Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1859-09-02
THE GAZETTE.
FRIDAY MORNING, SEPTEMBER ,. 1859.
NAPOLEON THE GREAT.

in his campaigns, are not without interest
at the present time, az it Is so much the
custom to institute comparisons between
the first Emperor of the French and his sue
cessOr.
Whenever Napoleon |. halted in the course
of campaign, whether he was lod ged IN
palace or a cottage the first thing done was
10 preparc for him bed-chamber and II writ
ing room. The latter was always the best
of the two, and he attached more importance
to it than to any other apartments he might
occupy. When he bivouackcd with the
troops on the field, a second tent adjoining the
imperial tent was prepared rs the cabinet
for business. and it was always arranged with
the most minute care.
In the middle of the cabinet, stood large
table, on which was spread out the best ex-
listing map of the theatre Of the war
Along with the map were placed pins,
headed with wax of various cours, for the
purpose of marking the positions occupied by
the troops. The Emperor attached more i'm
portance to his map than to any of the necessa-
ries of life, and it was Indispensable to place
the map and the pins upon the table before
any thing else was attended to. At night,
twenty or thirty wax candles were placed
round the map, and on it was laid compass.
During marches, reconnossanceS, and en-
gagementS, the Grand Equerry carried the
map. folded and fastened 10 his breast by II
button, so that it might always be at hand
and ready tn be presented 10 the Emperor
wheverer he uttered the words LA corte. -
In the four corners of the cabinet there
were placed, whenever it was possible,
four small tables for the secretaries 10
write at.
Every history of the time records the mar
vellous facility with which Napoleon |. could
dictate different orders to three or four
persons at once, and it was requisite to trans
cribe these orders with rapidity no less
wonderful than that with which they were
uttered The secretaries had formed, for
the sake of expedition, a curious sort Of
hieroglyphic writing, for example, dra-
CONS tail indicated the French army,
whip stood for Davousts corps, thorn for
England, sponge for commercial cities, &c.
Napolean possessed peculiar talent tor
deciphering these characters. Ofc"urse the
orders thus dictated were transcribed by the
secretaries before being despatched to the
individuals for whom they were destined.
Besides the secretaries, there was keeper
of the portfolio. He wore aliyery ana rank
ed with the Wallets dechambre. This man
never Quilted the door of the Emperor cabl-
net, and when the army was moving from
place to place, he rode in front Of one OF the
fourgons containing the books and papers OF
the cabinet Whenever couriers arrived,
the Grand Equerry or the Grand Marshal
opened the packets and laid the dispatches
before the Emperor If he we're in his carri-
age, the envelopes were speedily seen lying
from the windows; and it the dispatches
were of no Importance, their fragments were
seen futterng after the envelopes. When In
his carriage he would frequently occupy him.
self in tearing useless papers into extreme
ly small pieces; with him it was necessity
TO be always engaged in doing something.
The Imperial carriages invariably contain
ed newspapers, books and sometimes even the
newest novels, and the Emperor read rapid
" everything that came in his way. The
carriage was fitted up with mattress. on
which he would lie down and take nap
when greatly fatigued. Within the carriage
there were always drawers with locks, IN
which papers were deposited. A list OF the
relays we're fixed up conveniently. 50 that the
Emperor could glance over it whenever he
wished; and at night the inside of the carr-
age was lighted by large lamp. 1t was
rate springs. The seat facing the Emperor B
was usually occupied by the Grand Marshal.
Napoleon's dress was always plain and
neat. In summer it consisted of the green
chasseur uniform. with the plaque Of the lie.
eion OF Honor. When the weather was cold
or damp. he wore, over this uniform. either
the traditional redingotte girls, or the cloak
with the embroidered red collar, distinguish
ed l,y the designation of the .Nanteau de Mar
enoo. He had always i'll readiness seven or
eiSbt saddle horses of mediocre quality, but
very quiet and steady. On horseback Ma
poleon generally proceeded at slow pace
or gentle trot; and not untrequentiy when
absorbed in meditation he would give his
horse the rein; but his horses were accustom-
ed to his habits, and they instinctlvely fol
lowed the two chasseurs who preceded the
Emperor
When walking, if not totally distracted by
thought, he would hum tune. or he would
iptone few words in Italian, i'll the manner
of recitative; then he would suddenly break
off and address himself to some OF his suite;
If what he was about to say was matter VI
no Importance, he would address the lndiyid'
ual simrly by his name, Berthier, CauIin-
court, or Mortier; but if he had any affair
mence in Il formal tone, Prince de Neuicha-
tel, Due de Vicenze, Due de Trevise. &c.
When Napoleon fixed his quarters IN a
town, Berthier was always lodged In the
same house with him, and the grand elucr,ry
was never allowed to be absent. Before the
Emperor's arrival, courier was sent forward
10 make the necessary preparations and a
list Of the imperial suite was made ont IN
dicating the places in which each person was
auartered. A commissary was also sent Tor,
ward to purchase the necessary supplies OF
provisions. which were paid for in ready
money. As to the Marshals, they almost
invariably raised their supplies by requ's'-
ton. m
Fourteen carriages were usually filed with
the provisions and baggage of tue Emperor
suit. Mules with panniers carried such
supplies of provisions as could be purchased
when opportunities occurred, in case OF Its
being found necessary to halt in village or
to bivouac in the open field. In the latter
case, five tents were pitched in some spot
selected By the Emperor hi mself. These
tents we're covered with blue and white
striped canvas. Two, placed closely To-
scther. and communicating one with the