第13章

Iloveyournation。ForsixteenyearsIhaveseenyoursoldiersbymysideonthefieldsofItalyasonthoseofSpain。

Iapplaudallthatyouhavedone；Iauthorizetheeffortsyouwishtomake；andallthatdependsonmetocarryoutyourresolutionsshallbedone。

Ifyoureffortsareunanimous，youmayindulgethehopeofforcingyourenemiestorecognizeyourrights。Butinthesecountries，sodistantandsoextensive，anyhopeofsuccesscanbefoundedonlyontheunanimouseffortsofthepopulationwhichoccupiesthem。

IhavemaintainedthesamepositionsincemyfirstappearanceinPoland。

IshouldaddherethatIhaveguaranteedtotheEmperorofAustriatheintegrityofhisStates，andIcouldauthorizenomovementtendingtodisturbhiminthepeacefulpossessionofwhatremainstohimofthePolishprovinces。LetLithuania，Samogitia，Witepsk，Polotsk，Mohilow，Wolhynia，Ukraine，andPodoliabeanimatedbythesamespiritIhaveseeningreatPoland，andProvidencewillcrownwithsuccesstheholinessofyourcause；itwillrecompensethisdevotiontoyournativecountrywhichhasmadeyousuchanobjectofinterest，andhasobtainedforyoutherighttomyesteemandprotection，onwhichyoumayrelyunderallcircumstances。“

IhavethoughtitbesttogiveheretheentirereplyoftheEmperortothedeputiesofthePolishconfederation，asIwasawitnessoftheeffectitproducedatWilna。AfewPoleswithwhomIwasassociatedspoketomeofitwithsorrow；buttheirconsternationwasnotloudlyexpressed，andtheairdidnotthelessresoundwithcriesof“Vivel\'Empereur！“eachtimetheEmperorshowedhimselfinpublic，whichistosayalmosteveryday。

DuringourstayatWilnasomehopeswereentertainedthatanewpeacewasabouttobeconcluded，asanenvoyhadarrivedfromtheEmperorAlexander。Butthesehopeswereofshortduration；andIhavesinceascertainedthattheRussianofficer，M。Balochoff，fearing，likealmostallofhisnation，areconciliationbetweenthetwoemperors，deliveredhismessageinsuchamannerastorousetheprideofhisMajesty，whosenthimbackafteracoolreception。EverythingsmiledontheEmperor。

Hewasthenattheheadofthemostnumerousaswellasmostformidablearmyhehadevercommanded。OnM。Balachoff\'sdepartureeverythingwassetinorderfortheexecutionofhisMajesty\'splans。

WhenonthepointofpenetratingintotheRussianterritory，hisMajestynolongermaintainedhiscustomaryserenity；atleast，IhadoccasiontoremarkthathewasunusuallysilentatthehoursIhadthehonortoapproachhim；and，nevertheless，assoonashisplansweremade，andhehadbroughthistroopsfromtheothersideoftheVilia，theriveronwhichWilnaissituated，theEmperortookpossessionoftheRussianterritorywiththeenthusiasticardoronewouldexpectinayoungman。

OneoftheescortwhichaccompaniedhimrelatedtomethattheEmperorspurredhishorsetothefront，andmadehimrunathisutmostspeednearlyaleaguethroughthewoodsalone，andnotwithstandingthenumerousCossacksscatteredthroughthesewoodswhichliealongtherightbankoftheVilia。

IhavemorethanonceseentheEmperormuchannoyedbecausetherewasnoenemytofight。Forinstance，theRussianshadabandonedWilna，whichwehadenteredwithoutresistance；andagain，onleavingthistownscoutsannouncedtheabsenceofhostiletroops，withtheexceptionofthoseCossacksofwhomIhavespoken。Irememberonedaywethoughtweheardthedistantnoiseofcannon，andtheEmperoralmostshudderedwithjoy；

butweweresoonundeceived，thenoisewasthesoundofthunder，andsuddenlythemostfrightfulstormIhaveeverseenburstoverthearmy。

Thelandforaspaceofmorethanfourleagueswassocoveredwithwaterthattheroadcouldnotbeseen；andthisstorm，asfatalasabattlecouldhavebeen，costusalargenumberofmen，severalthousandhorses，andapartoftheimmenseequipmentsoftheexpedition。

ItwasknowninthearmythattheRussianshaddoneanimmenseamountofworkatDrissa，wheretheyhadconstructedanenormousintrenchedcamp；

andthenumberoftroopscollectedthere，theconsiderablesumsexpendedintheworks，allgavereasontobelievethattheRussianarmywouldawaittheFrenchatthispoint；andthisbeliefwasallthemorereasonablesincetheEmperorAlexander，inhisnumerousproclamationsdisseminatedthroughthearmy，andseveralofwhichfellintoourhands，boastedofconqueringtheFrenchatDrissa，where(saidtheseproclamations)weshouldfindourgrave。Itwasotherwiseordainedbydestiny；fortheRussians，constantlyfallingbacktowardstheheartofRussia，abandonedthisfamouscampofDrissaontheapproachoftheEmperor:IhearditsaidbymanygeneralofficersthatagreatbattlewouldhavebeenatthattimeasalutaryeventfortheFrencharmy，inwhichdiscontentwasbeginningtoincrease，first，forwantofenemiestofight，andsecond；becauseprivationsofeverykindbecameeachdaymoreunendurable。Wholedivisionslived，sotospeak，bypillage。Thesoldiersdevastatedthedwellingsandcottagesfoundatrareintervalsinthecountry；and，inspiteofthesevereordersoftheEmperoragainstmaraudingandpillaging，theseorderscouldnotbeexecuted，fortheofficersthemselveslivedforthemostpartonthebootywhichthesoldiersobtainedandsharedwiththem。

TheEmperoraffectedbeforehissoldiersaserenitywhichhewasfarfromfeeling；andfromafewdetachedwordswhichIheardhimpronounceinthisgravesituation，IamauthorizedtobelievethattheEmperordesiredabattlesoardently，onlyinthehopethattheEmperorAlexanderwouldmakehimnewoverturesleadingtopeace。Ithinkthathewouldthenhaveaccepteditafterthefirstvictory；buthewouldneverhaveconsentedtoretracehisstepsaftersuchimmensepreparationswithouthavingwagedoneofthosegreatbattleswhichfurnishsufficientgloryforacampaign；

atleast，thatiswhatIheardhimsayrepeatedly。TheEmperoralsooftenspokeoftheenemieshehadtocombatwithanaffecteddisdainwhichhedidnotreallyfeel；hisobjectbeingtocheertheofficersandsoldiers，manyofwhommadenoconcealmentoftheirdiscouragement。

BeforeleavingWilna，theEmperorestablishedthereakindofcentralgovernment，attheheadofwhichhehadplacedtheDukeofBassano，withtheobjectofhavinganintermediatepointbetweenFranceandthelineofoperationsheintendedtocarryonintheinteriorofRussia。

Disappointed，asIhavesaid，bytheabandonmentofthecampofDrissabytheRussianarmy，hemarchedrapidlytowardsWitepsk，wherethegreaterpartoftheFrenchforceswerethencollected:butheretheireoftheEmperorwasagainarousedbyanewretreatoftheRussians；fortheencountersofOstrovnoandMohilev，althoughimportant，couldnotbeconsideredasthekindofbattletheEmperorsoardentlydesired。OnenteringWitepsk，theEmperorlearnedthattheEmperorAlexander，whoafewdaysbeforehadhisheadquartersthere，andalsotheGrandDukeConstantine，hadquittedthearmy，andreturnedtoSt。Petersburg。

Atthisperiod，thatistosay，onourarrivalatWitepsk，thereportwasspreadabroadthattheEmperorwouldcontenthimselfwithtakingpositionthere，andorganizingmeansofsubsistenceforhisarmy，andthathewouldpostponetillthenextyeartheexecutionofhisvastdesignsonRussia。Icouldnotundertaketosaywhathisinmostthoughtswereonthissubject；butwhatIcancertifyisthat，beinginaroomadjoininghis，IonedayheardhimsaytotheKingofNaples，thatthefirstcampaignofRussiawasended，andthathewouldbethefollowingyearatMoscow，thenextatSt。Petersburg，andthattheRussianwarwasathreeyears\'campaign。HaditpleasedProvidencethathisMajestyhadexecutedthisplan，whichheoutlinedtotheKingofNaplessoearnestly，somanyofthebravewouldnothavelaiddowntheirlivesafewmonthsafterinthefrightfulretreat，thehorrorsofwhichIshallhereafterdescribe。

DuringourstayatWitepsk，theheatwassoexcessivethattheEmperorwasmuchexhausted，andcomplainedofitincessantly；andIhaveneverseenhimunderanycircumstancessooppressedbytheweightofhisclothing。Inhisroomherarelyworehiscoat，andfrequentlythrewhimselfonhisbedtorest。ThisisafactwhichmanypersonscanattestaswellasI；forheoftenreceivedhisgeneralofficersthus，thoughithadbeenhiscustomnevertoappearbeforethemwithouttheuniformwhichhehabituallywore。Nevertheless，theinfluencewhichtheheathadonhisphysicalconditionhadnotaffectedhisgreatsoul；andhisgeniuseveronthealertembracedeverybranchoftheadministration。ButitwaseasilyseenbythosewhosepositionsenabledthembesttoknowhischaracterthatthesourceofhisgreatestsufferingatWitepskwastheuncertaintywhetherheshouldremaininPoland，orshouldadvancewithoutdelayintotheheartofRussia。Whilehewashesitatingbetweenthesetwodecisionshewasnearlyalwayssadandtaciturn。

Inthisstateofvacillationbetweenreposeandmotion，theEmperor\'spreferencewasnotdoubtful；andattheendofacouncilwhereIhearditsaidthathisMajestymetwithmuchopposition，IlearnedthatweweretomoveforwardandadvanceonMoscow，fromwhichitwassaidthatwewereonlytwentydays\'marchdistant。AmongthosewhoopposedmostvehementlythisimmediatemarchonMoscow，IheardthenamescitedoftheDukeofVicenzaandtheCountofLobau；butwhatIcanassertofmyownknowledge，andwhichIlearnedinamannertoleavenoroomfordoubt，isthatthegrandmarshalofthepalacetriedonnumerousoccasionstodissuadetheEmperorfromthisproject。Butalltheseendeavorswereofnoavailagainsthiswill。

