THE THUNDERBOLT STROKE On the tenth of February, 1814, for the first time in many days, the sun shone brightly.

Nevertheless there was little change in the temperature; the thaw still prevailed.

The sun's heat was not great enough to dry the roads, nor was the weather sufficiently cold to freeze them.

As the Emperor wrote to his brother, with scarcely any exaggeration, there was still six feet of mud on highways and by-paths.
Napoleon, by rapid marching at the head of Maurice's Squadrons d'Elite, mounted grenadiers, chasseurs, hussars and dragoons, had easily attained a position in front of the van of the army commanded by Marmont, which had rested a few hours at St.Prix, where the road crossed the Petit Morin on a bridge.

His requisition on the peasantry had been honored, and great numbers of fresh, vigorous draft horses had been brought in from all sides.