MARSHAL LOUIS N. DAVOUT AND THE ART OF COMMAND A ...

Finally, with Davout's information at hand, Napoleon became worried about aggressive actions by Austria. Trying to avoid war and prevent Austria from conducting any war-like activities, Napoleon sought the assistance of Russia. Since the Treaty of Tilsit Russia was allied with France. However, this alliance was tenuous at best. It had been negotiated immediately following Russia's humiliating defeat at Freidland and left cause for concern. Therefore, Napoleon called for a summit at Erfurt in September of 1808 to further confirm Russia's friendship and support. At this summit Napoleon courted Tsar Alexander, doing his utmost to impress him, and rekindle their friendship. Finally, he got Alexander to give him a half- hearted promise to come to the aid of France should Austria attack France or any of her possessions. The Emperor left the conference satisfied that the Central European theater was secure. He then based his defense of on this agreement. On paper this looked good but by December the Russians secretly informed the Austrians that they did not intend to honor the treaty.4 To monitor the situation in Russia, ,Davout began to target them for intelligence gathering. He soon became well aware that Russia would not honor the agreement.