The First Consul, with the Minister for the war (1).

Paris, 11th floréal year 8 (May 1, 1800).

I request from you, citizen Minister, to dispatch a staff officer or very intelligent engineers (2); it will have the order to go to join General Suchet, and from there, General Masséna.

It will make known with these two generals that the Army of the Reserve is moving full to emerge by the Alps, and that 21st floréal it will be in Piedmont.

You will not give any letter to him, so that while going to join General Masséna, the enemy, if it took it, did not find any dispatch. You will make known with this officer about the march which the Army of the Reserve must hold, so that it makes share in General Masséna and Suchet of it, that they act according to circumstances', and that, when the enemy weakens in front of them to go on the Army of the Reserve, they try to regain the lost ground.

BONAPARTE.

Write with General Saint-Hilaire that it puts moving, by Antibes and Nice, the various regiments of cavalry who are on the Rhone.

It would be necessary that this officer was carrying a hundred of thousand francs for the hospitals of Nice (3).

B.

The First Consul, with General Berthier, commanding as a commander the Army of the Reserve.

Paris, 11th floréal year 8 (May 1, 1800).

You will find copy of the letter herewith that I receive at the moment of Suchet (4); you will see there, citizen General, our true situation in Italy.

Give the order to Loison's division to move by the shortest way on Lausanne or Geneva (5).

Watrin's division must be, per hour that it is, arrival in Geneva; make conduct it continuation on Villeneuve and Saint-Maurice.

Boudet's division must be arrival in Geneva and Nyon; also make conduct it on Villeneuve (6).

Make start from Bourg a detachment of 1500 Italians, and, in general, with all that is armed and in the case of to fight. Direct them in all diligence on Geneva. The remainder will wait, to get under way, the arrival of the weapons.

General Chabran must, if I have good memory, being in Geneva with 1500 men of its division. Direct it on the Little Saint Bernard. With these corps of troop and the 500 or 600 men that it will find there, it will draw on this side the attention of the enemy.

Make start from Chalon and Mâcon the batallions of the Army of the Orient which are armed and which you intend to employ. That they go to marches forced on the Little Saint Bernard, where they will find General Chabran.

I do not know if there are pieces of artillery on the Little Saint Bernard. Write to the Boyer General, who is in Chambéry, so that it at once sends 2 pieces to you on the Little Saint Bernard, which will be under command of General Chabran.

My calculation would be that, 17th or 18th, General Chabran could be with the Little Saint Bernard with a division of 5,000 men (7); it would meet in Aoste with the corps of the General Victor, who can also be this day on the Great Saint Bernard.

I believe that the 28th of line is intended by General Moreau to defend the Great Saint Bernard. You can take it to make the advance guard of General Watrin, since she knows the ways better and is more rested.

I imagine that all your army made a movement on Geneva.

Send, I request from you, a courier with the General who commands in Briançon, so that it dispatches me an aide-de-camp in Geneva, where I will be 15th. You will prevent it that it is held ready to march, with all artillery and the ammunition which it will be able to harness, and all men that it will have of available.

I will arrive without fault to Geneva 16th (8), I will have news of General Moreau then, and we will take measures for the diversion which it is essential to make by the Simplon.

You put in correspondence with the General who commands in Switzerland to know the state of his forces.

I consider your presence very necessary to Geneva, especially for the formation of the magazines of Villeneuve, where it is necessary that the troops can take for six days of biscuit. Start for Villeneuve the most oxen than you will be able.

BONAPARTE.

Make leave all the Consular Guard for Geneva. However leave 25 men of cavalry in Dijon, for my housing (9).

That General Vignolle can give me an exact state:

1. On the number and the employment of the conscripts;

2. On the exact situation of the regiments of cavalry, in horses, weapons, present under arms;

3. On the Italian Legion;

4. On the batallions of the Army of the Orient;

5. On the quantity of weapons which are arrivals;

6. On what one did.

It appears that the stages from Dijon in Geneva are too short; that of Auxonne is an ordinary third of stage (10).

You see by the letter of Merlin, that it arrives to you of the money. Take measures so that it of continuation is sent by it in Geneva.

Lambert and Boinod will not miss money. That they vigorously activate the levies with which they are charged.

Alex. Berthier, general-in-chief of the Army of the Reserve, with the First Consul.

Dijon, 12th floréal year 8 (May 2, 1800), at 11 o'clock in the evening.

I receive the courier which brings your dispatch of the 11th to me floréal, by which make known me to you the situation of the Army of Italy, at the moment when, myself, I was going you to dispatch one of them.

My horses were put to return to me to Geneva, passing by Chalon and Bourg; I gave go in this last city to Lambert and Boinod.

All the provisions contained in your letter were already ordered, except for that of the march of General Chabran in Tarentaise and the orders for Briançon.

Watrin is in position with Saint-Maurice and Villeneuve; all follows. I feel the necessity to overcome the difficulties.

I had envisaged the position of Masséna. 15,000 men of Lecourbe on Gothard had made a terrible diversion in favor of General Masséna. Moreau, with 110,000 men of infantry, does not have it more world than one should not any to him against an enemy who does not have any more than 80,000.

Mr. Melas will pay his temporary successes expensive and I hope that it will not have anything to reproach Beaulieu and Wurmser.

I dispatched couriers in Geneva and in Mont Blanc.

Devotion and respect.

Alex. BERTHIER.

Alex. Berthier, general-in-chief of the Army of the Reserve, with General Dupont, commander of staff.

Dijon, 12th floréal year 8 (May 2, 1800).

Order with General Lechi to start from Bourg with 1500 Italians, the first loans and in a position to fight, to go in all diligence to Geneva. The remainder of the legion will wait, to start itself, the arrival of the weapons.

Order with General Chabran to leave the point where it is with its 1500 men to go to Saint-Maurice (11) and, from there, with the Little Saint Bernard where it will meet in the troops of General Turreau which are there, in order to draw on this side the attention of the enemy. He will make all the provisions required to have subsistence (12).

Order with the batallions of the Army of the Orient intended for the column of General Chabran to leave at once to go to marches forced on the Little Saint Bernard, where they will join General Chabran (13).

Do not forget, citizen General, to recommend to the director as a commander to send a commisioner of war and agents to the column of General Chabran to organize there all the services and the subsistence.

It would be to wish that General Chabran was with all the column towards 18th with Saint-Maurice.

I ask you to write with the Boyer adjutant general, who is in Chambéry, so that it sends 2 pieces at once, with the Little Saint Bernard, which will be under command of General Chabran. It would be necessary that they were returned there 18th.

You will dispatch the order with the General Mainoni, which commands with the Great Saint Bernard, to be held ready with the 28th of line which it must have with its orders, to make the advance guard of the Watrin's division, which must go down by the Great Saint Bernard.

Give the order to the General Turreau which it orders to the General who commands in Briançon to dispatch one of his aide-de-camps in Geneva with the First Consul, which will have arrived there 15th. It must be held ready to march with all the ammunition and the artillery which it will be able to harness and all men that it will have of available.

Prevent the General Turreau which the First Consul will be 15th in Geneva. It must all prepare in its division for, with the first order, to make a movement. It must prepare artillery, ammunition, food and transport.

Order with all that is due to the Consular Guard, artillery, etc…. to leave tomorrow to go to forced marches to Geneva (14), except for 25 men who will remain with the housing of the First Consul in Dijon.

It is ordered to the Loison General to go in all diligence to the head of its column and to make him press the march to go to Lausanne (15).

Alex. BERTHIER.

Order of the day.

Dijon, 12th floréal year 8 (May 2, 1800).

The army is prevented that the headquarters will leave tomorrow, 13, of this position, to go to be established in Geneva (16).

The army is also prevented that, according to the decree of the Consuls, it will be employed in the councils of war only officers in activity of service.

The Major general general chief of staff of the Army of the Reserve,

DUPONT.

The Paymaster general of the Army of the Reserve, with General Berthier, commanding as a commander the army.

Dijon, 12th floréal year 5 (May 2, 1800).

Citizen General,

I join here the state the situation of my case, at the date of yesterday (17).

I ask you to observe that there does not remain to me any more the available one, in effective pieces, that 74,000 francs.

In accordance with your orders, the treasure of the army left in entirety to go to Geneva.

