correnspodence of napoleon i, volume iii (1809-1810)

Presented to the

UNIVERSITY OF TORONTO LIBRARYby the

ONTARIO LEGISLATIVELIBRARY1980

CORRESPONDENCE OF NAPOLEON I

PUBLISHED UNDER THE SUPERINTENDENCE OF THE HISTORIC SECTION OF THE ARMY STAFF

UNPUBLISHED CORRESPONDENCE

NAPOLEONPRESERVEDINPUBLISHED BY

I-f

THE WAR ARCHIVES

YYkM

ERNEST PICARDBREVET. -LIEUTENANT COLONKL

AND

LOUIS TUETEYASSISTANT LIBRARIAN-ARCHIVIST OF THE

WAR

OFFICE

Translated by

LOUISE SEYMOUR

HOUGHTON

VOLUME

III,

1809,

1810

NEW YORKDUFFIELD & COMPANY1913

ttfCIiOHlC AVAILABLE

VOSIOH

-

fo

Ill

3058.

TO MARSHAL BERTHIER.Paris, April1,

1809.

Cousin, I have your letter of March 31. I do not know why the 8th battalion has received no orders; it is to follow the

movement and 14th.

of the other battalions, the same as the 10th, 13th

General Claparede should join his division, General Marulaz should go to Ulm to take command of the light cavalry of the Duke de Rivoli 's corps his functions will be taken over by Gen;

eral

Beaumont.

I

am

sorry to see that the

Duke de

Rivoli has sent back the

caissons of the

Give orders that they take Legrand first from that the cartridges convoy they meet, and go back the de Rivoli that he is not to give Duke again. Impress upon any more such orders, and that he is to hold himself in readinessdivision.

to set out at

any moment.

All the artillery and engineer troops that are destined to form the general park should first go to Donauworth.

Send forward the accopipanyingtemberg.

letter to the

King

of

Wur-

NAPOLEON.3059.

TO GENERAL CLARKE.April1,

1809.

General Clarke, the Neuchatel battalion must be reviewed on its arrival in Paris; when it lias been ascertained that it lacks nothing it is to be presented to me, and the next day.set

out for Strasburg

NAPOLEON.

2

CORRESPONDENCE OF NAPOLEON3060.

I

DECISION.

Report of General Junot concerning military operations in Aragon.Paris, April1,

1809.

Referred to the Minister of War to Jiave a newspaper article published relating the surrender of Jaca and Morella, GenVictor's latest engagement, the success achieved by General Saint-Cyr at the end of February and the submission of Aragon.eral

NAPOLEON.

3061.

DECISION.

General Clarke reports to the Emperor that the depot of the 16th regiment of infantry of the line, stationed at Toulon, lacks very much of having a sufficient effective to send to theMolitor division the 250Strasburg.Paris,

men whom

it

was ordered

to

send to1809.

April

2,

Countermand the order for the departure of these 250 men; let them be replaced in the 16th by 250 men taken from those available in the detachments returned from Portugal, from among whom the 400 men to be furnished to the 57th shall also be taken. Submit to me a report as towhether there are yet other detachments that have not been furnished by the depots, and that could be furnished from the men who have returned from Portugal; after that, countermand those from these corps, for the regiments mustnot be too strong, either.

NAPOLEON.3062.

DECISION.Count de Champagny, Minister two companies of sappers com-

M.

Hirsinger reports to the

of Foreign Relations, that the

pleting the Grand-duke of Wiirzburg's contingent are organised and only await marching orders.

COBBESPONDENCE OF NAPOLEONParis,In

I2,

31800.

April

the

Major-fit IK nil

to

hare

the.

companies di-

rected(

upon.

ir/n r< they mill join the genni/hurrs and will be under General Bertram'*

ordi

NAPOLEON.

3063.


1800.

General Clarke, issue orders that to-morrow, Monday, April 3, 150 of the best mounted and equipped Poles of the guard, a battalion of grenadiers of the guard who were in Paris, and one of chasseurs of the guard, ditto, each battalion the strongest possible, and numbering at least 600 men, including detachto conduct conscripts of the guard, and who are halting at Strasburg, and two regiments of sharpshooters at least 1500 strong, each, set out for Strasburg.

ments already gone

A

set out

depot will remain of men who are not yet clad; they will on Thursday or Friday at latest; but this depot must

not include more than 150 grenadiers and 150 chasseurs. These detachments are to be directed by the two routes of

Nancy and Metz;Nancy.route.

the grenadiers by Metz and the chasseurs by There will therefore be a column of 2100 men on each

Thursday, or at latest, Friday, the two depots, forming 300 men, and 110 Poles besides, will set out for Strasburg, so that with the two regiments 6f sharpshooters, at least 3000 strong,battalions of grenadiers and chasseurs 1200 strong, have at Strasburg between April 15 and 20, 4200 men and 2000 horse, which, including bakers, surgeons and civilian employes, who go directly thither, the artillery, etc., will makeI shall

and the

me an

important reserve.will see all the available

To-morrow I ments that are

men

of the six regi-

in

Paris.

You must

be sure to distinguish

among them,

the conscripts of previous years, those returning

from Bordeaux and Portugal, and the conscripts of 1810.

Gen-

4eral

CORRESPONDENCE OF NAPOLEONHulinwill

Ithe

present them to

me to-morrow noon on

Champs

Elysees.

NAPOLEON.3064.

TO MARSHAL BERTHIER.April3,

1809.

Cousin, issue orders that on reaching Huningen the provisional demi-brigade, composed of 1500 Portuguese infantry, be

reviewed to make sure that they are in good condition andIf anything should be lacking in their clothing lack nothing. or equipment, let it be provided, and let them be sent across the Rhine, directed to Augsburg, where they will form a part of

General Oudinot's corps.

NAPOLEON.3065.

TO MARSHAL BERTHIER.Paris,

April

3,

1809.

Cousin, write to M. Otto to ascertain where the millions of biscuit which I ordered will be made, and how many are now

made ascertain also whether bake-ovens have been set up at Munich and Augsburg. It is indispensable to establish at Augs;

burg magazines of infantry cartridges, flour and oats. I suppose you reached Strasburg to-day. I long to hear that the Saint-Hilaire division and the cavalry reserve have reached Ratisbon. My horse and Guard should have reached Strasburg. Let me know what condition they are in, and give themorders to take rest.

NAPOLEON.3066.

TO MARSHAL BERTHIER.April3,

1809.

Cousin, inform the Duke de Rivoli that I have sent General Rouyer to command the regiment of the Ducal houses of Saxony,

which

Wiirzburg before April 15. I afterward about disposing of it definitively. Advise General Oudinot to make sure that each man in his corps haswill see

will not be assembled at

CORRESPONDENCE OF NAPOLEONhis

I

5

are

50 cartridges, and that in addition to this, his caissons full. You will see, by General Oudinot's various reit

quests, that

will

labourers and a

be well for General Songis to send him company of pontooniers. Let him know that

he will find 1,000,000 Bavarian cartridges at Augsburg. Order General Songis to send 1,000,000 cartridges to Augsburg in addition to the 3,000,000 which he has already sent to Ulm. There are at Mayence various detachments of sappers and gunners destined for the park; send them to Donauworth. I have advised you that the provisional squadrons of chasseurs and

hussars, as fast as they are formed, should be sent forward; those destined to the Duke de Rivoli's corps to Ulm; those for sion

the Oudinot corps to Augsburg; those for the Monbrun diviand the Duke d 'Auerstaedt 's corps to Donauworth.

NAPOLEON.3067.


April

3,

1809.

Cousin, I return your correspondence. I suppose that you have ordered General Montbrun to proceed with his light cav-

Donauworth and Ratisbon, taking all proper precauand to canton his regiments on both banks, being particular to inspect them and have them rest. General Claparede has no doubt set out for his division. Asalry totions,

fast as the marching squadrons destined to complete the regiments of the Army of Spain may arrive, direct upon Augsburg those belonging to General Oudinot's corps, those belonging to the Duke de Rivoli's corps upon Ulm, and the others upon Donauworth. Brigadier-general Lagrange will be employed in the Montbrun division and will have a brigade of cavalry. He is about

to go to Strasburg.

NAPOLEON.3068.

DECISION.

General Clarke reports that the three companies of the Prince

of Anhalt, which are at Metz, are to enter into the composition of the battalion furnished by those princes, and asks if it is the Emperor's intention that these three companies be directed

upon Strasburg.Paris,

April

3,

1809.

Have

it

(sic)

consequently directed

upon Strasburg. NAPOLEON.

3069.

DECISION.

General Clarke explains the motives which led him to thinkbest to send to the depot of the 43d regiment of infantry of the line, stationed at Gravelines, the cadres of the three companiesit

of the 5th battalion of that regiment which are at Bayonne.Paris,

April

3,

1809.

Approved.3070.

NAPOLEON.

General

lery train of Germany 700 remount horses destined for the artillery service.

DECISION. Clarke has had 300 men of the battalion of the artildirected to Metz, that they may lead to the Army

Paris,

April

3,

1809.

Approved.3071.

NAPOLEON.

DECISION.

General Clarke reports that he has issued orders to direct

upon Strasburg the 8th company of the 1st regiment of foot artillery, now at Rennes, and the 3d and 4th companies of the 6th regiment of mounted artillery that are with the Army of

He requests the Emperor's orders as to the ulterior of Spain. destination of these three companies and also of thirteen otherartillery companies,to reach

coming from Bayonne and the Coast, due

Strasburg between April 2 and

May

8.

