History of the Campaign of 1805 in Germany, Italy, the Tyrol, &c

Preface

. The mind naturally wishes to be informed of the manner, in which any great and un common event has been produced ; and par ticularly in war. There is something in the collision of armies, where the lives of thousands of combatants and the fate of nations are pending, which peculiarly excites the cu riosity of mankind. This is the case even with respect to the operations of ordinary warfare ; how much then must it be increased in the case of the late extraordinary campaign on the continent ! There are other circumstances also which should enhance the desire, particularly of Eng lishmen, to be made acquainted with the operations of that campaign j and also with the leading influences which determined its fate. The time fast approaches, when perhaps they will have to defend their own fields against the conquerors of the continent : they there- A sore cannot be made too generally acquainted with the late movements of the contending armies, with the view. of increasing their military knowledge against the trying period ; whilst the exposition of the causes of failure on the part of the late confederacy, will shew the people of the British empire, that in the hour of conflict they can have nothing of assistance or co-operation to expect from the continent ; but must universally and manfully determine, by their own exertions, to save their country.

The military operations in the field, being closely connected with political ones in the contending cabinets ; and as both greatly and reciprocally influenced each the other, we have given all the material state papers which have passed between the adverse parties, in the form of an Appendix at the end of the work, that the reader may be enabled by their perusal to inform himself, as well of the politics as the movements in the field, of that short but astonishing and important war. » > CONTENTS. PRELIMINARY VIEW. CHAP. I. Great Strength of France on the Continent—Preparations for invading England-— Bonaparte's Con" duct and Ambition — A Confederacy of the great Powers on the Cofitinent formed against him— Declarations between France, Austria, and Russia — Preparations by these Powers for War—Important Conjuncture — French and Austrian Manifestoes --------- Page i OPERATIONS IN GERMANY.

CHAP. II. The Austrians invade Bavaria — Proceedings of the French Senate — Bonaparte sets out to head the Army — The French cross the Rhine — Position and Strength of the Austrians — Daring Plan of Bonaparte — The French march for the Danube—" They gain the left Bank — General Mack falls lack on the Iller— Commencement of actual Has* VI Ulities— The French cross the Danube — Battle of Wertingen — Of Guntzburg— -Bonaparte gains the Rear of the Austrians — Bernadotte advances be yond Munich — Capture of Landsberg — Action near Ulm — Capture of Memmingen — Capture of Werneck' s Division^-Ulm surrounded — Capitula tion of Ulm— Additional Articles — The Austrian Army files by Bonaparte — He rewards his Army — Seizes the Austrian Possessions in Suabia, and sets out for Munich. - * -•*• - - Page 36 CHAP. III.

Bonaparte advances for the Inn— The French pass that River — The Austro-Russians retreat — Measures for saving .Vienna — Capture of Brannau — Bernadotte detached on the Right, to Saltzburg — The French main Army advances — Action on the Heights of Ried — Capture of Lambach — The Austro-Russians retreat from behind the Ens — Battle of Amstetten-*-Proposal of an Armistice — The French advance to St. Polten — Battle of Marienzel — The Austro-Russians repass the Da nube at Krems — Bonaparte waited on by a Depu tation from Vienna — The Emperor of Austria retires to Brunn — Measures taken for preserving the Peace of Henna — The French Army arrives "heforc Vienna — Capture of Vienna — Stores found a'.- Vienna — Battle of Diernstein—The Russians retreat— Austrian Declaration — Action at Hol brunn — Proposed Capitulation of the Russian Army — Battle of Guntersdorff — Capture of Brunn « — The French advance to Wischau - Page 77 OPERATIONS IN ITALY AND THE TYROL.

CHAP. IV. Object of the Campaign in Italy — Changed by the Reverses in Germany — Position and Strength of the Armies — The French force the Passage of the Adige — They attack the Austrians — Massena prepares to act with I^igour — Battle of Caldiero — An Austrian Column capitulates — The Archduke Charles retreats — Junction of St. Cyr with Mas sena — Massena crosses the Brenta — Passes the Piave — Prepares to pass the Tagliamento — The Austrians retreat towards Laybach — The French Army passes the Isonzo — Massena fixes his Head quarters at Gorizia — Conquest of the Tyrol Page r 1 1 OPERATIONS IN GERMANY RESUMED. CHAP. V. Bonaparte prepares to attack the Aus tro -Russian Army — Proposals to negotiate — Fatal Confidence of the Russians — The French Army retreats — The Russians prepare to attack and surround the French Army — Disposition of the French At my — Battle of Austerlitz — Armistice between France and Austria — The Russian Army retreats — Observations ------- Page 135 CONCLUSION OF THE CAMPAIGN.

CHAP. VI. An English and Russian Force lands at Naples— Augereau marches for Hanover — Strength of the allied Troops in Hanover — Their critical Situation —Interference of Prussia — Expulsion of the King of Naples — Peace between France and Austria Page 167