Moreau, the winner of Hohenlinden, had conspired in 1804 against Bonaparte, of which it envied fortune, and it had been condemned to the exile.

After having lived a few years in America, it returned to Europe in 1813, not to defend its threatened fatherland, but to carry the last blows to him.

Accomodated well by the enemies of France, it did not have shame to be used to them as guide, and it was charged to trace a vast plan of invasion, but hardly was it opposite the French Army, on the battle field of Dresden, that a French ball crashed to pieces the two legs to him, at the time when it indicated to the emperor of Russia an operation to be made (August 1813).

Moreau undergoes with courage the amputation of the two legs and died after six days of sufferings, while saying: "This Bonaparte is always happy"

The battle of Leipzick, called by the Germans the battle of the nations, is most fatal of modern times: 130 000 French fought there during three days against 330 000 Austrians, Prussians, Germans, Russian and Swede; they lost 50 000 men, and the enemy more than 60 000. The first day, that of October 16, was a victory, but two days later the allies, which received reinforcements unceasingly, started again the fight: the French still had the advantage when suddenly 12 000 Saxon and Wurtembergeois, our last German allies, which formed a part of our line passed to the enemy and were turned over at once against us; the French Army, cut into two, was forced to move back and the retirement changed into disaster; all the rear-guard was destroyed.

Paris, attacked by more than 200 000 men, was defended glorieusement: it neither had armed, nor fortifications; the government had refused to distribute weapons; Napoleon was far, and there was no hope of success; but it remained to save the honor: all the noble-hearted mans armed themselves as they could and joined so that there remained soldiers; Marmont disputed Belleville step by step; Mortar, with a handle of brave men, defended the Villette and the Vault, the pupils of the polytechnic School were distinguished on the road from Vincennes, those of the School of Alfort to the bridge of Charenton; Moncey, with 22 000 men, stopped of them some time 170 000 with the Clichy barrier, but the disproportion of the forces was too large, and exhausted Paris was resigned to capitulate: at least the enemy had lost 18 000 men (March 29, 1814).

After the capitulation of Paris, Napoleon had still a moment the thought to fight.

He joins together troops with Fontainebleau; but if its guard were ready to die for him, it saw well by the treason of Marmont which it could not count any more on its Generals.

Then it made arrange its guard in the court of the Horse-White, and advancing in the medium of them for the last time: "General, officers, warrant officers and soldiers of my old guard, I bid my farewell to you; I could with you have continued the war three years, but I do not want to make the misfortune of France.

Be faithful to the new king, like your fatherland and preserve my memory "All the soldiers, who had followed it for twenty years of capital in capital, cried while thinking of last glories and wondered with anguish what France was going to become.