Memoirs of Napoleon, vol 9 | Page 5

walls of Vienna.
Rapp, who accompanied him, informed me that on leaving Strasburg he
observed, in the presence of several persons, "It will be said that I made
Mack's plan of campaign for him. The Caudine Forks are at Ulm."
--[This allusion to the Caudine Forks was always in Napoleon's mouth
when he saw an enemy's army concentrated on a point, and foresaw its
defeat--Bourrienne.]--
Experience proved that Bonaparte was not deceived; but I ought on this
occasion to contradict a calumnious report circulated at that time, and
since maliciously repeated. It has been said that there existed an
understanding between Mack and Bonaparte, and that the general was
bought over to deliver up the gates of Ulm. I have received positive
proof that this assertion is a scandalous falsehood; and the only thing
that could give it weight was Napoleon's intercession after the
campaign that Mack might not be put on his trial. In this intercession
Napoleon was actuated only by humanity.
On taking the field Napoleon placed himself at the head of the
Bavarians, with whom be opposed the enemy's army before the arrival
of his own troops. As soon as they were assembled he published the
following proclamation, which still further excited the ardour of the

troops.
SOLDIERS--The war of the third coalition is commenced. The
Austrian army has passed the Inn, violated treaties, attacked and driven
our ally from his capital. You yourselves have been obliged to hasten,
by forced marches, to the defence of our frontiers. But you have now
passed the Rhine; and we will not stop till we have secured the
independence of the Germanic body, succoured our allies, and humbled
the pride of our unjust assailants. We will not again make peace
without a sufficient guarantee! Our generosity shall not again wrong
our policy. Soldiers, your Emperor is among you! You are but the
advanced guard of the great people. If it be necessary they will all rise
at my call to confound and dissolve this new league, which has been
created by the malice and the gold of England. But, soldiers, we shall
have forced marches to make, fatigues and privations of every kind to
endure. Still, whatever obstacles may be opposed to us, we will
conquer them; and we will never rest until we have planted our eagles
on the territory of our enemies!
In the confidential notes of his diplomatic agents, in his speeches, and
in his proclamations, Napoleon always described himself as the
attacked party, and perhaps his very earnestness in so doing sufficed to
reveal the truth to all those who had learned to read his thoughts
differently from what his words expressed them.
At the commencement of the campaign of Austerlitz a circumstance
occurred from which is to be dated the fortune of a very meritorious
man. While the Emperor was at Strasburg he asked General Marescot,
the commander-in- chief of the engineers, whether he could
recommend from his corps a brave, prudent, and intelligent young
officer, capable of being entrusted with an important reconnoitering
mission. The officer selected by General Marescot was a captain in the
engineers, named Bernard, who had been educated in the Polytechnic
School. He set off on his mission, advanced almost to Vienna, and
returned to the headquarters of the Emperor at the capitulation of Ulm.
Bonaparte interrogated him himself, and was well satisfied with his
replies; but, not content with answering verbally the questions put by

Napoleon, Captain Bernard had drawn up a report of what he observed,
and the different routes which might be taken. Among other things he
observed that it would be a great advantage to direct the whole army
upon Vienna, without regard to the fortified places; for that, once
master of the capital of Austria, the Emperor might dictate laws to all
the Austrian monarchy. "I was present," said Rapp to me, "at this
young officer's interview with the Emperor. After reading the report,
would you believe that the Emperor flew into a furious passion? 'How!'
cried he, 'you are very bold, very presumptuous! A young officer to
take the liberty of tracing out a plan of campaign for me! Begone, and
await my orders.'"
This, and some other circumstances which I shall have to add
respecting Captain Bernard, completely reveal Napoleon's character.
Rapp told me that as soon as the young officer had left the Emperor all
at once changed his tone. "That," said he, "is a clever young man; he
has taken a proper view of things. I shall not expose him to the chance
of being shot. Perhaps I shall sometime want his services. Tell Berthier
to despatch an order for his departure for Elyria."
This order was despatched, and Captain Bernard, who, like his
comrades, was ardently looking forward to the approaching campaign,