WethendirectedourcoursetowardsthesecondcapitalofRussia，andarrivedafterafewdaysmarchatSmolensk，alargeandbeautifulcity。

TheRussians，whomhethoughthehadcaughtatlast，hadjustevacuatedit，afterdestroyingmuchbooty，andburningthegreaterpartofthestores。

Weenteredbythelightoftheflames，butitwasnothingincomparisontowhatawaitedusatMoscow。IremarkedatSmolensktwobuildingswhichseemedtomeofthegreatestbeauty，——thecathedralandtheepiscopalpalace，whichlastseemedtoformavillageinitself，soextensivearethebuildings，andbeingalsoseparatedfromthecity。

IwillnotmakealistoftheplaceswithbarbarousnamesthroughwhichwepassedafterleavingSmolensk。AllthatIshalladdastoouritineraryduringthefirsthalfofthisgiganticcampaignisthatonthe5thofSeptemberwearrivedonthebanksoftheMoskwa，wheretheEmperorsawwithintensesatisfactionthatatlasttheRussiansweredeterminedtogranthimthegreatbattlewhichhesoardentlydesired，andwhichhehadpursuedformorethantwohundredleaguesaspreythathewouldnotallowtoescapehim。

CHAPTERV。

THEdayafterthebattleoftheMoskwa，IwaswiththeEmperorinhistentwhichwasonthefieldofbattle，andthemostperfectcalmreignedaroundus。Itwasafinespectaclewhichthisarmypresented，calmlyre-

formingitscolumnsinwhichtheRussiancannonhadmadesuchwidegaps，andproceedingtothereposeofthebivouacwiththesecuritywhichconquerorseverfeel。TheEmperorseemedovercomewithfatigue。Fromtimetotimeheclaspedhishandsoverhiscrossedknees，andIheardhimeachtimerepeat，withakindofconvulsivemovement，“Moscow！Moscow！“

Hesentmeseveraltimestoseewhatwasgoingonoutside，thenrosehimself，andcomingupbehindmelookedoutovermyshoulder。Thenoisemadebythesentinelinpresentingarmseachtimewarnedmeofhisapproach。Afteraboutaquarterofanhourofthesesilentmarchestoandfro，thesentineladvancedandcried，“Toarms！“andlikealightningflashthebattalionsquarewasformedaroundtheEmperor\'stent。Herushedout，andthenre-enteredtotakehishatandsword。Itprovedtobeafalsealarm，asaregimentofSaxonsreturningfromaraidhadbeenmistakenfortheenemy。

Therewasmuchlaughteroverthismistake，especiallywhentheraiderscameinsight，somebearingquartersofmeatspittedontheendsoftheirbayonets，otherswithhalf-pickedfowlsorhamswhichmadethemouthwater。Iwasstandingoutsidethetent，andshallneverforgetthefirstmovementofthesentinelashegavethecryofalarm。Heloweredthestockofhisguntoseeiftheprimingwasinplace，shookthebarrelbystrikingitwithhisfist，thenreplacedthegunonhisarm，saying，“Well，letthemcome；wearereadyforthem。“ItoldtheoccurrencetotheEmperor，whoinhisturnrelatedittoPrinceBerthier；andinconsequencetheEmperormadethisbravesoldierdrinkaglassofhisbestChambertinwine。

ItwastheDukeofDantzicwhofirstenteredMoscow，andtheEmperorcameonlyafterhim。Thisentrywasmadeinthenight，andneverwasthereamoredepressingscene。Therewassomethingtrulyfrightfulinthissilentmarchofanarmyhaltedatintervalsbymessagesfrominsidethecity，whichseemedtobeofamostominouscharacter。NoMuscovitefigurescouldbedistinguishedexceptthoseofafewbeggarscoveredwithrags，whowatchedwithstupidastonishmentthearmyfilepast；andassomefewoftheseappearedtobebeggingalms，oursoldiersthrewthembreadandafewpiecesofmoney。Icannotpreventasadreflectionontheseunfortunatecreatures，whoseconditionaloneremainsunchangedthroughgreatpoliticalupheavals，andwhoaretotallywithoutaffectionandwithoutnationalsympathies。

Asweadvancedonthestreetsofthefaubourgs，welookedthroughthewindowsoneachside，andwereastonishedtoperceivenohumanbeing；andifasolitarylightappearedinthewindowsofafewhouses，itwassoonextinguished，andthesesignsoflifesosuddenlyeffacedmadeaterribleimpression。TheEmperorhaltedatthefaubourgofDorogomilow，andspentthenightthere，notinaninn，ashasbeenstated，butinahousesofilthyandwretchedthatnextmorningwefoundintheEmperor\'sbed，andonhisclothes，verminwhicharebynomeansuncommoninRussia。Weweretormentedbythemalsotoourgreatdisgust，andtheEmperordidnotsleepduringthewholenighthepassedthere。Accordingtocustom，I

sleptinhischamber；andnotwithstandingtheprecautionIhadtakentoburnvinegarandaloeswood，theodorwassodisagreeablethateverymomenttheEmperorcalledme。

“Areyouasleep，Constant？“——“No，Sire。“——“Myson，burnmorevinegar，I

cannotendurethisfrightfulodor；itisatorment；Icannotsleep。“

Ididmybest；butamomentafter，whenthefumesofthevinegarwereevaporated，heagainrecommendedmetoburnsugaroraloeswood。

Itwastwoo\'clockinthemorningwhenhewasinformedthatafirehadbrokenoutinthecity。ThenewswasreceivedthroughFrenchmenresidinginthiscountry，andanofficeroftheRussianpoliceconfirmedthereport，andenteredintodetailstooprecisefortheEmperortodoubtthefact。Nevertheless，hestillpersistedinnotbelievingit。“Thatisnotpossible。Doyoubelievethat，Constant？Go，andfindoutifitistrue。“Andthereuponhethrewhimselfagainonhisbed，tryingtorestalittle；thenherecalledmetomakethesameinquiries。

TheEmperorpassedthenightinextremeagitation，andwhendaylightcameheknewall。HehadMarshalMortiercalled，andreprimandedbothhimandtheyoungguard。Mortierinreplyshowedhim，housescoveredwithirontheroofsofwhichwereuninjured，buttheEmperorpointedouttohimtheblacksmokewhichwasissuingfromthem，pressedhishandstogether，andstampedhisheelsontheroughplanksofhissleeping-room。

Atsixo\'clockinthemorningwewereatthepalaceoftheKremlin，whereNapoleonoccupiedtheapartmentoftheCzars，whichopenedonavastesplanadereachedbyabroadstonestaircase。Onthissameesplanadecouldbeseenthechurchinwhichwerethetombsoftheancientsovereigns，alsothesenatorialpalace，thebarracks，thearsenal，andasplendidclocktower，thecrossonwhichtowersabovethewholecity。

ThisisthegildedcrossofIvan。TheEmperorthrewasatisfiedglanceoverthebeautifulscenespreadoutbeforehim；fornosignoffirewasyetseeninallthebuildingswhichsurroundedtheKremlin。ThispalaceisamixtureofGothicandmodernarchitecture，andthisminglingofthetwostylesgivesitamostsingularappearance。

WithinthesewallslivedanddiedtheolddynastiesoftheRomanoffandRuric；andthisisthesamepalacewhichhasbeensooftenstainedwithbloodbytheintriguesofaferociouscourt，ataperiodwhenallquarrelsweresettledwiththeponiard。HisMajestycouldnotobtainthereevenafewhoursofquietsleep。

Infact，theEmperor，somewhatreassuredbythereportsofMarshalMortier，wasdictatingtotheEmperorAlexanderwordsofpeace，andaRussianflagoftrucewasabouttobearthisletter，whentheEmperor，whowaspromenadingthelengthandbreadthofhisapartment，perceivedfromhiswindowsabrilliantlightsomedistancefromthepalace。Itwasthefire，whichhadburstoutagainfiercerthanever；andasthewindfromthenorthwasnowdrivingtheflamesinthedirectionoftheKremlin，thealarmwasgivenbytwoofficerswhooccupiedthewingofthebuildingnearestthefire。Woodenhousesofmanyvariouscolorsweredevouredinafewmoments，andhadalreadyfallenin；magazinesofoil，brandy，andothercombustiblematerials，threwoutflamesofaluridhue，whichwerecommunicatedwiththerapidityoflightningtootheradjoiningbuildings。AshowerofsparksandcoalsfellontheroofsoftheKremlin；andoneshudderstothinkthatoneofthesesparksalonefallingonacaissonmighthaveproducedageneralexplosion，andblownuptheKremlin；forbyaninconceivablenegligenceawholeparkofartilleryhadbeenplacedundertheEmperor\'swindows。

SoonmostincrediblereportsreachedtheEmperor；somesaidthatRussianshadbeenseenstirringthefirethemselves，andthrowinginflammablematerialintothepartsofhousesstillunburned，whilethoseoftheRussianswhodidnotminglewiththeincendiaries，stoodwithfoldedarms，contemplatingthedisasterwithanimperturbabilitywhichcannotbedescribed。Exceptfortheabsenceofcriesofjoyandclappingofhandstheymighthavebeentakenformenwhowitnessabrilliantdisplayoffireworks。ItwassoonveryevidenttotheEmperorthatitwasaconcertedplotlaidbytheenemy。

HedescendedfromhisapartmentbythegreatnorthernstaircasemadefamousbythemassacreoftheStrelitz。Thefirehadalreadymadesuchenormousprogressthatonthissidetheoutsidedoorswerehalfburnedthrough，andthehorsesrefusedtopass，reared，anditwaswithmuchdifficultytheycouldbemadetoclearthegates。TheEmperorhadhisgrayovercoatburnedinseveralplaces，andevenhishair；andamomentlaterwewerewalkingoverburningfirebrands。