They

Paris, April 3, 1809. shall all be at the disposition of General Songis for the

park of the

Army

of Germany.

NAPOLEON.


I

7


1809.

General Clarke, issue orders that a battalion of 250 men, composed of 30 men each from the 2d, 4-th and 12th light, 130 men from the 3'Jd, and 30 from the 58th, be formed under the nameof 15th marching battalion of the Oudinot corps, and set out to-morrow for Strasburg.

Write to General Oudinot to send 1 captain, 2 lieutenants and 2 sergeants to Strasburg to receive these 250 men. Inform him that I leave him free to distribute them among the companies that need them most, choosing the finest of them for the grenadier companies, and the others for the lower comRecommend to him to have the minutes of this inpanies. corporation drawn up and sent to the corps', that these names may be erased from the muster rolls. This battalion will receive marching orders for to-morrow, and must reach Strasburg assoon as possible. Issue orders to General Hulin that on the 5th, the 3d and 4th demi-brigades be placed in the barracks that I designated, withthe second colonels and the available companies of the four which each battalion is to furnish.

NAPOLEON.

3073.

TO MARSHAL BERTHIER.

1

Paris, April 4, 1809.

as they are assembled despatch the twelve marching battalions of General Oudinot 's corps. Despatch also to Donauwb'rth the

As soon

3d and 5th marching squadrons.

3074.

TO GENERAL CLARKE.April 4,1809.

General Clarke, order General Travot, who is in command of the 13th military division, to remove his headquarters to Pontivyi

Unsigned.

This

is

a signal telegram which reached Strasburg April

6.

8

CORRESPONDENCE OF NAPOLEON

I

on April

25, and begin to assemble the 1st and 2d provisional demi-brigade of reserves, which are to be formed at that point. Order General Chanez to take command of the 3d and 4th

provisional demi-brigades which are being formed around Paris. He will visit these troops daily, see to their prompt organisation, their instruction,

armament and equipment, and will remain by turns in the places where they are being assembled. Order General Rousseau to proceed to Saint-Omer to take command of the 6th and 7th provisional demi-brigades that are assembling in that town; he will be under orders of the general in

command

of the

camp

at Boulogne.

Order General Chambarlhac, in command of the 24th military division, to remove his headquarters to Ghent, where hetake particular oversight of the 8th brigade that is assembling there.will

provisional

demi-

The 5th demi-brigade assembling at Sedan, the 9th which is assembling at "Wesel, and the 10th, assembling at Mayence, will be under orders of General Rivaud, in command of the 26thmilitary division.

General Desbureaux will

command

the llth and 12th demi-

brigades that are being assembled at Strasburg, Roget the 13th assembling at Metz.

and General

Advise these generals to pay the greatest attention to the formation of these demi-brigades, their instruction, armament

and equipment. The 15th, 16th and 17th provisional demi-brigades, which are assembling at Alessandria, shall first of all be under the Governorgeneral's orders, but General Cesar Berthier shall be especially

charged to

command

them.

He

will

remove his headquarters

to Alessandria, and will attend to the organisation and instruction of these demi-brigades, and hold himself in readinessto

march at their head wherever they may be needed. Brigadier-general Dumoulin, who is at Amiens, has nothing to do there; send him to the camp at Boulogne.Order General Baville to report in the 24th military diviwhere he will be under General Chambarlhac 's orders.

sion,

CORRESPONDENCE OF NAPOLEONOrder Major-general Olivierdivision to take over its

I

9

to proceed to the 16th military

of the general in

command; he will be under the orders command of the camp at Boulogne.to proceed to

Order Major-general Fresiathe Grand-duchess will give

Tuscany, whereto cir-

him a command according

cumstances.

As he

to inspect the infantry

passes through Piedmont this general shall be charged and cavalry depots of the 27th and 28th

military divisions. He shall have instructions to send forward all available men who may be necessary for completing the war

he will pay particular attention There are four of heavy and six of light cavalry he will render to you a detailed report of each depot, informing you of the measures which he may take for mounting the largest possible number of men. Order General Durosnel to go to Versailles to review the 1stbattalions.all things,

Above

to cavalry depots.;

provisional regiment there assembling, to put it through its manoeuvres and report to you the condition of this regiment.

NAPOLEON.3075.

DECISION.

sible

General Clarke shows the reasons which make it appear posto reduce to 212 the number of vehicles which General

Songis proposes to appropriate to the armies in Germany.April5,

1809.

The reduction approved.3076.

NAPOLEON.

DECISION.marchto the Rhine.Paris, April5,

Report of General Clarke on the subject of the organisationof Portuguese troops on the

1809.

The Minister of War will give orders for these troops to be directed upon Neu-Brisach; and have someone there to review them and provide them with all they may need inthe

way

of cloaks, shoulder belts, arms,

etc.

They are

to

10

CORRESPONDENCE OF NAPOLEONcross the

I

Rhine in rowboats and be directed upon Augs-

burg,

NAPOLEON.3077.

DECISION.

neither commissary

Marshal Lefevre writes to Marshal Berthier that he has officer, physician nor surgeon, nor is theParis, April 5, 1809. will write to Bavaria, to have it provide

posting service organised.

The Major-general

physician, surgeon and commissary officer. it also should be furnished by Bavaria.

As for

the post,

NAPOLEON.3078.

DECISION.

As men are needed to lead the horses assembled at Strasburg, General Songis has issued an order to dismount one of the companies of the llth train battalion bis,, which has more menthan horses, to distribute the horses of that company among the other companies and send the men to Strasburg.April5,

1809.

Referred to the Major-general. It would be more fitting to have this company go directly to Donauworth, the horsesbeing confided to peasants who would take them with their harness to Donauworth. By this means the horses couldarrive in time.

NAPOLEON.

3079.


1809.

it

General Clarke, send the order by signal telegraph and repeat by post, that the 4th battalions of the 38th, 75th and 50th

leave the

at Boulogne for Saint-Denis; the 5th and 6th must companies already have set out. Also inform General Rampon that the two demi-brigades that

camp

CORRESPONDENCE OF NAPOLEONare at Saint-Omer are under his orders;

I

11

he

is

to attend to their

prompt organisation, for he may at any moment receive orders to despatch the other 4th battalions that are in his camp, whichare more necessary to the army.

NAPOLEON.3080.


1809.

General Clarke, I send you the composition of the army. You will inform the Duke de Castiglione of the composition of thecorps which he is to command. Order him to be at Strasburg by the 13th; from there he will join the division of his armycorps,

which up to

this time is destined to

form the

left of the

active army.

NAPOLEON.3081.


1809.

General Clarke, reply to the King of Holland that the artillery company that is in Spain has received orders to return,butit is

very far away.

NAPOLEON.3082.


1809.

General Clarke, cannot the 10th regiment of cuirassiers, which has 110 horses in its depot at Haguenau, spare some of them?

NAPOLEON.

3083.

DECISION.

General Songis reports to Marshal Berthier dispositions which he has taken to form at Ulm a supply of 3 million cartridges in conformity with the Major-general's orders.April5,

1809.

Referred

to

tlie

Major-general.

I

have

ordered

thab\ the

12

CORRESPONDENCE OF NAPOLEONDuke deare

I

Rivoli's caissons be sent half the way back. There cartridges at Landau, Huningen and Neu-Brisach. They must be sent forward to Vim from all those places.

NAPOLEON.3084.

DECISION.

General Clarke reports that he has issued orders to the three infantry companies of the Princes of Anhalt that are in Metz, to set out for Strasburg, where they will enter into the composition of the battalions

which these princes are furnishing forApril5,

their contingent.1809.

Referred

to

the Major-general,to their corps.

who

will

direct

these com-

panies from Strasburg upon Do-nauworth, and thence will

send them

NAPOLEON.3085.

ORDER.April5,

1809.

battalion of French line or light infantry shall be attached a caisson exclusively destined for the transportation of bread and biscuit, whether from the bake-

ARTICLE

1.

To each

houses as far as the place where the troop is to be stationed, or following the troop while it is on the march.

ART.

2.

These caissons shall be built on the model of those

of the military equipments, with four wheels, each drawn by four horses harnessed like those of the equipments and driven

by their men. ART. 3. Immediately after the publication of the present Order of the Day, chief commissary officers and commissary audi-

army corps will send to the Intendant-general of Germany returns of the battalions of line and light infantry present in each army corps. The Intendant-general will despatch an order for the sum oftors of each

the armies in

2300 francs in favour of the executive council of each battalion, if the battalion is unattached, or in favour of the executive

CORRESPONDENCE OF NAPOLEONcouncil of

I

13

c:icli regiment, if several battalions of the same regiunited, unde'r the head of first issue for the purchase of a caisson, four horses and their harness.

ment are

ART. 4. Executive councils will take the most immediate measures for procuring within a fortnight the caisson, fourhorses, harness

and

drivers.

existence of the caisson, fully equipped for the march, shall be ascertained by a review held by the inspector of reviews.5.

ART.

The

ART.

6.

Dating from the day when the existence of the

caisson has been verified, the sum of 50 francs per month for each caisson shall be paid over to the executive councils, to

meet the wages of drivers, the upkeep of caisson, harness and horses, as has already been regulated for the field hospital caissons.

