Fire and Sword

Chapter 24

Warsaw, January 1807

Napoleon pulled the thick fur robe more closely about his shoulders as he stared into the fireplace. A servant had built the fire up before retiring and leaving him alone in the study.That had been over an hour ago, and the split logs had long since burned through. The charred timber was gilded with bright orange specks that pulsed slowly amid the slender fingers of flame flickering up from the heart of the fire. Outside, the wind moaned round the castle as the blizzard that had begun at dawn continued into the dusk, blanketing the city in a thick mantle of white snow. Winter gripped the land and across Poland the men of the Grand Army huddled in their billets and only ventured abroad to search for food and firewood, or when required for patrol and sentry duties.

As the previous year had come to an end the Emperor had finally sent his army into winter quarters, before exhaustion and a sharp decline in morale caused it to fall apart. Despite the victories at Jena and Auerstadt and the subsequent pursuit of the remnants of the Prussian army until its almost complete destruction, the Prussians had not surrendered. Even as Marshal Davout had led his corps in triumph through the streets of Berlin the Prussian King, Frederick William, had fled east to join his Russian allies and continue the war against France. All that was left of his army was one rag-tag column scraped together from the survivors, barely a match for a single corps of the Grand Army. Yet, Napoleon knew, the Russians were massing formidable numbers of men to confront the French army once the worst of the winter had passed. Or so he had thought until the first reports of Russian movements had reached imperial headquarters. It seemed that the Russian soldiers were injured to the effects of winter and were already advancing towards the French outposts.

Napoleon idly stroked his chin as he considered the situation. Berthier had updated his notebooks the previous night, and examining them the following morning Napoleon had been shocked to learn how his army had been ravaged by the onset of winter. Almost half of the men were absent from their units as they ranged across the frozen countryside stealing food and looting whatever valuables they discovered in the villages and estates surrounding Warsaw. Discipline was breaking down and already there had been reports of men killing officers and sergeants who had attempted to hold them back from committing the worst excesses.

Napoleon had been shocked by the backwardness of Poland compared to the rest of Europe. There were few good roads, and those that existed became impassable the moment the autumn rains turned their surfaces into a glutinous mire that sucked down the wheels of wagons and cannon and made an effort of every step taken by men and horses. Such conditions meant it was impossible to bring supplies forward and Napoleon had been forced to call a halt to operations. It had been his intention to wait until spring came to continue his advance against the Russians, but it looked as if his hand would be forced if the Russians decided to attack while Poland was still in the grip of winter.

Life was not hard for all the men of the Grand Army. Those at imperial headquarters, and the men of the Imperial Guard quartered in Warsaw, were comfortable enough, and had plenty of diversions to entertain them through the winter. For many years the Poles had suffered at the hands of their Russian, Austrian and Prussian neighbours and they had greeted the French as liberators. Napoleon had been pleased to play such a role and had made every effort to befriend them and offer promises of independence once the Russians had been driven out of Polish territory. Thousands of Poles had already volunteered to serve with the French and Napoleon needed the reinforcements. But if his men continued to plunder the countryside the Grand Army would not be welcome for much longer. While the soldiers could march swiftly when they lived off the land it did mean that they tended to operate like a plague of locusts, leaving discontent and hunger in their wake. Napoleon frowned as he considered the matter. If he attempted to supply his men on the march, it could only be achieved by advancing more slowly, and operating with smaller armies with which it would be impossible to overwhelm the nations that opposed him.

In any case, however an army was supplied, it could not hope to march far and fight in the depths of such a winter. Napoleon leaned forward in his chair, closer to the fire, and stretched his hands out to warm them. For a moment he cursed his enforced stay in Warsaw. But only for a moment as his thoughts turned to the young countess, Marie Walewska, who had arrived in Warsaw a few days earlier. Her breathtaking beauty had instantly captured the attention of the French officers at headquarters, and Napoleon had felt his heart quicken when she was introduced to him at a ball given in his honour. They had talked briefly, then he had invited her to join him for a late supper after the ball, and before midnight had struck they were in each other’s arms beneath several blankets in the Emperor’s bed. She was as good a lover as he had ever known and he felt his lust return as he recalled the smoothness of her skin, the gentle curves of her limbs and the smooth fullness of her breasts. He resolved to send for her again that very night.

There was a knock on the door and with a hiss of frustration he thrust Marie from his mind and turned away from the fire.

‘Yes? What is it?’

The door clicked open as a young staff officer stepped into the room and bowed neatly. ‘Sire, a deputation from the senate in Paris has arrived.’

‘A deputation? What on earth are they doing here?’

‘They requested an audience with you, sire.’

‘Now?’ Napoleon frowned. ‘No. Let them rest for the night. They must have had an arduous journey. Let them rest.’

