Chapter 2
Part 2
I think you will do well to spend the first night (July 24th) at Cassano, setting out very late from Milan; and to arrive at Brescia on July 25th, where the most affectionate of lovers awaits you. I am disconsolate that you can believe, dear, that my heart can reveal itself to others as to you; it belongs to you by right of conquest, and that conquest will be durable and for ever. I do not know why you speak of Madame T., with whom I do not concern myself in the slightest, nor with the women of Brescia. As to the letters which you are vexed at my opening, this shall be the last; your letter had not come.
Adieu, _ma tendre amie_, send me news often, come forthwith and join me, and be happy and at ease; all goes well, and my heart is yours for life.
Be sure to return to the Adjutant-General Miollis the box of medals that he writes me he has sent you. Men have such false tongues, and are so wicked, that it is necessary to have everything exactly on the square.
Good health, love, and a prompt arrival at Brescia.
I have at Milan a carriage suitable alike for town or country; you can make use of it for the journey. Bring your plate with you, and some of the things you absolutely require.
Travel by easy stages, and during the coolth, so as not to tire yourself. Troops only take three days coming to Brescia. Travelling post it is only a fourteen hours' journey. I request you to sleep on the 24th at Cassano; I shall come to meet you on the 25th at latest.
Adieu, my own Josephine. A thousand loving kisses.
BONAPARTE.
* * * * *
_July 29th.--Advance of Wurmser, by the Adige valley, on Mantua, and of Quesdonowich on Brescia, who drives back Massena and Sauret._
_July 31st.--Siege of Mantua raised._
_August 3rd.--Bonaparte victorious at Lonato._
_August 5th.--Augereau victorious at Castiglione, completing the Campaign of Five Days, in which 10,000 prisoners are taken._
_August 8th.--Verona occupied by Serrurier._
_August 15th._--(Moreau arrives on the Danube) _Wurmser retreats upon Trent, the capital of Italian Tyrol_.
_August 18th._--Alliance, offensive and defensive, between France and Spain.
_September 3rd._--Jourdan routed by Archduke Charles at Wurtzburg.
No. 7.
TO JOSEPHINE, AT MILAN.
_Brescia, August 30, 1796._
Arriving, my beloved, my first thought is to write to you. Your health, your sweet face and form have not been absent a moment from my thoughts the whole day. I shall be comfortable only when I have got letters from you. I await them impatiently. You cannot possibly imagine my uneasiness. I left you vexed, annoyed, and not well. If the deepest and sincerest affection can make you happy, you ought to be.... I am worked to death.
Adieu, my kind Josephine: love me, keep well, and often, often think of me.
BONAPARTE.
No. 8.
TO JOSEPHINE, AT MILAN.
_Brescia, August 31, 1796._
I start at once for Verona. I had hoped to get a letter from you; and I am terribly uneasy about you. You were rather ill when I left; I beg you not to leave me in such uneasiness. You promised me to be more regular; and, at the time, your tongue was in harmony with your heart. You, to whom nature has given a kind, genial, and wholly charming disposition, how can you forget the man who loves you with so much fervour? No letters from you for three days; and yet I have written to you several times. To be parted is dreadful, the nights are long, stupid, and wearisome; the day's work is monotonous.
This evening, alone with my thoughts, work and correspondence, with men and their stupid schemes, I have not even one letter from you which I might press to my heart.
The Staff has gone; I set off in an hour. To-night I get an express from Paris; there was for you only the enclosed letter, which will please you.
Think of me, live for me, be often with your well-beloved, and be sure that there is only one misfortune that he is afraid of--that of being no longer loved by his Josephine. A thousand kisses, very sweet, very affectionate, very exclusive.
Send M. Monclas at once to Verona; I will find him a place. He must get there before September 4th.
BONAPARTE.
* * * * *
_September 1st.--Bonaparte leaves Verona and directs his troops on Trent. Wurmser, reinforced by 20,000 men, leaves his right wing at Roveredo, and marches viâ the Brenta Gorge on Verona._
No. 9.
TO JOSEPHINE, AT MILAN.
_Ala, September 3, 1796._
We are in the thick of the fight, my beloved; we have driven in the enemy's outposts; we have taken eight or ten of their horses with a like number of riders. My troops are good-humoured and in excellent spirits. I hope that we shall do great things, and get into Trent by the fifth.
No letters from you, which really makes me uneasy; yet they tell me you are well, and have even had an excursion to Lake Como. Every day I wait impatiently for the post which will bring me news of you--you are well aware how I prize it. Far from you I cannot live, the happiness of my life is near my gentle Josephine. Think of me! Write me often, very often: in absence it is the only remedy: it is cruel, but, I hope, will be only temporary.
BONAPARTE.
* * * * *
_September 4th.--Austrian right wing defeated at Roveredo._
_September 5th.--Bonaparte enters Trent, cutting off Wurmser from his base. Defeats Davidowich on the Lavis and leaves Vaubois to contain this general while he follows Wurmser._
_September 6th.--Wurmser continues his advance, his outposts occupy Vicenza and Montebello._
_September 7th.--Combat of Primolano: Austrians defeated. Austrian vanguard attack Verona, but are repulsed by General Kilmaine._
_September 8th.--Battle of Bassano: Wurmser completely routed, and retires on Legnago._
No. 10.
TO JOSEPHINE, AT MILAN.
_Montebello, Noon, September 10, 1796._
_My Dear_,--The enemy has lost 18,000 men prisoners; the rest killed or wounded. Wurmser, with a column of 1500 cavalry, and 500 infantry, has no resource but to throw himself into Mantua.
Never have we had successes so unvarying and so great. Italy, Friuli, the Tyrol, are assured to the Republic. The Emperor will have to create a second army: artillery, pontoons, baggage, everything is taken.
In a few days we shall meet; it is the sweetest reward for my labours and anxieties.
A thousand fervent and very affectionate kisses.
BONAPARTE.
* * * * *
_September 11th.--Skirmish at Cerea: Austrians successful. Bonaparte arrives alone, and is nearly captured._
No. 11.
TO JOSEPHINE, AT MILAN.
_Ronco, September 12, 1796_, 10 A.M.
_My dear Josephine_,--I have been here two days, badly lodged, badly fed, and very cross at being so far from you.
Wurmser is hemmed in, he has with him 3000 cavalry and 5000 infantry. He is at Porto-Legnago; he is trying to get back into Mantua, but for him that has now become impossible. The moment this matter shall be finished I will be in your arms.
I embrace you a million times.
BONAPARTE.
* * * * *
_September 13th.--Wurmser, brushing aside the few French who oppose him, gains the suburbs of Mantua._
_September 14th.--Massena attempts a surprise, but is repulsed._
_September 15th.--Wurmser makes a sortie from St. Georges, but is driven back._
_September 16th.--And at La Favorite, with like result._
No. 12.
TO JOSEPHINE, AT MILAN.
_Verona, September 17, 1796._
_My Dear_,--I write very often and you seldom. You are naughty, and undutiful; very undutiful, as well as thoughtless. It is disloyal to deceive a poor husband, an affectionate lover. Ought he to lose his rights because he is far away, up to the neck in business, worries and anxiety. Without his Josephine, without the assurance of her love, what in the wide world remains for him. What will he do?
Yesterday we had a very sanguinary conflict; the enemy has lost heavily, and been completely beaten. We have taken from him the suburbs of Mantua.
Adieu, charming Josephine; one of these nights the door will be burst open with a bang, as if by a jealous husband, and in a moment I shall be in your arms.
A thousand affectionate kisses.
BONAPARTE.
* * * * *
_October 2nd._--(Moreau defeats Latour at Biberach, but then continues his retreat.)
_October 8th._--Spain declares war against England.
_October 10th.--Peace with Naples signed._
No. 13.
TO JOSEPHINE, AT MILAN.
_Modena, October 17, 1796_, 9 P.M.
The day before yesterday I was out the whole day. Yesterday I kept my bed. Fever and a racking headache both prevented me writing to my beloved; but I got your letters. I have pressed them to my heart and lips, and the grief of a hundred miles of separation has disappeared. At the present moment I can see you by my side, not capricious and out of humour, but gentle, affectionate, with that mellifluent kindness of which my Josephine is the sole proprietor. It was a dream, judge if it has cured my fever. Your letters are as cold as if you were fifty; we might have been married fifteen years. One finds in them the friendship and feelings of that winter of life. Fie! Josephine. It is very naughty, very unkind, very undutiful of you. What more can you do to make me indeed an object for compassion? Love me no longer? Eh, that is already accomplished! Hate me? Well, I prefer that! Everything grows stale except ill-will; but indifference, with its marble pulse, its rigid stare, its monotonous demeanour!...
A thousand thousand very heartfelt kisses.
I am rather better. I start to-morrow. The English evacuate the Mediterranean. Corsica is ours. Good news for France, and for the army.
BONAPARTE.
* * * * *
_October 25th._--(Moreau recrosses the Rhine.)
_November 1st.--Advance of Marshal Alvinzi. Vaubois defeated by Davidovich on November 5th, after two days' fight._
_November 6th.--Napoleon successful, but Vaubois' defeat compels the French army to return to Verona._
No. 14.
TO JOSEPHINE, AT MILAN.
_Verona, November 9, 1796._
_My Dear_,--I have been at Verona since the day before yesterday. Although tired, I am very well, very busy; and I love you passionately at all times. I am just off on horseback.
I embrace you a thousand times.
