11th. (To the Directoire.) I had asked citoyen Barras to inform the Directoire of my marriage with the citoyenne Tascher Beauharnais. The trust which the Directoire has reposed in me made it a duty to inform it of all my actions. This is one more bond that draws me to our country; it is a pledge of my firm resolve to seek salvation only in the Republic.

21st. Departure for Italy.

27th,  Nice:
Soldiers! you are naked and starving; the Government owes you much and can give you nothing. Among these rocks, your patience, your courage, are admirable; but not one ray of glory can shine down on you. I will lead you into the most fertile plain of the earth. Wealthy cities, great provinces, will be in your power; and there await you honour, glory, and riches. Soldiers of Italy, will your courage, will your constancy fail?

28th. (To the Directoire.) I joined the army a few days ago; yesterday I assumed command. I have informed the troops, in your name, of your satisfaction with their conduct and their patience. This pleased the men, and especially the officers, very much. One battalion has mutinied, because it had neither boots nor pay. I ordered the grenadiers under arrest.

29th. General Alexandre Berthier is appointed chief of staff to the army of Italy.

April 6th, Albenga:
I have shifted headquarters to Albenga. This movement has drawn the enemy out of winter quarters. They have moved their outposts up to Dego. The King of Sardinia is displaying much activity.

The destitution of the army is alarming. I have many difficulties to overcome, but it can be done. The absolute misery of the army has broken its discipline, and without discipline there can be no victories. The Piedmontese are 40,000 strong in infantry; the Austrians have 34,000.  I have actually 45,000 men.

At Oneglia I found some statuary of considerable value. I ordered an auction, from which we may derive 30,000 or 40,000 francs.

11th. Fighting began at eight o’clock this morning. I shall attack. To-morrow we will advance on the enemy all along our right.

12th,  Carcare:
Vive la République! This day, 23d of Germinal, the divisions of General Masséna and of General Laharpe attacked the Austrians, who, under the command of General Beaulieu, numbered 13,000, and occupied the important position of Montenotte. The republicans defeated the Austrians completely, killing and wounding 3000 men.

At night:
I have just been over the battlefield; there were prisoners and dead on all sides.

14th. (To the Directoire.) The campaign of Italy has begun. I owe you an account of the battle of Montenotte.

General Beaulieu, with one division, attacked the right of our army. On the (12th) at daybreak, Beaulieu and Laharpe engaged, when Masséna appeared on the enemy’s flank and rear, spreading destruction and panic. The rout of the enemy was complete.

15th. (To the Directoire.) To-day I have to inform you of the battle of Millesimo. The enemy, surrounded on all sides, had no time even to surrender; our columns scattered death, panic, and flight. General Provera, with the body he commanded, surrendered at Cosseria. Our soldiers pursued the enemy on all sides unflaggingly. We have in this glorious battle taken 7000 to 9000 prisoners, 22 guns, and 15 flags.

The chef de brigade of the 39th having been killed, I have appointed citoyen Lannes to replace him.

16th. (To the Directoire.) To-day I must render you an account of our action at Dego. We estimate the enemy’s loss at 2000 men. Major Murat contributed largely to our success.

The enemy are much stronger than we anticipated, fight well, and outnumber us in cavalry and artillery. I have not a single engineer officer to reconnoitre Ceva, and must go there myself.

22d,  Lesegno:
(To the Directoire.) I have to render account of the action at Mondovi and of our occupation of that city. Driven from Ceya, the Piedmontese army took up a position at the confluence of the Corsaglia and the Tanaro, their right on Vico, their centre on the Bicocca. General Serrurier attacked their right, crossed the bridge under fire, and after three hours’ fighting drove them from the village. The enemy’s position was very strong. We spent the day making demonstrations so as to cover our real intentions. My object was to throw myself on Mondovi. However, at two in the morning, General Colli began his retreat in the direction of that city. At daybreak the struggle began in the village of Vico. The enemy lost 1800 men, 11 flags, and 8 guns. The 20th dragoons, led into action by citoyen Murat, distinguished itself.

(To the army.) The general in command congratulates the army on its courage, and on its daily successes against the enemy; but he has seen with horror the frightful pillage committed by degraded individuals who rejoin their corps after the battle is over to indulge in excesses that disgrace the army and France. It is therefore ordered: the generals shall, within twenty-four hours, hand in a report on the conduct of all commanding officers under their orders. The generals are empowered to relieve from duty all officers who, by their example, have countenanced the horrible pillage of these last few days. Their names shall be sent to their Departments so that they may incur the contempt of their fellow citizens.

23d,  Carrù:
(To General Colli.) Sir: The Directoire has reserved to itself the right of negotiating peace; the plenipotentiaries of the king your master must therefore proceed to Paris. The military and moral situation of the two armies makes an armistice pure and simple entirely out of the question. I must decline, on vague presumptions, to suspend my march. There is, however, a way of attaining your object; it is by placing me in possession of Coni, Alessandria, and Tortona. This proposal is a very moderate one.

24th. An armistice for one month, guaranteed by the possession of two fortresses, would be of great service to the Republic. It would give me time enough to overrun Austrian  Lombardy.

(To the Directoire.) You cannot conceive the state that this army is in,—it has no bread, no discipline. Our lack of carts, our bad horses, our rapacious commissaries, have reduced us to absolute destitution. The life I lead is unbelievable; worn out with my day’s work, I have to sit up all night to administer, and to proceed in person everywhere to restore order. Our starving soldiers commit excesses that make one ashamed to he a man. I shall make some terrible examples. I will restore order, or cease to command these bandits. I have to face 100,000 men with only 34,000 infantry and 3500 cavalry.

