Life of Napoleon Bonaparte. Volume IV

250

See Savary, tom. iii., p. 44.

251

252

"Blucher," said Napoleon, at St. Helena, "is a very brave soldier, un bon sabreur. He is like a bull who shuts his eyes, and, seeing no danger, rushes on. He committed a thousand faults; and, had it not been for circumstances, I could repeatedly have made him prisoner. He is stubborn and indefatigable, afraid of nothing, and very much attached to his country." —Napoleon in Exile, vol. i., p. 200.

253

Fouché, tom. ii., p. 124.

254

Fouché, tom. ii., p. 125.

255

"As the Empress-Regent could not authorise, by her signature, the presentation of any senatus consultum, nor the promulgation of any law, the part she had to act was limited to her appearance at the council-board. Besides, she was herself under the tutorship of Cambacérès, who was himself directed by Savary. In fact, after the regency was set in motion, the soul of the government did not the less travel with Napoleon, who did not fail of issuing forth numerous decrees from all his moveable headquarters." – Fouché, tom. ii., p. 137.

256

See Jomini, tom. iv., p. 271.

257

Napoleon caused the remains of Bessières to be conveyed to the Invalides at Paris, and intended extraordinary honours for them, of which subsequent events deprived them. "The death of this old and faithful servant produced," says Savary, "a void in the Emperor's heart: fate deprived him of his friends, as if to prepare him for the severe reverses which she had yet in store."

258

Jomini, tom. iv., p. 274; Military Reports to the Empress; Savary, tom. iii., p. 66; Baron Fain, tom. i., p. 267; Lord Cathcart's Despatch, London Gazette, May 25.

259

"The Empress expressed great joy at the event, because, she said, it would secure her countrymen, whom she suspected of wavering. She ordered Te Deum to be sung at Notre Dame, whither she herself repaired in state. She was attended by the whole court, and the troops of the guard, and the public, received her with expressions of the most ardent enthusiasm." – Savary, tom. iii., p. 67.

260

Jomini, tom. iv., p. 304; Manuscript de 1813, tom. i., p. 415; Military Reports to the Empress.

261

Military Reports to the Empress; Savary, tom. iii., p. 72; Baron Fain, tom. i., p. 441.

262

Mémoires de Fouché, tom. ii., p. 139.

263

"If Augereau did utter such nonsense, he would have bestowed upon himself the double charge of folly and absurdity. Augereau did not know Napoleon until the latter had become a general-in-chief; and certainly Napoleon has sufficiently proved, that he had completed his course of military study before he commenced his campaigns in Italy. The battles of Lutzen and Bautzen are at least as memorable in the eyes of soldiers as the first battles in Italy; perhaps more so, when we remember the French army was composed of conscripts, marines, deficient in cavalry; and when we call to mind the valour Napoleon displayed there. He supplied every thing by the force of his genius and enthusiasm." – Louis Buonaparte, p. 89.

264

Fouché, tom. ii., p. 147.

265

"I hate the hawk who always lives in war."

266

"Sir Walter Scott must allow that the end has too clearly shown how well this opinion of Napoleon was founded. I confess having, at this period, urged a peace at whatever price it might be obtained, and having used every effort, however feeble, to influence my brother; but I also confess, I then believed peace really was desired; whereas subsequent events have proved, that the destruction of Napoleon and the abasement of France, were the object in view." – Louis Buonaparte.

267

Journal, &c. par le Comte de Las Cases, tom. iv., partie 7tième, p. 26. – S.

268

The following is a ludicrous instance. When the explosion of the infernal machine took place, a bystander rushed into a company, and exclaimed, "The First Consul is blown up." An Austrian veteran chancing to be of the party, who had witnessed Napoleon's wonderful escapes during the Italian campaigns, exclaimed, in ridicule of the facile credulity of the newsmonger, "He blown up! – Ah, you little know your man – I will wager at this moment he is as well as any of us. I know all his tricks many a day since." – S.

