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Updated: June 5, 2025
Proud of his diplomatic successes at Berlin, and convinced that his visit to the King of Prussia had alone decided him to attach himself to the coalition, he nursed a military ambition, assiduously encouraged by his young favorites. The Emperor Francis sent Stadion and Giulay to Bruenn, commissioned to treat for conditions of peace. Napoleon referred them to Talleyrand, whom he had sent to Vienna.
M. de Giulay was sent with a flag of truce to the headquarters of Napoleon, to assure him of the pacific intentions of the Emperor of Austria, and to solicit an armistice. The snare was too clumsy not to be immediately discovered by so crafty a man as Napoleon.
"No, sire," said Count Stadion, respectfully, "we come only in the name of Austria." "The emperor, our august master," began Count Giulay but Napoleon interrupted him quickly. "I shall listen to you only if you are authorized to speak in the name of the two emperors," said Napoleon. "I already told you so yesterday, and I do not see what should induce me to-day to change my mind.
The Emperor Francis himself, perceiving that Vienna was incapable of defence, quitted his capital on the 7th of November, and proceeded to Brunn, in Moravia, the headquarters of Alexander. On the same evening Count Giulay reached Napoleon's headquarters at Lintz, with proposals for an immediate armistice and negotiation.
The French army continued its retreat to Erfurt, without anything happening but an encounter at Kosen, where a single French division defeated an Austrian army corps and took prisoner its commanding general the Comte de Giulay.
He had always pretended a love for peace, though he was overjoyed at the idea of continuing a war so successfully commenced, and he directed General Giulay to assure the Emperor of Austria that he was not less anxious for peace than he, and that he was ready to treat for it, but without suspending the course of his operations.
Generals Broussier and Marmont had effected their junction in the environs of Graetz, repulsing the attacks of the Giulay Ban; General Macdonald, whom the Viceroy of Italy had left behind at Papa, for the purpose of facilitating this concentration of forces, arrived on the field of battle when the day was gained; the archdukes were driven behind the Danube, and the troops furnished by the Hungarian nobility, were dispersed.
Napoleon left Talleyrand at Bruenn exchanging arguments with Stadion and Giulay; he himself repaired to Vienna, where Haugwitz awaited him. Imperfectly instructed as to the alliance concluded on the 3rd of November at Potsdam between the King of Prussia and the allies, he knew enough of it to break forth in violent reproaches against the perfidy of the Prussian Government.
Bonaparte, indeed, could not, without a degree of imprudence of which he was incapable, consent to an armistice; for M. de Giulay, though entrusted with powers from Austria, had received none from Russia. Russia, therefore, might disavow the armistice and arrive in time to defend Vienna, the occupation of which was so important to the French army.
Rapidity of Napoleon's victories Murat at Wertingen Conquest of Ney's duchy The French army before Ulm The Prince of Liechtenstein at the Imperial headquarters His interview with Napoleon described by Rapp Capitulation of Ulm signed by Berthier and Mack Napoleon before and after a victory His address to the captive generals The Emperor's proclamation Ten thousand prisoners taken by Murat Battle of Caldiero in Italy Letter from Duroc Attempts to retard the Emperor's progress Fruitless mission of M. de Giulay The first French eagles taken by the Russians Bold adventure of Lannes and Murat The French enter Vienna Savary's mission to the Emperor Alexander.
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