{"id":11637,"date":"2021-11-08T15:29:02","date_gmt":"2021-11-08T15:29:02","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/szechenyilevelezes.abtk.hu\/uncategorized\/szechenyi-ferenc-70\/"},"modified":"2025-08-09T09:10:25","modified_gmt":"2025-08-09T09:10:25","slug":"szechenyi-ferenc-70","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/szechenyilevelezes.abtk.hu\/en\/csalad-en\/szechenyi-ferenc-70\/","title":{"rendered":"Ferenc Sz\u00e9ch\u00e9nyi"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

Geschrieben in Bar sur Aube<\/em>[a]<\/u><\/a> den 3ten<\/sup> M\u00e4rz 1814.<\/em>[1]<\/a>[b]<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Wie manichfaltig[2]<\/a> sind die Schickungen der Vorsicht, und wie unverkennbar zeigt sich, im den wiedrigsten[3]<\/a> Augenblicken des Lebens selbst, die G\u00fcte, und die Gerechtigkeit der Allmacht. \u2013 Mein guter Vater! \u2013 eine schreckliche Zeit habe ich durchlebt; nicht mein Gl\u00fcck, meine Existenz nicht; das<\/em> Versiegen<\/em>1<\/sup> so unendlicher Aufopferungen, es war so nah\u2019 daran, sind die Qualen die ich ausgestanden habe \u2013. Mein Leben geh\u00f6rt meinen Vaterlande, und der gerechten Sache, den ich\u2019s weihte; dessen Verlust, k\u00f6nnte ich nie f\u00fchlen, den[4]<\/a> ich sehe es als mein Eigenthum nicht mehr an \u2013 \u2013 das seelige Ende aber diesen schrecklichen Begebenheiten, so nahe gehabt zu haben, und in der M\u00f6glichkeit zu sein \u2013 sie lange \u2013 oder ganz aufgeschoben zu sehen, kosteten jeden, dessen Freund ich bin, und der meiner Freundschaft werth seyn kann, manche Thr\u00e4ne. \u2013 Wir waren vor Paris, unbedeutende Ungl\u00fccksfall, die der tapfere Kriegsmann nie verhehlen soll, und ein gro\u00dfer Mangel an Lebensmitteln, zwangen uns, eine R\u00fcckgangige Bewegung zu machen, \u2014 durch ihre schnelle Bewegung \u2013 und wegen der Zusammensetzung so vieler Nationen, war es ein gewagtes Spiel, und blo\u00df der denkende Theil, vertrauend auf seinen Feldherrn, konnte \u2013 aus allen den, was vorfiel, sich k\u00fcnftige noch gl\u00fccklichere Resultate idealisiren, die f\u00fcr den gr\u00f6\u00dferen Theil, nach einen R\u00fcckzug, unm\u00f6glich schienen. \u2013 Dieser gro\u00dfe Theil<\/em>,1<\/sup> war uns gef\u00e4hrlich, und ri\u00df auch viele Denkende<\/em>,[5]<\/a> wie ein Strom den nichts wiederstehen kann, mit sich fort. \u2014 \u2014 \u2014 Nachdem unsere Truppen bis in die Gegend von Colombay sur deux Eglises[c]<\/a> zuruckgegangen waren, hielt unsere arrieregarde auf 2 Stunden von hier fest: der Feldmarschall[d]<\/a> blieb einen Augenblick hier – um dann nach Chaumont,[e]<\/a> in das Hoflager der Monarchen abzufahren \u2013<\/strong> ich sollte mit ihn. \u2014 ich wurde aber bestimmt zum Bl\u00fccher,[f]<\/a> mit den wir in keiner Vereinigung mehr waren, geschickt zu werden. \u2014 Mit Gottes H\u00fclfe, nachdem ich tausend Begebenheiten hatte, von denen franz\u00f6ischen Soldaten sowohl als Bauern, wie ein Hase in Athem gesetzt, bald zu Pferd bald auf denen