Wewerenotyetoutofdanger，andwereobligedtosteerclearoftheburningrubbishwhichencumberedourpath。Severaloutletsweretried，butunsuccessfully，asthehotbreezesfromthefirestruckagainstourfaces，anddroveusbackinterribleconfusion。AtlastaposternopeningontheMoskwawasdiscovered，anditwasthroughthistheEmperorwithhisofficersandguardsucceededinescapingfromtheKremlin，butonlytore-enternarrowstreets，wherethefire，inclosedasinafurnace，wasincreasedinintensity，andunitingaboveourheadstheflamesthusformedaburningdome，whichovershadowedus，andhidfromustheheavens。Itwastimetoleavethisdangerousplacefromwhichonemeansofegressalonewasopentous，——anarrow，windingstreetencumberedwithdebrisofeverykind，composedofflamingbeamsfallenfromtheroofs，andburningposts。Therewasamomentofhesitationamongus，inwhichsomeproposedtotheEmperortocoverhimfromheadtofootwiththeircloaks，andtransporthimthusintheirarmsthroughthisdangerouspassage。ThispropositiontheEmperorrejected，andsettledthequestionbythrowinghimselfonfootintothemidstoftheblazingdebris，wheretwoorthreevigorousjumpsputhiminaplaceofsafety。

ThenensuedatouchingscenebetweentheEmperorandthePrinceofEckmuhl，who，woundedattheMoskwa，hadhimselfbornebackinordertoattempttosavetheEmperor，ortodiewithhim。Fromadistancethemarshalperceivedhimcalmlyemergingfromsogreataperil；andthisgoodandtenderfriendbyanimmenseefforthastenedtothrowhimselfintotheEmperor\'sarms，andhisMajestypressedhimtohisheartasiftothankhimforrousingsuchgentleemotionsatamomentwhendangerusuallyrendersmenselfishandegotistical。

Atlengththeairitself，filledwithalltheseflamingmasses，becamesoheatedthatitcouldnolongerbebreathed。Theatmosphereitselfwasburning，theglassofthewindowscracked，\'andapartmentsbecameuntenable。TheEmperorstoodforamomentimmovable，hisfacecrimson，andgreatdropsofperspirationrollingfromhisbrow，whiletheKingofNaples，PrinceEugene，andthePrincedeNeuchatelbeggedhimtoquitthepalace，whoseentreatiesheansweredonlybyimpatientgestures。Atthisinstantcriescamefromthewingofthepalacesituatedfarthesttothenorth，announcingthatthewallshadfallen，andthatthefirewasspreadingwithfrightfulrapidity；andseeingatlastthathispositionwasnolongertenable，theEmperoradmittedthatitwastimetoleave，andrepairedtotheimperialchateauofPetrovskoi。

OnhisarrivalatPetrovskoitheEmperororderedM。deNarbonnetoinspectapalacewhichIthinkhadbelongedtoCatherine。Thiswasabeautifulbuilding，andtheapartmentshandsomelyfurnished。M。deNarbonnereturnedwiththisinformation；butalmostimmediatelyflamesburstfromeveryside，anditwassoonconsumed。

Suchwasthefuryofthesewretcheswhowerehiredtoburneverything，thattheboatswhichcoveredtheMoskwaladenwithgrain；oats，andotherprovisions，wereburned，andsunkbeneaththewaveswithahorriblecracklingsound。SoldiersoftheRussianpolicehadbeenseenstirringupthefirewithtarredlances，andintheovensofsomehousesshellshadbeenplacedwhichwoundedmanyofoursoldiersinexploding。

Inthestreetsfilthywomenandhideous，drunkenmenrantotheburninghousesandseizedflamingbrands，whichtheycarriedineverydirection，andwhichoursoldierswereobligedrepeatedlytoknockoutoftheirhandswiththehiltsoftheirswordsbeforetheywouldrelinquishthem。

TheEmperororderedthattheseincendiarieswhentakenintheactshouldbehungtopostsinthepublicsquares；andthepopulaceprostratedthemselvesaroundthesegallows，kissingthefeetofthoseexecuted，praying，andsigningthemselveswiththesignofthecross。Suchfanaticismisalmostunparalleled。

OneincidentofwhichIwasawitnessprovesthatthosehiredtocarryoutthisvastplotacted，evidently，accordingtoinstructionsgivenbyhigherauthorities。Amancoveredwithasheepskin，oldandtattered，withamiserablecaponhishead，boldlymountedthestepsoftheKremlin。

Underthisfilthydisguiseanelegantcostumewasconcealed；andwhenastrictersurveillancewasinstituted，thisboldbeggarhimselfwassuspected，arrested，andcarriedbeforethepolice，wherehewasquestionedbytheofficerofthepost。Ashemadesomeresistance，thinkingthisproceedingsomewhatarbitrary，thesentinelputhishandonhisbreasttoforcehimtoenter；andthissomewhatabruptmovementpushingasidethesheepskinwhichcoveredhim，decorationswereseen，andwhenhisdisguisewasremovedhewasrecognizedasaRussianofficer。

Hehadonhispersonmatcheswhichhehadbeendistributingtothemenofthepeople，andwhenquestionedadmittedthathewasspeciallychargedtokeepalivethefireoftheKremlin。Manyquestionswereasked，eachelicitingnewconfessions，allofwhichweremadeinthemostindifferentmanner，andhewasputinprison，andwas，Ithink，punishedasanincendiary；butofthisIamnotcertain。WhenanyofthesewretcheswerebroughtbeforetheEmperor，heshruggedhisshoulders，andwithgesturesofscornandangerorderedthattheyshouldberemovedfromhissight，andthegrenadierssometimesexecutedjusticeonthemwiththeirbayonets；butsuchexasperationcanbewellunderstoodinsoldiersthusdrivenbythesebaseandodiousmeasuresfromaresting-placeearnedbythesword。

InPetrovskoi，aprettyresidencebelongingtooneofAlexander\'schamberlains，amanwasfoundconcealedinoneoftheapartmentshisMajestywastooccupy；butnotbeingarmedhewasreleased，asitwasconcludedthatfrightalonehaddrivenhimintothisdwelling。TheEmperorarrivedduringthenightathisnewresidence，andwaitedthereinintenseanxietytillthefireshouldbeextinguishedattheKremlin，intendingtoreturnthither，forthepleasurehouseofachamberlainwasnosuitableplaceforhisMajesty。Thankstotheactiveandcourageousactionsofabattalionoftheguard，theKremlinwaspreservedfromtheflames，andtheEmperorthereupongavethesignalfordeparture。

Inordertore-enterMoscowitwasnecessarytocrossthecamp，orrathertheseveralcamps，ofthearmy；andwewendedourwayovercoldandmiryground，throughfieldswhereallwasdevastationandruin。Thiscamppresentedamostsingularaspect；andIexperiencedfeelingsofbittermelancholyasIsawoursoldierscompelledtobivouacatthegatesofalargeandbeautifulcityofwhichtheyweretheconquerors，butthefirestillmorethanthey。TheEmperor，onappointingMarshalMortiergovernorofMoscow，hadsaidtohim，“Aboveall，nopillage；youwillanswerforitwithyourhead。“Theorderwasstrictlyenforceduptothemomentthefirebegan；butwhenitwasevidentthatthefirewoulddevoureverything，andthatitwasuselesstoabandontotheflameswhatwouldbeofmuchvaluetothesoldiers，libertywasgiventhemtodrawlargelyfromthisgreatstorehouseofthenorth。

Itwasatoncesadandamusingtoseearoundpoorplanksheds，theonlytentsoursoldiershad，themostmagnificentfurniture，silkcanopies，pricelessSiberianfurs，andcashmereshawlsthrownpell-mellwithsilverdishes；andthentoseethefoodservedontheseprincelydishes，——

miserableblackgruel，andpiecesofhorsefleshstillbleeding。Goodammunition-breadwasworthatthistimetreblealltheseriches，andtherecameatimewhentheyhadnotevenhorseflesh。

Onre-enteringMoscowthewindboretoustheinsufferableodorofburninghouses，warmashesfilledourmouthsandeyes，andfrequentlywedrewbackjustintimebeforegreatpillarswhichhadbeenburnedintwobythefire，andfellnoiselesslyonthiscalcinedsoil。Moscowwasnotsodesertedaswehadthought。Asthefirstimpressionconquestproducesisoneoffright，alltheinhabitantswhoremainedhadconcealedthemselvesincellars，orintheimmensevaultswhichextendundertheKremlin；anddrivenoutbythefirelikewolvesfromtheirlairs，whenwere-enteredthecitynearlytwentythousandinhabitantswerewanderingthroughthemidstofthedebris，adullstupordepictedonfacesblackenedwithsmoke，andpalewithhunger；fortheycouldnotcomprehendhowhavinggonetosleepunderhumanroofs，theyhadrisennextmorningonaplain。Theywereinthelastextremityofwant；afewvegetablesonlyremainedinthegardens，andtheseweredevouredraw，whilemanyoftheseunfortunatecreaturesthrewthemselvesatdifferenttimesintotheMoskwa，endeavoringtorecoversomeofthegraincastthereinbyRostopchin\'sorders；——

[CountFeodorRostopchin，born1765；died1826。HedeniedthatMoscowwasburntbyhisauthority。HeclaimedthatitwasburntpartlybytheFrench，andpartlybyRussianswithoutorders。]——

andalargenumberperishedinthewaterinthesefruitlessefforts。

SuchwasthesceneofdistressthroughwhichtheEmperorwasobligedtopassinordertoreachtheKremlin。

Theapartmentswhichheoccupiedwerespaciousandwelllighted，butalmostdevoidoffurniture；buthisironbedsteadwassetupthere，asinallthechateauxheoccupiedinhiscampaigns。HiswindowsopenedontheMoskwa，andfromtherethefirecouldstillbeplainlyseeninvariousquartersofthecity，reappearingononesideassoonasextinguishedontheother。HisMajestysaidtomeoneeveningwithdeepfeeling，“Thesewretcheswillnotleaveonestoneuponanother。“IdonotbelievetherewaseverinanycountryasmanybuzzardsasatMoscow。TheEmperorwasannoyedbytheirpresence，andexclaimed，Mon-Dieu！willtheyfollowuseverywhere？“

