Part 7
_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 fetes 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.
_Schoenbrunn, 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 couche 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 _Eugene_ 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 devore_ 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 Bessieres_ 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 Eugene 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 depot 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._
_October 30th.--Stettin surrenders with 5000 men and 150 cannon._
No. 8.
_November 1st.--Anklam surrenders, with 4000 men, to General Becker._
TO THE EMPRESS, AT MAYENCE.
_November 1, 1806_, 2 A.M.
Talleyrand has just arrived and tells me, my dear, that you do nothing but cry. What on earth do you want? You have your daughter, your grandchildren, and good news; surely these are sufficient reasons for being happy and contented.
The weather here is superb; there has not yet fallen during the whole campaign a single drop of water. I am very well, and all goes excellently.
Adieu, dear; I have received a letter from M. Napoleon; I do not believe it is from him, but from Hortense. Kindest regards to everybody.
NAPOLEON.
* * * * *
_November 2nd.--Kustrin surrenders, with 4000 men and 90 guns, to Davoust._
No. 9.
TO THE EMPRESS, AT MAYENCE.
_Berlin, November 2, 1806._
Your letter of October 26th to hand. We have splendid weather here. You will see by the bulletin that we have taken Stettin--it is a very strong place. All my affairs go as well as possible, and I am thoroughly satisfied. One pleasure is alone wanting--that of seeing you, but I hope that will not long be deferred.
Kindest regards to Hortense, Stephanie, and to the little Napoleon.
Adieu, dear.--Yours ever,
NAPOLEON.
No. 9A.
From the Memoirs of Mademoiselle d'Avrillon (vol. i. 128).
TO THE EMPRESS, AT MAYENCE.
_Berlin, Monday, Noon._
_My Dear_,--I have received your letter. I am glad to know that you are in a place which pleases me, and especially to know that you are very well there. Who should be happier than you? You should live without a worry, and pass your time as pleasantly as possible; that, indeed, is my intention.
I forbid you to see Madame Tallien, under any pretext whatever. I will admit of no excuse. If you desire a continuance of my esteem, if you wish to please me, never transgress the present order. She may possibly come to your apartments, to enter them by night; forbid your porter to admit her.
* * * * *
I shall soon be at Malmaison. I warn you to have no lovers there that night; I should be sorry to disturb them. Adieu, dear; I long to see you and assure you of my love and affection.
NAPOLEON.
No. 10.
TO THE EMPRESS, AT MAYENCE.
_November 6, 1806_, 9 P.M.
Yours to hand, in which you seem annoyed at the bad things I say about women; it is true that I hate intriguing women more than anything. I am used to kind, gentle, persuasive women; these are the kind I like. If I have been spoilt, it is not my fault, but yours. Moreover, you shall learn how kind I have been to one who showed herself sensible and good, Madame d'Hatzfeld. When I showed her husband's letter to her she admitted to me, amid her sobs, with profound emotion, and frankly, "Ah! it is indeed his writing!" While she was reading, her voice went to my heart; it pained me. I said, "Well, madame, throw that letter on the fire, I shall then have no longer the power to punish your husband." She burnt the letter, and seemed very happy. Her husband now feels at ease; two hours later he would have been a dead man. You see then how I like kind, frank, gentle women; but it is because such alone resemble you.
Adieu, dear; my health is good.
NAPOLEON.
* * * * *
_November 6th and 7th.--Blucher and his army (17,000 men) surrender at Lubeck to Soult, Murat, and Bernadotte._
_November 8th.--Magdeburg surrenders to Ney, with 20,000 men, immense stores, and nearly 800 cannon._
No. 11.
_November 9th.--Napoleon levies a contribution of 150 million francs on Prussia and her allies._
TO THE EMPRESS, AT MAYENCE.
_Berlin, November 9, 1806._
_My Dear_,--I am sending good news. Magdeburg has capitulated, and on November 7th I took 20,000 men at Lubeck who escaped me last week. The whole Prussian army, therefore, is captured; even beyond the Vistula there does not remain to Prussia 20,000 men. Several of my army corps are in Poland. I am still at Berlin. I am very fairly well.
