As the cold weather arrived, the French army was disintegrating rapidly and at a steady rate.
Summary:
When the cold weather set in at the end of October, the flight of the French assumed a still more tragic character, with men freezing, or roasting themselves to death at the campfires, while carriages carrying looted property stolen by the Emperor, kings, and dukes kept passing them on the road. The army was shrinking rapidly, and at a steady rate regardless of conditions like the cold, who was chasing them, who was blocking their way, and so on. From Moscow to Vyázma the French army of 73,000 men shrunk by half, even though only 5,000 were lost in battle. The army lost half its men once again from Vyázma to Smolénsk, half again from Smolénsk, and half again from the Berëzina to Vílna. (So, in other words, only about one-sixteenth of the French soldiers leaving Moscow were with the French army arriving in Vilna.) The army was falling apart. Men were deserting right and left. Many through away their ammunition. Many ran away in search of food. It was no longer certain these men could be made to fight as an army if the need arose. Yet, Napoleon and those around him pretended to be in charge while secretly thinking about how they could get away themselves.
quote from the chapter:
I deem it my duty to report to Your Majesty the condition of the various corps I have had occasion to observe during different stages of the last two or three days’ march. They are almost disbanded. Scarcely a quarter of the soldiers remain with the standards of their regiments, the others go off by themselves in different directions hoping to find food and escape discipline. In general they regard Smolénsk as the place where they hope to recover. During the last few days many of the men have been seen to throw away their cartridges and their arms. In such a state of affairs, whatever your ultimate plans may be, the interest of Your Majesty’s service demands that the army should be rallied at Smolénsk and should first of all be freed from ineffectives, such as dismounted cavalry, unnecessary baggage, and artillery material that is no longer in proportion to the present forces. The soldiers, who are worn out with hunger and fatigue, need these supplies as well as a few days’ rest. Many have died these last days on the road or at the bivouacs. This state of things is continually becoming worse and makes one fear that unless a prompt remedy is applied the troops will no longer be under control in case of an engagement.
Book 14, Chapter 16
As the cold weather arrived, the French army was disintegrating rapidly and at a steady rate.
Summary:
When the cold weather set in at the end of October, the flight of the French assumed a still more tragic character, with men freezing, or roasting themselves to death at the campfires, while carriages carrying looted property stolen by the Emperor, kings, and dukes kept passing them on the road. The army was shrinking rapidly, and at a steady rate regardless of conditions like the cold, who was chasing them, who was blocking their way, and so on. From Moscow to Vyázma the French army of 73,000 men shrunk by half, even though only 5,000 were lost in battle. The army lost half its men once again from Vyázma to Smolénsk, half again from Smolénsk, and half again from the Berëzina to Vílna. (So, in other words, only about one-sixteenth of the French soldiers leaving Moscow were with the French army arriving in Vilna.) The army was falling apart. Men were deserting right and left. Many through away their ammunition. Many ran away in search of food. It was no longer certain these men could be made to fight as an army if the need arose. Yet, Napoleon and those around him pretended to be in charge while secretly thinking about how they could get away themselves.
quote from the chapter:
I deem it my duty to report to Your Majesty the condition of the various corps I have had occasion to observe during different stages of the last two or three days’ march. They are almost disbanded. Scarcely a quarter of the soldiers remain with the standards of their regiments, the others go off by themselves in different directions hoping to find food and escape discipline. In general they regard Smolénsk as the place where they hope to recover. During the last few days many of the men have been seen to throw away their cartridges and their arms. In such a state of affairs, whatever your ultimate plans may be, the interest of Your Majesty’s service demands that the army should be rallied at Smolénsk and should first of all be freed from ineffectives, such as dismounted cavalry, unnecessary baggage, and artillery material that is no longer in proportion to the present forces. The soldiers, who are worn out with hunger and fatigue, need these supplies as well as a few days’ rest. Many have died these last days on the road or at the bivouacs. This state of things is continually becoming worse and makes one fear that unless a prompt remedy is applied the troops will no longer be under control in case of an engagement.
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