiance with the Papacy.
The mass
of the French people,
during all the stress and
of the

storm

Revolution, had

still remained

faithful

to

their

religion.
Immediately on

made

overtures

his
the

to

from

return

Pope

which

Marengo, Bonaparte
resulted in the famous

in force during the

treaty or Concordat, which remained
whole nineteenth century
and was
only abolished in 1905
the Third

ated
Republic.In doing this he was not actumuch
so
feelingas by a shrewd political
by religious
sentiment. It was
of his wisest acts. The Army, which
one
but this did
bitter in its opposition,
was
anti-clerical,
was
trol
not
move
Bonaparte from his purpose. He knew the contheir flocks
which
the parishpriestsexercised over
and he meant
them on his side. If his nephew and
to have
his descendant
heir had been as wise in his day and generation,
might stillbe occupying the Imperialthrone of

under

France.
Under

the Catholic

the Concordat

was
religion
nized
recogbe appointed
to
by the Republic.The bishopswere
to appointthe
by the First Consul, and they in turn were
of the Government.
Their
priests,with the consent
salaries in both cases
in
to be paid by the State,so
were
fact they became
officials.The
Concordat
government
was
popular with the people,and its effects were
very
The
far-reaching.
Clergy for the most
part abandoned
regime.
royalism and became firm supporters of the new
cordat
to consider the ConAlthough Napoleon afterwards came
deniable.
unas
a
advantages were
mistake, its immediate

The

chief

monument

is the "Code

"My
will

real
never

Code."

of Bonaparte,however,
the memory
Napoleon." At Saint Helena he said:

gloryis not

to

my

having won

forty battles. What

be effaced,what will endure forever,is my Civil

In this opinionhe was
mistaken, for the code
not

has proved

more

his conquests.

enduring than
n

141

NAPOLEON
This famous

code

THE

was

France

had

Council

of

been

orderly,systematic,compact

an

of the laws

statement

FIRST

of France.

governed by

Before

Revolution,

the

old and

complex system
laws of different historical origins.
of medieval
Wjgh the
which had
Revolution had come
a flood of new
legislation
further complicatedthe situation. Bonaparte now
devoted
of this chaos,
his marvellous energies
to bringingorder out
and in a comparatively brief time the lawyers and the
State,to whom

an

the task had

been

submitted,

The

underlying principleof the

that of civil equality,
established
lution.
code was
by the Revocode
The
later adopted by Italy, Belgium,
was
and the German
states
along the Rhine, and is still the
law of France, while its influence is strongly
fundamental
felt in such distant parts of the globe as Java, South
finished

had

Africa and

the

work.

Louisiana.

Bonaparte presided over

Council

of

State, which

share in the work

"he

was

framed

to

of the
the

any

member

equalledthe ablest of them by

seized the point of a question,by

that he
he

ideas and

the

force

sessions of the

code,

considerable.

very

was

inferior

never

many

and

It is stated

of the
the

his direct

ease

that

Council, and
with which

the

justnessof his
of his reasoning; he often surprised
his phrasesand the originality
of his

by the turn of
considered
by the lawyers a new
expression."He was
called by the clergya new
ConstanJustinian,as he was
As a matter
of
tine for having arranged the Concordat.
them

fact he
Nor

was

did

greater

these

than

either of them.
achievements

notable

this remarkable

He

absorb

all the

organizedthe Bank
of France and he created the Legion of Honor, both of
which
institutions stillexist. He reorganizedthe system
He
built and
of national education.
improved roads,
ordered canals cut and ports dredged. Under
his intelligent
and industryreceived a new
rule,commerce
impetus.
At the beginningof the Consulate
of the Royalists
many
had hoped that Bonaparte would
play the role of
and restore
General Monk
the exiled dynasty, but he had
energiesof

man.

142

THE

CONSULATE

idea of

assumingthis part. When this became apparent

made
plotswere
againsthis Hfe. On one occasion,
many
from Marengo, he had a very
shortly after his return
narrow
escape from death by an infernal machine.
knew
The conspirators
that the First Consul expected
the Opera on Christmas
be present
to
at
eve
to hear a
oratorio by Haydn. They also knew that the route
new
by the Rue Saintusually taken by his carriagewas
Nicaise, which is no longer in existence. It was
a
long
street
narrow
running from the Carrousel to the Rue
no

it ended

Saint-Honore, where
which

the

Opera

chosen

was

installed in
a

the

Tuileries

in

street

narrow

infernal machine
An
was
attempt.
which
one-horse cart,
was
placed opposite

which

time

Richelieu

for the

before which

house

Rue

situated. This

then

was

the

near

the

First Consul

it would

take

him

was

to

come

to

pass,

and

from

the

carefullycalculated so that the machine

would
explode at the rightmoment.
and every
Haydn was then the most popular composer
oratorio,"The Creation." The
was
one
talkingof his new
Hortense
ladies of the Tuileries,
and Caroline,
Josephine,
wished to be present. But Napoleon was
not
at all eager
hard
a
to
day's work, he had fallen
go. Fatigued from
he is awakened
and
difficulty
asleepon a sofa. With some
the first carriagewith
persuaded to start. He enters
was

Lannes, Bessieres and the aide de

followed

by

leaves

few

of mounted

escort

an

minutes

daughter and

later,having been

the

Carrousel

sister-in-law and

He

is

grenadiers.Josephine

detail of her toilette.She

insignificant
her

of Lebrun.

camp

is

detained

by an
accompanied by

Colonel

Rapp.
The three ladies and Rapp descend the stairwayof the
their carriage.
Pavilion de Flore and enter
They traverse
and

take

the

Rue

Saint-Nicaise in which

equipage of the First Consul has alreadydisappeared.

Suddenly a terrible detonation is heard.
the explosionoccurred
When
Bonaparte was
dozing.

the

Lannes

and

cried,"A

Bessieres wished

I'Opera!"A

to

stop, but the First Consul

moment

C 143 3

later the

carriagewas

at

NAPOLEON
the

Bonaparte

door, and

calm

FIRST

THE

logswith his usual

the

entered

face.

Josephine'scarriagehad been broken

the |f m by
cut
on
by the explosionand Hortense slightly
a pieceof glass.
Rapp descended to go and see if the First
its
Consul
had been injured and the carriagecontinued
the three ladies entered the
by another street. When
way
them
with a smile and then
box, Bonaparte welcomed
of the oratorio.
tranquillyasked for the program
of the attempt
Soon the news
spreadthrough the hall.
wounded.
Fifteen people had been killed and many
more
The First Consul had escaped as by a miracle. The oratorio
and apwas
interruptedwhile the audience arose
plauded
him frantically.
A few minutes
later he left the
The

windows

theatre
the

and

returned

the

to

Tuileries,where

of the

reports

policeand
publicjoy over

ministers. The
The

of

attempt

the

was

The

Comte

involved

was

His

about

heir

the

to

what

she

divorce.
Charles

d'Artois, afterwards
in another

plotwhich

was

even

the

Tenth,
serious.

more

the former Chouan, Georges Cadoudal,

agents were
the
structor
Republican General Pichegru, the former in-

and

of
in

most

double

talk

to

feared the

his

universal.

the
Josephine as it revived at once
the necessity,
for the safetyof the State,of an
First Consul, and this for Josephine meant

shock

received

of
congratulations

his escape was

the lifeof the First Consul

on

he

Napoleon

Paris;the former

at

Brienne.

They

shot, and

was

both

were

the latter

arrested
found

was

strangledin prison.
The

First Consul

of the House
The

now

of Bourbon
young

cennes.

which

was

arrested and

not

soon

example
be forgotten.

conducted

to

of
not

Vin-

night of his arrival,20 March

1804, he was
militarycourt, found guiltyof having borne

by

arms

against France, and

earlyhour

would

an

d'Enghien,the last descendant

Conde, who was livingin Germany

tried

make

to

Due

the great House of

far from the Rhine,
The

determined

on

the

sentenced

followingmorning
C

144

to

he

be
was

shot. At
executed

an

in

THE
the

howl
was

courtyard

of the

chateau.

of

There

naturallya
Royalistseverywhere. It

indignationfrom the
perfectlylegitimatefor them

the Corsican
blue blood

but he

usurper,

of the Bourbons

achieved- there

was

CONSULATE

the

attempt
shed a

to

life of

drop of the
the objectof Bonaparte
Royalistplotsagainst

must

not

! But
no

were

was

more

his life.

When

Bonaparte

traversed

France

his

on

from

return

Marengo, he received a perfectovation at every stage of

his journey.At Dijon he was
welcomed
by a delegation
of young
girlscrowned with flowers. At Sens he passed
under a triumphal arch inscribed with the historic words :
he entered Paris the night of the
Feni, Vidi, Fici. When
second of July, the enthusiasm
indescribable. The
was
crowd filledthe Gardens of
next
morning an innumerable
the Tuileries. In the evening the whole city was
nated:
illumiwindow
was
lightedup. Twenty years later,
every
Saint
the
rock
of
Helena, Napoleon spoke of this as
on
of the happiestdays of his life.
one
He was
delightedto be with Josephineagain.There was
not

then

cloud

any

between

them,

and

their life was

affection. He felt that

reciprocal
"The
good genius.He said to Bourrienne:
model

of

acclamations

is

to

sweet

as

me

as

his wife

the sound

was

his

noise of these
of the voice

the expressionof La
Bruyere,
Josephine." It was
douce
le
de
voix
la plus
de la femme
"L'harmonie
est
son
qu'on aime."
celebrated the national
Twelve days after his return
was
fete of the 14 July,anniversaryof the fall of the Bastille.
The Consular
Guard, which left Milan the 22 June, had
of

been
exact

be present on this occasion,and it was

for the rendez-vous. At ten o'clock in the morning,

ordered

to

of the

it entered the

court

flagstaken

Marengo.

at

Invalides,where
Minister

grand

review

on

an

Tuileries,
bearingthe Austrian

The

address

Guard
was

then
made

proceededto the
parte,
by Lucien Bonathis there

of the

Interior. After

the

Champ-de-Mars,
C I4S 2

where

was

the

flags

THE

NAPOLEON

FIRST

formallypresentedto the Consuls. At this moment

wild with joy,and broke through the lines
the crowd went
irresistible flood. Every one
cried:
in an
of the troops
"Vive la RepubHque! Vive Bonaparte!"
^p
of
the
founding of
On the 21 September, anniversary

were

Republic,the remains of
under the
final resting-place

the

Turenne

of

present
The
f

at

Revolution, contained
name

statue

of Desaix

of the

statue
equestrian

After the

fete of the

Tuileries

left the

14

"

in

in

replacedby

1822

Roi

Spleil."
July, Bonaparte

and

his wife

which

Josephine
sence
before during Napoleon's abyears
is delightfully
situated on
chateau
the village
of Rueil
Seine very
near

to

the left bank of the

miles from
about ten

Malmaison,

to

go

purchasedtwo
in Egypt. The

had

and

removed,

was

Restoration,the

Second

the

After

of

before the
square,
of Louis Quatorze,

This

gildedstatue

it bore.

whose

an

an

la Victoire

de

Place

Kleber.

and

of Desaix

memory

War, made

laid the first stone

in the

erected

be

to

monument

of the

generalof Louis the

In the evening Bonaparte and his wife were
gala performance at the Theatre Fran9ais.
day the First Consul

same

their

to

of the Church

dome

Invalides. Here Carnot, the Minister

oration,in which he exalted the great
Fourteenth.

borne

were

Paris.

It

at

was

that

time

the

favorite residence of Bonaparte, and

after his
every

week.

amiable

Italy he

from

return

Malmaison

At

the great man

laid aside his

He

famiHar.

and

during the summer

passed several days there
showed

himself

dignityand took
chateau. During

and pastimes of the

part in the games
of 1801 and the springseason
of 1802, Malmaison
the summer
continued to be his favorite residence. After that
its

Of
he

the six

arrived

at

villa in the

Cloud
he

fame

Rue

three

de la

have

he

for three
resided

months
for

since

are

as

few

the

First
weeks

C 1463

after

disappeared

Victoire,the Tuileries and

the three that remain

Hved

where

by the Chateau of Saint-Cloud.

dwellingplacesof Napoleon at Paris

taken

placewas

"

the

Saint-

Luxembourg, where
Consul, the Elysee,
during the Hundred

NAPOLEON
la

where
Victoire,

THE

the young

FIRST

couple began

their married

life.
The

nuptialbenediction was
pronounced by Cardinal
then negotiatingthe Concordatwith
Caprara, who was
the

At

Government.

French

the

time

same

General

Caroline

had
Bonaparte, who
only been
united by a civil bond, had their marriage blessed by the
Church. Josephinealso wished to have the same
privilege,
but Napoleon absolutelyrefused,either from reasons
of
publicpolicyor in order to keep the way open for a divorce

Murat

and

if in the future

he desired

one.

The

shabbily furnished little villa in the Rue de la

Victoire,after being occupied for a short time by Louis
and
loaned
Hortense, was
by Napoleon from time to
time

to

favorite

some

until i860. The

general.It

site is

covered

now

60, and the courtyardin which

and

the

gatheredon
between

The

the

morning

in those

street

days

the

almost

was

by small villas. Two of

to be associated
Josephinewere
In

Mile.

one,

December

13

to

1806

Eleonore
to

Emperor

the

resplendentofficers

boy

is now

divided

houses.

two

bordered
of

down

by the houses Nos. 58

of the 18 Brumaire

of these

courts

torn
finally

not

was

these

with the

Denuelle
who

and who

name

gave

bore
was

road,

country
besides the
a

of

hotel

leon.
Napo-

birth

the

blance
strikingresem-

named

Leon.

He

of France
and died the
through four Governments
the Third
RepubHc. In another
15 April 1 88 1 under
lived the loving and
modest
street
dwelHng in the same
devoted
Madame
Walewska, whose son by the Emperor
the giftedsoldier,diplomat and writer who
was
was
a
brilliant figureunder the Second Empire. He also bore a
strikingresemblance to the Emperor.

lived

At

Paris,on

the

child of Hortense,
The

Hague

resemblance

10

October

always showed

was

Napoleon Charles, who

in his fifth year.

to

1802,

Napoleon,
in the boy,

born
was

the first
to

die

at

Because
and
the

C 148 3

of his strong family

the interest which
he

calumny

was

spread

at

THE
a

later date that he

CONSULATE

reallythe child of
be accused
certainlycannot

Bourrienne, who
towards
good-will

was

the

Emperor.

of any

great

this accusation in the

Napoleon,denies

In his "Memoirs"
he says: "I am
happy
strongest terms.
denial to
formal and positive
to be able to give the most
the

infamous

Hortense

suppositionthat
other

any

Bonaparte

than
feelings

those of

had

ever

for

for
step-father

without
belief have
attested
step-daughter.Authors
without
proofs not only the criminal liaison which they
far as to say
have imagined,but they have even
so
gone
of Hortense.
that Bonaparte was
the father of the eldest son
a

It is

During

infamous

lie,an

Consulate

the

Paris,which
Revolution

Paris had

continued

was

Up

to

of the

made

the Gardens

with

under

works

the

Empire and
aboHtion during
of old

of reconstruction.

Revolution, the magnificentPlace

all visitors

to

of the Tuileries

des Feuillants. On

of beautifying

institutions
religious

possiblegreat

familiar

so

the work

the Third. The

many

the end of the

Vendome,

begun

was

completed under Napoleon

the

lie!"

to

Paris,was

by the

side of those

the north

connected

Passage
gardens,facing

narrow

frequented Terrasse, where

stands the Hotel Continental. The Manege had been
now
built for the equestriantrainingof Louis the Fifteenth
converted
into a place of meeting
when
a
boy, and was
for the Assembly after its removal from Versailles to Paris.
This narrow
enlargedunder the Consulate to
passage was
which connects
the Rue
the present Rue de Castiglione,
the

Manege,

Saint-Honore
at

the

much

the

was

with

the fine Rue

time, but

same

de
not

was

Place de la Bastille until the

firstcalled Place
de

Column
that of

was

the

once

under

Rome.

was

On

was

through
Napoleon the
cut

Louis

to

gun
bethe

Third.

Quatorze, and

later named

for the

Quatre by Gabrielle
occupied this site. The
the Empire, in imitation of
the top -was
placed
originally

of Henri

son

hotel

erected

Trajan at

le Grand,

Louis

Vendome,
d'Estrees,whose
Due

reignof
begun under

Place Vendome,

The

Rivoli,which

149

NAPOLEON
a

of the

statue

in the

Emperor

the time

at

famihar

InvaUdes,

hat

was

in

of the

FIRST

Roman

toga, which
Restoration. A second
a

and

great-coat,

erected

by Louis

Empire, this

Second

THE

in

was

which

is

now

moved
re-

was

statue,
in the

PhiUppe. Un^r the

replaced
by a replicaof

turn

the first statue.

the Place Vendome

From

Rue

called
originally
Boulevards

the

Church

Fifteenth

and

unfinished

completed

until the
The

renovation

de

"Temple

vent
con-

enriched
cities.Orders

to

Louvre

works
also

were

which
galleries

Pavilion de Marsan

of

not

in
ished
fin-

back
this

paintingand sculpture,
from

many

the construction

the old Louvre

connect

and form

of

taken

art

given for

to

were

was

ordered, and

was

the

la Gloire"

Philippe,was
given
destination.
its original

of the

by

Louis

Louis

the treasure-house

became

museum

as

reign of

Restoration

after the

the

to

Revolution,

of the

the time

at

Army. But the building,which

of the

honor

north

Jardins of

Madeleine, begun under

of the

ordered

was

the site of the

Paix,

Capucines.

of the
The

de la

constructed

Napoleon, was

upon

Rue

the handsome

Italian
of

with

vast

the

splendidfacadeon the new

Rue de Rivoli. This work, arrested by the downfall of the
Empire, and completed by the great man's nephew, is an
of the two Napoleons.
to the memory
enduringmonument
Other works, which combined
beauty with utility,
were
the prolongationof the quays
the
left
of
the
bank
along
Seine, the construction of three new
bridges,the improvement
of the Jardindes Plantes,and the layingout of many
and

parks

Empire
de

open

spaces.

At

later date the victories of the

commemorated

were

in the

erection

of the Arc

Triomphe.
Some

of the

of these works

Empire, but they

Consul, and
On

Paris

were

the
to

may

not

carried

represent

the

out

until the time

designsof

therefore be mentioned

the First

here.

splendidfete was
given at
celebrate the' proclamationof Bonaparte as First
15

August

1802

C 1503

THE
Consul

for Life. That

CONSULATE
the

Assumption,
also memorable
as
was
being Napoleon's thirty-third
birthday,and as the anniversaryof the Concordat.
The First Consul now
began to signhis name
Napoleon,
like monarchs, and littleby littleto surround
himself with
regal state. Saint-Cloud took the place of Malmaison
as
and at this Chateau
a residence
during the summer
season,
and at the Tuileries the pomp
of the ancien regime was
appointed Governor of the Palace and
copied.Duroc was
instituted. Republican simplicity
regular Court etiquettewas
in dress gave
uniforms
and
place to sumptuous
recalled the days of the Monarchy.
liveries which
gorgeous
The
First Consul, however, still clung to his simple
the uniform
of a colonel of the
habits, and generallywore
Chasseurs
when

day, the festival of

also his usual costume

Garde, which was
Emperor. He always retained his early dislike of
de la

ceremonial
some
irkwas
ever
display,and court
him. He adopted it as a matter
of policyrather
to
than from personal inclination.
A very
of Napoleon's appearance
interestingaccount
is given by John Leslie Foster, who visited
at this time

luxury

and

shortly after the Peace of Amiens :

"He
is about five feet seven
inches high, delicately
and
gracefullymade; his hair, a dark brown, thin and lank;
his complexion, smooth, pale,and sallow; his eyes, gray,
his mouth
but very animated; all his features,particularly
and nose,
scripti
fine,sharp, defined, and expressivebeyond deParis

The

is a
expression of his countenance
he speaks, relaxes
pleasingmelancholy, which, whenever
into the most
agreeableand gracious smile you can conceive.
of deep and
To this you
add the appearance
must
all the predominating expresintense thought, but above
sion,
and tranquilresolution and intrepidity
a look of calm
could discompose. He has more
which nothing human
affected
unHe speaks
dignitythan I could conceive in man.
with particularemphasis,
but very
fluently,
deliberately,
he speaks, his
and
in a rather low tone
of voice. While
features are stillmore
expressivethan his words."
true

NAPOLEON

THE

but
interesting

In the

de Remusat

catch

we

Court, attempting

to

FIRST

unreliable

"

"

Memoirs

of Madame

glimpse of

the life of this parvenu

the manners
of the ancien

imitate

for enduring this

regime.Napoleon's reason
munypiery is
"It is fortunate that the
franklygiven in his statement:
French
to be ruled through their vanity."
are
"There

abundant

are

for

reasons

thinking,"says Rose,

sary
Napoleon valued the Peace of Amiens as a necespreliminaryto the restoration of the French Colonial
reallyrehnquished his designson
Empire." He had never
Egypt, and stillset a high value on the valleyof the Nile

"that

the

and

of Suez.

Isthmus

emphatically,"Egypt

Even

is the

Saint

at

Helena

important

most

he

said
in

country

the world."
The

had
possessionsbeyond the seas
never
shrunk to a smaller area
than during the last year of the
with England. It was
therefore a source
of great satisfaction
war
to
possession of the large
Napoleon to recover
and fertile island of Saint-Domingue, or Hayti, which
in
the

French

of the

early years
than

trade

of the
than

more

the

at

last century
loomed
the present
day. Under the

French

half of the

Revolution

under

the

troops

on

there

far

Monarchy

portion of this island

ocean

had

leadershipof

been

the

represented

of France.

commerce

portant
im-

more

During

terrible servile revolt

Toussaint

of
Louverture, a man
had conquered
great sagacity and force of character,who
and ruled the entire island. As soon
as
was
signed.
peace
his brother-in-law.
General
Napoleon sent
Leclerc,to
the
island
T
he
as
captain-general.
govern
expeditionary
force consisted
of over
with
sixty battle-ships
20,000
.

overwhelmed
in France.

board.

The

and

Many

forces

he himself

America

patriotswithout

sent

was

of the French

Leclerc himself,succumbed
The historyof the former
in North

of the

black
to

die

dictator
as

were

prisoner

soldiers,
includingGeneral
the

unhealthyclimate.
extensive French possessions
could hardly be recalled by ardent
of remorse.
At the beginningof
pang
to

THE
the Seven

Years'

War, France

Louisiana, which
posts,

CONSULATE

connected

were

while

the

the

was

virtual

by

ruler of

The

coast.

and

line df interior military

confined

English were

territoryalong the Atlantic

of Canada

master

was

to

stripof

Pompadour,

who

France, joined ,the alliance of

Austria and

tress
Russia againstPrussia and England. The misof Louis the Fifteenth could not be persuaded to send
to

succor

by

the brave

Wolfe's

French

in

army

control

Canada

Montcalm,

on

and

the capture
of Quebec
the end of
virtuallymarked

1759
the American

continent, although

formallyceded to England until the Peace

of Paris in 1763 at the conclusion
The
of the war.
same
Louisiana
transferred by England to Spain, in
was
year
was

not

for other concessions

return

made

by the

Court

of Madrid.

made
by France to regainher former
Many efforts were
Mississippiprovince,but all in vain until July 1800 when
for
Spain agreedto transfer Louisiana to France in return
the cession of Tuscany to the heir of the Duke
of Parma.
This young
had married the daughter of Charles the
man
Fourth of Spain,and for his benefit the contemptible
King
the half of a conwas
ready, nay eager, to barter away
tinent.
On
transfer

was

one

pretext

delayed over

of the United
greatest

river in

another, however, the

or
a

States

foreignhands

Jeffersonsent

Monroe

period of two
to having the
was

Paris

very

The

years.

mouth

strong,

actual

and

position
op-

of their
dent
Presi-

purchasethe French
claims. For many
reasons
Napoleon was
willingto agree
the bargain, and for the paltry sum
of sixty million
to
francs the United
States gained a peacefultitle to Louisiana
and the vast
of the Mississippi.
But it
west
tracts
proved after all an excellent bargain for France, as it prevented
the territory
from falling
into the hands of England
when
hostilities began again within a few months.
An
this same
time to revivifyFrench
fluence
inat
attempt
also thwarted
in India was
by the breaking of the
In no
other way
was
vealed
Napoleon'sstatesmanshiprepeace.
than
in
his
whole
attitude
towards
more
clearly
European and colonial poHtics,which were so stronglyto
to

to

FIRST

THE

NAPOLEON

during the latter part of

failed because
the nineteenth century. His grand schemes
of England, and not because, as
of the relentless hostility
stated by Rose, "they were
too
vast
fitlyto consjm^t with
ambitious
an
European policy,"when, in the words of
aflFectthe fortunes

of the nations

the seeds of
(Napoleon) began to sow
which, after overwhelming Europe and France,
wars
new
the English aristocracy
to lead him
to his ruin." It was
were
which, in its determination to crush Napoleon, formed
coalition after coalition againsthim because he was
justly
of
For the accomplishspecialprivilege.
regarded as the foe
ment
of this end, during a periodof nearly a quarter of a
Europe was
deluged in blood; and then after his
century,
fall Enghsh writers endeavored
that Napoleon
to
prove

Talleyrand,"he

was

who

tyrant

world!

tirely
generallyfair as Rose is not able to enthis old insular prejudice.
overcome
As has alreadybeen stated,the peace
between
France
of long duration. The agreement
and England was
not
to
had not
Malta
been carried out by the English
evacuate
Government, whose apprehensionhad been aroused by the
of the First Consul. In fact the peace becolonial projects
tween

Even

historian

the liberties of the

threatened

the

as

nations

two

littlemore

was

than

diplomaticdiscussion. Great Britain

the question of Malta, and
on
ambassador
from Paris the 12 May 1803.

broke

much

After

truce.

off

withdrew

gotiations,
ne-

her

the situation of France with regard to

five years
England had materiallychanged. In 1798 Bonaparte had
In

advised

Directory against an

the

Channel.

Now

the

and in
of

of

resources

1803 he decided

to

England.
He
began preparationswith

Every
From
troops

port

the Channel

on

were

But it was

undertake

his

usual

improved

was

Antwerp to Dieppe camps

began to assemble.Hundreds

cruisers

attempt
France
were

were

of

to

cross

the

creased,
vastly in-

the invasion

thoroughness.
and

fortified.
in which

formed

gunboats and light

collected.
as

useless

now

as

CIS4

five years

before

to

attempt

ELEVEN

CHAPTER
1804

EMPIRE

THE

for

Reasons

History

Fete

Chapelle
The

"

of

Fate

"

Josephine
Abandons

Jerome

Viceroy

FTER

ylA
1~

looked

to

in

the

to
as

to

establish

argued

the

if

even

system.

their

of the

that

own

Empire.

So

the

preserving

the

would
struck
events

purposes,

The

the

put

down

and

events

had
court

the

First

hailed

with

it would

be

Bourbons.

out

insured

the

to

end

an

the

turned

But

with

benefits

tended,"
in-

not

consulate

person

of

lishment
estab-

Jacobins

appealed
in

as

pointed
Ap-

could

step

therefore

and

the

years."

Henceforth

power

they

always

Bourbons,

Fouche

this

"

the

"I

of the

They

Enghien.

of

six

or

parade

Monk.

execution

Eugene

"

by

such

expected.

Bonaparte

means

plots, for
thwarted

of

hereditary

surest

end

of

Italy

intention

Revolution

of the

return

between
the

He

not

the

Napoleon

to

his

dynasty.

of five

and

Aix-la-

Emperor

d'Enghien

Due

thought

he

pomp

execution
knife

the

than

of

Trip

Italy

Joseph

to

the
I

lapse

role

the

after

days

the

the

prelude
the

joy

but

heredity;

upon

Consul

end

of

"

to

pf the

^The

"

Crown

the

of

Napoleonic

faster

Louis

in
The

France

expressed

said, "to

moved

to

Visit

Coronation

"

Iron

The

"

The

"

"^ReligiousMarriage

Napoleon

execution

before

taken

Return

founding
of

as

Wife

Consul

he

had

His
The

the
First

Jk.

be

"

"

"

Place

Moreau

of

"

France

His

"

Exile

Role

Charlemagne

Marshals
of

Work

of

Generals

of

Marshals

The

"

Decreed

Empire

The

"

Power

Napoleon's

of

the

Baptism

"

"

of

by

Given

His

Republican

the

Talisman

The

"

Fete

and

Gifts

Difficulties

"

Plebiscite

The

"

Intellectual

Napoleon's
National

State

of

Dignitaries

The

Rule

Hereditary

of

Establishment

the

war

few

Senate

of

Napoleon

of

the

lution.
Revo-

to

the

ists'
royal-

they

man

the
the

could

Royalists
ment
establish-

THE

EMPIRE

less spontaneous,
now
began to pour
in from all parts of France for the adoptionof the principle
of hereditaryrule. There is no doubt as to the fact that

Appeals,more

or

Napoleon both
a

as

warrior and

valid claim

as

the nation's

to

had

statesman

lished
estab-

After hearing
gratitude.

mously
speech,the Senate voted almost unaniin favor of hereditaryrule. In the Tribunate only
member, Carnot, voted againstthe proposition.
one
On the 1 8 May 1804 a Senatus Consultum
creed
formallydeto Napoleon Bonaparte the title of Emperor of the
French. A committee
of the Senate waited upon Napoleon
of Saint-Cloud to notifyhim, and the following
at the Chateau
to the Tuileries where he held a large
day he came
reception.
had expressed
Napoleon, who at the beginningof his career
such strong
the
at
republicansentiments, was
bottom
of his nature
monarchical. "One of his
essentially
deepestregrets,"
says Metternich, "was that he could not
invoke the principle
of legitimacy
as the basis of his power.
have felt more
Few men
profoundlythan he how much,
without this foundation,authorityis precarious
and fragile,
and how exposed it is to attack." Napoleon expressed
Fouche's

adroit

the

sentiment

same

on

occasion when

one

the

was

his

only sovereignin Europe who

capitalafter a defeat with the same
if he had gained a victory.
as

The

Dignitariesof

Constable

State

under

he said that he

could

the

not

return

to

come
of wel-

assurance

Empire

were

the

France, Louis Bonaparte;the Grand Elector,

Joseph Bonaparte;the High Admiral of France, Joachim
Murat; the Arch-Chancellor of the Empire, Cambaceres;
the Arch-Chancellor
of State, Eugene Beauharnais; and
the

of

Arch-Treasurer

Emperor,
Council
The

these

of the

of the

Empire,

formed
grand dignitaries
Empire.

titles had

Roman

Empire

France.

Two

six

Lebrun.

With

the

the Grand

been borrowed
and

of the

in part

in part from the Holy

from the old Monarchy of

were
dignitaries

n IS7 3

Napoleon's brothers,

NAPOLEON
stood

who

next

THE
in line of

him

to

by marriage,and

relations

two

FIRST

succession,two
his former

were

his

were

colleagues

in the Consulate.

brothers of

abs^t
and
Napoleon were
of favor: Lucien for having married Mme.
Jouberthou,
out
after the death of his first wife,and Jerome because of his
marriagewith Miss Patterson of Baltimore.
The

other

The

new

of the Year

Constitution
submitted

now

was

worded

was

two

follows

as

Twelve

popularvote.

to

of the

The

public
Re-

plebiscite

heredityof the Imperial

dignityin the descendants, direct,natural, legitimateand
adopted of Napoleon Bonaparte; and in the descendants,
of Joseph Bonaparte and
direct,natural, and legitimate
of Louis Bonaparte."
offended by these stipulations
All of the brothers were
:
excluded from the
Lucien and Jerome because thieywere
line of succession,
Joseph and Louis because their children
"The

people decree

French

instead

mentioned

were

More
the

than

and

three

given for

the Consulate

twenty-fivehundred
Besides the
above

of themselves.
half million

there

were

recorded

of
grand dignitaries
six Grand

were

the

cast

were

exceeded

the Consulate

and

votes

votes

which

number

Constitution, a

new

the

for

those

for Life.

in the

Empire

Only
negative.

mentioned

Oificers of the Crown:

uncle,Cardinal Fesch, was

Grand

Napoleon's
Almoner; Talleyrand,

Grand

Chamberlain, and later Vice Grand Elector;

Berthier,Chief Ranger, and later Vice-Constable; CauMaster
laincourt.
and

Segur,Master

There

were

of

Horse; Duroc, Marshal

of the

Palace;

of Ceremonies.

also four Colonel-Generals:

Davout,

mander
com-

of
grenadiersa pied; Soult,
the chasseurs a pied;Bessieres,
commander
of the cavalry;
and Mortier, commander
of the artillery
and the sailors.
These officers of the ImperialGuard formed
of the
a part
household of the Efnperor and enjoyed the same
tives
prerogathe
of
the
Crown.
officers
as
grand
The
be styled "Madame
to
Emperor's mother was
of the

commander

n 158]

MARSHAL

MASSSNA

THE

Mere";

and

EMPIRE

his sisters became

their several establishments

It

remained

of

ImperialHighnesseswith
ladies-in-waiting.

the Army, by no means

an
satisfy
easy task, and Napoleon revived for the benefit of his
most
distinguished
generalsthe ancient and honorable
title of Marshal of France. This dignityoriginated
in the
thirteenth century. There was
Marechal
at first only one
de

now

France, and there

the First. Their

'

to

The

names

of the

19

two

until the time of Francis

afterwards

unlimited.

became

marshals

new

the active

on

with

number

list of the

"Moniteur"

but

were

published in the
1804. It comprised fourteen
four honorary appointments

May

and
list,

was

in the Senate. The

Berfourteen were
original
thier, Murat, Moncey, Jourdan, Massena, Augereau,
Bernadotte,Soult,Brune, Lannes, Mortier, Ney, Davout,
seats

Bessieres;while

and

on

the inactive listwere

Lefebvre, Perignon and Serurier,all

Lefebvre were
over
fifty
years of age.
An

examination

for the selection. Massena

reasons

of

France, and the only one

Davout

Soult who

and

of whom

list reveals in

of the

was

with

Kellermann,

most

division and

corps

distinction.

won

Ney

the

cases

the greatest soldier

perhaps the exceptionof
was

capableof independent command.

Berthier,as chief of staff,and Murat

as

except

in

commanders
and Mortier

Lannes

and

Italyand Egypt
considered

were

as

had

ing
com-

of the

cavalryof the
new
ImperialGuard. The appointments of Augereau and
The
Bernadotte
made
reasons.
were
mainly for political
victories
of the others were
connected with glorious
names
Bessieres

men.

of the
At

Leclerc

were

who
much

Before

Moreau, the victor of

in disgrace;
and Hoche, Kleber, Desaix

of the first creation

the time

distinction
mont

commander

Republic.

Hohenlinden,
and

was

was

dead.

"were

Hke

But

there

were

other

officers of

Macdonald, Victor, Saint-Cyr and

thought they

should

have

been

Mar-

included,and

disappointed.
the end

of the

Empire eight more

C IS9 3

batons

were

NAPOLEON

granted.In 1807
the

on

THE

Victor

was

honorary marshal,

made

list. Macdonald,

active

FIRST

Oudinot

not

Marmont

and

ing
appointedin 1809 for their exceptionalservices dursaid at the time that
the campaign of Wagram. It was
Napoleon,having lost Lannes, needed three marshals to
fillhis place,but it is only fair to state that although none
of the new
be compared with Lannes, they
to
men
was
all quiteas good generalsas some
of the marshals on
were
were

the

list.In
original

181

received

Suchet

the baton

for his

siegeof Valencia,and Saint-Cyr

was
appointed during the Russian campaign of 18 12.
honored
Prince Poniatowski
was
only two days before his
death at Leipzigin 1813. The last marshal to be appointed
was
Grouchy, justpriorto the Waterloo campaign of 181 5
in which he proved himself so grosslyincompetent.
Of the twenty-sixmarshals,nine had held commissions
rangingfrom lieutenant to generalin the old Royal army;
eleven had begun as privatesin the ranks, and of these
services

nine had

at

the battle and

risen

the rank

to

that

of sergeant.
standing of the

the

officers in the old service

to

the entire

them

the troops.
It is rather
marshals

lost their lives

his death

wounds

fact that
the

on

at

were

was

murdered,
machine

outlived the
middle

Mortier

1835. All

drowned

was
same

Empire

of

ceived
re-

was

in

year.

Five

Murat

and

accident,and Brune
killed by an infernal
was
the

other

marshals

by many
years, the
Marmont, livinguntil after

last

the

of the century.

When
years

an

membered
re-

of the

Bessieres

of them

Empire, most

survivors,Soult and

two

three

only

Esslingin i8og;

after the fall of the

in 181 5; and
Paris in
at

control

field of battle. Lannes

shot, Berthier died from

Ney

be

officers left

very

Poniatowski
at Liitzen in 1813, and
the Elser after the battle of Leipzig the
violent deaths

must

non-commissioned

killed

met

it

high,as the
and
organization,
discipline
was

remarkable

But

Napoleon

of age. He

was

became
in the

Emperor he was
in the
prime of life,

C 1603

thirty-five
full posses-

THE

NAPOLEON

FIRST

opinion the only things in the Revolution that counted.

of whom
Httle as he was
He was
more
big.He is a man
as
evil and more
good can be said and has been said than of
He cannot
historical figures.
easilybe descril^and
many
ander,
certainlynot in any brief compass. He ranks with Alexpowerful
Caesar,Charlemagne, as one of the most
certain
and rulers of history.It is by no means
conquerors
the greatest of
be considered
that Napoleon would
not
all."

them
In

like

of honors

award

the

Macdonald

Saint-Cyrand

though

in

not

he

favor,

excluded.

were

treated

was

married

had

outspoken repubHcans

many

with

consideration

Joseph'swife.

sister of

the

Bernadotte,
cause
be-

He

was

presentedby Napoleon with the house in Paris which

formerlybelonged to Moreau, while the latter's estate

had

the faithful Berthier. But

the

Grosbois

Paris

near

whom
and

The
main
saix
same

to

entrusted

Grand

Army was
Napoleon
Ney.

went

could

the command

to

of

absolutelyrely,like

record of the great

Hoche
gloomy one.

generalsof
had

the

men

of

upon

Davout,

Soult

Republicis in

died in the

Rhineland;

the
De-

killedat Marengo, and Kleberwas

assassinated the
a victim of the unhealthy
day at Cairo; Leclerc was

was

Saint-Dominque; Pichegru was

strangledin
prison;and Moreau was put on trial for high treason.
The evidence againstMoreau
not
was
conclusive;the
that he desired Napothat could be proved was
utmost
leon's
climate

of

overthrow,

that he did

Pichegru,and
He
accorded

was

In order

to

the

value, and

Through

with

his house

three

interviews

to

two

ernment.
plotto the Govin prison,but
years

retire to the United

for his

peror
exile,the Em-

in the

Rue

d'Anjou-Saint-

of 8oo,cxx)francs,much
presentedit to Bernadotte.

Murat, the death

more

suppHcations of Josephine
sentences

States.

funds

sum

the

with

reveal the

not

permissionto

furnish him

Honore, for the

had

condemned

was

purchased
real

he

that

of the

C 1623

Due

de

and

than

its

Mme.

Polignacand

THE

EMPIRE

the

commuted
fpur years of
to
Marquis de Riviere were
and these two
imprisonmentfollowed by deportation,
acts
of clemency did much
diminish the irritation of the
to
Royalists.
of France. Although
Napoleon was now absolute master
the new
coins of the Empire bore the inscription
"RepubliqueFranfaise,
Napoleon Empereur," only the shadow of
the Repubhc remained : no one
longerthought of it. The
republicanfete of the 14 July was celebrated by a solemn
distribution of the crosses
of the Legion d'honneur.
It
the firstpublicappearance
of the new
For
was
sovereigns.
the firsttime they traversed in a carriage
the grande allee
of the Gardens of the Tuileries. Accompanied by a magnificent
in
to the Eglisedes
escort, they went
great state
Invalides,which during the Republic had been a Temple
of Mars, and which the Empire had again made
lic
a Cathochurch. During the ceremony,
the Emperor called to
him Cardinal Caprara,who had negotiated
the Concordat,
and who was
instrumental in persuading
soon
to be very
Paris for the coronation. Detaching
the Pope to come
to
from his neck the grand cordon of the Legion d'honneur,
Napoleon presentedit to this venerable prelate.
of the people and of the
In spiteof the enthusiasm
it was
alreadyevident to serious observers that the
army,
new
regime, without the solid foundation which resists
in order to enmisfortunes, had need of perpetualsuccess
dure.
condemned
not
Napoleon was
only to succeed, but
to dazzle and to subjugatethe world. His empire demanded
tories.
extraordinarypomp,
gigantic adventures, colossal vicLike his nephew Napoleon the Third, he comprehended
the difficultiesof his
nation

was

gloryin order

give a
This perpetualneed
liberty.
it is to

its

role,and realized how

to

be

weakness
Before

at

of

once

the

cause

to

of action

of the

make
and

sary
neces-

it
of

strength and

forget

renown

of the

Napoleon's career.

being

crowned

by

the

Charlemagne,Napoleon wished
I 163 3

to

Pope,

in imitation

visit the tomb

of

of the

NAPOLEON

Great

Emperor

THE

of whom

FIRST

he considered

worthy
preceded

himself the

he was
Aix-la-Chapelle
by several days by the Empress, who wished to take the
of that city.Three
waters
days after the July ftte the
ing
Emperor had left for the camp at Boulogne.After remainother points along
there several weeks, and visiting
the coast, Napoleon rejoinedJosephineat Aix-la-Chapelle
the third of September.
on
ton
When
the Great Emperor's tomb was
opened, his skelefound clothed in Roman
was
garb; the double crown
of France
and Germany encircled the skull;beside him
lay his famous sword; and around his neck was
hung the
celebrated Talisman
which
This
brought him success.
Talisman
was
a
piece of the real cross, encased in an
emerald which was
hung to a thick gold ringby a slender
chain. This relic was
presented to Napoleon by the city
In his visit

successor.

to

"

and
authorities,

he

it

wore

on

his breast

Austerlitz and

at

In 1813 he gave it to Hortense.

TheTaHsman
in the bedroom
of Napoleon the Third when
he died

Wagram.
was

Chislehurst,and in

at

by

the

justbefore her death

Empress Eugenie to the tresor of

cathedral

by

the German

at

1920

Reims, which

bombardment

was

much

so

during the

was

sented
pre-

the

brated
cele-

damaged

Great

War.

From

the sovereigns proceeded via

Aix-Ia-Chapelle,
Cologne to Mayence. Here the Emperor found himself
surrounded
by a regularCourt of German
princes.The
pression
journey along the banks of the Rhine made a great imFrance and on the rest of Europe.
on

Napoleon desired to have

by a grand religious
ceremony
effect
Coronation

on

was

the whole

imperialtitle consecrated
which

Catholic

finallyfixed

1804. Just a month

his

would

world. The

for the second

have

an

mense
im-

date of the
of December

before, the Pope, Pius Seventh, then

sixty-twoyears of age, set

he was
met
by Napoleon
several days and

out

for Paris. Three

weeks

later,

Fontainebleau,where he remained
then proceeded to Paris,and

at

C 1643

THE
took

his quarters

up

EMPIRE

in the Tuileries in the Pavilion de

Flore.
All

Paris
The

event.

agitatedby

was

hotels

of the

full to

were

coronation

the

approach of the
There were
overflowing.
for

as

with

At

second

last the

morning all Paris

was

The

care

the

as

great

plan of

of December

no

one

sky was
thought of

battle.

great

dawned.

foot. The

on

was

cold, but

very

season.

much

as

hearsals
re-

theatrical duction.
prothe
arrangedby
Emperor

All the details had been

in advance

great

From

early
and it

overcast

the

rigorof

left the Tuileries for Notre-Dame

Pope

at

Napoleon and Josephinefollowed

with Joseph and Louis.
hour later,in a carriage
Arrived at the palaceof the archbishop,
Napoleon
nine

o'clock

and

the coronation

on

satin,he
head

the

wore

Over

costume.

heavy

mantle

put

robe of white

narrow

an

of crimson

velvet. On

his

he

of golden laurels;
his q"ck the
on
placed a crown
collar of the Legion d'honneur, in diamonds; at his side a
with the Regent diamond.
swqjd ornamented
After the High Mass the Pope blessed the Imperialornaments
and then returned
them to the Emperor: the ring,
which he passed upon
his finger;
the sword, which he replaced
in its

attached to
sheath; the mantle, which was
his shoulders by the chamberlains; then the sceptre and
the "hand
and

of

which
justice,"

he gave

the Arch-Treasurer

to

the Arch-Chancellor.

The

only ornament
Emperor was the
with

this last

which

remained

As the

crown.

of the

Pope

to
was

be handed
about

to

to

the

proceed

from
Napoleon
his hands the sign of supreme
and proudly placed
power
it himself upon his head. He then approached the Empress,
who
was
kneelingbefore him, and tenderlyplaced the
act

Imperialdiadem
all who

have

accurate,

The

as

in the Louvre

seen

of the Coronation

by David,

was

which

Mere, who

Madame

ceremony

ceremony.

her head.

upon

took

This

is familiar

the celebrated
however
was

great success,

C i6s3

scene

not

and

is not

to

painting
entirely

present,

picted.
is de-

Napoleon said

NAPOLEON

Joseph,"If

to

THE

father could

our

FIRST
see

us

now!"

It

after

was

Imperialparty returned to the Tuilerresumed

ies,and Napoleon, fatiguedafter so much
pomp,
uniform of colonel of tl^ Chasseurs
with pleasurehis modest
de la Garde. He dined alone with Josephine,whom
which she wore
he begged to retain the diadem
so
fully
gracethe

six o'clock when

and
The

which

became

Coronation

her
the

was

well.

so

signalfor

series of

fetes,of

brilliant was
that given to the
perhaps the most
Emperor and Empress by the Marshals of the Empire at
then located in the Rue Richelieu.
the Opera, which was
This buildingwas
down under the Restoration, after
torn
de Berry, who
assassinated on
the death of the Due
was
the very threshold of the theatre. It was
succeeded by the
buildingin the Rue le Peletier,constructed on the site of
the former gardens of the Hotel de Choiseul, which was
which

the

of the

scene

celebrated

attempt

of Orsini

on

the life

Napoleon the Third,in 1858.Two years later the present

was
superb "National Academy of Music"
begun in the
but was
Place de I'Opera,
finished until four years after
not
the downfall of the Second Empire.
marked
The visit of the Pope to Paris was
by two other
ceremonies. Josephinehad informed hinr at Fonreligious
tainebleau that her union with Napoleon had liever been
announced^o Napoleon
blessed by the Church. He at once
be performed before the
that a religious
must
ceremony
Coronation.
So Napoleon and Josephine were
privately
married in the chapel of the Tuileries by Cardinal Fesch
the evening before the Coronation.
on
A week
before the departure of the Pope for Rome,
of

the second

baptized with

was

Saint-Cloud
Chateau
On

of Louis

son

converted

into

about
from

the fourth
the

same

the

Madame

Hortense, Napoleon Louis,

by

pomp

March

this occasion

On

great
24

on

was

and

Mere

the

Pope

himself

1805. The

galleryof

chapel for

the

was

at

the

ceremony.

present.

April 1805 the Pope left Paris,and

time the Emperor and Empress set out

Fontainebleau

of

for Milan

where

1:1663

Napoleon

was

to

be

EMPIRE

THE

King

of

Italy.At Turin

their adieux

to

Pius Seventh

crowned
made

as

on

who

the 29

Aprilthey
proceededto Rome.

his
at Alessandria
the third of May, Napoleon met
youngest brother Jerome who had incurred his displeasure

On

marriagewith Miss Patterson,two years before.

persuaded
Before leaving Paris the Emperor had finally
this marriage
his mother
to sign a formal protest against
the ground that under the law of the Year One of the
on
Republic any marriage was null and void if contracted by
the

by

minor

few

He

without

the

of his father and

consent

days later Jerome arrived

allowed to land, but she

was

at
was

Lisbon
forced

with
to

mother.
his wife.
reembark

orders from the Emperor, Jerome

England. Under
travelled post-hasteto Italy.After a decisive interview
his wife
with Napoleon, Jerome baselyagreed to abandon
and her unborn
child,and was
again restored to favor.
for

Napoleon's coronation as King of Italytook placethe

26 May
1805 in the beautiful cathedral of Milan. The
crowded
with
weather
was
magnificentand the citywas
people.Josephine,although she bore the title of Queen
After the religious
of Italy,vJ'asnot. 10 be crowned.
monies,
ceresimilar to those at Notre-Dame, Napowhich were
leon
his head-the
celebrated Iron
himself placed upon
of the ancient Kings of Lombardy, at the same
Crown
it me; woe
time using the traditional formula, "God
gave
of Italy
who touches it!" He then took the crown
to him
which he placedon his head in the same
manner.
of June, Napoleon appointed Prince
On
the seventh
as
Viceroy of the Kingdom of
Eugene de Beauharnais
Italy,and three days later with Josephinehe left Milan
on

visit to the celebrated

battle-fields.The

first week

in

passed at Genoa, where magnificentfetes were

celebrate the incorporationof the ancient republic
in the French Empire.
peror
Genoa, they proceeded to Turin, where the Em-

July was
given to
From

organizationof the Third

Napoleon, accompanied by Josephine,left im-

received

Coalition.

news

of the

C 1673

NAPOLEON

mediately for
without

any

France.
escort,

he

THE

FIRST

Travelling
incognitoat
arrived

at

full

Fontainebleau

speed,

on

the

July after an absence of exactlyone hundred days.

The speed at which Napoleon travelled may
terest.
b^of inFour days after his arrival he wrote
Eugene as
follows : I arrived at Fontainebleau
eighty-fivehours
after my
departurefrom Turin. Nevertheless I lost three
hours on Mont-Cenis
and I stoppedconstantlyon account
of the Empress. One or two
hours to breakfast and one
or
hours to dine made me lose eightor ten hours more."
two
The distance by rail is about 440 miles and the express
trains via the Mont-Cenis
tunnel make
the run
to-day in
about fourteen hours. Allowing for the delaysof which he
elled
speaks, and the longer distance by road. Napoleon travof nearlyseven
miles an hour.
at the rate
paign
Napoleon at once
began work on the plans for the camand which
which was
the followingmonth
to
open
end on
the anniversaryof his coronation in the
to
was
gloriousvictoryof Austerlitz.
1 1

"

C 168 3

NAPOLEON

THE

consult the Continental

must

Powers, and

Russia, before givinga definite

The
-part

Czar

had

after the

Germany
for
she

joint action

of another

war.

finally
agreed to sign a

by which

the

two

invited

was

with

Powers

by

the

particular

Russia, but

secondary

of affairs in

the settlement

of Luneville.

Peace

in

answer.

mortified

played in

Government

the Austrian

prospect

had

he

which

much

been

FIRST

In October
to

make

shrunk

ments
arrange-

from

later,in November
declaration,but not a

year

undertook

to

1803
the

1804,
treaty,

resist further

French

aggressionsin Italy and Germany.

At length,on the 11 April 1805, a formal treaty was
pean
signedby which the two Powers agreed to form a Euroleaguefor the restoration of peace and of the balance
of power.
be freed
to
Holland, Switzerland and Italywere
from French
control. England promised to pay
a
large
of the troops employed
annual subsidyfor the maintenance
againstFrance.
At a moment
when it seemed
that the Coalition
possible
to
a
might fall through. Napoleon brought the matter
head by his decision to assume
the crown
of Italy.
He had
first offered the crown
then on his refusal
to Joseph, and
to
Louis, but both declined to give up their rightsto the
Imperial succession for a nominal
kingship.Napoleon
therefore

announced

his decision

to

himself

assume

the

Lombardy. In June, Genoa was

formally
Lucca
turned
annexed
into a princito the Empire and
pality
for Elisa. Shortly afterwards
Parma
also annexed.
was
By these steps all Italywest of the Adige and north
of Tuscany was
brought under the direct rule of Napoleon.
As we
have
already seen. Napoleon arrived at Fontainebleau on his return
from Italyon the 11 July. After
remaining there a week he went to Saint-Cloud with Josephine,
and the nightof his arrival they attended the opera,
where Napoleon received a warm
He then proreception.
ceeded
where
he
held
review
of
the
to
a
Boulogne
army
which had been assembled
for the invasion of England.
On the seventh of July, Francis the Second signed the
Iron

Crown

of

C 170 3

AUSTERLITZ
formal orders for the mobilization of the Austrian
and

the

on

twenty-second Villeneuve,after

armies,

indecisive

an

Englishfleet off Ferrol,set sail for Cadiz

instead of Brest as ordered by the Emperor.News travelled
slowly in those days and definite reports of these
very
did not reach Napoleon at Boulogne until the
two
events
second week in August.
It will always remain a mooted
leon
questionwhether Napowas
land,
reallyserious in his intention of invading Engtive.
but the weight of evidence seems
to be in the affirmaaction with

But

the

his intentions

whatever

have

may

been

he

was

missary-general
plans.CallingDaru, the comhis headquarters at
of the army,
to
Pont-de-Brique,a small chateau a league from Boulogne
where he stayedwhen he went
the Ocean camps,
to inspect
dictate,unat four o'clock in the morning he began to
hesitatingly

forced

now

change

to

and
the
at

his

in his usual concise

1805 campaign

far

as

as

nine o'clock he ordered

and with the

utmost

the Minister

of

Vienna.
Daru

secrecy

to

prepare

the

manner,

When
leave

he had
at

plan of
finished

for Paris

once

with General

Dejean,

War, the detailed orders for the marches.

where on the
Napoleon himself also set out for the capital,
27 August he signedthe officialmarchingorders directing
the steps of the Grand Army towards the Rhine. The
were
ports
strictly
enjoinednot to publishany renewspapers
of these

quietlyat

remained
in order

to

At the
Minister

to

time
the

on

of

Government
and

lull any

same

campaign

Napoleon
September

of the Allies.
suspicions
that the Emperor dictated his plan of
13 August he instructed Talleyrand,

of the
ForeignAffairs,to demand
that it should immediately disband

intimate

subjectwithin
not

of the troops, and

Saint-Cloud until the 23

movements

that if he did
two

not

have

assurance

Austrian

its army,
on

this

weeks, the Emperor Francis should

celebrate the Christmas

festival in Vienna!