TherewereafewconcertsduringourstayattheEmperor\'sresidenceinMoscow；butNapoleonseemedmuchdejectedwhenheappearedatthem，forthemusicofthesaloonsmadenoimpressiononhisharassedmind，andtheonlykindthateverseemedtostirhissoulwasthatofthecampbeforeandafterabattle。

ThedayaftertheEmperor\'sarrival，MessieursEd——andV——repairedtotheKremlininordertointerviewhisMajesty，andafterwaitingsometimewithoutseeinghim，wereexpressingtheirmutualregretathavingfailedinthisexpectation，whentheysuddenlyheardashutteropenabovetheirheads，and，raisingtheireyes，recognizedtheEmperor，whosaid，“Messieurs，whoareyou？“——“Sire，weareFrenchmen！“Herequestedthemtomountthestairstotheroomheoccupied，andtherecontinuedhisquestions。“WhatisthenatureoftheoccupationwhichhasdetainedyouinMoscow？“——“WearetutorsinthefamiliesoftwoRussiannoblemen，whomthearrivaloftheFrenchtroopshavedrivenfromtheirhomes。Wehavesubmittedtotheentreatiesmadebythemnottoabandontheirproperty，andweareatpresentaloneintheirpalaces。“TheEmperorinquiredofthemiftherewerestillotherFrenchmenatMoscow，andaskedthattheyshouldbebroughttohim；andthenproposedthattheyshouldchargethemselveswithmaintainingorder，appointingaschief，M。M——，whomhedecoratedwithatri-coloredscarf。HerecommendedthemtopreventthepillageoftheFrenchsoldiersinthechurches，andtohavethemalefactorsshot，andenjoinedthemtousegreatrigortowardsthegalley-slaves，whomRostopchinhadpardonedonconditionthattheywouldsetfiretothecity。

ApartoftheseFrenchmenfollowedourarmyinitsretreat，seeingthatalongerstayatMoscowwouldbemostdisagreeabletothem；andthosewhodidnotfollowtheirexamplewerecondemnedtoworkonthestreets。

TheEmperorAlexander，wheninformedofthemeasuresofRostopchin，harshlyrebukedthegovernor，andorderedhimatoncetorestoretolibertytheseunfortunateFrenchmen。

CHAPTERVI。

Were-enteredtheKremlinthemorningofthe18thofSeptember。Thepalaceandthehospitalforfoundlingswerealmosttheonlybuildingsremaininguninjured。OntherouteourcarriagesweresurroundedbyacrowdofmiserableMuscovitesbeggingalms。Theyfollowedusasfarasthepalace，walkingthroughhotashes，orovertheheatedstones，whichcrumbledbeneaththeirfeet。Thepoorestwerebarefoot；anditwasaheart-rendingsighttoseethesecreatures，astheirfeettouchedtheburningdebris，giveventtotheirsufferingsbyscreamsandgesturesofdespair。Astheonlyunencumberedpartofthestreetwasoccupiedbyourcarriages，thisswarmthrewthemselvespell-mellagainstthewheelsorunderthefeetofourhorses。Ourprogresswasconsequentlyveryslow，andwehadsomuchthelongerunderoureyesthispictureofthegreatestofallmiseries，thatofapeopleburnedoutoftheirhomes，andwithoutfoodorthemeanstoprocureit。TheEmperorhadfoodandmoneygiventhem。

WhenwewereagainestablishedattheKremlin，andhadresumedourregularroutineofliving，afewdayspassedinperfecttranquillity。

TheEmperorappearedlesssad，andinconsequencethosesurroundinghimbecamesomewhatmorecheerful。Itseemedasifwehadreturnedfromthecampaign，andtakenupagainthecustomaryoccupationsofcitylife；butiftheEmperorsometimesindulgedinthisillusion，itwassoondispelledbythesightMoscowpresentedasseenfromthewindowsofhisapartments，andeachtimeNapoleon\'seyesturnedinthatdirectionitwasevidentthathewasoppressedbythesaddestpresentiments，althoughhenolongermanifestedthesamevehementimpatienceasonhisfirststayatthepalace，whenhesawtheflamessurroundinghimanddrivinghimfromhisapartments。Butheexhibitedthedepressingcalmofacarewornmanwhocannotforeseehowthingswillresult。ThedayswerelongattheKremlinwhiletheEmperorawaitedAlexander\'sreply，whichnevercame。AtthistimeInoticedthattheEmperorkeptconstantlyonhistableVoltaire\'shistoryofCharlesXII。

TheEmperorwasapreytohisgeniusforadministration，eveninthemidstoftheruinsofthisgreatcity；andinordertodiverthismindfromtheanxietycausedbyoutsideaffairs，occupiedhimselfwithmunicipalorganization，andhadalreadyarrangedthatMoscowshouldbestockedwithprovisionsforthewinter。

AtheaterwaserectedneartheKremlin，buttheEmperorneverattended。

ThetroupewascomposedofafewunfortunateFrenchactors，whohadremainedinMoscowinastateofutterdestitution；buthisMajestyencouragedthisenterpriseinthehopethattheatricalrepresentationswouldoffersomediversiontobothofficersandsoldiers。ItwassaidthatthefirstactorsofParishadbeenorderedtoMoscow，butofthatI

knownothingpositively。TherewasatMoscowacelebratedItaliansingerwhomtheEmperorheardseveraltimes，butonlyinhisapartments，andhedidnotformpartoftheregulartroupe。

Untilthe18thofOctoberthetimewasspentindiscussions，moreorlessheated，betweentheEmperorandhisgenerals，astothebestcoursetobepursued。Everyonewellknewthatretreathadnowbecomeinevitable，andtheEmperorwaswellawareofthisfacthimself；butitwasplainlyevidentthatitcosthisprideaterriblestruggletospeakthedecisiveword。Thelastdaysprecedingthe18thwerethesaddestIhaveeverknown。InhisordinaryintercoursewithhisfriendsandcounselorshisMajestymanifestedmuchcoldnessofmanner；hebecametaciturn，andentirehourspassedwithoutanyonepresenthavingthecouragetobeginaconversation。TheEmperor，whowasgenerallysohurriedathismeals，prolongedthemmostsurprisingly。Sometimesduringthedayhethrewhimselfonasofa，aromanceinhishandwhichhesimplypretendedtoread，andseemedabsorbedindeepreverie。VersesweresenttohimfromPariswhichhereadaloud，expressinghisopinioninabriefandtrenchantstyle；hespentthreedayswritingregulationsfortheFrenchcomedyatParis。Itisdifficulttounderstandthisattentiontosuchfrivolousdetailswhenthefuturewassoominous。Itwasgenerallybelieved，andprobablynotwithoutreason，thattheEmperoractedthusfrommotivesofdeeppolicy，andthattheseregulationsfortheFrenchcomedyatthistime，whennobulletinhadyetarrivedtogiveinformationofthedisastrouspositionoftheFrencharmy，werewrittenwiththeobjectofmakinganimpressionontheinhabitantsofParis，whowouldnotfailtosay，“Allcannotbegoingsobadly，sincetheEmperorhastimetooccupyhimselfwiththetheater。“

Thenewsreceivedonthe18thputanendtoalluncertainty。TheEmperorwasreviewing，inthefirstcourtoftheKremlinpalace，thedivisionsofNey，distributingthecrosstothebravestamongthem，andaddressingencouragingwordstoall，whenanaide-de-camp，youngBeranger，broughtthenewsthatasharpengagementhadtakenplaceatWinkowobetweenMuratandKutusoff，andthatthevanguardofMurathadbeenoverwhelmedandourpositiontaken。Russia\'sintentiontoresumehostilitieswasnowplainlyevident，andinthefirstexcitementofthenewstheEmperor\'sastonishmentwasatitsheight。Therewas，onthecontrary，amongthesoldiersofMarshalNeyanelectricmovementofenthusiasmandangerwhichwasverygratifyingtohisMajesty。Charmedtoseehowtheshameofadefeat，evenwhensustainedwithoutdishonor，excitedtheprideandarousedadesiretoretrieveitintheseimpassionedsouls，theEmperorpressedthehandofthecolonelnearesttohim，continuedthereview，andorderedthateveningaconcentrationofallthecorps；andbeforenightthewholearmywasinmotiontowardsWoronowo。

AfewdaysbeforequittingMoscow，theEmperorhadthechurchesoftheKremlinstrippedoftheirfinestornaments。TheravagesofthefirehadrelaxedtheprotectionthattheEmperorhadextendedtothepropertyoftheRussians。

ThemostmagnificenttrophyinthiscollectionwastheimmensecrossofthegreatIvan。Itwasnecessarytodemolishapartofthetoweronwhichitstoodinordertotakeitdown，anditrequiredstupendouseffortstobreakthisvastmassofiron。ItwastheEmperor\'sintentiontoplaceituponthedomeoftheInvalides，butitwassunkinthewatersofLakeSemlewo。

TheeveningbeforetheEmperorwastoholdareview，thesoldierswerebusilyemployedpolishingtheirarmsandputtingeverythinginorder，toconcealasfaraspossiblethedestituteconditiontowhichtheywerereduced。Themostimprudenthadexchangedtheirwinterclothingforprovisions，manyhadwornouttheirshoesonthemarch，andyeteachonemadeitapointofhonortomakeagoodappearanceonreview；andwhentheglancingraysofthesunshoneonthebarrelsofthewell-polishedguns，theEmperorfeltagaininwitnessingthisscenesomeslightreturnoftheemotionswithwhichhissoulwasfilledonthegloriousdayofhisdepartureforthecampaign。

