now advanced on the left in front of La Haye Sainte. He ordered General
Reille to concentrate the whole of his corps near Hougomont and make an
attack. He then sent General Friant to support the cavalry on the plain
with four battalions of the middle guard. If, by sudden charge, they
could break and disorder the centre of the British line before the
columns of Blucher could force their way into the plain, a last chance
of success still remained. Blucher was hurrying on to La Haye; there was
not a moment to lose!
The attack was made, the infantry drove back all that opposed them, and
repeated charges of the French cavalry disordered the hostile ranks.
Presently some battalions of the Old Guard came up. They too were going
to the attack to retrieve the ground lost by the young guard who had
fallen back, for, as Thiers says, "It is the privilege of the Old Guard
to repair every disaster." The Emperor ranged his veterans by brigades;
two battalions being in line, and two in column. As he rode along in
front of these battle-scarred battalions, he said, "My friends, the
decisive moment is come; it will not do to fire; you must come hand to
hand with the enemy, and drive them back at the point of the bayonet
into the ravine whence they have issued to threaten the army, the Empire
and France."
General Friant was now carried by, wounded. He said that all was going
well, but that the attack could not be successful till the balance of
the Guard were employed. This movement could not be effected on the
instant and in a few minutes it was too late, as the Prussians were
coming up in great numbers. The British still stood on the defensive and
Blucher had reached the village of La Haye. A violent struggle now
ensued, but it was of brief duration; the overwhelming mass of fresh men
soon bore down all opposition.
The Duke of Wellington now prepared,--for the first time during the
day,--to advance his entire line. He was aware that the decisive moment
was at hand and that his safety, as well as that of his gallant men,
depended on this last effort.
A panic soon seized some of the French soldiers, exhausted and maddened
by the terrible strain they had undergone during the day, and at the
sudden appearance before them of the dark mass of fresh assailants, the
cry of "Sauve qui peut!" (Every man for himself!) was raised. The
disorder soon became general and the men fled as the columns of
Prussians poured into the plain.
Napoleon instantly changed the front of the Guard so as to throw its
left on La Haye Sainte and its right on La Belle Alliance; he then met
the fugitives and led them back to their post. They at once faced the
Prussians, whom they immediately charged. The fresh brigade of the
English cavalry from Ohain arrived at this crisis and forced their way
between General Reille's corps and the Guard, to their utter separation.
The Emperor now ordered his four reserve squadrons to charge the fresh
brigade of English cavalry but their attack met with no success. As he
was leading the four battalions destined to their place of attack on the
Charleroi road he met Ney, who was greatly excited, and who declared
that the cavalry would certainly give way if a large reinforcement of
infantry did not immediately arrive. Napoleon gave him the battalions he
was bringing up and promised to send six more.
The ranks of the French were now in general confusion all over the
field. Napoleon had barely time to gallop into one of the squares of the
Guard which still maintained its position; Ney, Jerome, Soult, Bertrand,
Druot, Corbineau, de Flahaut, Labedoyere, Gourgaud and others drew their
swords, became soldiers again and followed close to their chiefs heels.
They entered the square of the last battalion of reserve,--the
illustrious and unfortunate remains of the "granite column" of the
fields of Marengo, who had remained unshaken amidst the tumultuous waves
of the army. The old grenadiers, incapable of fear for themselves, were
alarmed at the danger threatening the Emperor, and appealed to him to
withdraw. "Retire" said one of them, "You see that death shuns you!" The
Emperor resisted, and commanded them to fire.
The four battalions of the Guard, and the cavalry which had so long held
the plains below in opposition to the whole Anglo-Belgian army, were
being rapidly depleted. Wellington had ordered Maitland's guards to fire
on them at short range as they moved forward for the last time. The
sudden shock did not cause the advancing soldiers to stop, but closing
their ranks they continued to push on. They were soon beaten, however,
by overwhelming numbers of cavalry, both English and Prussian, and were
at last compelled to retire that they might not be cut off from the
centre of the army, while the enemy continued to advance, preceded by
their artillery, which poured forth a most destructive fire.
But one last effort to stem the torrent still remained. If the British
centre could be broken, and their advance checked, some favorable chance
was just possible. The Emperor therefore ordered the advance of the
reserve infantry of the Imperial Guard,--the flower of his army. He
exhorted them, by a hasty personal appeal, and confided the direction of
their efforts to "the bravest of the brave," who had had five horses
killed under him and who now advanced on foot, sword in hand. The 2900
heroic stalwarts moved forward in two columns, headed by Ney, and
supported by a heavy fire of artillery, while four battalions of the Old
Guard, formed into squares, took post in their rear as a reserve and to
protect the march of the columns.
Either wing of the English had by this time advanced in consequence of
the repulses of the French and their line now presented a concave. They
were formed in an unbroken array, four deep, and as the French advanced
poured on them a shower which never intermitted, each man firing as
often as he could reload. Wellington gave the order to advance in the
familiar and brusque terms of, "Up guards and at them!" The English
wings kept moving on all the while; and when the heads of the French
columns, who continued to advance till within forty or fifty yards,
approached to this point, they were met with such a storm of musketry in
front, and on either flank, that they in vain endeavored to deploy into
line for the attack, under a terrific and unremitting fire. They stopped
to make this attempt, reeled, lost order, and the 800 men who were left
standing fled at last in one mass of confusion.
The Duke of Wellington now dismounted, placed himself at the head of his
line and led his men against the remaining numbers of four battalions
of the Old Guard--the only unbroken troops remaining behind, while Ney
was striving to rally his fugitives. His cocked hat was gone, and his
clothes were literally riddled with bullets, though he himself remained
untouched. The intrepid marshal, at Wellington's approach, took part
once more in the mêlée, sword in hand, and on foot. But nothing could
withstand the impetuous assault of the victorious British.
Napoleon, who had watched this last terrible contest from the heights of
La Belle Alliance suddenly exclaimed, "They are mingled together, all is
lost for the present," and accompanied by but three or four officers, he
gave the signal for retreat and hurried to the left of Planchenois, to a
second position, where he had placed a regiment of the Guard, with two
batteries in reserve.
The four battalions of the Old Guard, under General Cambronne, still
remained to protect the retreat of the French army. If they could
succeed in holding the British in check, and prevent their advance
during half an hour longer, darkness would enable the army to retreat in
safety, and partially recover its disorder by morning. The Old Guard
formed in square, flanked by a few pieces of artillery, and by a brigade
of red lancers. "The Duke of Wellington" says Captain Pringle, "now
ordered his whole line to advance and attack their position." They
advanced to the charge in embattled array, condensed and tremendous,
against the remnant of noble veterans of that old Imperial Guard, which,
during twenty years of slaughterous wars, had never once been
vanquished. Gathering round the standards of their former glory, they
received the dreadful onset with souls prepared for death. Nothing
could now withstand the vigor of the attack of the British soldiers who
thus had an opportunity to relieve their breasts of the heavy burden
they had borne all day when compelled, for hours, to stand the fierce
attacks of the French, being frequently driven back, and never making an
advance.
The Old Guard, as was to be expected, were beaten down,--slaughtered.
Their general, Cambronne, was called upon to surrender by some British
officers who seemed to revolt at the uneven contest. The only reply made
by him was,--not the generally believed, but inaccurate declaration
recorded by some historians, "The Old Guard dies, but does not
surrender!" but was a single word of military jargon frequently used by
French soldiers. Almost immediately afterwards he fell from his horse,
cut down by a fragment of a shell striking him on the head; but he would
not allow his men to leave their ranks to bear him away.
Once more these heroes, now reduced to but one hundred and fifty men,
are commanded to surrender; "We will not yield!" they answer back, and
discharging their muskets for the last time, rush on the cavalry and
with their bayonets, kill many men and horses, and then sink to the
earth exhausted or in death.
The Old Guard was destroyed,--not defeated! The advancing British troops
rode over their prostrate bodies piled in ghastly heaps,--a monument to
their valor and heroism, even in death. Ney, bareheaded, his clothes
hanging in shreds, and with his broken sword in his hand, seeing a
handful of his followers still remaining, ran forward to lead them
against a Prussian column that was pursuing them. As the fearless
marshal threw himself once more into the fray he exclaimed, "Come my
friends; come see how a marshal of France can die!" But his time had not
come: he was not destined to die upon the battlefield. His small band
was soon overpowered and scarcely two hundred escaped death. Rulliere,
who commanded the battalion, broke the flag-staff, hid the eagle beneath
his coat, and followed Ney who had been unhorsed for the fifth time, but
who was still unwounded. Under cover of the darkness they made their
escape.
