No. 14 To the Empress, at Strasburg
Austerlitz, December 3, 1805.
I have despatched to you Lebrun from the field of battle. I have beaten the Russian and Austrian army commanded by the two Emperors. I am rather fagged. I have bivouacked eight days in the open air, through nights sufficiently keen. To-night I rest in the château of Prince Kaunitz, where I shall sleep for the next two or three hours. The Russian army is not only beaten, but destroyed.
I embrace you.
Napoleon.
December 4th.—Haugwitz, the Prussian Minister, congratulates Napoleon on his victory. “Voilà!” replied the Emperor; “un compliment dont la fortune a changé l’addresse.”