Again they were implored to desist, as peace was as good as signed.

But when the grenadiers had reached the northern bank, the mask was dropped: fresh troops were hurrying up and the chance of saving the bridge from their grasp was now lost.

By these means did Murat and Lannes secure an undisputed passage to the northern bank, for which four years later the French had desperately to fight.

Napoleon was delighted at Murat's exploit, which greatly furthered his pursuit of the allies, and he at once restored that Marshal to high favour.

But those who placed gentlemanly conduct above the glamour of a trickster's success were not slow, even then, to express their disapproval of this act of perfidy.[37] The prolonged retreat into Moravia, the unexpected feebleness of the Hapsburg arms, and the lack of supplies weighed heavily on Alexander's spirits, as is shown in his letter from Olmuetz to the King of Prussia on November 19th: "Our position is more than critical: we stand almost alone against the French, who are close on our heels.