Citoyen Junot, my aide-de-camp, will present 21 flags to you. The army of Italy in sending you these standards, certificates of its valour, charges me to assure you of its devotion to the Constitution.

26th, Cherasco:
All goes well. The pillage has decreased. This first excess of an army that lacked everything is wearing off. The wretched men are excusable; they have reached the promised land, and cannot but be at it. To-morrow some of the men who have rifled a church will be shot. It is a painful thing to have to do, and costs me many pangs; horrors have been committed that make me shudder; fortunately the Piedmontese army in its retreat behaved even worse. This splendid country will be of great help to us; from Mondovi alone we can raise a million.

(To the army.) Soldiers! In fifteen days you have won six victories, captured twenty-one flags, fifty-five guns, several fortresses, conquered the richest part of Piedmont; you have made 15,000 prisoners; you have killed or wounded nearly 10,000 men.

Until now you have fought for barren rocks. Lacking everything, you have accomplished everything. You have won battles without cannon, crossed rivers without bridges, made forced marches without boots, bivouacked without brandy, and often without bread. Only the phalanx of the Republic, only the soldiers of Liberty, could endure the things that you have suffered.

But, soldiers, you have really done nothing, if there still lies a task before you. As yet, neither Milan nor Turin is yours. Our country has the right to expect great things of you; will you be worthy of that trust? There are more battles before you, more cities to capture, more rivers to cross. You all burn to carry forward the glory of the French people; to dictate a glorious peace; and to be able, when you return to your villages, to exclaim with pride: “I belonged to the conquering army of Italy!

Friends, that conquest, I promise, shall be yours; but there is a condition you must swear to observe: to respect the people you are liberating; to repress horrible pillage. All plunderers will be shot without mercy.

People of Italy, the French army is here to break your chains; you may greet it with confidence.

28th. (To the Directoire.) You will find herewith the armistice agreed on last night between General La Tour, commanding the Piedmontese army, and myself. Ceva, Coni, and Alessandria are in our power. If you should fail to come to a settlement with Sardinia, I can hold these fortresses and march on Turin. Meanwhile, to-morrow I move against Beaulieu. I shall seize Lombardy, and before a month has passed I expect to be in the mountains of the Tyrol. As to Sardinia, you can dictate whatever conditions of peace you choose, since I am in possession of the chief fortresses. If you will continue to trust me and to give my plans your approval, success is certain: Italy is yours.

(To General Laharpe.) Start for Acqui at once, and pursue the Austrians; they are withdrawing and will cross the Po.

29th. (To the Directoire.) My columns are moving; Beaulieu is retreating; I hope I shall catch him. I shall raise several millions from the Duke of Parma. He will send you proposals for peace, but don't be in a hurry; give me time to make him pay the expenses of the campaign. If you should not conclude peace with the King of Sardinia, if your intention is to dethrone him, you must play with him for several weeks, and notify me at once; I can then seize Valenza and march on Turin.

May  1st,  Acqui:
(To Faypoult, at Genoa.) We are at Acqui since yesterday. Beaulieu’s retreat is so rapid that we have failed to reach him. Send me a memorandum, geographical, historical, political, and topographical, on the imperial fiefs in the neighbourhood of Genoa. Send me a memorandum on the Dukes of Parma, of Piacenza, and of Modena, their troops, fortresses, and resources; send me also a schedule of the pictures, statues, cabinets, and curios of Milan, Parma, Piacenza, Modena, and Bologna. The Duke of Parma was to have concurred in the peace we made with Spain; how was it this was not done?

Send 6000 pairs of boots to Tortona immediately.

6th,  Tortona:
(To the Directoire.) Yesterday we were cannonading the Austrians beyond the Po. This river is wide and very difficult to cross. My plan is to cross it as near Milan as possible, so as to leave no further obstacle between me and that capital. To-day we march on Piacenza. If I were to wait for a couple of pontoon bridges, I am certain we should not get over in July; my plan is to cross with rafts and flying bridges.

It would be of advantage if you could send me three or four artists of repute to select the things we want to send to  Paris.

Since the campaign opened, General Berthier, chief of staff, has been constantly by my side in action, and at night at his desk; it is impossible to display greater energy, together with zeal, courage, and technical knowledge.

7th. Castel San Giovanni:
The Austrian army had intrenched itself to cover the Milanese. After various military and diplomatic feints to persuade it that I intended to cross at Valenza, I have made a forced march with 5000 grenadiers and 1500 horse on Castel San Giovanni.

9 a. m. At the crossing of the Po.
We have reached the crossing of the Po, where the enemy shows about 150 cavalry; the infantry must still be in the direction of Valenza. The general-in-chief is therefore determined to cross at once with the advance guard.

We jumped into the boats. Chef de brigade Lannes, brave and intelligent, was first on the bank. The divisions of the army are hurrying their march, since our movement is now unmasked.

Afternoon:
All the advance guard and Laharpe’s division are across  the  Po.

8th. Beaulieu, perceiving our movement, realizes too late that his fortifications at Pavia are useless, and that the French republicans are not so foolish as was Francis  I!

9th. (To Carnot.) Beaulieu has been surprised; his moves are weak, and he constantly walks into the traps that are set for him. What we have captured from the enemy is incalculable. I am sending you twenty pictures by the greatest masters, Correggio, Michael Angelo. I owe you special thanks for your attentions to my wife; I commend her to your care; I love her madly. I hope, if all goes well, to send about ten millions to Paris, which might be useful for the army of the Rhine. Since Stengel’s death I have not one single general officer of artillery who fights. I need two or three adjutant-generals who have dash and a firm resolve not to execute scientific retreats.