The Emperor attempted to protect the retreat and rally the fugitives;
but it was now fast growing dark. The soldiers could not see him or they
might have rallied, while many believed the report that he had been
killed. "He is wounded," said some, "He is dead" cried others. Nothing
could be heard above the uproar and hideous confusion that everywhere
prevailed. The Prussian cavalry, supported by some battalions of
infantry, and the whole of Bulow's corps, now advanced by the right of
Planchenois.
In a few minutes the Emperor was almost surrounded by hostile forces. He
had formed the regiment into a square, and was still lingering, when
Marshal Soult seized the bridle of his horse, exclaimed that he would
not be killed, but taken prisoner, and, pulling him away, the Emperor at
last yielded to his destiny! Behind him on the battlefield lay 60,000
French, English and Prussians, dead or wounded. The battle of Waterloo
was lost and this hitherto almost invincible warrior was obliged to
gallop across the fields in the dark, amidst the whistling of the
Prussian bullets, and detachments of their cavalry which were scouring
the field in all directions.
Napoleon was so fatigued, on the road to Genappe, that he would no doubt
have fallen from his horse, had he not been supported by General
Gourgaud and two other persons, who remained his only attendants for
some time.
Wellington and Blucher met about 10 o'clock, at the farm-house of La
Belle Alliance, and after congratulating each other on the success of
the day, the Prussian commander, whose men were still fresh, eagerly
undertook to continue the pursuit during the night, while the English
general halted to rest his weary men and care for the dead and wounded.
The English loss on this eventful day was 100 officers slain and 500
wounded; very many mortally. The Duke who was himself exposed to great
danger throughout the day, and one other person, were the only two among
his numerous staff who escaped unhurt. The enemy, according to their own
accounts, lost over thirty thousand men, including Hanoverians, Belgian
troops of Nassau, Brunswick, etc.; those of the English army alone
amounted to 22,800; to which are to be added 8,000 to 10,000 Prussians.
Of the 72,000 men whom Napoleon headed in this, his 85th pitched battle
and greatest defeat, not more than 30,000 were ever again collected in
arms. The remainder were either killed or wounded on the battlefield, or
deserted and fled separately to their homes, or were murdered by the
Prussians who followed hard on the miserable and defenseless fugitives,
cutting down all they overtook without resistance or mercy.
Several French officers blew out their brains to escape their brutality
and some of the veterans of the Imperial Guard, who lay wounded upon the
battlefield, killed themselves when they heard the Emperor had lost the
battle, in order that they might not fall into the hands of the enemy,
or through remorse at the downfall of their chief.
Napoleon made a brief halt at Genappe, at about 11 o'clock at night; but
all his attempts to rally the frantic masses were in vain. He then
continued his course towards Quatre-Bras, where he dismounted at a
bivouac at about 1 o'clock in the morning. At Phillipville, he received
news of Grouchy's movements, and sent him word of the loss of Mont St.
Jean, (Waterloo).
At this point he caused orders to be dispatched to Generals Rapp,
Lecourbe and Lamarque, to proceed by forced marches to Paris, and to
commanders of fortified towns to defend themselves to the last
extremity. He also dictated two letters to his brother Joseph, one to be
communicated to the council of ministers relating imperfectly the fatal
issue of the day, and the other for his private perusal giving a
faithful account of the total rout of the army, and declaring that he
would soon have an army of 300,000 troops with which to oppose the
enemy. The Duke of Bassano (Maret) and Baron Fleury now came up and
greeted the Emperor who was much affected at meeting them, and was
scarcely able to suppress his emotions. He then prepared to set off in a
calash, accompanied by Bertrand. At Rocroi, where Napoleon stopped to
take refreshments, his attendants appeared in a pitiable state; their
clothes were covered with blood and dust, their looks were haggard, and
their eyes were filled with tears. Napoleon continued his journey to
Paris, via Laon, accompanied by two or three hundred fugitives, who had
been collected to form an escort, arriving at the capital on the evening
of the 20th of June.
XVII
CONCLUSION
The "military career" of Napoleon Bonaparte having ended at Waterloo,
but little remains to be added here. Other writers, especially those
noble self-sacrificing friends who shared with the Exile his life at St.
Helena, have told in detail of his weary hours on the rocks in the
Atlantic Ocean, and a brief summary of the events which finally ended in
Napoleon becoming a prisoner of England for life will only be recited.
The arrival of the Emperor at Paris had been preceded by the
news--received on June 19th, of the victories at Charleroi and Ligny,
and one hundred cannon had been fired in honor of his successes. On the
morning of the 21st it became known that the Emperor had arrived the
night before, at the Elysée. When he stopped at the flight of steps
leading to the palace General Druot, who had accompanied him exclaimed,
"All is lost!" "Except honor," answered Napoleon quickly. He had not
spoken before since leaving Laon.
Immediately on his arrival the Emperor was received by Caulaincourt--his
censor in prosperity and real friend in adversity. To him he said, with
head bowed by grief and fatigue, "The army performed prodigies; a panic
seized it, and all was lost. Ney conducted himself like a madman; he got
my cavalry massacred. I can say no more--I must have two hours' rest,
to enable me to prepare for business"; "I am choking here!" he exclaimed
a moment later, laying his hand upon his heart. After ordering a bath,
and a few moments silence he said: "My intention is to assemble the two
Chambers in an imperial sitting and demand the means of saving the
country."
He was then informed that the deputies appeared hostile towards him, and
were little disposed to grant his requests. While he remained in his
bath the ministers and great officers of state hastened towards the
Elysée. When they arrived, his clothes were still covered with dust, as
he had left the field of Waterloo; yet, exhausted by the fatigues of
three battles, and the dreadful events of his flight and the hurry of
his journey being still vivid in his mind, he gave a rapid but distinct
view of the resources of the country, the strength already organized for
resistance, and the far greater power still capable of development.
Among his listeners were his brothers Joseph and Lucien.
While consulting with his ministers, presided over by Joseph, on the
morning of the 21st, as to what manner he should inform the Chambers of
his great misfortune, news was received that both assemblies had met on
learning of his defeat and resolutions passed,--one of which declared
the State to be in danger, and the other that their own sittings be made
permanent. Thus the Chamber of Representatives overturned the new
constitution, and put aside the authority of the Emperor. These
resolutions were also adopted by the Chamber of Peers. Lucien Bonaparte,
and some of Napoleon's more intimate friends, wished him to instantly
put himself at the head of 6,000 of the Imperial Guard, who were then in
the capital, and dissolve the Senate, which was unfriendly to him. The
Emperor, however, was undecided; as Lucien said of him ever after
that, "the smoke of Mont St. Jean had turned his brain."
[Illustration: From a Painting by C. Steuben
NAPOLEON AT WATERLOO]
Late in the evening of the 21st Napoleon held a council to which the
presidents and vice presidents of both Chambers were admitted, but no
decision was arrived at. Lafayette, the friend of Washington, declared
that nothing could be done until "a great sacrifice could be made." The
Emperor heard all in silence and broke up the meeting without having
come to any decision.
"I have often asked myself," said Napoleon to Las Casas at St Helena,
"whether I have done for the French people all that they could expect of
me--for that people did much for me. Will they ever know all that I
suffered during the night that preceded my final decision? In that night
of anguish and uncertainty, I had to choose between two great courses;
the one was to save France by violence, and the other to yield to the
general impulse." He finally decided that abdication was the only step
he could adopt, and his determination was taken.
Early next morning--the 22d--the Chambers again met, and the necessity
of the Emperor's abdication was discussed with vigor. It was demanded on
all hands, and without any reservation or condition whatever. Finally,
Lafayette instructed that word should be sent Napoleon that he would be
given an hour in which to abdicate, and be told if he had not done so by
that time he would be deposed. Between noon and 1 o'clock the abdication
was signed and carried by Carnot to the Chamber of Peers, and by Fouché
to the Chamber of Deputies.
