Prince BLÜCHER had satisfied himself, by means of the reconnaissances
made during the 29th, that very considerable pains had been taken by
the Enemy to oppose a serious obstruction to the farther advance of
troops marching against the north side of Paris.
He was now desirous of ascertaining Whether the disposition and spirit
of the Enemy's troops were at all commensurate with the extent of the
Works which he saw before him: and, with this view, he directed BÜLOW
to make an attack, in the night of the 29th, with part of his _Corps
d'Armée_, upon Aubervilliers. He also desired ZIETEN to support this
attack, by raising as much alarm as possible in the Villages of Bondy
and Pontin.
Before the attack commenced, BLÜCHER was joined by WELLINGTON in
person, who communicated to him the Proposals which had been made
by the French Commissioners. Being already engaged in an important
operation, he could not consent to suspend hostilities; and the two
Commanders agreed in opinion that, as long as NAPOLEON remained in
Paris, they could not arrest their operations without insisting upon
his being delivered up to them. Accordingly, the Duke wrote a letter
immediately to the Commissioners to this effect.
BLÜCHER confided the attack upon Aubervilliers to General SYDOW, with
the Thirteenth Brigade (nine Battalions), together with one Battalion
of the Fourteenth Brigade, and two Regiments of Cavalry. The remainder
of the Fourth _Corps d'Armée_ was held under arms, in readiness to
follow up any acquired advantage. Four Battalions advanced in Column,
under Colonel LETTOW, supported by the remaining five Battalions. The
arrangements, being made during the night, occupied some little time,
so that twilight had set in when the attack commenced. Colonel LETTOW
penetrated the extensive Village on three sides, forced the barriers,
and carried every thing before him with the bayonet. The place had
been occupied by one thousand of the Enemy's best troops; of whom two
hundred were made prisoners, and the remainder pursued as far as the
Canal of St Denis.
General SYDOW, accompanied by Major LÜTZOW of the Staff, immediately
made a reconnaissance of the Canal; and soon discovered that its
opposite bank was lined with Infantry in great force, and that the
different points of passage were defended by Batteries. Nevertheless
he made the attempt to advance; but the troops were received with
a vigorous fire of both artillery and musketry; and it soon became
evident, that the Enemy's fortified position could not be taken except
at a great sacrifice of both time and men. SYDOW, therefore, limited
his operations to the occupation of the captured Village.
A simultaneous advance towards the Canal was made, on the left of
Aubervilliers, by the 3rd Battalion of the 1st Pomeranian Landwehr, and
the 10th Regiment of Hussars; which maintained the communication with
the First Corps. A sharp _tiraillade_ took place, which terminated in
the withdrawal of these troops to their former position.
By means of this reconnaissance it was made sufficiently manifest
that the line of the Canal of St Denis could not be carried without
a serious assault, preluded by a heavy cannonade. It then became a
question with the Allied Commanders, who had thus, most fortunately,
the opportunity of concerting measures in person, Whether it would
not be advisable to endeavour to turn the Enemy's strongly fortified
lines of St Denis and Montmartre, by masking those lines with one Army,
whilst the other should move off to the right, and cross to the left
bank of the Seine, lower down the stream.
Although this movement would have the effect of extending and dividing
the Allied forces, and consequently of augmenting the chances of
success on the part of the Enemy: should the latter possess the
disposition and the means, not only of acting determinedly on the
defensive, but also of assuming the offensive, accordingly as
circumstances might favour the attempt; still any defeat of this kind
was fully counterbalanced by the advantages which the plan presented.
It cut off the entire communication with Normandy, from which Paris
derived its chief supplies; whilst the approach of the Bavarian Army
towards the opposite side was gradually limiting the resources of the
capital in that quarter. It enabled the Commanders to present their
forces simultaneously at different points: and thus, by continuing that
display of vigour which had characterised their advance, they were far
more likely to impose upon the _morale_ of both the defeated Army and
the citizens, than by limiting their combined operations to the attack
of the stronghold presented by the lines of St Denis; for to do this,
would, in all probability, require time, and it was evident from the
repeated Proposals made by the French Government for a Suspension of
Hostilities, that time was their great object, whether for the purpose
of facilitating the collection and organisation of their resources, or
in the hope of obtaining more favourable terms from the Allies.
It had also been tolerably well ascertained that, although fortified
works had been thrown up on the right bank of the Seine, the defence of
the left bank had been comparatively neglected. A further inducement
towards the adoption of this plan arose from a Report which was now
received from Major COLOMB, stating that although he had found the
Bridge of Chatou, leading to Malmaison, destroyed: he had hastened
to that of St Germain, on hearing that it had not been injured; and
succeeded in gaining possession of it at the very moment the French
were on the point of effecting its destruction. The Bridge of Maisons,
still lower down the stream, was also taken and occupied.
No time was lost by the Prussian Commander in taking advantage of the
captured Bridges across the Seine.
Lieutenant Colonel SOHR received an Order that night to move, with his
Cavalry Brigade (the Brandenburg and Pomeranian Hussars), from the
vicinity of Louvres, and to regulate his march so that he might cross
the Seine at St Germain on the following morning. Thence he was to
proceed so as to appear, with his Brigade, on the 1st of July, upon the
Orleans road from Paris; where he was to interrupt this communication,
and increase the confusion already produced in that quarter by the
fugitives from the capital. Altogether, he was to act independently and
discretionally; and, as far as practicable, to impede the supplies of
provisions from the Western and Southern Provinces.
It was arranged that the Prussian Army should move to its right for
the purpose of crossing the Seine; and, in order to mask the operation
as much as possible, the Advanced Posts of the First and Fourth CORPS
D'ARMÉE were to remain in their present position until the arrival of
the Anglo-Allied Army, which was expected to take place on the evening
of the 30th.
The Third Corps was directed to resume, at five o'clock in the morning
of the 30th, its march upon Gonesse; and thence to proceed to St
Germain: but in such a manner as to conceal its movements by means of
the valley of Montmorency, and not to reach the more open ground about
Argenteuil until darkness should have completely set in. From the
latter point it would then complete its march to St Germain.
The First Corps was ordered to break up from its bivouac at ten
o'clock in the evening, and march southward of Gonesse by Montmorency,
Franconville, Cormeilles, and Maisons, at which latter point it was to
cross the Seine, and immediately open a communication with the Third
Corps.
The Fourth CORPS D'ARMÉE was directed to move, at daybreak of the 1st
of July, by the right of St Denis, and to bombard this place during its
march to Argenteuil; in which direction it was to effect a junction
with the First and Third Corps. The Advanced Posts of the First and
Fourth Corps were to remain until relieved by the British troops; and
then, in like manner, to follow the rest of the Army.
These movements were punctually directed in the manner described.
As the First and Third _Corps d'Armée_ moved off to the right, Count
BÜLOW considered it necessary to strengthen the Outposts of the Fourth
Corps, so as to be prepared to meet the Enemy should the latter debouch
from St Denis. He therefore ordered Colonel HILLER to take post in
observation of this point, with six Battalions, a Regiment of Cavalry,
half of a six pounder Battery, and two pieces of Horse Artillery.
About three o'clock in the afternoon, the Prussian Outposts reported
that French Columns were advancing from St Denis, and that the Vedettes
were already driven in. Colonel HILLER immediately pushed forward the
Sharpshooters of two Battalions, as also two Squadrons of Cavalry, with
two pieces of Horse Artillery. At the same time, the troops at Stains
got under arms, and were prepared to support. A very brisk _tiraillade_
ensued, although there was no cover for the Skirmishers on the plain,
except the trees along the great road and the high corn, which served
to conceal their approach. The Enemy had also sent Detachments towards
Epinay and Pierrefitte; but at these points, as also in advance of
Stains, the French were compelled to give way and to retire, without
having succeeded in their object of forcing back the Prussian Outposts.
The main body of the Fourth _Corps d'Armée_ remained, during the 30th,
in its position at Le Bourget; its Advanced Guard, under General SYDOW,
was detached to the right, towards Argenteuil, to communicate with the
Third _Corps d'Armée_. As the former was to move off on the following
morning, it became necessary to hold the Outposts strictly on the
defensive. Aubervilliers was the most open to attack. Two Companies
were posted at the outlets, towards the French side; and in rear of
these, two other Companies were formed in support. Still further to the
rear was the main position; on which these troops, if overpowered, were
to fall back. It lay along the Villages of Chantourterelle, Courneuve,
and Merville, connected together by a water course lined with bushes,
and consisting of separate Country Houses and Châteaux, mostly within
walls, which had been loopholed for _Tirailleurs_. Six Battalions,
chiefly extended in skirmishing order, were considered sufficient
to occupy the whole of this line, as far as the high road from Le
Bourget. Partial skirmishing, at a distance, was kept up; though, on
the side of the Prussians, it was more for the purpose of diverting the
attention of the Enemy, and concealing from him the general movement to
the right. Bivouac fires were maintained during the night on the ground
vacated by the different Corps, in order to deceive the Enemy by their
apparent indication of the continued presence of the Prussian Army in
front of the lines of St Denis.
* * * * *
On this day, the Advanced Guard of the Anglo-Allied Army (VIVIAN's
Hussar Brigade) reached Vauderlan. The British Cavalry moved to Louvres.
ESTORFF's Cavalry, attached to the Second Corps, crossed the Oise at
Creil, and proceeded by Chantilly to Luzarches. The Infantry of this
Corps marched from Clermont to Chantilly.
The First Corps moved from its camp near St Martin Longeau, crossed
the Oise at Pont St Maxence, and advanced until the head of the Column
reached La Capelle, and its rear rested upon Senlis.
The Reserve moved from its camp, near Gournay, by Pont St Maxence, the
head of the Column reaching Fleurines on the road to Senlis, and the
rear resting upon Pont St Maxence.
* * * * *
The following were the positions of the respective Armies on the
evening of the 30th:--
The First Prussian _Corps d' Armée_ commenced its march, at half past
ten o'clock in the evening, from Blancmesnil and Aulnay towards St
Germain, passing, during the night, through Gonesse, Montmorency, and
Le Mesnil, to Carrière au Mont, near St Germain--leaving its Outposts
in the position they had hitherto occupied.
The Third _Corps d'Armée_ marched, during the night, from Dammartin
to St Germain, by Gonesse and Argenteuil; at which latter place,
however, its Reserve Cavalry was halted.
The Fourth _Corps d'Armée_ remained in its position at Le Bourget,
to cover the march of the rest of the Army. Its Outposts continued
at Stains, St Denis, and Aubervilliers. Lieutenant Colonel VON SOHR,
with the Brandenburg and Pomeranian Hussars, crossed the Seine at St
Germain, and was advancing towards Versailles.
Major VON COLOMB, with the 8th Hussars, occupied the Bridge of St
Germain.
The Head Quarters of Prince BLÜCHER continued at Gonesse.
The Advanced Guard of the Anglo-Allied Army was at Vauderlan.
The British Cavalry was encamped on the plain about Louvres.
The Hanoverian Cavalry was at Luzarches.
The Second and Fourth Divisions, and the Nassau troops, were upon the
high road between La Capelle and Senlis.
The Fifth and Sixth Divisions, the Brunswick troops, and the Reserve
Artillery, were upon the high road between Fleurines and Pont St
Maxence.
The Pontoon Train and Hawser Bridges were at Senlis.
The Duke of WELLINGTON's Head Quarters were at Louvres.
The French Army remained within the lines of Paris.
* * * * *
Since the departure of NAPOLEON, both the Army and the citizens looked
upon the Parliament as the sole directing power; and, in full reliance
upon its integrity, appeared willingly submissive to its dictates.