At  night:
The enemy is retreating on Lodi.

11th,  Lodi:
We made our way into Lodi, and found the bridge swept by 30 guns. The fire was very hot. As soon as the troops got up they were formed in solid column, supported by the grenadier battalions, the men cheering for the Republic. The bridge, 200 yards in length, was at tacked. The enemy’s fire was terrible. The head of our column appeared to waver. Generals Berthier, Masséna, Lannes, rushed to the front and carried uncertain fortune with them. Our stalwart column broke down all resistance; in a flash, the hostile army was scattered.

The battle of Lodi has conquered Lombardy for the Republic.

Evening: (The grenadiers acclaim General Bonaparte as the little corporal.)

14th. (To the Directoire.) Yesterday I sent one division to Milan; Beaulieu is at Mantua.

I think it unwise to divide the army of Italy in two; it is against the interests of the Republic to give it to two generals. The move on Rome, Leghorn, Naples, is a small matter. There should not only be a single general, but he should be unfettered in his judgment and operations. I have conducted this campaign without consulting any one; I should have done no good had I been guided by another’s opinions. I have had some measure of success because my moves have been as quick as my thoughts. If you put shackles on me, you must be prepared for poor results. Every man has his own fashion of making war. General Kellermann has had a longer experience and will do better than I; but he and I together will only make a mess of it. If I am to render real service to the country, I must have your absolute confidence. I feel that it requires much courage to write you this letter; it would be so easy to accuse me of ambition or pride.

17th,  Milan:
The tricolour flag floats over Milan, Pavia, Como, and all the cities of Lombardy. Orders are issued to equip the divisions with all they need, so that they may soon resume active operations and carry them through with the rapidity and dash that have given us our victories.

I have sent off to Tortona at least two millions’ worth of jewels and silver ingots.

20th. Soldiers! You have rolled down from the Apennines like a torrent; you have overthrown and scattered all that opposed your advance. Milan is yours, and the republican flag floats over Lombardy. The Po, the Ticino, the Adda, could not stay your advance for a single day. Yes, soldiers, you have accomplished much; but is there nothing left to do? Come, forward! We have more forced marches to make, more enemies to conquer, more laurels to win, more wrongs for which to claim revenge.

21st. We have imposed 20 millions of francs on the Milanese.

22d. The troops are marching towards the passes of the Tyrol. The Austrian army receives reinforcements daily.

25th,  2 a. m.:
(To General Berthier.) I am just back from halfway to Pavia. We met about a thousand peasants at Binasco, and defeated them. After killing a hundred or so, we burned the village, a terrible example which will have the desired effect; in an hour we shall start for Pavia, where the report is that our men are still holding out.

(To the inhabitants of Lombardy.) A misguided mob, with no real means of defence, has committed acts of violence in several districts. Such incredible folly deserves compassion; this unhappy people is misled and drawn to its own destruction. Those who do not lay their arms down within 24 hours will be treated as rebels; their villages will be burnt. May their eyes be opened by the terrible example of Binasco! Every city and village that continues in rebellion will meet with the same fate.

General Despinoy will immediately assemble a court-martial to sentence, in the course of the day, persons caught with arms in their possession during the riot that has occurred in Milan, and to have those who are convicted of participation in the insurrection shot. The execution is to be carried out within 24 hours.

26th,  Pavia:
At daybreak I marched on Pavia. The city appeared to be defended by a large mass of people, and to be in a state of defence; the citadel had been captured and our soldiers were prisoners. I ordered the guns up. General Dommartin formed the 6th grenadiers in solid column, axe in hand, and two field pieces at the head. The gates were broken in; the mob scattered to the cellars and to the roofs, at tempting in vain, by throwing down tiles, to prevent our entering the streets. I had the town councillors shot. To-day everything is quite calm.

28th,  Brescia:
Any village in which the tocsin is rung shall be burned down.

We are now on the territory of the Venetian republic, a neutral country, in which individuals and property must be rigidly respected.

30th,  Valeggio:
To-day Masséna’s and Augereau’s divisions attacked the passage of the Mincio. The enemy have been completely defeated along the line of this river, which was crossed by a part of our troops with water up to their armpits. The enemy left us five guns and the store of medicines for their ambulances. They are in full retreat
all along the line.

(To Carnot.) I am in despair; my wife doesn’t come, some lover keeps her in Paris. I curse all women, but I embrace my excellent friends.

31st,  Peschiera:
The enemy has crossed the Adige, and only the garrison of Mantua remains, which will soon be destroyed by the unhealthiness of its marshes! Vive la République! The Austrians are driven entirely out of Italy.

June 1st. (To the Directoire.) I could not name all the soldiers who have distinguished themselves for courage. Nothing could equal their bravery. You would suppose that once at their bivouac they would at least sleep; nothing of the sort,—every man sets to work spinning yarns or drawing up the next day’s plan of operations. The other day I was watching a demi-brigade filing by, a light infantryman steps up to my horse: General,—says he,—we must do so and so.—Rascal, I answered, shut your mouth, will you?—He promptly vanished; I sent for him in vain; what he had said was precisely what I had given orders to do.

I am sending off from Milan to-morrow one hundred carriage horses, the finest that could be found in Lombardy; they will replace the mediocre backs that draw your carriages at present.

5th, Roverbella:
The general-in-chief has gone to Milan; headquarters remain at Roverbella.

