Part 2
Surveying their entrenched camp from the heights above with Murat, he said, “Go how it may, the battle of tomorrow will decide the fate of the world.” “Of this army, at least,” answered Murat; “but the Turks have no cavalry, and, if ever infantry were charged by horse, they shall be so by mine.”
On the 25th the attack was commenced by the French, and resisted for some time by the Turks with success. Murat, at length, was able to charge their main body in flank, when the troops became panic-stricken, and the battle was changed into a massacre; and numerous Turks, to escape the swords of the French, precipitated themselves into the sea, where they were nearly all drowned. This eventful day crowned the labors of Buonaparte in Egypt with glory and honor; and after the victory, Kleber, in a transport of admiration, pressed Napoleon in his arms, saying, “General! you are the greatest of men!”
[Illustration: “YOU ARE THE GREATEST OF MEN”.]
NAPOLEON INSCRIBING HIS NAME AT MOUNT SINAI.
Napoleon, having crossed the Red Sea, at the ford, was met on the opposite shore, by a deputation of Cenobites from Mount Sinai. These monks threw themselves at his feet, imploring his protection; and after having invoked the blessings of heaven on his head, they presented for his signature the ancient register of their privileges. Napoleon smiled at their request; he took the pen, and no doubt flattered by an homage so extraordinary, signed his name already immortal beside those of Ali, of Saladin, and of Ibrahim.
[Illustration: NAPOLEON INSCRIBING HIS NAME ON MOUNT SINAI.]
NAPOLEON AT MALMAISON.
Toward the close of the year 1799, Napoleon occupied the palace of the Luxembourg. Several courtiers thought that a palace in the country should also be allotted to his use. He had lived at Malmaison, but this was considered unsuitable for the abode of the chief of a great republic and it was decided that St. Cloud should be offered him. This he chose to decline.
In August, 1802, Napoleon was made consul for life. The court then became such as it had been at Versailles under the Bourbons. A French writer says, that when at the Tuileries, “he found it a tiresome abode; there he had no freedom--no liberty. His happiest days were spent at Malmaison. Great in himself, he appeared still greater in that charming retreat.”
Having formerly refused St. Cloud at the hands of the people, he now took it on his own authority. There he had less leisure than at Malmaison, as etiquette was augmented in proportion to the grandeur of his establishment.
Josephine suffered more from this new state of things than any other individual. She was much attached to Malmaison; it was there she had spent many happy hours with her dearest friends. She was often heard to say, “How all this excitement fatigues and wearies me! I have not a moment to myself! I ought to have been the wife of an humble cottager.”
[Illustration: NAPOLEON AT MALMAISON.]
THE BATTLE OF MARENGO.
On the 11th of June, 1800, and in the evening after the battle of Montebello, General Desaix arrived at headquarters. The two generals conversed with each other nearly the whole night. Desaix had much to tell of Egypt, since Napoleon had quitted it; and he now burned to distinguish himself in the Italian campaign. Napoleon immediately gave him the command of a division.
Early in the morning on the 14th of June, the Austrians commenced a furious attack on the village of Marengo. The First Consul found it necessary to call in Desaix, who was now half a day’s journey distant from headquarters, where he had been sent to watch the road to Genoa. Napoleon arrived on the field at ten o’clock, when the enemy was in possession of Marengo, and the division under Victor was completely routed. He sent his guard to Victor’s aid, and assisted himself in the support of Lannes, directing the division of Carra-Saint-Cyr upon the extreme right, in order to take in flank the whole left wing of the enemy.
At the moment when the Austrian horse were about to rush on Lannes’ retreating corps, the reserve under Desaix appeared on the outskirts of the field. Desaix himself riding up to the First Consul with “I think this is a battle lost.” “I think it is a battle won,” answered Napoleon, “do you push on, and I will speedily rally the line behind you.” And in effect the timely arrival of this reserve turned the fortune of the day.
[Illustration: THE BATTLE OF MARENGO.]
THE BATTLE OF ABOUKIR.