ungl\u00fccklichen Beinen kam ich endlich, in der unglaublichsten Geschwindigkeit nach Fere Champenoise[g]<\/a> \u2013 keine Seele wu\u00dfte wo Bl\u00fccher mit seiner Armee stehen k\u00f6nne \u2014<\/strong> Gott als Leiter meiner Schritte anflehend zog ich in Nacht und Nebel, durch unz\u00e4hlige verbrannte D\u00f6rfer \u2013 gepl\u00fcnderte Schl\u00f6\u00dfer \u2013 und begegnete nicht eine Seele \u2014 blo\u00df der Mond, dessen Glanz schwach durch die Wolken auf mich und mein Ross schimerte \u2013[6]<\/a> schien mich begleiten, besch\u00fctzen zu wollen, bis zu den Morgen gieng\u2018s so fort, bis ich endlich auf Soldaten und so weiter auf die ganze Arm\u00e9e des FM.[7]<\/a> Bl\u00fccher stie\u00df, der von uns ganz abgezogen, die gerade Strasse nach Paris einschlug, und durch seinen sehr gewagten, aber unglaublich geschwinden Marsch, die gro\u00dfe franz\u00f6ische Arm\u00e9e, die uns rasch auf den Fu\u00df war, auser Stand setzte ihn fr\u00fch genuch[8]<\/a> zu folgen. \u2013 Ihm selbst fand ich an denen Ufern der Marne, deren Br\u00fccken in die Luft gesprengt, durch Ihren schnellen Lauf \u2013 unsern Marsch, in die Hauptstadt von der sie 12 Stunden entfernt, flie\u00dft auszuhalten schien: in zwey Stunden waren aus nichts durch die M\u00fche allein des Menschen<\/em>5<\/sup> drey Br\u00fccken geschlagen \u2014 und in der \u00dcberzeugung, das[9]<\/a> Napoleon sich mit ganzer Macht auf uns werfen werde \u2013 gieng die Bewegung mit Ordnung aber schnell \u2013 und zu unsern Gl\u00fcck war bey den letzten Strahl der Sonne, dessen warmen Schein unsere Stellung zu billigen schien, auch der letzte Mann schon \u00fcber den hartn\u00e4ckigen Flu\u00df \u2013 von diesen Marsch wu\u00dfte unsere Arm\u00e9e die von ihr[h]<\/a> namlich von der Arm\u00e9e des FM<\/em>.8<\/sup> Bl\u00fccher<\/em>.[10]<\/a> etwa auf 38 Lieus[i]<\/a> entfernt war nicht das mindeste \u2014 ich gieng also um schnell und sicher zu kommen \u00fcber Chalons[j]<\/a> \u2013 und fand da schon \u00fcberall die Vorposten des G.[11]<\/a> Vinzingerode[k]<\/a> und B\u00fclow,[l]<\/a> mit denen Bl\u00fccher vereinigt 120 m[12]<\/a> Mann wenigstens ausmacht, und auch die ganze franz\u00f6ische Arm\u00e9e, die gegen den Bl\u00fccher zog, den ich in Meaux[m]<\/a> verlie\u00df, und der in sch\u00f6ne Stellung und fest wie ein Felsen \u2013 auf seine Ankunft hart,[13]<\/a> \u2013 Die\u00df brachte ich den F\u00fcrst Schwarzenberg, der indessen eine gl\u00fcckliche Affaire hier hatte,[n]<\/a> und der den Feind auf dem Fu\u00df folgt \u2013 heute geht\u2018s wohl bis Troyes.[o]<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Und hiemit den Segen bittend, auch den meiner guten Mutter \u2014 Gott befohlen.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\n\n\n\n

[1]<\/a> Sz\u00e9chenyi\u2019s underlining with wavy line.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

[2]<\/a> Instead of mannigfaltig.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

[3]<\/a> Instead of widrigsten.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

