good. I am sorry to hear of all the vexations you have undergone.
Please write me often. My health is very good, although I am rather
tired. I shall be at Dunkirk in a very few days, and shall write you
from there.
Eugene has started for Blois.
_Je te couvre de baisers._
NAPOLEON.
No. 3.
TO THE EMPRESS, AT AIX-LA-CHAPELLE.
_Calais, August 6, 1804._
_My Dear_,--I arrived at Calais at midnight; I expect to start
to-night for Dunkirk. I am in very fair health, and satisfied with
what I see. I trust that the waters are doing you as much good as
exercise, camp, and seascape are doing me.
Eugene has set off for Blois. Hortense is well. Louis is at
Plombieres.
I am longing to see you. You are always necessary to my happiness. My
very best love.
NAPOLEON.
No. 4.
TO THE EMPRESS, AT AIX-LA-CHAPELLE.
_Ostend, August 14, 1804._
_My Dear_,--I have had no letter from you for several days; yet I
should be more comfortable if I knew that the waters were efficacious,
and how you spend your time. During the past week I have been at
Ostend. The day after to-morrow I shall be at Boulogne for a somewhat
special fete. Advise me by the courier what you intend to do, and how
soon you expect to end your baths.
I am very well satisfied with the army and the flotillas. Eugene is
still at Blois. I hear no more of Hortense than if she were on the
Congo. I am writing to scold her.
My best love to all.
NAPOLEON.
No. 5.
TO THE EMPRESS, AT AIX-LA-CHAPELLE.
_Arras, Wednesday, August 29, 1804._
_Madame and dear Wife_,--I have just reached Arras. I shall stay
there to-morrow. I shall be at Mons on Friday, and on Sunday at
Aix-la-Chapelle. I am as well satisfied with my journey as with the
army. I think I shall pass through Brussels without stopping
there; thence I shall go to Maestricht. I am rather impatient to see
you. I am glad to hear you have tried the waters; they cannot fail
to do you good. My health is excellent. Eugene is well, and is with
me.
Very kindest regards to every one.
BONAPARTE.
[_Translated from a Letter in the Collection of Baron Heath,
Philobiblon Society, vol. xiv._]
* * * * *
_October 2nd._--Sir Sydney Smith attacks flotilla at Boulogne
unsuccessfully.
No. 6.
TO JOSEPHINE, AT ST. CLOUD.
_Treves, October 6, 1804._
_My Dear,_--I arrive at Treves the same moment that you arrive at St.
Cloud. I am in good health. Do not grant an audience to T----, and
refuse to see him. Receive B---- only in general company, and do not
give him a private interview. Make promises to sign marriage contracts
only after I have signed them.--Yours ever,
NAPOLEON.
* * * * *
_December 1st.--Plebiscite confirms election of Napoleon as
Emperor, by 3,500,000 votes to 2000._
_December 2nd.--Napoleon crowns himself Emperor, and Josephine
Empress, in the presence and with the benediction of the Pope._
GENERAL EVENTS.--_October 8th._--The negro Dessalines crowned
Emperor of St. Domingo, under title of James I.
_December 12th._--Spain declares war against England.
SERIES F
CAMPAIGN OF AUSTERLITZ, 1805.
"To convey an idea of the brilliant campaign of 1805 ... I should,
like the almanack-makers, be obliged to note down a victory for
every day."--BOURRIENNE, vol. ii. 323.
"Si jamais correspondence de mari a femme a ete intime et
frequente, si jamais continuite et permanence de tendresse a ete
marquee, c'est bien dans ces lettres ecrites, chaque jour presque,
par Napoleon a sa femme durant la campagne de l'an XIV."--F.
MASSON, _Josephine, Imperatrice et Reine_, 1899, p. 427.
SERIES F
(For subjoined Notes to this Series see pages 237-243.)
