Separated from one another asZieten's Brigades thus were, a strong Support was essentially requisite; and this was supplied in good time by the Third PrussianCorps d'Arméewhich marched on this day from Guiscard to Compiegne. PrinceBlücherdirected its Commander,Thielemann, to detach strongly towards Soissons; for the purpose of observing the Enemy, and of molesting him should he be retiring. The Cavalry thus detached presenting the means of coveringZieten's Left Flank; the 1st Silesian Hussars, which had been previously posted on the Soissons road, were directed to rejoin their own Corps. The Third Corps bivouacked on the left bank of the Oise, with the exception of the Twelfth Brigade which remained on the right bank at Venette.
On the same day, the Fourth PrussianCorps d'Armée, forming the Right Column, marched from Ressons and its vicinity, with Orders to cross the Oise lower down the stream, at Verberie, Pont St Maxence, or Creil.Bülowformed his Advanced Guard with the 3rd Neumark Landwehr, a Battalion of the 1st Silesian Landwehr, the 8th Hussars, the 1st Pomeranian Landwehr Cavalry, and half the Horse Battery No. 12, and desired GeneralSydow, who commanded the Advanced Guard, to move off with a Detachment, at the first break of day, and secure the Bridge over the Oise at Creil.
This General, aware of the importance of attaining the object in view, proceeded himself, at the head of a Squadron of the 8th Hussars, and of one hundred Infantry, the latter being transported in carts, and reached Creil with his small Detachment just as the French were on the point of entering the place. The latter were immediately attacked and repulsed: and the Prussian Infantry occupied the Bridge; which, on the arrival of the Advanced Guard, was given over to the 1st Silesian Landwehr, whilst the remainder of the troops, after a short halt, commenced their march upon Senlis.
Another striking instance was thus again afforded of the vast importance of a correct calculation of time in military operations. The Prussians, on this morning, reached the Bridge of Compiegne, only half an hour before the French approached it; and had they arrived at Creil but a few minutes later, they would have found the French in possession of the Bridge at this point.
MajorBlankenburgwas detached in advance, with the 1st Pomeranian Landwehr Cavalry, from Creil towards Senlis. They had but just reached this town, and had begun to bivouack on the great market place; when, towards nine o'clock in the evening,Kellermann, with the FirstCuirassierBrigade of French Cavalry, approached on the opposite side, and made a dash at the very spot occupied by the Prussians. MajorBlankenburghad barely time to mount; nevertheless, with such of his men as were accoutred and prepared, he attacked the French horsemen, and drove them back to the Gates of the town. The latter, however, collecting their strength, renewed their attack, overpowered the Prussians; and forced them to retire along the road to Pont St Maxence.Kellermann's Brigade then resumed its march along the prescribed line of retreat. In the mean time, his SecondCuirassierBrigade, andd'Erlon's FrenchCorps d'Armée, were retiring along the same road towards Senlis.
Upon this point also GeneralSydowwas moving from Creil, with the Advanced Guard of the Fourth Prussian Corps; following, as it was supposed, the detached 1st Pomeranian Landwehr Cavalry. On reaching Senlis at ten o'clock in the evening, with the head of the Column, consisting of the 8th Hussars and the 3rd Battalion of the 3rd Neumark Landwehr, and finding the place unoccupied, he took possession of it. The French troops had already approached close to the town, from the side of Crespy. The Prussian Infantry were immediately posted in the houses nearest to the Gate: and as soon as the Enemy's Cavalry came fully within the effective range of musketry, they suddenly opened upon the latter a sharp fire; which compelled it to go about.
The head ofd'Erlon's Corps now came up; but wasforced, along with the Cavalry, to take another direction.Sydow, having collected the whole of the Advanced Guard, followed the French some little distance; and bivouacked, about midnight, somewhat in advance of Senlis. The latter, however, reached, next morning, the road leading through Gonesse to Paris.
During the operation of the Advanced Guard of the Fourth PrussianCorps d'Armée, another Detachment of the latter was sent to occupy Pont St Maxence and Verberie. The French having partially destroyed the Bridge at the former point, the 2nd Pomeranian Landwehr Cavalry were ferried to the opposite bank of the river, and Detachments were immediately pushed on to Verberie and Senlis. The Fourteenth Brigade followed the Cavalry, and was passed over the river in a similar manner; after which it occupied the Heights on both sides of the great Paris road. These troops bivouacked for the night on their position; whilst the main body of the Corps, on reaching Pont St Maxence, remained on the right bank of the river. The greatest activity was used in repairing the Bridge sufficiently for the passage of Artillery.
In this mannerBlücherhad effectually secured the line of the Oise; and, by pushing forward his Advanced Troops as far as Villers Cotterets, had closed so much upon the Flank of the retiring Enemy, that he had every reasonable expectation of succeeding in cutting off the line of retreat of the latter upon the capital.
Grouchy, on discovering that the Detachments he had thrown out to gain the passages of the Oise, on his left, had been thwarted by the rapidity of the Prussian movement, and had been compelled to fall back, nowemployed them in covering his retreat by means of partial combats. Hence arose the engagements at Compiegne, Crespy, and Senlis; but such was the feebleness of the French resistance, and so frequent were the desertions of the soldiers, who threw away their arms, and fled to their homes, that it was evident the reorganisation of the Army, and the reanimation of its former spirit, were far from having been thoroughly effected. It has been said that a cry of alarm spread through its ranks of, "Our retreat is cut off!" as soon as it was known that the Prussians were upon its Right Flank. At all events it appears tolerably certain that the Army was not in that state which would have warrantedGrouchyin risking any serious stand against the Prussians. To succeed in reaching the capital by means of forced marches; and to secure his troops, as far as practicable, from molestation, was all that he could hope to accomplish.
On the 27th, the main body of the Anglo-Allied Army, crossing the Somme at Willecourt, marched through Nesle upon Roye.
The Fourth Division marched through Peronne, towards Roye.
Two Battalions of the Dutch-Belgian Brigade at Peronne were ordered to remain in occupation of that place: the remainder of the Brigade, and the Brigade of Guards at Peronne, marched through Nesle to the village of Crescy, and joined the First Corps.
The Fifth Division, the Brunswick Cavalry, and the Reserve Brigade of Howitzers, moved upon Ham.
The Sixth Division, the Brunswick Infantry, and the Reserve Artillery, encamped between the villages of Douilly and Villers.
Notwithstanding the precautions which the Duke ofWellingtonhad taken to ensure the orderly conduct of his troops, and to conciliate in their favour the good disposition of the inhabitants along the line of march, it being his anxious desire that they should be considered as being on a friendly footing, and as acting on behalf of the legitimate Sovereign, there was one portion of his Army which committed the greatest excesses: these were the Dutch-Belgian troops, who set his Orders on this head completely at defiance. They pillaged wherever they went, not even excepting the Head Quarters, the house which he himself occupied: they forced the safeguards, and rescued, at the point of the bayonet, the prisoners from theGensd'armeriewhich the Duke had formed for the Police of the Army.
Two of the Officers had just rendered themselves conspicuous by participating in, and actually encouraging, these disorders, which had arisen to such a height as to arouse his Grace's just indignation and severe censure. He desired the General Officer then in command of that part of the Army to put in full force his General Order of the 26th of June, to cause a Roll Call of Companies to be made every hour, and to see that every Officer and soldier was present. He also directed him to place the two Officers before alluded to in arrest, and to send them to the Hague, to be disposed of by the King of the Netherlands; to whom he forwarded a copy of the letter containing these instructions. This letter, which strongly evidenced the feelings of annoyance, under which the Duke wrote it, concluding with the following cutting reproof:—Je ne veux pas commander de tels Officiers. Je suis assez longtemps Soldat pour savoir que les Pillards, et ceux qui les encouragent, ne valent rien devant l'Ennemi; et je n'en veux pas.
The following were the positions of the respective Armies on the evening of the 27th:—
The First Prussian.Corps d'Arméehad its main body at Gillicourt; its Second Brigade at Longpré, about half a league from Villers Cotterets; and its Third Brigade at Crespy.The main body of the Third PrussianCorps d'Arméewas at Compiegne; it had strong Detachments in the direction of Soissons.The main body of the Fourth Prussian Corps was at Pont St Maxence; it had its Advanced Guard at Senlis, and Detachments at Creil and Verberie.PrinceBlücher's Head Quarters were at Compiegne.Of the Anglo-Allied Army, the Second Division, the Nassau troops, and the British and Hanoverian Cavalry, were in the vicinity of Roye.The Third Division, one Brigade of the First Division, the Dutch-Belgian Infantry attached to the First Corps, and the Dutch-Belgian Cavalry, were encamped near the villages of Crescy, Billencourt, and Bereuil.The Fourth Division was at the village of Puzeaux, on the road to Roye.The Brigade of Guards was at Crescy.The Fifth Division and the Brunswick Cavalry were at Ham.The Sixth Division, the Brunswick Infantry, and the Reserve Artillery, were between the villages of Douilly and Villers.The Duke ofWellington's Head Quarters were at Nesle.The remains of the First and Second FrenchCorps d'Armée, Detachments from which had this day been defeated at Compiegne, Crespy, Creil, and Senlis, were in full retreat, partly upon the Senlis, and partly upon the Soissons, road.The Imperial Guard and the Sixth Corps were at Villers Cotterets.The Third and Fourth Corps were at Soissons.Grouchy's Head Quarters were at Villers Cotterets.