The Turkish outposts were assaulted early on the morning of the 24th of July, 1799, and driven in with great slaughter; but the French, as they advanced, came within range of the batteries and of the ships that lay close by the shore, and were checked. This might have ended in a rout, but for the undisciplined eagerness with which the Turks engaged in the task of despoiling those that fell before them--thus giving Murat the opportunity of charging their main body in flank with his cavalry, at the moment when the infantry, rallying under the eye of Napoleon, forced their way into the intrenchments. From that moment, the battle was a massacre. The Turks, attacked on all sides, were panic-stricken; and the sea was covered with the turbans of men who flung themselves headlong into the waves, rather than await the fury of _Le Beau Sabreur_, or the steady rolling fire of the _Sultan Kebir_. Six thousand surrendered at discretion; twelve thousand perished on the field, or in the sea.
[Illustration: THE BATTLE OF ABOUKIR.]
THE REVIEW BY THE FIRST CONSUL.
On the 17th Brumaire (November 9th, 1799), Napoleon intimated to the officers of the army, that he would review their regiments the next morning at seven o’clock; he at the same time reminded all the generals who had been with him in Egypt, that he would be glad to see them at an early hour.
On November 10th, the Council of the Ancients assembled at six o’clock in the morning; when it was proposed to remove their sitting to St. Cloud that Napoleon might be invested with the command of the 17th military division. The motion was passed as a decree, though not without a strong opposition.
An hour after, Napoleon, surrounded by a great number of generals and officers, of every grade, attended at the bar of the assembly to return thanks for the confidence they had shown in him; and then returned to the Tuileries to review the troops.
As soon as it was reported throughout the capital that Napoleon was at the Tuileries, and that the chief power was now vested in him. The people ran thither in crowds. A proclamation was addressed to the people, and another to the soldiers.
[Illustration: THE REVIEW BY THE FIRST CONSUL.]
NAPOLEON AT MOUNT ST. BERNARD.
The original picture from which this engraving is copied, ornaments the library at the _Hotel des Invalides_. It was painted at the express command of Napoleon.
The first consul left Paris for Dijon, on the 6th of May, 1800, where the reserve army was being organized. At Geneva, he had an interview with the chief of engineers, for the purpose of ascertaining the
## particulars of the intended route; especially directing his inquiries to
the difficult passage across St. Bernard. At the close of the interview, Napoleon said, “Do you believe, then, that the army will be able to accomplish this?” “Yes, General,” replied the intrepid engineer, “it is possible for French soldiers.” “Ah well!” said Napoleon, “let us attempt it then.” And the orders were immediately given for the army to commence its march.
On the 15th, at the head of 30,000 of his troops, Napoleon began the ascent of St. Bernard. From St. Pierre to the summit the trail was so narrow that the troops were obliged to move in single file. In the course of a few days he performed what General Suvaroff had not dared to undertake in the preceding year: and thus the name of Napoleon was placed on the list with Hannibal and Charlemagne.
[Illustration: BONAPARTE AT MOUNT ST. BERNARD.]
THE DEATH OF DESAIX.
At three o’clock in the afternoon, Napoleon took up his position on the road to San Juliano. “Soldiers!” he cried, “we have retreated far enough, now let us advance! You know it is my custom to sleep on the battle field!” Desaix was ordered to throw himself with his fresh troops upon the 6000 grenadiers of Colonel Zach. Desaix prepared to carry out these orders, but was shot dead at the first fire. “Alas! I must not weep,” said Napoleon; but the loss of this esteemed general redoubled the fury of the troops. Zach himself was taken prisoner; and the next day Melas entered into a negotiation, offering to abandon Genoa, and all the strong places in Piedmont, Lombardy, and the Legations,--provided Napoleon would allow him to march the shattered remains of his army unmolested to the rear of Mantua; this offer Napoleon accepted, and thus became the conqueror of Italy.
[Illustration: THE DEATH OF DESAIX.]
CORONATION OF NAPOLEON.
This imposing ceremony was performed on the 2d of December, 1804, in the Cathedral of Notre Dame, in the midst of all that was splendid and illustrious in the Capital of France. With a view to show his power rather than to acknowledge the jurisdiction of the Pope, either temporal or spiritual, Napoleon summoned Pius VII. to be in attendance on the day of his inauguration at Paris. In compliance with this, the unresisting Pope left Rome on the 5th of November, and blessed the Emperor and Empress, and also consecrated the diadems. Napoleon, however, placed the crown on his own head, and then on the head of Josephine, who received it kneeling on a cushion at the foot of the altar steps. We are told that “throughout the ceremonial his aspect was thoughtful; it was on a stern and gloomy brow that with his own hands he planted the symbol of successful ambition and uneasy power, and the shouts of the deputies present, sounded faint and hollow amidst the silence of the people.”
