CONTENTS.

CHAPTER I.

From 1769 to 1785.

Corsica-Birth of Napoleon-His family-Circumstances attending his

birth-Anecdotes of his infancy-His father, a deputy of the nobles to

Versailles in 1779-Places him at the military school of Brienne-Anec-

dotes respecting him while at Brienne-Pichegru his comrade and tutor

-His admiration for Turenne-His early transfer to the school of Paris—

The Chevalier Keralio's opinion and report of him-Admiration of his

instructors at Paris-His favourite authors—Anecdotes in regard to him

while at the school of Paris-Noticed by the Abbé Raynal-Death of his

father-His comrades at school-Examined by La Place-Receives his

first commission as second lieutenant of Artillery-Joins his regiment at

Valence, in Dauphiné—His character at the time

1

CHAPTER II.

From 1785 to 1793.

Napoleon in garrison at Valence in Dauphiné-Madame Colombier's kind-

ness and esteem for him-In love with her daughter-His success in

society-His comrades in the regiment-His prize essay successful in the

academy of Lyons-His history of Corsica-Commended by the Abbé

Raynal-In garrison at Auxonne-Near being drowned in the Saône-

Prince of Condé-Bonaparte's public letter to the Corsican deputy Buta-

foco-Kindness to his brother Louis-Promoted to a first lieutenancy in

the regiment of Grenoble-Returns to Valence-Anecdote-General

Dutheil-Bonaparte's liberal political opinions-Rescues a brother officer

-Visits Corsica-Death of his father's uncle-Anecdote-Promoted to a

captaincy-Commands a Corsican battalion, and suppresses a riot at

Ajaccio The first slander against him-Goes to Paris-Remarks on the

horrors of the 20th of Jane, and 10th of August-Reflection-Interest

about his sisters--Returns to Corsica-The expedition against Sardinia—

Paoli~~~~ Anecdote—Refuses to join Paoli—Paoli's cruelty to the Bona-

parte family-Civil war in Corsica-Bonaparte active on the side of

France-Paoli calls in the English-Corsica subdued by England—

Madame Bonaparte takes refuge on the continent, and settles at Marseilles

-Bonaparte joins the army of Italy-Writes and publishes "Le Souper

de Beaucaire."

15

CHAPTER III.

From August 1793, to March 1764.

Siege of Toulon-That place betrayed to lord Hood-Situation of Toulon-

Strength of the allied garrison-Measures of the committee of public

safety-Their plan for the siege-Bonaparte chief of battalion—Ap-

pointed to command the artillery of the siege-General Cartaux-Bona-

parte's plan-Rejected by Cartaux-Folly of that general-Vigour and

activity of Bonaparte-Council of war-Bonaparte's plan adopted-Its

execution commenced-Little Gibraltar-Battery of the convention-

Mischievous interference of the deputies-Sally and capture of General

O'Hara―General Doppet-His cowardice and incapacity-General Du-

gommier-His courage and experience-Discouragement of the besiegers

-Confidence of Bonaparte-His batteries play on little Gibraltar-Advises
the storming that place-Little Gibralter carried by assault-Bravery of

the garrison-Swaggering of the deputies-The allied squadrons weigh

anchor-The town, forts, and harbour plundered and evacuated-The

French fleet, arsenal, and magazines set on fire-Dreadful conflagration

-Distress of the Toulonese-Anecdotes-Junot-Humanity of Bonaparte

-Duroc-Affection and admiration of Dugommier for Bonaparte-Bona-

parte brigadier general-Is ordered to join the army of Italy-Prescribes
a system of fortifications for the coast-His horror of the cruelty of a mob
34

-His respect for the memory of Gasparin, and of Dugommier .

CHAPTER IV.

From March 1794, to October 1795.

