But I cannot help thinking it strange that the Times and Courier, disfigured and muall these prisoners, and all these cannon, tilated, that any part of it is correct? should have been taken from the French, Buonaparte has been accused of " mean without the Allies admitting that they had spiritedness,", of " whining,".. and of a single man killed, or wounded, or a cowardice," because he tells his subsingle prisoner taken. Lord Burghershjects the extent of his losses, and does not states, that there was much hard fighting: conceal from them the daugers to which the that the Allies were “ strongly opposed," country is exposed. But I would rather that the French made repeated attacks upon trust a man who tells me all the truth, them, and were repulsed with difficulty: however disagreeable that truth may be, Was there nobody but Frenchmen that fell than he who keeps back a part of it. The on this occasion ? were the skins of the former, I am certain, knows how to pracCossacks impenetrable to shot? or had the rise deceit : the latter values himself upon holy charm, which every Russian carries being an honest man. It is from this view with him to baule, so miraculous an effect of matters, that I am inclined to believe on this occasion, that they neither lost leg the following account which Napoleon nor arm? But, reader, let me not deceive gives of the cause of the loss of his cannon, you; for I find, on again casting my eyes to be the true one :--- In the midst of over the very“ satisfactory and accurate" "the obscurity of the night, a bactery of letter of Colonel Lowe, that I was mistaken " the artillery of the guard, following the in supposing the Allies had neither killed "movements of a column of cavalry, which nor wounded. I say, I. nd I was mis- " was advancing to repulse a charge of the taken in this, because I have now disco" enemy, lost its way, and was taken. vered, what had formerly escaped my no 46 When the cannoniers perceived the amtice, that " A Cossack orderly of General “ bush into which they had fallen, and « Guiessenau, was shot by his (Blucher's) " saw that they had not time to form their “ side." I suppose this unfortunate Cos- " battery, formed themselves in a squa: sack had either lost his holy amulet, or had “ dron, attacked the enemy, and saved the neglected, in the morning, to offer up his “horses and harness. They lost fifteen prayers to St. Nicholas. He had certainly " men killed or taken prisoners." The been guilty of some very great crime, that reader will observe, that I have hitherto be, of all the thousands who had been ex- been speaking merely of the battle of the posed to the fire of the enemy, should be 1st. I shall notice what is said about the the only one that was slain. But, perhaps, loss of both sides on the 2d, after I have Heaven intended by this to show how stated my reasons for believing that Buohighly it favoured General Blucher, by di- naparté was not personally engaged in the recting the shot, which was probably battle of Brienne, and that he afrerwards pointed at the “hoary veteran, to the drew off his troops from that quarter, not head or heart of the Cossack, whom it le- because they were routed, but because he velled with the dust. If Europe be had previously intended to do so. Lord. “saved,” says the Courier, “Blucher Burghersh does not say, in as many words, “ will be placed in the first rank of her sa- that the French Emperor took a part in the 6 viours !!"-But let us yow return to my action. He merely states, that Buonaparte Lord Burghersh. If we are to consider placed bis army so and so, that Buonaparté his Lordship's statement a faithful detail of continued the action with considerable obwhat passed on the 1st instant, we shall stinacy, &c. All this we know he could be compelled to admit the power of the have directed to be done, without leaving holy charnis of the Russians. But if we do his head-quarters. Of the Russian general, if we are to regard it as a mere partial Lord Burghersh speaks thus: “General account of the proceedings of that day, and “Blucher was present at the defence of this that many things passed before him, things “ village, and contributed materially by his which others, who saw them, viewed as "catentions in the repulse of the enemy." Here matters of importance, and which were the person of Blucher is so completely identireally so : if, I say, his Lordship has told fied with the occurrences of the day, that it is us only half the truth in one instance, how impossible to mistake his being present. are we sure that he has told us the whole But there is no such identity of Buonapartés truth in every other? Or rather, be it is not said that he was present in any lieving that he did transmit a full detail of part of the action. If he had been on the these occurrences, how are we sure, 'when spot, it cannot be believed that Lord Borg: we find