[Illustration: THE CORONATION OF NAPOLEON.]
THE FIRST CORPS CROSSES THE MAINE.
Admiral Villeneuve in engaging in the disastrous battle of Trafalgar, spoiled the great plan of descending upon England.
The illustrious Pitt took means to avert the storm which menaced the British Isles. A treaty of alliance was signed by Russia and Austria, and the third coalition against France was formed. Napoleon gave orders for breaking up the camp at Boulogne; and, whilst a portion of the army commenced their march toward Strasburg, Marshal Bernadotte issued orders to occupy the fortresses of Hameln and Nienburgh, with the 19th regiment of the line. General Marunno was at the same time ordered to break up his camp at Zeist, to quit Holland and ascend the Rhine, arriving upon the Maine with the First corps of the army, to take part in any subsequent operations.--_September 17, 1805._
[Illustration: THE FIRST CORPS CROSSING THE MAINE.]
THE FOURTH CORPS AT DONAWERTH.
Napoleon had crossed the Rhine with his army.
The left wing, composed of the corps under Marshal Bernadotte, and of that under General Marmont, with the Bavarian army, set out on the 1st and 2d of October for Weissenburg.
Marshal Davoust, leaving Neckarels, followed the road to Meikumlh, Ingelfrugen, Chreilsheim, Drinkelspuhl, Frembdingen, Œttingen, and Haarburg.
Marshal Soult advanced upon the Danube.
Ney, leaving Stuttgart, followed the road to Nattheim.
Marshal Lannes quitted Ludwisburg, and directed his march towards Nordeingen.
On the 6th of October the army held the following positions:--
Bernadotte at Weissenburg.
Davoust at Altingen upon the Wernitz.
Soult, master of the bridge of Munster, at the gates of Donawerth.
Ney at Kossingen.
Lannes at Neresheim.
And the cavalry, under Murat, along the Danube.
The second division of that portion of the army under Marshal Soult, commanded by General Vandamme, having arrived at Donawerth on the evening of the 6th, had the honor of beginning the attack on the Austrian Army.
[Illustration: THE 4th CORPS AT DONAWERTH.]
THE EMPEROR’S ARRIVAL AT AUGSBURG.
Napoleon exhibited to his officers and soldiers an example of indefatigable activity. On horseback, night and day, he was continually in the midst of his troops, and chiefly where he thought his presence most necessary to excite the energy of his soldiers. He did not forget that similar conduct had mainly contributed to his success in Italy; and he was wise enough to see the importance of inducing those under his command, by constantly observing their actions, to expect that he would appreciate their services, and reward them with liberality.
Ney had received orders to bear down upon Ulm. Murat advanced upon Burgau, and sought to cut off the retreat of the enemy.
The French army, since crossing the Danube, had succeeded in cutting off the communication between some parts of the enemy’s army; and Napoleon, arriving at Augsburg on the evening of the 10th of October, 1805, made preparations to destroy the remainder.
Napoleon met the troops under General Marmont, at the bridge of Lech, on the day just named. Here he had the regiment formed into a circle, and harangued them in the manner of the Roman emperors.
M. Gautherot has endeavored to portray this scene, of which another engraving and description will be found in another part of this work.
[Illustration: THE EMPEROR’S ARRIVAL AT AUGSBURG.]
NAPOLEON CROWNED KING OF ITALY.
Amid the great events which were then being enacted, one--not the least in importance--awaited the Emperor of France in the capital of the Cisalpine Republic, now become the kingdom of Italy. The Italians decided to offer the crown to the conqueror of Arcola and Marengo, and in pursuance of that decision they dispatched a deputation to Paris. Accepting that offer, Napoleon and the Empress Josephine repaired to Milan, where they were crowned on the 26th of May, 1805, with unusual splendor. On this occasion, as at Paris, Napoleon himself placed the crown upon his own head; and, when taking it from the altar, he exclaimed aloud, “_God gives it to me; beware who touches it!_” On the 8th of June, Prince Eugene, the adopted son of Napoleon, was proclaimed Viceroy of Italy; and the French Emperor returned to his army, to make preparations for the memorable campaign of Austerlitz.
