Napoleon, a short biography . leven days had passed sincethe capitulation of Ulm three hundred milesaway.^ From Vienna the French marchednorthwards towards Moravia,where the EmperorFrancis and the Czar Alexander had now as-sembled a large army. Napoleon hoped fora decisive battle, and his opponents gratifiedhis desire by advancing to meet him. The position of Napoleon, in spite of hisgreat success at Ulm, was in reality very criti-cal. The internal affairs of France were dis-quieting chiefly owing to a grave financialcrisis, but what was perhaps more important,the military situation was far fr
Napoleon, a short biography . leven days had passed sincethe capitulation of Ulm three hundred milesaway.^ From Vienna the French marchednorthwards towards Moravia,where the EmperorFrancis and the Czar Alexander had now as-sembled a large army. Napoleon hoped fora decisive battle, and his opponents gratifiedhis desire by advancing to meet him. The position of Napoleon, in spite of hisgreat success at Ulm, was in reality very criti-cal. The internal affairs of France were dis-quieting chiefly owing to a grave financialcrisis, but what was perhaps more important,the military situation was far from sound. TheFrench army was now four hundred miles ormore from its base and much weakened bydetachments. The line of communicationsran through southern Germany, of which theStates professed amicable sentiments; but tothe north Prussia was avowedly on the pointof declaring war and had concentrated a largearmy under Marshal MoUendorf. It was evi- ^ A large part of the French army was at Munich and be-yond when Ulm The arrows Indicate the general direction of the Anstro-Bussianadvance. The French corps are indicated by names. Napoleonwas near Bernadotte and Soult. Austerlitz gOKMAY Ic CO. , AUSTERLITZ 125 dently the policy of Russia and Austria tokeep Napoleons army employed in Moraviawithout coming to battle until the action ofPrussia could take effect on his line of com-munications. But the impetuosity of the youngCzar and of his advisers threw counsels ofprudence to the winds and led him into thevery course Napoleon hoped he would adopt. For several days the Emperor slowly retiredbefore the advancing allies, having selected aposition near Austerlitz from which he ex-pected to derive great The Frencharmy took station there on the night of theist of December, Kutusoffwith the two alliedEmperors disposing his troops on the risingground opposite. Napoleons left was solidlyestablished on a hill named the Santon thathad been well intrenched. His centre
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