Footnotes
Series B
(1796–97)
“Des 1796, lorsque, avec 30,000 hommes, il fait la conquete de l’Italie, il est non-seulement grand general, mais profond politique.”—Des Idees Napoleonniennes.
“Your Government has sent against me four armies without Generals, and this time a General without an army.”—Napoleon to the Austrian Plenipotentiaries, at Leoben.
Series B
(For subjoined Notes to this Series see pages 211–223.)
LETTER PAGE
No. 1. Sortie from Mantua 211
No. 2. Marmirolo 211 Fortune 212
No. 3. The village of Virgil 212
No. 4. Achille 212
No. 5. Will-o’-the-Wisp 213
No. 6. The needs of the army 213–5
No. 7. Brescia 215
No. 9. I hope we shall get into Trent 216
No. 12. One of these nights the doors will be burst open 216–8
No. 13. Corsica is ours 218
No. 14. Verona 219
No. 15. Once more I breathe freely 220
No. 18. “The 29th” 220
No. 20. General Brune 221
No. 21. February 3rd 221
No. 24. Perhaps I shall make peace with the Pope 222
No. 25. The unlimited power you hold over me 222
No. 1.
July 5th.—Archduke Charles defeated by Moreau at Radstadt.
July 6th.—Sortie from Mantua: Austrians fairly successful.
To Josephine, at Milan
Roverbella, July 6, 1796.
I have beaten the enemy. Kilmaine will send you the copy of the despatch. I am tired to death. Pray start at once for Verona. I need you, for I think that I am going to be very ill.
I send you a thousand kisses. I am in bed.
Bonaparte
July 9th.—Bonaparte asks Kellermann for reinforcements.
July 14th.—Frankfort on the Main captured by Kleber.
July 16th.—Sortie from Mantua: Austrians defeated.
No. 2.
July 17th.—Attempted coup de main at Mantua: French unsuccessful.
To Josephine, at Milan
Marmirolo, July 17, 1796, 9 P.M.
I got your letter, my beloved; it has filled my heart with joy. I am grateful to you for the trouble you have taken to send me news; your health should be better to-day—I am sure you are cured. I urge you strongly to ride, which cannot fail to do you good.
Ever since I left you, I have been sad. I am only happy when by your side. Ceaselessly I recall your kisses, your tears, your enchanting jealousy; and the charms of the incomparable Josephine keep constantly alight a bright and burning flame in my heart and senses. When, free from every worry, from all business, shall I spend all my moments by your side, to have nothing to do but to love you, and to prove it to you? I shall send your horse, but I am hoping that you will soon be able to rejoin me. I thought I loved you some days ago; but, since I saw you, I feel that I love you even a thousand times more. Ever since I have known you, I worship you more every day; which proves how false is the maxim of La Bruyere that “Love comes all at once.” Everything in nature has a regular course, and different degrees of growth. Ah! pray let me see some of your faults; be less beautiful, less gracious, less tender, and, especially, less kind; above all never be jealous, never weep; your tears madden me, fire my blood. Be sure that it is no longer possible for me to have a thought except for you, or an idea of which you shall not be the judge.
Have a good rest. Haste to get well. Come and join me, so that, at least, before dying, we could say—“We were happy for so many days!!”
Millions of kisses, and even to Fortune, in spite of his naughtiness.
Bonaparte
No. 3.
July 18th.—Trenches opened before Mantua.
July 18th.—Stuttgard occupied by Saint-Cyr, who, like Kleber, is under Moreau.
July 18th.—Wurtzburg captured by Klein and Ney (acting under Jourdan).
To Josephine, at Milan
Marmirolo, July 18, 1796, 2 P.M.
I passed the whole night under arms. I ought to have had Mantua by a plucky and fortunate coup; but the waters of the lake have suddenly fallen, so that the column I had shipped could not land. This evening I shall begin a new attempt, but one that will not give such satisfactory results.
I got a letter from Eugene, which I send you. Please write for me to these charming children of yours, and send them some trinkets. Be sure to tell them that I love them as if they were my own. What is yours or mine is so mixed up in my heart, that there is no difference there.
I am very anxious to know how you are, what you are doing? I have been in the village of Virgil, on the banks of the lake, by the silvery light of the moon, and not a moment without dreaming of Josephine.
The enemy made a general sortie on June 16th; it has killed or wounded two hundred of our men, but lost five hundred of its own in a precipitous retreat.
I am well. I am Josephine’s entirely, and I have no pleasure or happiness except in her society.
Three Neapolitan regiments have arrived at Brescia; they have sundered themselves from the Austrian army, in consequence of the convention I have concluded with M. Pignatelli.
I’ve lost my snuff-box; please choose me another, rather flat-shaped, and write something pretty inside, with your own hair.
A thousand kisses as burning as you are cold. Boundless love, and fidelity up to every proof. Before Joseph starts, I wish to speak to him.
Bonaparte
No. 4.
To Josephine, at Milan
Marmirolo, July 19, 1796.
