Marshal Marmont decide to not continue fighting against the Allied after the Battle of Paris, but… maybe he had decided to change sides some time before?.
When Marmont Army Corp advance from the direction to Rheims to support Napoleon with six hours late, he had not marched the previous day, althought he had received two distinct orders TO DO SO.
In his memories, he make it clear that after the fall of Soissons, he had GIVEN UP HOPE, and his only object was to OBEY HIS ORDERS LITERALLY, but WITHOUT ZEAL.
So, Napoleon would have won the Battle of Craon if Marmont had arrived before Laon at 8am. instead of after 8 o'clock?
Continue with his performance,Marmont had in front of his troops the wole of Kleist's and York's Corps, and on is right were Zeithen numerous squadrons, while further in reserve the Russian troops of Sacken and Langeron.
Instead of that, he decided his troops bivouacked were they had fought with the infantry and the artillery at the front and the Cavalry at the rear.(!).
Arrighi young soldiers, who had just been under fire for the first time, were the most exposed. Even they had behoved so well, they had no experience of protecting themselves in the presence of the enemy. The gunners, mostly sailors, wre fine men and skifull at their own branch of gunnery, but know nothing about service in the field.
Marmont had admited later that HE HAD NOTICED the complete lack of experience of this troops, but the nevertheles took NO STEPS TO SEE THE PROPER MEASURES OF SECURITY were taken.
He also decided to spent the night at the castle of Eppes, three miles at the rear, TRUSTING TO PROVIDENCE TO PROTECT HIS ARMY.
So, we know what had happened that night with his poor recruis and sailors.
My conclution is… was in that moment when he really show his change of sides?.
Yust my thougts, but we had to ask why an experience Marshal like Marmont… made SO many mistakes much days before to his agreement at Paris with the Allied.
Amicalement
Armand