This amount of 50 francs per month shall be receipted for at the end of each quarter upon orders sent out by the Intendant-general, in accordance with the reviews of in-

ART.

7.

spectors verifying the existence and good condition of the caissons.Tlie Major-general, Prince

de Neuchdtel,

ALEXANDER.3086.

DECISION.

General Clarke reports a request of General Morio, commandant of the Westphalian division, that a general depot be established for the corps of troops

composing

this division.April5,

1809.

This general depot

sJiall

be

formed

at

Mctz; advise

tJie

King

of Westphalia to this effect.

NAPOLEON.3087.

DECISION. 2

Report to the Emperor of the cost of keeping up a caisson2

tion with

Extract from "Communications of the Minister of War AdministraII. M. the Emperor and King, dated April 5, 1809."

14of

CORRESPONDENCE OF NAPOLEONfoodsupplies

Iof

followingItaly.

each

infantry

battalion

the

armies of

Germany and

April

5,

1809.

Approved: Draw up for mewhile orderits

the plan of

a decree and mean-

execution.

NAPOLEON.3088.

DECISIONS.'

begged to grant, for the siege of Gerona, an addition of six engineer officers, one of them a colonel, three captains and two lieutenants, and their companies of sappers.is

His Majesty

He

is

no longer in the service of France. 4

Submitted to His Majesty, in conformity with his orders, a return of the service of Colonel Gudin, attache of the staff of the Prince of Neuchatel, Major-general.Granted.

His Majesty

is

prayed to refer

to his Council of State for in-

vestigation, a claim for payment of an indemnity for the loss of a vessel requisitioned by General Morand to replace a vessel

of the State which

was wrecked.Referredto the

Council of State.

3089.

TO MARSHAL BERTHIER.Paris, April 6, 1809.

Cousin, I have your letters of the 4th. You have done well in despatching the detachments of the 44th and 46th and thevisions.

marching battalions of the Legrand and Carra-Saint-Cyr diDespatch as soon as possible the marching squadrons which are formed, the 91 men of the 21st chasseurs who are to be incorporated in the 20th, and the 92 men of the 10th hus3

Minister of*

Without date or signature extracts from "Communications of the War with the Emperor, April 5, 1809." The name of the officer in question is not given.;

sarsfor;iss.

who

tlif ofliccrs

an- to be incorporated in the 5th; the soldiers only, ;md subalterns are to return to their depots after

mbling their men. Issue qrders that these incorporations be done by /mxr.s-ivr&o/. There are 900 men of the train on the inarch from Augsburg to Strasburg, and they will take the limsrs that the artillery has. There are cartridges at Wiirzburg, Mayence, Neu-Brisach and Landau; they must be directed to Ulm up to the number asked for. It seems to me that

4,000,000 have already gone from Strasburg and 4,000,000 from Mayence; there is therefore no need to send lead to Strasburg.

There are train battalions at Mayence and in the 26th division that must have available men who should be called to Strasburg. I see that the six provisional regiments of dragoons have already 1200 men arrived, that 1200 men are to come from Tours, and 1200 from Auch and Niort, making 3600 at once.

Theseber.

detachments have officers, thus completing the numThese six regiments should be commanded by second I suppose that the Ministry of colonels; I have named them. War has informed you who they are. You may take 200 men

from the depot of the 18th

line to strengthen the depots of the

train that are in Strasburg; these 200

men

will be

enough

to

care for 600 train horses, giving time to wait for the soldiers I think I have advised you that of the train who are coming.all

Donauwb'rth

the artillery troops of the general park should report at thus, General Bertrand may send thither the con;

scripts destined to recruit the battalions of sappers.

NAPOLEON.3090.

TO MARSHAL BERTIIIER.PariH,. April0,

1809.

send you the field returns of the detachment of infantry which left Placentia on March 28, and should reach Augsburg about the 19th of this month. There are with thisCousin,I

columnthe

1

Duke de

adjutant-general and 600 cavalry men belonging to It will Rivoli's corps, with 2 pieces of cannon.

be necessary for this troop not to lose time in going to Ulm,

16but to march directly upon Augsburg.jean,

Brigadier-generals Brun and RazoutI

Major-general Grandare going to head-

quarters.I

amit,

organised

expecting from you a return of the army, as with the places where the -generals are.

NAPOLEON.3091.

TO MARSHAL BERTIIIER.April6,

1809.

Cousin, on the 8th, General Arrighi was to reach Strasburg with 800 men of my guard and two pieces of cannon. My led horses should arrive the same day. On the 9th another detach-

ment

If there is any reason for haste you will is due to arrive. have these convoys go on by diligence to Stuttgart, but if there is nothing new, let them rest one day, and set out on the 10th for Stuttgart, which they can reach in three days, that is, arriving on the 13th.

NAPOLEON.

3092.

DECISION.is still

Marshal Davout reports that the citadel of Erfurtin this matter.April

in

a state of defence, and asks what are the Emperor's intentions7,

1809.

I have ordered that the Prince Primate be asked for 600 to be placed in this fortress.

men

NAPOLEON.

9

3093.

DECISION. 6sub-lieutenant of military

Sieur Del,

named on March 16

equipments, to serve in the 12th battalion, having been forced to present his resignation in consequence of a very severe fall

fromplaceB

his horse, Sieur

Dastorg

is

proposed

to

His Majesty to

re-

him and the draft

of a decree to that effect is submitted.

tion with

Extract from "Communications of the Minister of War AdministraH. M. the Emperor and King, dated April 5, 1809."

CORRESPONDENCE OF NAPOLEONParis,

I7,

171809.

April

Show

the age, country,

and

service return of this officer.

NAPOLEON.3094.

DECISION.

General Clarke submits to the Emperor a request of General Bertrand tending to obtain a second credit of 250,000 francsfor the expenses of parks and train engineers with the Army of Germany, and also for the making of caissons and boats to be

furnished the two battalions of marines attached to the said

army.Paris,

April

1,

1800.

Approved.3095.

NAPOLEON.


April

7,

1809.

Cousin, I see in the return of the fortress of Huningen of April 1, that 300 men and 300 horses of the first provisional regiment of chasseurs of the Portuguese legion have arrived,

regiment lacks both arms and horses. As for the can soon be found; give orders that they be furarms, they nished at once. As for the horses, send one of the cavalry officers that you have at Strasburg to inspect them. You will have the regiment come to Neu-Brisaoh, Huningen being too near the frontier. Create funds for the horses that are lacking, and let them be bought in the country around and withoutthisI shall wait for the report of the regiment which you delay. will send me before ordering its departure. Four companies

and that

Duke of Anhalt, which were at Metz, are on the way to Strasburg. You will direct them to Donauworth, and from there to reach Wiirzburg and join their regiment.of the

NAPOLEON.3096.

DECISIONS. 8sumWar

His Majesty*;

is

requested to state whether a claim for the

extracts from "Communications of the Minister of Unsigned with the Emperor, April 5, 1809."

18of 224,306 fr. 18, the value of arms furnished from the magazines of the Empire, should now be presented to the Princes of the Confederation of the Rhine.Paris, April7,

1809.

This claim must be postponed

till

another time.

to

The King of Westphalia asks for 5000 muskets, and proposes pay for them, beginning with next January 1, one fifth eachIt is

month.better to send to him from Mayence all the muskets which the Morio division had, and which have been changed.

still

The Minister begs His Majesty to inform him whether he is to have the Prince of Piombino paid the 100,000 francs thatthis Prince

were destined for the expenses of the troops which \vas charged to maintain at Piombino.

Yes.

His Majesty is begged to refer to his Council of State for examination a claim for the payment of indemnity for the lossof a vessel, requisitioned by General of the State which was wrecked.

Morand

to replace a vessel

He

shall be sent to the headquarters of the

Army

of

Germany

to

be employed according to circumstances.''

siege of Saragossa,

Brigadier-general Rostollant, wounded by a gun-shot at the and returned to France upon the authorisa-

tion of the Marshal

Duke de

Montebello, requests convalescent

leave of several months.

Granted.

It

is

manderT

proposed to His Majesty to grant to Squadron-comSaint Simon, aide-de-camp of the Marshal Duke|

The reference

is

to General

Morand.


I

19

d'Elchingen, the authorisation which he asks to pass into the service of the King of Spain. Granted.

Captain Pastour of the 22d regiment of light infantry begs permission to pass into the service of the King of Naples who wishes to admit him into his guard.Granted.

Captain Gueriot, aide-de-camp of General Eble, begs authorisation to pass into the service of the King of "Westphalia, who has expressed .the desire that this request be granted by HisMajesty.

Granted.

proposed to His Majesty to order that 200 refractory conscripts of the depot at Fort Liberty be incorporated in the 2d colonial battalion, to which they will pass by detachmentsIt is

of 50

men

at intervals of a fortnight.

Approved.proposed to name to the rank of 1st eagle-bearer of the 75th regiment, Sieur Guichard, who is particularly recommendedIt is

by the colonel as deserving

this preference.

Granted.

His Majesty

is

begged

to state

whether

it is

his intention that

three soldiers of the 1st Swiss regiment shall remain in the service of Naples. They are in the velites of the King's guard.

Granted.

3097.

DECISION. 8

It is proposed to His Majesty to name an officer to replace General Gassendi in the commission that was named for examins Unsigned; extract from "Communications of the Minister of with the Emperor, April 5, 1809."