BONAPARTE.
* * * * *
_November 12th.--Combat of Caldiero: Napoleon fails to turn the Austrian position, owing to heavy rains. His position desperate._
_November 15th.--First battle of Arcola. French gain partial victory._
_November 16th and 17th.--Second battle of Arcola. French completely victorious "Lodi was nothing to Arcola" (Bourrienne)._
_November 17th._--Death of Czarina Catherine II. of Russia.
_November 18th.--Napoleon victoriously re-enters Verona by the Venice gate, having left it, apparently in full retreat, on the night of the 14th by the Milan gate._
No. 15.
From BOURRIENNE'S "LIFE OF NAPOLEON," vol. i. chap. 4.
_Verona, November 19th, Noon._
_My Adored Josephine_,--Once more I breathe freely. Death is no longer before me, and glory and honour are once more re-established. The enemy is beaten at Arcola. To-morrow we will repair Vaubois' blunder of abandoning Rivoli. In a week Mantua will be ours, and then your husband will clasp you in his arms, and give you a thousand proofs of his ardent affection. I shall proceed to Milan as soon as I can; I am rather tired. I have received letters from Eugène and Hortense--charming young people. I will send them to you as soon as I find my belongings, which are at present somewhat dispersed.
We have made five thousand prisoners, and killed at least six thousand of the enemy. Good-bye, my adored Josephine. Think of me often. If you cease to love your Achilles, if for him your heart grows cold, you will be very cruel, very unjust. But I am sure you will always remain my faithful mistress, as I shall ever remain your fond lover. Death alone can break the chain which sympathy, love, and sentiment have forged. Let me have news of your health. A thousand and a thousand kisses.
No. 16.
TO JOSEPHINE, AT MILAN.
_Verona, November 23, 1796._
I don't love you an atom; on the contrary, I detest you. You are a good for nothing, very ungraceful, very tactless, very tatterdemalion. You never write to me; you don't care for your husband; you know the pleasure your letters give him, and you write him barely half-a-dozen lines, thrown off anyhow.
How, then, do you spend the livelong day, madam? What business of such importance robs you of the time to write to your very kind lover? What inclination stifles and alienates love, the affectionate and unvarying love which you promised me? Who may this paragon be, this new lover who engrosses all your time, is master of your days, and prevents you from concerning yourself about your husband? Josephine, be vigilant; one fine night the doors will be broken in, and I shall be before you.
Truly, my dear, I am uneasy at getting no news from you. Write me four pages immediately, and some of those charming remarks which fill my heart with the pleasures of imagination.
I hope that before long I shall clasp you in my arms, and cover you with a million kisses as burning as if under the equator.
BONAPARTE.
No. 17.
_Verona, November 24, 1796._
I hope soon, darling, to be in your arms. I love you to distraction. I am writing to Paris by this courier. All goes well. Wurmser was beaten yesterday under Mantua. Your husband only needs Josephine's love to be happy.
BONAPARTE.
No. 18.
TO JOSEPHINE, AT GENOA.
_Milan_, _November 27, 1796_, 3 P.M.
I get to Milan; I fling myself into your room; I have left all in order to see you, to clasp you in my arms.... You were not there. You gad about the towns amid junketings; you run farther from me when I am at hand; you care no longer for your dear Napoleon. A passing fancy made you love him; fickleness renders him indifferent to you.
Used to perils, I know the remedy for weariness and the ills of life. The ill-luck that I now suffer is past all calculations; I did right not to anticipate it.
I shall be here till the evening of the 29th. Don't alter your plans; have your fling of pleasure; happiness was invented for you. The whole world is only too happy if it can please you, and only your husband is very, very unhappy.
BONAPARTE.
No. 19.
TO JOSEPHINE, AT GENOA.
_Milan_, _November 28, 1796_, 8 P.M.
I have received the courier whom Berthier had hurried on to Genoa. You have not had time to write me, I feel it intuitively. Surrounded with pleasures and pastimes, you would be wrong to make the least sacrifice for me. Berthier has been good enough to show me the letter which you wrote him. My intention is that you should not make the least change in your plans, nor with respect to the pleasure parties in your honour; I am of no consequence, either the happiness or the misery of a man whom you don't love is a matter of no moment.
For my part, to love you only, to make you happy, to do nothing which may vex you, that is the object and goal of my life.
Be happy, do not reproach me, do not concern yourself in the happiness of a man who lives only in your life, rejoices only in your pleasure and happiness. When I exacted from you a love like my own I was wrong; why expect lace to weigh as heavy as gold? When I sacrifice to you all my desires, all my thoughts, every moment of my life, I obey the sway which your charms, your disposition, and your whole personality have so effectively exerted over my unfortunate heart. I was wrong, since nature has not given me attractions with which to captivate you; but what I do deserve from Josephine is her regard and esteem, for I love her frantically and uniquely.
Farewell, beloved wife; farewell, my Josephine. May fate concentrate in my breast all the griefs and troubles, but may it give Josephine happy and prosperous days. Who deserves them more? When it shall be quite settled that she can love me no more, I will hide my profound grief, and will content myself with the power of being useful and serviceable to her.
I reopen my letter to give you a kiss.... Ah! Josephine!... Josephine!
BONAPARTE.
* * * * *
_December 24th._--French under Hoche sail for Ireland; return "foiled by the elements."
_January 7th, 1797.--Alvinzi begins his new attack on Rivoli, while Provera tries to get to Mantua with 11,000 men viâ Padua and Legnago. Alvinzi's total forces 48,000, but only 28,000 at Rivoli against Bonaparte's 23,000._
_January 9th._--Kehl (after 48 days' siege) surrenders to Archduke Charles.
_January 10th.--Napoleon at Bologna advised of the advance, and hastens to make Verona, as before, the pivot of his movements._
No. 20.
_January 12th.--Combat of St. Michel: Massena defeats Austrians._
TO JOSEPHINE, AT MILAN.
_Verona, January 12, 1797._
Scarcely set out from Roverbella, I learnt that the enemy had appeared at Verona. Massena made some dispositions, which have been very successful. We have made six hundred prisoners, and have taken three pieces of cannon. General Brune got seven bullets in his clothes, without being touched by one of them--this is what it is to be lucky.
I give you a thousand kisses. I am very well. We have had only ten men killed, and a hundred wounded.
BONAPARTE.
* * * * *
_January 13th.--Joubert attacked; retires from Corona on Rivoli in the morning, joined by Bonaparte at night._
_January 14th.--Battle of Rivoli: Austrian centre defeated. Bonaparte_ _at close of day hurries off with Massena's troops to overtake Provera, marching sixteen leagues during the night. Massena named next day enfant chéri de la victoire by Bonaparte, and later Duc de Rivoli._
_January 15th.--Joubert continues battle of Rivoli: complete defeat of Austrians. Provera, however, has reached St. Georges, outside Mantua._
_January 16th--Sortie of Wurmser at La Favorite repulsed. Provera, hurled back by Victor (named the Terrible on this day), is surrounded by skilful manoeuvres of Bonaparte, and surrenders with 6000 men. In three days Bonaparte had taken 18,000 prisoners and all Alvinzi's artillery. Colonel Graham gives Austrian losses at 14,000 to 15,000, exclusive of Provera's 6000._
_January 26th.--Combat of Carpenedolo: Massena defeats the Austrians._
_February 2nd.--Joubert occupies Lawis. Capitulation of Mantua, by Wurmser, with 13,000 men (and 6000 in hospital), but he, his staff, and 200 cavalry allowed to return. Enormous capture of artillery, including siege-train abandoned by Bonaparte before the battle of Castiglione. Advance of Victor on Rome._
No. 21.
TO JOSEPHINE, AT BOLOGNA.
_Forli, February 3, 1797._
I wrote you this morning. I start to-night. Our forces are at Rimini. This country is beginning to be tranquillised. My cold makes me always rather tired.
I idolise you, and send you a thousand kisses.
A thousand kind messages to my sister.
BONAPARTE.
* * * * *
_February 9th.--Capture of Ancona._
No. 22.
TO JOSEPHINE, AT BOLOGNA.
_Ancona, February 10, 1797._
We have been at Ancona these two days. We took the citadel, after a slight fusillade, and by a _coup de main_. We made 1200 prisoners. I sent back the fifty officers to their homes.
I am still at Ancona. I do not press you to come, because everything is not yet settled, but in a few days I am hoping that it will be. Besides, this country is still discontented, and everybody is nervous.
I start to-morrow for the mountains. You don't write to me at all, yet you ought to let me have news of you every day.
Please go out every day; it will do you good.
I send you a million kisses. I never was so sick of anything as of this vile war.
Good-bye, my darling. Think of me!
BONAPARTE.
No. 23.
TO JOSEPHINE, AT BOLOGNA.
_Ancona, February 13, 1797._
I get no news from you, and I feel sure that you no longer love me. I have sent you the papers, and various letters. I start immediately to cross the mountains. The moment that I know something definite, I will arrange for you to accompany me; it is the dearest wish of my heart.
A thousand and a thousand kisses.
BONAPARTE.
No. 24.
TO JOSEPHINE, AT BOLOGNA.
_February 16, 1797._
You are melancholy, you are ill; you no longer write to me, you want to go back to Paris. Is it possible that you no longer love your comrade? The very thought makes me wretched. My darling, life is unbearable to me now that I am aware of your melancholy.