that detail,, as I have found it in hersh would have omitted noticing, and nol; 66 that in the most pointed manner, a cir- "engaged," and the votaries of these lying cumstance so well calculated, as the defeat idols, who would hold it criminat were of Napoleon in person, to enhance the they to lentertain a doubt as to the veracity, value of the victory. Besides, it appears are ready to exterminate every mm who from the French bulletin that he actually ventures to differ from them in opinion on was not there. « On the 28th the this subject. With them the French bul“Emperer went to Montierender. On lexins contain nothing but "impudent false the 29th, at 8 in the morning, Gene-“ hoods.” Even our own official accounts “ral Grouchy, who commands the cavalry, are rejected, or thrown aside, if they come " sent word chat General Milhand, &c.” in contact with their favourite journals. But Here we find him at a distance from leaving these groveling insects to enjoy the scene of action, and one of his Generals their fancied triumph, let us proceed, in ihe sending him word as to the movements of developement of the motives which induced the Allies; a step' which would not have Buonaparte to withdraw his rear guard been necessary had lie been there in person from before Brienne. We have already to observe them. It is no where said that seen that this was not because of a defeat, Buonaparte left Montierender until the 3d for at the close of the battle, as admitted instant, on the noon of which day we find he by Lord Burghersh, “the enemy still held entered Troyes."-But I shall be told that the ground beyond La Rothiere, and was the fact of Buonaparte's personal presence is still in possession, at the dark, of the pul beyond all doubt by the letter of Colo heights of Brienne.” 'Even “ nexi morna nel Lowe, who appears to have been ing".(i. é. the worning of the 2d.justant): a. wilness of the whole transaction, and, says his lordship, "his rear guard was ia therefore, it was but natural to expect " occupation of the position of Brienne." that he would be able to tell us, some- Those who have been in the practice of thing positive, something certain as tu observing the 'military progress of Buona Buonaparté." Colonel Lowe's detail parté, must have remarked, that he has “ (says Sir C. Stewart) is so satisfactory; been indebted for the greater part of his “ and so accurate, from his having had the victories, to his manquvring, and the “advantage of being with Marshal Blucher in promptness with which he executes all his " the advance during the whole of the day.” designs. In fact, he calculates more upon Let us see then what this very accurate the rapidity and variety of his movements, Colonel, who súw every thing, says about than upon any other circunstance. the presence of Napoleon. He states, that these he knows tend to embarrass his oppo Buonaparté, in person, it is REPORTED nents, to deceive them as to his ulterior sby the prisoners, led on the attack him- views; and when he finds, as he coni“self, at the head of the young guard, and monly does, that he has bewildered them, " had a horse 'shot under him.". So that he has drawn their attention from the this is what Sir Charles Stewart calls satis. real object he has in view, he never fails factory and accurale information. It is to turn this to good account. · The advanreported by the prisoners. Why not as- tages which Napoleon had gained on the serled by Colonel Lowe who was " in the side of Brienne, prior to the 30th of Janu"advance during the whole day," and ary, though: very decisive. in their nature, could not fail to see Buonaparte if he “ led seem to liave been more the result of the on the attack himself?" -It is either impetuosity and enthusiastic courage of his true that Buonaparté led on the attack troops, than of any regular plan of this himself, or it is unlikely that Colunel nature., They had driven the Allies from Lowe was in the advance during the whole several strong positions : but there were day.- --for the former of these state still others which the vast accumulation of ments, we have only the report of the force that every day brought to the Allied Colonel to whom it was reporled by some army, rendered much more formidable, prisoners: neither he nor Sir Charles Wil- and which Buona parté, with his usual peson say that they believe the fact. But for netration, appears to have veryı soon disi the laiter we have the positive assertion of covered required something more than the buih these officers. The fair and rational native enthusiasw of his raw undisciplined conclusion, therefore, is, that Buonaparté soldiers to overcome. He, therefore, de. neither led on the attack himself, nor was termined on concentrating his army, and present during any part of the action effecting a junction of bis different corps, The Times and the Courier, however, will which at that