BOOK I.

Chap.

• —Political relations of France and Russia since 1807
• —Prussia.—Frederick William
• —Turkey.—Sultans Selim—Mustapha—Mahmoud
• —Sweden.—Bernadotte

BOOK II.

Chap.

• —Feelings of Napoleon's grandees at the approaching contest—their objections, with Napoleon's replies—real motives which urged him to the struggle
• —Arguments against the war by the Dukes of Frioul and Vicenza and the Count de Segur.—Napoleon's replies
• —His manner of gaining proselytes to his opinions—his avowals to his own family—his discussions with Cardinal Fesch—his declaration to Prince Kourakin
• —Circumstances inclining him to delay the contest—his proposals to England and to Russia—Russian ultimatum
• —Preparations for commencement—Talleyrand—opinions of the military—of Napoleon's ministers and generals—fresh obstacles to his departure

BOOK III.

Chap.

• —Napoleon's departure from Paris—dispositions of the east of France—of the Germans—assemblage of sovereigns at Dresden
• —Arrival in Poland—complaints by the inhabitants of the disorders of his troops—his ineffectual attempts to check them—meeting with Davoust—quarrel between that officer and Berthier—unfavourable impression of Napoleon against the former—arrival at Königsberg
• —March from the Vistula to the Niemen—Napoleon's manners with the soldiers—positions of the different corps—dispositions of the army

BOOK IV.

Chap.

• —Addresses of Napoleon and Alexander to their respective armies—Position of the Russian forces—Napoleon's plans in consequence—Sketch of the operations of his left and right wings during the campaign
• —Passage of the Niemen—Dreadful storm and its fatal effects—Melancholy catastrophe—Napoleon's arrival at Wilna—Political arrangements
• —Feelings of the Lithuanians—Napoleon's answer to the address of the Polish confederation—Coolness of the Lithuanians, and discussion of its causes
• —Distress of the army and its excesses—Manner in which Napoleon was affected by them
• —Arrival of Balachoff from Alexander—Quarrel between Napoleon and Caulaincourt—Progress of the invading army to the 10th of July
• —Operations of the King of Westphalia's and of Davoust's divisions—Perilous situation and narrow escape of Bagration
• —Napoleon's departure from Wilna—Retreat of the Russian army from Drissa to Witepsk—Arrival of the different French corps at Beszenkowiczi—Different partial actions near Witepsk
• —General engagement before Witepsk—French attack ordered to cease in expectation of a decisive battle on the following day—Retreat of the Russians—Napoleon's disappointment—Position of his different corps

BOOK V.

Chap.

• —Napoleon's first plans for halting at Witepsk—afterwards abandoned, and his determination to proceed to Smolensk
• —Discussions with the officers of his household—their reasons for dissuading him from advancing further, and his replies—Feelings of the army in general
• —Operations of Oudinot's corps against that of Wittgenstein—partial successes on both sides—Napoleon determines to change his line of operation

BOOK VI.

Chap.

• —Manner in which this manœuvre was effected—The army crosses the Boristhenes—Character of the Jewish and native population
• —Surprise of Newerowskoi's corps beyond Krasnoë—Bold retreat of that officer
• .—Movements of the main Russian army—Plans of Barclay—his dissension with Bagration—hastens to the relief of Smolensk—about to be surprised by Napoleon—Unsuccessful attack of the French on Smolensk
• —Retreat of the Russian army, and fresh disappointment of Napoleon—Ineffectual attempts of Murat to dissuade his farther advance—Capture of Smolensk
• —Napoleon's reflections on the conduct of the Russians—Intelligence of Regnier's victory over Tormasof—Opinions of the Emperor's principal officers as to the impolicy of proceeding farther
• —State of the allied army—its immense losses from various causes, independent of the enemy—Napoleon's professed intention to stop, but real determination to proceed
• —Final evacuation of Smolensk by the Russians after setting it on fire—their army overtaken by Murat and Ney—Death of General Gudin—Battle of Valoutina—Narrow escape of the Russians in consequence of Junot's irresolution
• —Results of the battle—Recompenses and rewards conferred by Napoleon—Enthusiasm of the army—Melancholy state of the wounded—Animosity of the Russian population
• —Napoleon's plans of moving the Russian peasantry to insurrection—Conduct of their nobles to ward off the danger—Napoleon's hesitation as to the plan he should pursue
• —Saint Cyr's victory over Wittgenstein on the 18th of August—Dissension between Murat and Davoust—Discord in the Russian camp in consequence of Barclay's continued retreat—Napoleon's advance to Dorogobouje