TheEmperorlefttwelvehundredwoundedatMoscow，fourhundredofwhomwereremovedbythelastcorpswhichquittedthecity。MarshalMortierwasthelasttogo。AtFeminskoe，tenleaguesfromMoscow，weheardthenoiseofafrightfulexplosion；itwastheKremlinwhichhadbeenblownupbytheEmperor\'sorders。Afusewasplacedinthevaultsofthepalace，andeverythingarrangedsothattheexplosionshouldnottakeplacewithinacertaintime。SomeCossackscametopillagetheabandonedapartments，inignorancethatafirewassmolderingundertheirfeet，andwerethrowntoaprodigiousheightintheair。Thirtythousandgunswereabandonedinthefortress。InaninstantpartoftheKremlinwasamassofruins。Apartwaspreserved，andacircumstancewhichcontributednolittletoenhancethecreditoftheirgreatSt。NicholaswiththeRussianswasthatanimageinstoneofthissaintremaineduninjuredbytheexplosion，inaspotwherealmosteverythingelsewasdestroyed。

Thisfactwasstatedtomebyareliableperson，whoheardCountRostopchinhimselfrelateitduringhisstayinParis。

Onthe28thofOctobertheEmperorretracedhiswaytoSmolensk，andpassednearthebattle-fieldofBorodino。Aboutthirtythousandcorpseshadbeenleftonthisvastplain；andonourapproachflocksofbuzzards，whomanabundantharvesthadattracted，flewawaywithhorriblecroakings。Thesecorpsesofsomanybravemenpresentedasickeningspectacle，halfconsumed，andexhalinganodorwhicheventheexcessivecoldcouldnotneutralize。TheEmperorhastenedpast，andsleptinthechateauofOupinskoewhichwasalmostinruins；andthenextdayhevisitedafewwoundedwhohadbeenleftinanabbey。ThesepoorfellowsseemedtorecovertheirstrengthatthesightoftheEmperor，andforgottheirsufferings，whichmusthavebeenverysevere，aswoundsarealwaysmuchmorepainfulwhencoldweatherfirstbegins。Allthesepalecountenancesdrawnwithsufferingbecamemoreserene。Thesepoorsoldiersalsorejoicedtoseetheircomrades，andquestionedthemwithanxiouscuriosityconcerningtheeventswhichhadfollowedthebattleofBorodino。WhentheylearnedthatwehadbivouackedatMoscow，theywerefilledwithjoy；anditwasveryevidentthattheirgreatestregretwasthattheycouldnothavebeenwiththeotherstoseethefinefurnitureoftherichMuscovitesusedasfuelatthebivouacfires。Napoleondirectedthateachcarriageofthesuiteshouldconveyoneoftheseunfortunates；andthiswasdone，everybodycomplyingwiththeorderwithareadinesswhichgratifiedtheEmperorexceedingly；andthepoorwoundedfellowssaidinaccentsofmostardentgratitude，thattheyweremuchmorecomfortableonthesesoftcushionsthanintheambulances，whichwecouldwellbelieve。AlieutenantofthecuirassierswhohadjustundergoneanamputationwasplacedinthelandauoftheEmperor，whilehetraveledonhorseback。

Thisanswerseveryaccusationofcrueltysogratuitouslymadeagainstthememoryofagreatmanwhohaspassedaway。IhavereadsomewherewithintensedisgustthattheEmperorsometimesorderedhiscarriagetopassoverthewounded，whosecriesofagonymadenottheslightestimpressiononhim；allofwhichisfalseandveryrevolting。NoneofthosewhoservedtheEmperorcouldhavebeenignorantofhissolicitudefortheunfortunatevictimsofwar，andthecarehehadtakenofthem。

Foreigners，enemies，orFrenchmen，——allwererecommendedtothesurgeon\'scarewithequalstrictness。

Fromtimetotimefrightfulexplosionsmadeusturnourheads，andglancebehindus。Theywerecaissonswhichwerebeingexplodedthatwemightnolongerbeencumberedwiththem，asthemarchbecameeachdaymorepainful。Itproducedasadimpressiontoseethatwewerereducedtosuchapointofdistressastobecompelledtothrowourpowdertothewindstokeepfromleavingittotheenemy。Butastillsadderreflectioncameintoourmindsateachdetonation，——thegrandarmymustberapidlyhasteningtodissolutionwhenthematerialremainingexceededourneeds，andthenumberofmenstillleftwassomuchshortofthatrequiredtouseit。Onthe30th，theEmperor\'sheadquarterswereinapoorhovelwhichhadneitherdoorsnorwindows。Wehadmuchdifficultyinenclosingevenacornersufficientforhimtosleep。Thecoldwasincreasing，andthenightswereicy；thesmallfortifiedpalisadesofwhichaspeciesofpostrelayshadbeenmade，placedfrompointtopoint，markedthedivisionsoftheroute，andservedalsoeacheveningasImperialheadquarters。TheEmperor\'sbedwashastilysetupthere，andacabinetarrangedaswellaspossiblewherehecouldworkwithhissecretaries，orwritehisorderstothedifferentchiefswhomhehadleftontheroadandinthetowns。

OurretreatwasoftenannoyedbypartiesofCossacks。Thesebarbariansrusheduponus，lanceinhand，andutteringratherhowlsofferociousbeaststhanhumancries，theirlittle，long-tailedhorsesdashingagainsttheflanksofthedifferentdivisions。Buttheseattacks，thoughoftenrepeated，hadnot，atleastatthebeginningoftheretreat，seriousconsequencesforthearmy。Whentheyheardthishorriblecrytheinfantrywasnotintimidated，butclosedranksandpresentedbayonets，andthecavalrymadeittheirdutytopursuethesebarbarians，whofledmorequicklythantheycame。

Onthe6thofNovember，beforeleavingthearmy，theEmperorreceivednewsoftheconspiracyofMaletandeverythingconnectedwithit。Hewasatfirstastonished，thenmuchdissatisfied，andendedbymakinghimselfverymerryoverthediscomfitureofthechiefofpolice，GeneralSavary；

andsaidmanytimesthathadhebeenatParisnoonewouldhavebudged，andthathecouldneverleaveatallwithouteveryonelosingtheirheadsattheleastdisturbance；andfromthistimeheoftenspokeofhowmuchhewasneededinParis。

SpeakingofGeneralSavaryrecallstomymemoryanaffairinwhichhewassomewhatnonplussed。Afterquittingthecommandofthegendarmerie，tosucceedFoucheintheofficeofministerofpolice，hehadalittlediscussionwithoneoftheEmperor\'saides-de-camp。Ashewentsofarastothreaten，thelatterreplied，“Youseemtothinkyouhavehandcuffsalwaysinyourpockets。“

Onthe8thofNovemberthesnowwasfalling，theskycoveredwithclouds，thecoldintense，whileaviolentwindprevailed，andtheroadswerecoveredwithsleet。Thehorsescouldmakenoprogress，fortheirshoesweresobadlywornthattheycouldnotpreventslippingonthefrozenground。

Thepooranimalswereemaciated，anditwasnecessarythatthesoldiersshouldputtheirshoulderstothewheelsinordertolightentheirburdens。

Thereissomethinginthepantingbreathwhichissuesfromthenostrilsofatiredhorse，inthetensionoftheirmuscles，andtheprodigiouseffortsoftheirloins，whichgivesus，inahighdegree，theideaofstrength；butthemuteresignationoftheseanimals，whenweknowthemtobeoverladen，inspiresuswithpity，andmakesusregrettheabuseofsomuchendurance。

TheEmperoronfootinthemidstofhishousehold，andstaffinhand，walkedwithdifficultyovertheseslipperyroads，meanwhileencouragingtheotherswithkindwords，eachofwhomfelthimselffullofgood-will；

andhadanyonethenutteredacomplainthewouldhavebeenbadlyesteemedbyhiscomrades。WearrivedinsightofSmolensk。TheEmperorwastheleastfatiguedofall；andthoughhewaspale，hiscountenancewascalm，andnothinginhisappearanceindicatedhismentalsufferings；

andindeedtheymustneedshavebeenintensetobeevidenttothepublic。

Theroadswerestrewnwithmenandhorsesslainbyfatigueorfamine；andmenastheypassedturnedtheireyesaside。Asforthehorsestheywereaprizeforourfamishedsoldiers。

WeatlastreachedSmolenskonthe9th，andtheEmperorlodgedinabeautifulhouseonthePlaceNeuve。Althoughthisimportantcityhadsufferedsincewehadpassedthroughbefore，itstillhadsomeresources，andwefoundthereprovisionsofallkindsfortheEmperor\'shouseholdandtheofficers；buttheEmperorvaluedbutlittlethisprivilegedabundance，sotospeak，whenhelearnedthatthearmyneededfoodformanandbeast。Whenhelearnedofthishisrageamountedtofrenzy，andI

haveneverseenhimsocompletelybesidehimself。Hehadthecommissaryinchargeoftheprovisionssummoned，andreproachedhiminsuchunmeasuredtermsthatthelatterturnedpale，andcouldfindnowordstojustifyhimself，whereupontheEmperorbecamestillmoreviolent，andutteredterriblethreats。Iheardcriesfromthenextroom；andIhavebeentoldsincethatthequartermasterthrewhimselfatthefeetofhisMajesty，beseechingpardon，andtheEmperor，whenhisragehadspentitself，pardonedhim。Neverdidhesympathizemoretrulywiththesufferingsofhisarmy；neverdidhesuffermorebitterlyfromhispowerlessnesstostruggleagainstsuchoverwhelmingmisfortunes。

Onthe14thweresumedtheroutewhichwehadtraversedafewmonthsbeforeunderfardifferentauspices。Thethermometerregisteredtwentydegrees，andwewerestillveryfarfromFrance。AfteraslowandpainfulmarchwearrivedatKrasnoi。TheEmperorwasobligedtogoinperson，withhisguard，tomeettheenemy，andreleasethePrinceofEckmuhl。Hepassedthroughthefireoftheenemy，surroundedbyhisoldguard，whopressedaroundtheirchiefinplatoonsinwhichtheshellmadelargegaps，furnishingoneofthegrandestexamplesinallhistoryofthedevotionandloveofthousandsofmentoone。Whenthefirewashottest，thebandplayedtheair，\'Wherecanonebebetterthaninthebosomofhisfamily？\'Napoleoninterruptedthem，exclaiming，“Playrather，\'LetuswatchoverthesafetyoftheEmpire。\'“Itisdifficulttoimagineanythinggrander。

