11 - The Vosges and the Saône

Summary

On 7 January, fate granted Victor a relatively quiet day along his sector of the front. While his men recovered from the toils of crossing the Vosges, the marshal contemplated his next move and awaited the emperor's orders. Having abandoned Alsace and with the Allied army preparing to storm into Lorraine, the duke of Bellune displayed absolutely no initiative. Evidently, Victor did not want to issue any orders until the courier arrived from Paris. Drafting his daily brief to Berthier at noon, he requested instructions and again petitioned Paris for the promised reinforcements, explaining that only additional combat power would enable him to halt Allied incursions at St. Dié and Ste. Marie. He also continued to bemoan the deplorable situation of his men. “The supply service has not been organized for the II Corps, which lacks everything … the troops are forced to depend on the generosity of the inhabitants.” “His Majesty orders you to make the masses pay for the troops,” Berthier later replied. Victor responded by writing the emperor directly: “the previous orders could hardly be executed; this one will have no more effect because so many people lack money.” His protests went unheeded.

Victor may have thought 7 January would end quietly; perhaps the Allies also would rest and leave him in peace until the emperor's directives arrived? Unfortunately for the tired marshal, the news that reached his headquarters promised no such respite.