War

20


I

ing the artillery administration of the guard and making an inquiry into the acts of Sieur Robert.Paris, April 8, 1809.

Name3098.

General Sugny,

if

he

is

in Paris.

TO GENERAL CLARKE. 9Paris, April 9, 1809.

General Clarke, order that in addition to the 6 Gomer mortars already ordered to be sent to Genoa, 6 other Gomer mortars beat once sent to Leghorn.24, 10 of 18,

Have

also 10 coast-gun-carriages of to Leghorn.

and 10 of 12 sent3099.

TO GENERAL CLARKE.Paris, April9,

1809.

General Clarke, it results from the decree that I have made to-day, that 10 Gomer mortars are needed in Tuscany. You have 39 at Genoa and 30 at Toulon. The principal thing is to send at once to Tuscany all that are needed.I ask

you

I see 111 at

also for 6 pieces of 4; you have them everywhere. Toulon and 129 at Antibes. You should also send

howitzers, besides. There are 3 pieces of 3 in Florence, but there are no balls. Some must be sent from Genoa or Toulon. There are some alsoat Antibes.

NAPOLEON.3100.


1809.

General Clarke, I return to you the return of the 7th military division. You will see by it that the four year conscripts are shown indeed, but that there is no question of how many areappropriated to each corps, how many they have received, how many they have yet to receive of the conscription of 1810.

NAPOLEON.Unsigned;

a true copy.


I

21

TO (JI1NKRAL CLARKE.Paris, April 10,1800.

General Clarke, issue orders for the four battalions of the 14th line that are with the 3d corps, and all detachments belonging to this corps that may be in Spain, to be formed in threebattalions, that all that are available of the four battalions be

incorporated in the first three, and the cadre of the 4th battalion return to the depot. Issue like orders for 34th, 43d, 51st

and 55th.NAPOLEON.3102.


April

11,

1809.

Cousin, I send you a report presented to me by the Minister of War. You will see how the two columns are formed thatare to join the Duke de Rivoli's corps. pens to these columns.

See that nothing hap-

NAPOLEON.3103.


April

11,

1809.

Cousin, I have your letters of the

8-th.

It

seems to

me mostDonau-

absurd to have flourworth.

stuffs sent

from Metz and Nancy

to

That

is

the

way

to have nothing, to crush the country

with transportation and incur very great expense. I should never have expected anything so inept on Darn's part. It would have been much simpler to make contracts in a country

abounding in wheat as Germany; within twenty-four hours they could have had all the flour they wanted. You do not write whether the bakers and oven builders haveso

arrived

whom

I

ordered to be requisitioned at Metz, Strasburg

and Nancy. I am displeased that you have written nothing on the subject; it is very important. Have a company of Bavarian masons levied in Munich I will bear the expense my;

selfI

;

you know that there cannot be too many. wrote you yesterday morning by the telegraph, and at noon

22


I

by the express rider. Reflection upon the communications that I have in hand confirms me in the idea that the enemy intends I suppose to open hostilities between the 15th and the 20th. will reach the Lech at that on the 15th the Duke de Rivoli know the precise day Landsberg or Augsburg. I am anxious to

when the Duke d'Auerstaedt will reach Ratisbon with his army, when General Montbrun's light cavalry and General Nansouty's heavy cavalry will arrive between Ratisbon, Munich and the Lech, so as to be able to move upon the Lech if the enemy should take the offensive before we were ready. I am also anxious to know that you are in Augsburg.I

suppose that without pausing for the absurd measures taken

by Sieur Dam, the commissary whom I sent to Donauworth will have made the necessary contracts or will have requisitioned the needed flour and wheat. DeI have sent my orderly officer Constantin to Insbruck. him of from the him learn to to courier a the, itinerary spatch 4000 men who are coming from Italy by way of the Tyrol, and information as to what the enemy is doing in that direction. Order General Moulin, who is in Strasburg, to go to Augsburgto take

commandI

of that city.

NAPOLEON.

my intention to beg you draw from France nothing that may be procured in Germany; that you are not going to drag after the army a heap of blankets, mattresses and linen, requiring immense depots, and ending in everything being lacking, while with the money that will be used in Munich, Augsburg and wherever we may be, everyP. S.to say toit is

Daru that

thing

may

be abundantly provided.

3104.

DECISION.

Marshal Soult reports that the command of General Carrie's brigade (2d division of dragoons) has been confided to General Gardanne, until General Carrie recovers from the wounds whichhe received in the action of Alba-di-Tormes.

OF XAI'OLMoN/

I

23

April 11, 1809.

ai>i>rovc

of this disposition.

NAPOLEON.

3105.


1800.

General Clarke, the regiments whose depots are in Piedmont but which have their war battalions in Germany, namely: the 67th and the 2d line, 56th, 37th, 93d and 3d light should in future furnish nothing from their depots to the Army of Gerthey have, and all they may receive should be emforming 5th battalions, as much for furnishing two companies, and even three or four if possible, to the provisional

many;

all

ployed in

demi-brigades, as for furnishing garrisons for the citadels of Turin and Alessandria, and to go wherever may be necessary.

Therefore send an order to the governor-general to see to

it

that

these depots send as many men as possible to the provisional demi-brigades that are formed from them, starting on the principle that they are to furnish nothing more to their regimentsin

Germany.NAPOLEON.

3106.


1800.

General Clarke, I see by the return of April 9 which you send me, on the formation of the seventeen provisional demi-brigades of reserves, that there are orders to begin the fonnation of the1, the 3d, 4th, 5th, 6th, 7th and 8th on April that none for beginning the formation of the 10th, there are 1st, Give orders that llth, 12th, 13th, 14th, 15th, 16th and 17th.

1st

and 2d on May

it

It is

be begun without delay. important that I should have at Turin the foundation

of a reserve which

may keep

order in the rear of

my Army

of

the strongholds. Italy, and are to furnish the which Give orders previously that all depotsin case of unforeseen events,

man

24


1of Italy

detachments to complete the war battalions of the send them forward as soon as possible.

Army

NAPOLEON.3107.

TO GENERAL CLARKE. 10April11,

1809.

General Clarke, inform General Dufour that the 66th, 82d and 26th are under his orders, whether they are in his division or in the llth or the 22d; that he should have returns of thesedepots sent to him, and draw from themable to reinforce his reserve.to be able to furnishall

that

may

be avail-

Each

of these regiments ought

2000 men. I think, therefore, that he ought to have 6000 infantry and 2000 marine gunners under his orders, that is, 8000 men.3108.

DECISION.call into

General Clarke proposes to

active service a cohort

of national guards from the department of the Aude, and one from the department of the Oriental Pyrenees, to be employed in the defence of the coastvision,

and ports of the 10th military

di-

which have been depleted by the departure to Catalonia of the troops that were stationed there.Paris, April12,

1809.

Approved.3109.

NAPOLEON.

TO GENERAL CLARKE.Paris, April12,

1809.

General Clarke, the four companies of fusiliers of the 4th battalions of the 57th and 3d line have received no orders to jointheir battalions with the

Army

of the Rhine.

NAPOLEON.3110.

TO GENERAL CLARKE.April 12, 1809.

General Clarke, issue orders to the Duke de Valmy, in com10

Unsigned

;

a true copy.

CORRESPONDENCE OF NAPOLEONmandment

I

25

at Bayonne, to levy a thousand men in a provisional regifor reinforcing the garrisons of San-Sebastian and Bilbao.

NAPOLEON.3111.

DECISIONS. 11company ofthe 6th regiat Dieppe, be divided

Proposition to approve that the 9th

ment of foot artillery, now place and Havre.

between that

Approved.Report to His Majesty of the expense resulting from disembarking the French troops returning from Portugal. His Majesty is requested to give the necessary authorisation to meet these expenses from funds of the Ministry of War.Granted.

His Majesty is asked to decide whether the Public Treasury meet an expense of 321 fr. 75 occasioned by the removal of several veterans from the camp at Juliers, who until this time have had only temporary lodgings.is to

Approved.Brigadier-general Beauregard requests to be restored to active He is only 44 years old, is fully in condition to serve, and has been occupied with various writings upon infantry

service.

mano?uvres.

There

is

no ground for reproach against him.

The Minister

will place

him

if

he deems

it

best.

captain, aide-de-camp of General Reynier, asks that he may pass into a similar service in the Kingdom of Naples. The King of Naples is interested in the success of this request.

A

Granted.Without date or signature; extracts from "Communications of the Minister of War with the Emperor, April 12, 1809."

26

CORRESPONDENCE OP NAPOLEON

I

Proposition to leave seven soldiers of the 7th company of the

3d battalion of sappers temporarily in the Kingdom of Naples.Granted.3112.

DECISIONS. 12

Upon the request of the Viceroy of Italy it is proposed to His Majesty to decide whether a first issue of camp properties may be granted to troops of the Armies of Italy and Dalmatia, or whether they are simply to be paid the camp mess of the years 1806, 1807, 1808 and 1809.The law.

tion of the linen

The report which His Majesty requested on the administraand foot-gear mess of the war battalions andis

squadrons

submitted to him.

Referred to the Minister of War.

As

the Health Service of the armies of

Germany

is

short of

establishment by 555 health officers, it is proposed to send depot surgeons to the army, replacing them by civilian surgeons.

Approved.3113.It is

NAPOLEON.

