Édouard Mortier

Is it just me, or do I detect a post 1815 campaign to not only make Ney a scapegoat but almost systematically and retrospectively discrediting his career? One that continues to this day? Which sort of begs the question, if he were so poor, what was Napoleon thinking of? Giving him command of the left wing and supposedly battlefield control at Waterloo, wasn’t that therefore exceedingly dumb? Isn’t it a better assessment that it was the grand strategy of 1814 that was at fault? Hadn’t Napoleon’s continued narcissism precluded a settlement so wagers were doubled down on and the dice continued to be rolled long after the chances of success had disappeared? Rather than Marshals being lacklustre, weren’t they merely unable to successfully play the poor hands they had been dealt? There was a guiding mind behind 1813 and 1814. It is to him, and him alone, that the outcome should be attributed, should it not?

for a start a basic read

Geschichte der Befreiungskriege, Geschichte des Feldzuges 1814 in Frankreich. 2 Bände, Berlin 1903.

It will show that the history of the campaign is much more complex than using propaganda like

His fellow marshals, Victor and Marmont, along with Ney, Macdonald performed weakly which by default enabled the allied invasion and advance into France.

for definition of propaganda - I find that most helpful.

Propaganda:   1. the spreading of ideas, information, or rumor for the purpose of helping or injuring an institution, a cause, or a person.2. ideas, facts, or allegations spread deliberately to further one's cause or to damage an opposing cause.   3. a public action having such an effect.

His fellow marshals, Victor and Marmont, along with Ney, Macdonald performed weakly which by default enabled the allied invasion and advance into France.

so now we know the guilty four, sound a bit like

Propaganda:


1. the spreading of ideas, information, or rumor for the purpose of helping or injuring an institution, a cause, or a person.


2. ideas, facts, or allegations spread deliberately to further one's cause or to damage an opposing cause.


3. a public action having such an effect.

Mortier was the tallest of the marshals at 6'6" tall. Mortier is the French word for 'mortar' and it was said of Mortier that 'That big mortar has a short range. I would suggest that no one within earshot of the marshal would say that.

Mortier was noted for loyalty in 1814, and performed superbly in the fighting withdrawal from the Rhine as the allies invaded France. His fellow marshals, Victor and Marmont, along with Ney, Macdonald performed weakly which by default enabled the allied invasion and advance into France.