Adieu, dear; heartiest good wishes to Hortense, Stephanie, and the two little Napoleons.--Yours ever,
NAPOLEON.
* * * * *
_November 10th.--Davoust occupies Posen. Hanover occupied by Marshal Mortier._
No. 12.
TO THE EMPRESS, AT MAYENCE.
_Berlin, November 16, 1806._
I received your letter of November 11th. I note with satisfaction that my convictions give you pleasure. You are wrong to think flattery was intended; I was telling you of yourself as I see you. I am grieved to think that you are tired of Mayence. Were the journey less long, you might come here, for there is no longer an enemy, or, if there is, he is beyond the Vistula; that is to say, more than three hundred miles away. I will wait to hear what you think about it. I should also be delighted to see M. Napoleon.
Adieu, my dear.--Yours ever,
NAPOLEON.
I have still too much business here for me to return to Paris.
* * * * *
_November 17th.--Suspension of arms signed at Charlottenburg._
_November 19th.--French occupy Hamburg._
_November 20th.--French occupy Hameln._
_November 21st.--French occupy Bremen. Berlin decree. Napoleon interdicts trade with England._
No. 13.
TO THE EMPRESS, AT MAYENCE.
_November 22, 1806_, 10 P.M.
Your letter received. I am sorry to find you in the dumps; yet you have every reason to be cheerful. You are wrong to show so much kindness to people who show themselves unworthy of it. Madame L---- is a fool; such an idiot that you ought to know her by this time, and pay no heed to her. Be contented, happy in my friendship, and in the great influence you possess. In a few days I shall decide whether to summon you hither or send you to Paris.
Adieu, dear; you can go at once, if you like, to Darmstadt, or to Frankfort; that will make you forget your troubles.
Kindest regards to Hortense.
NAPOLEON.
* * * * *
_November 25th.--Napoleon leaves Berlin._
No. 14.
TO THE EMPRESS, AT MAYENCE.
_Kustrin, November 26, 1806._
I am at Kustrin, making a tour and spying out the land a little; I shall see in a day or two whether you should come. You can keep ready. I shall be very pleased if the Queen of Holland be of the party. The Grand Duchess of Baden must write to her husband about it.
It is 2 A.M. I am just getting up; it is the usage of war.
Kindest regards to you and to every one.
NAPOLEON.
No. 15.
_November 27th.--Napoleon arrives at Posen._
TO THE EMPRESS, AT MAYENCE.
_Meseritz, November 27, 1806_, 2 A.M.
I am about to make a tour in Poland. This is the first town there. To-night I shall be at Posen, after which I shall send for you to come to Berlin, so that you can arrive there the same day as I. My health is good, the weather rather bad; it has rained for the past three days. My affairs prosper. The Russians are in flight.
Adieu, dear; kindest regards to Hortense, Stephanie, and the little Napoleons.
NAPOLEON.
* * * * *
_November 28th.--Murat enters Warsaw. French occupy Duchies of Mecklenburg._
No. 16.
TO THE EMPRESS, AT MAYENCE.
_Posen, November 29, 1806, Noon._
I am at Posen, capital of Great Poland. The cold weather has set in; I am in good health. I am about to take a circuit round Poland. My troops are at the gates of Warsaw.
Adieu, dear; very kindest regards, and a hearty embrace.
No. 17.
_December 2nd.--Glogau surrenders to Vandamme._
TO THE EMPRESS, AT MAYENCE.
_Posen, December 2, 1806._
To-day is the anniversary of Austerlitz. I have been to a city ball. It is raining; I am in good health. I love you and long for you. My troops are at Warsaw. So far the cold has not been severe. All these fair Poles are Frenchwomen at heart; but there is only one woman for me. Would you know her? I could draw her portrait very well; but I should have to flatter it too much for you to recognise yourself;--yet, to tell the truth, my heart would only have nice things to say to you. These nights are long, all alone.--Yours ever,
NAPOLEON.