The paymaster general of Côte-d'Or responsible himself for the service of the troops belonging to the army and remaining in this department. I delegate to him, to provide for this expenditure, the products which are assigned to me on its department, and I will compensate for it, if they are insufficient.

I would have left with my treasure, if I had been informed only one considerable sum, destiny for my service, was to arrive 15th (18). I hope, at once that it will be given to me, to make it pass most promptly possible to Geneva and to arrive there at the same time.

I believe duty to recall you that, since 12th germinal until the 12 floréal, the expenditure went up to approximately 790,000 francs effective in cash and 1,700,000 francs in drafts; in all, 2,490,000 francs.

Salute and respect.

JEHANNOT.

Chabran, major general, with General Dupont, general chief of staff.

Geneva, 12th floréal year 8 (May 2, 1800).

Citizen General,

The general-in-chief, in a letter (19) written with General Watrin, expressing itself as follows: “If General Chabran is still in Geneva, it could go to Annecy”, I believed to have to give the order to the column which I led to go to this destination (20), and I am, consequently, conformed to the provisions of your letter of the 9th (21), which a courier brings to me, before knowing the contents of it.

You undoubtedly know, Général, which it is with 1500 men only that I started from Châlons. They are today reduced, by the desertion, at approximately 1200. I conferred the provisional command of it to the citizen Miquel, colonel of the 88th, and I informed the general-in-chief of it.

If the enemy had not been driven out of Mount Cenis, if the most perfect peace were not restored in Mont Blanc, I would have gone, with this detachment, everywhere where my presence would have been necessary; such were the instructions of the Minister for the war and the orders of General Berthier. But any species of danger having disappeared and my goal being, as that which you express me, not to disseminate the little of forces which I had, I am pleased to have envisaged your intentions and not to have obtempéré with the invitations of the General Turreau and the brigadier general Valette, which did not tend to nothing less than to make carry part of the Army of the Reserve ahead.

Wishing to know my later destination, I will await here the orders or the arrival of the general-in-chief.

Salute and fraternity.

CHABRAN.

P.S. – You are unaware of not, citizen General, that the order of the day of the 30th germinal, on the formation of the Army of the Reserve, mentions neither me nor of the corps forming the division whose command had been conferred to me by the First Consul and transmitted by General Berthier, then Ministre for the war.

CHABRAN.

F. Watrin, major general (22), with General Dupont, general chief of staff.

Lausanne, 12th floréal year 8 (May 2, 1800).

I received yesterday evening, my dear Général, your letter of the 9th (23).

I send copy of that to you which I receive at the moment of General Montchoisy. You will see there that one wants to make me raise the troops of the Army of the Rhine in the Valais Alps (24). I will not be able to obey this order, when it is sent to me, since the instructions that you and General Berthier gave me (25) carry formally that I must support and not raise the troops of the Army of the Rhine; and, that, by your letter of the 9th, you prescribe me not to disseminate my troops by no means, which would take place if I raised the General Mainoni, which occupies more than 20 miles of ground.

I will go reconnoiter the Saint-Bernard, with General Marescot, and I gave go to General Mainoni, in Martigny. As it is in this part for a very long time, it will give us very invaluable intelligence.

Do not fear that I am disseminated too much. Here the line of the posts which I will occupy (26):

The 6th light, 1st and 2nd batallions Bex, Saint-Maurice and Martigny, to observe the pass Tag.

The 22nd: Aigle, Villeneuve, Vevey, etc

The 40th Lausanne and Saint-Saphorin.

I miss the 3rd batallion and many people of the 6th light. I requested from you, by my letter of the 9th, of their against writing the movement towards Briançon, that General Turreau had prescribed to them. Undoubtedly that you gave them counter-order.

My muskets arrived and we took our complete cartridges in Geneva, where one manufactures some with much activity.

All the shoes are worn. Make come more than you will be able, because the troop is shoeless.

The chance made us meet in Morges, close Lausanne, with General Marescot and me, 40 bronze pieces of artillery of various gauges and the majority of very small gauge, all assembled on their mountings. They belong to Swiss, are without ammunition. One will be able, with very few expenses, to put at least 20 of them in a position to march of continuation. Prevent, I request from you, General Marmont. That it sends, if it judges it by the way, an officer, who will find them there with the fortification and the magazine with salt of Morges (27).

On my return of the Saint-Bernard, I will give you great intelligence; I hope that you will be in Geneva.

I thank you for the news of successes of General Masséna. We do not know anything here the continuation of the operations of General Moreau.

How it is unpleasant, my dear Général, to be thus with the provision of the generals of the other armies! I will assist them better my, especially General Mainoni; but I will not be disseminated too much, are quiet.

Friendly salute.

F. WATRIN.

Alex. Berthier, general-in-chief of the Army of the Reserve, with the First Consul.

Chalon, 13th floréal year 8 (May 3, 1800), at 4 a.m. afternoon.

I meet here an aide-de-camp (28) that Masséna sends to you; it is in Genoa where it appears that it can hold one month. A great evil is that it returned the prisoners whom it made.

A moment ago to lose to throw themselves in Italy and to attack there with reverse Mr. de Mélas.

But I think as I always thought and Masséna is of the same opinion that the enemy is lost if corps of 12,000 or 15,000 men are presented at Gothard at the time when we will enter by the Saint-Bernard. It is possible only this to destroy the enemy.

Your presence appears essential to me; this moment is decisive for peace.

The demi-brigades of Chabran, which are here, miss of all; I make them march as I can in Tarentaise.

I carry on my road for Mâcon and Bourg; I will put all moving and I will be tomorrow in Geneva where I await you impatiently.

Attachment and respect.

Alex. BERTHIER.

Alex. Berthier, general-in-chief of the Army of the Reserve, with General Dupont.

Mâcon, 14th floréal year 8 (May 4, 1800).

You will give the order to demi-brigades no. 1, no. 2 and no. 3 whose batallions are in Mâcon, to leave 15 tomorrow them, to go to marches forced at the height of the Lock, where they will receive new orders.

General Veaux will make deliver with these corps tone the effects which can be in Mâcon. It will make follow most promptly possible the clothes of line which can be in Chalon, in order to equip the light demi-brigades.

You will order with General Seriziat (29) to lead these corps, which form the division of General Chabran. You will recommend to this General to take the precautions necessary to prevent the desertion from the conscripts (30).

Give the order to General Veaux to organize promptly are 2 demi-brigades which must be trained of the 6 batallions of the Army of the Orient.

Alex. BERTHIER.

General Veaux will make conduct continuation the 400 men who must arrive of Chalon.

Calves, brigadier general, with the First Consul.

Chalon, 19th floréal year 8 (May 9 150e).

Citizen Consul,

I have the honor to address to you the table of situation of the three provisional demi-brigades which I formed, according to the provisions of the general-in-chief Berthier (31).

These demi-brigades having left 14th Mâcon, to go Lock at the height, it is impossible for me to give you the detailed state of it, such as you wish it. The general-in-chief having given orders to supplement them out of weapons and other object, at once their arrival with destination, I had to leave them the various states of need that they had formed.

There remain to me 6 batallions to be organized, which are: the 2nd light demi-brigade, 18th, 19th, 25th, 61st and 32nd of line demi-brigades. These corps will train two provisional demi-brigades, as soon as it arrives of the conscripts to supplement them and the weapons to arm them. I wrote in Dijon, with General Vignolle, in this respect.

I sent my aide-de-camp to Mâcon, to have the exact intelligence of the 3 batallions which are there, as ask it to you, but only of the 6 complementary batallions remainder of the depots of the Army of the Orient; they will reach you without delay.

I will have the honor to send exactly the state of the men unable to you to make the war and remaining with the depots of the various batallions which I am charged to organize.

The shortage of muskets and clothes is absolute, as well as shoe. The batallions which are here do not have anything. It will also be necessary some for the conscripts who will arrive.

I believe duty to return account, citizen Consul to you, of the desertion; it is always considerable, especially in the movements which the batallions make. Too great indulgence could only enhardir it until now.

At once that I will have finished the organization of the remaining demi-brigades, I will ask you, citizen Consul, to agree not to leave me in the interior. Since the beginning of the war, I did not cease being useful actively, I would see it finishing with regret without y to have share.

Salute and respect.

CALVES.

Alex. Berthier, general-in-chief of the Army of the Reserve, with the chief of staff.

