1805.

BOOK VI. opposition from the French, who repulsed them, after repeated attempts. But the Russian geBut the Russian geCHAP. VIII. neral had calculated on another manoeuvre, and had detached two columns, by a difficult pass, to turn the enemy. This plan partly succeeded; Mortier was obliged to cut his way through the Russian lines, which was accomplished with great difficulty and considerable loss; besides a great number of killed and wounded, 2,000 were made prisoners. In this affair, General Mortier was severely wounded. The loss on the side of the Russians was not unimportant, but none more to be regretted than the death of Lieutenant-general Smidt, an officer of great repute, in the Austrian service, who acted as quarter-mastergeneral to the Russian army. General Smidt possessed the confidence of the Archduke Charles to an eminent degree. After this event, the Russians judged it adviseable to fall back upon Brunn, where they expected reinforcements under General Buxhovden.

The French army advanced so rapidly into Moravia, that the imperial court, from motives of precaution, removed from Brunn to Olmutz. Previously to his quitting Brunn, the Emperor issued a proclamation (on the 13th) in which he communicated his late proposal for an armistice, together with the inadmissible demands of the French emperor. That, under such circumstances, nothing remained for him to do, but to trust to resources to be found in the fidelity and strength of his people, united to the undiminished forces of his high allies, the Emperor of Russia and the King of Prussia, and to persist in this determination until the French emperor should consent to conditions of peace, consistent with the honor and independence of a great state.

On the evening of the 14th, Marshal Lasnes reached Stokeran, and found there an immense quantity of clothing. Eight thousand pairs of shoes and half-boots, and cloth sufficient to make great coats for the whole army. General Milhaud, who commanded the advanced guard of Marshal Davoust's corps, captured, about the same time, many pieces of artillery, with their ammunition, together with 400 men. Almost the whole of the Austrian artillery was now in possession of the

enemy.

By this time Bernadotte, who had made a circuit to the right of the French army, by Salzburg and the confines of Hungary, passed the Danube to join the main_army.

On the 15th, Murat and Lasnes came up with the Russian army at Holbrun. The French cavalry charged the enemy, who abandoned their ground, leaving some of their baggage behind. The Russian general finding himself hard pressed, and desirous to gain a little time, had recourse to a device, in which he was authorized by the stratagem used by the French in passing the

bridge at Vienna. A flag of truce presented him. self at the French advanced posts, and the Baron Winsingerode, aid-de-camp to the Emperor of Russia, demanded leave for the Russian army to capitulate, and separate from the Austrians, This appeared too specious not to be listened to, and Murat, who was himself the author of the above-mentioned deception, communicated the information to Bonaparte. It soon became suspected, and Bonaparte refused to agree to the proposed terms, on the grounds that the Russian was not duly authorized to treat, but he declared that if the Emperor of Russia would ratify the convention, he would likewise do it. Hereupon the French army advanced. The Russians, during this parley, were making their preparations to retreat, but were attacked, the next day, near Guntersdorff. The Russians behaved with great bravery, and repulsed the enemy at the point of the bayonet. Marshal Lasnes attacked them in front; General Dupas, with a brigade of gre nadiers, turned their left; whilst Marshal Soult was on their right, so that they were compelled to give way. Night put an end to the pursuit.

The loss on both sides was considerable; that on the part of the Russians was 2,000 prisoners, and nearly as many in killed and wounded, toge ther with twelve pieces of cannon, and many bag. gage-waggons. On the part of the French many were killed and wounded, above 3,000 men; amongst the latter were General Oudinot and his two aid-de-camps. General Duroc was ordered to replace Oudinot during his confinement.

On the 17th Bonaparte's head-quarters were removed to Znaim: here were found the sick of the Russian army, which they had been obliged to abandon, and likewise a quantity of flour and

oats.