I make haste to send you Moscati, so that he may look after you. My health is rather bad; my cold gets no better. Please take care of yourself, love me as much as I love you, and write me every day. I am more uneasy than ever.
I have told Moscati to escort you to Ancona, if you care to come there. I will write to you there, to let you know where I am.
Perhaps I shall make peace with the Pope, then I shall soon be by your side; it is my soul's most ardent wish.
I send you a hundred kisses. Be sure that nothing equals my love, unless it be my uneasiness. Write to me every day yourself. Good-bye, dearest.
BONAPARTE.
No. 25.
_February 19th.--Peace of Tolentino with the Pope, who has to pay for his equivocal attitude and broken treaty._
TO JOSEPHINE, AT BOLOGNA.
_Tolentino, February 19, 1797._
Peace with Rome has just been signed. Bologna, Ferrara, Romagna, are ceded to the Republic. The Pope is to pay us thirty millions shortly, and various works of art.
I start to-morrow morning for Ancona, and thence for Rimini, Ravenna, and Bologna. If your health permit, come to Rimini or Ravenna, but, I beseech you, take care of yourself.
Not a word from you--what on earth have I done? To think only of you, to love only Josephine, to live only for my wife, to enjoy happiness only with my dear one--does this deserve such harsh treatment from her? My dear, I beg you, think often of me, and write me every day.
You are ill, or else you do not love me! Do you think, then, that I have a heart of stone? and do my sufferings concern you so little? You must know me very ill! I cannot believe it! You to whom nature has given intelligence, tenderness, and beauty, you who alone can rule my heart, you who doubtless know only too well the unlimited power you hold over me!
Write to me, think of me, and love me.--Yours ever, for life.
BONAPARTE.
* * * * *
_March 16th.--Bonaparte defeats Archduke Charles on the Tagliamento._
_March 25th.--Bonaparte writes the Directory from Goritz that "up till now Prince Charles has manoeuvred worse than Beaulieu and Wurmser."_
_March 29th.--Klagenfurt taken by Massena._
_April 1st.--Laybach by Bernadotte._
_April 17th.--Preliminaries of peace at Leoben signed by Bonaparte._
_April 18th._--Hoche crosses the Rhine at Neuwied.
_April 21st_.--Moreau at Kehl.
_April 23rd._--Armistice of two Rhine armies follows preliminaries of Leoben.
_May 16th.--Augereau enters Venice._
_June 28th._--French capture Corfu, and 600 guns.
_July 8th._--Death of Edmund Burke, aged sixty-eight.
_July 18th._--Talleyrand becomes French Minister of Foreign Affairs.
_September 4th._--Day of 18th Fructidor at Paris. Coup d'État _of Rewbell, Larévellière-Lépeaux, and Barras, secretly aided by Bonaparte, who has sent them Augereau to command Paris_.
_September 18th._--Death of Lazare Hoche, aged twenty-nine, _probably poisoned by the Directory, which has recalled Moreau, retired Bernadotte, and will soon launch Bonaparte on the seas, so that he may find failure and Bantry Bay at Aboukir_ (Montgaillard).
_September 30th._--National bankruptcy admitted in France, _the sixth time in two centuries_.
_October 17th.---Treaty of Campo-Formio; Bonaparte called thereupon by Talleyrand "General Pacificator."_
_November 16th._--Death of Frederick William II., _King of Prussia, aged fifty-three_; _succeeded by his son, Frederick William III., aged twenty-seven_.
_December 1st.--Bonaparte Minister Plenipotentiary at Congress of Rastadt, and_
_December 5th.--Arrives at Paris._
_December 10th.--Bonaparte presented to the Directory by Talleyrand._
_December 27th.--Riots at Rome: Joseph Bonaparte (ambassador) insulted; General Duphot (engaged to Joseph's sister-in-law, Desirée) killed._
SERIES C
THE MARENGO CAMPAIGN, 1800
LETTERS OF THE FIRST CONSUL BONAPARTE TO HIS WIFE
_3rd Outlaw._ "By the bare scalp of Robin Hood's fat friar, This fellow were a king for our wild faction!
_1st Outlaw._ "We'll have him; sirs, a word.
_Speed._ "Master, be one of them, It is an honourable kind of thievery."
_The Two Gentlemen of Verona_, Act iv., Scene I.
SERIES C
(For subjoined Notes to this Series see pages 223-225.)
LETTER PAGE
Christmas Day, 1799 223
No. 3. Ivrea, May 29th 224 _M.'s_ 224 _Cherries_ 224
No. 4. _Milan_ 224
THE CAMPAIGN OF MARENGO, 1800.
EVENTS OF 1798.
NAPOLEONIC HISTORY.--_May 20th._--_Napoleon sails from Toulon for Egypt._
_June 11th.--Takes Malta; sails for Egypt (June 20th)._
_July 4th.--Captures Alexandria._
_July 21st.--Defeats Mamelukes at Battle of the Pyramids, and enters Cairo the following day._
_August 1st.--French Fleet destroyed by Nelson at the Battle of the Nile._
_October 7th.--Desaix defeats Mourad Bey at Sedyman (Upper Egypt)._
* * * * *
GENERAL HISTORY.--_January 4th._--Confiscation of all English merchandise in France. Commencement of Continental system.
_January 5th._--Directory fail to float a loan of 80 millions (francs), and
_January 28th._--Forthwith invade Switzerland, ostensibly to defend the Vaudois, under a sixteenth-century treaty, really to revolutionise the country, and seize upon the treasure of Berne.
_February 15th._--Republic proclaimed at Rome. French occupy the Vatican, and
_February 20th._--Drive Pope Pius VI. into exile to the convent of Sienna.
_March 5th._--Capture of Berne by General Brune.
_April 13th._--Bernadotte, ambassador, attacked at the French Embassy in Vienna.
_May 19th._--Fitzgerald, a leader in the Irish rebellion, arrested.
_August 22nd._--General Humbert and 1100 French troops land at Killala, County Mayo.
_September 8th._--Humbert and 800 men taken by Lord Cornwallis at Ballinamack.
_September 12th._--Turkey declares war with France, and forms alliance with England and Russia.
_November 19th._--Wolfe-Tone commits suicide.
_December 5th._--Macdonald defeats Mack and 40,000 Neapolitans at Civita Castellana.
_December 9th._--Joubert occupies Turin.
_December 15th._--French occupy Rome.
_December 29th._--Coalition of Russia, Austria, and England against France.
EVENTS OF 1799.
NAPOLEONIC HISTORY.--_January 23rd._--_Desaix defeats Mourad Bey at Samhoud (Upper Egypt). February 3rd.--Desaix defeats Mourad Bey at the Isle of Philae (near Assouan)--furthest limit of the Roman Empire. Napoleon crosses Syrian desert and takes El Arish (February 20th) and Gaza (February 25th), captures Jaffa (March 7th) and Sour, formerly Tyre (April 3rd). Junot defeats Turks and Arabs at Nazareth (April 8th), and Kléber defeats them at Mount Tabor (April 16th). Napoleon invests Acre but retires (May 21st), re-enters Cairo (June 14th), annihilates Turkish army at Aboukir (July 25th); secretly sails for France (August 23rd), lands at Frejus (October 9th), arrives at Paris (October 13th); dissolves the Directory (November 9th) and Council of Five Hundred (November 10th), and is proclaimed First Consul (December 24th)._
* * * * *
GENERAL HISTORY.--_January 10th._--Championnet occupies Capua.
_January 20th._--Pacification of La Vendée by General Hédouville.
_January 23rd._--Championnet occupies Naples.
_March 3rd._--Corfu taken from the French by a Russo-Turkish force.
_March 7th._--Massena defeats the Austrians, and conquers the country of the Grisons.
_March 25th._--Archduke Charles defeats Jourdan at Stockach.
_March 30th._--Kray defeats French (under Schérer) near Verona,
_April 5th._--And again at Magnano.
_April 14th._--Suwarrow takes command of Austrian army at Verona;
_April 22nd._--Defeats French at Cassano, with heavy loss.
_April 28th._--French plenipotentiaries, returning from Radstadt, murdered by men in Austrian uniforms--Montgaillard thinks by creatures of the Directory.
_May 4th._--Capture of Seringapatam by General Baird.
_May 12th._--Austro-Russian army checked at Bassignana.
_May 16th._--Sièyes becomes one of the Directory.
_May 20th._--Suwarrow takes Brescia,
_May 24th._--And Milan (citadel).
_June 5th._--Massena defeated at Zurich by Archduke Charles; and Macdonald (_June 19th_) by Suwarrow at the Trebbia.
_June 18th._--Gohier, Roger-Ducos, and Moulin replace Treilhard, Laréveillère-Lépeaux, and Merlin on the Directory.
_June 20th._--Turin surrenders to Austro-Russians.
_June 22nd._--Turkey, Portugal, and Naples join the coalition against France.
_July 14th._--French carry their prisoner, Pope Pius VI., to Valence, where he dies (_August 29th_).
_July 22nd._--Alessandria surrenders to Austro-Russians.
_July 30th._--Mantua, after 72 days' siege, surrenders to Kray.
_August 15th._--French defeated at Novi by Suwarrow. French lose Joubert and 20,000 men.
_August 17th._--French, under Lecombe, force the St. Gothard.
_August 27th._--English army disembark at the Helder.
_August 30th._--Dutch fleet surrendered to the British Admiral.
_September 19th._--Brune defeats Duke of York at Bergen.
