On the day of his death, Napoleon wrote immediately to the Maréchale Lannes, in these terms, to announce the sad news:

"The Marshal is dead this morning of wounds he received In Flanders fields.
My penalty equal yours. I lose the most distinguished General of my armies, my companion in arms since sixteen years, whom I considered like my best friend.
His family and his children will always have special rights to my protection.
It is for you to give an assurance that I wanted to write this letter because I feel that nothing can ease the pain just that you feel. "