Note 7 — Chapter III · IN THE FIRST CAMPAIGN:—

Ney rode up to head the 6th Light Infantry at the outset, immediately after a chaffing challenge to Murat. The two, who had been operating together during the previous days, had had some difference over their methods of attack. Said Murat arrogantly on one occasion, after Ney had been laboriously trying to get into his brother-marshal’s head an elaborate scheme of his proposed tactics: “I don’t follow your plans. It is my way not to make mine till I am facing the enemy!” Ney, on the morning of Elchingen, got his chance to pay Murat back. They were together, riding close to Napoleon, with all the staff near by, and not far from the Danube bank. As the guns began to open, Ney suddenly turned and laid hold of Murat’s arm. Giving his colleague a rough shake, before the Emperor and everybody, Ney exclaimed: “Now, Prince, come on! Come along with me! and make your plans in the face of the enemy!” The astonished Murat drew himself back, whereupon Ney spurred up his horse and dashed forward; “galloping off to the river-bank, he plunged into the water up to his horse’s belly amidst a shower of cannon-balls and grape, to direct the mending of the bridge.” That done, he galloped on to head the leading column of attack across the bridge.