Napoleon's Letters To Josephine - Part 37
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Part 37

No. 75.

TO THE EMPRESS, AT ST. CLOUD.

_Marienburg, June 3, 1807._

This morning I slept at Marienburg. Yesterday I left Dantzic; my health is very good. Every letter that comes from St. Cloud tells me you are always weeping. That is not well; it is necessary for you to keep well and be cheerful.

Hortense is still unwell; what you tell me of her makes me very sorry for her.

Adieu, dear; think of all the affection I bear for you.

NAPOLEON.

_June 5th.--Russians defeated at Spanden; Bernadotte wounded._

No. 76.

_June 6th.--Russians defeated at Deppen by Soult._

TO THE EMPRESS, AT ST. CLOUD.

_Finckenstein, June 6, 1807._

_My Dear_,--I am in flourishing health. Your yesterday's letter pained me; it seems to me that you are always grieving, and that you are not reasonable. The weather is very fine.

Adieu, dear; I love you and wish to see you cheerful and contented.

NAPOLEON.

_June 9th.--Russians defeated at Guttstadt by Napoleon, and_

_June 10th.--At Heilsberg._

_June 14th.--Battle of Friedland, completing the "Campaign of Ten Days."_

No. 77.

TO THE EMPRESS, AT ST. CLOUD.

_Friedland, June 15, 1807._

_My Dear_,--I write you only a line, for I am very tired, by reason of several days' bivouacking. My children have worthily celebrated the anniversary of the battle of Marengo.

The battle of Friedland will be as celebrated for my people, and equally glorious. The entire Russian army routed, 80 pieces of cannon captured, 30,000 men taken or slain, 25 Russian generals killed, wounded, or taken, the Russian Guard wiped out. The battle is worthy of her sisters--Marengo, Austerlitz, Jena. The bulletin will tell you the rest. My loss is not considerable. I out-manoeuvred the enemy successfully.

Be content and without uneasiness.

Adieu, dear; my horse is waiting.

NAPOLEON.

You may give this news as official, if it arrives before the bulletin.

They may also fire salvoes. Cambaceres will make the proclamation.

No. 78.

_June 16th.--Konigsberg captured by Soult--"what was left to the King of Prussia is conquered."_

TO THE EMPRESS, AT ST. CLOUD.

_Friedland_, _June 16, 1807_, 4 P.M.

_My Dear_,--Yesterday I despatched Moustache with the news of the battle of Friedland. Since then I have continued to pursue the enemy.

Konigsberg, which is a town of 80,000 souls, is in my power. I have found there many cannon, large stores, and, lastly, more than 160,000 muskets, which have come from England.

Adieu, dear. My health is perfect, although I have a slight catarrh caused by bivouacking in the rain and cold. Be happy and cheerful.--Yours ever,

NAPOLEON.

_June 17th.--Neisse, in Silesia, with 6000 men, surrenders to the French; also_

_June 18th--Glatz._

No. 79.

TO THE EMPRESS, AT ST. CLOUD.

_Tilsit, June 19, 1807._

This morning I despatched Tascher to you, to calm all your fears. Here all goes splendidly. The battle of Friedland has decided everything.

The enemy is confounded, overwhelmed, and greatly weakened.

My health is good, and my army is superb.

Adieu, dear. Be cheerful and contented.

NAPOLEON.