The Decline of Canrobert

Abstract

In Paris an impatient Emperor of the French had come to the painful conclusion that his generals in the Crimea were not providing effective leadership. He looked over the casualty lists and could only compare them to his uncle’s. With such lossess the first Napoleon had written dramatic pages of military history. Now there were only indecisive skirmishes — not even a victory or anything at all in which the nation and French arms could take pride.¹ Meditating frequently about the futility of such a hopeless and continuous sacrifice of life, he became irate on March 18 and wrote a letter to Canrobert, pouring forth all his complaints and criticisms. Vaillant saw it before it was sent and dissuaded the Emperor, who on second thought was happy to have it destroyed.²