FOUCHÉ, who had been in secret communication with the Allies, decided
upon exercising, in accordance with their views, the great influence
he had succeeded in acquiring over a very considerable portion of the
Deputies. It was mainly by means of this influence that he contrived
to remove the principal obstacle in the way of all negotiation--the
presence of NAPOLEON. His next step was to prepare the Chamber for the
return to power of the legitimate Monarch: a measure which he could
only hope to accomplish by holding it forth as the sole alternative to
the destruction of Paris by the vast and overwhelming force of the
Allied Armies marching towards the capital from the north and east
frontiers; and by combining with it the adoption of such modifications
of the Charter as should satisfy the desires of the Constitutionalists
and the moderately disposed of all Parties.
Aware that the Army was animated with a spirit of determined resistance
towards the Allies; he plainly saw that, unless conciliated, the
turbulent Buonapartists, with whom its ranks were filled, might
speedily frustrate the accomplishment of his plans by which the
peace of the capital was to be preserved, and ultimately prevent the
attainment of that extended Constitutional Power for which the Deputies
were contending. He, therefore, with his usual adroitness, addressed
himself to its Chief, Marshal DAVOUST, Prince of ECKMÜHL; and by his
skilful exposition of the political posture of affairs, he succeeded
in gaining over the Marshal to his views. The latter wrote to him on
the evening of the 29th, that he had overcome his prejudices; and had
arrived at the conclusion that the only safe course to be pursued
consisted in entering into an Armistice, and proclaiming LOUIS XVIII.
On the 30th, the Prince, as the Head of the French Army, addressed the
following letter to both WELLINGTON and BLÜCHER:--
"Head Quarters, La Villette, June 30, 1815.
"My LORD,
"Your hostile movements continue, although, according to the
Declarations of the Allied Sovereigns, the motives of the War which
they make upon us no longer exist; since the Emperor NAPOLEON has
abdicated.
"At the moment when blood is again on the point of flowing, I receive
from Marshal the Duke of ALBUFERA a telegraphic despatch, of which
I transmit you a copy. My Lord, I guarantee this Armistice on my
honour. All the reasons you might have had to continue hostilities
are destroyed; because you can have no other instruction from your
Government than that which the Austrian Generals had from theirs.
"I make the formal demand to your Excellency of ceasing all
hostilities, and of our proceeding to agree to an Armistice,
according to the decision of Congress. I cannot believe, my Lord,
that my request will be ineffectual; you will take upon yourself a
great responsibility in the eyes of your fellow countrymen.
"No other motive but that of putting an end to the effusion of blood,
and the interests of my country, has dictated this letter.
"If I present myself on the Field of Battle, with the idea of your
talents, I shall carry the conviction of there combating for the most
sacred of causes--that of the defence and independence of my country;
and, whatever may be the result, I shall merit your esteem.
"Accept, &c.,
"THE MARSHAL PRINCE OF ECKMÜHL,
"Minister at War."
To this the Duke of WELLINGTON replied in the following terms:--
"Head Quarters, July 1, 1815--10 A.M.
"MONSIEUR LE MARÉCHAL,
"I have just received your Excellency's letter of the 30th June, in
which your Excellency communicates to me the intelligence you have
received of an Armistice having been concluded by General FRIMONT
with Marshal the Duke of ALBUFERA.
"I have already made known, in writing, to the French Commissioners
sent to the Allied Powers, and verbally, to the Commissioners sent
to me, the reasons which have prevented me from suspending my
operations; which reasons, I have cause to believe, are fully adopted
by the Allies of my Sovereign, and of those whose Armies I have the
honour of commanding.
"I have every wish to prevent the further effusion of the blood of
the brave troops under my command; but it must be upon the conditions
which shall secure the re-establishment and the stability of the
General Peace.
"I have the honour to be, &c.,
"WELLINGTON."
Prince BLÜCHER, who entertained a great contempt for diplomacy,
attributing as he did the cause of the renewal of the War to the ill
concocted schemes to which that War had given birth, had hitherto
refrained from either receiving in person, or noticing in writing, any
communication addressed to him by the French authorities. He applied
himself solely to the military solution of the Great Problem on which
depended the Peace of Europe.
Upon this occasion, however, tempted probably by the opportunity which
was offered to him of sharply retorting upon the Marshal, under whose
government of Hamburg the greatest excesses had been committed upon
his countrymen; he was induced to pen the following reply, couched in
his rough native German, as if to evince both his disdain of the usual
diplomatic mode of communication, and his dislike of even the very
language of the country he so thoroughly detested:--
"_To the French General DAVOUST._
"Head Quarters, July 1, 1815.
"MARSHAL,
"It is not conformable to truth that, because NAPOLEON has abdicated
the throne, there exists no further motive for War between the Allied
Powers and France. His abdication is conditional; that is, in favour
of his son: but a Decree of the Allied Powers excludes not only
NAPOLEON, but every member of his Family, from the Throne.
"If General FRIMONT has considered himself authorised to conclude an
Armistice with your General opposed to him, that is no motive for
us to do the same. We shall pursue our victory. GOD has given us
strength and resolution to do so. Beware, Marshal, of what you do;
and forbear devoting another city to destruction! for you know what
liberties the exasperated soldiers would take, should your capital
be carried by storm. Do you solicit the maledictions of Paris, in
addition to those of Hamburg?
"We shall enter Paris to protect the respectable inhabitants against
the mob, by whom they are threatened with pillage. An Armistice
can be made with security nowhere but in Paris. This, our relative
position towards your Nation, be pleased, Marshal, not to mistake!
"Let me finally observe to you, Marshal, if you mean to negotiate
with us, it is matter of surprise that, in defiance of the Law of
Nations, you detain our Officers dispatched with Letters and Orders.
"In the usual form of conventional civility, I have the honour to be,
"Marshal,
"Your obedient servant,
"BLÜCHER."
* * * * *
Whilst thus endeavouring to draw the Allied Generals into negotiation;
FOUCHÉ and DAVOUST felt the necessity of carrying out their plans
with the greatest caution, and in such a manner as to prevent any
unfavourable construction being put upon their motives by the Army.
On the evening of the 30th of June, there was an assemblage of General
Officers at the Head Quarters in Villette; at which it was proposed to
send up an Address to the Chamber of Representatives expressive of the
determined spirit of resistance which animated the troops, and of their
hostility to the Bourbons. It was adopted by the majority; and DAVOUST,
though secretly working with FOUCHÉ for the Restoration of LOUIS
XVIII., did not hesitate to attach to it his signature. It was couched
in the following terms:--
"Camp at Villette, 30th June.
"REPRESENTATIVES OF THE PEOPLE!
"We are in presence of our Enemies. We swear before you and the world
to defend, to our last breath, the cause of our independence and the
national honour.
"It is wished to impose the Bourbons upon us, but these Princes
are rejected by the immense majority of Frenchmen. If their return
could be agreed to, recollect, Representatives, that you would sign
the annihilation of the Army; which for twenty years has been the
Palladium of French honour. There are in War, especially when it has
been long conducted, successes and reverses. In our successes, we
have appeared great and generous. If it is wished to humble us in
our reverses, we shall know how to die.
"The Bourbons present no guarantee to the Nation. We received them
with sentiments of the most generous confidence: we forgot all the
calamities they had caused us in their rage to deprive us of our most
sacred rights. Well! what return did they make for this confidence?
They treated us as rebels and as vanquished. Representatives! these
reflections are terrible, because they are true. History will one
day relate what the Bourbons have done to replace themselves on the
Throne of France; it will also narrate the conduct of the Army; of
that Army essentially national; and posterity will judge which best
deserved the esteem of the World.
"The Marshal Prince of ECKMÜHL, Minister at War,
"Count PAJOL, commanding the First Corps of Cavalry,
"Count D'ERLON, commanding the Right Wing,
"Count VANDAMME, General in Chief."
(And fifteen other Generals.)
The Chambers being thus appealed to, felt it incumbent on them to issue
a Proclamation explanatory of the political situation of France; and
of their own intentions under all the critical circumstances in which
it presented itself to their view. This document, cautiously drawn up
by the Constitutionalists who formed the preponderating party in the
State, and strongly marked by the policy which was pursued throughout
by FOUCHÉ, was framed with great tact. Although it acknowledged the
nomination of NAPOLEON's son to the Empire, it manifested no hostility
to the Bourbons: it expressed a desire to secure a Monarchical and
Representative Government; but, at the same time, declared that the
Head of the Government, whoever he might be, must enter into a solemn
Compact and abide by the Constitutional Charter.
In short, its general tone was sufficiently independent to secure
for it, if not the approbation, at least the acquiescence, of both
the Liberals and the Buonapartists; whilst, on the other hand, it
significantly indicated the terms upon which a Bourbon might re-ascend
the throne, and rally round him the Friends of Constitutional Order and
Civil Rights. With but few exceptions it admitted of being reconciled
with the Proclamation published on the 28th of June by Louis XVIII. It
ran thus:--
"FRENCHMEN!
"The Foreign Powers proclaimed, in the face of Europe, that they were
only armed against NAPOLEON; and that they wished to respect our
independence, and the right which belongs to every Nation to choose a
Government suitable to its habits and its interests.
"NAPOLEON is no longer the Chief of the State. He has renounced the
Throne, and his Abdication has been accepted by your Representatives.
He is removed from us. His son is called to the Empire by the
Constitution of the State. The coalesced Sovereigns are informed of
this; and the War ought to be terminated, if the promises of Kings
have any foundation in truth.
"While Plenipotentiaries have been sent to the Allied Powers to
treat for peace in the name of France; the Generals of two of those
Powers have refused any Suspension of Arms. Their troops have
accelerated their marches under favour of a moment of hesitation
and trouble. They are now at the very gates of the capital, and no
communication has stated for what object the War is continued. Our
Plenipotentiaries will soon declare whether we must renounce Peace.
In the mean time, resistance is not only legitimate, but necessary:
and humanity, in requiring an account of the blood uselessly shed,
will not accuse those brave men who only combat to repel from their
houses the scourges of war, murder, and pillage; and to defend with
their lives the cause of Liberty, and of that Independence the
imprescriptible right of which has been guaranteed to them even by
the Manifestoes of their Enemies.
"Amidst these circumstances, your Representatives cannot forget that
they were not chosen to stipulate for the interests of any individual
Party, but for the whole Nation. Every act of weakness will dishonour
them, and will only tend to endanger the future tranquillity of
France. While the Government is employing all the means in its power
to obtain a solid Peace; or, should that not be obtained without
compromising our honour, to repel the Battalions of Foreigners:
what more advantages to the Nation can be done than to collect and
establish the fundamental rules of a Monarchical and Representative
Government, destined to secure to all citizens the free enjoyment of
those sacred rights which sacrifices so numerous and so great have
purchased; and to rally for ever, under the National Colours, that
great body of Frenchmen who have no other interest, and no other
wish, than an honourable repose and a just independence.
"Meanwhile the Chambers conceive that their duty and their dignity
require them to declare that they will never acknowledge, as
legitimate Chief of the State, him who, on ascending the Throne,
shall refuse to acknowledge the Rights of the Nation, and to
consecrate them by a solemn Compact. The Constitutional Charter is
drawn up; and if the force of arms should succeed in temporarily
imposing upon us a Master--if the destinies of a great Nation are
again to be delivered up to the caprice and arbitrary will of a
small number of privileged persons--then, in yielding to force, the
National Representation will protest in the face of the whole World
against the oppression of the French People.
"Your Representatives will appeal to the energy of the present
and future generations to renew their claim both to National
Independence, and the Rights of Civil and Religious Liberty. For
these Rights they now appeal to the reason and the justice of all
civilized Nations."