Ou the 18th General Sebastiani succeeded in cutting off part of the Russian rear-guard, and made nearly 2,000 prisoners; and on the same day Murat entered Brunn, which had been evacuated by the Russians. Brunn is a regular fortress, and capable of sustaining a siege. Sixty pieces of ordnance were found in this place, with 3,000 cwt. of gunpowder, magazines well supplied with grain, and considerable quantity of clothing.

a

On the 20th Bonaparte removed to Brunn, and received a deputation from the states of Moravia, with the bishop at their head. He caused the citadel to be taken possession of, in which were found 6,000 stand of arms, and a considerable quantity of ammunition. The Russians made an attempt to defend the road leading from Brunn to Olmutz, and for this purpose collected all their cavalry, amounting to about 6,000 men. They were attacked by the French Generals, Walther, Hautpoult, and Bessieres, with a selected corps of the French cavalry. The Russians main

tained their ground the whole day, but towards night they retired. Two or three hundred men on each side were killed and wounded.

The main body of the French army did not move forward for some days; in the mean time Bonaparte caused Brunn to be put in a state of

defence. They then advanced and took a position BOOK VI. near Wishau, in face of the Austro-Russian army, who were posted between that place and Olmutz. CHAP. VIII. The Russians here received reinforcements, and a general and decisive action seemed to be the determination of both armies.

1805.

THE Command of the French army in Italy, which had been strongly reinforced, had been given to Marshal Massena; while the Austrian army, which was equally powerful, was commanded by their favorite the Archduke Charles. The fortified passes in the Tyrol were strengthened, and a considerable body of troops stationed under the command of the Archduke John, to defend that country, and to maintain the commnnications between the armies in Germany and the Venetian territory.

At the same time a combined force of Russians and British were collected at Corfu and Malta, for the purpose of making a descent in Italy, while another army of Russians, Swedes, and English, were prepared, in the north of Germany, to invade Hanover, and for further enterprize, when occasion should serve.

The Archduke Charles and General Massena being in face of each other, on the opposite sides of the Adige, waited only for the signal of attack, which appears to have been calculated by the French from the time that their army in Germany should have come in contact with the Austriaus in that quarter. Accordingly, on the 17th of October, Massena prepared to force the passage of the Adige. His army amounted to about 90,000 men, while that of the Archduke Charles did not exceed 75,000.

Early on the morning of the 18th, the French general caused two false attacks to be made, one on their right, the other on their left, while, with the centre of his army, he attempted the passage he attempted the passage of the river, at the bridge at Verona. This bridge was barricadoed, and some of the arches cut. These impediments the French overcame with

great fortitude, and twenty-four companies of light troops, selected from the divisions of Gardanne and Duhesme, pushed forward across the river, and were soon followed by the whole division of General Gardanne, and shortly after by the remainder of the army. The Austrians made a gallant resistance, but were obliged to retire to the heights, at some distance, where they had entrenchments. The attack was renewed here, and the French gained some advantage, but so inconsiderable, that they judged it expedient to recross the Adige, and occupy their former ground. The loss sustained by the Austrians was seven pieces of cannon, eighteen waggons, and about 1,200 prisoners. There were many killed and wounded on both sides.

On the 20th, the French renewed the attack. After passing the Adige, they mounted and took possession of the heights of Val Pantena, surrounded the castle of San Felici, and obliged the Austrians to evacuate Venoretto. They still advanced on the road of St. Michael, where they met with serious opposition from the Austrian troops. The French however succeeded in driving the Austrians from St. Michael, taking 1,500 prisoners, and two pieces of cannon. This advantage was not obtained without much bloodshed.

Hitherto Massena was rather confined in his operations, being cautious not to advance too far until he had received information of the state of the campaign in Germany. After the action of the 20th, he took a position within a few miles of Caldiero, near which place the archduke was strongly posted. Nothing material occurred between the two armies for several days. In the

Under these circumstances it became a matter of great importance that he should give full occupation to the archduke, and press forward with the utmost diligence, in order to execute the plans of co-operation assigned to him.