_September 25th._--Massena defeats allies at Zurich, who lose 16,000 men and 100 guns. "Massena saves France at Zurich, as Villars saved it at Denain."--_Montgaillard._
_October 6th._--Brune defeats Duke of York at Kastrikum.
_October 7th._--French take Constance.
_October 16th._--Saint-Cyr, without cavalry or cannon, defeats Austrians at Bosco.
_October 18th._--Capitulation at Alkmaar by Duke of York to General Brune. "The son of George III. capitulates at Alkmaar as little honourably as the son of George II. had capitulated at Kloster-Seven in 1757."--_Montgaillard._
_November 4th._--Melas defeats French at Fossano.
_November 13th._--Ancona surrendered to the Austrians by Monnier, after a six months' siege.
_November 24th._--Moreau made commander of the armies of the Rhine (being in disgrace, has served as a volunteer in Italy most of this year); Massena sent to the army of Italy.
_December 5th._--Coni, the key of Piedmont, surrenders to the Austrians.
_December 14th._--Death of George Washington.
_December 15th._--Battle of Montefaccio, near Genoa. Saint-Cyr defeats Austrians.
EVENTS OF 1800.
_February 11th._--Bank of France constituted.
_February 20th._--Kléber defeats Turks at Heliopolis.
_May 3rd._--Battle of Engen. Moreau defeats Kray, who loses 10,000 men, and--
_May 5th._--Again defeats Austrians at Moeskirch.
_May 6th.--Napoleon leaves Paris._
_May 8th.--Arrives at Auxonne, and on the 9th at Geneva, from thence moves to Lausanne (May 12th), where he is delighted with reception accorded to the French troops, and hears of Moreau's victory at Bibernach (May 11th). On the 14th he hears of Desaix's safe arrival at Toulon from Egypt, together with Davoust, and orders the praises of their past achievements to be sung in the_ Moniteur. _The same day writes Massena that in Genoa a man like himself (Massena) is worth 20,000. On the 16th is still at Lausanne._
No. 1.
TO JOSEPHINE, AT PARIS.
_Lausanne, May 15, 1800._
I have been at Lausanne since yesterday. I start to-morrow. My health is fairly good. The country round here is very beautiful. I see no reason why, in ten or twelve days, you should not join me here; you must travel incognito, and not say where you are going, because I want no one to know what I am about to do. You can say you are going to Plombières.
I will send you Moustache,[16] who has just arrived.
My very kindest regards to Hortense. Eugène will not be here for eight days; he is _en route_.
BONAPARTE.
No. 2.
TO JOSEPHINE, AT PARIS.
_Torre di Garofolo, May 16, 1800._
I start immediately to spend the night at Saint-Maurice. I have not received a single letter from you; that is not well. I have written you by every courier.
Eugène may arrive the day after to-morrow. I have rather a cold, but it will have no ill effects.
My very kindest regards to you, my good little Josephine, and to all who belong to you.
BONAPARTE.
_May 17th-19th.--At Martigny, "struggling against ice, snow-storms, and avalanches," and astonishing the great St. Bernard "with the passage of our 'pieces of 8,' and especially of our limbers--a new experience for it." On May 20th he climbed the St. Bernard on a mule, and descended it on a sledge. On May 21st he is at Aosta, hoping to be back in Paris within a fortnight. His army had passed the mountain in four days. On May 27th he is at Ivrea, taken by Lannes on the 24th._
No. 3.[17]
[_From Tennant's Tour, &c._, vol. ii.]
11 P.M.
I hardly know which way to turn. In an hour I start for Vercelli. Murat ought to be at Novaro to-night. The enemy is thoroughly demoralised; he cannot even yet understand us. I hope within ten days to be in the arms of my Josephine, who is always very good when she is not crying and not flirting. Your son arrived this evening. I have had him examined; he is in excellent health. Accept a thousand tender thoughts. I have received M.'s letter. I will send her by the next courier a box of excellent cherries.
We are here--within two months for Paris.--Yours entirely,
N. B.
_To Madame Bonaparte._ (Address not in Bonaparte's writing.)
* * * * *
_June 1st._--First experiments with vaccination at Paris, with fluid sent from London.
_On June 2nd Napoleon enters Milan, where he spends a week._
No. 4.
TO JOSEPHINE, AT PARIS.
_Milan._
I am at Milan, with a very bad cold. I can't stand rain, and I have been wet to the skin for several hours, but all goes well. I don't persuade you to come here. I shall be home in a month. I trust to find you flourishing. I am just starting for Pavia and Stradella. We are masters of Brescia, Cremona, and Placentia.
Kindest regards. Murat has borne himself splendidly.
* * * * *
_June 5th._--Massena gives up Genoa, but leaves with all the honours of war.
_June 7th._--Lannes takes Pavia, 350 cannon, and 10,000 muskets.
_June 9th.--Battle of Montebello. Bonaparte defeats Austrians, who lose 8000 men._
_June 14th.--Bonaparte wins Marengo, but loses Desaix--"the man I loved and esteemed the most." In his bulletin he admits the battle at one time was lost, until he cried to his troops "Children, remember it is my custom to sleep upon the battlefield." He mentions the charges of Desaix and Kellermann, and especially eulogises the latter--a fact interesting on account of the false statements made of his ignoring it. In the bulletin of June 21st he blames the "punic faith" of Lord Keith at Genoa, a criticism the Admiral repaid with usury fifteen years later._
_June 14th._--Assassination of Kléber, in Egypt.
_June 16th.--Convention of Alessandria between Bonaparte and Melas; end of the "Campaign of Thirty Days."_
_June 19th._--Moreau defeats Kray at Hochstedt, and occupies Ulm.
_June 23rd._--Genoa re-entered by the French.
_June 26th.--Bonaparte leaves Massena in command of the Army of Reserve, now united with the Army of Italy._
_July 3rd.--The First Consul is back in Paris unexpectedly--not wishing triumphal arches or such-like "colifichets" In spite of which the plaudits he receives are very dear to him, "sweet as the voice of Josephine."_
_September 5th._--Vaubois surrenders Malta to the English, after two years' blockade.
_September 15th._--Armistice between France and Austria in Germany.
_September 30th._--Treaty of Friendship and Commerce between France and U.S.--agreed that the flag covers the goods.
_October 3rd._--To facilitate peace King George renounces his title of King of France.
_November 12th._--Rupture of Armistice between France and Austria.
_December 3rd._--Moreau wins the battle of Hohenlinden (Austrian loss, 16,000 men, 80 guns; French 3000).
_December 20th._--Moreau occupies Lintz (100 miles from Vienna).
_December 24th.--Royalist conspirators fail to kill Bonaparte with an infernal machine._
_December 25th._--Armistice at Steyer between Moreau and Archduke Charles (sent for by the Austrians a fortnight before as their last hope).
FOOTNOTES
[16] Bonaparte's courier.
[17] The date of this letter is May 29, 1800. See Notes.
SERIES D
"The peace of Amiens had always been regarded from the side of England as an armed truce: on the side of Napoleon it had a very different character.... A careful reader must admit that we were guilty of a breach of faith in not surrendering Malta. The promise of its surrender was the principal article of the treaty."
_England and Napoleon in 1803._
(Edited for the R. Hist. S. by Oscar Browning, 1887.)
SERIES D
(For subjoined Notes to this Series see pages 225-231.)
LETTER PAGE Date 225
No. 1. _The blister_ 225 _Some plants_ 225 _If the weather is as bad_ 226 _Malmaison, without you_ 228
No. 2. _The fat Eugène_ 228
No. 3. _Your letter has come_ 229 _Injured whilst shooting a boar_ 229 "_The Barber of Seville_" 229
No. 4. _The Sèvres Manufactory_ 230
No. 5. _Your lover, who is tired of being alone_ 230 _General Ney_ 231
JOSEPHINE'S TWO VISITS TO PLOMBIÈRES,
1801 AND 1802.
EVENTS OF 1801.
_January 1st._--Legislative Union of Great Britain and Ireland.
_January 3rd._--French under Brune occupy Verona, and
_January 8th._--Vicenza.
_January 11th._--Cross the Brenta.
_January 16th._---Armistice at Treviso between Brune and the Austrian General Bellegarde.
_February 9th._--Treaty of Luneville, by which the Thalweg of the Rhine became the boundary of Germany and France.
_March 8th._--English land at Aboukir.
_March 21st._--Battle of Alexandria (Canopus). Menou defeated by Abercromby, with loss of 2000.
_March 24th._--The Czar Paul is assassinated.
_March 28th._--Treaty of Peace between France and Naples, who cedes Elba and Piombino.
_April 2nd._--Nelson bombards Copenhagen.
_May 23rd._--General Baird lands at Kosseir on the Red Sea with 1000 English and 10,000 Sepoys.
_June 7th._--French evacuate Cairo.
_July 1st._--Toussaint-Louverture elected Life-Governor of St. Domingo. Slavery abolished there. The new ruler declares, "I am the Bonaparte of St. Domingo, and the Colony cannot exist without me;" and heads his letters to the First Consul, "From the First of the Blacks to the First of the Whites."
_July 15th.--Concordat between Bonaparte and the Pope, signed at Paris by Bonaparte, ratified by the Pope (August 15th)._
_August 4th._--Nelson attacks Boulogne flotilla and is repulsed.
_August 15th._--Attacks again, and suffers severely.
_August 31st._--Menou capitulates to Hutchinson at Alexandria.
