Summary-Spain: Napoleon's orders and instructions-Suchet's govern- ment; organisation of his corps-Catalonia-Artillery for Portugal -Reille's appointment-Ciudad Rodrigo-Censure of Marmont- Capture of Valencia-Plan of operations for Decaen-Joseph com- mander-in-chief-English force in the Peninsula-Augmentation of Suchet's command-Retreat of Marmont-His report of the battle of Salamanca, and Napoleon's criticisms on it-Reports for the 'Moni- Introductory remarks-Account by Desprez of his interview with Napo- leon at Moscow, and of the retreat of the French army-Instructions to Joseph as to the government of Spain and the command of the army-Battle of Vittoria-Joseph resolves to retire........... PAGE Introductory remarks-Joseph offers his services to Napoleon-Napoleon's proposals to him-Joseph's title-Payment of troops-Battle of Brienne-Congress of Châtillon-Preparations against reverses— Army returns-Measures for the protection of Paris-Formation of army of reserve-State of Paris; its resources- -Proposed departure of the Empress-Measures to be adopted in the event of the capture of Paris-Distrust of Talleyrand-Security of the Empress and the King of Rome Italy and Spain-Deficiency of muskets-Proposed religious ceremony-National guards-False information of the Min- ister of Police-Dispositions and strength of the army-Strength of Introductory remarks-Victories at Baye, Champ-Aubert, Montmirail, and Château-Thierry-Public opinion in Paris-Want of money and clothing for troops-Attack on Nogent-Defensive measures-No- gent evacuated-Defence of Montereau-Battle of Vauchamp- Protection of Paris-Disagreement of the marshals-Retreat of the allies National guard of Paris-Armistice proposed by Schwartz- PAGE Introductory remarks-Capture of Montereau-Disgrace and restoration of Victor-Retreat of allied sovereigns-Want of ammunition-Hos- pital accommodation in Paris-Movements and conduct of the allies -Proposed addresses and proclamation by the Empress-Instruc- tions for Jérôme-State of Toulouse and Bourdeaux-General discon- tent-National guard-Joseph's fears unfounded-Deputations-Ter- Close of campaign of 1814; summary of events-Movements of the army -Capture of La Ferté-Negotiations for an armistice-Deficiency of arms and money-Loss of Bar-sur-Aube-Retreat of Blucher-Peace indispensable-Surrender of Soissons-Napoleon ill seconded-Supply of arms-Battle of Craonne-Movements of the allies-Junction of the Russian and Prussian armies-Levies en-masse ordered-Attack on Clary-Fortifications of Paris-Bernadotte-Capture of Reims- Safety of the Empress and the King of Rome-Funds-Capture of Méry-Attack on Arcis-Defensive measures-Retreat of the Em- press and court; Napoleon's instructions—General desire for peace— Introductory remarks—Organisation of Spaniards in France, and forma- tion of a junta-New house of peers-Campaign of 1815: battle of Ligny-Napoleon's intention to surrender to Captain Maitland-Ber- trand's narrative of the last days and death of the Emperor......... My Brother, General La Romana has less than 1000 men pressed into the service, naked, and dying of hunger; he no longer dares trust his army in the field, exasperated as it is against him. Marshal Soult attacked him on the 26th with 2 cavalry regiments, and took 1500 men and 2 standards. He entered Leon on the 30th, and found 2000 sick in the hospitals. The army of Gallicia cannot be said to have really existed after the affair of Espinosa, and now less than ever. This first day of the year Marshal Soult is at Puente-deOrvigo. Marshal Bessières slept at La Banesa, and is marching on Astorga, where we shall be to-day. The English have abandoned on the road 1500 tents, 4000 blankets, all their rum, an immense number of waggons, and many stragglers. I have not yet done with them; I shall pursue them vigorously. I shall reach Astorga this evening. I sent you word that Dessolles's division was on its way back to Madrid: the communication by way of Valladolid, Burgos, Segovia, and Guadarrama, will thus be secured. Order posts to be placed on the road to Villa Castin, you and on the roads between Madrid and Segovia, and Segovia and Valladolid. Ask for returns, and take all the soldiers that can be spared, in order to strengthen the garrison of Madrid. By my returns it that appears have received 2000 or 3000 men in marching companies belonging to the different corps. The Dutch brigade which is at Aranda should proceed to Madrid. The army of Castaños is in the same state as that of Romana. Each of them was called a week ago from 15,000 to 20,000 men; I am sure that neither now amounts to 4000. The weather is bad, the season severe, but this will not stop us; we must endeavour to have done with the English. You will no doubt send agents to Leon. Try to establish a correspondence between that town and Madrid; above all, spread printed papers. have taken by the bayonet Montetorrero, before Saragossa, and the siege operations are carried on vigorously. General St. Cyr reached Barcelona on the 19th, and went and took all before him. I have there 30,000 men, whose influence is felt to a distance of twenty miles round. Reding has been taken. [468.] NAPOLEON TO BERTHIER. Astorga, Jan. 2, 1809. My Cousin,-Give orders to the 30th, 31st, 32nd, 33rd, 34th, 35th, and 36th marching companies, which are on their way to Burgos, to remain there on the 3rd and 4th, and to leave it on the 5th for Valladolid. Give the same order to the 39th, 40th, 41st, and 42nd marching companies, the same order to the first company of the 3rd regiment of foot artillery, also to the Nassau detachment, as well as to the 168 horse soldiers belonging to the 10th, 15th, and 22nd chasseurs; all are to go to Valladolid. In the dispositions made this morning for the organisation of the Duke of Dalmatia's corps I forgot to say that the battalion of the 31st light infantry should join its own regiment in Mermet's division, in order that the regiment may consist of four battalions. Desire the 17th light infantry and the 27th horse chasseurs to proceed to Valladolid, and give the same order to Heudelet's division; if from Burgos it went to Leon, let it go on to Valla dolid. [469.] NAPOLEON TO JOSEPH. Astorga, Jan. 2, 1809. My Brother, The Dutch brigade, 1600 men strong, ought to reach Madrid on the 6th of January. It marches by Aranda, together with the 31st, 32nd, 33rd, 34th, 35th, and 36th marching companies, composed of soldiers formerly belonging to the 1st corps. The 39th, 40th, 41st, and 42nd marching companies, composed of soldiers formerly of the 4th corps, forming altogether 1800 men, were to arrive at Burgos on the 2nd of January. At Aranda is General Treilhard with a battalion of the 118th and 2000 men from the cavalry depôts; and, besides these, the third battalion of the 43rd and 51st infantry, the Irish and Russian battalion, the Westphalian battalion, and the third battalion of the 5th light infantry, all under the command of General Treilhard. [ 470.] NAPOLEON TO JOSEPH. Astorga, Jan. 2, 1809. My Brother, I reached Astorga yesterday. Marshal Bessières is now near Villa Franca. He has taken 2000 Spaniards and 500 English, and burnt a great quantity of baggage and magazines. There have been found on the roads more than 800 dead horses and a considerable amount of ammunition and baggage. Terror reigns in their ranks. The Duke of Dalmatia is pursuing them. The guards are to return to Benevento. I am myself drawing near to the centre of my army. I can make nothing out of the Duke of Dantzic's letters. I hope that Merlin has rejoined him. It is probable that more than half of the British army will be in our power; the English themselves think So. As to Romana, his corps has been almost destroyed; 2000 men were taken prisoners at Leon, and 2000 in this place. For this last fortnight they have received neither pay nor provisions, and they are almost entirely without clothing. On the 22nd the position of Montetorrero, which protected VOL. II.-1* |