LETTER PAGE
No. 1. _To Josephine_ 237
_Strasburg_ 237
_Stuttgard_ 237
_I am well placed_ 237
No. 2. _Louisburg_ 238
_In a few days_ 238
_A new bride_ 238
_Electress_ 238
No. 3. _I have assisted at a marriage_ 238
No. 5. The abbey of Elchingen 238
No. 6. _Spent the whole of to-day indoors_ 238
_Vicenza_ 238
No. 7. _Elchingen_ 239
_Such a catastrophe_ 239
No. 9. _Munich_ 239
_Lemarois_ 239
_I was grieved_ 239
_Amuse yourself_ 239
_Talleyrand has come_ 240
No. 10. _We are always in forests_ 240
_My enemies_ 240
No. 11. Lintz 240
No. 12. Schoenbrunn 241
No. 13. _They owe everything to you_ 241
No. 14. _Austerlitz_ 241
_December 2nd_ 241
No. 17. _A long time since I had news of you_ 241
No. 19. _I await events_ 242
_I, for my part, am sufficiently busy_ 242
LETTERS OF THE EMPEROR NAPOLEON TO
THE EMPRESS JOSEPHINE, DURING THE
AUSTERLITZ CAMPAIGN, 1805.
EVENTS OF 1805.
_March 13th.--Napoleon proclaimed King of Italy._
_May 26th.--Crowned at Milan._
_June 8th.--Prince Eugene named Viceroy of Italy._
_June 23rd.--Lucca made a principality, and given to Elisa
Bonaparte._
_July 22nd._--Naval battle between Villeneuve and Sir Robert
Calder, which saves England from invasion.
_August 16th.--Napoleon breaks up camp of Boulogne._
_September 8th._--Third Continental Coalition (Russia, Austria,
and England against France). Austrians cross the Inn, and invade
Bavaria.
_September 21st._--Treaty of Paris between France and Naples,
which engages to take no part in the war.
_September 23rd._--_Moniteur_ announces invasion of Bavaria by
Austria.
_September 24th.--Napoleon leaves Paris._
_September 27th.--Joins at Strasburg his Grand Army(160,000
strong)._
_October 1st.--Arrives at Ettlingen._
_October 2nd.--Arrives at Louisbourg. Hostilities commence._
No. 1.
TO JOSEPHINE, AT STRASBURG.
_Imperial Headquarters, Ettlingen_,
_October 2, 1805_, 10 A.M.
I am well, and still here. I am starting for Stuttgard, where I shall
be to-night. Great operations are now in progress. The armies of
Wurtemberg and Baden have joined mine. I am well placed for the
campaign, and I love you.
NAPOLEON.
No. 2.
TO JOSEPHINE, AT STRASBURG.
_Louisbourg, October 4, 1805, Noon._
I am at Louisbourg. I start to-night. There is as yet nothing new. My
whole army is on the march. The weather is splendid. My junction with
the Bavarians is effected. I am well. I trust in a few days to have
something interesting to communicate.
Keep well, and believe in my entire affection. There is a brilliant
Court here, a new bride who is very beautiful, and upon the whole some
very pleasant people, even our Electress, who appears extremely kind,
although the daughter of the King of England.
NAPOLEON.
No. 3.
TO JOSEPHINE, AT STRASBURG.
_Louisbourg, October 5, 1805._
I continue my march immediately. You will, my dear, be five or six
days without hearing from me; don't be uneasy, it is connected with
operations now taking place. All goes well, and just as I could wish.
I have assisted at a marriage between the son of the Elector and a
niece of the King of Prussia. I wish to give the young princess a
wedding present to cost 36,000 to 40,000 francs. Please attend to
this, and send it to the bride by one of my chamberlains, when they
shall come to rejoin me. This matter must be attended to immediately.
Adieu, dear, I love you and embrace you.
NAPOLEON.
* * * * *
_October 6th-7th.--French cross the Danube and turn Mack's army._
_October 8th.--Battle of Wertingen. (Murat defeats the Austrians.)_
_October 9th.--Battle of Gunzburg. (Ney defeats Mack.)_
No. 4.
_October 10th.--French enter Augsbourg._
TO JOSEPHINE, AT STRASBURG.
_Augsbourg, Thursday, October 10, 1805_,
11 A.M.
I slept last night[18] with the former Elector of Treves, who is very
well lodged. For the past week I have been hurrying forward. The
campaign has been successful enough so far. I am very well, although
it rains almost every day. Events crowd on us rapidly. I have sent to
France 4000 prisoners, 8 flags, and have 14 of the enemy's cannon.
Adieu, dear, I embrace you.
NAPOLEON.
* * * * *
_October 11th.--Battle of Hasslach. Dupont holds his own against
much superior forces._
No. 5.
_October 12th.--French enter Munich._
TO JOSEPHINE, AT STRASBURG.
_October 12, 1805_, 11 P.M.