I have been without letters from you for two days. That is at least the thirtieth time to-day that I have made this observation to myself; you are thinking this particularly wearisome; yet you cannot doubt the tender and unique anxiety with which you inspire me.
We attacked Mantua yesterday. We warmed it up from two batteries with red-hot shot and from mortars. All night long that wretched town has been on fire. The sight was horrible and majestic. We have secured several of the outworks; we open the first parallel to-night. To-morrow I start for Castiglione with the Staff, and I reckon on sleeping there. I have received a courier from Paris. There were two letters for you; I have read them. But though this action appears to me quite natural, and though you gave me permission to do so the other day, I fear you may be vexed, and that is a great trouble to me. I should have liked to have sealed them up again: fie! that would have been atrocious. If I am to blame, I beg your forgiveness. I swear that it is not because I am jealous; assuredly not. I have too high an opinion of my beloved for that. I should like you to give me full permission to read your letters, then there would be no longer either remorse or apprehension.
Achille has just ridden post from Milan; no letters from my beloved! Adieu, my unique joy. When will you be able to rejoin me? I shall have to fetch you myself from Milan.
A thousand kisses as fiery as my soul, as chaste as yourself.
I have summoned the courier; he tells me that he crossed over to your house, and that you told him you had no commands. Fie! naughty, undutiful, cruel, tyrannous, jolly little monster. You laugh at my threats, at my infatuation; ah, you well know that if I could shut you up in my breast, I would put you in prison there!
Tell me you are cheerful, in good health, and very affectionate.
Bonaparte
No. 5.
To Josephine, at Milan
Castiglione, July 21, 1796, 8 A.M.
I am hoping that when I arrive to-night I shall get one of your letters. You know, my dear Josephine, the pleasure they give me; and I am sure you have pleasure in writing them. I shall start to-night for Peschiera, for the mountains of—, for Verona, and thence I shall go to Mantua, and perhaps to Milan, to receive a kiss, since you assure me they are not made of ice. I hope you will be perfectly well by then, and will be able to accompany me to headquarters, so that we may not part again. Are you not the soul of my life, and the quintessence of my heart’s affections?
Your proteges are a little excitable; they are like the will-o’-the-wisp. How glad I am to do something for them which will please you. They will go to Milan. A little patience is requisite in everything.
Adieu, belle et bonne, quite unequalled, quite divine. A thousand loving kisses.
Bonaparte
No. 6.
To Josephine, at Milan
Castiglione, July 22, 1796.
The needs of the army require my presence hereabouts; it is impossible that I can leave it to come to Milan. Five or six days would be necessary, and during that time movements may occur whereby my presence here would be imperative.
You assure me your health is good; I beg you therefore to come to Brescia. Even now I am sending Murat to prepare apartments for you there in the town, as you desire.
I think you will do well to spend the first night (July 24th) at Cassano, setting out very late from Milan; and to arrive at Brescia on July 25th, where the most affectionate of lovers awaits you. I am disconsolate that you can believe, dear, that my heart can reveal itself to others as to you; it belongs to you by right of conquest, and that conquest will be durable and for ever. I do not know why you speak of Madame T., with whom I do not concern myself in the slightest, nor with the women of Brescia. As to the letters which you are vexed at my opening, this shall be the last; your letter had not come.
Adieu, ma tendre amie, send me news often, come forthwith and join me, and be happy and at ease; all goes well, and my heart is yours for life.
Be sure to return to the Adjutant-General Miollis the box of medals that he writes me he has sent you. Men have such false tongues, and are so wicked, that it is necessary to have everything exactly on the square.
Good health, love, and a prompt arrival at Brescia.
I have at Milan a carriage suitable alike for town or country; you can make use of it for the journey. Bring your plate with you, and some of the things you absolutely require.
Travel by easy stages, and during the coolth, so as not to tire yourself. Troops only take three days coming to Brescia. Travelling post it is only a fourteen hours’ journey. I request you to sleep on the 24th at Cassano; I shall come to meet you on the 25th at latest.
Adieu, my own Josephine. A thousand loving kisses.
Bonaparte
July 29th.—Advance of Wurmser, by the Adige valley, on Mantua, and of Quesdonowich on Brescia, who drives back Massena and Sauret.
July 31st.—Siege of Mantua raised.
August 3rd.—Bonaparte victorious at Lonato.
August 5th.—Augereau victorious at Castiglione, completing the Campaign of Five Days, in which 10,000 prisoners are taken.
August 8th.—Verona occupied by Serrurier.
August 15th.—(Moreau arrives on the Danube) Wurmser retreats upon Trent, the capital of Italian Tyrol.
August 18th.—Alliance, offensive and defensive, between France and Spain.
September 3rd.—Jourdan routed by Archduke Charles at Wurtzburg.
No. 7.
To Josephine, at Milan
Brescia, August 30, 1796.
Arriving, my beloved, my first thought is to write to you. Your health, your sweet face and form have not been absent a moment from my thoughts the whole day. I shall be comfortable only when I have got letters from you. I await them impatiently. You cannot possibly imagine my uneasiness. I left you vexed, annoyed, and not well. If the deepest and sincerest affection can make you happy, you ought to be… I am worked to death.
