Bonaparte conceived for Desaix the greatest esteem and the sincerest friendship.
-- [Desaix discontented with the conduct of affairs in Germany, seceded from the army of the Rhine, to which he belonged, to join that of Napoleon.

He was sent to Italy to organise the part of the Egyptian expedition starting from Civita Vecchia.

He took with him his two aides de camp, Rapp and Savary (later Duc de Rovigo), both of whom, on his death, were given the same post with Bonaparte.]-- When Desaix was named temporary commander of the force called the army of England, during the absence of General Bonaparte, the latter wrote to the Directory that they could not have chosen a more distinguished officer than Desaix; these sentiments he never belied.

The early death of Desaix alone could break their union, which, I doubt not, would eventually have had great influence on the political and military career of General Bonaparte.
All the world knows the part which the General-in-Chief of the army of Italy took at the famous crisis of the 18th Fructidor; his proclamation, his addresses to the army, and his celebrated order of the day.
Bonaparte went much into detail on this subject at St.Helena; and I shall now proceed to state what I knew at the time respecting that memorable event, which was in preparation in the month of June..