Virginia advocate. [volume] (Charlottesville, Va.) 1827-1860, 1830-03-12

GExERAI BERNARD. The following anecdotes
of General Bernard, officer not less known
and distinguished among us .han in Europe, are
translated for the Gazette, by friend, from the
second part Of the Memoirs of Bourrcnne, the
confidential Secretary of Napoleon:
AT the commencement Of the famous Austri.
an campaign Of 1906, while the Emperor was
at Strasburg, he directed General Marcsc OF, the
mander-in-Chiet of the Engineers, to Sc
lect from his distinguished corps officers suf-
ficicntly adroit to fulfil delicate mission one
necessarily brave, prudent and skilful and capa-
bic of extending reconnaissance to the utmost
possible limits The officer chosen by General
Marescot was simply Captain of Engineers, of
the name of Bernard, a former eleve of the
Polytechniquo School. The young man set
out upon his mission without exciting any par
tlcular notice he pushed forward his observa-
tons nearly to Vienna, and returned to the En-
peror's head quarters, about the time of the ca
pitulation of Ulm. The Emperor interrogated
him personally, and was highly pleased with his
replies. Not satisfied with answering verbally
to the questions of Napoleon, CAPTAIN Bernard
had digested report the observations that
he had made, suggesting the most expedient
line of mach to be pursued. He advised, n.
mong other things, that it would be desirable to
push the army directly upon Vienna, without
attending TO the intermediate places of strength
that being once master of the Austrian Capital,
the Emperor might dictate the law To the whole
empire. {" was near tho Emperor" said Rnpp,
" when he received theyoung officers of Engi
necrs-und you may imagine the anger which
he displayed, whilst the report was being read"
How, exclaimed he, you are very bold, very
dsring "A petty officer Volunteering to trace
for me thePlan of my campaign! Begone and
awaits my orders!
In what have already said, and am about to
add, on the career of Capt. Bernard, the charac-
ter of Napoleon is completely displayed. Rapp
told me, that after the, young officer was gone,
the Emperor altered his tone altogether This,
said he, is clever young fellow; he has OBJ
served much; am not wishing to expose him
to be executed as spy; ! shall have occasion
for him by and by; go tell Berther to make out
an order, and send him to Illyra." The order
was served, and Captain Bernard participating
in all the nrdour of his comrades in arms, atthe
approach OF campaign, was deprived oft TAX
ing part in it, and regarded as punishment
solely as precaution to preserve the life of a
young man whom he so highly appreciated At
the end Of tho campaign, in Iewarding the Off
GERS who had distinguished themselves, Bcrthier
believing Bernard to be in disgrace omitted to
place his name upon the list of Captains of En-
gineers, who were to be promoted to the rank
of Chief de Battalion The Emperor him
self inscribed the name Of Bernard at the head
Of the list, before that of all the other officers
Nevertheless, the Emperor forgot him for long
period, until he was Accidentally recalled to his
notice. have never had any personal acquaint-
| ance with Capt. Is. but Rapp has informed me
| of the manner in which he afterwards become
his colleague, in quality Of Aide Camp to the
Emperor. and will relate the particulars, al
| though they happened at subsequent period Of
| time. The Emperor being at Paris, was desir
| Gus previous to his departure for the campaign
of 1912, 10 possess exact information of the
| state of Ragusa and Illyia. The particular:
given him by Marmont were no, entirely salts
factory he Intercepted several other Gener-
ais, and the result was always" 1t is very well,
but it is not exactly the thing do not perfect
| ly recognize Rugusa." Afterwards, he summon
| cd Gen. Dejaix, who had succeeded Marcscot
| in the office Of Inspector General of EinIssories
Have you, amongst your officers, any who
| is acquainted with Ragusa:" After some hest
| tatioH answered the Emperor. Sire, there il
| n Chief de Batdiilon who has beeu long while
forgotten, and who is perfectly acquainted will
I iilyria." 'jWhat is his name name ?" Der
| Dord." All stop, Bernard, | remember tn,
name--where is he? Sire, he is at Antwerp
employed in superitinding the Notifications.
Let a telegraph order be seat, TO request hi
attendance here Immediately"
| The orders of the Emperor were Of cours
promptly obeyed. A fow days after tho ellie
dc BatfatLion Bernard was in Paris Mt the hous
General Dejaix, and Immediately conducted t
the Cabinet of The Emperor. Napoleon at one
recognised his planner of campaigns, receive
him kindly, asking him all sorts OF questions, a
was his custom to my knowledge, when
wished to get at a particular fact. Tell III
what you know of Ragusa." He was perfect
ly satisfied with The manner in which he spoil
of lllyria, and after he had finished speaking
Napoleon said TO him Colonel Bernard, now
know Ragusa." Afterwards the Emperor chat
ted familiarly with him, entering into minute d.
tails upon the system Of ratification adopted
I Antwerp, made him perfect the plan, and crit