A 534111


HIGAN
OFM
MICH
(33
LIBRARIES
THE

DC
26
.229
NARRATIVE
OF A
CAPTIVITY IN FRANCE,
PROM
1809 TO 1814.

3
Printed by GEORGE SMITH,
Liverpool.
1
1
1
4
4
5
NARRATIVE
OF A
CAPTIVITY IN FRANCE,
FROM
1809 to 1814.
BY RICHARD LANGTON.
IN TWO VOLUMES.
VOL. I.
LONDON:
SMITH, ELDER AND CO. CORNHILL.
LIVERPOOL, WILLIAM GRAPEL.
MDCCCXXXVI.
2 2 2 2
АБ?! !
TO
THOSE WHO DURING THE LATE
W AR
WERE PRISONERS IN FRANCE,
This Narrative
OF A
CAPTIVITY IN THAT COUNTRY,
IS RESPECTFULLY DEDICATED
BY A
FELLOW CAPTIVE.
hibr.
Thoup
11-7.39
39 368
PREFACE.
73 b
11-8
The following Narrative is a faithful
transcript of the Author's journal during
the eventful period of his captivity.
To his companions in misfortune it may
recall the memory of past sufferings, not
always unvisited by occasional gleams
of passing sunshine; and to the reader,
he trusts it will be found not altogether
uninteresting
Aiming at little more, the Author
respectfully presents his work to the
public eye, as one possessing, if nothing
higher, at least the merit that may
be fairly claimed for simplicity and
truth.
CONTENTS OF VOL. I.
CHAPTER I.
Voyage and capture-Occurrences on board the
French line of battle ship, Le Polonais--Arrival
at Cherbourg-Landing in France
PAGE 1.
CHAPTER II.
March to Cambrai-Occurrences on the road-
Observations on the appearance of the country
and of the inhabitants-Arrival at Cambrai,
residence there, &c. .....
Page 31.
CHAPTER III.
March from Cambrai to Auxonne, in Burgundy-
Occurrences on the road-
_Residence at Auxonne
-Attempt to escape from thence
PAGE 73.
x.
CONTENTS.
CHAPTER IV.
Recapture on the island of South Beveland-Treat-
ment following-Occurrences till arrival at
Antwerp
PAGE 122.
CHAPTER V.
Arrival at Valenciennes-Occurrences in the town
Prison of that place-A second visit to Cambrai
-March from thence, with occurrences on the
road-Arrival at Auxonne-Reception there.. Page 156.
CHAPTER VI.
March from Auxonne to Metz-Separation from
our countrymen there-Journey thence to Bitche
- Description thereof, and particulars of the
treatment observed towards those confined in
it.....
PAGE 176.
CHAPTER VII.
Removal to Verdun-Visit to Sarrelouis and Metz-
Arrival at Verdun, particulars of that Depôt .. PAGE 238.
LIST OF PLATES.
VOL. I.
ENTRANCE TO THE CITADEL OF CAMBRAI.......... PAGE 40
INTERIOR OF CAMBRAI...
52
AUXONNE-SUR-SAONE.
78
FORT OF BITCHE..
.178
ENTRANCE TO THE FORT OF BITCHE..
......182
COURT-YARD, IN THE FORT OF BITCHE.
.....190
THE SOUTERRAIN AT BITCHE.......
.220
VOL. II.
SITUATION OF THE AUTHOR AND HIS COMPANIONS.... 16
THE VILLAGE OF VAUDRY......
36
GENS D'ARMES CONDUCTING PRISONERS TO THEIR
DEPOT..
......241
NARRATIVE, &c.
CHAPTER I.
VOYAGE AND
CAPTUREOCCURRENCES
ON
BOARD
THE
FRENCH LINE OF BATTLE SHIP, LE POLONAIS-ARRIVAL
AT CHERBOURG-LANDING IN FRANCE.
On the 18th May, 1809, I left Liverpool, in the
brig Scorpion, on a voyage for the West Indies,
and was soon borne by a favourable breeze out
of sight of the shores of the Mersey.
Nothing remarkable occurred until the third
day after sailing; when, off St. David's Head,
two large ships were seen, standing under easy
sail, up Channel. At this period, British men
of war were constantly met with not only on the
high seas, but likewise in the navigable waters
of the united kingdom, their appearance was
VOL. 1.
B
2
NARRATIVE OF A
therefore, a mere matter of every day occur-
rence; probably some careless remark that these
must be king's ships, bound for Cork, might
be all the notice taken of the vessels I have
mentioned. Even when upon seeing us, they
changed their course, and made more sail, the
prevailing opinion on board was, that nothing
,
was intended beyond a visit for the purpose of
impressing some of our crew, and as there was
little hope of evading this, no effort to escape
was made, lest by prolonging the chase we should
incur the risk of being more harshly treated
when boarded.
After half an hour's chase, the nearest ship
fired twice, her shot falling short, and bounding
on the water. The one to leeward, on coming
within range, likewise commenced firing; but her
shot, though better aimed, did not reach us.
About 5 p.m. it was distinctly to be seen that
they were ships of the line. The colours were
run up, presuming they had taken our vessel
for a French privateer, and had fired in mistake:
still to our astonishment it continued at intervals,
until two shots threatened to hull us: one hitting
CAPTIVITY IN FRANCE, &c.
3
the water a short distance astern, the second
whizzing over the mast-head. The danger of con-
tinuing the attempt to outsail these ships was
now palpable. Our vessel was hove to, and the
colours struck.
In great anxiety we waited the issue of this
strange adventure, but never dreamed these men
of war could belong to an enemy, so near our
own shores. However, we were not left much
longer uncertain of the bitter truth. The head-
most ship passing a short distance astern, hailed
in English. The answer was followed by orders
to drop under her lee quarter.
The consternation of all on board might be
read in their looks—now in the power of two
French ships of the line, the terrors of a captivity
in France were aggravated by the sad remem-
brance that the war had continued for six years
without any exchange of prisoners.
These vessels proved to be the Polonais and
Courageaux, each of 74 guns, under the orders
of commodore Troude, from the Saints, (islands
near Guadaloupe) bound for the first port, which
a want of vigilance on the part of the British
4
NARRATIVE OF A
blockading fleets might allow them to enter.
Each ship now lowered their boats: they were
soon alongside-the crews jumped on board cut-
lass in hand.* The officer in command, who
spoke English remarkably well, rudely asked for
the captain. He stepped forward, and was re-
ceived with angry abuse, viz:-“ why the h-11
-
did
you not heave to, the first moment we fired ?
-you deserve to be sent to the bottom every
d-l of you."
It is not easy to give an idea of the filthy,
ruffian-like dress and looks of the men in whose
power we had so unexpectedly fallen; they had
more the appearance of pirates than seamen be-
longing to any regular navy,—their actions and
looks corresponded. This was to be seen in
the eager haste with which the cabin and fore-
castle were rummaged. The locks, drawers, and
trunks, &c. were broken open with a rapidity
scarcely to be described. We were thrust into
* At this time we were not a cable's length from the
Polonais. The Courageaux was fast coming up. In such a
position, it may be inquired, where was the necessity of all
this parade of armed force in taking possession of a vessel
little exceeding 160 tons burthen, lightly manned and armed.
CAPTIVITY IN FRANCE, &c.
5
the boats, with little more time than enabled
each to secure what money he might have ready
to conceal on his person. A short row brought
us alongside the Polonais. I was the first who
ascended the ship's side, by orders from the officer
in charge of the boat. On reaching the gang-
way, a lieutenant, who likewise spoke English
well, desired I would follow him. Even amidst
all my chagrin, I was struck with the curious
scene afforded on viewing for the first time so
large a vessel, crowded with a rough and unsightly
When ushered into the presence of the
commander, (a slightly made man, under the
middle size, who never could have been sup-
posed, from any thing in his appearance, to be
the first officer of such a ship, *) a short dialogue
passed between us, the officer by whom I had
been conducted, acting as interpreter.
crew.
7
* He was dressed in a blue surtout, close-buttoned-
black stock, and blue cloth cap, with gold band and a small
tricolor cockade in front. He wore three decorations_two
small stars, each hung by a red ribbon, and the third attached
to a light blue one pierced with white. He seemed in bad
health, and without the coarseness of appearance we re-
marked in the other officers.
VOL. I.
B 2
6
NARRATIVE OF A
To the questions put by the captain, viz:-
who I was, where our vessel was bound to, of
what the cargo consisted, if we had seen any
English men of war, and the name of the
admiral who commanded on the Cork station-
I replied to the best of my ability. When
leaving the cabin he re-called me, to ask what
was the news from the grande armée, whether
our papers said where the emperor was, and if
a great battle had not been fought.* He then
directed the officer in attendance to take me away.
The captain of our brig was then summoned to
the cabin, and a similar string of questions were
put to him.
On returning to the quarter-deck I found our
crew collected between two of the carronades;
their object in keeping so close together being
to preserve the few articles which each had been
able to save.
It was evident the number of
French sailors, crowding round, had other motives
* At this period France and Austria, it will be recollected,
were at war. Napoleon, by the accounts received the day
previous to our sailing, was said to be about to enter Vienna.
This was not, however, communicated to this officer.
CAPTIVITY IN FRANCE, &c.
7
beyond those of curiosity to gratify, and a sharp
look was necessary. In this unpleasant position,
the butt of ridicule and abuse, we had to remain
until 8 o'clock. Orders were then given for
our removal to the lower deck.
The boatswain was our conductor ; he had been
a prisoner in England, from whence he had con-
trived to escape. He said, “ You must make the
best shift you can for to-night, to-morrow you will
have hammocks and blankets." Here, as upon
deck, we were compelled to keep in a close body.
Hands, though unseen, were felt during the
night. One of these, our sailors succeeded in
grappling with, and though in the dark the
punishment inflicted (which was severe) had
the effect of putting an end to these attempts
at robbery for the remainder of the night. As
may be imagined it passed miserably, with no
other covering than the dress we had come on
board in, which was a poor defence against the
cold, lying upon the hard deck, and forced to
keep a perpetual watch: in such a situation it
will readily be believed sleep was unattainable,
and the morning was welcomed, almost careless
what evil it might bring.
8
NARRATIVE OF A
At 8 a. m. of the following day, the 25th May,
we were mustered on the quarter deck; the name,
occupation, &c. of each was taken in writing by
the captain's clerk. The captain of our vessel
and myself were placed in the mess of the
warrant officers. The seamen had provisions
served out to them on the same allowance as
the crew of the Polonais-each was provided
with a blanket and hammock to be swung in the
lower hold. There the stench was inconceivable,
owing to bilge water, rotten wood used for stowing
the water casks, as well as cordage, damp sails, &c.
Except the crew of a small vessel taken on her
passage from Fayal to London, we were the sole
tenants of this dark and unwholesome den.
Both ships were upon short allowance, but
more particularly of water, not having been able
to obtain any great supply at the small islands
they had quitted. That brought from France
was execrably bad, nearly as dark coloured as
brandy, which must have been owing to the
filthy state of the casks, yet this fetid stuff was
doled out carefully. Our breakfast was merely
a small glass of brandy, and one brown biscuit
CAPTIVITY IN FRANCE, &c.
9
to each. Dinner consisted of what they called
soup, (the water in which salt beef and pork
had been boiled, with small quantities of peas
and calavances) pieces of meat about a quarter
of a pound each, a brown biscuit, one tumbler
of poor red wine, and half a pint of water each
man. Previous to being ordered to the lower hold
for the night, supper was served in the gun
room, of the meat which had been left at dinner.
A piece of Dutch cheese, a brown biscuit, and a
tumbler of red wine to each-such was the mess
of the warrant officers of the Polonais.