The First Prussian.Corps d'Arméehad its main body at Gillicourt; its Second Brigade at Longpré, about half a league from Villers Cotterets; and its Third Brigade at Crespy.
The main body of the Third PrussianCorps d'Arméewas at Compiegne; it had strong Detachments in the direction of Soissons.
The main body of the Fourth Prussian Corps was at Pont St Maxence; it had its Advanced Guard at Senlis, and Detachments at Creil and Verberie.
PrinceBlücher's Head Quarters were at Compiegne.
Of the Anglo-Allied Army, the Second Division, the Nassau troops, and the British and Hanoverian Cavalry, were in the vicinity of Roye.
The Third Division, one Brigade of the First Division, the Dutch-Belgian Infantry attached to the First Corps, and the Dutch-Belgian Cavalry, were encamped near the villages of Crescy, Billencourt, and Bereuil.
The Fourth Division was at the village of Puzeaux, on the road to Roye.
The Brigade of Guards was at Crescy.
The Fifth Division and the Brunswick Cavalry were at Ham.
The Sixth Division, the Brunswick Infantry, and the Reserve Artillery, were between the villages of Douilly and Villers.
The Duke ofWellington's Head Quarters were at Nesle.
The remains of the First and Second FrenchCorps d'Armée, Detachments from which had this day been defeated at Compiegne, Crespy, Creil, and Senlis, were in full retreat, partly upon the Senlis, and partly upon the Soissons, road.
The Imperial Guard and the Sixth Corps were at Villers Cotterets.
The Third and Fourth Corps were at Soissons.
Grouchy's Head Quarters were at Villers Cotterets.
GeneralPirch II.having learned, upon his arrival at one o'clock of the morning of the 28th, with the Advanced Guard of the First PrussianCorps d'Armée, at Longpré, near Villers Cotterets, that the latter place was not occupied by the Enemy in any force, determined to capture the place forthwith bya surprise. The troops detached to the front on this service (the Fusilier Battalion of the 6th Regiment and the Brandenburg Dragoons), favoured by the darkness (which as yet was scarcely relieved by the approaching dawn), as also by the Wood through which they advanced, fell upon a Detachment that was moving by a by road through the Wood, consisting of a French Horse Battery of fourteen guns, twenty ammunition waggons, and an escort of one hundred and fifty men. The whole vicinity of Villers Cotterets was, in fact, filled with French troops; thus dispersed, that they might sooner obtain refreshment after the long march, and be prepared to start again at two o'clock in the morning. Thus they were all in motion at the time of this capture.
GeneralPirchnow pushed on to Villers Cotterets, where the Prussians made many prisoners.Grouchyhimself narrowly escaped being taken as he was mounting his horse and hastening out of the opposite side of the town. On reaching the Windmill Height upon the road to Nanteuil, he succeeded in collecting together and forming his troops.Pirch, after detaching Cavalry in pursuit of the Enemy, as also towards Longpré to cover his Right, and towards Soissons to protect his Left, took up a defensive position. He deployed his Infantry, with the Foot Battery, upon the Height at the Garden of the Château, posted two Battalions at the point of a Wood that jutted out on his right; and was still occupied in making his arrangements, when a Cavalry Detachment, on the Soissons road, sent in word that a hostile Corps was to be seen approaching from Soissons. Another report was received immediately afterwards, that the Enemy showed much Cavalry on that side, and was already detaching two Regiments of the latter Arm towards the Prussian Left Flank; as also another Cavalry force,along with from twenty to twenty five pieces of artillery against the Right Flank.
In the mean time, the French Marshal had collected about nine thousand men on the Height before mentioned, near the road to Nanteuil; one third of whom had already constituted the Rear Guard, and the remainder was composed of troops that had halted during the night in the vicinity, as at Vauciennes, Coyolles, and Pisseleux. With these troops,Grouchyshowed every disposition to accept an engagement.
GeneralPirch II., finding himself thus critically situated between two separate and overpowering hostile forces, prepared to effect his retreat.
This was facilitated in a peculiar manner. The troops ofVandamme's Corps, perceiving the Prussians thus posted on the high road to Paris, and imagining their force to be greater than it really was, fell into the greatest disorder, and with loud cries of "Into the woods on the left, towards La Ferté Milon—we are cut off from Paris!" they all rushed in that direction; with the exception of two thousand men and some guns conducted byVandammehimself by the way of Pisseleux, leaving Villers Cotterets on their right, and masking the movement by a vigorous attack upon this place. The 6th Prussian Regiment was driven back by the Enemy's superior numbers; andPirch, after having kept up a brisk cannonade, gradually withdrew the Regiment from Villers Cotterets, for the purpose of moving upon Crespy, the direction previously laid down for him, with a view to the concentration of the Corps.
AsGrouchywas moving by the Soissons road towards Nanteuil,Pirchwas desirous of proceeding in a parallel direction, through Longpré; but he was subsequently induced, on consideration of the Defiles in that direction, and whichhe did not deem it prudent to pass so near to the Enemy, to prefer retiring along the Compiegne road, as far as where it is joined by the one leading from Viviers; and where, for the covering of the Left Flank and Rear, a Squadron of the Brandenburg Dragoons had already been posted. From this point he struck into the road leading by Buts, and reached, towards mid day, Frenois la Rivière, where he gave his troops a few hours' rest; and then proceeded by Crespy to Nanteuil, which place he reached about nine o'clock in the evening, having marched twenty one leagues within the last thirty eight hours, during six of which he had also been engaged with the Enemy. He had succeeded in creating confusion in one portion of the retiring French force, and in impeding the retreat of that which was withGrouchyhimself sufficiently long to enableZietento anticipate the latter in his arrival at Nanteuil.
It has already been explained, when describing the proceedings of the 27th, how much separated the Brigades of the First PrussianCorps d'Arméewere from one another. The First was still on the march from La Fère (it rejoined on the afternoon of this day); the Second, with the Brandenburg Dragoons, was near Villers Cotterets; the Third, with a Cavalry Brigade, was at Crespy; and the Fourth, with the other Cavalry Brigade was at Gillicourt. HenceZietenwas desirous, on the morning of the 28th, to concentrate his Corps at Crespy; leaving only a strong Cavalry Detachment at Villers Cotterets. But whilst despatching the Order toPirchto move upon Crespy; he received a report from this General, that he had fallen upon the French troops retreating through Villers Cotterets, and was upon the point of being driven back by superior numbers.
Zieten, considering that the Prussian troops at Crespy, the nearest to Villers Cotterets, were nearly three leagues distant from the latter point, decided upon not attempting to give any direct support toPirch; but to advance with the Third Brigade, together with the Reserve Cavalry and Artillery, towards Levignon, on the great Paris road, between Villers Cotterets and Nanteuil, and, if possible, occupy that point before the French could reach it. He found the latter in the act of marching through the village; and immediately ordered a Howitzer Battery to be drawn up, which commenced throwing shells into the place. He also ordered the 1st West Prussian Dragoons, and the 1st Silesian Hussars, with a Horse Battery, to attack the Enemy.
The French, however, retired in such haste, that they were not overtaken until about midway between Levignon and Nanteuil; when they halted their Rear Guard, which made front against the Prussians. They comprised the SecondCorps d'Armée, underReille, who had with him several Regiments of Cavalry, and continued their march; supporting, however, the Rear Guard. On coming up with the latter, two Squadrons of the 2nd West Prussian Dragoons charged; but they were repulsed, and attacked in flank by a French Regiment of Lancers. The Enemy now advanced, with the hope of completely routing the Prussian Cavalry. This attempt failed in consequence of a most successful attack by the 1st Silesian Hussars; by which the French were put to flight, and two of their guns captured. The Horse Battery drew up, at the same time, on the left of the high road, and, by its effective fire, committed great havoc amidst the flying Enemy; who was pursued by the Prussian Cavalry even beyond Nanteuil.
During the movement upon Levignon, GeneralHobecame up with a Cavalry Brigade from the ThirdCorps d'Armée. It advanced by the right, along the road from Crespy to Nanteuil, with the design of intercepting a portion of the Enemy's retreating Columns; but the French, in the mean time, fled in such haste, that only a few prisoners were made.
