At one o’clock in the morning of December 2d, 1805, the Emperor mounted
his horse, to take a survey of his position, and to ascertain from the
advance guards what they had observed of the movements of the Russians.
He wished to do so without being recognized, but the soldiery recognized
him immediately, and, lighting great fires of straw all along the line,
received him from post to post with enthusiasm. They reminded him that
this was the anniversary of his coronation and assured him that they
would celebrate the day in a manner worthy of it: ‘only promise us,’
cried an old grenadier, ‘that you will keep yourself out of range.’ “I
will do so,” answered Napoleon. “I shall be with the reserve _until you
need me_.” This pledge, which so completely reveals the mutual
confidence of the leader and his soldiers, he repeated in a proclamation
issued at day break. The sun rose with unusual splendor; and was the
harbinger of one of the most lovely days in autumn. This engagement,
which the soldiers persist in calling the battle of the three emperors,
will be ever memorable in the calendar of the “_great_” nation.
The Emperor surrounded by his staff, gave his last orders at dawn and
each marshal hastened to rejoin his corps.
[Illustration: THE MORNING OF AUSTERLITZ.]