Accordingly he commenced, on the 30th, a very vigorous attack upon the whole line of the army opposed to him. The division of Molitor formed the left, the centre was commanded by General Gardanne, and the right by General Duhesme. The action began upon the left, and the three successive attacks were bravely resisted by the Austrians, who were, however, at length forced to retire to the adjacent heights. The battle was renewed on the part of the Austrians. Twenty-four battalions of grenadiers, and some other regiments, were ordered, by the archduke, to advance against the enemy. Both armies fought with great fury. The French cavalry at length made some impression, and being well supported by several battalions of grenadiers who fought with the bayonet, the Austrians, after a desperate resistance, in which they were assisted by the fire of thirty pieces of cannon, were finally driven from the field, with the loss of above 3,000 prisoners. In so obstinate an engagement the carnage must have been very great, so much so indeed as to induce the archduke to demand a suspension of arms, for the purpose of burying the dead. This was not the only loss sustained by the Austrians in this affair. A column of 5,000 men, which it should appear was detached from the corps of Rosenburgh, with the view of falling upon the rear of the French army, was, by the issue of the battle, completely cut off. General Hillinger, who commanded it, at first manifested an intention to defend himself, and even compelled a regiment of light infantry, sent against him, to take shelter under the walls of the castle of San Felici. Massena then repaired in person to the spot, and ordered four battalions of grenadiers to surround the column. General Hillinger, perceiving no chance of escape, entered into a capitulation, and laid down his arms.

Although the army under Massena had been successful, it had not made any very considerable progress. The archduke, however, for a variety of reasons, came to the determination of making a positive retreat. He seems to have been principally actuated by the desire of relieving the Austrian capital, now imminently in danger, while he could have little hopes of contending successfully against the army of Massena, which was reinforced by 25,000 additional troops, under General St. Cyr, which had evacuated the kingdom

of Naples, in conformity with the terms of a convention entered into with his Sicilian majesty. The archduke began his march on the night of the 1st of November, with great caution, so that it was not discovered by the enemy before the next morning. He was then pursued by the French light troops, and harassed during the day. The Austrians had about 500 men made pri

soners.

On the 2d, the main body of the French army advanced in pursuit of the Austrians. After halting a short time at Monte Bello, it marched to Vicenza. Massena summoned the city to surrender, but received a refusal. On preparations being made, the next morning, for assaulting it, the gates were thrown open, and the army entered. In Vicenza were found 1,000 wounded Austrians, and the remains of some magazines.

On the archduke's arrival at Bassano, he had the option either of attempting his retreat by Trent, into the Tyrol, or by Treviso, through Carinthia, or Carniola. The disposition of the French German army appears to have determined him to adopt the latter course. He would, in his progress towards Vienna, by the former route, have had to oppose the corps of General Marmont and Marshal Bernadotte, whilst Ney was in force on the confines of the Tyrol on one side, and Augereau on the other, who were stationed to intercept him, and a superior force under Massena was close upon his rear. By taking the latter route he might, if necessary, reach Hungary, without meeting any opposition in front, and there he would find the means of recruiting his army. In either way his retreat was difficult, being continually galled by the enemy's light troops.

The French advanced guard arrived at the Brenta immediately after the Austrians had passed that river, and were endeavouring to destroy the bridge. This brought on a cannonade from the opposite banks, and the French were prevented from crossing till the next morning. Early on the evening of that day, Massena entered CastelFranco, and the chasseurs of the army were in possession of Salvaternada and Albando. Here the French army was allowed some repose, being much exhausted from their incessant exertions. In their advance from Monte Bello 1,500 prisoners fell into their hands. They also levied heavy contributions upon the great towns through which they passed.

Massena met with no opposition worth mentioning between the Brenta and the Tagliamento. Behind the latter river Prince Charles made a show of resistance, and posted his troops as if determined to oppose the passage of the river. Massena was somewhat imposed upon by this appearance, so that he did not seriously attempt

to

pass the river until his main force was arrived, On the 12th the division of chasseurs commanded

by General d'Espagne, together with the cuirassiers and dragoons under Generals Marmont and Pulley, were posted in front of the Austrians, while the divisions of Dubesme and Suas were stationed at St. Vito, and those of Molitor and Gardanne at Valoasonna. Nothing occurred on that day but some skirmishes between a squadron of French, which had crossed the river, and a party of Austrian cavalry, except a heavy cannonade, which continued the whole day. The attack was to have taken place on the next morning; but the archduke retreated during the night, and directed his march to Laybach in Carniola, without attempting to defend Palma Nova, though a place of some strength; his object being to effect his retreat with as little delay as possible, in order to succour the hereditary states.