Notwithstanding the continued endeavours, on the part of the French
Commissioners appointed by the Chambers, to induce the Allied Generals
to enter upon an Armistice; the military operations were not for a
moment interrupted.
On the morning of the 1st of July, BÜLOW's _Corps d' Armée_ (the
Fourth) moved off to its right, towards Argenteuil. During the
movement, however; the Enemy, as if at length aware, or desirous of
ascertaining the nature, of BLÜCHER's operation, attacked the Village
of Aubervilliers in front, from the Canal of St Denis, and penetrated
as far as the Church situated in the centre of the place. The French
were here met by the Prussian Support; and two Battalions from the main
position arriving immediately afterwards, they were prevented from
making any further progress. Nevertheless, a prolonged _tiraillade_, as
well as a howitzer fire, on the part of the French, were maintained;
during which the march of BÜLOW's Corps continued in operation, the
Fourteenth Brigade being left in support to the Advanced Posts until
the arrival of the Anglo-Allied troops.
* * * * *
In the afternoon, the Duke of WELLINGTON's Army reached Le Bourget; and
took up the position vacated by Prince BLÜCHER, whose Advanced Posts it
immediately relieved. Three Companies of Light Infantry from COLVILLE's
Division were thrown into Aubervilliers. The Prussians who had hitherto
been stationed for the purpose of masking as much as possible the
general movement of their Army to the right, had kept up a desultory
fire from that portion of the Village which was in their possession;
abstaining from making any direct attack, since this might have led
to the advance of the French in great force at the moment the former
were no longer supported by the main Army, and before the Anglo-Allied
troops had arrived.
The British Light Companies, mentioned as having been thrown into
Aubervilliers, were under no restraint of this kind; and Lieutenant
Colonel Sir NEIL CAMPBELL, who commanded them, determined to push
forward, and possess himself, if possible, of the entire Village.
Having first gained two or three of the highest houses, he broke from
the top of these into some that were lower; and thence forcing his way
through the partition walls of others, without much firing, since the
French did not appear disposed to make an obstinate resistance (being
by that time probably aware of the Prussian movement to the right, and
of the arrival of the Anglo-Allied Army), he succeeded in obtaining
possession of one side of a whole street, and of the greater portion of
the Village. The French Officer in command then proposed a truce; which
was accepted, since the Post he occupied lay between the British and a
Battery upon the Canal. The remaining Outposts were taken up from the
Prussians without any molestation on the part of the Enemy; and the
main Anglo-Allied Army occupied a position, having its Right upon the
Height of Richebourg, and its Left upon the Wood of Bondy.
* * * * *
It will be recollected that Lieutenant Colonel SOHR, of the Prussian
Light Cavalry, was directed to pass the Bridge of St Germain on the
morning of the 30th of June, and to show himself on the Orleans road
upon the 1st of July. Starting at daybreak of the 30th, the Brigade
passed through Montmorency and Argenteuil, towards St Germain; where
it fell in with Major COLOMB's Detachment, consisting of the 8th
Hussars and two Battalions of Infantry. It then moved on about a league
further, to Marly, upon the Versailles road; which it reached at
nightfall, and where it bivouacked. On the morning of the 1st of July,
Lieutenant Colonel SOHR resumed his march, and took the direction of
Versailles, which place, however, he did not reach until noon; much
delay having occurred whilst passing through the intersected ground in
that quarter, and in awaiting the Reports from the Detachments sent out
in different directions to gain intelligence of the Enemy.
This bold and hazardous movement of Lieutenant Colonel SOHR's Brigade,
which was acting independently as a Free Corps for the time, did not
escape the Enemy's observation. General EXCELMANS, who commanded the
French Cavalry on the south side of Paris, on receiving information
that two Regiments of Prussian Hussars were advancing by Marly upon
Versailles, resolved to attack them.
For this purpose he proceeded himself with the 5th, 15th, and 20th
Dragoons, and the 6th Hussars, comprising a force of three thousand
men, along the road from Montrouge towards Plessis Piquet, against
the front of the Prussian Brigade. At the same time, the Light Cavalry
Division of General PIRÉ, together with the 33rd Regiment of Infantry,
consisting of three Battalions, were detached against the flank and
rear of the Prussian Brigade. The 5th and 6th Lancers marched by the
Sèvres road upon Viroflay; the 6th _Chasseurs_ proceeded to occupy the
cross roads connecting Sèvres with the northern portion of Versailles;
the 1st _Chasseurs_ moved by Sèvres towards Rocquencourt, about three
miles from Versailles, on the road to St Germain; in which direction
the 33rd Infantry followed. Both the latter Regiments were destined
to cut off the retreat of the Prussian Cavalry, should it be driven
back by EXCELMANS. An exceedingly well planned ambush was now laid in
and about Rocquencourt, and every precaution taken by the detaching of
small parties on the look out.
It was late in the afternoon when Lieutenant Colonel SOHR received
intelligence that the Enemy's Cavalry was approaching, and that his
Advanced Guard was attacked. He immediately advanced with both his
Hussar Regiments, and drove back the Enemy upon Villa Coublai, in the
Defile of which Village a sharp engagement ensued. In this attack the
ranks of the Prussian Hussars had become disordered; and, as the latter
retired, they were fallen upon by the 5th and 6th French Lancers of
PIRÉ's Light Cavalry Brigade, before alluded to as having been posted
in ambush. They then fell back upon Versailles, pursued by the French;
who vainly endeavoured to force an entrance into the Town, at the Gate
of which a gallant resistance was made by the Prussians. The short
time that was gained by this resistance sufficed for collecting the
main body of the Brigade on the open space at the outlet leading to St
Germain, towards which point it might have retreated through the Park;
but, having received information of the advance of THIELEMANN's Corps,
and expecting every moment to derive from it a Support, Lieutenant
Colonel SOHR retired by the more direct road through Rocquencourt.
About seven o'clock in the evening, at which time the Hussars had
collected their scattered force together, and were on the point of
commencing their further retreat upon St Germain: SOHR received
intelligence, upon which he could rely, that he had been turned by
both Cavalry and Infantry; and that his line of retreat had been
intercepted. His decision was instantly formed. He knew his men, their
devotion, and their courage; and resolved upon cutting his way through
the Enemy with the sword.
On quitting Versailles the Prussian Hussars were fired upon by the
National Guard from the Barrier. They had not proceeded far when word
was brought in, that Prussian and English Cavalry were approaching from
the side of St Germain; but they were speedily undeceived. It was the
1st Regiment of French _Chasseurs_. In the next moment they were formed
for attack, and advanced at a gallop. The _Chasseurs_ came on in the
same style; but they were completely overthrown, and their Commanding
Officer lay stretched upon the ground by a pistol shot. As they were
pursued by the Hussars, a fire was unexpectedly opened upon the latter
by two Companies of the 3rd Battalion of the 33rd French Regiment,
posted behind some hedges, near Le Chesnay; whereupon SOHR, with the
greater part of his Hussars, struck into a field road to the right,
in order to turn this Village, which was occupied by the Enemy. This,
however, led them to a bridge, with adjacent houses, occupied by two
more Companies of the above Battalion; from which they also received a
sharp fire. Meeting with this new obstacle, and aware of the proximity
of the great mass of Cavalry under EXCELMANS, in their rear; the
diminished and disordered remnant of the two Prussian Regiments, about
150 Hussars, rallying upon their Chief, dashed across a meadow, with
a determination to force a passage through the Village of Le Chesnay.
Here the _Chasseurs_ again opposed them, but were once more overthrown;
and the Prussians now followed a road which conducted them through the
Village, but which unfortunately led into a large court whence there
was no other outlet. Not only was their further progress thus checked,
but their whole body was suddenly assailed by a fire from Infantry,
already posted in this quarter; whilst the pursuing Cavalry prevented
every chance of escape. Their situation had become truly desperate;
but their bravery, instead of succumbing, appeared incited to the
highest pitch by the heroic example of Lieutenant Colonel SOHR: who
rejected the offer of quarter, and fell, severely wounded by a pistol
shot. Victory favoured the strongest: but it was a victory gained by
immeasurably superior numbers over the dead and dying of a gallant
band of warriors; who fought to the last, and did all that the most
inflexible bravery could accomplish.
The losses incurred by this Brigade during the short Campaign had
already reduced it, previously to this Affair, to between 600 and 700
men: and on the present occasion it suffered a still further loss of
ten Officers, and from 400 to 500 men.
The detaching of these two Regiments so much in advance of the Prussian
general movement to the right; and the Orders given to Lieutenant
Colonel SOHR, to cross the Seine on the morning of the 30th of June,
appear a questionable measure. It is true that this Officer was desired
to consider himself as acting independently, and without reference to
the troops that were to follow in the same direction; but then it
must be recollected that he had to proceed along a very considerable
portion of the circumference of a circle, from the centre of which the
Enemy could detach superior force along radii far shorter than the
distance between the Prussian Brigade and the main Army: so that, with
a vigilant look out, the French possessed every facility of cutting off
his retreat. His Orders were to interrupt the communication with Paris
by the Orleans road, and to spread alarm and confusion on that side
of the capital: but in issuing them the effect likely to be produced
upon the _morale_ of the citizens could have alone been contemplated;
and, in all probability, it was at the same time conceived that, as
no fortified works had been thrown up on the south side, the French
troops intended to direct their attention mainly, if not wholly,
towards the Armies in front of the northern portion of the capital.
The effect thus sought to be produced might have been obtained in the
case of a weak garrison; but that of Paris, comprising as it did about
50,000 troops of the Line, besides the National Guards, was not to be
so lightly treated. In carrying into execution the Order to create
alarm and confusion on the south side of Paris, these two Regiments
of Hussars would naturally draw in that direction the attention of
the French Commanders; and thus lead, as the result proved, not only
to the cutting off of so comparatively weak a force, but also to the
posting of a respectable body of troops at the threatened point, in
anticipation of the Enemy's following up the attack in greater force.
Even previously to obtaining the insight thus afforded into a part
of the plan of the Invaders, the movements of the latter had been
more narrowly watched than was supposed: as may be readily inferred
from the fact of EXCELMANS having been detached, on the 1st, towards
Versailles, with a body of Cavalry; and of the position at Montrouge
having been occupied in considerable force. All circumstances
considered, the preferable course would have been, to have employed
SOHR's Brigade as an Advanced Guard only; having immediate support from
the main Columns in its rear.
It so happened that the Advanced Guard of THIELEMANN's Corps,
consisting of the Ninth Infantry Brigade, under General BORCKE, was
on the march from St Germain (which it had left about seven o'clock
in the evening) to take post at Marly; when it received intelligence
of the two Cavalry Regiments, under Lieutenant Colonel SOHR, having
been completely defeated. BORCKE hastened forward, and it was not
long before his Advance became engaged with the French _Tirailleurs_
proceeding from Versailles. The Enemy was immediately attacked, and
driven back upon Rocquencourt. As darkness was setting in, BORCKE drew
up his force with caution. He pushed forward the Fusilier Battalion of
the 8th Regiment, supported by the 1st Battalion of the 30th Regiment;
and held the remainder in Battalion Columns on the right and left of
the road. The vigour of the attack made by the first named Battalion
was such that the Enemy retired in all haste upon the nearest suburb of
Paris; whilst BORCKE bivouacked at Rocquencourt.