When Fouché appeared, the Deputies were about to declare the Emperor
deposed, and he saved them that trouble by producing the following
proclamation, in the handwriting of Joseph Bonaparte, to whom it had
been dictated, and addressed to the French people:
"Frenchmen! When I began war for the maintenance of the national
independence, I relied upon the union of all efforts, all wills
and all the national authorities. I had reason to hope for
success, and I braved all the declarations of the powers against
my person. Circumstances appear to be changed. I offer myself as
a sacrifice to the hatred against France. May they prove sincere
in their declarations, and to have aimed only at me! My
political life is ended. I proclaim my son under the title of
Napoleon II., Emperor of the French. The present ministers will
provisionally form the council of the Government. The interest
which I take in my son induces me to recommend the Chambers
should immediately enact a law for the organization of a
Regency; unite together for the general safety, and to the end
of securing your national independence. Done at the Palace of
the Elysée, June the 22d, 1815.--NAPOLEON."
The Chambers had awaited this reply in a state of the greatest
impatience in both houses. In the Chamber of Peers, Carnot, having
received some exaggerated accounts of the force and success of Grouchy,
endeavored to persuade the Assembly that the marshal must ere then have
added 60,000 men at Laon to Soult, the relics of Waterloo, thus forming
an army capable, under proper guidance, of yet effectually retrieving
the affairs of France.
Ney, who had arrived in Paris the same morning, declared otherwise.
"Grouchy" said he, "cannot have more than twenty, or at most, more than
twenty-five thousand men; and as to Soult, I myself commanded the Guard
in the last assault--I saw them all massacred before I left the field.
Be assured there is but one course,--negotiate and recall the Bourbons.
In their return I see nothing but the certainty of being shot as a
deserter. I shall seek all I have henceforth to hope for in America.
Take you the only course that remains for France."
Ney's prophecy was soon to be fulfilled, for on the return of the
Bourbons to the throne he was shot as a traitor to France, although, as
has been frequently said of him, he fought more than five hundred
battles for his country and never raised arms against her!
A deputation from the Senate waited on the Emperor at the Elysée, and in
respectful terms thanked him for the sacrifice he had made, but he was
unable to exact from them the avowal that his abdication necessarily
carried with it the immediate proclamation of Napoleon II.
The Emperor, for the last time clothed in imperial garb, and surrounded
by his great officers of state, received the deputation with calmness
and dignity. "I thank you for the sentiments which you express," he
said, "I desire that my abdication may produce the happiness of France;
but I cannot hope it; the State is left by it without a chief, without a
political existence. The time lost in overturning the Empire might have
been employed in placing France in a position to crush the enemy. I
recommend that the Chamber promptly reinforce the armies; whoever wishes
for peace must be ready for war. Do not place this great nation at the
mercy of strangers. Beware of being deceived in your hopes. This is the
real danger. In whatever position I may be placed, I shall always be
satisfied, if France is happy."
He perceived clearly that there was no hope for his son. Thus ended the
second reign--the "Hundred Days" of Napoleon. His public career was
ended. The council of ministers broke up, and the palace of the Elysée
soon presented the appearance of being deserted. Napoleon, surrounded
only by a few friends, had now become a private individual. When
Caulaincourt advised him to seek safety from the Allies in flight to the
United States, he replied; "What have I to fear? I have abdicated--it is
the business of France to protect me!"
The repeated protestations of Napoleon and his friends, that unless
Napoleon II. was recognized the abdication of his father was null, and
that the country that could hesitate about such an act of justice was
worthy of nothing but slavery, began to produce a powerful effect among
the soldiery in Paris, and Napoleon was called upon to signify to the
army that he no longer claimed any authority over them, to which he
complied.
A provisional government was now proclaimed, consisting of Fouché,
Carnot, Caulaincourt and Generals Grenier and Quinette, and installed in
the Tuileries. Fouché declared that Napoleon's continued presence at the
capital might produce disturbance, and Carnot was deputed to request him
to withdraw to Malmaison, which he was compelled to do on the 25th.
Arriving there he soon became aware of the fact that he was in effect a
prisoner, for Fouché's police surrounded him on all sides--ostensibly
"to protect his person." It was at Malmaison, in compliance with the
suggestions of some members of the government, that Napoleon addressed
his last proclamation to the army; "Soldiers!" he said, "When I yield to
the necessity which forces me to separate myself from the brave French
army, I take away with me the happy conviction that it will justify, by
the eminent services which the country expects from it, the high
character which our enemies themselves are not able to refuse to it.
Soldiers! I shall follow your steps, though absent. I know all the
corps, and not one among them will obtain a single advantage over the
enemy that I shall not render homage to the courage which it will have
shown. You, and I, have been calumniated. Men, incapable of appreciating
your actions, have seen, in the marks of attachment which you have given
me, a zeal of which I was the whole object; let your future success
teach them that it was the country, above all, that you served in
obeying me, and that if I have any part in your affection, I owe it to
my ardent love of France, our common mother. Soldiers, some efforts
more, and the coalition will be destroyed. Napoleon will know you by the
blows that you will give to it. Save the honor, the independence of the
French; be what I have known you for twenty years, and you will be
invincible."
This address, however, although written at the instigation of the
government, its representatives would not allow to be published in the
"Moniteur."
The relics of Waterloo, and Grouchy's division, were now marching
towards Paris under Soult, followed closely by Wellington and Blucher.
The provisional government began to feel some anxiety concerning
Napoleon, whom they feared might make his escape from Malmaison and
place himself at the head of an armed force to take the field against
the invaders, and in favor of Napoleon II.
General Becker, who had been appointed by Fouché to the unthankful
office of guarding Napoleon, was prevailed upon to repair to Paris and
convey a letter to the government, in which the ex-Emperor offered to
assume the command of the army and beat the enemy, not with an intention
of seizing the sovereign power, but agreeing to pursue his journey as
soon as victory should give a favorable turn to the negotiations. In
this letter, which was addressed to the Committee of Government,
Napoleon said: "In abdicating the sovereign authority, I did not
renounce the noblest right of a citizen, that of defending my country.
The approach of the Allies upon the capital leaves no doubt of their
intentions and bad faith. Under these weighty circumstances, I offer my
service as general, still considering myself the first soldier of my
country!"
Fouché read the letter aloud, and then exclaimed, "Is he laughing at us?
Come, this is going too far." His proposal was of course rejected,
although Carnot was desirous that his prayer should be granted.
General Becker was instructed to carry back to Malmaison this response;
"The duties of the Committee toward the country do not permit it to
accept the proposition and the active assistance of the Emperor
Napoleon."
He found the Emperor in uniform, believing a favorable reply would be
returned. When he had finished the missive Napoleon said: "These men are
incapable of energy. Since that is the case, let us go into exile."
Fouché now urged his prisoner to consent to depart at once for some
foreign port--naming the United States as a haven in which he might find
relief from outside interference. If Napoleon had acted promptly, as he
had all his life been accustomed to do, he might in all probability have
made his escape to this country, as our vessels were in every French
port--and he could have crossed the Atlantic; but he hesitated, and
those golden moments, which meant so much to him, even liberty itself,
were soon irretrievably lost. Fouché, who was extremely anxious to have
the man who had made him all he was out of the way, did not hesitate to
resort to questionable means of pressure to get Napoleon to leave
France. One of these was the stimulating of the personal creditors of
the dethroned Emperor, and his family, who repaired incessantly to
Malmaison to torment him with their demands.
Meanwhile Fouché sent to the Duke of Wellington announcing that Napoleon
had declared his intention of departing for America, and requesting for
him a safe conduct across the Atlantic. The Duke replied that he had no
authority to grant passports to Napoleon Bonaparte but the request, as
Fouché hoped, had the effect of causing the English admirality to
quicken their diligence and there was immediately stationed no less than
thirty cruisers along the western coasts of France in order to intercept
Napoleon should he attempt to depart. No one could be deceived as to the
intention of this proceeding; it clearly denoted that the men, who, for
the moment, possessed the government of France, had determined that the
late Emperor should not leave the country freely. The fear that he might
return to the capital, and to his throne, had made them take a step
which was certain to place him in the power of the English government.
The next move was to inform Napoleon of the Duke's reply and with it the
declaration that two frigates, and some smaller vessels, awaited his
orders at Rochefort. He was informed that "if he repaired thither on the
instant" he would still be in time. For a moment he hesitated, wavering
between hope and doubt. Baron Fleury then went to Paris and learned that
the Prussians designed to carry off the Emperor; that Blucher had said,
"If I can catch Bonaparte, I will hang him up at the head of my army,"
but that Wellington had strenuously opposed such a cowardly design. At
half past 3 o'clock in the morning Napoleon was informed that Wellington
had refused him safe conduct, and he was ordered to depart immediately
from Malmaison. Preparations were hurriedly made, and on the 29th of
June, eleven days after the battle of Waterloo, he left Malmaison,
accompanied by Savary, Bertrand and Las Casas, and others of his
attached servants, and attended by a guard of mounted men.