On the 15th the French army advanced, in two columns, to the Isonza. The advanced guard, under General d'Espagne, after a feeble opposition from the Austrians, entered Gradiska early on that evening. The French continued the pursuit towards Goritzia, with the intention of passing the river below that town, but their pontoons not having arrived, they were unable to execute their project.

The Austrians had now retired under the walls of Goritzia, when Massena made his dispositions for a general attack upon them on the morning of the 17th. But the archduke had retired on the night towards Laybach, harassed without intermission by the French light troops. The magazines formed at Udina and Palma fell into the hands of the French army, who now took up a position beyond the Isonza.

Here the French general judged it adviseable to arrest his progress, until he should be inform ed of the state of things in his rear. On commencing the pursuit of the archduke's army, he left the Tyrol occupied by a considerable corps of Austrians: under these circumstances, his advancing further might be attended with great risk. Whatever apprehensions he might entertain on this score were not of any long continuance, for the Austrian corps in the Tyrol, commanded by the Archduke John, were closely pressed from the sides of Suabia and Bavaria.

Augereau, early in November, had made himself master of Lindau and Bregentz, on the high road to Hungary..

There remained in the Tyrol a corps of Austrians, consisting of about 7,000 infantry and 1,000 cavalry, commanded by the Prince of Rohan, which were placed in a most critical situation by the late events. The only possibility of escape seemed to be to reach Venice, by passing behind the army of Massena.. Accordingly, they proceeded across the mountains, between the Tyrol and Italy, and actually arrived, on the 24th, at Bassano, and took the road to Castel-Franco.. In the

1805.

neighbourhood of this place, they were opposed BOOK VI. by detachments from the army of St. Cyr, who was stationed at Padua, (to observe Venice, which CHAP. IX. was threatened by a descent from a Russian and British force) while Massena marched to attack them on the other side. On the 25th, the Aus- · trians attacked a corps of French, under General Regnier, which was posted at Piombino, to cut off the road to Venice, with such fury, as to compel them to retire from the field. At this moment General St. Cyr came up and fell upon the Austrian rear. Resistance could now avail but little, so that the greater part of this corps, together with the Prince of Rohan, and several other officers of distinction, were made prisoners.

By these operations Italy and the Feldkirch were completely evacuated by the Austrians, and the division under Augereau compelled the corps of Generals Jellachich and Wolfskehl to capitulate, with the condition not to serve against France during a year. Augereau, however, did not advance out of Suabia, but remained in the neighbourhood of Ulm, as it were to protect the rear of Bonaparte's army, and to make head: against a corps of Russians, assembled in Fran conia apparently with a hostile intention..

In the mean time Marshal Ney, supported by a corps of Bavarians, under their General Deroi, entered the Tyrol at Fuessen, and having turned, by passes of extreme difficulty, and little known, the forts of Scharnitz and Newstark, carried bothplaces by assault, taking one standard, sixteenfield-pieces, and about 1,700 prisoners.. On the 16th he entered Inspruck, where he found an arsenal and magazines, well supplied with stores. Ney pursued his advantage, and on the 20th fixed his head-quarters at Bolzano, having his out-posts

advanced as far as Trent..

The Archduke John, finding his force insufficient to maintain himself in the Tyrol, nearly surrounded on all sides, planned and effected,. with much boldness, a junction with the Archduke Charles in Carniola. This attempt, however, was not accomplished without considerable loss. The two brothers then hastened their march towards Vienna..

The Tyrol being completely cleared of the Austrian troops, Massena advanced to Laybach,. which had been evacuated by the Archduke Charles, whilst his left formed a communication: with Ney's division, which extended itself from. Saltzburgh to Carinthia..

