Napoleon proceeded with alacrity in the direction of Soissons, not doubting that the French garrison entrusted with the care of that town, and its bridge over the Marne, were still in possession of it, and eager, therefore, to force Blucher into action with this formidable obstacle in his rear.  But Soissons had been taken by a Russian corps, retaken by a French one, and fallen once more into the hands of the enemy, ere the Emperor came in sight of it.  The Muscovite Black Eagle, floating on the towers, gave him the first intimation of this misfortune.  He assaulted the place impetuously:  the Russians repelled the attack; and Napoleon, learning that Blucher had filed his main body through the town, and posted himself behind the Marne, marched up the left bank of that river, and crossed it also at Bery.

A few leagues in front of this place, on the heights of Craonne, two Russian corps, those of Sacken and Witzingerode, were already in position; and the Emperor lost no time in charging them there, in the hope of destroying them ere they could unite with Blucher.  The battle of Craonne began at eleven a.m. on the 7th of March, and lasted till four in the afternoon.  The Russians had down to this hour withstood the utmost exertions of Ney on their right, of Victor on their left, and of Napoleon himself on their centre.  The loss in slain and wounded had been about equal on both sides; no cannon, and hardly a prisoner, had been taken.  The Emperor, enraged with this obstinate resistance, was preparing for a final effort, when suddenly the Russians began to retreat.  He followed them; but they withdrew with the deliberation and impunity of a parade.  They had been ordered to fall back on the plateau of Laon, in order to form there on the same line with Blucher, who was once more in presence, and eager to concentrate all his force for a decisive conflict.

It took place on the 9th.  Napoleon found his enemy strongly posted along an elevated ridge, covered with wood, and further protected in front by a succession of terrace-walls, the enclosures of vineyards.  There was a heavy mist on the lower ground, and the French were advancing up the hill ere their movement was discovered.  They were met by a storm of cannonade which utterly broke their centre.  On either flank of the enemy’s position they then charged in succession, and with like results.  On all points they were repelled, except only at the village of Athies, where Marmont had obtained some advantage.  Night interrupted the contest, and the armies bivouacked in full view of each other.  The Allies, in consequence of their well-covered position, had suffered comparatively little; of the French some thousands had died—­and all in vain.  Napoleon was, however, resolved to renew the attack, and mounted his horse accordingly at four in the morning of the 10th.  At that moment news came that Marmont’s corps had just been assaulted at Athies, and so thoroughly discomfited that they were now flying in confusion towards Corbery.  Notwithstanding this ominous opening, the battle in front of Laon was continued all the day.  But the tide of fortune had turned, and could not be resisted.  On the 11th, Napoleon commenced his retreat, having lost thirty cannon and ten thousand men.