Bourg, 14th floréal year 8 (May 4, 1800).

You will give the order to General Lechi to make leave tomorrow 15 for Geneva the Italian batallion coming from the Army of Italy. It will make him distribute all the objects of clothing which it can have in this moment.

You will say moreover year generated Lechi to leave 19th with the 1st batallion the Italian legion, the 2 squadrons cisalpins, the gunners, the 2 companies of warrant officers known as infernal, the 6 grenadier companies and the 6 companies of chasseurs, to go to forced marches to Geneva where they will be armed.

You will dispatch the order with the Lambert director of. to take such measures that the circumstances will require so that 18th it arrived at Bourg all the effects of clothing which the Company Pelletier will be able to provide for the 1200 men of the Italian Legion who must leave 19th (32). The Lambert director will be authorized to take such measure that it will judge suitable in Lyon to compensate for the lack of engagement of the Pelletier Company. It will be at the same time authorized to make pass the effects on wagons driven by post horses (33).

The directing commissioner Lambert will warn the Pelletier Company that, from here at ten days, all the remainder of the legion must be equipped. If it provides that the Company does not keep to its commitments, it will be authorized to take such measure that it will judge suitable so that these engagements are carried out (34).

Give the order to the Tailler adjutant general to remain in Bourg to make there equip and equip the remainder with the legion, in manner that it can be ready to leave 25th according to the orders which it will be able to receive.

Alex. BERTHIER.

Alex. Berthier, general-in-chief of the Army of the Reserve, with the chief of staff.

Bourg, 14th floréal (May 4, 1800).

Give the order to the directing commissioner Lambert (35) to make at once leave the extraordinary provisioning 1000 oxen to go to Villeneuve, at the end of Lake Geneva;

With same, to charge the Company Julien of handling and distribution of these 1000 oxen, when they are ordered;

To also charge the same Company with providing the meat to the Italian Legion, considering the Olri Company has let some to him miss for some days;

Of hurry on in post on Geneva 5,000 pairs of shoes which it stopped in Lyon;

To give orders so that one makes conduct from Grenoble on the Little Saint Bernard and to forced marches 50,000 rations of biscuit;

To activate the sending on Geneva of all made biscuit, the oats, etc…. , being in the intention to pass the Saint-Bernard towards 20th;

To order to the directing commissioner Boinod to make leave tomorrow to go to great marches to Geneva all the mules available and of y hurry on also those who will arrive successively at Bourg. The Boinod commissioner will leave somebody in this last city to supervise the operation and to go following Geneva (36).

Alex. BERTHIER.

Alex. Berthier, general-in-chief of the Army of the Reserve, with the chief of staff (37).

Geneva, 15th floréal year 8 (May 5, 1800).

Give the order to Boudet's division to go to Lausanne. Watrin's division must occupy Vevey and Villeneuve (38).

At once ask 4 gunsmiths per demi-brigade to be at the disposal of the Guériot colonel, director of the park, to be employed there with the repair of the weapons. Recommend to citizen Guériot to make work day and night, if that is possible.

You ensure if the orders that I gave for the payment of the pay are carried out.

Alex. BERTHIER.

Order of the day.

Geneva, 16th floréal year 8 (May 6, 1800).

The headquarters of the army are established in Geneva.

The general-in-chief is satisfied with the control of the troops during their march and counts that the most exact discipline will constantly be observed, and it will strongly hold the hand to with it.

The major generals will give orders so that 4 gunsmiths per demi-brigade go at once to Geneva, where they will be at the disposal of colonel Guériot the artillery.

All divisions of the army will send at once. with the general staff the financial statement of their armaments and their ammunition of war.

The general officers and staffs which are in Geneva will send their address to the general staff bench house (two illegible words).

DUPONT.

Alex. Berthier, general-in-chief of the Army of the Reserve, with the chief of staff.

Geneva, 16th floréal year 8 (May 6, 1800).

Give the order to the 96th to remain in Nyon. It is useless that it comes to Geneva to be obliged to turn over to the same place in a few days (39).

Give orders so that the troops of Loison's division carry on their road to Lausanne (40) where they will be confined in the surroundings, which will make two divisions in this part.

Alex. BERTHIER.

Have care to warn the director because of the subsistence.

Alex. Berthier, general-in-chief of the Army of the Reserve, with General Dupont, general chief of staff.

Geneva, 16th floréal year 8 (May 6, 1800).

I warn you, citizen General, that the first organization of artillery of the army takes place as it follows (41):

Watrin's division a:

Two pieces of 4;

Two pieces of 8;

Two harnessed howitzers.

It is necessary to give him four pieces of 4, six mounting-sledges, and two mounting-sledges for the howitzers, which will make him 10 pieces.

It will have, moreover, two pieces of 2, carried to back of mules, and the four short pieces of 4 Genevese.

It will miss horses for the four pieces of 4 and the four short Genevese pieces.

Boudet's division does not have an artillery; it is necessary to give him four pieces of 4 with four mounting-sledges, four pieces of 8 and two howitzers.

Total: 10 pieces of ordnance.

Loison's division a:

Two howitzers;

Four pieces of 8;

Four pieces of 4.

Chambarlhac's division a:

Two howitzers;

Four pieces of 8;

Four pieces of 4.

One needs horses for the pieces of 4 for these four divisions.

There is in reserve:

Four pieces of 4 and six pieces of on horse artillery. It will miss the horses for the four pieces of 4.

Alex. BERTHIER.

The First Consul, with General Berthier.

Paris, 12th floréal year 8 (May 2, 1800).

If you send a courier to General Turreau, say to him whom to prepare with the movement that it will have to make to help you, it joins together, independently of 7th of chasseurs that it must have in Embrun, 4th of chasseurs which is in Montélimart; that if this regiment is always in Montélimart, it starts it to join it, and holds it ready with the infantry and the artillery which are at her disposal to carry out the movement which will be ordered to him (42).

BONAPARTE.

Alex. Berthier, general-in-chief of the Army of the Reserve, with General Turreau.

Geneva, 17th floréal year 8 (May 7, 1800).

I receive, citizen General, your letter of the 14th, that you send to me by a special courier.

I knew the position of General Masséna; I saw one of his aide-de-camps, party of Genoa the 7 floréal. General Suchet which has not been able to manage to restore the communication, General Masséna took the party to be locked up in Genoa, where it ensures to have for one month and half of food. General Suchet occupies the line of Borghetto. Such are the news sent to the First Consul by the officer about which I speak to you.

The position of Masséna is painful, and I press all that can put to me capable to enter to Italy to help it.

I make the impossible one; but I cannot be in Aoste before 25th or 30th. My artillery and my cartridges are still behind.

I made pass the 1500 men of General Chabran to Saint-Maurice in Tarentaise. The remainder of the division, which arrives here the day after tomorrow, must meet to pass by the Little Saint Bernard.

I think that the attacks, that you announce to me with your posts, are only to worry you, while General Suchet seriously is attacked. If the movement of the Army of the Reserve succeeds, the enemy will all the more be embarrassed since it will be more advanced.

The First Consul, by a letter that I receive at the moment, marks me:

“Made say to General Turreau that, to prepare it with the movement which it will have to make to help you, it joins together, independently of 9th of chasseurs which it must have in Embrun, 4th of chasseurs, which is in Montélimart. It will start it to join it and hold it ready, with the infantry and the artillery which are at her disposal, to carry out the movement which will be ordered to him. ”

I await the First Consul at every moment and I await your news by the return of the courier that I dispatched you.

It is essential that you establish some relays, either of horses, or of troops, to correspond promptly of Spray in Grenoble. Moment when I will have determined the day of my attack, I will warn you.

Make supply the positions of Mount-Lion and Briançon of authority, if one cannot make differently. The General Lacombe Saint Michel said to me that one could do it in a few days with money. Pledge on my behalf, if it is needed; I will make pay.

General Moreau continues the enemy, who withdraws himself behind Lech; it took large magazines with Stockach and makes some thousand prisoners.

Alex. BERTHIER.

The First Consul, with General Berthier, commanding as a commander the Army of the Reserve.

Paris, 12th floréal year 8 (May 2, 1800).

