Memoirs of Napoleon Bonaparte — Complete
gratification than I did on a perusal of its contents, which will be
found at the end of this chapter; but before satisfying the curiosity
to which I have perhaps given birth, I may here relate that one of the
peculiarities of Bonaparte was a fondness of extempore narration; and
it appears he had not discontinued the practice even after he became
Emperor.
In fact, Bonaparte, during the first year after his elevation to the
Imperial throne, usually passed those evenings in the apartments of the
Empress which he could steal from public business. Throwing himself on a
sofa, he would remain absorbed in gloomy silence, which no one dared to
interrupt. Sometimes, however, on the contrary, he would give the reins
to his vivid imagination and his love of the marvelous, or, to speak
more correctly, his desire to produce effect, which was perhaps one of
his strongest passions, and would relate little romances, which were
always of a fearful description and in unison with the natural turn
of his ideas. During those recitals the ladies-in-waiting were always
present, to one of whom I am indebted for the following story, which she
had written nearly in the words of Napoleon. "Never," said this lady in
her letter to me, "did the Emperor appear more extraordinary. Led away
by the subject, he paced the salon with hasty strides; the intonations
of his voice varied according to the characters of the personages he
brought on the scene; he seemed to multiply himself in order to play
the different parts, and no person needed to feign the terror which he
really inspired, and which he loved to see depicted in the countenances
of those who surrounded him." In this tale I have made no alterations,
as can be attested by those who, to my knowledge, have a copy of it. It
is curious to compare the impassioned portions of it with the style of
Napoleon in some of the letters addressed to Josephine.
VOLUME III. -- 1805-1814
CHAPTER I.
1805.
Abolition of the Republican calendar--Warlike preparations in
Austria--Plan for re-organizing the National Guard--Napoleon in
Strasburg--General Mack--Proclamation--Captain Bernard's
reconnoitering mission--The Emperor's pretended anger and real
satisfaction--Information respecting Ragusa communicated by Bernard
--Rapid and deserved promotion--General Bernard's
retirement to the United States of America.
I had been three months at Hamburg when I learned that the Emperor had
at last resolved to abolish the only remaining memorial of the Republic,
namely, the revolutionary calendar. That calendar was indeed an absurd
innovation, for the new denominations of the months were not applicable
in all places, even in France; the corn of Provence did not wait to be
opened by the sun of the month of Messidor. On the 9th of September
a 'Senates-consulte' decreed that on the 1st of January following the
months and days should resume their own names. I read with much interest
Laplace's report to the Senate, and must confess I was very glad to see
the Gregorian calendar again acknowledged by law, as it had already
been acknowledged in fact. Frenchmen in foreign countries experienced
particular inconvenience from the adoption of a system different from
all the rest of the world.
A few days after the revival of the old calendar the Emperor departed
for the army. When at Hamburg it may well be supposed that I was anxious
to obtain news, and I received plenty from the interior of Germany and
from some friends in Paris. This correspondence enables me to present to
my readers a comprehensive and accurate picture of the state of public
affairs up to the time when Napoleon took the field. I have already
mentioned how artfully he always made it appear that he was anxious for
peace, and that he was always the party attacked; his, conduct previous
to the first conquest of Vienna affords a striking example of this
artifice. It was pretty evident that the transformation of the Cisalpine
Republic into the kingdom of Italy, and the union of Genoa to France
were infractions of treaties; yet the Emperor, nevertheless, pretended
that all the infractions were committed by Austria. The truth is, that
Austria was raising levies as secretly as possible, and collecting her
troops on the frontiers of Bavaria. An Austrian corps even penetrated
into some provinces of the Electorate; all this afforded Napoleon a
pretext for going to the aid of his allies.
In the memorable sitting preceding his departure the Emperor presented
a project of a 'Senatus-consulte' relative to the re-organisation of the
National Guard. The Minister for Foreign Affairs read an explanation
of the reciprocal conduct of France and Austria since the peace of
Luneville, in which the offences of France were concealed with wonderful
skill. Before the sitting broke up the Emperor addressed the members,
stating that he was about to leave the capital to place himself at the
head of the army to afford prompt succour to his allies, and defend
the dearest interests of his people. He boasted of his wish to preserve
peace, which Austria and Russia, as he alleged, had, through the
influence of England, been induced to disturb.
This address produced a very powerful impression in Hamburg. For my
part, I recognised in it Napoleon's usual boasting strain; but on this
occasion events seemed bent on justifying it. The Emperor may certainly
have performed more scientific campaigns than that of Austerlitz, but
never any more glorious in results. Everything seemed to partake of the
marvellous, and I have often thought of the secret joy which Bonaparte
must have felt on seeing himself at last an the point of commencing
a great war in Germany, for which he had so often expressed an ardent
desire. He proceeded first to Strasburg, whither Josephine accompanied
him.
