The Emperor opened a new campaign, in which he commanded 250,000 men. He did not deceive himself as to the crisis which menaced France; he therefore decided to attempt everything, and, if needful, to make political sacrifices, if the chances of war were against him. Napoleon opened the campaign on May 2d, 1813, by gaining the battle of Lutzen; a surprising victory, and one that acquired for him immortal honor. The General of Marengo had not lost his genius; and the troops he commanded understood him well, performing wonders which astonished the old soldiers of Italy and Egypt. Masses of infantry advanced in squadrons flanked by heavy artillery, and seeming like movable fortresses; 81,000 foot and 4000 horse combatting 107,000 Russians or Prussians, of which more than 20,000 were cavalry. Alexander and the King of Prussia were there in person; and their old guards, so vain and so proud, were not able to contend against French conscripts. [Illustration: NAPOLEON AT LUTZEN.] THE BATTLE OF MONTMIRAIL. On the 11th of February, 1814, Napoleon arrived before Montmirail. At eleven o’clock the Allies formed themselves in battle array. The French divisions arrived successively, and Napoleon wished to wait for the whole, but at three o’clock, as night was approaching, he directed the Duke of Treviso to boar down on Montmirail. General Friant with four battalions of the old guard, received orders to attack the Farm of l’Epine-au-Bois, a position on which depended the success of the day, and which was defended by the Allies with forty pieces of cannon. To render this attack more easy, Napoleon ordered General Nansouty to extend his troops upon the right, to oblige the Allies to thin their centre. At the same time the Russian and Prussian troops were charged briskly in the centre by the old guard, commanded by Marshal Ney. The _tirailleurs_ fled in dismay; and the artillery could no longer be used with effect; but the fusilade became dreadful. This success, however, was counterbalanced when the lancers, the old dragoons, and the grenadiers of the guard arrived in the rear of the infantry, and breaking their lines, threw them into disorder, and killed or made prisoners the whole body. The Duke of Treviso seized upon the village of Fontenelle, that of Marchais was attacked on both sides, and all the inhabitants were either killed or taken prisoners. In less than a quarter of an hour the most profound silence succeeded to the fusilade. [Illustration: THE BATTLE OF MONTMIRAIL.] NAPOLEON AT MONTEREAU. The Emperor is here seen pointing a cannon. This was not the first occasion on which he had served a piece of artillery. It has been asserted by some that he was an admirable marksman, while others have maintained the contrary. At Montereau all the ardor of youth seemed to revive within him, and his military genius appeared as vigorous as in his early engagements.