Palace of Versailles, December 9th, 1800. At Napoleon's office. Eight days since the meeting with King Louis.
Napoleon poured himself a glass of champagne, the bubbles rising and dissipating in the air. He took a sip, relishing the refreshing taste of the drink. As he enjoyed the moment of respite, the heavy oaken door creaked open, and in walked Beaumont.
Beaumont stood at attention, facing Napoleon with unwavering professionalism. "The Minister of War!" he announced, his voice clear and direct.
Acknowledging Beaumont with a nod, Napoleon set aside the glass of champagne and straightened his posture, preparing to receive Berthier, the Minister of War. Moments later, Berthier entered the room, carrying a stack of official documents in his hands.
"Your Excellency," Berthier greeted, offering a respectful salute.
"At ease, Berthier," Napoleon replied, his gaze fixed on the Minister of War. "What news do you bring?"
Approaching the desk, Berthier placed the documents before Napoleon, who leaned forward to examine them.
"Reports from our eastern borders, sire," Berthier began in a formal tone. "General Moreau, commander of the Army of the Rhine, has achieved a decisive victory over the Austrians in the city of Hohenlinden. They are currently in retreat, and Moreau's forces are pursuing them."
Napoleon's demeanor remained focused and serious as he absorbed the information. He had almost forgotten about General Moreau as he was engrossed in performing his administrative duties. The Battle of Hohenlinden was the battle that ended France's war against Austria. A delighted smile spread across his face.
"Really? Then this is a huge win for us Berthier," Napoleon finally spoke, and walked over to a wall where the map of Europe is displayed. He gestured for Berthier to join him. Together, they examined the map, pinpointing the location of Hohenlinden and the surrounding territories.
"I assume that the Austrians are on the run towards their capital?" Napoleon asked, glancing at Berthier.
"Yes, Your Excellency but the Austrians would occasionally put up defensive positions to halt our forces's advance. A telegraph from General Moreau stated that his General of Division, Lecourbe pushed the Austrian forces under the command of Feldmarschall-Leutnant Riesch at Rosenheim."
"Rosenheim," Napoleon repeated as he searched that city, and there he found it on the map. It was south of Munich, about 370 kilometers west of Vienna.
"He is pushing them towards Austria," Napoleon observed. "I don't have to tell him this but order General Moreau to keep pushing them deeper, the closer to Vienna the better."
"I think General Moreau is doing that as we speak," Berthier said. "But still, I'm going to transmit your order to him."
"Good," Napoleon said, a satisfied smile spreading across his lips. "Now, watch this Louis Capet, you said that I'm going to regret my decision of turning down your proposal huh?"
"Uhm…Your Excellency?" Berthier looked at Napoleon, confusion etching his face.
"Never mind, Berthier," Napoleon chuckled. "It's just a remark from someone who was desperate to get back to a position that doesn't belong to him anymore."
"Ah..the meeting between the Former King of France? Now I understand what you mean, Your Excellency. Well, the Austrians are on a retreat and it's only a matter of time before they start suing for peace."
"I hope Moreau makes the Austrians request an armistice before Christmas," Napoleon said and sighed. "Ah…yeah, I almost forgot, I should get rid of the revolutionary calendar established by the National Convention; it's too confusing, don't you agree?"
Berthier nodded, understanding the practicality of returning to a more familiar and universally accepted calendar.
"Indeed, Your Excellency. Even though it has been in use for almost a decade, I still don't find the revolutionary calendar to be intuitive," Berthier agreed.
"I'll return it before this year ends," Napoleon said.
***
Following the decisive victory at Hohenlinden, General Moreau's Army of the Rhine relentlessly pursued the retreating Austrians. The news of their triumph quickly spread across France, filling the nation with hope and pride. Meanwhile, the demoralized Austrian forces struggled to regroup, desperately attempting to fend off the determined advance of the French.
By December 14, Salzburg had become a critical battleground as Archduke Charles attempted to mount a last-ditch defense. Skillfully organizing his troops, he established a formidable rearguard action. However, the French General Claude Lecourbe led a fierce charge against the Austrians in Salzburg, resulting in intense combat where the Austrians couldn't withstand the overwhelming pressure from the French.
As time went on, the Austrian situation deteriorated further. In towns like Neumarkt am Wallersee, Frankenmarkt, Schwanenstadt, V?cklabruck, Lambach, and Kremsmünster, the Austrian army lost its cohesion, and their resistance began to crumble. The French, under the command of General Richepanse, pressed forward.
As the situation became increasingly critical, Archduke Charles, a senior commander in the Austrian army, faced the difficult decision to relieve his brother, Archduke John, from his command. This decision was taken in an attempt to salvage what was left of the Austrian army and to prevent further losses and disintegration of their forces. However, without Archduke John's leadership, the Austrian Army was now in a state of disarray—demoralized, uncoordinated, and exhausted. Their once-proud ranks now resembled a rabble, defeated and worn down by the unyielding French pursuit.
December 22nd, 1800. In the Austrian city of Melk, just eighty kilometers away from Vienna. General Moreau was on horseback. Riding along with him are his Generals of the Division Emmanuel Grouchy, Michel Ney, and Claude Lecourbe.
They just captured the city with little to no resistance and the people of Melk peered cautiously from behind ajar-opened windows and half-opened doors as the French troops arrived in their city. The retreating Austrian forces had left the once-thriving town in disarray, and the scars of war were evident in the damaged buildings and weary faces of the residents.
"I don't understand, why are the Austrians running from us?" Ney said, a playful smirk on his face. "They should face us like true warriors, or else we'll be strolling into Vienna before they even know it!"
"That's because Lecourbe chased them off so fiercely they had no choice but to retreat in haste," General Grouchy chimed in, his eyes scanning the cautious townspeople.
Lecourbe replied with a chuckle while Moreau kept a serious expression on his face.
"The Consulate wants us to continue until the Austrians request an armistice, and since we haven't received any communication from them, we have no choice but to march to Vienna."
Suddenly—they noticed a horse hightailing towards them. Moreau recognized the person riding the horse, it was his Chief of Staff, Jean-Joseph Dessolles.
"General!" Dessoles called as he stopped his horse. "There is an Austrian commander requesting to see you from outside the gates of the city."
"Who is it?" Moreau asked.
"He introduced himself as Archduke Charles," Desolles revealed.
"The brother of the Austrian-Bavarian Army huh?" Moreau mused. "I assume they are here to request an armistice?"
"He didn't state his intention General, but it seems to be the case," Dessolles replied.
"Okay, I'll see him."
The two commanders met in the Schallaburg Castle, where Charles and Morea were sitting across one another.
"I am General Moreau, Commander of the Army of the Rhine. For what purpose do you seek this meeting, Archduke Charles?" Moreau asked, his voice firm but not lacking in respect.
Archduke Charles, looking weary and disheartened, spoke with a hint of apprehension in his voice.
"General Moreau, I come here to discuss the possibility of an armistice. The situation for my forces has become dire, and we are no longer in a position to continue this conflict."
A smile appeared on Moreau's face. "Very well."
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