My army has entered Munich. On one side the enemy is beyond the Inn; I
hold the other army, 60,000 strong, blocked on the Iller, between Ulm
and Memmingen. The enemy is beaten, has lost its head, and everything
points to a most glorious campaign, the shortest and most brilliant
which has been made. In an hour I start for Burgau-sur-l'Iller.
I am well, but the weather is frightful. It rains so much that I
change my clothes twice a day.
I love and embrace you.
NAPOLEON.
_October 14th.--Capture of Memmingen and 4OOO Austrians by
Soult._
_October 15th.--Battle of Elchingen. Ney defeats Laudon._
_October 17th.--Capitulation of Ulm._
No. 6.
_October 19th.--Werneck and 8000 men surrender to Murat._
TO JOSEPHINE, AT STRASBURG.
_Abbaye d'Elchingen, October 19, 1805._
_My dear Josephine_,--I have tired myself more than I ought. Soaked
garments and cold feet every day for a week have made me rather ill,
but I have spent the whole of to-day indoors, which has rested me.
My design has been accomplished; I have destroyed the Austrian army by
marches alone; I have made 60,000 prisoners, taken 120 pieces of
cannon, more than 90 flags, and more than 30 generals. I am about to
fling myself on the Russians; they are lost men. I am satisfied with
my army. I have only lost 1500 men, of whom two-thirds are but
slightly wounded.
Prince Charles is on his way to cover Vienna. I think Massena should
be already at Vicenza.
The moment I can give my thoughts to Italy, I will make Eugene win a
battle.
Very best wishes to Hortense.
Adieu, my Josephine; kindest regards to every one.
NAPOLEON.
* * * * *
_October 20th.--Mack and his army defile before Napoleon._
No. 7.
_October 21st._--Battle of Trafalgar; Franco-Spanish fleet
destroyed after a five hours' fight. "The result of the battle of
Trafalgar compensates, for England, the results of the operations
of Ulm. It has been justly observed that this power alone, of all
those who fought France from 1793 to 1812, never experienced a
check in her political or military combinations without seeing
herself compensated forthwith by a signal success in some other
part of the world" (_Montgaillard_).
TO THE EMPRESS, AT STRASBURG.
_Elchingen, October 21, 1805, Noon._
I am fairly well, my dear. I start at once for Augsbourg. I have made
33,000 men lay down their arms, I have from 60,000 to 70,000
prisoners, more than 90 flags, and 200 pieces of cannon. Never has
there been such a catastrophe in military annals!
Take care of yourself. I am rather jaded. The weather has been fine
for the last three days. The first column of prisoners files off for
France to-day. Each column consists of 6000 men.
NAPOLEON.
No. 8.
_October 25th._--The Emperor of Russia and King of Prussia swear,
at the tomb of the Great Frederick, to make implacable war on
France (Convention signed November 3rd).
TO THE EMPRESS, AT STRASBURG.
_Augsburg, October 25, 1805._
The two past nights have thoroughly rested me, and I am going to start
to-morrow for Munich. I am sending word to M. de Talleyrand and M.
Maret to be near at hand. I shall see something of them, and I am
going to advance upon the Inn in order to attack Austria in the heart
of her hereditary states. I should much have liked to see you; but do
not reckon upon my sending for you, unless there should be an
armistice or winter quarters.
Adieu, dear; a thousand kisses. Give my compliments to the ladies.
NAPOLEON.
No. 9.
TO THE EMPRESS, AT STRASBURG.
_Munich, Sunday, October 27, 1805._
I received your letter per Lemarois. I was grieved to see how
needlessly you have made yourself unhappy. I have heard particulars
which have proved how much you love me, but you should have more
fortitude and confidence. Besides, I had advised you that I should be
six days without writing you.
To-morrow I expect the Elector. At noon I start to support my advance
on the Inn. My health is fair. You need not think of crossing the
Rhine for two or three weeks. You must be cheerful, amuse yourself,
and hope that before the end of the month[19] we shall meet.
I am advancing against the Russian army. In a few days I shall have
crossed the Inn.
Adieu, my dear; kindest regards to Hortense, Eugene, and the two
Napoleons.
Keep back the wedding present a little longer.
Yesterday I gave a concert to the ladies of this court. The precentor
is a superior man.
I took part in the Elector's pheasant-shoot; you see by that that I am
not so tired. M. de Talleyrand has come.
NAPOLEON.
* * * * *
_October 28th._--Grand Army cross the Inn. Lannes occupies
Braunau.