Besides the Cavalry under EXCELMANS, the remains of the Third and
Fourth French _Corps d'Armée_ were detached to the south of Paris; on
which side VANDAMME, who commanded, took up a position, having his
Right upon the Seine, his Left by Montrouge, and his Centre in rear of
Issy. He placed a portion of his troops in the villages of Vanves and
Issy; the houses and walls of which appeared to offer great advantages
for defence. His Advanced Guard occupied Chatillon, Clamord, Meudon,
Sèvres, and St Cloud. In the evening he was joined by the Imperial
Guard, which he posted in support.
* * * * *
The following were the positions of the respective Armies on the
evening of the 1st of July:--
The Second Corps of the Anglo-Allied Army, under Lord HILL,
comprising the Second and Fourth Divisions, the Nassau troops, and
ESTORFF's Hanoverian Cavalry Brigade, was in the position previously
occupied by the Fourth Prussian Corps; having its Right upon the
great road about Pierrefitte, its Left upon the great road of Senlis,
and its Advanced Posts at Aubervilliers and in front of St Denis.
The First Corps, under Sir JOHN BYNG, comprising the First and
Third Divisions, and the Dutch-Belgian troops, were in the position
previously occupied by the First Prussian Corps; having its Right
upon the great road behind Le Bourget; its Left upon the Forest of
Bondy, and its Advanced Posts along the Ourcq Canal.
The Reserve, under Sir JAMES KEMPT, was encamped between Louvres and
Vauderlan.
The Cavalry was encamped and cantoned about the villages of
Groussainville, Vauderlan, and Roissy.
The Pontoon Train and the Hawser Bridges were at Sarcelles, on the
Chantilly road to Paris.
The Head Quarters of the Duke of WELLINGTON were at Gonesse.
The First Prussian _Corps d'Armée_ was encamped between the villages
of Le Mesnil and Carrière au Mont, on the left bank of the Seine, not
far from St Germain.
The Third Corps was also on the left bank of the Seine, in the
valley, and near St Germain. Its Advanced Guard (the Ninth Brigade)
was at Rocquencourt.
The Fourth Corps was upon the march to St Germain.
Prince BLÜCHER's Head Quarters were at St Germain.
The Third and Fourth French _Corps d'Armée_ and the Imperial Guard
were on the south side of Paris, their Right upon the Seine, their
Left by Montrouge; with the Advanced Guard at Chatillon, Clamord,
Meudon, Sèvres, and St Cloud.
The remainder of the French Army continued within the capital.
The Prince of ECKMÜHL's Head Quarters were at Villette.
At daybreak of the 2nd of July, BLÜCHER put the whole Prussian Army
in motion towards the south side of Paris, where he purposed taking
possession of the advantageous position comprising the Heights of
Meudon and Chatillon, and their immediate vicinity. THIELEMANN's
Advanced Guard (the Ninth Brigade) immediately proceeded to occupy
Versailles. The Corps itself halted two hours at Rocquencourt to wait
for the arrival of ZIETEN's Corps. As the latter Corps advanced, it
threw out a Detachment to its left, consisting of the 1st Battalion of
the 1st West Prussian Regiment, two pieces of Horse Artillery, and a
Squadron of Cavalry, under Captain KRENSKY: who was directed to proceed
by Malmaison towards St Cloud, communicating with Major COLOMB, who
had already been detached, with the force before mentioned as being
under his command, towards the Bridge of Neuilly; and to keep a look
out to the left of the direct road to Paris. On ZIETEN's Advanced
Guard reaching Ville d'Avray, whence it drove off a French Picquet,
information was obtained that the Enemy was restoring the Bridge of
St Cloud, which he had previously destroyed; and that he occupied the
Bois de Boulogne in considerable force. The Third Brigade was therefore
ordered to proceed by its left towards St Cloud, and to oppose any
movement which might be attempted against that Flank.
It was three o'clock in the afternoon when ZIETEN's First Brigade,
under STEINMETZ, reached Sèvres. Here the French were strongly posted,
occupying the place itself, the Heights of Bellevue; and having their
Light Troops well disposed amongst the adjacent gardens and vineyards.
The First Prussian Brigade was followed in support by the Second and
Fourth Brigades; and, notwithstanding the very gallant defence that was
made, these troops succeeded in forcing the French to abandon their
stronghold, and fall back upon Moulineau. Here the French made another
stand; but were again defeated by STEINMETZ, who had closely pursued
them. Whilst the First Brigade was thus gaining ground; the Second,
together with the Reserve Artillery, advanced towards the Heights of
Meudon. The Reserve Cavalry of the Corps followed the First Brigade,
in support. The Fourth Brigade occupied Sèvres. Major General JAGOW,
who had been detached to the left with the Third Brigade, having
ascertained that the Enemy was not likely to undertake any movement
from the Bois de Boulogne, and that Captain KRENSKY's Detachment was on
the look out in that direction, proceeded to rejoin the Corps; and on
reaching Sèvres, towards evening, he was directed by ZIETEN to take up
a position with his Brigade to the right, on the Heights of Meudon.
In the evening, the French, after having reformed, and collected
their defeated force at Issy, made an attempt to regain possession
of Moulineau; but the attack failed, and they were driven back upon
Issy. Here they were reinforced: fifteen Battalions were posted in
and about Issy, supported by numerous guns and Cavalry: their Light
Infantry occupying the vineyards in front of the Village. About half
past ten o'clock in the night, however, the Prussians, who kept a
sharp look out, heard these troops marching off; and perceived that
their departure was conducted in rather a disorderly manner. Instant
advantage was taken of this circumstance, and a part of the First
and Second Prussian Brigades attacked the French; who fled back upon
the suburb of Vaugirard in such confusion that Paris might have been
entered at this moment, if more force had been at hand.
During the night, ZIETEN posted his Corps in the following manner:--His
Right upon the Height of Clamord, his Centre upon that of Meudon, and
his Left in Moulineau; Sèvres still occupied; the Advanced Guard in
Issy, in the rear of which Village was the Reserve Cavalry in support.
Whilst ZIETEN's Corps had been thus successfully effecting its movement
against the south side of the capital; THIELEMANN's, which formed the
Right Column, proceeded towards Plessis Piquet, and pushed forward its
Advanced Guard to the Heights of Chatillon, which it reached late in
the evening. BÜLOW's Corps, acting as a Reserve, occupied Versailles
and its vicinity during the night.
During the whole of this day, the troops of the Anglo-Allied Army
continued in position in front of the fortified lines on the north
side of Paris. The Duke having established a Bridge at Argenteuil,
Detachments were sent across the Seine: and these, having secured the
Villages of Asnières, Courbevoie, and Suresnes on the left bank of the
Seine, opened a communication with the Prussians.
The Allied Commanders had thus succeeded in shutting up the French
forces within their lines. WELLINGTON was perfectly prepared to attack
the north side of Paris, if circumstances should render such a step
necessary; or if a favourable opportunity should present itself: whilst
BLÜCHER, having secured a strong position in front of the south side,
which was mostly open and defenceless, was equally ready to storm the
capital with his collected force. The effect of this well conceived
and successfully executed plan of operation was to divide the Enemy's
attention between two opposite points of the town. Should he attempt
to assail the one Army with his principal force, he would immediately
find himself attacked by the other Army; without possessing the means
wherewith to carry on the contest with both simultaneously. On the
other hand, should a general and formidable assault be made by those
Armies, on the opposite points, at the same time; the necessary
division of his forces, in arranging his plan of defence, would render
his situation still more desperate.
* * * * *
The Provisional Government, fully alive to this state of things, and
duly aware of the approach of the Bavarian, Russian, and Austrian
Armies, clearly saw the inutility of further resistance to the Allies,
and instructed the Commissioners to wait upon the Duke of WELLINGTON,
and report to his Grace the fact of NAPOLEON having quitted Paris on
the 29th to embark for the United States, and to press the point of a
Suspension of Hostilities.
To this representation the Duke replied that the great obstacle to
the Armistice having thus been removed, there remained only the
question as to the terms; which he thought should be the halting of
the Anglo-Allied and Prussian Armies in their present positions, the
withdrawal of the French Army from Paris across the Loire, and the
placing of the capital in the keeping of the National Guards until the
King should order otherwise. He offered, if they agreed to these terms,
to endeavour to prevail on Prince BLÜCHER to halt his troops, and send
an Officer to settle the details; but, at the same time, he told them
distinctly that he would not consent to suspend hostilities so long as
a French soldier remained in Paris.
Having received this explicit declaration on the part of his Grace, the
Commissioners withdrew.
* * * * *
The following were the positions of the respective Armies during the
night of the 2nd of July:--
The troops of the Anglo-Allied Army continued in position in front of
the lines of St Denis. Detachments were at Asnières, Courbevoie, and
Suresnes, on the left hank of the Seine.
The First Prussian _Corps d'Armée_ had its Right on the Height of
Clamard, its Centre on that of Meudon, its Left at Moulineau, and
its Advanced Guard at Issy; in rear of which point was the Reserve
Cavalry of the Corps.
Of the Third Corps, the Ninth Brigade was at Chatillon, the Tenth and
Eleventh Brigades were in front of Vélizy, the Twelfth Brigade was
at Chatenay and Sceaux. The Reserve Cavalry of the Corps bivouacked
about Plessis Piquet.
Of the Fourth Corps, the Sixteenth Brigade was at Montreail, in
advance of Versailles; the Thirteenth Brigade bivouacked near
Viroflay; the Fourteenth Brigade bivouacked at Le Chesnay Bel Air,
not far from Rocquencourt. The Reserve Cavalry of the Corps was
partly in front of Versailles, and partly on the left of Montreail.
The troops composing the Right Wing of the French Army occupied the
lines on the right bank of the Seine, whence they were watching the
British. Some troops were posted in the Bois de Boulogne, and several
Posts were established along both banks of the river.
The Left Wing extended from the Seine as far as the Orleans road. It
held Vaugirard strongly occupied, the main body was posted between
the Barrières de l'Ecole Militaire and de l'Enfer.
At three o'clock on the morning of the 3rd of July, VANDAMME advanced
in two Columns from Vaugirard to the attack of Issy. Between Vaugirard
and the Seine, he had a considerable force of Cavalry, the front of
which was flanked by a Battery advantageously posted near Auteuil
on the right bank of the river. The action commenced with a brisk
cannonade: the French having brought twenty pieces of cannon against
the front of the Village, which was then vigorously assailed by his
Infantry. The Prussians had constructed some barricades, and other
defences, during the night; but these did not protect them from the
sharp fire of case shot which was poured upon them by the French
Batteries, the guns of which enfiladed the streets. The 12th and 24th
Prussian Regiments, and the 2nd Westphalian Landwehr, supported by a
half Battery of twelve pounders, fought with great bravery. There was
much loss on both sides. At length the French withdrew; but only to
advance again, considerably reinforced.
The Second Prussian Brigade was immediately ordered to join the First,
and the whole of the troops of the First Corps stood to their arms.
ZIETEN sent a request to Prince BLÜCHER for the support of two Brigades
of BÜLOW's Corps; and, at the same time, begged THIELEMANN to advance
(in conformity with instructions conveyed to him from Head Quarters)
from Chatillon, and threaten the Enemy's Left Flank.
In the mean time, the French renewed their attack upon Issy; which,
however, again proved unsuccessful. This was followed by a heavy
cannonade and by further assaults, without any decided advantage having
been gained over the defenders. The French did not appear disposed
to venture upon a more general attack, which would have offered them
a much greater chance of forcing back the Prussian Advanced Guard;
probably considering that, if unsuccessful, it might end in the suburbs
of Paris being easily carried by storm: and hence, after four hours'
continued but fruitless attempts upon ZIETEN's Advanced Position, they
fell back upon Paris; the Prussian _Tirailleurs_ following them until
they came within a very short distance of the Barriers.