The number of sick on board was represented
to be from 250 to 300, the greater part suffering
from the effect of the climate they had recently
quitted, Deaths were frequent, and we supposed
the burials were made through the lower deck
ports before day light, as we
never witnessed
any. On the 25th the weather changing, became
boisterous. The wind veered from S. S.W. to
N.N.W. with rain ; sail had frequently to be
taken in. The lubberly way in which this was
done amused our sailors greatly. In the afternoon
of that day, the foresail, owing as it was said to
10
NARRATIVE OF A
the weather tack giving way, got loose; the noise
caused by its furious flapping, added to that of
the wind through the rigging, a hundred voices,
some through trumpets, all bawling together, and
the whistle of the boatswain striving to be heard
over all, formed a tumult which must have been
heard to be fully conceived. Each was giving
orders, yet no one dared to go near to clue up
the sail, it was not till the lapse of nearly half
an hour that the tack was made secure, and the
foresail again set.
This done, order was restored.*
The officers who had remarked the mirth which
this scene had afforded our sailors, ordered their
removal to the lower hold, from whence they
were not permitted to ascend for the remainder
of the day
Our vessel immediately upon her capture was
taken in tow by the Polonais. The sails were
handed, and she was secured by a cable passed
* Napoleon, in conversation with Captain Maitland, of
the Bellerephon, when speaking of the difference between
French sailors and ours, remarked, “ It surprises me when
' any thing has suddenly to be done, our sailors are all
“ in confusion, and are seen running about gabbling like so
many geese, whilst yours quietly attend to the orders
they receive.”—Captain Maitland's Narrative.
CAPTIVITY IN FRANCE, &c.
11
through the gun room port astern, lashed round
the mizen mast of that ship. It was evident
from this proceeding the cargo was considered
too valuable to be destroyed.
Notwithstanding the effluvium of the lower
hold, we managed to get through the night of
the 25th tolerably well. The hammock and
blanket (for the cleanliness of which much cannot
be said) gave some chance for sleep, of which
the cold and the hardness of the deck had wholly
deprived us the previous night.
During the 26th the weather continued as un-
favourable as on the former day, and prevented
the removal of the cargo of our ill-fated vessel,
On the 27th becoming more moderate, boats from
both ships were engaged in the transfer, and as
nearly as an opinion could be formed, about one-
third of the cargo was conveyed on board the
respective ships. At 3 p. m. a sudden stop was
put to this operation by the unwelcome appear-
ance of two English men of war, a frigate and
a brig. The boats were quickly hauled in, and
our vessel having been scuttled, went down. Her
disappearance did away with the hope we had
12
NARRATIVE OF A
entertained, that after the cargo had been taken
out she might be given up to us, and others of our
countrymen who were reported to be on board the
Courageaux. The two ships coming within hail,
a conversation, unintelligible to us, was carried on
for a short time; afterwards a press of sail was
made. The Polonais had greatly the advantage
of her consort in point of sailing, and it frequently
occurred she had to lay to, or take in, to keep
near her.
About six o'clock several vessels appeared on
the horizon. They could not have been British
men of war, otherwise they would have directed
their course towards us. At half-past six the
brig parted from the frigate, firing at intervals,
which made the French officers imagine a British
squadron was at hand. Between seven and eight
the frigate began to near the Courageaux. To
prepare for events during the night, it was to be
supposed the object of the brig's standing away
to the westward, was to apprise an English
squadron of the situation in which the French
ships were,) the Polonais was cleared for action.
With the exception of the captains and mates
CAPTIVITY IN FRANCE, &c.
13
of the two captured vessels and myself, all the
prisoners on board were placed in irons in the
lower hold. * This night was one of extreme
anxiety for all. Our squadron is at hand, depend
upon it, else why has the brig separated from
the frigate ? was the remark frequently made.
It passed over without any thing extraordinary
occurring, though guns were fired and rockets
thrown by the frigate at intervals. The appear-
ance of the Polonais, when cleared for action,
was a novelty to me—the bulk heads being re-
moved, there was an unobstructed view of this
fine ship's deck from stem to stern.
The men
were necessarily kept at quarters during the
night, and we remarked there was far less noise
among them than on any previous.
On the morning of the 28th, it was apparent
the course had been altered during the night.
The Polonais and Courageaux were under easy
sail, a short distance from each other, with
* Why, on board a ship manned with near eight hundred
men, a few English sailors were thus manacled, the officers
of the Polonais, though frequently asked, never condescended
to inform us.
VOL. I.
C
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NARRATIVE OF A
no other vessel in view. The unfortunate sailors
were now released from their irons; the bulk
heads were replaced, and the lower deck guns
housed; there being no immediate danger from
l
a British fleet, the men were dismissed from their
quarters.
An application was now made to the captain to
have the luggage restored, as had been promised
at the time of our capture; little or none, as
before stated, had been brought on board the
Polonais. He replied, that the sudden appearance
of the two English vessels on the former day had
prevented the removal of the greater part of the
cargo, as well as the luggage froin our vessel.
It is difficult to convey an adequate idea of
the hardship of our situation in consequence of
this loss, several being without any other article
of apparel than those they were actually wear-
ing A trunk of boots and shoes (of which
there were several on board the Scorpion) had
been removed to the Polonais, and the French
officers were now seen fitting each other with them.
The request that a part might be allotted to our
lise met with a direct refusal. There were like-
CAPTIVITY IN FRANCE, &c.
15
an
wise three trunks (one belonging to myself)
afterwards found on board this ship, at the
opening of which the captain and mate of our
vessel and myself were summoned to attend.
This was done in the presence of the commander
and his first lieutenant, designated le capitaine
de frigate, they were found to contain only
porter and wine; these had been taken from
the lockers of the cabin; not article of
wearing apparel was found in them. This dis-
covery appeared to surprise the officers I have
mentioned. They assured us a careful search
should be made, and that there was no doubt
the original contents of these trunks would be
recovered in a few hours. Astonished to find
such a robbery committed by the crew of
French man of war, the captain was told,
through an interpreter, that if the stolen articles
were not recovered, or compensation made, on
reaching a French port, an application for redress
would be sent to the government, and if unsuc-
cessful, no pains would be spared to give every
publicity to the disgraceful transaction. Not-
withstanding the assurance of the captain, only
a
16
NARRATIVE OF A
At sun
a few articles of linen were recovered, and these
(we were secretly told by a warrant officer)
were taken by two midshipmen who had been
stationed on board the Scorpion to superintend
the removal of the cargo.
As some set off against this disappointment,
six bottles of porter and six of wine were sent
to us, by order of the first lieutenant.
set, the islands of Guernsey and Jersey were a
short distance to leeward. A British sloop of
war, persumed to be on the station, was seen
to pass almost within hail of the Courageaux.
The daring of her commander surprised the
French officers exceedingly; and the commodore
letting her pass under his guns, and withholding
his fire, could only be accounted for, by supposing
him fearful of alarming the coast, and attracting
the attention of any British squadron that might
be near. *
On making the coast of France, early
on the morning of the 29th May, the joy of the
* So certain were these officers that the sloop of war
would be taken, that the fourth lieutenant, who spoke
English, said to me, “ You will have fresh companions on
board here, in half an hour."
CAPTIVITY IN FRANCE, &c.
17
officers and men of the ship on board of which we
unfortunately were, (now beyond the reach of a
British fleet) was undescribable.* The weather was
beautiful. The Courageaux and Polonais were fast
approaching the harbour of Cherbourg, a few
cables' length from each other, under all canvass,
close hauled on the larboard tack. Now they ven-
tured to display the tricoloured flag, and the broad
pendant of the commodore floated at the mast
head of the Courageaux. The telegraph, above
the town, was seen to work with rapidity. As
we approached the batteries, several boats with
officers came off and hailed, as it was presumed,
to welcome this (and, probably, it may not be
saying too much to assert unexpected ) safe
return.t
1
* The mode adopted to show their joy on this happy
occasion, was, not by the shake of the hand, but in
kissing on the cheek, hugging and embracing, &c.—
practices novel to us, as modes of salutation amongst
men; and, certainly, anything but agreeable to witness.
† We were told, that the principal naval officer at Cher-
bourg, took the Polonais and Courageaux to be English
line of battle ships, for some time after they came in
sight. He fancied they had contrived, (which our ships
occasionally did) to get hold of the French signals, more
closely to reconnoitre the port.
c2
VOL. I.
18
NARRATIVE OF A
to be
At two, p. m. we were safely moored in the
roadstead. Soon afterwards visits were paid to
both vessels by officers attached to the service
of the marine, of the garrison and the forts.
For several days numerous
boats were
seen rowing round the ships : amongst the spec-
tators were several well dressed persons, belong-
ing to the higher class ; likewise some females.
None of them, however, came on board. The
liberty we had enjoyed when at sea of ranging
through the ship, with the exception of the
quarter-deck and poop, was now withdrawn,
and the captain ordered we should not pass the
lower deck.
To this was added the annoyance of being con-
fined at 6 p.m. to the lower hold. It will be
believed that we longed for a removal from the
Polonais. The welcome order did not arrive
until the 9th June, when we were told to prepare
for landing on the following day.
This was
merely exchanging
exchanging a prison afloat for one
shore, but it delivered us from that gloomy
lower hold, and caused a separation from the filthy
set by whom it was tenanted. Certain we were
on
CAPTIVITY IN FRANCE, &c.
19
1
the port,
*
that whatever might be the fate awaiting us on
the French shore, there was nothing to regret
in quitting such an abode, as well as the officers
and the ruffianly crew of this vessel. On the
following day fresh water and provisions were
served out, but not more of the latter than the
sea allowance had been. The very day of our
arrival at Cherbourg a British fleet appeared off
nor did one afterwards occur during
our stay there without a similar visit. Before
taking leave of this ship, I shall offer a few
general remarks and particulars respecting her,
gleaned from my own observation, and details
furnished by a warrant officer. The Courageaux,
Polonais, and Hautpault of the line, with two
frigates armed enflute, had sailed from L'Orient
about four months previously for the West Indies.
A few vessels were captured by them on the
outward passage, the crews of which were put
on board neutral ships, afterwards fallen in
with. On arriving at the saints they were block-
* It was easy to perceive the French officers did not like
the spectacle. The only view we could occasionally get of
them, was through the lower deck ports.
20
NARRATIVE OF A
aded by a British fleet, stated to be under the
orders of Sir Alexander Cochrane. After re-
maining there about six weeks, the three line of
battle ships succeeded in getting to sea. They
were not long in having to encounter the squadron
which had blockaded them. Owing to some
occurence (which I never heard clearly explained)
the Hautpault separated, and of the fate of that
vessel, up to the present moment, they were
ignorant. She was frequently the subject of
conversation with the officers of the Polonais.
Their first inquiry, on arriving at Cherbourg,
was of her, and greatly were they chagrined on
ascertaining there was no account of her arrival
in France, they naturally feared she had been
captured.* The Polonais and Courageaux made
the best of their way for any French port they
might have the good fortune to enter. They first
attempted to get into Brest, off which place,
my informant stated, they had a narrow escape
from the English blockading fleet. On another
* The Hautpault was fallen in with by H.M. ship Pompee,
Captain Faié, and captured after a severe action. She is now
the Abercrombie.
CAPTIVITY IN FRANCE, &c.
