Napoleon's Guard

by Griff Hosker

  “I am sorry general but the 17th is still my regiment.”

  He looked aghast at Bessières, “I cannot believe this man! There are less than fifty men in the regiment. They should be disbanded.”

  “Then I will go with them anyway.”

  “The Guards will be coming with me.” He nodded as he spoke so that I would know he meant on his escape.

  “Then I wish you a safe voyage general.”

  As I left the building General Bessières said, “I think you inherited a double dose of honour from your mother and your father. I think you are a fool but you are a noble and likeable fool. I pray that you survive. The general has washed his hands of you now. He will not offer you this again.”

  “Then I am happy for it means I will be with my comrades once more.”

  I could not and did not tell the others either of the offer or the general’s plans but I slept easier that night knowing that I had done the right thing. General Bonaparte left a week later ostensibly on a cruise up the Nile but he took almost all of the Guards, the scientists and many of the generals. Many of the sceptics made the connection and knew we had been abandoned. General Kléber was left in command and for that I was happy.

  The last months of the century were not as bad as the first months had been. The Ottomans had been soundly beaten and the people of Cairo had come to regard General Bonaparte and his soldiers as almost mystical for the general had told the divan before the battle what the outcome would be and when that happened it gave him the status of a holy man. We were just given light duties. The only Guards who had been left were the wounded under the command of Sergeant Delacroix who had been injured in the attack on the trenches. Their duties and ours were to act as escorts and guards for General Kléber.

  In the first week in December Jean and I were summoned to headquarters and a meeting with General Kléber. It was like the old days and General Bonaparte as he made sure we were alone.

  “Gentlemen I find myself in a difficult position. We cannot continue to hold this land. Men are dying daily and there is no hope for reinforcement. We need a peace.” He paused, inviting comment.

  Jean obliged, “Will the Ottomans be inclined to peace? The slaughter of the garrison at Jaffa did little to make them do us any favours.”

  “I agree and I am relying on the British to allow us to leave. Commodore Sidney Smith is still at Acre and he has given us information before now. I intend to meet with him and negotiate a safe passage back to France.”

  “He wouldn’t agree to that would he?”

  The general glanced at me and smiled, “I believe the captain knows differently does he not?”

  I blushed as Jean stared at me. “They may well let us leave sir. They would like to be free from this campaign as much as we do. I think the general is correct.”

  He smiled and seemed satisfied. “Good then this is what I intend. We will sail, your squadron and me, to Acre. The captain and one of his men will, under a flag of truce, arrange a meeting between myself and Sir Sydney.”

  I nodded but Jean looked appalled. “He will be taken prisoner!”

  The general smiled. “He has done this before and the British are men of their word.”

  “He is correct Jean. It will work out. Do you actually wish to stay in this pestilential hell hole a minute longer than we have to?” He shook his head.

  The general nodded. “Very well. We leave immediately for the harbour. We will leave the horses at the barracks.”

  As we headed back to the camp Jean asked, “Are you sure about this?”

  “Believe me I want out of this country so much I would meet with the devil himself but I am glad it is the British. I have spoken with them and they are honourable men.”

  He said, “What do you mean?”

  I told him of my last mission, “But you must keep it secret. I suspect our little general would do anything to avoid that piece of news becoming common knowledge.” I think that Jean was happy now knowing what my mission had been. It had been the only secret I had not shared with my mentor and I was glad that it was out in the open now.

  The men were quite happy to be doing something a little different. We didn’t tell them where we were going, just that we were going on a ship. When we arrived there it was, of course, the inevitable ‘Carillon’ who was waiting for us. François grinned as I stepped aboard. “Brought some friends this time captain?”

  “I recommended the cruise!”

  We had to leave at night time to avoid the British and Ottoman patrols. We sailed due north and then headed east. I had chosen Sergeant Manet to accompany me on my diplomatic mission ashore. Tiny was hurt but I told him that we only had three officers. I could not leave Jean to run the squadron alone should anything untoward happen to me. Sergeant Manet was eager for the adventure. I think the tales he had heard from Tiny and Pierre had made him envious.