In many
of
interesting
respects Austerlitz is the most
all of Napoleon's campaigns.It was
the firstin which he

1171

^^

THE

NAPOLEON
commanded
his

The

always

was

won,

ever

very

the

was

the

final victorywas
he

he

it

statement

own

army

his

under

yet had

he had

which

The

Emperor.

as

FIRST
much

was

orders,and

best he

ceuvre
chef-d'
proud.

the m*t

cisive
de-

battles,of which

of

real

largest
accordingto
commanded.

ever

brilliant and

most

the

It may
therefore be of interest to speak here of some
of the generalswho won
undying gloryunder Napoleon's
of conducting
his method
and to examine
briefly
leadership
his

campaigns.
Grand
Army

encamped for two years on

the shores of the Channel, wholly engaged in military
exercises. Napoleon had occupied this time in perfecting
there anything finer or
and never
its organization,
was
of divisions employed during
martial. The system
more
The

Revolution

the

organizedin

seven

of
all

were

of from

two

by marshals. There
the

was

army

four divisions

to
were

ImperialGuard.

tried in many

men

also

powerful

The

marshals

battles,but all were

not

at

assignments.

Bernadotte

had

of
calculating,

the

never

first corps.

Astute, calm, selfish,

polishedmanners

more

marshals, he had

Napoleon

abandoned, and the

corps,

cavalry,and

first given

been

been

had

each, commanded
reserves

had

considerable

powers
fullytrusted him and

him

in the field because

him

behind

he

than

of

most

of the

command,

but

perhaps employed
thought it dangerousto leave

in France.

and an
Marmont, formerly an aide de camp,
artillery
commanded
the second corps, althoughhe had not
officer,
yet been

made

Davout

marshal.

the head of the third corps. With the exception

only of Massena he was the ablest of the marshals.

He

was

was

for whose
Soult
a

man

and

at

was

stern

at

but popular with

disciplinarian,

comfort

he

was

ever

his

men,

solicitous.

placedin chargeof the fourth corps. He was

of largeframe, with an active mind. In Switzerland
Genoa he had givenproofsof superiortalents. He
ordinates.
capable commander, but was detested bv his subwas

172

MARSHAL

SOULT

AUSTERLITZ
Lannes

had

the fifth corps. He had first attracted the

of Napoleon by his bravery in Italy,where he

attention

promoted
Lannes'

him

field of battle. He

the

on

and

commander

had

watched

him

steadily
improve. He said of him at Saint Helena, "He was a pigmy
I took him: a giantwhen
when
I lost him." Napoleon had
for him a warmer
than for any of his
feeHngof friendship
other marshals. At his deathbed
the Emperor could not
control his grief.
Lannes
than
feared the Emperor no more
progress

as

he did the enemy

frankness
and
a
tolerated

Ney
brave"
nature

Like

and

failed

never

commanded

express himself with

would
have been
not

to

which
familiarity
other general.
any

from

seen

the sixth corps.

"The

bravest

occupied a unique positionin the army. His good

made
him a generalfavorite with officers and men.
of his associates he did

many

not

understand

the map,
but on the field of battle he had no
of the rearguardof
at his best in command
was
In

army.

Portugal and

soldier. In his

great

which

blots

out

formed
and

later
martial

put
at

he

there is much

career

equal.He

proved
that

on

ing
retreat-

himself

is

pathetic

compels our admiration.

in charge of the seventh corps which
Brest. His imposing personalappearance

campaigns
Italy.

his fortune, but

he

did

justifythe reputationhe

had

made

air had

littlein later

gainedin

in Russia

war

his faults and

Augereau was
was

of the

to

ImperialGuard, with which

his name
will forever be associated. Acting always under
had
the personal orders of the Emperor he never
any
or
opportunity to establish a reputationfor originality
independence.
of cavalry.He is
of the reserves
Murat was
at the head
Napoleon's
perhaps the most
picturesquefigure among
to his connection
by
more
generals.He owed his position
marriagewith the Emperor than to his militarymerits.
brave to a fault,vain and
With
but limited intelligence,
the heau ideal of the leader of a cavalry
ambitious, he was
in any, sense
a
great cavalry
not
charge. Biit he was
Bessieres commanded

the

173

;]

NAPOLEON
and even
general,
his men
badly.

and
was

the

on

FIRST

battle-field frequently
handled

commanders

and Murat

year

remarkable

of the Grand

Army were
their comparative youth. Napoleon was
the same
Soult, Lannes and Ney were

The
for

THE

two

years

thiffy-six,
age;

Davout

while Marmont

younger,

Bessieres,thirtyonly thirty-one.The oldest were

Bernadotte
forty-twoand Augereau forty-eight.
seven,
who
men
were
Among the division commanders
many

was

great distinction in after years : Oudinot, Suchet

and Grouchy, all later made marshals; Vandamme, Dupont
attained
and

Napoleon's campaigns; but

them

it is

historyof
dwell

impossibleto

on

here.
that

seen

it will be

portraitof Napoleon's marshals

with the exceptionof Davout
and

this

From

to

none

was

in the

well known

all names
Saint-Hilaire,

whom

he could then

entrust

Soult there

independent

an

command.
The

seven

corps,

each

of from

two

four

to

divisions,

of Napoleon's
numbers, a sure
gauge
commanders.
opinionof the abilityof the respective
reau
Auge-

greatlyin

varied

had

6000, and
of 191,000

Ney,

Lannes

each

i8,cxDO;

Massena

the

Archduke

to

24,000;

men.

this time

opposed

and

Davout, 27,000; and

Guard, under Bessieres,numbered
under Murat, 22,000; a grand total
the cavalry,

Marmont,
21,000;
Soult, 41,000. The

At

Bernadotte

I4,cxx) men;

with

50,000
Charles with

in

men

double

Italy was
his forces.

Napoleon called "I'Enfant cheri de la

Massena, whom
the ablest of the marshals, and the one
Victoire,"was
best fitted for independentcommand.
At Zurich, and in
the defence
a

man

day. At
The

of

Genoa,

he had

showed

of strong character, tried courage,

He ranked very
the
high among
that time

he

was

himself. He

and

great

was
lution.
reso-

generalsof

the

in his fiftiethyear.

brain, the soul of the whole

Napoleon

vigor.He

great

alone

commanded

C 1743

organization,was
in

chief,com-

NAPOLEON

THE

FIRST

always guarded him at night,and acted as outrider by

day, carryinghis great-coat and portmanteau.
of the Emperor's household
To complete the description
it remains to speak of his staff of secretarieswho
for the arduous duties required
were
very few in number
like new
of them. Napoleon did not
faces,consequently
he had from 1796 to 181 5 only three privatesecretaries:
he was
obligedto
Bourrienne,his old school friend whom
in all
dishonesty in 1802; Meneval, who was
Fain.
the campaigns of the Empire until 1813, and finally.

dismiss for

During a campaign it was Napoleon's custom

and
at
headquartersuntil the last moment,
rapidlyby carriageso as to be at the head
the

his presence

moment

was

remain

to

then

travel

of his corps
The interior of

necessary.

so
carriagewas
travelling
arranged that he could use
it as a bed by night and so travel without fatigue.
the most
exhibit
For the past eighty years
interesting

his

at

Tussaud's

Madame

after the

181 1, and

in

for him

has

was

from

In

Paris

the last travelling

was

battle of Waterloo.

captured by
It

was

built

employed during the Russian

the followingyear in Germany;

of 1812, and
it carried him from Fontainebleau

campaign
and

been

by Napoleon, which

carriageused
the Prussians

in London

Belgium
generaldesign it may
to

in

to

the

coast

in 18 14,

June 1815.

be described

as

two-seated

berline de voyage. The coach is very heavilyand strongly

of
built,and the exterior is very plain,the only mark
emblazoned
the
on
being the Imperial arms
The body is swung
thick leather straps,
on
door-panels.
attached to strong C springs.
At the four corners
of the
take
black metal lamps, made
to
body there are square
carried behind
candles. A travelling
trunk was
largewax
distinction

on

rack.

The

coach

was

drawn

by

six

heavy

driven

Norman

horses,four

by the coachman, and the leaders under control of

a postilion.
The interior is more
than the exterior. There
interesting
are
two
armdeep and roomy
seats, divided by a movable
n 176 3

AUSTERLITZ

High

rest.

in the front o" the vehicle

up

beneath
front

which

there is

seat

the

dows,
pairof winusuallyoccupiedby the

in the space
curious bulkhead

are

boot which

or

stitutes
con-

feature of the

unusual

carriage.
Folding
into this receptacle,
oppositethe right-handseat, used by
the Emperor, there is a well-appointeddesk which when
drawn
is a

out

most

over

comes

the back

to

for money
compartment
there is a
these fittings

secret

Below

hinged to

Behind

this there

objectsof

and

value.

largecloth-covered

the middle

towards

open

seat.

of the

door,

coach, so that it

portionof the interior into two separate

so
placed it exposes a largecavityforming
parts. When
Here neatly enthe foot of the sleeping
cased
compartment.
inches
six
within a receptacle
deep and three feet
at a moment's
notice,
high,folded ready to be withdrawn
connected by a board with
is Napoleon'sbedstead. When
divides the lower

the

which

seat,

formed

comfortable

very

could repose
the mattress

constituted

at

full

the

head

which

couch, on

length.In the

of the

same

bed,

this

the

Emperor

were

carried

space

and bed-linen.

carriageis similarlyarranged,
in place of the desk. In these were
but with drawers
carried toilet articles and a complete table service. The
dark-blue cloth; and
interior is lined throughout with
of the back of
there is an oil readinglamp in the centre
the carriage.
When
the head of his troops the Emperor rode on
at
He had a bad seat and was
horseback.
only a mediocre
The

other

side of the

horseman, but his endurance, until he became

stout

after

In

Spain in 1809 he
covered the distance from Valladohd
to
Burgos, nearly
eightymiles,in five hours. In such cases he had relaysand
changed horses every ten or fifteen kilometres. He usually
the

age

of

remarkable.

forty,was

rode small white

Arabian

is familiar

from

to

us

horses,the

appearance

of which

Meissonier's paintings.
They

good-tempered, gentle gallopersand

the greatest
of sounds and the

trained with

care,

all sorts

sightof

so

t T-77 3

as

easy
to

were

amblers,

be accustomed

all kinds of

and
to

The
objects.

NAPOLEON
steed

white
to

THE

FIRST

whiph he rode

"Marengo"

Waterloo

at

lived

in 1840.
take part in his funeral procession
At his headquartersin the field,
whether
temporary

Napoleon always required,besides hi"(

sleeping-room

permanent,

office in the

an

of which

centre

In the

his map
spread out.
for his secretaries.
The

or

was

of the

corners

table with

room

tables

were

usually retired at eight o'clock, after

dinner, and rose again about one or two in the morning,
in. On the map,
when
the reports began to come
which
surrounded
was
by twenty or thirtycandles,the positions
Emperor

far as known, were

of his corps, and also of the enemy
as
marked
by pins.It was on this that he worked, moving his
compass,

scale of

the

to

open

six

to

leagues,the

seven

he had made
as
lengthof a march. As soon
up his mind, he
while walkingaround the
began to dictate his orders rapidly,
It was
room.
always difficult for his secretaries to keep
the orders were
written out they
as
pace with him. As soon
abstract
made
for
an
were
was
presented for his initial,
then dispatchedto the differand the orders were
the files,
ent
marshals, so that the corps would be ready to march
that Napoleon made
at day-break.It is remarkable
large

its faults
in his
The
and

90,000

was

to

plan of campaign

Russians

ably
admir-

to

in

operate

Austrians

150,000

for

the

Mack

6o,(X)0Austrians
Danube
as

his Chief

Archduke

under

Valley
of

Charles

Italyon the Adige where the main attack

the French, who were
to be delivered against
expected
of Napoleon.
be under the personalcommand
Massena
the command
in Italy
But Napoleon gave
to

be in

and
corps,
strong
Austrians there until the
with
in

worked

system

was

Ferdinand,with

Archduke

Staff,while

Napoleon's staff

hands.

own

Coalition

under

were

secretariat of his staff. Notwithstanding

of civilians for the

use

Germany,
Grand
Army

while
of

he

seven

ordered

him

to

campaign

took

himself
corps

took
with

C 178 3

the
a

contain

decisive

command

strength of

the
turn

of the

about

AUSTERLITZ
At

200,000.

for

turn
to

the

Napoleon when
the frontier

cross

at

with the idea of

with

Mack
once,

favorable

issued orders for his troops

sians,
without waitingfor the Rus-

cuttingoff Bavaria

her alliance

from

France.

The
and

campaign took

the

outset

the 27 August,
left their camps
on
left Paris the same
day. All had orders to

six French

the Guard

corps

by the shortest way to the Rhine and the Main

with a generalline of direction on Ulm. The distance from
Boulogne to Strasbourgis about 300 miles and the troops
covered it in twenty-ninedays, crossingthe Rhine on the
ber
27 September.Napoleon himself left Paris the 23 Septemand
at
Strasbourg three days later. There he
was
march

learned that Mack

had

entered

Ulm

on

the twentieth.

Continuing his advance, and findingno signsof Mack,

the seventh of October,
on
Napoleon crossed the Danube
leavingonly the corps of Ney on the north side to bar the
roads from Ulm
Bohemia.
to
Forming his troops into
the Emperor directed Lannes
and Murat
three groups,
to

march

advance

Ulm, while Bernadotte

on

Munich

on

and

hold

himself

with

advanced

on

positionto
to

the

two

the tenth

support

strong
to

Marmont

off the Russians

have

erroneouslyreported to

and

arrived
corps

there.

of Soult

Augsburg,where

either Murat

or

who

Bernadotte

were

Napoleon

and
he

to

were

Davout
was

in

according

circumstances.
While

Napoleon

the last of

was

the camp
at Boulogne
into Bavaria to
marched

breakingup

had
August, Mack
force her either to join the Coalition or remain neutral.
fell back to Bamberg, and Mack
The Bavarians
took up
Ulm
between
and Lake Constance
a position
to await the
arrival of the Russians,who were
still250 miles away
and
could not
be expected before the middle of October. He
was
looking for the French, who had usuallyadvanced
through the Black Forest,to follow the customary
route.
that Napoleon with
About this time he received the news
his main army
was
coming to Germany and not going to
He immediately gave orders to changethe direction
Italy.

C 179 3

NAPOLEON
of

largebodies

but it

too

was

THE

FIRST

of troops which
were
late to do any good.

marching

to

Italy,

All of

gart
Napoleon's movements
up to his arrival at Stutthad escaped Mack's
knowledge. Finding a""last that
the way
and
to envelope his rightflank
on
Napoleon was
off his line of communications, in six days he made
cut
no
less than six difi^erent plans to escape
from
the net
fast
closingaround him, but all in vain. He tried,first,to
Napoleon's crossingthe Danube; next, to retreat
oppose
to the north;
through Augsburg; then, to cross the Danube
then, to retreat
by way of Ulm into Bohemia; then, after
determining to remain in Ulm, he finallyagain decided
into Bohemia.
But it was
late. Napoleon
too
to retreat
now
was
advancing on both banks of the river, and on the
fifteenth Mack

entirelydominated.

now

with
to

driven back

was

Austrians
with

were

force succeeded

small

been

beaten

had

It

repetitionon

the 17 October
he surrendered
which
largedetachments
attempted
and

captured. In all 50,000

taken prisoners.
Only Archduke Ferdinand

Austrians
was

was

On

also surrounded

were

escape

Two

men.

23,000

into the fortress which

"The

whole

in

gettingaway

almost

without

largerscale

safely.The
firinga shot.

of the

of

strategy

Ulm

manoeuvre," says Dodge, "is

of the very finest in history."
one
Napoleon immediately turned back his main body to join

Marengo.

Bernadotte
on

miles from
On

the

and

when
the twenty-fifth,

Vienna, to which
13

the Danube
could

his forces. This

concentrate

cross

November
at

Vienna

the river

the French

they now
Murat

of Lannes

and

seized

by a stratagem,
immediately. The

of
spiteof the great success
point,the positionof Napoleon
army

was

400

about 225

were

rapidly.
the bridge across
that Napoleon
so
next
two
days he
crossed
to

the

river

halt, as he

the Guard

and

the

Soult.

In

French

plished
accom-

advanced

gatheredtogetherthe troops that had

and pressedon to Briinn. There he came
had only 50,000 men
actuallyin hand:
corps

was

miles from

his

campaign up to this
was
reallycritical. The
its base, and was
much

THE

NAPOLEON
battle the

of the

ponds

marshy ground gave

had

Napoleon, who
days, had been in

Pratzen,

fightto a decision
he expressedit.
as
The

trained

of the

the intention

capital.This
Archduke

not

was

by

them

to

coming

was

up

catch

to

wide

circuit of
south

running

Vienna, and

off from

who

failed

road

seize the

also enable

would

Charles

to

ordinary battle,"

an

had

AUies, which

him

Briinn, cut

from

Napoleon

right flank

French

the

the

battle,but he wanted

"only

not,

Any
heights of

of the Littawa.

occupied

have

and

of

eye

most

defensive

fought a

and

ground for several

of the time, and^Kdden

the north

to

the

on

the

on

the saddle

the entire country

ordinary general would

ice

footing.

been

over

the

frozen, and

were

secure

FIRST

the

recover

join hands with

from Italy.As a

but from the

was
course
strategicmeasure
proper,
and just
tactical standpointthe long circuit was
an
error,
which
of those
Napoleon liked to see his enemies
one
would enable him to piercetheir
Their manoeuvre
commit.
in two, and decisively
defeat them. "To
them
cut
centre,
the average
commander,"
Dodge, "it would have
says
been
a
gambling transaction;to Napoleon it was
betting
their

on

certainty."

object in view. Napoleon left the Pratzen to

and drew up his army
behind
occupied by the enemy,
this

With
be

the brook
had

caused

left.Souk
at

the

went

Souk.

to

his bivouac.

his

and

contain

opening.

Guard, in

vicinityof
French

the

until the

moment

left and

centre

hill,which

Lannes
had

at

was

the

of Lannes

rear

placed behind

reserve,

back

was

hill where

the

Davout

he

the

justarrived,

in the afternoon

up

rightunder

the allied left which

road

massed

the

The

Santon

Davout, who

also came
right.Bernadotte
into positionbetween
and to
Murat
and the cavalry were
in the

Vienna

the

on

stronglyintrenched.

be

in the centre,

Bessieres with

to

his left flank

with

and

Lannes.
dotte
of Berna-

Emperor
was

and

had

intended

reachingaround to the
arrived for Napoleon with

was

to

take

advantage

of

any

AUSTERLITZ
The

had

Emperor

by

his side

Berthier,Junot, his first

and all his staff. Near

aide de camp,
by stood the Guard.
As from his bivouac he calmly watched
the movements
of
the

Allies,Napoleon

his

judgment confirmed that they

were
attemptingto turn his right;and that in so doing
their right and
left wings would
get separated by the
plateau of Pratzen, which would give him an opportunity
break through the centre.
The
Allies were
convinced
to
would
that the French
fighta defensive battle,and their
that they would
only fear was
try to escape.
During the afternoon of the first,contrary to his usual
habit, the Emperor assembled his marshals and explained
in detail his plan of battle,and told each one
the
them
to
role which was
assignedto him. Napoleon was so confident
far as to explain to his
of victory that he even
went
so
he was
about to do. In a proclamation to
soldiers what
he said, "while they are
the army
marching to turn
my
flank."
right,they will present me their
During the evening,when the Emperor made the round
asm.
enthusiof the bivouacs, he was
greetedwith the utmost
the eve
of the first anniversaryof his coroIt was
nation.
In

instant torches

an

of

of thousands
there

At

came
one

from

simultaneous

cry

o'clock

until between

move

into their

to

of

poles and

rest

on

saw

the bivouac

the

straw

at

the top
throats

thousand
seventy
of "Vive
I'Empereur!"

Eiiiperorretired

four and

put

were

five when

took

short

the troops began to

then took his station

respectiveplaces.He
hill,with the marshals

receive their final orders. A thick

and

around

him, ready

fog covered

the landscape,

o'clock the tops of the hills began to

by seven
Suddenly the "sun of Austerlitz" burst forth in
appear.
the heights of Pratzen
for the
all its glory and showed
he expected,
of troops. The
denuded
as
moment
enemy,
and given Napoleon the opporhis centre
had weakened
tunity
he sought.
thousand strong, was
The allied left,
thii'ty
marching to
the French
rightand seize the Vienna road. Turning
turn
but

to

Soult, whose

troops

were

massed

in

two

lines of bat-

NAPOLEON
of attack"

talions in "column

long a

time

zen?"

Souk

that
In

the

FIRST

the

Emperor asked, "How

reach the heightsof Prat-

do you

requireto
replied,"Less than

let

case

THE

wait

us

meantime

of

quarter

the

minutes."

twenty

hour

an

more,"

allied force

strong

"In

"

making

was

againstthe French rightand their heads of

the Goldbach.
columns
But
getting well across
were
Davout, fightingwith his usual stubbornness, was
ing
keepthe Russians in check,and this flank was
in any
never
real danger.
It was
nearly nine o'clock when
Napoleon finally
good

progress

gave

the order for Soult

in

towards

rapidmotion

attack,and his force

to

the

plateauof

was

Pratzen. The

soon

other

marshals, Murat, Lannes, and Bernadotte, gallopeddown

their

respective
corps.
been
had
in his timing.
accurate
remarkably
Napoleon
allied column, accompanied by headAt this moment
quarters,
an
in person,
the Czar and Kutusov
was
climbing
the oppositeside of the plateau.This force was
marching
in route
tant.
order, thinkingthat the French were
yet far disOn reaching the brow
of the plateau the Russian
astonished
commander
the
was
beyond measure
to
see
from

hill to head

bivouac

French

about

to

his
a

brave

own.

assault

the

hill with

force far

Realizinghis danger, Kutusov

resistance,but

was

soon

driven

back

numbering
out-

made

down

the

hill.
While

the

possessionof

Pratzen

being contested,
and Bernadotte
were
Lannes, Murat
deliveringa strong
attack on
the left and gaining ground steadily.Here
between
the French cavalryunder
there was
a sharp fight
and the Imperial Russian
Murat
Guards, commanded
by
Grand

Duke

Const antine. To

put

was

an

end

to

this

conflict.

Napoleon ordered in Bessieres with the cavalry of the

ImperialGuard, and these superb squadrons easilyrode
and Lannes
down
the Russian cavalry.Bernadotte
again
advanced, and by eleven o'clock the whole Russian right
was

away

in full
to

the

retreat

on

Austerlitz. In

south, the allied left was

1:184 a

the

meantime,

beingheld

far

in check

AUSTERLITZ

by the superb work of the French rightunder Davout.

A huge gap of three miles lay between the two allied wings,
As
where
Soult was
driving back the weak allied centre.
Austerlitz will ever
remain
exhibition of grand-tactics
an
a

model.
Before

Soult

noon

the allied army

had been cut
the Goldbach, had been
on
the

Pratzen;
left,fighting

of the
in full possession

was

and their

in two,

caught

in the

between
triangle

brook, the ponds, and the Littawa, with its line of

treat
re-

completely severed.
The

until he

Guard.

that

saw

He

quarter.

won,

had

Emperor

there

was

no

galloped over
passing,he told his
the

cheers

swept

of his left wing,

the advance

then

In
and

followed

further

Soult, followed

to

that

men

like

tidal

the

that

from

danger

by

battle

wave

the
was

along

the

took

the

entire line.
Soult

turned

now

south

from

the Pratzen

and

while Davout, who

had
allied line in reverse,
in force. By
the defensive, attacked
on

been
two

ing
stando'clock

and
completely surrounded, and men
thousand
were
captured by wholesale. Two
men,
guns
the ponds, were
attempting to cross
destroyed by the
French
which broke the ice.
artillery,
From
Saint Anthony's Chapel, south of the Pratzen,

the

Russians

the

Emperor
wing.

were

watched

the

destruction

night,the valleyof

of the allied

left

the Littawa

separated
in the position
bivouacked
the
the two
armies. The French
Allies had held the night before. The two
Emperors were
Austerlitz preparingto retreat
into Hungary.
at
Austerlitz
about
at
Napoleon had under his [colors
far from seven
sand.
thouand his losses were
not
65,000 men
At

the fall of

The

Allies put in Hne

about

85,000

and

their loss in

fully25,000 men, and

missing was
hundred
and
sixty guns. But these losses are no
one
of the victory.The beaten
was
adequate measure
army
no
longer any organcompletely demoralized. There was
ized
band
of
Few
disordered
marauders.
force, only a
killed,wounded

and

THE

NAPOLEON

FIRST
Austerlitz

splendid than

victories have

been

better deserved.

Napoleon

more

ceased

never

or

feel that Austerlitz

to

brilliant battle.

Marengo, Ulm, Jena

the result of able strategic
"ombibattles won
as
were
nations. RivoU, Austerlitz,
Dresden, exhibited Napoleon's
his

was

most

the battle-field as the others did not.

on
grand-tactics
the field,
At dusk Napoleon rode over
accordingto his
habit,addressingeach regiment as he passed,for he knew
he
by heart the historyof every one. To the fifty-seventh

said,"Remember,
years ago I named
shed tears
The Infantry of the Guard

of rage

By midnight Napoleon
Posorsitz,about

of

house

dawn

third

the

on

Francis

Emperor

having

not

for

request
from
message

resolved

he

at

orders

Murat

who

was

sent

to

Vienna

tryingto
courier,saying:"I can
at

of

army

early

from

the

and

sonal
per-

Emperor
all its

secure

the

time

same

To

terms

arrange

appointment

an

write you
thousand
men

hundred

one

to

the enemy.

pursue

at

of the full effects

once

refused the truce, but made

Francis on the followingday. At

gave

Hither

truce

had

fruits. He
meet

the postof Austerlitz

the Austrian

Napoleon

the first intimation

at

Lichtenstein

the

with

victory and

Olmiitz.

to

Prince

came

interview. The

of his

took up his quarters

three miles northwest

Briinn

from

the road

on

An

at

put in.

been

was

the 'Terrible.'"

you

to

he

Talleyrand
of peace,

only

two

he

words.

commanded

by

come
entirelydestroyed.All protocolsbeThe negotiations
become
null."
unnecessary.
On the afternoon of the fourth the Emperor of Austria
the mill of
visited Napoleon at his headquarters near

the

two

Emperors

Sarochitz where
The
were

Russians
to

be

an

were

is

agreement

retire to Poland

to

arranged at

once

By the treaty signedthe

paid heavily.To Italy she
Istria and Dalmatia, and
"ceased

Naples
Wiirtemberg

of

were

to

made

was

to

at

stop hostilities.
and terms
of peace
to

Presburg.
26

December

ceded

1805 Austria

Venetia

and

part

Bavaria, the Tyrol.The

reign."The

recognizedas
C 186 3

King

Electors of Bavaria

Kings, and

so

of

by

and
the

AUSTERLITZ

irony of

fate

Napoleon bestowed

crown

on

the

daughter

George the Third.

The
of Presburg shattered the third coalition
peace
the news
of Austerlitz
organizedby William Pitt. When
reached London, Pitt was
already on his death-bed. He
asked to have the map
of Europe unrolled before him.
forth
After gazinglong and steadilyupon it he said, "Henceclose that map
for half a century."On the
we
may
at the age of forty-seven,
23 January 1806 he passed away
exclaimingwith his dying breath, "Alas, my country!"
The Coalition,
alreadydismembered, had lost its soul.

of

ni87

THIRTEEN

CHAPTER

1806

Alliances

Family

Holland

of

King

Louis,

of

Confederation

"

Desire

Napoleon's
Ultimatum

Her

of

Seat
French

Berlin

in

Places

tactical

the

Napoleon's
Up

The

blood

of the

then

was

On

appeared
the

Josephine
and

the

more

standards

of

hundred

thousand

killed

full

"

his mind

at

and

horrible

months

like

fought

sight."

more

enough

to

of war."

War

Napoleon
of the

sent

of

extent

agreed

battle

fifty pieces
Guard,

dence.
Provi-

side.

been

"The

home.

of the

Austerlitz.

description
had

the

on

hatred

December,

I have

Russian

the

the

of

going

is

its brilliant

on

of all that

one

and

Austria

with
were

finest

to

only

make

outraged

scene

so

upon

to

was

cemetery,

an

or

smiled

something

"This

of peace

of

gain

to

Fourteen

have

warning

came

giving

Russians

than

Enters

was

prophetic perspective

fourth

Peace

to

was

love

he

of the

remark,

to

and

letters

victory.
is the

the
feated
De-

brilliant

always

favors.

snow

he

first

him

to

third

his

and

still

so

when

her

future,

inspire in princes the

But
such
thoughts
no
then

Prussians

Napoleon

"

was

none

had

come

upon

disaster, the
He

of

Austerlitz

He

battle.

yet

not

Eylau,

of

vision

Russian

"

view

of

time, Fortune

had

the

plain

gloomy

The

"

The

"

Movements

"

Army

Their

victories, but

demands

later, amidst
frozen

this

to

hour

great

too

of

point

greatest

other

many

him.

Army

"

Prussia

of

Combatants

Two

the

Auerstadt

and

Jena

of

Empire

Roman

Duplicity

"

Prussian

Peace

"

Holy

"

Overtures

Triumph

FROM
decisive.

of

Strength
the

Dispersion

"

Hanover
the

Louisa

Queen

"

of

of
of

End

"

"

Napoleon

Battle-fields

Both

at

Peace

Advance

"

The

"

for

to

War

Rhine

Fiefs

Titular

Italian

The

"

Question

The

"

the

Naples

of

King

Joseph,

AUERSTADT

AND

JENA

upon,

litz
of Auster-

forty-five flags,
of

cannon,

than

the
twenty

JENA

Austerlitz,
Napoleon went

From
The

AUERSTADT

AND

middle

of November

he

the fifth to Vienna.

on

had

written

Josephine at

her to proceed to Munich, where

Strasbourg instructing
he now
went
to
join her. In the Bavarian capitalhe
surrounded
was
by all the princesof the South German
states.

The

Margrave
He

of age.

lost his

had

Charles, then

princewas
sympathies,and

very

still at

was

married

one

the

war

Elector

then

was

son,

twenty

young

who

of Baden

years

much

and

seventy-seven

his heir

grandson

mother

of this

the French

in her

The

of age.

opposed to

of his sisters had

married

with Napoleon. Another

of

Bavaria, and

years

his

was

the

Czar,

sister had

he himself

was

the

Princess

Augusta, the elector's

daughter by a previousmarriage.These family arrangements,
did
the
of
not
meet
however,
approval Napoleon,
who had other plans in view.
the fifth of December,
The Empress arrived at Munich
circulated that her
and a few days later the rumor
was
son
Eugene was to marry the Princess Augusta.
then fiftyyears
Maximilian, Elector of Bavaria, was
he had one
had lost his first wife, by whom
old. He
daughter,Augusta, born in 1788. He had then married

fiance

of

the

young

Caroline,the sister of Prince Charles

of

Baden,

to

whom

Augusta was betrothed. The Elector was entirelyFrench

in his sympathies.Belonging to the cadet branch of the
family he had only become elector by the extinction of
the reigningbranch. He had no fortune as a youth, and
under
army

Louis
and

the

Sixteenth he had

commanded

served

in the French

Regiment of Alsace. The happiest

been passed in France.

the

days of his lifehad

The Treaty of Presburg gave to Baden, Bavaria and
and
Wiirtemburg very considerable increases of territory,
electors the titleof king.Napoleon had decided
to the two
should be paid for by three
that these aggrandizements
marriages: that of his step-son Prince Eugene with
Augusta, the daughter of the King of Bavaria; that of
cousin by marwith Josephine's
Prince Charles of Baden
n 1893

THE

NAPOLEON

FIRST

riage,Stephaniede Beauharnais; and that of his brother

Jerome with the Princess Catherine, daughter of the
King of Wiirtemburg.
Year's eve, Napoleon entered Munich
On New
^der
erected
in
his
honor.
Four
arch
a triumphal
days later he
for Munich
and to travel
wrote
Eugene to start at once
desirous
Napoleon was
incognitoas rapidlyas possible.
his presence was
of returningat once
to Paris where
sary,
necesbut he remained
the objecat Munich
to overcome
tions
the
the
In
of
Queen to
marriage. all justiceto Napoleon
be said that he endeavored
it must
to gain his ends
He exercised all of his powers
of
only by pleasantmeans.
attentive to the Queen that he even
seduction, and was
so
aroused the jealousyof Josephine.
the tenth of January.
on
Eugene arrived at Munich
The Viceroy of Italywas
then twenty-four years of age.
Without
being handsome, he had a perfectfigure.Like
his

well, and

father,he danced

excelled in all kinds

of

frank and simplein his manners

exercises. He was
physical
and affable with everybody.He had a very gay disposition
fond of him
and was
always happy. Napoleon was
very
and

treated him

like

been

in his relations with

tact

courted

her

assiduouslyas
already arranged.The fears
gave placeto joy, and what

not
marriage was
princesssoon
young

have

son.

much

Eugene showed
future wife, and

manage

as

raison

de

became

his

if their
of

the

was

to

real manage

d'amour.

wedding took placeon the 14 January 1806 in the

celebrated with great pomp.
leon
Naporoyalchapeland was
tract
formallyadopted Eugene, and in the marriage conof "Napoleon-Eugene de France."
gave him the name
The

In the future
"Mon

he

fils."The

wife and

mother

After the downfall

of her

family to

always addressed
Princess
and

the

of the
have

him

in his letters

as

Augusta proved to be a model

marriage was a very happy one.
Empire she resisted allthe efforts

her abandon

faithful to the end.

190

her husband

and

mained
re-

week

AUERSTADT

AND

JENA
after the

wedding Eugene and his wife left for

Milan, while the Emperor and Empress started for Paris,
arrivingat the Tuileries the night of the 26 January.
calendar
On the first of January 1806 the republican
to

came

days. So

ten

the

except

after thirteen

end

an

vestigeof

the last

the

months

Republic was

and

effaced,

"Republique FranfaiseNapoleon
inscription

Empereur" on the coins.

On the eighthof April1806

chapelof the Tuileries

the marriageof Stephanie
great pomp
Prince Charles of Baden. If anything

celebrated with

was

three

years,

de Beauharnais

with

in the

could prove the power which the victor of Austerlitz then

exercised over
the Continent it was
this marriage
certainly
of the

daughter of

to

French

Senator

of the oldest and

one

Europe,who

by

of the Czar

of

with

princebelonging

illustrious families in

most

his three sisters

the

was

brother-in-law

Russia, of the King of Sweden

and

of the

of Bavaria.

King

What

then

Prince

had

the

was

originof the
The
Marquis

married?

girlwhom

young

the

de

Beauharnais, the
father of Josephine's
firsthusband, had a brother Claude,
had

who

of the

son

Stephanie,born
death

of her mother

to

was

the father of

Paris the 28 August 1789. After the

she

was

confided

the wife of the First Consul.

aunt

"a

girland

sent

she

who

to

the

care

of

an

her
her

name,

who brought her up. Her maternal uncle

religieuse,
the happy thought of taking her to Paris and presenting

aunt,

had

at

same

come

Napoleon

to

la mode
her
the

took

to

de

who
Josephine,

Bretagne,"took

an

was

interest in the

the school of Madame

Tuileries after

Campan. When
her education.
finishing

fancy to her, and a month before

her marriagehe formallyadopted her as his daughter,thus
sisters. This
givingher precedenceat Court over his own
second marriage arrangedby Napoleon also proved a very
the affections of her new
happy one.
Stephanie won
and her death in i860 during
family and of her subjects,
the Second
much
Empire was
regrettedboth in Baden
and at Paris. Her eldest daughter, Louise, became
the
a

great

191

NAPOLEON

Queen

of the

mother

in

throne
German
Duke

Saxony; the second,Josephine,

first King of Roumania
and of that
who as candidate for the Spanish

of Hohenzollern

Prince

1870

of

the

was

The

war.

indirect
Scotch

great

cause

of

daughter,Marie,

youngest

Hamilton,

FIRST

of

of the

the mother

was

THE

E#anco-

the

married

the

lord.

day after the signatureof the Treaty of Presburg,

in a militaryorder addressed to the
Napoleon announced
dynasty in Naples had "ceased
Army that the Bourbon
to
reign."Even the Austrian historian,Fournier, says
The

that, "The

for this step had, it must

be acknowledged,
furnished by the Neapolitan Court
itself."

pretext

been

During the campaign of Austerlitz,Queen Caroline had

broken her promise given to France in August
deliberately
remain neutral and had opened the port of Naples to
to
British and

called
troops. After the battle the Czar reand the English Government
followed

Russian

his troops

example.Napoleon made no replyto the abjectletter

of the Queen imploringhis clemency and sent his troops
the royal family
take possessionof Naples, whence
to
On the 30 March
had taken flight.
1806, Napoleon announced
his
intention
of
brother
his
making
Joseph King of
Naples, without forfeiture of his rightsto the Imperial
his

succession.
At

the

same

time, in another

the formation

decree, the Emperor

titular duchies

of twenty

one
newly-acquiredItalian territory,
from these lands,amounting to
revenue

hundred
an

thousand

endowment.

The

francs
new

in each

year

duchies

from
case,

in the
of

sixtyto
to

conferred

were

of
dignitaries

fifteenth

nounced
an-

serve

the
one
as

the

upon

the

Empire. Following
Hst of the dukes as later appointed: Dalmatia
is a partial
Friuli (Duroc), Belluno (Victor),
(Soult),Istria (Bessieres),
Treviso (Mortier),Bassano
(Maret),Vicenza (CauRovigo (Savary),Otranto (Fouche),Taranto
laincourt),
(Macdonald), and Reggio (Oudinot).
Among the other titlesconferred by the Emperor at this
marshals

time

or

and

later

other

were:

Murat,
C

Grand

192

Due

de

Berg

et

de

AUERSTADT

AND

JENA

Prince
Cleves;Talleyrand,Prince de Benevent; Berthier,
de Neufchatel,and Bernadotte,Prince de Ponte-Corvo.

Napoleon

turned

next

his attention

Holland. This

to

country had been conquered by the repubhcan armies and

under
French influences. The
had been brought entirely
sular
Repubhc had been established with a sort of conhaving a Grand Pensionaryat its head.
government
of the Empire there was
Soon
after the establishment
a rumor
at The
Hague that Napoleon intended to set up a
monarchy again in the Low Countries. Early in 1806
a
deputationof Dutch notables with Admiral Verhuel at
the threatened danger.
their head was
to Paris to avert
sent
In a letter to Talleyrand, 14 March
1806, the Emperor
the monarchy with
stated his intention of reestablishing
his brother Louis as King. The
oppositionof the Dutch
and on the fifth of June 1806
delegationwas
swept away,
the Tuileries Napoleon announced
the establishment
at
of the new
monarchy under King Louis.

Batavian

The

primary

Prussia

in 1806

of the

cause
was

breach

between

France

and

rate
questionof Hanover. This electothe sovereigntyof Great
been under

the

since 1714 had

Britain. In that year

the

Elector

George

Louis

became

George the First, King of Great Britain and Ireland,

the grandthrough inheritance from his mother who was
daughter
of James the First of England.
The first two Georges preferredHanover
to England as
the first
a
place of residence, and George the Third was
Hanoverian
English in his sympathies.
King who was
between
renewed
In 1803, when
was
war
England and
France, Napoleon sent an army under Mortier to occupy
Prussia had long been anxious to possess
the
Hanover.
electorate
much
used

in order

to

round

out

her

lands

which

were

and Napoleon
separated by interveningterritory,
bait to keep Prussia neutral during
Hanover
a
as

campaign of 1805. The

endeavoring to obtain the

the

Czar Alexander

Allies

at

the

same

time

of Prussia, and
support
when
visited Berlin for this purpose

were

the
he

NAPOLEON

THE

FIRST

his way
in Moravia. Queen Louisa
to joinhis army
this time conceived the idea of unitingthe two
eigns
soveron

was

at

by

1805 Alexander

November

Church

the Garrison

to

oath, and

solemn

the Great

of Frederick

the allied

at

midnight on

and

Frederick

Potsdam

at

they

Williai^went

where

bound

the fourth of
the tomb

over

themselves

to

support

cause.

Prussia, however,

ready

of December

middle

until the

then

not

was

for

and

war

manded
deher

complete

to

Before that date arrived the battle of Austerpreparations.

litz was
fought and Austria sued for peace. Under the
no
longer willingto
changed conditions Napoleon was
neutral position,
and
allow Prussia to maintain
even
a
demanded

signed at
obtain

same

with

15 December

time

England

of Prussia

the support

This

France.

the

Vienna

the

At

alliance

an

compact

was

1805.
also

was

and

endeavoring to

Frederick

Williani

was

tween
embarrassingposition.He had to choose bethe half of Belgium, and the Rhineland, as offered
as
a giftfrom
by England, and Hanover
Napoleon.
On
the third of January i8c6
an
important State

placedin

Council

an

held

was

at

Berlin

which

at

it was

decided

to

mand
de-

Napoleon some
important modifications to the
Schonbrunn
Treaty. Prussia was
endeavoring in short to
and
steer
halfway between France and England
gain
of NapoThe Prussian Government
Hanover.
sure
was
so
leon's
cided
deof the proposed changes that it was
acceptance
The
at
to
once
on
a
peace-footing.
put the army
Emperor, however, took the ground that as Prussia had
of

"

not

formally ratified

the treaty

drawn, it was

as

the
Having thoroughly frightened
at once
to the point he
Napoleon came
void.
and

demanded

should
Hanover

be

that

closed
was

to

handed

North

the

Sea

over

Greek

gift!The acceptance
the disapprovalof
meant
England.
C

to

of Hanover

194

wished
of

This

Prussia.

Russia

Prussian

ports

English commerce.

and

null and

It

was

on

the

envoy.

gain
Germany
agreed to,
to

indeed
those

terms

hostilityof

NAPOLEON
hero. For

THE
Protector

Napoleon, as
controlled

now

old German

Napoleon, and
new

the demand
in the

the

Frankfort

time

was

Italy was

on

were

replacedby

soon

defensive

Code

the

alliance

sixteen Princes

was

of the

furnish

Nassau.

and

of free

number

well
cities,
as

of

as

and

Knights, were
wiped out. Augsburg
were
given to the King of Bavaria, and
bestowed
on
Dalberg,the Prince Primate

of the Confederation.

German

steps toward

that

63,000 troops
Protector. The principal
of the new
states
Confederation
Bavaria, Wiirtemberg,
were

same

ImperialCounts
and Nuremberg

lands

his hold

close offensive and

Baden, Hesse-Darmstadt
At

German

"

between

included

to

while

Napoleon and the

Confederation who
agreed to

formed

at

laws

ation,
Confeder-

of the Rhenish

of the

most

acknowledged Charlemagne,
immeasurably stronger."
The

FIRST

conclusion

It will thus

be

seen

unity,which Bismarck
generationslater,were

two

that
was

taken

the
to

first
carry

the

by

Charlemagne.
The
correspondenceof Napoleon at this time proves
that he was
more
preoccupiedwith the affairsof Italythan
with those of Germany. For one
letter that he wrote
about
Hanover, he sent twenty to Joseph or Eugene impressing
them the necessity
of keepinga firm hand, and above
upon
But if Sicily
all of conqueringSicily.
was
a stumbling-block
with England, Hanover
in the negotiations
the cause
was
of the war
with Prussia. Queen Louisa constantlyurged
husband
resist the continued
her weak
and vacillating
to
French aggrandizementsin Germany and to allyhimself
new

with

Russia.

Louisa
of
been

that time

at

was

of the minor

one

thirtyyears of age. The daughter

German
her
youth had
princes,
and obscurity until her charms

in poverty
the heart of the

spent

captured
comparison

has

often
Both

Marie-Antoinette.
consorts.

only inspirethe

been

Crown
drawn

between

mated

were

Frederick

respect due

Prince

to

C1963

with

of Prussia.

Louisa
cold

and

and
interesting
un-

WiUiam, Hke Louis, could

an

but
insignificant

well-

while

meaning man,
by his queen.

AUERSTADT

AND

JENA

all the fervor of

Louisa

however

was

in

interfere much

staid and homely

more

than the vivacious daughter of Maria

aroused

loyaltywas

and did

Theresa

affairs until after the crash

state

not

came.

which kindled the fires

inspiration
of German
patriotism.
of the Queen, on the eighthof August,
At the instigation
the Czar imploringhis
Frederick William sent
a letter to
assistance. Alexander wrote
a cheering
response, promising
his help.Thinking to take Napoleon off his guard,Prussia
for war.
at once
Napoleon however
began her preparations
not
deceived, and he adopted towards Frederick
was
of a friend who is grievedby an
the tone
William
expected
unquarrel.He stated that he intended to propose
if England insisted on its
some
equivalentfor Hanover
the

she became

Then

restitution

as

sine qua

of peace.

non

officers and your

"if your young
women
I am
preparingto satisfythem.
war,

wholly

turns

with

will share

Italy.She

to

On

one.

no

is

"

But," he added,

Yet

mistress

North

Berlin

at

ambition

my

favors

whose

Germany

want

I have

I
no

claims."
The
that
a

new

whole

Napoleon's corresjwndenceshows
before the firstweek in September he did not expect
Coalition. As Rose admits: "It is perfectly
true

that he did
than
This

of

make

not

England

on

final

might

tenor

in

war

on

1803. He only made

is

statement

of Austria.

demands

in 1806

The

in 1914

yield to

condition

impossible."
question.One

"made
the
on

the entire evacuation

urgentlyinsisted was
by French troops, which Napoleon refused
her army.
Russia
In the meantime

more

any

peace

simply begging the

well say that Serbia

when
she failed to

as

Prussia

peace

possible
im-

unreasonable
which
of

Prussia

Germany

until Prussia

demobilized
Prussian

officer

at

campaign. When
refused

to

refused

to

march
move

Saint
he

came,

awaitingthe arrival of a
a plan of
Petersburgto concert
he had no plan,and the Czar
was

his troops
into Prussia. Austria also
until the Allies had gained a victory.
So

C 197 3

NAPOLEON

THE

FIRST

of the war, Prussia could

the feeble support of Saxony and Weimar.
the outbreak

at

had

Prussian war-party

The

and

ultimatum

an

count

on

gained complete control,

Napoleon on the*6 September

now

seiit

was

only

demanding that he should immediatelyevacuate

before the eighth
Germany and should send an answer
of October. No
well be conmore
act
short-sighted
can
ceived
than this throwing down
the gauntletto Napoleon
who
had
180,000 veterans
already in Germany, while
Prussia's allythe Czar could not
the
get his troops on
field of operationsfor months
to come.
Napoleon at this time had a populationof nearlysixty
milUons
from which to draw
troops, and during the Jena
in trainingin France
in
campaign he had 80,000 men
addition to the Grand
in Germany.
Army of 200,000 men
As Napoleon himself stood like a giant among
all the
captainsof his age, so also the Grand Army was in a class
itself. The

by

world

had

before known

never

superb

so

organization.
fighting
Prussia, includingits allySaxony, had
some

twelve

country

was

millions

which

from

rich,and the

not

had

of date.

to

draw

government

been

population of
its army.

The

hopelessly
days of
King was

was

since the

Nothing
changed
soul of the Great
Frederick, but the inspiring
no
longer there. At the beginningof hostiUties the
includingthe Saxon contingent,did not
army,
exceed 150,000 men
ready for duty. The army was
poorly armed and equipped.Like the French army
out

outbreak

of the Franco-German

war,

it was

sian
Prusmuch
also
at

livingon

the
the

past and believed itself to be the first

solid basis for its dence.
in the world, but with no
confi-

traditions of the
army

The
were

commanders

were

not

deficient in

abilitybut

As Dodge pithilysums
lackingin experience.

situation: "The

French

army

up

believed itselfto be

the Prussian

believed
actuallyso;
army
not."
be superiorand was
After the Peace of Presburg the Grand
Army
and

was

returned

home, but

on

one

pretext

C 1983

or

another

the

superior
itself to
had

had

not

been

kept in
mostly

South
in

Bavaria, and

absence
A

Berthier

to

days

few

the

the

of

lay

army

command
As

Munich.

of

further

beginningof September was

be cited his letter of the

may

authorizinghim

number

at

at

the

1806

under

was

there

expectingwar,
to

August

headquarterswere

proof that Napoleon

fourth

In

Germany.

Berthier whose

not

AUERSTADT

AND

JENA

and
officers,

give

to
to

take

later the situation became

one

leaves

of

himself.

menacing.

more

the tenth the

Berthier from Paris that

Emperor wrote
his horses were
startingthe next day, and that the Guard
follow. This body of 13,000
to
soon
was
picked men,
of Bessieres,
under the command
was
transportedfrom
Paris to Mayence by post in seven
hundred
four-horse
and covered
the distance of 260 miles in eight
wagons
days.
From
Mayence northeast through Erfurt and Weimar
the most
way
Berlin ran
to
important road in Germany. MidWeimar
between
and the capitalit crossed at right
defended
angles the Elbe which was
by several large
On

fortresses. This
to
now

Berlin and
about
The

to

road

the

Paris

campaign

open.

Prussian

slowly in a great
of the Mayence
were

from

route

figureconspicuouslyin

to

was

the direct

formed

at

army

after

semicircle

passing the
stretchingout

Elbe
on

advanced
either side

road. On

the

Erfurt

the army
extended on a
was
Cassel to Rudolstadt
south of

and

fifth of October

the headquarters

ninety miles from

Jena, watching the Thuringian forest from which the
French were
expectedto debouch.
In the- meantime
trate
preparing to concenNapoleon was
his corps at Bamberg and Baireuth and swing around
the left flank of the Prussian army,
cuttingit off from its
base on the Elbe, just as he had turned Mack's
rightthe
previousyear and cut him off from the Inn. On the fifth
than
the front of the French
covering not more
army,
between
miles,was
Coburg and Hof.
thirty-five
Pressingon by long marches, a week later the French
front of

left was

in

contact

with

the

extreme

199

left of the Prussians

NAPOLEON

THE

FIRST

Jena,while the French centre

and right was
getting into a line roughly indicated by
moving in
Jena and Naumburg. The Grand Army was
the right;Bernfcdotte
Soult and Ney on
three columns:
Saalfeld

at

and

with the Guard

Davout

Augereau

of

littlesouth

at

the left.The

and
in the centre, and Lannes
firstcolumn
was
fiftythousand

the second, seventy, and the third,forty.

of Brunswick,
the Prussian commander, the Duke

strong,

When

learned that the French

had

turned

rapidly advancing

his

Hne

issued

orders

of

hope

for

on

to

Naumburg; but
obliged to fightwith

was

the thirteenth

On

the

he

was

the

Emperor

in the

eastward
the Elbe

few

enemy

were

communications, he

towards

retreat

and

Jena

of

general movement

being able

his left flank and

hours

by

way

late and

too

his line of

on

received

of

munications.
com-

dispatchfrom

statingthat he had found the Prussians in force

at
hourly expectingan attack. Napoleon
Jena and was
immediately started for that place.On his arrival he
Lannes

withdrawn from the

had
the enemy
had taken
Lannes
that

found

and

town,

possessionof it, and had alse

occupied the steep heights of the Landgrafenberglying
beyond it. At four o'clock Napoleon rode up on this
plateau which dominates the entire country to the west.
Dismounting he walked to the edge of the plateau and
He thought that he had the
studied the enemy's position.
before him
Prussian army
main
although he could only
see
forty or fiftythousand
troops. He ordered Lannes to
place his entire corps on the heights;and the Guard and
instructed to
Soult, as well as Ney and Augereau, were
Davout
march on Jena with all possible
speed. Meanwhile

that

and

Bernadotte

the

cavalrywas

The
and

field on

Auerstadt

north

and

southwest
miles

to

had

in that
which

was

Naumburg and Murat with

vicinity.
fought the double battle of Jena

lies within

south
corner

reached

theatre

by eighteenmiles
Hes

the

beautiful
the

the east, between

200

about
east

and

fourteen
west.

miles
At

the

city of Weimar. Ten

steep and rugged plateau

BAT

LE

OF

J
14-

"
Oclobei:

li. i^
1806

yoHsliinis

on

ihf

,il
:n;/f,l

the

J'^^'.'
cnlnim',!

lliilil

NAPOLEON

THE

FIRST

the crisisof the

At

ments
battle,after the arrival of reinforceRiichel,the Prussians had only 47,000 men

under

the field while

on

then

Napoleon

had

83,000 troops

disposal.
At the

at

his

time, at Auerstadt

same

about

miles

ten

to

the

his

with

singlecorps of 27,000 men

was
of
Prussian
the
main
facing
composed
army
55,000 of their
choicest troops. The King and Brunswick
were
marching
in
order
the
main
road
Berlin
to
on
gain
to
Naumburg
north, Davout

and

make

their line of

sure

Bliicher

cavalry under

advance

retreat

the

to

saw

Elbe, when

their

solid line of French

infantryloom

through the morning mist. It was

part of
the corps of Davout
stronglyposted in and around the
midway between Naumburg and
villageof Hassenhausen
Auerstadt. Bliicher at once
charged but was repulsedwith
his troops
sent
heavy loss. Again and again Brunswick
to the attack, but the steady fire of the French
infantry
of his officers. The
laid him low with most
Prussians,
according
the
from

behind
the

by one.
began
attack

sunken

and

officers

Failingto

any

and

make

in disorder.

nothing

could

But

instead

flyingbefore

Murat's

Auerstadt

complete,and
and

Weimar.

praiseis

too

will

rocks,and out
was
murderous,

picked off one

headway, the Prussians
Davout
now
pressed the
French

Weimar
it

ardor. The

where

the

renew

army

an

at

were

cavalry that

and

no

on

while

was

battle
a

he

he

hoped
on

the

terrified mob

met

tween
halfway bevictory was

The

French

high

for Davout

's intelligence

courage.