2]
a
occasion they were partially brought to action,
but a thick fog coming on, aided by the approach
of night, they were enabled to alter their course
unperceived. These, and their superiority in
sailing, had saved them in both instances.*
The Polonais was a new ship, (scarcely five
months off the stocks,) though rated 74, she
mounted a greater number of guns, and had on
quitting France a complement of somewhat near
800 men, but which were considerably reduced
previous to her arrival at Cherbourg. Indeed
we were told, that had she been brought to action
on the homeward voyage, not more than 500 men
could have been brought to quarters, the diseases
of a West India climate having thinned the crew,
and left numbers in the hospital. Her weight of
* During my captivity I met with two officers who were
on board the Gibralter, 98, one of the squadron so near
capturing the Courageaux and Polonais. One of these was
Lord Boyle, son of the Earl of Glasgow. From them I
learned these Frenchmen were saved from capture by the
occurrences I have mentioned, as the headmost ship of our
squadron had got within gun shot of the French commodore
when thick weather came suddenly on. His Lordship
(a midshipman) was taken with a boat's crew in attempting
to cut out a vessel from under some batteries on the French
coast.
22
NARRATIVE OF A
metal was, on the lower deck 44 pounders, the
main do. 32, on the quarter deck and forecastle
42 pound carronades, with long guns immediately
forward. Of the crew, the greater part were of
the marine artillery, fine looking young men.
At sea, their appearance having the uniform
covered with canvass frocks, and caps of the
same material, was most unsightly, especially as
the razor seemed to have been unanimously voted
superfluous from the moment they had quitted
France.
The officers, except a few of the midship-
men, could not boast of either naval or gentle-
manly manners or appearance. The men
punished for neglect of duty or other offences
summarily, by being struck upon the spot with
with whatever the offended officer deemed the
best weapon of chastisement, at hand-often in
a brutal manner; and a severe kicking was the
resource, when nothing better suited his angry
haste. They were frequently to be seen placed
in irons, between two of the guns on the lower deck,
and kept there for hours on short allowance. It
was represented to us that, of the entire crew there
were
CAPTIVITY IN FRANCE, &c.
23
а
were not more than fifty men capable of taking
the wheel, and several of these were dutch seamen,
who had been drawn from the fleet in the Texel.
Our natural desire to profit by the first oppor-
tunity of seeing the internal economy of a French
ship of the line, to endeavour to trace where the
immense superiority of the navy of England lay,
was in a great measure frustrated, by the strict
watch kept over the prisoners. Opportunities
were rarely offered of conversing with the officers,
(there were few who spoke English) and when
these did occur, they were careful to give little
or no information; nevertheless, there was quite
sufficient to be seen on board the Polonais, to
cony ce us that the
navy
of France would never
become the rival of our own.* The object these
*
* Since the peace of 1814, I have had an opportunity
of visiting a French man of war. She was of much less
size than the Polonais. The difference between them
was great, both as to the cleanliness of the ship and
general appearance of the men. It was clearly to be seen
that our neighbours had left nothing undone to improve
their marine since the peace. I have, moreover, learned
from those who have had an opportunity of inspecting the
squadrons at Toulon and at Brest, that finer ships, or
apparently better appointed crews, cannot be met with.
24
NARRATIVE OF A
we
vessels had in view, and it was so stated, in
running up St. George's Channel, where we were
so unfortunate as to be captured by them, was,
to avoid the British squadrons cruizing off the
coast of France; by falling in with vessels,
provision laden, off the Irish land, and thus
obtaining stores, they would be able to keep at
sea for some time longer, till a favourable chance
of slipping into a French port, might offer.
The hour for leaving the Polonais at length
arrived : after inspection on the quarter-deck,
were ordered to descend into the boats.
This being the last opportunity of formally
complaining to the captain and officers, of the
manner in which we had been robbed, and
otherwise ill used, it was not overlooked. They
were told that we considered our situation could
not have been more unfortunate, had we been
captured by paltry privateer. To them, as
crews of national ships, it was a disgrace. The
reply, and which the captain made (accompanied
by a shrug of the shoulders) was, “I can-
not help it, it is, you know, the fortune of war."
Our guard in the boats to the shore looked far
а
CAPTIVITY IN FRANCE, &c.
25
better in their uniform, than in the frocks and
caps which we had been accustomed to behold
them when at sea. Many of the inhabitants of
Cherbourg came to witness the landing. The
English fleet were to be seen at no great distance
from the outer forts. It may be considered, this
view of our ships caused us many a painful
recollection, nor did it appear to add materially
to the gratification of those in whose power we
On reaching the mole head, a company
of soldiers were waiting, as the escort, and we
were led between files, exposed to the gaze of
the populace, to the Bureau de Marine, *
appa-
rently by a circuitous route.
The general ap-
pearance of these spectators, save the military,
was not calculated to remind us of the fact so
strenuously and continually repeated in the
French papers, viz.—that they were living under
were.
Immediately on getting out of the boats, several
Douanniers (custom-house officers) approached to search
what little luggage had been saved.
Such was the
minuteness with which this was done that, from one of
our sailors they took a small parcel, containing little
more than a pound of brown sugar ; and, from several
others, tobacco, to them the greatest of luxuries—the
quantity of which did not exceed a few ounces.
VOL. I.
D
26
NARRATIVE OF A
at us,
were
the happiest of Governments. The women, who
were in far greater number than the men, were
certainly not of engaging appearance. The
greater part of those we saw were of the lower
order ; their dress (wholly singular to us in its
'
fashion) was of the coarsest materials. Nearly
all the males who came to gaze
very old, or mere boys, and their clothes cor-
responded in quality with those of the women.
The appearance of the town bespoke a want of
trade. There was no sign of the bustle and
activity which generally impress the traveller
with the prosperity of our seaport towns. The
docks and basin contained merely a few privateers,
and a store ship fitting out; with some dismantled
vessels, which had been captured at different
periods of the war, and could not be sent to
sea for fear of again falling into the hands of
the English; moreover, there were very few
colonies which had not been wrested from France
at this period
On arriving at the Bureau de Marine, we
were separately examined. Our ages, professions,
places of birth, names of parents, &c. &c. were
CAPTIVITY IN FRANCE, &c.
27
was
recorded, and we understood, for the purpose
of being returned to the transport board ; and
our heights having been measured, we were led
by the same guard to the town prison, an old
stone building, to the left, on entering the port.
It appeared that the room allotted to us had, at
different times, received our countrymen. There
were many pithy remarks upon the walls, re-
flecting upon the character of the gaoler. It
a painful occupation to read those state-
ments, but amusing, as regards the trouble some
had taken to give an account of their capture.
One poor fellow, from Scotland, taken in 1805,
lamented having left his large family at Arbroath ;
while others had left minute details of them-
selves, almost carrying their biographies back
to their birth and parentage.
The only furniture in this room was the guard
bed, raised about three feet from the ground, on
which straw was thrown. Light was admitted
through the windows, strongly barred with iron,
and the bayonet of the sentry seen through these,
shewed the danger of an attempt at escaping in
In this gloomy abode we were
that quarter.
28
NARRATIVE OF A
detained seven days, and our anxiety to learn our
final destination became considerable. At length
it was announced that on the 17th June we were
to march for the newly established depôt at
Cambrai.
During the confinement here, a written state-
ment of the robbery of our luggage on board
the Polonais, with a prayer for redress, was sent
to the commissary of marine. Whether, owing
to the forcible though just terms of this memorial,
or the readiness to grant justice, I will not
determine, but some attempt at redress certainly
followed. It not long before the first
lieutenants of the Polonais and Courageaux
visited us in this new residence, saying they came
by orders of the commodore, to know at what
we valued the wearing apparel which had been
purloined from the captain, mate, and myself.
Separate statements were to be made. When
these, however, were prepared, they refused to
accept them, objecting, that part of the luggage
had
gone down with our vessel, as had the
greater part of the cargo, owing to the sudden
appearance of the English cruizers. Desiring
was
CAPTIVITY IN FRANCE, &c.
29
men.
amended lists to be made by the following day,
they departed. On their return those lists were
placed before them.
Without attempting to
dispute the value which had been affixed to each
article, they urged the hardship of making the
officers of these ships pay for the acts of the
After a good deal of argument, as to our
right of remuneration, the offer was made of
150 francs (about £7 sterling) to each, and we
were told if this proposal was not accepted, “ we
might do what we liked."
We had previously received a visit from the
American vice consul, to whom we communicated
all that had happened regarding our treatment
since being captured. His advice was—“ Take
whatever you can get.” This was acted upon, by
accepting the offer I have named. The object
of the vice consul's first visit was to bring some
linen belonging to me, which had been delivered
to an American gentleman, who had been robbed
in a similar manner by the crew of the Courageaux.
These ships had fallen in with an American
vessel with passengers, on their homeward voyage,
and destroyed her, to avoid information being
D 2
a
VOL. I.
30
NARRATIVE OF A
given to any
British men of war. It is scarcely
to be credited, that the persons and property of
the subjects of a friendly power (for such was
America to France at that time) should have
been thus infamously treated. I have often
regretted at not having had an opportunity of
personally thanking the gentleman referred to,
for his kind feeling in sending these articles to
me, and more particularly as I was in captivity
with little means of replacing them, and he then
at liberty to return to his home.
CAPTIVITY IN FRANCE, &c.
31
CHAPTER II.
MARCH TO CAMBRAI-OCCURRENCES
ON
THE
ROAD
OBSERVATIONS ON THE APPEARANCE OF THE COUNTRY
AND OF THE INHABITANTS— ARRIVAL AT CAMBRAI,
RESIDENCE THERE, &c.
*
AT ten o'clock in the morning of the day
fixed for our departure, we left under the escort
of five Gens d'armes. A last look of the sea,
was taken with feelings of sorrow.
The morning
was beautifully fine, and on arriving at the summit
of a hill overlooking the town, we could perceive
the English squadron, just beyond range of the
batteries, proudly keeping watch over their enemies
in the roadstead of Cherbourg. It is hardly
necessary to give a detailed journal of each day's
occurrences, from leaving that place, till our
* Some of the party died during this captivity.
32
NARRATIVE OF A
to
finally reaching Cambrai, on the 27th July. I
shall, in preference, select a few facts, developing
the system of the French government, in con-
ducting prisoners from the coast to their depôts;
even now, probably, hardly well known in Eng-
land—though never be forgotten by those
who had the misfortune to suffer from its severity.
Gens d'armes were invariably used in the escort
of prisoners of war. They were the finest troops
then in France, being picked men, from soldiers
who had long served, and who had seen three
campaigns. The Gens d'armes à Cheval were
said to amount to forty thousand; and those à
pied to about thirty thousand men.* From
these corps one was selected, the élite, which, being
attached to the Grande armée during its cam-
paigns, served as a military police in the con-
quered towns and provinces; and for the arrest
of deserters. The powers of one of these Gens
d'armes seemed to exceed even those of the
* Since the peace of 1814, and more particularly of later
years, this force has been considerably reduced. By recent
returrs, there appear to be no more than 622 officers and
15,277 subalterns of horse and foot.
CAPTIVITY IN FRANCE, &c.
33
“ Corps
police officer.
To him was given authority to
demand any traveller's passport, and to search
at all times, suspected persons.
A blow from a
prisoner at one of these men, was punishable with
death. Each Gen d'arme in conducting pri-
soners was answerable for his charge.
pour Corps.” Hence, while conducted by these
men, (whose ferocity of manner might result,
rather from the marauding life to which they
had been accustomed than actual personal hatred
of Englishmen,) an unremitting watch was kept
on our proceedings. They seemed scarcely less
obnoxious to the inhabitants of the country we
passed through.*
* These men being stationed on the roads, invested with the
arbitrary powers above described, held (especially in the
smaller villages) a rod of terror over the inhabitants. To
the unfortunate conscript who deserted when ordered to join
his regiment, nothing could be more formidable than one of
them. The arrogance and severity of this class during the
reign of Napoleon can scarcely be imagined. Though the
restoration of the Bourbons lessoned their power, it did not
immediately reduce them to a level with the other troops.
