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moreover the enemy had maintained severe discipline among the troops
during their stay and up to the moment of retreat。 Among those who
pressed around his Majesty at this moment was the brave General
Corbineau。 He wore a citizen's coat； and had remained disguised and
concealed in a private house of the town。 On the morning of the next day
he again presented himself before the Emperor； who welcomed him
cordially； and complimented him on the courage he had displayed under
such trying circumstances。 The Duke of Ragusa had rejoined his Majesty
under the walls of Rheims； and had contributed with his army corps to the
capture of the town。 When he appeared before the Emperor； the latter
burst out in harsh and severe reproaches regarding the affair at Laon；
but his anger was not of long duration； and his Majesty soon resumed
towards the marshal the tone of friendship with which he habitually
honored him。 They held a long conference； and the Duke of Ragusa
remained to dine with the Emperor。
His Majesty spent three days at Rheims in order to give his troops time
to rest and recuperate before continuing this arduous campaign。 They
were in sore need of this； for even old soldiers would have had great
difficulty in enduring such continued forced marches； which often ended
only in a bloody battle； nevertheless； the greater part of the brave men
who obeyed with such unwearied ardor the Emperor's orders； and who never
refused to endure any fatigue or any danger； were conscripts who had been
levied in haste； and fought against the most warlike and best disciplined
troops in Europo。 The greater part had not had even sufficient time to
learn the drill； and took their first lessons in the presence of the
enemy； brave young fellows who sacrificed themselves without a murmur；
and to whom the Emperor once only did injustice；in the circumstance
which I have formerly related； and in which M。 Larrey played such a
heroic part。 It is a well…known fact that the wonderful campaign of 1814
was made almost entirely with conscripts newly levied。
During the halt of three days which we made at Rheims； the Emperor saw
with intense joy； which he openly manifested； the arrival of an army
corps of six thousand men； whom the brave Dutch General Janssens brought
to his aid。 This re…enforcement of experienced troops could not have
come more opportunely。 While our soldiers were taking breath before
recommencing a desperate struggle； his Majesty was giving himself up to
the most varied labors with his accustomed ardor。 In the midst of the
cares and dangers of war the Emperor neglected none of the affairs of the
Empire； but worked for several hours each day with the Duke of Bassano；
received couriers from Paris； dictated his replies； and fatigued his
secretaries almost as much as his generals and soldiers。 As for himself；
he was indefatiable as of yore。
CHAPTER XXV。
Affairs had reached a point where the great question of triumph or defeat
could not long remain undecided。 According to one of the habitual
expressions of the Emperor； the pear was ripe； but who was to gather it？
The Emperor while at Rheims appeared to have no doubt that the result
would be in his favor。 By one of those bold combinations which astonish
the world； and change in a single battle the face of affairs； although
the enemy had approached the capital； his Majesty being unable to prevent
it； he nevertheless resolved to attack them in the rear； compel them to
wheel about； and place themselves in opposition to the army which he
commanded in person； and thus save Paris from their invasion。 With the
intention of executing this bold combination the Emperor left Rheims。
Meanwhile； being anxious concerning his wife and son； the Emperor； before
attempting this great enterprise； wrote in the greatest secrecy to his
brother； Prince Joseph； lieutenantgeneral of the Empire； to have them
conveyed to a place of safety in case the danger became imminent。 I knew
nothing of this order the day it was sent； as the Emperor kept it a
secret from every one； but when I learned afterwards that it was from
Rheims that this command had been addressed to Prince Joseph； I thought
that I could without fear of being mistaken fix the date at March 15th。
That evening； in fact； his Majesty had talked to me as he retired of the
Empress and the King of Rome； and as usual； whenever he had during the
day been deeply impressed with any idea； it always recurred to him in the
evening； and for that reason I conclude that this was the day on which
his mind had been occupied with putting in a place of shelter from the
dangers of the war the two objects of his most devoted affection。
From Rheims we directed our course to Epernay； the garrison and
inhabitants of which had just repulsed the enemy； who the evening before
had attempted to capture it。 There the Emperor learned of the arrival at
Troyes of the Emperor Alexander and the King of Prussia。 His Majesty； in
order to testify to the inhabitants of Epernay his satisfaction with
their admirable conduct； rewarded them in the person of their mayor by
giving him the cross of the Legion of Honor。 This was M。 Moet； whose
reputation has become almost as European as that of Champagne wine。
During this campaign； without being too lavish of the cross of honor； his
Majesty presented it on several occasions to those of the inhabitants who
were foremost in resisting the enemy。 Thus； for example； I remember that
before leaving Rheims he gave one to a simple farmer of the village of
Selles whose name I have forgotten。 This brave man； on learning that a
detachment of Prussians was approaching his commune； put himself at the
head of the National Guard； whom he encouraged both by word and example；
and the result of his enterprise was forty…five prisoners； among them
three officers； whom he brought into the town。
How many deeds similar to this occurred which it is impossible to
remember！ However all that may be； the Emperor on leaving Epernay
marched towards Fere…Champenoise； I will not say in all haste； for that
is a term which might be used concerning all his Majesty's movements； who
sprang with the rapidity of an eagle on the point where his presence
seemed most necessary。 Nevertheless； the enemy's army； which had crossed
the Seine at Pont and Nogent； having learned of the re…occupation of
Rheims by the Emperor； and understanding the movement he wished to make
on their rear； began their retreat on the 17th； and retook successively
the bridges which he had constructed at Pont； Nogent； and Arcis…sur…Aube。
On the 18th occurred the battle of Fere…Champenoise； which his Majesty
fought to clear the road intervening between him and Arcis…sur…Aube；
where were the Emperor Alexander and the King of Prussia； who； on
learning of this new success of the Emperor； quickly fell back to Troyes。
The pronounced intention of his Majesty was then to go as far as Bar…sur…
Aube。 We had already passed the Aube at Plancy； and the Seine at Mery；
but it was necessary to return to Plancy。 This was on the 19th； the same
day on which the Count d'Artois arrived at Nancy； and on which the
rupture of t