Notwithstanding the pressure thus made upon the French line of retreat, CountReillesucceeded in uniting the remains of hisCorps d'Arméewith those of Countd'Erlon's Corps which had escaped through Crespy and by the left of Senlis.
The French Imperial Guards, and the SixthCorps d'Armée, which were under the more immediate orders ofGrouchy, and had formed the Column that retired through Villers Cotterets in the morning, reached Levignon afterZietenhad passed through it in pursuit ofReille's troops to Nanteuil; and becoming acquainted with the danger of their proceeding further on that road, they turned off to their left, to make their retreat through Assy, Meaux, Claye, and Vincennes.
GeneralVandamme, who, with the Third and Fourth FrenchCorps d'Armée, was most in the rear, and had withdrawn from the high road at Villers Cotterets on perceiving the Prussian Brigade in possession of that place, took the direction of La Ferté Milon, Meaux, crossing the Marne at L'Agny, to Paris.
Bülow, who had been directed to move the FourthCorps d'Arméefrom Pont St Maxence to Marly la Ville, on the 28th, deemed it advisable to augment his Advanced Guard; and therefore added to it the Fourteenth Brigade and the Reserve Cavalry, and placed the whole under the command of PrinceWilliamof Prussia. In the afternoon PrinceWilliamfell upon Detachments ofd'Erlon's, and also uponReille'sCorps d'Armée, which latter was retreating from Nanteuil. He immediately attacked the Enemy, dispersed a great number of his troops, and took more than two thousand prisoners. It was evening before the Advanced Guard reached Gonesse, where it bivouacked. Detachments were pushed on to the front as far as Le Bourget and Stains, which points were occupied by the Enemy. The main body of the Corps arrived at Marly la Ville in the evening, and halted there for the night.
Thielemann, having been directed to proceed with the ThirdCorps d'Arméefrom Compiegne to Senlis, should its support not be required by the First Corps, marched his Infantry and Artillery upon Crespy, and sent the Reserve Cavalry by Verberie; but on hearing that the First Corps was engaged with the Enemy, he drew in his Cavalry towards Crespy, from Verberie, as soon as it arrived there. The First Cavalry Brigade, with six pieces of Horse Artillery, was pushed on from Crespy, along the road to Nanteuil; where it joined the Reserve Cavalry of the FirstCorps d'Armée, but not in time to take any active part in the engagement at that place. The Second Cavalry Brigade was detached towards Villers Cotterets. The main body of the ThirdCorps d'Arméebivouacked for the night at Crespy and its vicinity.
PrinceBlücherdeemed it advisable to send, on this day, a strong Detachment of Cavalry, consisting of the Queen's Dragoons, under Lieutenant ColonelKamecke, beyond the Left of the First Prussian Corps, towards the Marne, for the purpose of gaining intelligence of the Enemy's movements in that direction. Lieutenant ColonelKameckewas instructed to act discretionally; and to proceed, subsequently, by Meaux, or Château Thierry, and endeavour to open a communication with the Advance of the Bavarian Army.
Thus it will be seen that, on the 28th, the Prussian Army succeeded in cutting off the line of retreat of the French troops by the Soissons high road, compelling the greater portion of them to seek, along cross roads, the line of the Marne, by Meaux and L'Agny. It had, since it crossed the Oise, created great disorder and confusion in the French ranks, captured sixteen pieces of cannon, and made, altogether, four thousand prisoners. The Prussians now occupied both the high roads leading from Senlis and Soissons, and had their Advanced Posts (those of the FourthCorps d'Armée) within five miles of Paris.
The sound of their cannon was already heard in the capital, where the greatest consternation prevailed amongst the citizens; whose fears had been previously excited by the most exaggerated reports brought in by fugitives from the retreating Army. The fortified works that had been thrown up on the north side, appeared sufficient to check the progress of the Allied Armies, and to secure Paris from acoup de main; but time was essential for the organisation of the defence, for the recovery of the exhausted remains of the Army of the North expected to arrive on the morrow, and for the collection of every available defensive means. It was only by the assumption of a sufficiently respectable, if not an imposing, attitude, that they could hope to succeed in negotiating for the preservation of the capital and the establishment of their own prescribed form of government—perhaps, by some extraordinary effort, to disconcert the plans of their Enemies, and obtain a triumph under the walls of Paris.
Actuated by these considerations, the Provisional Government was desirous of inducing the victorious Commanders of the Allied Armies to enter into negotiations. Another Commission was appointed, the members of whichwere MessrsAndreossy,Valence,Boissy d'Anglas,Flangergues, andla Benardière. They were directed to proceed to the Head Quarters of the Allied Field Marshals, again to solicit a Suspension of Hostilities and to negotiate an Armistice.
During these proceedings in Paris, a renewed application had been received by PrinceBlücher, on the 27th, and by the Duke ofWellingtonon the 28th, from the first named Commissioners, for a Suspension of Hostilities; as also a request that a passport and assurances of safety might be accorded toNapoleonand his family, to enable them to pass to the United States of America: the Provisional Government having previously succeeded, through the medium of representations made to the ex-Emperor by some of his friends, in persuading the latter to consent to this step.
PrinceBlücherdeclined taking any notice of the application, conceiving his former verbal reply quite sufficient. The Duke ofWellingtonreferred the Commissioners to his note of the 26th on the proposed Suspension of Hostilities; and stated that, with regard to the passport forNapoleon, he had no authority from his Government, or from the Allies, to give any answer to such demand.
The Anglo-Allied Army advanced this day from Nesle, so as to bring its Right in rear of St Just, and its Left in rear of La Taulle, where the high road from Compiegne joins the high road from Roye to Paris.
The Second Corps, under LordHill, as also the British and Hanoverian Cavalry, marched by Montdidier to Petit Crevecœur.
The First Corps, under SirJohn Byng, marched upon Couchy.
The Reserve, under SirJames Kempt, marched upon Roye.
The following were the positions of the respective Armies on the evening of the 28th:—
The Fourth PrussianCorps d'Armée, which was the nearest to Paris, was posted at Marly la Ville; having Detachments pushed forward close to Le Bourget and Stains.The First PrussianCorps d'Arméestood in rear of Nanteuil; having its Advanced Guard at Le Plessis, Belleville, and Dammartin.The ThirdCorps d'Arméewas at Crespy and in its vicinity.PrinceBlücher's Head Quarters were at Senlis.The Anglo-Allied Army had its Right behind St Just and its Left behind La Taulle.Its Reserve was at Roye.The Advanced Guard (Vivian's Hussar Brigade) was at Antheuil.The Second and Fourth Divisions, the Nassau troops, and the Hanoverian Cavalry, were encamped at Petit Crevecœur, on the road to St Just.The British Cavalry was encamped near La Taulle and Ressons.The First and Third Divisions, and the Dutch-Belgian troops, were encamped near Couchy.The Fifth and Sixth Divisions, the Brunswick troops, and Reserve Artillery, were encamped near Roye.The Duke ofWellington's Head Quarters were at Orville.The remains of the First and Second FrenchCorps d'Armée, after forming a junction at Gonesse, where the high roads from Nanteuil and Senlis unite, reached the suburbs of Paris. The Imperial Guard and the Sixth Corps, immediately underGrouchy, were in full retreat from Meaux by Claie and Vincennes. The Third and Fourth Corps, underVandamme, having crossed the Marne at Meaux, were retreating by Lagny and Vincennes.
The Fourth PrussianCorps d'Armée, which was the nearest to Paris, was posted at Marly la Ville; having Detachments pushed forward close to Le Bourget and Stains.
The First PrussianCorps d'Arméestood in rear of Nanteuil; having its Advanced Guard at Le Plessis, Belleville, and Dammartin.
The ThirdCorps d'Arméewas at Crespy and in its vicinity.
PrinceBlücher's Head Quarters were at Senlis.
The Anglo-Allied Army had its Right behind St Just and its Left behind La Taulle.
Its Reserve was at Roye.
The Advanced Guard (Vivian's Hussar Brigade) was at Antheuil.
The Second and Fourth Divisions, the Nassau troops, and the Hanoverian Cavalry, were encamped at Petit Crevecœur, on the road to St Just.
The British Cavalry was encamped near La Taulle and Ressons.
The First and Third Divisions, and the Dutch-Belgian troops, were encamped near Couchy.
The Fifth and Sixth Divisions, the Brunswick troops, and Reserve Artillery, were encamped near Roye.
The Duke ofWellington's Head Quarters were at Orville.
The remains of the First and Second FrenchCorps d'Armée, after forming a junction at Gonesse, where the high roads from Nanteuil and Senlis unite, reached the suburbs of Paris. The Imperial Guard and the Sixth Corps, immediately underGrouchy, were in full retreat from Meaux by Claie and Vincennes. The Third and Fourth Corps, underVandamme, having crossed the Marne at Meaux, were retreating by Lagny and Vincennes.