Adieu, my kind Josephine: love me, keep well, and often, often think of me.
Bonaparte
No. 8.
To Josephine, at Milan
Brescia, August 31, 1796.
I start at once for Verona. I had hoped to get a letter from you; and I am terribly uneasy about you. You were rather ill when I left; I beg you not to leave me in such uneasiness. You promised me to be more regular; and, at the time, your tongue was in harmony with your heart. You, to whom nature has given a kind, genial, and wholly charming disposition, how can you forget the man who loves you with so much fervour? No letters from you for three days; and yet I have written to you several times. To be parted is dreadful, the nights are long, stupid, and wearisome; the day’s work is monotonous.
This evening, alone with my thoughts, work and correspondence, with men and their stupid schemes, I have not even one letter from you which I might press to my heart.
The Staff has gone; I set off in an hour. To-night I get an express from Paris; there was for you only the enclosed letter, which will please you.
Think of me, live for me, be often with your well-beloved, and be sure that there is only one misfortune that he is afraid of—that of being no longer loved by his Josephine. A thousand kisses, very sweet, very affectionate, very exclusive.
Send M. Monclas at once to Verona; I will find him a place. He must get there before September 4th.
Bonaparte
September 1st.—Bonaparte leaves Verona and directs his troops on Trent. Wurmser, reinforced by 20,000 men, leaves his right wing at Roveredo, and marches via the Brenta Gorge on Verona.
No. 9.
To Josephine, at Milan
Ala, September 3, 1796.
We are in the thick of the fight, my beloved; we have driven in the enemy’s outposts; we have taken eight or ten of their horses with a like number of riders. My troops are good-humoured and in excellent spirits. I hope that we shall do great things, and get into Trent by the fifth.
No letters from you, which really makes me uneasy; yet they tell me you are well, and have even had an excursion to Lake Como. Every day I wait impatiently for the post which will bring me news of you—you are well aware how I prize it. Far from you I cannot live, the happiness of my life is near my gentle Josephine. Think of me! Write me often, very often: in absence it is the only remedy: it is cruel, but, I hope, will be only temporary.
Bonaparte
September 4th.—Austrian right wing defeated at Roveredo.
September 5th.—Bonaparte enters Trent, cutting off Wurmser from his base. Defeats Davidowich on the Lavis and leaves Vaubois to contain this general while he follows Wurmser.
September 6th.—Wurmser continues his advance, his outposts occupy Vicenza and Montebello.
September 7th.—Combat of Primolano: Austrians defeated. Austrian vanguard attack Verona, but are repulsed by General Kilmaine.
September 8th.—Battle of Bassano: Wurmser completely routed, and retires on Legnago.
No. 10.
To Josephine, at Milan
Montebello, Noon, September 10, 1796.
My Dear,—The enemy has lost 18,000 men prisoners; the rest killed or wounded. Wurmser, with a column of 1500 cavalry, and 500 infantry, has no resource but to throw himself into Mantua.
Never have we had successes so unvarying and so great. Italy, Friuli, the Tyrol, are assured to the Republic. The Emperor will have to create a second army: artillery, pontoons, baggage, everything is taken.
In a few days we shall meet; it is the sweetest reward for my labours and anxieties.
A thousand fervent and very affectionate kisses.
Bonaparte
September 11th.—Skirmish at Cerea: Austrians successful. Bonaparte arrives alone, and is nearly captured.
No. 11.
To Josephine, at Milan
Ronco, September 12, 1796, 10 A.M.
My dear Josephine,—I have been here two days, badly lodged, badly fed, and very cross at being so far from you.
Wurmser is hemmed in, he has with him 3000 cavalry and 5000 infantry. He is at Porto-Legnago; he is trying to get back into Mantua, but for him that has now become impossible. The moment this matter shall be finished I will be in your arms.
I embrace you a million times.
Bonaparte
September 13th.—Wurmser, brushing aside the few French who oppose him, gains the suburbs of Mantua.
September 14th.—Massena attempts a surprise, but is repulsed.
September 15th.—Wurmser makes a sortie from St. Georges, but is driven back.
September 16th.—And at La Favorite, with like result.
No. 12.
To Josephine, at Milan
Verona, September 17, 1796.
My Dear,—I write very often and you seldom. You are naughty, and undutiful; very undutiful, as well as thoughtless. It is disloyal to deceive a poor husband, an affectionate lover. Ought he to lose his rights because he is far away, up to the neck in business, worries and anxiety. Without his Josephine, without the assurance of her love, what in the wide world remains for him. What will he do?
Yesterday we had a very sanguinary conflict; the enemy has lost heavily, and been completely beaten. We have taken from him the suburbs of Mantua.
Adieu, charming Josephine; one of these nights the door will be burst open with a bang, as if by a jealous husband, and in a moment I shall be in your arms.
A thousand affectionate kisses.
Bonaparte
October 2nd.—(Moreau defeats Latour at Biberach, but then continues his retreat.)