[Illustration: NAPOLEON CROWNED KING OF ITALY.]
NAPOLEON CROSSING THE RHINE AT KEHL.
On September 21st, 1805, the three divisions under Bernadotte, took their position at Butzbach, in the province of Gros-Herzogth; and on the 30th of the same month, the whole army was united before Wurtzburg. General Marmont arrived at Mayence with his corps, joining Bernadotte and the Bavarians.
The different columns of the army arrived successively upon the Rhine from the 20th to the 26th of September; these corps were commanded by Marshals Soult, Davoust, Ney, and Lannes; Murat commanding the reserve of cavalry. They formed a line of which the right was at Strasburg, the centre at Spire, and the left at Mayence.
The reserve of cavalry, composed of five divisions, crossed the Rhine on the 25th of September, at Kehl. Lannes and his corps, consisting of the grenadiers under Oudinot, and of a division under Suchet, crossed the Rhine at the same place; and Marshal Ney, with his divisions, under Dupont, Loison, and Malher, and the dragoons of Baragny d’Hilliers, followed on the 26th.
Soult with the divisions of Vandamme, Legrand, and St. Hilaire, effected his passage at Spire; and Davoust at Manheim at the head of the divisions under Friant, Gudin, and Bouvrier.
[Illustration: NAPOLEON CROSSING THE RHINE AT KEHL.]
THE FOURTH CORPS ENTERING AUGSBURG.
General Vandamme, in the action at Donawerth, routed the regiment of Colloredo, who defended the bridge, killed about 60 men and took 150 prisoners. Marshal Soult hastened to the bridge, and bore down upon Augsburg with the division under Vandamme and Legrand; while St. Hilaire marched his troops up the left bank of the Danube, to watch the movements of the army collected round Ulm, and afterward, followed the two divisions we have just named.
Murat arrived at Donawerth on the morning of the 7th of October, 1805, with the dragoons commanded by General Walter, and crossed the river to bear down rapidly upon the Lech. Colonel Wathier, at the head of 200 dragoons of the Fourth Regiment, crossed that river by swimming, to occupy the bridge on the road to Rain. A regiment of Austrian cuirassiers made some efforts at resistance, but were charged so gallantly by Wathier and his small handful of men that the bridge remained in the hands of the French.
Napoleon, who accompanied the corps under Lannes, took up his quarters at Zusmershausen, where he reviewed the cavalry under Murat, as well as the two divisions under Oudinot and Suchet.
Marshal Soult, after having manœuvred with Legrand’s division on the 7th and 8th of October, rejoined that of Vandamme, to make for Augsburg by the right bank of the Lech; whilst St. Hilaire pursued the same course on the left. Soult met with the _debris_ of the Austrian column, beaten and dispersed, at Wertingen; from which village he drove them, and entered Augsburg.
[Illustration: THE 4th CORPS ENTERING AUGSBURG.]
NAPOLEON ADDRESSES THE ARMY.
The second corps of the Grand Army, commanded by General Marmont, was on a forced march to take its position upon the heights of Illersheim, near Augsburg. The Emperor was by the bridge of Lech, and each regiment was ordered to form a circle, and Napoleon addressed them on the situation. He said a serious engagement was probably at hand, and expressed his confidence in their bravery. Notwithstanding the bad weather, and the severe cold, while they listened to his harangue, the soldiers appeared to forget their fatigue and pant for the combat.
Such was the subject given to Gautherot, when commanded to paint this picture. Napoleon occupies the middle of the scene; near him is Marshal Bassieres holding his baton; and at a little distance mounted upon a horse which is leaping forward, we observe General Marmont, Deputy-Marshal. In the back-ground stands the city of Augsburg. The whole of the surrounding country is covered with snow.
[Illustration: NAPOLEON ADDRESSES THE ARMY.]
THE SURRENDER OF ULM.
On the 29th of October, 1805, the Austrians surrendered Ulm to Napoleon.
In execution of the articles of capitulation, the Austrian troops passed in review before the Emperor, with all the honors of war. This ceremony began at two o’clock in the afternoon and continued until seven o’clock in the evening. The number of the prisoners was estimated at 30,000--2000 of them cavalry. Sixty pieces of cannon and forty flags were delivered into the hands of the conquerors, who were encamped on the hills above the city.
