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peace。 It was also through the Duke of Vicenza that the Emperor learned
that General Blucher had just entered Silesia at the head of an army of
one hundred thousand men； and； in violation of most sacred promises； had
seized on Breslau the evening before the day fixed for the rupture of the
armistice。 This same day General Jomini； Swiss by birth； but until
recently in the service of France； chief of staff to Marshal Ney； and
loaded with favors by the Emperor； had deserted his post； and reported at
the headquarters of the Emperor Alexander； who had welcomed him with
demonstrations of most intense satisfaction。
＇Baron Henri Jomini； author of the celebrated treatise on the art
of war； was born in the Canton de Vaud； 1779； aide…de…camp to Ney；
1804； distinguished himself in several battles； and on his desertion
was made lieutenant…general and aide to Emperor Alexander； died
1869。＇
The Duke of Vicenza gave the particulars of this desertion； which seemed
to affect his Majesty more than all the other news。 He told him； among
other things； that when General Jomini had entered the presence of
Alexander； he found this monarch surrounded by his chiefs； among whom
Moreau was pointed out to him。 This was the first information the
Emperor had received of General Moreau's presence at the enemy's
headquarters。 The Duke of Vicenza added； that when the Emperor Alexander
presented General Jomini to Moreau the latter saluted him coolly； and
Jomini replied only by a slight inclination of his head； and retired
without uttering a word； and the remainder of the evening remained in
gloomy silence in a corner of the saloon opposite to that occupied by
General Moreau。 This constraint had not escaped the Emperor Alexander's
observation； and the next morning； as he was making his toilet； he
addressed Marshal Ney's ex…chief of staff： 〃General Jomini；〃 said he；
〃what is the cause of your conduct yesterday？ It seems to me that it
would have been agreeable to you to meet General Moreau。〃〃Anywhere
else； Sire。〃〃What！〃〃If I had been born a Frenchman； like the general；
I should not be to…day in the camp of your Majesty。〃 When the Duke of
Vicenza had finished his report to the Emperor； his Majesty remarked with
a bitter smile； 〃I am sure that wretch Jomini thinks he has performed a
fine action！ Ah； Caulaincourt； these desertions will destroy me！〃
Perhaps Moreau； in welcoming General Jomini so coldly； was actuated by
the thought that were he still serving in the French army he would not
have betrayed it with arms in his hand； and after all it is not an
unusual thing to see two traitors each blush for the other； deluding
themselves at the same time in regard to their own treachery； not
comprehending that the sentiments they feel are the same as those they
inspire。
However that may be； the news which M。 de Caulaincourt brought caused the
Emperor to make some changes in his plans for the campaign。 His Majesty
entirely abandoned the idea of repairing in person to Berlin； as he had
expressed his intention of doing； and； realizing the necessity of
ascertaining first of all the contemplated operations of the grand army
of Austria； commanded by the Prince of Schwarzenberg； penetrated into
Bohemia； but learning through the couriers of the army and his spies that
eighty thousand Russians still remained on the opposite side with a
considerable body of the Austrian army； he retraced his steps after a few
engagements in which his presence decided the victory； and on the 24th we
found ourselves again at Bautzen。 His Majesty from this place sent the
King of Naples to Dresden； in order to restore the courage of the King of
Saxony and the inhabitants when they should find the enemy at the gates
of their city。 The Emperor sent them the assurance that the enemy's
forces would not enter； since he had returned to defend its approaches；
and urged them at the same time not to allow themselves to be dismayed by
any sudden or unexpected attack made by isolated detachments。 Murat
arrived at a most opportune moment； for we learned later that
consternation had become general in the city； but such was the prestige
attached to the Emperor's assurances that all took courage again on
learning of his presence。
After the King of Naples had gone to fulfill this mission； Colonel
Gourgaud was called during the morning into the Emperor's tent； where I
then was。 〃I will be tomorrow on the road to Pirna；〃 said his Majesty；
〃but I shall halt at Stolpen。 As for you； hasten to Dresden； go with the
utmost speed； reach it this night。 Interview on your arrival the King of
Naples； Durosnel； the Duke of Bassano； and Marshal Gouvion Saint…Cyr；
reassure them all。 See also the Saxon minister Gersdorf。 Say to him
that you could not see the king because you set out in such haste； but
that I can to…morrow bring forty thousand men into Dresden； and that I am
preparing to enter with all the army。 Next day you will see the
commandant of the engineering corps； you will visit the redoubts and the
fortifications of the town； and when you have inspected everything； you
will return quickly and meet me at Stolpen。 Report to me exactly the
real state of affairs； as well as the opinion of Marshal Saint…Cyr and
the Duke of Bassano。 Set out。〃 The colonel left immediately at a
gallop； though he had eaten nothing as yet that day。
The next evening at eleven o'clock； Colonel Gourgaud returned to the
Emperor； after performing all the requirements of his mission。 Meanwhile
the allied army had descended into the plain of Dresden； and had already
made some attacks upon the advance posts。 It resulted from information
given by the colonel that when the King of Naples arrived； the city；
which had been in a state of complete demoralization； now felt that its
only hope was in the Emperor's arrival。
In truth； hordes of Cossacks were already in sight of the faubourgs；
which they threatened to attack； and their appearance had compelled the
inhabitants of these faubourgs to take refuge in the interior of the
city。 〃As I left；〃 said Colonel Gourgaud； 〃I saw a village in flames
half a league from the great gardens； and Marshal Gouvion Saint…Cyr was
preparing to evacuate that position。 〃But after all；〃 said the Emperor
eagerly； 〃what is the opinion of the Duke of Bassano？〃〃Sire； the Duke
of Bassano does not think that we can hold out twenty…four hours。〃〃And
you？〃〃I； Sire？ I think that Dresden will be taken to…morrow if your
Majesty is not there。〃〃I can then rely upon what you tell me？〃
〃Sire； I will answer for it with my head。〃
Then his Majesty summoned General Haxo； and said to him； his finger on
the map； 〃Vandamme is advancing by way of Pirna beyond the Elbe。 The
eagerness of the enemy in penetrating as far as Dresden has been extreme。
Vandamme will find himself in his rear。 I intend to sustain his movement
with my whole army； but I am uneasy as to the fate of Dresden； and am not
willing to sacrifice that city。 I can reach it in a few hours； and I
shall do so； although it grieves me much to abandon a plan which if well
executed might furnish the means of routing all the allies at on