7th,  Milan:
(To the Directoire.) When Beaulieu perceived that we were marching on the Mincio, he seized the fortress of Peschiera, which belongs to the Venetians. Two days later, the action at Borghetto and the passage of the Mincio placed it in our hands. The proveditore came to offer me hasty explanations; I received him stiffly, and declared that I would march on Venice in person to protest to the Senate against so patent an act of bad faith. There was great alarm in Venice. If you wish to extract 5 or 6 millions from Venice, here is a pretext all ready to your hand. If your policy goes beyond this, my advice would be to keep the matter open and to wait for a favourable moment, for we must not have everybody on our hands at once.

I shall soon be at Bologna. Is it your wish that I should then grant an armistice to the Pope, in return for 25 millions in money, 5 millions in foodstuffs, 300 pictures, statues and MSS. in proportion?

8th. We have surrounded the city of Mantua. This fortress is unapproachable for the moment because of the flooded state of the rivers.

11th. Lombardy is perfectly quiet. Political songs are in every mouth. The people are becoming used to Liberty. It might be worth while to form a Lombard battalion.

The general-in-chief understands that, notwithstanding his repeated orders, looting still continues. Such infamous conduct makes it impossible longer to delay employing drastic methods. It is therefore ordered that any soldier, of whatsoever rank, caught in the act, shall be shot.

15th, Tortona:
The Emperor is saying to everybody that in August he will reënter Italy. His troops are everywhere on the march, even in Poland.

(To Faypoult, at Genoa.) I am sending you General Murat, my aide-de-camp; please take him to the Senate immediately so that he may present the letter which he will show you. If you were to present it, it would take two weeks to get an answer, and it is necessary to communicate after a fashion that is more likely to electrify these gentlemen.

20th, Bologna:
We are in Bologna since yesterday. We have made 700 prisoners and found 40 guns. The Cardinal Legate is a prisoner of war. Chef de brigade Lannes commands the infantry of the advance guard; General Murat the advance guard itself.

21st. The Modena pictures have started. Citoyen Barthélemy is now engaged selecting the Bologna ones. He expects to take about fifty. Monge, Berthollet, and Thouin are at Pavia, at work adding to our natural history specimens. I hope they will not overlook a complete collection of snakes which seemed to be well worth the journey.

An intercepted letter from Vienna states that General Wurmser will command the army in Italy. One division has already occupied the passes of the Grisons.

I have given the Cardinal Legate leave to proceed to Rome. I told him that if the Pope would send us peace proposals and would pay a contribution of war promptly, he might perhaps find a support yet in the French Republic. The heat is excessive; and we have not one moment to spare for recrossing the Po and concentrating our troops against the Austrians. I shall be at Leghorn on the 29th; I hope we shall have concluded an armistice with the Pope by then. As we shall have concluded this armistice more with the dog days than with the Pope, my feeling is against making peace, so that in September, if we prosper, we can seize Rome.

26th, Pistoja:
(To the Directoire.) You will find herewith the conditions of the armistice with the Pope. M. D’Azara had the impudence to offer us five millions in money and three millions in foodstuffs. Seeing he could get no abatement out of me, he turned to the Government Commissioners, and worked them so well that he discovered our secret, which is the impossibility of our marching to Rome. On that we could only get 20 millions out of him, by making a march on Ravenna. I had always stipulated that we should get the treasure of Our Lady of Loretto, which, I thought, was agreed; but he so twisted and turned that we had to accept one million instead. This manner of negotiating three handed is very prejudicial to the interests of the Republic. This negotiation, in which the Republic has lost 10 millions, has been extremely disagreeable to me. There was no difficulty as to the other conditions save for the MSS., which they did not want to give up; on that score, too, we had to come down from two or three thousand to five hundred.

July 2d, Bologna:
I saw at Florence the famous Venus, for which there should be room in our Museum, and a collection of anatomical models in wax which it would be desirable to acquire. Fontana is willing to undertake having these copied for us. It would cost little, and would be of advantage to us in a matter so useful to humanity.

Our art commissioners behave well and work hard. The scientists have garnered a fine harvest at Pavia.

I am starting for Mantua. I expect to open the trenches on the 9th. The enemy will probably manœuvre to relieve the fortress; we shall then engage, if necessary.

5th, Roverbella:
(To General Despinoy.) Hurry on the artillery; don’t go to sleep among the pleasures of Milan; and whatever you do, don’t write letters to upset our poor chief of staff, who, ever since you mentioned a lovely actress who awaits him in Milan, is dying of impatience to get there.

(To Josephine.) I am dead tired. Please start at once for Verona; I need you, for I feel as though I were going to be seriously ill. A thousand kisses. I am in bed.

9th, Verona:
(To General Despinoy.) I am in a rage with every one at Milan. Nothing gets here, no artillery, no officers, no gunners. I am sending you an aide-de-camp to stir things up. In the present situation days equal centuries. There is a company of artillery I have been expecting this last century; it has stopped on the way. I had ordered 600 horses to Coni; they are all dead on the road I suppose, as I haven’t heard a word of them.

11th, Marmirolo:
(To Faypoult.) I have not yet seen M. Cattaneo; when I do I shall not forget to put him to sleep, and to inspire the Senate with a little more confidence. The hour of Genoa has not struck, because the Austrians are growing in numbers and we shall soon have a battle. The policy of the Directoire as to Genoa does not as yet seem quite clear.

12th, Verona:
(To the Directoire.) Would it not be as well to start a little quarrel at once with the Minister of Venice in Paris, so that as soon as I have taken Mantua I can make an opportunity for asking them, as you desire I should, for several millions?

