when the chef de bataillon had finished speaking Napoleon said, “Colonel Bernard, I am now acquainted with Ragusa.”  The Emperor afterwards conversed familiarly with him, entered into details respecting the system of fortification adopted at Antwerp, referred to the plan of the works, criticised it, and showed how he would, if he besieged the town, render the means of defence unavailing.  The new Colonel explained so well how he would defend the town against the Emperor’s attack that Bonaparte was delighted, and immediately bestowed upon, the young officer a mark of distinction which, as far as I know, he never granted but upon that single occasion.  The Emperor was going to preside at the Council of State, and desired Colonel Bernard to accompany him, and many times during the sittings be asked him for his opinion upon the points which were under discussion.  On leaving the Council Napoleon said, “Bernard, you are in future my aide de camp.”  After the campaign he was made General of Brigade, soon after General of Division, and now he is acknowledged to be one of the ablest engineer officers in existence.  Clarke’s silly conduct deprived France of this distinguished man, who refused the brilliant offers of several sovereigns of Europe for the sake of retiring to the United States of America, where he commands the Engineers, and has constructed fortifications on the coast of the Floridas which are considered by engineers to be masterpieces of military art.

CHAPTER II.

1805.

Rapidity of Napoleon’s victories—­Murat at Wertingen—­Conquest of Ney’s duchy—­The French army before Ulm—­The Prince of Liechtenstein at the Imperial headquarters—­His interview with Napoleon described by Rapp—­Capitulation of Ulm signed by Berthier and Mack—­Napoleon before and after a victory—­His address to the captive generals—­ The Emperor’s proclamation—­Ten thousand prisoners taken by Murat—­ Battle of Caldiero in Italy—­Letter from Duroc—­Attempts to retard the Emperor’s progress—­Fruitless mission of M. de Giulay—­The first French eagles taken by the Russians—­Bold adventure of Lannes and Murat—­The French enter Vienna—­Savary’s mission to the Emperor Alexander.

To convey an idea of the brilliant campaign of 1805 from an abstract of the reports and letters I received at Hamburg I should, like the almanac-makers, be obliged to note down a victory for every day.  Was not the rapidity of the Emperor’s first operations a thing hitherto unprecedented?  He departed from Paris on the 24th of September, and hostilities commenced on the 2d of October.  On the 6th and 7th the French passed the Danube, and turned the enemy’s army.  On the 8th Murat, at the battle of Wertingen, on the Danube, took 2000 Austrian prisoners, amongst whom, besides other general officers, was Count Auffemberg.  Next day the Austrians fell back upon Gunsburg, retreating before our victorious legions, who, pursuing their