BOOK VII.

Chap.

• —Manner in which the allied army was supplied on its march—Details of the organization of Davoust's corps
• —Napoleon's bulletin and decrees at Slawkowo—Fresh quarrels between Murat and Davoust—Description of the Russian mode of retreat and of Murat's method of pursuit
• —Advance to Wiazma and to Gjatz—Refusal of Davoust to obey Murat—Full development of the Russian plan of destroying their cities and towns
• —Clamours of the Russians against Barclay—Kutusof sent to supersede him—Great merit of Barclay's plan of retreat
• —Near prospect of a battle—Character of Kutusof—Sanguinary and partial action on the 4th of September—Anecdote of Murat—Napoleon's survey of the ground
• —Disposition of the Russian army on the field of Borodino—Napoleon's plan of battle
• —Plan proposed by Davoust rejected by Napoleon—Feelings of the French army—Proclamation of Napoleon
• —Preparations of the Russians—Feelings of their soldiery—Napoleon's anxiety—his indisposition on the night before the battle
• —Battle of Borodino on the 7th of September
• —Battle of Borodino on the 7th of September (Cont.)
• —Battle of Borodino on the 7th of September (Cont.)
• —Results of the battle—immense loss on both sides—faults committed by Napoleon—how accounted for—incompleteness of his victory
• —Advance to, and skirmish before Mojaisk—Gallantry of fifty voltigeurs of the 33d—Surprising order in the Russian retreat—Napoleon's distress

BOOK VIII.

Chap.

• —The Emperor Alexander's arrival at Moscow after his retreat from Drissa—Description of that city—Sacrifices voted by the nobility and the merchants to meet the threatened danger
• —Alarm in consequence of the advance of the French army—Determination of the Governor, Count Rostopchin, and his preparations for destroying the capital—Evacuation of Moscow by the principal part of the inhabitants on the 3d of September
• —State of that city just before and after the battle of Borodino—The Governor's departure
• IV.—Napoleon advances to Moscow on the 14th of September—Feelings of the army on approaching it—Disappointment at finding it deserted
• —Murat's entrance into the city
• —Napoleon's entrance into the Kremlin—Discovery of the conflagration of the city
• —Danger which he ran in escaping through the flames to Petrowsky—Hesitation as to his future plans
• .—His return to the Kremlin—Description of the camps outside the city—System of general plunder—Reproaches made to the army, and vindication of it
• —Conduct of Kutusof after abandoning Moscow—Rostopchin sets fire to his seat at Woronowo—Partial actions at Czerikowo and Vinkowo—Anxiety and uneasiness of Napoleon—consultation with his chief officers—Sends Lauriston to the Emperor
• —Conference of Lauriston with Kutusof—Artful conduct of the latter—Armistice—Infatuation of Murat—Distress of the French army—Warnings of the impending danger—Napoleon's obstinacy in remaining
• —Illusions by which he kept up his own and his army's hopes—Count Daru's advice—Rupture of the armistice—Incapacity of Berthier—Disastrous engagement at Vinkowo—Napoleon determines to leave Moscow

BOOK IX.

Chap.