The detached corps of the French army having: executed the operations cousigned to them, Bo naparte had at his immediate disposal almost the whole of his army, to face the united forces, com-posed of the remuant of the Austrian-German army, and of the Russians, who had received great reinforcements.. Upon the reduction of the Tyrol, the corps of Ney and Marmont ap

BOOK VI. proached the Danube, to support the main body of the French army, whilst Massena took up posiCHAP. IX. tions with the intention of occupying the attention of the Archduke Charles. Marshal Davoust, upon 1805. the capture of Vienna, had marched to Presburgh, and attempted a negociation with the Archduke Palatine, for the neutrality of Hungary. But in hearkening to these overtures, the Hungarians seem to have had no other object in view than to amuse the French, for the purpose of delay. No conditions were concluded, and Davoust with his corps joined the main army, preparatory to a general action, which was daily expected to take place. The state of the opposed armies appears to have been nearly equal in point of numbers. The Russians amounted to about 50,000 men, the Austrians to about 25,000, the latter chiefly new levies. The French force, after the junction of Bernadotte and Davoust, consisted of between 70 and 80,000 men, but they were flashed with victory, and out of all measure superior to their antagonists in military skill, confidence, and discipline.

The two armies were now in presence of each other, both determined to make a stand. However, on the 29th of November, Counts Stadion and Ginlay were commissioned, on the part of the Emperor of Germany, to open a negotiation for peace with Bonaparte, and at the same time Count Haugwitz arrived at Vienna to offer the mediation of the King of Prussia, who, it was supposed, was strongly inclined to take a part in the war against France. Bonaparte seemed to listen to the proposition, but, as the event proved, merely with the view of putting the allies off their guard; for having so many advantages on his side, his object was to draw the enemy to a decisive action; and, under the semblance of diffidence and moderation, he redoubled his vigilance, and made his preparations to meet such an

event.

On the morning of the 28th the Russians, who were no parties to the proposed accommodation, attacked the advanced posts of the French army at Wishau, forced them to fall back, and made some prisoners. The Emperor Alexander, who had lately joined his army, advanced to that place, followed by the main body of his troops, who took up a position in the rear of the town.

Bonaparte, on hearing of the Emperor of Russia's arrival, dispatched General Savary, one of his aids-de-camp, avowedly to compliment that sovereign. This officer remained a day or two within the Russian lines, during which time he had an opportunity of observing the state and disposition of that army. On his return to the French head-quarters, he reported that a great degree of confidence and presumption prevailed on the part of the Russian officers, which he at

tributed to the influence which several had over the Emperor Alexander.

young men

To encourage this delusion, and to lull them into still greater security, Bonaparte ordered his army to retreat in the night, and to take a favorable situation three leagues in the rear, which he manifested much eagerness in fortifying, by throwing up works and placing batteries. In this position he proposed an interview with the Emperor of Russia, who sent, on his part, his aid-decamp, Prince Dogorucki. Bonaparte, to impress him, as it were, with an idea that he was unwilling to permit him to witness the apprehensions of the French troops, went to meet him at the outposts. This circumstance, accompanied by the preceding retreat of the French army, induced him to believe what Bonaparte wished, namely, that the French army was under great alarm. Prince Dogorucki, actuated by these sentiments, had the boldness to insist upon the whole of the demands with which he was charged. ed. He peremptorily required that Bonaparte should renounce the possession of Belgium, and likewise the crown of Italy. Bonaparte returned no definitive answer, and left the Russians to indulge the notion that he and his army were intimidated.

Circumstances induced the allies to risk a general action at a time when procrastination was far more politic. It was said, that the whole of the Russian reinforcements had arrived, and that the allied forces, from the loss of the magazines at Brunn and other places, were extremely straitened for provisions, owing partly to the neglect of the Austrian commissariat, and partly to the detension of the horses of the country, in the rear of the army, by the Russians. Relaxation in discipline and licentiousness began to manifest themselves, so that it was resolved to abandon the position in front of Olmutz, for the purpose of attacking the enemy.

The grand French army, which had passed the Danube, and advanced into Moravia, consisted of the corps under Prince Murat, Marshals Soult, Lasnes, and Bernadotte. The last of these corps had been opposed to the Archduke Ferdinand, and joined the main army only the day before the battle of Austerlitz. Marshal Davoust, who, as already mentioned, had proceeded with his corps to Presburgh, joined the main army about the same time. This force was composed of eight divisions, each of which was about 7000 strong. In addition to this was a corps de reserve, composed of the imperial guards, under Marshal Bessieres, and a body of grenadiers under General Duroc, making together 15,000 men.

The combined forces immediately opposed to them consisted of 104 battalions, 20 of which