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Updated: May 21, 2025
"Excuse this scant ceremony, Monsieur," said he, bowing with much courtesy, "but I almost despaired of finding you out. I come from Holitsch with despatches for your Emperor; they are most pressing, as I believe this note will inform you."
So saying, he galloped back to the imperial staff; and soon after the squadrons defiled into the road, the cortége dashed forward, and all that remained of that memorable scene was the dying embers of the fires beside which the fate of Europe was decided. The old mill of Holitsch had been deserted when the Austrian and Russian columns took up their position before Austerlitz.
He is badly wounded, and should be removed at once. How can this be done?" "Easily. I 'll despatch my orderly at once to Holitsch, and remain here till he return." "But if our troops advance?" "No, no! we're all safe on that score; the armistice is signed. The very despatch in your hands, I believe, concludes the treaty."
I trust the despatches you carry may, if not Contradict, at least explain what has occurred." "Is this the officer from Holitsch?" said the aide-decamp of the Emperor, coming hurriedly forward. "The despatch, sir!" cried he; and the next moment hastened to the little hut which Napoleon occupied as his bivouac.
While I threw my eye over the few lines addressed by General Savary to the officer in waiting at Holitsch, and commanding the utmost speed in forwarding the despatch that accompanied them, the officer drew near the bed where De Beauvais was lying. "Mère de ciel, it is the count!" cried he, starting back with astonishment. "Yes," said I, interrupting him; "I found him here on my arrival.
Several dismounted dragoons were employed in lighting two immense fires, a process which Napoleon appeared to watch with great interest for a second or two; and then, taking out his glass, he remained for several minutes intently surveying the great road to Holitsch. In this direction at once every eye was turned; but nothing could we see.
He was not more than two hundred paces from where we stood, and I could mark well his gesture of impatience, as he closed his glass each time, after looking in vain towards Holitsch. "I say, Burke," whispered one of my brother officers beside me, "I should not fancy being the man who keeps him waiting in that fashion. Look at Berthier, how he keeps aloof; he knows that something is brewing."
The crowd of officers near the headquarters of the Emperor pressed closely about me as I descended from my horse, eager to learn what information I brought from Holitsch; for they were not aware that I had been stationed nearly half-way on the road. "Well, Burke," said General d'Auvergne, as he drew his arm within mine, "your coming has been anxiously looked for this morning.
As I knew the Château de Holitsch, where the Emperor Francis held his quarters, was some six leagues distant, I guessed that General Savary was not likely to return from his mission before morning at very soonest; and so it behooved me to make my arrangements for passing the night where I was.
The words were graven in my memory from that hour; even yet, I can recall the very accents as when I heard them. "And you, sir," said he, turning suddenly towards me, "you came from General Savary. Return to him with this letter. Have you written, Duroc? Well, you'll deliver this to General Savary at Holitsch. He may require you to proceed to Göding. Are you well mounted?" "Yes, Sire."
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