If one of his followers had not taken the precaution to have the bridges
in front of Malmaison burned, Napoleon would have run a great risk of
falling into the hands of the Allies, as three corps of Prussian cavalry
appeared there in quest of him very soon after he started. They had
arrived by a circuitous route, and must have been led by a guide well
acquainted with the locality. Napoleon, however, had escaped this
danger. He slept at Rambouillet the first night, at Tours on the 30th,
and at Niort on the 1st of July. He was well received wherever he was
recognized; but at the last named place the enthusiasm of the people and
troops was extreme.
Rochefort was reached on the 3rd of July. Here Napoleon, who was joined
by his brother Joseph, took up his residence in the prefect's house with
the view of embarking immediately, but he was informed that a British
line-of-battle ship, and some smaller vessels of war, were off the
roads, watching the roadstead and harbor, and his departure was
therefore impossible.
Meanwhile the French army had once more retired from before the walls of
Paris under a convention, and Blucher and Wellington were about to enter
the capital and reseat Louis on the throne. The only alternative,
therefore, was to open negotiations with Captain Maitland, who commanded
the Bellerophon, an English man-of-war which had taken up its station at
Rochefort two days before the arrival of the ex-Emperor.
On being asked for a safe conduct to America the English commander
replied that his orders were to make every effort to prevent "Bonaparte"
from escaping, and if so fortunate as to obtain possession of his
person, to sail at once with him for England. Savary and Las Casas, who
conducted the negotiations, were unable to exact a definite promise from
the captain, when they visited him on the 10th of July, or to learn from
him if it was the intention of the British government to throw any
impediment in the way of his voyage to the United States. In the course
of the conversation, Captain Maitland, according to his own statement,
threw out the suggestion, "Why not seek an asylum in England?" to which
various objections were urged by Savary, and thus the interview
terminated.
The succeeding days were passed by Napoleon in discussing various plans
devised for his escape, but they were all abandoned by him. He saw no
possible chance of success, for, as he himself said: "Wherever wood can
float, there is the flag of England. I will throw myself into her
hands--a helpless foe." Then, too, Napoleon was weary of strife, and had
the feelings of one who had done with action, and whose part it was to
endure. He at last rejected all such proposals, and once more dispatched
Las Casas, accompanied by Lallemand, to Capt. Maitland, on the 14th of
July, with instructions to inquire again whether the intentions of the
British government were yet declared as to a passage to America, or if
permission for Napoleon to pass in a neutral vessel could be obtained.
The answer was in the negative; but Capt. Maitland again suggested his
embarkation on board the Bellerophon, in which case he should be
conveyed to England. The words of Captain Maitland, quoted by himself to
Lord Keith were; "If he chooses to come on board the ship I command, I
think, under the orders I am acting with, I may venture to receive him,
and carry him to England." Upon this a negotiation took place, which
terminated in Las Casas saying; "Under all circumstances, I have little
doubt that you will see the Emperor on board the Bellerophon."
Las Casas returned to the Isle of Aix after his interview with Captain
Maitland on the 14th. The result of his mission appeared to be "that
Captain Maitland had authorized him to tell the Emperor if he decided
upon going to England, he was authorized to receive him on board; and he
accordingly placed his ship at his disposal." Napoleon then finally made
up his mind to place himself on board the British vessel. On the same
day Gourgaud delivered to Captain Maitland the following letter
addressed to the Prince Regent of England:
"Royal Highness:--Exposed to the factions which divide my
country, and to the hostility of the greatest powers of Europe,
I have closed my political career. I come, like Themistocles to
seek the hospitality of the English nation. I place myself under
the protection of their laws, which I claim from your Royal
Highness as the most powerful, and most constant, and the most
generous of my enemies.
Rochefort, July the 13th, 1815.
NAPOLEON."
The letter was received by the royal commander and sent to England, but
no answer was returned.
On the 15th Napoleon and his friends decided to board the Bellerophon
and were transported thither by a barge sent by Captain Maitland. The
parting scenes with those left behind were most affecting. The English
commander received his charge in a respectful manner, but without salute
or distinguished honors; Napoleon uncovered himself, on reaching the
quarter-deck, and said in a firm tone of voice, "I come to place myself
under the protection of your prince and laws!"
The captain then led him into the cabin, which was given up to his use,
and afterwards, by his own request, presented all the officers to him.
He visited every part of the ship during the morning, conversing with
much freedom with those on board, about naval and other affairs. About
noon the ship got under weigh and made sail for England.
On the 23d of June the Bellerophon passed Ushant, and for the last time
Napoleon gazed long and mournfully on his beloved country, but said
nothing. At daybreak on the 24th they were close to Dartmouth, and when
the ship was at anchor the captain was instantly admonished by the Lords
of the Admiralty to permit no communication of any kind between his ship
and the coast. On the 26th the commander was ordered to Plymouth Sound,
where he was the object of great curiosity on the part of thousands of
people who swarmed about the vessel in small boats, eager to behold the
man who had had the attention of the world for so many years. Napoleon
appeared on deck and was greeted with loud cheers, to which he bowed and
smiled in return, and remarked to Captain Maitland: "The English appear
to have a very large portion of curiosity." On one occasion the captain
counted upwards of a thousand boats within view, each containing on an
average eight people.
On the 31st of July Napoleon was visited by Sir Henry Bunbury,
under-Secretary of State, and Lord Keith admiral of the channel fleet,
who came on board and announced the final decision of the British
government respecting him, and which was that "General Bonaparte," their
prisoner, should not be landed on the shores of England, but removed
forthwith to St. Helena, as being the situation which, more than any
other at their command, the government thought safe against a second
escape, and the indulgence to himself of personal freedom and exercise,
and which might be reconciled with the "indispensable precautions which
it would be necessary to employ for the security of his person."
Secondly, with the exception of Savary and Lallemand, he was to be
permitted to take with him any three officers he chose, besides one
surgeon and twelve domestics, none of whom were to be allowed, however,
to quit the island without the sanction of the British government.
Napoleon, on listening to the decree which sealed his fate for life,
made no comment whatever until the reading of the decision had ended. He
then solemnly protested against their cruel and arbitrary act. He
protested, not only against the order, but against the right claimed by
the English government to dispose of him as a prisoner of war. "I came
into your ship" said he, "as I would into one of your villages. If I had
been told I was to be a prisoner I would not have come. I asked him if
he was willing to receive me on board, and convey me to England. Captain
Maitland said he was, having received, or telling me he had received,
special orders of government concerning me. It was a snare then, that
had been spread for me. As for the Island of St. Helena, it would be my
sentence of death. I demand to be received as an English citizen." He
objected strenuously to the title given him, declared his right to be
considered as a sovereign prince, that his father-in-law, or the Czar,
would have treated him far differently, and concluded by expressing his
belief that "if your government act thus, it will disgrace you in the
eyes of Europe." "Even your own people will blame it," he added.
His protests were in vain, however, and at length, the interview having
terminated, he was informed that Admiral Sir George Cockburn was ready
to receive him on board the Northumberland to convey him to St. Helena.
Napoleon then declared with animation, "No, no, I will not go there; I
am not a Hercules; but you shall not conduct me to St. Helena. I prefer
death in this place. You found me free--send me back again; replace me
in the condition in which I was, or permit me to go to America." Still
his protests were ignored and preparations were at last begun for
departure. In a private conversation with Captain Maitland, Napoleon
reverted to the painful subject in the following terms: "The idea is a
perfect horror to me. To be placed for life on an island within the
tropics, at an immense distance from any land, cut off from all
communication with the world, and everything I hold dear to it! It is
worse than Tamerlane's iron cage. I would prefer being given up to the
Bourbons."
Napoleon's suite, as finally arranged, consisted of Counts Bertrand,
Montholon and Las Casas, General Gourgaud, and Dr. O'Meara, an Irish
naval surgeon. Bertrand and Montholon were accompanied by their ladies
and children, and twelve upper domestics of the late imperial household,
who desired to share in the fortunes of their master. The money,
diamonds and salable effects Napoleon had with him he was deprived of.
