Publisher's Synopsis
This historic book may have numerous typos and missing text. Purchasers can usually download a free scanned copy of the original book (without typos) from the publisher. Not indexed. Not illustrated. 1903 edition. Excerpt: ... TALKS OF NAPOLEON AT ST. HELENA Journal Of General Baron Gourgaud From The Day After The Battle Of Waterloo, June 19, 1815, To The Arr1val Of Napoleon At St. Helena, October 15, 1815. June /p, The Emperor reached Charleroy at 7 o'clock in the morning, passed through the town, and crossed the Sambre. He passed some time in the meadow which lies to the right after crossing the bridge. There he tried to rally a small body of cavalry, carbineers, etc. It was a vain effort! The men who fell into the ranks on one side slipped out at the other..... His Majesty ate something. His servants rejoined me with those of Lariboisiere; my horse being exhausted, I took one of his. The Emperor told me to give orders to four companies of pontonniers who were near, equipped for bridge-building, to abandon their drays and their boats, and to fall back with the horses and soldiers of their party on Avesnes. I also hastened the departure of a number of peasants' carts, loaded with wine, bread, etc. They contained a considerable quantity of provisions, while in the army we were dying of hunger. His Majesty, who was greatly fatigued, demanded a caleche. We told him the roads were encumbered with vehicles, and that in a carriage he could not escape from the light horse of the enemy, which every moment we expected to appear. He then remounted on horseback, and for a short time we took the road to Avesnes; but after being informed that there were partisans of the enemy at Beaumont, the Emperor decided to go toward Philippeville. After a time we met some of our men in flight, who tried to obstruct our passage. His Majesty hesitated for a moment, but seeing no enemy, decided we must go on; we therefore resumed our route. With Saint Yon, Regnault, Amillet, and...