The headquarters of General Moreau, citizen General, were, 12th, with Saint-Blaise. It had taken 2 pieces of artillery and makes 300 prisoners. General Vigovich, against which we dealt in Italy, is charged, with corps of 9,000 men, including 3,000 only of good troops, guard of the Simplon, Bellinzona and Saint-Gothard. Its headquarters are has Arona.

I imagine that you will establish two repair shops of weapons, in Geneva and in Auxonne. Make give in activity that of Chambéry, if there always exists, and, if there does not exist any more, make pass the remains to Geneva.

You have 7 squadrons of cavalry to the Army of the Orient; are they in the case of to make the campaign?

I receive a letter of Murat (43), according to whom it appears that 7th of chasseurs is in quite bad condition. If there is a squadron of 120 men fit for the campaign the campaign, attach it to a division, and, if you judge the remainder out of state, direct it on Holland. It will be replaced by 10th dragoons, which is in Holland.

I make give the order, by a special courier, with the Augereau General, to direct this regiment on Geneva. It will arrive in time to replace your losses (44).

It left today for Dijon:

The depot of the 30th, strength of 500 men, left several days ago.

18th, leave 500 men the 11th of hussars.

24th, leave 400 men 15th chasseurs.

All that leaves and will leave Paris perfectly is harnessed and armed.

General Gardanne will command the 6th division of your army. It has been just started for this effect.

Independently of what I announced to you above, 230 horses left today high the foot; 600 horses of the attachments of the Army of the West have order also to leave.

I take measures to make provide 300 horses by Laumont, independently of the 800 which the depot of Versailles will provide you during the current of the month.

In the position where the Austrian army of Italy is, weakened considerably by the terrible fight that it supports in the river of Genoa, 30,000 men and 30 pieces of artillery return to you temporarily main from Italy; but I feel the necessity to direct a great quantity of horses on Auxonne, in order to be able hurry on the ammunition of infantry and the pieces of 12 which you need; if not for the first, at least for the second and third acts of the campaign.

My aide-de-camp Lefebvre announces to me that it sent 3,000 muskets of Châlons to you; 4,000 left, two days ago of Paris. Those of Saint-Etienne, Charleville, Liege must finally have arrived.

I will be 16th or 17th in Geneva.

I imagine that you as many have on the lake boats as you want to transport your food to Villeneuve, where it is necessary that you establish a military commander immediately and organize a depot.

According to all that I see of the operations of General Melas, I am closely persuaded that on all the line of the river of Genoa, included the Levant, it did not have more than 40,000 men. At the hour that it is, it lost 15,000, captive, killed or sick. Thus there him do not remain 25,000 about it. I y comprehends not 6,000 men of cavalry which it can have in the plains of Italy, nor corps of 8,000 men whom the General has about which I spoke to you higher.

It would be necessary to try to have in Aoste your the first four divisions 22nd, as well as the division of General Chabran.

According to all the intelligence that one gave me, I imagine that of Villeneuve with Aoste only five days ago. It will be necessary at least two days so that these 5 divisions can ravel by the Saint-Bernard.

The enemy does not expect at all the operation that you make. He supposes well that it is possible that a division from 10,000 to 12,000 men arises to relieve the Army of Italy, and in this case it does not fear it. I have very sure intelligence that one makes fun in Vienna and in Italy of the Army of the Reserve; it is not believed that it is ready before August, and one looks it like a gathering of conscripts to supplement the Army of the Rhine.

It would be necessary, 16th, to have in Villeneuve 400,000 to 500,000 rations of biscuit, and, 20th, the double and 150 mules at least of requisition, or differently, which would carry 30,000 rations to the village of Saint-Pierre. You can travel by wagons of the country. They there would have arrived 19th and would be back in Villeneuve 21st, to take a similar charge which would arrive at Saint-Pierre 24th. If you had two transport of this nature, your provisioning would be perfectly assured; it is necessary that you at once send an agent of transport, a commisioner of war and some brigades of your mules, if you have some, and of the money for this essential transport.

It is necessary to establish continuation a magazine at a village between Saint-Pierre and the foot of the Saint-Bernard, where you will well also make put a commander and establish a hospital, which will evacuate on the hospital which will be in Villeneuve and on that which will be in Saint-Maurice.

Thus the troops could take in Villeneuve for four days of biscuit; they would take in Saint-Pierre for three days, where the soldier alone would take. The cavalry, the drivers, the staff, all that is on horse, could be held to take for eight days, which would lead them to Aoste; and, during this time, one would continue to supply the depot of Saint-Pierre to provide for the passage and the retirement, if one were forced there!

The season, fortunately, makes the food of the horses easier; it would however be necessary to have a little oats to the foot of the Saint-Bernard and the convent. The monks must, so that it is ensured me, to have barley and oats that with a little money they would unearth.

You see that I occupy myself many of your details; but it is that it is in your operation that is truly the success of the campaign, and that I doubt by no means that you do not have glory to reconquer this beautiful theater of the French value.

As for the Army of the Rhine, it is quite clear that to the 20th it of will have decided there something; and, consequently, it will be able in time when you will be able at Aoste to prepare a strong diversion by Saint-Gothard and the Simplon, so as to emerge at the time when you would have concentrated on you all the forces of the enemy. I estimate that with the rigor a simple division of 6,000 men of infantry and 1000 men of cavalry who would come by Saint-Gothard, and 4,000 by the Simplon, would be to you of a powerful help and would make infallible your operation.

If Masséna is not made too much crush, and if it has the good spirit or to force the line and to take an unspecified position in the river of Genoa, or to let themselves lock up in Genoa, the attack on Genoa will be worth us great advantages. Because you could not have made the same diversion without an immense co-operation of the Army of the Rhine, if the Austrian army had had the good spirit to remain confined on the Po (45).

I greet you.

BONAPARTE.

Alex. Berthier, general-in-chief of the Army of the Reserve, with General Dupont, general chief of staff.

Geneva, 16th floréal year 8 (May 6, 1800).

Take care, citizen General, so that there is the greatest activity in repairs of weapons with Auxonne, Geneva and Chambéry; if this last establishment did not exist any more, I ordered with General Marmont to join together of them the remains with that of Geneva (46).

Send ahead of of the muskets coming from Lyon and take all the measures necessary so that General Marmont, to which I already gave orders, under command arms the remainder with the column of the General Chabran, which must arrive here 19th, as well as the 1600 men of General Lechi, which must arrive here 21st (47).

Make known with the Minister that the 7 squadrons of depot of the Army of the Orient can be of no resource for our army (48).

Make train a squadron of all that it assembled there the and available ones of 7th of chasseurs, of which the greatest part is with General Chabran. Ask the director as a commander to make provide to these men the objects for which they have more the need, by employing the resources which Geneva can provide.

This squadron will be the only part of the regiment which will be attaché with the Army of the Reserve. As for the remainder of the corps, which are absolutely out of state to act, direct it on the French Army in Batavia.

Warn the Minister for the road which it will hold, so that it can send orders to him.

The First Consul makes arrive at forced marches, to replace it with our army, 10th of dragoons, which comes from Batavia.

It left 12th, of Paris, 2 squadrons of 5th of dragoons, strength of 260 men; 2 of 9th of dragoons, 300 men; 1 of 1st of cavalry, strength of 120 men; 1 company of 3rd of cavalry, 60 men; 1 squadron of 5th of cavalry, 120 men; 1 of 1st of hussars, 120 men; 1 of 15th of chasseurs, 120 men; old guides of the Consul, 110 men; 300 grenadiers of the guard; 60 horse artillerymen; 6 pieces of artillery, with double provisioning.

It announces to me that the depot of the 30th, strength of 500 men, left several days ago; that, 18th, it leaves 500 men the 11th of hussars; that, 24th, leave 400 men 15th chasseurs. It also announces to me the departure of many horses, intended for artillery, which must go to Auxonne.

Give orders in Dijon so that all that is intended for the army there is directed without stay. I join here the copy of the order which I gave to the director as a commander.

Name a commander of weapons in Villeneuve; you can put a colonel following the staff at it.

Also name a commander with Saint-Pierre and the small village which is between this last place and the foot of the Saint-Bernard, these points being places of provisioning.

You feel especially the importance of Villeneuve. Supervise the execution of all the provisions which I prescribe with the director as a commander.

Make leave an adjutant general for Villeneuve.

