The Iowa transcript. (Toledo, Tama County, Iowa) 1858-1866, 1861-12-12
The Campaign OF Eckln uhl.
BY JOHN S. c. ABBOTT.

On the 2d January, 1909, the Empcr
or Napoleon was ut Astorga, in Spain
At the head of 10000 troops, he had
marched two hundred miles in ten days
and was driving Sir John Moore with
his British troops pell-mell out of the
peninsula. 1t was a stormy morning OF
wind and slect, and the ground was
white with the melting snow. Nap
olcon, sharing all the fatigue Of his
troops, was toiling through the storm,
at the head of division, when courier
reached him with dispatches from
Franco. There was no house near.
A fire was consequently built by the
roadside and the emperor read the dis
patches, with the snow flakes falling
thickly upon him.
The dispatches Informed him that
Austria, taking advantage Of the en-
ploymcnt of the French n my in Spain,
had entered into new coalition with
England to attack him in the North !;
and that Russia, indignant that Napo-
leon would not consent to the annexa-
ton Of Constantinople to the Russian
empire, was also preparing to join the
coalition. The gloomy prospect Of
another great European war for mo-
ment appalled, tho mind of the emperor
Sadly and in silence lc rode back to
Astorga. An hour of reflection dis
PEELED his gloom, and snmmoning all
his energies he prepared for the dread
encounter. Leaving Marshal Sonlt to
pursue the fugitive English army, he
returned to Paris, having first directed
the imperial guard to march from Spain
to the Rhine as rapidly as possible.
Napoleon, conscious of the immense
force he could bring into the field, said
to Savary: 'tThere must b some plans
in preparation which do not penetrate,
for there is madness III declaring war
against me. They fancy me dead, but
we shall soon sec how matters will turn
out. 1t will be laid to my charge that
cannot remain quiet; that lam ambi
tons. But they compel me to war"
In preparation for the tremendous
strife, all the energies OF France were
Immediately brought into reqnisition.
Napoleon exhausted his amanuenses
by working them night and day, in
writing letters to generals, embassa-
dors, engineers, king and princes. Bat
tallions Of troops were moving in all
directions, apparently in ex.ricable
confusion. Every foundry and arsenal
in the empire was taxed to its utmost
capacity. Napoleon hoped, by the
magnitude otthc preparation, to over
awe Austria, and thus prevent the con-
flict. "Thcsc very active and provident
arrangements" says Theirs, ''prove
that Napoleon took as much pains to
prevent war as to prepare for it"
But Austria had gone too far to re-
rtsct. England exerted all her influ-
ence Of money and diplomacy to urge
on the war, and succeeded in drawing
the Ottoman Porte into the coalition.
The banded foes Of Napoleon now felt
strong. The king Of Bavaria, one Of
Napoleon's allies, wished to place his
son, young man inexperienced in war,
but Of through military education, in
command of Bavarian troops.
"Your army" Napoleon replied,
"mnst fight in earnest in this campaign.
! Your son may be able to command
when he shall have made six or seven
compaigns with us. Meanwhile, let him
come to my headquarters. He will be
received there with all the consideration
due to him, and will learn our trade"
Gen. Vandamc was placed in CON-
mand Of the $4,000 troops furnished
by the king Of Wurtcmburg. Il know =
said Napoleon, "Gen. vandame's de-
fects but he is true soldier. In this
difficult calling much must be forgiven. !"
The river Inn forms the eastern boun-
dary of Bavaria. The Austsian troops
were assembled in immense numbers,
on the banks Of that stream, prepared
for the march Of invasion. Many noble
Austrians were opposed to this peril
dious attack. Count Cobenstcl, then
on his dying bed, wrote to tho emperor :
"Avoid war, for which no provo
cation is given, and which will be the
ruin Of your house. Napoleon will
conquer, and will then have the right to
be incxorablc."