The officer hesitated a moment before he continued,‘Sire, they were insistent on seeing you tonight.They are led by your brother Lucien.’

At the mention of his brother Napoleon was tempted to change his mind. Lucien would not have made such a trip without good cause, but Napoleon was too weary to contemplate any business of state that evening. Besides, the prospect of another evening making love to Marie Walewska was more than enough reason to defer meeting Lucien and his senatorial companions until morning. Napoleon cleared his throat.

‘Welcome them to headquarters in my name. Feed them and find them the finest quarters available. Find out why they are here and report on that to me by tomorrow morning. Is that clear?’

‘Yes, sire.’

‘Good.Then tell my cook to prepare a light supper, with champagne, and send an invitation to Countess Walewska to join me at ten o’clock. Before then I shall want a hot bath. Now go.’

‘Yes, sire.’ The officer bowed his head and left the room, closing the door softly behind him.The room was quiet again, and the only sounds were the muffled moan of the wind, the occasional hiss and crackle from the fire and the distant sounds of voices of the younger staff officers at a drunken party somewhere in the castle. Napoleon eased himself back into the chair with a faint smile as he contemplated the evening that lay ahead.

It was not until ten the following morning that Lucien and the other senators were admitted into the Emperor’s presence. Napoleon had chosen to wear the uniform of a Colonel of Chasseurs of the Guard, set off by a jewelled star on his breast and a sash across one of his gold epaulettes. He sat at a desk on a dais in the castle’s best reception room with two grenadiers of the guard standing to attention a short distance away on either side, like statues. It was draughty, but Napoleon considered that he must let his guests know that though they were far from the splendours of Paris they were still in the presence of the Emperor of France. The deputation had been entertained graciously according to his order, but had remained tight-lipped about the purpose of their mission across the heart of Europe in the middle of winter.That in itself was an indication of the seriousness and secrecy of their business. Nevertheless, Napoleon did not look up from the fair copy of a letter he was reading as they entered the chamber and advanced towards the dais.The footsteps stopped in front of him, then after a brief delay there was a light cough and Lucien spoke.

‘Sire, we—’

‘Wait!’ Napoleon held up a hand to silence his brother, and continued reading a moment longer.Then he picked up his pen, dipped it into the inkwell and signed his name with a flourish before setting the pen down and looking up with a stern expression. ‘Now then, gentlemen, what can I do for you?’

Lucien stared back at his brother coldly.‘We requested an immediate audience with you last night . . . sire.’

‘I know. I had other business that needed attending to first.’

‘Really? More important than attending to a deputation of members of the government of France?’

‘You are senators, Lucien,’ Napoleon responded quietly. ‘It is I who am the government of France, whether I am in Paris, or here in Warsaw. You would do well to remember that when you address me.’

Lucien bit his lip, then took a sharp breath and nodded. ‘Yes, sire. Of course.’

Napoleon inclined his head slowly. ‘Very well. I will permit you to make your presentation.’

Lucien shifted uncomfortably and glanced at the guardsmen before he continued. ‘Sire, might we speak with you in a more private setting?’

‘Forgive me, but I was given to believe that your business with me was of some importance.’

‘Well, yes.’

‘Then let us accord it the setting it deserves. Now, I have plenty of other business to attend to today and I’d be obliged if you got to the point.’

‘Yes, sire.’ Lucien drew himself up. ‘We have been sent from Paris to represent the views of the senators, as well as the members of the other houses of the legislature. In the first instance we are required to congratulate your majesty on the defeats you have inflicted on the enemy, and to wish your majesty well in your ongoing campaign against Frederick William and his Russian allies. It is hoped that you will crush the enemy swiftly and bring the war to a conclusion.’

Lucien paused and Napoleon bowed his head in acknowledgement. ‘I thank the senate for its kind wishes. But I don’t think that you have come all this way just to congratulate me.’

‘There is more,’ Lucien admitted.‘It is the view of the senate that the time has come for France to make peace and enjoy all that your majesty, and our courageous soldiers, have laboured so long to win. Austria has been humbled. Prussia is occupied and the Tsar’s armies dare not venture far from their homeland. Your triumph is complete, sire, and now you can enjoy the fruits of peace.’

‘My triumph will be complete when Russia joins my alliance against Britain and I finally dictate the terms of peace in London. Then, and only then, can there truly be peace.’

‘But since the defeat of our fleet at Trafalgar there is no prospect of defeating Britain, sire.’