Bernadotte

was

for his conduct

o'clock

of

fire

resist the

King gave the order to retreat

to
rejoinhis rightwing and
morrow.

and

This

roads.

gallant Prussian
fall back

to

in solid masses,
lines,and fired

fought in skirmish
hedges and walls,trees

French

of ditches
and

tradition,advanced

to

very
on

criticized by
seriously

the

evening of

day

of the

two

the

Emperor

battles. At

ten

the

thirteenth,Napoleon, in the
belief that the entire Prussian army
before him, had
was

sent

an

on

the

order

to

Davout

to
202

advance

to

Apolda, to

the

in the
you,

Jena,and

of

north

AUERSTADT

AND

JENA

He

rear.
can

you

take the enemy

added: "If Marshal

march

together,but

the

on

left flank

is with

Bernadotte

the

or

Emperor hopes that

him at Dornburg."

indicated to
position
about three o'clock
received by Davout
This order was
in the morning. Convinced
from his reconnoissance that
he had a very largePrussian force in front of him, Davout
going so far
stronglyurged Bernadotte to remain, even
he will be in the

offer him

to

as

the

command

of the

two

But

corps.

he

persistedin obeying the letter rather than the spiritof

the Emperor's order and started for Dornburg. Finding
reach
much
in crossingthe Saale he did not
difficulty
and so took no part in either battle.
Apolda until nightfall
He had no
doubt literally
obeyed orders^ but as Dodge
than
is held to more
justlyremarks, "A corps commander
this."
The

the
by Murat was
pursuitof the defeated army
most
extraordinaryin history.In three weeks he all but
literally
galloped from Jena to Liibeck on the Baltic
Sea. With a largeforce of cavalry,togetherwith the corps

Lannes, Soult and

of

Bernadotte, he

remnants

of the Prussian

fortresses

as

surrender
This

short

extended
and
able

and

the last
Bliicher,

with

20,000

hundred

In

career.

the French

of November
to

the
the
he

hold out,

men.

campaign is without

marvellous
A

the seventh

forced

all

up

captured all of

passed.On

Liibeck

stormed
to

he

and

army,

swept

seven

frontier from

thousand

even
parallel

weeks

the Rhine

four
prisoners,

trophieswithout
manoeuvre.
strategic

other

number,

he

were

in

Napoleon's
practically
to

the Vistula.

thousand

guns,

the fruits of

one

Napoleon reached Potsdam on Saturday the 25 October

1806, eleven days after the battle of Jena, and took up
his quarters
in the palaceof Sans Souci,the Versailles of
Frederick the Great. On Sunday he visited the Garrison
Church, where in a vault under the severelyplainLutheran
pulpitis the marble sarcophaguswhich contains the ashes
of the King.He ordered sent to the Hotel des Invalides at
C

203

NAPOLEON
Paris the

sword

which

upon

lay

and

THE
hat

Monday. Let us
brush.
painter's

Royal Palace, that

Brandenburger
alleysand
green

faint

can

be

with

of spectators.
intense expectancy,

there
Charlottenburg

far-away sound of surf upon

swells,and then it deepens into a

the

the

gUnt

of

sort

the roll of distant drums.

piercedby

sun

steel. Now

on

bugles,and

Mamelukes

the

thousands

comes

the

seen

into the

out

through the stately

Thiergarten with its

awaits

crowd

the

marble.

snowy

is lined with

Hke

come

the

glintsof

the clear call of the

allees

view

from

away

broadens
gaze

its

scene,

practice,
in trilmph on
worthy of the

Linden,

can

one

and

and
shore. It grows
of muffled thunder

Soon

den

avenue

the direction of

murmur

warrior

great

his usual

Berlin

enter

Thor

avenue

from

to

famous

assembled

the

While

firsttime from

of Unter

Platz. Thence

wide

of the

picturethis

to

try

At the further end

The

sash

his tomb.

Departing now for the

the Emperor arranged

Pariser

and

FIRST

down

one

their

on

ringsout

of the

broad

superb horses and

Brandenburger Thor. Then follows

flood of splendidcavalry,squadron upon
a great
squadron
of the cuirassiers of the ImperialGuard, wearing the steel
and flowinghorsehair. On they
helmets with brass crests
ride,not with the stolid surlymien of the Prussians,but
swinging lightlyin their saddles,their faces aglow with
martial nation in
that ardor which
belongs to the most
rein beside

draw

the

the world.
the eye
infantryof the
Far

as

the
filling
Riding

whole
a

reach follow

regimentsof the sturdy

Guard, with their high bear-skin caps,
of the Thiergarten.
area
vast
can

hundred

paces

horse. He

small white Arabian

ornament

Garde

with

plaque

is the

wears

one

to

see

its green
of the

the uniform

coat

upon

Legion
u

His

which

cord, without
unbuttoned

of the Chasseurs

d'honneur.
204

Emperor, on a
plaingray redingote

black

the little cockade.

save

enables

the

hat with

the well-known

and

ahead

ghsten the
The

star

waistcoat

any
coat
over-

de la

and
and

OF

MAP

to

Illustrate

CA"rPAIGXS

the

OF1806

ETC.

EXTLAXATICX
*

a
"1 "

"

cfupftutU

TOWXS
TowTds

Tt^mj
Fta^es

of

vihubitana
OJiatUan/T

iOOOfi

(.f So-.'jO 000

PiAaPttanU
iO COO
ot' JO"
\nKah\u\nu
hflotr
tf i'oo

Sc"U

of

Eug^li.U

Miles

breeches

white

are

saddle-cloth

is

behind

Just

trusted

he

with

rich

well

as

wears

the

as

ridingboots. The
bullion fringeand the bit
are
gold-plated.
stirrups
soft

the

Emperor come
waving plumes, and their

with their

gold. In

and

edged

bridle buckles

and

AITERSTADT

AND

JENA

the

is the martial

centre

chief of staff. At

Auerstadt,with
the tall and

three of his
uniforms

marshals,

covered

with

figureof Berthier,the

rightis Davout, the hero of

round and placidface. At the left is
Augereau, who has won new laurels

his

handsome

his

Jena.

at

Then

by

the

at

head

brilliant

the

aides de camp,

and

followed

of the
Duroc, the Marshal
face is well known
in Berlin,where twice

Palace, whose
he has been

of the

sent

staff,comes

on

specialmission by

master.

glorioustricolor is
unfurled, surmounted
by the Napoleonic eagles;and as
of martial melody rolling
the music swells into a tempest
and flooding
it with a glorious
of sound,
sea
up the Linden
As the

ten

Emperor

thousand

nears

the Thor

his

the

sabres flash in air and

thousand

ten

voices cry, "Vive I'Empereur!"

All eyes are focussed, not on the marshals

and

strident
the brilliant

form.
figureof the chief in his plainuniHe is no
longer the sHm and sallow youth of the
Campaign of Italy.Amidst toils that would have worn

staff,but

most

men

robust

to

on

the

shadow, he

health, "the

face

longings of youth,

has

no

but

grown

to

longerthin
square

the roundness
with

the unsatisfied

full with

and

of
toil

deemed
a
visage rewell-nigh sated
of the epicure's
from the coarseness
only by the
knitted brows that bespoke ceaseless thought, and by the
eyes."
keen, melancholy,unfathomable

requited and

ambition

"

n 205 3

CHAPTER

FOURTEEN
1807

Berlin

The

The

Decree

East

of

Battle

"

Hesse-Cassel

"

Question

Polish

Negotiations

"

Battle

of

Birth

of

Jerome

Napoleon

The

"

Court

all

blockade;
be

to

were

found

by

This

idea

The

the

to

Napoleon,
there

and

is

no

and
were

they

Continental

were

was

of

state

wherever

of the
of the

much

worth

bins,
Jaco-

tion.
Revolu-

while

motive

to

which

matter

to

by
of

matter

only question

difficult

very

not

was

bitterly attacked

so

give

any

be

sidered
con-

to

influenced
determine.

the

fatal effect upon

his career
this act led
the occupation of
"

Campaign,
less

As

British

commerce

scheme

been

hardly

to

in

21

forbidden, her goods

pet

now

The

which

necessary

System.

King

famous

on

be

to

was

it is

as

Russian

prompted

"

troops.

underlying

doubt

Spain

the

her

always

it is

this is

enterprises to

that

it

has

that

of the

of

the

the

war

politicalstock-in-trade

is the

"

Charles

on

subjects imprisoned

controversy.

here

ment
Move-

Quarters

Marriage

"

issued

strangling English

Decree

history

the

of Hostilities

Potsdam,

at

declared

allied

historians, but

English

Winter

"

Napoleon

proclaimed

was

her

Napoleon

Berlin

ancient

and
or

of

of

Empire

Napoleon

with

of the

part

Britain

French

of the

which

commerce

original with

space

Decree

seized

Death

"

Bennigsen's

"

Eylau

"

towards

Resumption

"

his arrival

1806,

Great

Tilsit

of

for Peace

Advance

"

Fontainebleau

after

Berlin

Battle

Austria

of

War

Walewska

Grandeur

"

at

November

commerce.

and

Negotiations

"

of

"

Treaty

"

MONTH

But

Prussia

with

POLAND

Saxony

Madame

"

Countermarch

Friedland
Louis

and

Theatre

The

"

Pultusk

Napoleon's

"

IN

CAMPAIGN

THE

by
to

Rose

both

ambition
the

than

complete

well

of which

says,

by the

triumph
this

tures
adven-

feeling
of

question

his
of

NAPOLEON
of Poland,
partition
add

to

that Power

JHE
he could

and

to

FIRST
not

at

suggestedto
Polish provincesfor Silesia
Maria
Theresa
by Frederick
to

care

declined

and
belligerents

which

accordingly
exchangeof her

an

had

been

the Great.

involved

become

afford

the list of his foes. He

the Austrian Government

not

that time

But

in trouble with

stole#from
Austria

did

either of the

the

proposition.
It is doubtful if Napoleon ever
seriouslythought of
the Kingdom of Poland, no
how strong
matter
restoring
have been with that oppressedpeople.
his sympathiesmay
It

meant

to

take

territories away

vast

from

sia
Austria,Prus-

Russia,and incur the lasting

enmity of those great
Powers, as againstwhich the gratitudeof Poland would
and

but little.

count

The

of the

theatre
for the

wooded.

In

there

were

most

Vistula,even

number
at

is

part

field of the

the

of

Poland, which

rivers Vistula

the

began, lies between

country

Campaign

is

Niemen.

flat,marshy, and
and

marshes.

many

now

The

thickly

militaryoperations of

of lakes

Warsaw,

and

1807
The

several hundred

largestream

yards wide. Below the city the river flows between low,
miles below Warsaw, the
marshy banks. About twenty
Bug joinsthe Vistula. Both rivers are militaryobstacles
of drought.In this
of importance, fordable only in seasons
there were
area
only dirt roads, firm enough for artillery
the frosts of winter, but
or
during the heat of summer
soaked with rain or dissolved by
almost impassablewhen
1806 the
of December
thaws. During the mild weather
infantrys.ankin the slush up to their knees, the guns to
their axles.
In the southern
the
were

Poles,the
no

part of the theatre

country

occupiedby
sparselypopulated and there

was

Farther

large towns.

of

war,

north, in the

German-

found
speaking territory,were
many
air
of
was
a general
prosperity.
The climate was
almost
very trying,

arctic in its severity

in winter, and

In connection

very

hot

in

summer.

C 208]

and
villages,

there

with

THE

IN

CAMPAIGN

POLAND

militaryoperationsduring the campaign, the

importancethan

of less

Within

the cHmatic

of

the theatre

terrain

was

conditions.

operationsat

the

openingof

the

stilltwo
importantfortresses in the
campaign, there were
possessionof Prussia: Dantzic on the left bank of the
Vistula near
its mouth, a place of great strength,and
the capitalof old
Konigsberg,at the mouth of the Pregel,
Prussia,a poorly fortifiedcity,but an immense depot of
of all sorts.

stores

After the pursuitsucceeding Jena, Frederick

retire behind

compelled to

was

troops

he

left. His

had

less than

20,000

the Vistula

with

only remaining field

but

men,

he had

some

WiUiam
the few

army

prised
com-

additional

garrisonat Dantzic and in other fortresses. The

King himself took refugeat Konigsberg,where he awaited
which was
a largeRussian
marching to his aid.
army
After the Peace of Presburg the Czar had still remained
the allyof Prussia.
with France, and he was
at war
now

troops

in

Napoleon at
declined

to

For the

peace

overtures,

but the Czar

consider them.
of the

knew

Napoleon

moment

movements

end

this time made

Russian

of the first week

in

army

or

nothing about
its strength.At

the
the

November,

however, news
came
that Bennigsen was
and would
advancing with 56,000 men
reach Thorn
the Vistula,midway between Warsaw
and
on
Dantzic, by the middle of November.

Napoleon at once gave orders for the concentration near

Posen by the 18 November, under the command
of Murat,
of the corps
of Davout, Augereau, Lannes
and 'Jerome,
and part of the cavalry,about 80,000 men
in all.
the Guard
Davout
on
reachingPosen however found no signsof the
Russians

and

continued

his march

Under

on

Warsaw.

Napoleon'sdirections the French army continued

to
advance, Ney and Bernadotte
forming the left wing,
Soult and Augereau,the centre, and Davout
and Lannes,
the right.
It did
The early winter of 1806 was
unusuallywarm.
C

209

NAPOLEON

THE

freeze,and the roads

not

not

could

men

supplyinghis

the Po

or

Napoleon
He

army.

the Danube

live off the country.

in person reached Warsaw
that

found

thirty miles

the

to

was

and

his

"
on

the 19 ber
DecemPultusk, about

at
Bennigsen was
north. He immediately

headed

his

the front

himself reached

direction,and

in that

corps

condition.

not

Napoleon
and

in

valleyof

in the

now

in bad

were

trouble

much

also found

FIRST

on

He now
adopted a plan
morning of the 23 December.
of operationswhich is very puzzlingto the student of his
earlier campaigns. Instead of concentratinghis forces in
him success,
he worked
that had always won
the way
on
the

lines,and failed

exterior

in detail. He

beat him

or

strike the enemy

a solid blow
successful however
in interposing

to
was

the
between
Ney and Bernadotte
from
Allies,and compelled the Prussians to retreat
away
the Russian righttowards
Konigsberg,but his reliance on
Soult and Ney to come
proved
up in time to be of use

the

vain. The
The

of

corps

bottomless

battle

roads

Pultusk

of

proved indecisive.

too

were

fought

great
the
on

obstacle.

an

December

26

The

inferior in numFrench, who were

bers,
little progress
could make
against the stubborn resistance
of the Russians. The short day, which would end
made
four o'clock,was
shorter by the premature
even

at

due

darkness

in

was

who

had
state

no

cloudy weather.

night the Russians decided

foughtall day againstdouble

the

During
Lannes

the stormy

to

to

pursue.

Both

battle. What

well-contested

again.Bennigsen,though

of

very

to

inferior force,had
it. But

pursue

and
field,
grace.

and

could

With

both

the

went

he had

not

remained

this

the

not

masters

victorywith

dared
of the
better

ended
campaign practically

into winter

The
did

to

gained, he
repulsedthe attack

been able or had

claim

this battle the

armies

his numbers

sides laid claims

French

therefore

retreat.

ground Lannes

lost
a

to

quarters.

questionhas often been asked,"What importance

Napoleon attach to love affairs during his career?"
n

210

THE
We

read

in

was

as

of the memoires

one

POLAND

of the time: "The

fond

but
of women,
influence over
his mind.

very

obtain any

to

IN

CAMPAIGN

peror
Em-

allowed

never

them

He

looked upon love

diversion,and in this respect he could not have been
material,for the objectof his affections of yesterday

more

nothing to him on the morrow."

ject
Practicallyall of the information available on this subhas been brought togetherby Frederic Masson
in his
work, "Napoleon et les Femmes," and he mentions only
was

as

about

half

brief duration.

of very

were

Egypt, and

Grassini

fact.Napoleon
he

respect

set

He

ministers.

and

himself

before
time

in any

Foures
and

at

there

place allowed
in this

his marshals

to

Murat's

to

in

Paris. In

state, and

or

attention

drew

Mme.

Marengo;

war

example

exception

one

Denuelle

or

affairs of

excellent

an

with

was

Mile.

any

interfere with

to

women

at

never

There

Milan

at

Georges

also Mile.

were

all of which
liaisons,

dozen

and

conduct

faults
pointed out how he had committed
many
during his campaigns owing to the fact that he liked to
have his headquarters every
evening in a chateau where
and

there

Napoleon

pretty woman.
is all the more

his age

the

was

at
to

on

were

The

which

and

Helena.

This

The

"

remarkable

on

when

we

the part of
remember

and the constant

height of his career
tation
tempAll
he was
of Europe
subjected. the women

before the greatest man

serious love affair of Napoleon

of his age.
that with
was

which

began during the campaign in

with
his departure for Saint
only ended
she was
his
Polish
ordinary amour:
was
no

Walewska,

Poland

wife"

abstinence

their knees

only

Mme.

This

"

his wife in all but

first day of

name.

January 1807,

Pultusk

Warsaw,

when

Napoleon

was

turning
re-

he

stopped a moment
of the little city of Bronie to change horses.
at the gate
Duroc
descended
from the carriageand pushed his way
enthusiastic crowd
the post-house through an
which
to
had gathered to see
the "liberator of Poland."
Here a
from

voice said
for

to
me

him
to

in

to

French, "Monsieur,

speak

to

the

Emperor

can

you

moment?"

not

range
ar-

The

THE

NAPOLEON

face, fresh

as

figurewas

small, but

She
graceful.
hat with

very

was

her

conducted

began

him

her beautiful

eyes;

with excitement; her

of the

the door

^ery

black

carriage,and

lady who has braved

you." The Emperor took

is

she did

speak to her, but

to

finish,and, carried

to

to

for

dangers of the crowd

hat and

child. She

perfectlyproportioned,and
a
simply dressed and wore

Napoleon, "Here

to

blue

flushed

was

rose,

almost

heavy veil.

Duroc
said

seemed

large innocent

blond, with

was

him

addressed

had

lady who

FIRST

by

away

her

all the
off"his

allow him

not

enthusiasm, she wished

land, and expressed

gratitudefor what he had done to

thousand

welcomes

to

her native

pleasureand her
upliftit.
Taking a bouquet which he had in the carriageNapoleon
de
presentedit to her,saying:"Gardez-le comme
garant

her

intentions. Nous

bonnes

mes

reverrons

nous

merci de votre
un
et je reclamerai
jeI'espere,
Marie
Walewska.
This young
lady was
impoverishedPolish family,at the age of
the head

married

of

of the

one

Varsovie,

belle bouche."
Of

illustrious families of

most

passed.All Poland

of the

Emperor

of the nation.
as

his young

The
Prince

which

Warsaw,

was

there

and

wife, went

Poniatowski.

After

two

years

visit
agitatedover
might decide the fate
as
intenselypatriotic

opened his mansion.

La Blacha, the palaceof

staying at

was

child
grand-

the

nbw

was

Walewski, who

Emperor

inquiriesDuroc

many

the name
ascertaining
post-houseof Bronie, and

succeeded
of the

to

but

sixteen she had

of age, who
had
Poland, a man
seventy
years
nine years older than herself. Since then

had

old

an

in

finally

of the "belle inconnue"

the

Prince

called

one

in person to invite her to a ball to be given at

the palace.She refused,and he insisted,
but she would
not
afternoon

yield.Finallyshe was
her husband, joinedto

persuaded to
that of

magnates' of the country,

Heaven

will make

use

who
of you

some

to

212

at

of the

said,"Who

land?"

go

the request
most

influential

knows

reestablish

of

but that
our

native

THE

Immediately
her dailyin terms
shower

to

neither

her

but

warm

defeat

write

she

and
would

Her coldness
accept his gifts.
had never
of the Emperor who

ardor

the

to

respectfuladmiration

of all kinds; but

presents
his letters nor

answer

known

ball, Napoleon began

with

only increased
yet

after the
of

POLAND

IN

CAMPAIGN

in love

or

importunitiesof all around

magistratesof Poland, even

the

Finally,yieldingto

war.

her

her

"

chief

family,the

her husband, all of whom

told

in her hands, Marie,

her that the fate of her country
was
"whispering,'I will ne'er consent,' consented."
of Masson:

In the words

maitresse

une

"She

but

de passage,

not

was
a

be for

to

leon
Napo-

of epouse a cote
either in the dignities
sort

it is true
participate
the splendorsof the throne, but who would
of the crown
or
of her
a
specialrank, who would be the envoy
occupy
to the Emperor, sa femme
polonaise."
people near
the
time
that
he
Warsaw
before the
During
passed at
her daily.When
he transbattle of Eylau Napoleon saw
ported
his headquarters in the spring to Finckenstein,
he returned
France
after
she joined him there. When
to
cause
the Treaty of Tilsit she at first refused to follow him behe had disappointedher hopes for Poland, but she
finallyyielded to his entreaties.
where
to Vienna
During the campaign of 1809 she went
the palace of
she lived in a house prepared for her near
would

who

not

After the Peace

Schonbrunn.

in Poland

home

by

son

the

where

Emperor,

At the end

of the

of Vienna
born

was

Alexandre
year

same

she returned
the

on

May

to

1810

her
her

Walewski.
she returned

to

Paris where

took up her residence at 48, Rue de la Victoire,

finally
only a few doors from Napoleon's first home in the city.
the title of comte
and settled
The Emperor gave his son
francs. The
income
of fiftythousand
him
an
boy
upon
frequentlysent
a
was
great favorite of Josephine's,who
she

for him
In

his mother

to

visit her

August 1814, she paid

island
to

and

of Elba; and

France

she

went

as

soon

to

Paris

visit
as

at

to

she

and

was

Malmaison.
the

Emperor

heard
with

of his
him

on

the

return
at

the

THE

NAPOLEON

Elysee and at Malmaison

departure.
But after Napoleon was
herself free. Her
in 1816

Comte

Emperor's, General

married

did

her hotel in the Rue

at

followingyear
When
Napoleon

the
he

much

was

heard

he

With

death, for

her

at

Saint

him

Josephine,the wife
the ignobleMarie-Louise
was
de Neipperg.
with Comte
aiFection.

brilliant

The

career

of his

deepest attachment.
the last tie of earthly
youth,

livingin

of their

love of his

great

one

severed

was

15 December

twenty-eight.
Helena of her marriage

the

was

died

of

felt for her the

always

most

happiness.She

new

early age

affected. She

life,and

of the

one

de la Victoire the

the

at

of the

Army.

long enjoy her

not

she felt

cousin

d'Ornano,

brilliantofficers of the Grand

Marie

Saint Helena

to

Bourbons, she

of the

return

sent

of his final

moment

having,died two years befere,

she was
livingafter the second

husband

Liege where

at

the

to

up

FIRST

was

gone,

concubinage

open

Alexandre

son

and

Walewski

Empire is well known. His life as a

forms part of the
writer, diplomat,and statesman
soldier,
under

the

Second

historyof the nineteenth

After
army

to

the
go

century.

battle of Pultusk
into

orders
and

cantonments,

issued for the

were
on

the

seventh

of

plans for winter quarters were

given
the
lower
Vistula
Bernadotte
and
was
to
out.
cut
guard
Dantzic. Ney was
off from
the Russians
to
protect the
approachesto Thorn, with his headquartersat that place.
under
and
The
other corps
Soult, Augereau, Davout
Lannes were
to
points.The Guard
protect other strategic
and general headquarters were
at
Warsaw, where the
Emperor returned on the firstday of January.
should advance
In case
the enemy
during the winter,
the pointsat which the seven
issued indicating
orders were
Great magazines were
erected
rendezvous.
to
were
corps
and abundant
suppliesprocured.
January

"The

the

detailed

curtain

thus

fell,"says
n

214

Dodge,

"on

the

first

NAPOLEON

THE

FIRST

plans,while Bernadotte remained for several

days in complete ignorance of the general operations.
and
The marshal consequentlydid not
Bennigsen
move,
the French

haste

made

get

to

of the trap

prepared for l^n. He

together at AUenstein, where

out

rapidly drew his troops

Napoleon attacked him on the second of February. He
immediately fell back, and after a retreat of three days
reached Eylau, where the roads to Konigsberg and Friedland divide. There
to

was

the

he

that he

saw

make

must

seventh

stand if he

On
disorganization.

his army
from complete
the French
column
centre

save

drove

the Russian

and the French

the town,
advanced
army
its position
in
oppositethe town. There were

rearguardinto
and

took

up

the

about

and

Augereau, and
half

the

day's march
the

on

The
drawn

up

or

Russian

Murat, Soult

Emperor
whether

their

of

about

bivouacked

and

brooks

covered

with

snow.

The

forces

were

and

ponds, which

on

were

the

would

retreat.

80,000

plainalong the low plateau a

north of Eylau. There were
many

and

and

were

the Russians

continue
army

Davout

and

the

on

yards east
many

The

away.

morrow

main

of

corps

Guard, while Ney

Eylau, uncertain

hill behind
stand

villagethe

frozen

men

was

thousand
low hills,
over

and

far from

and
equal,but Davout
Ney had not yet arrived and the Emperor had only 60,000
at his disposal.
Though not superiorin force,as he
men
always preferredto be, Napoleon resolved to attack, and
The Russians had been retreating
of success.
felt sure
for
a

weeky

and

most

not

under

troops

pretty well demorahzed.

the Russian soldier at

But

such

conditions

Napoleon had

never

would
yet

be
seen

his

The
best, that is,in reverse.
also had been marching for a week, with little
French army
much
no
shelter,and was
fatigued.
or
The

battle
who

began

were

with

much

attempted to recapture
taken
by Soult at the
before,and

there

was

sians,
heavy cannonade
by the RusThen
superiorin this arm.
they
the town
of Eylau which had been
point of the bayonet the evening
serious fightingin the streets
and
a

n2i6

THE

CAMPAIGN

POLAND

IN

Davout
ordered
was
gardens of the little town.
by the
Emperor to attack the Russian left,and Augereau was
forward to support him, but lost his way in a blizzard,
sent
and his corps

annihilated. Nevertheless Davout

almost

was

finallysuccessful in overpoweringthe Russian left

wing, which he drove back until it formed a rightangle
with the morning position.
During the night the Russians decided to retreat, and
and Ney, reached
Bennigsen, hotly pursued by Murat
Konigsberg two days after the battle.
was

The

losses

both

on

sides

were

follow up
full fruit of his victory.Even
failed

Napoleon

limit. This

to

winter

offensive,and he

the Russian

again in winter

his troops

here for weeks

first he had

he shared

place until something

his

April that

under

cheerfulness
officers and

with

April signed a

offered

France.
treaty

new

Austria

and

But

in return
government
Francis decided to remain

to

side with either of the

French

troops

found. It

to

in

an

example

His
his

to

to

of
avoid

peace

all of his

restore

conclude

separate

King refused,and
Russia. The
Emperor

neutral,and

refused

as

belligerents.

passed the rest of the winter quietly

obtained
the Passarge.Supplieswere

in their quarters on
from the base at Thorn.

as

be

offered great concessions to

for its alliance. But the Emperor

that

maintenance

put

the

with

turned

so

to

comfortable.

more

hardshipswas

next

The

by

the castle of Finckenstein

William, and

treaty of peace

to

men.

Frederick

before

him

on

be able

suitable could

north of the Elbe if he would

territory
in

found

Eylau, Napoleon opened negotiationsfor

After
with

had

headquarters and
At
privationsof his men.
barn for his dwellinga

became

these

gather the

forced

glad to

once

for his

all the

to

quarters

for

quarters.

more

until he moved

not

been

was

be satisfied with

to

and

success

his endurance

selected Osterode

Napoleon

was

his

had

campaign

and

enormous,

attention

Keen

and
discipline

the

employment

idleness. After the

n 2173

was

paid to
of the

fall of Dantzic

the
men

the

THE

NAPOLEON
made

of supplies
was
question

FIRST
easier. Lefebvre

much

middle of
May. His corps

had invested the place about

his corps
surrendered the 25
March, and it finally

corps

of

was

up

formed,

under the command

to

that it had

to

of

Bennigsen had
since March
along the river AUe.
forward to Heilsberg.
under

reserve

Another

corps

Massena

who

corps

of about
had

main

Russian

in

Later

was

men

he moved

to

up

under

army

had

Pultusk

near

from

called up
army

ments
canton-

been

under

Italy.Other

total of

tachment
de-

285,000 men.

Bennigsen comprised

Prussians in addition under

with 20,000
also about
in
there were
50,000 Russians

about 90,000
Lestocq, and
reserve

"

30,000

been

brought the
The

place

five corps, with the Guard

total of about 170,000 men.

in hand

had
heavilyreinforced,
and Lannes'

been

Dantzic, Napoleon, who

fall of

After the

Lannes,

jjgserve
in

be disbanded.

Russians

The

severelyat Eylau

suflFeredso

which

Augereau'scorps

the

reinforce Mortier, and

broken

then

was

with

men,

in the

rear.

only waiting for the fall of Dantzic

Emperor was
before resuming active operations.On the fifth of June
he issued orders for the whole army
to be ready to advance
at the end of five days.
The
Russians, however, anticipatedhis attack. For
time the Czar had been pressingBennigsento advance,
some
but he felt that he was
not
sufiiciently
prepared.
At lengththe complaintsbecame
loud that he resolved
so
the offensive. The first week in June he began
to assume
in three columns
advance
from Heilsberg.
His plan
an
take advantage of Ney's exposed positionand
was
to
The

throw

the bulk of his army

upon
News of this advance movement

Finckenstein
he

issued

body

on

new

under

fall back

orders

for the

Mortier
line

pressed.
n2i8

Napoleon at
same
evening

concentration

Saalfeld,to which
if hard

reached

midday, and the

Murat, Lannes,

Osterode and
to

the fifth at

him.

and

Ney

of his main

Davout
and

between
Soult were

IF'li
14

"fe Cavalry

i;

"LA

i
Jxme

i^

X,

Infeatrv

ISO

AitiUery
*}Mf.

THE
The

CAMPAIGN

POLAND

IN

day, Bennigsenattacked Ney, who fell back

slowly.The Emperor, findingthat Ney was
holdinghis
ordered the other corps to converge
now
at a point
own,
same

further forward

the line of advance.

on

support of
the oflFensive and retreated

Seeingsuch largeforces massingin

Russians

abandoned

berg.Here Napoleon
positionon the tenth
and

Lannes.

broke

their

his

await the arrival of the other

to

Bennigsen immediately

retreated

Friedland

to

Heils-

to

rightwing, Murat, Soult

too
positionwas
strong, and he

off the engagement

corps.

and

But

with

the

in their intrenched

them

attacked

Ney,

abandoned

where

he

his

arrived

position

days

two

later.
On

the

of Lannes

corps

towards

and

Konigsberg.He

of the

anniversaryof Marengo,
road

from

the

AUe,

towards

slightelevation
view

movement

his main

threw

body

AUe, and this led,on

the

and 60,000 Russians.

the left bank

on

in the

the entire

over

the French

the advance

Eylau slopes gradually downwards

Two

of Friedland.

littletown

fallon

to

the decisive battle of Fried-

to

80,000 French

land between
The

check

therefore

the left bank

to

across

June,Bennigsenresolved

14

rear

of which

stands

the

miles before it is reached

of Posthenen

affords

and down
battle-field,

to

the

clear

village

front of the spectator. Just before reaching

the AUe makes
horse-shoe turn
towards
a

lyingdirectlyin
Friedland
the west,
There

on

the north

side of which

the

town

is located.

important feature of the landscapewhich

at
once
recognizedby Napoleon on his arrival. A
was
the Mill Stream, risinga littleto
small brook, known
as
was

one

direct to Friedland, where

it
takes a course
expands into a semicircular pond coveringthe north side
of the town, which is thus built at the end of a peninsula.
the

This

west,

between

obstacle

plaininto two
banks, although narrow

divides the

stream

steep
to

the free

the battle the whole

plainwas

covered

sections.

Flowing

it is

serious

of troops. On the day of

surface of the open, gentlyundulating
movement

with

crops

of winter

219

wheat

and

rye.

THE

NAPOLEON
This detail will be remarked
the battle

by

When

which

New

York.

at

the battle

Lannes

had

only

three times

in the celebrated

Meissonier

Museum

as

began

17,000

at

The

reached

rftrning
nearly

men

on

this

brightsummer

morning

from

that which

he had witnessed
before. He

scene

face

and

noon,

the

was

under

at

of the battle-field and

features

more

surveyed
the

to

later,Mortier's
nearlyeven.

the field about

Posthenen

four months

hour

were

elevation

Eylau

in the Metropolitan

the field

the

near

paintingof

nine o'clock in the

Russians. An

many

Emperor

hangs

now

arrived,and the numbers

corps

FIRST

ground. On

wintry sky of

grasped

once

different

very

the

from

the salient

the weakness

saw

of the

with their corps separated by the Mill

position,
Stream, and a deep, unfordable river in the rear, crossed
bridge.
by only one permanent
Russian

sides

both

ordered

and

in

attack

the

the

press

off the

fightuntil Ney,

to

chieflyby the artillery.

Victor having come
up. Napoleon
begin.By eight o'clock Ney was

Friedland

of
possession

to

hold

maintained

was

Then, the Guard

not

to

arrived. Until five o'clock the action

the Guard

and

Victor
on

he decided

and

enemy,

sufficient force in hand

had

Napoleon

suffered very
the only bridgethat was
Russians

and

the battle

was

losses in their

severe

left open

won.

retreat

The
over

them.

to

of the demoralized Russians,which

pursuit
nation
Napoleon'susual practice.The explato
was
contrary
influenced
by political
probably is that he was
considerations. A pursuitsuch as that of the Prussians
after Jena would have inflictedvery heavy losses on the
but would also have caused very bitter feelings.
enemy,
There

no

was

Napoleon

did

On

was

soon

the

19

miles from
in thirteen

At

want

make

to

to

of
permanent
enemy
alliance
the Russian

be concluded.

June Napoleon reached Tilsit nearly sixty

Friedland. His

had

army

two
days, fighting

Tilsit

in mind

alreadyhad

the Czar. He
which

not

battles

marched
on

140

miles

the way.

Napoleon proposed a personalmeeting

220

ll
be-

THE

NAPOLEON
Nine

common.

months

Hortense, 8, Rue
born

the

at

youngest

the Third.

arrived the

the 28

of the State,who
dignitaries
The

victor of

the

grand

offer their felicitations.

to

came

Queen

wards
Napoleon,after-

July 1807, the Emperor, who had

previous evening at Saint-Cloud, received
On

of

LafEtte,Paris,was

Louis

son,

Emperor Napoleon

house

town

the Rue

Cerutti,now

their third and

the

later

FIRST

Austerlitz,of Jena

of

and

Friedland,

tinent,
the conqueror
of the three greatest nations of the Conthen at the heightof his power. The dominions
was
under his control extended
from the
directlyor indirectly
Vistula to the Strait of Gibraltar,from the North
Sea to

of Bohemia,

the mountains

from

the

Alps to

the Adriatic.

Charlemagne had ever ruled so great an empire.

The fete of Napoleon, 1 5 August, was
celebrated that
splendor.In the evening the Emperor
year with unusual
appeared on the balcony of the Tuileries,
holdingthe hand
acclaimed
of Josephine,and was
crowd
by an immense
Not

even

filled the illuminated

which
A

week

later

with the young

had

and

repliedto

Catherine

of

marriage of Jerome
Wiirtemberg.Napoleon

in securing the annulment

difficulty
marriage with Miss Patterson. The Pope
the request
of the Emperor by a formal

the French

in October
the

the

much

had

refusal. But

celebrated

Princess

of his brother's

had

was

Gardens.

1806

authorities
he

obtained

were
a

amenable

more

decree

which

nounced
pro-

marriage null and void.

The

to
King of Wiirtemberg, who owed his crown
The
a
Napoleon, was
regularcolossus.
Queen, who was
the step-motherof Catherine, was
the daughter of King
George the Third, and she was naturallyopposed to the
however
raise any
to
marriage. She did not venture
objections.
Jerome, who was the youngest of the Bonapartes,and
also the most
worthless, had just received from his
brother the crown
of Westphalia. Born at Ajaccio the

15

November

1784, he

nearly two

was

222

years

younger

THE

CAMPAIGN

than his bride. The

who
She
of

inspiredthe
tall and

was

POLAND

IN

Princess

was

of much

woman

and

sympathy

of

charm,
everybody.

respect
beautiful;affable in her manners,

and

ous
superiorintelligence.
NotwithstandingJerome's notori-

in 1814 she refused to divorce him, and

infidelities,
clung to her unfortunate husband, the dethroned King.
She won
both the love and admiration of Napoleon,who,
at

Saint Helena, spoke of her in the highestterms.

first celebrated by procurationat
The marriage was
Princess arrived

The
Stuttgart.

the chateau

of

Raincy,
her fiance for the firsttime, 20 August,and
where she saw
brated
at the Tuileries the next
day. The civil marriagewas celethe twenty-second in the Galerie de Diane in
on
the presence
of the Emperor and the Empress and of all
the great personages
of the Empire. The religious
ceremony
was
performed the followingeveningin the chapel
of the Tuileries by the Archbishop of Ratisbon,the PrincePrimate

The

of the Confederation

Court

arrived

September and
First Empire the
21

much

were

Napoleon

more

remained

under

charming

But

the Great

feared than loved and his guests

rather
and

it

than

of

was

the

eightweeks. During the

Fontainebleau
and Compiegne

than

was

all enjoyedthemselves.

of Fontainebleau

there

at

formal

the Third

of the Rhine.

the chateau

at

fetes

at

came

the Second
host and

Emperor
as

matter

Empire.
his guests
was

more

of

duty

He almost always dined alone,

pleasure.
to
specialhonor, rarely extended even

princes,to be invited to his table. The hunts of the

Second Empire were
quitesimple while those of the First
little etiquetteunder
were
magnificent;there was
very
Napoleon the Third, but during the First Empire it was
The
to
Emperor gave the order that all were
rigorous.
enjoy themselves,and he could not understand why every
one

had

an

air of ennui.

223

FIFTEEN

CHAPTER
1808

SPAIN

Seizes

England

Papal
Royal

The

"

Junot

"

of

Spain

IN
after

the

midst

of

the

that

British

that

through

result

was

of Tilsit

Returns

Napoleon

"

jumped
This

conclusion

but

the

had
and

his

of
the

of the

declared

with

great

The

was

by

the

vain, and
the

seventh

dependent

export

of the

224

possibility

no

on

mediate

to

forced

now

England. The
reluctance, for Russia
was
very

Denmark

Tilsit

on

was

against

immediate

between

at

be

Denmark

vessels.

undertaken

alliance, on

war

nation, and
for

Power.

was

English

for this outrage

fleet there

England,

veloped
de-

clause

its ports

excuse

alliance

an

that

close

to

the
It

the

to

and
that

secret

conclusion

English

eff"orts would

terms

paid

the

against British

who

he

it

fleet

away.

known

inoffensive

without

Sound

France

that

sent

indiscretion

France

the

was

the

between

the

came

carried

become

to

by

and

France,

had

and

an

had

neutral

closing the
The
Czar,

which

Moore

rising
Spanish Upthe
Country

of

Fontainehleau

at

seized

constrained

goods.
a

step

Conference

force

later

which

upon

1807

The

"

Topography

England

been

be

to

fetes

had

the Treaty

with

Fontainehleau

Bayonne

Meeting
"

of Sir John

fleet

Cabinet,

of

The

and
against Denmark,
of Copenhagen,
days' bombardment

three

Danish

and

Spain

Death

"

unexpected news
expeditionary
an

was

Enters

of

Paris

to

of

Erfurt

"

in Spain

Affairs

"

and

Tuscany

"

"

Charles

The

"

Army

Madrid

upon

of

Czar

the

Portugal
Treaty

of Peace

Prince

Abdication

Grand
of

Capture

"

Demands

The

and

Napoleon

"

"

"

"

King

The

"

Family

Lisbon

at

Joseph,

"

Annexed

States

the

Fleet

Danish

the

to

in

edge
acknowl-

accordance

of November
Czar
not

took
a

British

products

this

facturing
manu-

goods,

of its rich

SPAIN
fields and forests.The
Continental

Blockade

had
feeling
France.

much

For

yieldto

in
opposition

Russia

almost

was

joiningthe
universal,and this
to

do later with the final rupture with

the moment
however Alexander was
willing
to

the wishes of

Napoleon; but he at once made

he should be allowed
a demand
that,as proposed at Tilsit,
take possessionof the Danubian
davia
Molto
principalities,
and Wallachia,as well as of Finland, which
still
belonged to Sweden. Napoleon refused peremptorilyto
of Turkey, but he urged
consent
to this dismemberment
the Czar to proceed to the conquest
of Finland, and

to

oiFered for this purpose

to his assistance.

send

to

the corps

of Bernadotte

set
more
Although the heart of Alexander was
upon
he accepted the other proposecuringthe Principalities,
sition,
and the last of February suddenly invaded
land.
Fin-

But
he had

the conquest

expected.The

did

not

Swedes

turn

with

out

to

be

as

easy

the assistance of

as

lish
Eng-

the promised corps

resistance;
did not
of Bernadotte
materialize;and the Czar, owing
the continued
French
to
occupationof Prussia,did not
troops

put

up

stout

like to reinforce his

expeditionary
army

He

forced

was

therefore

Danube, which
meant

giving up

was

to

from that quarter.

from
recall his troops
the

just what Napoleon desired,as it

there for the
hopes of conquest
any

present.

The young
turned his attention to Italy.
Napoleon now
surrounded
visers
by addowager Queen of Etruria,who was
to France, had opened the port of Livorno
unfriendly
can
were
brought in under the Amerito Englishgoods which
flag.The last of August,Napoleon sent a small force
informed
of Tuscany. The Queen was
to take possession
of
for her in the partition
be made
that provisionwould
then being arranged with Spain.
Portugal,which was
corporat
inTuscany, and the islands of Corsica and Elba, were
into the Empire and apportioned into three
departments.

n 225 3

NAPOLEON
There
This

in

small

which

state

that of the

"

be controlled

must

FIRST

Italyonly one
Napoleon's power

subjectto

not

was

remained

now

THE

if the Continental

Pope.

Blockade

was

rigidlyenforced. As the Holy Father, afftr prolonged

r
efused
to comply with Napofinally
leon's
negotiations,
demands, earlyin February 1808 the Papal States
formally
occupiedby French troops, and later were
were
annexed to the Empire.
the Czar and
At Tilsit it had been arranged between
Napoleon that Portugal should be requestedto enter the
to

be

System, and

Continental
be treated
to

as

be called

enemy.

common

to

on

in the

cooperate.

that government,
on
of Portugal,regent for his
demand

of her refusal should

event

In this action

Spain was
This was
making no small
for the Crown
Prince John

mother, who

of unsound

was

daughter of Charles
Nevertheless
Spain acquiesced.
Before
tellingthe story of the Spanish
mind, had

the

the curtain is about

which
a

married

look

at

the

characters

to

the

Fourth.

drama

rise,it will be well

who

are

to

the

play

upon
to

take

principal

roles.
The

descended
was
family of the Spanish Bourbons
from Philipof Anjou, a grandson of Louis the Fourteenth
of France, who
became
King in 170x3 under the title of
Philipthe Fifth. In that year the male line of the Spanish
claims to
extinct, and the conflicting
Hapsburgs became
the throne gave rise to the War of the Spanish Succession.
The
natural heir to the throne was
of the royal
nearest
Bourbon
line of France, the elder sister of the late King,
Charles the Second, having married Louis the Fourteenth.
the descendants
Failingthe Bourbons, the next heirs were
of

throne

who

had

Leopold the First of Austria.

for his grandson Philip,
who was

in 1700

and

1713In 1808
whom

sister of Charles

younger

confirmed

was

the

family was

only four

concern

us

Louis

claimed

the

proclaimed King

by the Peace

of Utrecht

composed of seven
: the King, Charles

1:2263

the Emperor

married

persons,

the

in

of

Fourth,

SPAIN
then

sixtyyears

years

younger;

Ferdinand

afterwards
and

his

of age; his
his eldest son

ignoblewife, who
the Prince

Seventh,

the

three

was

of the

Asturias,

of twenty;
of the King of

boy

daughter Marie-Louise,widow

Etruria.
To

should

this interesting
group

Godoy, Prince
Queen's lover.

Born

in

1767, Godoy,

noble but poor family,had begunhis

and
corps. His handsome
appearance
had

manners

First

the favor of the

won

Emmanuel

Paix, the King's favorite and

la

de

be added

Minister, and

the

who

the

belonged to a
as
a garde-du-

career

the

Queen,

eleganceof

his

and

come
be-

he had

real ruler of the

Spanish
much
as
Monarchy. The King seemed to be, if possible,
infatuated with him as the Queen. To his title of Prime
Minister,Godoy joinedthose of Generalissimo and Grand
Admiral.
At

the

time

campaign, Godoy for a

had the idea of taking part againstFrance, but
moment
of the battle of Jena he humbled
himself before
at the news
the Emperor, and sent a contingentof 14,000 Spaniardsto
jointhe Grand Army. By a treaty signedat Fontainebleau
the 27 October
1807, he further agreed to place at the
Emperor's disposalan army of 24,000 men, who with the
number

same

of

of the

of French

Portugal.It

be divided
the

Prussian

was

into three

to

were

undertake

arranged that that

portions:the north

of Charles

the conquest
should
country

was

to

be

given

the little King of

Fourth,
grandson
be
Etruria,in exchange for Tuscany; the south was
to
erected into a sovereigntyfor the Prince de la Paix; and
the centre
be occupiedby the French.
to
was
At the time that the Treaty of Fontainebleau
was
signed,Ferdinand was
at swords'
pointswith his father.
Detested
with the
by his mother, and on bad terms
favorite,he had formed the plan of seizingthe government.
The King, advised of this plot,put himself at the
to

head

of his

the

guards, 29 October, and

of the young
prince,whom
While these events
were

he put

went

under

happening
C

227

to

the apartment

arrest.
at

Madrid, Junot

NAPOLEON
the head

at

of

the Bidassoa

THE

French

FIRST

of 25,000 men
had crossed
out
1807, and had advanced with-

army

the 18 October

the gates of Lisbon. Before his arrival

to
difficulty
there,the royal familyof Portugal and all the principal
families of the kingdom had embarked
the fleet,
with
on
all of their valuables,
and sailed for Brazil.
On the first day of March
1808, Napoleon notified the
Court

of Madrid

of his intention

to

all of

annex

Spain

Empire. At the same

time he offered to the SpanishMonarchy, by way
of compensation,
all of Portugal.
The King was
by this
stupefied
but did not dare to make any open opposition.
proposition,
In great secrecy he made
ample
preparationsto follow the exof the royalfamilyof Portugal and flee to America.

north

But

of the

the

Ebro

in

news

to

some

the

French

leaked

way

out

and

there

was

in which
the troops joined,to oppose
popular uprising,
the departureof the royalfamily.The
King, terrified by

the

tumult, abdicated

took the

the

in favor of his son, who

the Seventh.

crown

of Ferdinand

name

The

whether
this abdication would
questionnow
was,
be recognizedby Napoleon. A French army
under
Murat
was
alreadyadvancing on Madrid, and on the 24 March
The new
it entered the city.
King made his entry the same
day, and as the populationimagined that the Emperor was
the allyof the new
the French troops received
sovereign,
a

welcome.

warm

Charles, who

Emperor

at

was

the

that his abdication

had

been

forced

wrote

the

upon

him,

for assistance in

recoveringhis throne. At the

time, Ferdinand also appealed;and on the tenth of
same
Aprilhe set out to meet the Emperor at Bayonne, where
had alreadybeen summoned.
Charles and his queen
Napoleon at this time was at the chateau of Marrac at
Bayonne, where he was joined by the Empress on the
Charles and his wife arrived three daj'^s
27 April.Here
later,accompanied by Godoy.
and

asked

Escurial, now

Meanwhile

grave

people,enraged at

events

the

had

treatment

1:2283

happened at
of their

Madrid.

The

on
sovereigns,

THE

NAPOLEON

Westphalia;the

Prince-Primate

the Confederation

of the Rhine.

Franfaiseplayed before
the "CEdipus"
when

Czar, amidst

the
the

true

the

cordial

most

The

all the

actors

princesof

of the Comedie

"parterreof kings."One evening

of Voltaire was
beingperfdRned,

friendshipof

"The
Is

and

the words:

declaimed

Talma

as

FIRST

great

giftof the

applauseof
the

manner

man

gods,"
the

hand

audience, pressedin
of

his former

and

future foe.
To

Josephinehad not been allowed to

the Emperor, and she divined that her divorce
accompany
would
be one
of the subjectsof discussion. In this she was
mistaken. The Czar had two
sisters of a marriageable
not
and Anne. Talleyrand,
age : the grand duchesses Catherine
whom
Napoleon had taken with him, broached the subject
The Czar, while protesting
his earnest
desire
to Alexander.
become
the brother-in-law
of the Emperor, stated
to
franklythat his mother would be stronglyopposed to the
to
was
plan,and that the only way to obtain her consent
satisfythe hopes of Russia with regardto Constantinople.
It is perhaps unnecessary
that Napoleon was
to state
not
willingto pay this pricefor the honor of an alliance with
the Imperialfamily of Russia.
The chief practical
results of the Erfurt conference
can
be

her great

summed

alliance

up

in

to

the

few

Czar;

and

The

words:

continued, though

was

the Danubian

terms;

with

regret,

on

Franco-Russian

somewhat

strained

Principalities
were
ceded
reluctantlyconhe was
given a free hand in dealing

Sweden.

For

himself

Napoleon had gained nothing except a

breathing spellduring which he could proceed,without
danger of immediate
interference,to the regulationof
affairs in Spain. It was
nothing less than a diplomatic
defeat. He also made
mistake in takingTalleyrand
a great
with him. This unprincipled
minister had alreadybegun
to

turn

againsthis

master,

and
230

he embraced

the oppor-

SPAIN

tunityto giveAlexander
detrimental

very

When
with
to

the

to

Joseph arrived

him

later

was

to

July 1808 he brought

also capable ministers

in

Madrid

at

with the best of intentions

came

prove

Emperor.

constitution and

new

it. He

execute

advice which

raise

to

and
heightsof power
kingdom to new
of it. Their
splendor.But the peoplewould have none
of
national pride had been wounded
by the treatment
their legitimate
fervor had
and their religious
sovereigns,
been aroused by Napoleon'saction in robbing the Pope

the

decadent

The

of his throne.

Treaty

nation

ratification

"refused

the

to

of

man.
as
one
Bayonne" and sprang to arms
The revolt spread with furious rapidity.
Before the end
of July Joseph was
compelled to abandon his capitaland

withdraw
The

behind

the Ebro

Spaniards had

the entire French

with

sent

to

messengers

army.

London

ask

to

gal.
August Englishtroops landed in Portuthat month
Junot was forced to capitulate,

and
assistance,

in

The last of

honorable to the French army.

most
although on terms
When
Napoleon left Bayonne in July he had felt no
doubt that the revolt in Spain would
be put down,
soon
of the next
and he was
not
a littledisturbed
by the news
it was
For the sake of his own
months.
two
sary
necesprestige
crush this rebellious

to

his brother

Spain

the throne.

to

himself
of

veterans

with

an

easy

therefore

Grand

which

to

was

to

in failure. He

him

cost

to

was

kind

of national

Now

he

baffllehim
300,000

resolved

restore
enter

to

invincible

the

Friedland.

the untrained

over

success

and

once,

Army,

embarked
lightly

levies.Napoleon
resources,

He

Austerlitz,
Jena and

Confident of

war,

the

at

movement

at

on

every

valuable

this
stage,

Spanish
five years'

to

drain his

lives,and

for the firsttime the

encounter

end

to

same

uprisingwhich during the Revolution

had made
France
hosts of
invincible againstthe armed
had been waged with governEurope.His previouswars
ments
armies.
which relied for their defence on professional
was

die rather

to

than

face
to

whole

submit

to

nation
the

I 231 3

in

arms,

invader.

resolved
The

to

Spanish

NAPOLEON
was
rising

THE

be the first of

to

which

movements

At Saint Helena

popular,national
Napoleon's undoing.
prove
the
was
Spanishulcer which

said,"It

he

series of

to

were

FIRST

ruined me."

"

land, so fatal to French arms, deserves a

peculiar
The Pyrenees,which separate France
of description.
Spain,except at the two ends near the Bay of Biscay

This
word
from
and

Mediterranean, for

the

then

crossed

only by

from

France

starts

Vittoria

to

and

at

runs

through Burgos

to

distance

mule

of 250 miles,were
The
main
highway

tracks.

Bayonne,
thence

Madrid.

via

the

crosses

Miranda
central

The

on

is barren, the fertiledistricts lyingnear

Madrid

is
the

Ebro

the

plateau of

country

From

mountains

the

the

coasts.

centre.
poUticalrather than a commercial
capitalradiate highways leadingto the principal
a

cities.
In the parts of Europe where
Napoleon had conducted
his previous campaigns the rivers and mountains
had

prescribedthe strategy, but in Spain geography was

in
ran
againsthim. Both the rivers and the mountains
the wrong
his path. The
direction,rightacross
country
too

was

to

poor

were

designedfor the

the

it

not

was

country

was

It

and

was

the

means

country

of

munication
com-

admirably

difficultfor the offensive.

valleysbetween the successive mountain

for large armies to operate, and
easy
well adapted for guerrilla
warfare. As

wiselv_said,
Henri_Puatre
starve,

and

army,

defensive,very

and

In the passes
ranges

an
support
execrable.

"In

Spain large_armies will

smalTones wijlget beaten."_NapQleon-4vas

to

leariithi"JessQiL"JQQ_late.
By the end of October, Napoleon had over 200,000 men
ready to march into Spain.About 100,000 had been taken
from Italyand southern France, and the corps of Victor,
Ney, Mortier, Lannes and Soult had been brought back
from Germany, leavingonly 100,000
the
troops across
Rhine.
As

soon

as

the

Erfurt

conference

232

was

over

Napoleon

SPAIN
for

out

set

Spain,arrivingat Bayonne

the third of

on

posted on the
road from Bayonne to the Ebro. It comprised the
of Soult,Victor and Ney, the Guard, and the cavalry
The

November.
main
corps

centre

then

was

Bessieres,in all about 75,000

under

reserve

French

men.

Burgos and interpose

flank forces. Immediately on
two
The small Spanish
his arrival the troops were
set in motion.
forces were
easilyscattered,but small guerrillabodies
advance
formed
in the rear
of the French
and seriously
hampered the system of communications.
Napoleon appeared
Napoleon'splan was
between the enemy's

to

before Madrid
the

day. He

cityon

then

on

to

the second

of

barded
December, bom-

third,and entered it the following

the

made

advance

the Guard

have

to

arrangements

three corps at Madrid

by the middle of the
only Soult and Moncey would be detached.
time the corps of Junot and Mortier
frontier to joinhim.
In

the

Moore

had

heard
and

meantime

Ney's

held him

back

then returned
Soult

to

to

and

to

off Moore's

cut
soon

as

made

Madrid

deal with

left Madrid

he

in front. As

he turned

Moore

Moore.

fell into the hands

celebrated

Soult

the Guard

with

retreat, while

learned of his

pursued Moore

poems

another
would

with

war

series of
soon

was

French.

of the
in the

be

situation that

called back

in

Sir

as

even

held

out

withdrew

233

by
look

the

as

Moore

John

the

of the

one

felt
men

so

of

menace

back

hope

30,000

the Rhine.

far

Madrid, and when

France

to

He
completelypacified.

he

danger,

Englishlanguage.

Austria, he could
which

successes

Soult

back
of the British army
Ferrol with all their supplies

reinstated his brother

Napoleon
in January he

same

the
crossing

killed,and his burial has been described in

most

on

be

the

good his escape. The Emperor

with the Guard, leavingNey and

the coast, and drove the remnant

their ships.Corunna
and
upon

was

At

under
Sir John
English army
towards
Burgos. When
Napoleon

movement

corps

month, while

the

advanced

of this

would

and

upon

that
sure

Spain
of the

for service

NAPOLEON

THE

FIRST

During the few weeks that Napoleon stayed in Madrid

he was
constantlyoccupied with plans for the upbuilding
abohshed
the Inquisition;
He
of the country.
also the
remains
which

of the feudal

also the tariff bdftndaries

system;

shut off provincefrom

province.He

also closed

two-

thirds of the monasteries.

