Chapter 39 September 1812: The Road To Moscow

Life gets more difficult every day. The trouble started in April, when Maries son Pierre arrived our house.

She wasnt expecting him. In fact, I had never met him before. His father didnt marry Marie, and he was brought up by some cousins. She visited them sometimes, but she never brought him home.

Now hes grown up. A tall strong young man with a happy and sunburnt face. He was wearing a new uniform and he looked very gay.

It was a nasty surprise for Marie. She has always been afraid that he would join the army. "why did you do it, Pierre?" she said. "You were always so happy in your work on the farm."

"Mama, everyone is joining the army. Its the greatest army that ever marched. Were going to defeat the Russians. Were going to take Moscow. Then all Europe can live in peace; it will all be one big happy country. The emperor has promised us that. And just think of the chances, Mama!"

"What chance?" Marie asked him sadly.

"I may become a general, or a marshal, or even a prince like Bernadotte!" he answered proudly. "I cant stay, Mama. Ive come to say goodbye. Will you give me some roses?"

Every new soldier wants to wear roses when he joins the army. Marie picked some in the garden. We put one in each of his buttonholes, and a big red one in the barrel of his gun.

"Come back safely, Pierre!" I said.

Drums were playing as a body of soldiers came down the street. Pierre went out and joined them. Marie stood outside and waved for a moment. When she came in again, she was crying.

Colonel Villatte joined me at the window when he heard the drums. He too wanted to go with Napoleon. I knew that, although he said nothing. His heart with the army; only his duty kept him with me.

Suddenly Count Rosen came in with a letter. "I have very important news for Your Highness," he said. "Sweden and Russia have become allies!"

I felt suddenly ashamed. "Colonel Villatte," I said.

"Your Highness?"

"If Sweden and Russia are allies, they are both Frances enemies now. And you are a French officer. You have served me because you were my husbands greatest friend. I cant ask you to stay any longer. You are free, colonel. You may leave me as soon as you wish." It hurt me, and there were tears in my eyes. But I had to say that.

Villatte said: "I cant leave you now. You wont be safe."

"Count Rosen will take care of me," I said. I gave Villatte both my hands, and the tears rolled down my face. "Good-bye, dear friend," I said. "I know what you feel. But you must march with your army."

"I shant march. I shall ride!" he answered proudly.

I smiled through my tears. "Ride then, Villatte. Ride to war, and come back safely."

That was in April. Since then Ive had few visitors. Napoleon has won all his battles, and nobody wants to talk to me. But a few days ago two visitors came: Fouche and Talleyrand. Fouche has been duke of Otranto for several years now, and Talleyrand has been Prince of Benevento. But to me they will always be just Fouche and Talleyrand.

Fouche has been in serious trouble this summer. He wanted to make peace between France and England, but Napoleon discovered his secret plans. So he isnt Minister of Police any longer.

"The bells have been ringing for another victory," I remarked.

"Of course," said Talleyrand. "Napoleon is leading his imperial army. Its the greatest army that the world has ever seen. We all knew that. But will his imperial army win the war, Your Highness?"

"Napoleon has never lost a war yet," I said. "The Tsar will soon ask for peace."

There was a curious pause. Both men were drinking their tea. Then Talleyrand put his cup down and said with a smile:

"The Emperor expected the Tsar to do that after our victory at Smolensk. We have just won another victory, at Borodino (124 km from Moscow). Our army will reach Moscow in a few days. But the tsar isnt asking for peace."

"No," Fouche added. "The Tsar doesnt seem to be worried. He hasnt been worried since he discussed his plans with the Crown Prince of Sweden. They met in Finland and the Crown Prince gave the Tsar some advice."

"What advice?" I asked.

"We dont know," said Fouche. "But since the Tsar met your husband, strange sthings have happened. The Russians burn their villages before we reached them. We find no supplies; no food, no castle, nothing at all. The emperor has to get all his supplies from Germany. He hadnt expected that. His army marches from victory to victory, but it has nothing to eat!"

Fouche paused and drank his tea for a moment. Then he went on: "We ring our bells for victories, but we havent defeated the Russians. They avoid open battles. Their Cossack horsemen make sudden attacks every day. They kill hundreds of our men; then they ride away before we can fight them."

Talleyrand added: "The Emperor depends on finding large supplies in Moscow. He plans to spend the winter there with his army."

A great fear was rising in me. If the Russians lose the war, Napoleon will soon destroy Sweden. But if the French lose it, all France will blame my husband.

"Why have you two gentlemen come to me?" I asked.

"I want you to know that I have the greatest respect for your husband and yourself," said Fouche.

What did he mean? What secrets were those two men hiding? "I dont understand you," I said.

"Dont you?" said Talleyrand. "Let me explain. The Tsar has taken advice from the only man who knows the Emperors mind. He has 140,000 men; the Emperor has half a million. But a Russian winter can defeat the worlds greatest army. If that army is left in the snow, without supplies, it will freeze and die."

Yes. Now I understood. These clever men have decided that Napoleon will lose the war. They want to make the right friends before trouble comes. The Crown Prince of Sweden will be important, so they have visited me.

When they had gone, Marie came in. She was looking happy. "Did those gentlemen bring any news?" she asked. "If weve won another victory, the Tsar will soon ask for peace. Then Pierre will come home before winter blocks the way."

I couldnt answer. "You look tired," she said. "You must rest." She went down on her knees and took my shoes off.

Sweet Marie! Her hair is getting white now. Her hands are rough because she has worked hard all her life. Every franc that she has saved has gone to Pierre. And now Pierre is marching towards Moscow.

"Oh, Jean Bernadotte!" I thought. "What will happen when Pierre reaches Moscow?"

That was two weeks ago. Tonight I know the answer. Ive just been to a party at the Luxembourg palace. I didnt want to go, but Julie persuaded me.

"Our army is in Moscow, and Napoleon is living in the Krenlin, " she said. "Weve won the war, so Joseph is holding a party. You must come, Desiree. I need you."

Julie was looking so old and tired that I weakly agreed. I soon wished that I hadnt.

When the Empress arrived at the party, the band played the Marseillaise. On September 15 our imperial army marched into Moscow. It will spend the winter there in comfort. The Emperor himself is living in the Tsars own palace. Vive IEmpereur (French: Long live the Emperor)!

A few moments later I was talking to Joseph when suddenly Talleyrand appeared.

"Your Majesty," he said quietly to Joseph, "a report had just come from the Emperor. Moscow s burning. It has been burning for two weeks. Even the Kremlin is burning."

Josephs face went green. His mouth opened wide but he seemed unable to speak.

"The people of Moscow are burning their own city," Talleyrand continued. "our soldiers have tried to control the fires, but they cant. Now theyll have no homes for the winter, and no food. Theyll have to come home."

"They cant march through the Russian winter," Joseph objected. "If they do, theyll freeze and die. The emperor said so."

"If the Emperor said so, it will happen." Talleyrand said.