[The following is in regard to the beginning of Napoleon’s retreat from Russia following the razing of Moscow.]
When, years later, Gourgaud tried to blame Murat and Bessières for the route the army took, Napoleon corrected him: ‘No; I was the master, and mine was the fault.’ Like a Shakespearian tragic hero, he chose the fatal path despite others being available.
Ségur later described Maloyaroslavets as ‘This fatal field which put a halt to the conquest of the world, where twenty victories were thrown to the wind, and where our great empire began to crumble to the ground.’
The Russians were plainer yet no less accurate, erecting a small commemorative plaque on the battlefield stating simply: ‘End of offensive. Start of ruin and rout of the enemy.’
Source:
Roberts, Andrew. "Retreat." Napoleon: A Life. New York: Penguin, 2014. 620-21. Print.
Original Source Listed:
ed. Latimer, Talks p. 159.
Further Reading:
Gaspard, Baron Gourgaud / Gaspard Gourgaud
Joachim Murat / Joachim-Napoléon Murat / Gioacchino Napoleone Murat / Joachim-Napoleon Murat
Jean-Baptiste Bessières, 1st Duc d' Istria
Napoleone di Buonaparte / Napoléon Bonaparte / Napoleon I
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