17th, Marmirolo:
(To Josephine.) I have received your letter, adorable friend, and it has filled my heart with joy. I thank you for troubling to send me news of yourself. Since leaving you, I have been constantly sad. Your kisses, your tears, your playful jealousy, haunt my mind; and the charms of the incomparable Josephine set a bright and burning flame blazing in my heart and in my senses. When shall I be free from all worries, from all business, so as to spend my hours near you, with nothing to do but to love you, and nothing to think of but to tell it and to prove it you? Since I first knew you, I adore you more and more every day, which proves the untruth of La Bruyère’s maxim, that love comes suddenly. All things in nature run their course, and vary in their growth. Ah! I implore you, let me witness some of your defects; be less beautiful, less amiable, less tender, less good,—above all, above all, never be jealous, never weep; your tears affect my reason and scorch my blood.

18th. I passed the night under arms. A bold and fortunate stroke would have given me Mantua; but the waters in the lake began to go down rapidly, so that the column in the boats was not able to disembark. I was in the village of Virgil, on the shore of the lake, by a silvery moonlight; and I could not cease thinking of Josephine for one moment.

19th. We attacked Mantua yesterday. We warmed it up with two batteries firing red-hot shot, and with mortars. All through the night the wretched city was blazing, a horrible but grand spectacle. We captured several outworks, and shall open our trenches to-night. I start tomorrow for Castiglione with headquarters, and expect to sleep there.

22d, Castiglione:
(To Josephine.) The situation of the army makes my presence here necessary; it is out of the question for me to go so far as Milan. Come, quickly, and join me; be happy and without fear.

29th, Montechiaro, morning:
The enemy have forced our positions at La Corona. An effort will be made for their recapture. We must attack them, and defeat them.

Afternoon: General Augereau is to retreat on Roverbella.

Roverbella, evening:
The fighting at La Corona makes it necessary to move the heavy baggage of the army back to Milan by Cremona. I am expecting Berthier impatiently. The situation is decidedly critical. To-morrow will, I hope, turn out better for us.

Part of Masséna’s division has been driven in. I am starting for Castelnovo with a few demi-brigades. Perhaps we can reëstablish things.

30th, Castelnovo:
The army’s unfortunate position is this: that the enemy have broken through our lines at three points; they hold Rivoli; Masséna and Joubert have had to retreat; Sauret has fallen back on Desenzano; the enemy have seized Brescia. Our communications with Milan are cut.

31st, Roverbella:
(To General Kilmaine.) It is absolutely necessary that you should attack the enemy at Montechiaro. As I am in great baste, send a copy of this order to General Masséna..

Generals Augereau, Rampon, Cervoni, are marching on Montechiaro, which their advance guard will reach at 4 a. m. The attack on Brescia must be renewed. General Serrurier on receiving the order to evacuate (the lines of) Mantua will occupy Marcaria.

August 2d, Brescia:
(To Saliceti.) For a moment fortune appeared to have turned against us. So much has happened these last five or six days, that I can render you no complete account; but at last, thanks to the battle of Lonato and my vigorous measures, things are beginning to look better. I have raised the siege of Mantua, and am here with nearly the whole army. I shall seize the first opportunity of engaging the enemy, and thereby settling the fate of Italy. We are worn out; I have killed five horses.

We have had reverses, but victory is inclined to rejoin our standards.

6th, Castiglione:
All through the 2d Wurmser was concentrating, drawing all the troops he could from Mantua, ranging them between Solferino and the Chiese. He brought together 25,000 men. The fate of Italy was still in suspense.

I also gave orders for concentrating my columns. I proceeded in person to Lonato; imagine my surprise when a flag came in summoning the commandant of Lonato to surrender because, so it was said, he was surrounded! There were, in point of fact, columns in touch with our outposts, and the Brescia road was cut. I realized that these troops could be only the débris of a division that had been cut off and was trying to force its way through our lines. The position was an awkward one, as I had not more than 1200 men with me. I ordered the officer with the flag to be brought before me and his eyes unbandaged. I informed him that if, within the space of eight minutes, his division had not surrendered, I should give no quarter. The officer was astounded at seeing me there, and a moment later his column laid down their arms; it was 4000 strong.

On the 3d, at daybreak, the armies were in presence. I ordered our troops to fall back so as to draw the enemy towards us while Serrurier was turning Wurmser’s left.

The moment we saw Serrurier’s division, I ordered Adjutant-General Verdier to attack. After a heavy cannonade the enemy’s left was routed. Augereau attacked their centre; Masséna their right. We were victorious all along the  line.

We have, therefore, in five days, fought another campaign. Wurmser has lost 70 guns, all his transport, 12,000 to 15,000 prisoners, 6000 killed and wounded.

At night, on the battlefield:
The moonlight was lovely; suddenly, from out the deep solitude of the night, a dog, crawling from under a dead man’s clothes, dashed at us, but only to return quickly to his lair, howling plaintively. He licked his master’s face, then turned on us again; it seemed as though he both asked for help and cried out for vengeance. Whether it was my mood, or the place, the hour, the incident itself, or something unaccountable, yet I can truly say that never anything on a field of battle moved me so much. Involuntarily I stopped to watch. Perhaps, said I to my self, the man has friends, and he lies here abandoned by all except his dog! What a lesson for nature to read us through the act of a dog!

8th, Verona:
Here we are, back in our old positions. The enemy’s retreat has carried them far into the Tyrol. The Austrian army has vanished like a dream, and threatened Italy is at peace once more.

13th, Brescia:
The Court of Rome believed we were lost, and sent a legate to Ferrara. I have ordered this Cardinal to come to headquarters.

14th. (To the Directoire.) I think it as well, Citoyens Directeurs, to give you my opinion of the generals on duty with this army:

Berthier: talent, energy, courage, force, everything.

