Napoleon's Letters To Josephine Part 49

_June 18th._--Combat of Belchite. Blake defeated by Suchet near Saragossa.

No. 10.

TO THE EMPRESS, AT PLOMBIeRES.

_Schoenbrunn, June 19, 1809, Noon._

I have your letter, which tells me of your departure for Plombieres. I am glad you are making this journey, because I trust it may do you good.

Eugene is in Hungary, and is well. My health is very good, and the army in fighting trim.

I am very glad to know that the Grand Duke of Berg is with you.

Adieu, dear. You know my affection for my Josephine; it never varies.--Yours ever,

NAPOLEON.

_July 4th-5th._--French cross Danube, and win battle of Enzersdorff.

_July 5th-6th._--Pope Pius VII. carried off from Rome by order of Murat; eventually kept at Savona.

_July 6th.--Battle of Wagram._ The most formidable artillery battle ever fought up to this date (900 guns in action). The Austrians had 120,000 men, with more guns and of larger calibre than those of the French.

No. 11.

_July 7th._--St. Domingo surrenders to the English.

TO THE EMPRESS, AT PLOMBIeRES.

_Ebersdorf_, _July 7, 1809_, 5 A.M.

I am despatching a page to bring you the good tidings of the victory of Enzersdorf, which I won on the 5th, and that of Wagram, which I won on the 6th.

The enemy's army flies in disorder, and all goes according to my prayers (_voeux_).

Eugene is well. Prince Aldobrandini is wounded, but slightly.

Bessieres has been shot through the fleshy part of his thigh; the wound is very slight. Lasalle was killed. My losses are full heavy, but the victory is decisive and complete. We have taken more than 100 pieces of cannon, 12 flags, many prisoners.

I am sunburnt.

Adieu, dear. I send you a kiss. Kind regards to Hortense.

NAPOLEON.

No. 12.

TO THE EMPRESS, AT PLOMBIeRES.

_Wolkersdorf_, _July 9, 1809_, 2 A.M.

_My Dear_,--All goes here as I wish. My enemies are defeated, beaten, utterly routed. They were in great numbers; I have wiped them out.

To-day my health is good; yesterday I was rather ill with a surfeit of bile, occasioned by so many hards.h.i.+ps, but it has done me much good.

Adieu, dear. I am in excellent health.

NAPOLEON.

_July 12th._--Armistice of Znaim. Archduke Charles resigns his command.

No. 13.

TO THE EMPRESS, AT PLOMBIeRES.

_In the Camp, before Znaim, July 13, 1809._

I send you the suspension of arms concluded yesterday with the Austrian General. Eugene is on the Hungary side, and is well. Send a copy of the suspension of arms to Cambaceres, in case he has not yet received one.

I send you a kiss, and am very well.

NAPOLEON.

You may cause this suspension of arms to be printed at Nancy.

_July 14th._--English seize Senegal. Oudinot, Marmont, Macdonald made Marshals.

No. 14.

TO THE EMPRESS, AT PLOMBIeRES.

_Schoenbrunn, July 17, 1809._

_My Dear_,--I have sent you one of my pages. You will have learnt the result of the battle of Wagram, and, later, of the suspension of arms of Znaim.

My health is good. Eugene is well, and I long to know that you, as well as Hortense, are the same.

Give a kiss for me to Monsieur, the Grand Duke of Berg.