  Two sailors rowed us to within a mile of the city. The ‘Carillon’ would stand off the coast and, if we were successful, we would return to her. It was an hour before dawn when we left the beach and made the road from Jaffa to Acre. We had our weapons for, until we reached the city we might have to contend with Turks or brigands. The light from the early morning sun touched the tops of the battlements and the minarets first and they were an inspiring sight. I could see how it had held out for so long. It had been built almost seven hundred years earlier and was a testament to the Crusader builders of Outremer.

  We waited, and hid by an old building outside the city walls. I was waiting until I saw an Englishman. I hoped it would not be a Sergeant Tobias. I could see many fez and turban topped soldiers and I knew them to be Ottoman. I was looking for red or blue.

  Sergeant Manet began to fidget nervously with his sword. “Be patient sergeant.”

  “How can you be so calm sir? We are under the noses of the enemy.”

  “And they do not know we are here.”

  “But what are we waiting for?”

  “I don’t know but when I see it I will know.”

  “You are too clever for me sir.”

  “No I am not but let us just say that I have done this a few times.” At that moment I saw a boat push off from the flagship anchored outside the harbour. “There, that is our chance. Follow me!”

  I headed down towards the jetty. I was counting on the fact that the boat would come within a few yards of the beach and I could attract their attention. I recognised the cocked hat of a junior officer in the stern with the eight man crew. We emerged from the mud huts onto the beach and Sergeant Manet was incredibly nervous, looking over his shoulder as though we would be attacked at any time. “Relax and look as though we are supposed to be here. I will speak in English in a moment. Don’t panic.” I waved my arm and shouted, “Ho, English boat. I would like to speak with you!”

  My voice carried over and the lack of an accent must have made the officer curious. He looked over. “Raise your hands sergeant.” I raised my hands as well and shouted, “We wish to speak with a senior officer. We offer our parole.”

  Suddenly the boat turned towards us. The sailors had no arms and the officer only a sword. The officer looked to be about eighteen. “Who are you sir?”

  “I am Captain Robert Macgregor of the 17th Chasseurs and I am here to speak with Commodore Sidney Smith. I represent the commander of the French forces in Egypt, General Jean Kléber. And who are you sir?”

  Politeness took over. “I am Midshipman Paul Ritchie of Her Majesty’s ship Tigre.” He suddenly looked flustered.

  “I have given my parole and I assure you that I mean no harm to you or your captain. Could you convey us on board and I can give the proposal from my general?”

  I could see the grins from his bemused crew. He blushed and then said, “Very well. May I have your swords?”

  “I have given you our parole but very well.” I turned to the sergeant, “Sergeant, let them have your sword.”

  I unbuckled mine and handed it over. The sergeant did the same.
The midshipman held them awkwardly. “Er, step aboard.”

  “Thank you Mr Ritchie.” We sat before him facing the blue rigged crew.

  Once he sat down he became more in command. “Push off coxswain. Let’s head back to the ship."

  Chapter 11

  The eighty gun two decker loomed over us. It was not as big as the Vanguard in Naples harbour but it was still a daunting sight. Midshipman Ritchie raced up the ladder to report to the officer. As I reached the main deck I heard the First Lieutenant say, “Well done Middy, capturing two French prisoners. Well done.”

  I said to the officer, “Excuse me, Lieutenant, but we gave our parole.”

  I do not know if he was more shocked at the English or the mistake. “Mr Ritchie is this true? Did they give their parole and yet you took their swords?”

  Poor Midshipman Ritchie looked flustered, “I am sorry sir I…”

  “Give them back their swords immediately.” He turned to me. “I am sorry sir. He is young.”

  I smiled graciously, “It is not a problem. He was most polite.”

  We strapped our swords on and were escorted below decks. This ship had slightly higher decks than the ‘Carillon’ and I was grateful. I hated banging my head. We were taken to the Commodore’s cabin and two marines watched us carefully.