The cavalry will follow closely the movement of the infantry; concert you with the director so that fodder are ensured, without counting on the provisioning of the 100,000 bushels of oats which must be returned to Villeneuve, and part with Saint-Pierre, to be employed only with the passage of the Mount Saint Bernard.

I greet you.

Alex. BERTHIER.

Alex. Berthier, general-in-chief of the Army of the Reserve, with the director as a commander.

Geneva, 16th floréal year 8 (May 6, 1800)

I warn you that I establish a commander of position in Villeneuve and in Saint-Pierre, with the foot of the Saint-Bernard, points where we must draw up magazines.

You get all the possible means of transport, either by water, or by ground, so that there is in Villeneuve, 18th at the evening, 4 to 500,000 rations of biscuit and the double 20th.

It is necessary to at once rent 150 or 200 mules in the Valais Alps, or to take them requisition, if one cannot have them differently, to carry 30,000 rations to the village of Saint-Pierre. One can also travel by wagons of the country. It would be necessary that these 30,000 rations of biscuit were arrivals with Saint-Pierre 20th. Transport would be back in Villeneuve 22nd, to carry a similar charge, which would arrive at Saint-Pierre 25th. If you have transport of this nature, our provisioning will be perfectly assured.

It is necessary that you at once send an agent of transport, a commisioner of war and some money to ensure this essential transport.

It would be necessary to establish continuation a biscuit magazine at a village between Saint-Pierre and the foot of the Saint-Bernard; you will make establish in this village a hospital, which will evacuate on that which will be in Saint-Maurice and Villeneuve. A moment ago to lose to establish these three hospitals. My plan is to join together 4 divisions in Villeneuve towards 19th. The troops would take biscuit for four days there; they would take some in Saint-Pierre for three days; what would lead them to Aoste. During this time, one would continue to supply the depot of Saint-Pierre to provide for the passage or a retrograde movement, if one were forced there. The cavalry, the drivers, the staff and finally all that is on horse will be held to take biscuit for eight days.

It is necessary to make transport oats to the foot of the Saint-Bernard and the convent. It is ensured that the monks have barley and oats, that they would unearth with ecus.

You see that you do not have a moment to lose to make transport, in the magazines of Villeneuve and Saint-Pierre, our extraordinary provisioning.

I recommend the shoes to you, for which we have the most pressing need.

Independently of the provisions which you will make and of the orders that you will give, take of the measures to be ensured of their execution. By these provisions, you see that the points of Lausanne and Villeneuve must be strongly supplied out of bread and fodder, since it is the point of meeting from where I would like to leave towards 20th, to enter the valley of Aoste. Such is the whole of my plans.

You will be informed by the staff of the movements of the troops when they are ordered; but it would be too late, if your provisions were not made in advance.

You feel how much it is interesting to send active agents in Villeneuve, not where will be our first headquarters of war. You also smell that these provisions must be secret, as for their unit.

Alex. BERTHIER.

Alex. Berthier, general-in-chief of the Army of the Reserve, with the chief of staff.

Geneva, 17th floréal year 8 (May 7, 1800).

I count little, citizen General, on the measures captures by the director to ensure our transport. I ask you to write a circular with the mayors of the cities and villages located on the edge of Lake Geneva, so that they send in Geneva boats suitable to accomplish transport of the army. See to regulate the quantity that they will have to provide.

Alex. BERTHIER.

P.S. – Make give to me before 4 a.m. the financial statement of the magazines of the position. Make inform the commissioner in charge of the provisioning which I will see the magazines at 3 a.m. I will take to you at this hour and at 4 a.m. we will see the works of the position.

Alex. Berthier, general-in-chief of the Army of the Reserve, with the commander of staff.

Geneva, 17th floréal year 8 (May 7, 1800).

I warn you that, 14th, with my passage to Bourg, I required the prefects of the departments of Ain, of the Jura, of Saone-et-Loire and Côte-d'Or, to be made provide to rent each one 50 transports country with an effort, to be returned in Versoix 21st of this month. I ask you to take care that these transports are used most promptly possible for our transport of Villeneuve, with the foot of the Saint-Bernard.

Alex. BERTHIER.

Alex. Berthier, general-in-chief of the Army of the Reserve, with General Dupont.

Geneva, 17th floréal year 8 (May 7, 1800).

I sent to you the copy of the order (49) which I gave to the director as a commander for the transport of the extraordinary provisioning in Villeneuve and Saint-Pierre.

You ensure if all the provisions are made so that the quantity of provisioning required is returned to its destination. Make come the Michaud commisioner of war; you ensure if it has all the means of transport necessary.

Make require in Lausanne, on all the other ports of the lake the boats which we will rent, that they promptly go to Geneva in order to transport to Villeneuve all that is necessary to the army.

I am decided to begin my movement 20th. Charge an adjutant general with supervising all transport of the extraordinary provisioning with Saint-Pierre and finally the execution of all the measures which I prescribed with the director as a commander both in Villeneuve and in Saint-Maurice and Saint-Pierre for the hospitals and the subsistence (50).

That it is ensured if the director made give 1000 ecus to the Dalbon commisioner of war, if this last were occupied to raise mules in the valleys of the Rhone. From here to the 20th, one needs that it tries to have 500 of them and as many wagons as it will be possible, to transport biscuit of Villeneuve to Saint-Pierre.

Give the order so that all the horses of the staff officers leave today, or at the latest tomorrow, to go to Lausanne where you will send a staff officer to make the establishment of the headquarters there.

Alex. BERTHIER.

Alex. Berthier, general-in-chief of the Army of the Reserve, with the First Consul.

Geneva, 17th floréal year 8 (May 7, 1800).

I received yesterday, at 7 o'clock in the morning, citizen Consul, your letter of the 12th. I arrived here 15th.

The infantry gathers, but I am stopped by the artillery  (51); the ways are dreadful; I do not have a mounting-sledge yet nor a sledge.

I make the impossible one, but I cannot attack the enemy without artillery. I await these mountings today or tomorrow (52).

I have great difficulties, I will do all to surmount them. If the mounting-sledges arrive, I will try to pass the Saint-Bernard of the 20th to the 22nd; there are many snow, and the very dangerous avalanches; one can spend only the night and until midday without much of danger (53).

The position of Masséna worries me. General Turreau writes me that its posts are attacked in Césane; I suppose that it is only of false attacks and that it is Suchet which is attacked seriously.

I would like to see you here. There are orders to give so that the three armies act in concert; you only can give this direction on the spot; the measures decided in Paris are too late.

The depots of the horsemen of the regiments which are in the East, are out of state to make any service with this army.

The 3 demi-brigades of General Chabran are in a painful state of destitution. While passing to Mâcon, I did all that I could to equip the part who was there. I am obliged to make them pass here to give them weapons.

The 1200 men of Chabran are already in Moutiers (54); the remainder training approximately 2,500 men will march there at once that it will have arrived here and that it will be armed. One should not count on these demi-brigades; there are not enough old soldiers. Chabran will have with more the 3,000 men to pass the Little Saint Bernard.

I send 7th chasseurs in Holland; I keep with the army 120 men, training a squadron badly equipped.

I have the 15th regiment of chasseurs without guns, without rifles; I do not know where to take some. Give orders so that one sends some of Saint-Etienne.

The officers of health did not arrive; there is not only one case of surgical instruments; all is behind.

I sent in post to seek what there can be in Lyon.

The rain, which fell, put half of the army naked feet. All the corps shout after shoes; I made some come in post from Lyon, of Dijon; I made some buy here. There is of it little and one makes them pay 5 FR. 15.

I ordered that one manufactures some in the surroundings at the cost of 4 francs (55).

The artillery alone and transport delay me.

General Marescot arrives of the Saint-Bernard, it made a good reconnaissance.

This letter will find you on the way; your arrival is essential.

With money (56) we will have bread and fodder.

The extraordinary provisioning conducts by the lake on Villeneuve and, from there, Saint-Pierre.

I ordered that one rents mules in the valley of the Rhone.

Respect and devotion.

Alex. BERTHIER.

Alex. Berthier, general-in-chief of the Army of the Reserve, with the commander of general staff.

Geneva, 17th floréal year 8 (May 7, 1800).

Give orders so that the 24th light demi-brigade, takes bread for two days and leaves tomorrow, 18, to go to Nyon and 19th in Morges, where it will be confined until new order.