They were the last seen to mount the white cockade. Even
at a later period, the revolution of July 1830, they were so
much detested by the population that whenever they fell into
the power of the defenders of the barricades, during the three
days, they were speedily shot.
34
NARRATIVE OF A
Our route lay through Caen, Valognes, Ca-
ranton, Bayeaux, Breteville, Lisieux, Berney,
Brionne, Rouen, Luboissiere, Nieufchatel, Au-
male, Poicy, Amiens, and Baupaume to Cam-
brai. Between these towns, the nights were
sometimes passed in villages, when the former
day's march had been too long to enable us to
reach another town before nightfall. The wea-
ther, with the exception of two day's, was
extremely fine during the entire march, though
warm enough to make a knapsack a heavy bur-
then to those who were not used to it. A sea-
faring life generally unfits men for being good
pedestrians, and our seamen soon began to suffer
from blistered feet. At Amiens some were unable
to proceed on foot. Of all the prisons in which
we had to sojourn on the road, none was found
so bad as the one of this town. The gaoler (for-
merly a Gen d'arme,) had in his custody three
of that corps, who had been imprisoned, owing
to some Englishmen having escaped from them.
He appeared to enjoy a kind of revenge in
making our confinement as as possible.
For this purpose, and to enable him to extort
severe
CAPTIVITY IN FRANCE, &c.
35
money, he refused beds to all who would not
pay
for them at the rate of five francs
per
night. In the evening the whole party were
made to descend, by the glare of a lanthorn,
down a long flight of steps, to a vaulted cellar,
into which no light came, save from a small
opening near the roof, upon a level with the
pavement of the court yard. It is impossible
to give an adequate idea of the wretchedness
of this place. Such were the damp and stench,
that, though thoroughly wearied on arriving
with a long day's march, we could obtain no
rest. When brought into the court yard the
following morning, two of the seamen swooned
away.
None of the inmates of that prison
seemed to be dealt with as
be imagined on our first descending into this
hole what our feelings were, on being told, by
this ruffianly gaoler, that our stay was intended
to be for four days and nights.
We could
anticipate no other result, than the removal of
every one to the military hospital of the town.
Finding all attempts to prevail upon our keeper
to change the place of confinement fruitless,
we
were.
It may
36
NARRATIVE OF A
money was offered at the rate he had before
asked for beds. This resource proving unavailing,
means were found to send a statement, written
in pencil, (pen and ink being refused,) to the
commissary of war. Without loss of time his
secretary visited us, to ascertain the justice of
our complaints ; now the gaoler was all humility.
The result of this interference was our removal
to a large and dry room, on the first story,
looking into the prison yard, and where we
lodged during the remainder of this stay at
Amiens. Notwithstanding the welcome change,
the effect of that one dreary night fell heavily
of the party.
Three sailors
being unable to continue the march, were removed
to the military hospital, where one of them
afterwards died.
The general state of the prisons in which we
lodged during the journey, gave no evidence
of any attention being paid to the condition of
the goals in France. It might rather be pre-
sumed, that the government designedly made
these abodes as wretched as possible to their
inmates; thus rendering them more terrible to
upon several
CAPTIVITY IN FRANCE, &c.
37
civil and military delinquents. In most of the
larger towns, the numbers confined were very
considerable. Misery is said to bring together
strange bed-fellows; and our experience showed
every variety of specimen, from the imprisoned
count, to the convict doomed to labour for life at
the public works. At Rouen, by far the largest
prison we saw upon the route, were confined
several branches of ancient noble houses, for
political offences, or being suspected of hostile
feelings to the government: as well as hordes of
conscripts, and soldiers who had deserted from
their regiments. Here, appeared to be a clas-
sification which we had not before seen. The
state prisoners being separated from the military
offenders, and the latter from those condemned
for civil offences. The behaviour of the unfor-
tunate French prisoners, with whom we travelled
at different times, was generally civil, and we
could not help pitying them. Many appeared
to envy our lot, and were grateful for any little
kindness shown to them, such as handing over
our allowance of provisions, which we did not
always consume, when better could be purchased.
VOL. I.
E
38
NARRATIVE OF A
On leaving Lisieux, an occurrence took place,
which occasioned a severity of treatment we had
not anticipated. On that day, rather more liberty
was allowed of walking some hundred yards in
advance of a body of French deserters, chained
together, who were the special objects of the
vigilance of our conductors. On mounting a small
eminence, our escort being a few hundred yards
behind, three of the sailors disappeared in a corn-
field by the road side, and there lay concealed.
The gens d'armes did not discover this escape,
until the deficiency of number was found on
reaching the village where we had to pass the
night. Their anger was extreme; and those who
remained, suffered for the absent, being placed
for the night in a cold vaulted cellar. * On com-
mencing the journey the following morning we
were handcuffed, and fastened to the same cord
as the deserters above noticed. The
had an indisputable right to treat us in this man-
ner, as I have before stated they were personally
responsible for our safe conveyance; and, severe
gens d'armes
* After many vain attempts to obtain a boat on the coast,
these men were taken, and in about six weeks afterwards
joined us at Cambrai.
CAPTIVITY IN FRANCE, &c.
39
con-
as this precaution might be, it was allowed by the
government at
at that period. We now
sidered an arrival at Cambrai almost as great
a deliverance as a return to England, and longed
with an intensity, which can hardly be expressed,
to be free to walk without the weight of degrading
fetters, and to rest untormented by filth and
vermin, which rendered all the prisons we had
lodged in noisome to an extent almost unindurable.
On the morning of the 26th June, the doors
of the gaol at Baupaume were opened for our
departure; this was the last stage to Cambrai,
and contrary to anticipation, the handcuffs were
no longer used-at 2 p.m. we entered that town,
which appeared a considerable place; and were
conducted to the citadel, on reaching which we
were immediately surrounded by the English pri-
soners of the depôt, many inquiries touching
our capture, &c. had to be answered. We were
struck by the first view of so many English as
were now seen, (more than 1000 being confined
here) generally clothed in grey jackets and trow-
sers, with straw hats. On being conducted before
the officer in command, we underwent an exami-
40
NARRATIVE OF A
nation, for the purpose of a minute description
being taken similar to that already noticed at
Cherbourg, and then we were allotted rooms
in the barracks.
The commandant, entering his bureau, address-
ing himself to me, inquired whether I belonged
to either of the services.
On my replying in the
negative he said, that as a passager negociant I
should be admitted to parole as soon as he had
seen whether
my
conduct deserved his recommen-
dation to the minister to obtain the indulgence.
I was then conducted to a room on the ground
floor, occupied by the officers of the depôt in which
to remain, with fifteen others, until the permission
referred to was granted.
Before commencing any description of Cambrai
or its citadel, I shall give, as they occur to me,
a few general remarks on the state of the country
through which we had passed, gleaned during
the march. I availed myself more eagerly of
this opportunity of making observations, because,
as will doubtless be remembered, with the exception
of the short interval afforded by the peace of
Amiens, the English generally possessed no means

Dramn on Stone by W Crane, from a Sretch made by the Authon-
ENTRANCE TO THE CITADEL OF CAMBRAI.
о
H.
IV.
CAPTIVITY IN FRANCE, &c.
41
of personally ascertaining the condition of France,
during the non-intercourse attending the last
war, viz. from the period of 1803 to that of 1814.
With some exceptions, the general appearance
of the country did not strike those accustomed
to England, as being in a high state of cultivation.
For several days' march after leaving Cherbourg,
the soil seemed miserably poor, and the total
want of such neat farm houses as are to be
seen along most lines of road in our own country,
struck us forcibly. In the course of the following
days, however, farm dwellings were more fre-
quently to be met with. The field labourers
noticed were principally women. The implements
of husbandry, especially the plough, were of
the rudest construction, guided by aged men,
who were sometimes seen amongst the women
tilling the land. The horses employed upon
the
farms were small and poor. Approaching Berney,
.
the land was of better quality, as was the greatest
part of Normandy. In the vicinity of Rouen
there were several beautiful tracts of country.
The banks of the Seine, now covered with
verdure, could scarcely be surpassed for love-
E 2
2
VOL I.
42
NARRATIVE OF A
sur-
liness and fertility. Here we saw, growing in
the same field, flax, barley, wheat, and other
varieties of grain, sown in stripes or patches,
which being now in full bloom, presented a
variegated mass of colour, the effect of which
was really beautiful. Along several parts of the
road through Normandy, there were as fine fields
of wheat as we ever remembered having seen in
England: there the ground appeared well tilled-
the houses and gardens were little, if any,
inferior to our own.
The horses moreover
passed any we had hitherto met with; though
small, they were in good condition, and generally
what breeders term entire horses. Nothing in
the dress or appearance of the peasantry, except
on Sunday, bore out the idea we had formed
from previous report of the gaiety of the French
people, their love of finery, &c.
men were seen not in uniform ; the old and few
youths wearing plain clothes, seemed to think a
cocked hat, with a tricoloured cockade, an in-
dispensable appendage, though even wearing
wooden shoes, which encumbered the feet of the
greatest part of the peasantry. To this rule
Few young
CAPTIVITY IN FRANCE, &c.
43
our
waggoners and butchers seemed
an allowed
exception ; they wore a cotton night cap, under
which hung a large queque, well plaited on each
side with a profusion of powder, or perhaps
flour, as a substitute. The reader will imagine
the man mountain, whose summit was thus orna-
mentally capped, to be wrapped in a blue smock
frock, somewhat like those worn by carriers in
Yorkshire and other parts of England. Trains
of waggons were frequently met with under the
care of men thus habited; these convoys
sailors christened “ Boney's Merchantmen.” The
miserable sight of a troop of unfortunate beings
driven along the roads, loaded with chains, was
gazed upon weekly or oftener by the country
people with an unpitying apathy, which could
only be accounted for by their having become
quite familiarized with such mournful spectacles.
The trains thus continually passing along the
roads, from gaol to gaol, were either deserters
from detachments of conscripts, on their way to
depôts where were the head quarters of their
regiments, or soldiers who had returned to their
families' without leave.
44
NARRATIVE OF A
The commandant at this time of the English
prisoners at Cambrai, the Baron de Dalmont,
officer of the legion of honor, and colonel of
gens d'armes, though considered a severe man,
was nevertheless disposed, as far as his duty
allowed, to protect the unfortunate men under
his charge from the brutality which the French
military were often too apt to exercise towards
them. He would punish the gens d'armes for
striking a prisoner, as he would the latter for
riot and drunkenness, by long confinement,
occasionally with no food but bread and water.
It may be imagined the charge of more than
1000 British seamen was one of some difficulty
and responsibility, requiring temper and firmness,
which the Baron certainly possessed, and which
were indeed often severely tested. The task of
getting the sailors into the rooms where they
were to be locked up for the night was frequently
no easy one.
More than the number allotted
were often to be found in one room, and while
the gens d'armes were busied removing the excess
to their proper abodes, the sailors would crowd
in the same manner into any other chamber than
CAPTIVITY IN FRANCE, &c.
45
their own. In consequence
the
gens
d'armes were
often long and wearily occupied running up and
down the passages, chasing the sailors (who
enjoyed giving Mounseer the slip) into their
respective quarters for the night. Had not the
commandant set the example of temper, and
enforced its obedience, as I have just remarked,
the prisoners might have suffered very
brutal
treatment in return for these frolics.
