Winter and the Cossacks fell upon him and within a few weeks the Grande Armée became a mob of freezing, starving men. When at last the truth dawned upon him and Napoleon reluctantly gave the order to retreat, it was too late. To advisers who warned him of the approach of a Russian winter with all its dangers he showed indifference, even suggesting that he found the climate not unlike that of France. Through the early autumn Napoleon lingered in Moscow, for the first time in his career uncertain of what course to pursue. But he failed to catch and crush the Russian Army. The summer passed with a succession of the customary triumphs and the Emperor entered and occupied Moscow. Napoleon set out in the spring to conquer Russia. Now reports of an alarming nature reached the United States. For a decade victory had crowned the arms of the French Empire and Napoleon had been the undisputed master of the Continent. New England continued to stand aloof, her political leaders more sympathetic toward the enemy than toward their fellow citizens of the Republic.Īs though all the fates were against her, the United States' only possible ally in Europe was in serious trouble. Detroit had fallen, the British center at Niagara had not been pierced and on the right flank Dearborn had wasted useful time without seriously engaging his army. The year 1812 drew to a close on a bleak American scene illuminated only by the victories at sea.
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