You will give the order to the 43rd demi-brigade to leave 19th with bread for two days; she will sleep in Nyon and, 20th, she will confine in the surroundings of Morges.

Warn the director so that it ensures their subsistence. I believe that it can do it of Lausanne.

Alex. BERTHIER.

Alex. Berthier, general-in-chief of the Army of the Reserve, with General Dupont.

Geneva, 17th floréal year 8 (May 7, 1800).

I learn at the moment, with the greatest astonishment, that the 4 artillery pieces remained in Pontarlier (57); at once send a courier of the army to make them leave at once the reception the order, and that to forced marches, they go to Lausanne.

This error comes from what the staff did not prevent the commanding general the artillery; you feel how much similar lapses of memory can be dangerous with the war.

I learned by myself that, in a staff, one had to refer some only to oneself.

Alex. BERTHIER.

Alex. Berthier, general-in-chief of the Army of the Reserve, with General Moncey.

Geneva, 17th floréal year 8 (May 7, 1800).

I receive the letter that you write to me by the Delort adjutant general.

The First Consul did not arrive yet and I await it impatiently.

I write with the General Mainoni which it can make pass the batallion of the 44th demi-brigade in the valley of Reuss and Rheinthal where you wish to increase the forces. It will preserve the 28th demi-brigade which the First Consul wishes to employ. Watrin's division will replace the batallion of the 44th in the Valais Alps.

It is quite pressing that the Army of the Reserve acts with celerity; General Masséna is blockaded in Genoa. It is essential that General Moreau gives you some batallions.

Alex. BERTHIER.

Alex. Berthier, general-in-chief of the Army of the Reserve, with General Mainoni.

Geneva, 17th floréal year 8 (May 7, 1800).

You can send, as wishes it General Moncey, some forces drawn from the troops to your orders in the valley of Reuss and Rheinthal.

Detach the batallion of the 44th, its service will be compensated by troops of Watrin's division.

You will keep the 28th demi-brigade which the First Consul wishes to employ under your orders at the time of our attack in Italy.

I hope to see you in a few days. I would like to be in Aoste of the 25th to the 30th if it were possible. I will have great need to employ your talents and precise knowledge which you have of the country.

Alex. BERTHIER.

Alexandre Berthier, general-in-chief of the Army of the Reserve, with General Dupont.

Geneva, 17th floréal year 8 (May 7, 1800).

I make you pass a letter of the municipality of Nyon. You will see that the service is ensured for no troop of passage. Make come the commisioner of war who replaces Dubreton; see whether he knows the movements and the time of the arrival of the demi-brigades passing by Nyon. Lastly, that there is a French agent to ensure the service by the means of the army and without exhausting the country.

Write an honest letter with the municipality of Nyon.

I greet you.

Alex. BERTHIER.

The Municipality of Nyon, with the Berthier citizen, general-in-chief of the Army of the Reserve.

May 6, 1800 (58).

Citizen General,

We were done up to now, and we will always have a sacred duty, not to regret, for our good allies, the brave men defenders of our freedom, no sacrifice which is in our capacity. We are persuaded, citizen General, that the intention of the French nation and yours is not to completely ruin us for price of these sacrifices. We could not miss being it, if you do not take into account the right complaints which we are obliged to make you.

The General of Boudet's division established his headquarters here. The commisioner of war, attaché with this division, made us multiplied requisitions, to which we satisfied as much as we had the means of it. Currently, all our resources are exhausted and the aforementioned commissioner declares, in his letter with the Swiss commissioner included here (59), which it will provide the subsistence only for Boudet's division, while it passes from the considerable corps of those of General Watrin (60), Chambarlhac (61), Loison (62) and others.

One requires us to provide for it, and we have neither corn, neither cattle, nor no means of us of getting some; more especially as our country produces grains only for four months, and that one does not let any leave France, from which we formerly draw this food product from first necessity.

In the anguish where we are, we throw ourselves with confidence between your arms, asking you to give the orders necessary so that the food are provided by the French commissaries to all the troops which will pass here.

Salute and consideration.

BONNARD, President.

GIGNOUX, municipal Clerk.

***

Paris, 15th floréal year 8 (May 5, 1800).

(77) the Consuls of the Republic, considering the situation criticizes where is the Army of Italy, the necessity not to let start the French territory and to save the departments of the South threatened by ground and sea, ordered:

Art 1st. – The detachment which the Army of the Rhine was to make, consequently article 2 of the decree of the 26th germinal (78), in Italy, when it would have pushed the enemy at ten days, will take place at once.

For this purpose, a column of 25,000 men, infantry, cavalry, artillery included, will penetrate by Saint-Gothard and the Simplon, to act under the orders of the general-in-chief of the Army of the Reserve, and in accordance with the particular instructions which the Minister for the war will give.

Art 2. – The Minister for the war will leave in the course of the day to go to the headquarters of the Army of the Rhine, to act in concert for this movement with the general-in-chief, to give all the instructions necessary and to take all the intelligence on the situation of the armies.

Art 3. – At once the orders given, the Minister for the war will go to Geneva, close the First Consul.

Art 4. – This decree will not be printed.

The First Consul,

BONAPARTE.

By the First Consul:

The Secretary of State,

Hugues B. MARET.

Paris, 15th floréal year 8 (May 5, 1800).

Consuls of the Republic ordered (79):

Art 1st. – The Valais Alps will belong to the Army of the Reserve (80).

Art 2. – The general officers, the employees, the artillery and the troops which are there will also form part of the Army of the Reserve.

Art 3. – The Minister for the war will give the orders directly, by a special courier, with the commanding general as Switzerland, to at once supplement, to 3,500 men, the troops intended to keep the Simplon (81).

The First Consul,

BONAPARTE.

By the First Consul:

The Secretary of State,

Hugues B. MARET.

The First Consul, with General Masséna in Genoa.

Paris, 15th floréal year 8 (May 5, 1800).

Your aide-de-camp arrives (82), citizen General, and I receive your letter.

I currently receive, by the courier, the news that the Army of the Rhine gained a victory over the enemy, seized all the positions of Stockach, and made him 7,000 prisoners and taken 9 pieces of artillery; it seized all its magazines.

The Army of the Reserve is moving great. I leave this night. I count that you will hold as much as possible, but at least until 10 prairial (83).

I greet you (84).

BONAPARTE.

The First Consul, with General Moreau.

Paris, 15th floréal year 8 (May 5, 1800).

I left for Geneva when the telegraph informed me of the victory which you gained over the Austrian army: glory and three times glory!

The Minister for the war will arrive a few hours after this courier at your headquarters, and, from there, will come to join to me in Geneva.

The position of the Army of Italy and the South is rather critical: Masséna, contained in Genoa, has food until the 5 or 6 prairial; the army of Melas appears rather considerable, though strongly weakened.

I greet you affectionately.

BONAPARTE.

Give me your news in Geneva. Does Leclerc go well? Thousand things with Dessolle (85).

The First Consul, with General Berthier.

Paris, 15th floréal year 8 (May 5, 1800).

I learn at the moment by the telegraph, citizen General, that Moreau had in Stockach a business with the enemy; that it made 7,000 prisoners, taken 9 pieces of artillery and of the considerable magazines (86).

The Minister for the war leaves in half an hour; I leave at midnight (87); you can calculate when I will be in Geneva; I will stop only a few hours in Dijon (88).

All goes here to the perfect one.

I greet you.

The aide-de-camp of Masséna arrives; it ensures me that it has food for twenty-five days, to calculate since the 5 of the month of floréal (89); thus you see that it is necessary that it is relieved in the last decade of the month. Make march to force (90).

BONAPARTE.

The First Consul, with the Minister for the war.

Paris, 15th floréal year 8 (May 5, 1800).

I request from you, citizen Minister, to give the order to General Brune to go to Dijon, where it is necessary that it is returned 20th of the month. There it will receive instructions on what it has to do; it will receive orders of me (91).

BONAPARTE.

The First Consul, with the Minister for the war.

Paris, 15th floréal year 8 (May 5, 1800).

Considering the extraordinary circumstances in which the Army of Italy is, the Consuls wish that the Minister for the war sends, the order, in all diligence, with the 64th demi-brigade of line, which is in Rennes, to start itself to go to Paris (92), and, as of the moment that this demi-brigade will be arrival, to start the two batallions of the 14. for the Army of the Reserve (93).