Blücherhaving issued Orders, during the night of the 28th, for the continuation of the advance upon Paris; the Advanced Guard of the Fourth PrussianCorps d'Arméemoved, on the morning of the 29th, from Gonesse to LeBourget, which place it found abandoned by the Enemy; who, however, was strongly posted at St Denis, towards which point therefore, some Battalions were pushed forward in observation. The Enemy having been driven out of Stains, this Post was occupied by two Fusilier Battalions and a Regiment of Cavalry, under Lieutenant ColonelSchill, for the purpose of securing the Right Flank of the Corps. La Cour Neuve, between St Denis and Le Bourget, was also occupied. The main body of the Corps broke up from Marly la Ville at seven o'clock in the morning; and on reaching Le Bourget, bivouacked in its vicinity.
The Advanced Guard of the First PrussianCorps d'Arméepushed on, at daybreak, from Dammartin to Blanc Mesnil; whence, immediately on its arrival, it sent Detachments beyond the Wood of Bondy, to reconnoitre the Enemy's preparations of defence. The main body of this Corps took up a position, having its Right resting on Blanc Mesnil, and its Left on Aulnay. It sent out Infantry Detachments towards Livry, and along the Ourcq Canal, towards Bondy and Pantin; and Cavalry parties towards Grande Drancey and Banbigny.Zietenalso occupied Nonneville with the 7th Regiment of Infantry; and the 6th Uhlans furnished Outposts at the Ourcq Canal, communicating with those of the Fourth Corps.
The Third PrussianCorps d'Arméemarched from Crespy as far as Dammartin, in the vicinity of which it was bivouacked.
The Reserve Cavalry was sent forward as far as Tremblay, in direct support of the FirstCorps d'Armée.
The First and Second FrenchCorps d'Arméehad reached the suburbs of Paris on the Gonesse road, during the night; and held possession of Le Bourget until the morning of the29th. The Imperial Guard and the Sixth Corps, as also the reinforcements that had arrived from the interior, were, during the forenoon of the 29th, on the high road by Claie and Pantin, under the command ofGrouchy; and were directed to occupy several defensive points on that side. The Third and FourthCorps d'Armée, underVandamme, reached Paris at noon on the 29th, by the Lagny road: they passed through the capital, and occupied the Heights of Montrouge on the south side.
The Anglo-Allied Army arrived, on the 29th, at different points on the road between Gournay and Pont St Maxence.
The Advanced Guard, consisting ofVivian's Light Cavalry Brigade, supported by that ofArentsschildt, crossed the Oise at Pont St Maxence, and reached Senlis.
The British Cavalry moved from La Taulle to Pont St Maxence.
The Second Corps, under LordHill, moved from Petit Crevecœur to Clermont.
The First Corps, under SirJohn Byng, moved from its camp near Couchy, by Estrée St Denis, along the high road to St Martin Longeau.
The Reserve, under SirJames Kempt, moved from its camp near Roye, to Gournay, on the road to Pont St Maxence.
The following were the positions of the respective Armies on the evening of the 29th:—
The First PrussianCorps d'Arméehad its Advanced Guard and Reserve Cavalry at Aulnay and Savegny; with Detachments of the latter at Serran, Livry, Bondy, and Baubigny. The Fusilier Battalion of the 7th Regiment stood at Nonneville. The 6th Uhlans and the 1st Silesian Hussars, with two Horse Batteries, were posted along theOurcq Canal. The Corps itself rested its Right on Blanc Mesnil, and its Left on Aulnay.The ThirdCorps d'Arméewas at Dammartin and in its vicinity. Its Reserve Cavalry stood at Tremblay, in support ofZieten.The Fourth Corps had its Advanced Guard between Le Bourget and St Denis, which it invested. Lieutenant Colonelvon Schill, with the 1st Silesian Landwehr Cavalry and two Battalions of Infantry, was posted at Stains. The Corps itself was at Le Bourget.PrinceBlücher's Head Quarters were at Gonesse.The Advanced Guard of the Anglo-Allied Army was at Senlis.The British Cavalry was at Pont St Maxence.The Second and Fourth Divisions, the Nassau troops, andEstorff's Light Cavalry, were at Clermont.The First and Third Divisions, and the Dutch-Belgian troops, were at St Martin Longeau.The Fifth and Sixth Divisions, the Brunswick troops, and the Reserve Artillery, were at Gournay.The Pontoon Train and Hawser Bridges were at Estrée St Denis.The Duke ofWellington's Head Quarters were at Le Plessis Longeau.The French troops comprising the Army of the North had entered the capital.
The First PrussianCorps d'Arméehad its Advanced Guard and Reserve Cavalry at Aulnay and Savegny; with Detachments of the latter at Serran, Livry, Bondy, and Baubigny. The Fusilier Battalion of the 7th Regiment stood at Nonneville. The 6th Uhlans and the 1st Silesian Hussars, with two Horse Batteries, were posted along theOurcq Canal. The Corps itself rested its Right on Blanc Mesnil, and its Left on Aulnay.
The ThirdCorps d'Arméewas at Dammartin and in its vicinity. Its Reserve Cavalry stood at Tremblay, in support ofZieten.
The Fourth Corps had its Advanced Guard between Le Bourget and St Denis, which it invested. Lieutenant Colonelvon Schill, with the 1st Silesian Landwehr Cavalry and two Battalions of Infantry, was posted at Stains. The Corps itself was at Le Bourget.
PrinceBlücher's Head Quarters were at Gonesse.
The Advanced Guard of the Anglo-Allied Army was at Senlis.
The British Cavalry was at Pont St Maxence.
The Second and Fourth Divisions, the Nassau troops, andEstorff's Light Cavalry, were at Clermont.
The First and Third Divisions, and the Dutch-Belgian troops, were at St Martin Longeau.
The Fifth and Sixth Divisions, the Brunswick troops, and the Reserve Artillery, were at Gournay.
The Pontoon Train and Hawser Bridges were at Estrée St Denis.
The Duke ofWellington's Head Quarters were at Le Plessis Longeau.
The French troops comprising the Army of the North had entered the capital.
The French force in the capital, after the arrival of the Army that had been defeated in Belgium, consisted as follows:—The troops underGrouchyincluding the Depôts that had come up from the district of the Loire and from other parts of the interior, amounted to 60 or 70,000 men. They were reinforced, also, by a very considerable amount of Field Artillery. One portion of these troops was posted at Montmartre, at St Denis, and in rear of the Ourcq Canal: the remainder, underVandamme, occupied the Heights of Montrouge, on the opposite side, with the exception of the Cavalry, which lay in the Wood of Boulogne. The National Guards amounted to about 30,000 men: their disposition, however, was very doubtful; and, in general, they were considered as but little disposed to offer any resistance tothe Allied Armies. There was another description of force called the FederalTirailleurs, raised in the suburbs, and consisting chiefly of Veterans: they amounted to 17,000 men. Hence, setting aside the National Guard, there remained, for the defence of Paris, a disposable force of about 80 or 90,000 men, besides a numerous Artillery. MarshalDavoust, Prince ofEckmühl, was appointed to the chief command of the French Army, and his Head Quarters were fixed at La Villette.
The measures which had been adopted for taking advantage of the local capabilities of defence which the capital afforded, consisted in the intrenchments that had been raised around the Heights of Montmartre, Monfauçon, and Belleville. An advanced line of defence was presented by the Ourcq Canal; which, proceeding through the Wood of Bondy and contiguously to the high road from Meaux, has an arm that branches off from Pantin towards St Denis. This Canal, which was thirty feet wide but not entirely completed, had been filled with water. Along its inner bank ran a high dam, forming an excellent parapet, in which embrasures were cut to admit heavy ordnance; and St Denis, which formed thepoint d'appuiof this line of defence on the Seine, was strongly fortified. The ground on the north side of this town, too, had been inundated by means of the little rivers Rouillon and La Vieille Mer. The Village of Aubervilliers, which formed an Advanced Post at musket shot distance from the line, was occupied: and in rear of it the Canal was covered by a sort oftête de pont, which secured the communication between both banks. The Barriers to the several approaches to Paris were covered by works with strong batteries. Vincennes had been strengthened, and covered by the works which defended La Pissotte. A strongtête de pontwas also constructed uponthe left bank of the Marne, to cover the Bridge of Charenton. All ferries and boats upon the Seine and the Marne were transported to the left bank. The Bridge of Neuilly had been partially destroyed; and the wooden Bridge at Bessons, over the Seine, had been burned. Several villages, parks, and gardens, on the right bank of the Seine and the Marne, were rendered defensible by the walls being crenelated, the approaches barricaded, and the gates blocked up. Upon the left bank of the Seine, on the south side of the capital, preparations for defence were comparatively neglected; they were limited to the Heights of Montrouge.