October 8th.—Spain declares war against England.
October 10th.—Peace with Naples signed.
No. 13.
To Josephine, at Milan
Modena, October 17, 1796, 9 P.M.
The day before yesterday I was out the whole day. Yesterday I kept my bed. Fever and a racking headache both prevented me writing to my beloved; but I got your letters. I have pressed them to my heart and lips, and the grief of a hundred miles of separation has disappeared. At the present moment I can see you by my side, not capricious and out of humour, but gentle, affectionate, with that mellifluent kindness of which my Josephine is the sole proprietor. It was a dream, judge if it has cured my fever. Your letters are as cold as if you were fifty; we might have been married fifteen years. One finds in them the friendship and feelings of that winter of life. Fie! Josephine. It is very naughty, very unkind, very undutiful of you. What more can you do to make me indeed an object for compassion? Love me no longer? Eh, that is already accomplished! Hate me? Well, I prefer that! Everything grows stale except ill-will; but indifference, with its marble pulse, its rigid stare, its monotonous demeanour!…
A thousand thousand very heartfelt kisses.
I am rather better. I start to-morrow. The English evacuate the Mediterranean. Corsica is ours. Good news for France, and for the army.
Bonaparte
October 25th.—(Moreau recrosses the Rhine.)
November 1st.—Advance of Marshal Alvinzi. Vaubois defeated by Davidovich on November 5th, after two days’ fight.
November 6th.—Napoleon successful, but Vaubois’ defeat compels the French army to return to Verona.
No. 14.
To Josephine, at Milan
Verona, November 9, 1796.
My Dear,—I have been at Verona since the day before yesterday. Although tired, I am very well, very busy; and I love you passionately at all times. I am just off on horseback.
I embrace you a thousand times.
Bonaparte
November 12th.—Combat of Caldiero: Napoleon fails to turn the Austrian position, owing to heavy rains. His position desperate.
November 15th.—First battle of Arcola. French gain partial victory.
November 16th and 17th.—Second battle of Arcola. French completely victorious “Lodi was nothing to Arcola” (Bourrienne).
November 17th.—Death of Czarina Catherine II. of Russia.
November 18th.—Napoleon victoriously re-enters Verona by the Venice gate, having left it, apparently in full retreat, on the night of the 14th by the Milan gate.
No. 15.
From BOURRIENNE’S “LIFE OF NAPOLEON,” vol. i. chap. 4.
Verona, November 19th, Noon.
My Adored Josephine,—Once more I breathe freely. Death is no longer before me, and glory and honour are once more re-established. The enemy is beaten at Arcola. To-morrow we will repair Vaubois’ blunder of abandoning Rivoli. In a week Mantua will be ours, and then your husband will clasp you in his arms, and give you a thousand proofs of his ardent affection. I shall proceed to Milan as soon as I can; I am rather tired. I have received letters from Eugene and Hortense—charming young people. I will send them to you as soon as I find my belongings, which are at present somewhat dispersed.
We have made five thousand prisoners, and killed at least six thousand of the enemy. Good-bye, my adored Josephine. Think of me often. If you cease to love your Achilles, if for him your heart grows cold, you will be very cruel, very unjust. But I am sure you will always remain my faithful mistress, as I shall ever remain your fond lover. Death alone can break the chain which sympathy, love, and sentiment have forged. Let me have news of your health. A thousand and a thousand kisses.
No. 16.
To Josephine, at Milan
Verona, November 23, 1796.
I don’t love you an atom; on the contrary, I detest you. You are a good for nothing, very ungraceful, very tactless, very tatterdemalion. You never write to me; you don’t care for your husband; you know the pleasure your letters give him, and you write him barely half-a-dozen lines, thrown off anyhow.
How, then, do you spend the livelong day, madam? What business of such importance robs you of the time to write to your very kind lover? What inclination stifles and alienates love, the affectionate and unvarying love which you promised me? Who may this paragon be, this new lover who engrosses all your time, is master of your days, and prevents you from concerning yourself about your husband? Josephine, be vigilant; one fine night the doors will be broken in, and I shall be before you.
Truly, my dear, I am uneasy at getting no news from you. Write me four pages immediately, and some of those charming remarks which fill my heart with the pleasures of imagination.
I hope that before long I shall clasp you in my arms, and cover you with a million kisses as burning as if under the equator.
Bonaparte
No. 17.
Verona, November 24, 1796.
I hope soon, darling, to be in your arms. I love you to distraction. I am writing to Paris by this courier. All goes well. Wurmser was beaten yesterday under Mantua. Your husband only needs Josephine’s love to be happy.
Bonaparte
No. 18.
To Josephine, at Genoa
Milan, November 27, 1796, 3 P.M.
I get to Milan; I fling myself into your room; I have left all in order to see you, to clasp you in my arms… You were not there. You gad about the towns amid junketings; you run farther from me when I am at hand; you care no longer for your dear Napoleon. A passing fancy made you love him; fickleness renders him indifferent to you.
Used to perils, I know the remedy for weariness and the ills of life. The ill-luck that I now suffer is past all calculations; I did right not to anticipate it.
