At Austerlitz, these fanatical professionals of the Emperor whom they loved and

admired made short work of the new recruits in certain regiments which opposed

them. Their quality made up for lack of numbers and Napoleon ought not to

have forgotten that this tool was needed to obtain victory ; the details of the

citations are astounding. This exceptional tool was forged in the camp

at Boulogne and in the campaigns of the Revolution ; there was the

risk that it would slowly lose its quality even though the great leader's

genius remained intact. This wearing down, losing

officers and faithful cadres, aggravated by the Spanish

mistake, took place gradually and draft dodgers

appeared, then deserters, among the less

enthusiastic conscripts, levied in the conquered

countries.

But on this 2 December 1805, there were only heroes

in the Grande Armée, only veterans shouting very loudly

"Long live the Emperor !" They deserved Napoleon saying of them :

"Soldiers, I'm pleased with you !"