All the reports that I received agreed with the statements of my private
correspondence in describing the incredible enthusiasm which prevailed
in the army on learning that it was to march into Germany. For the first
time Napoleon had recourse to an expeditious mode of transport, and
20,000 carriages conveyed his army, as if by enchantment, from the
shores of the Channel to the banks of the Rhine. The idea of an active
campaign fired the ambition of the junior part of the army. All
dreamed of glory, and of speedy promotion, and all hoped to distinguish
themselves before the eyes of a chief who was idolised by his troops.
Thus during his short stay at Strasburg the Emperor might with reason
prophesy the success which crowned his efforts under the walls of
Vienna.
Rapp, who accompanied him, informed me that on leaving Strasburg he
observed, in the presence of several persons, "It will be said that I
made Mack's plan of campaign for him. The Caudine Forks are at Ulm."
--[This allusion to the Caudine Forks was always in Napoleon's mouth
when he saw an enemy's army concentrated on a point, and foresaw its
defeat--Bourrienne.]--
Experience proved that Bonaparte was not deceived; but I ought on this
occasion to contradict a calumnious report circulated at that time,
and since maliciously repeated. It has been said that there existed
an understanding between Mack and Bonaparte, and that the general was
bought over to deliver up the gates of Ulm. I have received positive
proof that this assertion is a scandalous falsehood; and the only thing
that could give it weight was Napoleon's intercession after the campaign
that Mack might not be put on his trial. In this intercession Napoleon
was actuated only by humanity.
On taking the field Napoleon placed himself at the head of the
Bavarians, with whom be opposed the enemy's army before the arrival
of his own troops. As soon as they were assembled he published the
following proclamation, which still further excited the ardour of the
troops.
SOLDIERS--The war of the third coalition is commenced. The Austrian
army has passed the Inn, violated treaties, attacked and driven our
ally from his capital. You yourselves have been obliged to hasten,
by forced marches, to the defence of our frontiers. But you have
now passed the Rhine; and we will not stop till we have secured the
independence of the Germanic body, succoured our allies, and humbled
the pride of our unjust assailants. We will not again make peace
without a sufficient guarantee! Our generosity shall not again
wrong our policy. Soldiers, your Emperor is among you! You are but
the advanced guard of the great people. If it be necessary they
will all rise at my call to confound and dissolve this new league,
which has been created by the malice and the gold of England.
But, soldiers, we shall have forced marches to make, fatigues and
privations of every kind to endure. Still, whatever obstacles may
be opposed to us, we will conquer them; and we will never rest until
we have planted our eagles on the territory of our enemies!
In the confidential notes of his diplomatic agents, in his speeches, and
in his proclamations, Napoleon always described himself as the attacked
party, and perhaps his very earnestness in so doing sufficed to reveal
the truth to all those who had learned to read his thoughts differently
from what his words expressed them.
At the commencement of the campaign of Austerlitz a circumstance
occurred from which is to be dated the fortune of a very meritorious
man. While the Emperor was at Strasburg he asked General Marescot, the
commander-in-chief of the engineers, whether he could recommend from his
corps a brave, prudent, and intelligent young officer, capable of being
entrusted with an important reconnoitering mission. The officer selected
by General Marescot was a captain in the engineers, named Bernard, who
had been educated in the Polytechnic School. He set off on his mission,
advanced almost to Vienna, and returned to the headquarters of the
Emperor at the capitulation of Ulm.
Bonaparte interrogated him himself, and was well satisfied with his
replies; but, not content with answering verbally the questions put by
Napoleon, Captain Bernard had drawn up a report of what he observed,
and the different routes which might be taken. Among other things he
observed that it would be a great advantage to direct the whole army
upon Vienna, without regard to the fortified places; for that, once
master of the capital of Austria, the Emperor might dictate laws to all
the Austrian monarchy. "I was present," said Rapp to me, "at this young
officer's interview with the Emperor. After reading the report, would
you believe that the Emperor flew into a furious passion? 'How!' cried
he, 'you are very bold, very presumptuous! A young officer to take the
liberty of tracing out a plan of campaign for me! Begone, and await my
orders.'"
This, and some other circumstances which I shall have to add respecting
Captain Bernard, completely reveal Napoleon's character. Rapp told
me that as soon as the young officer had left the Emperor all at once
changed his tone. "That," said he, "is a clever young man; he has taken
a proper view of things. I shall not expose him to the chance of being
shot. Perhaps I shall sometime want his services. Tell Berthier to
despatch an order for his departure for Elyria."
This order was despatched, and Captain Bernard, who, like his comrades,
was ardently looking forward to the approaching campaign, regarded as a
punishment what was, on the Emperor's part, a precaution to preserve a
young man whose merit he appreciated. At the close of the campaign, when
the Emperor promoted those officers who had distinguished themselves,
Bernard, who was thought to be in disgrace, was not included in