When the search of his belongings was in progress, Bertrand was invited
to attend, but he was so indignant at the measure that he positively
refused. Four thousand gold napoleons ($16,000) were taken from him; the
rest of the money, amounting to about one thousand five hundred
napoleons, were returned to enable the Exile to pay such of is servants
as were about to leave him.
The Northumberland sailed for St. Helena on the 8th of August. After a
voyage of about seventy days, without unusual incident, on the 15th of
October, 1815, Napoleon had his first view of his destined retreat. He
was then forty-six years of age, enjoyed fairly good health, and but for
the repeated denials of many necessary comforts to which he was now to
be subjected might, in a measure, have enjoyed the remaining years of
his life. Here he found himself immured for life in a small volcanic
island, in the southern Atlantic, measuring ten miles in length and
seven in breadth, at a distance of two thousand leagues from the scenes
of his immortal exploits in arms, and separated from the two great
continents of Africa and America by the unfathomable ocean.
The admiral landed about noon with a view of finding a fitting abode for
Napoleon and his suite, returning in the evening. On the 16th the
imperial prisoner landed, and as he left the Northumberland the officers
all assembled on the quarter-deck with nearly the whole of the crew
stationed in the gangways. Before he stepped into the small boat to be
taken ashore he took leave of the captain and desired him to convey his
thanks to his officers and men. He then made off for the shore to take
up his residence at "the Briars," a small cottage about half a mile from
Jamestown, during the interval which must elapse before other quarters
could be provided for him. On the 10th of December he took possession of
his newly appointed abode at Longwood, a villa about six miles distant
from Jamestown. At this latter place he died on the 5th of May 1821 at
half past 5 o'clock in the evening, after an exile of nearly six years.
His death was no doubt hastened by a succession of petty annoyances on
the part of his "jailer," Sir Hudson Lowe, governor of the island, which
began on his arrival, and were followed up during all the years of his
exile, despite his repeated protestations. He had already lived much
longer than he desired, and had completed all his preparations for
death's coming, during his last year of bad health. In his final hours
he was surrounded by Bertrand, Montholon and other devoted friends to
whom he had given his final instructions.
Four days later, or on May 9th, with the cloak he had worn at Marengo
thrown over his feet, and clothed in the uniform of the Chasseurs of his
Guard, he was buried with military honors, surrounded by the sorrowing
friends who had shared his long confinement. The only inscription
permitted on the tablet over his body was "General Bonaparte."
Nineteen years later, at the request of the French government, England
honored a request for his ashes, and his body was disinterred and
conveyed to France to rest once more "on the banks of the Seine, among
the French people whom he had loved so well." On December 15th 1840, in
the midst of the most imposing and magnificent ceremonies Paris had
ever witnessed, the body of the Emperor was borne to the Invalides where
it lay for many days publicly exposed. On the 6th of February 1841 the
coffin was taken from the imperial cenotaph and placed in the chapel of
St. Jerome, in the Church of the Invalides where it was to remain till
the completion of the mausoleum some years later. Beneath the golden
dome which crowns the Invalides, and towards which the faces of all
visitors to Paris are most frequently turned, there still rests all that
is mortal of this most wonderful warrior and statesman. His magic name
continues to defy even time itself, and as the years roll on each
generation inquires of its predecessors what they knew of this man who
was so great that his name fills more pages in the world's solemn
history than that of any other mortal.
THE END.
INDEX
A
Abensberg, battle of, 277.
Abercromby, Sir Ralph, victory of over the French in Egypt, 178.
Aboukir, battle of, 134.
Abrantes, Duchess d', 20.
Abdication, Napoleon's first, 405.
Second, 491-2.
Acre, siege of, 128.
Ajaccio, birthplace of Napoleon, 11.
Destruction of, 25.
Landing of Napoleon on return from Egypt at, 138.
Alexander, Czar, at Austerlitz, 200.
Interview of, with Napoleon on the Niemen, 248.
Meeting of, with Napoleon at Erfurt, 261.
Alliance of, with King of Prussia, 349.
In Paris, 1814, 403.
Visit of, to Josephine, 417.
Alexandria, conquest of, 113.
Alps, passage of the, 154-61,
Alessandria, conditions of peace signed at, 173.
Alvinzi, Austrian general, in Italy, 82.
Success of, on the Tyrol, 83.
Defeated at Arcola, 88.
Amiens, peace of, 179.
Rupture of peace of, 183.
Ancients, Council of, conduct of on 18th Brumaire, 143.
Angouleme, Duchess d', 437.
Anne, Grand Duchess, of Russia, 320.
Arcola, battle of, 85.
Arcis, battle of, 396.
Astorga, Napoleon at, 273.
Augereau, (Marshal and General) at Millessimo, 53.
At Arcola, 86.
At Castiglione, 74.
At Jena, 220.
At Eylau, 235.
Conduct of in 1814, 412.
Austerlitz, battle of, 204.
Autun, College of, 15.
Austria, efforts of, in Italy, 1796, 50.
Insincere policy of, to France, 1800, 177.
Joins Bourbon coalition, 189.
French campaign in, results of, 1805, 197.
Treaty with France after Austerlitz, 209.
Declares war against France, 1809, 274.
Armistice with France after Wagram, 302.
Treaty with France, 1812, 312.
Policy of 1813, to France, 354.
Joins alliance to dethrone Napoleon, 435.
Preparations of, for re-invasion of France, 439.
Avignon, Napoleon victorious at, 27.
B
Bagration, Russian general, in 1812, 320.
Death of, 329.
Bamberg, Napoleon's headquarters at, 214.
Barras, member of French Directory, 32.
Selects Napoleon to defend the Convention, 38.
Bassano, battle of, 79.
Bauer, M., tutor of Napoleon, 20.
Bautzen, battle of, 354.
Bavaria, invasion of, 275.
King of, joins the Allies, 368.
Baylen, battle of, 259.
Bayonne, meeting of Charles IV. and Napoleon at, 256.
Beauharnais, Eugene, first meeting of, with Napoleon, 43.
In Egypt, 130.
At Wagram, 296.
In retreat from Russia, 334.
Succeeds Murat in command of troops, 348.
Defeated in Italy, 1813, 373.
Beauharnais, Hortense, 305.
Beaulieu, Austrian gener'l, in Italy, 51.
Beaulieu, defeated by Napoleon, 72.
Bellerophon, Napoleon on board the, 501-3.
Belliard, General, defeated at Alexandria, 178.
In campaign of 1813, 401.
Bennigsen, Russian general, retreat behind the Wkra, 231.
At Eylau, 234.
Defeat of at Friedland, 248.
Beresina, passage of the, 343.
Berlin, entry of Napoleon into, 1806, 226.
Berlin decrees, 228.
Berthier, Major-General to Napoleon, 48.
Marshal and General, at Rivoli, 91.
Bessieres, (Marshal and General) in Italy, 68.
At Austerlitz, 205.
In Spain, 259.
At Essling, 290.
Death of, before Lutzen, 352.
Bernadotte, (Marshal and General) in Italy, 100.
On the 18th Brumaire, 144.
At Austerlitz, 204.
Conduct of, at Jena, 221.
At Wagram, 296.
Joins the Allies, (Crown Prince of Sweden), 350.
In campaign of 1813, 361.
Bertrand, General, at Elba, 421.
At Waterloo, 482.
Accompanies Napoleon to St. Helena, 503.
Blucher, Prussian general, at Jena, 222.
Defeat of, at Lubeck, 226.
Commander-in-Chief Prussian army, 1813, 349.
In command of Silesian army, 1814, 378.
In campaign of 1815, 440.
Narrow escape at Ligny, 452.
At Waterloo, 479-88.
Bonaparte, Letitia Ramolino, mother of Napoleon, 9.
Bonaparte, Charles, father of Napoleon, 15.
Bonaparte, Eliza, 23.
Bonaparte, Jerome, in Russian campaign, 317.
At Waterloo, 466.
Bonaparte, Joseph, at Autun, 15.
Made King of Spain, 258.
Head of the Council in Paris, 380.
Bonaparte, Lucien, President of Council of Five Hundred, 142.
In 1815, 490.
Bonaparte, Napoleon (see Napoleon).
Bonaparte, Pauline, at Elba, 418.
Bourbon, Monarchy, restoration of, 410.
Bourmont, General, treason of, 446.
Bourrienne, Napoleon's early friendship with, 15.
