Adventure | Science Fiction | Ghost stories | Poetry | Children | History BookOpen Original Text ther the happiness or the misery of
a man whom you don't love is a matter of no moment.
For my part, to love you only, to make you happy, to do nothing which
may vex you, that is the object and goal of my life.
Be happy, do not reproach me, do not concern yourself in the happiness
of a man who lives only in your life, rejoices only in your pleasure
and happiness. When I exacted from you a love like my own I was wrong;
why expect lace to weigh as heavy as gold? When I sacrifice to you all
my desires, all my thoughts, every moment of my life, I obey the sway
which your charms, your disposition, and your whole personality have
so effectively exerted over my unfortunate heart. I was wrong, since
nature has not given me attractions with which to captivate you; but
what I do deserve from Josephine is her regard and esteem, for I love
her frantically and uniquely.
Farewell, beloved wife; farewell, my Josephine. May fate concentrate
in my breast all the griefs and troubles, but may it give Josephine
happy and prosperous days. Who deserves them more? When it shall be
quite settled that she can love me no more, I will hide my profound
grief, and will content myself with the power of being useful and
serviceable to her.
I reopen my letter to give you a kiss.... Ah! Josephine!...
Josephine!
BONAPARTE.
* * * * *
_December 24th._--French under Hoche sail for Ireland; return
"foiled by the elements."
_January 7th, 1797.--Alvinzi begins his new attack on Rivoli,
while Provera tries to get to Mantua with 11,000 men via Padua and
Legnago. Alvinzi's total forces 48,000, but only 28,000 at Rivoli
against Bonaparte's 23,000._
_January 9th._--Kehl (after 48 days' siege) surrenders to Archduke
Charles.
_January 10th.--Napoleon at Bologna advised of the advance, and
hastens to make Verona, as before, the pivot of his movements._
No. 20.
_January 12th.--Combat of St. Michel: Massena defeats Austrians._
TO JOSEPHINE, AT MILAN.
_Verona, January 12, 1797._
Scarcely set out from Roverbella, I learnt that the enemy had appeared
at Verona. Massena made some dispositions, which have been very
successful. We have made six hundred prisoners, and have taken three
pieces of cannon. General Brune got seven bullets in his clothes,
without being touched by one of them--this is what it is to be lucky.
I give you a thousand kisses. I am very well. We have had only ten men
killed, and a hundred wounded.
BONAPARTE.
* * * * *
_January 13th.--Joubert attacked; retires from Corona on Rivoli in
the morning, joined by Bonaparte at night._
_January 14th.--Battle of Rivoli: Austrian centre defeated.
Bonaparte_ _at close of day hurries off with Massena's troops to
overtake Provera, marching sixteen leagues during the night.
Massena named next day enfant cheri de la victoire by Bonaparte,
and later Duc de Rivoli._
_January 15th.--Joubert continues battle of Rivoli: complete
defeat of Austrians. Provera, however, has reached St. Georges,
outside Mantua._
_January 16th--Sortie of Wurmser at La Favorite repulsed. Provera,
hurled back by Victor (named the Terrible on this day), is
surrounded by skilful manoeuvres of Bonaparte, and surrenders with
6000 men. In three days Bonaparte had taken 18,000 prisoners and
all Alvinzi's artillery. Colonel Graham gives Austrian losses at
14,000 to 15,000, exclusive of Provera's 6000._
_January 26th.--Combat of Carpenedolo: Massena defeats the
Austrians._
_February 2nd.--Joubert occupies Lawis. Capitulation of Mantua, by
Wurmser, with 13,000 men (and 6000 in hospital), but he, his
staff, and 200 cavalry allowed to return. Enormous capture of
artillery, including siege-train abandoned by Bonaparte before the
battle of Castiglione. Advance of Victor on Rome._
No. 21.
TO JOSEPHINE, AT BOLOGNA.
_Forli, February 3, 1797._
I wrote you this morning. I start to-night. Our forces are at Rimini.
This country is beginning to be tranquillised. My cold makes me always
rather tired.
I idolise you, and send you a thousand kisses.
A thousand kind messages to my sister.
BONAPARTE.
* * * * *
_February 9th.--Capture of Ancona._
No. 22.
TO JOSEPHINE, AT BOLOGNA.
_Ancona, February 10, 1797._
We have been at Ancona these two days. We took the citadel, after a
slight fusillade, and by a _coup de main_. We made 1200 prisoners. I
sent back the fifty officers to their homes.
I am still at Ancona. I do not press you to come, because everything
is not yet settled, but in a few days I am hoping that it will be.
Besides, this country is still discontented, and everybody is
nervous.
I start to-morrow for the mountains. You don't write to me at all, yet
you ought to let me have news of you every day.
Please go out every day; it will do you good.
I send you a million kisses. I never was so sick of anything as of
this vile war.
Good-bye, my darling. Think of me!
BONAPARTE.
No. 23.
TO JOSEPHINE, AT BOLOGNA.
_Ancona, February 13, 1797._
I get no news from you, and I feel sure that you no longer love me. I
have sent you the papers, and various letters. I start immediately to
cross the mountains. The moment that I know something definite, I will
arrange for you to accompany me; it is the dearest wish of my heart.
A thousand and a thousand kisses.
BONAPARTE.
No. 24.
TO JOSEPHINE, AT BOLOGNA.
_February 16, 1797._
You are melancholy, you are ill; you no longer write to me, you want
to go back to Paris. Is it possible that you no longer love your
comrade? The very thought makes me wretched. My darling, life is
unbearable to me now that I am aware of your melancholy.
I make haste to send you Moscati, so that he may look after you. My
health is rather bad; my cold gets no better. Please take care of
yourself, love me as much as I love you, and write me every day. I am
more uneasy than ever.
I have told Moscati to escort you to Ancona, if you care to come
there. I will write to you there, to let you know where I am.
Perhaps I shall make peace with the Pope, then I shall soon be by your
side; it is my soul's most ardent wish.
I send you a hundred kisses. Be sure that nothing equals my love,
unless it be my uneasiness. Write to me every day yourself. Good-bye,
dearest.
BONAPARTE.
No. 25.
_February 19th.--Peace of Tolentino with the Pope, who has to pay
for his equivocal attitude and broken treaty._
TO JOSEPHINE, AT BOLOGNA.
_Tolentino, February 19, 1797._
Peace with Rome has just been signed. Bologna, Ferrara, Romagna, are
ceded to the Republic. The Pope is to pay us thirty millions shortly,
and various works of art.
I start to-morrow morning for Ancona, and thence for Rimini, Ravenna,
and Bologna. If your health permit, come to Rimini or Ravenna, but, I
beseech you, take care of yourself.
Not a word from you--what on earth have I done? To think only of you,
to love only Josephine, to live only for my wife, to enjoy happiness
only with my dear one--does this deserve such harsh treatment from
her? My dear, I beg you, th Previous Next |