  Sergeant Manet asked, “I do not understand. Why did they take our swords and then return them to us?”

  “The young officer did not understand that we gave our parole. He was told off by the lieutenant.”

  Sergeant Manet laughed, “Typical of young officers and Lieutenants.”

  The commodore entered followed by the captain. He began brusquely, “I understand you are here under a flag of truce.”

  “Yes sir. I am here on behalf of General Kléber commanding the armies of Egypt.”

  “And who are you?”

  “I am Captain Robert Macgregor of the 17th Chasseurs.”

  “You sound Scottish. Are you a traitor?”

  I appreciated the commodore, he came to the point. I smiled, “No sir. I was born in France to a Scottish mother.”

  “Why should I even entertain you and your proposal? Bonaparte has fled and your soldiers die daily from the plague.”

  “And I know that you and your admiral would like to be away from this area. If you meet with my general he will expedite matters and we will leave for France.”

  “And what do you know of my admiral? Are you trying to impress me with names?”

  “No sir. I have met your admiral.” He and the captain laughed and even the marines smirked.

  “And I dare say you have also met Lady Hamilton.”

  “I did and she was a most gracious hostess.” I saw a flicker of doubt race across his face. I pushed home my advantage. “Her husband Sir William was also a kind and generous host.”

  He waved an airy hand. “You could have read these names in the newspaper and everyone knows of Lady Hamilton’s kindness.”

  “But do they know that Colonel James Selkirk, once of the Scots Greys is now at Palazzo Sessa and that Sergeant Tobias of the Marines is an obnoxious toad who has now been demoted to corporal and that Marine Mcintyre also works there.”

  There was a silence as deep as the sea. “Then you have met them?”

  “Sir, I am a gentleman. Why would I lie?”

  “Then what is your proposal?”

  “My general waits offshore and he would meet with you to discuss surrender.”

  They had not expected those words and it took them by surprise. “Surrender?”

  “Sir, there is little point in sending me to arrange a meeting if I was to discuss terms. I am a mere captain.”

  Commodore Sidney Smith laughed, “No sir, you are more than a mere captain. Where do we meet?”

  “If you set sail and head west you will find the sloop ‘Carillon’. She will take you to a place on the coast where you can meet and discuss terms.”

  The captain coughed and said, “Sir this could be a trap.”

  I laughed and they all looked at me, Manet included, “The ‘Carillon’ is the largest ship left to France in this part of the world and she is a sloop. Captain, you have eighty guns. Are you afraid of an eight gun sloop?”

  The captain had the good grace to give a half bow. “I will order all sails to be set.” He looked at me. “You are a most interesting man, captain.”

  “If you would be so good as to have a white flag at your masthead they will know you come in peace.”

  We went on deck and Commodore Smith asked, “How will we find this little sloop of yours?”

  I smiled, “They will be watching for you. The ‘Carillon’ will approach you. If the gun ports are closed and the white flag flying she will close alongside and if not she will fly like the wind.”

  “Leaving you and your sergeant as prisoners.”

  Once again I smiled and gave a slight shrug, “Probably.”

  We watched the horizon for the sight of a sail and a tricolour. “Your General Napoleon left us swiftly enough.” I nodded and said nothing. “I daresay he was needed in Paris.”

  “I would think Paris a more pleasant place than Cairo wouldn’t you, Commodore?”

  It was his turn to laugh. “Yes, I think this land is for the Turk and not for us.”

  “Sail ho! Sloop and it’s a Frenchie!”

  The captain shouted his own commands. “Haul in the mainsails!”

  The crew scurried up the ratlines and in no time at all we were just under foresail and barely moving. François brought the sloop alongside like a terrier and stopped it within thirty yards. The white flag fluttered cheerily. I saw a boat push off with the general, Jean and Tiny. Commodore Smith turned to the captain. “Would you be so good as to have some refreshments sent down to my cabin?”