DECISIONS. 13relief to the

proposed to His Majesty to grant

widows of13,

several employes in military hospitals.Paris,

April

1809.

Approved.His Majestytheis

NAPOLEON.

widow

of a hospital employe

asked to approve of a grant of 450 francs to who died in Spain.

Approved.12

NAPOLEON.

Without date or signature

;

extracts from "Communications of the

Minister of

War

Administration with H. M. the Emperor and King, dated

April 12, 1809." is Extracts from "Communications of the Minister of War Administration with H. M. the Emperor and King, dated April 12, 1809."


I

27

TO GENERAL CLARKE.DonauwUrth, April17, 1809.

General Clarke, I think that the Grand-duke of Berg's regiment of chasseurs has left Paris.I have written you to despatch the 1st provisional regiment. Hasten the formation of provisional regiments for the army. NAPOLEON.

3115.

TO GENERAL CLARKE.

Donauwrth, April 17, 1809. General Clarke, review the 1st provisional regiment of \Vestphalian chasseurs, and after assuring yourself that they are provided with everything, despatch them to Strasburg.

NAPOLEON.3116.

TO MARSHAL BERTHIER.April 18, 1809.

two marching squadrons that reach Augsburg to be provisionally formed into a squadron of 200 men to befirst

Order the

provisionally attached to the Rouyer division until they are in condition to join their regiment, and till another cavalry command can be given to that general.

NAPOLEON.3117.

TO MARSHAL BERNADOTTE IN DRESDEN. 14Ingolstadt, April 19, 1809, noon.

The Duke d'Auerstadt was in command of the Polish army because he commanded all the troops in Germany and the Saxon troops; at present he commands only an army corps. As soon as the Marshal was informed, he ceased to give any order to thePolish army. As for your conduct, the Emperor desired to give a special proof of attachment to Saxony by not removing his troops from Dresden before the declaration of war; yourcollect the Saxon army and be ready ment was the appropriate thing to do.

undertaking to

for move-

n Minute

in

Berliner's hand.

28

CORRESPONDENCE OF NAPOLEONEverything tendsto

I

the conviction that the Austrians will

take no measures against us; threaten to make a diversion, so that the Austrians will leave some troops -to observe Saxony. Have a rumour spread that you are marching upon Bayreuth.

make a

As for the Poles, the first point is for them to unite their forces, diversion and oblige the enemy to keep a large force in

Gallicia. These, Prince, are the arrangements for the first scene of this campaign, and the first scenes ought to determine the movements the very moment when the columns of the two

armies come together.To-day, to-morrow, the day afterpresent themselves.

any moment important

conjunctions may All will be ended by a great battle or by a succession of You will be sure to hold yourself in readiness for struggles.anything, and the Emperor will send you orders: To enter Bohemia if the Emperor crosses the Inn.

To bear toward Wiirzburg if the Emperor yields ground. In any case, His Majesty deems that it will be well for the court to withdraw from Dresden, that all your movements may befree.

If the Grand-duchy were to be threatened there should be some national guards in "Warsaw. But there is no reason to think that the Austrian army will undertake anything on thatside,

becausea

it is

by

Russian

army,

sure in such a case to be very soon attacked and the Duchy would be protected.

Thenceforth you could draw a part of the Polish army in yourdirection.

of having an intrenched camp made is also very in case of unexpected events you could remain because valuable, In any case, the prospect of refuge there until extricated. which you have in such a camp makes it certain that the enemy

Your plan

will

undertake nothing serious.

Finally: in six or eight days, at latest, you will receive orders to move into Bohemia or upon the Danube, and the Austrian Minister should be sent home.in a state of war,

You

should keep yourself

and prevent any

sort of communication.


I

29

TO MARSHAL DAVOUT."Bachl, April 21, 1809.

have yours of April 21. Many events have occurred in a few days. All the Austrian forces in your rear are routed we al n-ady have 12,000 prisoners. The Duke de Montebello is at with the and Gudin Morand divisions; the Wrede RothenburgI;

division

and the Wurtemburgers are at Pfaffenhausen the Rivoli is marching to Landshut. I am here at Bachl with a Bavarian division and Nansouty; some of the enemy's;

Duke

(It-

cavalry has been seen at the village of Thann. I have sent to attack it, which will, I think, establish communications with you. On all sides cannon, colours, prisoners have been taken; is a second Jena. The Archduke Louis was mortally itthe two Liechtensteinserals.

wounded in your action of yesterday, ditto another archduke; wounded and a great number of gen-

Remains at present which is the best course to pursue, for w e shall come to know which way Prince Charles retired. Some assert that at three o'clock this afternoon he marched upon Ratisbon; others, that he retired upon Eckmuhl in order to retreat from thence to Landshut. Finally, your report ofthusr

5 o'clock this evening gives reason to think that he is still in front of you. If you receive no instructions, the word of orderin such a

moment

as this

is to

go wherever there are enemies to

be destroyed, and seize them.ally in Poket, General

Demont

Everything leads to the belief have joined you, and that before midnight the Emperor will have your report of all your views but if you receive no orders, attack the enemy in accordance with the information you have. If the Duke of Danzig leaves Poket he will inform you before;

The Duke of Danzig is personbetween Geossmus and Poket. that the Bavarian cavalry mustis

hand.1

Minute

in Berthier's hand.

On

the margin above the addressP.

"Duke

d'Auerstaedt," appear the words "Packet at 8

M."

30


I

TO GENERAL CLARKE.Ratisbon,

April 25,

1809.

General Clarke, there are many Poles among the prisoners. Order the depot of Poles that is at Sedan to send officers to Strasburg to take the Polish prisoners that may arrive and send them to Sedan, where they will be put into uniform and from thence directed to Spain.

have three regiments of the Vistula forming thirty-six companies; each company could be brought up to 200 men making 7200 men for the three regiments. These corps have only 3 to 4000 men; they could receive 3000 recruits.I

have three regiments forming nine battalions them to 10,800 men they There would therefore make use, who would fillI

of Poles from the

Duchy

of

Warsaw,

or fifty-four companies; completing could receive 5000 recruits.

whom we could and be very usewould up ful. All these may be sent to Sedan and other Polish depots. Recruits may also be made to bring the Isemburg and La Tour d'Auvergne regiments up to establishment. NAPOLEON.be 8000 prisoners ofthe cadres3120.

TO MARSHAL LANNES. 16Landshut, April 26, 1809, 7P.

M.

The Duke de Rivoli must have been present to-day before Passau to raise the blockade and drive back the enemy; it is probable that this movement forced the enemy to deploy by way of Otting in order from there to make a stand at Braunau andoffer resistance to the

Duke de

Rivoli.

The Emperor has as yet no news of the Duke of Danzig, who moving toward Freising, but everything leads to the belief that there is also a force there which is retiring upon Salzburg. The principal thing is to establish communication with the Duke de Rivoli. It may be done by patrols and by the peopleis

of the country.

Everything leads to the belief that the Duke de Rivoli eni

Minute

in Berthier's hand.

CORRESPONDENCE OF NAPOLEONtered Passau to-day

I

31

and will not cross the Inn until to-morrow. The Emperor expects to-night news from several points which will lend him to set out.

On

the margin:

are expecting news from you also in the course of the night; 6000 men of Oudinot's corps have reached Augsburg and 9000 infantry of the line have reached Landshut, and mayjoin

We

him

at

any moment.

3121.

TO MARSHAL BERTHIER."battalion halted at

A

Wurtemburg

I think one halted at Biburg Ingolstadt. der all three of them to join at Landshut.

Neuburg; one halted at 18 or Vohburg. Or-

3122.

TO GENERAL CLARKE.April 27,1809.

General Clarke, despatch promptly the 1st regiment of conscript chasseurs of the guard and the 1st regiment of conscript grenadiers for Strasburg. It appeal's that there are not enough conscripts to complete the 2d regiment of conscripts, thereforethey are to be taken from the 10,000 conscripts of the fouryears.

The 3d infantry regiment ej: the Grand-duchy of Berg should have reached Mayence or Frankfort as also the 3d and 4th squadrons of chasseurs. The other two squadrons that were at Versailles should have reached Metz. One artillery company and 200 train horses must have takenthe artillery material to Metz. See that there is no crowding

and that everything reachesNAPOLEON.

Augsburg without delay.IT

is

Without date or signature; despatched April Biburg, unknown.

26,

1809.

32


I

TO MARSHAL BERTHIER. 19

200 horses of the Pajol brigade at Straubing. Give Major to see what the enemy is doing in the direction of Cham, where Marshal Davout is, to connect himself with General Boudet who is marching upon Passau, set upAmeil,instructions to that

20

Neumarkt.if

intermediate posts, and give frequent news to headquarters at He must also warn the commandant of Landshutthe

enemy makes movements which might

interest him.

3124.

DECISION.

General Clarke requests marching orders for the provisional regiment of chasseurs, which, organised at Versailles, will be ready to march in five or six days.Landshut, April 27, 1809. It has received orders to report at Augsburg.

NAPOLEON.

3125.

TO MARSHAL BERTHIER.

Burghausen, April 28, 1809. orders issue that Cousin, everything at Augsburg that is des-

tined for the army, infantry, cavalry and artillery, be directed upon Braunau, and that all reaching Landshut, Munich and Augsburg, follow the same direction. The Duke de Rivoli hasleft

a

Baden

battalion

and one of Hesse-Darmstadt at Augs-

burg; they should have gone to Munich; give them orders to continue their route to Braunau. Order the Bruyeres brigade also to continue its march upon Braunau. Order the Duke

d 'Auerstaedt,to direct the

as soon as the

Rouyerdivision

Wurtemberger

division reaches Ratisbon, which is in that city to

Passau.