For the defence of the principal works, three hundred guns of large calibre were supplied; and for the manning of these, twenty Companies of Marine Artillery, which had been brought into the capital. The line between St Denis and Vincennes was defended by the First, Second, and SixthCorps d'Armée. The Imperial Guard formed the Reserve, and was posted at Menil Montant. The Cavalry was stationed in the Bois de Boulogne. The Third and FourthCorps d'Armée, underVandamme, defended the south side of Paris, and occupied Montrouge.
In the midst of all these preparations, the Provisional Government, the majority of which, under the influence ofFouché, was most desirous of effecting a cessation of hostilities, though acting ostensibly upon the grounds of a necessity of gaining time for the completion of the measures of defence, and of securing the capital from an assault, could not be otherwise than convinced, from the tenor of the replies made by the Allied Commanders to all its propositions, that the presence ofNapoleonin Paris was the chief obstacle to any satisfactory arrangement. GeneralBeckerhad been appointed to attend the latter at Malmaison, towatch over his safety, to insure him that respect to which he was so eminently entitled, and to prevent the ill-disposed from making use of his name for purposes of excitement and tumult.
Symptoms of a rising among the Buonapartists in Paris had been manifested on the 28th, a circumstance naturally consequent upon the re-union in the capital of so many Regiments of the Line, as also of the Imperial Guard; whose excitement, devotion, and enthusiasm, hadNapoleonplaced himself once more at their head, might have been such as to have brought them into hostile and fierce collision with the other great Parties of the State; and thus have led to scenes of the wildest anarchy and confusion within the walls, whilst the Enemy was thundering at the gates from without.
Hence every effort was employed to induce the ex-Emperor to quit the capital. The fact of the arrival of the Prussians in front of St Denis, and the possibility of an attempt being made to carry him off from Malmaison, were explained to him with much earnestness. He immediately referred to the map, and on perceiving the practicability of thiscoup de main; he adopted precautionary measures of defence. He also offered to the Government his services in the capacity of General only; remarking, that he was prepared to march against the Enemy, and frustrate his bold and hazardous attempt upon the capital. This proposal was sternly rejected.Fouchédeclared that to accede to it would be to remove every chance of arrangement with the Allied Powers; to create fresh troubles and disorders throughout the country; and, though a temporary success might be gained, to bring down eventually the concentrated force of the immense European armament upon the devoted capital.
The Commissioners appointed by the Government tocommunicate its wishes toNapoleon, no longer hesitated in arranging his departure. The Minister of the Marine, and CountBoulay, repaired to his residence, and explained to him that the Duke ofWellingtonand PrinceBlücherhad refused to give him any safeguard or passport; and that he had now only to take his immediate departure.
Napoleonat length yielded to what he considered to be his destiny; and the preparations for travelling having been completed, he entered his carriage about five o'clock in the afternoon of the 29th, accompanied by GeneralsBertrand, Gourgaud, and other devoted friends, and took the road to Rochefort: whither two Frigates had been ordered for the embarkation of himself and suite for America.
Napoleonnarrowly escaped falling into the hands of the Prussians, whilst at Malmaison.Blücher, hearing that he was living there in retirement, had despatched MajorColomb, on the 28th, with the 8th Hussars and two Battalions of Infantry to secure the Bridge of Chatou, lower down the Seine, leading directly to the house. Fortunately, however, forNapoleon; the Prince ofEckmühl, when he ascertained that the Prussians were nearing the capital, had desired GeneralBeckerto cause this Bridge to be destroyed. Hence MajorColombwas much disappointed at finding there was no passage at this point, which in fact was not more than eight hundred yards distant from the Palace in whichNapoleonwas yet remaining at the time of the arrival of the Prussians.
On the 29th, the new Commissioners appointed by the French Government waited upon the Duke ofWellingtonat Estrée, for the purpose of negotiating a Suspension of Hostilities. In the course of the discussion which took place on this occasion, the Duke declared that he had nothing to add to the communication he had made to theformer Commissioners; that he could not but consider the Abdication as a deception; and would not feel himself justified in suspending his operations on such a pretext, which was by no means calculated to fulfil the object the Allies had in view. He explained that, besidesNapoleon, there were his adherents, who were the declared Enemies of the Allies; and stated that before he could agree to any Suspension he "must see some steps taken to re-establish a Government in France which should afford the Allies some chance of peace."
Upon this point his Grace was pressed to give some explanation as to what would satisfy the Allies.
He replied that he had no authority from his own Government, much less from the Allies, to enter upon the subject; and that all he could do was to give them his private opinion, which he should certainly urge upon the Allies with all the influence he might be supposed to possess, unless otherwise instructed by his own Government.
This opinion was a remarkable illustration of the sound judgment, straightforward policy, and unerring foresight which are so pre-eminently characteristic of the career of this great man. Subsequent events proved its correctness to the letter. It was in strict accordance with the design traced out and enforced by the united diplomacy of Europe. It is best expressed in the Duke's own words:—
"I then told them that I conceived the best security for Europe was the Restoration of the King, and that the establishment of any other Government than the King's in France must inevitably lead to new and endless Wars; thatBuonaparteand the Army having overturned the King's Government, the natural and simple measure, afterBuonapartewas prisoner or out of the way and the Army defeated, was to recall the King to his authority: and that it was a much more dignified proceeding to recall him without Conditions, and to trust to the energy of their Constitutions for any Reforms they wished to make either inthe Government or the Constitution, than now to make Conditions with their Sovereign; and that, above all, it was important that they should recall the King without loss of time, as it would not then appear that the measure had been forced upon them by the Allies."The Commissioners professed, individually and collectively, their earnest desire to see the King restored in the manner I had mentioned, which they said was likewise the desire of the Provisional Government. —— —— was, however, of opinion that the two Chambers could not be brought to recall the King without Conditions: and he mentioned, as those upon which they would probably insist, and upon which it was desirable the King should give way; the responsibility of the Administration, and the alteration of the Constitution so far as that the Initiative in making the Laws should be vested in the Assemblies and not in the King."I told them regarding the first point, that I had every reason to believe that the King had determined to form a Ministry which should be individually and collectively responsible for all the acts of the Government; and that I did not doubt that His Majesty would not oppose himself to the wishes of the French people, if it was desired that the Initiative in framing the Laws should be invested in the Assemblies: that, however, I had no authority to speak on this subject; and recommended to them not to look after little points of difference, and if they really wished to restore the Government of their King, to do it at once and without any Conditions."In the course of this conversation they stated that the Assemblies had proclaimedNapoleon II.as Emperor only to conciliate the Officers and Soldiers of the Army; who had come into Paris in such numbers after the Battle, that they had been apprehensive of a Civil War in Paris if this measure had not been adopted."While we were discussing the Conditions to be proposed to the King; and the evils and inconveniences which the mode of making the Laws and the want of Responsibility and Power in the Ministers, had occasioned; I received from SirCharles Stuart, the King's Declaration of the 28th, countersigned byM. de Talleyrand: which I immediately communicated to the French Commissioners, and pointed out to them the King's promise to make the alteration in his Administration which they had proposed to be made in the Constitution."They objected to certain paragraphs in the Declaration referable to the exclusion of certain persons from the King's presence, to the intention announced to punish some of those concerned in the plotwhich had brought backBuonaparte, and to that of calling together the old Houses of Legislature; Upon which, at their desire, I wrote toM. de Talleyrand, a letter, of which SirCharles Stuartwill probably have sent to England a copy, which I communicated to the Commissioners before I sent it."I then told them I could not talk more upon the Suspension of our Operations, which they urged in the most earnest manner in order to give them time to take their measures to recall the King, until I should see MarshalBlücher; to whose Head Quarters I promised to go that evening."Before I set off, the Commissioners asked me Whether the appointment of a Regency to conduct the affairs of the Government in the name ofNapoleon II.was likely to satisfy the Allies, and would be such an arrangement as would induce me to stop my operations? I answered, Certainly not; that I conceived the Allies, after their Declaration, would never treat withNapoleonor any of his Family; that the appointment ofNapoleon II.was to be attributed toNapoleon I., and the acknowledgment of him to the desire to conciliate the Army; and that I should not stop my operations in consequence of such an arrangement."They then asked me What would be the case if any other Prince of a Royal House were called to the Throne of France? To which I said It was impossible for me to answer such loose questions; that, as an individual, I had made them acquainted with my opinion of what it was best for them to do, and it rested with them either to follow this opinion or not."One of the Commissioners, before I went away, took occasion to tell me That he wished I had given a more positive answer to this last question; and I determined to take another opportunity of doing so before the Commissioners should report this conversation to Paris."I left them at Etrées, and went to the Head Quarters at Le Plessis, to give the Orders for the movement of the troops in the morning, and I overtook them again in the night at Louvres. I then told them I had considered their last question since I had last seen them, and that I felt no objection to give them my opinion on it as an individual: That, in my opinion, Europe had no hope of peace if any person excepting the King were called to the Throne of France; that any person so called must be considered an Usurper, whatever his rank and quality; that he must act as an Usurper, and must endeavour to turn the attention of the country from the defects of his title towards War andForeign Conquests; that the Powers of Europe must, in such a case, guard themselves against this evil, and that I could only assure them that, unless otherwise ordered by my Government, I would exert any influence I might possess over the Allied Sovereigns to induce them to insist upon Securities for the preservation of peace, besides the Treaty itself, if such an arrangement as they had stated were adopted."The Commissioners replied that they perfectly understood me, and some of them added—Et vous avez raison."
