On the 20th of April, 1814, everything was in readiness for Buonaparte’s departure from Fontainbleau. He ordered that the guard should be summoned, and advancing toward them, signified that he would speak to them.
“Soldiers! my old guard!” said he, “I bid you adieu! For twenty-eight years I have found you constantly in the way of honor and glory. In these latter times, as in the days of our prosperity, you have not ceased to be models of bravery and fidelity. With such men as you our cause need not be lost, but the war would be interminable; it would be a civil war and France would be more than ever unhappy! I have then sacrificed all our interests to those of our country; I leave you; do you, my friends, continue to serve France. Her happiness has been my only wish; it will always be the object of my prayers! Regret me not. If I live, it is only to advance your glory farther. I wish to record with my pen the great things we have done together! Farewell, my children! I would gladly embrace you all—I embrace your general!” General Petit brought forward the Eagle: Napoleon took him in his arms and kissed the standard. “Farewell, once more, my brave companions—farewell!”
NAPOLEON’S FAREWELL AT FONTAINBLEAU.
THE BATTLE OF HAINAU.
The Austro-Bavarians had taken up their position in the woods near Hainau before the Emperor approached the Maine. He came up with them on the morning of the 30th, and his troops charged on the instant with the fury of despair. Buonaparte cut his way through ere nightfall; and Marmont, with the rear, had equal success on the 31st. In these actions there fell 6000 of the French; while the enemy had 10,000 killed or wounded, and lost 4000 prisoners; and these losses would have been far greater, but for the ready wit of a patriotic miller, who, watching the tide of battle, suddenly let the water into a mill-stream, and thus interposed a seasonable obstacle between the French cavalry and some German infantry, whom they had been driving before them; a service which was munificently rewarded by the King of Prussia later.
The pursuit had been entrusted to the Austrians, who urged it with far less vigor than the Prussians, under the fiery guidance of Blucher, would probably have exerted. No considerable advantage, therefore, followed the battle of Hainau. The remains of the French host at length passed the Rhine; and the Emperor having quitted them at Mentz, arrived in Paris on the 9th of November.
Thus terminated the campaign in Saxony.
