We had few troops on the Rhine. The peace conference begun at
Rastadt had broken down and our ambassadors had been assassinated;
now all Germany was arming once more against us, and the Directory,
fallen into disfavour, had neither troops nor the money to raise
them. In order to procure funds it decreed a forced loan, which had
the effect of turning everyone against it. All hopes were pinned on
Masséna's ability to stop the Russians and prevent them from entering
France. The directory, impatient, sent him courier after courier,
ordering him to join battle; but this latter-day Fabius, unwilling to
risk the safety of his country, was waiting for some false move, on
the part of his impetuous adversary, to give him the opportunity for
victory.

At this point, I shall relate an anecdote which demonstrates on
how fine a thread sometimes hangs the destiny of states and the
reputation of generals. The directory, exasperated to see that
Masséna did not obey the repeated commands to engage in battle,
resolved to relieve him of his post; but, as it was feared that this
general would take no notice of the order and simply stuff it in his
pocket, if it was sent by an ordinary courier, the minister for war
was ordered to send a staff-officer, charged to deliver, publicly, to
Masséna his demotion, and to give to his chief of staff, Chérin, the
official letter which would confirm him as commander-in-chief of the
army.

When the minister told my father, in confidence, about these
plans, my father disapproved, saying that it would be dangerous, on
the eve of a decisive action, to deprive the army of Switzerland of a
general in whom it had confidence, and give the command to a general