The New York herald., 1862-09-14
The Campaign In Virginia and Ma
poleOn's Last Campaign In
Germany Compared.
Strong Resemblance in the Objects Of the Var
and the Conduct Of the Two Campaigns.
The Same Causes Operated Disastrously
in Both,
&c.. Co.. Ga

but that of Napoleon in Saxony in 1918, result
ing in his abdcation and exile to Elba in 1914.
The points of resemblance between the two
campaigns are very striking, bo,h as to the de-
signs of the beigerents on either side, and as
to the conduct Of the war, if not as to the re-
salts
The Allies England, Russia, Sweden and
Prussia, and afterwards Ausiria--combined TO
capture Paris and dethrone the Emperor. Ma
poleon sought to capture the capital Of Prussia,
and thus divert the Allies from their purpose,
and overthrow their power. 1t was a trial Of
skill on the part of Napoleon against the over
whelming numbers brought against him by the
royal conSpirators, and it was race to de-
tcrmine whether he would be first in Berlin or
Trey first in Paris. 1t was death struggle
which admitted of no compromise. Napoleon
thought the best place to defend Paris was ut
Berlin. But after many victories, he was over
whelmed by mutinous generals, and compelled
to retreat. Mcclellan, too, thought the best
place to defend Washington was at Richmond
His plans prospered till he was interfered with.
tic drove the enemy before him to the very
walls Of Richmond. But the government failed
TO send him the needed reinforcements, and the
generals, whose duty it was to cooperate with
hm and keep Jackson's army in check, utterly
failed and he was compelled to retreat to q
secure point on the James river With despe-
rate fighting, resembling the battles of Ma
polcon, he succeeded in his movement. But
his purpose was not to retreat further, but to
wait for reinforcements, and again advance
against Richmond. Again he was compelled to
retreat this time by order of his superior
II was a fatal mistake. All the disasters which
beeel the army of Virginia from the Rapidan to
the Potomac. and the insulting menace Of the
capture of Washington and invasion of Mary
land have sprung from this grand blunder
McClellan's design was to carry the war into
the territory Of the enemy-the Illustration Of
his plan is to bring the war to the very borders
OF our own territory, if not across the border.
50 was it in the case Of Napoleon. The failure
OF Napoleon's generals to aid him efficiently,
and the failure of the subordinate generals to
aid Mcclellan, remarkably coincide. In the trea-
cherry experienced by Napoleon and the United
States there is q remarkable resemblance, as
there is also in the start which the Allies and
the rebels obtained in preparation.
The failure Of his Russian campaign in the
previous year. undertaken to compel Alexan-
der to fulfil hls treaties, was heavy blow,
from which the Allies determined Napoleon
should never recover He lost by it not only
$4,000 men out Of 45O ,00O with 10000 horses
1000 cannon and 10000 wagons but the pres
tise Of invincibi'ity both in France and through
out Europe. Austria and Prussia, which were
his proiessed friends from fear, when he ad-
vanccd against the Gar now that he was de-
feated, became detached from his interests and
Joined the coalition of Russia and England
The King of Prussia declared war on the 10th
OF March; but Austria did not yet act openly.
Not only did these potentates conspire against
him themselves, but they resolved to compel all
the German princes to join them on pain of being
stripped Of their principalites. Their purpose
was to cross the Rhine, seize Paris and Danish
Napoleon, just as it was the design of the re-
beilious consprators Of the Southern States to
cross the Potomac, capture Washington and o.
tracise Lincoln. The Allies proposed to bring
q million Of men into the field They calculst-
Cd that Napoeons campaign in Russia had 50
exhausted his military resources that he could
not organize enough troops against them in
time. But, with his usual foresight. he had, dur
ing his absence, ordered new levics which. being
drilled in camps Of instruction, were ready
for action on his return from Russia. He soon
Lad an army OF $4,000 men, and though
100000 were "mcre boys az Sir Walter Scott
cal iIptn mil Ilx.i yh, a.
OF Napoleon a formidable force, Just as did the
raw army of The Potomac in the hands Of
Mcclellan. Prussia and Russia had already
100000 men marching against him from different
points. The Emperor OF Russia and the King
OF Prussia took tic field in person Napoleon
ordered the advance Of his army to concentrate
al ETiurt, whitaer he followed IL. Tie enemy
~ great force appeared on the plains of Lutzen
on the I'd Of May. Napoleon advanced against
them. The Allies had 10000, with 20, zoo cav
airy. Napoleon had $4,000 men. including
1000 cavalry Against such odds lie was com
plctcly victorious the cnemys loss being
10000 in killed and wounded. The Allies re-
treated prccipiiateiy; he pursued and again dc
fcated item behind their ntrcnchments al
tuutTen, VIII TIE loss Oi I0sJWV luel. IncN
thcn fed 10 the wilds OF Bohemia aud Napoleon
went in pursuit.
The Allies. ia order to gain time for the bring
ing up OF the forces or Austria which had already
secretly joined the coalition, proposed an
armisticc for the ostcnsibie purpose Of restoring
reace, the Emperor Of Austria to be the media
tnr Their first care was TO get possession Of
Dresden and secure the alliance Of the King Of
Saxouy. 10 that end the negotiations with
Napoleon were designedly proIracted till they
were ready t. pounce upon him. Mel crnich
was then sent TO offer him the following in
suiing proposal which they welt knew he