Napoleon's Letters To Josephine - Part 48
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Part 48

_Schoenbrunn, May 12, 1809._

I am despatching the brother of the d.u.c.h.ess of Montebello to let you know that I am master of Vienna, and that everything here goes perfectly. My health is very good.

NAPOLEON.

No. 5.

TO THE EMPRESS, AT STRASBURG.

_Ebersdorf, May 27, 1809._

I am despatching a page to tell you that Eugene has rejoined me with all his army; that he has completely performed the task that I entrusted him with; and has almost entirely destroyed the enemy's army opposed to him.

I send you my proclamation to the army of Italy, which will make you understand all this.

I am very well.--Yours ever,

NAPOLEON.

_P.S._--You can have this proclamation printed at Strasburg, and have it translated into French and German, in order that it may be scattered broadcast over Germany. Give a copy of the proclamation to the page who goes on to Paris.

_May 28th._--Hofer defeats Bavarians at Innsbruck.

No. 6.

TO THE EMPRESS, AT STRASBURG.

_Ebersdorf_, _May 29, 1809_, 7 P.M.

_My Dear_,--I have been here since yesterday; I am stopped by the river. The bridge has been burnt; I shall cross at midnight.

Everything here goes as I wish it, viz., very well.

The Austrians have been overwhelmed (_frappes de la foudre_).

Adieu, dear.--Yours ever,

NAPOLEON.

No. 7.

TO THE EMPRESS, AT STRASBURG.

_Ebersdorf May 31, 1809._

Your letter of the 26th to hand. I have written you that you can go to Plombieres. I do not care for you to go to Baden; it is not necessary to leave France. I have ordered the two princes to re-enter France.[33]

The loss of the Duke of Montebello, who died this morning, has grieved me exceedingly. Thus everything ends!!

Adieu, dear; if you can help to console the poor Marechale, do so.--Yours ever,

NAPOLEON.

_June 1st._--Archduke Ferdinand evacuates Warsaw.

_June 6th._--Regent of Sweden proclaimed King as Charles XIII.

No. 8.

TO THE EMPRESS, AT STRASBURG.

_Schoenbrunn, June 9, 1809._

I have received your letter; I see with pleasure that you are going to the waters at Plombieres, they will do you good.

Eugene is in Hungary with his army. I am well, the weather very fine.

I note with pleasure that Hortense and the Duke of Berg are in France.

Adieu, dear.--Yours ever,

NAPOLEON.

_June 10th._--Union of the Papal States to France promulgated in Rome.

_June 11th.--Napoleon and all his abettors excommunicated._

_June 14th._--Eugene, aided by Macdonald and Lauriston, defeats Archduke Ferdinand at Raab.

No. 9.

TO THE EMPRESS, AT PLOMBIeRES.

_Schoenbrunn, June 16, 1809._

I despatch a page to tell you that, on the 14th, the anniversary of Marengo, Eugene won a battle against the Archduke John and the Archduke Palatine, at Raab, in Hungary; that he has taken 3000 men, many pieces of cannon, 4 flags, and pursued them a long way on the road to Buda-Pesth.

NAPOLEON.