A distinguished historian, (Alison,) expresses the opinion that the
greatest displays of Napoleon’s genius were made during his first
campaign in Italy, and the next to the last in his career, in France. In
spite of his triumphs at Lutzen, Bautzen and Leipsic, he was compelled
to retreat upon France, into which he was followed by the overwhelming
forces of the allies. His throne was threatened on all sides. His army
was but a handful compared with that of his enemies. Yet by his
lightning movements, masterly combinations and indomitable resolution,
he gained a succession of dazzling victories, and for a time seemed
likely to drive his foes from France. We can only show this astonishing
man during one portion of this unparalleled campaign.
It was the 16th of February, 1814. Having conquered the Russians at
Montmirail, Napoleon had left the Duke of Ragusa—the Judas of the
Emperor—in command of that portion of the army, and flown to the army of
the Seine, commanded by the Dukes of Belluno and Reggio. He proceeded to
Guignes by way of Crecy and Fontenay.
The inhabitants lined the road with carts, by the help of which the
soldiers doubled their distances; and the firing of cannon being heard,
the artillery drove on at full speed. An engagement had been obstinately
maintained since noon by the Dukes of Belluno and Reggio, in the hope to
keep possession of the road by which Napoleon was expected; an hour
later the junction of the forces would have been difficult. The arrival
of the Emperor restored full confidence to the army of the Seine. That
evening he contented himself with checking the allies before Guignes;
and the next morning the troops were seasonably reinforced by General
Treilhard’s dragoons, who had been detached from the army in Spain.
Couriers dispatched to Paris entered the suburbs escorted by crowds of
people who had anxiously assembled at Charenton. On the 17th the troops
quitted Guignes and marched forward. The allies instantly knew that
Napoleon was returned. General Gerard’s infantry, General Drouet’s
artillery, and the cavalry of the army of Spain did wonders. The enemy’s
columns were driven back in every direction, and left the road between
Mormars and Provins covered with the slain. The Duke of Belluno had
orders to carry the bridge of Montereau that same evening; and the
imperial guard lit their camp-fires round Nangis, the Emperor sleeping
at the castle.
In the course of the evening, one of those lures by which he was too
often inveigled arrived in the shape of a demand for a suspension of
hostilities, brought by Count Parr from the Austrians. He availed
himself of this opportunity of transmitting a letter from the Empress to
her father, and of writing one himself. Napoleon at the same time,
however, had spirit to write to Caulaincourt to revoke his _carte
blanche_, saying it was to save the capital, but the capital was now
saved; that it was to avoid a battle, but that the battle had been
fought, and that the negotiations must return to the ordinary course.
The allies had the assurance to reproach Buonaparte with this, as a
receding from his word according to circumstances, when they themselves
encroached upon him with every new advantage and every hour, as fast as
the drawing aside the veil of hypocrisy would let them.
In the meantime, the Duke of Belluno was encamped at the bridge of
Montereau. Early on the morning of the 18th, Napoleon was vexed to hear
that the bridge was not yet captured; but that the camp-fires of the
duke were burning amidst troops at rest, when great efforts were
demanded of them. The Emperor hurried to that point. But the Wurtemberg
troops had established themselves there during the night.
Napoleon ordered forward the Bretagne national guard and General Pajol’s
cavalry. General Gerard came up in time to support the attack, and
Napoleon himself arrived to decide the victory. The troops took
possession of the heights of Surville, which command the confluence of
the Seine and the Yonne; and batteries were mounted which dealt
destruction on the Wurtemberg force in Montereau. Napoleon himself
pointed the guns. The enemy’s balls hissed like the wind over the
heights of Surville. The troops were fearful lest Napoleon, giving way
to the habits of his early life, should expose himself to danger; but he
only said, “Come on, my brave fellows, fear nothing; the ball that is to
kill me is not yet cast.” The firing redoubled; and under its shelter
the Bretagne guards established themselves in the suburbs, while General
Pajol carried the bridge by so vigorous a charge of cavalry, that there
was not time to blow up a single arch. The Wurtemberg troops, inclosed
and cut to pieces in Montereau, vainly summoned the Austrians to their
aid. This engagement was one of the most brilliant of the campaign.
Their success encouraged the troops, roused the country people, and
stimulated the ardor of the young officers; but nothing could revive the
spirits of the veteran chiefs. Hope does not return twice to the human
breast. Several of the most distinguished officers were deeply
depressed.
Napoleon could no longer repress his dissatisfaction. He reproached
General Guyot in the presence of the troops, with having suffered the
enemy to surprise some pieces of artillery the preceding evening. He
ordered General Digeon to be tried by a council of war for a failure of
ammunition on the batteries: but afterwards tore the order. He sent the
Duke of Belluno, who had suffered the Wurtembergers to surprise the
bridge of Montereau before him, permission to retire; and gave the
command of his corps to General Gerard, who had greatly exerted himself
during the campaign. The Duke repaired to Surville to appeal against
this decision; but Napoleon overwhelmed him with reproaches for neglect
and reluctance in the discharge of his duties. The conduct of the
Duchess was also made a subject of complaint; she was Lady of the
Palace, and yet had withdrawn herself from the Empress, who, indeed,
seemed to be quite forsaken by the new court. The Duke could not for
some time obtain a hearing; the recollections of Italy were appealed to
in vain; but, mentioning the fatal wound which his son-in-law had
received in consequence of his delay, the Emperor was deeply affected at
hearing the name of General Chateau, and sympathized sincerely in the
grief of the marshal. The Duke of Belluno resuming confidence, again
protested that he would never quit the army. “I can shoulder a musket,”
said he: “I have not forgotten the business of a soldier. Victor will
range himself in the ranks of the Guard.” These last words completely
subdued Napoleon. “Well, Victor,” he said, stretching out his hand to
him, “remain with me. I cannot restore the command of your corps,
because I have appointed General Gerard to succeed you; but I give you
the command of two divisions of the Guard; and now let every thing be
forgotten between us.”
The Emperor was victorious. But victory only served to fill him with
false hopes. He triumphed again and again. But it was of no avail. The
forces of the enemy were overwhelming; and at the moment when it seemed
most likely that he could save France, the disgusting treachery of
Marmont and Augereau, two men whom he had raised from the dust, as it
were, brought about his ruin. He found, like many other great characters
of history, in their hour of adversity, that the men who were most
indebted to him were the men upon whom it were most unsafe to rely.
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