[4]<\/a> Instead of denn.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

[5]<\/a> Sz\u00e9chenyi\u2019s underlining with straight line.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

[6]<\/a> One word deleted.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

[7]<\/a> Feldmarschalls<\/p>\n\n\n\n

[8]<\/a> Instead of genug.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

[9]<\/a> Instead of da\u00df.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

[10]<\/a> Inserted afterwards.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

[11]<\/a> Grafen<\/p>\n\n\n\n

[12]<\/a> mille<\/p>\n\n\n\n

[13]<\/a> Instead of harrt.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\n\n\n\n

[a]<\/a> French town on the right bank of the Aube, west of Chaumont. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

[b]<\/a> In the three weeks after the date of the previous letter, the armies of the coalition against Napoleon had suffered several setbacks, and the changes that had taken place had destroyed Sz\u00e9chenyi\u2019s earlier optimism. The armistice and peace conference at Chatillon began on 5 February in the hopes of the Allies\u2019 success. On 9 February, the French Foreign Minister declared that France was prepared to recognise the pre-revolutionary borders in order to secure a preliminary peace agreement. The subsequent battlefield events, however, brought a fundamental change in the course of the peace negotiations. Napoleon, turning towards the Marne, defeated Bl\u00fccher in three battles between 10 and 14 February, forcing him to retreat to Chalons, and then he also defeated Schwarzenberg, who had arrived on the outskirts of Paris, on 17 and 18 February. The Allied main force retreated to as far as Troyes. The French successes now made the Allies more inclined to make peace, and Schwarzenberg unilaterally ceased fighting and retreated from Troyes to Bar sur Aube, which brought Troyes back into French hands. The peace negotiations at Chatillon, which had been interrupted by the hostilities, were continuing, while the armistice was being discussed at Lusignan. Napoleon also tried to take advantage of the favourable situation by persuading his father-in-law, the Emperor of Austria and King of Hungary, Francis I, to make a peace treaty. His offer was not kept secret and the alliance remained united. The peace negotiations at Chatillon were suspended on 1 March and only extended until 10 March at the request of French Foreign Minister Caulaincourt, but as the French side did not put forward a new proposal, the negotiations were finally terminated on 19 March. The Lusignan negotiations met a similar fate. Meanwhile, another turn of events was taking place on the battlefield. Bl\u00fccher, with the agreement of the Prussian king and the Russian tsar, retreated behind the Aube and the Marne, joined the corps of B\u00fclow and Witzingerode there, and, threatening the French left wing, moved against Paris. The operation, which began on 25 February, drew Napoleon\u2019s main forces, and Schwarzenberg advanced towards the Seine. During those days, Sz\u00e9chenyi had to perform a very strenuous courier service. In the present letter he recounts his expedition from 25 February to 2 March, the purpose of which was to communicate to Bl\u00fccher the decision of the Council of War of 25 February and Schwarzenberg\u2019s consequent orders.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

[c]<\/a> Colombey sur les deux Eglises, a French town on the Marne near Bar sur Aube.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

[d]<\/a> Prince Karl Schwarzenberg (1771\u20131820) Austrian field marshal.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

[e]<\/a> Chaumont French town east of Colobey.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

[f]<\/a> Baron Gebhard Leberecht von Bl\u00fccher (1742\u20131819) Prussian cavalry general. He commanded the Prussian-Russian army, the second army of the Allies.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

[g]<\/a> Fere Champenoise, a French town east of Paris between the Seine and the Marne.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

[h]<\/a> I. e. about the movement of the army of Bl\u00fccher.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

[i]<\/a> Lieue, an old French measure of length, 1 lieue = c. 4.5 km.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

[j]<\/a> Chalons sur Marne, a French town on the river Marne.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

[k]<\/a> Count Ferdinand von Witzingerode (1770\u20131818) cavalry general, in Russian service in the 1813\u201314 campaign. At that time, he commanded the Russian troops fighting in Bl\u00fccher\u2019s army.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