269

Fouché, tom. ii., p. 152.

270

Fouché, tom. ii., p. 148. See also Savary, tom. iii., p. 78.

271

Fouché, tom. ii., p. 150.

272

The court of Napoleon were amused at this time by an incident connected with Soult's departure. As he had been designed to command in the German campaign, this new destination compelled him to sell his horses, and make various other inconvenient sacrifices to the hurry of the moment. His wife, the Duchess of Dalmatia, a lady of a spirit equal to that of the great soldier to whom she was wedded, went boldly into the Emperor's presence to state her grievances; to insist that her husband had been subjected to too much fatiguing service, and to remonstrate against his being employed in the Pyrenees. "Go, madam," said Napoleon sternly; "remember that I am not your husband, and if I were, you dared not use me thus. Go, and remember it is a wife's duty to assist her husband, not to tease him." Such was (with every respect to the lady, who might, notwithstanding, do well to be angry,) the Imperial "Taming of a Shrew." – S. – See Mémoires de Fouché, tom. ii., p. 144.

273

According to orders accurately calculated, the little bands of recruits, setting off from different points, or depôts on the frontier, met together at places assigned, and, as their numbers increased by each successive junction, were formed first into companies, next into battalions, and last into regiments; learning, of course, to practise successively the duties belonging to these various bodies. When they joined the army, these combinations, which had but been adopted temporarily, were laid aside, the union of the marching battalion dissolved, and the conscripts distributed among old regiments, whose example might complete the discipline which they had thus learned in a general way. – S.

274

Given on account of the marriage of Napoleon and Maria Louisa. – See ante, p. 26.

275

Jomini, tom. iv., p. 390; Savary, tom. iii., p. 106; Military Reports to the Empress; Baron Fain, tom. ii., p. 309.

276

Baron d'Odeleben, Relation Circonstanciée, tom. i., p. 198.

277

To be precise – a shoulder of mutton, stuffed with garlic, was the only dinner which his attendants could procure for him on the 27th. Mahomet, who was a favourite of Napoleon, suffered by indulging in similar viands. But the shoulder of mutton, in the case of the Arabian prophet, had the condescension to give its consumer warning of its deleterious qualities, though not till he had eaten too much for his health. – S.

278

The Abbé de Pradt represents Vandamme at Warsaw, as beating with his own hand a priest, the secretary of a Polish bishop, for not having furnished him with a supply of Tokay, although the poor man had to plead in excuse that King Jerome had the day before carried off all that was in the cellar. A saying was ascribed to Buonaparte, "that if he had had two Vandammes in his service, he must have made the one hang the other." – S.

279

Jomini, tom. iv., p. 339; Baron Fain, tom. ii., p. 321.

280

Baron Fain, tom. ii., p. 328; Jomini, tom. iv., p. 404.

281

Jomini, tom. iv., p. 409; Baron Fain, tom. ii., p. 334.

282

Jomini, tom. iv., p. 416; Baron Fain, tom. ii., p. 334.

283

Jomini, tom. iv., p. 423.

284

Relation Circonstanciée de la Campagne de 1813 en Saxe, tom. i., p. 234.

285

Baron Odeleben, in his interesting Circumstantial Notice of the Campaigns in Saxony. – S.

286

Jomini, tom. iv., pp. 450, 462; Baron Fain, tom. ii., p. 384; Baron d'Odeleben, tom. ii., p. 32; Savary, tom. iii., p. 117.

287

See Sir Howard Douglas's work on Military Bridges. – S.

288

Jomini, tom. iv., pp. 465, 480; Baron Fain, tom. ii., p. 403.

289

Manuscript de 1813, par le Baron Fain, tom. ii., p. 420.

