The Emperor is here seen pointing a cannon. This was not the first
occasion on which he had served a piece of artillery. It has been
asserted by some that he was an admirable marksman, while others have
maintained the contrary. At Montereau all the ardor of youth seemed to
revive within him, and his military genius appeared as vigorous as in
his early engagements.
On the 18th of February, 1814, General Briancks had taken his position
with two divisions of Austrians, and two of Wirtemburgians, upon the
heights before Montereau, covering the bridges of the city. General
Chateau attacked him in vain, and was obliged to retire. The troops
commanded by General Gerard kept up the fighting all the morning.
Napoleon arrived on the field of battle, and immediately attacked the
heights, and the effect of these successive charges was to drive the
enemy with a loss of nine thousand men, in every direction. The French
filed over the bridges which the Allies had not been able to destroy.
This series of unexpected triumphs revived the hopes of Napoleon.
Instead of the doubtful battle which he would willingly have avoided, he
had won four memorable victories: namely--those of Mormant, Valjouan,
Montmirail, and Montereau.
At the close of the last decisive combat, Napoleon observed “My heart is
satisfied. I will return to defend the capital of my Empire.”
[Illustration: NAPOLEON AT MONTEREAU.]