Probably Napoleon, if he had had the opportunity,

would
institutions
have
so
firmly established the new
that they would have finally
taken root, and Spain to-day
would
be a far more
progressiveState, but time was
and

necessary,

time

he

could

January 1809 Napoleon left this

could have conquered,which
he
and which
him
23

destined

was

300,000

January

men

he

was

and
at

to

never

to

Empire. He

five Marshals

n 2343

was

the

i8

he alone

which

country

ruin his

Paris.

On

command.

not

see

again,

left behind

of France.

On

the

NAPOLEON
But

THE

FIRST

impressionthis

whatever

news

have

may

made

on

Emperor, the consideration of Austria's attitude was

leave Spain.
of greater weight in determining him
to
During his absence that Power had been pushingfbrward
and appeared determined
its militarypreparations
upon
his
of
and
With
most
veteran
deeply
Napoleon
war.
troops
in the Spanish undertaking,Austria
involved
thought
the

that

the

army

of immediate

in favor
argument
could be maintained

spring.The subsidies which

England had been promised only

visit

to

refused

to

Frederick

Court,

Czar

the

William

was

certainlyhad
this time

Davout

organize

withdrew
ordered

and
a

two

hoped

his

on

mencement
com-

for

sistance
as-

from

return

This

state

to

the

Vienna

all these

courageme
dis-

Napoleon

was

ahead.

go

what

to

of

stand

stillsincere in his

was

Notwithstanding
extent

to
Paris,
plans before his return
enough information to put him on his
he had only 90,000 men
in Germany,
He immediately took steps
Oudinot.

of 160,000 young
recruits. He
divisions and the Guard
from Spain and

new

army

which

and

proceed

garrisonsin
at

the

actuallyat Lyon

Peninsula,was

sent

the Rhine

called

was

for Davout

were

Oudinot

called back

their way

on

fortresses and

Bamberg.

was

were

from

with

with
was

on

to

to

45,000

ordered

Spain, and

30,000

men

en

Strasbourg.The

to

there

to

Germany.

to

Napoleon's first orders

was

also

depressingto

decided

troops

some

face about

Lannes

actual

of the Austrian

guard.At
to

the

peace.

that the Czar

impossibleto

advised

under

the

very

Austria

but he

upon

from

Petersburg had positively

in warlike operations,
and strongly

France.

friendshipfor
It is

asked

Saint

at

it showed

as

been

Prussia,but the King

take any part

Austria
to
preserve

advised

had
had

of hostilities.Austria
from

action,for the
complement only

its full

at

until

recover

was

Her
another

her lost sessions.

possituation
furnished

to
opportune
desperate financial

moment

mobilize

1:2363

leave

good

to

dezvous
ren-

men

to

Augsburg,

Massena, who
route

for the

Confederation

of

By

the

30,000

men.

WAGRAM
of March

end

the

Emperor

counted

Bavaria,while the Guard

troops
The Archduke Charles,who had
in

in

charge of

supreme

Napoleon, and

raise

he

consisted of

army

done

Ferdinand

to

soon

been

divided

men,

head

two

active

Charles

were

into Bavaria

debouch

at

Italy,while
the remaining

in

corps

Poland

invade

made

the French

on

under

corps

ready to
to

months

well. The

his work

300,000
corps. Seven

was

140,000
be there.

capableof competing with

over

Ratisbon; John
was

force

had

into ten
system
assembled
in Bohemia

would

for many
militarymatters, had

Austrian

effort to

having

on

with

corps.

In

order

an

issued

Emperor placed

Paris the

from

charge of operations,and
indicated to him the generalplan he was
until
to
pursue
he himself should reach the front. The key-note of this
order,which the Emperor sounded
again and again,was,
"Should

the Austrians

behind

the

course

the

Lech."

advance

an

with

Berthier

March, the

last of

French

in

attack,the
the word

By

into Bavaria

forces.

is to

army

"attack"

concentrate

he

of

meant

with the intent of attacking

Nothing

could

be clearer. Armed

these

verbal

orders,which no doubt were

supplemented by
instructions,Berthier left Paris the last day of

March

and

On

the

the final

arrived

Strasbourgon the fourth

eighthof Aprilthe Emperor issued the
organizationof the army. There were

of

at

April.

order

for

be six

to

Lannes, Davout, Massena,

Lefebvre, Augereau and Bernadotte, the cavalry reserve
under
in
Bessieres,and the Guard, about 300,000 men
under

corps

the command

of

all.
The
under

the

colors,with

100,000

skill

quite apart,

it

with

Napoleon
The
superiority.

the

levies were

total Austrian

in command
enemy

field of battle

thousand

Having

was

as

also about
landwehr
about

the

an

in

300,000
reserve.

tary
Mili-

match, but

even

French

men

had

marked

always regarded his presence on

of fifty
equal to an army
corps

men.

learned

at

Paris

late

C 237 3

on

the

12

Aprilthat

the

NAPOLEON

Austrians had
started
that

crossed the Inn

for the

time

THE

front

"telegraph"or

semaphore

from
Strasbourg,

stations
On

to

tenth, the Emperor

morning.

next

transmitted

in central and
on

the

on

daylightthe

at
were

messages

FIRST

by

stations which

which

number

had

southern

Germany
place there were

At
of

bten

tablished
es-

all converging

forty

some

Paris.

his arrival

Donanworth

the

morning of the
17 April the Emperor learned with dismay that Berthier
had blundered
terriblyin carrying out his orders. The
stood substantially
in one
body in front of Landenemy
shut,on the Isar,while the isolated French left wing under
Davout
in danger of beingcut off at Ratisbon less than
was
thirtymiles to the north; the French rightwing at Augsburg
miles away
was
equally isolated,and the
seventy
could easilyhave
been pierced.As
centre
sparsely-held
prehension
Jomini says, "twenty campaigns had impressed no comof strategy on Berthier." Instead of being concentrated
the army
was
widely scattered in the face of the
"Is there any wonder," asks Dodge, "when
the
enemy.
the Emperor was
nearest
obtuse, that Napoleon's
man
so
method
of war
so
new
long remained a puzzle?
The
from
only thing which saved the French
army
at

on

"

disaster

Archduke's

the

was

and his

of caution.

excess

formidable

of his

awe

Fortunatelythe

ponent
op-

Emperor

Despitethe dangerous situation there was

Almost
any other general
yet hope in speed and purpose.
fall back by way
of the
would
have ordered Davout
to
that
north bank of the Danube, but the Emperor assumed
arrived in time.

bold

front

directed

the

was

march

to

on

safest

the south

ready for attack. At the

was

ordered

to

start

Owing
Ingolstadt.
thus

recovered

to

the

defence, and

in

same

in battle order

bank

time Massena
and

lightorder

the Archduke's

orders

he

wrote

in his

C 2383

march

turned

initiative and

own

and

towards

the
a

Emperor
dangerous

his master-mind
In

was

Augsburg

at

slowness

into the offensive.In one

day
position
conditions.
the
completely changed
Massena's

Davout

had

postscriptto
hand: "Activity!
a

WAGRAM

Activity!
Speed!" What
with which the marshals
directions he

accurate

he could

but

and
with

not

feared

Napoleon in

It would

march.

Had

venture

on

Charles

pushed

Napoleon back
act
as
quicklyas

to

the

to

in with

Rhine,

his great opponent,

bold manoeuvre

his front.

be tedious

to

to

attempt

followed. Even

operationswhich
records
But

their

the conditions and

and

see

he

the speed
his orders,added to the
was

driven

have

vigorhe might

executed
gave

divined

then have

even

the situation

saved

and

the

give in

reliable

most

best historians do

the

detail the

not

temporary
con-

agree.

the strategy and the grand-tactics

are
plain.Charles
been decisively
out-manoeuvred.
Whereas
Landat

had

shut he had
which

centre

his

line

been

concentrated

he could

oppositethe

brushed

have

away

weak

like

French

cobweb,

long and scattered. There was a gap

between
the Austrian
right and left wings, held by a
slender cordon
of troops which the French could dislodge
in two.
and cut the army
had the precise
Napoleon now
and he was
not
opportunitywhich Charles had neglected,
slow to take advantage of it. "And
yet,"says Dodge, "the
Archduke
with Wellingwas
a soldier of high rank,perhaps,
ton,
the strongest of his contemporaries,
the
except when
him and
giganticpersonalityof Napoleon overshadowed
robbed him of the push and purpose
he reallypossessed."
In the four days from the 19 to the 22 Aprilthe Emperor
his offensive moveabandon
to
ment
compelled the Archduke
which had hardly begun and to retire to the north
bank of the Danube.
Never
before had Napoleon acted
own

with

intense energy,
had he
nor
his troops and obtained such

was

than
he
in
the

was
a

now

more

upon

He

was

always

proud

more

ever
a

made

such calls

splendidresponse.

of this series of

manoeuvres

On the twelfth of April

of any other he conducted.
in Paris; four days later he was
at the front,and

short week

he

in

two

enemy

two

won

and

battles

isolated

Abensberg,which

the

Austrian

cut

left,and

He considered
Eckmiihl,which broke the Austrian right.
these operationsinfinitely
superiorto those of Marengo,

239

NAPOLEON
and the

FIRST

brilliant and able of his career.

most

have

might

THE

said:

Like Caesar he

"vent,vidi,vici."

In his "Proclamation

the

to

issued the 24 April

that a hundred
pieces

Army"

Emperor stated
of cannon,
forty flags,and fiftythousand prisone*had
been captured.In conclusion he said,"Before a month
we
mistaken. He was
shall be in Vienna." The Emperor was
at

Ratisbon

the

there in three weeks

campaign Napoleon for the last time showed all

of^the days of Italy.
He was
the activity
always in motion,
always present at the important point,hardly giving an
In this

instant

rest

to

capacityfor
Napoleon

delay his
of

Napoleon
a

to

in

On

Vienna, which
days later.

of

three

but

dorf

the
had

a river in the face of the enemy.

is equallydifficult to resist,
and

it was

course,

Down
in

rivers

kind

mountains
opens

small and

to

held

were

Bavaria,

surrendered

won

this time

army.

the Floridsit had

been

enemy

time

crossings.'
the

passage

And

yet the operation

priorto the Great War,

force along their

in

of

means

Austrian

bridgeby a ruse de guerre,

destroyed.Every day's delay would give the
to
fortifythe positionsoppositeall the known
is more
difficult than
No
operationin war
of

to

the tenth

the

was

would

decided

therefore

rightbank.

It will be recalled that in 1805 Murat

the

many

which

after Charles had invaded

front

feeble defence

He

the

were

Bohemia

Napoleon's chief preoccupationnow

attack
to
so
as
crossingthe Danube

when

his

to

pursuingCharles

There

Danube.

Vienna.

along

month

stood

the

positionsin

route

May, justone

after

of

advance

the old

follow

bounds

no

the idea of

abandoned

soon

defensive

excellent

were

work.

left bank

along the

There

food.

or

entire

generallysuccessful.
within

few miles of Vienna

of

on

either

out

into

gorge,

several

Below
crossings.

with

its channel

the Danube
narrowed

flows

by

side,but just above the citythe

series of

arms

the

nel
chan-

containingnumerous
largeislands,aff'ording
placesfor
many
Vienna
there is one
very large island,
a

240

er

-^M^*

_.

Tl

vj

'=t'.^#^^.\
^wm.

^,

^KT

laa

i^g^

"I

21^"22"'fMiiy1800.

STA

LF.

WAGRAM
hke a pear, and in dimensions
Lobau, shaped somewhat
nearlythree miles east and west, by a littleless north and
south. Lobau is separatedfrom the south bank by several
other largeislands,
the main current,
which runs
among
much
shallower and slower at this pointthan above the
built here,one
city.Two bridgeswere
1500 and the other
800 feet in length.
Between the island and the north bank
the

is less than

arm

described

as

fortress with

afforded shelter for

Lobau

feet wide.

400

broad

thus

may

be

in front. It

moat

largeforce,and seemed to be the

available point for crossing.
most
The
main
built
bridge,in three sections,which was
under the supervisionof Massena, was
composed of big
of
freightboats, found at the city wharves, which were
various sizes and called for much
adjustment.It was also
difficultto

anchor

swollen

now

the

by

them

in the swift

the melted

from

snow

which

current

was

the mountains

at

source.

As

1805, Napoleon had made

Schonbrunn, but on the 19 May he
dorf

in

On

river

the

from

to

Kaiser

oppositeLobau
wide, slightlyrollingplain.About

the left bank

Marchfeld,

went

headquarters at
Ebers-

proceedings.

watch

to

his

of the
about

river

lies the
a

mile

far apart are

situated the
The curtain connectingthe
Essling.

and

as

of Aspern and
villages
two
placeswas an inconsiderable depressionin the ground
embanked
and a slightly
road, which gave very little if
different with the two
But it was
any defensive strength.
which formed natural bastions. Aspern,which was
villages,
much
the larger,
boasted of two
streets, while Esslinghad
and were
Both were
but one.
rounded
sursolidlybuilt of stone
to
keep out high floods
by low embankments
from

the

river. Each

form

of

buildingsof

Aspern

the church

formed

In
and

sort

very

had

and

there

was

enclosure farther

strong

reduits

in the

substantial construction.

the cemetery
of citadel from which

EssHng

walled

of them

241

at

the

the

streets

largegranary
west.

western
were

in the

In
end
filaded.
en-

centre

NAPOLEON

By

noon

shore
a

completed,and

pontoon

thrown

was

Other
Essling.
conflicting
reports
that at
light-horse

ascertain what

to

in front. He

was

do

of

holding them

to

was

Dodge

cross.

and

that the

But

this

The
the

that

says

numbers
The

force. At

had

movements,

midday

on

The
who

Austrians

under

is hard

rode

to

thing
capable

time

to

given,
explain.

correct.

Vienna

at

French

and

and

in

105,000

been

closelywatching
plans to wait until

laid his
and

materials

then

to

attack

for

it in

advance

breaking the bridges

collected.

numbered

Massena

were

the Austrian
twenty-first

the

began. The necessary

had previouslybeen

had

crossed

had

had

army

be

to

110,000

who

force

this effect

to

seem

about

Archduke,

of their army

part

of the

rest

opposing forces

of the

neighborhoodwere
French

with
villages

not

himself

the essential

that

neglecton Napoleon's part

does

miles

ten

Massena.

orders

no

about

Emperor

the

the clock

that the Austrian

Russbach

show

two

until the

statement

Austrians.
the

the

occupy

mounted

himself

and

Bessieres,Lannes
will
A glance at the map
with

to

cavalrypassed

the

Aspern, and satisfied

was
encamped along the
army
to the northeast. At
daybreak
out

the north

to

arm

divisions of

two

of

tower

narrow

afternoon

same

ground between A* em
troops followed during the night.Such
were
brought in by the reconnoitring
midnight the Emperor sent Massena

and

over

the

across

the south

bigbridgefrom

six o'clock the

possessionof

took

and

FIRST

the

at

Bessieres with

and

over

the twentieth

on

was

shore

THE

at

about

Aspern

80,000

and

to

Lannes

40,000
at

French,

Esslinghad

occupiedand stronglyfortified these two natural redoubts.

Napoleon'splan was to hold on to these two strong flank
and thus gain time for his remaining divisions to
positions
debouch
The
was

into the Marchfeld.

brunt

taken

of the first day's battle fell on

and

in the

Esslingwere
Early in

retaken

several

times, and

of the Austrians.

hands

Aspern, which
at evening remained

Their

attacks

on

less successful.
the

day

rapid rise of
C 242 3

the

waters

in the river

WAGRAM

bridge,but by midnight it
enable one
cavalry and four

main

seriouslydamaged the

restored to
sufficiently
infantrydivisions,
making a

was

When

the

battle

total of 30,000
resumed
the
on

was

to

men,

cross.

followingday.

Napoleon detailed three divisions to recapture and hold

while the Guard
Aspern,and sent two to reinforce Essling,
and two
infantryand three cavalry divisions formed the
seized
At three o'clock in the morning, Massena
centre.
pulsed
Aspern by a sudden attack,while Lannes at EsslingreAt seven,
the Emperor
Austrian columns.
two
launched

his

which

centre

centre

in

began

to

waver

personalefforts of
About
had

unable

to

day.

At

that the

that Davout

and

down

that

cross

only rallied by

was

learned

Napoleon

broken

more

and

the Austrian

upon

the

the Archduke.

nine o'clock

once

attack

strong

one

o'clock

bridges

would

he

ordered

be
a

by Massena
did not
who
retire from Aspern and Esslinguntil three
he finally
withdrew
o'clock the followingmorning, when
to the island with the Guard, unpursued,and
destroying
the pontoon
bridgesbehind him.
The fightingof the French had been beyond words to
praise,and Charles,who had reallyput in his last man,
with the laurels alreadywon.
was
obligedto rest content
in numbers
With overwhelming superiority
he had fought
what
drawn
battle with his great opwas
a
practically
ponent,
but which
would
almost certainlyhave been a
French victory,
if Davout's
had been able to cross.
corps
retreat

to

Lobau.

The

retreat

covered

was

In the face of these facts the historians hostile

have

claimed

Towards
with

his

it

removed

to

necessary

to

was
was

bore the
he died

the end of the battle

ricocheted

struck

off the

week

Lannes, who
on

the knee

ground justin

sitting

was

by

cannon

front of him.

and the surgeons

decided that
his rightleg.The Marshal
amputate

the

rear

He

removed

Vienna, where
from infection of the wound, which in
later,

operationwell.
a

Napoleon

defeated.

was

legscrossed,was

ball which
He

that he

to

was

to

those days before the discoveryof antiseptics

was

243

difficult

THE

NAPOLEON

FIRST

the first of the marshals to lose his

prevent. He was
life.At Saint Helena
the Emperor said: "Lannes
was
a

to

finitely
inextraordinarybravery.As a generalhe was
and Soult." Napoleo^was
superiorto Moreau
much
affected by his death, which he regardedas a great
personalloss.
At three o'clock on the morning of the 23 May, in a
Napoleon and Berthier made in a
raging thunderstorm
the still rising
small boat the perilouspassage
across
of

man

of the Danube

waters

from

Lobau

to

Ebersdorf.

Here

the

Emperor is said to have sleptfor twenty-fourhours. This

is not probable in his case
although he had had littleif
sleepfor two days and had been all the time in the
any
thick of the fight.
modern
manders,
comNapoleon, unlike some
in the habit of conductingoperations
not
was
from a bomb-proof chateau many
leaguesfrom the front.
operationsin Italybegan duringthe
John arrived on the
April,after Archduke
The

defeated

was

diero

east

back

scene.

the Piave

across

in

Eugene
to

Cal-

where

of Verona

Campaign

in the

thrown

and

second week

of

Napoleon met his only reverse

no
Italy.John pursued but made

already known that the Archduke

Charles had been driven from Bavaria, and John received
further attack. It

orders

to

but when
he

and

His

retreat.

first intention

was

to

retire

slowly,

Napoleon'srapidadvance on Vienna
followed by Eugene
march. He was
closely

he heard

liastenedhis

was

of

Macdonald.

employed the next few

Aspern both commanders
days in callingup reinforcements. Charles ordered two
fall back to Prescorps to joinhim, and directed John to
burg.Napoleon drew in Bernadotte and Vandamme, and
into Hungary to contain
sent
Eugene and Macdonald
the Archduke
John. Vigorouslypursued by the Viceroy,
John on the 14 June took up a positionfor action on the
again worsted and
heights southeast of Raab, but was
After

244

": 1

'"J^'ki,^July
S

"^

IT

ECT

French

OiT

2-6"?

i^^^

Au-ttriaiiH

^E

i_

1809.
JULY

lufjuitry

ifil.-s.
T.nfcliwli

+W4

Ai-lill

rj "^

NAPOLEON

THE

FIRST

Napoleon sent his army across

by the southern
the following
extremityof the Stadler branch. By noon
day, incredible as it may seem, his whole army of about
secrecy,

150,000

men

During the

of the Daffiibe.

in line of battle north

was

firstfive

days

of

July,punctual to a moment,
the four corps of Davout, Marmont, Eugene and Wrede
had' all come
and joinedNapoleon
up by forced marches
the Lobau.

at

When

the

field numbered

arrived the Austrians

of battle

day

the

on

againstNapoleon's 170,000
main body of the Austrians was

110,000

men.

Finding that the

sembled
asbehind the Russbach
six miles
at Wagram
some
Napoleon decided to advance into the Marchfeld.
away
This movement
was
completed about six o'clock,and
notwithstandingthe lateness of the hour, the Emperor
ordered an immediate
attack on Wagram in order to pierce
Austrian

the

about

line which

miles. His

ten

tactical

but he wanted

time

had

The

to

strike home
the

front

not

was

of

plete,
com-

before the Archduke

however

attempt

battle

the

on

failed.

followingday

of Austerlitz. The

those

to

over

deployment

The

of
grand-tactics
very

were

to

concentrate.

similar

extended

was

Archduke

designedan envelopingattack from both wings.The right

towards
wing under Klenau advanced
Aspern with the
Lobau
and
idea of cuttingthe French
line of retreat
to
Vienna.

Massena

him. At the
started

out

same

to

ordered

was

to

incline

time the Austrians

Davout

drive back

to

the left to

left under

on

meet

Rosenberg

the French

right so

approach of Archduke
John
arrive
This
from Presburg.
who
ment
movewas
expected to
failed and Rosenberg fell back again.
Then Napoleon ordered Davout
to advance
againstthe
as

clear the road for the

to

left which

Austrian

wing
As

at

soon

he rolled up

Eylau it stood
as

the

at

task, he formed the

column, supportedby a

againstthe

rightanglesto

Austrian

lOO-gun

centre.

It

had

accomplished

of Macdonald

corps

was

c 246 n

Russian

its earlier position.

that Davout

Emperor saw

his

until like the

into

solid

battery,and launched
like

blow

it

in the solar

WAGRAM

plexusand

the enemy
reeled from the shock. This decided
the battle,and by two
o'clock the Austrians were
in full

Charles had

retreat.

stillten

was

corps

The

on.

Emperor
Guard, over

the

miles away
and
stillhad in reserve
20,000

cautious,deemed
no

in all his men,

put

to

disorganizedarmy

means

conduct

of the battle had

could

John's small

not

corps

run

and

always
by

was

his beaten

preserve

and

be counted

Marmont's

Charles, who

men.

it wiser

and

but

further risk. His

no

been excellent.

although a victoryfor Napoleon, was

by no
decisive as Austerlitz or Jena.The Emperor has
means
as
been criticized for not
with more
pursuing the enemy
exhausted. They had
were
vigor,but both he and his men
had littleor no sleepfor two
days and had been fighting
for nearlythirtyhours. The July day had been excessively
Wagram,

hot, and the

The

three marshals
Murat

and

Massena

had

absent:
dead.

days

two

from

the
and

so

the command
There

by

up
a

his left into

and

by

chose

the

had

who

Lasalle

was

commanded

horse shot under

the fallthat he had

retreat

where

furnish him
best
been

to

cut

to

open
he could

Moravia, and

Prague would
Napoleon it was
Wagram had

Charles

leader

to

turn

him
over

subordinate.

on

where
For

Guard

Hungary

centre

cavalry

Bessieres
victory.

three lines of

were

back of his

of

the Old

to

water.

led the

brilliant

moment

shaken

for lack of

pursuitafter Jena were

in Spain and Lannes
was
Ney were
been injuredby a fall from his horse
conducted
the operations
of his corps

caleche. His

cavalryof
was

who

before and

killed in the

much

suffered

had

men

to
a

the Archduke:

joinhis brother;
his righton Bohemia,
base rich in supplies.

Charles

off from

Hungary,

with

this end

in view.

fought

latter alternative and

retired towards

days after the battle he proposed an

armistice which Napoleon immediately accepted.
In the Treaty of Schonbrunn
signed the 14 October
The Emperor Francis
terms.
Napoleon dictated his own
and Austrian
gave
up his only remainingseaport, Trieste;
Poland was
added to the Grand
Duchy of Warsaw, and

Znaim.

Here

five

n 247 3

THE

NAPOLEON

Salzburg to Bavaria.
half subjects,
Austria

Besides
had

to

FIRST

losingthree million and a

pay an indemnity of eighty-

five million francs.

had

Napoleon

learned

never

Great, "Never

of old Frederick

the

halves."

only

"The

Rose, "were,
crush

to

or

he

as

his

blow."

have

by
friendship

the earth

to

If

Napoleon

Russia,with

her extensive

importance in

more

Austria.

He

of Alexander

had

father-in-law

have

insured

stillthe

seacoast,

not

rise
been

to
as

generationslater,

two

his future

allywho would
thought was
paramount

his

this time

at

after Sadowa

converted

treatment,

generous

that he could

so

firm friend and

but

alternatives,"says

statesman-Hke

Bismarck

was

might

win

him

deal another
wise

to

follow the sage Advice

maltreat an enemy
by

to

into

his

dynasty,
Englishvendetta.

seemed

to

him

of

far

his Continental

locked
System than landtherefore preferredthe uncertain alliance
the almost certain friendshipof
to

Francis.
At Vienna

partingof
longer had
advise

in the

of

summer

1809 Napoleon

stood

at

the

the ways
and he took the wrong
path. He
the level-headed
Talleyrandby his side

no

to

him.

When
arrived
in the

Napoleon left Paris on the 13 April he was

companied
acby Josephineas far as Strasbourg,where they
the sixteenth at four o'clock in the morning,
on
almost incrediblyshort time of three days. The

fastest express now

takes nine hours to make
the run
of
312 miles. At Strasbourgthey said adieu and the Emperor

immediately

crossed

the

Rhine,

for several weeks.

sent

Josephine from

his health

and

his

time

mained
Empress reDuring the campaign Napoleon
time brief notes
to
tellingof

movements

while

very

"

the

different from

burning letters of his first campaign. The

anxietyof Josephineaffected her health and
went

month

to

Plombieres
later when

victoryof Wagram

to

take

the

waters.

She

she received the letters

and

the

truce

n248 3

the

increasing
in June she
was

there

announcing the

of Znaim.

She would

WAGRAM
have

liked

join the Emperor

to

her that the weather

to

Malmaison.

Marie

He

Walewska

was

enjoyingthe societyof

was

and

did

not

the

to

go

lovely
of his

for the company

care

wrote

advised her

hot and

very

he

Vienna, but

at

wife.
the 15 October before
Napoleon left Schonbrunn
on
of the final ratification of the treaty of
receivingnews
and proceeded to Munich.
From
there he sent
a
peace
courier

to

eveningof
have

to

with

the

the

such

Court

speed

pass

one

no

the time

and
On

Josephine'sarrival

afternoon

she had

of the

magnificence.

great

arrived earlier than the other courtiers

princessof

travelled

apartments

new

his fixed determination

marry

he

arrived

except the
he visited the

who

he announced

the

thirtyhours ahead of
conciergeto receive him.

he

chateau,which had been furnished with

To Cambaceres

on

date he wished

which

there. But

in residence

that

Fontainebleau

at

twenty-seventh,on

time and found

To

his arrival

announce

Russia

to
or

repudiateJosephine

of Austria.
late in the

Saint-Cloud

from

from the Emperor;

reception
pleasantand
yet later they dined togetherand he was
almost gay. But at the end of the evening she discovered
that the door of the privatestaircase which communicated
with the apartment
of the Emperor had been closed,and
she knew
then that the divorce was
only a questionof
a

very

cold

time.
More

absolute

and

imperiousthan

more

ever

Napoleon

longerallowed any contradiction in his familyor from

his ministers. Every one
obeyed and kept silent. In the
words of M. Thiers: "His personalaspect had remarkably
changed at this period.From being sombre and thin, as
he was
assured, plein
formerly,he had become
open,
d'embonpoint,without his face beingless handsome.
From
being taciturn he had become a great talker. In a word
his all-powerful
had completely blossomed
nature
out,
no

and

it

was

to

fade

like his

away

fortune, for nothing

stands still."
The

only thingwhich troubled Napoleon

C

249

in the midst

NAPOLEON
of all his
had
He

would

with the divorce this would

she

empire

be remedied.

his choice and

she would

son.

Since

princessof

the

marry

bear him

FIRST

the fact that his immense

was
prosperity

heir. But

no

THE

had

become

Empress,
given
him no cause
for reproach.She was
of sweetness,
a model
of fidelity.
of submission, of resignationand
She endeavored
his
his wishes, to anticipate
constantlyto meet
least desires,
and Napoleon was
reallytouched to see her
affectionate and

so

November

submissive.

so

the Court

When

Josephine had

left Fontainebleau

Josephine was

not

the

fourteenth
of her

informed

yet

of

fate.

Napoleon had not yet spoken, and she still had hope.
They did not make the trip to Paris together as the
of the distance on horseback. On entering
Emperor rode most
the capitalat nightfall,
after an absence of justseven
months, Napoleon stopped at the Elysee to make a short
the King of Saxony who
call on
had arrived the night
,

before,and then
There

went

the Tuileries for dinner.

to

on

regularassembly of crowned heads at

Paris. Besides the King of Saxony, the King of Wiirtemberg,the King and Queen of Holland, the King and Queen
of Westphalia,
and the princesof the Confederation
of the
their court
to pay
to the "sovereignof sovereigns."
Rhine, came
in the presence
It was
of so many
princesthat
was

soon

the cruel sacrifice of the divorce

by

and

irony of

the

brilliant as

at

the

fate the

to

was

Court

that the

moment

be

had

consummated,
been

never

Empress was

to

so

leave

it forever.

Napoleon, usually so
execution, hesitated

prompt
when
the

to

put

moment

his

plans into
approached to

for fourteen years had been associated

brilliant
with his destinyand who recalled the most

break with the wife who

days
came
a

M.

of his
back

heart
de

so

youth
and

and

his

he could

tender

and

Bausset, draws

so

glory.The

not

make

devoted.
this sketch

time of the divorce:

c 2503

charm

up

The
of

of the past
his mind to break
Prefet

du

Palais,

Josephine at

the

WAGRAM
"The
have

Empress

more

was

of

grace

forty-six
years old. No woman
and bearing.Her eyes
manner

could
were

enchanting,her smile full of charm, her voice of an extreme

Her toilettes
softness,her form noble, supple, perfect.
were
always elegant and in perfecttaste and made her
But all this
than she reallywas.
much
younger
appear
as
was
nothing beside the goodnessof her heart. Her esprit
amiable

was

of any
position
say. Her dis-

did she wound

: never

the amour-propre

to
anythingdisagreeable
Devoted to Napoand placid.
leon,
always even
was
his perceiving
she communicated
it,
to him, without
her kindness and goodness."
cided
the Emperor deFinallyon the last day of November

one,

had

never

break

to

scene,

been

she

which

Napoleon
described by M.
and

spectators

Josephinehad
adjoininghis
dishes which

When
He

they

to

to

consent

himself
de

of the

togetherin

Throne

Room

alone

were

as

the

safetyof the

that he counted
a

divorce

to

the

and

the

touched

After

Salon

de

Galerie

Emperor decided
Empire demanded
on

which

and

the first floor

of them

them.

of the

one

Napoleon
on

room

Neither

known

was

actors.
a

memorable

"tragedy,"has

Bausset, who

one

room

This

news.

called

placed before

were

said that the

sacrifice and

fatal

bed-chamber.

the

between

even

dined

into the

went

the

her

to

the

dinner

they
I'Empereur
Diane.

de
to
a

speak.

supreme

the courage
of Josephine
he himself had had great

in making up his mind. At the word "divorce"

difficulty
The
Josephine burst into tears and fell as if in a swoon.
Emperor then called Bausset and they carried the Empress
down

the

and

winding staircase to her apartment

the ground floor. Here
on
they placed her on a sofa,
and, after ringingfor a maid, the Emperor retired with
his eyes

narrow

full of

tears.

the time
Friday evening the 15 December
1809 was
chosen
by the Emperor for the dissolution of his civil
marriage.At nine o'clock all the sovereignspresent at
Paris and all of the grand dignitaries
of the Empire assembled
in the

same

salon where

nasi 3

the

news

of the divorce

NAPOLEON
had

been

and

devotion

THE

FIRST

The Emperor then read an

Josephine.
address in which he spoke of the necessity
for an heir to
the throne and of the loss of hope that he could Jiave
children by his "beloved
the Empress Josephme,"
spouse
which rendered necessary
the dissolution of their marriage.
in which she expressed
Josephinethen read her statement
her willingness
to give this great proof of her attachment
whose

broken

the

who

one

had

francs from

and

She

Malmaison.

at

received

Tuileries

in Paris

at
was

very

the

before the end

of

weeks

in the financial arrangements

he made
wife. He gave
her a million francs for repairs

Malmaison
ordered

and

to

greater

for the

another

her civil list for 1810

him

of the Archbishop

generous

linen,and
courtiers

and
difficult,

so

Pope

immediately followingthe divorce

wrote
Josephine almost every day and visited
gether
day they dined tofrequently.On Christmas
the Trianon, for the last time. The
Emperor

for his former

to

not

was

ask the

body declared his religious

marriage
the ground of "moral
coercion."

During
Napoleon
very

million

that

1810

null upon

her

two

title

the State.

useless to
Emperor knew that it was
recognizethe divorce, but the Chancery

January

to

forever,

kept the

of

allowance

an

The
to

and

she owed

her residence

Empress

her

crowned

everything.
followingday Josephineleft the

take up

of

to

kindness

The
to

to

understand

to

pay

that

pleasurethan

After this the road

to

million

purchase of
advanced

to

silver and
her

from

her debts. He
in

no

way

also gave
his
could they afford

by callingon

Malmaison

with the

was

once

the

Empress.

more

covered

of visitors.
carriages
The firstweek in February Josephinereturned to Paris
to reside at the Elyseewhich
Napoleon had given her for
house. This palace,built in 1718, had been the
a
town
residence of Madame
de Pompadour up to the time of her
death. Condemned
national property
lution
as
during the Revoit was
bought in 1803 by Murat who sold it to
Napoleon in 1808 at the time he became King of Naples.

C 252 3

SEVENTEEN

CHAPTER

1810-1811

MARIE-LOUISE
The

Austrian

Imperial Family
Calls

Napoleon
Contract

Civil

Brussels

"

Its

at

The

Fetes

Zenith

d'Honneur
Guard

Private

Honors

"

Value

"

at

The

"

Napoleon

"

The

"

"

His

after

year

the

child

of the

her

birth,

upon

the

Leopold
France,

was

and

of

married

her
A

father's
sister

cousin
and
son

her

her

and

of

son

of the

de

Paris;

of

the

daughter

Charles

of Comte

It thus

de

Francis-,who
his father

of

was
a

Leopold
the

under

name

the

Francis,
Maria

and

her

the

was

brother

the

Tenth

Theresa

both

on

Louis

daughter

became

Marie-Louise

so

side.
married

French,
and

great

of

mother's

Marie-Clementine,

their

Old

was

She

1791.

Germany

first cousin

of Marie-Therese

King
Comte

death

great-granddaughter

the

was

"

Maria
Empress
the brother
of Marie-Antoinette, Queen
Marie-Caroline, Queen of Naples.
the
eldest
daughter of the Queen of

the

Marie-Therese,

Naples,

Legion
The

Second.

was

and

Emperor

Empire

The

Austria,

of

Archduke

of

to

Men

December

12

eldest

the

Theresa,

the

the

Second, became

of Francis

of

Vienna

at
"

of the

The

"

"

Soldiers

Common

MARIE-LOUISE,
at

Birth

"

Marshals

Archduchess

born

"

"

Ball

Holland

to

the

The

with

Popularity

Visit

"

upon

Marshals

at

"

Ceremony

Appearance
Visit
Forty-one

Schwatzenberg

Baptism

Bestowed

of the

Napoleon's

"

Paris

Alliance'

Abandoned

Negotiations

"

Religious Marriages

and

of Rome

King

Russian

"

Marie-Louise

"

The

"

Hapsburg

the

The
Marriage with Marie-Louise
Her
Personal
Compiegne
at

for

Signed

Vienna
The

Conference

Favors

Josephine

"

wards
Philippe, aftergrandmother of the

Francis
of

wife

married
the

Leopold

of the

of France, and

Due
was

de
the

his

Second,

Berry,
mother

Chambord.

appears,

curious

as

t 2S4

it

may

seem,

that

the

son

EMPRESS

MARIE-LOUISE

MARIE-LOUISE
of

Napoleon

Marie-Louise, the Duke

the Imperialdynasty, the Comte

chief of
head
de

and

of the elder branch

of the

all three descendants

family,were
Maria
Theresa, Empress of Germany,
Marie-Caroline,
Queen of Naples.
What
philosophicalreflections come
the

to

the

of the fate of these three

throne

of

whom

was

France, whose

of the

booming

destined

to

wear

of the

in direct line from

and

her

daughter

the mind

to

when

cousins,all born heirs

birth

of the

cannon

Chambord,

branch

younger

same

thinks

de

Bourbons, and the Comte

Paris, representativeof the

one

of Reichstadt,

announced

was

Invalides,but

none

by
of

crown!

As previouslystated,the divorce

of

Josephinewas first
discussed
the Erfurt meeting in September
officially
at
1807. At that time Napoleon directed Talleyrand and
Alexander
Caulaincourt
sound
to
regarding an alliance
of his sisters. The
with one
was
equally vague
response
and

discreet. But

Catherine

week

after his

aflBanced

was

to

the

home

return

heir

of

the

his sister

Duchy

of

Oldenburg.There could be no doubts in Napoleon'smind

of this event.
to the significance
as
During the two followingyears, although Napoleon had
abandoned
the idea of repudiating
not
by any means
in abeyance. For a long
remained
Josephine,the matter
time past there had existed in France
sire
a very
generaldethat the Emperor should assure
the stability
of the
throne
by contracting a new
marriage and acquiringa
direct heir to his dynasty.To this wish Napoleon was
now
ready to accede.
Neither
Vienna

before

had

Cabinet

there
upon

nor

after the conclusion

been
the

word

of the Peace

exchanged

subjectof

with

matrimonial

of

the Austrian

alliance.

Napoleon's thoughts still turned to the Grand Duchess

Anne, the other sister of the Czar. On the 22 November
l8og, a week before the formal notification to Josephine
of his intentions,the Emperor instructed Champagny,
send a dispatchto
to
the Minister of Foreign AflFairs,
at Saint Petersburg,
Caulaincourt, the French ambassador

NAPOLEON
him
directing
he

"could

two

weeks

count

and

frankly whether

state

that

time

it took

that the divorce

A

to

his sister." At

upon

the last

on

FIRST

courier to go from Paris to Saint Petersburg

Napoleon had received no replyto his demand
for

and
when

the Czar

ask

to

THE

day

of November

was

irrevocablydecided.

month

later,no

answer

in the

meantime

no

he informed

had

yet

had

steps

Josephine

from

come

been

taken

Russia,
towards

negotiationswith Austria. It
remarkable
fact that it was
Josephinewho took
very
initiative.On the second of January 1810 she asked
opening

matrimonial

Comtesse

Metternich

de

to

and

come

see

her

at

is

the
the

Mal-

maison.
Before
then

the

campaign

count,

had
living,
he had

as

the Austrian

much

recalled

to

Vienna

ambassador

both

success

of the world. On

man

Wagram, Metternich, who

his father Prince de Metternich

been

had

of

as

the declaration

but

had

of

plan for

war,

left his wife

de Metternich

of

still

Paris,where

diplomat

the peace
he had been made
Minister
in placeof the bellicose Stadion.

To Madame

at

was

was

and

he had

as

been

in Paris. Since

Foreign Affairs

Josephine said:

"I

have

Emperor to marry your Archduchess. I spoke

about it yesterday,and he repliedthat his choice
to him
had not
made.
But I think that it
yet been definitely
would be if he were
certain to be acceptedby you."
de Metternich, very
much
Madame
surprisedat this
overture,

the

hastened

letter written
The

Russian

communications

to

send

the

news

to

her husband

day.
following
still
awaited,
reply was

in

the

had

been

addressed

to

and

no

official

Austria,when

the

on
Sunday the 21 January 18 10 called
Emperor after mass
of the Empire, to
a meeting of the principal
dignitaries
discuss the respectiveadvantages and disadvantages of
matrimonial
alliance with Russia, Austria or Saxony.
a
clared
deThe arch-chancellor,
Cambaceres, and King Murat
Duchess
for the Grand
Anne; Prince Eugene,
Talleyrand,Champagny, Berthier,and Maret for the

1:2563

MARIE-LOUISE
Lebrun

Marie-Louise, while

Archduchess

favored

the

daughterof the King of Saxony. Napoleon, at the end of

the conference,gave no indication of his own
preference.
teen
By a curious coincidence this discussion took placeseventeenth,
to
a
day after the execution of Louis the Sixyears
of the great-aunt

the husband
It is

strikinginstance

of Marie-Louise.
of human

of the shortness

sight
fore-

marriagewhich was so warmly

advocated
by the ablest of Napoleon's counsellors,as
destined to assure
thp safetyof the Empire, was to be the
of its fall. If he had not
cause
blindlycounted upon the
of his father-in-law Napoleon would certainly
friendship
have undertaken
the disastrous Russian campaign.
never
As he afterwards said himself: his marriage with the archduchess
was
only an abyss covered with flowers.
On the sixth of February a dispatchwas
received from
this Austrian

that

Caulaincourt
obtained
the
age

in which

definite
and

marry,

stated
from

answer

grand duchess,who
to

he

that

he

the Czar. He

was
only fifteen,

was

furthermore

had

that

she

was

not

added

yet

that

yet of

not

an

willing
longer.He

not

change her religion.

Napoleon hesitated no
with Russia, and the
immediately broke off negotiations
same
eveninginquiredof the Austrian ambassador. Prince
de Schwarzenberg,whether
the marriage contract
with
the Archduchess
could be sigried
the next
Marie-Louise
day!
The
ambassador
was
placed in a very embarrassing
He knew that his Court was
favorablydisposed,
position.
but no one had thoughtevents
would move
so
rapidlyand
he had no
definite instructions. Knowing the impatience
of Napoleon, who
wished
be kept waiting,he
never
to
and replied
assumed the responsibility
without hesitation
that he was
ready,and made an appointment with Chamto
sign on the followingday at the Tuileries the
pagny
for the marriage of the Emperor of the French,
contract
to

King

of

Italy,with

Louise. The
was

an

contract,

almost

exact

the Archduchess

which
copy

was

Austria, Marie-

duly signedas arranged,

of the

C 257 3

of

marriagecontract

of

THE

NAPOLEON

Marie-Antoinette

signedfortyyears

of the Tuileries the satisfaction

The

courier

brought the
was

of

one

were

was

the 24

The

news

FIRST

dispatchedby
to

Vienna

surpriserather

universal.

was

Austrian

the

week

than

celebrated

ambassador

later. There

of

raised in any quarter.

made
in the government

February.
marriage was

before. At the Court

the

pleasure.But
The

formal

great

no

jections
ob-

ment
announce-

gazette under

with

feeling

pomp

date of

on

the

Augustins,the Archduke
the Emperor Napoleon. Two
Charles representing
days
her
later the new
journey to Paris.
Empress started on
received by the ladies of
At the Bavarian frontier she was
March

1 1

her

in the Church

future

during the

of the

household, who
remainder

of the

to

were

Marie-Louise
the 23 March
French
arrived at Strasbourgon
for three

as

her

escort

journey.

On

already been

serve

days

at

crossed the Rhine

soil. The

Emperor
Compiegne where

and
had
he

wife. The
impatiencethe arrival of his new
chateau had been repairedand sumptuously refurnished,
of the Imperialfamily had arrived.
and the members
the Emperor and MarieThe formal meeting between
Louise was
to have taken
at a
placewith much ceremony
point between Soissons and Compiegne, but Napoleon
he decided
restrain his impatience.All at once
could not
abandon
the etiquettearranged for the following
to
day
his only companion,
her. With Murat
and rush to meet
as
armorial
caleche without
he entered a modest
bearings,
without
conducted
livery,and set out. It
by a servant
when
they arrived at Courcelles,
was
rainingin torrents
where
the Empress would
stop to change horses. They
from the carriageand took refugefrom the
descended
rain under
the porch of a church
opposite the relaystation. No
in the villageimaginedthat these two
one
the Emperor of the French and
travellers were
unknown
the King of Naples.
of the Empress arrived,
As soon
as the carriage
Napoleon
embraced
rushed to the door, and enteringprecipitately
awaited

with

1:2583

THE

NAPOLEON

He

in his

brusque

less

had

and

manners

far

was

Court

familiar with

become

FIRST

amiable.

more

rules and

etiquette

sovereignwith all the talent and

From
of a born actor.
being taciturn he hadPbecome
ease
of languagewhich surprised
a command
a brilliant talker,with
there was
When
he wished to please,
a
one.
every

played his

and

role of

in his smile which

charm

one

no

could resist.He

endeavored

only to pleasebut to fascinate his young wife. He was

not
only happy, but also proud to be allied with so old
of satisfied
this feeling
and so distinguished
a family,and
of temper,
a gaiety,
a serenity,
pridegave him an evenness
which delightedhis courtiers.
the fifth of
Saint-Cloud
the sovereignswent
From
on
they departed at the end of
Aprilto Compiegne, whence
for a triumphal tour
the month
through the northern
a
long ovation. They were
departments.Their tripwas
accompanied by Jerome and his wife, Caroline, Eugene,
not

Schwarzenberg and Metternich.

During the
Empress spent
near

of their

course

several

days

journey
at

the

the

Emperor

chateau

Brussels,and the Marquise de La Tour

du

of

and

Laeken

Pin, whose

prefectof that city,has given us in her

Recollections
of this visit. She
account
an
interesting
found Marie-Louise
the last
to
stupid and insignificant
degree,absolutelylacking in tact and savoir faire.On the
she was
charmed
with the Emperor, of whom
contrary
she always speaks in the highestterms.
back
On
the first of June they were
Saint-Cloud
at
where they,passed the summer.
The life of Napoleon at
husband

was

then

"

"

this time

was

Fourteenth,the
in

Even

verse.

admirers.

The

Charles,wrote

continual

one
"

Roi

ovation. Never

been
Soleil,"

had

Louis the

flattered in prose or
his
his militaryadversaries had become
most

him

so

all,the Archduke
of the greatest admiration,

illustrious of them
in

terms

in

acknowledgingthe grand cordon of the Legion d'honwhich the Emperor had sent
him, accompanied by
neur,
of chevalier,
of even
a simple cross
greater value, because
he had

worn

it himself.

1:2603

MARIE-LOUISE

During
in honor

the month

of

June

fetes

numerous

given

were

of the

Emperor and Empress.That of the tenth

of June given by the City of Paris was
liant.
brilparticularly
On the fourteenth a magnificentball was
given by
the Princesse Pauline at her chateau of Neuilly.But the
the most
most
beautiful,
imposing
originaland the most
of all was
that of the ImperialGuard in the Champ-deMars.
The

last of these

ball of the

Austrian

the

berg, on

first of

Chaussee-d'Antin.

grand

entertainments

ambassador, Prince de Schwarzen-

July,at

This

was

his hotel in the

the former

de

Montesson, the widow

this lady had been
d'Orleans,to whom
marriage.As the rez-de-chaussee

Marquise

small

to

accommodate

ball-room

Empress
A

had

been

little after

of

midnight

the

the

united

ball

de la

was

of the

old

by

of the hotel

all of the guests, a

built of wood.
The
when

Rue

residence

Due

natic
morgawas

too

largetemporary
Emperor and

all of the haute societe of Paris

and

be the

to

was

were

at

present.

its

height

flimsydecorations of the ball-room caught fire from

candle and the flames spread with terrible
a
flickering
The Emperor, who remained
calm as on the
as
rapidity.
field of battle,urged all the guests to retain their presence
of mind, and
quietlyescorted the Empress out by way
lost their heads
of the gardens.But unfortunatelymany
there were
number
and in the panic which ensued
of
a
the wife of the ambassador.
victims to the flames,including
far as
as
Napoleon, after accompanying Marie-Louise
the

the Place

de la

Concorde, returned

to

the hotel while the

to Saint-Cloud.
on
Empress went
The Emperor remained
the hotel, supervisingthe
at
of rain, until three o'clock
work
there, exposed to a torrent
in the morning.
ness
This catastrophe
of sadproduceda profound impression
throughout the city.Many persons recalled the
the fetes at the time of
calamitywhich had overshadowed
the marriage of Marie-Antoinette
fortyyears before,and
saw

in it

an

omen

of ill-fortune.

1:2613

NAPOLEON
Marie-Louise
The

Empress

dear papa,
The more
and

wrote

when

His

joy

had

Emperor
him

see

you

The

love him."

greater

also very
her father

was

that the

THE

made

the

not

morning

of the

twenty-one
and
one.

streets,

March

20

An

1.

even

coming

nine o'clock

at

crowd

enormous

of the

news

by the thunder
child

fired: if

be

shots would

last there

at

is

happiestday

the

filled with

of

tears

decree
ancient

succeed

to

Romans,

given the

the

was

boy,

one

of the

girl,only
hundred

twenty-second, there is

knows

heir

an

an

that the Emperor has

the

to

in the lifeof

throne

of France.

Napoleon. His

eyes

It

were

joy.

second

custom

the German

the

had made
the
Papal states
cityin the Empire. In imitation
by which the prince destined to
Caesar was
called the King of the

annexing

City the

Eternal

The

was

of the

born

181

If the

Invalides.

the reports. At
explosionof joy: every one

of the

Napoleon

of the Tuileries the

counts

The

apffireciat

you

Suddenly the cannon

began to boom. All the
The carriagesstop in the
in the city are
open.
halt on
the sidewalks. Every
and the pedestrians

windows

was

you,

calumniated.

officialstatement

be announced

would

of the

cannon

son;

more

assure

until late in November.

in the Gardens

birth,which

much

child,so earnestlydesired,was

awaited

one

has been

life.

he learned that his young

wife was
enceinte.
if possibleeven
bounds, and he was
no
more

event

on

this time: "I

at

satisfaction of

before. The

The

in her married

happy

de pres, the

attentive than
was

FIRST

Napoleon had
title of King of

decided

that

his

son

should

be

Rome.

day of his birth the little King of Rome

privately
baptizedat nine o'clock in the eveningin the chapel
of the Tuileries. All of the Imperialfamily and the principal
of the State were
dignitaries
present. The Marquise
de La Tour
du Pin has given in her "Recollections"
a
vivid description
of the scene
:
"We
had had to enter by the Pavilion de Flore and pass
far as the Salle des Mareas
through all the apartments,
chaux. The salons were
full of the dignitaries
of the EmC

262

was

MARIE-LOUISE
and women.
Every one endeavored to be at the
pire,men
edge of the passage-way, kept open by the ushers,where
the procession
to the Chapel.We
was
to pass to descend
the landing
to find ourselves on
so
as
managed to manceuvre
of the stairway.From
this pointwe
enjoyed a very
rare
sight,that of the old grognardsof the Vieille Garde,
arranged in order upon each step, every one wearing the
forbidden to make
his breast. They were
a
cross
upon
but a very vivid emotion was
depictedupon
movement,
their stern
faces,and I saw tears of joy in their eyes. The
Emperor appeared at the side of Mme. de Montesquieu,
who bore the child,
with his face uncovered, upon a cushion
of white satin covered with lace. I had the opportunity
to
obtain a good look at him."
On

the

Throne

March

22

when

the

Emperor

of the Tuileries the great

State,the President of the Senate said :
"

Room

Your
star

new

people salute
which

has

with

first ray dissipates

even
darkness of the future."

whose

What
the

at

sympathetic heart
thought of how this
below

the

can

"new

horizon;of how

the
the
avoid

in the

of the
dignitaries
acclamations

unanimous

arisen upon

received

horizon

of

last shadows

of
feeling

star'.'was

so

soon

this

France,
of the
sadness
to

appear
dis-

this littleKing of Rome

of
but even
deprivednot only of his royaltitle,
destined
his name
of Napoleon Bonaparte; that he was
of Reichstadt,and to be
to be called only Francis, Duke
of the Capuchins at
laid to his eternal rest in the Church
to

was

be

Vienna, in

Austrian

an

Shortlyafter
"

En

his

uniform!

voila

Wagram, Napoleon made

le temps
du metier de soldat,
roi." During the years 1810

from

return

the

remark,

est

arrive de faire celui du

assez

believed that France had seen

generally
the end of wars
for the rest of his reign. The victor in so
campaigns seemed to be ambitious only for the
many
of peace.
glories
On the 19 September the Emperor left Compiegne for
and

i8ii

it

was

n263a

THE

NAPOLEON
extended

an

the Rhine.
set

in

Here

state.

Antwerp

at

Holland

had

dam
Amsterweeks.

two

Fran9ais had been

appeared in his best

been

moned
sum-

roles.

dissatisfied since

much

King Louis the previousyear, which had

by a rigidenforcement of the Continental

the abdication

of

followed

System.
Empire,

Theatre

for

remained

Court

Paris,and Talma

people of

been

the

of the

company

from

Countries

The

Low

and

Lebrun

Hollanders were
determined

was

the last of the month

rejoinher

peror
Em-

Brussels. The

near

On

the

of Laeken

visit to the ports on the Channel.

entered
the ninth of October the sovereigns

after

The

to

Three

to

was

The

Belgium, Holland and the banks of

days later the Empress with her Court

tour

for the chateau

out

FIRST

to

had

been

annexed

the

to

The more
governor-general.
the Emperor
discontented,the more
his entire
win their regard.He gave
was

the

and wishes with the idea

study of their wants
of improving their condition.
first of November
The
they left for Cologne, whence
they returned by way of Liege to Compiegne, and were
after a tripof
the last of November,
back at Saint-Cloud
nearly three months, the longestwhich the Emperor ever
made
to the French
provinces.
time

to

the

at the
beginningof the year 1812 Napoleon was
heightof his glory.To the democratic periodof the earlier
days of the Empire had succeeded an aristocratic regime.
The words "Republique Fran9aise"had disappearedfrom
the coins,which now
bore the legend "Empire Fran9ais."
The Emperor posed as the new
Charlemagne,the chief of
The kingsof Bavaria,Wiirtemberg,
a familyof sovereigns.
Saxony, Westphalia,Naples and Spain owed to him their
The reigning
royal crowns.
princesof the Confederation

At the

of the

Rhine

his subservient

were

in

historyhad ever
peoples.From
many

from
The

the Channel

to

held sway
the Baltic
the

over

to

vassals. No
so

the Strait of

and marshals
grand dignitaries

1:2643

lands and

many

Adriatic,his will

monarch

was

of the

so

Gibraltar,
law.

