Lefebvre[31] has been captured. He took part in a skirmish with 300 of his chasseurs; these idiots crossed a river by swimming and threw themselves in the midst of the English cavalry; they killed several, but on their return Lefebvre had his horse wounded; it was swimming, the current took him to the bank where the English were; he was taken. Console his wife.
Adieu, dear. Bessières, with 10,000 cavalry, is at Astorga.
Napoleon.
A happy New Year to everybody.
No. 11.
To the Empress, at Paris.
January 3, 1809.
My Dear,—I have received your letters of the 18th and 21st. I am close behind the English.
The weather is cold and rigorous, but all goes well.
Adieu, dear.—Yours ever,