• —Departure from Moscow—Composition of the army
• —Battle of Malo-Yaroslawetz
• —Distress of the Emperor—Danger which he ran from a sudden attack of the Cossacks
• —Field of Malo-Yaroslawetz—Council held by the Emperor—Opinions of Murat, Bessières, and Davoust—Napoleon determines to retreat
• —Kutusof's similar determination to retreat from Malo-Yaroslawetz, ineffectually opposed by Sir Robert Wilson—Napoleon's projected plan of retreat
• —Mortier's proceedings at Moscow after the departure of the main army—Blowing up of the Kremlin—Devastations committed by both armies—Capture of General Winzingerode—Napoleon's behaviour to him
• —Arrival at Mojaisk—Alarming news of the Russian army—View of the field of Borodino
• —Abandonment of the wounded in the Abbey of Kolotskoi—Horrible conduct of the suttlers—Massacre of 2000 Russian prisoners—Arrival at Gjatz
• —Napoleon's arrival at Wiazma—Reproaches to Davoust for his tardy mode of retreat, and that officer's vindication—Danger of the latter and Eugene—Arrival of Miloradowitch
• —Battle between Eugene and Davoust and Miloradowitch, near Wiazma, on the 3d November—heavy loss of the French
• —Dreadful snow-storm on the 6th of November—its effects upon the troops
• —Arrival of the intelligence of Mallet's conspiracy—impression produced by it upon Napoleon and his officers—Message from Ney—Perilous situation of that marshal
• —Defeat and entire dissolution of the Viceroy's corps at the passage of the Wop
• —Arrival at Smolensk—Dreadful sufferings of the troops—Bad arrangements of the administrators—Reasons assigned by the latter in their vindication

BOOK X.

Chap.

• —Wittgenstein's attack upon Saint Cyr at Polotsk—Retreat of the latter—Want of concert in the movements of the Russian generals
• —Junction of the corps of Saint Cyr and Victor at Smoliantzy on the 31st October—Opportunity lost by the latter of defeating the enemy—General view of the state of the army—Errors committed by Napoleon and his commanders
• —Napoleon's departure from Smolensk—Dispositions of the Russian army to interrupt his farther retreat—Bravery of Excelmans—Arrival at Krasnoë
• —March of Eugene from Smolensk to Krasnoë with the remains of his corps—his narrow escape
• —Successful nocturnal attack by Roguet on the Russian camp at Chickowa—Desperate situation of Napoleon—Wilson's fruitless efforts to induce Kutusof to surround and destroy him—Battle of Krasnoë—Bravery of the guard under Mortier
• —Napoleon's arrival at Dombrowna—Nocturnal false alarm—General disorganization of the army—Davoust's ineffectual efforts to check it
• —Council held at Orcha to determine the farther course of retreat—Opinion of Jomini—Napoleon decides on Borizof—Quits Orcha on the 20th of November without hearing any thing of Ney—Re-appearance of that Marshal after his departure
• —Details of Ney's retreat from Smolensk until his arrival at Orcha
• —Details of Ney's retreat from Smolensk until his arrival at Orcha (cont.)

BOOK XI.

Chap.

• —Capture of Minsk by the Russians—Different opinions in the army as to the causes of their disasters—Rumoured treachery of Schwartzenberg—Napoleon's reproaches to him and Schwartzenberg's reply
• —Details of the loss of Minsk—Movements of Dombrowski, Oudinot, and Victor—Distress and malady of Napoleon—Remarkable conversation with Count Daru
• —Passage through the Forest of Minsk—Junction of the remains of the grand army with Victor and Oudinot's corps—State of the former
• —Preparations for crossing the Berezina
• —Preparations for crossing the Berezina (Cont.)
• —Circumstances which led the Russian general, Tchaplitz, into error as to the point where Napoleon was to cross the Berezina, and consequences of that error—Napoleon crosses that river at Studzianka on the 27th November
• —Capture and destruction of Partouneaux's division
• —Attack made by the Russians under Wittgenstein and Platof on the left side, and by Tchitchakof on the right side of the Berezina, and repelled by the French
• —The burning of the bridge over the Berezina
• —Napoleon's situation during the preceding actions—Passage over the morasses—His manners to his officers
• —Napoleon's arrival at Malodeczno—Announcement on the 3d of December of his intention to set out for France
• —Increased severity of the winter—Partial actions of Ney and Maison with the Russians between Pleszezenitzy and Malodeczno—Quarrel between Ney and Victor
• —Napoleon's arrival at Smorgony—his parting interview with his marshals

BOOK XII.