_September 29th._--Treaty of Peace between France and Portugal; boundaries of French Guiana extended to the Amazon.
_October 1st._--Treaty between France and Spain, who restores Louisiana. Preliminaries of Peace between France and England signed in London.
_October 8th._--Treaty of Peace between France and Russia.
_October 9th._--And between France and Turkey.
_December 14th._--Expedition sent out to St. Domingo by the French under General Leclerc.
No. 1.
TO JOSEPHINE, AT PLOMBIÈRES.
_Paris the "27" ..., 1801._
The weather is so bad here that I have remained in Paris. Malmaison, without you, is too dreary. The fête has been a great success; it has rather tired me. The blister they have put on my arm gives me constant pain.
Some plants have come for you from London, which I have sent to your gardener. If the weather is as bad at Plombières as it is here, you will suffer severely from floods.
Best love to "Maman" and Hortense.
BONAPARTE.
* * * * *
EVENTS OF 1802.
_January 4th.--Louis Bonaparte marries Hortense Beauharnais, both unwilling._
_January 9th.--The First Consul, with Josephine, leaves for Lyons, where,_
_January 25th.--He remodels the Cisalpine Republic as the Italian Republic, under his Presidency._
_March 25th._--Treaty of Amiens signed in London. French lose only Ceylon and Trinidad. Malta to be restored to the Order of Knights, reconstituted.
_May 7th._--Toussaint surrenders to Leclerc.
_May 19th._--Institution of the Legion of Honour.
No. 2.
TO JOSEPHINE, AT PLOMBIÈRES.
_Malmaison, June 19, 1802._
I have as yet received no news from you, but I think you must already have begun to take the waters. It is rather dull for us here, although your charming daughter does the honours of the house to perfection. For the last two days I have suffered slightly from my complaint. The fat Eugène arrived yesterday evening; he is very hale and hearty.
I love you as I did the first hour, because you are kind and sweet beyond compare.
Hortense told me that she was often writing you.
Best wishes, and a love-kiss.--Yours ever,
BONAPARTE.
No. 3.
TO JOSEPHINE, AT PLOMBIÈRES.
_Malmaison, June 23, 1802._
_My Good Little Josephine_,--Your letter has come. I am sorry to see you have been poorly on the journey, but a few days' rest will put you right. I am very fairly well. Yesterday I was at the Marly hunt, and one of my fingers was very slightly injured whilst shooting a boar.
Hortense is usually in good health. Your fat son has been rather unwell, but is getting better. I think the ladies are playing "The Barber of Seville" to-night. The weather is perfect.
Rest assured that my truest wishes are ever for my little Josephine.--Yours ever,
BONAPARTE.
No. 4.
TO JOSEPHINE, AT PLOMBIÈRES.
_Malmaison, June 27, 1802._
Your letter, dear little wife, has apprised me that you are out of sorts. Corvisart tells me that it is a good sign that the baths are having the desired effect, and that your health will soon be re-established. But I am most truly grieved to know that you are in pain.
Yesterday I went to see the Sèvres manufactory at St. Cloud.
Best wishes to all.--Yours for life,
BONAPARTE.
* * * * *
_June 29th.--Pope withdraws excommunication from Talleyrand._
No. 5.
TO JOSEPHINE, AT PLOMBIÈRES.
_Malmaison, July 1, 1802._
Your letter of June 29th has arrived. You say nothing of your health nor of the effect of the baths. I see that you expect to be home in a week; that is good news for your lover, who is tired of being alone!
You ought to have seen General Ney, who started for Plombières; he will be married on his return.
Yesterday Hortense played Rosina in "The Barber of Seville" with her usual skill.
Rest assured of my love, and that I await your return impatiently. Without you everything here is dreary.
BONAPARTE.
* * * * *
_August 2nd.--Napoleon Bonaparte made First Consul for life._ "_The conduct and the language of Bonaparte represents at once Augustus, Mahomet, Louis XI., Masaniello_" (Montgaillard, _an avowed enemy_).
_September 22nd._--Opening of the Ourcq Waterworks for the supply of Paris.
_September 25th.--Mass celebrated at St. Cloud for the first time. In this month Napoleon annexes Piedmont, and the next sends Ney to occupy Switzerland._
_October 11th.--Birth of Napoleon Charles, son of Louis Bonaparte and Hortense._
_October 29th.--Napoleon and Josephine visit Normandy, and, contrary to expectation, receive ovations everywhere. They return to Paris, November 14th._
EVENTS OF 1803.
_February 19th._--New constitution imposed by France on Switzerland.
_April 14th.--Bank of France reorganised by Bonaparte; it alone allowed to issue notes._
_April 27th._--Death of Toussaint-Louverture at Besançon.
_April 30th._--France sells Louisiana to U.S. for £4,000,000 (15 million dollars).
_May 22nd.--France declares war against England, chiefly respecting Malta. England having seized all French ships in British harbours previous to war being declared, Napoleon seizes all British tourists in France._
_May 31st.--His soldiers occupy Electorate of Hanover._
_June 14th.--He visits North of France and Belgium, accompanied by Josephine, and returns to Paris August 12th._
_September 27th._--Press censorship established in France.
_November 30th._--French evacuate St. Domingo.
SERIES E
1804
"Everywhere the king of the earth found once more, to put a bridle on his pride, the inevitable lords of the sea."--BIGNON, v. 130.
SERIES E
(For subjoined Notes to this Series see pages 232-237.)
LETTER PAGE
No. 1. _Madame_ 232 _Pont de Bricques_ 232 _The wind having considerably freshened_ 232
No. 2. _The waters_ 233 _All the vexations_ 233 _Eugène has started for Blois_ 234
No. 3. _Aix-la-Chapelle_ 234
No. 4. _During the past week_ 235 _The day after to-morrow_ 235 _Hortense_ 235 _I am very well satisfied_ 235
No. 5. Its authenticity 236 _Arras, August 29th_ 236 _I am rather impatient to see you_ 236
No. 6. _T._ 237 _B._ 237
LETTERS OF THE EMPEROR NAPOLEON TO THE EMPRESS JOSEPHINE DURING HIS JOURNEY ALONG THE COAST, 1804.
EVENTS OF 1804.
_February 15th._--The conspiracy of Pichegru. Moreau arrested, Pichegru (_February 28th_), and Georges Cadoudal (_March 9th_).
_March 21st._--Duc D'Enghien shot at Vincennes.
_April 6th._--Suicide of Pichegru.
_April 30th.--Proposal to make Bonaparte Emperor._
_May 4th.--Tribune adopts the proposal._
_May 18th.--The First Consul becomes the Emperor Napoleon._
_May 19th.--Napoleon confers the dignity of Marshal of the Empire on Berthier, Murat, Moncey, Jourdan, Massena, Augereau, Bernadotte, Soult, Brune, Lannes, Mortier, Ney, Davoust, Bessières, Kellermann, Lefebvre, Perignon, Serrurier._
_July 14th._--Inauguration of the Legion of Honour.
No. 1.
TO THE EMPRESS JOSEPHINE.
_Pont-de-Bricques, July 21, 1804._
_Madame and dear Wife_,--During the four days that I have been away from you I have always been either on horseback or in a conveyance, without any ill effect on my health.
M. Maret tells me that you intend starting on Monday; travelling by easy stages, you can take your time and reach the Spa without tiring yourself.
The wind having considerably freshened last night, one of our gunboats, which was in the harbour, broke loose and ran on the rocks about a league from Boulogne. I believed all lost--men and merchandise; but we managed to save both. The spectacle was grand: the shore sheeted in fire from the alarm guns, the sea raging and bellowing, the whole night spent in anxiety to save these unfortunates or to see them perish! My soul hovered between eternity, the ocean, and the night. At 5 A.M. all was calm, everything saved; and I went to bed with the feeling of having had a romantic and epic dream--a circumstance which might have reminded me that I was all alone, had weariness and soaked garments left me any other need but that of sleep.
NAPOLEON.
[_Correspondence of Napoleon I., No. 7861, communicated by M. Chambry._]
No. 2.
TO THE EMPRESS, AT AIX-LA-CHAPELLE.
_Boulogne, August 3, 1804._
_My Dear_,--I trust soon to learn that the waters have done you much good. I am sorry to hear of all the vexations you have undergone. Please write me often. My health is very good, although I am rather tired. I shall be at Dunkirk in a very few days, and shall write you from there.
Eugène has started for Blois.
_Je te couvre de baisers._
NAPOLEON.
No. 3.
TO THE EMPRESS, AT AIX-LA-CHAPELLE.
_Calais, August 6, 1804._
_My Dear_,--I arrived at Calais at midnight; I expect to start to-night for Dunkirk. I am in very fair health, and satisfied with what I see. I trust that the waters are doing you as much good as exercise, camp, and seascape are doing me.
Eugène has set off for Blois. Hortense is well. Louis is at Plombières.
I am longing to see you. You are always necessary to my happiness. My very best love.
NAPOLEON.
No. 4.
TO THE EMPRESS, AT AIX-LA-CHAPELLE.
_Ostend, August 14, 1804._
_My Dear_,--I have had no letter from you for several days; yet I should be more comfortable if I knew that the waters were efficacious, and how you spend your time. During the past week I have been at Ostend. The day after to-morrow I shall be at Boulogne for a somewhat special fête. Advise me by the courier what you intend to do, and how soon you expect to end your baths.
I am very well satisfied with the army and the flotillas. Eugène is still at Blois. I hear no more of Hortense than if she were on the Congo. I am writing to scold her.
