With regard to military matters, Napoleon on entering Moscow ordered General Sabastiani to observe the Russian army, sent corps along the different roads, and charged Murat to find Kutuzov. He gave careful directions for fortifying the Kremlin and drew up a brilliant plan for a future campaign over the whole map of Russia. With regard to diplomacy, he summoned Captain Yakovlev, who had been robbed and was in rags, explained his policy and magnanimity, wrote to Alexander that Rostopchin had managed Moscow badly, and dispatched Yakovlev to Petersburg. He explained the same views to Tutolmin and sent that old man too to negotiate. After the fires he ordered the supposed incendiaries found and executed, and punished Rostopchin with an order to burn down his houses.
Administratively, Moscow was granted a constitution and a municipality. A proclamation told inhabitants that a paternal administration chosen from among themselves would wear red ribbons, that police were restored, that churches of different denominations were open, and that fellow citizens returning home would find protection. Soldiers and citizens of whatever nation should live like brothers. For supplies he decreed that troops in turn should enter the city a la maraude, as looters, to provision themselves. He ordered priests brought back and services performed. Another placard called artisans, workmen, and peasants to return without fear: markets on Mokhovaya Street and at the Provision Market would buy surplus at agreed prices, with troops on the highroads on Tuesdays and Saturdays to protect the carts.
To raise spirits, reviews were held and rewards distributed. The Emperor rode through the streets to comfort inhabitants and, despite state affairs, visited theatres established by his order. In philanthropy he had Maison de ma Mere inscribed on charitable institutions, visited the Foundling Hospital, let orphans kiss his white hands, and conversed with Tutolmin. Then, as Thiers recounts, he paid soldiers in forged Russian money and distributed paper rubles to those burned out, preferring not to give precious food to foreigners who were for the most part enemies. Discipline orders continually demanded severe punishment for neglected duties and for robbery. On paper the occupied city had law, markets, worship, and charity. Whether any of it would engage the actual life of the army remained another matter.
Coming Up in Chapter 289
These measures, efforts, and plans do not affect the essence of the matter. Like the hands of a clock detached from the mechanism, they swing about in an arbitrary and aimless way without engaging the cogwheels. Even the plan of campaign that Thiers calls a work of genius is quite out of touch with the facts.