Augereau: strong character, courage, firmness, energy; has much experience of war, is liked by the soldiers, and is fortunate in what he undertakes.

Masséna: active, indefatigable; has boldness, instinct, and decision.

Serrurier: fights like a soldier; lacks initiative; firm; has too low an opinion of his men; is ill.

Despinoy: flabby, no energy, no boldness; is not made for warfare; is not liked by his men, and won’t lead them into action; but high-minded, intelligent, and sound in politics; good for a home command.

Sauret: good, very good soldier; not enough education for a general; not lucky.

Abbatucci: not fit to command fifty men.

Garnier, Meunier, Casabianca: incapable; not fit to command a battalion in so lively and difficult a campaign as this.

Macquart: a good fellow; no talent; dash.

Gaultier: good for office work; has never seen active service.

How many blunders Murat has committed for the sake of placing his headquarters in a castle where there were women!

18th. My wife has arrived.

In four or five days the invincible army of Italy will open a new campaign. We shall force the passes of the Tyrol and conclude the war in Germany.

31st. (To Josephine.) I am just starting for Verona. I had expected a letter from you; it makes me most anxious. You were not very well when I left you; I beg of you don’t keep me in such anxiety. Three days and no letter; I have written several. Your absence is horrible, the nights are long, boresome, dull, the days are monotonous.

To-day, alone with my thoughts, my work, my business, with men and their vain projects, I have not a single line from you to press to my heart.

The headquarters have moved; I start in an hour.

September 3d, Ala:
(To Josephine.) We are on the march, adorable friend. We have swept back the enemy’s outposts. The troops are gay and in high spirits.

No letters from you,—I am really worried; however, I am told you are well, that you have even made an excursion on the lake of Como. Every day I am waiting impatiently a letter with news from you; you know how precious it will be. Away from you I don’t exist; the happiness of life is at the side of my gentle Josephine. Think of me! Write often, very often; it’s the only cure for absence.

6th, Trent:
6000 or 7000 prisoners, 25 guns, 7 flags, these are the results of the battle of Roveredo, one of the most successful of the campaign. At eight o’clock in the morning of the 5th Masséna occupied Trent. Wurmser abandoned the city to seek refuge towards Bassano. General Vaubois is pursuing the enemy. I shall reach Bassano on the 8th. If the enemy stand their ground, there will be a battle.

9th, Bassano:
Our march of twenty leagues in two days has completely disconcerted the enemy. We have captured five flags; chef de brigade Lannes took two with his own hand. We are pursuing a division of 8000 men, all that is left of the formidable army which, a month ago, threatened to drive us from Italy. In six days we have fought two battles and four engagements. We have captured 21 flags, and have taken 16,000 prisoners. We have covered more than 45 leagues.

Chef de brigade Lannes to be brigadier-general.

10th, Montebello:
(To Josephine.) We have never met with such great and steady successes. Italy, the Friuli, the Tyrol, are safe for the Republic. In a few days we shall meet; that will be the sweetest reward for all my troubles and labours. A thousand burning and loving kisses.

15th, Verona:
I like the Poles. The partition of Poland was an iniquitous deed that cannot stand. When I have finished the war in Italy, I will lead the French myself and force the Russians to reëstablish Poland.

17th. (To Josephine.) I write frequently, dear friend, and you very seldom. You are perverse, and wicked, very wicked, and your conduct is frivolous. Don’t you think it’s a little too bad to deceive a poor husband, a tender lover? Must he lose every claim because he is at a distance, loaded with work, fatigue, and care? Without his Josephine, without her love, what would there be left on earth? What could he live for? Adieu, adorable Josephine, one of these nights your door will burst open; the rush of a jealous man, and I am in your arms!

26th, Milan:
To Cardinal Mattei.) Sir, I am persuaded because of your high character, which is praised by every one, to permit you to return to Ferrara, and to draw the veil over your conduct last month.

I shall assume that you merely forgot for a moment a principle which your knowledge of the Scriptures will recall to you: that the priest who intervenes in political matters forfeits the privileges of his position. Return to your bishopric; practise virtue; and don’t ever meddle in politics.

October 1st. The army of observation is 18,000 strong; the blockading army 9000. The Emperor will have 50,000 men in six weeks.

2d. (To the Directoire.) Venice is alarmed, and is hatching something with the King of Naples and the Pope. We can do nothing with them till Mantua is ours. The King of Naples has 60,000 men on foot.

The Grand Duke of Tuscany is a cipher, from every point of view.

The Duke of Parma behaves fairly well; he also is a cipher, from every point of view.

Rome is strong on the score of fanaticism.

If you insist on making war against Rome and Naples, we must be reinforced with 45,000 men. Keep negotiations with Rome open until we are ready to march on that proud  city.

(To His Majesty the Emperor of Germany.) Your Majesty, Europe wants peace. This disastrous war has lasted too long. I have the honour of warning your Majesty that unless plenipotentiaries are sent to Paris, my orders from the Directoire are to fill in the port of Trieste. I hope that your Majesty will restore peace and repose to the world.

(To General Kellermann, at Lyons.) However much the 40th may be needed at Lyons, it is indispensable that it should be sent here. On the whole, I think it will pay better to risk some fisticuffs in Lyons, but to maintain our conquest of Italy.

Think this over, my dear general, with your usual patriotic sentiments; send us help as promptly as you can, if you want us to continue sending you 700,000 francs.

8th. (To the Directoire.) My health is so shattered that I must ask you to find me a successor.

11th. The national colours of the Lombard legion are green, white, and red.

