"Why are you crying so, my child?" he asked with tears in his own eyes as he kissed him.
"Because," replied the child, "wicked soldiers have arrested my papa."
"You are right, poor little fellow," replied Pichegru, darting a look of scorn at those who were watching him, "they are wicked soldiers. Good soldiers would not allow themselves to be turned into executioners."
Augereau wrote Bonaparte that same day as follows:
At last, general, my mission is accomplished; the promises of the Army of Italy were fulfilled last night.
The Directory determined upon a bold stroke; the moment for its accomplishment was still undecided, and the preparations were still incomplete, when the fear of being forestalled precipitated matters. At midnight I sent orders to the troops to march upon given points. Before daybreak all those points and all the principal squares were filled with artillery; at daybreak the halls of the councils were surrounded, the guards of the Directory fraternized with our troops, and the members whose name I send you were arrested and taken to the Temple.
A large number are being pursued; Carnot has disappeared. Paris is calm, marvelling at a crisis which should have been terrible, but which passed off like a holiday. The robust patriot of the faubourgs proclaims the safety of the Republic, and the black collars are downcast.
Now, it is for the wise energy of the Directory and the two councils to do the rest. The place of sessions is changed and the first proceedings promise well. This event has taken us a long stride toward peace; it is for you to cross the intervening space which still separates us from it.
Do not forget the bill of exchange for twenty-five thousand francs; it is urgent.
Augereau.
Then followed the list, containing seventy-four names.