‘Which is why I issued the Berlin decrees,’ Napoleon explained with forced patience. ‘If we cannot beat them at sea, and they do not dare to face us on land, then we must strike at their Achilles heel. Trade. Trade is the lifeblood of Britain. That is why I have forbidden trade with Britain from any port in Europe over which we hold influence. As their trade with the continent withers so the British merchants will lose markets for their goods. Their factories and mills will begin to close. There will be popular unrest, and when the people of Britain are hungry and desperate enough they will rise up and Britain will have a revolution, just as we did, gentlemen. And when that happens King George and his aristocrat followers will share the fate of King Louis and his aristos. And then there will be peace.’

He paused to let his words sink in and Lucien licked his lips nervously. ‘That is a fine strategy, sire. In principle.’

‘And it will work in practice,’ Napoleon insisted. ‘Given enough time.’

‘That is to be hoped. But at present the decrees are being flouted openly. Our brother, King Louis of Holland, turns a blind eye to trade with Britain, and word has reached Paris that Marshal Masséna is selling licences to Italian merchants to trade with Britain.’

Napoleon felt a surge of anger at the last comment. That fool Masséna would spoil everything with his greed. He might be a fine general, Napoleon conceded, but there was none as corrupt and avaricious as Masséna. If it was true that he was selling licences he must be dealt with the moment the present campaign was concluded. He looked steadily at Lucien and gestured dismissively. ‘Teething problems, brother. That is all. Once I have the time to ensure that the Berlin decrees are enforced effectively it will only be a matter of time before Britain falls and our triumph is complete. Then you and your companions can have your precious peace.’

‘But first you must defeat Russia,’ Lucien said deliberately.‘Might we ask how you propose to undertake such a task? There are not enough men in the whole of Europe to conquer and occupy such vast tracts of land as there are in Russia. So great an achievement is beyond even your undoubted abilities, sire.’

‘Enough!’ Napoleon stabbed a finger towards his brother. ‘Nothing is beyond my abilities in this world. If I decide to conquer Russia then it will be so.’

Lucien shook his head.‘It cannot be done. Ask your officers, sire. We already have, and those with any experience agree that the subjugation of Russia is impossible. If that is the case then there is no alternative to making peace with the Tsar. And Britain.’

‘There will be no peace with Britain,’ Napoleon replied firmly. ‘Not until they are beaten.’

‘Then let there be peace with Russia at least. For the sake of the people of France. Sire, they grow so weary of war. The cost of your armies constantly threatens to bankrupt the nation. Your battles rob families of their fathers and sons, and tens of thousands of those men who have avoided service now wander the land in bands of brigands. War has exhausted France, and you would be wise to heed the popular mood, sire. When the news of Jena and Auerstadt reached Paris there were few celebrations.You won yet another battle, sire, but still the war goes on.The people are tired of war.’

‘I know my people, Lucien. I know that they are loyal to me. They proved that when they voted to approve the senate’s proposal that I become their Emperor. By millions of votes to mere thousands. So don’t presume to tell me what the people think. I know what they think.The people love me.’ Napoleon smiled coldly.‘Even if your precious senators don’t.’

His brother froze at his words. Behind him the other senators glanced fearfully at each other before Lucien spoke again.

‘Sire, do you not recall the day when you became First Consul? We stood side by side in order to save France from the tyranny of corruption and incompetence. It would be dangerous if the people began to wonder whether they have not simply exchanged one form of tyranny for another.’

‘Do you call me a tyrant?’

‘Not I, sire. But others do.’

‘Then pass their names on to Fouché and they will be dealt with.’

‘That is precisely why I do not pass their names on to Fouché, sire.’

The two brothers stared at each other for a moment, and then Napoleon looked past Lucien at the other senators and pointed to the door. ‘Leave us.’

They looked to Lucien for a lead. He nodded slightly and they retreated from the room. No word was spoken until the door was closed and then Napoleon pointed towards the chairs set against the walls of the chamber. ‘Bring one of those here and sit with me, brother.’

After an instant’s hesitation Lucien did as he was told and settled stiffly on his chair under the penetrating gaze of his brother. At length Napoleon leaned forward and rested his elbows on the desk. ‘Is it true what you say about the public mood?’

‘Yes.’

‘I see.’ Napoleon nodded as he considered the situation. He could count on the loyalty of the army without question. Some of his marshals on the other hand were clearly ambitious men in their own right. Men like Bernadotte, Augereau and Masséna. Then there were men of influence in Paris who could not be trusted either.Talleyrand, and even Fouché, who would submit to any master who served his own ends. There were dangers to his position, then. Yet Napoleon could not believe that the French people would abandon him. Not while he gave them victory. He decided to change the mood and smiled at his brother.

‘That’s enough of politics for now. I will think on what you have said. I promise. But for now, let us be brothers. What news of the family?’