_October 28th to October 29th-30th.--Battle of Caldiero._--Massena
with 55,000 men attacks Archduke Charles entrenched with 70,000;
after two days' fight French repulsed at this place, previously
disastrous to their arms.
No. 10.
TO THE EMPRESS, AT STRASBURG.
_Haag, November 3, 1805_, 10 P.M.
I am in full march; the weather is very cold, the earth covered with a
foot of snow. This is rather trying. Luckily there is no want of wood;
here we are always in forests. I am fairly well. My campaign proceeds
satisfactorily; my enemies must have more anxieties than I.
I wish to hear from you and to learn that you are not worrying
yourself.
Adieu, dear; I am going to lie down.
NAPOLEON.
* * * * *
_November 4th._--Combat of Amstetten. Lannes and Murat drive back
the Russians. Davoust occupies Steyer. Army of Italy takes
Vicenza.
No. 11.
TO THE EMPRESS, AT STRASBURG.
_Tuesday, November 5, 1805._
I am at Lintz. The weather is fine. We are within seventy miles of
Vienna. The Russians do not stand; they are in full retreat. The house
of Austria is at its wit's end, and in Vienna they are removing all
the court belongings. It is probable that something new will occur
within five or six days. I much desire to see you again. My health is
good.
I embrace you.
NAPOLEON.
* * * * *
_November 7th._--Ney occupies Innsbruck.
_November 9th._--Davoust defeats Meerfeldt at Marienzell.
_November 10th._--Marmont arrives at Leoben.
_November 11th._---Battle of Diernstein; Mortier overwhelmed by
Russians, but saved by Dupont.
_November 13th._--Vienna entered and bridge over the Danube
seized. Massena crosses the Tagliamento.
_November 14th._--Ney enters Trent.
No. 12.
TO THE EMPRESS, AT STRASBURG.
_November 15, 1805_, 9 P.M.
I have been at Vienna two days, my dear, rather fagged. I have not yet
seen the city by day; I have traversed it by night. To-morrow I
receive the notables and public bodies. Nearly all my troops are
beyond the Danube, in pursuit of the Russians.
Adieu, Josephine; as soon as it is possible I will send for you. My
very best love.
NAPOLEON.
No. 13.
_November 16th._--Jellachich surrenders to Augereau at Feldkirch
with 7000 men.
TO THE EMPRESS, AT STRASBURG.
_Vienna, November 16, 1805._
I am writing to M. d'Harville, so that you can set out and make your
way to Baden, thence to Stuttgard, and from there to Munich. At
Stuttgard you will give the wedding present to the Princess Paul. If
it costs fifteen to twenty thousand francs, that will suffice; the
rest will do for giving presents at Munich to the daughters of the
Electress of Bavaria. All that Madame de Serent[20] has advised you is
definitely arranged. Take with you the wherewithal to make presents to
the ladies and officers who will wait upon you. Be civil, but receive
full homage; they owe everything to you, and you owe nothing save
civility. The Electress of Wurtemberg is daughter of the King of
England. She is an excellent woman; you should be very kind to her,
but yet without affectation.
I shall be very glad to see you, the moment circumstances permit me. I
start to join my vanguard. The weather is frightful; it snows heavily.
Otherwise my affairs go excellently.
Adieu, my dear.
NAPOLEON.
* * * * *
_November 19th.--French occupy Brunn, and Napoleon establishes his
headquarters at Wischau._
_November 24th._--Massena occupies Trieste.
_November 28th._--Army of Italy joins troops of the Grand Army at
Klagenfurt.
_December 2nd._--Battle of the Three Emperors (Austerlitz). French
forces 80,000; allies 95,000.
No. 14.
TO THE EMPRESS, AT STRASBURG.
_Austerlitz, December 3, 1805._
I have despatched to you Lebrun from the field of battle. I have
beaten the Russian and Austrian army commanded by the two Emperors. I
am rather fagged. I have bivouacked eight days in the open air,
through nights sufficiently keen. To-night I rest in the chateau of
Prince Kaunitz, where I shall sleep for the next two or three hours.
The Russian army is not only beaten, but destroyed.
I embrace you.
NAPOLEON.
* * * * *
_December 4th.--Haugwitz, the Prussian Minister, congratulates
Napoleon on his victory. "Voila!" replied the Emperor; "un
compliment dont la fortune a change l'addresse."_
No. 15.
TO THE EMPRESS, AT MUNICH.
