Page:Readings in European History Vol 2.djvu/534

 496 Readings in European History themselves stopped on the eve of departure was, in their eyes, the greatest misfortune which could happen to them. When order had again been restored the emperor re- paired to the camp of the right wing and made a procla- mation to the troops, which was sent into the other camps, and posted everywhere. This was approximately the tenor of it : " Brave soldiers of the camp of Boulogne, you will not go to England. English gold has seduced the emperor of Austria, who has just declared war against France. His army has just passed the Rhine, which he should have respected, and Bavaria is invaded. Soldiers, new victories await you beyond the Rhine. Let us hasten to defeat once more the enemies whom you have already conquered." This proclamation called forth unanimous acclamations of joy, and every face brightened, for it mattered little to these intrepid men whether they were led against Austria or England ; they simply thirsted for the fray, and now that war had been declared every desire was gratified. Thus vanished all those grand projects of descent upon England which had been so long matured, so wisely planned. After breaking camp at Boulogne, Napoleon hurried into Germany. He surrounded and captured the Aus- trian army at Ulm in October. Six weeks later he defeated the combined forces of the Austrians and Rus- sians in the memorable battle of Austerlitz. After this victory he issued the following proclamation. 433. Napo- Soldiers, I am satisfied with you. In the battle of leon's procla- Austerlitz you have justified what I expected from your mation to. , . J _ T. J. , ., J. his soldiers intrepidity. Y ou have covered yourselves with eternal after glory. An army of one hundred thousand men which was usterhtz. commanded by the emperors of Russia and Austria has been in less than four hours either cut off or dispersed. Those that escaped your swords have thrown themselves into the lakes. Forty stands of colors, the stands of the Russian imperial guard, one hundred and twenty pieces of