I shall be here till the evening of the 29th. Don’t alter your plans; have your fling of pleasure; happiness was invented for you. The whole world is only too happy if it can please you, and only your husband is very, very unhappy.
Bonaparte
No. 19.
To Josephine, at Genoa
Milan, November 28, 1796, 8 P.M.
I have received the courier whom Berthier had hurried on to Genoa. You have not had time to write me, I feel it intuitively. Surrounded with pleasures and pastimes, you would be wrong to make the least sacrifice for me. Berthier has been good enough to show me the letter which you wrote him. My intention is that you should not make the least change in your plans, nor with respect to the pleasure parties in your honour; I am of no consequence, either the happiness or the misery of a man whom you don’t love is a matter of no moment.
For my part, to love you only, to make you happy, to do nothing which may vex you, that is the object and goal of my life.
Be happy, do not reproach me, do not concern yourself in the happiness of a man who lives only in your life, rejoices only in your pleasure and happiness. When I exacted from you a love like my own I was wrong; why expect lace to weigh as heavy as gold? When I sacrifice to you all my desires, all my thoughts, every moment of my life, I obey the sway which your charms, your disposition, and your whole personality have so effectively exerted over my unfortunate heart. I was wrong, since nature has not given me attractions with which to captivate you; but what I do deserve from Josephine is her regard and esteem, for I love her frantically and uniquely.
Farewell, beloved wife; farewell, my Josephine. May fate concentrate in my breast all the griefs and troubles, but may it give Josephine happy and prosperous days. Who deserves them more? When it shall be quite settled that she can love me no more, I will hide my profound grief, and will content myself with the power of being useful and serviceable to her.
I reopen my letter to give you a kiss… Ah! Josephine!… Josephine!
Bonaparte
December 24th.—French under Hoche sail for Ireland; return “foiled by the elements.”
January 7th, 1797.—Alvinzi begins his new attack on Rivoli, while Provera tries to get to Mantua with 11,000 men via Padua and Legnago. Alvinzi’s total forces 48,000, but only 28,000 at Rivoli against Bonaparte’s 23,000.
January 9th.—Kehl (after 48 days’ siege) surrenders to Archduke Charles.
January 10th.—Napoleon at Bologna advised of the advance, and hastens to make Verona, as before, the pivot of his movements.
No. 20.
January 12th.—Combat of St. Michel: Massena defeats Austrians.
To Josephine, at Milan
Verona, January 12, 1797.
Scarcely set out from Roverbella, I learnt that the enemy had appeared at Verona. Massena made some dispositions, which have been very successful. We have made six hundred prisoners, and have taken three pieces of cannon. General Brune got seven bullets in his clothes, without being touched by one of them—this is what it is to be lucky.
I give you a thousand kisses. I am very well. We have had only ten men killed, and a hundred wounded.
Bonaparte
January 13th.—Joubert attacked; retires from Corona on Rivoli in the morning, joined by Bonaparte at night.
January 14th.—Battle of Rivoli: Austrian centre defeated. Bonaparte at close of day hurries off with Massena’s troops to overtake Provera, marching sixteen leagues during the night. Massena named next day enfant cheri de la victoire by Bonaparte, and later Duc de Rivoli.
January 15th.—Joubert continues battle of Rivoli: complete defeat of Austrians. Provera, however, has reached St. Georges, outside Mantua.
January 16th—Sortie of Wurmser at La Favorite repulsed. Provera, hurled back by Victor (named the Terrible on this day), is surrounded by skilful manoeuvres of Bonaparte, and surrenders with 6000 men. In three days Bonaparte had taken 18,000 prisoners and all Alvinzi’s artillery. Colonel Graham gives Austrian losses at 14,000 to 15,000, exclusive of Provera’s 6000.
January 26th.—Combat of Carpenedolo: Massena defeats the Austrians.
February 2nd.—Joubert occupies Lawis. Capitulation of Mantua, by Wurmser, with 13,000 men (and 6000 in hospital), but he, his staff, and 200 cavalry allowed to return. Enormous capture of artillery, including siege-train abandoned by Bonaparte before the battle of Castiglione. Advance of Victor on Rome.
No. 21.
To Josephine, at Bologna
Forli, February 3, 1797.
I wrote you this morning. I start to-night. Our forces are at Rimini. This country is beginning to be tranquillised. My cold makes me always rather tired.
I idolise you, and send you a thousand kisses.
A thousand kind messages to my sister.
Bonaparte
February 9th.—Capture of Ancona.
No. 22.
To Josephine, at Bologna
Ancona, February 10, 1797.
We have been at Ancona these two days. We took the citadel, after a slight fusillade, and by a coup de main. We made 1200 prisoners. I sent back the fifty officers to their homes.
I am still at Ancona. I do not press you to come, because everything is not yet settled, but in a few days I am hoping that it will be. Besides, this country is still discontented, and everybody is nervous.
I start to-morrow for the mountains. You don’t write to me at all, yet you ought to let me have news of you every day.