BONAPARTE.

Instructions for the Petiet citizen, adviser of State (94).

Paris, 15th floréal year 8 (May 5, 1800).

The Petiet citizen, adviser of State, will act in concert with the Minister for the war and will make sure that 30,000 pairs of shoes were sent to the Army of the Reserve and that they are arrivals 25th or 30th there, as all the effects of clothing which one could make leave Paris.

That all the artillery horses which are in Versailles or in the other depots left for Geneva with their harnessing.

It will take intelligence at the office of the war, which will make known to him the measures captures and all the sendings made out of clothes, cartidge boxes, hats and effects of clothing of any species for the Army of the Reserve.

It will make remove all that will be available.

Lastly, that it is ensured, its passage in Dijon, of what arrived, of what is waited there and which are the means to take to accelerate the sending of the effects which did not arrive yet.

It will take along with him some intelligent commisioners of war. It will be able to make some leave one with the convoy which will leave Paris.

It will be made give by the Minister for finances the state of the inspectors employed in the Republic, and especially with the Army of the Reserve.

It will write a letter with the prefects of the included departments in the district of this army, to make them feel how much it is important that they make pour the funds intended for the Army of the Reserve and that they make them leave for Dijon.

It will find, attached, the names of the departments which were struck of an assignment.

It will thus write my share with the prefects of these departments, so that they make pay all the money coming from the vacation, as soon as possible, in the case of the payer of the army, in Dijon.

It is necessary, for these various circumstances, which it acts in concert with the Minister for finances.

The Minister for finances has the order to make leave 500,000 francs out of gold, with a cash clerk of the treasury, to be returned in post in Geneva 20th.

The Petiet citizen will have care, before his departure, to make sure that these funds left for Dijon (95).

BONAPARTE.

“I arrived, citizen Consuls, today at 6 o'clock in the morning; thus, I spent only twenty-five hours from Paris in Dijon (96)”.

It was accompanied by Bourienne, its secretary, and of the adviser of State Defermont. With the noise of the gun which greeted its entry, all the population, massed on its passage, greeted it enthusiastic cheers (97)….

“I arrive at the moment, citizen general, in Dijon: I will leave at 3 a.m. in the morning (98), by the road of Auxonne and Dôle, to be in Geneva on tomorrow.

“I greet you.

“BONAPARTE. ”

…. Towards the three hours of the afternoon, covered simple costume to advise State, it passes on foot, with the acclamations of an enormous crowd, the review of a portion of the 17th demi-brigade (light), arranged battles about it in front of the palate….
…. With the exit to dine it, and always surrounded by a crowd which could not weary itself to contemplate her features, the First Consul gained the course of the park, where waited, arranged in battle, the 17th demi-brigade (light) with several corps of conscripts (99)….

The First Consul, with the director Lambert.

Dijon, 17th floréal year 8 (May 7, 1800).

The Ministers of the war and finances, citizen director, placed yesterday at your disposal 200,000 francs, to provide for the expenditure of extraordinary provisioning with which you are charged. All the money coming from the conscripts, in Lyon, is especially affected with the payment of the aforesaid ordinances (100).

I see with difficulty that the 1,500,000 rations of biscuit are not yet complete; I hope that, for 20th floréal, you will have a million returned to Geneva of it.

It is essential that the 500,000 others are returned for 25th floréal and that you activate your manufacture, so as to have to the 10th prairial 500,000 other rations, which will carry the total of what you will have gotten for the army to 2 million rations.

It is also necessary that you supplemented brandy as much as possible, which supply will have to be also increased by a quarter.

Answer me in Geneva, where I will be tomorrow at the evening (101).

I greet you.

BONAPARTE.

F. Watrin, major general, with General Dupont, general chief of staff.

Lausanne, 16th floréal year 8 (May 6, 1800).

I come, my dear Général, to visit my line and the Mount Saint Bernard (102).

It was time that I arrived at Martigny, because General Mainoni had already twice given the order to the 6th light to occupy the high Valais Alps, and it wanted to mix it in its corps with troops. After some light debates, I am agreed with him that it would return you continuation the batallion of the 9th light, which will have joined its corps with Morges under two days.

The two batallions of the 6th light training, as I wrote already it to you, approximately 800 men, will occupy Saint-Maurice and Bex (103). I do not have yet a news of the remainder of these corps, which, as you see, is very weak.

The of line 22nd and 40th are cantoned along the lake, from Bex to Lausanne included (104). One informs them with force; but, as I wrote it to you in my preceding letters, my dear Général, we have all the greatest need for shoes. I ask you to send some to us by water in Lausanne.

General Moncey, like I mark it with the general-in-chief (105), received the most precise orders of General Moreau, to make raise by me his corps of troops in the high Valais Alps. I could not agree to his desires; I await the answer of the general-in-chief on this subject. I write some to him (106) and gives him other details on the possibility of having here mules, of passing the Saint-Bernard, and on the forces of the enemy. My aide-de-camp will give you many other intelligence, that the prompt departure of General Marescot does not make it possible to write to you.

When I know your arrival in Geneva and that of the general-in-chief, I will see there you, if you leave me time of them.

Good-bye, my dear Général, I kiss you.

F. WATRIN (107).

Report on the position of the enemy.

The force of the enemy was, a few days ago, of 10,000 men, from the Levantine to the valley of Aoste included. Some cavalry occupied the valleys which end on the high Valais Alps.

All these corps of troop are commanded by the General Vukassovich, which has under its orders the generals Dedovich, Victor de Rohan, Landon and Depré. This last, which is an emigrant, resides at Aoste.

2,000 men of the regiment François Kinsky occupy, with some pandours, this valley. They were well cut off in Courmayeur and at the height from Bard.

The regiments of Laudon, Croats, Victor Rohan and the chasseurs du Loup occupy the center; they were strengthened in Maggendone and Ornavasso, where they have their magazines.

On the line, 2,700 men are camped and cut off in Bellinzona and Biasca.

3 to 4,000 men of cavalry are in the valleys of Maggia and Vigesso.

Artillery and a reserve from 14 to 1500 men in Lugano and surroundings; they have their large park and a rather considerable camp with Varese (108).

The General,

F. WATRIN.

Mainoni, brigadier general (109), with the Berthier citizen, general-in-chief who commands the Army of the Reserve.

Sion, 16th floréal year 8 (May 6, 1800).

I had gone to Martigny to have a conference with General Marescot, general inspector of the engineers, and the General of Watrin's division. After this conference, in which I made known to them, and my position, and my means of defense, it was agreed today that, 16, arrived to Geneva, they would return account of the result of our combinations and observations to you.

At the time of my return, I received the dispatch of Major General Dupont, commander of your general staff, dispatched 12th of Dijon. I hasten, citizen General, to answer your desires and to put to you at once at the fact, and of my position, and the forces which I have at my disposal.

I defend, since the sources of the Rhone until Saint-Maurice, all the outlets on Italy which is the valley of Im-log, by which, while passing by the pass of Bedretto, following the left, one arrives at Airolo in seven hours of time. Airolo is the beginning of the Levantina valley and is with the foot of Saint-Gothard; while taking on the right, one throws oneself, passing the mountain of Gries, in Formazza, which will lead to Baceno; while passing valley consequently the mountain of Saint-Jacob, one is thrown in Maggia and one falls in Locarno.

The second passage is that of Binna, which leads in ten hours of time, on the basis of Aernen to Baceno, rather considerable commune, located on Toca. From there, while following the river, one arrives at Domodossola, etc, etc

The third passage is that of Brieg, by the Simplon. One assembles six hours of time to arrive at the top; from there, one goes down still almost as much and, while crossing the village of Davedro, one arrives at Domodossola, etc This passage is most practicable of the three above mentioned ones; one passes there on horse and with mules; one even made there pass from the gun, etc

The fourth outlet is that of the valley of Saas, by that of Viege; this passage, only clean for the infantry, takes place by Assembles-Moro, then by the mountain of Turbo, and led to Varallo, on the Lake Orta (110). In bottom of the mountain of Assembles-Moro, one can avoid the mountain of Turlo, while passing by the valley Mastallone and that of Strona; this passage would become interesting to turn and take with back the works Austrians, whom they established in Ornavasso, to prevent us from emerging by the valley of Domodossola.