My best love to all.
NAPOLEON.
No. 5.
TO THE EMPRESS, AT AIX-LA-CHAPELLE.
_Arras, Wednesday, August 29, 1804._
_Madame and dear Wife_,--I have just reached Arras. I shall stay there to-morrow. I shall be at Mons on Friday, and on Sunday at Aix-la-Chapelle. I am as well satisfied with my journey as with the army. I think I shall pass through Brussels without stopping there; thence I shall go to Maestricht. I am rather impatient to see you. I am glad to hear you have tried the waters; they cannot fail to do you good. My health is excellent. Eugène is well, and is with me.
Very kindest regards to every one.
BONAPARTE.
[_Translated from a Letter in the Collection of Baron Heath, Philobiblon Society, vol. xiv._]
* * * * *
_October 2nd._--Sir Sydney Smith attacks flotilla at Boulogne unsuccessfully.
No. 6.
TO JOSEPHINE, AT ST. CLOUD.
_Trèves, October 6, 1804._
_My Dear,_--I arrive at Trèves the same moment that you arrive at St. Cloud. I am in good health. Do not grant an audience to T----, and refuse to see him. Receive B---- only in general company, and do not give him a private interview. Make promises to sign marriage contracts only after I have signed them.--Yours ever,
NAPOLEON.
* * * * *
_December 1st.--Plebiscite confirms election of Napoleon as Emperor, by 3,500,000 votes to 2000._
_December 2nd.--Napoleon crowns himself Emperor, and Josephine Empress, in the presence and with the benediction of the Pope._
GENERAL EVENTS.--_October 8th._--The negro Dessalines crowned Emperor of St. Domingo, under title of James I.
_December 12th._--Spain declares war against England.
SERIES F
CAMPAIGN OF AUSTERLITZ, 1805.
"To convey an idea of the brilliant campaign of 1805 ... I should, like the almanack-makers, be obliged to note down a victory for every day."--BOURRIENNE, vol. ii. 323.
"Si jamais correspondence de mari à femme a été intime et fréquente, si jamais continuité et permanence de tendresse a été marquée, c'est bien dans ces lettres écrites, chaque jour presque, par Napoléon à sa femme durant la campagne de l'an XIV."--F. MASSON, _Joséphine, Impératrice et Reine_, 1899, p. 427.
SERIES F
(For subjoined Notes to this Series see pages 237-243.)
LETTER PAGE
No. 1. _To Josephine_ 237 _Strasburg_ 237 _Stuttgard_ 237 _I am well placed_ 237
No. 2. _Louisburg_ 238 _In a few days_ 238 _A new bride_ 238 _Electress_ 238
No. 3. _I have assisted at a marriage_ 238
No. 5. The abbey of Elchingen 238
No. 6. _Spent the whole of to-day indoors_ 238 _Vicenza_ 238
No. 7. _Elchingen_ 239 _Such a catastrophe_ 239
No. 9. _Munich_ 239 _Lemarois_ 239 _I was grieved_ 239 _Amuse yourself_ 239 _Talleyrand has come_ 240
No. 10. _We are always in forests_ 240 _My enemies_ 240
No. 11. Lintz 240
No. 12. Schoenbrunn 241
No. 13. _They owe everything to you_ 241
No. 14. _Austerlitz_ 241 _December 2nd_ 241
No. 17. _A long time since I had news of you_ 241
No. 19. _I await events_ 242 _I, for my part, am sufficiently busy_ 242
LETTERS OF THE EMPEROR NAPOLEON TO THE EMPRESS JOSEPHINE, DURING THE AUSTERLITZ CAMPAIGN, 1805.
EVENTS OF 1805.
_March 13th.--Napoleon proclaimed King of Italy._
_May 26th.--Crowned at Milan._
_June 8th.--Prince Eugène named Viceroy of Italy._
_June 23rd.--Lucca made a principality, and given to Elisa Bonaparte._
_July 22nd._--Naval battle between Villeneuve and Sir Robert Calder, which saves England from invasion.
_August 16th.--Napoleon breaks up camp of Boulogne._
_September 8th._--Third Continental Coalition (Russia, Austria, and England against France). Austrians cross the Inn, and invade Bavaria.
_September 21st._--Treaty of Paris between France and Naples, which engages to take no part in the war.
_September 23rd._--_Moniteur_ announces invasion of Bavaria by Austria.
_September 24th.--Napoleon leaves Paris._
_September 27th.--Joins at Strasburg his Grand Army(160,000 strong)._
_October 1st.--Arrives at Ettlingen._
_October 2nd.--Arrives at Louisbourg. Hostilities commence._
No. 1.
TO JOSEPHINE, AT STRASBURG.
_Imperial Headquarters, Ettlingen_,
_October 2, 1805_, 10 A.M.
I am well, and still here. I am starting for Stuttgard, where I shall be to-night. Great operations are now in progress. The armies of Wurtemberg and Baden have joined mine. I am well placed for the campaign, and I love you.
NAPOLEON.
No. 2.
TO JOSEPHINE, AT STRASBURG.
_Louisbourg, October 4, 1805, Noon._
I am at Louisbourg. I start to-night. There is as yet nothing new. My whole army is on the march. The weather is splendid. My junction with the Bavarians is effected. I am well. I trust in a few days to have something interesting to communicate.
Keep well, and believe in my entire affection. There is a brilliant Court here, a new bride who is very beautiful, and upon the whole some very pleasant people, even our Electress, who appears extremely kind, although the daughter of the King of England.
NAPOLEON.
No. 3.
TO JOSEPHINE, AT STRASBURG.
_Louisbourg, October 5, 1805._
I continue my march immediately. You will, my dear, be five or six days without hearing from me; don't be uneasy, it is connected with operations now taking place. All goes well, and just as I could wish.
I have assisted at a marriage between the son of the Elector and a niece of the King of Prussia. I wish to give the young princess a wedding present to cost 36,000 to 40,000 francs. Please attend to this, and send it to the bride by one of my chamberlains, when they shall come to rejoin me. This matter must be attended to immediately.
Adieu, dear, I love you and embrace you.
NAPOLEON.
* * * * *
_October 6th-7th.--French cross the Danube and turn Mack's army._
_October 8th.--Battle of Wertingen. (Murat defeats the Austrians.)_
_October 9th.--Battle of Gunzburg. (Ney defeats Mack.)_
No. 4.
_October 10th.--French enter Augsbourg._
TO JOSEPHINE, AT STRASBURG.
_Augsbourg, Thursday, October 10, 1805_,
11 A.M.
I slept last night[18] with the former Elector of Trèves, who is very well lodged. For the past week I have been hurrying forward. The campaign has been successful enough so far. I am very well, although it rains almost every day. Events crowd on us rapidly. I have sent to France 4000 prisoners, 8 flags, and have 14 of the enemy's cannon.
Adieu, dear, I embrace you.
NAPOLEON.
* * * * *
_October 11th.--Battle of Hasslach. Dupont holds his own against much superior forces._
No. 5.
_October 12th.--French enter Munich._
TO JOSEPHINE, AT STRASBURG.
_October 12, 1805_, 11 P.M.
My army has entered Munich. On one side the enemy is beyond the Inn; I hold the other army, 60,000 strong, blocked on the Iller, between Ulm and Memmingen. The enemy is beaten, has lost its head, and everything points to a most glorious campaign, the shortest and most brilliant which has been made. In an hour I start for Burgau-sur-l'Iller.
I am well, but the weather is frightful. It rains so much that I change my clothes twice a day.
I love and embrace you.
NAPOLEON.
_October 14th.--Capture of Memmingen and 4OOO Austrians by Soult._
_October 15th.--Battle of Elchingen. Ney defeats Laudon._
_October 17th.--Capitulation of Ulm._
No. 6.
_October 19th.--Werneck and 8000 men surrender to Murat._
TO JOSEPHINE, AT STRASBURG.
_Abbaye d'Elchingen, October 19, 1805._
_My dear Josephine_,--I have tired myself more than I ought. Soaked garments and cold feet every day for a week have made me rather ill, but I have spent the whole of to-day indoors, which has rested me.
My design has been accomplished; I have destroyed the Austrian army by marches alone; I have made 60,000 prisoners, taken 120 pieces of cannon, more than 90 flags, and more than 30 generals. I am about to fling myself on the Russians; they are lost men. I am satisfied with my army. I have only lost 1500 men, of whom two-thirds are but slightly wounded.
Prince Charles is on his way to cover Vienna. I think Massena should be already at Vicenza.
The moment I can give my thoughts to Italy, I will make Eugène win a battle.
Very best wishes to Hortense.
Adieu, my Josephine; kindest regards to every one.
NAPOLEON.
* * * * *
_October 20th.--Mack and his army defile before Napoleon._
No. 7.
_October 21st._--Battle of Trafalgar; Franco-Spanish fleet destroyed after a five hours' fight. "The result of the battle of Trafalgar compensates, for England, the results of the operations of Ulm. It has been justly observed that this power alone, of all those who fought France from 1793 to 1812, never experienced a check in her political or military combinations without seeing herself compensated forthwith by a signal success in some other part of the world" (_Montgaillard_).
TO THE EMPRESS, AT STRASBURG.
_Elchingen, October 21, 1805, Noon._
I am fairly well, my dear. I start at once for Augsbourg. I have made 33,000 men lay down their arms, I have from 60,000 to 70,000 prisoners, more than 90 flags, and 200 pieces of cannon. Never has there been such a catastrophe in military annals!
