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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 Bula-
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—A necdote-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.
CHAPTER V.
From October 1795, to March 1796.
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. 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