[336] "No sooner had the battle of Champ-Aubert afforded a pretext for exultation, than M. Denon ordered a medal to be executed to designate the state of France at that moment. On the obverse, was the head of Napoleon; on the reverse, an eagle erect; above his head was a star; his claws rested on a thunderbolt; and on one side was the sign Pisces—on the other a flying Victory. This was the only medal record of this memorable campaign."—Events at Paris, Feb. 1814, p. 19.
[337] Baron Fain, Manuscript de, 1814.
[338] According to Lord Burghersh. (Operations, &c., p. 153,) Schwartzenberg recommended the retreat of the Silesian army to Nancy; but Blucher (Ibid., p. 186,) "took upon himself the responsibility of declining to conform," &c.—Ed., (1842.)
[339] Lord Burghersh, p. 168.
[340] Jomini, tom. iv., p. 529; Lord Burghersh, Observations, &c., p. 143.
[341] The presence of the allies in the ancient capital of Champagne, had reanimated the hopes of the partisans of the Bourbons. The Emperor of Russia could not help observing to them, "that he considered the step they had taken a little premature; that the chances of war were uncertain, and that he should be sorry to see them sacrificed."—Beauchamp, Hist. de la Champagne de 1814, tom. i., p. 241.
[342] It has been said that Napoleon had been persuaded to save his life. But the result was similar to the execution, of Clarence.—S.—See Baron Fain, Manuscript de, 1814, p. 156.
[343] Dated Troyes, Feb. 24. Moniteur, March 1.
[344] "The King of Naples, being indisposed, has been obliged to retire from the command of the army, which he has resigned into the hands of the prince viceroy. The latter is more accustomed to the direction of large masses, and possesses the entire confidence of the Emperor."—Moniteur, Jan. 27, 1813.
[345] See papers relating to Naples, laid before the British Parliament in 1815, Parl. Debates, vol. xxxi., p. 150.