In the depôt were a considerable number of
soldiers who had been taken in Spain, the greater
part in the memorable retreat of Sir John Moore,
many of whom had been brought up to handicraft
trades in England. These the Baron permitted
to follow their several callings in town, requiring
them to return to the citadel every evening before
the muster. It never occurred, at least as far as
I could learn that one of them abused in a single
instance the liberty thus granted. So far was the
commandant disposed to lessen the weight of
captivity, that at one time those amongst the sailors
whose conduct appeared to merit the indulgence,
were allowed to visit the town, under pretext of
endeavoring to find work, or to make purchases-
46
NARRATIVE OF A
Unfortunately they but too often returned in a
state of intoxication, though, like the soldiers, they
never attempted to escape from the town on those
occasions. During one of these visits, a message
was brought to the citadel that three sailors had
got into a scuffle with the town's people, and a
guard was accordingly sent for them. Getting,
probably not by accident, into what they termed
a grogshop they had begun to deliver their minds
pretty freely concerning Boney, who was any-
thing but a favourite with them, this gave great
offence to several of the inhabitants who were
there, a row was the consequence, in which the
Frenchmen were said to have been quite suffici-
ently beaten.* Immediately on the appearance
* It has often amused me to witness the lower class of the
French engage in a pugilistic encounter. The parties looking
at each other a few seconds, making the most ludicrous faces,
attack in the fiercest manner, each advancing to get hold of
the hair of his adversary, and at the same time endeavouring
to bring him to the ground. The treatment of the fallen man
is such as would not be allowed probably in Kentucky; he
is kicked and beaten in the most abominable manner it is
possible to conceive. The sailors, at Cambria, frequently
fought, and as they termed it man of war fashion, i. e. the
parties were placed opposite to each other, sitting on sea
chests, to which their trowsers were nailed. The custom
CAPTIVITY IN FRANCE.
47
of the guard, the sailors walked quietly back with
them arm in arm to the citadel. The Baron de
Dalmont however much he might admire the
prowess of these men, who had beaten three or
four times the number of his countrymen, was
was compelled to discontinue the permission of
visiting the town, and sentenced these pugnacious
sailors to a week's confinement in a small room
over the citadel gate, with no better fare than
soup maîgre, and brown bread, moreover de-
priving them of tobacco. This was the heaviest
item of punishment, as it is the second necessary
of life to a sailor, without it, even the prime
essential grog is but half enjoyed.*
After a residence of about a fortnight at Cam-
brai, my petition to the minister of war, praying
*
observed on these occasions was, that no blow was fair
if given above the breast. I have seen the sailors beat each
other for even an hour thus placed, until one was heard
to say, I give in, or “ I've enough."
* The tobacco generally used in France at this period was
of the most inferior kind, and grown in the country. The
sailors said, they would just as soon chew as much burnt
hay. I remember that my fellow prisoners, the sailors,
seldom threw away a quid, bad as it might be. Whenever
“ Jack” was about to eat or drink, he carefully placed the
ejected quid in his jacket pocket.
48
NARRATIVE OF A
its prayer.
to be admitted to parole in the town was for-
warded, and his excellency was pleased to grant
I cannot take leave of the citadel
without adverting to the many kindnesses which
I had received during my short stay there. Daily
visits from friends resident in the town, materially
lessened the irksomeness of the confinement.
Cambrai appeared to me a large clean and
tolerably well-built town. At this period I believe
the population was about 12,000. The English
residing on parole somewhat exceeded 200, com-
posed of officers of the navy, and a few of the
army; the greater part were captains and mates
of merchantmen, and passengers who had been
taken at sea, with a few detenues. The Grande
Place, a fine square, has the Maison de Ville
in front, a large handsome stone building, con-
taining the offices, as well as residences of the
principal local authorities. The reader is probably
aware that this town is celebrated for the manu-
facture of cambric and lace, which trades, at
this period, were said to be in a very languishing
state. The name of their immortal Archbishop
.
Fenelon, is never mentioned but with veneration
CAPTIVITY IN FRANCE, &c.
49
by the inhabitants. As a fortress for strength
and extent, the works of Cambrai are scarcely
to be exceeded by any in the Netherlands; and
these are crowned by the citadel, which commands
all the outworks as well as the town.
The churches were numerous, and contain
many
good pictures. There was likewise a neat theatre,
and a museum with many curiosities well worth
a stranger's inspection. The surrounding country
is generally flat, and the ground poor. With the
exception of the Fauxbourgs immediately under
the ramparts of the town, few houses are to be
seen in the neighbourhood; save on the Sunday,
when Guinguettes were held in the Fauxbourgs,
there was little beyond the walls of the town
tempting the curiosity of the prisoners. At these
Sunday balls the dance was usually kept up till
nine in the evening: no introduction was needed
to a partner,
as the French
women seemed
to have no violent aversion to dancing with the
English. The music mostly consisted of two
violins, with sometimes a tambourine, for which
each cavalier was required to pay two
per dance. We found the inhabitants generally
SOUS
VOL. I
F
50
NARRATIVE OF A
obliging and civil, though they did not show
much disposition to become well acquainted with
us; during this parole, with all the liberty of
motion enjoyed by the inhabitants, we found time
passed heavily. *
This residence in town was of short duration ;
a few weeks afterwards the ill-fated expedition
appeared off Flushing. At this time Arras,
Valenciennes, and Cambrai, the three depôts
allotted for English prisoners, and only a short
distance from each other, as well as from the
coast, contained in all, it was presumed, not
fewer than six to eight thousand of our country-
The alarm, at the appearance of so con-
siderable an armament upon the coast, was great.
All the troops (excepting those in Spain, or were
then serving against the Austrians) were instantly
men.
* The situation of a prisoner of war on parole, can only
be conceived by those who have been placed in that position.
Any thing is preferable to close confinement. Yet parole
prevents advantage being taken of any favourable oppor-
tunity which may occur of effecting an escape.
Three
occasions offered during my residence in the town of Cam-
bria of reaching England in a few days, by means of guides,
and of which I could have taken advantage. Those who
did, accomplished their object.
CAPTIVITY IN FRANCE, &c.
51
as
sent to cover Antwerp; the government feared a
combined attempt on the part of so considerable
a mass of prisoners to break out of their confine-
ment and join the army of their countrymen.
Shadowy as this cause of alarm may appear under
the real circumstances of the case, no means were
left unemployed to frustrate such attempt. The
prisoners admitted to parole in the town of
Cambrai, were now peremptorily ordered into
the citadel, nor was permission granted of
quitting it even with a guard for two months
afterwards. I was allotted the same room
before, and my confinement was rendered more
irksome by having to attend a muster every
morning at six o'clock. With such rigour was
this appearance enforced, that if any prisoner
overcome by sleep delayed entering the ranks
even for a few moments after the hour, he was
punished by twenty-four hours confinement in
the small room over the gate.
In the then crowded state of the depôt, it
was no easy matter to dispose of time. The
continual confusion and noise by which we were
surrounded, rendered any mental occupation almost
52
NARRATIVE OF A
impossible. The sailors and soldiers endeavoured
to pass away their hours by a number of ludicrous
sports and devices. Mock elections will imme-
diately occur to every reader who remembers
Hogarth's admirable picture. The post of captains
of the room was the object of contest, and few
points of a real election we probably omitted.
Candidates might be seen haranguing the voters
from the top of a barrel or the barrack windows.
There were several blacks amongst the prisoners,
and when one of these could be persuaded to
stand, he was sure of hearty support; most of
them having been cooks of vessels, were well able
to superintend the preparation of the messes.
When asked why black men are so frequently
selected for stewards on board ships, Jack's
answer generally was, “ that they were regularly
built for the birth, seeing as how the fire could
not spoil their complexions.” To return to our
elections. The contests were often very severe,
and the black men seldom appeared freely as
candidates, for, if successful, they were sure of
a rough handling when chaired round the citadel
yard. The Baron de Dalmont would frequently

AVINA
rehab
Diarn or stong Du Care Promise Phetch made by the Author:
Pric
INTERIOR OF THE CITADEL OF CAMBRAI.
Taken from the bate,
CAPTIVITY IN FRANCE, &c.
53
look out on these scenes from the window of his
bureau, evidently much amused, and he always
returned, in the most gracious manner, the bows
made by the chaired member as he passed under
the window. Frequently the opposing parties
came together in the route of the procession, when
a promiscuous row commenced.
The unlucky
member was speedily shorn of his budding honors,
and thrown from the boards whereon he had
been carried, which the bearers hastily turned
into weapons of attack and defence, careless how
the
poor fellow whom they had borne came to the
ground. But he generally submitted to the changes
of his fortune with much good temper, and unless
too much stunned by the fall, was
hand in the fray,” as the border people term it,
fighting amongst the foremost of his retainers.
Several of the soldiers played on instruments of
various sizes, and
powers of
annoyance;
all
kinds of music from the fife to the fiddle
enlivened the processions. When the chaired
member was a black, the sailors always dressed
him in the most ludicrous manner. He would
often have, for example, his face tatooed with
2 F
soon
66 hot
VOL. I
54
NARRATIVE OF A
pipe clay, and wear a soldier's coat and a cocked
hat of brown paper, flourishing a broom in his
hand. Unless previously well primed with grog,
the black men did not cordially relish figuring
thus conspicuously attired, to the great amuse-
ment of all the sentries whom they passed in
their progress round the citadel yard.
Another resource obviously adapted to the
circumstances of our confinement, was amateur
acting, which in the characters of performers
and audience, provided for the amusement of a
large number. The women's parts, for the want
of dresses, were omitted; perhaps this was the
reason why the performances generally went off
with little spirit or applause, with the exception
of the singing. The bills announcing the night's
performance were written as “ clerk like" as the
penman's skill allowed, and posted on the barrack
wall. They invariably concluded with the treat
of the evening, “ lots of singing.” The prices
of admission were suited to the circumstances of
all parties, not more than a few sous.
the King, Rule Brittania, Hearts of Oak, &c.
resounded on these occasions, from one wall of
God save
CAPTIVITY IN FRANCE, &c,
55
the citadel to the other, and if time and tune
were not always faultlessly kept, the deficiency
was made up entirely to the satisfaction of most
of the audience by loudness and emphasis. It
seemed essential to the satisfactory conclusion of
all these exhibitions, that like the elections, they
should end in an entertainment not promised in
the bills, viz. a fight. The character of the
English sailor was on all these occasions promi-
nently shewn. Cut off from friends and country,
with no immediate hope of escaping from their
rigorous confinement, the sailors lost little, if
any, of their vivacity, and having vented their
regrets, every now and then, in a few compre-
hensive and forcible complaints against fortune,
they would bustle with eagerness about the trifles
they made their business from day to day, and
quarrel and make friends as heartily as if they
had been enjoying a run at Portsmouth point.
It must, however, be confessed, that the French
prisoners in England shewed to greater advan-
tage than the English in France, in points of
ingenuity and industry; the neatness of many
of their little manufactures will be well remem-
a
56
NARRATIVE OF A
bered. But the English were deprived of any
stimulus to labours of this kind, as they could
not obtain prices for their wares to repay their
trouble. Making straw hats, shoes, and clothing,
principally for their own use, formed the extent
of their occupations.
Our countrymen at home were not forgetful of
those thus imprisoned in the enemies country.
Collections were made, from which they received
weekly allowances. It was most frequently upon
the pay days that they indulged in the amuse-
ments I have mentioned. Spirits were unfor-
tunately very cheap; in them and tobacco was
consumed nearly the whole of the allowance,
intended to have increased the prisoners more
salutary comforts.* Often after a long fit of hard
JI
* The allowance to the British prisoners by the French
government at this period was,
Colonels and Post Captains....... 100 francs per month.
