Writing of the era
In their own words
The campaign as its participants wrote and spoke about it. Each text is quoted from a public-domain edition. Second-hand anecdotes are labelled as second-hand.
10 February 1814 · Recorded remark
“I shall be on the Vistula”
“Another such victory as this, gentlemen, and I shall be on the Vistula.”
Napoleon (reported)
11 February 1814 · Bulletin
Affaire du 10 février
“Grande Armée. Affaire du 10 février. Paris, le 11 février. Sa Majesté l’Impératrice-Reine et Régente a reçu les nouvelles…”
Imperial government, Paris
19 March 1814 · Reflection
“A thunderbolt alone could have saved us”
“A thunderbolt alone could have saved us: to treat, to conclude, was to yield foolishly to the enemy.”
Napoleon, on St Helena (reported)
30 March 1814 · Letter
Authorisation to negotiate
If the Dukes of Ragusa and Treviso can no longer hold out, they are authorised to negotiate with Prince Schwartzenberg and the Emperor of Russia, who are before them.
Joseph Bonaparte
6 April 1814 · Decree
The Act of Abdication
The Allied powers having proclaimed that the Emperor Napoleon is the only obstacle to the re-establishment of peace in Europe, the Emperor Napoleon, faithful to his oath, declares that he renounces for himself and his…
Napoleon
11 April 1814 · Letter
Released from allegiance
Being released from my allegiance by the abdication of the Emperor Napoleon, I declare that I conform to the acts of the Senate and the Provisional Government.
Marshal Macdonald
20 April 1814 · Speech
Farewell to the Old Guard
Soldiers of my Old Guard, I bid you farewell. For twenty years I have constantly accompanied you on the road to honour and glory. In these latter times, as in the days of our prosperity, you have invariably been models…
Napoleon