* * * * *
At a Council of War, which had been held during the previous night
in Paris, it was decided that the defence of the capital was not
practicable against the Allied Armies. Nevertheless, DAVOUST was
desirous that another attempt should be made on the Prussian Army: but
now that this had failed in the manner described, that the two Allied
Armies were in full communication with each other, and that a British
Corps was likewise moving upon the left of the Seine towards Neuilly, a
Capitulation was determined upon.
Accordingly, at seven o'clock in the morning, the fire on the part
of the French suddenly ceased; and General REVEST was deputed to
pass over to ZIETEN's Corps, which of all the Allied troops was the
nearest to the capital, for the purpose of offering a Capitulation,
and requesting an immediate Armistice. BLÜCHER, however, required
from Marshal DAVOUST, the Commander in Chief of the French Army, a
negotiator possessing greater powers, before he would finally agree to
a Suspension of Hostilities; and indicated the Palace of St Cloud as
the place where the negotiations should be carried on, to which point
he then removed his Head Quarters.
During the contest at Issy, the Detachments on the left of the First
Prussian Corps, under Captain KRENSKY, were engaged rather sharply with
the Enemy between St Cloud and Neuilly; which ended in the French being
driven back upon the Bridge at the latter place, towards which point
also a body of British troops was advancing. Thus ZIETEN's Corps, the
same that had opened the Campaign with the actions along the Sambre,
had the honour of closing it with those at Issy and Neuilly on the
Seine.
* * * * *
Officers, furnished with full powers by their respective Chiefs, soon
met at St Cloud; whither the Duke of WELLINGTON had already repaired in
person to join Prince BLÜCHER; and the result of their deliberations
was the following:--
_Military Convention._
This day, the 3rd of July 1815, the Commissioners named by the
Commanders in Chief of the respective Armies; that is to say, the
Baron BIGNON, holding the Portfolio of Foreign Affairs; the Count
GUILLEMINOT, Chief of the General Staff of the French Army; the Count
DE BONDY, Prefect of the Department of the Seine; being furnished
with the full powers of his Excellency the Marshal Prince of ECKMÜHL,
Commander in Chief of the French Army, on one side: and Major General
Baron MÜFFLING, furnished with the full powers of his Highness the
Field Marshal Prince BLÜCHER, Commander in Chief of the Prussian
Army; and Colonel HERVEY, furnished with the full powers of his
Excellency the Duke of WELLINGTON, Commander in Chief of the English
Army, on the other side, have agreed to the following Articles.
ARTICLE I. There shall be a Suspension of Arms between the Allied
Armies commanded by his Highness the Prince BLÜCHER and his Grace the
Duke of WELLINGTON, and the French Army under the walls of Paris.
ARTICLE II. The French Army shall put itself in march tomorrow,
to take up a position beyond the Loire. Paris shall be completely
evacuated in three days; and the movement behind the Loire shall be
effected within eight days.
ARTICLE III. The French Army shall take with it all its _matériel_,
Field Artillery, Military Chest, horses, and property of Regiments,
without exception. All persons belonging to the Depôts shall also
be removed, as well as those belonging to the different Branches of
Administration which appertain to the Army.
ARTICLE IV. The Sick and Wounded, and the Medical Officers whom it
may be necessary to leave with them, are placed under the special
protection of the Commanders in Chief of the English and Prussian
Armies.
ARTICLE V. The Military, and those holding employments to whom the
foregoing Article relates, shall be at liberty, immediately after
their recovery, to rejoin the Corps to which they belong.
ARTICLE VI. The wives and children of all individuals belonging to
the French Army shall be at liberty to remain in Paris. The wives
shall be allowed to quit Paris for the purpose of rejoining the Army,
and to carry with them their property and that of their husbands.
ARTICLE VII. The Officers of the Line employed with the _Fédérés_,
or with the _Tirailleurs_ of the National Guard, may either join the
Army, or return to their homes or the places of their birth.
ARTICLE VIII. Tomorrow, the 4th of July, at mid day, St Denis, St
Ouen, Clichy, and Neuilly shall be given up. The day after tomorrow,
the 5th, at the same hour, Montmartre shall be given up. The third
day, the 6th, all the Barriers shall be given up.
ARTICLE IX. The duty of the City of Paris shall continue to be
done by the National Guard, and by the Corps of the Municipal
_Gensd'armerie_.
ARTICLE X. The Commanders in Chief of the English and Prussian Armies
engage to respect, and to make those under their command respect, the
actual authorities, so long as they shall exist.
ARTICLE XI. Public property, with the exception of that which relates
to War, whether it belongs to the Government, or depends upon the
Municipal Authority, shall be respected; and the Allied Powers will
not interfere in any manner with its administration and management.
ARTICLE XII. Private persons and property shall be equally respected.
The inhabitants, and in general all individuals who shall be in the
capital, shall continue to enjoy their rights and liberties, without
being disturbed or called to account, either as to the situations
which they hold, or may have held, or as to their conduct or
political opinions.
ARTICLE XIII. The foreign troops shall not interpose any obstacles to
the provisioning of the capital; and will protect, on the contrary,
the arrival and the free circulation of the articles which are
destined for it.
ARTICLE XIV. The present Convention shall be observed, and shall
serve to regulate the mutual relations until the conclusion of Peace.
In case of rupture, it must be denounced in the usual forms at least
ten days beforehand.
ARTICLE XV. If any difficulties arise in the execution of any one
of the Articles of the present Convention, the interpretation of it
shall be made in favour of the French Army and of the City of Paris.
ARTICLE XVI. The present Convention is declared common to all the
Allied Armies, provided it be ratified by the Powers on which these
Armies are dependant.
ARTICLE XVII. The Ratifications shall be exchanged tomorrow, the 4th
of July, at six o'clock in the morning, at the Bridge of Neuilly.
ARTICLE XVIII. Commissioners shall be named by the respective parties
in order to watch over the execution of the present Convention.
Done and signed at St Cloud, in triplicate, by the Commissioners
above named, the day and year before mentioned.
THE BARON BIGNON.
THE COUNT GUILLEMINOT.
THE COUNT DE BONDY.
THE BARON DE MÜFFLING.
F.B. HERVEY, COLONEL.
Approved and ratified the present Suspension of Arms, at Paris, the
3rd of July 1815.
THE MARSHAL PRINCE OF ECKMÜHL.
Afterwards approved by PRINCE BLÜCHER and the DUKE OF WELLINGTON; and
the Ratifications exchanged on the 4th of July.
* * * * *
The terms of the Convention were literally fulfilled.
On the 4th, the French Army, commanded by Marshal DAVOUST, quitted
Paris; and proceeded on its march to the Loire: and the Anglo-Allied
troops occupied St Denis, St Ouen, Clichy, and Neuilly. On the 5th, the
latter took possession of Montmartre. On the 6th, they occupied the
Barriers of Paris, upon the right of the Seine; and the Prussians those
upon the left bank. On the 7th, the two Allied Armies entered Paris:
the Chamber of Peers, having received from the Provisional Government
a notification of the course of events, terminated its sittings;
the Chamber of Deputies protested, but in vain. Their President
(LANJUINAIS) quitted his Chair; and on the following day, the doors
were closed, and the approaches guarded by foreign troops.
On the 8th, the French King, LOUIS XVIII., made his public entry into
his capital, amidst the acclamations of the people, and again occupied
the palace of his ancestors.
It was also on the 8th that NAPOLEON BUONAPARTE embarked, at Rochefort,
on board the French Frigate _La Saale_; and proceeded, accompanied by
_La Méduse_, in which was his suite, to the roads of the Isle of Aix,
with the intention of setting sail to America.
On the 10th, the wind became favourable: but a British Fleet made
its appearance; and NAPOLEON, seeing the difficulty of eluding
the vigilance of its Cruisers, resolved, after having previously
communicated with Captain MAITLAND, upon placing himself under his
protection on board the _Bellerophon_, which vessel he accordingly
reached on the 15th. On the following day, Captain MAITLAND sailed
for England; and arrived at Torbay, with his illustrious charge, on
the 24th. The Ex-Emperor was not permitted to land; and the British
Government having decided upon sending him to the Island of St Helena,
he was removed to the _Northumberland_ Man of War, under Rear Admiral
Sir GEORGE COCKBURN, in which ship he sailed for that distant rock; the
final abode on earth of the man whose extraordinary career marks the
most stirring and eventful period in the history of Europe.
* * * * *
The Convention of Paris constituted a basis for the resumption of
negotiations for the General Peace which, a few months before, had
been so unexpectedly interrupted. The celebrated Statesmen of that
remarkable period--CASTLEREAGH, NESSELRODE, METTERNICH, HARDENBERG,
and TALLEYRAND--aided by distinguished Representatives of the minor
European States, now perceived the importance of establishing a more
closely cemented Alliance; reconciling the clashing interests of
emulative Governments, securing the rights of the legitimate Sovereign
of France, and consolidating the re-established order of things in that
country.
The mere engagement of the French Government to a Treaty of Peace and
grateful amity was not considered a sufficient guarantee for the long
desired repose of Europe. France, which dictated laws according to
her own desires and interests to the entire Continent, was now, in
her turn, to be subjected to the most severe conditions. In order to
guarantee her compliance with the demands required of her by the wants
and necessities of the nations panting for that peace which was to
relieve their exhausted means, and to avert the dangers of internal
dissensions; she was destined to witness the occupation of her Frontier
Fortresses by a vast Army, comprising contingent forces from the Allied
Powers, and requiring to be maintained upon a full War Establishment at
her expense: whilst, at the same time, heavy contributions were laid
upon her for the purpose of indemnifying the Sovereigns who had been
compelled again to take up arms against her.
But, notwithstanding these reverses and indemnities, France herself
is, perhaps, the country that has most benefited by that General Peace
which was established on the ruins of her Empire. The rational form
of Government which was secured to her by an enlarged Constitutional
Charter has gradually introduced among her people the most salutary
reforms, and the most liberal institutions; the stimulus given to
her industry by the cessation of harassing wars, of persecuting
conscriptions, and of vexatious imposts, rapidly obtained for her a
commercial prosperity to which she had long been a stranger; whilst
an unusual period of tranquillity has so completely renovated and
invigorated her resources, both moral and physical, as to place her
again in the rank of the highest Powers.
Now that the nation has completely recovered from the effects of the
convulsive throes which attended its dissolution as an Empire, and has
assumed the calm and dignified attitude of repose; in its resuscitated
strength it contemplates the past in a more rational and philosophic
spirit, balancing the evil with the good. If the public mind of
France dwell for a time upon the tyrannical exercise of NAPOLEON's
power upon the people; the sadness of the reflection is palliated by
his flattering, though personally ambitious, desire to render France
the Arbitress of Europe: if it perceive the rights of the citizens
subverted for the furtherance of his designs, the impression thus
produced vanishes at the contemplation of the _Code NAPOLEON_: if it
appear shocked by the general perversion of labour from its natural
sphere to purely military purposes; it is again soothed by the grandeur
in design, and utility in effect, of mighty enterprises, conferring
employment on myriads of artists and artisans: if it be disposed to
disapprove of the spoliation authorized in foreign States; it is
speedily flattered by the grand idea of rendering Paris the centre
of civilization and of the arts: and finally, if it feel pained and
subdued by a contemplation of the disasters of Moscow, Vittoria,
Leipzic, and Waterloo; it revives and rejoices in recounting the
glorious triumphs of Marengo, Austerlitz, Jena, and Wagram.