moment occupied separate have it that Buonaparié was “ actively positions, for the purpose of enabling him to carry on operations in a quarter, where“ be after such naughty tricks.” But’rley, he had calculated upon acting with greater could not conceal from the public, at least effect. That Buonaparte had formed this for any length of time, the fact as recorded resolution prior to the battle of the 1st, by Buonaparté; neither could the attentive appears to me clear from wliát is said in the observer long remain ignorant, that the official bulletin, which the reader will pro- | French rear guard had actually begun ils bably think with me, deserves as much march towards Troyes, before the allied credit as the very " satisfactory and accu- army ventured, even with all its accumula“ rate” letter of Colonel Lowe, of which tion of force, to attack it.' Napoleon fore. we have already had so notable a specimen. saw that it was probable something might " The 31st,” says the bulletin, was ein-' be attempted against this part of his army, "ployed by us in repairing the bridge of and therefore he provided against it. We "! Lesinont, on the Aube, the Emperor in- have seen what was the result. ' Not the des tending to advance towards Troyes, to feat and dispersion of the enemy; no com operate upon the columns which directed pelling them to abandon their positions "their march by Bar-sur-Aube, and the but, on the contrary, a complete repulsion “ road of Auxerre upon Sens. The bridge of the main body of the united army of " of Lesmont could not be repaired before Russia, of Austria, of Prússia, and of Wer-> "the list of February in the morning; a temburgh, acting under the immediate com" part of the troops were immediately madé mand of their most celebrated Generals, "lo file off." Here, then, it is distinctly and encouraged by the presence of the Emstated, that Buonaparté liad resolved on the peror of Russia, the King of Prussia, the 31st üle., if not before, to remove his head-1 Prince Royal of Wertemburgh, and the quarters to Troyes ; to advance, not to re- never to be forgotten Prince Schwartzentreal, as the Courier most impudently as- burgh, who, in person, received, on this serted. Not only had Napoleon adopted occasion, a sword from the Emperor Alex this resolution on that day, but he actually ander, for the skill and talent he had “disa' caused a part of his troops "immediately played in bringing the troops under his “ to file off." -These were the troops orders to the brilliant situation" which who had, only two days before, defealed they then occupied.-Mark, reader, the the Allies, after a whole day's fighting, and brilliant situation of troops, who had endeadriven them beyond Brienne. Instead of voured for nearly a whole day, but in vain, filing off in consequence of having been to compel the rear guard of Buonaparte's themselves beaten by the Allies instead of army to abandon' its positions. relrealing before a victorious army, they then, though the Allies could not, with were retiring of their own accord, in com- 80,000 men, force this incorrigible rear pliance with the orders of their Generals guard 'to move an inch, they took '* 75 who had cut out work for them in another pieces of cannon and about 4,000 priquarter, · The circuinstance of the other" soisoners". from them. · We have already divisions of Buonaparté's army having been seen, that it was 'not by fighting, but previously in advance towards Troyes, ai by accident, that the 'Allies got possession once accounts for this cne being called the of a great proportion, at least, of these rear : guard. It is true, neither Lord cannon. " We have also scen it positively Burghersh, Sir Charles Stewart, nor Golo- | asserted by Buonaparté, that, at the termi. nel Lowe rell us any thing of the intention nation' of the battle of the 1st, of the French Emperor, nor of the actual “ soners were made on either side.". movement of his troops on the 31st January. The affair of the l'st had created a pause in But I have already shewn, that the dis- the movement of the enemy's rear. Lut patches of these officers, as they appear in after the action was over; early in the ihe Gazette, are enlirely silent as to every morning of the 2d, it again began to file thing that occurred before the 1st instant. off... His columns," says• Lord Burg-** The “ most glorious victory” obtained on hersh, “ appear to have began their movethat day by the Allies was enough for them ment to the rear, about one in the morn. to think of. It gave them no leisure, even " It successively took positions had they felt the inclination, , 10 notice : says the French bulletin) to finish passevents which had proved glorious only to ing the bridge of Lesmont and rejoining the enemy, and which they were not dis 66 the rest of the army.". It was at this posed to be the. willing instruments of critical moment that the Allies again rehanding down to posterity. No, no; they solved to renew the attack. They saw the knew the taste of is John Bull" better than rear guard separated from the main body -But, 6 few pri os ing." of Napoleon's army; they observed its ex- which it appears, that the Allies entered of the enemy has at least been double." ceived from Lord Castlereagh, dated the Courier, which deprecates all intercourse. OCCURRENCES OF THE WAR. Dis with the “ Assassin of one of the Bourbon patches have been received from Lord Burg.