BAD NEWS FROM PARIS
Napoleon passing the night in a Russian château near Mikalevka, afterreceiving the news of General Malet’s conspiracy in Paris
From the painting by Verestchagin

NAPOLEON’S RUSSIAN
CAMPAIGN OF 1812

BY

EDWARD FOORD

AUTHOR OF “THE BYZANTINE EMPIRE”

ILLUSTRATED WITH THIRTY-TWO PORTRAITS
AND HISTORICAL PAINTINGS
AND SEVERAL MAPS AND PLANS

LONDON: HUTCHINSON AND CO.
PATERNOSTER ROW

1914

PREFACE

During recent years the history of most of Napoleon’s great campaignshas been given to the world, with the notable exception of that ofthe catastrophic Russian expedition of 1812. Apart from compilations,I have met only one original work on the subject, in the Englishlanguage, during the ten years the present work has been in preparation.

The publication of thousands of documents dealing with the strugglefrom the French side by the Historical Section of the French WarOffice, has rendered easily accessible an immense mass of materialfor the earlier period of the campaign. A beginning in this respecthas also been made by the War Office at St. Petersburg, and someinteresting light is thereby thrown upon the preparations on theRussian side, as well as upon the personalities of the Russian leaders.There are also many documents from private sources which have beencollected and published.

My aim has been simply to relate the history of the terrible campaignin straightforward fashion, without obscuring the narrative by toomuch digression. I believe that, as matters stand, a better servicewill thus have been rendered to the cause of history than by thecomposition of a huge essentially technical work—for which, indeed,there is no place in this country. At present, apart from the needs ofsoldiers—which they are better qualified to supply than myself—it isnot so much scientific discussion of the campaign that is required asknowledge of its episodes. This I have conscientiously endeavoured tosupply.

I have to express my obligations to Mr. F.J. Hudleston, of the StaffLibrary at the War Office, for permission to make researches among theworks under his charge dealing with the campaign, as well as to hisassistant, Mr. Baldry, for his kind help during my work there. I amindebted to Mr. Gordon Home for much invaluable assistance, which it iseasier to name than to classify, since it extends to every part of thebook.

E.F.

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