* * * * *
If one country more than any other required a lasting Peace to enable
her to recover from the effects of the immense sacrifices she had
made, in life and treasure--sacrifices which proved, beyond doubt,
the Salvation of Europe--that country was Great Britain. Through
the intelligence of her Statesmen, the freedom of her Constitution,
the enterprise of her merchants, the industry of her artisans, and
the bravery of her naval and military defenders; she continues to
maintain her lofty position in the scale of nations, and even to
extend her Empire and her sway to the furthermost points of the earth.
But to whom is she mainly indebted for this proud pre-eminence, this
unparalleled grandeur? To such a question every Briton, no matter what
may be the direction of his political feelings or party prejudices,
will unhesitatingly reply--to the rare talent, the untiring zeal,
and practised skill of her Chief who led, as also to the inflexible
courage, extraordinary endurance, and the perfect discipline of her
sons who fought, her last and ever memorable struggle on the Continent
of Europe--the BATTLE OF WATERLOO. It was upon the solid foundation
thus obtained that was raised that well cemented superstructure, the
solemn Compact of Sovereigns and States, constituting the General Peace
of 1815: and although, as time rolls on, symptoms of decay may be
traced in some portions of the edifice, still it stands a monument of
the downfall of an insatiable ambition aiming at universal dominion;
and continues to this day the surest guarantee of the preservation of
that equitable Balance of Power which can alone secure the permanence
of the tranquillity and prosperity of Europe.
SUPPLEMENT.
The Battle of Waterloo, followed as it was by the advance of the
Anglo-Allied and Prussian Armies upon Paris, was so decisive in its
effects, and so comprehensive in its results, that the great object of
the War--the destruction of the power of NAPOLEON and the restoration
of the legitimate Sovereign--was attained while the Armies of the
Upper Rhine and of Italy were but commencing their invasion of the
French territory. Had the successes attendant upon the exertions of
WELLINGTON and BLÜCHER assumed a less decisive character, and, more
especially, had reverses taken the place of those successes; the
operations of the Armies advancing from the Rhine and across the Alps
would have acquired an immense importance in the history of the War:
but the brilliant course of events in the north of France materially
diminished the interest excited by the military transactions in other
parts of the kingdom. Upon this ground it has been considered, that to
enter into any very detailed account of the movements and dispositions
of the Allies, on the eastern frontier, is unnecessary; and that the
completion of the present Work will be sufficiently accomplished by
the addition of a simple outline of the daily progress and attendant
circumstances of the advance of each Army into the interior of the
country.
[Illustration]
_Operations of the German Corps d'Armée._
This Corps, which was composed of contingent forces supplied by the
petty Princes of North Germany, was assembled, in the middle of April,
in the vicinity of Coblentz. It amounted to 26,200 men, divided into
thirty Battalions, twelve Squadrons, and two and a half Batteries; and
was placed under the command of General Count KLEIST VON NOLLENDORF.
At a somewhat later period it crossed the Rhine at Coblentz and
Neuwied, and took up a position on the Moselle and the Sarre; its Right
communicating with the Third Prussian _Corps d'Armée_, and its Left
with the Bavarian troops at Zweibrücken. Its Advanced Posts extended
along the French frontier from Arlon to Mertzig. Its Head Quarters were
at Trier, on the Moselle.
In this position it remained until the 16th of June, when its
Commander, General VON ENGELHARD (in the absence of Count KLEIST, who
was ill), advanced from Trier to Arlon; which it reached on the 19th.
Here it continued until the 21st, when it received an Order from Prince
BLÜCHER to move into France by Bastogne and Neufchâteau; and to gain
possession of the Fortresses of Sedan and Bouillon. On the 22nd, the
Corps commenced its march, in two Columns: the one by Neufchâteau, upon
Sedan; the other by Recogne, upon Bouillon. Sedan, after a few days'
bombardment, capitulated on the 25th of June. An attempt was made to
take Bouillon by a _coup de main_; but its garrison was strong enough
to frustrate this project. The place was not considered of sufficient
importance to render a regular siege expedient, and it was therefore
simply invested, from the 25th of June, until the 21st of August; when
it was blockaded at all points by troops of the Netherlands, under
Prince FREDERICK of Orange.
On the 28th of June, Lieutenant General VON HACKE, who had been
appointed to the command of the German Corps, directed the Advanced
Guard to move upon Charleville, which lies under the guns of the
Fortress of Mézières, and to carry the place by storm. The capture was
successfully made by some Hessian Battalions, and tended greatly to
facilitate the siege of Mézières. Moveable Columns were detached to
observe the Fortresses of Montmédy, Laon, and Rheims. The last named
place was taken by capitulation on the 8th of July; and the garrison,
amounting to 4,000 men, retired behind the Loire.
Lieutenant General VON HACKE finding that, notwithstanding his vigorous
bombardment of Mézières, which he commenced on the 27th of June, his
summons to surrender was unheeded by the Commandant, General LEMOINE,
undertook a regular siege of the place, and opened trenches on the
2nd of August. On the 13th, the French garrison gave up the Town and
retired into the Citadel, which surrendered on the 1st of September.
The efforts of the Corps were now directed upon Montmédy, around which
Fortress it had succeeded in placing twelve Batteries in position by
the 13th of September. After an obstinate resistance, the garrison
concluded a convention on the 20th of September; by which it was to
retire, with arms and baggage, behind the Loire.
After the capture of Montmédy, the German _Corps d'Armée_ went into
cantonments in the Department of the Ardennes; whence it returned home
in the month of November.
_Operations of the Army of the Upper Rhine, under the command of Field
Marshal His Highness Prince SCHWARTZENBERG._
This Army consisted of four _Corps d'Armée_, and Reserves; composed of
troops of Austria, Bavaria, Würtemberg, Saxony, of Hesse Darmstadt, and
of the petty Princes.
Its strength was as follows:--
Battalions. Squadrons. Batteries.
First _Corps d'Armée_ 24,400 men, in 26 16 8
Second " 34,350 " 36 26 11
Third " 43,814 " 44 32 9
Fourth " 57,040 " 46 66 15
Austrian Reserve Corps 44,800 " 38 86 10
Blockade Corps 33,314 " 38 8 6
Saxon _Corps d'Armée_ 16,774 " 18 10 6
---------------------------------------------
Total 254,492 men, in 246 244 65
According to the general plan of operations projected by Prince
SCHWARTZENBERG, this Army was to cross the Rhine in two Columns. The
Right Column, consisting of the Third Corps, under Field Marshal the
Crown Prince of WÜRTEMBERG; and of the Fourth Corps, or the Bavarian
Army, under Field Marshal Prince WRÈDE, was to cross the Rhine between
Germersheim and Mannheim. The Left Column, consisting of the First
Corps, under the Master General of the Ordnance, Count COLLOREDO, and
of the Second Corps, under General Prince HOHENZOLLERN HECKINGEN,
together with the Austrian Reserve Corps; the whole being commanded
by General the Archduke FERDINAND, was to cross the Rhine between
Basle and Rheinfelden. The Column formed by the Right Wing was to be
supported by the Russian Army, under Field Marshal Count BARCLAY DE
TOLLY, which was expected to be collected at Kaiserslautern by the 1st
of July. The object of the operations, in the first instance, was the
concentration of the Army of the Upper Rhine and the Russian Army at
Nancy.
As soon as Prince SCHWARTZENBERG was made acquainted with the
commencement of hostilities in Belgium, he gave his Orders for the
advance of his Army. The Fourth, or Bavarian, _Corps d'Armée_ was
directed immediately to cross the Sarre: and, by turning the Vosgian
Mountains, to cut off the French Corps under General RAPP, collected
in the environs of Strasburg, from its base of operations; and to
intercept its communications with the interior of France.
A Russian Corps, under General Count LAMBERT, forming the Advance of
the Army of Count BARCLAY DE TOLLY, was united to the _Corps d'Armée_
of Prince WRÈDE; who was to employ it principally in keeping up the
communication with the North German _Corps d'Armée_, under Lieutenant
General VON HACKE.
_Fourth Corps d'Armée, Prince WRÈDE._
On the 19th of June, the Bavarian Army crossed the Rhine at Mannheim
and Oppenheim, and advanced towards the Sarre. On the 20th, some
trifling affairs of Advanced Posts occurred near Landau and Dahn.
On the 23rd, the Army having approached the Sarre, proceeded, in
two Columns, to take possession of the passages across the River at
Saarbrück and Saargemünd.
The Right Column, under Lieutenant General Count BECKERS, attacked
Saarbrück; where it was opposed by the French General MERIAGE. The
Bavarians carried the suburb and the Bridge, and penetrated into the
Town along with the retiring French; of whom they made four Officers
and seventy men prisoners, and killed and wounded one hundred men:
suffering a loss, on their own part, of three Officers and from fifty
to sixty men killed and wounded. Count BECKERS occupied the Town,
posted his Division on the Heights towards Forbach: and detached
Patrols along the road to Metz, as far as St Avold; and to the right
along the Sarre, as far as Saarlouis.
The Left Column, consisting of the First Infantry Division, under
Lieutenant General Baron VON RAGLIOVICH, and of the First Cavalry
Division, under His Royal Highness Prince CHARLES of Bavaria, advanced
against Saargemünd; at which point the French had constructed a _tête
de pont_ on the right bank of the river. After some resistance,
this was taken possession of by the Bavarians; whereupon Baron VON
RAGLIOVICH marched through the Town, and took up a position on the
opposite Heights, commanding the roads leading to Bouquenom and
Lüneville.
The Fourth Infantry Division, under Lieutenant General Baron ZOLLERN,
advanced towards the Fortress of Bitsch; which, however, the French
Commandant, General KREUTZER, refused to surrender.
The Russian Corps, under Count LAMBERT, attached to the Right Wing of
Prince WRÈDE's Army, advanced as far as Ottweiler and Ramstein.
On the 24th, Prince WRÈDE occupied Bouquenom; and detached the Cavalry
Division under Prince CHARLES towards Pfalzburg, to observe this
place. His Second, Third, and Fourth Divisions, and the Reserve,
were collected at Saargemünd. The Russian troops under Count LAMBERT
occupied Saarbrück; having previously detached the Cavalry, under
Lieutenant General CZERNITSCHEFF, as far as St Avold.
On the 26th, Prince WRÈDE's Head Quarters were at Morhenge; and, on
the 27th, his Advanced Posts penetrated as far as Nancy, where he
established his Head Quarters on the 28th. From St Dieuze the Prince
detached to the left, in order to discover the march of General RAPP;
who, however, was still on the Rhine, and whose retreat had thus become
cut off by the occupation of Nancy.
Prince WRÈDE halted at Nancy, to await the arrival of the Austrian
and Russian _Corps d'Armée_. Upon his right, Lieutenant General
CZERNITSCHEFF crossed the Moselle, on the 29th, within sight of Metz;
and carried by storm, on the 3rd of July, the Town of Chalons sur
Marne. The garrison of this place had promised to make no resistance,
and yet fired upon the Russian Advanced Guard; whereupon the Cavalry
immediately dismounted, scaled the ramparts, broke open the gates,
sabred a part of the garrison, made the remainder prisoners, including
the French General RIGAULT, and pillaged the town.
After remaining four days in the vicinity of Nancy and Lüneville,
Prince WRÈDE received an Order from Prince SCHWARTZENBERG to move at
once upon Paris, with the Fourth, or Bavarian Corps; which was destined
to become the Advanced Guard of the Army of the Upper Rhine. This
Order was given in consequence of the desire expressed by the Duke of
WELLINGTON and Prince BLÜCHER, that the Army of the Upper Rhine should
afford immediate support to their operations in front of Paris. On the
5th of July, the main body of the Bavarian Army reached Chalons; in the
vicinity of which it remained during the 6th. On this day, its Advanced
Posts communicated, by Epernay, with the Prussian Army. On the 7th,
Prince WRÈDE received intelligence of the Convention of Paris; and,
at the same time, directions to move towards the Loire. On the 8th,
Lieutenant General CZERNITSCHEFF fell in with the Enemy between St Prix
and Montmirail; and drove him across the Morin, towards the Seine.