In Egypt, 132.
Borodino, battle of, 325-29.
Boulogne, headquarters of French army at, 191.
Brienne, Military school of, 9.
Arrival of Napoleon at, 15.
Battle of, 381.
Brueyes, Admiral, death of, 122.
Brumaire, the 18th and 19th, Revolution of, 143-61.
Brune, General, defeats Austrians on the Mincio, 177.
Brunswick, Charles William Frederick, Duke, defeat of, at Jena, 226.
Brunswick, Frederick William, Duke of, killed at Quatre-Bras, 454.
Brussels, headquarters of British army 1815, 440.
Bulow, General, at Waterloo, 464.
Repulsed by Count Lobau, 478.
C
Cartaux, General, in command at Toulon, 28.
Carnot, member of French Directory, 32.
Appoints Napoleon commander of Army of Italy, 44.
Minister of war under Consulate, 154.
In 1815, 437.
Cairo, French army march on, 114.
In the occupation of the French, 121.
Revolt at, 124.
Cambacérès, Consul with Napoleon, 151.
Cambronne, General, commander of the Guard, 425.
Wounded at Waterloo, 484-5.
Campo-Formio, treaty of, 104.
Castiglione, battle of, 74.
Caulaincourt, French diplomatist, in retreat from Russia, 345.
Employed to negotiate treaty in 1814, 383.
Pleads Napoleon's cause before Czar Alexander, 402.
At Fontainebleau, 404.
After Waterloo, 494.
Cervoni, Adjutant, interview with Napoleon, 26.
Causse, General, at Dego, 54.
Charleroi, engagement at, 448.
Chebreis, engagement at, 116.
Champaubert, battle of, 384.
Champ de Mai, ceremony of, 441.
Charles, the Archduke, Austrian commander in Italy, 98.
Forced to abandon Italy, 198.
Charles, the Archduke, invades Bavaria, 275.
Defeated at Eckmuhl, 279.
Defeated at Essling, 289.
At Wagram, 301.
Charles IV., King of Spain, abdicates, 255.
Clouet, Colonel, treason of, 446.
Coalition, Bourbon, 190.
Code Napoleon, anecdote of, 36.
Formation of, 180.
Colli, General, defeated by Napoleon, 53.
Colombier, Madame du, 21.
Committee of Public Safety, 34.
Concordat, signing of, 179.
Conspiracy, to assassinate Napoleon, 176.
Convention, French, Napoleon undertakes defense of, 39.
Confederation of the Rhine, established, 211.
Dissolved, 373.
Consuls of the French Republic, 148.
Continental System, adopted by Prussia, 249.
Modification of, 309.
Consular Government, organization of, 149.
Corunna, combat at, 272.
Consul, life, Napoleon appointed, 182.
Corsica, birthplace of Napoleon, 9.
Revolution in, 24-5.
Craonne, battle of, 392.
Culm, engagement at, 364.
D
Dantzic, surrender of, 242.
Davidowich, General, defeat of, at Roveredo, 78.
Danube, French army crosses the, 295.
Daru, M., at Boulogne, 191.
Daru, Count, at Moscow, 353.
Davoust, (Marshal and General) at Austerlitz, 205.
At Jena, 221.
At Eylau, 238.
At Eckmuhl, 284.
At Wagram, 296.
In Russia, 315.
At Moscow, 332.
Desaix, General, in Egypt, 114.
In Italy, 163.
Death of, at Marengo, 169.
Dego, battle of, 54.
Dennewitz, battle of, 364.
Desvaux, General, killed at Waterloo, 469.
Dneiper, Ney crossing the, 341.
Dresden, arrival of Napoleon at, in 1812, 313.
Entry of Napoleon into, 1813, 353.
Engagement at, 362.
Druot, General, at Elba, 421.
At Waterloo, 482.
Duroc, General, Napoleon's first meeting with, 29.
Duroc, death of, at Bautzen, 355-6.
Dugommier, General, at Toulon, 31.
Dubois, General, death of, 78.
Ducos, Roger, Consul with Napoleon, 148.
Surrenders at Baylen, 259.
Dufresne, General, at Waterloo, 470.
Dupont, General, at Friedland, 246.
E
Ebersberg, battle of, 285.
Eckmuhl, battle of, 279.
Egypt, French expedition to, determined upon, 110.
Disembarkation in, of Napoleon, 113.
Improved condition of, under Napoleon, 123.
Napoleon leaves, 136.
Lost to France, 178.
Elchingen, battle of, 194.
Elba, exile of Napoleon to, 413.
Arrival of Napoleon at, 414.
Napoleon on the island of, 415.
Departure of Napoleon from, 421.
Emperor, Napoleon proclaimed, 1804, 186.
Enghien, Duke d', execution of, 185-6.
England, French project of invasion of, 1797, 108.
Refuses to treat with Consular Government, 152.
French preparations for invasion, 1802, 179.
Declares war on France, 184.
Alliance with Spain, 258.
Joins alliance to dethrone Napoleon, 435.
Erfurt, meeting between Napoleon and Alexander at, 261.
Erlon, Count d', at Quatre-Bras, 454.
At Waterloo, 468, 471.
Essling, battle of, 289.
Eylau, battle of, 234-41.
F
Fesch, Cardinal, uncle of Napoleon, 311.
Ferdinand, Prince of Spain, disputes of, with his father, 253.
Proclaimed King of Spain, 255.
Resigns his throne. 257.
Five Hundred, Council of, dissolved 147.
Fox, English statesman, 42.
Effect of the death of, 212.
Fouché, Minister of Police, 142.
Opposed to Russian campaign, 310.
Treason of, 440.
Conduct of, after Waterloo, 494-97.
Fontainebleau, treaty of, between France and Spain, 254.
Fontainebleau, arrival of Napoleon at, 1814, 401.
Treaty of, (abdication) 408.
Napoleon attempts suicide at, 409.
Adieu of Napoleon and Old Guard at, 410.
Arrival of Napoleon at, on return from Elba, 432.
Francis II., Emperor of Austria, meeting of, with Napoleon, 207.
Advice to Napoleon in 1814, 389.
After surrender of Paris, 417.
France, condition of, on Napoleon's return from Egypt, 140.
Invasion of, 378.
Frankfort, manifesto issued by Allied Princes, 375.
Fréjus, arrival of Napoleon at, on return from Egypt, 139.
Arrival of Napoleon at, on return from Elba, 422.
Frederick the Great, Napoleon at tomb of, 227.
Frederick William, King of Prussia, 349.
Friedland, battle of, 242-47.
G
Gasparin, Representative of the people, at Toulon, 29.
Gap, Napoleon at, 424.
Genoa surrender of, to Napoleon, 172.
Gerard, General, at Ligny, 451.
Godoy, Minister of Spain, 255.
Gourgaud, General, at battle of Brienne, 381.
At retreat from Waterloo, 487.
Accompanies Napoleon to St. Helena, 503.
Grenoble, arrival of Napoleon, on return from Elba, 427.
Gross-Beeren, battle of, 364.
Grouchy, (Marshal and General) in Russian campaign, 342.
Operations of, before Waterloo, 456-57, 465.
One cause of defeat of Napoleon at Waterloo, 472-3.
Guadarrama, passage of the, by Napoleon, 270.
H
Hanover, conquest of, 185.
Hanau, battle of, 372.
Hatzfeld, Princess, Napoleon's clemency to, 228.
Haulpoult, General d' death of, 240.
Heilsberg, battle of, 242.
Holland, Napoleon's appointment in, 38.
Hohenlinden, battle of, 177.
Hundred Days, the, 437.
I
Institute of Cairo, organized by Napoleon, 123.
Imperial Guard, organization of, 68.
Iron Crown, order of, instituted, 188.
Italy, Army of, Napoleon appointed commander-in-chief, 44.
Condition of, in 1796, 45.
Improved state of, 65.
Napoleon crowned King of, 188.
Invalides, Hotel des, resting place of Napoleon, 506.
J
Jaffa, massacre of prisoners at, 126.
Retreat of French army from, 131.
Jena, battle of, 218-25.
Joubert, General, at Rivoli, 89.
Jourdan, Marshal, commander of Army of the Danube, 153.
Defeated in Spain, 359.
Josephine, marriage with Napoleon, 44.
Coronation of, as Empress, 187.
Divorce of, 304-6.
Visited by Alexander, 417.
Death of, 418.
