The evening telegraph. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1864-1918, 1864-07-28
JoMINPs LIFE OF NAPOLEON.
TIE CAREER Of IOMTNL


book is a military classic; IL relates 70 the mill
tary and political eveuts in which Napoleon took
so great part; tells them In brisk, clear, tren-
chant way, and with such critical comments as
che jhor, man of profound military sagacity,
and fong accustomed 10 study not only the art of
war but also the science OF politics. chose 20 make
In this review Of period in which he was Que of
the actors, and the companion of the foremost.
IL must be regarded, we suppose, as delicate
expression Of General JOmini's veneraton for
Napoleons genius, that he has written this work
IS though it were Napoleon himself speaking
In his preface he represents the great warrior
arrived in the Elysian Fields, and relating 10 the
assembled heroes, Alexander, Caesar, Frederic,
and the lesser lights, the story of his wonderful
career. The whole work is, therefore, in the
first person, and Napoleon describes, discusses,
and criticizes himself his marshals, and his con-
temporares.
Instead Of discussing the merits Of work
which will always be read by military men, and
slto by civilians and students, with interest and
curiosity, we give below some account of the
writer, taken from General Hallecks sketch pre-
hIed to these volumes as Of more general inter
est than a critical review.
General Anthony Henry Jomini was by birth a
Swiss. He died only last year, at a great age.
He vas born in the small village OF Payerne,
Switzerland, on the 9Th Of March, l779. His
family was Of Italian origin, but had for several
centuries resided in the Canten of Vaud. Young
Jomini received the usual education Of young
men of his class in Switzerland, and having q
desire to enter the military career, steps were
Prince of Wurtemburg, at Montheliard; that
school being transferred to Stungard, Jomini, at
the age of seventeen, was placed in banking
house in Paris. In l79S he was appointed aid.
descafnp to Keller, who had distinguished him
II SELF In the affair at Ostend. Keller having been
superseded by Repond, Jomini lost his position
for time, but was soon afterwards employed by
the new appCintee, and remained for some time
in the employ of the Helvetc minister. After
serving in the office of the Secretary of War with
the rank of captain, he was promoted, in 1879, to
the grade of chief of battalion.
JOAINI ENTERS THE FRENCH SERVICE.
"After the peace of Lunevle, in 1901, Jomini
returned TO Paris TO seek military employment,
but receiving very little encouragement, he ac-
ceptcd position in a commercial house. In 1895
Ney gave him situation on his staff, with the
promise of appointing him aid-de-camp,
which promise was afterwards redeemed. He
served with Ney in the campaigns of Ulm, jena,
EylAu, and Spain, and was promoted to the rank
of chief OF Ney's stan, for services in the field.
In these campaigns he acquired brilliant repu-
tation as a staff officer and as a suategist; but
the reputation thus acquired created jealousies
and made for the Swiss officer numerous enc
mics, at the head of whom was Berther. the
major general and chief of staff of the imperial
army.
"Afler the Capitulation of Dupont at Baylen in
1908, Napoleon determined TO direct in person
the military operations in Spain, and ordered
Ney 10 join him with the 9th Corps dArmee.
Colonel Jomini made preparations to accompany
Ney through the campaign, aud was sent by Ney
to Napoleon at Vienna TO explain the Marshal's
objection to serve under SOult. After the battle
of Wsgram be reiurned with Napoleon to Paris,
where they met Ney. The latter was imme-
diately ordered TO return to his command, and
Jomini was about 10 accompany him,
when he found that Colonel BeChet had been
selected by Ney in his place as chief of
staff, Jomni being assigned to duty in
the general staff Of Major General Berthier.
Rather than serve under the Prince of Neuchatel,
who had always been his enemy, JOmini ten-
dered his resignation, intending TO enter the
vice of the Emperor of Russia. But Napoleon
refused to accept II, and placed him on special
duty in Paris, 10 enable him TO write his history
of the campaigns in Italy. The progress OF his
Investigations, however, was much impeded in
1911, by Colonel Muriel, Chief of the Depot of
Archives, who would not permit him to examine
any paper without a special requistion and
order, designating the particular paper to be
inspected.
Injecting The Emperor one Sunday, Napoleon
made inquiries in regard to his progress in writ
ing the history of the Italian campaigns Jomini
explained his embarrassments, and was ordered
TO report in persOn the next day. He repaired
20 the palace at the hour appointed, and met the
Mamelnke, Roustan, passing from the apartment
of the Emp.es 10 that of Napoleon, announcing
the birth of the Prince Imperial. Jomini mme.
diately withdrew; but the Emperor sent for him
and IepTimsnded him for not keeping his engage.
ment. Jomini excused himself by saying tha.
under the peculiar circumstances, he had supposed
his Majesty would be too much engaged tC
receive him. Napoleon's reply was characteris
tc;-'YouT conclusion was not logical. If tht
Empress he'd continued to suffer, the cast
would have been different; but as she was safely
delivered, the best thing could do was TO let he
repose, and attend 10 my own business
AT this interview Napoleon spoke of Berthier'
dislike TO him, and asked the cause Of this in
feeling. Jomini replied that he had done every
thing possible TO conciliate the major general
even odtriug 10 dedicate % him his Treatise OF
Grand Opei ationsj' that Berthier consented u
accept simple dedication, but no letter Of dedi
cation. He showed bad taste, said Napoleon
you would have done better % dedicate it Il
me; should have been pleased 70 'ccept it.
Jomini replied that he could not venture TO TAXI
such liberty.
"when the war of 1912 broke out betweer
France and Russia, JOmini not wishing tO lgh
against the Emperor Alexander, VINO had pre-
ViOusly offered him high position in the Rus
sian amy, which Napoleon would not permi
him 10 accept, asked the pacific position OF gov
eTnor of province, and was assigned 10 the gov
ernorship Of wilma. He was afterwards sent Il
replace General Barbanegre in the goyernmen
of Smolensk, and rendered most valuable assist
ance TO Napoleon in the retreat from Moscow
especially in the passage OF the Beresina, a
which place he was ordered 10 select, in conjunc
tion with General Eble the points for placing th'
bridges.
''He suffered terribly in this retreat, and severa
times very nearly persisted. When almost OF
the point Of death he met General Guilleminot
the chief of staff Of the Viceroy of Italy who pre-
scented him TO Eugene as an officer at his service
Eugene received him kindly, but with the sig
nifcant remark what, my poor general can
do with you, when i can do nothing with myself
On his arrival at Stettin he received orders Il
join the Emperor at Paris 10 assist in the Organi
zaton of q new army. General Negre, of thl
artillery, was the only other oificer who received
the honor of such an order. Jomini obeyed, but
on his arrival at Paris, his health such as {,
connne hun for three months 10 his bed.
soNIEI GOES OVER TO RUSSIA.
he reloined the army on the day of the battl
NS NNusSens nas ane was appointed by Napoleon chic
OF Neyb stan' ne reported 20 the Marshal, a
LePslc, alns on sne p an & q May. The meeting wa
expected the appointments. But thei- ali reSet;or,
were soon renewed, and Jomini aistn',nisheJ
himself at the battle of Bautzen by he sd cioHs
Life Of Napoleon. BY Baron Jonini. General ,n.c.,.
and Aid Camp 10 the Emperor Of Russia
fIon the French, with notes. By H. W. Haleck H. ~
General United States Army. author of "Kemenf
OF lltaTy Art and Science" "Internatlonal Law AM m
Lawg OF War, 3e., &C. In four volumes, wrh atlal
New kort D. Van EsosstrAnd, No. iva broadway. LOn
ssoni TTbneT 4 Co 1884,