Chap.

• —Napoleon's journey from Smorgony to Paris—Impression produced in the army by his departure—Dreadful effects of the increased cold
• —Picture of the sufferings of the army from the cold and the climate
• —Arrival at Wilna—Consternation of the inhabitants—Fatal effects of not distributing the provisions collected among the troops—State of the wounded in the hospitals—Arrival of the Russians—Flight of Murat—Evacuation of Wilna—Immense losses which that occasioned—Disaster at Ponari
• —Details of Ney's mode of retreat—Losses occasioned to the Russians by the severity of the winter—Arrival at Kowno—Ney's defence and evacuation of that place
• —First symptoms of Murat's defection—Arrival at Königsberg
• —Marshal Macdonald's retreat from Riga—Details of the defection of the Prussian Army under Yorck
• —Marshal Macdonald's retreat from Riga—Details of the defection of the Prussian Army under Yorck (Cont.)
• —Marshal Macdonald's retreat from Riga—Details of the defection of the Prussian Army under Yorck (Cont.)
• —Marshal Macdonald's retreat from Riga—Details of the defection of the Prussian Army under Yorck (Cont.)
• —Conduct of Schwartzenberg and defection of the Austrians—Atrocities committed on the French prisoners at Wilna and Königsberg
• —Defection of Murat
• —Conclusion

NARRATIVE.

[The summary of the contents of the Narrative given here is that prefixed to the original edition. Sir Walter Scott's notes are printed at pp. 70, 84, 155, 165, 208, 223, 225, and 229.]

