October – December 1811
The significant loss of life in Holland & the Rhineland
Duchies, have disrupted the recruitment grounds for the Emperors German allies
and newly raised “French” regiments. Critically, the renowned supply of
horseflesh from Hanover and Saxony have been decimated.
Desertion and disease are thinning the ranks of Napoleon
German Allied troops, as they make their way back to their farms and villages.
Help is urgently needed and French preoccupied by war preparations, are
unwilling to assist the local populace.
The French Emperor relents to the urgent request from his
client states to release native troops to help with calamity. Little or no
French financial or material aid is forthcoming. French troops restrict their
efforts to the areas around their garrisons.
This lack of support and the frustration of occupation,
combined with the reluctance to release vital food supplies from the French
held garrisons, explodes into rioting across the German States. Foraging
parties are met with local resistance and open violence.
On the 27th October 1811, Prince Jerome and his
wife Princess Catherina while leaving Westphalia on their way back to Paris are
attacked and killed by armed mobs. Their mutilated bodies are left by the
roadside. A shocked and outraged Napoleon orders the arrest and execution of
all those responsible including officials and ministers from the government who
were behind the now exposed plot. Metternich and Lord Castlereagh’s agents are
planting the seeds of unrest and promoting anti-French sentiment amongst
Napoleons former allies.
However, one by one, Bavaria, the Saxe-Duchies, Nassau,
Mecklenburg, Wurttemberg, Upper and lower Saxony, Hesse and Baden begin to
renounce French rule, as relentless political pressure from Russia and Austria
take effect. This ultimately leads to the collapse of French rule in Europe
creating the political vacuum for the major powers.
At the funeral of Jerome & Catherina, five days after
their death and the anniversary the emperors’ coronation, an explosion
perfectly timed upon the arrival of Napoleon and his entourage, kills and maims
hundreds. Amongst the victims lays a bloodied & unconscious Napoleon and
the lifeless body of the Empress.
The Bonaparte’s rush to Paris to be at the bedside of their
brother. Marechal Davout assumes command of the army. It is a time of
uncertainty and despair. However the army remains disciplined and loyal to
France and their emperor.
Napoleon weakened by his injuries and reeling under the loss
of his wife and brother, accepts advice and council from his brothers Joseph
& Lucian. They explain that the harsh reality of the financial and
political disaster that France has been exposed too, persuade Napoleon that
they must abandon Europe and Spain.
Later that day on the 12th December, Napoleon
makes the decision to withdraw behind the country’s natural borders and orders
all French forces to return to France.
As Napoleons “Continental System” has collapses, the
European States seek new avenues of economic stability and financial
confidence, Britain, “The Banker of Europe”, strengthens uses the opportunity
and extends massive financial aid and loans to its new continental clients.
Britain now becomes the major power broker
. . . . . .
The populace of Europe and the Spanish Peninsular are now in
open revolt.
On the 13th December, the Emperor orders the
disarming and disbanding of what little remains of German units throughout the
army. Only Northern Italy and the Duchy of Warsaw remain loyal and steadfast,
as does the Swiss government who upholds its contract to supply four regiments
of infantry. However there are many thousands of foreign troops that remain
loyal and return back to France.
In a move that can only be described a treason, Prince Murat
and his wife Caroline return to Naples and declare themselves neutral. Russia
assembles troops on the border of the Duchy of Warsaw and Austria moves into
Bavaria unopposed.
Within days of Murat’s treachery, Marechal Berthier suffers
a minor stroke and is forced to retire to his estates, thus robbing Napoleon of
his most able Chief of Staff. This is another blow that will have consequences
on Napoleons ability to wage war. Marechal Soult is appointed as Berthiers
replacement.
As the major French garrisons held throughout Europe are
chiefly garrisoned by Polish and German allies, Napoleon looses his foothold in
Prussia, and the Rhineland. Its only Danzig, Glogau and Torgau that remain in
French hands.
By 25th December 1811, Napoleon still suffering
from head injuries feels capable enough to resume command and starts to make
all preparations for the inevitable.
Napoleon sends Caulaincourt to open negotiations with
Bavaria’s Maximillian I.
The Continental System collapses. There is now an economic
imperative to expand international trade. Therefore, it’s vital for countries,
especially the land-locked Austria, to secure ports and naval facilities to
extend naval influence and expand trading opportunities.