THE EMPEROR’S ARRIVAL AT AUGSBURG.
NAPOLEON CROWNED KING OF ITALY.
Amid the great events which were then being enacted, one—not the least in importance—awaited the Emperor of France in the capital of the Cisalpine Republic, now become the kingdom of Italy. The Italians decided to offer the crown to the conqueror of Arcola and Marengo, and in pursuance of that decision they dispatched a deputation to Paris. Accepting that offer, Napoleon and the Empress Josephine repaired to Milan, where they were crowned on the 26th of May, 1805, with unusual splendor. On this occasion, as at Paris, Napoleon himself placed the crown upon his own head; and, when taking it from the altar, he exclaimed aloud, “God gives it to me; beware who touches it!” On the 8th of June, Prince Eugene, the adopted son of Napoleon, was proclaimed Viceroy of Italy; and the French Emperor returned to his army, to make preparations for the memorable campaign of Austerlitz.
NAPOLEON CROWNED KING OF ITALY.
NAPOLEON CROSSING THE RHINE AT KEHL.
On September 21st, 1805, the three divisions under Bernadotte, took their position at Butzbach, in the province of Gros-Herzogth; and on the 30th of the same month, the whole army was united before Wurtzburg. General Marmont arrived at Mayence with his corps, joining Bernadotte and the Bavarians.
The different columns of the army arrived successively upon the Rhine from the 20th to the 26th of September; these corps were commanded by Marshals Soult, Davoust, Ney, and Lannes; Murat commanding the reserve of cavalry. They formed a line of which the right was at Strasburg, the centre at Spire, and the left at Mayence.