• Captain Maitland sets sail in the Bellerophon, with sealed instructions 1
• He arrives off l'Isle Dieu. Proceeds off Rochefort 2
• Reconnoitres the French ships of war under l'Isle d'Aix 3
• Is joined by the Cephalus 4
• Captain Maitland hears of the victory of Waterloo. On June 30 receives a communication, sent from Bourdeaux within a quill, respecting the probable flight of Buonaparte by sea 4, 5
• Blockades Rochefort, Bourdeaux, and la Teste d'Arcasson 8
• Destroys his prizes 9
• A man and boy in a flat punt saved 10
• (p. xvi) Captain Maitland watches the frigates at l'Isle d'Aix closely 11
• Receives Sir Henry Hotham's instructions 12, 13, 14, 16
• The Mouche schooner, with Savary and Las Cases with a flag of truce, approaches the Bellerophon 21
• Secret orders from Sir Henry Hotham 21, 22, 24
• Letter of Count Bertrand, announcing Napoleon's intention of sailing to North America 26
• The captain's answer to Bertrand 29
• Conversation with Savary and Las Cases 31
• Receives private information by a row-boat 35
• Captain Maitland guards the Mamusson passage 36
• The white flag is hoisted at Rochelle 37, 38
• The Bellerophon fires a royal salute 37
• The French frigates appear ready to put to sea 38
• English guard-boats continue to row near the frigates 38
• British flag of truce, its colour 39
• The Mouche schooner, with Las Cases and General Lallemand, returns to the Bellerophon 39, 40
• Communication delivered from Napoleon 42
• Captain Maitland's reply 42
• Buonaparte stated to be at Rochefort, but is at l'Isle d'Aix 44
• Design for effecting the escape of Buonaparte in a cask on board of a Danish vessel 45
• Las Cases, with General Gourgaud, returns to the Bellerophon 46
• They bring an important letter from Bertrand 47
• List of Napoleon's suite 51
• The Emperor's letter to H.R.H. the Prince Regent 54
• Captain Maitland promises to receive Buonaparte 56
• Captain Sartorius is despatched to England, with a letter from Captain Maitland, and with General Gourgaud 58
• Advice of Buonaparte's wish to escape repeatedly given 62
• (p. xvii) July 15, Napoleon reaches the Bellerophon, in the barge of that ship. He comes on board. His uniform described 67, 68
• Napoleon cheered by the crew of l'Épervier 69
• His address to Captain Maitland 69
• The ship's officers are introduced to him 71
• His small knowledge of English 72
• He examines the Bellerophon 72
• Conversations between Napoleon and Captain Maitland 73, 74, 75, 76, 90, 95, 106
• Buonaparte's naval opinions 73, 74, 77
• Breakfast on board the Bellerophon 78
• Rear-Admiral Sir Henry Hotham arrives off Rochefort. His conference with Captain Maitland 79, 80
• The Admiral comes on board the Bellerophon 81
• Conversation at dinner 83
• Buonaparte's portable library and camp bed 82, 84
• He breakfasts on board the Admiral's ship 85, 91
• Attachment for him evinced by the officers of his suite 92, 228
• The Bellerophon sets sail for Torbay 93, 96
• Buonaparte speaks of Sir Sydney Smith 96
• The passage to England described 98, 105, 107
• Card-parties 99
• The captain's despatch to Lord Keith 100
• His conversation with Countess Bertrand relative to a portrait of Napoleon 103
• Speaks with the Swiftsure, Captain Webley 104
• Count Las Cases 107
• English coast in sight 107
• The Bellerophon anchors in Torbay 108
• Buonaparte's exclamation on viewing the shore 108
• Admiral Lord Keith's orders 109
• English newspapers read by Napoleon 112
• Observations of Madame Bertrand 114, 120
• Persons refused admission on board the Bellerophon 115
• (p. xviii) Lord Keith's approval of Captain Maitland's line of conduct 116, 117
• Concourse of spectators in boats 115, 118
• Remarks of Buonaparte respecting the fishermen 119
• The ships sail for Plymouth 119
• Observations on the breakwater 121
• Communications of civility interchanged between Buonaparte and Lord Keith 117, 122
• Lord Keith's precautions 123, 125
• Buonaparte complains of the guard-ships 127
• The Lords of the Admiralty approve of Captain Maitland's proceedings 128
• Napoleon's letter to the Regent is forwarded 129
• He is considered as a general officer 130
• Orders received from the Admiralty 130
• Sir Richard and Lady Strachan come alongside the ship 131
• Napoleon's compliment on seeing Mrs Maitland 132
• Admiral Lord Keith is introduced to Napoleon 134
• Repugnance of the prisoners to their banishment to St Helena 129, 134
• Crowd of boats round the ship 135
• Buonaparte's habits on board ship 136
• Bertrand, Savary, and Lallemand fear proscription 137, 140, 142
• Buonaparte informed that he was to be sent to St Helena 139
• Sir Henry Bunbury visits him 140
• He complains bitterly 141
• He writes again to the Regent 142
• Captain Maitland's letter favourable to Savary and Lallemand 145, 152
• Buonaparte shows himself on deck 147
• Countess Bertrand much agitated at the thoughts of her husband going to St Helena 149
• Lallemand is reproved by Captain Maitland 150
• (p. xix) Buonaparte's assertion that "he would not go to St Helena" 148, 151, 164
• Extravagant conversation of the attendant generals 151
• Mr O'Meara 153
• Countess Bertrand attempts to cast herself into the sea 153
• Her retrospect of Buonaparte's conduct 154, 156
• Her impatience. She writes to Lord Keith 155
• She is overheard by the generals 157
• Buonaparte's inquiries as to St Helena 158
• Report of an attempt to escape 159
• Rumour of an intention of serving a Habeas Corpus to bring Buonaparte ashore 162
• Ship prepared for sea 162
• The Northumberland ordered to convey Buonaparte 162
• The Bellerophon weighs anchor 164
• Service of a subpœna on Buonaparte frustrated by keeping the lawyer at bay 165
• Note respecting writs of Habeas Corpus and subpœnas 165
• Buonaparte again writes to the Regent 168
• He keeps entirely to the cabin; prepares a protest 169
• Buonaparte's protest 170
• He declares himself to be the guest of England, and no prisoner 171
• Captain Maitland's observations thereon 174
• Conversation on this subject with Count Las Cases 176
• Buonaparte speaks of the Army of the Loire, and of his party 178
• Mr O'Meara requested by Buonaparte to become his surgeon 179
• The Northumberland in sight 180
• Arms required to be delivered up 181
• Lists of articles essential for the Trench officers and ladies forwarded to Plymouth 182
• Sir George Cockburn is introduced to Buonaparte 182
• Buonaparte permitted to wear his sword 183
• (p. xx) He requests an interview with Captain Maitland 183
• He expresses his wish of living on a small estate in England 185
• He speaks in favour of Savary and Lallemand 185
• Captain Maitland's letter to Count Bertrand 186
• Lord Keith's order to the captain to deliver up General Buonaparte and others 187
• General Gourgaud 190
• Countess Bertrand's remonstrances 192
• A misunderstanding and reconciliation 193
• Napoleon returns thanks to Captain Maitland 194
• He speaks with regard of Count Bertrand 195
• Search of the baggage 196
• The box of money temporarily taken charge of 197
• Parting of Buonaparte with the captain 200
• Buonaparte, accompanying Admiral Lord Keith, quits the Bellerophon 200
• Count Montholon's polite intimation to Captain Maitland 201
• The captain declines the present of a portrait 202
• Savary and Lallemand; their affecting parting with Napoleon in the presence of Captain Maitland 203
• The Northumberland sails for St Helena 204
• Description of Napoleon Buonaparte 205
• His manners and conversation 206
• Anecdotes 207, 210, 215, 216
• He speaks of his wife and his son 211
• Their pictures 211, 212
• Conversation respecting Kleber and Dessaix 213
• Napoleon's resources in money 214
• The midshipmen act plays 217
• Buonaparte's observations on the British cavalry, and relative to the Duke of Wellington 218, 219
• Character of Count Bertrand 222
• Countess Bertrand, a daughter of General Dillon 222
• Savary, Duke of Rovigo, described 224
• (p. xxi) Savary, Lallemand, and Planat are sent to Malta, and allowed to go to Smyrna 225
• Character of Lallemand 225
• Count and Countess Montholon 226
• Count Las Cases and his son 227