Junot, General, first meeting of, with Napoleon, 29.
In Italy, 75.
In Egypt, 129.
Invades Portugal, 254.
In Russia, 324.
K
Keith, Lord, announces decision of British Government effecting
Napoleon, 502.
King of Rome, (Napoleon's son) birth of, 308.
Anecdote of, 398.
Kirgener, General, death of, 355.
Kellerman, General, in Italy, 100.
At Marengo, 169.
At Waterloo, 472-77.
Kléber, General, at Alexandria, 114.
Commander of the Army of Egypt, 137.
Death of, 178.
Flight of Napoleon from, 332.
Krasnoi, engagement at, 321.
Battle of, in retreat from Russia, 340.
Kozietulski, Polish general, in Spain, 264.
Kremlin, (Moscow) Napoleon at, 330.
Kutusoff, Russian general, at Austerlitz, 204.
At Borodino, 325.
In pursuit of French army in Russian retreat, 338.
L
Lafayette, member of French government, 1815, 491.
Laon, battle of, 392.
Labedoyere, Colonel, loyalty of, to Napoleon, 426.
At Waterloo, 482.
Lannes, (Marshal and General) at Dego, 54.
At Lodi, 61.
At Bassano, 79.
In Egypt, 129.
At Montebello, 162.
At Ulm, 196.
At Austerlitz, 205.
At Jena, 220.
At Eckmuhl, 279.
At Ratisbon, 283.
At Essling, 289.
Death of, 293.
Landshut, battle of, 278.
Lauriston, Count, at Wagram, 298.
In Russia, 333.
La Belle Alliance, Napoleon on heights of, 462.
La Salle, General, French cavalry leader, death of, 301.
Las Casas, General, accompanies Napoleon to St. Helena, 503.
Lavalette, in Egypt, 130.
In 1814, 400.
Le Brun, Consul with Napoleon, 151.
Lefebvre, (Marshal and General) at Jena, 227.
At Dantzic, 242.
In Spain, 259.
In Russia, 330.
Lefebvre-Desnoettes, General, at Waterloo, 471.
Leipsic, battle of, 365-71.
Leoben, provisional treaty of, 102.
Legion of Honor, established by Napoleon, 180.
Ligny, battle of, 449-53.
Lobau, Count, at Waterloo, 470.
Repulses Bulow's corps, 478.
Lobau, Napoleon decides to fall back on, 291.
Napoleon on the island of, 294.
Lodi, battle of, 59-63.
Lombardy, conquest of, 97.
Lonato, battle of, 74.
Napoleon's escape from capture at, 76.
Louis XVI. attacked by the mob, 22.
Execution of, 26.
Louis XVIII., correspondence with Napoleon, 174-5.
Protests against Napoleon's usurpation, 187.
Restoration of, 416.
Flight from Paris, 432.
Restored to the throne in 1815, 499.
Louis, Prince of Prussia, death of, 216.
Louis, the archduke, defeated at Abensberg, 277.
Louisiana, sale of, by Napoleon, to U. S., 185.
Lubeck, battle of, 226.
Luneville, treaty of, 178.
Lutzen, battle of, 352.
Lyons, Napoleon issues proclamations at, 430.
M
Maitland, Captain, negotiations with on Napoleon's behalf, 499-501.
Macdonald, (Marshal and General) at Wagram, 298-301.
In Russian campaign, 315.
In campaign of 1813, 360.
At Leipsic, 369.
At Lyons, 428.
Mack, Austrian general, 193.
Surrenders at Ulm, 196.
Madrid, insurrection at, 257.
Surrender of, 266-68.
Mallet, conspiracy of, 344.
Malta, capture of, by Napoleon, 112.
Mamelukes, Egyptian cavalry, Napoleon's opinion of, 114.
Mantua, siege and fall of, 81, 96.
Marboeuf, Bishop of Autun, 15.
Marbot, General, in Spain, 270.
Marengo, battle of, 164-71.
Napoleon visits battlefield of, 188.
Marie Louise, illness of at Vienna, 286.
Napoleon's marriage with, 306.
Empress-Regent, 350.
Last interview with Napoleon, 380.
Departure from Paris in 1814, 398.
Return to Vienna 417.
Marseilles, Napoleon at, 26.
Maret, French diplomatist, at Nogent, 383.
Sends secret message to Napoleon, 420.
Marmont, (Marshal and General) at Nice, 34.
In Italy, 81.
At Wagram, 296.
Defeated at Salamanca, 326.
At capitulation of Paris, 400.
Joins the Allies, 406.
Massena, (Marshal and General) at Montenotte, 52.
At Biestro, 53.
At Lonato, 74.
In Switzerland, 153.
Appointed commander of the Army of Italy, 173.
Success of, in Lombardy, 198.
At Eckmuhl, 279.
At Ebersberg, 285.
At Essling, 289.
At Wagram, 296.
Melas, Austrian general, in Italy, 73.
Defeat of, by Napoleon, 172.
Memingen, capitulation of, 193.
Meneval, private secretary to Napoleon, 20.
Menou, at Alexandria, 178.
Menou, General, defeat of, 41.
Released from prison at Napoleon's request, 43.
Merfeld, General, at Leipsic, 367.
Metternich, Diplomatist and Minister of Austria, 358-9.
Milan, entry of Napoleon into, 64.
Surrender of, 71.
Arrival of Napoleon in 1800, 161.
Milarodowitch, Russian General, 330.
Milhaud, General, at Waterloo, 471.
Millessimo, battle of, 53.
Mincio, French Army advances on, 67.
Moncey, Marshal, at the defense of Paris, 399.
Moncey, Captain, in Russia, 325.
Mondovi, battle of, 54.
Mont St. Jean, village of, near Waterloo, 459.
Montbrun, General, in Spain, 265.
Montenotte, battle of, 51.
Montholon, General, accompanies Napoleon to St. Helena, 503.
Moore, Sir John, in Spain, 269.
Death of, at Corunna, 272.
Montebello, battle of, 163.
Montereau, battle of, 387.
Montmirail, battle of, 385.
Morla, Thomas de, governor of Madrid, 267.
Moreau, General, operations in Italy, 155.
At Hohenlinden, 177.
Joins the Allies in 1813, 362.
Death of, at Dresden, 363.
Mortier, (Marshal and General,) invades Hanover, 185.
At Krasnoi, 340.
At capitulation of Paris, 399.
Moses, fountains of, Napoleon visits, 124.
Moscow, arrival of French army at, 329.
Conflagration of, 330-32.
French retreat from, 334.
Moskowa, battle at, (see Borodino.) 325.
Mourad Bey, Mameluke chief, defeated, 120.
Mouton, General, at Abensberg, 278.
Murat, (Marshal and General; King of Naples), at battle of Sections,
40.
Takes Captured Standards to Paris, 56.
In Egypt, battle of Aboukir, 134.
At Austerlitz, 205.
Murat, at Jena, 220.
At Eylau, 237.
In Spain, 255.
In Russia, 315.
Resigns command of troops, 348.
Negotiates with Allies, 373.
Treason of, to Napoleon, 377.
Efforts of, to regain his throne, 438.
Death of, 439.
Muiron, death of, at Arcola, 87.
N
Napoleon, (As the name "Napoleon" appears several times on almost
every page of this book, and the events chronicled herein
relating to him are indexed under their separate titles,
it has been thought advisable to omit their repetition
under this heading).
"Napoleon's Grotto," 14.
Naples, Napoleon's policy towards, 71.
National Assembly, French, 23.
National Guards, take up arms against French government, 38.
Napoleon's address to, 379.
Naumburg, fall of, 217.
Nelson, Admiral, in pursuit of French fleet, 111.
Defeats French in Bay of Aboukir, 121.
Death of, at Trafalgar, 199.
Ney, (Marshal and General) at Ulm, 196.
At Jena, 221.
At Friedland, 245.
In Russia, 324.
At Moskowa, 329.
Heroism of, in retreat from Russia, 337.
Rejoins the Emperor at Orcha, 341.
At Kowno, 346.
Sent to arrest Napoleon, 430.
Rejoins the Emperor, 431.
At Quatre-Bras, 453.
At Waterloo, 464-486.
Execution of, 493.
Nice, Napoleon at the headquarters of the French army at, 33.
Napoleon imprisoned at, 34.
Niemen, passage of the, 317.
Nile, arrival of the French army at the, 115.
Battle of the, 122.