Take care of yourself. I am rather jaded. The weather has been fine for the last three days. The first column of prisoners files off for France to-day. Each column consists of 6000 men.
NAPOLEON.
No. 8.
_October 25th._--The Emperor of Russia and King of Prussia swear, at the tomb of the Great Frederick, to make implacable war on France (Convention signed November 3rd).
TO THE EMPRESS, AT STRASBURG.
_Augsburg, October 25, 1805._
The two past nights have thoroughly rested me, and I am going to start to-morrow for Munich. I am sending word to M. de Talleyrand and M. Maret to be near at hand. I shall see something of them, and I am going to advance upon the Inn in order to attack Austria in the heart of her hereditary states. I should much have liked to see you; but do not reckon upon my sending for you, unless there should be an armistice or winter quarters.
Adieu, dear; a thousand kisses. Give my compliments to the ladies.
NAPOLEON.
No. 9.
TO THE EMPRESS, AT STRASBURG.
_Munich, Sunday, October 27, 1805._
I received your letter per Lemarois. I was grieved to see how needlessly you have made yourself unhappy. I have heard particulars which have proved how much you love me, but you should have more fortitude and confidence. Besides, I had advised you that I should be six days without writing you.
To-morrow I expect the Elector. At noon I start to support my advance on the Inn. My health is fair. You need not think of crossing the Rhine for two or three weeks. You must be cheerful, amuse yourself, and hope that before the end of the month[19] we shall meet.
I am advancing against the Russian army. In a few days I shall have crossed the Inn.
Adieu, my dear; kindest regards to Hortense, Eugène, and the two Napoleons.
Keep back the wedding present a little longer.
Yesterday I gave a concert to the ladies of this court. The precentor is a superior man.
I took part in the Elector's pheasant-shoot; you see by that that I am not so tired. M. de Talleyrand has come.
NAPOLEON.
* * * * *
_October 28th._--Grand Army cross the Inn. Lannes occupies Braunau.
_October 28th to October 29th-30th.--Battle of Caldiero._--Massena with 55,000 men attacks Archduke Charles entrenched with 70,000; after two days' fight French repulsed at this place, previously disastrous to their arms.
No. 10.
TO THE EMPRESS, AT STRASBURG.
_Haag, November 3, 1805_, 10 P.M.
I am in full march; the weather is very cold, the earth covered with a foot of snow. This is rather trying. Luckily there is no want of wood; here we are always in forests. I am fairly well. My campaign proceeds satisfactorily; my enemies must have more anxieties than I.
I wish to hear from you and to learn that you are not worrying yourself.
Adieu, dear; I am going to lie down.
NAPOLEON.
* * * * *
_November 4th._--Combat of Amstetten. Lannes and Murat drive back the Russians. Davoust occupies Steyer. Army of Italy takes Vicenza.
No. 11.
TO THE EMPRESS, AT STRASBURG.
_Tuesday, November 5, 1805._
I am at Lintz. The weather is fine. We are within seventy miles of Vienna. The Russians do not stand; they are in full retreat. The house of Austria is at its wit's end, and in Vienna they are removing all the court belongings. It is probable that something new will occur within five or six days. I much desire to see you again. My health is good.
I embrace you.
NAPOLEON.
* * * * *
_November 7th._--Ney occupies Innsbruck.
_November 9th._--Davoust defeats Meerfeldt at Marienzell.
_November 10th._--Marmont arrives at Leoben.
_November 11th._---Battle of Diernstein; Mortier overwhelmed by Russians, but saved by Dupont.
_November 13th._--Vienna entered and bridge over the Danube seized. Massena crosses the Tagliamento.
_November 14th._--Ney enters Trent.
No. 12.
TO THE EMPRESS, AT STRASBURG.
_November 15, 1805_, 9 P.M.
I have been at Vienna two days, my dear, rather fagged. I have not yet seen the city by day; I have traversed it by night. To-morrow I receive the notables and public bodies. Nearly all my troops are beyond the Danube, in pursuit of the Russians.
Adieu, Josephine; as soon as it is possible I will send for you. My very best love.
NAPOLEON.
No. 13.
_November 16th._--Jellachich surrenders to Augereau at Feldkirch with 7000 men.
TO THE EMPRESS, AT STRASBURG.
_Vienna, November 16, 1805._
I am writing to M. d'Harville, so that you can set out and make your way to Baden, thence to Stuttgard, and from there to Munich. At Stuttgard you will give the wedding present to the Princess Paul. If it costs fifteen to twenty thousand francs, that will suffice; the rest will do for giving presents at Munich to the daughters of the Electress of Bavaria. All that Madame de Serent[20] has advised you is definitely arranged. Take with you the wherewithal to make presents to the ladies and officers who will wait upon you. Be civil, but receive full homage; they owe everything to you, and you owe nothing save civility. The Electress of Wurtemberg is daughter of the King of England. She is an excellent woman; you should be very kind to her, but yet without affectation.
I shall be very glad to see you, the moment circumstances permit me. I start to join my vanguard. The weather is frightful; it snows heavily. Otherwise my affairs go excellently.
Adieu, my dear.
NAPOLEON.
* * * * *
_November 19th.--French occupy Brunn, and Napoleon establishes his headquarters at Wischau._
_November 24th._--Massena occupies Trieste.
_November 28th._--Army of Italy joins troops of the Grand Army at Klagenfurt.
_December 2nd._--Battle of the Three Emperors (Austerlitz). French forces 80,000; allies 95,000.
No. 14.
TO THE EMPRESS, AT STRASBURG.
_Austerlitz, December 3, 1805._
I have despatched to you Lebrun from the field of battle. I have beaten the Russian and Austrian army commanded by the two Emperors. I am rather fagged. I have bivouacked eight days in the open air, through nights sufficiently keen. To-night I rest in the château of Prince Kaunitz, where I shall sleep for the next two or three hours. The Russian army is not only beaten, but destroyed.
I embrace you.
NAPOLEON.
* * * * *
_December 4th.--Haugwitz, the Prussian Minister, congratulates Napoleon on his victory. "Voilà!" replied the Emperor; "un compliment dont la fortune a changé l'addresse."_
No. 15.
TO THE EMPRESS, AT MUNICH.
_Austerlitz, December 5, 1805._
I have concluded a truce. The Russians have gone. The battle of Austerlitz is the grandest of all I have fought. Forty-five flags, more than 150 pieces of cannon, the standards of the Russian Guard, 20 generals, 30,000 prisoners, more than 20,000 slain--a horrible sight.
The Emperor Alexander is in despair, and on his way to Russia. Yesterday, at my bivouac, I saw the Emperor of Germany. We conversed for two hours; we have agreed to make peace quickly.
The weather is not now very bad. At last behold peace restored to the Continent; it is to be hoped that it is going to be to the world. The English will not know how to face us.
I look forward with much pleasure to the moment when I can once more be near you. My eyes have been rather bad the last two days; I have never suffered from them before.
Adieu, my dear. I am fairly well, and very anxious to embrace you.
NAPOLEON.
No. 16.
TO THE EMPRESS, AT MUNICH.
_Austerlitz, December 7, 1805._
I have concluded an armistice; within a week peace will be made. I am anxious to hear that you reached Munich in good health. The Russians are returning; they have lost enormously--more than 20,000 dead and 30,000 taken. Their army is reduced by three-quarters. Buxhowden, their general-in-chief, was killed. I have 3000 wounded and 700 to 800 dead.
My eyes are rather bad; it is a prevailing complaint, and scarcely worth mentioning.
Adieu, dear. I am very anxious to see you again.
I am going to sleep to-night at Vienna.
NAPOLEON.
No. 17.
TO THE EMPRESS, AT MUNICH.
_Brunn, December 10, 1805._
It is a long time since I had news of you. Have the grand fêtes at Baden, Stuttgard, and Munich made you forget the poor soldiers, who live covered with mud, rain, and blood?
I shall start in a few days for Vienna.
We are endeavouring to conclude peace. The Russians have gone, and are in flight far from here; they are on their way back to Russia, well drubbed and very much humiliated.
I am very anxious to be with you again.
Adieu, dear.
My bad eyes are cured.
NAPOLEON.
* * * * *
_December 15th.--Treaty with Prussia._
No. 18.
TO THE EMPRESS, AT MUNICH.
_December 19, 1805._
_Great Empress_,--Not a single letter from you since your departure from Strasburg. You have gone to Baden, Stuttgard, Munich, without writing us a word. This is neither very kind nor very affectionate.
I am still at Brunn. The Russians are gone. I have a truce. In a few days I shall see what I may expect. Deign from the height of your grandeur to concern yourself a little with your slaves.
NAPOLEON.
No. 19.
TO THE EMPRESS, AT MUNICH.
_Schönbrunn, December 20, 1805._
I got your letter of the 16th. I am sorry to learn you are in pain. You are not strong enough to travel two hundred and fifty miles at this time of the year. I know not what I shall do; I await events. I have no will in the matter; everything depends on their issue. Stay at Munich; amuse yourself. That is not difficult when you have so many kind friends and so beautiful a country. I, for my part, am sufficiently busy. In a few days my decision will be made.
Adieu, dear. Kindest and most affectionate regards.
NAPOLEON.