Bonaparte joins the army of Italy as general of artillery-His first aides de-
camp-General Dumerbion-Position of the two armies-Strong camp

of the Sardinians-Bonaparte's plan for dislodging them-Adopted by a

council of war-Massena-Bonaparte's active operations-Their rapidity
and success-Beats the Austrians-Takes Oneille, Ormea, and Garessio—

The Sardinians dislodged and Saorgio taken by Massena, who drives them
from the Col de Tende-Positions occupied by the French army-Their
sufferings-Bonaparte's plan for uniting the armies of Italy and the Alps

—Prevented by the events of the 9th Thermidor-Preparations of the al-
lies-Plan proposed by Bonaparte for counteracting them--Carries it into

xiii

execution-Its effects-End of the campaign—His chief occupations in

autumn and winter-Madame Thurreau—Bonaparte's infatuation—Its

probable effect on his fortune-Robespierre the younger-Anecdote—

Bonaparte put under arrest-Released without trial-Zeal and fidelity of

Junol-Bonaparte summoned to the bar of the convention, on a charge

which is withdrawn-Attached to the armament prepared for an attack

upon Rome By his advice that project abandoned-Mob at Toulon-

Saves two deputies of the assembly-Rescues the Chabrillants-Rejoins

the army of Italy-Ordered to take a command in the infantry—Is dis-

satisfied and proceeds to Paris-Visits his mother on his way and stops at

Chatillon-sur-Seine-Anecdote-His interview with Aubry, the minister

of war-His retort-Tenders his resignation—It is not accepted-Appointed

to command the artillery of the army of the West-Kellermann's disasters

~Danger of the Italian frontier-The committee of public safety consults

Bonaparte-He draws up instructions which are sent to Kellermann-Is

employed in the war office in directing the operations of the armies-His

reputed idea of obtaining orders to seek a command in the army of the

Grand Signior-Independent in his circumstances, though not rich-His

disposal of his time while at Paris-His impression in society.

57

CHAPTER V.

From October 1795, to March 1796.

The convention adopt the constitution of the year III—Its principal provi-

sions-Likely to be acceptable to the nation—The additional acts engrafted

on it excite dissatisfaction-Wisdom of those acts-Combined opposition

of the royalists and jacobins-The people of Paris stirred up to opposi-

tion-They vote for accepting the constitution and for rejecting the acts

-A majority of the nation and the armies give their suffrages for both—

Resistance and insurrection of the sections of Paris-Violence of the sec-

tion Lepelletier-Measures of the convention-General Menou commander

in chief of the army of the interior-He attempts to disperse an armed body

of insurgents-Hesitates and fails-Danger of the crisis-Bonaparte an

accidental witness of Menou's miscarriage-Repairs to the gallery of the

convention-Agitation of that assembly-His conference with the execu-

tive committee-Protests against being fettered by commissaries of the con-

vention-Is appointed by the committee to command the troops-Barras

made nominal commander in chief-Bonaparte's prompt and judicious

measures-Gets possession of the cannon and occupies the bridges---Dani-

can, commander in chief of the insurgents, summons the convention to

dismiss their troops-Bonaparte furnishes the members with arms-Move-

ment of the insurgent leader Lafond, upon Pont-neuf-Cartaux abandons

that post, and falls back to the Louvre-The insurgents close in and fire

upon the Tuileries-Bonaparte orders his troops to act-Spirit and success

of his operations-Courage and repulse of Lafond-The insurgents de-

feated at all points-Humanity of Bonaparte-The insurrection quelled-

Exultation of the convention-Meanness of Barras-The appointment of

Bonaparte, as commander of the army of the interior, confirmed by the

convention-Their moderation-Trial and danger of Menou-Saved by

the influence of Bonaparte-Bonaparte disarms the national guard, and

executes other unwelcome but salutary measures-Scarcity in Paris-Dis-

content of the populace-Anecdote-Recomposes the legislative guard,

for the new government-Organises a legion of police, and a guard for

the directory-Becomes acquainted with Madame Beauharnais and her

son-Interesting interview-The Italian frontier again in danger-Bona-

parte consulted by the directory-Furnishes a plan of campaign-Ap-

pointed commander in chief of the army of Italy Marries Madame Beau-

harnais-State of his fortune and his probable reflections-Leaves Paris

and takes command of his army..

79.

CHAPTER VI.

From March 1796, to May 1796.

