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Updated: June 2, 2025
"Reinforcements?" said Napoleon in a tone of stern surprise, looking at the adjutant a handsome lad with long black curls arranged like Murat's own as though he did not understand his words. "Reinforcements!" thought Napoleon to himself. "How can they need reinforcements when they already have half the army directed against a weak, unentrenched Russian wing?"
Murat seemed to have adopted the artful policy of Austria; for not only had he determined to join the coalition, but he was even maintaining communications with England and Austria, while at the same time he was making protestations of fidelity to his engagements with Napoleon. When first informed of Murat's treason by the Viceroy the Emperor refused to believe it.
Then with a swift, forced march the French were concentrated not on the enemy's strong right, but on his weak center at Borghetto. Bonaparte's cavalry, hitherto badly mounted and timid, but now reorganized, were thrown forward for their easy task. Under Murat's command they dashed through, and, encouraged by their own brilliant successes, were thenceforward famous for efficiency.
The generals re-formed them, but their numbers constantly decreased. In the middle of the day Murat sent his adjutant to Napoleon to demand reinforcements. Napoleon sat at the foot of the knoll, drinking punch, when Murat's adjutant galloped up with an assurance that the Russians would be routed if His Majesty would let him have another division.
Your Majesty sent me 40,000 francs." "I must have foreseen that I should be buried there," said Murat, smiling. "Ah, sire, I should like to think that you did not refuse my second boon any more than my first. Sire, I entreat you on my knees." The old man fell at Murat's feet. "Die as a Christian!" "That would give you pleasure, then, would it?" said the king.
New system of war Winter quarters The Emperor's Proclamation Necessity of marching to meet the Russians Distress in the Hanse Towns Order for 50,000 cloaks Seizure of Russian corn and timber Murat's entrance into Warsaw Re-establishment of Poland Duroc's accident M. de Talleyrand's carriage stopped by the mud Napoleon's power of rousing the spirit of his troops His mode of dictating The Duke of Mecklenburg-Schwerin His visits to Hamburg The Duke of Weimar His letter and present Journey of the Hereditary Prince of Denmark to Paris Batter, the English spy Traveling clerks Louis Bonaparte and the Berlin decree Creation of the Kingdom of Saxony Veneration of Germany for the King of Saxony The Emperor's uncertainty respecting Poland Fetes and reviews at Warsaw The French Government at the Emperor's head quarters Ministerial portfolios sent to Warsaw.
During these internal dissensions the French army was continuing its march towards the Pyrenees. Those barriers were speedily crossed, and Murat entered Madrid in the beginning of April 1808. Before I received any despatch from our Government I learned that Murat's presence in Madrid, far from producing a good effect, had only increased the disorder.
Flower of the Austrian army, hero of the Turkish wars Hostilities are ended, we can shake one another's hand.... The Emperor Napoleon burns with impatience to make Prince Auersperg's acquaintance. In a word, those gentlemen, Gascons indeed, so bewildered him with fine words, and he is so flattered by his rapidly established intimacy with the French marshals, and so dazzled by the sight of Murat's mantle and ostrich plumes, qu'il n'y voit que du feu, et oublie celui qu'il devait faire faire sur l'ennemi!" * In spite of the animation of his speech, Bilibin did not forget to pause after this mot to give time for its due appreciation.
Prince Eugene and the affairs of Italy The army of Italy on the frontiers of Austria Eugene's regret at the defection of the Bavarians Murat's dissimulation and perfidy His treaty with Austria Hostilities followed by a declaration of war Murat abandoned by the French generals Proclamation from Paris Murat's success Gigantic scheme of Napoleon Napoleon advised to join the Jacobins His refusal Armament of the National Guard The Emperor's farewell to the officers The Congress of Chatillon Refusal of an armistice Napoleon's character displayed in his negotiations Opening of the Congress Discussions Rupture of the Conferences.
However, this matter is still involved in the obscurity from which it will only be drawn when some person acquainted with the intrigue shall give a full explanation of it. Since I have, with reference to Soult, touched upon the subject of his supposed ambition, I will mention here what I know of Murat's expectation of succeeding the Emperor.
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