Large bodies of the Emperor’s troops are moving in the Tyrol.

The rains still cause much sickness in our ranks.

12th. (To the Directoire.) You doubtless assumed that your commissaries would steal, but do their work; they steal so impudently that had I a month to spare, there is not one I could not have shot. I am constantly having them arrested; but the judges are bought up: this is a fair, everything is for sale.

Thévenin is a thief; he flaunts his extravagance in our faces; he has sent me several fine horses that I needed; I took them, but cannot make him accept payment. Have him arrested; keep him six months in prison; he is good for 500,000 francs in cash.

The transport service is full of émigrés; they call themselves Royal-Charrois, and sport green collars under my very eyes. As you may imagine, I am constantly ordering arrests, but they have a habit of being where I am not.

The new agent appears to be an improvement on Thévenin. This, you understand, refers only to the thieves on a large scale. Would you believe that attempts are made to bribe my secretaries in my very office?

This denunciation is on my soul and conscience, as member of the jury. They are all spies. There is not an army agent who is not hoping for our defeat. and corresponding with the enemy; most of them are émigrés; it is they reveal our numbers; and I have to be more careful of them than of Wurmser.

17th, Modena:
Bologna, Modena, Reggio, and Ferrara have convened a congress. They are animated with the greatest enthusiasm and the purest patriotism; they see already Italy new made. A legion of 2500 men is being organized, equipped, clothed, and paid at their own expense, and without our intervention. Should these troops make a good showing, the consequences might be very important.

(To Josephine.) I was in the saddle all yesterday; to-day I am in bed. Fever and a bad headache have prevented me from writing to my adorable friend; but her letters have reached me, I have pressed them to my heart and to my lips, and the pangs of absence have vanished. For a moment I could imagine you at my side, no longer capricious and vexed, but gentle, tender, with all that graciousness and goodness that belong only to Josephine. It was a dream; guess whether it cured my fever. Your letters are as frigid as fifty years old; they suggest fifteen years of marriage. They convey the friendship, the sentiments, of the winter of life. Fie, Josephine! It is wicked, it is bad, it is treasonable of you! What more can you do to make me unhappy? Love me no more? Eh! That’s already done! Hate me?—Well, let it be! Everything degrades save hatred. But indifference, with its marble pulse, its steady stare, its even step . . . !

21st, Ferrara:
(To Cardinal Mattei.) The Court of Rome has declined the offers of the Directoire; it is arming, it wants war; it shall have it. But I owe to my country, to humanity, to myself, one last effort to bring the Pope to sentiments more moderate and more in keeping with his sacred office. Go to Rome, see the Holy Father, enlighten him as to his true interests. An arrangement is still possible.

24th, Verona:
The bishop cardinal of Ferrara, a Roman prince with a revenue of 150,000 francs, gives all to the people and lives in his church. I have sent him to Rome on the pretext of negotiating, but really to get rid of him: he was delighted with his mission.

The Pope’s folly is incredible. My intention is to get as far as Ancona under cover of the armistice, and there to declare myself. The art of the thing will be to keep on juggling for the present, so as to deceive the old fox.

25th. (To Carnot.) You will have seen by my brother’s (Lucien) letter, what a hothead he is. He got himself compromised several times in ’93, notwithstanding my constant advice. He was bound he would be a Jacobin.

As Corsica is now free you would oblige me by ordering him there, since his wrongheadedness makes his stay with the army of the Rhine no longer possible.

26th. I have appointed Muiron, Sulkowsky, and Duroc my aides-de-camp.

November 2d. (To Masséna.) Send me a galloper every three hours with news. We are ready to move forward.

3d. The enemy have crossed the Piave.

5th. Last night General Vaubois fell back on Roveredo.

7th, Rivoli:
Soldiers! I am no longer proud of you! You have shown no discipline, no steadiness, no courage; you have abandoned every position. Men of the 39th and of the 85th, you are no longer French soldiers. Chief of staff,—put on their flags: They are no longer of the army of Italy!

13th, Verona:
I am doing my duty, so is the army. My feelings are torn, but my conscience is at rest. Send us help! Send us help! The Minister of War sends me 6000 effectives, 3000 present; when they reach Milan, they number 1500.

At 3 o’clock in the morning of the 11th, hearing that the enemy had camped at Villanova, we marched from Verona. On the 12th, at dawn, we found the enemy.

They had 22,000 men, and we 12,000. General Augereau got possession of the village of Caldiero, and Masséna of the hill on the enemy’s flank. But the rain was all for our opponents, (and they remained) masters of the position.

The weather is still bad. The army is harassed with fatigue and short of boots. I have led it into Verona, which we have just reached. For to-day we must rest the troops. To-morrow we can act.

The pick of the army is wounded; all our generals are off duty. The army of Italy, now a handful of men, is at the last gasp. Joubert, Lannes, Lanusse, Victor, Murat, Chabot, Dupuy, Rampon, Pijon, Chabran, St. Hilaire, are wounded. The few who are left feel death inevitable with such depleted ranks. Perhaps the knell of brave Augereau, of indomitable Masséna, of Berthier, my own, is about to ring.

We shall make one last effort.

(To Josephine.) I love you no longer; indeed, I hate you. You are a wicked woman, stupid, tactless, and foolish. You have stopped writing to me; you don’t love your husband; you know how much pleasure your letters give him, and you don’t write him so much as six haphazard lines.

How is your day spent, madame? What are the important matters that give you no time to write to your good lover? What passion stifles the love, the tender and constant love, that you promised him?

Seriously, I am anxious, dear friend, at not hearing from you. Quick, write me four pages, and some of those sweet things that fill my heart with sentiment and pleasure.