  We waited for my three countrymen to board. The crew seemed amused rather than afraid; after all they had eighty guns. They did stare at the five of us in the strange uniforms. General Kléber gave a slight bow and then looked at me. To our surprise Commodore Smith spoke perfect French. “Welcome on board general. Your captain here explained the purpose of your visit. Shall we adjourn to my cabin?”

  As we walked to the cabin the general asked, “You speak excellent French, where did you learn it?”

  The commodore smiled graciously, “I was a prisoner in Paris for two years; until I escaped.”

  Here was a man with stories as interesting as my own and now I understood why he had acceded to our request so readily. For the first time in a long time I became hopeful. Perhaps we would be returned home and this war would end. With so few men left in the regiment I was sure it would be disbanded and then I could travel, with the world at peace, back to Scotland and deliver the seal entrusted to me by the Knights of St.John.

  Both the commodore and the general were down to earth men and the discussions were brief. As the commodore’s aide and his secretary did not speak French the negotiations took twice as long as they ought to have as everything had to be translated but in a remarkably short space of time we had concluded a peace and we would be sailing back to France once enough transports had been gathered.

  We were back in Alexandria harbour as the sun set. Tiny looked almost disappointed. “That was too easy sir. Do we just pack up and sail home then?”

  The general had been listening. “Not quite that easy. I do not think that the Ottomans will allow us to sail away without trying to hurt us. Their pride is at stake. We have defeated them in every battle and their only saviour was the British. They will not be happy but I am confident that we will escape.”

  There was almost a carnival atmosphere for a couple of weeks as the word spread amongst the soldiers that we were going home. We moved the army to Cairo which was still unsettled. Suddenly at the end of February the general received a demand from Admiral Keith to surrender. He had overruled Commodore Smith’s treaty and we were to be incarcerated. As we were still acting as the general’s guards we were privy to the discussion
s and the debate. Of course the general would not surrender and when we heard that an army of thirty thousand Mamelukes was heading for Cairo General Kléber assembled the ten thousand troops who still remained. The cavalry were down to six hundred men. Disease, battle and the desert had taken their toll and we were down to just one brigade.

  General Kléber used our army’s strengths and not the weakness in numbers to dictate our battle plan. We used the hollow square employed by General Bonaparte at the Battle of the Pyramids except that this time the cavalry remained echeloned to the rear. Our orders were quite clear. We had to wait until we judged that the enemy had been broken and then attack. General Kléber did not want to throw away his last cavalry in ridiculous wasteful charges.

  We were the squadron on the right and were the furthest from the infantry. The other chasseurs and the brigade of dragoons were to our left. The Mamelukes only knew one way to fight; they charged wildly! They hurled themselves at the infantry square. Although there were not many cannons left to the general they were well manned and they all fired canister. The deadly missiles sliced through both horse and rider. The Mamelukes could not break through. The Army of the Orient were able to fire regular and deadly volleys each time the Ottomans closed. Jean sent a message to the colonel of the dragoons suggesting we charge. Jean was the oldest cavalry officer on the field that day and the colonel respected his judgement. We heard the bugle sound trot and we moved forwards.

  It was like fighting with family for there were few of us but it was a gallant family and I felt proud to be amongst the likes of Sergeant Delacroix, Jean, Tiny and Sergeant Manet. We would watch each other’s backs and be true to our uniform. Once the charge was sounded we leaned forward and kicked our mounts on. The desert was a good place to fight as it was generally flat and we crashed into the disordered Ottoman cavalry. They were brave warriors and fierce fighters but my Austrian blade stabbed one turbaned leader even as he tried to sweep his scimitar at my head. The longer sword gave me a real advantage. There was no place for delicate thrusts and parries. We hacked, slashed and sliced at those before us. We were outnumbered and we needed to drive them far from Cairo. Normally we would have halted and then rejoined the infantry but that day at Heliopolis we pursued until our horses were weary and there were no Mamelukes before us. My arm was weary from the sword thrusts I made. We all knew that it we were to escape Egypt we had to make sure that there were no enemies left to stop us.