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rumbling of wheels over the stones； cries of the soldiers； sounds from
trumpets； drums； fifes； and the complaints of the inhabitants； with
hundreds of persons all together asking questions at the same time；
speaking German to the Italians； and French to the Germans； how could it
be possible that his Majesty should be as tranquil and as much at his
ease in the midst of this fearful uproar as in his cabinet at Saint…Cloud
or the Tuileries？ This was nevertheless the case； and the Emperor；
seated before a miserable table covered with a kind of cloth； a map
spread before him； compass and pen in hand； entirely given up to
meditation； showed not the least impatience； and it would have been said
that no exterior noise reached his ears。 But let a cry of pain be heard
in any direction； the Emperor instantly raised his head； and gave orders
to go and ascertain what had happened。
The power of thus isolating one's self completely from all the
surrounding world is very difficult to acquire； and no one possessed it
to the same degree as his Majesty。
On the 1st of May the Emperor was at Lutzen； though the battle did not
occur till next day。 On that day； at six o'clock in the evening； the
brave Marshal Bessieres； Duke of Istria； was killed by a cannon…ball；
just at the moment when； mounted on a height； wrapped in a long cloak
which he had put on in order not to be remarked； he had just given orders
for the burial of a sergeant of his escort； whom a ball had just slain a
few steps in front of him。
From the first campaigns in Italy the Duke of Istria had hardly left the
Emperor at all； had followed him in all his campaigns； had taken part in
all his battles； and was always distinguished for his well…proved
bravery； and a frankness and candor very rare among the high personages
by whom his Majesty was surrounded。 He had passed through almost all
grades up to the command of the Imperial Guard； and his great experience；
excellent character； good heart； and unalterable attachment to the
Emperor； had rendered him very dear to his Majesty。
The Emperor was much moved on learning of the death of the marshal； and
remained some time silent with bent head； and eyes fastened on the
ground。 At last he said； 〃He has died like Turenne； his fate is to be
envied。〃 He then passed his hand over his eyes and withdrew。
The body of the marshal was embalmed and carried to Paris； and the
Emperor wrote the following letter to the Duchess of Istria：
〃MY COUSIN；
Your husband has died on the field of honor。 The loss sustained by
you and your children is doubtless great； but mine is greater still。
The Duke of Istria has died a most glorious death； and without
suffering。 He leaves a stainless reputation； the richest heritage
he could have left his children。 My protection is assured； and they
will also inherit the affection I bore their father。 Find in all
these considerations some source of consolation in your distress；
and never doubt my sentiments towards you。
This letter having no other object； I pray that God； my cousin； may
have you in his holy keeping。
NAPOLEON。〃
The King of Saxony reared a monument to the Duke of Istria on the exact
spot where he fell。 The victory so long disputed in this battle of
Lutzen was on that account only the more glorious for the Emperor； and
was gained principally by the young conscripts； who fought like lions。
Marshal Ney expected this of them； for before the battle he said to his
Majesty； 〃Sire； give me a good many of those young men； I will lead them
wherever I wish。 The old bearded fellows know as much as we； they
reflect； they are too cold blooded； but these intrepid children know no
difficulties； they look straight before them； and neither to the right
nor left。〃
In fact； in the midst of the battle； the Prussians； commanded by the king
in person； attacked the corps of Marshal Ney with such fury that it fell
back； but the conscripts did not take flight。 They withstood the fire；
rallied by platoons； and flanked the enemy； crying with all their might；
〃Vive l'Empereur。〃 The Emperor appeared； and recovering from the
terrible shock they had sustained； and electrified by the presence of
their hero； they attacked in their turn with incredible violence。 His
Majesty was astonished。 〃In the twenty years；〃 said he； 〃I have
commanded French armies I have never witnessed such remarkable bravery
and devotion。〃
It was indeed a touching sight to see those youthful soldiers； although
grievously wounded； some without an arm； some without a leg； with but a
few moments of life remaining； making a last effort； as the Emperor
approached； to rise from the ground； and shout with their latest breath；
〃Vive l'Empereur。〃 Tears fill my eyes as I think of those youths； so
brilliant； so strong； and so courageous。
The enemy displayed the same bravery and enthusiasm。 The light infantry
of the Prussian guard were almost all young men who saw fire for the
first time； they exposed themselves to every hazard； and fell by hundreds
before they would recoil a step。
In no other battle； I think； was the Emperor so visibly protected by his
destiny。 Balls whistled around his ears； carrying away as they passed
pieces of the trappings of his horse； shells and grenades rolled at his
feet； but nothing touched him。 The soldiers observed this； and their
enthusiasm rose to the highest pitch。
At the beginning of the battle； the Emperor saw a battalion advancing
whose chief had been suspended from his office two or three days before
for some slight breach of discipline。 The disgraced officer marched in
the second rank with his soldiers； by whom he was adored。 The Emperor
saw him； and halting the battalion； took the officer by the hand； and
placed him again at the head of his troop。 The effect produced by this
scene was indescribable。
On the 8th of May； at seven o'clock in the evening； the Emperor entered
Dresden； and took possession of the palace； which the Emperor of Russia
and King of Prussia had quitted that very evening。 A short distance from
the barriers the Emperor was saluted by a deputation from the
municipality of that town。
〃You deserve；〃 said he to these deputies； 〃that I should treat you
as a conquered country。 I know all that you have done while the
allies occupied your town； I have a statement of the number of
volunteers whom you have clothed； equipped； and armed against me；
with a generosity which has astonished even the enemy。 I know the
insults you have heaped on France； and how many shameless libels you
have to suppress or to burn today。 I am fully aware with what
transports of joy you received the Emperor of Russia and the King of
Prussia within your walls。 Your houses are still decorated with the
garlands； and we still see lying on the earth the flowers which the
young girls scattered in their path。 Nevertheless； I am willing to
pardon everything。 Thank your king for this； it is he who saves
you； and I pardon you only from love of him。 S