Majors and Commanders
75
Captains in the Army, and Lieuts.
in the Navy
50
Lieutenants in the Army, Clergy-
men, and Pursers
37
10 sous
Midshipmen, Ensigns, Warrant-
Officers, Passengers, and Masters
and Mates of Merchantmen...... 29 13
11
11
CAPTIVITY IN FRANCE, &c.
57
drinking, the sailor would be seen repenting,
and earnestly resolving “to drink no more."
During the keeping of this vow of temperance,
his messmates left no argument untried to induce
him to spend with them the allowance he was
weekly saving If the repeated arguments,
" that he was a fool to hoard, as he did not
know for whom—that drinking only water, he
was sure to kick the bucket,” failed of producing
any effect, one of those occasions was
wanting, when it was supposed absolutely neces-
sary
" that he should treat his friends." An
old shipmate would be found, some acquaintance,
or a former neighbour made out with the last
new comer, with various other excuses, (often,
never
11
Sailors and Soldiers-1 lb brown bread per day.
alb beef.............
2 oz. ligueumes
1
1} sous
and 15lb of straw every three months, with a mattrass and
a blanket for two men. The seamen were allowed from con-
tributions raised in England id q day. In the course of the
year, the captains, &c. of the merchant service received 20,
sometimes 25 francs from these contributions. Captains,
under tonnage, were allowed 7 francs 7 month, as they
did not receive the pay similar to those who had the charge
of vessels of a larger class.
58
NARRATIVE OF A
not
a
it must be confessed, not on the clearest grounds,)
brought about these jovial meetings in which
the sailors delighted. Many of the older hands
were great adepts at claiming relationship, &c.
By one means or other, they seldom failed,
sooner or later, to entice a messmate, who had
vowed temperance, in a new debauch, from
which he rarely escaped until, as they phrased
it, “he was regularly got into line, and had
shot left in the locker." Action will
produce re-action: increased intemperance was
followed by vehement repentance, until a me-
thodist society was formed, and
and those who
regretted their evil doings, and the money they
had spent, became contrite and religious. The
Baron de Dalmont looked favourably upon this
sudden change, and gave the congregation a
room for their place of worship. Some of the
preachers had evidently received a good educa-
tion, and their ministry was successful for a
time. Psalms and hymns were now and then
heard in the yard of the citadel, though not
perchance so loud as the favourite songs in
the amateur performances. For some time all
CAPTIVITY IN FRANCE, &c.
59
com-
went on well, but at length a preacher was
accused of being drunk, and he angrily denied
the imputation, with a force of well selected
language, which strangely failed in convinc-
ing his audience of his sobriety. Parties were
formed, and apparently much to the
fort of all concerned, the matter ended in a
general row. The sailors in the yard hearing
these pleasant and unwonted sounds in the
room (where, as they said, the Methodists were
at work,) hurried up, eager for their share of
the fray.
6. The combat thickened;" and, to
them, in a very satisfactory manner: windows
soon demolished, and the preacher was
handled in a manner anything but agreeable to
him. All was going on merrily, when the
commandant hearing the tumult, sent a body of
gens d'armes to clear the room. Several of the
most prominent in the affair were confined for
twenty-four hours, in the room over the citadel
gate, and during my stay at Cambrai, the
Methodists could not again succeed in obtaining
a room wherein to hold their meetings.
Not long after our parole had been withdrawn,
were
60
NARRATIVE OF A
were
as I have before related, there appeared to be a
chance of effecting an escape from the citadel.
A round hole was discovered, the opening of
which was evidently unsuspected, being covered
by weeds and long grass ; at least it was not
guarded by a sentry. This aperture was regularly
bricked, and termed a sally port. Naturally
concluding that this passage must lead to the
outer wall of the main rampart, measures
taken to explore its direction and extent. A
midshipman volunteered the undertaking, and
crawling on his hands and knees in the dark to
the extent, as he supposed, of about 100 yards,
his progress was stopped by a brick wall. On
returning, and making this report, the result of the
,
consultations thereon was a second reconnaissance.
In this he was assisted by a friend. By means of
a poker they succeeded in removing a brick from
the wall at the extremity of the passage, and
,
light appearing through the opening, shewed the
fossé of the rampart. It did not seem more than
a few yards to drop thence into the ditch. The
brick was carefully replaced, and the discovery
being communicated to a few, myself of the
CAPTIVITY IN FRANCE, &c.
61
number it was decided that an attempt should be
made that night to quit the citadel, a short time
before the last muster. The party was to be com-
posed of twenty; if successful, a note would be left
to apprise those remaining of the means by which
the egress had been effected. An unexpected
difficulty now occurred; we were not inmates of
the same room ; the invariable practice was, when-
ever a desertion took place, if only one person,
those stationed in the same apartment were
punished by a confinement still more severe. To
obviate the unpleasantness of others being thus
treated on our account, it was decided that the
person who had made the discovery of the passage,
and those quartered with him, should have the
first chance of escaping by it, that the members of
the room, in which I was, were to follow the next
evening. Great was this disappointment to those
who had to remain, and aggravated not a little
on ascertaining that several, fortunate enough to
be included in the first party, were observed to join
with reluctance. They conceived there was great
danger in scaling the ramparts, and moreover
that it was almost impossible to reach the coast,
VOL.
62
NARRATIVE OF A
if even beyond the walls of the town. At five
o'ęlock in the afternoon, our friends departed at
intervals of ten minutes. There was not the least
suspicion apparent, on the part of the gens
d'armes and centries, of what was going forward.
The hour of muster having arrived, and the
room No. 2 of the barraek, found without occu-
pants, the drums beat. The commandant, at
first, appeared to doubt the report of this
desertion. Coming quickly over to the barrack,
he went through the different apartments, seeing
the musters made in them, and inquiring when
the absentees were last seen; the troops were
soon called out, and patroles sent upon, and
round the fossé, of the ramparts.
A field piece,
placed at the west wing of the citadel, was fired,
as a signal to the country people that an escape
had taken place. In the sally port, the party
remained till twelve o'clock that night, fearful of
stirring, as the voices of the patrole were fre-
quently heard, while passing under the rampart,
but a few yards below them. All appearing
quiet, at twelve o'clock the bricks were removed,
and without accident, they descended into the
CAPTIVITY IN FRANCE, &c.
63
ܪ
fossé.
A great mistake was made
some one
should have been left in the passage, to replace
the bricks, after their departure. There would
have been no difficulty in remaining in that
situation, till the hour at which the next attempt
was to be made. Owing to this want of fore-
sight, the means by which the escape had been
effected, was observed the following morning,
on the patrole making à tour of the fortifica-
tions; the bricks being found strewed in the
ditch. The night was so dark that the steps
leading to the second parallel could not be dis-
covered till day light. This difficulty got over,
there were yet several of the outworks to be
passed. Surprising as it may appear, warning
having been given by the report of the gun
from the citadel, to the inhabitants, and country
people, our friends, nevertheless, in open day,
clearing all obstacles, finally attained the country.
Never was attempt more unfortunate: the whole
were retaken, and in a few days reconducted in
handcuffs to the citadel. It was said, that the
commandant, on ascertaining how the escape
had been effected, ordered the bricks not to be
64
NARRATIVE OF A
replaced, anticipating that a similar attempt would
be made the following night. He placed sentries
immediately under the sally port, and gave orders
that the bayonet should be freely used on all who
might reach the ditch. Whether there was any
truth in this I know not. I can scarcely believe
the Baron de Dalmont could have exhibited such
a want of humanity; yet the information came
from a brigadier to one of our party. Further
attempts for a short time were necessarily deemed
too hazardous.
For this offence the deserters, as they were
termed, were placed in close confinement for several
weeks, nor were any of them afterwards per-
mitted to reside in the town, or even for a few
hours to visit it, save under escort.
The object of the expedition to which I have
referred having been attained by the capture of
Flushing, and it appearing that no attempt would
be made at a landing on the coast, parole was
again granted to those who had, in consequence
of the appearace of that armament, been de-
prived of it. During our confinement in the
citadel, the peaceable demeanour of the inhabitants
CAPTIVITY IN FRANCE, &c.
65
towards the English seemed to have undergone
a change, which could only be accounted for by
the appearance of that expedition.
The national guard had been sent to the coast
to reinforce the troops covering Antwerp; thus
families were deprived of the society of their
relatives, and occupations were neglected. These,
added to the hardships they had to contend with,
(and which were represented by letters to their
relatives as most severe,) was to be attributed the
change spoken of. It was reported that several
of this bourgeois guard had fallen into the hands
of the English in passing to the island of Cadsand,
by whom they were very badly treated.
From the middle of October to 1st January,
1810, (when those residing in town were finally
removed to other depôts) strong detachments of
troops were seen to pass, and some few to remain
at Cambrai. The Austrian campaign had ter-
minated. This was the first opportunity I had
of seeing any number of regular troops collected ;
they were generally fine looking men, well
clothed and appointed, but not, however, to be
G 2
VOL. I.
66
NARRATIVE OF A
compared with many regiments I had seen in
England, being much shorter in stature ; their
appearance was, nevertheless, warlike, being dark
complexioned, and wearing mustachios. It was
hard to reconcile the fact, that these troops had so
often vanquished those of the northern powers,
particularly the Prussians, whose infantry, it was
proverbial, were the finest in Europe from the
period of Frederick the Great. The fate of that
kingdom was, nevertheless, decided in three days,
in the first of which, the battle of Jena, the
flower of the Prussian army was destroyed.
Part of the 50th regiment stationed here had
a fine appearance. In November and December
strong reinforcements arrived from Belgium,
Holland, and the principalities of the Rhine,
destined to reinforce the French armies at that
time in Spain. They did not show any great
disposition to enter that country, nor was it sur-
prising. The French people had become heartily
tired of the Penir lar war ; their soldiers were
seen returning in numbers maimed in battle, or
suffering from the cruelties inflicted by the
guerrillas. Many were the occasions in which
CAPTIVITY IN FRANCE, &c.
67
these men arrived lacerated and marked in a way
revolting to humanity. Once taking a stroll
through the Fauxbourg at the Mons gate, in
company with a friend, we entered a cabaret, and
met with an unfortunate French soldier who had
returned from Spain, then on his way to his
relatives, having received a discharge from the
service. Finding we were English, he entered
.
into conversation, and gave a long and interesting
account of the hardships he had undergone, as
well as the cruelties inflicted upon him, on two
occasions particularly, when he fell into the hands
of Spanish irregular troops. He said he had
been frequently engaged with the English,
longed to be made a prisoner by them,” conceiving
his situation could not be worse than that of the
French soldier fighting in a country like Spain,
where every individual was his bitterest enemy.
Upon this unfortunate man taking off his cap,
the word “ Mina ” was to be seen marked on
his forehead; this he stated had been done in
Andalusia by a party of guerrillas, in whose
power he had fallen, and from which he had been
released by the movement of a French corps sent
66 and
68
NARRATIVE OF A
to scour that part of the country.* If the French
were in many cases thus cruelly treated by the
Spaniards, they were not less severe, when the
tide of battle turned in their favour, on the
English soldiers who surrendered to them. There
were, as before stated, at that time in the citadel
of Cambrai, a number of soldiers who had been
taken on the retreat of Sir John Moore. One of
these, a private of a Scotch regiment who had
entered the town of Corunna after the embarkation
of the army, was deprived of his ears; there
were others also marked in a way equally horrible.