Soon I hope to clasp you in my arms, and to cover you with a million kisses as burning as the equator.

14th, Villafranca:
Should General Vaubois be attacked at Rivoli, he is to resist stiffly, and hang on till night. The army is making a movement to cross the Adige and attack the enemy to-morrow.

19th, Verona:
(To the Directoire.) I am so exhausted that I cannot give you the detail of the movements preceding the battle of Arcola, which has just decided the fate of Italy.

Getting information that Marshal Alvintzy was marching on Verona, I slipped away along the Adige with Augereau’s and Masséna’s divisions. At Ronco, I threw a bridge of boats. I hoped to strike at Villanova and capture the artillery and baggage of the enemy, and attack their rear. The enemy, however, had thrown several regiments into the village of Arcola, in the midst of the marshes and canals. This village held our advance guard in check all day. Generals Verdier, Bon, Verne, and Lannes were put out of action.

Augereau, seizing a flag, carried it to the end of the bridge. Cowards,—he shouted to his men,—do you fear death?—He staid there several minutes. We had got to carry the bridge. I went to the front myself. I asked the soldiers if they were still the victors of Lodi. My appearance produced such an impression on the men that I decided to attempt the passage once more. General Lannes, already twice wounded, returned and received a third wound. General Vignolle was wounded. We had to give up the frontal attack on the village, and wait for the arrival of General Guieu’s column from Albaredo. It did not come up till night.

At earliest dawn the fighting was renewed with great spirit. On the left Masséna routed the enemy and pursued them to Arcola. The trophies of the battle of Arcola are 4000 or 5000 prisoners, 4 flags, 18 guns. Two of my aides-de-camp were killed, Elliot and Muiron, both officers of great promise.

(To Carnot.) There was never a more desperate fight than at Arcola. I have hardly any generals left; their devotion and courage are unparalleled. Lannes came to the battlefield from a sick-bed. On the first day he was twice wounded; he was lying on a bed of suffering when he was informed that I myself had gone to the head of the column. He jumped out of bed, got on a horse, and sought me out. As he couldn’t stand on his feet, he had to remain on horseback; and at the head of the bridge of Arcola a shot struck him down senseless. I can assure you that all that was needed to give us a victory. You must send us reinforcements promptly, for we cannot repeat what we have already accomplished. You know what the French temperament is,—rather inconstant. Our splendid demi-brigades, weakened by so many victories, are now but ordinary troops.

22d. (To Josephine.) I am just off to bed, dear little Josephine, my heart full of your adorable face, and in bitter sorrow at being kept so long from your side; but I hope to be better situated in a few days, and to be able to give you proof of the ardent love with which you have filled me. Cruel woman! You no longer write to me, you no longer think of your good friend. Don’t you know that, deprived of you, of your love, there is no peace, no happiness, no life for your husband? Heavens! how happy I should be watching you making your charming toilet; a little shoulder, a little white breast, so firm and so soft, and above it all that fascinating little face in its Creole handkerchief! Life, happiness, pleasure, are only what you make them. To live with Josephine is to live in Elysium,—kisses on your mouth, your eyes, your shoulder, your breast. . . .
27th, Milan:
(To Josephine.) I arrive at Milan, I rush to your room; I had left everything to see you, to press you in my arms,—you were not there, you were junketing in other cities; you run away when I come; you care no more for your dear Napoleon. Your love was a caprice; inconstancy makes you indifferent.

Accustomed as I am to danger, I know where to find a remedy for the worries and woes of existence. My misfortune is incalculable; I was entitled not to expect it.

I shall stay here till the afternoon of the 29th. That need not interfere with your arrangements; amuse your self; happiness was made for you. All the world is happy if it can please you; your husband alone is unhappy. Ah! Josephine! Josephine!

December 5th. (To Lalande.) I have received your letter. I have immediately forwarded the one inclosed for the Milan astronomer. Whenever I am able to render a service to science, I gratify my own feelings and am sure that I am acquiring honour. Among all the sciences astronomy is the one which has rendered the greatest services to reason and to commerce. To share the night between a beautiful woman and a lovely sky; to spend the day checking observation by calculation,—that is happiness on earth.

8th. (To the Proveditore of the Republic of Venice.)
Sir: I have failed to recognise in the note which you have handed me the conduct of French troops, but have rather seen that of those of the Emperor, who have everywhere committed horrors at which I shudder.

The style of the note issued from Verona is that of a poor student of rhetoric. Eh! good God! Mr. Proveditore, the evils of war are bad enough, I assure you, not to magnify them a hundred fold, and to broider on them ridiculous fairy tales!

I give the lie in due form to any one who dares assert that there has been one single woman raped by the French troops in Venetian territory. One would imagine, from the ridiculous note handed to me, that not one church, not one woman, in the provinces of Verona and Brescia, has been respected! You threaten me with rioting and the rising of the cities. This looks very like defiancé. Are you authorized to take this step by your government? Does Venice wish to declare against us?

21st, Verona:
The general-in-chief has reviewed Masséna’s and Augereau’s divisions. He has seen with pleasure the good condition of the troops, but with regret the scarcity of bayonets.

I had sooner see a soldier without his breeches than without his bayonet.

28th, Milan:
Alvintzy’s army is on the Brenta and in the Tyrol. The army of the Republic is along the Adige, an advance guard in front of Verona and of Legnago. Mantua is closely blockaded.

The art of war lies in calculating odds very closely to begin with, and then in adding exactly, almost mathematically, the factor of chance. Chance will always remain a sealed mystery for average minds.