“ Princes," is that which belongs to: hersb, dated Troyes, the 8th instant, from Carlton House. 23 Vol. XXV. No. 9.] LONDON, SATURDAY, FEBRUARY 26, 1814. [Price 1s. 16 257] (258 in the name of Divine Providence, it will be SUMMARY OF POLITICS. right and necessary to inquire into the pro" THE SCOURGE OF God."A Corres. bable share which Divine Providence has pondent, whose letter will be found in an in the matter.So much for the general orher part of this Number, has taken me objection to the mixing of religion with po" to task," as it is called, upon the subject litics. It is not I who cause this unnatural of my notions, relative to the charge against mixture; but those vile men, who are conBuonaparté, that he is the scourge of tinually dragging Divine Providence into “God.” A charge, indeed, it is not, in the discussion. My reasoning is, coo, almy view of the matter ; but, rather, an ex- ways, upon these points, hypothetical. I cupation. This gentleman, who calls pretend to know nothing at all about the himself a constant reader, sets out with will of God in these political matters. I observing, though, I must confess, in a merely take the positions of the adversary, very moderate strain, that I do not under- and show, or endeavour to show, that they stand matters of polemic divinity. He is are false; or, that, if true, they make very right; but, ihen, he should bear in against, instead of for, the hateful and mind, ihat I never pretended to understand bloody cause of the tyrants of the earth, them; and, he must permit me lo observe, the enemies of human liberty and happi in my turn, that to say that I am ignorant ness. If, in doing this, I wound the preE of what I'am writing about, or have been judices of men, who have never thoughi for writing about, is but an indifferent opening themselves; if I offend men, who will have to an answer to my positions or my argu- it, that the Bible was dictated by God to ments. This subject, I am told by my be a rule to men, and yet, that men ought correspondent, is not my forl; but, be it to be execrated for imitating the examples remembered, that I have never attempted there given ; men, who will have it, that to enter into it, except in cases, where our Napoleon may have been an instrument in adversaries have mixed up religion with the hands of God to do certain things, and politics, and in such a way as made it im- yet, that those who adore God, ught to possible to separate them, in any commen- execrate Napoleon for doing those things; iary upon their writings. If divine right; men, who think, or pretend to think, that or divine power; or divine authority, be God sent Napoleon io Moscow, and that introduced into a political discussion, it now, to punish him for going to Moscow, must make part of the subject on one side he is sending the Cossacks to burn Paris. as well as on the other side. If the adver. If I oftend men of this sort, I am not sorry saries of our liberties will, in future, for- for it; for, I am very sure, that such men bear to enrol Divine Providence on their are utterly incapable of thinking right upon side ; if they will forber thus to degrade, any of the matters, with regard to which or endeavour to degrade the Deity, for the it is my wish to produce an impression on purpose of giving a sanction to the acts of their minds. Such men, though they may tyranıs; iney will never find me introduc- talk about liberty, do not, and cannot uning religion, or religious, subjects, into the derstand what it means. They are the Register. But, as long as Napoleon, or creatures of habit, of error, of passion; fit any other despot, though more bypocritical to make part of a rabble, but quite unfit for than be, shall put forth his claims to obe- any thing beyond it. -I now come to the dience, upon the ground of his being particular points of iny correspondent's upheld by God, so long shall I, as often as letter ---Certain writers having denomithe case requires, endeavour to show the nated Napoleon the “ Scourge of God," folly of all such claims. Su long as there and then imputed to himself the guilt, the are men to call upon us to make war, to infamy, of the acts committed in that capaspend hundreds of millions of money, and city, I showed the inconsistency, the folly, to sacrifice hundreds of thousands of lives, the absurdity, of such notions. My corres 1 |