NAPOLEON.i

20

Minute without date, despatched April That is, Major Ameil.

27, 1809.

CORRESPONDENCE OF NAPOLEON3126.(a)

I

33

TO MARSHAL DAVOUT."'

MUhldorf, April 28, 1809, 4

A.

M.

On

the 26th the

Duke de

We and proceeded toward Miihldorf, and are crossing the Salzach. The remains of the corps of Prince Louis and General

Rivoli crossed the Inn at Passau, crossed the Inn at Charding.

Ililler,

reduced to 80,000 men, are in retreat toward Lainbach. General Boudet having gone to Passau it will be well to throw a few horse of the Rouyer division into Straubing.

Are there any news of the Saxons?(b) TO

MARSHAL MASSENA.

We

Bohemia

are to-day above Passau; have reconnaissances made over to ascertain the direction the enemy is taking.at Passau:

Keep

500,000 rations of biscuit, 100,000 rations of bread to send along the Danube.

3127.

DECISION. 22

Marshal Berthier submits to the Emperor a request of Marshal Lannes tending to obtain Brigadier-general Gautier for chief-of-staff and General Rogniat for commandant of the engineers of his

army

corps.

Granted.

NAPOLEON.

3128.

DECISION.

General Clarke reports the organisation of companies formed in the depots of infantry regiments and then directed to Stras-

burg to join from thence their regiments in the many.Referredto tJie

Army

of Ger-

Burghausen, April 29, 1809. to that these companies, order Major-general as fast as they reach Strasburg, be assembled six by six

21

22

Minute in Berthier's hand. Without date; Marshal Berthier's report

is

of April 28, 1809.

34

CORRESPONDENCE OF NAPOLEONwith a series of numbers and directed and afterward upon Braunau.first

I

upon AugsburgNAPOLEON.

3129.

DECISION.

General Clarke reports the organisation of the 2d marching regiment of heavy cavalry and the rendezvous at Strasburg of detachments destined to form it; requests orders on the subject of the destination to assign to this corps.

Burghausen, April 29,

1809.

Direct them upon Augsburg, and thence upon Braunau.

NAPOLEON.

3130.

TO GENERAL CLARKE.me whenBurghausen, April 29, 1809. the 1st regiment of con-

General Clarke, informscript chasseurs

of

and the 1st regiment of conscript grenadiers are to leave for Strasburg I think it will be May 1. my guard Inform me if the second regiments will be ready on May 15.;

Find herewith a report

of Colonel Deriot.

It will be necessary that

from the 10,000 conscripts that

I

have requisitioned for my guard, from the four years' conscription, 3000 shall be taken to form the first two regiments of sharpshooters of my guard, 3000 to complete the regiments of conscript sharpshooters and fusiliers and repair the losses they have suffered during the campaign, and 1000 for the 65th.There willtillerystill

remain 3000 men to complete the cavalry, ar-

and other corps that may need them.

Direct the 1st regiment of conscript chasseurs and the 1st of conscript grenadiers of my guard first to Metz, where I shall dispose of them according to circumstances; let me know when

they are to arrive.

NAPOLEON.


I

35

TO GENERAL CLARKE.April 29, 1809.

General Clarke, I reply to your letters of April 14 and 18. The 200 men of the 15th light infantry, coming from Portugal,should be formed into a marching company of that regiment, to serve to make good its losses. The 180 men of the 4th light and the 300 of the 2d light, making nearly 500 men, should be directed to the 10th light.

As for the 200 men of the 32d they shall be sent to You may therefore form of all these a marching

the 57th.battalion

which you will direct to Strasburg, and thence to Braunau. By means of this aid these regiments will find the losses made good which they suffered in the late engagements.Despatch the 4th battalions of the 36th, 46th, 50th and 75th Braunsu; let them together form a single column of four battalions under orders of a major.to

Despatch the 5th and 6th companies of the 4th battalions of and 28th to Strasburg. Issue orders that the four companies of the 4th battalions of those regiments which are at Boulogne proceed also to Strasthe 25th

burg.

These battalions

The 4th

will march together and go to Braunau. battalions of the 19th and 13th light, the 48th and

108th, will leave Boulogne for Antwerp as soon as the demibrigades that are assembling at Saint-Omer and Ghent have

more than 5000 men present under arms.NAPOLEON.

3132.

TO GENERAL CLARKE.Burghauaen,April29,

1809.

General Clarke, it is my intention that the Duke de Valmy proceed to Mayence and that in the county of Hanau a division be assembled composed of:1. The provisional demi-brigade which is assembling at Sedan, that assembling at Metz, and that assembling at Mayence.

36

CORRESPONDENCE OF NAPOLEONI

I

These three demi-brigades should form, when complete, 8000

men, and

form 6000. 2. Four 4th battalions, of the 75th, 50th, 36th and 46th, which I ordered you by my letter of this morning to send to Strasburg, but which you will direct upon Hanau. Three provisional regiments chosen from those in best 3. condition and the best organised of the six which are assemblingthinkit

will not be long before they

at Strasburg.

and

will

These will be commanded by General Beaumont make 11,000 infantry and 2000 horse.

Issue orders that 12 pieces of foot and horse cannon with harness be organised at Mayence and attached to this column. Give the command of these to the Duke de Valmy who will

have under his orders Major-generals Rivaud and Beaumont

and Brigadier-general Boyer. You will name two other brigadier generals to be employed in this corps, which will be called Observation corps of the Elbe. The Duke de Valmy will proceed without delay to Hanau, will have his troops drilled and will hold himself in readiness to lead them to any point in Germany where the presence of this force may be necessary to establish and maintain quiet. NAPOLEON.3133.

DECISION.

General Clarke reports that the provisional squadron of heavy cavalry will be assembled at Turin on April 29 in accordance with orders given by the Emperor.

Employ

it

Burghausen, April 29, 1809. in preserving tranquillity in Piedmont.

NAPOLEON.3134.

TO GENERAL DEJEAN.Burghausen, April 29,1809.

General Dejean, pray despatch the 12th battalion of military equipments, and also the provisional battalion. Those 240caissons

would be very useful

to us.

NAPOLEON.

CORRESPONDENCE OF NAPOLEON:U:r>.

I

37

DECISION.

of

The Minister reports that he has had a mobile column formed foot and 15 mounted gendarmes to bring back desertingL'.~>

conscripts of Cantal.!!

proposes to send this column into the Upper Loire for

the

same purpose.Burghausen,April29,

1800.

Approved.3136.

NAPOLEON.

TO GENERAL GASSENDI.Burghaunon,April29,

1809.

You

will issue orders that 12 pieces of foot

and horse cannon

with harness be organised at Mayence to be attached to the observation corpr of the Elbe, commanded by the Marshal Duke

de Valmy.

NAPOLEON.3137.

DECISION.

satisfy a request of General Junot, General Clarke proposes to the Emperor to despatch to Spain all available soldiers now in the depots of the 13th battalion of the train stationed in

To

Toulouse, Auch, Oleron and Bayonne.April29,

1809.

Approved.3138.

NAPOLEON.

DECISIONS. 23

Proposition to evacuate upon Burgos, Pampeluna and San Sebastian all the useless artillery now in Madrid.Burghausen, April29,

1809.

This evacuation approved.

ish forges of

Report of the advantage of maintaining in activity the SpanOrbaiceta situated near Pampeluna.

23 Unsigned; extracts from "Communications of the Minister of with the Emperor, April 19, 1809."

War

38It is proposed to assign a fund of 26,000 francs per for the expenses of these forges.

month

There

The Minister is no need of my authorisation for this. can authorise it from the funds of the artillery budget.

their

Of four squads of artillery labourers who have concluded work at Toulon, the Minister proposes to send two toThe

Genoa, one to Grenoble and one to Auxonne.

Army

of

Germany

ivould have need of labourers.

Report of the departure from Saragossa, on the 4th of this month, of three companies of the principal battalion of thetrain of the artillery of the guard.

Approved.Proposition to fix at 8000 francs the pay of second colonels created in the Imperial Guard.

Approved, giving them more than a major andcolonel.

less

than a

It is

proposed to His Majesty to grant

to the three adjutants

and the secretary of the stronghold of Strasburg a gratuity of 200 francs each to indemnify them for the special service towhich they have been held.

Approved.It is proposed to His Majesty to grant to Captain Maire, who was charged to carry to Corfu the budgets which had been drawn up for the service of the Ionian Islands a gratuity of

1200 francs.

Approved.adjutant-major in the regiment of Polish lancers, requests six months' canvalescent leave.

Captain V.

Konopki,

Approved.

CORRESPONDENCE OF NAPOLEONTwo

I

39

It is proposed to His Majesty to authorise the passage of Captain Percheron of the engineers into the service of the King

of the

Sicilies.

Approved.

Lussarts,

The King of Naples requests that Captains Lherbon de and Grenet, and sub-lieutenants Lecaux and Lallein the

mand,service.

Isemberg regiment, be authorized

to pass into his

Approved.Prince Kourakine requests the liberation of five merchant captains and one sailor who, being natives of Finland, have become subjects of his sovereign.

Approved.