TheEmperorreturnedfromthiscombatmuchfatigued。Hehadpassedseveralnightswithoutsleeping，listeningtothereportsmadetohimontheconditionofthearmy，expeditingordersnecessarytoprocurefoodforthesoldiers，andputtinginmotionthedifferentcorpswhichweretosustaintheretreat。Neverdidhisstupendousactivityfindmoreconstantemployment；neverdidheshowahighercouragethaninthemidstofallthesecalamitiesofwhichheseemedtofeeltheweightyresponsibility。

BetweenOrchaandtheBorysthenesthoseconveyancesforwhichtherewerenolongerhorseswereburned，andtheconfusionanddiscouragementbecamesogreatthatintherearofthearmymostofthestragglersthrewdowntheirarmsasaheavyanduselessburden。Theofficersofthearmedpolicehadorderstoreturnbyforcethosewhoabandonedtheircorps，andoftentheywereobligedtoprickthemwiththeirswordstomakethemadvance。Theintensityoftheirsufferingshadhardenedtheheartofthesoldier，whichisnaturallykindandsympathizing，tosuchanextentthatthemostunfortunateintentionallycausedcommotionsinorderthattheymightseizefromsomebetterequippedcompanionsometimesacloak，sometimesfood。“TherearetheCossacks！“wastheirusualcryofalarm；

andwhentheseguiltytricksbecameknown，andoursoldiersrecoveredfromtheirsurprise，therewerereprisals，andtheconfusionreacheditsheight。

ThecorpsofMarshalDavoustwasoneofthosewhichsufferedmostinthewholearmy。OftheseventythousandmenwithwhichitleftFrance，thereonlyremainedfourorfivethousand，andtheyweredyingoffamine。Themarshalhimselfwasterriblyemaciated。Hehadneitherclothingnorfood。Hungerandfatiguehadhollowedhischeeks，andhiswholeappearanceinspiredpity。Thisbravemarshal，whohadtwentytimesescapedRussianbullets，nowsawhimselfdyingofhunger；andwhenoneofhissoldiersgavehimaloaf，heseizeditanddevouredit。Hewasalsotheonewhowasleastsilent；andwhilethawinghismustache，onwhichtherainhadfrozen，herailedindignantlyagainsttheevildestinywhichhadthrownthemintothirtydegreesofcold。Moderationinwordswasdifficultwhileenduringsuchsufferings。

ForsometimetheEmperorhadbeeninastateofgreatanxietyastothefateofMarshalNey，whohadbeencutoff，andobligedtoclearforhimselfapassagethroughthemidstoftheRussians，whofollowedusoneveryside。

Astimepassedthealarmincreased。TheEmperordemandedincessantlyifNeyhadyetbeenseen，accusinghimselfofhavingexposedthisbravegeneraltoomuch，askingforhimasforagoodfriendwhomonehaslost。

Thewholearmysharedandmanifestedthesameanxiety，asifthisbravesoldierweretheonlyoneindanger。Afewregardinghimascertainlylost，andseeingtheenemythreatenthebridgesoftheBorysthenes，proposedtocutthem；butthearmywasunanimousintheiroppositiontothismeasure。

Onthe20th，theEmperor，whomthisideafilledwiththedeepestdejection，arrivedatBasanoni，andwasdiningincompanywiththePrinceofNeuchatelandtheDukeofDantzic，whenGeneralGourgaudrushedinwiththeannouncementthatMarshalNeyandhistroopswereonlyafewleaguesdistant。TheEmperorexclaimedwithinconceivablejoy，“Canitbetrue？“M。Gourgaudgavehimparticulars，whichweresoonknownthroughoutthecamp。Thisnewsbroughtjoytotheheartsofall，eachofwhomaccostedtheothereagerly，asifeachhadfoundalong-lostbrother；theyspokeoftheheroiccouragewhichhadbeendisplayed；thetalentshowninsavinghiscorpsinspiteofsnows，floods，andtheattacksoftheenemy。ItisdueMarshalNey，tostatehere，thataccordingtotheopinionIhaveheardexpressedbyourmostillustriouswarriors，hissaferetreatisafeatofarmstowhichhistoryfurnishesnoparallel。Theheartofoursoldierspalpitated。withenthusiasm，andonthatdaytheyfelttheemotionsofthedayofvictory！Neyandhisdivisiongainedimmortalitybythismarvelousdisplayofvalorandenergy。Somuchthebetterforthefewsurvivorsofthishandfulofbraves，whocanreadofthegreatdeedstheyhavedone，intheseannalsinspiredbythem。HisMajestysaidseveraltimes，“IwouldgiveallthesilverinthevaultsoftheTuileriestohavemybraveNeyatmyside。“

ToPrinceEugenewasgiventhehonorofgoingtomeetMarshalNey，withacorpsoffourthousandsoldiers。MarshalMortierhaddisputedthishonorwithhim，butamongtheseillustriousmentherewereneveranybutnoblerivalries。Thedangerwasimmense；thecannonofPrinceEugenewasusedasasignal，understoodbythemarshal，towhichherepliedbyplatoonfires。Thetwocorpsmet，andevenbeforetheywereunited，MarshalNeyandPrinceEugenewereineachother\'sarms；anditissaidthatthelatterweptforjoy。Suchscenesmakethishorriblepictureseemsomewhatlessgloomy。AsfarastheBeresina，ourmarchwasonlyasuccessionofsmallskirmishesandterriblesufferings。

TheEmperorpassedonenightatCaniwki，inawoodencabincontainingonlytworooms。Theoneatthebackwasselectedbyhim，andintheotherthewholeservicesleptpell-mell。Iwasmorecomfortable，asI

sleptinhisMajesty\'sroom；butseveraltimesduringthenightIwasobligedtopassintothisroom，andwasthencompelledtostepoverthesleeperswornoutbyfatigue。AlthoughItookcarenottohurtthem，theyweresoclosetogetherthatitwasimpossiblenottoplacemyfeetontheirlegsorarms。

IntheretreatfromMoscow，theEmperorwalkedonfoot，wrappedinhispelisse，hisheadcoveredwithaRussiancaptiedunderthechin。I

marchedoftennearthebraveMarshalLefebvre，whoseemedveryfondofme，andsaidtomeinhisGerman-French，inspeakingoftheEmperor，“Heissurroundedbyasetofwhodonottellthetruth；hedoesnotdistinguishsufficientlyhisgoodfromhisbadservants。Howwillhegetoutofthis，thepoorEmperor，whomIlovesodevotedly？Iamalwaysinfearofhislife；iftherewereneededtosavehimonlymyblood，Iwouldsheditdropbydrop；butthatwouldchangenothing，andperhapshemayhaveneedofme。“

CHAPTERVII。

ThedayprecedingthepassageoftheBeresinawasoneofterriblesolemnity。TheEmperorappearedtohavemadehisdecisionwiththecoolresolutionofamanwhocommitsanactofdesperation；nevertheless，councilswereheld，anditwasresolvedthatthearmyshouldstripitselfofalluselessburdenswhichmightharassitsmarch。Neverwastheremoreunanimityofopinion，neverweredeliberationsmorecalmorgrave。

Itwasthecalmofmenwhodecidetomakeonelasteffort，trustinginthewillofGodandtheirowncourage。TheEmperorhadtheeaglesbroughtfromeachcorpsandburned，sincehethoughtthatfugitiveshadnoneedofthem。Itwasasadsighttoseethesemenadvancingfromtheranksonebyone，andcastingintheflameswhattheyvaluedmorethantheirlives，andIhaveneverseendejectionmoreprofound，orshamemorekeenlyfelt；forthisseemedmuchlikeageneraldegradationtothebravesoldiersofthebattleofLaMoskwa。TheEmperorhadmadetheseeaglestalismans，andthisshowedonlytooplainlyhehadlostfaithinthem。

Andalthoughthesoldiersrealizedthatthesituationofaffairsmustbedesperatetohavecometothis，itwasatleastsomeconsolationtothinkthattheRussianswouldhaveonlytheashes。Whatascenewaspresentedbytheburningoftheseeagles，abovealltothosewholikemyselfhadbeenpresentatthemagnificentceremoniesattendingtheirdistributiontothearmyinthecampofBoulognebeforethecampaignofAusterlitz！

Horseswereneededfortheartillery，andatthiscriticalmomenttheartillerywasthesafeguardofthearmy。TheEmperorconsequentlygaveordersthatthehorsesshouldbeimpressed，forheestimatedthelossofasinglecannonorcaissonasirreparable。Theartillerywasconfidedtothecareofacorpscomposedentirelyofofficers，andnumberingaboutfivehundredmen。HisMajestywassomuchtouchedatseeingthesebraveofficersbecomesoldiersagain，puttheirhandtothecannonlikesimplecannoneers，andresumetheirpracticeofthemanualofarmsintheirdevotiontoduty，thathecalledthiscorpshissacredsquadron。Withthesamespiritwhichmadetheseofficersbecomesoldiersagain，theothersuperiorofficersdescendedtoalowerrank，withnoconcernastothedesignationoftheirgrade。GeneralsofdivisionGrouchyandSebastianitookagaintherankofsimplecaptain。

WhennearBorizowwehaltedatthesoundofloudshouts，thinkingourselvescutoffbytheRussianarmy。IsawtheEmperorgrowpale；itwaslikeathunderbolt。Afewlancerswerehastilydispatched，andwesawthemsoonreturningwavingtheirbannersintheair。HisMajestyunderstoodthesignal，andevenbeforethecuirassiershadreassuredus，soclearlydidhekeepinmindeventhepossiblepositionofeachcorpsofhisarmy，heexclaimed，“IbetitisVictor。“AndinfactitwasMarshalVictor，whoawaiteduswithlivelyimpatience。Itseemedthatthemarshal\'sarmyhadreceivedveryvagueinformationofourdisasters，andwaspreparedtoreceivetheEmperorwithjoyandenthusiasm。Hissoldiersstillfreshandvigorous，atleastcomparedwiththerestofthearmy，couldhardlybelievetheevidenceoftheirowneyeswhentheysawourwretchedcondition；butthecriesof“Vivel\'Empereur“werenonethelessenthusiastic。