_Austerlitz, December 5, 1805._
I have concluded a truce. The Russians have gone. The battle of
Austerlitz is the grandest of all I have fought. Forty-five flags,
more than 150 pieces of cannon, the standards of the Russian Guard, 20
generals, 30,000 prisoners, more than 20,000 slain--a horrible sight.
The Emperor Alexander is in despair, and on his way to Russia.
Yesterday, at my bivouac, I saw the Emperor of Germany. We conversed
for two hours; we have agreed to make peace quickly.
The weather is not now very bad. At last behold peace restored to the
Continent; it is to be hoped that it is going to be to the world. The
English will not know how to face us.
I look forward with much pleasure to the moment when I can once more
be near you. My eyes have been rather bad the last two days; I have
never suffered from them before.
Adieu, my dear. I am fairly well, and very anxious to embrace you.
NAPOLEON.
No. 16.
TO THE EMPRESS, AT MUNICH.
_Austerlitz, December 7, 1805._
I have concluded an armistice; within a week peace will be made. I am
anxious to hear that you reached Munich in good health. The Russians
are returning; they have lost enormously--more than 20,000 dead and
30,000 taken. Their army is reduced by three-quarters. Buxhowden,
their general-in-chief, was killed. I have 3000 wounded and 700 to 800
dead.
My eyes are rather bad; it is a prevailing complaint, and scarcely
worth mentioning.
Adieu, dear. I am very anxious to see you again.
I am going to sleep to-night at Vienna.
NAPOLEON.
No. 17.
TO THE EMPRESS, AT MUNICH.
_Brunn, December 10, 1805._
It is a long time since I had news of you. Have the grand fetes at
Baden, Stuttgard, and Munich made you forget the poor soldiers, who
live covered with mud, rain, and blood?
I shall start in a few days for Vienna.
We are endeavouring to conclude peace. The Russians have gone, and are
in flight far from here; they are on their way back to Russia, well
drubbed and very much humiliated.
I am very anxious to be with you again.
Adieu, dear.
My bad eyes are cured.
NAPOLEON.
* * * * *
_December 15th.--Treaty with Prussia._
No. 18.
TO THE EMPRESS, AT MUNICH.
_December 19, 1805._
_Great Empress_,--Not a single letter from you since your departure
from Strasburg. You have gone to Baden, Stuttgard, Munich, without
writing us a word. This is neither very kind nor very affectionate.
I am still at Brunn. The Russians are gone. I have a truce. In a few
days I shall see what I may expect. Deign from the height of your
grandeur to concern yourself a little with your slaves.
NAPOLEON.
No. 19.
TO THE EMPRESS, AT MUNICH.
_Schoenbrunn, December 20, 1805._
I got your letter of the 16th. I am sorry to learn you are in pain.
You are not strong enough to travel two hundred and fifty miles at
this time of the year. I know not what I shall do; I await events. I
have no will in the matter; everything depends on their issue. Stay at
Munich; amuse yourself. That is not difficult when you have so many
kind friends and so beautiful a country. I, for my part, am
sufficiently busy. In a few days my decision will be made.
Adieu, dear. Kindest and most affectionate regards.
NAPOLEON.
* * * * *
_December 27th.[21]--Peace of Presburg._
_December 31st.--Napoleon arrives outside Munich, and joins
Josephine the next morning._
FOOTNOTES
[18] _J'ai couche aujourd'hui_--_i.e._ a few hours' morning sleep.
[19] The month _Brumaire--i.e._ before November 21st.
[20] Countess de Serent, the Empress's lady-in-waiting.
[21] _VI. Nivose_, which for the year 1805 was December 27 (see Harris
Nicolas' "Chronology of History"). Haydn, Woodward, Bouillet,
all have December 26th; Alison and _Biographie Universelle_
have December 27th; but, as usual, the "Correspondence of
Napoleon I." is taken here as the final court of appeal.
SERIES G
"Battles then lasted a few hours, campaigns a few days."
--BIGNON, _On Friedland_ (vol. vi. 292).
SERIES G
(For subjoined Notes to this Series see pages 243-264.)