His Majesty's orders are asked concerning the return to England of women, also of children under 12, who have notserved assailors.

Approved.Spanish lieutenant, who has married a French woman and is at Amiens with his wife and two children, asks that during his captivity he may reside with her family in Bayonne. General Kindelan states that this man has behaved himself well

A

who

in the north.

Approved.Itis

proposed to

of

Captain

His Majesty to accept the resignation Morand-Dupuch, aide-de-camp of Major-general

Laroche.

Approved.3139.It is

DECISION. 24to

proposed

to

His Majesty

grant to the depots of the

tion with H.

Extract from "Communications of the Minister of War AdministraM. the Emperor and King, dated April 19, 1809."

40

CORRESPONDENCE OF NAPOLEONlight

I

2d and 4th

and the 32d

line a

supplementary credit or

relief for the special supplies of all

kinds which they

made

to a

detachment on

its

return from Portugal.Burglmusen, April 29, 1809.

Approved.3140.

NAPOLEON.

TO GENERAL CLARKE.Burghauscn, April 30, 1809.

General Clarke, under present circumstances all the Portuguese prisoners who may be at Niort and in the Vendee shouldbe sent away, and directed into departments where their presence involves no danger.

NAPOLEON.

3141.

ORDER

Imperial Camp at Braunau, May 1, 1809. The two regiments of sharpshooters of our guard will form one brigade under orders of General Roguet, second colonel of

the guard.

The two regiments of fusiliers will form one brigade under orders of General Gros.The two brigades will be under orders of Colonel Curial of the Guard, and will always march with the brigade of sharpshooters at the head.division.

In case of an engagement General Mouton will command this General Curial will be second in command under histhis division; until

orders.

24 pieces of cannon will be attached tothey arrive, 8 pieces

present will be attached to it. The regiments of chasseurs and grenadiers will form one brigade under orders of General Dorsenne.

now

To it shall be attached 24 pieces, and meanwhile, 8 pieces from the second division which have arrived shall be attachedtoit.

NAPOLEON.

CORRESPONDENCE OF NAPOLEON3142.I

I

41

ORDER.Campwillat Braunau,

mix-rial

May

1,

1809.

The brigade of sharpshooters

set out

to-morrow at 4

o'clock in the morning. The brigade of fusiliers will set out at 5 o'clock.

The brigade of the guard will set out at The cavalry of the guard will set out at The guard will take four days' victuals

6 o'clock. 7 o'clock.at Braunau.

NAPOLEON.3143.

DECISIONS. 28

Report of work in the foundry of Turin since 1 germinal year XI. Bronze still necessary to complete the armament of all thestrongholds.

Proposition of exchange to avoid the expense of transportation.

Refused; I have

much bronze at Genoa, Civita-V ecchia and Naples, also at Mantua, Venice and Palmanova, belonging to me.

it necessary to postpone until peace the transportation of artillery from Mayence to Metz, with the exception of the bronzes, the evacuation of which upon

The Minister has thought

that place he has ordered.

Why

wait for peace fartil-

Proposition to allow the 5th principal battalion of the lery train a sum of 60 fr. 92 which it took in good faith.

The chest

of this corps

is

deficient

by

this

amount.Granted.

It is25

proposed to His Majesty to rule that

all

troops of the

Minister of

Without date or signature; extracts from "Communications of the War with H. M. the Emperor and King, dated May 3, 1809."

42


I

War

Marine employed in land armies Department.

shall be at the charge of the

Granted.

Report to. His Majesty of the requisitioning and orders for payment of the National Guards of the Islands of R6 and Oleron, and those along the coast between La Rochelle andRochefort.

His Majesty

is

begged to approve of this measure.Granted.

It is

proposed to His Majesty to have paid on account to

various corps returning from Naples, by the Treasury of that State, a quarter of their pay credit.

Granted urithout recourse

to Naples.

Proposition submitted to His Majesty to raise to 1500 francs per month the special pay and representation pay of Majorgeneral Senarmont, who is replacing General Lariboisiere inthe chief

command

of the artillery of the

Army

of Spain.

Granted.

proposed to His Majesty kindly to grant to 33 war comwho have exercised the functions of sub-inspectors of reviews during the first quarter of 1809, an indemnity of 9200 francs.It is

missaries

Granted.It is proposed to His Majesty to employ Brigadier-general Cambaceres in the Army of Germany.

No, he

is

good for nothing.

Submitted to His Majesty: request proffered by Captain Tailhaud, retired, aide-decamp of the late General Commes, to be authorised to pass into

A

the service of

II.

M., the

King

of Spain.

Granted.

CORRESPONDENCE OF NAPOLEONK< -questtr

I

43

made by Captain Regnier, aide-de-campto

tii-nil

Dc'-tres,

II.

M., the

King

of Brigadierbe authorised to pass into the service of of the Two Sicilies.

Granted.It is proposed to His Majesty to grant to Sub-lieutenant G. Darcey the authorisation which he asks, to remain in the service of Holland without losing his French citizenship.

Granted.

The Swedish colonel sent by II. R. H., the Duke of Sudermania requests, by oraer of that prince, the return to Sweden upon parole of five officers, prisoners of war, who have seats inthe Diet.

Postponed; make me a report on the number of prisoners.

His Catholic Majesty requests the return to Spain of the brothers Alcedo, prisoners of war, and sons of the Governor ofCorogna, with whose services heis

pleased.

Granted.

The Emperor of Russia has expressed to the Duke of Vicenza the desire that the captain of an English vessel, a relative of his surgeon, and a prisoner of war in France, may be sent back tohis

own

country.

Granted.

3144.

DECISION.

Upon the request of General Sainte-Suzanne the Minister authorised him to summon to Boulogne the 6th and 7th demibrigades of reserves, 2500 men strong, on April 23, and subsequently as many as are needed to complete them.Enns,

This measure approved.

May 4, 1809. NAPOLEON.

44


I

DECISIONS. 20

His Majesty's orders are requested concerning an expenseof 80,000 francs which would be incurred in completing the forts of 1'Heurt and La Creche at Boulogne.Evreux,

May

4,

1809.

Without doubt these forts must be

finished,

Report made to His Majesty of dispositions taken to put be-

yond danger of surprise the Fort of Aljafaria, or Thetion,

Inquisi-

at Saragossa.

Approved.Draft of a decree relative to changes in the organisation of engineer train companies created March 23, 1809.

Approved.proposed to His Majesty: To employ Major-generals Bourcier and Trelliard in the of Germany. His Majesty is begged to state his orders:It is

Army

These generals must go to Germany todepots.

command

cavalry

To give Major-general Delarochetary division.

the

command

of the 7th mili-

He must

proceed to the

Army

of Spain to

command

the depots

of cavalry.

Brigadier-general Sabatier asks for a furlough to take the waters at Bareges.

Approved.Request proffered by Brigadier-general Cassagne for the extra pay of his grade by reason of the importance of the command with which he is charged on the Island of Aix, submitted to His Majesty.

Grant him an extra campaign gratuity.Unsigned; extracts from "Communications of the Minister of with H. M. the Emperor, April 26, 1809."26

War

CORRESPONDENCE OF NAPOLEONtinue extra pay invrndt'-miaiiv

I

45

Krport made to His Majesty that the orders given to discontin- military divisions of the Emperor from

1, year XIV to April 1, 1808, not having reached of Island the Aix, General Almiras continued to receive this

pay.Tin-

.Minister thinks that thosein

and received

payments, having been made good faith ought to be maintained.

Approved.3146.

DECISION. 27

General Clarke reports that the transportation of artillery is suspended until peace is declared. The evacuation of bronzes continues.

from Mayence to Metz

Why

bitrg there

wait until peace? If the enemy should invest Straswould be nothing on the second line. On the

contrary, evacuate them.

NAPOLEON.3147.

DECISION.andsoldiers of depart-

A

large

number

of subaltern officers

mental companies desire to serve in corps of the active army where they have relatives or friends; several ask to be substituted for conscripts designated for line corps.Enns, May 5, 1809. NAPOLEON. these requests.

Gvant3148.

all

TO MARSHAL BERTHIEB.Enns,

May

5,

1809.

Cousin, order the cadre of the 3d battalion of the 65th to return to its depot and the cadres of the other two battalions

go to Augsburg; that 8 officers and 16 subalterns or veteran soldiers of this regiment be sent to Strasburg to receive 1000 conscripts, and that while awaiting the arrival of theseto"' Without date; the Minister's report bureau is of the 5th.

is

of

May

3,

the return to the

46


I

conscripts they be occupied with having their clothes made. I give orders that all that is available in the 5th battalion be

sent from

men

home to Augsburg where I expect soon to have 1600 assembled, the complement of two battalions.NAPOLEON.

-

3149.

TO GENERAL CLARKE.May5,

1809.

General Clarke, I have your letter of the 27th, The 200 dragoons that are with Colonel Henry must join at Strasburg to complete the six provisional regiments of dragoons. The labourers and marine gunners are sufficient to guardBrest.

Your observation that the two provisional demi-brigades that are at Pontivy are at two days' distance from Lorient, five from Brest and four from Saint-Malo is correct this must be remedied;

by placing the 1st brigade at Pontivy and the 2d two days' journey forward between Pontivy and Brest. Should the division need to march to Brest the nearest demi-brigade would be there in two days and the other two or three days later; both would be equally within reach of Lorient, Saint-Malo andCherbourg. As soon asformed, newprovisional regiments of dragoons are dispositions will be made for the course of the

my

six

summer.NAPOLEON.