ADDITIONAL APPENDIX.

• 1. List of officers borne on the books of H.M.S. Bellerophon in July 1815 241
• 2. Letter from Ephraim Graebke, assistant-surgeon on board the Bellerophon, to his mother, giving an account of Napoleon's surrender, dated July 30, 1815 242
• 3. Extracts from Memoirs of an Aristocrat, by a Midshipman of the Bellerophon [George Home] 246

(p. xxiii) ILLUSTRATIONS.

• Portrait of Sir Frederick Maitland
  Frontispiece From an engraving by Henry Meyer, after Samuel Woodford, R.A.
• Portrait of Lady Maitland
  lxviii From a miniature at Lindores.
• Chart of the Basque Roads 1
• Portrait of Napoleon
  68 From a sketch taken on board the Bellerophon by Colonel Planat.
• Napoleon on board the Bellerophon
  108 From the picture by W. Q. Orchardson, R.A., in the Tate Gallery.
• H.M.S. Bellerophon at Plymouth
  132 From the picture by J. J. Chalon, R.A., in the Painted Hall at Greenwich.
• Tumbler given to Captain Maitland by Napoleon
  202 Photograph from the original at Lindores.
• Facsimile of part of Sir Walter Scott's Notes on the "Narrative"
  230 Photograph from the original at Lindores.