History of the Expedition to Russia | Page 2

the Count de Segur.--Napoleon's replies 56
III.--His manner of gaining proselytes to his opinions--his avowals to
his own family--his discussions with Cardinal Fesch--his declaration to
Prince Kourakin 67
IV.--Circumstances inclining him to delay the contest--his proposals to
England and to Russia--Russian ultimatum 75
V.--Preparations for commencement--Talleyrand--opinions of the
military--of Napoleon's ministers and generals--fresh obstacles to his
departure 80
BOOK III.
CHAP. I.--Napoleon's departure from Paris--dispositions of the east of
France--of the Germans--assemblage of sovereigns at Dresden 86
II.--Arrival in Poland--complaints by the inhabitants of the disorders of
his troops--his ineffectual attempts to check them--meeting with
Davoust--quarrel between that officer and Berthier--unfavourable
impression of Napoleon against the former--arrival at Königsberg 97
III.--March from the Vistula to the Niemen--Napoleon's manners with
the soldiers--positions of the different corps--dispositions of the army
105
BOOK IV.
CHAP. I.--Addresses of Napoleon and Alexander to their respective
armies--Position of the Russian forces--Napoleon's plans in
consequence--Sketch of the operations of his left and right wings
during the campaign 115
II.--Passage of the Niemen--Dreadful storm and its fatal
effects--Melancholy catastrophe--Napoleon's arrival at Wilna--Political

arrangements 121
III.--Feelings of the Lithuanians--Napoleon's answer to the address of
the Polish confederation--Coolness of the Lithuanians, and discussion
of its causes 131
IV.--Distress of the army and its excesses--Manner in which Napoleon
was affected by them 143
V.--Arrival of Balachoff from Alexander--Quarrel between Napoleon
and Caulaincourt--Progress of the invading army to the 10th of July
149
VI.--Operations of the King of Westphalia's and of Davoust's
divisions--Perilous situation and narrow escape of Bagration 157
VII.--Napoleon's departure from Wilna--Retreat of the Russian army
from Drissa to Witepsk--Arrival of the different French corps at
Beszenkowiczi--Different partial actions near Witepsk 166
VIII.--General engagement before Witepsk--French attack ordered to
cease in expectation of a decisive battle on the following day--Retreat
of the Russians--Napoleon's disappointment--Position of his different
corps 177
BOOK V.
CHAP. I.--Napoleon's first plans for halting at Witepsk--afterwards
abandoned, and his determination to proceed to Smolensk 188
II.--Discussions with the officers of his household--their reasons for
dissuading him from advancing further, and his replies--Feelings of the
army in general 199
III.--Operations of Oudinot's corps against that of Wittgenstein--partial
successes on both sides--Napoleon determines to change his line of
operation 210
BOOK VI.

CHAP. I.--Manner in which this manoeuvre was effected--The army
crosses the Boristhenes--Character of the Jewish and native population
216
II.--Surprise of Newerowskoi's corps beyond Krasnoë--Bold retreat of
that officer 222
III.--Movements of the main Russian army--Plans of Barclay--his
dissension with Bagration--hastens to the relief of Smolensk--about to
be surprised by Napoleon--Unsuccessful attack of the French on
Smolensk 227
IV.--Retreat of the Russian army, and fresh disappointment of
Napoleon--Ineffectual attempts of Murat to dissuade his farther
advance--Capture of Smolensk 234
V.--Napoleon's reflections on the conduct of the Russians--Intelligence
of Regnier's victory over Tormasof--Opinions of the Emperor's
principal officers as to the impolicy of proceeding farther 240
VI.--State of the allied army--its immense losses from various causes,
independent of the enemy--Napoleon's professed intention to stop, but
real determination to proceed 248
VII.--Final evacuation of Smolensk by the Russians after setting it on
fire--their army overtaken by Murat and Ney--Death of General
Gudin--Battle of Valoutina--Narrow escape of the Russians in
consequence of Junot's irresolution 254
VIII.--Results of the battle--Recompenses and rewards conferred by
Napoleon--Enthusiasm of the army--Melancholy state of the
wounded--Animosity of the Russian population 264
IX.--Napoleon's plans of moving the Russian peasantry to
insurrection--Conduct of their nobles to ward off the
danger--Napoleon's hesitation as to the plan he should pursue 271
X.--Saint Cyr's victory over Wittgenstein on the 18th of

August--Dissension between Murat and Davoust--Discord in the
Russian camp in consequence of Barclay's continued
retreat--Napoleon's advance to Dorogobouje 276
BOOK VII.
CHAP. I.--Manner in which the allied army was supplied on its
march--Details of the organization of Davoust's corps 285
II.--Napoleon's bulletin and decrees at Slawkowo--Fresh quarrels
between Murat and Davoust--Description of the Russian mode of
retreat and of Murat's method of pursuit 290
III.--Advance to Wiazma and to Gjatz--Refusal of Davoust to obey
Murat--Full development of the Russian plan of destroying their cities
and towns 297
IV.--Clamours of the Russians against Barclay--Kutusof sent to
supersede him--Great merit of Barclay's plan of retreat 304
V.--Near prospect of a battle--Character of Kutusof--Sanguinary and
partial action on the 4th of September--Anecdote of Murat--Napoleon's
survey of the ground 309
VI.--Disposition of the Russian army on the field of
Borodino--Napoleon's plan of battle 317
VII.--Plan proposed by Davoust rejected by Napoleon--Feelings of the
French army--Proclamation of Napoleon 322
VIII.--Preparations of the Russians--Feelings of their
soldiery--Napoleon's anxiety--his indisposition on the night before the
battle 328
IX. X. XI.--Battle of Borodino on the 7th of September 334
XII.--Results of the battle--immense loss on both sides--faults
committed by Napoleon--how accounted for--incompleteness of his
victory 356

XIII.--Advance to, and skirmish before Mojaisk--Gallantry of fifty
voltigeurs of the 33d--Surprising order in the Russian
retreat--Napoleon's distress 364

VOLUME SECOND.
BOOK VIII.
CHAP.