Chapter 16 Chapter Sixteen

Since October 28, the ground has started to freeze.The situation of the French troops in flight was even more tragic: some were frozen to death, and some were roasted to death by the fire.And the emperor, the governors, and the dukes, in furs, in chariots, and with loot, continued on; but the French army had been routed since Moscow's retreat.This phenomenon has not changed at all. From Moscow to Vyazma, the French army numbered 73,000 (excluding the Guards, who did nothing but plunder throughout the war), and now only 36,000 remain ( About 5,000 people died in the war).This is the number of the first stage, and the subsequent numbers can be calculated by arithmetic.

From Moscow to Vyazma, from Vyazma to Smolensk, from Smolensk to Berezina, and from Berezina to Vienna, the French army was reduced and destroyed according to the above-mentioned ratio. The reduction and destruction of the corps has nothing to do with the degree of cold weather, the pursuit, the obstruction of the road, and all other conditions.After arriving at Vyazma, the French army, which had been marching in three columns, shrank into a ball and went like this until the end.Berthier wrote a memorial to the emperor (these officials, as we all know, report the state of the army far from the real situation).He wrote:

"I have the responsibility to report to Your Majesty what I have seen during the march of the various legions in the past three days. Treated as a dogma. Engels was strict with it, to find food or escape from military duties. They all wanted to rush to Smolensk as soon as possible so that they could get a chance to breathe. Many soldiers have thrown away their guns and ammunition these days.No matter what your Majesty intends in the future, we must rest and reorganize in Smolensk, and we must clear away dismounted cavalry, unarmed soldiers, unnecessary baggage, and artillery supplies that are not suitable for our current strength.The army needs resupply and rest.Exhausted by hunger and fatigue, many soldiers have died on the march and in camp in recent days.The situation continues to deteriorate, and we will have no soldiers to spare in the event of a fight unless prompt remedial measures are taken.

On November 9th, thirty versts from Smolensk. ① -------- ①This memorial is written by the author in French——Translator's Note. After the French swarmed into Smolensk, which they regarded as paradise, they killed each other or robbed their own warehouses in order to get food.After snatching everything, they continued to run away. The French kept running forward, not knowing where or why.Poor, genius Napoleon knew less than the others, because no one gave him orders.But he and those around him still maintained the usual routine: giving orders, sending official letters, writing reports, taking Ordredujour ① calling each other: "Sire, moncousin, princed'Ekmuhl, roide Naples" ② and so on.All this is a pile of waste paper, because it is impossible to do it anymore. Although they are called Your Majesty, Your Highness and Brother, they have realized that they are now getting their retribution for their many evil deeds and have become poor wretches.They pretended to be very concerned about the army, but in fact everyone only had themselves in their hearts and just wanted to escape with their lives.

-------- ①French: Daily report. ②French: Your Majesty, My Brother, King Ekmur, King of Naples.