Empire

con-

MARIE-LOUISE
under the titles of dukes and
plebeiannames
of kings.Lefebvre, a miller's son, was
Due
princes,even
de Dantzic; Augereau, the son
of a mason,
Due de
was
Due
Castiglione;
Ney, a cooper'sson, was
d'Elehingen;
the
of
Prince
Massena,
son
a
pubhcan, was
d'Essling;
the
Berthier,whose father was a steward at Versailles,
was
sovereignPrince de Neufehatel and married to a Bavarian
and Murat, the son of an innkeeper,
was
princess,
King of
Naples.
All of the marshals were
tions
providedwith magnificentdotaincome
to sustain their titles.Berthier possessedan
million francs,without
of over
a
counting the revenues
Massena
from his principality;
had an
income
of eight
thousand in addition to his salaryof two hundred
hundred

cealed their

thousand

as

marshal;

and

The

Emperor also gave

magnificentestates in the
In

addition

to

so

with

them

fine hotels in the

cityand

country.

the titles of

decisive

the others.

which

due

princeor

memorated
com-

battles,like Rivoli,Montebello, Essother duehes, granting no

territorial

ling and Wagram,

authority,but provided with an annual dotation of sixty
thousand
francs,were
given to marshals and generals.
In order to bind his eompanions-in-armsmore
firmlyto
his throne and dynasty. Napoleon married them
the
to
richest heiresses in France.

officersof lower

Other

with

baron

or

over

dotations;for example, Lasalle had

francs; Junot, eighty;Rapp and Savary

hundred

In addition

to

thousand

these

francs.

magnificentincomes

distributed other rewards.

After

his

1807 he divided eleven million francs

and

generalsof

one

to

himself

comte

smaller

fiftythousand
each

received the title of

rank

return

during a

few

Every oflUcer was

napoleons "with

days in

Emperor

from

Tilsit in

his marshals

among

division.

three thousand

the

to

receive from

which

to

amuse

Paris."

Promotions, titles and wealth

the allurements

were

before every one

in the army.
and money,
rewards of position
as

To

out

1:2653

means

held

these substantial
of reeompens-

NAPOLEON

THE

FIRST

Napoleon added others in which imagination

these was
the
played a leading part. Chief among
to-day is the most
highly
Legion d'honneur, which even
ing

his army.

officiers,
commandeurs, grands
chevaliers,

into five classes :

Ranks
grands-croix.

officiers and
honors

which

were

"Bulletins,orders
affectionate

manner

smiles which

Legion were
high
distributed
not
indiscriminately.
words
of
of the day,
praise,a more
of those charming
smile
one
or
of

the hearts

won

in the

"

of

simplegrenadiers
Napoleon to give his

impulsionthus given was

when

came

enjoy their

adopted by

means

honors

first irresistible. But

at

and

the marshals
and their wealth

generalswanted
home

longer cared for the danger and

from which they had littlefurther to gain.Then
selfish interests reacted

littleto
he

art

do with

forming them

his final downfall.

in

showed

himself

upon

handling and

to

in peace, and
fatigueof campaigns

at

no

to

centive
in-

dash."

and
the time

those

as

final increase of energy,

army

much

generalsas

stillother

were

"

The

order was%ivided

decoration in the world. The

esteemed

But

this

and

what

had

not

in the

consummate

influencingmen

into the finest army

appeal

and

in

world !

clearlyexpressed his opinion

Although Napoleon never
lished
regardingthe value of his marshals, he certainlyestabdifferences among
them
and
graded them with
for independcharacter,and ability
regardto intelligence,
ent
This is clearlyshown
command.
in the tasks allotted
to

the

different marshals

and

assigned to their command.

were

beau

the

only ones
Ney, "the

number

Massena, Souk

he considered
bravest

of the

competent

of the French

army

on

of

divisions

and

Davout

for chief

mand.
com-

brave," and Murat, the

Lannes
essentially
fighters.
commander:
"He
was
superiorto

sabreur,were
corps

the

was

an

lent
excel-

all the erals

genthe field of battle when it was

questionof manoeuvring25,000 infantrymen."

Of all the generalsof the Revolution, Hoche, Desaix
and Kleber
he thought might have
the only ones
were
far. He had a very poor opinionof Moreau.
gone
a

1:2663

NAPOLEON

action,were
than

the

the

better

THE

FIRST

paid, better

fed and

soldiers. The

common

better
Guard

Young

of its
high pay and shared the renown
regimentswere
jealousof this sacred body

which, in addition
had

the honor

also

ceived
re-

elder. All

of %oops,
nating
advantagesand fasci-

their material

to

clothed

of

dailywatching over the

securityof the Emperor and of being his supreme
resource
in battle. "His soldiers,"
ceased to
says Meneval, "never
become
enthusiastic about him, to come
under his charm,
and to obey his will." Although he was
finallyabandoned
he had loaded with favors,
by many of his marshals,whom
renown,

the

soldiers remained

common

loved him

when

he

faithful

the

to

end,

and

longerthere.
of
In his Memoires," Meneval
thus explainsthe secret
Napoleon's mysterious power:
"The
heart had taught him the
study of the human
him and subjugatingthem. His
of attachingmen
art
to
aroused
enthusiasm.
His eloquence
and words
presence
and rapid;his words were
earnest
was
energetic,
profound,
and often sublime. His simple exterior,
heightenedby an
nation
air of grandeur and the habit of command, and the fasciof his look,inspiredrespect, mingled with fear and
affection. No leader in historywas
more
popular, and yet
was

no

"

never

would

he

consent

popularity."
Although he might
from
and

the

hold

marshals, the

the humble

always famihar
his children. To

humble

to

relations between

them

who

cordial. He
he

never

caporal."

1:2683

to

acquire that

aloof in his

himself

companions
and

himself

shared
was

hke

ceased

to

grandeur
the Emperor
his glory were
a

father with
be

"Le

petit

CZAR

ALEXANDER

EIGHTEEN

CHAPTER

1812

MOSCOW
The

Peninsula

War

the

Grand

Officers
Cross
of

Army

The

"

The
A

"

Dresden

The

Advance

the

Recrosses

Niemen

Smolensk

to

Fatal

The

"

of

The

Battle
Moscow
Moscow

Retreat

Paris

French
"

on

Beresina

for

of

Enter

Arrival

"

the

Leaves

Losses

French

"

Passage

Napoleon

"

The

"

The

"

Marches

Napoleon

"

nental
Conti-

Commanding

Plans

Heavy

"

the

Advance

"

The

"

Russian

Delay
Beginning of Winter

"

Vilna

to

Inevitable

Campaign

The

"

Napoleon's

"

the

Indecisive

Abandoned

Route

for

of

Effects

"

War

"

Pyrrhic Victory

"

Burned

Route

New

Victory

The

"

City

New

"

Vedras

Torres
Russia

at

Borodino

of

of

with

Preparations

"

Niemen

Smolensk
Battle

"

Lines

Friction

"

Napoleon

"

the

The

"

System

"

Smolensk

The

"

"

Begun
at

Army

Reasons

for

Failure

little space

BUT

political events
Russian

remained

at

Continental
and

of

the
more

later

abundant

at

Lisbon

have

in

Spain

he

allowed

brother.

Andalusia,
been

and

In
but

used

occupation
driven

the
to

out

of

end

Soult

60,000

better

the

time
mean-

length.
there

men

should

Portugal,

for lack

when

of support.

be

while
be

tacked
at-

the

fortunate
Un-

overpersuaded by
and
conquered
occupied
there
could
employed
to

advantage
1:2693

Andalusia,

English

himself

1810

of

the

that

would

In

King Joseph thought that

would
be brought about

country

was

Marie-Louise

to

its weary
in command

out

the

supervise

visits.

put

were

reinforcements.

opinion

insurrection

his

Massena,

the

better

himself

dragged

the

to

provincial

War

pacification of
speedily by

Napoleon's

could

devote

and

fetes

Peninsula

Soult, and
with

and

return

and

military

preceding the
poleon
campaign. NaSpain, but he

years

Wagram

to

he

Paris, where

the

to

two

the

well

done

System,

round
the

After

have

given

the

of

war.

would

be

can

elsewhere.

THE

NAPOLEON

FIRST

happened that the whole task of drivingout

Wellingtonfellon Massena. For his descent into Portugal
had about 75,000 men,
in May 1810, Massena
including
the corps of Ney, Junot and Reynier.WellingtonfeH^back
Thus

it

behind the celebrated lines of Torres

Vedras

which

he had

before. These
lines were
structed
conpreparingfor months
about twenty
the heights north of Lisbon
on
where the four main
roads from
miles from the capital,
pregnable
imthe north and east converged.They were
practically
could bring against
againstany force Massena
After spending five months
before these works,
them.
Massena
was
obHged to retreat just as Soult was
finally
coming to his assistance. So the whole operationagainst
failed through lack of cooperationand unity of
Lisbon
This would never
have happened if Napoleon
leadership.
been

had

to

gone

Spain.

Massena, followed by Wellington,retired

where

he

Marmont
orders

put

took
to

his

into

troops

over

join Soult

the

quarters.

command

and

from
the

renew

to

In

Salamanca,

June

Massena

attack

on

181

with

Lisbon.

however, was
accomplished.
Nothing definite,
Early in 181 2, before enteringon the Russian campaign.
60,000 seasoned
Napoleon decided to withdraw
troops
himself with the occupation
from Spain, and to content
of the provincesnorth of the Ebro, which had been annexed
the Empire. This wise plan was
to
opposed by
most
Joseph and the marshals in Spain,and once
more,
unfortunatelyfor him, the Emperor allowed himself to be
He left nearly300,000 men
over
won
by their arguments.
in Spain: under the command
of Joseph, in and around
Madrid; of Soult,in Andalusia; of Marmont,
and of Suchet
had

an

army

manca,
Sala-

in Valencia, At this time

of about

Spanish troops, and

near

140,000

there

were

Wellington
English,Portugueseand
over
more
iards
Span100,000

actingindependently.
At the end of 18 10, England seemed on the verge of ruin
from the strangling
grip of the Continental System. The
three

per

cent,

consuls

had

fallen

C 270 3

to

25, and

the bank-

MOSCOW

ruptcies
averaged250

month.

this year

But

the climax
1

10

of this great commercial

Louis was
forced to
practically

Holland.
that he

He

had

taken

reignedby

the strange

right,and refused

the orders of his brother. When

troops

were

reason,

he

Bohemia.

twenty
Amsterdam
approaching

suddenly
On

abandoned

the ninth

of

to

bring

to

his throne

July,Holland

Empire, and the commercial decrees

as
at Havre.
rigorouslyat Rotterdam

were

the commercial

Baltic,by the annexation

and

was

notion
out

carry

thousand

the

At the close of the year

see

experiment.In July
abdicate as King of

into his head

divine

to

was

French
him

to

fled

to

annexed

to

executed

as

system

was

tended
ex-

Oldenburg,the
and Westphalia,and Bremen,
northern parts of Hanover
Hamburg and Liibeck. Nothing less than the most
ous
rigorenforcement
of the Continental
System could suffice
prise
Napoleon; for it was a characteristic feature of this enterthat its entire success
depended on the completeness
the

to

with

which

it

into

put

was

render useless the whole

barrier

with infinite discomfort

and

of

execution:

one

gap

would

constructed.
laboriously
devious routes,
Nevertheless,English goods, by many
stillreached the Continent, and in one
or
another,
way
so

trade
friction,

stillcarried

was

on.

It is strange that Napoleon

off the export of food-stuffsto
had

the

notion

that

they would

the

thought of cutting
England. He apparently
the British bought,the

never

more

bankrupt.As Rose
would have been hopelesshad not
allowed us to import continental corn,
sooner

work
a

and

bread
In

the

be

low wages
famine."
main

the

there had

been

Continental

France, and the people endured

states, "the
our

enemy

if besides lack of

the added

System
the

great

look
out-

was

horrors of

popular in

and
high prices,

the

staplesHke sugar, coffee,rice

and tobacco, carried in British ships.At this time the
Emperor was deHghted at the noteworthy discovery that

lack of

sugar

Englishgoods,and

could

of

be extracted

from

n 271 3

beet-root.

Pride

in the

England, led

of

hatred

national glory,and

FIRST

THE

NAPOLEON

the French

to

complaint increased taxes, high prices,

and even
chicory.
far greater aj|d the
the hardships were
For Germany
of the Continental
benefits far less,and the unpopularity
of the
of the principal
underlyingcauses
one
System was
national uprisingin 1 813.
more
Upon Russia also the influence of the System was
sian
Napoleon'scomplaintsof the Rusand more
oppressive.
Another
cause
constant.
laxityof administration were

endure

without

Oldenburg. The heir to

Catherine,
this duchy had married Alexander's elder sister,

of friction

of
deposition
a

was

the

the duke

of this

reached

even

before

Russia, the Czar

himself

of Tilsit. But

admitting

of

Instead

luxe

articles de

arranged at Tilsit,the

on

terms,

easy

of French

as

facture,
manu-

called to
heavy duty on them. When
by Napoleon, Alexander pleaded the economic

he levied
account

not

Treaty

event

the treaty.

negotiatedat Erfurt. The

only a personalaffront,it

had

was

violation of the

news

broke

Napoleon

hand

for whose

of

the annexation

was

the
to
protestedhis fidelity
time calling
tion
attenContinental System, while at the same
But Napoleon would not
to the Oldenburg grievance.
is a great planettaking a wrong
direction,"
listen. "Here
he

and

of his country,

needs

exclaimed, "I do

not

all." To
at
understand its course
into its orbit,half a million men

bring this planet back

the
to perishamidst
were
was

to

die

an

Although
breach

with

exile
there
the

at

to

of the

Russia, and Napoleon

Saint Helena!

were

for the

subsidiaryreasons

many

Czar, the

Napoleon's determination
conditions

of

snows

real

cause

of the

force Russia

to

Continental

Blockade

to

war

was

accept

in order

to

the
stroy
de-

his ambiIt was

tion
not
England'strade and commerce.
for absolute sovereignty
in Europe which carried him
Moscow, but the undying vendetta.
For

Russia

two
must

years
come

it had
sooner

been
or

evident

break

with

later,and Napoleon had been

steadilypreparing himself during this

t

that

272

time.

He

secured

NAPOLEON

THE

FIRST

originalplan not to go beyond Smolensk

the first year, all might have gone well.
More
than half of the cavalrywere
French, and nearly
but less than half of the infangfy
all of the artillery,
arm.
number
of foreigners
there were
In this enormous
Italians,
battalions of Swiss,Spanish,
Germans
and Poles,and even
tingents
Portugueseand Croats. The Prussian and Austrian coneither wing. The
on
operated by themselves
French element was
largeenough to leaven the batch, and
cipline
the failure of the campaign cannot
be laid to the indisof the common
of the
soldiers,although some
adhered

to

marshals

and

failed

war,

his

to

division

commanders,

who

were

of

weary

do their full duty.

The

Emperor was accompanied by a host of executives,

and
includingBerthier,Chief of Staff; Lebrun, Mouton
Daru, Secretary of State; Maret,
Rapp, aides de camp;
and
Minister
of Foreign Affairs;Caulaincourt
Duroc;
and Jomini, historiograp
Meneval
and Fain, privatesecretaries,
Berthier

as

usual

was

the efficient mouth-piece of the

because
in command
Emperor. Jerome and Eugene were
able leader.
but the latter was
of their relationship,
an
Davout
and Ney had proved their worth in previouscampaigns.
and
Junot
Bessieres,Oudinot, Saint-Cyr,Victor
and Suchet
Soult,Marmont
were
good corps commanders.
had retired in broken
still in Spain, and Massena
were

commanded
after his failure there. Lefebvre
in all,while Murat
Guard, of nearly 50,000 men

the

health
Old

was

of 40,000 horsemen.
largecavalryreserve
On the ninth of May, Napoleon, accompanied by Mariefor
Louise and a largepart of his Court, left Saint-Cloud
Dresden, where he arrived a week later. Here he expected
self
three weeks, before puttinghimto make
or
a stay of two
at

the head

of the

of his troops, and to receive the visits of

all the allied sovereigns.
The first morning the princeswho
at

had
the
the

the head

alreadyarrived
Emperor, who was
royal palace.The

called

to

present

lodged in
second

274

the

day,
3

the

their

state

homage

apartments

Emperor

and

to

of
Em-

D-Vanyoiiiaii/l

Tiibkbh.r

MOSCOW
press of Austria

had

not

seen

who
to the great joyof Marie-Louise,
arrived,

her father since her

marriagetwo

before.

years

The

sojournat Dresden was the apogee of the power of

Napoleon.No mortal had ever before reached such a pinnacle
of glory as the new
Charlemagne.The assembled
sovereignsappeared to be the courtiers rather than the
equalsof the Emperor. His lever,
says Segur,furnished a
remarkable
attend
to
spectacle,where sovereignscame
the audience of the conqueror
of Europe.
the memories
At Saint Helena the Emperor, in recalling
of these passed splendors,said: "The
Dresden
meeting
the
There
he
was
epoch of the greatest power of Napoleon.
seemed to be the King of Kings." He had summoned
from
Paris the company
of the Theatre
Franfais,and as at
Erfurt Talma
played before a "parterrede rois."
far from beingentirely
But Napoleon was
taken up with
pleasurewhile at Dresden. He was occupiedwith the many
minute
details of the immense
expeditionwhich he was
about

to

undertake.

Just before Napoleon left Dresden, the King of Prussia

arrived. He had agreedto furnish for the coming campaign
twenty

thousand

men

under

the command

of

Prussian

general.As for Austria, she had promised a contingentof

thirtythousand troops, commanded
by an Austrian general,
under the orders of Napoleon.
The 29 May 1812 Napoleon left Dresden
self
to placehimof his army.
After a stop of two
at the head
days at
Posen, he proceededto Thorn, and from there to Dantzic.
By long marches the troops had reached the Vistula where
they were
spread out on a front of four hundred miles.
This plan had been adopted by the Emperor with the
design of keeping the Russians uncertain as to his main
line of

advance, and resulted

as

he wished

in their separating

their armies.
The

numbers

of the Russian

armies

but

are

hard

to

mine,
deter-

less than 250,000

to
they probably amounted
half a million
With these forces they were
men.
to meet
times. The
invaders under the greatest captainof modern

n 27s 1

NAPOLEON
has often been made

statement
to

the French

meet

that

THE

Alexander

abandon

advance

by

constant

before

expected
and

retreat,

yieldinghe

retire into Siberia. But

and

Moscow

that the Russians

said that

had

FIRST

the

would

f?ct remains

the Russian

that

generalsexpected to fight,and
that the defensive campaign was
the result of the Russian
unpreparednessat the beginning,and the overwhelming
of the French
forces. Thus
it happened that
superiority
the very size of Napoleon's army
be the principal
to
was
for his failure. It was
reason
physically
impossibleto keep
such an enormous
host supplied,
and the great discrepancy
in numbers

"From

made

the Russians

afraid

to

risk

battle.

tiring
militarypoint of view," says Dodge, "the rescheme of the Russians againsta stronger and more
a

able foe

was

the best. But

Czar

the

had

to

look

at

some

If a system of retreat
was
political
questions.
adopted,the
from their allegiance,
and
Polish provinceswould fall away
the oppositionof the anti-war party might be grave, as
well as the effect upon
friendlynations."
There were
the Russian
but three roads leadingacross
frontier by which the main part of the Grand
Army could
advance:
further

south

Kovno
and

the winter

During
over

at

Grodno

and

at

west

the Russian

front of five hundred

on

Brest

the

Litovsk

Niemen,
the

on

troops had been

miles,but in May

and

Bug.

spread out
when

the

French

approached the Vistula,the troops drew together

into two
largebodies,under Balrclayand Bagration,with
headquartersat Vilna and Lutsk. These two armies were
of the upper
separatedby the morasses
Pripet,and their
distance

from

each

other

due

was

to

the broad

front of

it became
that
as
Napoleon'sadvance. As soon
apparent
drew
Napoleon was
marching on the Niemen, the Czar withfrom Bagration and strengthenedBarclay's
troops
while
Vilna to 130,000
at
Bagration with
army
men,
south of Grodno.
The
50,000 troops came
up to Volkovisk
Russian armies thus stood across
the three roads to
two
Moscow.

Napoleon

does

not

seem

to

C 2763

have

had

any

particular

MOSCOW

plan of campaign beyond

Russian

and

army,

generalidea of findingthe
Austerlitz winning "not an ordinary

at

as

the

victory."Metternich
the

told him

Emperor
he did

not

In the Russian
there

as

French

on

wanted

to

time

Russian

beyond

go

there

that

were

as

many

Duchy

of

and

the

at

same

the Czar

Warsaw;

posed
pro-

retreat.

learned

Having

in his first campaign

paign
plans of camleaders. Barclay favored awaitingthe
soil and
then
fighting;Bagration

the Grand

policyof

that

Smolensk.

hold the line of the Niemen

invade
a

to

camp

were

Dresden

at

expect

in his "Memoirs"

states

in

generalway of the location of the

Russian armies,Napoleon's first plan was
in
two
to break
between
Barclay and Bagration by an advance on Vilna
through Kovno. The Grand Army began its movement
men
from the Vistula on the sixth of June and reached the Nieeighteendays later.
ing
Napoleon immediately crossed the river without meetresistance. He
then advanced
with any
rapidly to
Vilna, coveringthe distance of sixtymiles in four days.
He was
however, in taking the First Army
disappointed,
by surprise,as they retreated rapidlyon his approach.
almost impassable,and guns and wagons
The roads were
were
continuallyembedded in the mud.
After waiting three days to obtain information
about
the first of July Napoleon
the enemy's movements,
on
decided

due

advance

to

Russian

had

where

they

effected

meantime

their

continued

armies

Smolensk

In the

east.

two

towards

retreat

the third of

junctionon

the

August.
Both

sides had

lost about

the first five weeks

disease

and

the

French

troops

campaign, the

of the

from

Russians

had

advanced

on

them.
meat,

corn,

which

The
which

men

wholesale

so

trains,flounderingin muddy
with

third of their numbers

one

they either

found
baked

277

roads, could
to

the

supply

keep

not

pace

large

everywhere, and
roughly or boiled
2

from

desertion. The

rapidlythat

consequentlylived

they

French

in

extent

fresh-cut
in

water.

NAPOLEON
In

short time

At the end of
for

allow the

to

After

the

among

of

of the exhaustion

supply trains
Russian

two

himself

Barclay found

to

come

armies

up.

had

compelled by

of his troops
m

met

the

at

Smolensk,

growing

tent
discon-

his troops to offer battle. So on the seventh

towards the French. After a two
he moved
west

August
days' march

he

came

learningof

the

upon

his courage
failed him
in person, and he
On

an

account

on

FIRST

epidemic of enteric diseases.

Emperor was compelled to call a halt
was

July the

eightdays

and

there

THE

this

the

at
came

enemy's outposts, but here

poleon
thought of attackingNato

halt.

Napoleon

movement

decided

to

the

Dnieper, cross the river and advance

by the south bank to a surpriseattack upon Smolensk and
force Barclayto givebattle. This plan was
carried out so
so
that the Russians
remained
in entire ignorance
effectively
On the 17 August Napoleon appeared
of the movement.
Russian
before the city, which
two
pied,
corps hastilyoccuand to which Barclayfell back with all possible
speed.
On the followingevening Napoleon moved
forward to
the town.
the attack and bombarded
Barclay found it
impossibleto hold the place,so he evacuated it duringthe
night and retreated to the north bank of the river. This
but in spiteof the vigorous
left the road to Moscow
open,
he managed to get back on to the
pressure of the French
his line of retreat
road the followingevening and secure
march

south

to

eastward.

city of
Dnieper, in a
The

Smolensk

lies

on

the

south

bank

of the

beautiful

amphitheatre of hills,with the

of Saint Petersburgon
the opposite bank. The
suburb
rounding
placeis difficultof defence as it is commanded
by the surfortified with a
heights.The city proper was
brick wall ten feet thick and twenty-fivefeet high,with a
useless dry ditch. The walls would
easilyresist the field
and could hardly be escaladed.
of that period,
guns
It

was

convents

an

and

old sacred
many

city,with

gardens.The
n278

numerous

houses

churches

and

in the suburbs

NAPOLEON

THE

FIRST

If

Napoleon stopped at Smolensk, he ran

damage; if he advanced to Moscow
political

of

chances

againsthim.

were

he could

personallyreturn

and

The

time

offered him

plan

advance

with

to

to

prepare

show

of

Moscow

all

military

Smolensk
France, organizea fre^ campaign,
an

proper

success,

at

army

1813 be better equipped for

in

have

he would

But

certain risk

advance, for
This
transportation.
and military.
political
an

could succeed

der
only if Alexancould be intimidated by a show of militarypower
poleon
Nano
longerpossessed.Yet Jomini and Clausewitz
both approve
Napoleon'sdecision as his only proper course.
on

It is difficult to

Napoleon
when

with

agree

stillhad

these eminent

about

he left Smolensk.

of the
to

now

150,000

He

120,000

The

men.

Czar,

had

who

was

Barclay's Fabian

tactics,which

him

appointedKutusov

now

success,

instructions

to

the Austerlitz

ride,and

to

A
There
old
a

to

and

one

now

reinforced

succeed

to

him,

with

one

was

every

in connection
too

seventy,

the

army

reached

positionthere to
post-roadsfrom Smolensk

take up

two

were

was

heels

with

portly

inactive.

very

decided

was

campaign. He

hand

disappointedwith
ultimatelyto bring

will be remembered

days later,when

few

were

been

now

the battle for which

accept

longing.Kutusov

actuallyin
closelyupon the
men

followed

Russians, who
retreating

authorities.

new

which

one,

were

Borodino,it
Moscow.

cover

Moscow,

to

here

about

two

an

and

half miles

The villageof Borodino

lay on the
apart.
where it crossed the Kolotsa,an affluent of the

road

new

Moskova.
of

The

of which

had

parallelto

villagethe

been
the

leaves

and

Moskova.

up

on

frontage

roads.

rollingbut quite flat;the numerous

woods,
through deep ravines. There were
many

run

crosses

at

his troops
rightanglesto the two
drew

is

country

brooks
miles

Kutusov

five miles

over

some

Here

The
land

cut.
new

it

The

Kolotsa

road

until

runs
near

for several

Borodino

it

the
northerly towards
river is fordable in places.East of the
rises into a plateau a mile wide. Some
to

flow

1:2803

MOSCOW

simple field-works had

liable to
positionwas
defend.

to

hamlets

Between

been
be

the

by the Russians. The

erected

also

turned, but it was

roads

two

there

are

one

easy

number

of

the principal
one
villages,
being Semenovskai.
Napoleon after a short halt to give his men
a
rest
tinued
conand

in

his advance

September
columns

the

forced

it back.

with

contact

On

columns.

leading troops
in

came

three

the

fifth of

his right and centre

the Russian left wing and
of

The

followingday Napoleon advanced to

attack. His left wing under Eugene kept close to the
road and was
massed
againstBorodino. The centre

the
new

column
the

moved

towards

road. The
In

whole

the

Poniatowski

under

rightwing

further

south

along the

advanced

three miles and

about

frontagewas

battle of

and

Semenovskai,

old
half.

the seventh

Borodino, fought on

of

September,the French numbered

130,000 against120,000
after a
Russians. Napoleon's plan was
quickly formed
On the left Eugene
reconnoissance
of the enemy's position.
and Ney in the
Kutusov's
to contain
was
right;Davout
his left wing, while Poniatowski
down
centre
were
to break
the rightshould turn
his left flank. The objectwas
to
on
throw

the Russians

fightthem
and

courage,

losses

to

the Russian
sides

in broken

condition

and

showed

It

in the end

utmost

The

stubborn.

certainlya

was

off his army

drew

towards

retreated

he could

the

very

was

enormous.

Kutusov

victory,as

French

French

defence

were

where

the Moskova

on

finish. The

both

on

back

Moscow, sixty

miles away.
It enabled Napoleon to reach the sacred city,
but his losses were
so
great that he could not remain there
unless

the Gzar

treated

for peace.
The
his final reserve,
which

Guard,

put

in the

the

victory decisive
For

this

and

Napoleon

military writers; but

home
he

and

the

Old

rightor

was

At

the

was

Guard

wrong

decisive

afternoon,if he

he

had

will

was

sent

has

been

two

be

made

open

tiations.
nego-

miles

resource.

middle

from

Whether

subjectof
the

not

criticized by

thousand

about

in this

to

much

his last

always

moment,

might have

Alexander

caused

did

Emperor

sion.
discusof the

superb body of picked

NAPOLEON
troops, stilltwenty
so

many

times

he

THE

FIRST

thousand strong,

struck

decisive blow

with
at

which

he had

the critical

ment,
mo-

might have

made Borodino a crushingRussian

defeat. On the other
hand,had he put in his last r"erves
without success, as later at Waterloo, his
would
army
have been a flying
mob in half an hour. At Borodino
his
motto

"safetyfirst";
at

was

Waterloo

he

was

playing all

for all.
After the battle the Russians

retreated

slowly to

followed by the French. The victors were

exhausted to pursue with the vigor of former

too

cow,
Mosmuch

campaigns.

In front of

Moscow, Kutusov called a council of war

to
decide whether the cityshould be defended, and the vote
in favor of fighting
Kutusov
was
to the death. But
thought
that the army was
more
important to Russia than the city
and refused to be bound by the council. On the 14 September
he marched
through the cityand retired to Panki. At
the same
time most
of the population departed. Murat
and his cavalryarrived at two
o'clock the same
afternoon
and took possession
of the city.The
it
Guard, when
in to occupy
the Kremlin; Ney and
sent
arrived,was
took up a position
of the city,Poniatowski
Davout
west
the south, and Eugene to the north. Murat
tioned
stawas
on
quarters
the road to the southeast. The
Imperial headon
suburb.
estabUshed temporarilyin the west
were
hills. It was
the
Rome, lies upon seven
hundred
churches,
"sacred city" of Russia, and its two
it a most
picturesque
with colored domes and belfries,
gave

Moscow,

like

Oriental than European in its aspect.

appearance, more
During the firstnight fires began to break out, and by
aflame.
the morning of the second day the whole citywas
The Emperor, who
was

had taken

forced to retireto

his quarters in the lin

Kremcastle outside the walls of the

after
city.On the eighteenth,

up

some

had been consumed, the fire was

returned

to

eightthousand
controlled

and

houses

Napoleon

the Kremlin.

It will always be

disputedquestionwhether

Moscow

MOSCOW
whether the
set afire by the Russians or
deliberately
but the latter
due to accidental causes,
conflagration
was
was
probably the case. In a citybuilt entirelyof wood, in
possessionof a marauding army, fires might easilybe
and the equinoctial
started by carelessness,
galesdid the
was

rest.

It

this time

at

was

of his life.After

error

retreat

at

but

once,

Napoleon

that

made

the fire he should

he

tarried

at

the
have

begun

for

Moscow

fatal

most

whole

month, hoping againsthope that the Czar would

Since

he had never
Saint-Jean-d'Acre
After Eylau and at Esslinghe
operation.

peace.
an

to

"reculer

pour

mieux

he could

in it

retreat

Moreover

now.

he turned

way

his

sue

had

bring himself

not

was

no

easy

tated
hesi-

not

to

never

believe
ever
Which-

matter.

beset with

path was

for

retired from

sauter," but he had

yet faced failure and

his

mountable
insur-

almost

difficulties.
considered

to
Emperor: first,
winter in Moscow; second,to march
Saint Petersburg;
on
third,to retireon the southern provinces;fourth,to retreat
via Kaluga, followinga route
far to the south
to Smolensk

Four

plans were

by

the

of his line of advance.

The

feasible. The second

not
as
rejectedat once
trulyNapoleonic in its audacity and stronglyappealed

was

firsthe

the great soldier,but the difficultiesfar exceeded the

chances. The third plan was
to the same
objections
open

to

as

the first.Only the fourth

adopted.On
for the
When

retreat

the

Moscow

On

began Napoleon

retreat

five corps,
men.

corps

troops,

or

Russian

the

had

in and

around

the

Guard, and the cavalry reserve,

At

diflferent pointsin the

and

the Austrian

there

rear

contingent,about

total of 250,000.
side there was
the main

grand

reinforced,under
detachments

finally

was

the 15 October the Emperor issued his orders

and four days later he left Moscow.

in all 110,000
six more
were
140,000

remained, and this

amounting

Kutusov,

in all

to

of 290,000.

1:2833

140,000,

150,000,

siderably
con-

army,

and

making

four

total

NAPOLEON

Although

the

relative

yet unfavorable

not

time

as

so

In order

strengthof

the adversaries

Napoleon,it was

to

certain

was

become

to

the appearance
of an offensive
direct it through parts of the country

givehis

to

FIRST

by. Above all,the serious lack of horses for

could not easilybe mad^up.
artillery

went

cavalryand

the

THE

and

movement,

retreat

to

already been devastated,the Emperor

proposed to retire by the old highway towards Kaluga,
and from there by a southerlyroute
to Smolensk.
had

which

On

not

the 24 October

Napoleon
the

Jaroslowitzposted across
Kaluga, and an action was
columns
main

of the

body back

decisive engagement
retreated

had

desired

Juknov and Jelniaof

take advantage, and why

to

withdrew

will

has

called

by

but

it was

This

been

of
turning-point

his

his decision

Smolensk

the

astated
On

region to

learningof

struck off
The

to

ascribed

to

the

this

were

real cold

set

it

to

do

so

unsolved

much

the

so

Moscow.

follow the old

of the

as

The

route.

French, Kutusov

in

snow.than

left Moscow

and

Fahrenheit.

this date there

the

snow

Few

the

delayed and

was

usual. The

the seventh

was

in. After

in the bivouacs

not

was

movement

15" to 25"

frozen,and

Napoleon

pursuit.
the Russian campaign has generally
been
true.
weather, but this is only partially

less cold and

averaged from

to

road

historians

to

nearly three weeks after the army

weather
was
perfect.The winter season
was

back

an

so

sians
Rus-

the

new

he did

not

For

there

which

into

sound, for
strategically
take led through an undevSmolensk, and only as a last resort,

the northwest

failure of

some

advance

to

was

remain

ever

it excusable

defeat,was

career,

Kaluga
proposed to

he

road

new

after

at

towards

manoeuvre

There

via

after Kutusov
mystery.

be drawn

to

point.The next day

Kaluga, and Napoleon turned
Borodino.

his

generalkept

this

towards

Smolensk

to

wanted

to

the leading

between

Each

Malo-

at

Moscow

from

road

armies.

two

at

to

the northwest

Kutusov

fought there

neither

as

found

temperature

of the

of November

streams

before

great suffering
destroyedall the foragefor

1:2843

was

NAPOLEON
the Niemen

FIRST

with a miserable body of

5 December
and 45,000 others, while Davout
and
5000 combatants
Poniatowski
led the remnants
of three other corps across
another

at

Only

on

point.

Cossacks

sina. The

continued

Russian

the

pursuitwest

also reduced

army,

Vilna the middle

entered

men,

the

THE

of the Bere-

about

to

60,000

of December.

the Niemen
in
across
Napoleon had led 450,000 men
June and had received reinforcements of 1 50,000. Of these
only about 150,000 returned. Thus the French lost about
third sick or prisoners,
the
probably one
men,
450,000
balance killed and missing.The Russian losses were
about
even
250,000, or proportionately
greater than the French.
On

leavingthe army, the Emperor took Caulaincourt

and Roustan
him in the carriage,
the box. Duroc
on
Mouton
followed. After consultingwith Maret
at

with
and

Vilna, he drove to Warsaw, and

Paris,travelling
day and night as
He

reached
The

the Tuileries

criticism of

the

on

Napoleon

thence

for

his

was

18

Dresden

to

and

habit.
lifelong

December.

abandoning

his army

is

absolutelyunwarranted. The fate of the Grand Army was

would change it. Any
sealed,and nothinghe could do now
of his generalscould lead the remnants
back to the
one
Niemen
well as he. The place of the Emperor, as head
as
of the
The
His

State,was

now

has

been

never

but has
selfish;
been considered,even

out

Paris.

in his last Bulletin that

statement

Majesty

at

as

better"

the health of

not

the end

when

reports of his death had

It is remarkable
that not one

the

the rank of

proportionof

that of the

men.

would

been

have

generalof
If this had
to

as

of the French

raise

n286

been

not
an

was

the

of

then the

campaign,

great

circulated

returned

pointed

matter

more

division lost his

officers who

unable

been

of

of

sovereignalways

in times

at

health

also been

of peace,
the State.? How
much

prime importance to
health of the Emperor

above

has

"the

Paris!

at

commanders
also that
life;
much

case

efficient army

above

Napoleon
in

1813.

MOSCOW

exposed themselves during

They one and all had fearlessly
the campaign, and the fact can only be explained
by their
highermoral.
for the failureof the
of the principal
Some
reasons
Russian campaign have been stated above, and there is
further. The principal
not
to
space
go into the matter
in not
the fact that in Russia, as in
was
error
realizing
Spain,"large armies will starve, and small ones will get
beaten." This much
be said : There was
other living
can
no
commander

Army

from

who
Moscow

could

have

back

to

got

any

part

the Niemen.

1:2873

of the Grand

NINETEEN

CHAPTER

1813

LEIPZIG

Moscow

after

Napoleon

Campaign

Indecisive

Victories
Armistice

of

Dresden

Allies

Austria

"

the

on

Defeat

His

Position

"

Indecision

Rhine

the

to

The
Fatal

Hostilities

"

Napoleon's

"

Retreat

"

of

the

"

The

"

Allies

the

Danger

"

Marshals

Bautzen

and

Strength

Joins

Elbe

of the

French

"

Napoleon's

for

Preparations

"

of Liitzen

Battles
of

Base

Austria

on

"

of Peace

Defeats

"

Leipzig

of

Battle

"

Napoleon's

"

Reliance

Decline

Conditions

"

Resumed
Battle

of the

Plans

"

His

"

"

of

Battle

"

Hanau

WHOM

dementat

perdere,
He

Napoleon

had

lived

adulation

says

that

much

less

Rose,

"the

held

there,

to

them

to

of

million

He

should

Ferdinand
thousand

at

have
back

could

his

easily

n288

same

degrees,"
had

mastered
over-

life generally
were

powers

which

sovereign

control."

still in

was

terrible

least

army

defended

and

tions,
sugges-

judgment

from

Two

have

flattery

early

dinated
coor-

position
Russian
resources

of

quarter
and

fortresses

army

throne.

balance.

"By

Peninsula,

in the
his

Russian

immense

at

the

Jupiter

accept

in

the

command

more

recalled
to

were

in

troops

to

one.

The

Napoleon

There

vult

the

of

which

exercised

his

ancient

grandiose

notwithstanding

fiftythousand

men

the

sound

the

of 1813

money.

seasoned

and

any

leash.

but

still had

and

men

in

empire

He

for

passion

beginning

disaster.

longer willing

criticism, from

longer

After

atmosphere

an

no

excess,
no

his

save

was

ambition

even

the

in

{^uos

the

lost his mental

calculating faculties

the

At

he

have

to

long

so

mad.

prius.)

seems

said

destroy,

to

first makes

he

Romans,

campaign

wishes

Jupiter

of

Spain
corps

the

dred
hun-

one

Germany,
and
of

only

sent

fifty
two

LEIPZIG
of the

practicable
passes
him

of the

would

have

given

of 350,000 men,
with a reserve
force
army
in the depots of France. With
size in training

veteran

Pyrenees.This

same

he could

easilyhave defended the line of

the Russians and Prussians,
the Elbe against
and Austria
have entered the coalition againsthim. But
would never
he was
no
longerthe Bonaparte who in 1796 had raised
of Mantua, destroyedhis siegetrain,and
the investment
such

an

army

with

marched

trians;nor

the

now

who

"He

available soldier

he the

was

Esslinghad
was

every

same

back

drawn

in

everythingwill

said wise

old Frederick

everything,"had
forgettingthis maxim
Had

Napoleon was
recognizedhis danger, and

he

forces,he would

not

entire fortune

on

been

have

that, the Emperor, like

the Aus-

Napoleon who at Eylau and

order to leapfurther. Napoleon

hold

to

meet

of Fortune.

spoiledchild
seeks

to

end
the

by losing
Great. By

lose his throne.

to

all his

concentrated

outnumbered.

Instead

of

desperategambler, placed his

singlecard, and played for "all or
a

nothing."
of these mistakes of Napoleon was
cause
principal
that, from the political
aggerated
point of view, he attached an eximportanceto his marriagewith an archduchess.
He should have realized that before becoming the fatherin-law of the Emperor of the French, the father of Mariethe Emperor of Austria, and that all history
Louise was
The

shows

of matrimonial

the littleconsequence

they conflict with

affairs of

state.

Nevertheless,it seems
was
favorablydisposed

probablethat at this time Francis

towards Napoleon,and had no desire
restored
any

to

the throne

love lost between

of France, and

of France.
the

to

There

Hapsburgs

the Austrian

alliances when

emperor

and

see

the Bourbons

never

had

been

the

royalfamily
wished to
sincerely

Imperialdynasty maintained. But this desire

did not go to the length of being willingto sacrifice the
interests of the State to the personalinclination of the
sovereign.
have thought
to
On the other hand, Napoleon seems

see

the

new

1:2893

NAPOLEON
that

Austria

would

THE

FIRST

his ally,defensive and

be

offensive,

asking anything in return, would aid him

the entire French Empire, includingthe parts
domain!
It was
had torn
from her own
expecting

and, without
to

conserve

he

which

much.

too

and confidence,
Napoleon, fullof spirits
prodigiousactivityin assembling and

In the meantime

displayinga
equippinga new
army.
a fresh levy of 250,000

men.

These

of about

who

had

was

80,000

men

been

to

enlisted

withdrawn

in 1812, and 30,000 men

Grand
him a new
Army of

he raised

added

troops,

guard
gave

three months

In less than

home

from

3 50,000

over

as

force

Spain,
but

troops,

chieflyuntrained men.
intention was
the line
Napoleon's
on
to operate
original
had to give up this idea.
of the Vistula again,but he soon
in the vicinity
of
By the end of April he had 200,000 men
Leipzig.The Allies were
completely taken by surprise.
It had never
occurred to the wildest imaginationthat the
Emperor would be able to face them with such a force.
They decided at once to make a flank attack on Napoleon
they

at

were

Liitzen

The
not

as

he advanced

the Allies

generalplan of

well carried

out.

towards

On

the

Leipzig.
but it was
excellent,

was

afternoon

of the

second

of

May

they advanced to the attack, but they met with a

more
vigorous resistance than they expected.They tried
selves,
to envelopNey, but in the end they were
envelopedthemfor Napoleon sent
Macdonald
round
the left,
to
and Bertrand
and Marmont
to the rightof Ney to take
them

both

on

Guard

as

flanks. About

well

The

to

five o'clock

Ney, whereupon

support

Prussians fell back

to

the

east

Berlin,while the Russians

retired towards

Emperor

cavalry to

and

the

was

too

victorywas

weak

he

in

therefore

pursue

sent

the

up

the Allies
as

if to

Dresden.

treated.
re-

cover

The

vigorously,

indecisive.

Napoleon'sbattle of Liitzen was fought,not on the field

where Gustavus
Adolphus fell in 1632, but several miles
to the south of it. The
is a bigrolling
country
plainwhich
C

290

MARSHAL

NEY

THE

NAPOLEON

which
hillocks,

the many

between
south

Bohemian

the

near

and

mostly open,

FIRST

increase in
The

mountains.

is dotted

with

heightto the
landscapeis

villages.

Bautzen
mustered
allied army
at
only iio,ocx5,
while Napoleon if he could bring all of his troops into
The Allies were
have nearly 150,000 men.
action would
The

Russian

held

army

of the Czar

command

the nominal

under

the

left,and

the

Prussians

The
under

right.

Bliicher the

result of the first day's action

The

Alexander.

drove the Allies

that the French

out

the

on

20

of Bautzen

May was
and gained

footingon the rightbank of the Spree,the enemy

fortified second line of defence.
to
a strongly
retiring
Napoleon's plan of battle for the followingday was to
contain the Allies in their works by feignedattacks until
Ney should debouch in force on their rightand rear, and
then to throw in allhis troops and givethe knock-out blow.
been perfectedby the
finer plan of battle had ever
No
Emperor. But Ney failed to act with his usual energy. If
he had fullycarried out the Emperor'sorders the bulk of
firm

all of its guns would have been taken.

wing and the cavalry could have gotten
Bautzen
would have been as decisive a victory
and

the allied army

Only the left
and

away,
as

of the critics

Some
orders

Ney

to

not

were

probablyfelt that
acted with
was,

such

the French

certainlyhave

almost

Austerlitz,and

the

paign.
cam-

that the

Emperor's
but Napoleon
sufficiently
explicit,
to

seem

need be said

more

no

think

ended

to

vigor at Friedland and

and the
took no prisoners

man

who had

Borodino.

As

battle

cisive.
inde-

was

it

the

Emperor gave
and Wagram, a role so
Davout, the hero of Auerstadt
inferior to that of Ney in this campaign.Ney was
a brilliant
It

corps

was

when

commander
but

he

unfortunate

very

was

not

that

peror,
under the direct orders of the Em-

capable of actingwisely if left to

himself,and Napoleon should have known

There
of

is one

salient fact which

Napoleon'scareer,

stands

out

and that is the small

292

this.
in the

history

margin of safety

LEIPZIG
of his victories.In nearlyallof
so
by which he won
many
his campaigns he was
fightingagainstsuperiornumbers
which
and it was
only the indomitable energy of the man
insured

himself told the whole story in a letter

from
Italy in 1797 to the Minister of

He

success.

which

he

wrote

hang always only by a

hair. The able man
profits
by everything,neglectsnothing
The less
chances more.
of all which may
yieldhim some
able man,
sometimes
by neglectinga singleone of these,
makes
everythingfail."
the transcendent
Carlylehas said that, "Genius means
in
capacityof taking trouble." If this be true, no man
better entitled to the attribute than
ever
historywas
Foreign Affairs:

Napoleon.He
five years
he

his

owed

than

more

satisfied with

was

his marvellous
the

age

He

had

This

great

he toiled from

took

never

"All

of

events

to

success

fifteen

twenty

from

For twentysixteen hours a day. He

minutes

four

mental

to

hard

to

work.

for his

six hours

powers

of

too

great

marked

drafts upon
during the

though
sleep.Al-

failed

never

forty his physicalstrengthbegan

made

meals, and

his bank

to

of

him,

at

decline.
reserve.

campaign of Leipzig.
"One
does not recognizeNapoleon during this campaign,"
Marmont
writes. Says Fain, his secretary: "Instead
of
being up and about, riding from place to place in the
saddle,he remained almost constantlylocked in his room,
where his bed and his maps
had been brought."
At

was

most

Bautzen, he

longerthe Napoleon of Austerlitz

and Jena. As Ney's command
to do the most
was
tant
imporwork
of the day, the Emperor should either have
given him more
specificorders, or should himself have
ridden over
have directed the
and personally
to his column
tory
operation.The result would then have been a brilliant vicinstead of

an

was

no

indecisive action.

On the fourth of June 1813 the Emperor

which with its extensions lasted for
the

crowning error
duringthis campaign

was

signedan
ten

weeks.

tice,
armisThis

of the many
mistakes that he made
coalition
so fatal to his fortunes. The

293

NAPOLEON

THE

FIRST

againsthim, after the defeats of Lutzen and Bautzen, was

the pointof breakingup. If Napoleon intended to conon
tinue
the war, he should not have agreed to a suspension
of

for peace, he should

reasonable concessions.

if he wished
hostilities;
make

willingto

some

hav#been

(i) That the Grand

abolished;(2) That Prussia
Duchy of Warsaw
should regainher former boundaries; (3) That the Confederation
of the Rhine should be dissolved;and (4) That
The

put forward
should be

conditions

Trieste and Dalmatia

Under

the

favorable

to

Napoleon. He would

Rhine, which
French
monarch,
so

these

circumstances

the

over

be restored

with her "natural

France

and

should

were:

extensive

included
not
a

domain.

make

conditions

have

were

retained all of

very

Italy,

boundaries,"the frontier

Belgium and
Charlemagne,

even

Austria.

to

It

Holland.
had

because

was

ever

of

No
ruled

Napoleon

was

slighta concession that he lost his

throne. It is difficult to explainhis conduct. He seems
to
have stillviewed events
medium
of
through the distorting
his Continental
System, and to have been governed by
willingto

not

the vendetta

He

so

instincts of his
succeeded

now

in

race.

bringing about what Charles

be impossible.In 1806 the
to
had said to Talleyrand,"The
whole of Europe againstFrance

James Fox had declared

English Foreign Minister
prefect of combining the
is to the last degree chimerical."
the

Revolution

For

the first time

since

the

European Powers buried their petty

and animosities,
and Austria, Prussia, Russia
jealousies
and Sweden
ranged themselves on the side of Great Britain
and the Spanish patriotswho
for four years
had been
queror.
carryingon an almost hopelessstruggleagainstthe ConAfter the battle of
assumed

command

back

troops

Prussians

on

to

the death

Warsaw

forced

were

Silesia,and

Bautzen, Barclay,who had

the

to

back

outlook

Kutusov,
reorganizethem
of

into

for the

indeed.

294

the

extreme

coalition

once

more

led the Russian

there. The
south

seemed

of

dark

LEIPZIG
At this moment

Austria intervened and saved the situation.

Metternich

had

been

endeavoringfor

several months

bring about a generalpeace, and he now

approached
During
more
as
a negotiator.
Napoleon and Alexander once
the armistice,
which was
eventuallyextended to the
tenth of August, negotiationsbetween
poleon
Metternich,Naand
the Allies were
activelypushed forward.
Napoleon,as we have seen, refused to giveup an inch of
he had conquered, and at the conclusion of
the territory
the armistice Austria declared war
againsthim.
Continuous
reinforcements had
brought the French
forces in Germany up to 500,000 men,
and the Emperor
the Allies even
when
expected to outnumber
joined by
to

Austria.
the time Austria and

By

the
months

Austria

command

of

brought
raised
and

Allies could
put

Sweden

disposeof 800,000
troops

200,000

to

up

160,000,the Russians

At the

In three

under the
field,

of the year
million. Prussia

contributed

Bernadotte

ever,
how-

the end

half

over

men.

in the

Schwarzenberg, and by

this number

joinedthem,

had

about

180,000,

Swedes.

brought 30,000
opening of the autumn

campaign

the main

army

Allies,about 250,000 strong, imder Schwarzenberg,

the Elbe; another army
of 110,000
under Bliicher
on
in Silesia;
and the Northern Army under Bernadotte,

of the
was
was

125,000,

was

Napoleon
near

Berlin.

near

with

300,000

Dresden, whence

men

was

he could

in

central

strike from

position

interior lines

point,while Davout and

Oudinot with 120,000 men
were
facingthe Northern Army.
the Elbe, which
The base of Napoleon'soperationwas
His main line of
was
stronglyfortified at all the crossings.
communications
was
by the great highroadfrom Mayence
and ammunition
via Erfurt to Leipzig,and largestores
set up everjrwhere.
depotswere
It is only necessary
to
glance at the map to see the
of Napoleon'spositionafter Austria entered the
weakness
wherever

war.

he

might

It is true,

as

detect

he

weak

claimed, that Dresden

n 29s 3

was

the

pivot

THE

NAPOLEON
all his

which

on

stretched

were

turned, and that the Allies

movements

out

an

on

FIRST

extending from

arc

Prague, while he, operatingfrom

lines,could

with France

was

centre

to

interior

on

his line of communications

exposed,and

Austrian

an

mountains

the Bohemian

debouching from

But

them.

outmanoeuvre

the

Berlin

could

army

cut

him

between my fortified
they venture
lines of the Elbe and the Rhine," said Napoleon, "I will
indeed

must

in the rear." The

and thus take them

Bohemia

enter

"If

the Rhine.

off from

have

despisedhis

foe

all on

venture

to

peror
Em-

plan!In vain did his marshals remind him

far from France. He
in a perilous
that he was
so
position
he was
retorted that at Marengo, Austerlitz and Wagram
be the prizeof
in greater danger, and that glory would
hazardous

so

minds

mediocre

risks

if no

ever

were

in

taken

war.

at the
plan of operations,
towards
outbreak of hostilitiesthe Silesian Army advanced
frontier. The generalidea was
the Bohemian
to envelope
hemia;
Napoleon on three sides,from Berlin,Breslau,and Bo-

threaten

to

him

without

out

Allies from sad

which
Silesia,

he

Emperor
to

he

fox. He

Napoleon
time

to

But
Late

of Bautzen

so

to

as

Saxony. In adoptingthis plan he

and

his line of

left Bautzen

prevent

took the

communications

the 17

on

Gorlitz. After much

failed

August
marching and

to

withdrew

to

the

and

ceeded
pro-

marching
counter-

action. The
now

as

wily

southeast,hoping to lure

into the wilds of Silesia and

givethe

Austrians

seize Dresden.
the

on

Gorlitz

force,while holding

bring Bliicher to an
usuallyas bold as a lion,was
general,

Prussian
a

the

attack.

to

east

as

attack in

south

leavingDresden

risk of

wear

his powers of generalship.

his attention to the Army
of

proposed to

passes

invasion of

The

riskinga

communications, and to
pitched battle,in which

feared
experience

the Bohemian

open

his line of

first turned

Napoleon

any

the allied

with

In accordance

be drawn
further afield.
not
to
Emperor was
the evening of the twenty-thirdhe received at
him that Dresden
dispatchfrom Saint-Cyrtelling

C2963

LEIPZIG
in

danger of capture. Taking the Guard

divisions of cavalry and infantry he hurried

was

forced

two

back

by
days

Dresden, where he arrived two

pouring rain,many of his battalions traversed

marches

later. In

and

to

hours.
fortyleaguesin forty-eight

Meanwhile

the Austrian

south of the Erz

and

advanced

Gebirge,which
Dresden.

on

had

army

been

concentrating
columns,

it crossed in four

Owing

to

the intervention

of

Czar, the plan of an immediate attack on the defences

of the city was
poleon
abandoned, and this delay enabled Na-

the

to

come

Dresden

up.

lies

with

on

the left bank

Neustadt

the

on

of the

Elbe, and is

opposite bank

nected
con-

by an old
campaign.

a
bridgewhich has played a part in many
After passingthrough the mountains, the Allies advanced
the cityby the three highways which converge
there
on
from the south and southwest. The ground is hilly,
but
descends
graduallytowards the city.There are several
brooks which flow towards the Elbe, and one
long defile,
hard for troops to cross, through which
runs
a
larger
the river justbelow the city.Villages
dot
stream
to enter
the plain,"with farms, gardens and other enclosures,all
good pointsto defend. Adjoiningthe cityto the east, the
Grosser Garten, a mile long by half as wide, makes
an

stone

excellent outwork.
orders for the
Schwarzenberg's
the French back on the cityfrom
after which
come

up

and

in the

bombard

26

to

all their advanced

afternoon

the

August were
the

place.But

drive

tions,
posi-

would
artillery
before

this

plan

counter-stroke
a
fullybe carried out there came
from Napoleon.
about nine o'clock in
The Emperor reached the capital
then until late in the afternoon the
the morning. From
the Elbe and reinforcing
Guard was
across
continuouslyfiling
as
they
Saint-Cyr'shard-pressedtroops. As soon
advance
all up Napoleon ordered a general
to recapwere
ture
sufficientspace for deployment in front of the city.

could

n 297 3

NAPOLEON
As had

THE

FIRST

happened before,the Allies had lost a

indecision.
splendid opportunityby their delay and
With
the arrival of Napoleon all doubts
and fea|p
had
At the sightof the wellvanished
in the French
army.
known
forts
figurein the gray redingotefatiguesand discomand the cries of "Vive I'Empereur!"
were
forgotten,
the air,carryinginspiration
rent
to the defenders,dismay
to

so

often

the enemy.
The news
of

the Czar

Napoleon's arrival

that he favored

an

shook the

so

immediate

of

nerves

retreat.

