(F.) Blowing up of the bridge across the Elster.
PERFIDIES.
(G.) Machinations and bad faith of Austria, the first and true cause of our disasters.
(H.) Violation of the armistice of Pleisswitz, relative to our blockaded fortresses.
(I.) Desertion of the chief of the staff of the 3d corps.
(K.) Defection of the Bavarian government.
(L.) Treachery of the Saxons.
(M.) Violation of the capitulation of Dresden, &c.
The following are a few lines of explanation:—
(A.) After the victory of Dresden, some one complimented Napoleon on his great success. “Oh! this is nothing,” observed he, while his countenance beamed with satisfaction; “Vandamme is in their rear, it is there that we must look for the great result.” The Emperor was proceeding in person to assist in accomplishing this decisive operation, when, unfortunately, after one of his meals, he was seized with so violent a retching, that he was supposed to have been poisoned, and it was found necessary to convey him back to Dresden. Thus the operations were interrupted. The fatal consequences that ensued are well known. How trivial was the cause, and how calamitous were the results!