Previously to the arrival of the Corps at Château Thierry; the French
garrison had abandoned the place, leaving behind it several pieces of
cannon, with ammunition. On the 10th of July, the Bavarian Army took
up a position between the Seine and the Marne; and Prince WRÈDE's Head
Quarters were at La Ferté sous Jouarre.
_Third Corps d'Armée, Crown Prince of WÜRTEMBERG._
On the 22nd of June, a portion of the Third _Corps d'Armée_, under the
Crown Prince of WÜRTEMBERG, took possession of the intrenchments of
Germersheim, on the left bank of the Rhine. Lieutenant Field Marshal
Count WALLMODEN was posted, with ten Battalions and four Squadrons, in
observation of the Fortress of Landau, and the line of the Queich. The
main body of the Corps stood between Bruchsal and Philipsburg. On the
23d, the Corps crossed the Rhine at Germersheim, and passed the line of
the Queich without opposition.
The Crown Prince was directed to proceed by Weissenburg and Hagenau,
with a view to complete, in conjunction with the Fourth _Corps
d'Armée_, the plan of intercepting the retreat of General RAPP.
On the 24th, the Corps advanced to Bergzabern and Nieder Ottersbach;
at both of which points it fell in with the Enemy, and drove him
back. Count WALLMODEN left a small Detachment to observe Landau; and
advanced, with the remainder of his force, as far as Rheinzabern. On
the 25th, the Crown Prince ordered the advance towards the lines of
Weissenburg, in two Columns. The first Column assembled at Bergzabern,
and the second moved forward by Nieder Ottersbach. Count WALLMODEN was
directed to advance upon Lauterburg. The Crown Prince advanced his
Corps still further along the Hagenau road. His Advanced Guard pushed
on to Inglesheim, and the main body of the Corps reached the lines of
Weissenburg; which the French abandoned in the night, and fell back
upon the Forest of Hagenau, occupying the large Village of Surburg.
On the 26th, the Crown Prince attacked and defeated the Enemy at the
last mentioned place, with his Right Column; whilst the Left Column,
under Count WALLMODEN, was equally successful in an attack which it
made upon the French General ROTHENBURG, posted, with 6,000 Infantry
and a Regiment of Cavalry, at Selz. On the following day, General RAPP
fell back upon the Defile of Brümath; but this he quitted in the night,
and took up a favourable position in the rear of the Suffel, near
Strasburg. His force comprised twenty four Battalions of Infantry, four
Regiments of Cavalry, and a numerous Artillery, and amounted to nearly
24,000 men.
The Crown Prince of WÜRTEMBERG, whose force amounted altogether to
more than 40,000 men, succeeded, on the 28th, after a smart action, in
forcing General RAPP to retire within the Fortress of Strasburg. The
loss of the Third Corps on this occasion amounted to 75 Officers, and
2,050 men, killed and wounded. That of the French was about 3,000 men.
_Austrian Reserve Corps, Archduke FERDINAND._
The Third Corps remained in front of Strasburg until the 4th of July;
when it was relieved by the arrival of the Second Austrian Corps, under
Prince HOHENZOLLERN, from the vicinity of Colmar. At this last point
the Advanced Guard of the Austrian Reserve Corps, under Lieutenant
Field Marshal STUTTERHEIM, moved upon Remiremont, and the main body
upon St Marie aux Mines. The Austrian Reserve Corps itself reached Raon
l'Etape; whence it subsequently moved (on the 10th) to Neufchâteau. The
Third Corps, under the Crown Prince of WÜRTEMBERG, marched into the
vicinity of Molsheim.
On the 7th of July, the Crown Prince reached Lüneville; but instead
of proceeding to Nancy, according to its original destination, the
Corps, on the 9th, took the road to Neufchâteau. The advance was in two
Columns; the one upon Bayon, and the other upon Rembervillers. These
two Columns moved respectively, the one, by Vaucouleurs, Joinville,
Brienne le Château, Troyes, and Auxonne; and the other, by Neufchâteau,
Chaumont, Bar sur Aube, Vendoeuvres, Bar sur Seine, and Chatillon: at
which points (Auxonne and Chatillon) they halted on the 18th. On the
21st, the Corps entered into cantonments between Montbard and Tonnerre.
_First and Second Corps--Count COLLOREDO and Prince VON
HOHENZOLLERN.--Reserve Corps, Archduke FERDINAND._
The First and Second Austrian _Corps d'Armée_ and the Reserve Corps,
forming the Left Wing of the Army of the Upper Rhine, crossed this
river at Rheinfelden and Basle in the night of the 25th of June. On the
26th, the First, under Count COLLOREDO, was directed upon Belfort and
Montbelliard; and, on the same day, the Austrians invested the Fortress
of Huningen. The Advanced Guard of the First Corps had an affair with
a French Detachment of 3,000 men belonging to the Corps of General
LECOURBE, and repulsed it as far as Donnemarie. On the 28th, the First
Corps fell in with the Enemy near Chabannes, between Donnemarie and
Belfort, when the French force, amounting to 8,000 Infantry and 500
Cavalry, was driven back upon Belfort. Major General VON SCHEITHER of
the First Corps was detached against Montbelliard, a town fortified
and defended by a citadel. After having maintained a most destructive
fire against the place, the Austrian troops carried it by storm; with a
loss, however, of 25 Officers and 1,000 men, killed and wounded.
With the exception of a few sorties of little consequence, General
RAPP remained very quiet in the Fortress of Strasburg. The news of
the capture of Paris by the British and Prussian troops led to a
Suspension of Hostilities; which was concluded on the 24th of July, and
extended to the Fortress of Strasburg, Landau, Lutzelstein, Huningen,
Schlettstadt, Lichtenberg, Pfalzburg, Neuf Brisac, and Belfort.
_The Russian Army._
The main body of the Russian Army, commanded by Field Marshal Count
BARCLAY DE TOLLY, and amounting to 167,950 men, crossed the Rhine at
Mannheim, on the 25th of June; and followed the Army of the Upper
Rhine. The greater portion of it reached Paris and its vicinity by the
middle of July.
_Operations of the Army of Italy._
The Army of Italy, composed of Austrian and Sardinian troops, and
amounting to 60,000 men, was under the command of General Baron
FRIMONT. It was destined to act against the Army of the Alps, under
Marshal SUCHET, posted in the vicinity of Chambery and Grenoble. It is
uncertain what was the amount of force under SUCHET, it having been
estimated from 13,000 to 20,000 men; but the Corps of Observation on
the Var, in the vicinity of Antibes and Toulon, under Marshal BRUNE,
amounted to 10,000, and was not occupied with any Enemy in its front.
Baron FRIMONT's Army was divided into two Corps: the one under
Lieutenant Field Marshal RADIVOJEVICH, was to advance by the Valais
towards Lyons; and the other, which was in Piedmont, under Lieutenant
Field Marshal Count BUBNA, was to penetrate into the south of France,
through Savoy.
Marshal SUCHET had received Orders from NAPOLEON to commence operations
on the 14th of June; and by rapid marches to secure the mountain Passes
in the Valais and in Savoy, and close them against the Austrians. On
the 15th, his troops advanced at all points for the purpose of gaining
the frontier from Montmeilian, as far as Geneva; which he invested.
Thence he purposed to obtain possession of the important Passes of
Meillerie and St Maurice; and in this way to check the advance of the
Austrian Columns from the Valais. At Meillerie the French were met and
driven back by the Advanced Guard of the Austrian Right Column, on the
21st of June. By means of forced marches the whole of this Column,
which Baron FRIMONT himself accompanied, reached the Arve on the 27th
of June.
The Left Column, under Count BUBNA, crossed Mount Cenis on the 24th
and 25th of June. On the 28th, it was sharply opposed by the French at
Conflans; of which place, however, the Austrians succeeded in gaining
possession.
In order to secure the passage of the Arve the Advanced Guard of the
Right Column detached, on the 27th, to Bonneville, on its left; but
the French, who had already fortified this place, maintained a stout
resistance. In the mean time, however, the Austrians gained possession
of the passage at Carrouge; by which means the French were placed under
the necessity of evacuating Bonneville, and abandoning the Valley of
the Arve. The Column now passed Geneva, and drove the Enemy from the
Heights of Grand Saconex and from St Genix. On the 29th, this part of
the Army moved towards the Jura; and, on the 1st July, it made its
dispositions for attacking the redoubts and intrenchments which the
French had thrown up to defend the Passes. The most vigorous assault
was made upon the Pass of Les Rousses; but the Austrians were driven
back. Reserves were then brought up; and the French having quitted
their intrenchments to meet the latter, and a good opportunity having
offered for a flank attack upon them with Cavalry and Artillery, the
Pass was captured by the Austrians: and the French were compelled to
abandon both it and the other Passes of the Jura. The Austrian Advanced
Guard pursued the Enemy, and reached, in the evening, St Claude, on
the road leading to the left from Gex; and St Laurent, in the original
direction of the attack, beyond Les Rousses.
In the mean time, the Austrian Reserve Corps, under Lieutenant Field
Marshal MEERVILLE, was directed to advance, and to throw back the
French upon the Rhone. The latter, in retreating, destroyed the Bridge
of Seyselle; and, by holding the Fort of l'Ecluse, closed the road
from Geneva to Lyons. A redoubt had been constructed in front of the
Fort, and completely commanded the approach. It was gallantly stormed
and carried by the Regiment of ESTERHAZY. The Fort itself was now
turned by the Reserve Corps along the left bank of the Rhone, with the
design of forcing the passage at the Perte du Rhone. Here the French
had constructed a _tête de pont_; which, however, they were forced to
abandon in consequence of a movement made by the First Corps under
Lieutenant Field Marshal RADIVOJEVICH. On retiring, they destroyed
the very beautiful stone bridge then existing; and thus rendered it
necessary for the Austrians to construct temporary bridges over the
extremely narrow space between the rocks which confine the stream at
this remarkable spot. The Advanced Guard of the Reserve Corps, under
General Count HARDEGG, first crossed the Rhone, and found the Enemy
posted at Charix, in rear of Chatillon, on the road to Nantua. Count
HARDEGG immediately attacked him; and, after encountering an obstinate
resistance, forced him to retire.
The troops of the First Austrian Corps, which, in the mean time, were
left in front of the Fort l'Ecluse, had commenced a bombardment; and
this, after twenty six hours' duration, considerably damaged the Fort.
A powder magazine exploded, which caused a general conflagration; to
escape which the garrison rushed out, and surrendered at discretion to
the Austrians: and thus, in three days, the high road from Geneva to
Lyons was opened to the Army of Italy.
On the 3rd July, General BOGDAN, with the Advanced Guard of the First
Austrian Corps, having been reinforced by Lieutenant Field Marshal
RADIVOJEVICH, attacked the Enemy with much impetuosity at Ojanax,
beyond St Claude; where the French General MARANSIN had taken up a
favourable position, with 2,000 men. The Austrians turned his Left
Flank, and forced him to retire. The Corps reached Bourg en Bresse on
the 9th July.
On the 10th July, a Detachment, under Major General VON PFLÜGER, was
pushed on to Maçon on the Saône; and gained possession of the _tête de
pont_ constructed there, and of the place itself.