3150.

TO GENERAL CLARKE.May5,

1809.

giving orders that the cadres of the three battalions of the 65th proceed, the 3d to the depot, and the other two to Augsburg, where they will be reformed withconscripts of the levy of 1810, which I have granted them., There would be some inconvenience if the 1000 conscripts they are to receive from the four classes previous to 1810 should be

General Clarke, I

am

CORRESPONDENCE OF NAPOLEONsent to

I

47

Augsburg

in their peasant garb;

it

will be best to give

them

their clothing at Strasburgto the Colonel to

and send themofficers to

in full

uniform

to the regiment.

Write

send 8

Strasburg to reto

ceive these 1000 men.

The regiment may be charged

make

these uniforms at Strasburg themselves. I estimate that this regiment, including those discharged from hospital, will have 400 to 500 men and that its depot will be

men which should be available there. These would complete the first two battalions with the addition of the 1000 men of the four years' conscription, which I haveable to furnish 300 or 400

granted this regiment, and who will be clothed by it at StrasIt will be necessary for it to receive at its depot enough burg. The companies which it was to form its 3d and 5th battalions.the provisional demi-brigades of reserves will not be furnished and the men who were to compose these companiesto furnishwill go to

completing the regiment. Thus those demi-brigades will be the smaller by three companies.

Augsburg

to serve in

Propose to me means for making good this deficit. I wrote you yesterday as to the Corsican sharpshooters andthe sharpshooters of the Po. I have just ordered that the 4th battalions of the Saint-Hilaire

merged in the and the cadres return todivision be possible

first

three to

make good

their losses,

by

It must, therefore, be their depots. the distribution of the conscription to reform the

4th battalions of 10th light, 57th, 72d, 105th and 3d line. Recommend also that the 'corps of the Friant division, which

have suffered, be favoured in this distribution. As for the cavalry, I have spoken to you of the 14th chasseurs, but the 3d chasseurs has also suffered losses.

Order that the depots of the ten regiments of carabiniers and cuirassiers that are in Prance send to Strasburg 60 men each, from which a provisional regiment of 600 men shall be formed, to make good the losses of these regiments. Inform

me when

this second

marching regiment of heavy cavalry

will

be able to set out.

48

CORRESPONDENCE OF NAPOLEONAsfor the depots in Piedmont, I have ordered men to be assembled at Turin.

Ito fur-

them

nish 200

Let me know when it will be possible to bring them up to 400 men, that is, to 150 men per regiment. They will serve in the Governor's guard, and when the time comes, I will call

them

to the army. See that the 5th and 6th companies of the Demont division and the Oudinot corps continue to come forward in order to

complete the corps. Be careful that those whom the depots have not sent join without delay; that the adjutant-major and adjutant-subalterns join; that battalion commanders, captains and lieutenants of those 4th battalions which should remain in depot

be replaced, as I already ordered at the time of view of the Oudinot corps.

my

last re-

Send me from the lycees and the Polytechnic School young men 18 years old I must have some in the lycees and the school When Bellavene can send me a hundred young at La Fleche.;

fellows they will be most useful; let them be sent to the provisional demi-brigades and the latter will be summoned to the

warI

battalions.

my first two regiments of conscripts, grenaand chasseurs have already set out let me know when the second two regiments will be able to start. After them, thesuppose thatdiers;

second two regiments of sharpshooters will set out. On June 1st will not the second two regiments of conscripts be able to set out, and on the 20th the second two regimentsof sharpshooters? See that all those dispositions that I ordered for bringing the regiments of light cavalry to 1000 horse be carried out by the

incorporation of corps which are in Spain, and by

men

sent

from the depots.Let Minister Dejean authorise the depots to buy as many horses as there are available men, but with the condition sine qua non that the horses bought be 5 and a half or 6 years old,otherwise they will be of no use to me. Hasten the departure of Generals Bourcier and Laroche, and

CORRESPONDENCE OF NAPOLEONfind

I

49

me

a few other veteran cavalry generals; they will be neces-

sary to

me for overseeing and commanding the depots. The resources of the country that I am occupying and those

of France are not too great to maintaincondition.

my

cavalry in a certain

NAPOLEON.

3151.

DECISION. 28

Marshal Berthier reports to the Emperor the effective of the detachments of infantry and cavalry stationed at Wiirzburg,

and asks orders on the subject of the destinationthese troops.

to be given

Form

these 800

menit

marching columngolstadt.

Wels, May, 1809. into single column, to bear the name of of Wiirzburg, and direct it upon In-

Give

an

intelligent officer to

command

instructions that if on the not probable that there ishis route inthistJie

way

he should learn

it, with which is

any movement, he

shall

change

column

is

direction of Donauworth. to be directed upon Passau.

From

Ingolstadt

NAPOLEON.

3152.

TO MARSHAL BERTHIER.Enns,

May

6,

1809.

extreme displeasure at his sending Portuguese -to escort prisoners the measure is absurd, and he is henceforth not to take upon himself to issue such orders.;

Cousin, express to General Moulin

my

As

the column

commanded by General Marionall

is

due to reach

Ebersberg to-day, order thatdivision joinit.

making part

Send him a memorandum

of the Claparede of the men belong-

ing to him in the 1st battalion of conscripts of the guard, that he may have them incorporated.

Inform me how many of these 5000 men there are for the28

No

date;

despatched

May

5,

1809.

50

CORRESPONDENCE OF NAPOLEONmany

I

Claparede division, and howdivision.

for General Oudinot's other

NAPOLEON.3153.

TO MARSHAL BERTHIER.Saint-P81ten,

May

9,

1809.

Cousin, inform General Bruyere of the reception of his letter, and impress upon him the importance which I attach tothe interception of a mail between Italy and Vienna or Vienna and Italy. Also inform him that the quantity of bread that he ordered is not sufficient. He must order some in the villages of Saint-Veit, Strassen,etc.,

in fact, in all the villages

along the way.

NAPOLEON. The natural position of his headquarters would be at Strassen; advise him to order daily a large quantity of food.3154.

TO MARSHAL BERTHIER.May9,

1809.

Cousin, order General Saint-Sulpice to call out his horse toward 8 or 9 o'clock in the morning and go toward SaintPb'lten,

that

is,

if

he

is

not too far distant from

it,

for his

horses

must not be too much fatigued.NAPOLEON.3155.

TO MARSHAL BERTHIER. 29Saint-PSlten,

May

9,

1809.

Cousin, send 30 Wiirtembergers along the road to Vienna that passes through Boheimkirchen and Neu-Lengbach to observe whether anything has passed along this road, and at the

same time

to order

bread and have3156.

it

brought to

St. Polten.

DECISION. 30whether the expense of up-keep

His Majesty2;

is

begged

to rule

Unsigned. so No date extract from "Communications of the Minister of War Administration with H. M. the Emperor and King, dated May 10, 1809."


I

51

(that is, of clothing, bivouac, harness and horseshoeing) of the troops of the Confederation of the Rhine is to be at the charge of France and whether the troops of the kingdom of West-

phalia are to be treated in like manner.

The tip-keep of German, Saxon and Westphalian troopsno respect at the charge of France.

is

in

NAPOLEON.

3157.

DECISIONS. 81to

Report

to

His Majesty that new orders have been given

the future executive councils of regiments of heavy cavalry to hasten their operations of remounting; and to be severe in their

choice of horses, combining their purchases in such a way as always to have 1000 horses with their war squadrons in Germany, and 100 in their depots to keep up the strength of thesaid squadrons.

Approved.Reportto

NAPOLEON.artil-

His Majesty that the 3d regiment of light

lery has been authorised to purchase 30 horses, needed for training in mounted manreuvres, 60 conscripts, whom it has received

and several volunteers.Approved.

NAPOLEON.

3158.

.DECISIONS. 82

Report of the interrupted service of the navigation of thePo.

Means proposedfor this service.

for supplementing the lack of artillery horses

This contractsi

may

be made, but only for

war

time.

War

Without date; extracts from "Communications of the Minister of with IT. M. the Emperor and King, dated May 10, 1809." 32 Without date or signature; extracts from "Communications of the Minister of War with H. M. the Emperor and King, dated May 10, 1809."

52His Majestyhorses, yet continued.

to

asked to rule whether purchases of artillery be delivered at Metz and Strasburg, is to beis

More are

lost

by dead and killed than can be renewed.

Judge

accordingly.

Report of the organisation of the artillery of the Observation corps of the Elbe.It

was very wrong

to

take liorses from, the

Army

of Ger-

many; weProposition

are short of

them

here.

Army

of

to employ Brigadier-general Boussard Germany.

in

the

Approved.begged to make known whether it is his inFontanier, of the 52d squadron of gendarmery, shall remain in the service of H. M., the King of Naples and the Two Sicilies.is

His Majesty

tention that

Commander

Granted.

Army of Spain, reauthorisation to into the service of H. C. Majesty. quests passCaptain Durivoir, staff-adjutant in theGranted.

Lieutenant Grandfils, of the 102d regiment of infantry, requests authorisation to pass into the service o

correnspodence of napoleon i, volume iii (1809-1810)

Documents

general marulaz

general claparede

general park

general clarke reports

report of general junot

eral napoleon

strasburg napoleon

general saintcyr