"I then told them that I conceived the best security for Europe was the Restoration of the King, and that the establishment of any other Government than the King's in France must inevitably lead to new and endless Wars; thatBuonaparteand the Army having overturned the King's Government, the natural and simple measure, afterBuonapartewas prisoner or out of the way and the Army defeated, was to recall the King to his authority: and that it was a much more dignified proceeding to recall him without Conditions, and to trust to the energy of their Constitutions for any Reforms they wished to make either inthe Government or the Constitution, than now to make Conditions with their Sovereign; and that, above all, it was important that they should recall the King without loss of time, as it would not then appear that the measure had been forced upon them by the Allies.
"The Commissioners professed, individually and collectively, their earnest desire to see the King restored in the manner I had mentioned, which they said was likewise the desire of the Provisional Government. —— —— was, however, of opinion that the two Chambers could not be brought to recall the King without Conditions: and he mentioned, as those upon which they would probably insist, and upon which it was desirable the King should give way; the responsibility of the Administration, and the alteration of the Constitution so far as that the Initiative in making the Laws should be vested in the Assemblies and not in the King.
"I told them regarding the first point, that I had every reason to believe that the King had determined to form a Ministry which should be individually and collectively responsible for all the acts of the Government; and that I did not doubt that His Majesty would not oppose himself to the wishes of the French people, if it was desired that the Initiative in framing the Laws should be invested in the Assemblies: that, however, I had no authority to speak on this subject; and recommended to them not to look after little points of difference, and if they really wished to restore the Government of their King, to do it at once and without any Conditions.
"In the course of this conversation they stated that the Assemblies had proclaimedNapoleon II.as Emperor only to conciliate the Officers and Soldiers of the Army; who had come into Paris in such numbers after the Battle, that they had been apprehensive of a Civil War in Paris if this measure had not been adopted.
"While we were discussing the Conditions to be proposed to the King; and the evils and inconveniences which the mode of making the Laws and the want of Responsibility and Power in the Ministers, had occasioned; I received from SirCharles Stuart, the King's Declaration of the 28th, countersigned byM. de Talleyrand: which I immediately communicated to the French Commissioners, and pointed out to them the King's promise to make the alteration in his Administration which they had proposed to be made in the Constitution.
"They objected to certain paragraphs in the Declaration referable to the exclusion of certain persons from the King's presence, to the intention announced to punish some of those concerned in the plotwhich had brought backBuonaparte, and to that of calling together the old Houses of Legislature; Upon which, at their desire, I wrote toM. de Talleyrand, a letter, of which SirCharles Stuartwill probably have sent to England a copy, which I communicated to the Commissioners before I sent it.
"I then told them I could not talk more upon the Suspension of our Operations, which they urged in the most earnest manner in order to give them time to take their measures to recall the King, until I should see MarshalBlücher; to whose Head Quarters I promised to go that evening.
"Before I set off, the Commissioners asked me Whether the appointment of a Regency to conduct the affairs of the Government in the name ofNapoleon II.was likely to satisfy the Allies, and would be such an arrangement as would induce me to stop my operations? I answered, Certainly not; that I conceived the Allies, after their Declaration, would never treat withNapoleonor any of his Family; that the appointment ofNapoleon II.was to be attributed toNapoleon I., and the acknowledgment of him to the desire to conciliate the Army; and that I should not stop my operations in consequence of such an arrangement.
"They then asked me What would be the case if any other Prince of a Royal House were called to the Throne of France? To which I said It was impossible for me to answer such loose questions; that, as an individual, I had made them acquainted with my opinion of what it was best for them to do, and it rested with them either to follow this opinion or not.
"One of the Commissioners, before I went away, took occasion to tell me That he wished I had given a more positive answer to this last question; and I determined to take another opportunity of doing so before the Commissioners should report this conversation to Paris.
"I left them at Etrées, and went to the Head Quarters at Le Plessis, to give the Orders for the movement of the troops in the morning, and I overtook them again in the night at Louvres. I then told them I had considered their last question since I had last seen them, and that I felt no objection to give them my opinion on it as an individual: That, in my opinion, Europe had no hope of peace if any person excepting the King were called to the Throne of France; that any person so called must be considered an Usurper, whatever his rank and quality; that he must act as an Usurper, and must endeavour to turn the attention of the country from the defects of his title towards War andForeign Conquests; that the Powers of Europe must, in such a case, guard themselves against this evil, and that I could only assure them that, unless otherwise ordered by my Government, I would exert any influence I might possess over the Allied Sovereigns to induce them to insist upon Securities for the preservation of peace, besides the Treaty itself, if such an arrangement as they had stated were adopted.
"The Commissioners replied that they perfectly understood me, and some of them added—Et vous avez raison."
CHAPTER XX.
PRINCE BLÜCHER had satisfied himself, by means of the reconnaissances made during the 29th, that very considerable pains had been taken by the Enemy to oppose a serious obstruction to the farther advance of troops marching against the north side of Paris.
He was now desirous of ascertaining Whether the disposition and spirit of the Enemy's troops were at all commensurate with the extent of the Works which he saw before him: and, with this view, he directedBülowto make an attack, in the night of the 29th, with part of hisCorps d'Armée, upon Aubervilliers. He also desiredZietento support this attack, by raising as much alarm as possible in the Villages of Bondy and Pontin.
Before the attack commenced,Blücherwas joined byWellingtonin person, who communicated to him the Proposals which had been made by the French Commissioners. Being already engaged in an important operation, he could not consent to suspend hostilities; and the two Commanders agreed in opinion that, as long asNapoleonremained in Paris, they could not arrest their operations without insisting upon his being delivered up to them. Accordingly, the Duke wrote a letter immediately to the Commissioners to this effect.
Blücherconfided the attack upon Aubervilliers to GeneralSydow, with the Thirteenth Brigade (nine Battalions), together with one Battalion of the FourteenthBrigade, and two Regiments of Cavalry. The remainder of the FourthCorps d'Arméewas held under arms, in readiness to follow up any acquired advantage. Four Battalions advanced in Column, under ColonelLettow, supported by the remaining five Battalions. The arrangements, being made during the night, occupied some little time, so that twilight had set in when the attack commenced. ColonelLettowpenetrated the extensive Village on three sides, forced the barriers, and carried every thing before him with the bayonet. The place had been occupied by one thousand of the Enemy's best troops; of whom two hundred were made prisoners, and the remainder pursued as far as the Canal of St Denis.
GeneralSydow, accompanied by MajorLützowof the Staff, immediately made a reconnaissance of the Canal; and soon discovered that its opposite bank was lined with Infantry in great force, and that the different points of passage were defended by Batteries. Nevertheless he made the attempt to advance; but the troops were received with a vigorous fire of both artillery and musketry; and it soon became evident, that the Enemy's fortified position could not be taken except at a great sacrifice of both time and men.Sydow, therefore, limited his operations to the occupation of the captured Village.
A simultaneous advance towards the Canal was made, on the left of Aubervilliers, by the 3rd Battalion of the 1st Pomeranian Landwehr, and the 10th Regiment of Hussars; which maintained the communication with the First Corps. A sharptirailladetook place, which terminated in the withdrawal of these troops to their former position.
By means of this reconnaissance it was made sufficiently manifest that the line of the Canal of St Denis could notbe carried without a serious assault, preluded by a heavy cannonade. It then became a question with the Allied Commanders, who had thus, most fortunately, the opportunity of concerting measures in person, Whether it would not be advisable to endeavour to turn the Enemy's strongly fortified lines of St Denis and Montmartre, by masking those lines with one Army, whilst the other should move off to the right, and cross to the left bank of the Seine, lower down the stream.
Although this movement would have the effect of extending and dividing the Allied forces, and consequently of augmenting the chances of success on the part of the Enemy: should the latter possess the disposition and the means, not only of acting determinedly on the defensive, but also of assuming the offensive, accordingly as circumstances might favour the attempt; still any defeat of this kind was fully counterbalanced by the advantages which the plan presented. It cut off the entire communication with Normandy, from which Paris derived its chief supplies; whilst the approach of the Bavarian Army towards the opposite side was gradually limiting the resources of the capital in that quarter. It enabled the Commanders to present their forces simultaneously at different points: and thus, by continuing that display of vigour which had characterised their advance, they were far more likely to impose upon themoraleof both the defeated Army and the citizens, than by limiting their combined operations to the attack of the stronghold presented by the lines of St Denis; for to do this, would, in all probability, require time, and it was evident from the repeated Proposals made by the French Government for a Suspension of Hostilities, that time was their great object, whether for the purpose of facilitating the collection and organisation of their resources,or in the hope of obtaining more favourable terms from the Allies.