290

This story was at first doubted, and it was supposed that Napoleon had commanded the bridge to be blown up, with the selfish purpose of securing his own retreat. But, from all concurring accounts, the explosion took place in the manner, and from the cause, mentioned in the text. There is, notwithstanding, an obscurity in the case. A French officer of engineers, by name Colonel Monfort, was publicly announced as the person through whose negligence or treachery the post was left to subordinate keeping. Nevertheless, it is said, that the only officer of that name, in the engineer service of Buonaparte's army, was actually at Mentz when the battle of Leipsic took place. This is alluded to by General Grouchy, who, in a note upon his interesting Observations on General Gourgaud's Account of the Campaign of 1815, has this remarkable passage. – "One would wish to forget the bulletin, which, after the battle of Leipsic, delivered to the bar of public opinion, as preliminary to bringing him before a military commission, Colonel Monfort of the engineer service, gratuitously accused of the breaking down the bridge at Leipsic." Neither the colonel nor the non-commissioned officer was ever brought to a court-martial. – S.

291

His body was found, and his obsequies performed with great military pomp; both the victors and vanquished attending him to the tomb, with every honour which could be rendered to his remains. – S.

292

"The French were computed to have lost 50,000 men, including the sick abandoned in the hospitals at Leipsic, and 250 guns." – Lord Burghersh, Operations, &c., p. 28.

293

"The hasty journey of the King of Naples through France created general surprise. The first idea excited by it was, that the Emperor had commissioned him to assemble the army and form a junction with the force under the viceroy, in order to protect Italy from an invasion, which appeared to be contemplated, and the execution of which was at that time rendered probable, by the movements of the English troops in Sicily. Nobody attributed his return to any other object." – Savary, tom. iii., p. 126.

294

This account of Blucher's march is derived from Lord Burghersh's "Memoir of the Operations of the Allied Armies in 1813 and 1814," pp. 35, &c. – Ed. (1842.)

295

Three to one, according to the general rule of war, is the proportion of a blockading army to the garrison which it masks. But where there is little apprehension of relief or of strong sorties, the number may be much reduced. – S.

296

See Memoir of the Operations of the Allied Armies in 1813 and 1814, by Major-General Lord Burghersh; second edition, p. 49.

297

French Envoy to the Duke of Saxe Weimar.

298

"M. Metternich told me, that he wished Napoleon to be convinced that the greatest impartiality and moderation prevailed in the councils of the allied powers; but that they felt themselves strong in proportion to their moderation: that none of them entertained designs against the dynasty of the Emperor Napoleon; that England was much more moderate than was supposed; and that there never was a more favourable moment for treating with that power." —M. de Saint Aignan's Report. See Montholon, tom. ii., Appendix.

299

Fouché, tom. ii., p. 150.

300

George Hamilton Gordon, fourth Earl of Aberdeen K.T., F.R.S., and P.S.A.

301

Speech to the Senate, Oct. 7.

302

Robert Stewart, Viscount Castlereagh, was born in 1769. In 1821, he succeeded his father, as Marquis of Londonderry, and died in 1822.

303

Dated Frankfort, Dec. 1, 1813.

304

See the correspondence in Savary's Memoirs, tom. iii., p. 140.

305

"The Emperor placed no confidence in the sentiments expressed in the declarations of the allies. He had said long before, 'They have appointed my grave as their place of rendezvous, but none of them will venture to come first.' He now added, 'Their time of rendezvous has arrived. They think the lion dead; and the question is, "Who will give the ass' kick." If France abandon me, I can do nothing.'" – Savary, tom. iii., p. 158.

306

Moniteur, Oct. 10, 1813.

307

Richard III., act i., scene iii.

308

Les Bourbons s'en tireraient. Memoirs of Fouché, vol. iii., p. 87. – S.

309

Fouché, tom. ii., p. 132. "The conferring of this authority on the Empress Maria Louisa was generally approved. Her good and amiable character was well known; and she was consequently much loved and esteemed. Every one connected with her household had experience of her kindness; and it might with truth be said, that she had won the good-will of the nation, which regarded her with an affectionate respect." – Savary, tom. iii., p. 56.