Please go out every day; it will do you good.
I send you a million kisses. I never was so sick of anything as of this vile war.
Good-bye, my darling. Think of me!
Bonaparte
No. 23.
To Josephine, at Bologna
Ancona, February 13, 1797.
I get no news from you, and I feel sure that you no longer love me. I have sent you the papers, and various letters. I start immediately to cross the mountains. The moment that I know something definite, I will arrange for you to accompany me; it is the dearest wish of my heart.
A thousand and a thousand kisses.
Bonaparte
No. 24.
To Josephine, at Bologna
February 16, 1797.
You are melancholy, you are ill; you no longer write to me, you want to go back to Paris. Is it possible that you no longer love your comrade? The very thought makes me wretched. My darling, life is unbearable to me now that I am aware of your melancholy.
I make haste to send you Moscati, so that he may look after you. My health is rather bad; my cold gets no better. Please take care of yourself, love me as much as I love you, and write me every day. I am more uneasy than ever.
I have told Moscati to escort you to Ancona, if you care to come there. I will write to you there, to let you know where I am.
Perhaps I shall make peace with the Pope, then I shall soon be by your side; it is my soul’s most ardent wish.
I send you a hundred kisses. Be sure that nothing equals my love, unless it be my uneasiness. Write to me every day yourself. Good-bye, dearest.
Bonaparte
No. 25.
February 19th.—Peace of Tolentino with the Pope, who has to pay for his equivocal attitude and broken treaty.
To Josephine, at Bologna
Tolentino, February 19, 1797.
Peace with Rome has just been signed. Bologna, Ferrara, Romagna, are ceded to the Republic. The Pope is to pay us thirty millions shortly, and various works of art.
I start to-morrow morning for Ancona, and thence for Rimini, Ravenna, and Bologna. If your health permit, come to Rimini or Ravenna, but, I beseech you, take care of yourself.
Not a word from you—what on earth have I done? To think only of you, to love only Josephine, to live only for my wife, to enjoy happiness only with my dear one—does this deserve such harsh treatment from her? My dear, I beg you, think often of me, and write me every day.
You are ill, or else you do not love me! Do you think, then, that I have a heart of stone? and do my sufferings concern you so little? You must know me very ill! I cannot believe it! You to whom nature has given intelligence, tenderness, and beauty, you who alone can rule my heart, you who doubtless know only too well the unlimited power you hold over me!
Write to me, think of me, and love me.—Yours ever, for life.
Bonaparte
March 16th.—Bonaparte defeats Archduke Charles on the Tagliamento.
March 25th.—Bonaparte writes the Directory from Goritz that “up till now Prince Charles has manoeuvred worse than Beaulieu and Wurmser.”
March 29th.—Klagenfurt taken by Massena.
April 1st.—Laybach by Bernadotte.
April 17th.—Preliminaries of peace at Leoben signed by Bonaparte.
April 18th.—Hoche crosses the Rhine at Neuwied.
April 21st.—Moreau at Kehl.
April 23rd.—Armistice of two Rhine armies follows preliminaries of Leoben.
May 16th.—Augereau enters Venice.
June 28th.—French capture Corfu, and 600 guns.
July 8th.—Death of Edmund Burke, aged sixty-eight.
July 18th.—Talleyrand becomes French Minister of Foreign Affairs.
September 18th.—Death of Lazare Hoche, aged twenty-nine, probably poisoned by the Directory, which has recalled Moreau, retired Bernadotte, and will soon launch Bonaparte on the seas, so that he may find failure and Bantry Bay at Aboukir (Montgaillard).
September 30th.—National bankruptcy admitted in France, the sixth time in two centuries.
October 17th.—Treaty of Campo-Formio; Bonaparte called thereupon by Talleyrand “General Pacificator.”
December 1st.—Bonaparte Minister Plenipotentiary at Congress of Rastadt, and
December 5th.—Arrives at Paris.
December 10th.—Bonaparte presented to the Directory by Talleyrand.
December 27th.—Riots at Rome: Joseph Bonaparte (ambassador) insulted; General Duphot (engaged to Joseph’s sister-in-law, Desiree) killed.
Series C
The Marengo Campaign, 1800
LETTERS OF THE FIRST CONSUL BONAPARTE TO HIS WIFE
3rd Outlaw. “By the bare scalp of Robin Hood’s fat friar, This fellow were a king for our wild faction!
1st Outlaw. “We’ll have him; sirs, a word.
Speed. “Master, be one of them, It is an honourable kind of thievery.”
The Two Gentlemen of Verona, Act iv., Scene I.
Series C
(For subjoined Notes to this Series see pages 223–225.)
Letter Page
Christmas Day, 1799 223
| No. 3. Ivrea, May 29th | 224 |
| M.’s | 224 |
| Cherries | 224 |
No. 4. Milan 224
The Campaign of Marengo, 1800
Events of 1798
NAPOLEONIC HISTORY.—May 20th.—Napoleon sails from Toulon for Egypt.
June 11th.—Takes Malta; sails for Egypt (June 20th).
