The official history of the first war between Tsar Alexander I and Napoleon in 1805, using original military and diplomatic documents, and the testimonies of witnesses and participants from the war.

First published in 1844, the history describes:
The causes of hostilities; the situation in Europe in 1802. The French war with Britain. The death of the Duc d'Enghien. Austrian mobilization. Russian mobilization; The state of the armed forces of Russia. The state of the armed forces of Austria. Deployment of the Austrians into Bavaria. The state of the armed forces of France. Kutuzov’s march to Austria; the entry into Austrian territory. Kutuzov’s stay in Vienna. Departure for Braunau. Rumors of Austrian defeat. The Battle of Ulm; Napoleon’s advance to the Middle Rhine and Main. Austrian dispositions. Napoleon’s advance across the Danube. The initial failures of the Austrians. The investment and capitulation of Ulm. Kutuzov in Braunau; the arrival of Austrian and Russian troops. Kutuzov’s encounter with Mack. The Tsar’s diplomatic efforts; Emperor Alexander’s journey abroad. Prussia’s changing relationship with Napoleon. The Treaty of Potsdam. The Tsar’s relations with Britain and Sweden. Kutuzov’s retreat from Braunau to Krems; Napoleon’s plans. Action at Lambach. Action at Amstetten. Battle of Krems; Mortier’s advance. Miloradovich’s operations. Dokhturov’s outflanking movement. Mortier’s withdrawal. Dokhturov’s operations. The Battle of Durnstein. The Battle of Krems. Kutuzov’s retreat from Krems; Napoleon’s decision to cut off Kutuzov. The French at Vienna. Kutuzov’s march from Braunau to Znaim. Bagration’s march to Hollabrun. Action at Schoengrabern. Operations in Tyrol and Italy; the French offensive. Battle of Caldiero. Archduke Charles’ withdrawal from Italy. The situation of the Austrians in the Tyrol. The camp at Olmutz; Buxhoeveden’s corps. The Olmutz position. The Austrians assume command of the coalition army. The coalition offensive; the action at Wischau. Manoeuvres by the allies. Napoleon’s operations. Deployments for the Battle of Austerlitz. The Battle of Austerlitz; Napoleon’s dispositions. Initial operations by Dokhturov, Langeron and Przhibyshevsky. The defeat of the coalition centre. Kamensky’s battle. The exploits of Prince Volkonsky. The actions of the coalition cavalry. The defeat of the Russian Guard. Bagration’s operations. The defeat of Langeron and Przhibyshevsky. Dokhturov’s exploits. The coalition withdrawal. Aftermath of Austerlitz; casualties of the coalition and French armies. The withdrawal to Hungary. Concentration of the Russians at Czeitsch. The arrival of Essen’s corps. The truce. The Emperor’s return to Russia. The Peace of Pressburg. Napoleon’s return to Paris. The march of the Russians through Hungary and Galicia. The Russian expedition to Hanover; the composition of Tolstoy’s corps and the fleet. Tolstoy’s advance from Pomerania to the Weser. The arrival of the British and Swedes. The return of Bennigsen and Tolstoy to Russia. The Russian expedition to Naples; General Lacy’s departure to Naples. The situation in Naples. The Russians and British arrive. The coalition offensive. The return of the Russians to Corfu and Russia.