The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1897-03-07


worthy Of replacing him at the head Of the
Second Corps. In the subsequent battle OF wag-
ram, Oudinot received orders not to attack so
long as the Archdukc Ferdinand did not ad-
vance. In spite Of his instructions. he crossed
tho Russbach. attacked the village OF Maulers-
dorf and carried It, and thence continued his
march forward, Notwithstanding the opposition
Of the Austrians. Nothing could check his i'm
pctnosity, although his left oar was pierced by a
bullet and his horse was killed beneath him.
Masslng his battalions. he drove in the enemy's
squares and forced his way 20 Wagram. where
no received n bullet In his thigh. Never
theless, he held cut until the victory was as
sured. BY 3 o'clock In the evening the enemy
was rctreeting at every point. The next day
Napoleon said to Oudinot: do you know what
you did yesterday 81 trust. sire. l did not too
badly do my duty" "what you did was-you
deserve to be shot!' Somc days later, however,
in a letter to the Minister of War, tho Emperor
said. ut was Gen. Oudinot who took wagrnm
on tho 9th at midday" In n subsequent order
OF tho day the fact was confirmed: Ills Majesty
owes the success OF his arms to the Due dc Rivoli
and Oudinot. who pierced the contro OF tho
enemy ut tho SANG time that tho Duo
d'Auerstadt turned their left" The French
pursued tho Austrians rs far as Znaim,
where the last battle took place, and where a
truce was signed. On the morrow Oudinot, eS-
hausted with fatigue, was camping amid his
men on that road to Moravia which had twice
boon watered with his blood. He was stretched
on n truss of straw when Col. dc Flahaut entered
his tent and handed him u scaled missivc from
the Emperor. 1t was Oudinot's promotion to
the rank Of Marshal. A month later he received
the domain OF Reggie In Calabria, with the title
OF Due and a grant Of S0.OOO francs per nnnum.
u.
The Duchcssc dc Reggie had but one in
terview with Napoleon. This took place at the
Tuilleries in 1913, while preparations were
going on for the campaign OF Leipzig. She was
presented by the Duchessc dc Bassano, who was
not In the least overawcd by the Emperor, but
the younger lady experienced the agony OF
timidity. II was che, recalls. much stared
at, but nothing could increase my distress. I
was absorbed by n single thought, and all tho
rest was but confusion. Everything seemed in a
whirl In that salon. I felt ready to faint.
and I turned so pale that one OF tho
officers of tho Empcror's household came
and offered me a glass OF Malaga and a
biscuit when the names OF the ladies
wcro called out. they entered the closet I'm
which the Emperor was awaiting them. Ho
took n step In their direction. and. nodding
rather than bowling. said: Good day. Nine. Ia
Duchessc dc Bassano." Then. turning to the
younger lady, he gave her the same nod. and
without changing his form OF speech or his tone
said, Good day. Nine. la Duchesse de Reggie
After n second pause the Emperor inquired OF
his wife about Marshal Oudinot. and then said:
You are an old married woman. madame He
followed these words with an arch smile which
lit up his face like q ray. The young Duchesse
replied that indeed she had been married ff-
tHnn u,ontha hut that circnnatancca Ind
until then prevented her presentation; she had.
in fact. followed her husband to Russia. II
know" replied the Emperor seriously. but with
a shade of interest. you have made q long
journey, and. he added earnestly, "a very cold
one After her reception by the Emperor the
Duchesse dc Reggie faced without emotion the
brilliant circle OF the Empress Marie Louise and
the inquisitive gaze OF her ladies'. We are told
that the Empress, tall, stiT. shy, and very thin.
came forward a step To meet her and addressed
to her n few questions which were kindly
worded, II insignificant In tenor. II seems that,
at first, Marshal Oudinot was satisfied with his
wife's account Of her reception by the En-.
press. but when, a week later. the Marshal
was invited alone to tho Empress's circle.
he either did not 60. or else only Just
showed himself. When. two months aftcrward.
In the environs Of Dresden, he was walking by
the Emperor's side, the latter suddenly asked
after his wife. Sire" replied the Marshal, 81
did not think your Majesty remembered ! had n
wife," what do you mean r. asked the En-
pcror sharply. why. Sire, che was presented
20 you and the Empress, and her Majesty has
never invited her TO her circle. was very much
hurt. because her rank entities her to IT,"
why don't you make me responsible for all the
blunders OF q Mistress Of the Robes T. said the
Emperor. Look here, would you like your
wife TO have a place at the Empress's court.
This will prove to you, I hope, that ! have not
forgotten the Duchesse dc Rccgio." The Mar
shall thanked him, but events soon took upon
themselves to solve the question Of etiquette.