It had also been tolerably well ascertained that, although fortified works had been thrown up on the right bank of the Seine, the defence of the left bank had been comparatively neglected. A further inducement towards the adoption of this plan arose from a Report which was now received from MajorColomb, stating that although he had found the Bridge of Chatou, leading to Malmaison, destroyed: he had hastened to that of St Germain, on hearing that it had not been injured; and succeeded in gaining possession of it at the very moment the French were on the point of effecting its destruction. The Bridge of Maisons, still lower down the stream, was also taken and occupied.
No time was lost by the Prussian Commander in taking advantage of the captured Bridges across the Seine.
Lieutenant ColonelSohrreceived an Order that night to move, with his Cavalry Brigade (the Brandenburg and Pomeranian Hussars), from the vicinity of Louvres, and to regulate his march so that he might cross the Seine at St Germain on the following morning. Thence he was to proceed so as to appear, with his Brigade, on the 1st of July, upon the Orleans road from Paris; where he was to interrupt this communication, and increase the confusion already produced in that quarter by the fugitives from the capital. Altogether, he was to act independently and discretionally; and, as far as practicable, to impede the supplies of provisions from the Western and Southern Provinces.
It was arranged that the Prussian Army should move to its right for the purpose of crossing the Seine; and, in order to mask the operation as much as possible, the Advanced Posts of the First and FourthCorps d'Arméewere to remainin their present position until the arrival of the Anglo-Allied Army, which was expected to take place on the evening of the 30th.
The Third Corps was directed to resume, at five o'clock in the morning of the 30th, its march upon Gonesse; and thence to proceed to St Germain: but in such a manner as to conceal its movements by means of the valley of Montmorency, and not to reach the more open ground about Argenteuil until darkness should have completely set in. From the latter point it would then complete its march to St Germain.
The First Corps was ordered to break up from its bivouac at ten o'clock in the evening, and march southward of Gonesse by Montmorency, Franconville, Cormeilles, and Maisons, at which latter point it was to cross the Seine, and immediately open a communication with the Third Corps.
The FourthCorps d'Arméewas directed to move, at daybreak of the 1st of July, by the right of St Denis, and to bombard this place during its march to Argenteuil; in which direction it was to effect a junction with the First and Third Corps. The Advanced Posts of the First and Fourth Corps were to remain until relieved by the British troops; and then, in like manner, to follow the rest of the Army.
These movements were punctually directed in the manner described.
As the First and ThirdCorps d'Arméemoved off to the right, CountBülowconsidered it necessary to strengthen the Outposts of the Fourth Corps, so as to be prepared to meet the Enemy should the latter debouch from St Denis. He therefore ordered ColonelHillerto take post in observation of this point, with six Battalions, a Regiment of Cavalry, half of a six pounder Battery, and two pieces of Horse Artillery.
About three o'clock in the afternoon, the Prussian Outposts reported that French Columns were advancing from St Denis, and that the Vedettes were already driven in. ColonelHillerimmediately pushed forward the Sharpshooters of two Battalions, as also two Squadrons of Cavalry, with two pieces of Horse Artillery. At the same time, the troops at Stains got under arms, and were prepared to support. A very brisktirailladeensued, although there was no cover for the Skirmishers on the plain, except the trees along the great road and the high corn, which served to conceal their approach. The Enemy had also sent Detachments towards Epinay and Pierrefitte; but at these points, as also in advance of Stains, the French were compelled to give way and to retire, without having succeeded in their object of forcing back the Prussian Outposts.
The main body of the FourthCorps d'Arméeremained, during the 30th, in its position at Le Bourget; its Advanced Guard, under GeneralSydow, was detached to the right, towards Argenteuil, to communicate with the ThirdCorps d'Armée. As the former was to move off on the following morning, it became necessary to hold the Outposts strictly on the defensive. Aubervilliers was the most open to attack. Two Companies were posted at the outlets, towards the French side; and in rear of these, two other Companies were formed in support. Still further to the rear was the main position; on which these troops, if overpowered, were to fall back. It lay along the Villages of Chantourterelle, Courneuve, and Merville, connected together by a water course lined with bushes, and consisting of separate Country Houses and Châteaux, mostly within walls, which had been loopholed forTirailleurs. Six Battalions, chiefly extended in skirmishing order, were considered sufficient to occupy the whole of this line, as far as the high road from LeBourget. Partial skirmishing, at a distance, was kept up; though, on the side of the Prussians, it was more for the purpose of diverting the attention of the Enemy, and concealing from him the general movement to the right. Bivouac fires were maintained during the night on the ground vacated by the different Corps, in order to deceive the Enemy by their apparent indication of the continued presence of the Prussian Army in front of the lines of St Denis.
On this day, the Advanced Guard of the Anglo-Allied Army (Vivian's Hussar Brigade) reached Vauderlan. The British Cavalry moved to Louvres.
Estorff's Cavalry, attached to the Second Corps, crossed the Oise at Creil, and proceeded by Chantilly to Luzarches. The Infantry of this Corps marched from Clermont to Chantilly.
The First Corps moved from its camp near St Martin Longeau, crossed the Oise at Pont St Maxence, and advanced until the head of the Column reached La Capelle, and its rear rested upon Senlis.
The Reserve moved from its camp, near Gournay, by Pont St Maxence, the head of the Column reaching Fleurines on the road to Senlis, and the rear resting upon Pont St Maxence.
The following were the positions of the respective Armies on the evening of the 30th:—
The First PrussianCorps d' Arméecommenced its march, at half past ten o'clock in the evening, from Blancmesnil and Aulnay towards St Germain, passing, during the night, through Gonesse, Montmorency, and Le Mesnil, to Carrière au Mont, near St Germain—leaving its Outposts in the position they had hitherto occupied.The ThirdCorps d'Arméemarched, during the night, from Dammartinto St Germain, by Gonesse and Argenteuil; at which latter place, however, its Reserve Cavalry was halted.The FourthCorps d'Arméeremained in its position at Le Bourget, to cover the march of the rest of the Army. Its Outposts continued at Stains, St Denis, and Aubervilliers. Lieutenant Colonelvon Sohr, with the Brandenburg and Pomeranian Hussars, crossed the Seine at St Germain, and was advancing towards Versailles.Majorvon Colomb, with the 8th Hussars, occupied the Bridge of St Germain.The Head Quarters of PrinceBlüchercontinued at Gonesse.The Advanced Guard of the Anglo-Allied Army was at Vauderlan.The British Cavalry was encamped on the plain about Louvres.The Hanoverian Cavalry was at Luzarches.The Second and Fourth Divisions, and the Nassau troops, were upon the high road between La Capelle and Senlis.The Fifth and Sixth Divisions, the Brunswick troops, and the Reserve Artillery, were upon the high road between Fleurines and Pont St Maxence.The Pontoon Train and Hawser Bridges were at Senlis.The Duke ofWellington's Head Quarters were at Louvres.The French Army remained within the lines of Paris.
The First PrussianCorps d' Arméecommenced its march, at half past ten o'clock in the evening, from Blancmesnil and Aulnay towards St Germain, passing, during the night, through Gonesse, Montmorency, and Le Mesnil, to Carrière au Mont, near St Germain—leaving its Outposts in the position they had hitherto occupied.
The ThirdCorps d'Arméemarched, during the night, from Dammartinto St Germain, by Gonesse and Argenteuil; at which latter place, however, its Reserve Cavalry was halted.
The FourthCorps d'Arméeremained in its position at Le Bourget, to cover the march of the rest of the Army. Its Outposts continued at Stains, St Denis, and Aubervilliers. Lieutenant Colonelvon Sohr, with the Brandenburg and Pomeranian Hussars, crossed the Seine at St Germain, and was advancing towards Versailles.
Majorvon Colomb, with the 8th Hussars, occupied the Bridge of St Germain.
The Head Quarters of PrinceBlüchercontinued at Gonesse.
The Advanced Guard of the Anglo-Allied Army was at Vauderlan.
The British Cavalry was encamped on the plain about Louvres.
The Hanoverian Cavalry was at Luzarches.
The Second and Fourth Divisions, and the Nassau troops, were upon the high road between La Capelle and Senlis.
The Fifth and Sixth Divisions, the Brunswick troops, and the Reserve Artillery, were upon the high road between Fleurines and Pont St Maxence.
The Pontoon Train and Hawser Bridges were at Senlis.
The Duke ofWellington's Head Quarters were at Louvres.
The French Army remained within the lines of Paris.
