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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
CHAPTER II.
From 1785 to 1793.
1
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 June, 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
-His respect for the memory of Gasparin, and of Dugommier 34
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
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
Junot-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
Châtillon-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
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.
CHAPTER VI.
From March 1796, to May 1796.
79.
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-
tezemoto-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
CHAPTER VII.
99
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-
lieu-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