The fifth passage is that of the valley of Saint Nicolas, which leads to the glaciers of the valley of Hèrens and, from there, in the valley of Aoste.

The sixth is that of the valley of Anniviers; by the valley of Hèrens, on the glacier, and, from there, in the valley of Aoste.

The seventh, that of the valley of Herens: one by the glacier, straight, in the valley of Aoste; the other by the valley of Heremence to the glacier of that of Bagne and, from there, in the valley of Aoste.

The eighth, by the valley of Bagne; passing the glacier, one falls into the valley from Aoste.

The ninth, that of the plain of Proz; côtoyant the Mount-Veland, one arrives on the contiguous mountain to the Saint-Bernard, by whom one descends straight to Saint-Remy, first place of the valley of Aoste.

The tenth, the passage of the Great Saint Bernard; one assembles eight hours, from Martigny to the house, and, from there, one descends two hours to arrive at Saint-Remy.

The eleventh passage is that by the pass Ferret on Courmayeur.

There are many of other paths which lead either in Piedmont, or in Italy; but, in this season, they all are almost impracticable or very difficult. According to me, the passage necessary and practicable to plunge on the enemy to Italy, is that by the pass Maggia; one would cut, by there, his forces which it has in Levantina, Bellinzona, etc

That of the Simplon, passage by which one can make march much of troops, food, etc, passage necessary, and to drive out the enemy of the edges of the Lake Maggiore, and to facilitate the operations of the Saint-Bernard.

That of the valley of Saas, by Assembles-Moro, to take the works of Ornavasso with back, and to fulfill the same goal as the troops descending the Simplon.

That of the Saint-Bernard must be the main thing; it is, in my opinion, easiest and most decisive, especially if one makes march, at calculated time, a small column by the Little Saint Bernard, with gun and howitzers especially, to tackle concert small Fort Bard, and to crush it, to jump at the moment this obstacle, who could delay few hours the junction and the whole of the operations.

My current forces are, with the truth, little thing. It is the 28th of line, which will not provide, at most, that 1500 combatants; ler batallion of the 44th, which will provide 550 at most of them; 5 companies of the 1st batallion of Swiss light troops, which will provide 400 men.

Some artillerists, four pieces of 4 and six of 2, and a book of balls.

Not cavalry of the whole.

Not means of transport.

Enough ammunition.

Passably of food, except for meat, of which I miss already.

Not money to prepare and ensure the means of an expedition; not even for espionage, considering the 25 louis, that I have touched for four months and more than I am in the country, are exhausted.

The forces of the enemy in front of me, if they have not been changed for a few days, are:

In Levantina, 3,000 men of infantry, 3 or 400 horses, which commanded. by the Dedovich General, the majority Croatian. With Lugano and Locarno, 1800 men. On my face, with Domodossola and surroundings, corps of the chasseurs du Loup, commanded by the Wolf itself, 1000 men about. Corps of Rohan, which commanded by Victor de Rohan, 8 to 900 men. Corps of Otto and Laudon, whom commanded by this last, stationed along the lake, 2,000 men, 2 to 300 horses, hussars of new creation, much of artillery of small gauge out of battery with Ornavasso and Arona.

In the valley of Aoste, 1500 men of the regiment François Kinski and 4 Croat companies; at the height of Bard, 150 men and 4 pieces of artillery; in Varrese, a rather considerable park, just as a rather strong camp, from 10 to 12,000 men, whom commanded by General Vukassovich.

Here is, my General, the details which I can give you to haste and which I will continue you. I venture to assure you that if, indeed, there is an expedition assisted well by Saint-Gothard, and supported of all the points, it can only succeed completely and with satisfaction.

Salute and respect.

MAINONI.

F. Watrin, major general, with General Dupont, chief of staff of the army.

Lausanne, 17th floréal year 8 (May 7, 1800).

According to the provisions contained in your letter of the 16th, that I received yesterday at the evening (111), my dear Général, I made leave the 40th Lausanne, and I will be established with it in Vevey. I will push the 6th light until Martigny (112).

The 3rd batallion of this demi-brigade arrives at the moment to Lausanne. It is strong only of approximately 400 men, which under arms gives 1200 men present at these corps, which is quite different from the number of 2,400 where you carry it (113).

It is due to this batallion approximately 6,000 francs, to align its pay. I request from you, my dear Général, to request the director as a commander to send them continuation, with a divisional payer.

A moment ago to lose, like you say extremely well, to help General Masséna. That one hurries to supply Saint-Pierre and the Mount Saint Bernard, so that we pass at once. I make prepare in Martigny the most possible sledges, in order to pass artillery and subsistence. 5 to 600 mules, with wagons, should already be in Villeneuve.

I make mend some bridges in Pissevache (114) and on Dranse. The peasants, women and children, can also contribute you to transport, where necessary. They are accustomed with that in the country.

Is needed, in cases as in a hurry, as our administrators passes overcoat the forms and employs extraordinary means. I will help them of my better.

I send copy of a letter to you which I receive at the moment of the prefect of this canton (115). This good news is confirmed by the particular letters. That I burn that one speaks about continuation of the Army of the Reserve.

Good-bye, my dear Général, I kiss you.

F. WATRIN.

Dupont, major general, general chief of staff of the Army of the Reserve, with the Minister for the war.

Geneva, 17th floréal year 8 (May 7, 1800).

Citizen Minister,

The army continues with speed its movement.

Watrin's division leaves today Lausanne to go front.

Boudet's division (116) and Loison will occupy Lausanne.

Chambarlhac's division, left to Nyon, and part in Geneva.

Part of Chabran's division is in Moutiers, the other will be returned to Geneva 19th (117).

1700 men of the Italian Legion will be 21st (118) here; the remainder of these corps will follow immediately in spite of the state of destitution where it is.

The demi-brigades of Gardanne division receive order with their arrival in Dijon to press their march (119).

With the favor of these provisions and activity which we give to our very weak means of transport, the head of the army could be towards 27th with Aoste, if the mounting-sledges arrive in time. They are essential for us for the passage. One gave order to this convoy to march night and day.

The biscuit is transported to Villeneuve and Saint-Pierre as well as the other provisioning which is ready.

General Marescot has just made with General Watrin the reconnaissance of the Saint-Bernard. The passage is practicable but it requires precautions.

You will find the state of the troops herewith that the enemy holds on the reverse of the Alps on our side; it appears to want to make resistance to the fortification of Bard, but this obstacle can be only light.

A courier of General Turreau, party of Spray, teaches us that the enemy went on Césanne; that makes us suppose that General Suchet was attacked in its line of Borghetto.

If Masséna is supported in Genoa, as one cannot about it doubt, for one month and half from the day when it was locked up there, we have the greatest hope to relieve it. We precipitate our movement to this end.

It appears that General Kray wants to avoid a general battle; if such is its intention, it is necessary to modify the conventions made in Basle between the generals as a commander Berthier and Moreau, awaited the necessity to at once take again the offensive in Italy. The diversion of Gothard is urgent.

Salute and inviolable attachment.

DUPONT.

Dupont, major general, general chief of staff of the Army of the Reserve, with the Minister for the war.

Geneva, 17th floréal year 8 (May 7, 1800).

Citizen Minister,

I observe you that the Army of the Reserve being formed in seven divisions, it is necessary to give notifications of command to adjutant generals to be attachés with divisions; it misses several of them.

The general-in-chief would wish that the Schiner adjutant general, employee with the Army of the Rhine, passed to the Army of the Reserve. I ask you to give order so that all the general officers, the adjutant generals and staff officers which are intended for this army, go as soon as possible to their post.

I greet you, citizen Minister.

DUPONT.

P.S. – the engineers and draftsmen do not arrive; give, I request from you, citizen Minister, the most positive orders to accelerate their arrival with the headquarters, in Geneva (120).

Dupont, major general, chief of staff of the Army of the Reserve, with the Minister for the war.

Geneva, 17th floréal year 8 (May 7, 1800).

Citizen Minister,

I returned account to you that the senior officers of health were not still returned to their post; their absence is very harmful with the organization of this service, which does not suffer any more one moment of time. I reiterate you the invitation that I made you so that all the officers attachés with this service go at once to the army.

The cases of instruments, which had to be dispatched, are not still arrivals. This object deserves all your solicitude, since we touch at the time to act.

I greet you, citizen Minister.

DUPONT.