Since the departure ofNapoleon, both the Army and the citizens looked upon the Parliament as the sole directing power; and, in full reliance upon its integrity, appeared willingly submissive to its dictates.Fouché, who had been in secret communication with the Allies, decided upon exercising, in accordance with their views, the great influence he had succeeded in acquiring over a very considerable portion of the Deputies. It was mainly by means of this influence that he contrived to remove the principal obstacle in the way of all negotiation—the presence ofNapoleon. His next step was to prepare the Chamber for the return to power of the legitimate Monarch: a measure which he could only hope to accomplish by holding it forth as the sole alternative to the destruction of Paris by the vast andoverwhelming force of the Allied Armies marching towards the capital from the north and east frontiers; and by combining with it the adoption of such modifications of the Charter as should satisfy the desires of the Constitutionalists and the moderately disposed of all Parties.
Aware that the Army was animated with a spirit of determined resistance towards the Allies; he plainly saw that, unless conciliated, the turbulent Buonapartists, with whom its ranks were filled, might speedily frustrate the accomplishment of his plans by which the peace of the capital was to be preserved, and ultimately prevent the attainment of that extended Constitutional Power for which the Deputies were contending. He, therefore, with his usual adroitness, addressed himself to its Chief, MarshalDavoust, Prince ofEckmühl; and by his skilful exposition of the political posture of affairs, he succeeded in gaining over the Marshal to his views. The latter wrote to him on the evening of the 29th, that he had overcome his prejudices; and had arrived at the conclusion that the only safe course to be pursued consisted in entering into an Armistice, and proclaimingLouis XVIII.
On the 30th, the Prince, as the Head of the French Army, addressed the following letter to bothWellingtonandBlücher:—
"Head Quarters, La Villette, June 30, 1815."MyLord,"Your hostile movements continue, although, according to the Declarations of the Allied Sovereigns, the motives of the War which they make upon us no longer exist; since the EmperorNapoleonhas abdicated."At the moment when blood is again on the point of flowing, I receive from Marshal the Duke ofAlbuferaa telegraphic despatch, of which I transmit you a copy. My Lord, I guarantee this Armistice on my honour. All the reasons you might have had to continuehostilities are destroyed; because you can have no other instruction from your Government than that which the Austrian Generals had from theirs."I make the formal demand to your Excellency of ceasing all hostilities, and of our proceeding to agree to an Armistice, according to the decision of Congress. I cannot believe, my Lord, that my request will be ineffectual; you will take upon yourself a great responsibility in the eyes of your fellow countrymen."No other motive but that of putting an end to the effusion of blood, and the interests of my country, has dictated this letter."If I present myself on the Field of Battle, with the idea of your talents, I shall carry the conviction of there combating for the most sacred of causes—that of the defence and independence of my country; and, whatever may be the result, I shall merit your esteem."Accept, &c.,"The Marshal Prince of Eckmühl,"Minister at War."
"Head Quarters, La Villette, June 30, 1815.
"MyLord,
"Your hostile movements continue, although, according to the Declarations of the Allied Sovereigns, the motives of the War which they make upon us no longer exist; since the EmperorNapoleonhas abdicated.
"At the moment when blood is again on the point of flowing, I receive from Marshal the Duke ofAlbuferaa telegraphic despatch, of which I transmit you a copy. My Lord, I guarantee this Armistice on my honour. All the reasons you might have had to continuehostilities are destroyed; because you can have no other instruction from your Government than that which the Austrian Generals had from theirs.
"I make the formal demand to your Excellency of ceasing all hostilities, and of our proceeding to agree to an Armistice, according to the decision of Congress. I cannot believe, my Lord, that my request will be ineffectual; you will take upon yourself a great responsibility in the eyes of your fellow countrymen.
"No other motive but that of putting an end to the effusion of blood, and the interests of my country, has dictated this letter.
"If I present myself on the Field of Battle, with the idea of your talents, I shall carry the conviction of there combating for the most sacred of causes—that of the defence and independence of my country; and, whatever may be the result, I shall merit your esteem.
"Accept, &c.,"The Marshal Prince of Eckmühl,"Minister at War."
To this the Duke ofWellingtonreplied in the following terms:—
"Head Quarters, July 1, 1815—10A.M."Monsieur le Maréchal,"I have just received your Excellency's letter of the 30th June, in which your Excellency communicates to me the intelligence you have received of an Armistice having been concluded by GeneralFrimontwith Marshal the Duke ofAlbufera."I have already made known, in writing, to the French Commissioners sent to the Allied Powers, and verbally, to the Commissioners sent to me, the reasons which have prevented me from suspending my operations; which reasons, I have cause to believe, are fully adopted by the Allies of my Sovereign, and of those whose Armies I have the honour of commanding."I have every wish to prevent the further effusion of the blood of the brave troops under my command; but it must be upon the conditions which shall secure the re-establishment and the stability of the General Peace."I have the honour to be, &c.,"Wellington."
"Head Quarters, July 1, 1815—10A.M.
"Monsieur le Maréchal,
"I have just received your Excellency's letter of the 30th June, in which your Excellency communicates to me the intelligence you have received of an Armistice having been concluded by GeneralFrimontwith Marshal the Duke ofAlbufera.
"I have already made known, in writing, to the French Commissioners sent to the Allied Powers, and verbally, to the Commissioners sent to me, the reasons which have prevented me from suspending my operations; which reasons, I have cause to believe, are fully adopted by the Allies of my Sovereign, and of those whose Armies I have the honour of commanding.
"I have every wish to prevent the further effusion of the blood of the brave troops under my command; but it must be upon the conditions which shall secure the re-establishment and the stability of the General Peace.
"I have the honour to be, &c.,"Wellington."
PrinceBlücher, who entertained a great contempt for diplomacy, attributing as he did the cause of the renewal of the War to the ill concocted schemes to which that War had given birth, had hitherto refrained from either receiving in person, or noticing in writing, any communication addressed to him by the French authorities. He applied himself solely to the military solution of the Great Problem on which depended the Peace of Europe.
Upon this occasion, however, tempted probably by the opportunity which was offered to him of sharply retorting upon the Marshal, under whose government of Hamburg the greatest excesses had been committed upon his countrymen; he was induced to pen the following reply, couched in his rough native German, as if to evince both his disdain of the usual diplomatic mode of communication, and his dislike of even the very language of the country he so thoroughly detested:—
"To the French GeneralDavoust."Head Quarters, July 1, 1815."Marshal,"It is not conformable to truth that, becauseNapoleonhas abdicated the throne, there exists no further motive for War between the Allied Powers and France. His abdication is conditional; that is, in favour of his son: but a Decree of the Allied Powers excludes not onlyNapoleon, but every member of his Family, from the Throne."If GeneralFrimonthas considered himself authorised to conclude an Armistice with your General opposed to him, that is no motive for us to do the same. We shall pursue our victory. GOD has given us strength and resolution to do so. Beware, Marshal, of what you do; and forbear devoting another city to destruction! for you know what liberties the exasperated soldiers would take, should your capital be carried by storm. Do you solicit the maledictions of Paris, in addition to those of Hamburg?"We shall enter Paris to protect the respectable inhabitants against the mob, by whom they are threatened with pillage. An Armistice canbe made with security nowhere but in Paris. This, our relative position towards your Nation, be pleased, Marshal, not to mistake!"Let me finally observe to you, Marshal, if you mean to negotiate with us, it is matter of surprise that, in defiance of the Law of Nations, you detain our Officers dispatched with Letters and Orders."In the usual form of conventional civility, I have the honour to be,"Marshal,"Your obedient servant,"Blücher."
"To the French GeneralDavoust.
"Head Quarters, July 1, 1815.
"Marshal,
"It is not conformable to truth that, becauseNapoleonhas abdicated the throne, there exists no further motive for War between the Allied Powers and France. His abdication is conditional; that is, in favour of his son: but a Decree of the Allied Powers excludes not onlyNapoleon, but every member of his Family, from the Throne.
"If GeneralFrimonthas considered himself authorised to conclude an Armistice with your General opposed to him, that is no motive for us to do the same. We shall pursue our victory. GOD has given us strength and resolution to do so. Beware, Marshal, of what you do; and forbear devoting another city to destruction! for you know what liberties the exasperated soldiers would take, should your capital be carried by storm. Do you solicit the maledictions of Paris, in addition to those of Hamburg?
"We shall enter Paris to protect the respectable inhabitants against the mob, by whom they are threatened with pillage. An Armistice canbe made with security nowhere but in Paris. This, our relative position towards your Nation, be pleased, Marshal, not to mistake!
"Let me finally observe to you, Marshal, if you mean to negotiate with us, it is matter of surprise that, in defiance of the Law of Nations, you detain our Officers dispatched with Letters and Orders.
"In the usual form of conventional civility, I have the honour to be,
"Marshal,"Your obedient servant,"Blücher."