The Emperor, surrounded by his guard, caused the Austrian generals to be brought before him; they were, General Mack, Commander-in-Chief; eight Lieutenant-Generals, and eight Major-Generals. Napoleon treated them with great respect, and said, “Gentlemen, the Emperor, your master maintains an unjust war against me. I tell you with candor, I know not wherefore he fights with me; I know not what he demands of me.” Then directing their attention to the French troops ranged upon the hills in battle array, he added: “It is not in this army alone that my strength consists; were it so indeed, I would still endeavor to force my way with that alone; but I refer you to the reports which your soldiers, whom I now send prisoners to France, shall furnish; they will see the spirit which animates my people, and with what zeal they will rally round my standard.”
[Illustration: THE SURRENDER OF ULM.]
NAPOLEON RECEIVING THE KEYS OF VIENNA.
On the 10th of November, 1805, Mortier met the rear guard of the Russians, 25,000 strong, and defeated them after a combat of several hours, having with him only 5000 French troops.
On the following morning, the citizens of Vienna, whom the Austrian Emperor had abandoned, opened the gates of that capital to the French Emperor.
Let us see what was said in one of the bulletins of this magical campaign:
“The Emperor has not yet received any of the authorities of Vienna, except a deputation from the different bodies of the city, who, on the day of his arrival, met him at Sigarts-Kirchen. They were composed of the Prince of Seuzendorf, the prelate of Seidenstetten, the Count of Veterani, the Baron de Kees, the Burgomaster of the city, M. de Wohebben, and General Burgeois.
“His majesty received them with much condescension, and told them that they might assure the people of Vienna of his protection.
“General Clarke is named Governor-General of Lower Austria; Darn is appointed Intendant General.”
Girodet has chosen his subject from this fragment of the bulletin. On the side of the Emperor are the Princes Murat and Neufchatel, Marshal Bessieres, and other officers of different ranks.
[Illustration: NAPOLEON RECEIVING THE KEYS OF VIENNA.]
THE MORNING OF AUSTERLITZ.
At one o’clock in the morning of December 2d, 1805, the Emperor mounted his horse, to take a survey of his position, and to ascertain from the advance guards what they had observed of the movements of the Russians. He wished to do so without being recognized, but the soldiery recognized him immediately, and, lighting great fires of straw all along the line, received him from post to post with enthusiasm. They reminded him that this was the anniversary of his coronation and assured him that they would celebrate the day in a manner worthy of it: ‘only promise us,’ cried an old grenadier, ‘that you will keep yourself out of range.’ “I will do so,” answered Napoleon. “I shall be with the reserve _until you need me_.” This pledge, which so completely reveals the mutual confidence of the leader and his soldiers, he repeated in a proclamation issued at day break. The sun rose with unusual splendor; and was the harbinger of one of the most lovely days in autumn. This engagement, which the soldiers persist in calling the battle of the three emperors, will be ever memorable in the calendar of the “_great_” nation.
The Emperor surrounded by his staff, gave his last orders at dawn and each marshal hastened to rejoin his corps.
[Illustration: THE MORNING OF AUSTERLITZ.]
PRESENTATION OF AUSTRIAN ENSIGNS TO THE FRENCH SENATE.
After the battle of Austerlitz, where the Austrian power was so nearly destroyed, the French conqueror sent a _fasceau_ of ensigns to the tribunes, to be presented to the Senate which had seconded by its decrees the organization of the army.
It was in the hall where the sittings were held before the marble statues of all the great men of ancient days that the tribunes, bearing the Austrian eagles came in a body to offer them to the first dignitaries in France. The tribunes entered, clothed in their rich costumes, which contrasted well with the color of the warlike trophies they bore.
On the left of the picture, the President is seated to receive the deputation, surrounded by his secretaries. The Duke of Dantzic appears by his gesture to direct the proceedings. On the same side we observe the Chancellor of the Legion of Honor, and two other senators. On the right some other members of the Senate seem to congratulate one another on participating in such an honorable event. These are portraits. The sumptuous vestments and the hats ornamented with plumes, which the artist has introduced with much ingenuity, contribute to render the foreground of the picture effective.
[Illustration: PRESENTATION OF AUSTRIAN ENSIGNS TO THE FRENCH SENATE.]
THE 76TH REGIMENT RECOVERING ITS COLORS.