[l]<\/a> Count Friedrich Wilhelm von B\u00fclow (1755\u20131816) Prussian lieutenant general, commander of the Prussian corps in Bl\u00fccher\u2019s army.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

[m]<\/a> Meaux,French town near the Marne River, close to Paris.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

[n]<\/a> On 27 February, Schwarzenberg defeated the French army at Bar sur Aube, which was forced to retreat to the Seine.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

[o]<\/a> A town on the Seine in north-eastern France.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Recommended reference:<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Istv\u00e1n Sz\u00e9chenyi to Ferenc Sz\u00e9ch\u00e9nyi, Bar sur Aube, 3 March 1814. Edited and annotated by Szilvia Czinege. Published in Correspondence of Istv\u00e1n Sz\u00e9chenyi. Digital edition. Edited by Szilvia Czinege and Zolt\u00e1n F\u00f3nagy. https:\/\/szechenyilevelezes.abtk.hu\/ Abbreviation for further references: SzIL-Digit.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

He went through a terrible time. They were in front of Paris and had to retreat due to a series of minor accidents and food shortages. The troops withdrew as far as Colombay sur deux Eglises. From here the commander-in-chief went to Chaumont, the court lodgings of the allied monarchs, taking him with him, but with the intention of sending him on to Bl\u00fccher, whom he finally found on the banks of the Marne, where he was building bridges for his army about to cross. The main army knew nothing of Bl\u00fccher’s movements. Beyond the town, he came across the troops of Generals Witzingerode and B\u00fclow, which, combined with Bl\u00fccher, amounted to 120.000 men. At Meaux he overtook the French marching against Bl\u00fccher. He was fortunate enough to bring his news to Archduke Schwarzenberg, who had meanwhile fought a successful battle here and was tracking the enemy. Today they will surely advance as far as Troyes.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":5,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[3403,3370,3402],"tags":[3426],"language":[3416],"addressee":[3411],"place_of_writing":[3617],"qualification":[3383],"place_of_keeping":[3630],"place_of_publication":[3631],"class_list":["post-11637","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","hentry","category-szechenyi_ferenc-en","category-csalad-en","category-a-katonaevek-en","tag-military","language-german","addressee-ferenc-szechenyi","place_of_writing-bar-sur-aube-en","qualification-original","place_of_keeping-mnl-ol-p-623-a-i-9-no-43-44-en","place_of_publication-zichy-120-122-en"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/szechenyilevelezes.abtk.hu\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/11637","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/szechenyilevelezes.abtk.hu\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/szechenyilevelezes.abtk.hu\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/szechenyilevelezes.abtk.hu\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/5"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/szechenyilevelezes.abtk.hu\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=11637"}],"version-history":[{"count":2,"href":"https:\/\/szechenyilevelezes.abtk.hu\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/11637\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":11640,"href":"https:\/\/szechenyilevelezes.abtk.hu\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/11637\/revisions\/11640"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/szechenyilevelezes.abtk.hu\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=11637"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/szechenyilevelezes.abtk.hu\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=11637"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/szechenyilevelezes.abtk.hu\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=11637"},{"taxonomy":"language","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/szechenyilevelezes.abtk.hu\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/language?post=11637"},{"taxonomy":"addressee","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/szechenyilevelezes.abtk.hu\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/addressee?post=11637"},{"taxonomy":"place_of_writing","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/szechenyilevelezes.abtk.hu\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/place_of_writing?post=11637"},{"taxonomy":"qualification","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/szechenyilevelezes.abtk.hu\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/qualification?post=11637"},{"taxonomy":"place_of_keeping","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/szechenyilevelezes.abtk.hu\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/place_of_keeping?post=11637"},{"taxonomy":"place_of_publication","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/szechenyilevelezes.abtk.hu\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/place_of_publication?post=11637"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}