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RECOLLECTIONS OF MARSHAL MACDONALD
French Marshal Etienne
Macdonald was born in 1765 into an exiled Scottish family living in
pre-revolutionary France. He eventually joined the army and fought with
distinction in Holland and Italy before being unfairly disgraced and retired
from service before the start of the Empire in 1804. He was later restored to
favor and quickly earned the only battlefield commission for the rank of
Marshal as a reward for his rescue of the French Army's left flank at the 1809
Battle of Wagram.
After being widowed for the third time in 1825,
Macdonald began writing down his life's exploits for the benefit of his then
infant son. His recollections, for they do not really count as memoirs, were
written entirely from memory, but as a result they have a simple honesty which
is enjoyable to read. This on-line edition is from the 1893 release published
by the Marshal's grand-daughter long after he passed away in 1840. |
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- THE FRENCH REVOLUTION
- Chapter 2
- First Campaign—Battle of Jemmappes—
Dumouriez's Treachery—Events at Lille—Interrogation —End of the
Incident.
- Chapter 3
- Execution of Lamarliere—Skirmishes at Linselles and
Commines—A Warlike Commissioner—Denunciation—General
Pichegru—Belgium and Holland—Battle of Hooglede.
- Chapter 4
- Passage of the Waal—Reconnaissance at
Arnheim—Capitulation of Naarden—On the Banks of the Yssel —The
Peace of Basle—Command in Overyssel—Ordered to
Walcheren—Fever—Convalescence.
- Chapter 5
- Army of the Sambre and Meuse—Mistake of General
Castelvert—Fresh Hostilities on the Rhine—Arrival of General
Augereau—Politeness and Literary Attainments of General Lefebvre.
- THE 1809 CAMPAIGN
- Chapter 15
- Arrival at Gratz—Advance to Raab—Battle of
Raab—Before Komorn.
- Chapter 16
- The Eve of Wagram—Battle of Wagram—The
Marshal's Bâton gained on the Field of Battle—Dismissal of
Bernadotte—Armistice.
- THE 1812-1814 CAMPAIGNS
- Chapter 19
- Preparations for the Russian Campaign—On the
Niemen— Retreat towards Tilsit—Intense Cold—Anxiety and
Doubts—Defection of the Prussians.
- Chapter 20
- A Trap—A Terrible March—Russian
Untrustworthiness—Alarm of the King of Naples—Summons to
Paris—Reception by the Emperor.
- Chapter 21
- Battle of Lutzen—Occupation of Dresden—Battle
of Bautzen—Surrender of Vandamme—Skirmish at Goldberg—Battle of
the Katzbach— Disorderly Retreat—General Sebastiani.
- Chapter 22
- Concentration at Dresden—Battle of Leipsic—
Treachery of the Hessians—Destruction of the Bridge—Confusion and
Disorder—Passage of the Elster—A Terrible Spectacle.
- Chapter 23
- Marshal Augereau—Passage of the Saale—At
Erfurt—Plain Speaking —Arrival at
Gelnhausen—Discouragement—In Hanau Woods— Issue from the
Woods—Entry into Hanau.
- Chapter 24
- Conversation with the Emperor
—Want of Money—Evacuation of Arnheim—Surprise of Neuss— The
Enemy cross the Rhine—Advance into France.
- Chapter 25
- Campaign in France—Bombardment of
Chalons—Congress of Chatillon— Surprise at Troyes—Retreat of the
Enemy—The Emperor at Arcis—Departure of the Emperor.
- Chapter 26
- Battle of Arcis—On the Marne—Battle of St.
Dizier—Before Vitry— An Unlucky Misprint—Return towards
Paris—The Approaching End.
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