310

It has been given as a sufficient answer to these complaints, that Buonaparte is falsely accused of having drained France of her youth, since, upon the whole, the population is stated to have, on the contrary, increased. This may be the case; but it is no less certain, that the wars of Buonaparte consumed at least a million of conscripts, and it does not occur to us that the population of a country increases under such circumstances, like the growth of a tree subjected to much pruning; still less that the general result would satisfy parents for the slaughter of their children, any more than the sorrow of a mother who had lost her infant would be assuaged by the information that her next-door neighbour had been safely delivered of twins. – S.

311

"The Emperor possessed a considerable treasure, the fruit of his economy: he transferred thirty millions to the public treasury; but this resource was far from being sufficient to meet the exigencies." – Savary, tom. iii., p. 147.

312

Montgaillard, tom. vii., p. 273.

313

Montgaillard, tom. vii., p. 294; Savary, tom. iii., p. 172.

314

"'What need have I,' said the Emperor, 'of that assembly, if, instead of giving me the support of its strength, it only throws difficulties in my way? Is this the proper moment, when the national existence is threatened, to speak to me of constitutions and of the rights of the people? In a case analogous to the present state of France, the ancients extended the power of the government instead of restraining it. Here we are losing our time in trifles, whilst the enemy is at our doors. I will adjourn an assembly which is so little disposed to second me.' He immediately signed the decree to that effect, and gave me the order to seize every copy of the Report." – Savary, tom. iii., p. 174.

315

"Some deputies replied to certain passages of the Emperor's speech: he listened attentively to them; but did not admit the validity of their excuses, and persisted in the sentiments he had expressed. The audience lasted a full quarter of an hour: it was the last that he ever granted to the Legislative Body." – Savary, tom. iii., p. 178.

316

"The Emperor having returned to his apartments, sent for the arch-chancellor, M. de Bassano, and myself. In reply to something which fell from M. Cambacérès, he said, 'What would you have had me do with an assembly which only waited for a favourable opportunity to excite a disturbance in the state? – I recollect, besides,' added he, 'that M. Fouché, who was connected with all these men, entertained the same opinion in respect to them. He said, that they only came to Paris for the purpose of asking certain favours, for which they importuned ministers from morning till night, and complained that their wishes were not immediately attended to.' The Emperor added, that this opinion of M. Fouché might be relied upon as sincere, since he had always professed republican principles." – Savary, tom. iii., p. 179.

317

"His courage and tranquillity of mind remained unshaken. He laboured day and night to create an army capable of defending our territory; but the conscription lists no longer presented disposable men, and the arsenals afforded but meagre resources. His conduct on this trying occasion serves to show what may be effected by genius such as his. Fate seemed to have proportioned the weight of his misfortunes to his power of endurance. Nothing astonished him, or shook his firmness." – Savary, tom. iii., p. 147.

318

Moniteur, Jan. 26; Savary, tom. iii., p. 203.

319

"The Emperor's circle that night was composed of persons who enjoyed the favour of private admissions. He withdrew at an early hour, saying to those who were near him, 'Farewell, gentlemen, we shall perhaps meet again.' I had the honour of being in his society that night; and fell a prey to the deepest despondency, when I beheld him taking what to my mind appeared a last farewell. At midnight he set off for Châlons-sur-Marne." – Savary, tom. iii., p. 203.

320

Talleyrand is intimated; for Fouché, to whom the description might otherwise have applied, was not at this time in or near Paris. – See Savary, tom. iii., p. 199.

321

Lord Burghersh, Operations of the Allied Armies, p. 72.

322

Lord Burghersh, Operations, &c., p. 88.