Notre Dame, Cathedral of, Napoleon's coronation at, 188.
Northumberland, Napoleon transferred to, 503.
Napoleon's departure from, 504.
O
O'Meara, Doctor, incidents of Napoleon related by, 10, 44.
Accompanies Napoleon to St. Helena, 503.
Orcha, Marshal Ney's arrival at, 341.
Osterode, Napoleon establishes headquarters at, 241.
Oudinot, (Marshal and General,) at Friedland, 245.
At Wagram, 296.
In Russian campaign 315.
In 1813, 360.
P
Paoli, General, Governor of Corsica, 24.
Pavia, submission of, 64,
Insurrection at, 67.
Paris, Napoleon's first arrival at, 19.
Napoleon solicits employment in, 37.
Napoleon returns to, after first Italian campaign, 106.
Welcomes Napoleon after Marengo, 173-4.
Return of the Emperor to, after Friedland, 251.
Return of French army to, after Russian campaign, 346.
Defense of, 1814, 399.
Capitulation of, 400.
Entry of the Allied Army into, 1814, 403.
Napoleon returns after exile to Elba, 433.
Napoleon's departure from, to begin campaign, 1815, 443.
Entry of the Allies in 1815, 498.
Interment of Napoleon's body in 1840, at, 505-6.
Pius VI., Pope, peace negotiations of, with Napoleon, 71.
Pius VII., Pope, signs concordat, 179.
At coronation of Napoleon and Josephine, 188.
Imprisonment of at Fontainebleau, 303.
Release of, 377.
Platoff, hetman of the Cossacks, 232, 320.
Poland, Napoleon fixes his headquarters in, 280.
Policy of Napoleon to, 1812, 319.
Poniatowski, Polish prince, death of, 370.
Ponsonby, General, death of at Waterloo, 467.
Portugal, invasion of, 254.
Insurrection in, 258.
Prague, congress of diplomatists at, 357.
Headquarters of the Allies, 361.
Prussia, prepares for war against France, 213.
Treaty with France, 1812, 312.
Declares war against France, 348.
Joins alliance to dethrone Napoleon, 435.
Pradt, Abbe, French ambassador at Warsaw, 345.
Provera, General, defeat of in Italy, 94.
Pyramids, battle of, 117.
Q
Quatre-Bras, battle of, 453.
Queen of Prussia, with Prussian army, 215.
At Jena 225.
At Tilsit, 249.
Quasdonowich, Austrian general, defeated by Napoleon, 73.
R
Rapp, General, in Russia, 336.
Ratisbon, storming of, 280.
Napoleon wounded at, 281.
Rastadt, Congress of, 105.
Revolution, French, 23, 25.
Reign of Terror, 26.
Regnier, General, in Russia, 315.
In campaign of 1813, 357.
Rheims, battle of, 393.
Rivoli, battle of, 90-2.
Rochefort, Napoleon at, 498, 500.
Robespierre, intercession of, for Napoleon, 34.
Rome, incorporated with French Empire, 303.
Roveredo, battle of, 78.
Royal Military School, Napoleon at, 18.
Russia, joins Bourbon coalition, 1805, 189.
Relations with France in 1811, 309.
Declares war against France 1812, 312.
Invasion of, by Napoleon, 318.
Results of French campaign in, 346.
Joins alliance to dethrone Napoleon, 435.
S
Saalfeld, battle of, 216.
St. Helena, arrival of Napoleon at, 504.
Death of Napoleon at, 505.
St. Cyr, (Marshal and General) in campaign of 1813, 360.
St. Dizier, engagement at, 381.
St. Domingo, expedition to, 179.
St. George, battle of, 94.
Salamanca, battle of, 326.
Sardinia, annihilation of army of, 55.
Savary, (Duke of Rovigo,) in Egypt, 119.
At Marengo, 166.
Diplomatist, in Spain, 256.
Negotiates with Captain Maitland, 499.
Saxony, Elector of, ally of Napoleon, 230.
Fidelity to Napoleon, 345.
Saxons, defection of, at Leipsic, 369.
Saragossa, siege of, 260.
San Juan, Spanish General, 263.
Schleiz, engagement at, 217.
Schwartzenberg, Austrian general, in 1813, 361.
In the invasion of France, 378.
Schoenbrunn, attempt to assassinate Napoleon at, 302.
Treaty of, 303.
At Ulm, 196.
Ségur, Count, in Spain, 264, 266.
Senate, French, conduct of in 1813, 375-77.
Serrurier, Austrian general, at Mantua, 95.
Sections, defeat of the, 40.
Sieyes, member of the French Directory, 142.
Consul with Napoleon, 148.
Smith, Sir Sydney, at the siege of Acre, 127.
Smolensk, capture of, 321.
Retreat of the French army to, 337.
Somosierra, combat at, 263.
Soult, (Marshal and General) at Austerlitz, 205.
At Jena, 220.
At Eylau, 235.
In campaign of Spain, 272.
At Waterloo, 482.
Marches towards Paris, 495.
Spain, policy of Napoleon to, 253.
Napoleon exercises rights of a conqueror in, 268.
Results of war with, 274.
Conditions in, 1812, 310.
Disasters of French in, 1813, 374.
Suchet, (Marshal and General) in Italy, 163.
In Spain, 374.
Sweden, joins Bourbon coalition, 189.
Syria, Napoleon's expedition to, 125.
T
Tallien, member of French Directory, 38.
Tagliamento, passage and battle of, 99.
Talleyrand, French diplomatist, 109.
Perfidy of, to Napoleon, 374.
Thabor, Mount, battle of, 129.
Tilsit, treaty of, 248.
Arrival of Queen of Prussia at, 249.
Tolentino, treaty of, 98.
Tolly de, Barclay, Russian general, 313.
At Wilna, 315.
Torre di Capitello, Napoleon reduces fortress of, 24.
Toulon, delivered to the English, 26.
Napoleon in command at, 27.
Re-capture of, 31.
Trafalgar, naval battle of, 199.
Tuileries, Palace of, storming, 22.
Napoleon takes up his residence at, 150.
Return of Napoleon to, after exile at Elba, 433.
Turreau, commander of military force at Nice, 46.
Turkey, Napoleon seeks a commission to, 37.
U
Ulm, surrender of, 195.
Ushant, Napoleon's last view of France, 501.
V
Valence, Napoleon at, 21-2.
Vandamme, General, defeated at Culm, 364.
Valoutina, battle of, 324.
Vaubois, General, defeat of in Italy, 83-4.
Vendemiaire, 13th, 41.
Venice, Republic, fall of, 102.
Vernet, French artist, at defense of Paris, 399.
Victor, (Marshal and General) at Marengo, 164.
At the Beresina, 342.
At Montereau, 387.
Vienna, entry of Napoleon into, 1805, 199.
Treaty of, after Austerlitz, 210.
Surrender of, 1809, 286.
Congress of, 420, 435.
Villoutreys, Colonel, treason of, 446.
Vittoria, defeat of French at, 374.
W
Wagram, battle of, 296-99.
Washington, Napoleon honors, 151.
Waterloo, bivouac of, 458-62.
Battle of, 463-86.
Wellington, Duke of, in Spain, 326.
In Spain, 1813, 350.
Final success in Spain, 358.
Commander-in-chief British army, 1815, 440.
At Waterloo, 458-88.
Wertingen, battle of, 193.
Wilna, headquarters of Napoleon at, 318.
Witgenstein, Russian general, 316.
In command of Russian army, 349.
Wrede de, General, at Wagram, 298.
Wurmser, Austrian general, in Italy, 70.
Wurmser, replaces General Beaulieu, 72.
Defeat of, 77.
Z
Znaim, armistice at, 302.
TRANSCRIBER'S NOTES:
Punctuation standardized; minor typographical errors silently corrected.
Spelling inconsistencies resolved when a word or name is mostly spelled
the same way in this book, but unchanged when no clear preference can
be found.
Page 187: 'Allegorial' unchanged; it's spelled this way in several
editions.
Page 263: 'and from the sea cost' could be 'coast' or 'east'
Pages 151, 182, 508: "Cambacérès" spelled three different ways; all
changed to "Cambacérès".
Page 315: refers to a map "as will be seen by the map," but there are
no maps in this book.
Page 411: caption reads "1814" but should be "1812".
Index: Many alphabetizing sequence errors corrected.
Some pages included decorative head-, center-, and tail-pieces. Those
are not indicated here.