Butadifferentimpressionwasmadewhentherearguardofthearmyfiledbeforethem；andgreatconfusionensued，aseachoneofthemarshal\'sarmywhorecognizedafriendrushedoutoftheranksandhastenedtohim，offeringfoodandclothing，andwerealmostfrightenedbythevoracitywithwhichtheyate，whilemanyembracedeachothersilentlyintears。

Oneofthemarshal\'sbestandbravestofficersstrippedoffhisuniformtogiveittoapoorsoldierwhosetatteredclothingexposedhimalmostnakedtothecold，donninghimselfanoldcloakfullofholes，sayingthathehadmorestrengthtoresistthefreezingtemperature。Ifanexcessofmiserysometimesdriesupthefountainsoftheheart，sometimesalsoitelevatesmentoagreatheight，asweseeinthisinstance。Manyofthemostwretchedblewouttheirbrainsindespair；andtherewasinthisact，thelastwhichnaturesuggestsasanendtomisery，aresignationandcoolnesswhichmakesoneshuddertocontemplate。Thosewhothusputanendtotheirlivescaredlessfordeaththantheydidtoputanendtotheirinsupportablesufferings，andIwitnessedduringthewholeofthisdisastrouscampaignwhatvainthingsarephysicalstrengthandhumancouragewhenthemoralstrengthspringingfromadeterminedwillislacking。TheEmperormarchedbetweenthearmiesofMarshalVictorandMarshalOudinot；anditwasadepressingsighttoseethesemovablemasseshaltsometimesinsuccession，——firstthoseinfront，thenthosewhocamenext，thenthelast。AndwhenMarshalOudinotwhowasintheleadsuspendedhismarchfromanyunknowncause，therewasageneralmovementofalarm，andominousrumorswerecirculated；andsincemenwhohaveseenmucharedisposedtobelieveanything，falserumorswereasreadilycreditedastrue，andthealarmlasteduntilthefrontofthearmyagainmovedforward，andtheirconfidencewassomewhatrestored。

Onthe25th，atfiveo\'clockintheevening，therehadbeenthrownacrosstherivertemporarybridgesmadeofbeamstakenfromthecabinsofthePoles。Ithadbeenreportedinthearmythatthebridgeswouldbefinishedduringthenight。TheEmperorwasmuchdisturbedwheninformedthatthearmyhadbeenthusdeceived；forheknewhowmuchmorequicklydiscouragementensueswhenhopehasbeenfrustrated，andconsequentlytookgreatpainstokeeptherearofthearmyinformedastoeveryincident，sothatthesoldiersshouldneverbeleftundercrueldelusions。Atalittleafterfivethebeamsgaveway，notbeingsufficientlystrong；andasitwasnecessarytowaituntilthenextday，thearmyagainabandoneditselftogloomyforebodings。Itwasevidentthattheymustendurethefireoftheenemyallthenextday。Buttherewasnolongeranychoice；foritwasonlyattheendofthisnightofagonyandsufferingofeverydescriptionthatthefirstbeamsweresecuredintheriver。Itishardtocomprehendhowmencouldsubmittostanduptotheirmouthsinwaterfilledwithice，andrallyingallthestrengthwhichnaturehadgiventhem，withallthattheenergyofdevotionfurnished，anddrivepilesseveralfeetdeepintoamirybed，strugglingagainstthemosthorriblefatigue，pushingbackwiththeirhandsenormousblocksofice，whichwouldhavesubmergedandsunkthemwiththeirweight；inaword，warringeventothedeathwithcold，thegreatestenemyoflife。ThismarvelousfeatwasaccomplishedbyourFrenchpontooncorps。Manyperished，borneawaybythecurrentorbenumbedbythecold。Thegloryofthisachievement，inmyopinion，exceedsinvaluemanyothers。

TheEmperorawaiteddaylightinapoorhut，andinthemorningsaidtoPrinceBerthier，“Well，Berthier，howcanwegetoutofthis？“Hewasseatedinhisroom，greattearsflowingdownhischeeks，whichwerepalerthanusual；andtheprincewasseatednearhim。

Theyexchangedfewwords，andtheEmperorappearedovercomebyhisgrief。

Ileavetotheimaginationwhatwaspassinginhissoul。AtlasttheKingofNaplesopenedhishearttohisbrother-in-law，andentreatedhim，inthenameofthearmy，tothinkofhisownsafety，soimminenthadtheperilbecome。SomebravePoleshadofferedthemselvesasescortfortheEmperor；hecouldcrosstheBeresinahigherup，andreachWilnainfivedays。TheEmperorsilentlyshookhisheadintokenofrefusal，whichthekingunderstood，andthematterwasnolongerconsidered。

Amidoverwhelmingdisasters，thefewblessingswhichreachusaredoublyfelt。IobservedthismanytimesinthecaseofhisMajestyandhisunfortunatearmy。OnthebanksoftheBeresina，justasthefirstsupportsofthebridgehadbeenthrownacross，MarshalNeyandtheKingofNaplesrushedatagalloptotheEmperor，callingtohimthattheenemyhadabandonedhisthreateningposition；andIsawtheEmperor，besidehimselfwithjoy，notbeingabletobelievehisears，gohimselfataruntothrowasearchingglanceinthedirectiontheysaidAdmiralTschitzakoffhadtaken。Thisnewswasindeedtrue；andtheEmperor，overjoyedandoutofbreathfromhisrace，exclaimed，“Ihavedeceivedtheadmiral。“Thisretrogrademovementoftheenemywashardtounderstand，whentheopportunitytooverwhelmuswaswithinhisreach；

andIdoubtwhethertheEmperor，inspiteofhisapparentsatisfaction，wasverysureofthehappyconsequenceswhichthisretreatoftheenemymightbringtous。

Beforethebridgewasfinished，aboutfourhundredmenwerecarriedpartofthewayacrosstheriverontwomiserablerafts，whichcouldhardlysustainthemselvesagainstthecurrent；andwesawthemfromthebankrudelyshakenbythegreatblocksoficewhichencumberedtheriver。

Theseblockscametotheveryedgeoftheraft，where，findinganobstacle，theyremainedstationaryforsometime，thenweresuddenlyingulfedunderthesefrailplankswithaterribleshock，thoughthesoldiersstoppedthelargestwiththeirbayonets，andturnedtheircourseasidefromtherafts。

Theimpatienceofthearmywasatitsheight。ThefirstwhoreachedtheoppositebankwerethebraveJacqueminot，aide-de-campofMarshalOudinot，andCountPredzieczki，abraveLithuanian，ofwhomtheEmperorwasveryfond，especiallysincehehadsharedoursufferingswithsuchfidelityanddevotion。Bothcrossedtheriveronhorseback，andthearmyutteredshoutsofadmirationastheysawthatthechiefswerethefirsttosettheexampleofintrepidity。Theybravedenoughdangerstomakethestrongestbrainreel。Thecurrentforcedtheirhorsestoswimdiagonallyacross，whichdoubledthelengthofthepassage；andastheyswam，blocksoficestruckagainsttheirflanksandsides，makingterriblegashes。

Atoneo\'clockGeneralLegrandandhisdivisionwerecrossingthebridgeconstructedfortheinfantry，whiletheEmperorsatontheoppositebank，andsomeofthecannonbecomingentangledhadforaninstantdelayedthemarch。TheEmperorrushedonthebridge，puthishandtothework，andassistedinseparatingthepieces。Theenthusiasmofthesoldierswasatitsheight；anditwasamidcriesof“Vivel\'Empereur“thattheinfantrysetfootontheoppositebank。

Ashorttimeafter，theEmperor，learningthatGeneralPartonneauxhadlaiddownhisarms，wasdeeplyaffectedbythisnews，andgaveventtoreproacheswhichweresomewhatunjusttothegeneral。Later，whenhehadreceivedmorecorrectinformation，heunderstoodperfectlythepartwhichnecessityanddespairhadplayedinthissurrender。

Itisafactthatthebravegeneraldidnotcometothisdecisiontillhehaddoneallthatabravemancouldunderthecircumstances；foritispermittedamantorecoilwhenthereisnothingleftbuttolethimselfbekilledtonopurpose。

Whentheartilleryandbaggage-wagonspassed，thebridgewassooverloadedthatitfellin；andinstantlyaretrogrademovementtookplace，whichcrowdedtogetherallthemultitudeofstragglerswhowereadvancing，likeaflockbeingherded，intherearoftheartillery。

Anotherbridgehadbeenconstructed，asifthesadthoughthadoccurredthatthefirstmightgiveway。Butthesecondwasnarrowandwithoutarailing；nevertheless，itatfirstseemedaveryvaluablemakeshiftinsuchacalamity。Buthowdisastersfolloweachother！Thestragglersrushedthereincrowds。Theartillery，thebaggage-wagons，inaword，allthearmymaterial，hadbeeninthefrontonthefirstbridgewhen，itwasbroken；andwhen，fromthesuddenpanicwhichseizedonthoseintherearofthismultitude，thedreadfulcatastrophewaslearned，thelasttherefoundthemselvesfirstingainingtheotherbridge。Itwasurgenttheartilleryshouldpassfirst，consequentlyitrushedimpetuouslytowardstheonlyroadtosafetywhichremained。Nopencandescribethesceneofhorrorwhichnowensued；foritwasliterallyoveraroadoftrampledhumanbodiesthatconveyancesofallsortsreachedthebridge。Onthisoccasioncouldbeseenhowmuchbrutality，andevencold-bloodedferocity，canbeproducedinthehumanmindbytheinstinctofself-preservation。Thereweresomestragglersmostfranticofall，whowounded，andevenkilled，withtheirbayonets，theunfortunatehorseswhichobeyedthelashoftheirguides；andseveralcaissonswereleftontheroadinconsequenceofthisslaughter。

AsIhavesaid，thebridgehadnorailing；andcrowdsofthosewhoforcedtheirwayacrossfellintotheriverandwereingulfedbeneaththeice。

Othersintheirfalltriedtostopthemselvesbygraspingtheplanksofthebridge，andremainedsuspendedovertheabyssuntiltheirhands，crushedbythewheelsofthevehicles，losttheirgrasp，andtheywenttojointheircomradesasthe\'wavesclosedoverthem。Entirecaissons，withdriversandhorsewereprecipitatedintothewater。