At Caen, when on the march from Cherbourg,
a visit was paid to us in the prison of that place
by fourteen English women, the wives of soldiers
taken at that period ; several lost their husbands
on that day. The sufferings of these females,
allowing even one-half of their statements to be
correct, are too horrible to relate. The French
soldiers cut down the stragglers approaching
*I afterwards met at Chaallons, an Estaffette or Courier,
who had been taken near Astorga, by some irregular Spanish
troops. He was marked on the cheek in a way similar to
the negroes occasionally seen on board vessels coming from
Africa.
CAPTIVITY IN FRANCE, &c.
69
Corunna without mercy; and those who were too
late to embark, having fallen lame on the march,
and arriving, as they were seen, days after the
British squadron had quitted the port, were more
or less treated with the greatest brutality. The
women paying this visit were then on their way
to Morlaix, thence to embark for England.
The regiments passing Cambrai at the period
of which I have spoken, were not accompanied
by trains of waggons containing the baggage, or
the wives and children of the soldiers, the usual
attendants of a British regiment on march.
On the 23rd of December, an order unex-
pectedly arrived for the removal of the prisoners
on parole, to the depôts of Verdun and Auxonne.
Those of the navy and military, as likewise
detenues and passengers were ordered to the
former, and the captains and mates of merchant-
men to the latter. Wishing to avoid a residence
at Verdun, of which the accounts
not
favourable, as regarded cheapness of living, situa-
tion, &c. Ten of us (denominated passengers,
negociants) drew up a memorial to the govern-
ment, praying to be allowed to remain in the
were
70
NARRATIVE OF A
town of Cambrai, under whatever restriction the
minister of war night impose. Frost had set
in with great severity, there had been moreover
a very heavy fall of snow. The distance to
Auxonne exceeded considerably that of Verdun,
the former in a contrary case, situated as it is,
in one of the finest provinces of France, would
have been repaired to without a murmur; the
distance was computed at not less than 400
English miles. The inclemency of the season
above all, made it very desirable to avoid such
removal. In due course the minister of war's
laconic reply was received, and to the effect
“ That the merchant passengers, must go to
Auxonne, and if personally responsible for each
other, may go without escort."
9
There was now no alternative than to prepare
for the march. A Feuille de Route* for the
* Cambrai in 1815, a few days after the memorable
battle of Waterloo, was taken by escalade, by a detach-
ment of the brave troops who had been engaged in that
action. The town was carried with inconsiderable loss.
The garrison retiring to the citadel afterwards hoisted the
white flag, on an officer being sent by Lewis XVIII, to
receive their submission. It was for three years the head
CAPTIVITY IN FRANCE, &c.
71
ten persons thus described, was prepared, and
delivered to one of the party, selected by the
commandant. The particular line of road was
defined, and a written order was attached for the
payment of the travelling allowance of 24 francs
per day to each, which was to be presented to
the commissaries of war, residing in the princi-
pal towns through which the journey had to be
made. On the 10th January, 1810, after making
our appearance before the commandant in the
citadel, a farewell was taken of Cambrai. As
quarters of the illustrious Wellington, and the brave men,
whom general Foy, in his narrative, thus describes, when
speaking of the battle of Waterloo :
“Death was in their ranks, disgrace in their rear. In
this terrible situation, neither the bullets of the Imperial
guard, discharged almost point blank, nor the victorious
cavalry of France, could make the least impression on the
admirable English infantry ; one might have thought it
had rooted itself to the ground, but for the majestic
movements which its battalions commenced some minutes
after sun set. When the moment of the approach of the
Prussian army, apprised Wellington that thanks to num-
bers, thanks to the force of inert resistance, and as a
reward for having contrived to draw up brave fellows in
battle, he had just achieved the most decisive victory of
our age.”
72
NARRATIVE OF A
in the instance of the march from Cherbourg,
I shall pass by any necessity which may appear
of recording the occurrences of each day's march,
from the commencement, till our arrival at
Auxonne.
CAPTIVITY IN FRANCE, &c.
73
CHAPTER III
MARCH FROM CAMBRAI TO AUXONNE IN BURGUNDY
OCCURRENCES ON THE ROAD-RESIDENCE AT AUXONNE
-ATTEMPT TO ESCAPE FROM THENCE.
-
The route was by St. Quintin, Lafare, Leon,
Cabeny, Rheims, Lesgrandes, Loges, Chalons-
sur-Marne, Vittey-le-Francois, St. Dezier, Join-
ville, Vignery, Chaumont, Langres, Primthory,
Dijon, to Auxonne. For the completion of this
journey, twenty-four days were allowed; rest
might be taken for a period of two or three
days, at any of the towns above mentioned,
provided the specified time of arrival was at-
tended to. As the Feuille-de-route was for ten
persons, we could not separate, by doing so we
were liable to be stopped on the road by the
police authorities, and kept in custody till the
party in whose charge that document was
VOL. I.
H
74
NARRATIVE OF A
appeared. The roads were in many parts almost
impassable ; such had been the fall of snow,
that the diligences and other conveyances could
only move by the aid of additional horses. The
shortness of the days at this period of the year,
prevented our arrival at the towns marked in
the Feuille-de-route, till sometime after dark.
Billets on the inhabitants were to be obtained
on application to the authorities ; we rarely,
however, sought them, but on the contrary, put
up at the same inn, where after dinner the
evening was spent in conversing upon the occur-
rences of the day. The inhabitants seemed
greatly surprised to see ten Englishmen travel-
ling on foot in such severe weather. An arrival
each evening was sure to be attended with
visit from a gens d'arme or police officer. Some-
times the secretary of the mayor would come to
make inquiries regarding us, and more particularly
to inspect the Feuille-de-route or passport,* under
which we were travelling. The landlords of the
inns, invariably required to see that document,
a
*
* This is a printed form, in which the description of each
person travelling by it is inserted.
CAPTIVITY IN FRANCE, &c.
75
were
when it was asked if we could be accommodated
for the night.
The most remarkable town on our route, was
Leon, situated on the summit of a high moun-
tain, and in the centre of a plain. It can be
discerned at the
the distance of many leagues.
Rheims, the first resting place, had the appearance
of a well built and rather handsome town.
The cathedral is considered one of the finest in
France, and her kings were usually crowned there.
Owing to the severity of the cold, we
more inclined to rest, than walk in search of
objects worthy of attention during this short stay.
Whether it was owing to the weather or other-
wise, Rheims appeared at this time a very dull
place. Here two of our party were taken ill,
and being unable to prosecute the journey, were
sent to the military hospital. Leaving this, and
passing by the small village of Petites Loges, the
spot was pointed out where the celebrated Sillery
Champagne is produced. The ground being
covered with snow, its quality could not be
judged.
On arriving at Chaumont, an opportunity for
76
NARRATIVE OF A
the first time offered, of witnessing an execution
by the guillotine, an instrument which, it is
not surprising, is regarded with horror, from
the recollection of the thousands of human beings,
during the period of the revolution who fell
victims to it. To this feeling, must be attributed
the small number of spectators on the occasion,
which could not possibly exceed eighty to one
hundred persons.
The culprit, who had been convicted of
murder, was brought to the place of execution
in a cart, attended by his confessor. Such was
the emaciated state to which this miserable being
was reduced, that he had to be supported to
the scaffold, where the priest ascending, held
before him an ivory crucifix; this he kissed,
after which the priest speedily left the platform.
From the period of the removal of this man
from the cart, to his being buckled to the board,
and the head severed from the body, a very
few moments elapsed. Sawdust was strewed in
quantities on, and around the scaffold. The
guard was composed of a few gens d'armes
The sight, although it passed so quickly, was
CAPTIVITY IN FRANCE, &c.
77
а
not calculated to create a desire "to witness
repetition. The blood streamed freely through
the boards of the platform, dropping into the
sawdust placed underneath. The executioners,
of which there were three, were respectably
dressed in black. The principal one wore hair
powder, with buckles at the knees and in the
shoes. He had more the look of an advocate
than an executioner.
At Chalons-sur-Marne, we were deprived of
another companion, as was the case afterwards
at St. Dezier, owing to severe attacks of ague
which made refuge in the hospitals of those
places unavoidable.
Now reduced to the number of six, previous
to leaving that place, a covered cart was hired;
slow as this conveyance was, it was found to-
lerably comfortable, and obviated the fatigue
incident to marching on snow. Naturally anxious
to arrive at Auxonne, the route was continued
without further stoppage, except resting for the
night, and we reached Dijon on the seventeenth
day after our departure from Cambrai, now in
one of the finest towns of France, as well as
VOL. I
H 2
78
NARRATIVE OF A
one of the richest provinces, the expectation of
having liberty to remain here, to expend the
days making up the number allowed for the
journey was disappointed. On applying to the
commissary of war for that permission, it was
not only refused, but also the payment of the
marching money
now due ; soon afterwards,
intimation was given, through the medium of a
gen d'arme, sent by the general commanding,
under whose authority the prisoners at Auxonne
(now but one day's journey) were, that we must
proceed to our depôt the following day. The
motive for this arbitary proceeding could only
be accounted for, by learning that a depôt of
Spanish officers on parole, had been established
in this place, and that as we were allies, it was
necessary to prevent communication between us.
The first appearance of Auxonne is unfavour-
able, it is an inconsiderable town, on the left
bank of the Saône, situated in a fertile country.
The wines produced in the vicinity are celebrated
for the richness of their flavour, the climate is
considered equal to the most southern parts of
France. At this time, however, there was nothing
to recommend it: the frost cont: ued as severe

Prami v mene by W. Ciane from a Skeld mide by the Author
AOXONNE-SUR-SAONE.
Taken from the Right Bank.
CAPTIVITY IN FRANCE, &c.
79
as on our departure from Cambrai; the inhabi-
tants declared that it was not surpassed in
duration and intenseness by any in the recol-
lection of the oldest persons. The population
was represented as exceeding 4000. The forti-
fications of the town are of stone, and not at
all to be compared, as to height, with those
of the Netherlands. The number of English
prisoners here exceeded 1000, composed of
captains and mates of merchantmen and passen-
gers.
When it is considered that each of these
received from the French government an allowance
of 29 francs per month, (which was the fixed
pay,) and beyond it, remittances were continually
being made by the prisoners relations in England,
it must appear evident that the inhabitants de-
rived considerable advantage, by the establish-
ment of a depôt in this place.
Auxonne is celebrated as having been for some
time the residence of Napoleon when a second
lieutenant of a regiment of artillery. Many of
the people had a perfect recollection of him at
that period, anecdotes were not wanting, whether
purposely got up or otherwise, it is not necessary
80
NARRATIVE OF A
to inquire, to show the early genius of that
extraodinary man. It was to the kindness shown
to the officers of his regiment by the more
respectable part of the people, that placing such
a number of prisoners here and causing the
circulation of so much money, was to be at-
tributed. The greater part of the English resi-
dents occupied two lines of barracks, at the
extremity of the town. There were no greater
restrictions placed upon them, than on those who
preferred to lodge and mix with the towns-
people, who were civil and obliging. Living
was moderate, with a fine climate and a beauti-
ful country, which in a few weeks after our
arrival began to show itself; those who had
come from Cambrai, had no reason to regret the
change. The commandant, Monsieur de Bross,
a lieutenant of gendarmerie, was kind and affable,
on all occasions towards the prisoners, he allowed
liberty to the fullest extent for perambulating
the country, to pass away the time in any kind
of exercise or amusement, provided a return to
the town, did not occur, after the hours of
general muster, on the closing of the gates.
CAPTIVITY IN FRANCE, &c
81
Soon after the establishment of a depôt here,
a fire took place, which, had it not been for
the exertions of the prisoners, would in all
probability have consumed the greater part of
the town. The inhabitants were heard on all
occasions to declare as much. Representations were
made of the assistance rendered by the English
on that occasion, to the baron de Vaux, com-
manding the military division at Dijon, and by
him they were transmitted to the government.