* * * * *
_December 27th.[21]--Peace of Presburg._
_December 31st.--Napoleon arrives outside Munich, and joins Josephine the next morning._
FOOTNOTES
[18] _J'ai couché aujourd'hui_--_i.e._ a few hours' morning sleep.
[19] The month _Brumaire--i.e._ before November 21st.
[20] Countess de Serent, the Empress's lady-in-waiting.
[21] _VI. Nivose_, which for the year 1805 was December 27 (see Harris Nicolas' "Chronology of History"). Haydn, Woodward, Bouillet, all have December 26th; Alison and _Biographie Universelle_ have December 27th; but, as usual, the "Correspondence of Napoleon I." is taken here as the final court of appeal.
SERIES G
"Battles then lasted a few hours, campaigns a few days."
--BIGNON, _On Friedland_ (vol. vi. 292).
SERIES G
(For subjoined Notes to this Series see pages 243-264.)
LETTER PAGE
No. 1. _Princess of Baden_ 244 _Hortense_ 244 _The Grand Duke_ 244 _Florence_ 244
No. 2. _Bamberg_ 244 _Eugène_ 244 _Her husband_ 245
No. 3. _Erfurt_ 245 _If she wants to see a battle_ 245
No. 4. _I nearly captured him and the Queen_ 246 _I have bivouacked_ 246
No. 5. _Fatigues, bivouacs have made me fat_ 246 _The great M. Napoleon_ 247
No. 7. _Potsdam_ 247
No. 8. _You do nothing but cry_ 247
No. 9_a_. _Madame Tallien_ 247
No. 10. _The bad things I say about women_ 248
No. 11. _Lubeck_ 250
No. 13. _Madame L._ 250
No. 17. _December 2nd_ 250
No. 18. _Jealousy_ 250
No. 19. _Desir de femme est un feu qui dévore_ 251
No. 23. _I am dependent on events_ 251
No. 26. _The fair ones of Great Poland_ 251 _A wretched barn_ 252 _Such things become common property_ 252
No. 27. _Warsaw, January 3rd_ 252
No. 28. _Be cheerful--gai_ 253
No. 29. _Roads unsafe and detestable_ 253
No. 35. _I hope that you are at Paris_ 254 _T._ 254
No. 36. _Paris_ 254
No. 38. Arensdorf 254
No. 39. _The Battle of Preussich-Eylau_ 254
No. 40. _Corbineau_ 256 _Dahlmann_ 256
No. 41. _Young Tascher_ 256
No. 42. Napoleon's Correspondence 256
No. 43. _I am still at Eylau_ 257 _This country is covered with dead and wounded_ 257
No. 50. _Osterode_ 257 _It is not as good as the great city_ 258 _I have ordered what you wish for Malmaison_ 258
No. 54. _Minerva_ 259
No. 55. The first use of _Vous_ 259
No. 56. _Dupuis_ 260
No. 58. _M. de T._ 260
No. 60. _Marshal Bessières_ 260
No. 63. Date 260
No. 67. _Sweet, pouting, and capricious_ 260
No. 68. _Madame_ ---- 261 _Measles_ 261
No. 69. _I trust I may hear you have been rational_ 261
No. 71. _May 20th_ 262
No. 74. _I am vexed with Hortense_ 262
No. 78. _Friedland_ 263
No. 79. _Tilsit_ 264
LETTERS OF THE EMPEROR NAPOLEON TO THE EMPRESS JOSEPHINE DURING THE CAMPAIGN AGAINST PRUSSIA AND RUSSIA, 1806-7.
1806.
_January 1st.--The Elector of Bavaria and the Duke of Wurtemberg created Kings by France._
_January 23rd._--Death of William Pitt, aged 47.
_February 15th.--Joseph Bonaparte enters Naples, and on_
_March 10th is declared King of the Two Sicilies._
_April 1st.--Prussia seizes Hanover._
_June 5th.--Louis Bonaparte made King of Holland._
_July 6th.--Battle of Maida (Calabria. English defeat General Reynier. French loss 4000; English 500)._
_July 12th.--Napoleon forms Confederation of the Rhine, with himself as Chief and Protector._
_July 18th.--Gaeta surrenders to Massena._
_August 6th.--Francis II., Emperor of Germany, becomes Emperor of Austria as Francis I._
_August 15th.--Russia refuses to ratify peace preliminaries signed by her ambassador at Paris on July 25th._
_September 13th._--Death of Charles James Fox, aged 57.
No. 1.
_October 5th.--Proclamation by the Prince of the Peace against France (germ of Spanish War)._
TO THE EMPRESS, AT MAYENCE.
_October 5, 1806._
It will be quite in order for the Princess of Baden to come to Mayence. I cannot think why you weep; you do wrong to make yourself ill. Hortense is inclined to pedantry; she loves to air her views. She has written me; I am sending her a reply. She ought to be happy and cheerful. Pluck and a merry heart--that's the recipe.
Adieu, dear. The Grand Duke has spoken to me about you; he saw you at Florence at the time of the retreat.
NAPOLEON.
No. 2.
TO THE EMPRESS, AT MAYENCE.
_Bamberg, October 7, 1806._
I start this evening, my dear, for Cronach. The whole of my army is advancing. All goes well. My health is perfect. I have only received as yet one letter from you. I have some from Eugène and from Hortense. Stephanie should now be with you. Her husband wishes to make the campaign; he is with me.
Adieu. A thousand kisses and the best of health.
NAPOLEON.
* * * * *
_October 8th.--Prussia, assisted by Saxony, Russia, and England, declares war against France._
_October 9th.--Campaign opens. Prussians defeated at Schleitz._
_October 10th.--Lannes defeats them at Saalfeld. Prince Louis of Prussia killed; 1000 men and 30 guns taken._
_October 11th.--French peace negotiations with England broken off._
No. 3.
TO THE EMPRESS, AT MAYENCE.
_Gera_, _October 13, 1806_, 2 A.M.
_My Dear_,--I am at Gera to-day. My affairs go excellently well, and everything as I could wish. With the aid of God, they will, I believe, in a few days have taken a terrible course for the poor King of Prussia, whom I am sorry for personally, because he is a good man. The Queen is at Erfurt with the King. If she wants to see a battle, she shall have that cruel pleasure. I am in splendid health. I have already put on flesh since my departure; yet I am doing, in person, twenty and twenty-five leagues a day, on horseback, in my carriage, in all sorts of ways. I lie down at eight, and get up at midnight. I fancy at times that you have not yet gone to bed.--Yours ever,
NAPOLEON.
* * * * *
_October 14th.--Battles of Jena and Auerstadt._
No. 4.
_October 15th.--Napoleon at Weimar, He releases 6000 Saxon prisoners, which soon causes peace with Saxony._
TO THE EMPRESS, AT MAYENCE.
_Jena_, _October 15, 1806_, 3 A.M.
_My Dear_,--I have made excellent manoeuvres against the Prussians. Yesterday I won a great victory. They had 150,000 men. I have made 20,000 prisoners, taken 100 pieces of cannon, and flags. I was in presence of the King of Prussia, and near to him; I nearly captured him and the Queen. For the past two days I have bivouacked. I am in excellent health.
Adieu, dear. Keep well, and love me.
If Hortense is at Mayence, give her a kiss; also to Napoleon and to the little one.
NAPOLEON.
No. 5.
_October 16th.--Soult routs Kalkreuth at Greussen; Erfurt and 16,000 men capitulate to Murat._
TO THE EMPRESS, AT MAYENCE.
_Weimar_, _October 16, 1806_, 5 P.M.
M. Talleyrand will have shown you the bulletin, my dear; you will see my successes therein. All has happened as I calculated, and never was an army more thoroughly beaten and more entirely destroyed. I need only add that I am very well, and that fatigue, bivouacs, and night-watches have made me fat.
Adieu, dear. Kindest regards to Hortense and to the great M. Napoleon.--Yours ever,
NAPOLEON.
* * * * *
_October 17th.--Bernadotte defeats Prussian reserve at Halle._
_October 18th.--Davoust takes Leipsic, and an enormous stock of English merchandise._
_October 19th.--Napoleon at Halle._
_October 20th.--Lannes takes Dessau, and Davoust Wittenberg._
_October 21st.--Napoleon at Dessau._
No. 6.
_October 23rd.--Napoleon makes Wittenberg central depôt for his army._
TO THE EMPRESS, AT MAYENCE.
_Wittenberg, October 23, 1806, Noon._
I have received several of your letters. I write you only a line. My affairs prosper. To-morrow I shall be at Potsdam, and at Berlin on the 25th. I am wonderfully well, and thrive on hard work. I am very glad to hear you are with Hortense and Stephanie, _en grande compagnie_. So far, the weather has been fine.
Kind regards to Stephanie, and to everybody, not forgetting M. Napoleon.
Adieu, dear.--Yours ever,
NAPOLEON.
No. 7.
_October 24th.--Lannes occupies Potsdam._
TO THE EMPRESS, AT MAYENCE.
_Potsdam, October 24, 1806._
_My Dear_,--I have been at Potsdam since yesterday, and shall remain there to-day. I continue satisfied with my undertakings. My health is good; the weather very fine. I find Sans-Souci very pleasant.
Adieu, dear. Best wishes to Hortense and to M. Napoleon.
NAPOLEON.
* * * * *
_October 25th.--Marshal Davoust enters Berlin; Bernadotte occupies Brandenburg._
_October 28th.--Prince Hohenlohe surrenders at Prenzlau to Murat with 16,000 men, including the Prussian Guard._