No. 18.
TO THE EMPRESS, AT MAYENCE.
_December 3, 1806, Noon._
Yours of November 26th received. I notice two things in it. You say I do not read your letters: it is an unkind thought. I take your bad opinion anything but kindly. You tell me that perhaps it is a mere phantasy of the night, and you add that you are not jealous. I found out long ago that angry persons always assert that they are not angry; that those who are afraid keep on repeating that they have no fear; you therefore are convinced of jealousy. I am delighted to hear it! Nevertheless, you are wrong; I think of nothing less, and in the desert plains of Poland one thinks little about beauties....
I had yesterday a ball of the provincial nobility--the women good-looking enough, rich enough, dowdy enough, although in Paris fashions.
Adieu, dear; I am in good health.--Yours ever,
NAPOLEON.
No. 19.
TO THE EMPRESS, AT MAYENCE.
_Posen, December 3, 1806_, 6 P.M.
Yours of November 27th received, from which I see that your little head is quite turned. I am reminded of the verse--
"Desir de femme est un feu qui devore."
Still you must calm yourself. I wrote you that I was in Poland; that, when we were established in winter quarters, you could come; you will have to wait a few days. The greater one becomes, the less one can consult one's wishes--being dependent on events and circumstances. You can come to Frankfort or Darmstadt. I am hoping to send for you in a few days; that is, if circumstances will permit. The warmth of your letter makes me realise that you, like other pretty women, know no bounds. What you will, must be; but, as for me, I declare that of all men I am the greatest slave; my master has no pity, and this master is the nature of things.
Adieu, dear; keep well. The person that I wished to speak to you about is Madame L----, of whom every one is speaking ill; they assure me that she is more Prussian than French woman. I don't believe it, but I think her an idiot who talks nothing but trash.
NAPOLEON.
* * * * *
_December 6th.--Thorn (on the Vistula) occupied by Ney._
No. 20.
TO THE EMPRESS, AT MAYENCE.
_Posen, December 9, 1806._
Yours of December 1st received. I see with pleasure that you are more cheerful; that the Queen of Holland wishes to come with you. I long to give the order; but you must still wait a few days. My affairs prosper.
Adieu, dear; I love you and wish to see you happy.
NAPOLEON.
No. 21.
TO THE EMPRESS, AT MAYENCE.
_Posen, December 10, 1806_, 5 P.M.
An officer has just brought me a rug, a gift from you; it is somewhat short and narrow, but I thank you for it none the less. I am in fair health. The weather is very changeable. My affairs prosper pretty well. I love you and long for you much.
Adieu, dear; I shall write for you to come with at least as much pleasure as you will have in coming.--Yours ever,
NAPOLEON.
A kiss to Hortense, Stephanie, and Napoleon.
* * * * *
_December 11th.--Davoust forces the passage of the Bug._
No. 22.
_December 12th.--Treaty of peace and alliance between France and Saxony signed at Posen._
TO THE EMPRESS, AT MAYENCE.
_Posen, December 12th, 1806_, 7 P.M.
_My Dear_,--I have not received any letters from you, but know, nevertheless, that you are well. My health is good, the weather very mild; the bad season has not begun yet, but the roads are bad in a country where there are no highways. Hortense will come then with Napoleon; I am delighted to hear it. I long to see things shape themselves into a position to enable you to come.
I have made peace with Saxony. The Elector is King and one of the confederation.
Adieu, my well-beloved Josephine.--Yours ever,
NAPOLEON.
A kiss to Hortense, Napoleon, and Stephanie.
Paeer, the famous musician, his wife, a virtuoso whom you saw at Milan twelve years ago, and Brizzi are here; they give me a little music every evening.
No. 23.
TO THE EMPRESS, AT MAYENCE.
_December 15, 1806_, 3 P.M.