Mémoires pour servir à l'Histoire de France sous Napoléon, Tome 2/2 Écrits à Sainte-Hélène par les généraux qui ont partagé sa captivité

by Gaspard Gourgaud

"Mémoires pour servir à l'Histoire de France sous Napoléon, Tome 2/2" by Gourgaud is a historical account written in the early 19th century. This work provides firsthand insights into Napoleonic France, focusing on the events surrounding the years 1800 and 1801 during Napoleon's rule, particularly the diplomatic and military maneuvers of the time. The memoirs reflect the experiences and observations of Gourgaud, highlighting the intricacies of warfare, diplomatic negotiations, and the geopolitical landscape of Europe during this tumultuous period. The opening of the memoirs details significant diplomatic interactions, particularly concerning peace negotiations with Austria and England. It begins with the arrival of the Austrian plenipotentiary, Count Saint-Julien, in Paris, tasked with negotiating preliminary peace terms. The narrative emphasizes the complexity of these negotiations, revealing that despite attempts at diplomacy, hostilities were likely to resume due to the demand for joint negotiations by the British and the Austrians. Throughout this portion, the focus is placed on the strategic decisions made by Napoleon and his government, the state of various military forces, and the unfolding dynamics that would lead to renewed conflict on both land and sea.