Lucien’s posture relaxed a little as he composed his reply. ‘They are all well enough. Our sisters continue to argue bitterly and Mother gathers up every titbit of gossip that she can that confirms her opinion of Josephine. Our brothers are well enough. Joseph rules Naples effectively and is winning over the people with his reforms. The same goes for Louis in Holland. Jérôme is as much a liability as ever and trades heavily on the family name for advancement and influence. He wants all the privileges of being a Bonaparte without any of the obligations.’

They shared a chuckle over their younger brother’s hubris.

‘Have you seen Josephine recently?’ Napoleon asked.

‘Yes, she was at Mainz when we stopped there. She’s been there for some time, it seems. Waiting for permission to come and join you.’

‘I know. She writes to me regularly.’

‘So why not let her come?’

Napoleon shrugged. ‘The roads are difficult. The climate is uncomfortable and there are only my officers here for company. Hardly the cosmopolitan life she enjoys so much in Paris.’

‘It’s not so bad,’ Lucien countered. ‘From what I’ve seen so far Warsaw seems to offer enough diversions. I’m sure Josephine would be happy enough here.’

‘I’m sure she would.’ Napoleon’s thoughts turned to Marie Walewska and the uncomfortable prospect of having to juggle a wife and a mistress in the same small social circle. At present the physical charms of the young countess appealed more to him than the familiar comforts of the Empress. ‘However, as you helpfully pointed out, we are still at war and I am occupied by my duties. I would not have much time to spare for Josephine and it would be unfair to summon her to Warsaw only to neglect her.’

‘Yes, it would.’ Lucien looked at him closely. ‘I heard something of your, er, duties from the officers in the mess last night. The countess is a true beauty, apparently.’

‘She is. And I consider it a sacred obligation to create good relations with our hosts.’

‘Well, I’ve never heard it called that before!’ Lucien laughed. ‘But seriously, Napoleon.You cannot put Josephine off for long. She will get to hear of this and be hurt.’

‘So? She has hurt me in her time. Besides, there are other issues that divide us.’

‘Oh?’

‘She has yet to provide me with an heir, and the years are drawing on. I fear that she may no longer be capable of giving what is most needed. A son to succeed me and provide France with the stability she needs. Without an heir there is little chance that you will have your peace, Lucien. If Josephine fails me in this respect then I will need to find another wife to bear me children.’

‘That is a little cold-blooded,’ Lucien responded quietly. ‘I thought you loved her.’

‘I do. In my way. But the needs of France outweigh the needs of any one man, even the Emperor.’

Lucien raised his eyebrows briefly. ‘Perhaps. But she will be hurt.’

‘As will I. Sometimes pain cannot be avoided. When you and your companions return to Paris please tell her to travel with you from Mainz. There is no point in her waiting any longer. She might as well be where she is most comfortable.’

‘And when shall I say that you will return to her?’

‘When the war is over. When Prussia surrenders and I have beaten Russia.’

‘Do you seriously intend to invade Russia?’

‘If I need to. With luck, the Tsar will send his armies to face me. If not, then some day the Grand Army will need to find and defeat his armies. Even if that means chasing them to the very gates of Moscow.’

Lucien contemplated this for a moment and then asked, ‘Can you truly do that?’

‘I think so.’ Napoleon smiled. ‘We shall see. Let’s just hope that the Tsar obliges me by marching on Warsaw when spring comes.’

The door to the chamber suddenly burst open and they both turned to see Berthier hurrying across the tiled floor towards them, a piece of paper clutched in his hand. Napoleon saw the anxiety in his chief of staff ’s face.

‘What is it, Berthier?’

‘A message from Bernadotte, sire. He says that a Russian army has appeared in front of him and he is falling back towards Ney.’

Napoleon shut his eyes and pictured the disposition of his forces in his mind. It made sense that the enemy should march on Bernadotte. His corps was the most advanced and if the Russians moved quickly they might envelop it and destroy Bernadotte before the rest of the Grand Army could intervene. However, Napoleon calculated, if the Grand Army manoeuvred swiftly, the tables might be turned and the Russians could be trapped in turn. His eyes flicked open.

‘Send word to all corps commanders to concentrate their forces immediately.We will advance towards Bernadotte. Once we have joined with him, Ney is to close in from the north and Davout from the south.’ Napoleon paused as he mentally projected the coverging lines of march. ‘We will pursue the Russians in the direction of Eylau.’

‘Eylau?’

‘A town a hundred and fifty miles north of Warsaw. If we can close the trap there, we will destroy the enemy.’ He turned to his brother. ‘If that happens, let us pray that the Tsar gives you the peace that you and your companions want.’

Lucien nodded. ‘I will pray for your victory, Napoleon. And that peace will follow. After you face the enemy at Eylau.’