206 THE BATTLE OF AUSTERLITZ. 
Napoleon, after this brilliant start, pushed on to Vienna, notwith- 
standing that he was threatened in front by Kutusoff with 50,000 
Russians and 40,000 Austrians, and on his right by the forces com- 
manded by Archdukes Charles and John, of whom the former was 
retiring on Vienna after being defeated by Massena. Kutusoff, 
however, hearing of the capitulation of Mack, retired across the 
Danube by the bridge of Krems, which he burnt after he had crossed, 
and after an unsuccessful encounter with a small French force under 
Mortier, the allies retired into Moravia, followed by Napoleon, who 
had entered Vienna 15th November, 1805.! 
SeeMapI. We may therefore sum up the state of affairs as follows:—Kurusorr 
left Krems with the Ist Russian Army on the 13th of November in 
order to effect a junction with the 2nd Army under BuxHowpeENn at 
Olmutz. He was making for the road to Znaim, threatened in front 
by Murar and in rear by Bernaportz, By inducing Muvrar to 
agree to an armistice, he succeeding in escaping, leaving his rear- 
guard under Prince Bagration with 8000 men to encounter the 
French with 40,000 near Hollabrunn. Kurusorr effected his junction 
on 19th at Wischau, having opened up communication with the 
retiring Austrians. Bacration nobly kept the French at bay during 
the whole of the 16th and 17th at the expense of half his force, and 
joined Kurusorr on 19th. Hollabrunn was burnt by the French, and 
Marbot, who was an eye-witness, relates that numbers of the Russian 
wounded were unable to escape and were burnt alive. Not a single 
house was left standing. 
Alhesretire The allies retired on 21st November to Olschau. Strength about 
to Olschau 
21st Nov. 75,000. 
Napoleon Naporeon halted at Brunn on November 20th and placcd it in a 
sir Mun state of defence. It had been foolishly abandoned by the allies and 
was an important position for NapoLEon, as it secured him a line of 
retreat through Bohemia. 
Movements NAPOLEON, now finding himself threatened on all sides, at once made 
of French . : On0 
troops, the following dispositions :— 
Davovust to Presburg, Brrnaporrs to Iglau to observe the Archduke 
Frrpinanp, Marmont to the road to Styria to observe the Archduke 
Cartes, MortizR to remain in Vienna, Soutt and Lannzs, with the 
__, Guard and Mourat’s Cavalry, to Brunn. 
Their posi: —-NapoLEON now opened negotiations with the allies and thereby 
25th Nov. gained time to rest his troops, but continued his preparations, and on 
the 25th he reconnoitred the field of Austerlitz. He pretended not to 
wish to take the offensive, and was apparently waiting either for 
ARCHDUKE CHARLES or for the Prussians to move. He was in a central 
position and could concentrate his troops at short notice at any point. 
Murat and Sovtt were at Wischau and Austerlitz; Bernaporrm and 
Davoust were to be ready to join head-quarters at a moment’s notice. 
From the 22nd to the 28th the contending armies remained within 
about seven miles of each other. The French were cantoned between 
1 Yor the sake of clearness, I propose to give the names of the commanders on each side in small 
capital letters,—J. C, D, 