On the 7th July, the Second Corps, under Count BUBNA, reached
Echelles. A Detachment, consisting principally of Sardinian troops,
under Lieutenant General Count LATOUR, had been directed to observe
Grenoble; in front of which its Advanced Guard arrived on the 4th July.
On the 6th, the suburbs were attacked; and the communication between
this place and Lyons was cut off. The garrison, consisting of eight
Battalions of the National Guard, offered to capitulate on the 9th,
on the condition of being permitted to return to their homes. That a
vigorous defence might have been maintained was evident from the fact
of the Austrians having found in the place fifty four guns and eight
mortars, and large quantities of provisions.
Count BUBNA's Corps and the Reserve Corps, by simultaneous movements,
assembled together in front of Lyons on the 9th. An Armistice was
solicited by the garrison on the 11th July, and granted upon condition
that Lyons and the Intrenched Camp should be evacuated; and that
Marshal SUCHET should retire with his Corps behind the Loire, keeping
his Advanced Posts within a stipulated line of demarcation.
Having secured possession of the line of the Rhone as far down as its
junction with the Isère, as also of that part of the Saône between
Maçon and Lyons; the Army of Italy now proceeded towards the upper
line of the latter river, leaving the Second Corps, under Count BUBNA,
at Lyons, in front of Marshal SUCHET. The First Corps marched upon
Chalons sur Saône, in order to gain the _tête de pont_ at that point.
At this time, the Fourth Division of the Army, under the French General
LECOURBE, was at Salins, between Dôle and Pontarlier: and as Besançon
had not yet been invested, Baron FRIMONT detached a part of the Reserve
Corps, under General HECHT, to Salins; whilst General FÖLSEIS, detached
from the First Corps towards Dôle. The Advanced Guard of the First
Corps had arrived in front of the _tête de pont_ at Chalons, and had
completed its dispositions for attack; when the place surrendered. By
the advance, at the same time, of HECHT upon Salins, and of FÖLSEIS
from Dôle upon Besançon; the retreat of the French General LAPLANE
was completely cut off. This led to a Convention which stipulated the
dissolution of the National Guards, the surrender of all the Officers,
and the abandonment of one of the Forts of Salins to the Austrians.
On the 20th, the First _Corps d'Armée_ advanced from Chalons sur Saône
as far as Autun; and Besançon having in the mean time been occupied
by the Austrian troops of the Army of the Upper Rhine, a junction was
effected with the latter by the Army of Italy by Dijon.
The Sardinian General D'OSASCA, who had been detached to Nice,
concluded on the 9th of July an Armistice with Marshal BRUNE, who
commanded the Army of the Var, in front of the Maritime Alps; and thus
terminated all hostilities on that side of France.
* * * * *
The foregoing Outline will suffice to show the nature, extent, and
interconnection of the operations of the Allied Armies which invaded
France along her eastern and south-eastern frontier; and at the same
time afford a clear proof that amongst the more immediate consequences
of the decisive Battle of Waterloo and speedy capture of Paris must be
ranked that of their having been the means of averting the more general
and protracted warfare which would probably have taken place, had a
different result in Belgium emboldened the French to act with vigour
and effect in other parts of the country.
* * * * *
The reduction of the Fortresses left in rear of the British and
Prussian Armies, adjoining their main line of operations, and which was
confided to Prince AUGUSTUS of Prussia, with the Second Prussian _Corps
d'Armée_, assisted by the British Battering Train, was effected in the
following manner:--
Maubeuge--siege commenced 8th July, capitulated 12th July.
Landrecies do. 19th do., do. 21st do.
Marienberg do. 27th do., do. 28th do.
Philippeville do. 7th August, do. 8th August.
Rocroy do. 15th do., do. 16th do.
Prince AUGUSTUS had made every preparation for commencing the siege
of Charlemont and its connecting Forts, the two Givets and the Mont
d'Hours, on the 8th of September, when the Commandant, General BURCKE,
foreseeing that the occupation of the detached Forts would divide his
force too much, entered into negotiations, and surrendered those works
on the 10th, withdrawing his troops into Charlemont; the bombardment of
which was to have opened on the 23rd of September: but, on the 20th,
Prince AUGUSTUS received information from Paris that hostilities were
to cease throughout the whole of France.
APPENDIX.
[Captain SIBORNE also included in this _Appendix_ a number of State
Papers, Military Orders, and Statistical Returns, in French and
English; of which a List will be found at pages 42 to 44. These are
omitted in this Fourth Edition, simply from want of space.--E.A.]
VI.
_Effective Strength and Composition of the Anglo-Allied Army under the
Command of Field Marshal the Duke of WELLINGTON._
FIRST CORPS.--HIS ROYAL HIGHNESS THE PRINCE OF ORANGE.
_First Division_, MAJOR GENERAL COOKE.
Men.
First British Brigade, {2nd Battalion 1st Guards 976
Major General MAITLAND. {3rd do. do. 1,021
Second British Brigade, {2nd do. Coldstream Guards 1,003
Major General Sir JOHN BYNG. {2nd do. 3rd Guards. 1,061
------
4,061
Artillery, {Captain SANDHAM's British Foot Battery.
Lieutenant Colonel ADYE. {Major KUHLMANN's Horse Battery, K.G. Legion.
_Third Division_, LIEUTENANT GENERAL SIR CHARLES ALTEN.
{2nd Battalion 30th Regiment 615
Fifth British Brigade, {33rd Regiment. 561
Major General Sir COLIN HALKETT. {2nd Battalion 69th Regiment 516
{2nd do. 73rd do. 562
{1st Light Battalion. 423
Second Brigade K.G. Legion, {2nd do. do. 337
Colonel VON OMPTEDA. {5th Line do. 379
{8th do. do. 388
{Field Battalion Bremen 512
First Hanoverian Brigade, {Do. do. Verden 533
Major General Count KIELMANSEGGE. {Do. do. York. 607
{Do. do. Lüneburg. 595
{Do. do. Grubenhagen 621
{Do. Jäger Corps 321
------
6,970
Artillery,
Lieutenant Colonel {Major LLOYD's British Foot Battery.
WILLIAMSON. {Captain CLEEVES's Foot Battery, K.G. Legion
_Second Dutch-Belgian Division_, LIEUTENANT GENERAL BARON DE
PERPONCHER.
Men
{7th Regiment of the Line 701
{27th Jäger Battalion 809
First Brigade, {5th Militia Battalion 482
Major General Count DE BYLANDT.{7th do. do. 675
{8th do. do. 566
Second Brigade, {2nd Regiment of Nassau, 3 Battalions 2,709
H.S.H. The Prince BERNHARD of
Saxe Weimar. {Regiment of Orange Nassau, 2 do. 1,591
------
7,533
Artillery, {Captain BYLEVELD's Horse Battery.
Major VAN OPSTAL. {Captain STIEVENAAR's Foot Battery.
_Third Dutch-Belgian Division_, LIEUTENANT GENERAL BARON CHASSÉ.
{2nd Regiment of the Line 471
{35th Jäger Battalion 605
First Brigade, {4th Militia Battalion 519
Major General DITMERS. {6th do. do. 492
{17th do. do. 534
{19th do. do. 467
{3rd Regiment of the Line 629
{12th do. do. 431
Second Brigade, {13th do. do. 664
Major General D'AUBREMÉ. {36th Jäger Battalion 633
{3rd Militia Battalion 592
{10th do. do. 632
------
6,669
Artillery, {Captain KRAHMER's Horse Battery.
Major VAN DER SMISSEN. {Captain LUX's Foot Battery.
------
Total FIRST CORPS, men 25,233
and guns 56
SECOND CORPS.--LIEUTENANT GENERAL LORD HILL.
_Second Division_, LIEUTENANT GENERAL SIR H. CLINTON.
{1st Battalion 52nd Regiment 1,038
Third British Brigade, {1st do. 71st do. 810
Major General ADAM. {2nd do. 95th do. 585
{3rd do. 95th do. 188
{1st Line Battalion 411
First Brigade K.G. Legion, {2nd do. do. 437
Colonel DU PLAT. {3rd do. do. 494
{4th do. do. 416
------
Carry forward 4,379
{Landwehr Battalion Bremervörde 632
Third Hanoverian Brigade, { Do. do. Osnabrück 612
Colonel HALKETT. { Do. do. Quackenbrück 588
{ Do. do. Salzgitter 622
-------
6,833
Artillery, {Captain BOLTON's British Foot Battery.
Lieutenant Colonel GOLD. {Major SYMPHER's Horse Battery, K.G. Legion.
_Fourth Division_, LIEUTENANT GENERAL SIR CHARLES COLVILLE.
{3rd Battalion 14th Regiment 571
Fourth British Brigade, {1st do. 23rd do. 647
Colonel MITCHELL. {51st Regiment 549
{2nd Battalion 35th Regiment 570
Sixth British Brigade, {1st do. 54th do. 541
Major General JOHNSTONE. {2nd do. 59th do. 461
{1st do. 91st do. 824
{Field Battalion Lauenburg 553
{ do. do. Calenberg 634
Sixth Hanoverian Brigade, {Landwehr Battalion Nienburg 625
Major General Sir JAMES LYON. { do. do. Hoya 629
{ do. do. Bentheim 608
------
7,212
Artillery, {Major BROME's British Foot Battery.
Lieutenant Colonel {Captain VON RETTBERG's Hanoverian Foot
HAWKER. { Battery.
_First Dutch-Belgian Division_, LIEUTENANT GENERAL STEDMANN.
{4th Regiment of the Line }
{6th do. do. }
First Brigade, {16th Jäger Battalion }
Major General HAUW. {9th Militia do. }
{14th do. do. }
{15th do. do. } 6,389
}
{1st Regiment of the Line }
{18th Jäger Battalion }
Second Brigade, {1st Militia do. }
Major General EERENS. {2nd do. do. }
{18th do. do. }
Artillery, Captain WYNANDS's Foot Battery.
{5th Regiment, 2 Battalions }
Dutch-Belgian Indian Brigade, {Flankers }
Lieutenant General ANTHING. {10th Jäger Battalion } 3,583
{11th do. do. }
Artillery, Captain RIESZ's Foot Battery.
Detachments from 6th and 7th Line Battalions of the K.G. Legion, }
distributed among the other Battalions, and 2 Orderlies from Foreign} 16
Battalions }
-------
Total SECOND CORPS, men 24,033
and guns 40
RESERVE.
_Fifth Division_, LIEUTENANT GENERAL SIR THOMAS PICTON.
Men.
{1st Battalion 28th Regiment 557
Eighth British Brigade, {1st do. 32nd do. 662
Major General Sir JAMES KEMPT. {1st do. 79th do. 703
{1st do. 95th do. 549
{3rd do. 1st do. 604
Ninth British Brigade, {1st do. 42nd do. 526
Major General Sir DENIS PACK. {2nd do. 44th do. 455
{1st do. 92nd do. 588
{Landwehr Battalion Hameln 669
Fifth Hanoverian Brigade, { do. do. Gifhorn 617
Colonel VON VINCKE. { Do. do. Hildesheim 617
{ do. do. Peine 611
------
7,158
Artillery, {Major ROGERS's British Foot Battery.
Major HEISSE. {Captain BRAUN's Hanoverian Foot Battery.
_Sixth Division_, LIEUTENANT GENERAL HON. SIR L. COLE.
{1st Battalion 4th Regiment 669
Tenth British Brigade, {1st do. 27th do. 698
Major General Sir JOHN LAMBERT. {1st do. 40th do. 761
{2nd do. 81st do. 439
{Landwehr Battalion Verden 621
Fourth Hanoverian Brigade, { do. do. Lüneburg 624
Colonel BEST. { do. do. Osterode 677
{ do. do. Münden 660
------
5,149