I am writing to you on the subject of General Vichery’s division, that it is the intention of the Emperor that you join it to the remainder of your army corps between Metz and Thionville, and that your take into the garrison at Metz two battalions of National Guards with two pieces of Canon to be sent, under the orders of a general, to the Forbach position.
You must have in the garrisons of Metz, Thionville and Longwi uniformed battalions, and in condition for service at the outposts: I also wrote to you that it is the Emperor’s plan that you form columns in these three garrisons, to be employed on the line in replacement of your troops, which you must maintain concentrated.
You must also use at the outposts the “Corps francs” which have organized themselves throughout your command. It was reported to the Emperor that the corps are organizing themselves; but His Majesty has instructed me to remind you to neglect nothing to increase their numbers, and to prepare them to be able to serve very well. I urge you to review them frequently, and to activate them as soon as there is the possibility to do so. Please inform me of their status.
By means of these arrangements, your army corps will be concentrated; it will be able to attend to its instruction, at the same time that it will rest, and will moreover be ready to move at the first order it receives.
From: Volume 1, Soult’s Registre de Correspondance & Rapports à l’Empereur, #46
Source: Registre de correspondance et rapports du maréchal Soult à l’Empereur (9 mai – 6 juin 1815), Manscript 1201, Bibliothèque municipale de Nantes