July 4th.—Captures Alexandria.
July 21st.—Defeats Mamelukes at Battle of the Pyramids, and enters Cairo the following day.
August 1st.—French Fleet destroyed by Nelson at the Battle of the Nile.
October 7th.—Desaix defeats Mourad Bey at Sedyman (Upper Egypt).
GENERAL HISTORY.—January 4th.—Confiscation of all English merchandise in France. Commencement of Continental system.
January 5th.—Directory fail to float a loan of 80 millions (francs), and
January 28th.—Forthwith invade Switzerland, ostensibly to defend the Vaudois, under a sixteenth-century treaty, really to revolutionise the country, and seize upon the treasure of Berne.
February 15th.—Republic proclaimed at Rome. French occupy the Vatican, and
February 20th.—Drive Pope Pius VI. into exile to the convent of Sienna.
March 5th.—Capture of Berne by General Brune.
April 13th.—Bernadotte, ambassador, attacked at the French Embassy in Vienna.
May 19th.—Fitzgerald, a leader in the Irish rebellion, arrested.
August 22nd.—General Humbert and 1100 French troops land at Killala, County Mayo.
September 8th.—Humbert and 800 men taken by Lord Cornwallis at Ballinamack.
September 12th.—Turkey declares war with France, and forms alliance with England and Russia.
November 19th.—Wolfe-Tone commits suicide.
December 5th.—Macdonald defeats Mack and 40,000 Neapolitans at Civita Castellana.
December 9th.—Joubert occupies Turin.
December 15th.—French occupy Rome.
December 29th.—Coalition of Russia, Austria, and England against France.
Events of 1799
GENERAL HISTORY.—January 10th.—Championnet occupies Capua.
January 20th.—Pacification of La Vendee by General Hedouville.
January 23rd.—Championnet occupies Naples.
March 3rd.—Corfu taken from the French by a Russo-Turkish force.
March 7th.—Massena defeats the Austrians, and conquers the country of the Grisons.
March 25th.—Archduke Charles defeats Jourdan at Stockach.
March 30th.—Kray defeats French (under Scherer) near Verona,
April 5th.—And again at Magnano.
April 14th.—Suwarrow takes command of Austrian army at Verona;
April 22nd.—Defeats French at Cassano, with heavy loss.
April 28th.—French plenipotentiaries, returning from Radstadt, murdered by men in Austrian uniforms—Montgaillard thinks by creatures of the Directory.
May 4th.—Capture of Seringapatam by General Baird.
May 12th.—Austro-Russian army checked at Bassignana.
May 16th.—Sieyes becomes one of the Directory.
May 20th.—Suwarrow takes Brescia,
May 24th.—And Milan (citadel).
June 5th.—Massena defeated at Zurich by Archduke Charles; and Macdonald (June 19th) by Suwarrow at the Trebbia.
June 18th.—Gohier, Roger-Ducos, and Moulin replace Treilhard, Lareveillere-Lepeaux, and Merlin on the Directory.
June 20th.—Turin surrenders to Austro-Russians.
June 22nd.—Turkey, Portugal, and Naples join the coalition against France.
July 14th.—French carry their prisoner, Pope Pius VI., to Valence, where he dies (August 29th).
July 22nd.—Alessandria surrenders to Austro-Russians.
July 30th.—Mantua, after 72 days’ siege, surrenders to Kray.
August 15th.—French defeated at Novi by Suwarrow. French lose Joubert and 20,000 men.
August 17th.—French, under Lecombe, force the St. Gothard.
August 27th.—English army disembark at the Helder.
August 30th.—Dutch fleet surrendered to the British Admiral.
September 19th.—Brune defeats Duke of York at Bergen.
September 25th.—Massena defeats allies at Zurich, who lose 16,000 men and 100 guns. “Massena saves France at Zurich, as Villars saved it at Denain.”—Montgaillard.
October 6th.—Brune defeats Duke of York at Kastrikum.
October 7th.—French take Constance.
October 16th.—Saint-Cyr, without cavalry or cannon, defeats Austrians at Bosco.
November 4th.—Melas defeats French at Fossano.
November 13th.—Ancona surrendered to the Austrians by Monnier, after a six months’ siege.
November 24th.—Moreau made commander of the armies of the Rhine (being in disgrace, has served as a volunteer in Italy most of this year); Massena sent to the army of Italy.
December 5th.—Coni, the key of Piedmont, surrenders to the Austrians.
December 14th.—Death of George Washington.
December 15th.—Battle of Montefaccio, near Genoa. Saint-Cyr defeats Austrians.
Events of 1800
February 11th.—Bank of France constituted.
February 20th.—Kleber defeats Turks at Heliopolis.
May 3rd.—Battle of Engen. Moreau defeats Kray, who loses 10,000 men, and—
May 5th.—Again defeats Austrians at Moeskirch.
May 6th.—Napoleon leaves Paris.
