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Updated: June 10, 2025
Nevertheless, though surprised by greatly superior numbers, the 40,000 French clung obstinately to the village of La Rothière until their thin lines were everywhere driven in or outflanked, with the loss of 73 cannon and more than 3,000 prisoners. Each side lost about 5,000 killed and wounded a mere trifle to the allies, but a grave disaster to the defenders. The Emperor was much discouraged.
No measures were taken by the sovereigns or by their generals to put an end to such atrocities, and nevertheless when they left a town there was needed only an order from them to remove at once the hordes of Cossacks who devastated the country. The field of the La Rothiere was, as I have said, the rendezvous of the pupils of the military school of Brienne.
"Your excellency must not say we, but I have done very well to- day," said Gneisenau, smiling. "You alone conceived the plan of battle, and directed it; for La Rothiere was the key of the whole position, and it was Marshal Forward who took it. This time your deeds must give the name to the battle, and it must be called 'the battle of La Rothiere." "Well, I do not care," said Blucher.
The first French success, that at Brienne, leads him to hope that the allies will now be ready to make peace. Even after the disaster at La Rothière, he believes that the mere arrival of Caulaincourt at the allied headquarters will foment the discords which there exist. His terms, it seems, are determined on beforehand.
It was there that the Emperor, when a child, had foreshadowed in his engagement with the scholars his gigantic combats. The engagement at La Rothiere was hotly contested; and the enemy obtained, only at the price of much blood, an advantage which they owed entirely to their numerical superiority. In the night which followed this unequal struggle, the Emperor ordered the retreat from Troves.
"So gallant a thing as that never goes unrewarded." Tascher's cheek flushed as he bowed in acknowledgment of the praise; but I heard him mutter to himself the same instant, "Too late! too late!" Fatal words they were, the presage of the mishap they threatened! A great attack on La Rothière was now preparing.
Night came, accompanied by a violent snow-storm, so as to render the muskets useless. As on the Katzbach, Blucher's soldiers had to attack the enemy with their swords and bayonets. At length the allies were successful; the French were overpowered and driven back. The soldiers, headed by Blucher, rushed exultingly into the village of La Rothiere. "Forward!" shouted the field-marshal.
The enemy evacuated La Rothiere, and retreated in disorder to Brienne and across the Aube. Blucher could now return to his headquarters and inform the monarchs of a victory. He rode back, thoughtfully; and Gneisenau, who was by his side, was also grave and silent. "Gneisenau," he exclaimed, "I believe we have done very well to- day!"
The Campaign of France Battles of Brienne and La Rothiere Expedition of the Marne Battles of Nangis and Montereau Schwartzenberg Retreats Napoleon again marches against Blucher Attacks Soissons and is Repulsed Battles of Craonne and Laon Napoleon at Rheims His Perplexities He Marches to St. Dizier.
Waterloo is merely a greater La Rothière, calling for a mightier defensive effort than that of 1814. Such are his intentions, even when he knows not that Grouchy is escaping from the Prussians. The letter breathes a firm resolve. He has no scruples as to the wickedness of spurring on a wearied people to a conflict with Europe.
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