Nothing Napoleon tried to restore and maintain public order in Moscow as well as to continue to advance his military goals in Russia seemed to work. Finally, after the fall of Tarútino, Napoleon ordered the departure of the French army.
Nothing Napoleon tried to restore and maintain public order in Moscow as well as to continue to advance his military goals in Russia seemed to work. Finally, after the fall of Tarútino, Napoleon ordered the departure of the French army.
Book 13, Chapter 10
Nothing Napoleon tried to restore and maintain public order in Moscow as well as to continue to advance his military goals in Russia seemed to work. Finally, after the fall of Tarútino, Napoleon ordered the departure of the French army.
Summary:
Strange to say, all these measures, efforts, and plans undertaken by Napoleon to restore order-which were not at all worse than others issued in similar circumstances elsewhere-proved ineffective. Nothing seemed to work. For example, Napoleon was unable to stop the French soldiers from looting. The city continued to burn. The French generals lost touch with the Russian army of sixty thousand men who they were pursuing. Regarding diplomacy, Alexander did not receive Napoleons envoys and did not reply to their embassage. Many citizens refused to return to their jobs. Robberies continued. In short, none of the many things Napoleon did to try to restore order after the fall of Moscow seemed to work. Finally, the news of the battle of Tarútino, unexpectedly received by Napoleon at a review, evoked in him a desire to punish the Russians, and he issued the order for departure which the whole army was demanding.
quote from the chapter:
Robbery and pillaging continue. There is a band of thieves in our district who ought to be arrested by a strong force-October 11.
The Emperor is extremely displeased that despite the strict orders to stop pillage, parties of marauding Guards are continually seen returning to the Krémlin. Among the Old Guard disorder and pillage were renewed more violently than ever yesterday evening, last night, and today. The Emperor sees with regret that the picked soldiers appointed to guard his person, who should set an example of discipline, carry disobedience to such a point that they break into the cellars and stores containing army supplies. Others have disgraced themselves to the extent of disobeying sentinels and officers, and have abused and beaten them.
The Grand Marshal of the palace, wrote the governor, complains bitterly that in spite of repeated orders, the soldiers continue to commit nuisances in all the courtyards and even under the very windows of the Emperor.
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