He advanced into the country suffering great losses, but finally decided upon Moscow itself, the traditional capital of ancient Russia, as the key to his invasion. Pressing back the Russian army, he finally arrived upon the heights, from which he was delighted by the sight of the distant city, illuminated by the setting sun, which brought into full relief the oriental brilliance of its palaces and its churches. The army shared his enthusiasm but it was a city of solitude.
The Russian army and the people of the Holy City had left it to be the grave of the Grand Army which had marched so far to reduce it to submission. On the 15th of September, 1812, with the first snows of the Russian winter in the air, the French Emperor entered the deserted streets. Only a few wretched stragglers were left to watch the advance of the conqueror to luxurious quarters in the deserted Kremlin. The next night fire broke out and a storm of wind and rain came on to increase the disorder and discomfort among the French troops. No means were found for checking the conflagration and ruin and devastation followed.
Napoleon found that he had captured an empty city, for the Russian army had escaped him and he desired to make peace. So he wrote a letter to Alexander, at St. Petersburg, with the evident intention of resorting to diplomacy to accomplish his ends and avert the ruin which he saw staring the French army in the face.
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From General Nelson A. Miles
Thrilling Stories of The Russian-Japanese War, 1904