Poorwomenwereseenholdingtheirchildrenoutofthewaterintheefforttodelayforafewinstantstheirdeath，anddeathinsuchafrightfulform，atrulyadmirablematernalincident，whichthegeniusofthepainterhasdivinedinpaintingscenesfromtheDeluge，andwhichwesawinallitsheartrendingandfrightfulreality！TheEmperorwishedtoretracehissteps，believingthathispresencemightrestoreorder；buthewasdissuadedfromthisprojectsoearnestly，thathewithstoodthepromptingsofhisheartandremained，thoughcertainlyitwasnothiselevatedrankwhichkepthimonthebank。Allthesufferingheenduredcouldbeseenwhenheinquiredeveryinstantwherethecrossingwas，iftheycouldstillhearcannonrollingoverthebridge，ifthecrieshadnotceasedsomewhatinthatdirection。“Therecklesscreatures！Whycouldtheynotwaitalittle？“saidhe。

Therewerefineexamplesofdevotionunderthesedistressingcircumstances。Ayoungartillerymanthrewhimselfintothewatertosaveapoormotherwithtwochildren，whowasattemptingtogaintheothershoreinalittlecanoe。Theloadwastooheavy；anenormousblockoficefloatedagainstandsunkthelittleboat。Thecannoneerseizedoneofthechildren，and，swimmingvigorously，boreittothebank；butthemotherandtheotherchildperished。Thiskindyoungmanadoptedtheorphanashisson。IdonotknowifhehadthehappinessofregainingFrance。

Officersharnessedthemselvestosledstocarrysomeoftheircompanionswhowererenderedhelplessbytheirwounds。Theywrappedtheseunfortunatesaswarmlyaspossible，cheeredthemfromtimetotimewithaglassofbrandywhentheycouldprocureit，andlavishedonthemmosttouchingattentions。

Thereweremanywhobehavedinthismanner，manyofwhosenamesweareignorant；andhowfewreturnedtoenjoyintheirowncountrytheremembranceofthemostadmirabledeedsoftheirlives。

Thebridgewasburnedateighto\'clockinthemorning。

Onthe29ththe。EmperorquittedthebanksoftheBeresina，andwesleptatKamen，wherehisMajestyoccupiedapoorwoodenbuildingwhichtheicyairpenetratedfromallsidesthroughthewindows；nearlyalltheglassofwhichbeingbroken，weclosedtheopeningsaswellaswecouldwithbundlesofhay。Ashortdistancefromus，inalargelot，werepennedupthewretchedRussianprisonerswhomthearmydrovebeforeit。Ihadmuchdifficultyincomprehendingthisdelusionofvictorywhichourpoorsoldiersstillkeptupbydraggingafterthemthiswretchedluxuryofprisoners，whocouldonlybeanaddedburden，astheyrequiredtheirconstantsurveillance。

Whentheconquerorsaredyingoffamine，whatbecomesoftheconquered？

ThesepoorRussians，exhaustedbymarchesandfamine，nearlyallperishedthisnight。Inthemorningtheywerefoundhuddledpell-mellagainsteachother，strivingthustoobtainalittlewarmth。Theweakesthadsuccumbed；andtheirstiffenedbodieswereproppedthewholenightagainstthelivingwithouttheirevenbeingawareofit。Someintheirhungeratetheirdeadcompanions。ThehardihoodwithwhichtheRussiansendurepainhasoftenbeenremarked。Icanciteoneinstancewhichsurpassesbelief。Oneofthesefellows，afterbeingseparatedfromhiscorps，hadbeenstruckbyacannonballwhichhadcutoffbothhislegsandkilledhishorse。AFrenchofficeronareconnoiteringtouronthebankoftheriverwherethisRussianhadfallen，perceivedatsomedistanceanobjectwhichappearedtobeadeadhorse，andyethecouldseethatitmoved。

Heapproached，andsawthebustofamanwhoseextremitieswereconcealedinthestomachofthehorse。

Thispoorcreaturehadbeentherefourdays，inclosinghimselfinhishorseasashelteragainstthecold，andfeedinguponinfectedmorselstornfromthishorribleretreat。

Onthe3dofDecemberwearrivedatMalodeczno。DuringthewholedaytheEmperorappearedthoughtful。andanxious。Hehadfrequentconfidentialconversationswiththegrandequerry，M。deCaulaincourt，andIsuspectedsomeextraordinarymeasure。Iwasnotdeceivedinmyconjectures。AttwoleaguesfromSmorghoni，theDukeofVicenzasummonedme，andtoldmetogooninfrontandgiveorderstohavethesixbesthorsesharnessedtomycarriage，whichwasthelightestofall，andkeeptheminconstantreadiness。IreachedSmorghonibeforetheEmperor，whodidnotarrivetillthefollowingnight。Thecoldwasexcessive；andtheEmperoralightedinapoorhouseonasquare，whereheestablishedhisheadquarters。Hetookalightrepast，wrotewithhisownhandthetwenty-ninthbulletinofthearmy，andorderedallthemarshalstobesummoned。

NothinghadyettranspiredastotheEmperor\'splans，butingreatanddesperatemeasuresthereisalwayssomethingunusualwhichdoesnotescapethemostclear-sighted。TheEmperorwasneversoamiablenorsocommunicative，andonefeltthathewasendeavoringtopreparehismostdevotedfriendsforsomeoverwhelmingnews。Hetalkedforsometimeonindifferentsubjects，thenspokeofthegreatdeedsperformedduringthecampaign，referringwithpleasuretotheretreatofGeneralNeywhomtheyhadatlastfound。

MarshalDavoustappearedabstracted；andtheEmperorsaidtohim，“Atleastsaysomething，Marshal。“TherehadbeenforsometimealittlecoolnessbetweenhimandtheEmperor，andhisMajestyreproachedhimwiththerarityofhisvisits，buthecouldnotdissipatethecloudwhichdarkenedeverybrow；fortheEmperor\'ssecrethadnotbeenaswellkeptashehadhoped。AftersuppertheEmperororderedPrinceEugenetoreadthetwenty-ninthbulletin，andspokefreelyofhisplan，sayingthathisdeparturewasessentialinordertosendhelptothearmy。Hegavehisorderstothemarshals，allofwhomappearedsadanddiscouraged。Itwasteno\'clockwhentheEmperor，sayingitwastimetotakesomerepose，embracedallthemarshalsandretired。Hefelttheneedofwithdrawing；

forhehadbeenoppressedbytheconstraintofthisinterview，ascouldeasilybeseenbytheextremeagitationhiscountenancemanifestedatitsclose。Abouthalfanhourafter，theEmperorcalledmeintohisroomandsaid，“Constant，Iamabouttoleave；IthoughtIshouldbeabletotakeyouwithme，butIhavetakenintoconsiderationthefactthatseveralcarriageswouldattractattention；itisessentialthatIexperiencenodelay，andIhavegivenordersthatyouaretosetoutimmediatelyuponthereturnofmyhorses，andyouwillconsequentlyfollowmeatashortdistance。“Iwassufferinggreatlyfrommyoldmalady；hencetheEmperorwouldnotallowmetogowithhimonthebootasIrequested，inorderthatheshouldreceivehiscustomaryattentionsfromme。Hesaid，“No，Constant，youwillfollowmeinacarriage，andIhopethatyouwillbeabletoarrivenotmorethanadaybehindme。“HedepartedwiththeDukeofVicenza，andRoustanonthebox；mycarriagewasunharnessed，andI

remainedtomygreatregret。TheEmperorleftinthenight。

Bydaybreakthearmyhadlearnedthenews，andtheimpressionitmadecannotbedepicted。Discouragementwasatitsheight；andmanysoldierscursedtheEmperor，andreproachedhimforabandoningthem。Therewasuniversalindignation。ThePrinceofNeuchatelwasveryuneasy，andaskednewsofeveryone，thoughhewouldnaturallyhavebeenthefirsttoreceiveanyinformation。HefearedlestNapoleon，whohadafeebleescort，shouldbemadeprisonerbytheCossacks，who，iftheyhadlearnedhisdeparture，wouldmakethegreatesteffortstocarryhimoff。

Thisnight，the6th，thecoldincreasedgreatly；anditsseveritymaybeimagined，asbirdswerefoundonthegroundfrozenstiffwiththecold。

Soldierswhohadseatedthemselveswiththeirheadintheirhands，andbodiesbentforwardinordertothusfeellesstheemptinessoftheirstomachs，werefounddeadinthisposition。Aswebreathed，thevaporfromourlipsfrozeonoureyebrows，littlewhiteiciclesformedonthemustachesandbeardsofthesoldiers；andinordertomeltthemtheywarmedtheirchinsbythebivouacfire，andasmaybeimaginedalargenumberdidnotdothiswithimpunity。Artillerymenheldtheirhandstothehorses\'nostrilstogetalittlewarmthfromthestrongbreathingoftheseanimals。Theirfleshwastheusualfoodofthesoldiers。Largeslicesofthismeatwerethrownonthecoals；andwhenfrozenbythecold，itwascarriedwithoutspoiling，likesaltedbacon，thepowderfromthecartridge-boxestakingtheplaceofsalt。

ThissamenightwehadwithusayoungParisianbelongingtoaverywealthyfamily，whohadendeavoredtoobtainemploymentintheEmperor\'shousehold。Hewasveryyoung，andhadbeenreceivedamongtheboysoftheapartments，andthepoorchildwastakinghisfirstjourney。HewasseizedwiththefeverasweleftMoscow，andwassoillthiseveningthatwecouldnotremovehimfromthewagonbelongingtothewardrobeserviceinwhichhehadbeenmadeascomfortableaspossible。Hediedthereinthenight，muchtoberegrettedbyallwhoknewhim。PoorLapourielwasayouthofcharmingcharacter，fineeducation，thehopeofhisfamily，，andanonlyson。Thegroundwassohardthatwecouldnotdigagrave，andexperiencedthechagrinofleavinghisremainsunburied。