But

the

original
plan was carried out. As nightfellthe Allies drew
off,with heavy losses,
abandoning all the pointsof vantage
they had gained during the day.
For the battle of the second
day Napoleon ordered
Murat
attack the weak
to
point of the Allies,their left
by the defile
wing, which was
separatedfrom the centre
was
spoken of above. The French centre
only to hold the
in front of it,while the left wing attacked Barclay
enemy
along the Pima road.
he
Although Napoleon was considerablyoutnumbered
had the advantage of an inner line only half the length
of that of the AUies, and could therefore easilybe superior
in force at any point he chose to attack.
The
drenching rain rendered the muskets practically
useless for service and the battle was
decided
by the
and cold steel. The French
advance
againstthe
artillery
checked.
allied rightwas
but was
at firstsuccessful,
finally
duel,the most
Along the centre there was a heavy artillery
noteworthy result of which was the death of the French
traitor

Moreau, who

legscarried
But

by

captured

who

ten

thousand

nightbegan that
was

righta

overwhelmed

the Allies

Dresden

shot from

stray

the French

on

by Murat,
decided

off

to

one

men.

of

retreat

field battery.

brilliant

success

Austrian

two

The

news

was

gained

and
divisions,
of this disaster

Bohemia, and during the

retire into

famous

suite,and had both

in the Czar's

was

which

Napoleon'smost

soon

became

rout.

brilliant tactical

battles and the last of his great victories.It is the

n 298 3

onlyone

THE

NAPOLEON

FIRST

geniusit is amazing to see Napoleon

instead of acting.Having undertaken
fensive,
dea

the admirer

of his

writingnotes

in his

for the first time

all his initiative.The

moving all around

On the
seriously.

he
life,

of the month

rest

have

to

seems

lost

he spent *Ris time

without

Dresden

attackinganybody
he again drew up a
fourth of October
review of the situation in which he apparentlyseriously
munications
contemplatedthe impossiblescheme of givingup his comand wintering in and around
with France
'

Dresden!

Suddenly Napoleon completelychanged

decided

to

give

Erfurt.

towards

up

Dresden

But

after

as

base

fall

and

left him

and

plans and

Saint-Cyr

callingup

Dresden, he cancelled the order

his

back
from

there,only

finally
captured by the Allies. Having drawn up a
the old combrilliant plan,in which one
mander.
again recognizes
Napoleon for three days remained inactive,once
to the most
extraordinaryirresolution.
more
a
prey
and
In the meantime, while the great captain waited
waited, the Allies were
puttingto use againsthim his own
and
outmanoeuvred
him
methods.
They had distinctly
to

be

stood
open.

his line of retreat

with their
in full force upon
in as bad
He was
a
predicament as he had

placed one

of his

he alone

enemies, and

was

to

own
ever

blame.

It

impossible"to recognizeNapoleon during this

decided that there was
campaign." He now
nothing to do
except to march on Leipzigand accept battle there,which
under the circumstances
was
simply to invite destruction.
is indeed

He

should

have

avoided

the flank of his enemies

At

noon

on

battle and
so

as

to

turn

reach the Rhine.

to

the 13 October

manoeuvred

the French

corps

began

the

could save
the situation
Leipzig.Nothingnow
but a great victory,
and it was
for him to connot
possible
centrate
his forces in time. Up to the present moment
the
Allies had constantlyrefused to meet
him, and Napoleon
seemed
dare to attack
never
to imagine that they would
march

to

him, and that he could

pleased.A

to

come

fatal error! "In

battle when

going

300

to

and

how

he

Leipzigto fighta

!4"m

4(

(^(-Z

:l
^

fi/t

4f

"

IT- V
iiwi

7/

'^^

",,^.rr^^'Tg^t^"^

L.-#r"4

'

.^V'U^^'i^j^'''^
OF

BATTLE

S:!!*

J7.I8

"^1^

FrtR

f^^B C axali'v

iiS^lnlantrv

Ottober

1813
18J

\llips
jjja

m^
^

rtilliorv

SCALE

'"

"

"l

"

"-^-^

LEIPZIG

committed
battle,"says Dodge, "he deliberately

strategic

suicide.

better."
was
Any manoeuvre
The old university
of Leipzigis situated in a large
town
the rightbank of the Elster at the pointwhere it
on
plain,
is joined by the Pleisse. Between
the rivers,
for several
miles above
and below
the city,there is low marshy
On the north of the city a smaller stream,
meadow-land.
the Partha, comes
in from the east. The only outlet from
Leipzigto the west, towards Erfurt and Mayence, is over
the long causeway
the several arms
of
bridgethat crosses
the two
end of this bridge is
rivers;and at the western
Lindenau.
The
old road from Halle, by which
Bliicher
of the Elster. There
to the north bank
arrived,runs parallel
in the rolling
are
villages
plain to the east of the
many
city,all so built as to be capable of stout defence. These
were
an
villages
important feature of the battle-field.
the 15 October the rival armies lined up for battle.
the southeast of the city Napoleon'smain
body of

On

To

faced

men

130,000

Mockern

to

the

opposed

50,000,

Bertrand
under

Giulay
on

Schwarzenberg with 200,000.

north stood Ney and Marmont

to

Bliicher with

60,000

men.

Near

At

with
denau
Lin-

with 20,000 men

opposed a strong column
sians
who was
working around to join the Prus-

the north.

Giulay opened the

battle

on

the sixteenth with

an

attack

at
Lindenau; but he was
repulsed
position
the
main
Elster
and retreated up the
to rejoin
body of the
took placearound Wachau
Allies.The brunt of the fighting
miles and a half to the southeast of the city.
about two

on

the French

Here

the French
columns.

trian
batteries broke up the attack of two AusA counter-attack of three cavalrydivisions
direct

againstthe
of the marshy
Austrian centre, failed of success
account
on
trian
ground. Another advance of the French againstthe Ausboth sides
The fighting
also repulsed.
on
rightwas
obstinate. On
the north, however, Ney and
was
most
within
forced back by Bliicher who came
Marmont
were
a mile of the gates of the city.
under

Murat, which

Napoleon

301

sent

NAPOLEON
The

THE

FIRST

day Napoleon was reinforced by the arrival

Reynier's
into position
of
corps, which went
to the east
the city.
On the allied side,Bernadotte
from
came
up
Halle and formed
up his troops oppositeReyniejjpthus
the gap between the Austrians and Prussians. At
closing
the same
time Schwarzenberg's
ened
strengthrightwing was
by Bennigsen.
The rain fell without ceasing,
and a
generalrest seemed to be imposed. During the day the
French line of battle was
withdrawn
nearly a league
next

of

farther back.

Napoleon'sfront now
extended
in a semicircle over
eleven miles in lengthfrom the northern side of the city
to the Pleisse on
the south. Only Bertrand
remained
on
the left bank of the river

The

retreat.

covering the line of

numbered

now

200,000

against

of the Allies.

300,000

On

French

Lindenau

at

the

to
eighteenthSchwarzenberg'sintention was
advance with his main body along the Pleisse and turn
the French rightand cut them ofF from Leipzigand their
line of retreat. The fighting
again was most obstinate and
the Allies failed to gain any decisive advantage.But early
in the afternoon the troops from Baden, Wiirtemberg and
Saxony deserted the French and went over to the Allies,a
defection which in the words of the royalist
Rochechouart
action,
"may be called infamous treachery,a disgraceful

in the
unprecedented
only had these troops
them
had

now

retreat

to

almost
be

at

annals

deserted

morning one-half

the

once." All

given up,

with great

of modern

but

of

savingthe

French

tacked
at-

battle

covered

stubbornness,and by daybreak the

of the

not

French, but they

hope

the

warfare; for

their
next

already filingalong
the road to
so
fortunatelybeen left for
them. Napoleon reached Liitzen that day with his main
the
By an error
body, while the Allies stormed Leipzig.
blown
the Elster was
before all the
bridge across
up
thus
French had crossed,and part of the rearguard was
who had justreceived his marshal's
off. Poniatowski,
cut
baton, lost his lifein tryingto swim the river.
Erfurt which

army

had

t 302 3

was

LEIPZIG
The

aged King of Saxony who had remained in Leipzig

with
duringthe battle was treated by the allied sovereigns
the greatest severity.
He was
sent
to Berlin as
a prisoner
of

and

war

remained

there until the close of 1814.

the
of Saxony and Denmark
were

The

last
Kings
in his fall,
faithful to Napoleon,even
to remain
sovereigns
and they paid dearlyfor their fidelity.
Talleyrandpleaded
the cause
of the King of Saxony at the Congressof Vienna
and finally
obtained for him his Uberty and his kingdom,
with the exception
of one
to
provincewhich was assigned
Prussia. The
lost Norway, which was
King of Denmark
given to the King of Sweden as a reward for his help in
this campaign of 1813, and to indemnify him for the loss
of Finland

The

which

French

direct

strong, marched

Napoleon

60,000 men

been
had

retreat

pursuitwas

Here

had

and

to

been

well covered

so

attempted.The
rapidlyvia Erfurt
found
over

100

Russia.

reunited

his way
guns in

army,
to

fresh emergency
he responded in
He at once
attacked, and after one

stillover

Hanau

barred
strong
most

that

no

100,000

the Main.

on

by Wrede
To
position.

with
this

brilliant fashion.

of the finest

artillery

in

the enemy,
history,marched
rightover
the
practicallydestroying his entire force. Henceforth
unmolested
march
and Napoleon reached Mayence
was

manoeuvres

on

the

Thus
that

second of November.
ended

the

Napoleon

Campaign

ever

of

Leipzig,the

conducted

in
the mos^^rtile
in its results."-tU-^

"

"the

most

unsound

weakest

blunders,and the

most

in

ception,
con-

trous
disas-

r"W" -V!""| (l^\Ax"I^_4'

1:303 3

TWENTY

CHAPTER
1814

THE
Napoleon

Returns

Answer
the

Allies

of

Brienne

Paris

to

Allies

The

"

and

Driven

Back

Allies

Advance

Take

Paris

"

The

"

of

Paris

on

Treason

Suicide

Rothiere

Battle

"

The

"

Second

de

Peace
of

of

Defeated
of

Move

The

Abdication

Fontainebleau

The

"

The

"

Allies

Abdication

Napoleon

"

of

Battles

"

Chatillon

First

The

"

Plan

Schwarzenberg

East

the

to
"

Evasive

"

War

"

Congress

An

"

Murat

Theatre

Bliicher

Fontainebleau

The

"

The

Napoleon's
at

Adieux

Offer

Defection

"

"

Laon

"

FRANCE

Sovereigns
France

Preparations

La

Napoleon

"

Marmont's

The

"

Invade

Napoleon's

"

OF

CAMPAIGN

Island

"

Attempts
poleon's
Na-

of

Elba

"

There

Life

had
recrossed
the
Rhine
Napoleon
at
and
found
himself
the
Mayence
once
more
on
he had
soil of the Empire
agement
feeling of discoura

WHEN

which
the

longer

no

people. The

the

had

campaign,
on

and

Baron

of

de

was

He

of

had

forces

of

frontiers

he

such

no

been
at

his

ble,
dissem-

but

days

was

to

to

had

to

quished
van-

Mayence

the

treat

say

her

by

arrived

the

for peace

France, the Rhine,

on

Empress.

results

of

the

Marie-Louise

to

Saint-Cloud

at

allied

the

the

reached

father.

Sovereigns.
minister

Napoleon's
to

he

by

reproaches

no

there

to

November

regarding

say

from

of

welcomed

was

addressed

authorized

of

able

who
few

He

triumph

Nature,

ninth

Saint-Aignan,

"

conceal.

been

general

remained

the

word

peace

willing to

in

the

to

November

14

returning
he

of his desertion

emissary

were

account

The

He

where

not

to

for

Paris.

evening

Saint-Cloud
He

the

to

Leipzig.
left for

then

him

disaster

possible

at

On

Conqueror

Russian

was

and

difficult

was

attribute

and
course

it

Empefor
the

the

basis

Alps

at

that
of the

and

the

This

an

was

Weimar.
the

AUies

"natural

Pyrenees.

THE
It is very

OF

CAMPAIGN

difficultnow

FRANCE

whether

these

proposals
sincere or not.
But Napoleon, even
in defeat,still
were
than probinspiredso much respect and fear that it is more
able
then have made
that he could even
"peace with
to

say

At this moment,
neither the Czar nor the Emperor
of the Bourbons.
The
Francis desired the return

honor."

still
of the Revolutionary
wars
Allies,with the memories
the Rhine and the
fresh in their minds, hesitated to cross

Pyrenees.The

ablest of their ministers advised

conciliation

both

as

honorable

Napoleon, instead
evasive

an

date,without

future

the

answer,

proposal.When

policyof

and

prudent.
this opportunity,
of seizing
returned
and suggested a congress
at
some
his views as to
in any way
indicating
he finally
decided two
weeks later to

conditions,it was

the

accept

late. The

too

Allies had

been

by the Royalistsin France of the weakness of

and the offer was
withdrawn.
Napoleon'sposition,
When
sary,
Napoleon finallydecided that peace was neceshe wished to recall Talleyrandto his former post of
but the latter refused because
Minister of ForeignAffairs,
the Emperor insisted that in becoming minister he should
Over such an insignific
resignhis positionof vice-grand-electeur.
of etiquetteNapoleon at this critical
matter
informed

lost the services of his ablest adviser. The

moment

then

appointed the

wise

and

peror
Em-

pacificCaulaincourt,

persona grata to the Czar, at whose Court he had

held the positionof French Ambassador.
But it was
now

who

was

too

late for

are

moments

The

19

session of
to

receive

the Allies
The

As Bismarck
negotiations.
said,"There
once
in diplomaticaffairs which never
return."
December
the Emperor in person
opened the
the Corps Legislatif
with great pomp.
He failed
the usual enthusiastic reception.
Two days later
began the invasion of France.

nation which

invader

on

its soil

for
was

fortresses of the Elbe

to

over

not

and

twenty

had

years

prepared for
the Vistula

not

seen

an

its defence. The

stronglygarrisoned
and well supplied,
but no thought had been given
the strong placesof France. Nearly one hundred and
C 30s 3

were

NAPOLEON

fiftythousand

THE
troops

veteran

fortresses and

while in France

more

many

as

there

holding the German

still fighting
in Spain,
enough soldiers to guard

were
were

not

were

FIRST

the Rhine.
^

On

the

the throne

to
were

Ferdinand

with

treaty

to

1813, Napoleon had concluded

December

II

by which the latter was

of Spain, and the French

Again it was too

saved the Empire did

home.

come

to

be

a
stored
re-

garrisons

late. These

soldiers

in time
not
return
might have
the invaders.
to fight
On learningof the signatureof this treaty Joseph was
profoundlymortified,but there was nothing to do but to
submit. He retained his title of king,and the dignityof
princeof the Empire, and took up his residence in the
Luxembourg.
who

At

the

Napoleon
Caroline

was

and

the

that

moment
cut

to

the

brothers

became

quick at learningthat
Murat

her husband

had

deserted

reconciled
his sister
him

and

the
Strangestthing of all,it was
other Caroline,the sister of Marie-Antoinette,
the deposed
the Emperor received the
Queen of Naples,from whom
firstwarning of this defection;and it was
this same
line,
Carogone

few

over

to

who

had

for

so

much

later

months

Louise

the Allies.

to

reason

detest

reproached her

abandoning her

Napoleon,who a
grand-daughterMarie-

unfortunate

husband.

After the battle of

advanced

to

the

Leipzigthe main army of the Allies

Rhine where
they remained stationary

during the month

operationsexcept
along the Elbe and

of November.
in Holland

the Oder.

that the Allies did

Paris. It

not

and
The

There

were

around

situation

feel justified
in

the
was

no

active

fortresses
so

tain
uncer-

advancingon

reportedthat Napoleon had raised a new

of 300,000 men,
and after the surprise
of the previarmy
ous
springthey were
ready to beheve anything.It was at
this time that the Sovereignsmade
the very favorable
offers of peace which Napoleon was
insensate as not to
so
accept, They did not then know that the French army
was
was

C 306 3

THE

CAMPAIGN

OF

FRANCE

far short of its

strengthon paper; that

could not be, properlyequipped;and that
severelyfrom an epidemic of typhus.

it was
it was

not,

and

suffering

At the close of the year 1813 the main aUied army

of
about 200,000 men
under Schwarzenbergwas
the Rhine
on
between
at

was

had
at

Bale and

to

and

Allies

an

of 80,000

Holstein;Bennigsenwas

confrontingDavout

and Biilow

Russian

one

army

Bliicher. Bernadotte

Hamburg;

Coblenz

another

under

and

Mayence

gone

and

Mannheim,

was

70,000

corps,

for active

army

in Holland

with

one

in all.This

men

operationsof

about

Prussian
gave

the

350,000

in all.
At

the

time

Napoleon's total available forces did

exceed 100,000
and they were
scattered
not
at
a
men,
dozen different pointsfrom Bale to Brussels. If there was
when
ever
a time
Napoleon needed to put to use his rule
of concentration it was
If after Leipzighe had drawn
now.
in Saint-Cyrand Davout
from Germany, Eugene from
Italyand Suchet and Souk from Spain,to add to his field
there is no questionthat he could have kept the
army,
same

beyond the Rhine and retained his throne with the

enlargedboundaries of France. But for the time beingthe
sunk in the monarch, and he was
governed by
generalwas
rather than militaryconsiderations. The
wide
political
of the small French forces was
in the highest
separation

Allies

decree

unwise. He

should

have

abandoned

for the

moment

Belgium, Italy and Spain,concentrated

the Rhine, beaten the several alHed armies
on
in detail and driven them from the soil of the Empire. He
would then have recovered his prestigeand his territory
blow. But the Emperor did nothing of the kind,
at one
and it is difficultto recognize
whose
at this time the man
of war
and every gun
firstprinciple
was
to mass
every man
his conquests
all his forces

in

for battle.
If there

Was

not

frontier he should

time

to

his forces

concentrate

certainlyhave

done

he lost Paris all was

so

for the defence

lost,for all history

of the

If
capital.

shows

that Paris is the heart of France.

C 307 3

alongthe

THE

NAPOLEON

expect that the Allies would attempt

and he thus hoped to have
before spring,

Napoleon did

not

invade France

to

FIRST

In this he was
appointed
to be dispreparations.
peror
This time they did not intend to givefhe Emto
reorganizeand recruit his army.
opportunity
an
plicity
simadopted by the Allies was
The plan of operations
and they purposed
their objective,
itself.Paris was
direct
in three columns. The most
the capital
on
to march
from
Germany is through Metz to Chalons, and
route
Napoleon expected them this way. But the main army
from Bale towards Dijon,
under Schwarzenberg advanced
for his

ample

time

while

the

second

Metz

the

moment

As

Mountains.

they

other

each

the

as

march

to

were

If

the Marne.

the Seine and

crossed

armies

two

on

to

was

first had

the

that
soon

Bliicher

under

army

were

on

the

Jura

the offensive

assumed

his flanks while

they purposedto threaten

with

in touch

by the valleysof

Paris

Napoleon

move

decisive engagement.
under
time the third army
At the same
Holland
from
on
advance
through Namur

avoiding

do

not

to

propose

Napoleon himself appears

January. No serious defence

feeble cordon of French

of the Allies

advance

and

proach
ap-

sion
into the details of the inva-

enter

until
last of

Laon

to

was

the north.

Paris from

We

Bulow

to

upon

the

scene

the

possiblefrom the
facingthe Rhine, and the
troops
the Marne
was
only a -promenade
was

militaire.
From

the time of his

been

had

the

Emperor

He

mighthave

return

Paris

earlyin November
raise

busy tryingto

withdrawn

the fortresses of

to

new

army.

trained soldiers from

300,000
and from his armies
in Spain

Germany

Italy,but as we have seen he was deterred by political

considerations,
although the militarysituation demanded
and

it.On

paper

milUon

men,

one-third
ever

about

he

were

succeeded in raising
a

Houssaye calculates
actuallycalled up, and

but

fought.From
25,000

new

men;

and

Suchet
from

Soult in

that
not

not
over

Spain

Italy, none;

C3083

levy of nearlya

and

more

than

one-eighth
he withdrew

the troops

MAF
OF

PARTS

OF

"ass

to

Illustrate

the

v*..

OtihT.^?::^

CAMPAIGXS

181415.

OF

Scale

of

"a)^isl[i

ililes

\
^"\i

("

"STKEVES

fiyirmt'nr

:"iEztF.iii:;s^

L_

(
'

"V

""?

^_

'^"T,\.r,A?iilZ}i:iZ^Si-^Z.,%,,..
^'"\^'^,'^,^^^^^
IVuiP.-'Ui'

./77//:.

paarhnjrJt

y/T."

HfiifMi//,r"'
,

I'h.-iir.
Ayy/-iiiriiii

/:^

.nr/

THE

NAPOLEON

his

fell.The

until darkness

own

followingday

decided

After the battle it was

he retreated

the Allies.

Troyes, hotly pursued by

to

FIRST

that the

two

allied armies

lons
againseparate; that Bliicher should march A Chaof the Marne
and thenceby the valley
that the
to Paris;
Army of Bohemia should advance on Troyes,and thence by
should

both

of the Seine

banks

Paris; and

on

that the Cossacks

connectinglink between the two armies.

Meanwhile
ready
Napoleon with his usual intuition had alof the enemy.
divined the probable movements
He
he left Victor
to Nogent. There
immediatelymoved across
should

form

Oudinot

and

berg,while

bert,he struck the

out

strung

north.

marched

on

On

line about

and

the

to

it

forced

Thierry.Leaving Mortier
againwith his main body
orders
sending Marmont
draw

tenth, at Champau-

and

west

retreat

to

attacked

one

Chateau-

to

contain

Yorck, he dashed off

time
Montmirail, at the same

to
to
to

fall back

Bliicher after him. The

Prussian

and

the Guard, 30,000

Army which was

miles long,and destroyed
forty-five
check
to
leaving Marmont

Then
corps.
he turned
Bliicher's advance
corps

the

Schwarzen-

of the Silesian

centre

one

of Yorck's

back

hold

to

the Seine with

he crossed

and

strong,

half his force

with

that

on

place,and

generalfellinto

the

by Napoleon and forced to retire

tories
Chalons
distance of fortymiles. These brilliant victo
a
in three successive days recalled the glories
of the
Campaign of Italy.The whole Silesian Army had been put

trap,

hors de

was

defeated

combat, and forced

abandon

to

the

time-beingNapoleon had
dangerous and implacableenemy.
For

Bliicher

said,"I have had

his usual
that

we

occurs,

After
to

return

knocked
In

out

letter

to

on

Paris.

his

most

his

wife,

bitter three days"; but with

and pluck he
hopefulness
shall be

its advance

beaten; unless

some

adds

"

Don't

unheard-of

be afraid

mistake

that is not

possible."
it was
Bliicher,
defeating
to

the

assistance of

high time for Napoleon

his retainingforce on
the

look after the

Seine. Leaving Mortier and Marmont
to
Army of Silesiahe hurried back to the valleyof the Seine

310

THE

Victor and Oudinot

where

miles

twelve

had

of Paris. While

Yonne.

He

on

wide

stormed

between

front
Sens

forced back

been

to

within

Napoleon was
dealingwith
seized Troyes and continued

Bliicher,Schwarzenberg had
his advance

FRANCE

OF

CAMPAIGN

and

his

the

Seine

vanguard

and

the

reached

Fontainebleau.
While

the

of Bohemia

Army

was

thus

continuing its

it, and
leisurelyadvance
Napoleon suddenly fell upon
during the five days from 17-21 February defeated it three
saries
times, and inflicted such heavy punishment on his adverthat they retreated hastilyto Bar-sur-Aube, over
hundred

one

miles from

In the meantime

driving Marmont
this information

the

Bliicher
and
the

capital.
had again advanced

Mortier

before

Emperor

decided

him.

On

and

receiving

discontinue

to

was

his

Bliicher again.
pursuit of Schwarzenberg and fall upon
the Aube
under Macdonald
and
on
Leaving 30,000 men
Oudinot
the Bohemian
to try to keep back
Army, he took
the remaining 25,000 to join the 15,000 that were
with his
marshals

on

the Marne.

He

arrived there

on

the second

of

March, having covered seventy-fivemiles in five days. He

Bliicher's left and drove him back
immediately fell upon
Soissons. This placehad been held by a French garrison,
on
which
had capitulated
only twenty-four hours before, unknown
thus able- to
Napoleon. The Silesian Army was
and
marching north to Laon it effected a junction
escape,
with
Bernadotte, thus bringing Bliicher's forces up to
to

100,000

On

men.

the seventh

Napoleon defeated an advance guard of

the enemy
drove it back on Laon, where
at Craonne, and
battle took place on
the ninth. Napoleon was
a
repulsed
and was
retire
Reims
his
to
obligedto
to rest
men.
On the fourteenth, Schwarzenberg, who
had learned of
Napoleon's absence from his front,began another advance,
but retreated again to Brienne on
the news
of the Emperor's
approach.
Thus
after six weeks' fightingthe Allies were
no
nearer
Paris than at the beginning of the campaign.

NAPOLEON
In order

FIRST
narrative

interruptthe

to

not

THE

operationsno reference has yet been

carried on for
which were
negotiations
the course
of the campaign, and we
a

moment

held

was

congress

Seine,very

made

to

must

now

diplomatists.The

There

the theatre of war.

to

near

for

turn

little city of Chatillon

the

at

military

the peace
several weeks
ing
dur-

the duller affairs of the

to

of the

the

on

were

present

of England, Austria,Prussia,Russia
plenipotentiaries

the

representedby CaulainEmperor was

court, his Minister of Foreign Affairs.
difficultthan the role of
Nothing could have been more
France.

and

the French
a

The

honor,

of

man

Absolutelydevoted
only salvation

been

had

patriotif there

ever

Emperor,
and

he

one.

nevertheless

was

for France.

be the

to

If his

prudent

the Emperor might have

followed
could

had

have

eral,
gen-

was

believed

he

which

peace,

Napoleon

Napoleon

his throne.

willingto

for

brave

was

the

to

sincerelyin favor of
advice

Caulaincourt

commissioner.

saved

if he had

peace

been

the frontiers of 1792, but he insisted on

which he had once
At
boundaries"
rejected.

accept

the "natural

Emperor seemed ready to giveway, but as soon

he was
gained a militarysuccess
again obdurate.

times the
as

he

Caulaincourt

filledwith

honor

dignityhis

and

thankless

role.
The

opened at Chatillon on the fourth of

February,just after Napoleon'sdesperatedefensive battle
court
the Emperor gave Caulainat La Rothiere. At that time
the negotiations
carte blanche "to conduct
to a happy
congress

finish."
Three

days

later the

that France
1792, and

should

should

have

ceded territory.
An
or

no,

without

to
willingness

any

Powers

withdraw

immediate

within

demanded,

reply was

these

even

hostilities.
This condition

be

was

the conferences

hard

the limits of

of
disposition

Caulaincourt
pourparlers.

accept

their ultimatum

known

voice in the

no

condition that there should

following
day

made

yes

expressedhis

terms,

but

upon

suspensionof
and the
by the Allies,
rejected
were
suspended for a week.
an

C 312 3

immediate

the

EMPEROR

FRANCIS

THE
When

CAMPAIGN

the sessions

OF
resumed

FRANCE

the 15 February,
his brilliant victories over

were

on

Napoleon had just gained

drawing
Caulaincourt from Nangis, withBliicher,and he wrote
his carte blanche and insisting
the bases proon
posed
at

Frankfort,that is to

say

the "natural

frontiers."

couraged
disNapoleon thought the Allies would be much more
than they were.
At the session of the 17 February
more
they presenteda series of preliminaryarticles even
drastic than their previouspropositions.
When
Napoleon
heard

his rage knew no bounds. He

rather see the Bourbons
that he would

of these demands

Caulaincourt
than

accept

But

such

infamous

the Allies would

wrote

back

terms.

not

yielda singlepoint.The

last

of

February they notified Caulaincourt that unless a

favorable replywas
the
received by the tenth of March
would
immediately be dissolved.
congress
With
much
the French commissioner
obtained
difficulty
he
extension of five days, and finally
the 1 5 March
on
an
of Napoleon in which
presentedthe counter-proposition
minor
concessions but stillinsisted
the Emperor made
some
the line of the Alps and the Rhine. The Allies
on
which made
considered this propositionas an ultimatum
the congress finally
and on the 18 March
peace impossible,
adjourned.
day

suddenly decided to cut loose from their

Paris. This
march
and
communications
directlyupon
stances.
brought about by several circumchange of plan was
of Talleyrand,who had long
Under the leadership
secretlydesired the fall of Napoleon, a plot had been
the
formed at Paris to dethrone the Emperor and restore
informed of this conspiracy
were
Bourbons. The allied sovereigns
poleon's
but they were
not
entirelyconvinced that NaWhile they
weak as represented.
situation was
as
the Emperor from Savary
stillhesitating
a letter to
were
The

was

and

Allies

now

in
intercepted

which

the minister

described

the

haustion
ex-

of the treasury, the arsenals and the magazines,

After
spoke of the grave discontent of the population.

n 313 3

THE

NAPOLEON

readingthis

march

immediate
At the

letter the Czar

issue orders for

to

that the Allies

moment

same

decided

an

capital.

the

on

FIRST

began their

advance

Paris,Napoleon suddenly eflPected a manoeuvft that

blamed
criticized
by many,
has been
differently
proved
apabout
his
which
result
of
to
the
was
bring
by few,
consisted in passing
fallwithin a few days. This manoeuvre

on

"

the

to

of the allied armies, in order

rear

Napoleon hoped

communications.
him

and thus be drawn

to

directlyon

marched
the

they would

that

Paris. The

follow

however,
Allies,

Paris,drivingbefore them
In this sudden

and Mortier.

of Marmont

oflFtheir

sian
Russian and Prustheir forces,leavingtwo
watch Napoleon while the rest of the army

divided
corps

from

away

cut

to

of Austria

Emperor

and

the corps

ment
rapidmove-

from
separated

became

his

ever,
apparentlyunimportant incident,which, howdeprivedNapoleon of the protectionof his father-

aUies,an

in-law and of Prince Metternich

for himself

and
and

Marmont

his

at

very

critical moment

dynasty.

Mortier

were

driven back

to

Paris where

for the defence of

they took up a positionat Montmartre
fortified at that time.
the city,which was
not
The

29 March

immense

along an

there

the gates of Paris

aUied armies formed an tive
effec-

fightingat

was

line. The

To these the French

least i50,ocx) men.
than 30,000 men,
who moreover
could not oppose
more
disheartened
defeats. The two
marshals
by recent
were
force

did
was

not

agree

at

and would

not

act

in

concert.

The

confusion

and

the capture of Paris inevitable.

allied army had marched
Paris in the form of
on

great

The

of

largesemicircle,
leavingonly the route to Orleans open.
By this road the Regent,the Empress Marie-Louise,with
her son, King Jo~seph
and the ImperialGovernment
tired
reand took up their residence at Blois,thus leaving
ments
and a prey to all the elethe capital
without government
of intrigue
within it. The result was
the
that were
surrender of the cityto the Allies on the last day of March
almost without firinga shot.
1:3143

NAPOLEON
Austria who
all was

only able

was

FIRST

arrive

on

the

to

the enemies

left the field free

had

over,

to

THE

when
fifteenth,
of the

Empire.
The

brought from tll^capital

The Czar
most
was
discouraging.
of Talleyrand,the central figure
of

which

news

Caulaincourt

nightof the second

lodged in the hotel
royalist
plot,who had just been named as the head of
with four colleagues;
but the
provisional
government,

the
was

the
the

restoration of the Bourbons

throne
favor

might stillbe saved

of the King of Rome.

take this

to

yet

decided, and the

if the

Emperor abdicated in
Caulaincourt
urged Napoleon

course.

followingmorning the Emperor assembled

The
Guard

in the

He

them.

received with

he

Paris. But

returned

case

and

such enthusiasm
his

again to

if the soldiers and

the

war,

of the Cheval-Blanc

court

was

moment

for

not

was

mairchingon

the officers were

far different with the

was

addressed

that for the

of

plan

the Old

stilleager

marshals,who

exception,determined to force
the abdication. Ney took the lead in speaking decisively
and even
to the Emperor.
disrespectfully
At noon
the fourth Napoleon called the marshals to
on
were

almost

now,

without

his

salon,and ordered his secretary. Fain, to read the act

of abdication,which he then signed.A careful readingof
this paper will show that it was
merely a conditional offer
"descend

to

his

from

son," and

Ney
the

not

was

make

absolute
were

rightsof

abdication.

court,
Caulain-

directed

final supreme

"the

subjectto

effort

to
at

take the paper

least to save

dynasty.

On

their way
to
stopped at Essonnes
situated about

five

of this marshal
under

his command

bears the
at

an

and Macdonald

Paris and

to

the throne"

same

Corbeil,and

from

three

plenipotentiaries
This littlevillage,
Marmont.
to
see
miles from Corbeil,was
the headquarters
and of the Sixth Corps which had been
during the campaign. The village
the

name

which

as

city the

the river which

separatedthe

those of the AlUes.

1:3163

enters

troops

the Seine

of Marmont

THE
On

OF

CAMPAIGN

meeting Marmont
struck
by his air

the

FRANCE

emissaries of the

Emperor
of embarrassment, which
were
they
The mystery
be explained
could not understand.
to
was
Marmont, who had fought by the side of
only too soon.
Napoleon since the days of Toulon,who had been rewarded
by him with titles and riches,who had covered himself
with glory during the Campaign of France
Marmont
had betrayed the Empire!
Followinga conference held at his hotel in Paris on the
evening of the 3 1 March, a few hours after the capitulation
of the city,at which he became
convinced that nothing
could prevent
the fall of Napoleon,he had decided to
himself under the white flagof the Bourbons.
On
range
the morning of the fourth of Aprilhe called a meeting at
his headquarters of all his generalsexcept Chastel and
explainedhis plans.
"

Such

the

was

of affairs when

state

Caulaincourt,Ney

and

Marmont

and informed

afternoon

same

stopped at

of their mission

and

Essonnes

asked

him

to

Paris.

Having obtained a sauf-conduit

from Prince de Schwarzenberg,Caulaincourt
and the three
marshals
proceeded to Paris where they arrived at two
o'clock on the morning of the fifth and went
directlyto
the Czar was
the hotel of Talleyrand where
The
living.
accompany

Czar

saw

them

Macdonald

the

them

to

at

once

and

gave

After

them

very

cordial

ception.
re-

their pleadingsin favor of the

to
listening
King of Rome he promised to givethem an answer
during
the course
of the day after a conference with his allies.
An event
fatal to the hopes of the Imperialdynasty now
had planned the act of treason, and
occurred. Marmont
during his absence his generalscarried it out. The marshal
aide de camp
of the
had hardly left for Paris when
an
Emperor arrived at his quarters with an order for him to
The generalsof the Sixth Corps at
go to Fontainebleau.
once
jumped to the conclusion that the plans of their
commander
had been exposed to the Emperor. Without
they decided to carry out
awaitingthe return of Marmont
the convention
arranged with Schwarzenbergand lead

1:3173

THE

NAPOLEON
their troops
lines.

their orders

night,received
about

were

take

to

their

But
capital.
they saw that

sun

at

of the

Essofflies and

suspicionswere
not

turned

and

their

oppose

through the

ran

back

for the recovery

aroused
soon

movement

Chastel,which

General

the enemy,
When
an

the

cross

the

column

rear

yet surrounded

not

was

march,

ranks. When

the
clearer,

and the situation became

rose

under

to

the Allies did

"treason"

the word

and

in

part

of the
when

Austrian

the

Paris,they thought naturallythat they

towards

march

within

in the middle
soldiers,

unfortunate

the

When

Essonnes

the

across

FIRST

recrossed the

by

bridge.

Marmont
to
brought the news
immediatelyto find Ney, who
returningwith his colleaguesto see

aide de camp
his hotel in Paris,he went

point of

the

was

on

the

Czar and

receive his

Marmont

answer.

told them

of

generalsand added, "I would give my

true."
if the report was
not
arm
Say your head," cried
that would
be enough!"
Marshal
not
Ney, "and even
arrived at the hotel of Talleythe plenipotentiaries
When
rand,
had already been received,they
where
the news
the Imperialthrone had
found that the last chance to save
disappearedand that the restoration of the Bourbons was

the action of his

"

certain.
the

For

by

of his life the wretched

rest

of
feeling

evil

to

career

at

who

then

had

had

known

less unfortunate

been called the

prove

their

only

as

the
impatiently
response

he

the Duke

determined

the capital,
fall upon

the

C3183

and who

was

of Reichstadt.

Napoleon at
reply from Paris.
was

lessons in strategy
than himself,
a young

gave

King of Rome,

In the meantime

on

to

was

loaded

been

Schonbrunn, where he

exile not

another

man

last,in 1830,he

sued
pur-

that of Napoleon in 1814.

into exile by the fallof Charles the Tenth he ended

genius,as

Driven
his

he

was

In vain the Bourbons

remorse.

him with honors. At the

marshal

Fontainebleau
In

case

to

march

of

Allies,whose

an

awaited
able
unfavor-

immediately
troops

were

THE

CAMPAIGN

scattered in and around

the

reconquer

his throne. Who

succeeded

At this

moment

city,defeat them

in detail and

say that he would

can

the

came

FRANCE

OF

of the

news

treason

not

have

of Mar-

which ruined allhis

plans.
Napoleononlypronounced
these words, "L'ingrat,il sera plus malheureux que moi!"
When
returned to
Caulaincourt, Ney and Macdonald
Fontainebleau on the eveningof the fifth and reportedthe
failure of their mission they found the Emperor calm and
with no reproachesfor any one.
dignified,
After a night of reflexion,
decided to
Napoleon finally
submit to the inevitable. In the morning he summoned
the
marshals
and there,on a littleround mato his cabinet,
hogany
table,he signedhis second act of abdication :
"The
allied Powers having declared that the Emperor
the only obstacle to the reestablishment
of peace in
was
Europe, the Emperor, faithful to his oath, declares that
mont

for himself and

his

heirs,the thrones of
France and Italy,and that there is no sacrifice,
that
even
which he is not ready to make
of his life,
in the interests

he

renounces

of France."

From

the sixth

the twentieth

of

mained
AprilNapoleon reFontainebleau
in a state
of great depression.
at
On the twelfth Caulaincourt
brought for his signaturethe
at Paris the nightbefore.
treaty which had been concluded
This treaty gave to Napoleon the title of Emperor, with
the sovereignty
of the island of Elba, and an allowance of
million francs a year. It also contained
two
pecuniary
for his mother, Josephine,
Joseph,Louis, Horprovisions
also accorded the privilege
tense, Elisa and Pauline. He was
of takingwith him a body-guardof four hundred
men.
This treaty, which the Allies considered the height of
appearedto Napoleon to be an act of the most
generosity,
profound humiliation. He said that he would rather die
than affix his name
a convention. That
to so ignominious
night he took a dose of poisonwhich he had carried in a
his neck during the
sachet attached to a cord around
But the poisonhad lost its strength
from Moscow.
retreat

to

319

NAPOLEON

only caused

His

physicianYvan

him

gave

FIRST

pain without

intense

him

and

THE

an

ending his life.

antidote which

him. "Tout, jusqu'a la mort,

a vivre encore."
"je suis condamne

m'a

soon

lieved
re-

trahi,"^ said,

followingmorning he enjoinedupon
of which
his suite absolute secrecy regardingthis attempt
He had entirely
recovered his usual
ashamed.
he was
now
of the day he
and during the course
calm self-possession,
signedthe treaty.
he awoke

When

In the

founded.
Napoleon, historyand legend are conthe Great Emperor appears like a hero of

of

career

To

the

us

Antiquity,and the
mythical personages

of his

veterans

like the

Old Guard

of
legionaries

are

almost

Caesar. The

"Adieux de Fontainebleau," the celebrated scene

of the
Emperor with the grenadiersof the Vieille Garde in the
like the final act of a
of the Cheval-Blanc, seems
court
great historical drama.
It is the twentieth of
In the

the Old

court

April,the day

Guard

is drawn

of his

departure.

in serried ranks.

up

are
travelling
carriages
alreadywaiting.On the stroke
peror
of midday the faithful Bertrand
to the Emannounces
that all is ready. He traverses
the gallery
of Francis
the stairwayof the Fer-a-Cheval
the First and descends
beat the charge.
with a firm and rapid step. The drums
At the foot of the stairs the Emperor makes
a
sign that
he wishes to speak, and the drums
silent.
are

The

Old Guard," he said,"I bid you fare"Soldiers of my

well.
in the
For twenty
years I have always found you
words
his
path of honor and glory."After a few more
voice broke. Then
would

like

to

least embrace
seized the
in his
overcome

to

all

"Adieu,

againstmy

press

you

your

flag!"At

flagand

my

children. I

heart. Let

these words

General

me

at

Petit

forward.

Napoleon received him

and kissed the eagleof the standard. Then
arms,
with emotion he entered the carriage
which was

bear him
On

he continued:

the

away

27

day
following

came

to

exile.

April Napoleon
he embarked.

arrived

The
320

vessel

Frejus,and the
dropped anchor in

at

THE
the harbor of

CAMPAIGN

OF

the
Porto-Ferrajo

afternoon

he landed amidst

who

proud of their

were

Elba

FRANCE

third of

the cheers of the

distance of

times
island has many
it is Italian. In all respects

island is about

seventeen

inhabitants,
Corsica

between

and

miles from the mainland.

only seven

The

next

sovereign.

new

lies in the Mediterranean

at
Italy,

and the

May,

belongedto France, but to-day

it is essentially
Corsican. The
by twelve miles in size,the

beingfrom east to west. The customs

The climate is hot
most
are
primitive.
and typhus is
and unhealthy;skin diseases are common,
Such was
the prisonto which the Emperor had
a scourge.
been consigned.
visited every
at once
Napoleon,with his usual activity,
horseback or on foot,often walking
on
part of the island,

greater dimension
of the islanders

for

hours under

ten

He

at

began

once

repairedthe
mines. He
which

heat

that would

have

felled

an

ox.

municipal improvements. He
roads,dredged the ports, and developedthe
many

introduced

stillflourish

the

olive,the lemon

the island. He

on

and the orange,

also created an abundant

supply,and improved the health of the people

and exterminatingthe mosquitoes.
by drainingswamps
water

He

gave

the islanders their firstlessons in cleanliness and

sanitation.
of the
lodging for a short time in a few rooms
Hotel de Ville,
the Emperor arrangedfor his home a building
the slopeof the hill near
the capital,
on
actingas his
architect. This buildingthe Elbans called the Mulini
own
After

Palace. As

no

Napoleon

sent

furniture could

be obtained

the island

on

expeditionto the mainland to secure

the palaceof Piombino belonging
to his

an

the furniture of
sister Elisa.

Three
who

had

after

weeks
left

Napoleon reached

allowed

At

by

the

Guard,

Fontainebleau several days before him,

arrived. They
finally

bronne, and

Elba

were

numbered

under

the command
700

nearer

than

the

of Cam400

men

the Allies.

the time

of his arrival

at

C 321 3

Elba

the

Emperor

had

NAPOLEON

THE

FIRST

about four million francs,nearly all of which

be used in

only to

fund

reserve

as

live

he

expected to

to

his allowance. The

his little kingdom

the

on

necessity,
as

of the island added

of the administrftion of

revenues

expenses

about

to

came

of

case

he treated

francs,and

120,000

the

get
nearlythree times that sum, so that the budThere remained to be met, however,
most
was
satisfactory.
and the maintenance
the Emperor's current
expenses
which alone cost nearly one
his little army,
hundred
to

revenues

of

thousand

francs

month.

with the Guard

Emperor's horses had come
over
in exile. They were
in numto jointheir old master
seven
ber
and had been ridden by him in many
campaigns of the
also fortyEmpire from Madrid to Moscow. There were
includingthe
eighthorses to draw the various carriages,
the
large sleeping-coachin which Napoleon had made
journey to the coast.
During the year Napoleon received two visits from his
the last of May, but at that
family.His sister Pauline came
time only stayed two
days. The firstof August his mother
The

arrived. A

month

Walewska, who

to

received

remain

for

Marie-Louise

he wished

to

avoid

visit from

his exile. But

share

to

came

her

only allowed
hoping that
and

later he

days, as

two

his

and

Napoleon
he

was

still

would

son

scandal. The

any

Mme.

join him,
ever,
Empress, how-

alreadyconsoled herself with Neippergand had

her husband.
of rejoining
cares
now
began to trouble the Emperor. The

had
idea

no

Other

Government

French
had

been forced

letters had
as

was

The

his

heavilyon
as

was

regardingMarie-Louise.

The

he

funds. His

reserve

silent

and

on

this

point,
Congress of

debatingwhether it would not be safer to

distant from
the Emperor to a point more
far from reassuring.
The outlook was

was

"remove"

draw

his income

failed to pay

effect. France

Austria

Vienna
France.

no

to

had

also

first of November

Pauline

returned

and

cheered

Napoleon with her brightsmiles. The lifeof the household

devoted to
was
thoroughly domestic. The eveningswere
C

322

CHAPTER

TWENTY-ONE
1815

WATERLOO
Napoleon
at

Decides

Cannes

Paris

Champ
Napoleon's

"

Sambre

The

"

Resistance
The
to

Old

Guard

Paris

The

"

The

"

of

of

the

Cause

War

LafFray

Napoleon's

"

Great

Fall

Cavalry
The

"

the

Grouchy

The

"

"

Army

Cross
The

of Battle

at

Capital

of the

French

Health

Landing

Arrival

"

the

at

The

"

The

"

The

"

Personnel

"

Field

The

"

Prussians
of

of

Napoleon's

"

Waterloo

to

Return

Reception

Changes

Theatre
Bras

His

Defile

Napoleon's

"

Quatre

Advance
Arrival

"

The

"

and

for

The

"

Situation

The

"

Plans

Ligny

"

Orders

Ministry
Mai

de

Reasons

"

North

the

to

New

The

"

The

March

"

Elba

Leave

to

English
Charge

Emperor

"

Returns

Abdication

Final

from
Napoleon's decision to return
Elba
were
partly personal and partly political.
The
which
have
personal reasons,
already been
alluded to, were,
the refusal of the Emperor
of Austria
to
allow
his wife
and
the
failure
of the
rejoin him;
son
to

THE

French

Government

Vienna

of

There

during

to

also
had

his

pay

him

removing

were

who

for

reasons

to

the

Azores

and

the

Saint

or

nothing

and

talk

at

Helena.

politicalreasons.

numerous

"learned

allowance;

The

bons,
Bour-

forgotten nothing,"

their

long exile, were

extremely unpopular in
France.
The
his first document
"the
from
King dated
nineteenth
of my
been
reign," as if there had never
year
Republic and an Empire; he restored the white flag and
a
banished
the glorious tricolor
which
in
had
been
borne
triumph to every capital in Europe. He dissolved
the Old
Guard

and

formed

Royalists. The
in France, were
the

clergy for

confiscated

the

peasants,

alarmed
the

and

"Maison

du

by

the

at

restoration
sold

to

the

far

the

Roi,"
most

demands

of their

corps

of 6000
class

numerous

of the

lands

people. Moreover
324

nobles

which
the

had

and
been

Powers,

DUKE

OF

WELLINGTON

WATERLOO
at

of

over
quarrelling

Congressof Vienna, were

of the spoils
and the former

the

alliesseemed

on

the division
the brink

war.

Saturday,the 25 February 1815, at Porto-Ferrajo,

the only subjectof conversation was
the ball to be given
by the Princesse Pauline. The Emperor was present that
evening,and was full of life.When he left at a late hour,
On

he called Bertrand
them

and Drouot

of his intention

On

Sunday

received
which

the

sail the

to

his

to

night.

next

five o'clock the littlearmy

at

order

embark

to

had

before in his career, wind and

Napoleon, and the south wind

France
On

the Golfe
to

the left was

became

the

to

west

and

known,

was

Toulon
he

whence

the cape to the east was

The
of the Army of Italy.

full of memories.

Nice the tourist

simple

"Souvenir

To-day,
sees

shaft
du

i"

of
mars

on

he had

he had

whence

bore

him

to

becalmed

in the shade

sailed for Elba. A

his

where

Orient.

he took

from

avenue

of

first

name

mand
com-

littoralfor him

tree

bearing only
1815."This marks

stone

welcomed

sailed for the

whole

the

been

where

Nice

Beyond

many

Cannes. Around the headland

near

Frejus where

Egypt, and

little farther

so

day Napoleon sailed into

of the fourth

and landed

Juan

from

vessels

favorable

were

which

men

of Livorno.

the afternoon

home

wave

kept Campbell the Englishcommissioner

in the harbor

iioo

happened

times
to

of

the six small

on

fleet. As

composed the

informed

and

room,

Cannes

was

to

by the roadside
the

inscription:

the spot where

Napoleon landed.
of the coast
of
Turning away from the royalisttowns
marched
north into the
Provence, the Emperor at once
His first objectivewas
mountains.
Grenoble, a district
which he believed would be favorable to him. Just before
curred
reachingthis place,on the seventh of March, there octhe
world.
in the history
of
without parallel
a scene
road between
there is a narrow
In the defile of LaflFray
lake and hills.Here he found a battalion of infantrydrawn
by Delessart. This
up in order of battle,commanded
1:32s 3

NAPOLEON

only nineteen

who
officer,

was

of General

Marchand,

he
the

then

was

became

the battalion. He

towards

little

he

within

was

and

would

slay

few

I'Empereur!" The

white

cockades,broke ranks, and rushed

rode

Delessart

while

away,

set

burst

soldiers

trembled.
his

soldier who

great shout
soldiers tore
off their

of "Vive

Randon

hat with

Napoleon opened

paces

said: "If there is amongst

you
A
his Emperor, here I am!"

commander.

advanced

The

their hands

and

arose

beloved

and

redingote.

gray

Captain Randon.

shook

knees

livid,their

their head

traditional

the

cockade, and

at

his well-known

wore

he is! Fire!" cried

overcoat

of Franft

Marshal

and

their left arms,

reversed under

When

againstNapoleon, under

ridden up with his lancers,

mounted.
disnow
ordered his soldiers to carry their muskets

He

were

bitter

had

Napoleon, who

"There

years

of War.

Minister

the

he

FIRST

of age, was
a nephew
commander
of Grenoble. Although

the

very

Empire

Second

THE

surround

to

his horse

spurs

to

into

tears

and

their
and

dered
surren-

Emperor, who comforted him.

Before leavingElba Napoleon had said, I shall arrive
in Paris without firing
a shot"; and in his proclamationto
the Army he had written,"The eaglewill flyfrom steeple
of Notre-Dame."
Both of
to steeple,
to the towers
even
verified. From
these predictions
Grenoble to Paris
were
Napoleon'sjourneywas one longovation. At Lyon, a large
force under Macdonald
melted away
at his approach.Ney,
who
had promisedthe King that he would bring Bonaparte
back in an
"iron cage," was
deserted by his own
his sword

to

the

"

left him

who
soldiers,
Unable

to

resist the

offer his sword

to

with

cries of "Vive

general contagion,he

Napoleon,who

I'Empereur!"
too

received him

went

to

with open

arms.

The
troops

monarchy
sent

pieceslike

stop Napoleon'smarch
attached to the Vendome

to

placardwas

to Louis XVIII.
more

fell to

troops:

My good

I have

house of cards. The

joined his army. A
Column:

brother,it is useless

enough."
1:3263

"Napoleon
to

send any

WATERLOO
last stage of his journey,
escorted by only
Paris,in a carriage

Napoleon accomplishedthe
from Fontainebleau
half

to

Polish lancers. A

dozen

little before

midnight on
Palm
Sunday, the 19 March, the King left the Tuileries,
and before noon
the followingday the tricolor was
flying
in Paris. The
the Palace and all the publicbuildings
over
funds which, on
the news
of Napoleon's landing,had
had alreadyrecovered half their loss.
fallen ten points,
On Monday evening,Hortense,several of the marshals,
a

and

Empire

were

master.

There

waitingat
was

could
a

entered
post-chaise

by

thousand

and

of the
dignitaries

the Tuileries for the arrival of the

thick

the expectant
crowd
About nine o'clock
A

ministers

of the former

many

fog and
see

the

in
lights

horsemen

thewindows.

of horses

distant sound
the

of rain,but
sprinkle

heard.

was

court-yardat a trot, followed

crying, "Vive I'Empereurl"

They were troops who had been sent out the eveningbefore
him. "Napoleonwas
lifted from the carriageand
to fight
borne up the grand staircase in the arms
of his Old Guard.
At lengthhe reached his cabinet and the doors were
closed
againstthe crowd.
Such

the

was

return

from

Elba, one

of the

most

lous
marvel-

It was
resolved upon and arranged
episodesin history.
the Bonapartesas much
by Napoleon alone,and surprised
it did the Bourbons. It was
of the people,
as
a movement
assisted by the army.
Peasant and soldier marched
side
the popularityof the
by side. It was
a great tribute to
Emperor and the most
impressive form of plebiscite.
Landing on the coast of France with 11 00 men, Napoleon
had marched
in triumph to the capitaland entered the
Tuileries to find his Court around
him and the palace

decorated
is

power

illuminated

and
ever

to

for his

be founded

on

sovereignin historyever

no

throne
The
very

than

the

If
reception.

the basis of
had

nation's

clearer title

rightof Napoleon to reign over

Emperor was able to nominate

nightof his arrival.Maret became
n

327

supreme

to

will,
his

France.

his ministers

on

the

Secretaryof State,

NAPOLEON

THE

Cambaceres, Minister

and

took

all three

after the i8

to be
reluctan^^
of
again took the portfolio

Caulaincourt

of War.