Italy-The valley of the Po-The states and forces by which it was defended

-The instructions of the directory to Bonaparte-The folly of those in-

structions-Comparative numbers and condition of the hostile armies-

Sufferings of the French-Their want of food, money, horses, and artillery

-Bonaparte relieves general Scherer-His appointment acceptable to the

troops-Not so altogether to Massena and Augereau-The force and as-

cendancy of his character-Anecdote-Transfers the head quarters to Al-

benga-Mutiny of the 29th regiment-Royalist emissary-The mutineers

punished, and the emissary arrested-Efficacious attention of Bonaparte

to the subsistence of his troops-His march to Albenga--Disdains to return

the cannonade of Nelson-Address to his army-Its character and effects

-His generals and aides de camp-The high spirit of the army-Bona-

parte's plan of invasion-His object frustrated by the advance of general

Laharpe Stations of the several divisions of his army-Beaulieu opens

the campaign-His activity aud plan of operations-He advances upon

Voltri-Directs Argenteau upon Savona-Bonaparte resolves to detain

Beaulieu at Voltri, and to attack Argenteau-Combat of Voltri-Of Mon-

teligino-Good conduct of Cervoni-Heroism of Rampon--Battle of Mon-

tenotte-Defeat of Argenteau-Advance of the French-Beaulieu and Nel-

son disconcerted-Battle of Millesimo-Gallantry of Joubert-Surrender

of Provera-Passage of the Bormida and storming of Dego-Defeat of

Beaulieu and further advance of the French-Surprise of Dego-Retaken

by the Austrians-Countermarch of Bonaparte-Battle of Dego-Heroic

conduct and death of general Causse-Promptness and activity of Bona-

parte-Gallantry of Lanusse and of Lannes-Sanguinary defeat of the

Austrians-Recapture of Dego-Bonaparte prudent after his surprise-

Sends to reconnoitre Voltri-The Austrians and Sardinians completely

separated-Laharpe's division posted on the Belbo-Serrurier's division

advanced against the Sardinians-The action of the army reversed—March

of the French upon Ceva-They reach the commanding height of Men-

tezemolo-The plains of Italy in view-Feelings of the troops-Emotion

and remark of Bonaparte-Attack upon Ceva-The Sardinians driven with

loss from their intrenched camp-Alarm of the court of Turin-The

French pass the Tanaro-Their active pursuit-General Colli retreats be-

hind the Corsaglio-Serrurier passes that river-Driven back-Bona-

parte's dispositions for advancing-Directs Augereau to march down the

right bank of the Tanaro-With Serrurier and Massena passes the Cor-

saglio-Battle of Mondovi-Defeat of the Sardinians-Pursued by general

Stengel with the French cavalry~His death and character-Gallantry of

Murat-Rapid advance of the French army towards Turin-Serrurier en-

ters Fossano, Massena Cherasco, and Augereau Alba-Bonaparte fortifies

Cherasco-His preparations for strengthening his army-The king of Sar-

dinia sues for peace-His general proposes a suspension of arms—Answer

and conditions of Bonaparte-His frankness and moderation-Armistice

of Cherasco-Sufferings of the French troops for food-Their plundering—

Discontent of the officers-General Laharpe tenders his resignation—

Firmness and equity of Bonaparte-His measures to supply food to his

troops, to repair his losses, and to strengthen his position-He equips his

cavalry and prepares a park of artillery-His victories celebrated by the

French legislature-His conduct approved by the directory-He resolves

to invade the Italian possessions of the house of Austria

99

CHAPTER VII.

From the 28th of April to the 14th of May 1796.

Objects of Bonaparte-Doubts and opinions of his officers-Proclamation of

Cherasco-Its effect-He confers with his officers-Overcomes their ob-

jections-Puts his troops in motion-Repairs to Tortona-His courtesy--

Remarkable letters to the directory-His brother Joseph-Movements of

Beaulieu-He passes the Po at Valenza-Stratagem, secresy, and pru-

dence of Bonaparte-Positions of Beaulieu to defend the passage of the

Po-Bonaparte's march to Placentia-Passes the Po-Measures of Beau-

liea-Combat of Fombio-Affair of Codogno-Death of general Laharpe

--Armistice of Placentia-Combat of Casal Pusterlengo-Beaulieu retreats

to Lodi-Bonaparte defeats his rear guard-Battle of Lodi-Capture of

Pizzighitone-Surrender of Cremona-Serrurier guards the line of the