Continuing with Murat-related extracts from the memoirs of Baron de Dedem, Dutch ambassador to the court of Naples. Dedem discusses Murat's 1810 expedition to conquer Sicily--the general perception of the populace (and Napoleon) that it would not succeed, and Murat's reaction to its ensuing failure (which Murat would blame at least partially on Napoleon). Source: Un …
Continue reading “Napoleon… had prepared the future defection”
A description of Murat at the battle of Borodino (7 September 1812), from the memoirs of General Louis-François Lejeune.
Part 7 of excerpts from General Pépé's memoirs takes us to the beginning of Murat's final campaign. We left off with Pépé discussing Napoleon's departure from Elba and alleged communications with Murat, and Pépé's criticisms of Murat for indecisiveness and not having begun the campaign with a large enough force. Here, Pépé discusses (and deplores) …
An account of Murat at the battle of Heilsberg (10 June 1807), in which Murat lost one of his boots but continued to fight on; shortly afterwards, he and General Lasalle saved each other's lives. [The boot was also rescued.] Source: Lieutenant Aubier (20th Chasseurs), Un Régiment de Cavalerie Légère de 1793 à 1815, 2nd edition, …
As his negotiations with Austria and England continued, an indecisive Murat wrote his New Year's greeting to Napoleon on 21 December 1813. Murat used this as an opportunity to once again urge Napoleon to make peace, as he had in his letter from five days earlier. "Sire, a new year is about to commence. May …
Continue reading “You will lose yourself, you will lose us all!”
Continuing on, after a long pause, with my translations of Murat's final letters to Napoleon in 1813 leading up to his defection at the beginning of 1814. I'm including two letters in this post because the first one is too short to merit its own; but the second more than makes up for it, at …
Continue reading “I have fully acquitted my debt towards the Empire and towards Your Majesty”