Minister

with

consented

Davout

Brumaire.

that

Government

of the Consular

members

were

while Gaudin
Justice,

It is remarkable

Finances.

of the

charge

of

FIRST

some

Foreign Affairs. Savary refused the post of head of the

and Napoleon reluctantly
appointedthat notorious
police,
The
Fouche.
veteran
Carnot, "the organizer
turncoat
of

made

victory," was

Ministry, made

strong

was

experience.
But Napoleon's fate
not

Paris. When

at

Napoleon
rigorof this decree
English historians

the

be decided

drawn

up

recognizedalmost

try in vain

signed placing
publicenemy. The

and

defend

to

as

and the

it.

was

and

immediately

everywhere.

Although Napoleon
Powers

received

was

Europe as a
been generally
condemned,

has

and

few civil disturbances,in the Vendee

the

at

Vienna

at

return

the South, but the ImperialGovernment

his arrival

Interior. It
of talent and

men

the ban of

under

were

of

of his

news

was

of

up

to

was

the

there, a declaration

There

Minister

at

made

once

Tuileries

declaration of

regarded by

was

war.

of peace,
the other

overtures

His

circular address

the

to

stopped at the frontiers. The members

sovereignswas
outside the limits
the Bonaparte family who
were
France

were

were

peopleswas

the sentiments of the

very

invasion of France. In
made

Government

was

the feeling
rulers,

different. In

along the Rhine, the return

joy. But the generalvoice
The

of

Interned.

But ifthese
of the

of

Italy,in Belgium,and
of Napoleon was
hailed with
of Germany called out
for an

England publicopinionwas
in favor

of war,

while

divided.

the

Whigs

popular hero of Napoleon.

At Paris Napoleon, in order to reassure
the people,did
his best to conceal the hostile designsof the Powers, and
the city remained
time he reviewed
quite calm. At the same
day in the Carrousel the soldiers who were
every
a

leavingfor

the

frontier. He

also showed

C 328 3

himself

con-

NAPOLEON
had
of

THE
and

lost hope and energy,

FIRST
was

longer confident

no

success.

In

order

gain a

must

the front

great

the

on

home

at

and

conquer

12

before tiliat
he
as
never
had decided to leave for

victory.He
June. The eveningof

the eleventh he

at
mother, his brothers and the princesses

dined with his

the

confidence

Napoleon realized

abroad

peace

restore

to

Elysee,where

he

had

the Tuileries in

from

moved

April,After dinner the two children of Hortense were

brought to him, and littleLouis begged him not to go to
the war.
Napoleon turned to Marshal Soult after the boy
had gone and made the prophetic
remark, "He is perhaps
the hope of my race."
of his last campaign
the description
Before entering
on
consider the condition of the forces with
it is necessary
to
the victory.By the first
which Napoleon hoped to secure
the National
in the field;
of June he had 200,000
men
Guard

numbered
in

the

and

same,

50,000

more

were

tached
de-

depots.

Coming

to

now

old chief of

the

personnelof

staff,Berthier,who

the army:
had served

Napoleon's
him

in this

capacityfor twenty years, had retired to Bavaria,and his

loss was
badly felt during the campaign. To supply his
Soult, a very bad
place the Emperor selected Marshal
but was
choice. Soult had great qualities,
fitted by
not
for this position,
where others
or
experience
temperament
would have done better. Napoleon was
obligedto leave
Davout
whom
had

behind

at

he could
been

Paris because

intrust the

struck from

the

care

there
of the

was

no

else

one

to

capital.
Augereau

and Marmont
list,

and

Victor

refused to serve,' and

King. Macdonald
Oudinot
and Saint-Cyrwere
not
employed. Massena and
ill.Brune was
Mortier were
sent
to the South, and Jourdan
and Suchet were
also employed. Ney was
summoned
at
and givenan importantcommand, but it
the last moment
had

followed the

would

have

been better if Napoleon had left him

Grouchy, who
reputationas
know

how

had
a

at

Paris.

just received his baton, had a great

and Napoleon could not
cavalryofficer,

fatal his services

were

C 3303

to

prove.

f
""

rs

*
^

..

ffV

^^

e!'

"5""

-*.-^^

"05

OH

^T^^
5^

'

(J"

i3\TTIE

i"

II

II

'^

"tt_imlLfjT

WATERLOO
On

the

first of

June a largeAustrian army under

nearingthe Rhine, and Russia was
Schwarzenbergwas
also making great militarypreparations.
Across the frontier
in Belgium an Anglo-Prussianarmy
assembled
was
Brussels.

near

He could
Napoleon considered two plansof operations.
either await the enemy's attack,which would give him
time to organizeand equip his army,
and a better
more
chance

of

endeavor

advance

or

success,

the attack himself and

part of the allied forces before the

he chose the latter
rest could come
reasons
up. For many
he kept 120,000 in hand as his
Of his 200,000 men
course.
main

to

crush

to

and

army,

the Rhine

the remainder

sent

and the

to

the

Vendee, Italy,

Pyrenees.

The

militarysituation at the opening of the campaign

favorable to Napoleon. The allied army
was
was
spread
line
of over
tier.
out
on
a
eightymiles alongthe BelgianfronThey needed two entire days to assemble on the same
battle-field.Wellington's
at
Brussels,
headquarterswere
The Englishline of communications
Bliicher's at Namur.
ran
through Brussels to Antwerp, the Prussian,through
Liege to Cologne; in case of disaster the lines of retreat
would diverge.
that in his last campaign NaIt is interesting
poleon
to note
confronted by exactlythe same
was
problem as in
his
in
an

and that he solved it in the

first,

1796,his

were
opponents
extended front,and had

He

decided

as

same

way.

Nowy

as

in numbers, occupied
superior
cations.
divergentlines of communi-

before

to

strike in full force

at

the

wedge between the two armies,

bases. The plan
and throw them back on their respective
but its execution was
far
a
was
Napoleonic masterpiece,
Nevertheless it almost succeeded,and was
from perfect.
lost by but a few hours' delay.
pointof junction,drive

The
south

of the 181 5
the Sambre from

theatre

by
midway between
one

of the main

these
roads

two

to

campaign is bounded on the

Maubeuge to Naniur. About
placeslies Charleroi where

Brussels

t 331 3

crosses

the river.Ten

NAPOLEON
miles

the north this chaussee

to

which

runs

crossroads
of this

THE

FIRST
is

by the paved road

from Hal throughNivelles to Namur, and this
is known as Quatre Bras. Lrgny liesa mile south
cut

road, northeast of Charleroi. About

twentj^iles.

the north of Charleroi is the littlevillage

of

to

short

miles

ten

the

to

of which

east

and mostly
ground is rolling,
and
running in every direction,

with

open,
no

streams

Waterloo,

is Wavre.

The

country

roads

of any

tance.
impor-

All of the

ducted
conoperationsof the campaign were
within the irregular
whose apex is Brussels,
triangle
the base a Une drawn
from Mons
through Charleroi

and

Namur.

to

In the

crossed the Sambre

took

army
15 June the French
and
Charleroi without opposition,

earlyhours

of the

at

Wellingtonand

Bliicher

The
completelyby surprise.

firstdefiniteinformation

they received was from Bourmont

the commander
of the vanguard of the French
right
column
who went
the enemy
and betrayed the
to
over
Emperor'splans.During the day the French left wing
under Ney pushed back the enemy's outposts towards
Quatre Bras but failed to reach that point.One corps
under Vandamme
Fleurus, just south of
encamped near
Ligny,while the Guard and the corps of Gerard and Lobau
were

near

battle

Charleroi. At the

near
position

to

led

to

his
the

time

same

Bliicher took up

Ligny and Wellingtonhurried

troops at Quatre Bras. These

two

up

forcements
rein-

ments
arrange-

battles of the sixteenth.

In the battle of

Ligny fought on the 16 June, Bliicher

had about 80,000 men
againstthe 70,000 of Napoleon.
the Emperor found the Prussians were
When
in force at
Ligny, he sent orders to Ney, and also direct to Erlon,
his frontal attack upon
for the First Corps to support
in
sent
Ligny. But when Erlon did not appear he finally
the

Guard, who

At

the

same

drove
time

the Prussians

Ney

had

from

attacked

their
the

English at

Quatre Bras with Reille'scorps. Owing to the

orders received by Erlon from Napoleon
his corps

spent the afternoon

332

in

position.

marching and

tory
contradicand

Ney,

counter-

WATERLOO

marching between the two battle-fieldsand took no part

in the fighting
either place.ConsequentlyNey was
at
repulsedat Quatre Bras, and Napoleon'svictoryat Ligny
decisive. The

not

was

and

battle did

end

not

until

o'clock

ten

pursuitwas
attempted that night.All that Ney
whole
to contain Wellington.The
accomplished was

no

had

for the fatal loss of

save
operation,

time, had

been

well

carried out, and Napoleon felt satisfied with the opening

of the campaign. He had broken through the allied
act
and

centre,

thing for

had

him

Prussians

to

and

beaten

Bliicher singly.The

immediate

do

vigorouslyto

the routed

was

prevent

them

from

This Napoleon
English.

with the

pursue

rallyingand
do. He

failed to

his quarters at eleven o'clock in such

that he was
incapableof action. On the

to

had

been
the

horseback

on

of

movements

uniting
returned

of

fatigue
previousday he
for nearlyeighteenhours directing
his troops, and during the battle of
a

state

hours in the saddle,

Ligny he had again spent many
has been written
through a day of terrible heat. Much
regardingthe condition of Napoleon's health during this
show that he was
in
to
campaign, but the evidence seems
have suffered from a
his usual health, although he may
local ailment which rendered horseback ridingpainfuland

fatiguing.
and

orders

no

gave

Napoleon

seventeenth

The

of the

Grouchy command

Gerard,

30,000

over

retreated

to

For

many

false notion

was

above. It

years

in

towards

then
and

pursuit of
sians
the Prusstead
Liege.In-

his line of communications

after the battle of Waterloo

prevalentas to
Grouchy. The marshal
was

was

He

Wavre.
on
retiring

Napoleon to
again that he had received
Emperor to supplement the
to

him

sent

abandoned

rising

of Vandamme

the northeast

of that Bliicher had

and

in

eight o'clock.

corps

and

men,

late

Emperor naturallysupposedthat

Bliicher. The
had

very

until

issued

were

was

not

until

any

the

task

denied

written

verbal

wholly
assignedby

over

order

instructions

and
from

over

the

referred

1842 that the Bertrand dispatch

t

333

NAPOLEON

THE

in which Napoleon
published

was

FIRST
that it is important

says,

penetrate whether the Prussians

from the Englishor whether

"are

selves
themseparating
they are intending
still
Brussels or Liege,in tryingthe fate of
to unite to cover
another battle." This order clearlyshows that Napoleon
the possibility
of the Prussians uniting
recognized
distinctly
and that, in this case, he expected
with the English,
Grouchy to act in conjunctionwith the main army. That
Grouchy, in spiteof his many denials,fullyunderstood his
task is shown
by his dispatchof the 17 June, at 10 p.m.,

to

he says that if the Prussians retire on Wavre

he
will follow them in that direction "in order that they may
from
be able to gain Brussels,and to separate them
not
in which

WeUington."
After

giving these

Groufchy,Napoleon with
marched
to Quatre Bras to join

orders

of his army

the remainder

to

o'clock he found
that"
Ney. On reaching there at one
Wellingtonhad gone. He immediately followed,and on his
arrival at La Belle-Alliancethe same
eveninghe found the
drawn
at
Mont-Saint-Jean,evidently
English army
up
resolved to give battle.
for many
miles stretches the large
At a distance of three leaguesfrom the
Forest of Soignes.
South

of Brussels

on
capital,

the

Waterloo, the
name

to

edge of the woods, lies the littlevillageof

headquartersof Wellington,which gave its

the battle. Two

Jean where the battle

A glanceat the map

miles farther

of the

is Mont-Saint-

fought.

was

that the salient

will show

the battle-field of Waterloo

A. The

on

form

letter,where

an

the

almost

pointsof

perfectletter

highroadsifrom
to
Jean :
the
lower right point is La Bellethere is Wellington;
AUiance: there is Napoleon;the lower left pointis Hougoold stone
an
chateau, which lay in a large grove,
mont,
and with its enclosingwalls stood like a kind of fortress
justin front of the French lines.
The cord or crosspiece
of the A is a by-road which interim
top

Nivelles and Charleroi

two

Brussels joinis Mont-Saint-

334

THE

NAPOLEON
mound
a

huge

lion

feet in

hundred

is two

in the battle. In order

thousand
and
so

many

heightand

to

is surmounted

of French

the metal

from

cast

FIRST

build this

wagon-loads of earth were

this has much
changed the

by

captured
largemound, many
cannon

taken

from

the

of the

contour

teau,
pla-

try,
coun-

the present time it is not easy to recognize

of the salient points.In the Banqueting Hall of the
that

at

Whitehall

London, now
occupied by the
Service Museum, there is a largemodel of

palaceof
Royal United

old

the battle which

givesa

of the

movements

in

better idea of the

forces

and
disposition
eventful day, than an

the

on

actual visit to the field.

for defensive

Although naturallystrong,
British
of

along

retreat

forest,and in
been

Waterloo, as

largelyto

defect of

road

singlenarrow
of defeat the

in

having its line

through a dense
would

Englisharmy

Russia,the Emperor

the elements.

battles

longestday
rose

case

the

have

annihilated.
practically

At

his

subjectto the

positionwas

purposes,

about

at

It

was

day-break. On

in the year, the

four o'clock,and

owed

his defeat

always his habit to begin

the i8 June, almost the
in this northern

sun

the

latitude

battle,if commenced

at

in all

and the
probabilitywould have been over
But it had rained in
Englisharmy destroyedbefore noon.
the previousnight and the ground was
soft
torrents
too
for artillery
had
manoeuvres.
Napoleon, who
a
large
had
in
and
who
never
superiority guns,
forgottenthat he
officer of artillery,
therefore waited
was
once
an
until
for the ground to dry and harden
before givnearlynoon
ing
for
the signal
attack.
Although the Enghsh made a brave resistance,
at four
o'clock the battle was
decidedly going against them.
Wellingtonfrequentlylooked at his watch, and "wished
that night or Bliicher would come."
to God

dawn,

At this crisisof the

seemed

field and
to

the

hold them

battle,when

decisive French

certain,the Prussians began

Emperor

had

to

send

in check.

1:3363

part

to

arrive
of his

on

tory
victhe

reserves

WATERLOO
The

Englisharmy had alreadybegun to fall back, and

no
longerto be seen on the front of the oppotroops were
site
decided to make
plateau.Napoleon now
a
supreme
effort to break the English centre
a
by
charge of the
cavalry of the Old Guard. Before giving the order, he
once
more
carefully
surveyed the field with his glass.His
trained eye noticed a dark line running parallel
the
to
feet before it.
enemy's front,and only a few hundred
He leaned over
in his saddle and asked a questionof the
Belgian guide who stood beside his horse. The answer
was
negative.
aide de camp
The Emperor then sent
an
to
give the
order to charge.Ney drew his sword and put himself at
since
the head of the Guard. No such sighthad been seen
the taking of the great redoubt by the heavy cavalry at
Borodino. This magnificentbody of horsemen, sixty-five
number, descended the hill at a trot, disappeared
in the battle-smoke, and then reappeared at the
other side of the valley,mounting the hill at full gallop.
hundred

It seemed
mass

of

in

as

if nothing could resist the

impact of

this solid

men.

Suddenly, at the rightof the line,the front rank tried

to
pull rein. Arrived almost at the top of the hill,the
them
and
cuirassiers for the first time perceivedbetween
it was
the sunken road! It was
the English a deep moat;
for catastrophe.
unlooked
The first
an
a terrible moment,
line attempted to pullup, but the second line pushed the
and the third shoved the second. There
first,
of

holding back.

The

impetus acquired

to

was

no

way

annihilate the

this ditch was

full of
English crushed the French. When
their
and horses the rear squadronspassedover
livingmen
bodies. Nearly a third of one
brigadeperishedin this hole.
The negativereplyof a treacherous guideto the Emperor's
inquiry had brought about this fatalitywhich perhaps
decided

the fate of

charge had been broken,

unable
taken by the French, but they were
themselves there and were
finallyforced to

Although the
the plateauwas
to

maintain

Napoleon.

full force of the

C 337 3

THE

NAPOLEON

FIRST

is littledoubt

that this

catastropheof

the sunken

road, would

British

and

retire.There

was

so

centre

decided

nearly defeated,could
He

of admiration.

said:

battle.

the
not

for the

charge,but
have

broken

the

Wellington,who

repress

an

exclamation

"Splendid!"

exhausted, the French

When, finally
the

drifted down

French

The

army.

Napoleon

slope,it was

obligedto

was

very

had

sky

covered

been

all

the infantry

reserve,

at

at

once,

this

in the

evening, the
there appeared the large
the rising
which had
sun

parted in the west, and

It was
red ball of the setting
sun.
greetedNapoleon on the field of

clouds

For

day. All

eight o'clock

about

moment,

in his last

put

Guard.

of the Old
The

were

cavalryturned and
followed by the entire lish
Engand
becoming demoralized

Austerlitz!

effort,every battalion of the Guard was

by a general.When the tall bear-skin caps of

this last

commanded

grenadiersappeared amidst
for a moment
night,the enemy

the

of

of the

the

of the

gloom

recoiled

at

the

falling
sightof

Empire, who never

except to victory.Knowing that they
yet had advanced
were
going to die,they still saluted Napoleon as of old
with cries of "Vive I'Empereur!"
heard the cries of "Sauve
qui
Although the Guard
and
their
fellow-soldiers
all
around
saw
retiring
pent!"
advance.
led by
to
them, they continued
They were
Marshal
Ney, "the bravest of the brave." After having
these

veterans

five horses

many

shot under

sword

in his

comment

meurt

bataille!" But
meet

so

him,

he advanced

hand, crying to
un

Marechal
French

on

foot,a broken

the
de

in vain: he bore

his fate from

voir
English: "Venez
France sur le champ de

charmed

life.He

was

to

bullets!

only a few squares of the

Guard remained. Abandoned
by all,terrible in their expiring
they still fought on. Austerlitz,Jena, Friedagony,
land, Wagram were
dying in them.
At nine o'clock only one
left at the foot of
square was
The English,
the plateauof Saint-Jean.
filledwith admira-

Night

had

wars

now

come,

and

1:3383

MARSHAL

BLUCHER

WATERLOO

lieroism,suspended their fire,and an

officercried,"Brave
Frenchmen, surrender!" Cambronne

tion for

much

so

pas!"
Says

Garde

reply:"La

the immortal

gave

et

meurt

ne

se

rend

who gained the battle of

Hugo: "The man
Waterloo was
not
Napoleon,who was routed; it was not
it was
not
at five;
Wellington,
givingway at four,hopeless
who
who
took no
Bliicher,
part in the battle;the man
gained the battle of Waterloo was Cambronne."
the Englishofficer cried:
At the replyof Cambronne
rolled away,
"Fire!" When
the smoke
nothingwas left:
like the fortunes of Napoleon, the Old Guard had passed
the bloody field of Waterloo!
upon
away
As the Old Guard
in. Napoleon had started to
went
descend into the valleyto share their fate,but two faithful
Victor

aides de camp
like a man
in
What

seized the reins of his

a

dream, from the field.

the

was

cause

question has

The

of

been

million

undoubtedly had
Too
the

much

much

times

powers,

Says Victor Hugo

do with the failure of the

to

stress

failinghealth

his mental

has been

of the
in his

laid

Emperor,

and

by
and

splendidsketch
volume

of "Les

possiblefor Napoleon to win

the negative.Why? On account

it

"Was

in

some

paign.
cam-

historians

the decline in

there is littleevidence.

of which

Waterloo, in the second

On

asked

of Bourdifferent ways. The treason

of Grouchy, and the rashness of Ney
the incapacity

mont,

answer

Napoleon?

of the downfall

in many

answered

on

bridle,and led him,

of the battle of

Miserables":
the battle? We
of

Wellington?

of God.
No; on account
"Bonaparte, victor at Waterloo, would not harmonize
account

with

of Bliicher?

the law of the nineteenth

Says John

Holland

Rose

at

century."

the conclusion of his brilliant

the

of Napoleon":
"Personality
his energieshad awakened
full
"In a world which
to
could not
achieve lasting
such a career
consciousness
while they serve
its
such men
Providence uses
success.

Lowell Lectures

on

339

NAPOLEON

THE

mysterious designsfor
aside when

them

Napoleon
on

age

ended

the

their

upliftingof
renovatingwork

when

that time

had

the
is

come.

It

race.

casts

accomplished.
He struggled
as though the

Indies,Cadiz, and Moscow

had not
of nationality
dawned; and therefore he

towards

new

not

saw

FIRST

the

his

days

Saint

at

Helena."

Says Marechal Foch in an essay publishedon the onehundreth

anniversaryof the death of Napoleon: "In my
for the disaster which
whelmed
overopinon the deep reason
him was
that he forgotthat a man
be
cannot
God; that, above the individual,there is the Nation;
that above

is not

there is the

men,

Moral

highestgoal,since,above

the

Napoleon

Charleroi

reached

and

Law;
war,

there

five o'clock

at

on

Leaving orders for the army

immediately proceeded to

after the battle.

at

he

Laon, he

arrived

Elysee.He
His
power
to

such

is

war

peace."

the

ing
morn-

vous
rendez-

to

Paris where

to
early on the twenty-first and went
with fatigue.
out
was
completely worn

Lucien

brother

by

that

coup
course.

him

advised

d'etat,but Napoleon
He

his brother

sent

seize the

to
was

reins

of

longerequal

no

with

the

message

to

measures
Deputies askingthem to concert
for the national defence. In the evening Carnot
went
to
the Peers and Lucien to the Deputies to appeal for a united
of
national effort againstthe Powers, but their pleaswere
eflFect.On the 22 June, under the advice of his ministers,
no

the Chamber

of

Napoleon took
abdicated

in favor of his

recognizeNapoleon
executive
was

chosen

the final

the

son.

of his official career

act

But

Second,

the

and

Deputies refused to
at once
appointed an

Coffimission of five members

President.

1:3403

and

of which

Fouche

THE

NAPOLEON

FIRST

July,the national fete day, he went aboard the "Belwhich immediately set sail for England.After a
lerophon,"
the vessel dropped anchor in the
of a week
slow voyage
lovelyharbor of Torbay, which Napoleon said r^inded
Two days later the captainreceived
him of Porto-Ferrajo.
orders to proceedto Plymouth. After four days of suspense
14

'

Lord

there. Admiral

in the harbor

arrived with

Keith

be

Buonaparte" should

order that "General

an

conveyed

to

the island of Saint Helena.

The

officers and

companions

in exile, and

accompany

and

him.

Napoleon
Gourgaud, for his

Cases

Las

then

coveted

transferred

were

added

was

the

on

seventh

of

August

"Northumberland", which
the voyage.
At this time, Bertrand

chosen for

the

to

post

ship, the

newer

three

choose

"Belleroof secretary. The

sailed for Torbay where the Emperor and his

in the

number
suite

physician to

captive to

Bertrand, Montholon,

selected

phon"

the

allowed

Government

to

had

been

asked

that

"

O'Meara,

the surgeon of the

the Emperor in
accompany

Bellerophon,"be designated
to
placeof the physicianoriginally
and the admiral consented
selected,
to the change.
of his days
During the voyage
Napoleon passed most
in his cabin, where he at once
tions
began to dictate his recollecto

and

Las

Cases. He

dined

every

day with the admiral

the

with whom
he conversed
In
ship'sofficers,
freely.
the evening he played cards or chess in the generalcabin.
After a voyage
of sixty-seven
days, the exiles sighted
the frowning cliffsof Saint Helena, "that black wart
ing
risof the ocean." After dark the next
out
day, the 17
October, Napoleon landed, and passed the night at a
house prepared for his receptionat Jamestown. On the
he

morrow

burn

and

was

at

up

Bertrand

as

soon

as

meantime

bungalow

and

and

rode with

Admiral

Cock-

Longwood, which had been selected

Napoleon seemed satisfied with the
to

for his residence.

arrangement,

dawn

expressed

desire

it could

to

occupy

the house

be altered for his occupancy.

In the
he took up his abode for seven
weeks in a little
the town
named
"The Briars."
near

C 342 3

SAINT

HELENA

out-of-the-way
placethan Saint Helena
solitary,
could not
have been chosen for the captiveeagle.The
island is only ten
miles by seven
in dimensions, and its
populationat the time was less than three thousand,only
A

more

white. It lies almost in the middle

were
quarter of whom
of the South Atlantic,
1700 miles east of Brazil and 1200
a

miles
from

west

of the mouth

of the

Congo, nearly4000

miles

the Strait of Gibraltar.

"And

where, may

"could

we

Mr. Rose,
ask," says the apologetic

unpleasantplace of detention have been

found? In Europe he must
inevitablyhave submitted to
far closer confinement. The Tower of London, the eyrieof
Dumbarton
Fort William itself,
named
were
Castle,even
as
possibleplacesof detention. Were they suited to the
a

less

child of the Mediterranean?

He

needed

sun;

he

needed

society.All these he could have on

the plateauof Longwood, in a singularly
equable climate,
is assuagedby the south-east
where the heat of the tropics
and temperate
trade wind, and plantsof the sub-tropical
exercise;he needed

zones

It

alike flourish."
was

December, and the tropicalsummer

had

come,

before the Emperor took up his residerice in his final home

of so many
proprietor
at Longwood. For the former
tuous
sumphis generous
palaces,
providedas an abode an

host, the British nation, had

old one-story
cow-stable,which
From

the

porch
and passedthrough
entered a fair-sizedbilliard-room,
one
the dining-room,lighted
into the salon,beyond which was
only by a glassdoor. Opening out of this room, on the left
and on the rightNapoleon'sprivatesuite
the library,
was
comprisinga study,bedroom and bath.
bare and dreary as the house. To
The landscapewas
as
the south, beyond the barren plateau,with its gnarled
of the
and stunted gum
trees, lay the boundless expanse
Atlantic. In all other directions the eye rested only on the
of the valleysor the bleak walls of the
verdure
scant
the earthlyParadise which Mr. Rose
mountains. Such was

had

so

been

remodelled

for his residence.

eloquentlydescribes !
C 343 3

NAPOLEON

THE

FIRST

Unfortunately,Napoleon's household at Longwood was

hardly more
congenialthan the surroundingsof the island.
The personages
few in number,
of this long tragedy are
and of some
of them we
catch only occasional gliippses.
Bertrand,the former Marechal du Palais,and aide de
tion.
of the Emperor, was
an
engineerofficer of distinccamp
He

and not less devoted

his master,
possessedthe singulardistinction among

devoted

was

his wife. He

to

the

to

of the

companions

Emperor

of

who

being the only one

for
regretted,
who stayed tillthe
he is the only one
except Montholon
end, and of the last three years of Napoleon's hfe we know
but little.In his loyalsilence he remains the most
thetic
sympaof
the
figure
Emperor's entourage.
Madame
Bertrand was
the daughter of Arthur
Dillon,
Colonel of the Dillon Regiment, celebrated in the history
of France. By his firstmarriage he had one
daughter who
married
the Marquis de La Tour
du Pin and was
the
author of the interesting Recollections of the Revolution
and the Empire." After the death
of his wife Dillon
married a widow, Mme.
de La Touche, a first cousin of
the Empress Josephine.When
Fanny Dillon was
twentythree years of age, in 1808, the Emperor himself arranged
her marriage with his favorite aide de
who
was
camp,
twelve years her senior. She was
fascinating
a most
engaging,
with something of the Creole charm
of Josewoman,
phine.
She spoke English with perfectfluency.At Plymouth
she entreated
her husband
not
to follow Napoleon
Saint Helena, made
to
in his cabin, and then
a
scene
attemptedto drown herself.After this firsttumult of Creole
did

not

write

This, in

book.

is to be

way,

"

passion she
she
and

seems

reconciled

to

her

lot;
her,

the

regard

was

the

peace-maker of the little community. One

born

"the

become

won

trait of humor
was

have

to

to

and

good-willof all who

is recorded

her,whom

of her. At Saint Helena

she

presentedto

firstFrench

Lord

knew

visitor who had entered

Bathurst's permission."

Of the personality
of M.

and

C 344 3

Mme.

the

child

Emperor

Longwood

de Montholon

as

out
with-

we

SAINT
catch but

Napoleon

ever

faint view
since he

HELENA
Saint Helena.

at
was

He

had

known

to
child,when he went
stepfatherM. de Semon-

Corsica with his mother and his

ville.He was
afterwards at school in Paris with Jerome,
and Eugene de Beauharnais. It was
his strange fate to share
for six years the exile of the Great Emperor, and then

after the fiasco of Boulogne,to share

later,
prisonmen
periodof time, in the fortress of Ham, the imof his nephew, the future Napoleon the Third.
After the departureof Las Cases he succeeded to the
vacant
placeof secretary, and became the most necessary
twenty years
for the same

member

of the

Emperor'sstaff. He wished, however, to

his wife when
she left in 1819, and only remained
accompany
at the urgent
request of Napoleon.
Of his wife we
know
but little.Curiouslyenough her
marriagewith Montholon had at one time been forbidden
by the Emperor because she had two divorced husbands
but he was
afterwards tricked into givinghis conliving,
sent
Montholon's
to
marriage with the "niece of the
President Seguier,"without realizing
that the bride was
the same
under another description.
woman
Las Cases had had a very checkered career.
In his youth
"

he

had

entered

command
he

was

of

French

brig.At
the firstto

among

he returned

the

to

and

navy,

had

after Waterloo

France

became

councillor of

Helena. Born

before the

him

him

in

by

was

state.

England,but
Hundred
Days, and

during the

besoughtNapoleon

three years
twenty-one. With

the

beginningof the Revolution

emigrate.After the 18 Brumaire

France, and
to

to

the

At the time of the Restoration he retired

again returned

risen

to

to

take

him

Emperor, he

his

son,

then

to

Saint

survived

boy, who

poleon's
1840 returned with the expeditionto bring back Naunder
senator
remains; he afterwards became
a

the Second

Empire.
born
Gourgaud was

father

musician

in

1783

Versailles where

his

royalchapel.At a very early

and fought with distinction in
age he entered the army,
all the campaignsof the Empire from Austerlitz to Waterwas

at

the

at

C 345 2

NAPOLEON

THE

FIRST

services in Russia he received the

exceptional
title of baron. During the Hundred
named
Days he was
de
the
by
generaland aide
Emperor. After the battle
camp
he returned with Napoleon to Pane, and
of Waterloo
accompanied him to Rochefort and England,and became
of his companions in exile.
one
At Longwood his extreme
vanity soon broughthim into
collision with Las Cases and Montholon.
Tiringof the Ufe
he returned to England.In 1840 he was
at Saint Helena
a
member
of the party which
brought back the remains of
the Emperor. He died in 1852 on the eve of the proclamation
of the Second
but
his
Empire,
"Journal de SainteHelene"
not
was
published until 1899.
In the opinion of Lord Rosebery the one
capitaland
record of the life at Saint Helena is the private
supreme
journal of Gourgaud, written for his own
eye, without
almost brutal in its raw
realism.
or
flattery
even
prejudice,
loo. For

He

alone of allthe chroniclers

the whole

succeeded.

His

be

to

the

curse

and

accurate

portraitof Napoleon

exists. But

pleasingwhich

strove

is the

of his Hfe

on

most

his

was

which
rendered
him an
jealoustemperament
impossible
made
and
rid
of him.
Napoleon glad to get
companion
He quarrelled
with everybody, the Emperor included. By
all who

knew

him, and did

highlyesteemed.

was

wood

he

What
and

was

out

makes

valuable

But

not

have

to

live with

in the littlecommunity

him, he
at

Long-

of

place.
Gourgaud's book

is the

new

and

profoundly interesting

view
interesting

it affords of

Napoleon's real character. We are apt to think

selfish and domineering.But in this record we

of him
see

as

new

Napoleon,strange and contrary to our ideas,a Napoleon

such as few but Rapp have hitherto presented
to us.
Rapp,
the most
of all Napoleon's
independent and unflattering
generals,and who as his aide de camp was
constantlyat
his side says : Many peopledescribe Napoleon as a harsh,
It is because they never
knew
violent,passionateman.
him. Absorbed as he was
in his affairs,
opposed in his plans,
his humor
sometimes
imwas
hampered in his projects,
"

n346 3

SAINT

HELENA

But he was
patientand fluctuating.
so
good and so generous
that he was
the
soon
Emperor's
appeased." Says
private secretary, "I always found him kind, patient,
kind
indulgent."Many other testimonies of the same
poleon
might be quoted. Gourgaud unconsciously
depictsNaas
gentle,patient,good-tempered,tryingto sooth
his touchy and morbid
attendant with somethinglike the
tenderness of a kind parent
for a wayward child. No one
Saint Helena
had more
endure than the Emperor,
at
to
who was
littletrained to patience,and few men
would
so
have

borne

The

well.

his trials so

book

Cases, first publishedin eightvolumes,

of Las

subsequently in abridged

and

"Memorial
It is

of Saint
have

allegedto

give an

form

Helena," had
been

written

under

very

from

the

title of

largecirculation.
day to day, and to

report of Napoleon's conversations. When

be considered
by other evidence it may

exact

corroborated

but its value is much

impaired by the
transcript,
which it contains. Hardly
number
of spuriousdocuments
of these is genuine,and it has always been a mystery
one
where he obtained them. Certainlynot from the Emperor,
faithful

for it is known

that

his brother

to

Joseph

important: they

most

It

at

notes

his

on

first part

November

1816, and

volumes

so

Gourgaud

tillthe end. His

at

Napoleon dictated
interesting,
though

commentary

Las

Paris in

he considered

the

in volumes.

that

form

of his life. While

remained
two

bound

were

which

career

always trustworthy,a

in

the letters which

chieflyto Montholon

was

he left Paris he confided

the time

on

Cases

the

events

the
not

of the

left the island in

tholon
January 1818, Monmemoirs
were
published

in

1847 under the title of "Recits

de I'EmpereurNapoleon a Sainte-Helene."
captivite
of regret that
that it is a matter
The book is so interesting
As it stands there are
it was
not
publishedin its entirety.
due no doubt to the author's veneraobvious suppressions,
tion
and solicitude for the political
for Napoleon'smemory,
fortunes of his nephew.
de la

n 347 3

NAPOLEON

THE

For the final days of the

except

those

all.He

was

and

of
a

arrived

He

certainlymade
him

treated

He
trifling.
makes

did

for

rendered

get

too

of them

reputation,

some

before

well with

on

and

young

peror,
the Em-

inexperienced.

diagnosisof Napoleon'scase,

Uver

trouble

which

he considered
which

service however

one

chronicles

no

eighteen montlR

for his mendacious

up

of

surgeon

not

wrong
a

have

we

the least reUable

Helena

considered him

who

and

Corsican

Saint

at

Napoleon's death.
He

Emperor

Antommarchi,

young

FIRST

he

book:

took

almost
of

cast

of this,now
Napoleon's face after his death. The original
at
Brussels,"representsthe exquisiteand earlybeauty of
when
illness had
transmuted
the countenance,
passion
and when
into patience,
death, with its last serene
touch,
and refinement of youth."
had restored the regularity
Of O'Meara's
the

"Voice

better. Unknown
of

agent

tainted
The

as

to

years

to

Helena," the less said

Saint

from

Napoleon

Lowe, and

the

man

his book

the

was

is

so

fidential
con-

obviously

be worthless.
spent

at

Saint Helena

of immense

were

ice
serv-

Napoleonic tradition. Most historians seem

to
Days as a mere
epilogueto the great
regardthe Hundred
drama
of the First Empire's fall,
that it was
not
realizing
in point of fact a prologue to the strange
of
romance
the rise of the Second Empire. This attitude is revealed
in the most
Englishstudy of Napoleon's capinteresting
tivity
Saint
Helena.
Lord
To
that
at
Rosebery
captivity
and
is "the last phase,"
But the importnothing more.
ance
be rightlyappreciated if we
of this phase cannot
to

the

overlook

the

constructive

Saint
captivity.
career,

but the

Helena

work

saw

beginningof

of

only

not
a

Napoleonduring his

great

the end

of

creation: it

was

great

the

merely of the death of Napoleon, but of the

birth of the NapoleonicLegend.
It is impossible
after the lapseof a century to speak
even
in terms
of moderation
of England's treatment
of Napoleon.
Lord Rosebery says: "Were
it possible,
would
we
it is pecuUarlypainfulfor an
as
ignoreall this literature,
scene

not

1:3483

NAPOLEON
British Government
It

be

would

contemptiblepolicydid

"Bonaparte"
Next

added,

was

was

to

were

Hudson

"8000, while

cost

Lowe

alone received

the total expenses

than
double the
to

make

increased

bore

up

to

seem

the

to

inscription.
be treated

may

self.
provideit himwere
simple,
very
considerablymore

wants

been

Napoleon

his silver

ordered

generously

governor

equal to

amount

an

no

this unless

he could

and the
deficit,

the allowance

the

fifty-one
persons in
that expensiveluxury Sir
a
salaryof "i2,cxx5. If the

have

allowance.

^mperor's

simple
place of his

allow

to

this

of

and his household

Emperor requiredanything more

Although Napoleon's own

sold

and

the questionof finance, which

Napoleon
briefly.
all

date

the tomb

so

the

his tomb

on

refused

Lowe

But

death.

to

lous.
ridicu-

not

is true, that

with

even

put
with the

"Napoleon,"
inscription,

it

were
pitiable

end

not

death. His followers wished

birth and

FIRST

but it
incredible,

almost

seems

THE

his

salary.

down
Bathurst,his officialchief,againcut the amount
All this,however, so far as Napoleon
to the original
sum.
less of a comedy. He did not
more
concerned,was
was
or
need to sell a single
for he had ample funds at Paris,
spoon,
and even
He was
at Saint Helena.
only trying to show up
the meanness
of the English Government, and in this he

But

succeeded.
The

of grievancesrelated to the
last group
custody, and in its relation to the health and

the

captivethis was
precautionstaken
have

been

been

ludicrous

by
to

far the

prevent

if the

most

grave. The

on

comfort

of

serious of all. The

Napoleon's

effect

questionof

escape

his health

would
had

not

plateauof Longwood is separatedfrom

the rest of the island by a frightful
gullywhich entirely
surrounds it,and is only approached by a narrow
tongue
of land twenty
feet broad. In spiteof these facts this pathway
was
guarded by a regiment of soldiers and a park of
At nightthe chain of sentries was
close they
artillery.
so
could almost touch each other. From
the signalstations
an
approachingvessel could be seen at a distance of sixty
miles. Two
brigs-of-war
patrolledaround the island night
so

c 3503

SAINT

HELENA

and

day, and frigates

guarded the only two landingplaces,
in addition to the impregnable forts. Surely under these
circumstances Napoleon might have been allowed to keep
himself in good health by ridingover
this barren rock
without the guardianshipof a British officer.
Later on when
Napoleon was confined to his room
by
the governor
serious illness,
show

himself twice

day

issued

to

the officer on

Emperor refused,the officerwas

the key-holeor the window
to see
had

flown! The

not

who

all his life had

mounted
his

that

he

must

duty. When the

to peep
through

ordered

ifthe illustrious prisoner

result of all this irksome

that after the firstmonths

was

orders

ridden

espionnage
of his captivity
Napoleon,
miles a day, never
many

horse, and his health suffered from the lack of

regularexercise.

It may
sketch of
of
have

be of interest

Napoleon as he appeared
it is
as
observers,especially

of him.

He

tall,stout, but
well

was

give here

to

about

was

shaped, his

it. His

hair dark

of

composite

this time

at

the

to

last view

five feet six and

stronglybuilt

very

sort

without

we

ber
num-

shall

half inches

and muscular.

brown

His head
gray

hair

lightblue or gray; his nose

finelyformed; his teeth good, and his mouth beautiful;
his chin round. His complexion was
a
pale olive color.
and beautiful
His hands were
small,with taperingfingers
among

nails. His limbs

shaped

his

Chasseurs
waistcoat
with

As

to

one-story
was

affable. He

small and

pleasant,his

smile winning

the uniform

wore

wellof the

white
Garde, a green coat with red facings,
and breeches,white silk stockingsand low shoes
de la

small oval

the

formed, with

expressionwas

manners

the red cordon

and

well

were

foot. His

and

were

eyes

cross

gold buckles. Over his waistcoat he wore

of the Legion d'honneur, with the plaque
his left breast.

on

Napoleon's habitation,it was

cow-sheds.

shadeless

who
palaces,

and
had

it

also

It
was

swept

was

by

damp. The

occupiedas
CssO

collection of old
eternal

winds, it

lord of

so

conqueror

so

many

many
not

his own,

about

rooms

had

rooms

In

door

Sans

used

the

screen

he

two

were
a

which

hid the back

of his

most

days. As

portraitsof Marieminiature
of Josephine,
the

of Frederick

Souci. In the study there

thdismall

was

during his campaigns.

passed

there

room

alarm-clock

the

had

King of Rome,

the

and

Louise

which

on

of the

ornaments

and

Napoleon
fireplaceand

sofa

was

of his bedroom

corner

one

which

the

Between

to

twelve feet by fourteen in size. Each of these

small windows
looking towards the regimental
two

camp.

camp-bed

private suite

for his

confined

now

was

FIRST

THE

NAPOLEON

were

Great

taken

from

book-shelves, a

some

writing table, and another bed on which the Emperor

he could change at
could rest in the daytime, or to which
often happened.
as
night when restless or sleepless,
alone
the
at
Saint Helena
At
Emperor breakfasted
eleven, dressed for the day about
hours

three

from

the

dined

at

various

after his arrival he abandoned

generallywore

and

retained

he

but

Soon

seven.

uniform

his
coat,

to

and

two,

little cocked

hunting
hat, although he
a

green

passed all his days at the hut,

reading, writing and talking.
The
one
great pleasure of Napoleon's life at Saint
the arrival of a box of books. All through life
Helena
was

laid aside the cockade.

he

great

was

He

reader. At

Brienne

all of his spare

hours
where
he literally
voured
de-

for the heroes

Hbrary
and Plutarch, and developed
of Antiquity.Later in life he

joyous hours,

when

the

in

spent

were

Caesar

friends. As

upon

he

There

Egypt.
were

There

of those

wrote

he lived among
his books
his
lieutenant of artillery
at Valence
"

only
and

well

read

is stillon
were

History; 40

on

Poetry; and
as

young

his admiration

Herodotus, "the father of history,"

taire.
and Voljust translated into French, Machiavelli
always his favorite,but he also seized
History was
works
of travel,biography, and particularly
raphy.
geog-

Auxonne,
then

school

as

the

many

over

file a list of the books

300

he took

to

volumes, nearly half of which

volumes

on

Geography;

English novels, in French

Bible,the Koran

and

so

on.

as

many

on

translation,

SAINT
As
of

Emperor

he had

thousand

volumes.

made

thin paper,

printedon

in flexiblemorocco

HELENA

To

save

were

were

bound

were

all packed in boxes

box. The

the books

space

They

covers.

travelling
library

margins, and

without

velvet,sixtyin

lined with

for him

list included books

Poetry and the Drama, but was mostly made

Religion,
A box of books
up of History,Biography and Memoirs.
was
always placedunder the seat of his travelling
carriage
which was
so
arrangedthat it could be made up into a
which enabled
overhead light,
bed at night.There was
an
the Emperor to read at night, and he devoured
many
the
volumes
he
rolled
as
through
country, throwing out
the books he did not care
ever
of the window
to keep. Wherhe halted for the night a box was
always brought to
where he read to pass away
his sleepless
his room,
hours.
on

When

he

went

Fontainebleau

libraryat

he subscribed
a

Elba, the books

to

standingorder
value

to

filledthree

In
largevans.
and
libraries,
circulating

all the

have

to

he selected from

him

sent

all new

the

tion
addigave

toric
of his-

volumes

they were
published.
At Saint Helena Napoleon asked for some
books which
The
he needed, mainly in order to write his memoirs.
was
EnglishGovernment
graciously
pleasedto furnish the
for the amount
volumes, but they sent him a demand
paid.
The Emperor ordered Bertrand
not
to settle the account
received

until he

books
than

as

were

seized

itemized

an

by Lowe

bill. So

and

on

sold in London

quarter of their originalcost, some

pounds.As the books all bore traces
a

them, and

were

covered

with

his death

notes

the

for less

fourteen

dred
hun-

study of
Emperor's

of his

in the

handwriting,which had added greatlyto their value,

the Government
by this petty, spiteful
policylost to the
collection which should have been prenation a priceless
served
in the British Museum.

Napoleon
almost
so

for

to

read

hated

writing,and

But
illegible.
half a day at
over

what

he Uked
a

had

what

he

did write

was

dictate,and sometimes did

stretch,only stoppingoccasionally
been

to

written. Shorthand

C 3S3 3

was

then

NAPOLEON

THE

unknown, and
practically
in keeping pace
difficulty
would

be

for

sent

of the exhausted
Besides

four

at

his poor
with his

much

secretaries had

rapid dictation. Worst

dicated all night,and ^urgaud
in the morning to take the place

wakeful,he

all,when

of

FIRST

Montholon.
dictation

readingand
He stayed so

much

had

Napoleon

indoors

tractions
dis-

few

that he became

ill

from the lack of exercise;so the last year of his lifehe took
painted a portraitof him
up gardening.Paul Delaroche
in his
straw

He

garden,wearing red slippersand a wide-brimmed

hat, spade in hand, restingfrom his labors.
which
sometimes
at
played a game of billiards,

not

expert,
skilful.As he did

was

of chess, in which

or

like

not

the courtliness of his suite

always cheated, but

Of the last

lived,his death

all day, and

any

gave

food, and

dictated his

up

lost
his

francs he had

terrible

exile took

storm

ten
was

The
flight.

the soldiers and

he
denly.
sud-

came

his disease made

realize that

not

or

reclined

his sofa

on

his

Montholon.

to

tore

In this he

faithful followers the

the last

at

little.Notwithstandi

the end

of 1821

his bed

upon

most

delirious. He

day of May

won.

surveillance in which

physiciandid

depositedwith

souvenirs. For

but

he

cards

He could hardly retain

dictating.
flesh perceptibly.
On the 15 Aprilhe

testament

among

At

days before his death. He became

few

lay

weary,

his

win.

know

we

expected,and

even

mortal until

faint and

Napoleon

not

was

but

rapidprogress,

let him

take the stakes he thus

to

the first weeks

During
was

of

to

far from

was

beaten, it severelytaxed

atmosphereof

the

it

refused

days

be

to

he

he

his Paris

six million

bankers; also

of his life he

days
yieldedhis last

breath

minutes

six in the

two

before

raging outside
violent wind
up

the

trees

uted
distrib-

as

shook

on

the

some

was

stantly
con-

the fifth

evening.

soul of the

the frail huts

that the

Emperor

of

had

planted.
The
showed

autopsy,

which

that he had

was

performed at

died of

cancer

C 3S4 3

his

of the

own

request,
stomach, the

SAINT
disease which

same

members

HELENA

carried

off his father

and

so

many

of his

sound.
family.All the other organs were
After beingembalmed, his body was
clothed in the familiar
for four days. After death
green uniform, and lay in state
the

superfluousflesh

the

and

serene

sank

beautiful

and

away,

all were

expressionof
the Empire.

struck with

the

face, which

recalled the earlydays of

The funeral took placewith allthe pomp
that the island
could afford. The coffin,
which lay the sword and the
on
cloak he had
honors

Marengo, was
by British grenadiersto
at

worn

Emperor himself. The grave

large weeping-willowtrees in
from Longwood.
In

his will

cendres

Napoleon

reposent

sur

had

had

borne
a

been

said:

full military

chosen

spot

secluded

with

by

dug under
valley not

the
two

far

desire que
mes
de la Seine au milieu de ce

les bords

"Je

peupleFran9aisque j'aitant aime." Nineteen years later

French
the
Belle-Poule,"under the command
a
frigate,
of Prince de Joinville,
anchored at Jamestown. In response
to the universal desire of the nation
King Louis Philippe
back to France the Emperor's
had sent
his son
to convey
remains. On this last pious pilgrimagethere returned to
and Gourgaud, the young
Saint Helena, Bertrand
Las
"

Cases, and Arthur

entered

Bertrand, "the firstFrench

Longwood

Lord

without

Bathurst's

visitor who

permission."

There, too, were

Marchand, the valet,as well as SaintattendDenis, and three others of the Emperor's faithful ants.

They
former

use

found
and

midnight
anniversary of
At

gathered around
hours'

strenuous

beheld

once

more

that

again

Longwood

become

had

reverted

to

its

stable.

1840, the twenty-fifth

15 October
his arrival at Saint Helena, the party

on

the

the

Emperor's

grave.

When,

after

ten

finally
opened,they
labor,the coffin was
the well-known
features,unaltered and

unimpaired.
On
the

most

bitter December

majestic of

day
his

the dead

entrances

Csss

Conqueror made
into his capital.

NAPOLEON
Mounted

his Arc
and

statelyfuneral car, escorted by the aged

Old Guard, his body was
borne in triumph

the beautiful

down

the Seine

over

of the

avenue

Triomphe,

de

FIRST

upon

of the

veterans

THE

to

the

across

Champs-Elysees,under
Place de la Concorde,

the Invalides. Here

the

King

of the

French, surrounded by the royalfamily and all the dignitaries

arrival
the
of
illustrious
dead.
awaited
the
of State,

Suddenly

chamberlain

the silence with

the

the

borne

which

the visitor

to

of

the tomb

red

taken
are

traced

as

and

body

the

""'
"

Paris

turns

Finland

stand twelve

marble, beside which

broke

"

Invalides the

are

of
spirit

the

tomb

is the first spot to

his steps. In an open
circular

directlyunder the dome,

sarcophagus
around

and

slowly in.

the

crypt,

emotion

common

gildeddome of the
Great Emperor still reigns.His
Under

the door

"L'Empereur!"

announcement:

with

assembly arose

was

appeared at

one

sees

the massive

Like

porphyry.

sentinels

colossal Victories in Carrara

trophiescomposed

of

ards
sixtystand-

from

the enemy.
In the mosaic of the pavement
the names
of eightof Napoleon's greatest victories:

Rivoli, Pyramides, Marengo, Austeriitz,lena,

Friedland,Wagram, Moskova,
of the
Here, under the soft blue lightof the dome
Invalides,on the banks of the Seine, in the midst of the
French
people he loved so well, repose for all'time the
ashes of the greatest

soldier the world

C3S6n

has

ever

known.

NAPOLEON
unification.

The

that
received

FIRST

strugglesof peoples for

marked

the

pendence,
inde-

their

of the last century,

their originalimpulse, and in the

him

from

THE

course

In
to-day his influence is clearlyto be seenp
the calm lightof a century
of experiencethere can
now
be littleroom
for serious hesitation as to the placeto be
and social progress.
assignedhim in the march of political
No singlemind," says Mr. H. A. L. Fisher, is more
powerfullystamped upon the institutions of contemporary
he
France, for by his reaction againstits excesses
saved
all that was
preciousin the philosophyof the

Europe

of

"

"

Revolution."

Napoleon

had

like

statesman

none

of the

Burke, that

"

illusions of

democratic

people have
right." In his opinion
the

whenever

feehngthey are commonly in the

but iUiterate population
like that of France,
an
inteUigent
demoralized
perience
by revolutionaryanarchy, and without exa

with

unfit

institutions,was

democratic

for

social
the nation needed
was
political
Hberty. What
equality,
guaranteed by a strong and intelligent
ment.
governThe old Monarchy had been weak
because the
vital forces of the state
had been paralysedby social
how autocratic the administration
privilege.No matter
of Napoleon might be, it stillprovided an open career
to
talent of every kind.
In the social structure

Napoleon, equalitywas

of
the

France,

"

With

me

so

to

respect

was

left by

rule.

Compared with
France
of Napoleon

England of Pitt and Fox, the

It is for
essentiallydemocratic.
equality,"said the exile to O'Meara,
hates

it

as

this
"

system

that

your

the
was

of
garchy
oli-

much."

political
libertyNapoleon's attitude

of the wild orgy of

entirelydifi^erent. The memory
talk and legislation
in the revolutionaryassemblies was
stillfresh in his mind, and the trying scenes
of the 19
Brumaire
had
been
never
forgotten. He felt that a
popular assembly,so far from being a help to the ruler,
was

was

source

of

and
perplexity
Csssn

embarrassment.

If he

PERSONALITY
had

NAPOLEON

OF

yieldedduring the Hundred

Days to what he
believed to be the growing popular demand
for a legislative
he might have preserved his
form of government,
not

throne.

The

higher education of
the impetus which
won
Arnold.
During the recent
in the American
of liberal

it

the

received

admiration

war

instruction.

at

of

his hands

Matthew

five million

some

British armies

and

technical

or

France

received
The

idea

men

form

some
was

gested
sug-

by Napoleon at Saint Helena, where he said that

of his plans that every
one
regiment should have

was

its school for instruction

in

science,the humanities, and

mechanics.
Brilliant

his

Napoleon always
realized that he lacked the greatest of all props to political
legitimacy and that only continued success
power
of his throne.
He therefore
the stability
could assure
turned
force, until then hardly realized by
new
to
a
the first journalist
in Europe, and became
public men
He
of his time.
possessedin the highest degree the
favorable light,
talent of placinghis victories in the most
tins,
and his bullewhile excludingall uncomfortable
matter,
Moniand other communications, publishedin the
the principal
actor
to the
teur," constantlycommended
as

was

militaryrenown.

"

"

"

ments
applause of the world. In the monuof paintingand
and in the museums
of the capital
also
of his militarytriumphs was
the memory
sculpture,
for
and will live for all time as an inspiration
preserved,
a great martial people.
During his youth,and until he became Consul,Napoleon
in person, and could hardly be
at all attractive
not
was
five feet six,
littleover
a
called well-groomed. He was
well proportioned. At the age
and was
Englishmeasure,
smaller than
of fortyhe became
stout, and looked even
dark brown, and until after
His hair was
he reallywas.
tionary
it long in the Revolufrom Egypt he wore
his return
style. His forehead was high ; his eyes a brilliant
and well shaped ; his mouth
blue-gray; his nose straight

admiration

and

1:3593

NAPOLEON

THE

FIRST

large,with a so-called Cupidon upper lip;

chin round and dimpled. During the earlyyears of
rather

Empire,before
very

his face became

with

handsome,

full,his features

too

clear cameo-like

his
the

were

profile.
uniformly good, but
"

later
early life his health was
due partly
he began to show
signsof lessened activity,
physical
to
a
greater love of ease, and partly to failing
strength. He had inherited a sound and tough body,
capable of standinggreat fatigue,and with remarkable
far as the
so
nervous
strength. He was
very moderate
drank
table went, although he ate too fast,and he never
In

wine

any

Without
a

except

diluted with

littleChambertin

being entirelychaste,he

was

water.

in any

never

sense

libertine.