323

"On receiving the news of the simultaneous invasion of the French territory at so many different points, Napoleon's firmness of mind did not forsake him. 'I am two months behind-hand,' he said; 'had I that time at command, they should not have crossed the Rhine. This may be attended with serious consequences; but I can do nothing single-handed. Unless I am assisted, I must fail in the struggle.'" – Savary, tom. iii., p. 185.

324

"Marshal Blucher established his army at Nancy in fifteen days from the passage of the Rhine. What would have been the advantages, if, in the same period the great armies had by the end of November advanced to the same position? This question being put to Marshal Ney, he answered, 'Messieurs les alliés auraient pû compter leurs journées d'étapes jusqu'à Paris.'" – Lord Burghersh, Operations, p. 80.

325

In a proclamation to the French, issued by Bernadotte from Cologne, Feb. 12, he says, "Once more in sight of the banks of this river, where I have so often fought for you, I feel a desire to communicate to you my thoughts. It has been the constant effort of your Government to debase every thing, that it might despise ever thing: it is time that this system should change. All enlightened men desire the preservation of France; they only require that she shall be no longer the scourge of the earth. The allied sovereigns have not coalesced to make war against nations, but to force your Government to recognise the independence of states: Such are their intentions, and I pledge myself to you for their sincerity." – Meredith's Memorials of Charles John, p. 208.

326

For the various opinions, as to the military operations to be pursued from Langres, see the memoirs drawn up at the Prussian, Austrian, and Russian headquarters. —Operations, &c., pp. 91, 94, and 104.

327

Lord Burghersh, p. 99.

328

Jomini, tom. iv., p. 524.

329

"General Dejean, feeling himself closely pressed, turned about and gave the alarm, by exclaiming, The Cossacks! and at the same time attempted to plunge his sabre into the breast of one of the assailants, whom he thought he had secured. But the enemy had escaped; they then darted on the horseman in the grey great-coat who was somewhat in advance. Corbineau instantly rushed forward; Gourgaud made the same movement, and, with a pistol-shot, stretched the Cossack dead at Napoleon's feet." – Baron Fain, Manuscript de, 1814.

330

Lord Burghersh, Operations, &c., p. 113; Jomini, tom. iv., p. 527.

331

Lord Burghersh, Operations, &c., p. 121.

332

We ought to read left wing. See Lord Burghersh, Operations, &c., p. 122. – Ed. (1842.)

333

"This bold incursion of the enemy roused Napoleon. He resolved, at least, to make the Prussian army pay dearly for their temerity, and formed the design of unexpectedly falling on their flank. The Emperor was poring over his maps, with the compasses in his hand, when the Duke of Bassano presented him with the despatches, which he had prepared for Chatillon! 'Oh! here you are,' said Napoleon, as the duke entered the apartment; 'but I am now thinking of something very different. I am defeating Blucher on the map. He is advancing by the road of Montmirail; I shall set out and beat him to-morrow. I shall beat him again the day after to-morrow. Should this movement prove as successful as I have reason to expect, the state of affairs will be entirely changed, and we shall then see what must be done.'" – Baron Fain.

334

Jomini, tom. iv., p. 535; Burghersh, Operations, &c., p. 134.

335

Lord Burghersh, p. 136; Jomini, tom. iv., p. 532.

336

"No sooner had the battle of Champ-Aubert afforded a pretext for exultation, than M. Denon ordered a medal to be executed to designate the state of France at that moment. On the obverse, was the head of Napoleon; on the reverse, an eagle erect; above his head was a star; his claws rested on a thunderbolt; and on one side was the sign Pisces – on the other a flying Victory. This was the only medal record of this memorable campaign." —Events at Paris, Feb. 1814, p. 19.

337

Baron Fain, Manuscript de, 1814.

338

According to Lord Burghersh. (Operations, &c., p. 153,) Schwartzenberg recommended the retreat of the Silesian army to Nancy; but Blucher (Ibid., p. 186,) "took upon himself the responsibility of declining to conform," &c. – Ed., (1842.)

339

Lord Burghersh, p. 168.