May 8th.—Arrives at Auxonne, and on the 9th at Geneva, from thence moves to Lausanne (May 12th), where he is delighted with reception accorded to the French troops, and hears of Moreau’s victory at Bibernach (May 11th). On the 14th he hears of Desaix’s safe arrival at Toulon from Egypt, together with Davoust, and orders the praises of their past achievements to be sung in the Moniteur. The same day writes Massena that in Genoa a man like himself (Massena) is worth 20,000. On the 16th is still at Lausanne.
No. 1.
To Josephine, at Paris
Lausanne, May 15, 1800.
I have been at Lausanne since yesterday. I start to-morrow. My health is fairly good. The country round here is very beautiful. I see no reason why, in ten or twelve days, you should not join me here; you must travel incognito, and not say where you are going, because I want no one to know what I am about to do. You can say you are going to Plombieres.
I will send you Moustache,16 who has just arrived.
My very kindest regards to Hortense. Eugene will not be here for eight days; he is en route.
Bonaparte
No. 2.
To Josephine, at Paris
Torre di Garofolo, May 16, 1800.
I start immediately to spend the night at Saint-Maurice. I have not received a single letter from you; that is not well. I have written you by every courier.
Eugene may arrive the day after to-morrow. I have rather a cold, but it will have no ill effects.
My very kindest regards to you, my good little Josephine, and to all who belong to you.
Bonaparte
May 17th-19th.—At Martigny, “struggling against ice, snow-storms, and avalanches,” and astonishing the great St. Bernard “with the passage of our ‘pieces of 8,’ and especially of our limbers—a new experience for it.” On May 20th he climbed the St. Bernard on a mule, and descended it on a sledge. On May 21st he is at Aosta, hoping to be back in Paris within a fortnight. His army had passed the mountain in four days. On May 27th he is at Ivrea, taken by Lannes on the 24th.
No. 3.17
[From Tennant’s Tour, &c., vol. ii.]
11 P.m
I hardly know which way to turn. In an hour I start for Vercelli. Murat ought to be at Novaro to-night. The enemy is thoroughly demoralised; he cannot even yet understand us. I hope within ten days to be in the arms of my Josephine, who is always very good when she is not crying and not flirting. Your son arrived this evening. I have had him examined; he is in excellent health. Accept a thousand tender thoughts. I have received M.’s letter. I will send her by the next courier a box of excellent cherries.
We are here—within two months for Paris.—Yours entirely,
N. B
To Madame Bonaparte. (Address not in Bonaparte’s writing.)
June 1st.—First experiments with vaccination at Paris, with fluid sent from London.
On June 2nd Napoleon enters Milan, where he spends a week.
No. 4.
To Josephine, at Paris
Milan.
I am at Milan, with a very bad cold. I can’t stand rain, and I have been wet to the skin for several hours, but all goes well. I don’t persuade you to come here. I shall be home in a month. I trust to find you flourishing. I am just starting for Pavia and Stradella. We are masters of Brescia, Cremona, and Placentia.
Kindest regards. Murat has borne himself splendidly.
June 5th.—Massena gives up Genoa, but leaves with all the honours of war.
June 7th.—Lannes takes Pavia, 350 cannon, and 10,000 muskets.
June 9th.—Battle of Montebello. Bonaparte defeats Austrians, who lose 8000 men.
June 14th.—Bonaparte wins Marengo, but loses Desaix—“the man I loved and esteemed the most.” In his bulletin he admits the battle at one time was lost, until he cried to his troops “Children, remember it is my custom to sleep upon the battlefield.” He mentions the charges of Desaix and Kellermann, and especially eulogises the latter—a fact interesting on account of the false statements made of his ignoring it. In the bulletin of June 21st he blames the “punic faith” of Lord Keith at Genoa, a criticism the Admiral repaid with usury fifteen years later.
June 14th.—Assassination of Kleber, in Egypt.
June 16th.—Convention of Alessandria between Bonaparte and Melas; end of the “Campaign of Thirty Days.”
June 19th.—Moreau defeats Kray at Hochstedt, and occupies Ulm.
June 23rd.—Genoa re-entered by the French.
June 26th.—Bonaparte leaves Massena in command of the Army of Reserve, now united with the Army of Italy.
July 3rd.—The First Consul is back in Paris unexpectedly—not wishing triumphal arches or such-like “colifichets” In spite of which the plaudits he receives are very dear to him, “sweet as the voice of Josephine.”
September 5th.—Vaubois surrenders Malta to the English, after two years’ blockade.
September 15th.—Armistice between France and Austria in Germany.
September 30th.—Treaty of Friendship and Commerce between France and U.S.—agreed that the flag covers the goods.
October 3rd.—To facilitate peace King George renounces his title of King of France.
November 12th.—Rupture of Armistice between France and Austria.
December 3rd.—Moreau wins the battle of Hohenlinden (Austrian loss, 16,000 men, 80 guns; French 3000).
December 20th.—Moreau occupies Lintz (100 miles from Vienna).
December 24th.—Royalist conspirators fail to kill Bonaparte with an infernal machine.
December 25th.—Armistice at Steyer between Moreau and Archduke Charles (sent for by the Austrians a fortnight before as their last hope).