During his campaigns, until the different army corps

had nearlyreached the positions
assignedthem. Napoleon
remained
at
generalheadquarters. Then he proceeded
rapidlyto the front in his travellingcarriage. In the
of the enemy
he always accompanied his troops
presence
on

his quarters
in the field,
he received
of his marshals, and personallydirected all

horseback.

At

the reports
the corps movements.

In the

intervals,he attended to
the internal administration of France, and repliedto the
him from Paris by his ministers,
sent
reports which were
who wrote
him every day. He thus governed his Empire
at

the

such

time

same

remarkable

hour, be awakened
and

that

he

directed

his army.
He had
that he could sleepfor an

constitution
receive

report and
immediately fall asleepagain,without

his health

to

suffering.Six

hours

of

give an

his repose

sleepwas
he took it consecutivelyor
him, whether
intervals during the twenty-fourhours.
The
days which preceded a great battle
on

horseback,

reconnoitre

to

the

order,
or

sufiicient for
at

he

different

was

force and

stantly
con-

the

positionof

the enemy,
study the field of battle,and visit
the bivouacs of his soldiers. Even
during the night,he
rode alongthe entire front to further assure
himself of the

strengthof

the enemy

by

the number

n36o3

of his camp

fires,

PERSONALITY
and

he

battle he

several

out

wore

OF

NAPOLEON
in

horses

day. The

day of

positionat a central point where he

could see
rounded
sureverything which took place. He was
he dispatchedto
by his aides de camp, whom
carry his orders to all points. A short distance behind
him were
always stationed four squadronsof the cavalry
of the Guard.
advised of his position,
The marshals were
If his presthat their reports could easilyreach him.
so
ence
became
he
at
point,
immediately
any
necessary
gallopedthere,followed by his escort.
a
Napoleon was
very hardy, but also a very careless
rider. He
hunched
in the saddle, holding the
sat
up
reins looselyin his righthand, with his left arm
pendent
he went
at a walk
or
a trot, but
by his side. Sometimes
often at full gallop,without
more
paying the slightest
took

attention

the

to

route.

Before

poleon
adopting the legendary gray redingote.Naprotectedhimself againstthe cold of the bivouac
de Marengo,"
manteau
a
light-bluecloak, the
covered his coffin at
he always kept, and which
Helena, and under which he now
sleepsin the
"

with
which
Saint

Invalides.

Upon

the field of battle the

in

erected

There

the

for

one

of the

square

three

red

was

used

as

in

two

with

bedroom

foldingiron campaign bed,

dark

green

coach
voyage

and

curtains.

of

parts
a

one

were

Guard.
for the

Staff,and
The

the

personal

called
first,

small

an
writing-table,
Emperor, and two
aide de camp
on
duty ;
all folding. The second

for the

morocco,

Old

of the

household.

stools for the secretary and the

the table and the chairs were
part

Emperor

principaltents,

was

furnished

of

of the

Berthier, the Chief

Emperor

was
office,

arm-chair

of

officers of the

for the

third

middle

always

were

Emperor,
tent

the

tents

The

here

was

erected the little

straps, enclosed with

foot-rug of the travellingwith

de lit,and the necessaire de

completedthe furnishing.At night,the secretary

served for

the aide de camp

descente

slepton
1:3613

cushions in the office.

NAPOLEON
The

tents,

folded and

bed, and

the

transportation.The
feet long and three

for
six

by Napoleon
is now

at

the

furniture

feet wide.

could

the backs

on

littleiron

Helena,

Saint

at

FIRST

packed

and

rolled up,

THE

camp-bed
It

upon

all be

of mules
about

was

was

the

bfH used

which

he

died, and

Paris.

dictated except
Napoleon never
while walking. He sometimes
began while seated, but
and began to walk around
the first phrase he arose,
at
the room,
continuing this promenade the entire time
he was
dictating.
him without
his thoughts came
Words
to
to
express
incorrect,they always
effort,and although sometimes
conveyed his idea clearly. In his addresses to the Senate,
in his diplomaticnotes, the style
in his proclamations,
and
was
always well-considered
appropriate to the
Meneval

that

states

subject.

Napoleonrarelywrote
could

his hand

as

except
no

within

one

was

call to

act

assemblageof

an

almost

unreadable.

as

This

due

was

pen

it too
the
in

alone,and

was

without

fatiguing,
rapidity

his hand
there

His

his amanuensis.

to

was

writing

connection

the letters of the words

wanting. His spellingwas

could always find any
errors
persons.

with

pace

took

characters

Half

he found

keep

not

conception. He never
occasionallywhen he

of

his

himself

and
were

although he
writing of other

correct,

never

in the

the fact that his mind

moved

rapidlythat he would not interruptthe flow of his

thoughtsto take time to write correctly.
Napoleon had naturallya very active mind.
Always,
and in all things,
he went
cussion,
to the point. In a disstraight
he always found at once
the conclusive argument
;

so

upon

the field of
For

battle,he discovered the decisive

him, to think, to decide, to act, was

singleIndivisible act,
the thought and the
"

so

act

rapidlyexecuted
there

If,"says Thiers, he had chosen

where

not

was

"

one

can

only

succeed

one

that
a

moment

noeuvre.
maa

between
lost.

of the civil careers,

by persuading others, in

1:3623

PERSONALITY
them

winning

to

learned

have

to

but

what

be

must

of France

done
of

with

marvel

what

point of view, perhaps he would

position
moderate, to control his passionatedisinto the

Italy;

with

third, the

that this

then

he reached

win,

to

of

career

and

arms,

facultyof diviningat

supreme

the domination

NAPOLEON

your

thrown

the

with

OF

with

bound

government

of Europe,
God had made

supremacy

"

which

nature

glance

one

second, the

dowed
en-

still more
quick, which victory had made
prompt,
absolute in
should be brusque, impetuous,domineering,
its will ! Everything had cooperated,nature
and events,
so

to

of this mortal

make

the

absolute,the

most

petuous
im-

most

of men."
It

Napoleon

that

career

until

however,

not,

was

gave

towards

way

the

end

entirelyto

of his

this

spirit

Then, seeing nations submit, and sovereigns

he
bow before him,
either
no
longertakes account
of nature, and dares all,undertakes
all.
or

of domination.
of

men

he

When

ceased

had

to

simple, charitable,with
and

pardons

having over
prestige,
the ascendancy of a
continued

they loved

Saint
his

he knows

that

Helena, divested

companions

they

of

in misfortune

all

only

to

for the

him

Towards
kindness

because

himself, by his unalteringkindness,

fearinghim for the greater part of their lives,

them

that after

gentle,

and character, Napoleon

great mind
them
dominate
absolutely. He so strongly

to

attached

became

charity of a great mind

nesses,
appreciatesits weaknature,

them

At

unavoidable.

are

he

that

human

understands

which

command

rest.

family he always showed

generosity,and pardoned

his
and

the
over

greatest
and

over

again their faults and their failures. For the Empress

after her divorce, he also displayed a
Josephine,even
profound tenderness, although his first passionatelove
of infidelity
for her had long been cooled by her many
acts
he speaks in the kindest terms
In his testament
of his
last

"

moment

dear

wife

Marie-Louise," and

he has for her

only the

C3633

states

tenderest

that

at

the

sentiments,

NAPOLEON

THE

FIRST

although he knew full well that

concubinagewith Neipperg.
No

in

career

It

years.

all was

him, he said
free

to

1796 with

open

dramatic^ew

so

just nineteen
Campaign of Italy:
Looking back when
covers

the

in 181 5.
the lonelyrock where

"

I may

have

out

carry

had

chained

plans,but

many

of them.

any

fate had

It

all very

was

helm, but however

was
strong
much
hand that grasped it,the waves
were
stronger
for

hold

livingin

was

so

Waterloo

from

over,

never

in

began

with

it ended

history has been

of Napoleon. It

that

patheticas

she

to

me

I have
been

controlled

It

"

be

may

capitals
;

his hold

upon

the throne," he

on

beaten

times

twenty

because

cannot,

will

domination

My

outlive

not

reproach. Of this he gave many

from the bridgeof Arcole,in the
his last battle

moral

said

and

back

risk much
him
No

win

to

the

in

in

more

talent
content

to
to

"

examples,
Italy,

first campaign in
It

however, his

was,

campaigns

the characteristic

made
much, that,coupledwith intellect,

Europe.
historyhas equalledNapoleon

favored
He

statesman.

above

was

to
design and execution,the willingness

by opportunity.

administrative

great

cease

strong."

admirable

character, and perhaps no

intellect and
been

of

master

man

his

won

soldier.

when

day

their

to

upstart

an

the

Metternich,

to

go

am

Waterloo.

at

that

courage

boldness

secure.
in-

was

power

be strong, and to be feared because I am

As a soldier.
Napoleon's personalcourage

to

always

feeUng that constantlyurged him

brought ruin in their train. "Your

that

I have

still.

this

was

deeds

to

master

the

circumstances."

by

born
sovereigns,

to

reallymy

always realized that

He

on

the

been

never

was

well

had

mould
rule

of the

work. Napoleon
the

into
a

France

Rhine,

power

to

limited
the

Alps

n364 3

by

and

ever

Yet

despite his

was

not

create,

her

has

one

but
Had

form.

permanent

in force of

"

natural

the

not

he

true

the
been

aries
bound-

Pyrenees,he

NAPOLEON

THE

FIRST

ambitious
be gainsaid
cannot
Napoleon was
ambitious not
only for the present but for the future.
For me
the immortality
Bourrienne
as
saying :
quotes him

That

"

"

leaves

of the soul is the

of

memory

it

not

lines

in Scott's immortal

Is worth

another

then

natural
it

to

him,

life
of glorious
name."
without
a
age

that he had
said

that

attached

innate, so

that flowed

like the blood

was

leave behind

to

hour

himself, and

so

things;

great

thought expressed

It is the

he denied

occasion

corrected

he

an

the

on

crowded

"One

On

lived,than

have

to

of one's existence."

traces

no

This

man.

better

were

impressionone
thought leads to

ambition

it

his

to

"

was

so

being that

in his veins

the air

or

he breathed."
So

long

retained

his abnormal

everythingin
of his

Napoleon

as

his

But

success.

vigor,his

nervous

hands

own

small

commanded

was

one

his armies

when

armies, and

desire

keep

to

of the chief

causes

his

and
larger,

grew

physicalforce began to decline,his lack of a competent

impossiblefor him
generalstaff"led to failure. It was
attend personally
extensive,and he had
to details so
to
trained

no

subordinates

do

to

it for him.

Like

many

character.Napoleon
positive
him only active,laborious and obedient mediocrity. His
nominal chief of staff",
Berthier,was
only a very efficient
around

wanted

men

of very

and

docile head-clerk.

It

the

was

with

same

his

shals
mar-

only a few, like Massena, Soult and Davout, were

His other generals
capable of independent command.
lieutenants only.
were
exceptional
:

Never

born

for

as
leadership
Napoleon.
was
displayedeven
during his school days at
Brienne.
When
he took command
of the Army of Italy
in 1796,he found a group of generalofficers all older and
posed
immore
experiencedthan himself,and yet he at once

This

evade
men

was

man

so

trait

his will upon

them.
order during the
an
extended

both

to

his

There

was

campaign.
generalsand

1:3663

no

This
to

attempt
power

his troops.

to
over

PERSONALITY
"

The

NAPOLEON

OF

which
qualities

make

the

rior,"
typicalwarpossessed by Napoleon in
Dodge, were
says
than in any other man
of modern
days,
greater measure
he to his antagonists
and so superior
that he could
was
fail to win under
hot
anything like equal conditions."
in historyever
No commander
conceived such gigantic
plicity,
militaryproblems,reduced their execution to such simand carried them
through with such boldness
and ability.

go

to

up

"

His

to

power

gauge

situation

remarkable.

most

was

Says Odenleben, in speakingof the campaign in Saxony :

and he had seized the picOne look through his glass,
ture
with incredible speed. He thus
of a whole army
height,whole corps of fiftyor sixty
judged,from some
thousand men,
accordingto space and position." When
"

this power
of clear vision there be added the innate
and his capacityfor hard, unceasing
boldness of the man,

to

work,

you

world

has

have

such

combination

of

qualities
as

the

rarelyseen.
"

Napoleon said, Genius consists in

in
carryingout thingsdespiteobstacles,and meanwhile
The result of all this
findingfew or no impossibilities."
he himself
as
clearness,boldness and application
was,
all plans of the fourteen campaigns of
puts it,that
in strict accord with the true
principles
Napoleon were
Saint Helena,

At

"

of

His

war.

To

wars

bold but methodical."

were

is naturally
this greatest of commanders, leadership
is
sovereign spell. An army," he lays down,
"

"

the

nothing save

what

it is

head, is the all,of

an

by

legions that conquered Gaul,

the
the

but

all his wonderful

Caesar

than
thrilUng
and
upon

won

his

that in which
over

return

and

by word

Rome

is

there

career

Roman

the

not

was

Carthaginianarmy at the gates of

Republictremble, but Hannibal."

In

him

It

army.

generalis the

The

its head.

no

it

was

not

that made

scene

more

action he subdued

the firstof the troops sent to oppose

from Elba.
Alone, in front of his

chasseurs. Napoleon steps

forward

1 367 3

"

Soldiers

of the

NAPOLEON

THE

FIRST

Emperor ! Acknowledge me !
Fifth, I am
your
back his coat
If there is amongst
:
Then, as he flings

"

"

would

slay his Emperor, here I am !

France was
won
yieldedto t\M spell.
; the whole
army
have been, but who except this mighty
Theatrical it may
the skill,
the profound
playerwould have had the daring,
knowledge of the heart, to play that desperate role ?
human
knew
For this man
nature
as
thoroughly as
soldier who

you

and
Shakespeare,

could

"

play upon

it with

the

same

sure

touch.
It is

Rose well
futile,
as

says,

to

attempt

to

sum

up

Attempts have been

Napoleon in any one category.
There
is
made
do so, but with indifferent success.
to
only

one

man

and

forceful

The

figureof

varied
historyof faculties sufiiciently
to
challengecomparison with Napoleon.
world,
JuliusCaesar dominates the Roman
in

that of the great Corsican overshadows

French
Revolution.
Take
them
all in

as

all,as

Caesar and Napoleon

law-givers,
characters in history.

statesmen,
greatest

the age

1:3683

are

of the

soldiers,
the

two

APPENDIX
BONAPARTES

THE

Genealogical

Table

Biographical

Notes

MARSHALS

TITLES

THE

OF
CONFERRED

CHRONOLOGY
BIBLIOGRAPHY

n369 3

EMPIRE
BY

NAPOLEON

THE

BONAPARTES

GENEALOGICAL

TABLE

11

Joseph

Napoleon

III

Napoleon

IV

II

Charles

Lucien

Charles

Louis

'

IS

Joseph

l6

Lucien

1/

Charles

Lucien

Bonaparte

10

Pierre

II

Napoleon

Charles

12

Napoleon

Louis

13

Napoleon

III

i8

Roland

'

Louis

Jerome

14

Prince

19

Prince

20

Victor

21

Louis

22

Louis

Napoleon

Compiled

1 371

Imperial

by

the Author

BONAPARTE

THE

Generation

First

1.

died

1746;
married
24

born

Bonaparte,

Charles

August,

Elisa,

died

1768;

married,
born

ist,

March,

died

1791;

died

1775;
4

May,

at

four
5.

de

Ajaccio,

May,

1821;

Beauhamais,
died

1763;

married,

1809;

Vienna,

at

December,

(in Italy), born

(Madame

30

at

2d,
cember,
De-

12

Son:

1847.

Jouberthou).
(10) Pierre,

Lucien,

21

May,

married,

1840;
whom

by

October,

2d, 23

Ajaccio,

at

June,

Boyer,

Catherine

daughters; married,
(9) Louis

18

sons.

at

June,

23

born

Vienna,

at

Viterbo, Italy,

1794,

Bleschamp

Helena,

divorced,

1814;

of Canino

Prince

Lucien,

born

French,

Saint

at

No

1771.

August,

IL

(7) Napoleon
4.

the

January,

married

July, 1844;

Marie-Louise,

1810,

(S) Louis,

Corsica,

Corte,

at

Martinique,

May,

29

dren:
Chil-

1836.

(4) Lucien,

1796, Josephine

March,

Trois-Ilets,

at

Malmaison,
II

of

died

1769;

August,

February,

December,

26

I, Emperor

Napoleon
15

Florence,

28

Julie Clary, born

1794,
3.

at

Ajaccio,

at

Generation

Spain, born

of

King

born

1785;

Caroline.

Pauline,

Second

Joseph,

Rome,

at

March,

29

February,

24

Ramolino,

(3) Napoleon,

(2) Joseph,

2.

France,

Letitia

died

1750;

(6) Jerome,

Ajaccio, Corsica,

at

Montpellier,

at

June, 1764,

FAMILY

had

he

ist,
two

1803, Alexandrine

Children:
and

(8) Charles,
other

two

de

sons

and

daughters.

Louis,
died

1802,

1783;

King
at

of

Holland,

Leghorn,
Hortense
died

Italy,
de

at

born
25

Ajaccio,

at

July, 1846;

Beauharnais,

Arenenberg,
n 372

born

married

Paris,

at

Switzerland,
3

September,

1778;

January,
10

October,

April,
1837.

THE

BONAPARTE

Third

March,

Paris, 20
8,

181 1;

Charles,

born

at

died

at

of

Reichstadt,bom at
Vienna, 22 July, 1832.

Paris,24 May, 1803, died

at

Paris,29

Brussels, 29 June, 1822,his cousin

at

July, 1804, died 8 August,1854, daughter

he had three sons
of King Joseph, by whom
and five
extinct.
daughters. The branch is now
Lucien
Louis, born at Thorngrove, England, 4 January,
Zenaide, born

1813; died
10.

Duke

married.

July, 1857, married

9,

Generation

II, King of Rome,

7, Napoleon
Never

FAMILY

November, 1891; married; left no children.

Pierre, born

at

Rome,

12

September, 1815;

died

at

sailles,
Ver-

April, 1881; married 3 November, 1867,Justine

he had, before his marriage,two
Eleonore Ruffin, by whom
In January,1870, he
and Jeanne.
children: (18) Roland
7

killed Victor Noir.

11.

Napoleon

13.

14.

born

at

Paris,10 October, 1802; died

Hague, J May, 1807.

Napoleon
Louis, born at Paris,11 October, 1804; died at
Forli,Italy17 March, 183 1 ; married his cousin,Charlotte,
(1802-1839) daughter of King Joseph. No children.
Napoleon
III, Emperor of the French, born at Paris, 20
April,1808; died at Chislehurst,near London, 9 January,
1873; married 30 January, 1853, Eugenie de Montijo, born
Granada, Spain, 5 May, 1826; died at Madrid, 11
at
One son:
Louis, the Prince
July, 1920.
(19) Napoleon
at

12.

Charles,

The

Imperial.
Napoleon
Joseph, called Prince Napoleon, bom at Trieste,
1891; married
9 September, 1822; died at Rome, 17 March
in January, 1859, Princess Qotilde, daughter of King Victor
Emmanuel.
Children:
(20) Victor, (21) Louis, and
Lsetitia born 20 December, i8$6, who married
Marie
in
of
September, 1888, her maternal uncle Amadeus, Duke
of
Aosta, ex-King of Spain, and brother of King Humbert

Italy,by

whom

she had

one

son,

n 374 3

Humbert, bom

in

1889.

BIOGRAPHICAL

Generation

Fourth
15.

Joseph,

Prince

NOTES

of Canino, born

Philadelphia,
13

at

ruary,
Feb-

1824; died 1865; left no heirs.

16. LuciEN, Cardinal Bonaparte, born at Rome, 15 November,
1828; died in 1895.

Charles, born 5 February, 1839, died in 1899; married 26

November, 1859,the Princess Ruspoli,bywhom he had two
daughters,born in 1870 and 1872.
18. Roland, born 19 May, 1858; married 7 November, 1880,
Marie Blanc, the daughterof the proprietor
of the gambling

17.

establishment

at

Monte

Carlo.

She

leavinghim one daughter and an

daughter,Marie, in 1907, married
of King George of Greece.
son
19.

21.

August, 1882,
fortune.

enormous

Prince

His

George,second

Imperial, born at Paris 16

March, 1856; killed in Zululand, South Africa, i June,
Never

Napoleon

married.

Victor, Prince

Napoleon, present head of the

at
Paris, 18 July, 1862; married

Bonaparte family,born
14 November, 1910, the Princess Clementine, born 1872,
daughter of Leopold II, King of the Belgians. She is a
children : Clotilde,
cousin of the present King Albert; two
leon,
born at Brussels,20 March, 191 2, and (22) Louis Napoborn at Brussels,23 January, 1914.
born at Paris,16 July,1864. He was
Louis Napoleon,
a
General of Cavalry in the Russian Army, and, in 1906,
Governor

of the Caucasus.

Louis

Napoleon,

son

Never

married.

Generation

Fifth
22.

Louis, the Prince

Napoleon

1879.
20.

died

and heir of Prince

Brussels,23 January,

1914.

1:37s 3

Napoleon, bom

at

Title

Name

EMPIRE

THE

OF

MARSHALS

Died

Cause

Born

Appointed
1804

1816

Natural

1757

1763

1804

1844

Natural

1804

181S

Accident

1753

Augereau

Castiglione (D)

Bernadotte

Sweden

Berthier

Neufchatel
Istria (D)

1768

1804

1813

Wounds

Bessieres

Comte

1763

1804

181S

Murder

Brune

1770

1804

Natural

Eckrauhl

1823

Davout

Comte

1766

181S

1847

Natural

Grouchy

Comte

1762

1804

1833

Natural

Jourdan

1804

1820

Natural

173s

1769

1804

1809

Wounds

Kellermann

Valmy

(K)
(P)

(P)

(D)
(D)

Montebello

Lannes

Dantzig

(D)

1804

1820

Natural

I7SS

Taranto

(D)

176s

1809

1840

Natural

Macdonald

Ragusa

1774

1809

1852

Natural

Marmont

Essling (P)

1756

1804

1817

Natural

Massena

Conegliano

1754

1804

1842

Natural

Moncey

Treviso

1768

1804

183s

Bomb

Mortier

Naples

1771

1804

1815

Shot

Murat

Moskova

1769

1804

181S

Shot

Ney

Reggie (D)

1767

1809

1847

Natural

Oudinot

Lefebvre

(D)

(D)

(D)
(K)
(P)

Comte

I7S4

1804

1818

Natural

Poniatowski

Prince

1762

1813

1813

Drowned

Saint-Cyr

Comte

1764

1812

1830

Natural

Comte

1742

1804

1819

Natural

1769

1804

1851

Natural

1772

1811

1826

Natural

1764

1807

1841

Natural

Perignon

Serurier
Soult

Dalmatia

Suchet

Albufera

Victor

Belluno

(D)
(D)
(D)
'

Honorary

n376

Marshals.

TITLES

CONFERRED
An

"AuGEREAU,

asterisk

Due

de

Chief

*Berthier,

de

of the

Bonaparte,

mander
Com-

Louis, King of Holland.

Bonaparte,

Jerome,

of

*MASsiNA,

Due

Due

de

Minister
de

Vicenza;

Minister

of

ter
Minis-

Cadore;

Affairs

Foreign

(1807-1811).

of

the

Interior;

Due

of War;

de

Mollien,

d'Auerstadt,

Due

Grand

Due

Prince

Due

MouTON,

Comte

*MuRAT
of

of the Palace;

Marshal

Viceroy

of

(Cardinal), Grand
Minister

FoucHE,
10);

Due

*Ney,

Police

Due

Due

de

Lobau.

d'Elehingen;

Prince

Due

King

de

la

Due

de

(1810-14).

de

Dalmatia.

Marquis

Due

de.

d'Albufera.
Minister

of

Foreign

Affairs (1799-1807);

Grand

berlain
Cham-

Benevento.
Comte.

Vandamme,

"Victor,

d'Abrantes.

1:377

Minister

Rovigo;

(1804-1808);

d'Otranto.

of Police.

Comte.

Due

*SucHET,

Reggio.

de; Prefect

Due

Savary,

*SouLT,

de

Due

(1804-

Comte.

*JouRDAN,
JuNOT,

of

Treviso.

Naples.

*0uDiNOT,

Almoner.

Comte.

"Grouchy,

the

Conegliano.

Berg);

Talleyrand,

Italy.
Fesch

of

de

*Saint-Cyr,

(Beauharnais),

Eugene

Prince

Rivoli;

Minister

de

(Grand

*Serurier,

d'Erlon.

Friuli.

de

Bassano.

Ragusa.

de

de

*MoRTiER,

of Police

Comte

DuROC,

de

Due

*Moncey,

d'Eekmiihl.

Drouet,

de

Comte;

Pasquier,

Feltre.

*Davout,

Foreign Affairs

Moskova.

Chanteloup.

Minister

Clarke,

of

Due

Due

(1814).

Due

Champaony,

Comte

de

Horse;

Affairs

Chaptal,

Taranto.

Treasury.
Due

of

of

de

d'Essling.

Caulaincourt,

Foreign

Minister

*Marmont,

Parma.

Master

of

Dantzig.

de

Due

(1811-14);

phalia.
West-

Areh-Chancellor;

Cambaceres,

Minister

Plaisance.

Due

*Macdonald,

Comte.

*Brune,

de

Due

Maret,

Bonaparte,

de

Lebrun,
"Lefebvre,

of

(King

King

Valmy.

Montebello.

Comte;

Lavalette,

of Spain.

Naples), King

de

Due
de

Due

Posts.

Guard.

Joseph

Marshals

his

of

names

*Lannes,

de

Wagram.

d'lstria;
Old

the

*Kellermann,

Corvo.

of Staff; Prince

Due

*Bessieres,

Pont"

de

Prince

Neufchatel,

affixed to

Castiglione.

Prince

"Bernadotte,

is

NAPOLEON

BY

Due

de Belluno

Prince

de

CHRONOLOGY

1769

Napoleon

1779

School

1784

Military

born

15

August

at

Brienne,

Second-Lieutenant

1785 1

In

1793

at

sent

Valence

at

except
in

leave

on

of

the

1789

Capture

1791

First-Lieutenant,

1792

Captain, July

1793

Siege

of

1797

Louis

Milan

Mantua,

September

Rivoli,

14

November

January

of Mantua,

Leoben

February

preliminaries,

peace

April

18

Fructidor

Peace

11

begins,

August

15-17

18

May

15

Mantua

Arcole,

XVI,

Corsica,

leave

12

May

10

Bassano,

4-12

September

21

March

11

May

Fall

of

Bonapartes

into

14

January

21

Entry

Lodi,

Verona,

Bastille,

oi

Montenotte,

Castiglione,

Corsica

June

Republic,

Execution

of

30

ab-

July

French

Italy,

of

Battle

or

when

command

April

of Artillery,

garrison
Auxonne,

of

Victory

Paris,

September

April

25

take

to

Army

Academy

1785

to

Leaves

October

31

sica,
Ajaccio, Cor-

at

of

(4 September)

Campo

tober
17 Oc-

Formio,

June
Major,

September

29

of

Capture

Toulon,

Return
19

ber
Decem-

1798

Sails

for

Arrives
General

of

Brigade,

cember
De-

22

Inspector of Coasts,

at

Nice
1799

(27 July)

dor

Under

arrest,

restored

to

10-23

Ordered
The

13

Lands

Paris, May

to

Vendemiaire

tober)
(j Oc-

18

1796

Marriage
9

of

Division,

with

26

tober
Oc-

1800

Josephine,

1:3783

July

July

Nile,

16

May

to

April

July

25

August

24

Frejus,

at

August

6 March

Egypt,

October

(9 November)

Consul,

Leaves

Paris

Crosses

the

Marengo,

March

21

Acre, March

Brumaire

First

General

of

Aboukir,

tember
Sep-

Leaves
1795

the

Mont-Tabor,

August;
14

of

June

10

taken,

Jaffa stormed,
Siege

rank,

Malta,

at

May

19

Pyramids,

Battle

Fall of Robespierre, 9 Thermi-

Egypt,

Alexandria

The
1794

Paris, s December

to

14

24

December

for

Alps,
June

Italy,
15-20

May

May

CHRONOLOGY
1801

Peace of Luneville,
9 February

Surrender

The
1802

l8b3

Concordat, ij August
President of CisalpineRepublic,
January
Peace of Amiens, 27 March
Consul for Life,4 August
Code
Napoleon decreed, j

1809

March
Renewal

of

war

with England,

May
d'Enghienshot,2i March
Empire proclaimed,18 May
Coronation,2 December
Crowned
King of Italy,26 May
Army leaves Boulogne,27 Au18

1804

805

gust
Surrender

18 10

Mack

at

Ulm,

Josephine,ij

with

cember
De-

Marie-Louise,

March

11

Birth

18

12

Invasion of Russia,23 June

of

King

of

Rome,

March

Smolensk, 18 August
Borodino,7 September
Moscow
occupied, 14

Naples by MasFebruary
sena,
Joseph, King of
Naples,
Invasion

of

tober
Oc-

18

20

October

Trafalgar,
Vienna occupied,13 November
2 December
Austerlitz,
of Presburg, 26
Peace
cember
De21

Schonbrunn,14

Marriage
II

of

of

Divorce

17 October

1806

at Bay
len, 19 July
Erfurt Interview,
27 September
in
Napoleon
Spain,November
Occupies Madrid, 4 December
Returns to Paris,23 January
Eckmiihl,22 April
Vienna occupied,13 May
Battle of Aspern, 21-22
May
Wagram, 5-6 July

Peace

Due

of Dupont

begun, 19 October
Beresina,26-29 November
Napoleon leaves army, 5

of

tember
Sep-

Retreat

cember
De-

30 March
of

Holland,5 June
Confederation of the Rhine,
12 July
October
War with Prussia,
and
tober
Auerstadt, 14 OcJena
Louis,King

1807

1808

2 May
1813 Liitzen,
Bautzen, 21 May
Armistice,
4 June to 10 August
Dresden, 26-27 August
Leipzig,16-18 October
18 14
Saint-Dizier,
27 January
Berlin occupied,27 October
Brienne,29 January
The
Berlin Decree, 21
vember
NoLa Rothiere, I February
Champaubert, 10 February
Eylau, 7-8 February
Montmirail,13 February
Friedland, 14 June
Nangis, 17 February
Peace of Tilsit,
Craonne, 7 March
7 July
of
Jerome, King
Laon, 9 March
Westphalia,
Paris capitulates,
July
31 March
Abdication of Napoleon,6 April
vember
Junot occupiesLisbon,30 NoTreaty of Fontainebleau,11
Charles IV resignscrown
at
April
Leaves Fontainebleau,
20 April
Bayonne, 5 May
Death
of
of
6
Josephine,29 May
Spain, June
Joseph, King

379

CHRONOLOGY
Congress of Vienna,

20

tember
Sep-

Abdication,22 June
Malmaison, 25 June
Leaves
for Rochefort,29 June
Surrenders to England, 14 July
Sails for St. Helenar^oAugust
Final
Goes

1815

Napoleon
Disembarks
I

leaves

Elba, 26

near

ruary
Feb-

Cannes,

Paris,20 March
Champ de Mai, i June
Leaves Paris,12 June

tober
St. Helena, IJ Oc-

Arrives

at

1821

Dies

Longwood,

1832

Death

1840

Remains

March

Arrives

to

at

Ligny, 16 June
Waterloo, 18 June

at

of

King
placed

15 December

n38o3

May

of Rome,
in

22

July

Invalides,

BIBLIOGRAPHY
PERIODS

PARTICULAR

Rose, J. H. (Editor)
Napoleon's Last Voyages (1906)

AULAKD,A.
*French

Revolution (1910)

RosEBERY,

Browning, Oscar

"Napoleon, the First Phase (1905)

*The Fall of Napoleon (1907)
French

Revolution

The

Stephens, H.

(1909)

Exile of St. Helena

Gruyer, Paul
Napoleon, King of

M.

Revolution

(1891)

HOUSSAYE, H.
*i8i4 (1899)
"1815 (190s)

(1900)

Philippe

Gonnard,

"Napoleon; the Last Phase (1901)

*French

Carlyle, Thomas

Lord

Vandal
Elba

*L'Avenement

(1906)

de Bonaparte (1902)

GouRGAUD, General
Journal (1899)
MISCELLANEOUS

Dunn-Pattison,

R.

p.

(1909)

Napoleon'sMarshals
W.

Hudson,

Man

The

H.

Napoleon (1914)

James
the
Footsteps

Morgan,
In

of

Napoleon

(191S)
Rose, J. H.
of Napoleon (1912)
"Personality
Vachee,

at

Marie-Louise

Saint-Amand,

Colonel

"Napoleon

LfivY, A.
Napoleon Indme
Masson, F.
Napoleon et sa Famille
Napoleon et les Femmes
Napoleon et son Fils
Napoleon chez lui
Josephine

Work

Femmes

(1914)

n382

I.

DE

des Tuileries

INDEX
Abdications, the, of Napoleon,
319.

316,

340

battle of, 239

fleet near,
Aboukir, defeat of French
of
Napoleon at, 104
98; victory
Acre, siege of, loi

Abensberg,

Addington,

Pasha

Ahmed

Ajaccio,

(Djezzar),

190,

lOI

193,

253,

224,

272-

Alexandria, 95
Alvinzy, 67-74
Amiens, Treaty

2iSi

on,

"Souvenirs,"

Augereau,

54,

14

of,

241-3

of,

172, 202,

314

and

Mme.,

295,

201,

344

308-11, 332-

family, 2,

53, 81, 107

170
221,

222

202

Bonaparte, Joseph, 6, 31, 82, 109,

229, 269, 270, 306, 341
Bonaparte, Josephine (Beauharnais),

85, 173

Augusta, Princess, 188

Austerlitz, battle of, 181-5, 188
Austria, 64, 66, 67, 71, 76, 87,

170,

42-SS.

78-84.

106,

256
230,
Letitia,
Bonaparte,
3
Bonaparte, Louis, 23,

107-110,

221,

82, 109,

147,

247-52,

29s

Autun, 6
Auxonne,

112,

triumph,

Bonaparte, Charles, 3, 4, 11
Bonaparte, Caroline, 124, 306
Bonaparte, Elisa, 9, 26, 81, no,
167,
Bonaparte, Jerome, no,

d', 144

battle

Auerstadt,

in

340

Bonaparte

(1813), 293
rewards
of, 265

battle

31, 37, 109,

302.

Blucher, Gen.,

Armistice

Comte

295.

Bertrand, Gen.
Bessieres, 173

60

Argenteau,

14

Bacciochi,

264, 271
Bonaparte,

81

Bagration, 276-8
of France,

119,

120,

Bonaparte,
Napoleon

142

Barclay de Tolly, 276-8,

Bard, Fort, 131

294

Bonaparte,

Lucien,
340
Louis

31,

54,

Napoleon,

Napoleon

229

C383]

see

Charles, 148,

Bonaparte, Pauline, 81, no

Borodino, battle of, 280-82
Spanish, 226
Bourbons,
Bourrienne, 8, 26, 149

Bautzen, battle of, 291

Bavaria, King of, 189

82, 109,

III

221

Barras, 38, 39, 92

Bastille, 21

Baylen,

[147,

Berthier,175, 237-8

17

348
Antommarchi,
Arcole, battle of,"9

Bank

embarks

Bennigsen, 215-220
Berlin, Napoleon enters,
decree of, 206
203;
Bemadotte,

of, 139
Ancients, Council of, 39, 115, 1
Duchess, 230, 255
Anne, Grand

217,

49,

34*

I, Czar,

Arnault,

281, 291

3*7.

283, 297

Artois,
Aspern,

224,

Beauharnais, Hortense, 46,

Alexander

Army,

229

Beauharnais, Alexandre, 45-48

Beauharnais, Eugene, 43, 45, 46, 167,

Beaulieu, General, 59
"Bellerophon," Napoleon

169

139,

Bayonne,

INDEX
school at, 7-10;
Boulogne, military
battle of, 309
Brienne, 171
Brueys,Admiral, 98
Brumaire,i8th and 19th,107-122
Biilow,308

Cadoudal,Georges, 122,
Cairo, 96
Calonne, 19
Cambaceres,

144

121

Cambronne, 321, 339

Campo Formio, Peace of,86, 87
Caprara,Cardinal Legate, 163
Carnot, 56
Queen of Naples, 192,
Caroline,

254,

195,

"

223
.

Danube, principalities
on, 225
Davidovitch,66, 67
Davout, 172, 246, 295
Denmark, 224, 303
D'esaix,
24, 135, 136
of State,157-8,256
Dignitaries
Directory,39, 93, no
Dresden, 274; battle of,297
Dupont, General,229
Du

Teil,General,15,

25, 34

Echmiihl, battle of,239

"cole Militaire,10

of,65

Catharine, Queen of Westphalia,222

Catharine,Grand Duchess, of Russia,

Egypt, expeditionto, 91-106

Elba, 225,

320-324

Enghien, Due
England, 92,

230, 2SS, 272

Caulaincourt, 175, 305-19

Champaubert, battle of, 3 10

d',144
154, i6g, 224,

349. 353
Erfurt,interview

Mai, 329
Charlemagne,163
Charleroi,
331

Champ

Dalberg,Archbishopof Mayence,

Duroc, 80, 175

306
Carteaux, 32
battle
Castiglione,

Coup d'etat,of i8th Brumaire, 107;

of 1 8th Fructidor,84

de

271, 348,

at, 229

Essling,battle of, 241-3

of Austria,76, 174,
Charles,Archduke
260
238-47,
Charles, Grand Duke of Baden, 189,

Etruria,Queen of,225, 227

of, name
Etruria, Kingdom
Tuscany, 225
Eylau, battle of,216-17

for

191

Ferdinand,Archduke, 178, 237

Ferdinand
IV, of Naples, 58
Prince of Spain,
Ferdinand, Crown
228, 229, 306
Fesch,uncle of Napoleon, 2, 3, 6
Finkenstein,castle of, 217
Finland,224
Five Hundred, Council
of, 39, 115,

IV, of Spain,226, 229

Chatillon,congress at, 31Z-13
Church, States of, 226
Charles

31, 109
Qary, Julie,
31; Desiree,
iii
S
econd,
Coalition,
Cockburn, Admiral, 342
"Code
Napoleon," 141
Concordat, 141
of the Rhine, 195
Confederation
of
Congress Vienna, 324, 328
Constantine,Grand Duke, 184
Constitution,
year III,39, 115; of
year VIII, 121; of Empire, 158
Napoleon as, 140
Consul,First,

118

Fontainebleau,223; Adieux de, 320

Fouche, Minister of Police,235, 328
Fox, 19s, 294
France,152, 163; campaign of,309-20
Francis I, 186, 195, 289
Frederick Augustus, King of Saxony,

Consulate, 121, 139

Continental System, 206, 270, 271

Convention,39
Coronation, at
Milan, 167
Corsica,i, 225

Paris

165-6;

302

at

Frederick the Great,202, 248, 289, 291

Frederick William III,196, 206, 209,
217, 236
Frejus,105,

C384]

320

INDEX
battle of,218-20
Friedland,

Laon, battle of,311

La Rothiere,battle of,309
Fructidor,i8th, 84
Las Cases,Count, 345
Gaudin, Minister of Finance,235
La Tour du Pin,Marquise de,260,262
Gaza, 100
Lauriston,General,8
Genoa, 2, 4, 60, 170
Lebrun, 121
George III,of England, 169, 192
Leclerc,General,81, 152
German
Empire, 195
Lefebvre,117, 218
Germany, 271
Legion d'honneur,142, 266
of
Prince
Peace,"227
Godoy,
Leipzig,battle of, 300-02
Gohier, 114
of,77
Leoben, preliminaries
battle
Gourgaud, General,345
of,332
Ligny,
Gregorian Calendar, re-established,Lobau, island in Danube, 240-46
Lodi, battle of,62
190
Grouchy, 333-4
Lonato, battle of,65
the
Old, 267,338
Guard,
Longwood, 343-54
Louis XV, 4
Hanau, battle of,303
Louis XVI, 18
Hanover, 192, 193, 194
Louis XVIII, 324
Haye-Sainte,La, 335
Louisa,Queen of Prussia,196
b
attle
of,219
Heilsberg,
Louisiana,153
Hoche, 37
Louverture,152
Hohenlinden,
139
Lowe, Sir Hudson,349-53
Hohenlohe, 201
LUbeck, 203
Holland, 192, 264, 271
Peace of, 139
Luneville,
Hortense,see Bonaparte,Hortense
b
attle
Liitzen,
of,290
Hougomont, 334
Macdonald, Marshal, 246, 299
Ibrahim Bey, 97
Mack, General, 178-180
Infernal Machine, 143
Malmaison, 108, 146
Interior,
Army of the,41
battle of,284
Malo-Jaroslowitz,
Hotel des,356
Invalides,
Malta, 95, 154
Italy,Viceroy of, see Beauharnais, Mamelukes, 96, 103
Eugene
Mantua, 64, 75
Italy,58, 89, 128, 167,22s
Marbceuf, Count, 4, 6
Marengo, battle of, 133
Jacobins,32
Marie-Antoinette,18
Jaffa,100, 103
Marie-Louise,77, 213, 254, 264, 314
Jena, battle of,200
M^rmont, 80, 172, 270, 316-18
John, Crown Prince of Portugal,226
Marshals,159-160,266
John, Archduke, 237, 244
Massena, iii, 127, 174, 178,218, 241,
Joubert,72, 112
243, 246,269
Jourdan, 36
Melas, 127-137
Junot,79, 227, 2^1
Metternich, Comtesse, 256
Mettemich, Prince,235, 294
Kleber,37, 102, 104
Milan, 63, 78, 81, 83
Krasnoi,battle of,285
Mondovi, battle of,62
Kray, 128
Montenotte, battle of, 61
Kutusov, 181, 184, 280-84
Montholon, 27, 344, 347
Mont-Saint- Jean, 334
La Fere, regimentof,12
Moore, Sir John, 233
Lannes, 102, 132, 173, 199, 243-4
"

[385]

INDEX
Moreau, 113, 139, 162,298
Mortier,314
Moscow, 282-3
Murad
Bey, 97
Murat, 40, 120, 124, I73"
298, 301, 3C36

203, 228,

Napoleon Bonaparte, his birthplace,

of Rousseau, 2;
2; the prediction
the Bonaparte family,2; his father
and mother,3; his childhood,5;
school days at Brienne,7-10; death
of his father,
9; militaryschool at
Paris, 9-1 1; commissioned
souslieutenant of artillery,
tioned
sta11;
firstvisit to
at Valence,12;
Corsica, 13; visit to Paris, 14;
to Corsica,14; stationed at
return
Auxonne, 14; third visit to Corsica,
takes
part in revolutionary
15;
movement,

22;

returns

Auxonne,

to

appointed lieutenant of 4th

23;
regimentat Valence, 24; takes oath
of
allegianceto Assembly, 24;
visit

fourth
to

to

Corsica, 25;

visit

Paris,26; appointedcaptain,26;

fifthvisit to Corsica,27; takes part

in Maddalena
nally
expedition,28; fileaves Corsica with

family,29;

his personalappearance,

30;

writes

tioned
sta-

"Le

at
Nice, 32;
mand
Souper de Beaucaire,"32; in comof artillery
Toulon, 32;
at
himself, 33;
greatly distinguishes
appointed general of brigade,34;

estimate

of his character,34;

Inspector of
Nice,

3S;
to

under

Coasts

arrest,

command

of

35;

pointed
apat

pointed
ap-

artillery

expedition,
35; ordered
relations
with
Paris,36;
Barras,

for Corsican
to

paign,
plans for Italian camof
the
38; commands
troops
Convention, 13 Vendemiaire, 40;

37;

prepares

appointed generalof division and

commander
Army of Interior,
41;
first meeting with Josephine,42;
his marriage,53; takes command
of the Army of Italy,56; reasons
for his appointment,56; his first
proclamation,58; his officers,
59;

C386]

his plan of campaign,60; his first

6(; forces Sardinia to
victories,
make
mation,
peace, 62; his second procla63; battle of Lodi, 63;
enters
Milan, 63; g|Crosses the
Mincio, 64; invests^lantua,
64;
battle of Castiglione,
65; battle of
Bassano, 66; repulsedat Caldiero,
67; battle of Arcole,68-70; consummate
leadership during the
campaign, 70; battle of Rivoli,
71battle of La
Favorita, 75;
74;
of Mantua, 75; march
to
capture
Tagliamento, 76; his "philosophical
letter" to Archduke
Charles,
o
f
preliminaries Leoben, 77;
77;
action regardingVenice,78; return
to Milan, 79; treaty with the Pope,
80; letters to Josephine,80; life
at
Montebello,81; arranges mat*
riageof Pauline,81; life at Milan,

82; connection

with the coup

d'etat

of 18

Fructidor,
84; arranges peace
Campo Formio, 86; returns
to
Paris, 87; reception there, 88;
attends ball given by Talleyrand,
Treaty of Campo
89; presents
Formio to Directors,92; appointed
command
of Army of England,
to
93;
92; plansEgyptian expedition,
sails from
Toulon, 93; captures
Malta, 95; escapes English fleet,
of

Alexandria,95;
captures
95;
marches
on
Cairo, 96; battle of
Pyramids, 96; destruction of
of his
fleet,98; versatility
into Palestine,
genius,98; advances
Jaffa, 100;
100;
captures
battle of
siege of Acre, 101-103;
Mont-Tabor, 102; abandons
siege
the
his

of Acre, 103; returns

to Cairo, 103;
battle of Aboukir, 104; decides to

home, 104; lands

at Frejus,
Paris,
105; pardons
105;
Josephine, 106; receptionon his

return

arrives

return,

at

forms

ii2;

alliance with

planscoup d'etat,114;
18 Brumaire, 117;
on
maire,
overthrows
Directory on 19 BruFirst Consul,
118; becomes
Sieyes,113;
his actions

121

takes

up

his residence in the

INDEX
Luxembourg,

removes
to the
his life there,126;

123;

Tuileries,
125;

organizesArmy

of Reserve, 127;

Grand-Saint-Bernard,129;
crosses
the Austrians,131; enters
surprises
Milan, 132; battle of Marengo,
Italy,136;
133; regainsnorthern
his estimate of Desaix and Kleber,
136; appreciationsby Alison and
Sargent,137; concludes the peace
of

Amiens,139;

his activities

as

First Consul, 146; negotiatesthe

Concordat, 141; prepares the Code

his
on
Napoleon, 141; attempts
d'Enthe Due
life,143; executes
ghien,144; fetes on his return from

Marengo, 145;

his

residences

of

French

Colonial

Empire, 152; sellsLouisiana to the

United States,153; begins preparations
for invasion of England, 154;
proclaimedEmperor of the French,
157

Napoleon I (Emperor), appoints

cers
of State and Grand OffiDignitaries
of the

Crown,

157-8;

hamais

names

tual
159; his intellechis
of
love
work,
160;
powers,
visits
tomb
of
Charlemagne,
161;
163; presentedwith the Talisman,

eighteenMarshals,

164; coronation as Emperor, 164;

religious
marriage with Josephine,
coronation
as
King of Italy,
166;
167; interview with Jerome, 167;
Fontainebleau, 168;
returns
to
proposes
peace to George III, 169;
dictates plan for campaign of Ulm,
of the Grand
171; his organization
his
military
household,
Army, 172;
ods
175; method of travel,176; methof work, 178; operationsin
Bavaria, 179; surrender of Mack,
Vienna, 180; his critical
180; enters
position,
180; tactics at Austerlitz,
view
182; brilliantvictory,183-5;interwith Francis I, 186; peace of
Presburg, 187; joinsJosephine at

[387]

with

Prince

Charles

of

Baden, 191;
deposes
dynasty of Naples, 192; appoints
Joseph King of Naples,192; creates
twenty titularduchies,192; makes
Louis King of Holland,193; makes
of peace
overtures
to England and
tion
Russia, 194; organizesConfederaof the Rhine, 195; prepares
for war
with Prussia,199; plan of
campaign, 199; battle of Jena,201;
Bourbon

destruction of Prussian

army,

criticism of Bernadotte,202;
of

at

Paris, 146; begins reconstruction

of Paris,149; appointedConsul for
described
Life,150; his appearance
"by Foster, 151; his desire for
restoration

Munich, 189; arranges marriageof

Eugene and Princess Augusta, 190;
also marriageof Stephaniede Beau-

entry

Prussia,203;

into Berlin,
204;

201;
pation
occu-

triumphal

issues Berlin

Decree, 206; encourages

hopes of
the Poles,207; advances with army
battle of Pultusk,
to Warsaw, 210;
his
love
affairs,
210;
211; intimacy
with
Mme.
Walewska, 212-214;
undertakes
winter campaign, 215;
battle of Eylau, 216; winter quai^
active operations,
ters, 217; resumes
218; victoryof Friedland,219-20;
interview with Czar at Tilsit,
221;
signsTreaty of Tilsit,
griefat
221;
of Napoleon Charles, 221;
death
to
returns
Saint-Cloud,222; marriage
of Jerome and the Princess
Catherine of Wiirtemberg,222; the
fetes at Fontainebleau,
223; takes
possessionof Tuscany, 225; occupies
Papal States,226; occupies
Portugal,228; annexes
Spain north
of the Ebro, 228; persuadesFerdinand
of
to resign
crown
Spain,229;
proclaimsJoseph King of Spain,
229;

conference with Czar

at

furt,
Er-

negotiatesfor hand of
230;
Czar's sister,
230; resolves to enter
Spain with Grand Army, 231; plan
of campaign, 232; enters
Madrid,
233; leaves for Paris,234; reasons
for his return, 235; Austria plans

for war, 236; mistakes of Berthier,

in Bavaria,
brilliant manoeuvres
237;
239;

defeats the

Austrians,
occupiesVienna, 240; moves
238;

INDEX
Lobau,

to

army

241;

battle

of

Essling,242-3; grief
of
draws
death
Lannes, 244; withat
Lobau, 244; reinforces
to
Danube,
army,
244; again crosses
of
victory
Wagram, 246;
245;
Treaty of Schonbrunn,247; returns
decides
to
Fontainebleau,
finally
249;
divorce Josephine, 250;
to
his marriage annulled,251; financial
provisionsfor Josephine,
252;
matrimonial
negotiations with
Russia broken off,256; calls meeting
discuss mai^
of Dignitaries
to
makes
riage, 257;
proposal for
hand
of Marie-Louise,257;
the
marriageby proxy at Vienna, 258;
first meeting at Compiegne, 259;
civil marriage at Saint-Cloud,259;
religious
marriage at the Louvre,
his young
devotion
wife,
to
259;
Brussels,260; fetes
260;
in honor of the marriage,261; the
Schwarzenberg ball,261; birth of
the King of Rome, 262; the private
visit

to

Belgium,
baptism, 263;
Holland and the Rhine, 264; honors
conferred
the marshals, 265;
on
the Legion d'honneur, 266; his
opinionof the marshals, 266; the
with his
Old Guard, 267; popularity
soldiers,268; the drain of the
for
SpanishWar, 269; preparations
for
Russian campaign, 270; reasons
tour

to

the break with the Czar, 271; effects

of the

Continental

System,

of the army,
organization
to

Dresden, 274;

crosses

272;

273; visit
the Nie-

indecisive victory at
men,
27s;
vance
Smolensk, 278-9; decides to adbattle of

to
Moscow, 280;
Borodino, 281; occupiesMoscow,
282; fatal delay there,263; begins
of the Bereretreat, 283; crossing

sina, 28;; leaves the army,

286;
arrives at Paris,287; his resources
after

of Bautzen,292-3;

and

Aspem

the

Russian

disaster,288;
importance attached to Austrian
marriage,289; plans for the new
campaign, 290; battle of Lutzen,
290; occupiesDresden, 291; battle

C388]

stice,
to armiconditions of

agrees

refuses

293;

hostilities,
294; resumes
295;
gains briUiant victoryat Dresden,
296-7; indecision folhRringbattle,
297; marches to Leipzig,
299; ovei^
whelmed
by the Allies,
treats
re301-2;
to the Rhine, 303;
returns
to
Saint-Qoud, 304; refuses new
proposals,305; concludes
peace
with
Ferdinand, 306; pretreaty
pares
for new
takes
campaign, 307; misthis time, 307;
takes
at
command
at
Chalons, 309; battle
of Brienne, 309;
victories over
Bliicher,310-11;
tions
negotiapeace
refuses
at Chatillon,
312-13;
peace,

allied terms,
to the

decides

to

vance
ad-

East, 314; returns

Fontainebleau,315; plans to

capture
re-

313;

Paris, 315;
Marmont's

to

results

of

abdicates

316;
tion,
316; final abdicasuicide,319;
attempts

treason,

in favor of son,
319;
bids adieu
leaves

the Old

to

for

Guard, 320;

Elba,

arrives at
320;
his
life
Porto-Ferrajo,321;
at Elba,
visits from

321-3;

sister,
322;
France, 324;

his mother

decides

to

and

return

to

for his act,

Cannes, 325; the

reasons

324; lands near

defileof Laffray,
326; reachesParis,

ministry,328;
327; appoints new
outlawed
the
Allies,328; preby
pares
for new
campaign, 330;
leaves for the

front,330; plan of
defeats Prussians
operations,331-2;

Ligny, 332-3;

at

Waterloo, 334-9;
French defeat,
339;
340;

leaves

Paris

reasons

last

battle

of

for the

abdication,

for Malmaison,

Rochefort,341; surrenders
ished
England, 342; is banchooses
to Saint Helena,342;
his companions in exile,342; his
residence at Longwood, 343;
his
the
grievances against
English,
349; the
349; the questionof title,
questionof finances,350; the question
of custody, 350; his love of
reading,352-3; his last days, 354;
341;

goes

to

to

INDEX
Tabor, Mont-,
Talisman, 164

102

Talleyrand,87-89, 23s,
Treaty of,221
Tilsit,
Titles,192

Tolentino,Treaty of,80
Torres Vedras, 270
Toulon, 30-34
Trafalgar,155
126
Tuileries,
Turgot, 19
Turkey, 99
Tuscany, 225
Tussaud, Mme., 176
Ulm,

179,

189

United States,153

Valence,

12

Vandamme,

299

30S, 313,

316

Vandemiaite,13th,40
Venice,78
Victor Amadeus, 58
Victor,75
Vienna, 180, 240
^
Villeneuve,Admiral, 155
Wagram, battle of,246-7
Walewska, Mme, 148, 211-14, 322
Walewski, Cbmte, 148, 214
Wallachia, 225
Warsaw, Grand Duchy of,221
Waterloo, battle of, 334-39
Wellington,Duke of,270, 332-40
Westphalia,Kingdom of,221
Wrede, Bavarian general,303
Wurmser, 65-70, 75
Znaim, 247
Zurich, III

C 390 ]