LETTER PAGE
No. 1. _Princess of Baden_ 244
_Hortense_ 244
_The Grand Duke_ 244
_Florence_ 244
No. 2. _Bamberg_ 244
_Eugene_ 244
_Her husband_ 245
No. 3. _Erfurt_ 245
_If she wants to see a battle_ 245
No. 4. _I nearly captured him and
the Queen_ 246
_I have bivouacked_ 246
No. 5. _Fatigues, bivouacs
have made me fat_ 246
_The great M. Napoleon_ 247
No. 7. _Potsdam_ 247
No. 8. _You do nothing but cry_ 247
No. 9_a_. _Madame Tallien_ 247
No. 10. _The bad things I say
about women_ 248
No. 11. _Lubeck_ 250
No. 13. _Madame L._ 250
No. 17. _December 2nd_ 250
No. 18. _Jealousy_ 250
No. 19. _Desir de femme est un feu
qui devore_ 251
No. 23. _I am dependent on events_ 251
No. 26. _The fair ones of Great
Poland_ 251
_A wretched barn_ 252
_Such things become common
property_ 252
No. 27. _Warsaw, January 3rd_ 252
No. 28. _Be cheerful--gai_ 253
No. 29. _Roads unsafe and detestable_ 253
No. 35. _I hope that you are at Paris_ 254
_T._ 254
No. 36. _Paris_ 254
No. 38. Arensdorf 254
No. 39. _The Battle of Preussich-Eylau_ 254
No. 40. _Corbineau_ 256
_Dahlmann_ 256
No. 41. _Young Tascher_ 256
No. 42. Napoleon's Correspondence 256
No. 43. _I am still at Eylau_ 257
_This country is covered
with dead and wounded_ 257
No. 50. _Osterode_ 257
_It is not as good as the
great city_ 258
_I have ordered what you
wish for Malmaison_ 258
No. 54. _Minerva_ 259
No. 55. The first use of _Vous_ 259
No. 56. _Dupuis_ 260
No. 58. _M. de T._ 260
No. 60. _Marshal Bessieres_ 260
No. 63. Date 260
No. 67. _Sweet, pouting, and capricious_ 260
No. 68. _Madame_ ---- 261
_Measles_ 261
No. 69. _I trust I may hear you
have been rational_ 261
No. 71. _May 20th_ 262
No. 74. _I am vexed with Hortense_ 262
No. 78. _Friedland_ 263
No. 79. _Tilsit_ 264
LETTERS OF THE EMPEROR NAPOLEON TO
THE EMPRESS JOSEPHINE DURING THE
CAMPAIGN AGAINST PRUSSIA AND RUSSIA,
1806-7.
1806.
_January 1st.--The Elector of Bavaria and the Duke of Wurtemberg
created Kings by France._
_January 23rd._--Death of William Pitt, aged 47.
_February 15th.--Joseph Bonaparte enters Naples, and on_
_March 10th is declared King of the Two Sicilies._
_April 1st.--Prussia seizes Hanover._
_June 5th.--Louis Bonaparte made King of Holland._
_July 6th.--Battle of Maida (Calabria. English defeat General
Reynier. French loss 4000; English 500)._
_July 12th.--Napoleon forms Confederation of the Rhine, with
himself as Chief and Protector._
_July 18th.--Gaeta surrenders to Massena._
_August 6th.--Francis II., Emperor of Germany, becomes Emperor of
Austria as Francis I._
_August 15th.--Russia refuses to ratify peace preliminaries signed
by her ambassador at Paris on July 25th._
_September 13th._--Death of Charles James Fox, aged 57.
No. 1.
_October 5th.--Proclamation by the Prince of the Peace against
France (germ of Spanish War)._
TO THE EMPRESS, AT MAYENCE.
_October 5, 1806._
It will be quite in order for the Princess of Baden to come to
Mayence. I cannot think why you weep; you do wrong to make yourself
ill. Hortense is inclined to pedantry; she loves to air her views. She
has written me; I am sending her a reply. She ought to be happy and
cheerful. Pluck and a merry heart--that's the recipe.
Adieu, dear. The Grand Duke has spoken to me about you; he saw you at
Florence at the time of the retreat.
NAPOLEON.
No. 2.
TO THE EMPRESS, AT MAYENCE.
_Bamberg, October 7, 1806._
I start this evening, my dear, for Cronach. The whole of my army is
advancing. All goes well. My health is perfect. I have only received
as yet one letter from you. I have some from Eugene and from Hortense.
Stephanie should now be with you. Her husband wishes to make the
campaign; he is with me.
Adieu. A thousand kisses and the best of health.
NAPOLEON.
* * * * *
_October 8th.--Prussia, assisted by Saxony, Russia, and England,
declares war against France._
_October 9th.--Campaign opens. Prussians defeated at Schleitz._