three o’clock in the morning
This despatch announced the capitulation of Genoa ; Masséna , after eating horses , dogs , cats and rats , had been forced to surrender . Melas spoke of the Army of the Reserves with the utmost contempt ; he declared that the story of Bonaparte 's presence in Italy was a hoax ; and asserted that he knew for certain that the First Consul was in Paris . Here was news that must instantly be imparted to Bonaparte , for it came under the category of bad news . Consequently , Bourrienne woke him up at three o'clock in the morning and translated the despatch . Bonaparte 's first words were as follows : `` Pooh ! Bourrienne , you do n't understand German . '' But Bourrienne repeated the translation word for word .