Napoleon directed that statements should be
forwarded the touching the exertions of those
most remarkable in extinguishing the fire. Not
long afterwards, an order was received for the
release of 21 persons, whose exertions had been
most prominent on that occasion; they were di-
rected to proceed to Morlaix, for embarkation,
and six months pay was allowed to each for main-
tenance on the road.
As the milder season approached, some de-
sertions took place: a few were fortunate enough
to succeed in reaching England. The route
taken was generally through Switzerland and
Bavaria, into the Austrian states. Letters from
82
NARRATIVE OF A
a
the parties giving an account of those expedi-
tions, stated that they were not only well
received, but likewise aided in their attempts,
when passing through Switzerland. Bavaria
offered as many obstacles as France, her police
being extremely numerous and vigilant. Lintz,
town of Bohemia, at that time, one of the
first on the frontiers of the Austrian states,
offered a place of safety. The circuitous route
taken by several of those who succeeded
was extraordinary. Some embarked in the ports
of Prussia, others taking water conveyance at
Vienna reached Constantinople, and thence by
Gibraltar finally arrived in England. The
fatigue attending such expeditions, added to the
anxiety inseparable, (yet what sacrifice is too
great when liberty is the object) may be easily
conceived; those retaken were arrested in Ba-
varia, when passing through the kingdom of
Wirtemburg ; on their return to Auxonne they
were on no occasion lodged in prisons, a treat-
ment they owed to the Queen of Wirtemburg,
who had been the Princess Royal of England ;
this feeling for the misfortunes of her countrymen
CAPTIVITY IN FRANCE, &c.
83
of
was
>
was
was the only alleviation she could afford them.
Soon after the marriage of Napoleon with the
Archduchess Maria Louisa of Austria, the
unexpected and happy intelligence was announced
in the Moniteur, of the arrival at Morlaix of an
English Commissioner, for the purpose
negociating an exchange of prisoners. That
agent
Mr. M'Kenzie. Monsieur De-
mourtier, on the part of the French govern-
ment, appointed to confer with
with him.
.
The joy caused by this announcement, may be
easily conceived; those who had been at this
period seven years in captivity, could scarcely
believe it. Parties were now seen (so certain
were they of the favourable result of the nego-
ciations) to make preparations for a departure.
Which was the best route to travel, the least
expensive, and the shortest to the coast, was
the common inquiry with them.
In the depôts
where the soldiers and sailors were confined,
this feeling of certainty was carried so far, as
to cause the disposal of their cooking utensils
which had been provided from the small pay
of the French government and donations coming
84
NARRATIVE OF A
There was pro-
from England. The disappointment to these
men was great—they could not conceive why
Mr. M‘Kenzie having come over, should return
without fulfilling his mission.
bably, during his residence at Morlaix, too
much hope (if not on his part, at least on the
part of those with whom he corresponded, in the
different depôts) held out to the prisoners.
Extracts from that gentleman's letters were to be
seen posted up on the barrack wall, conveying
all but a certainty of the speedy and happy
termination of the efforts then going on to effect
our liberation.
In one of these announcements,
the exact words, purporting to have been received
from him, were to this effect,—“ The last blow
only remains to be struck ; there are
inconsiderable points to be got over." Some
time elapsed after the appearance of these para-
graphs, without learning any thing further of a
favourable character. Situated as
were,
impatience was natural. They are playing
with us,” said many ; caricatures were occasionally
to be seen, the work of the prisoners, in which
Mr. M“Kenzie and M. Demourtier were repre-
some
we
9
CAPTIVITY IN FRANCE, &c.
85
sented in argument.
One of these pourtrayed
the former holding a large hammer over the
head of the latter, under which was inscribed,
-“ Strike !--n you, strike !"
All anticipations of the happy result of their
conferences were, after a period of six months,
brought to an unexpected termination. The
precise cause of the rupture could not, at that
time, be clearly defined. The French papers,
during the stay of the British Commissioner,
had been far less bitter in their remarks on our
government, than preceding it. They were now
seen to break out in strong invectives against
England, even going so far as to accuse the
government of never having really had an in-
tention to effect an exchange of prisoners ;
“ Otherwise," said the Moniteur,“ why did not
England send over a nobleman, several were
here named) instead of meeting the emperor's
propositions, by deputing an individual, without
rank, and unknown in all the diplomatic relations
which have existed between the two countries."
Shortly after the departure of Mr. M*Kenzie,
there appeared in the Journal de l'Empire, a
VOL. I.
1
86
NARRATIVE OF A
1
a
translated copy of a letter addressed to the
editor of the Statesman, under the signature of
Candidus. The light there thrown upon the
actual cause of the rupture of the negociations,
created great discontent, and many of those
who had thus to lament their unsuccessful ter-
mination, considered a release never would occur.
The opinion was general in the depôt that the
character of our government could not have
been compromised in subscribing to the condi-
tions which Napoleon had proposed. In doing
an act of humanity, and restoring to their homes
20,000 Englishmen, the satisfaction of seeing
them released must have counterbalanced any
feeling arising from the consideration that they
had met, or even succumbed to the unjust demands
of, as he was then termed, the chief of the
French government, in order to effect their libe-
ration.
Long suffering and disappointment make
men restless : those who had constitutions likely
to bear fatigue, with money necessary to the
undertaking to an attempt at escape, were now
seen to turn their attention to that object. The
CAPTIVITY IN FRANCE, &c.
87
a
geographical position of Auxonne, computed to
be at not less than 600 miles from the nearest
part of the coast, made it essential to lay plans
maturely and wisely, as recapture was certain
to meet with long and severe confinement. France
at this time was covered with gens d'armes,
police officers, spies of various grades and de-
scriptions; it appeared impossible for even
native to travel from one department to another,
without a passport; and even in such cases, the
traveller was constantly subjected to the visits
and interrogations of these persons. The law,
as regarded harbouring the deserter, whether
prisoner, refractory conscript, or soldier, was
most severe, attended not only by heavy fines,
but likewise long imprisonment. Notwithstanding
the many obstacles the prisoner had to contend
with, desertions now became frequent. Monsieur
de Bross, the commandant, of whom I have
spoken, once told me he had, in reporting these
occurrences, unpleasant duty to perform.
Threats were, time after time held out, that if
desertions continued, the depôt would be removed
to a citadel. They had not, however, the de-
an
88
NARRATIVE OF A
sired effect. Without troops, save a brigade of
gens d'armes, and a small body of the national
guard, composed of the inhabitants, who had
alternately to mount guard, a duty extremely
irksome to them, it was not in the power of
M. de Bross to prevent the attempts alluded
to. Whether it was owing to a desire on his
part to retire from the responsibility, or that
the government considered he was not suffi-
ciently active in watching the movements of
the depôt, was not known. He was, to the
regret of the prisoners, generally, removed; not
however before a testimony of their gratitude
in the presentation of a handsome piece of plate,
was made to him, for the lenity, as well as the
liberty, they had injoyed during his command.
His successor, Monsieur Bertrand, a Chef
d'Escadron of Gendarmerie, and a member of
the Legion of Honour, (said to be a relation
of the count of that name) arrived in the early
part of November. Immediately afterwards all
egress from the town was interdicted: the musters
were to be made three times a day, and per-
mission to appear in the streets after dusk, was
CAPTIVITY IN FRANCE, &c.
89
withdrawn. A body of foot artillery arriving
from Italy, on its way to Dijon, in passing
,
,
through Auxonne, received orders to remain,
to guard the prisoners. All hope of a return
to England having vanished on the failure of
Mr. M‘Kenzie's negociations, and seeing that a
citadel would be the abode of those who did not
attempt to escape, I came to the determination
to embrace the first opportunity that might
appear favourable, of quitting Auxonne. It was
necessary, when having such intention, to be
particularly guarded in communicating it:
even the least cause for suspicion, Monsieur
Bertrand would have considered a justification
for at once removing the party into close con-
finement. Various plans suggested themselves,
of which it is not necessary that I should trouble
the reader. There was one, however, by which
four friends of mine had succeeded, in the short
space of a month, in reaching England, and I
had the good fortune, in due time, to ascertain
how their escape had been accomplished. They
had travelled by a carriage conveyance, and
were conducted by a guide. An opportunity
12
VOL I.
90
NARRATIVE OF A
to
soon offered of an interview at the house of a
fellow prisoner, to that individual. This occur-
red on the evening of the first of December,
1811.
It was soon perceptable that this conductor was
not a Frenchman, but a native of a canton,
not very distant from the frontier. He did not
seem to possess the acuteness necessary convey
persons through France (guarded as she then
was) unprovided with passports. He was, how-
ever, frank and candid, evinced by his repre-
senting the difficulties we should have to surmount.
After much conversation, agreeing upon the
sum to be paid by myself, and a friend, who
was to accompany me, the following night was
appointed for the completion of our arrangements,
as to the mode of travelling, the exact line of
road, and the means to be adopted to get out
of the town. These arrangements made, one
half of the money was to be paid on leaving,
and security given for the remainder, the pay-
ment to occur by our order on a gentleman at
Auxonne, when finally embarked.
The night
fixed for the attempt, was that of the fourth ;
CAPTIVITY IN FRANCE, &c.
91
a
a
should it not then be effected, the following one
was to be tried, and if unsuccessful, a further
interview in the town was to take place on the
evening of the sixth.
Before I quit Auxonne, the reader will excuse
me while I relate a few anecdotes, and occurrences,
the result of a residence of ten months there, the
entire of which was spent in living with a French
family, as well as in the society of their imme-
diate relatives. I was, at the commencement of
this captivity, desirous of ascertaining whether,
as Englishmen, we were objects of dislike to the
inhabitants generally, as the military and those
under government, seized all occasions to show
we were to them. It is with pleasure I record,
that during the whole time of my stay, not an
instance occurred in which I had (nor indeed,
as far as my knowledge went, had any of my
countrymen,) cause to complain, either of a
want of civility, or of those attentions, which
alone make captivity bearable.
During the winter, subscription balls were got
up by some of the English residing in town.
These were attended by the greater part of the
92
NARRATIVE OF A
respectable inhabitants. The mayor, the com-
mandant of the town, and the officer placed
immediately over us, invariably attended, with
their families. These entertainments did not
pass without return from our French acquaint-
ances, who appeared anxious that our reception
should not fall short of that which they had
been accustomed to receive from us.
The commandant of the town, Monsieur
Champneuf, frequently gave parties at his re-
sidence: to them a certain number of the English
were invited.
The example would, doubtless,
have been followed by others of the authorities,
had it not been for an occurrence which gave
great offence to him.
That functionary had in
early life been a barber. Some mischievous
wag, thought it becoming to exhibit a drawing
(pasted on the church door) in which Monsieur
Champneuf was represented in the act of shaving
the mayor, the officer in command of the
prisoners, holding the basin.*
The indignity
was not to be passed over slightly: his parties
* This, it was said, was the handy work of one of our
countrymen. The likenesses were extremely correct.
CAPTIVITY IN FRANCE, &c.
93
were discontinued, nor did he afterwards attend
any of those given by our countrymen.
Not long after my arrival at Auxonne, in
company with two friends, I had the unexpected
pleasure of finding myself in the presence, for a
short time, of the celebrated Madame de Staël.
This occurred at the moment of paying a visit
to a fellow prisoner, occupying apartments in
the house of the individual who kept the “Post
aux Chevaux,” where she alighted while fresh
post horses were being harnessed to her carriage.
On coming into the room (we were then seated
before the fire) a chair was offered, in accepting
it she said, “I see you are Englishmen, I hope
you are not prisoners of war.” At this time
we were ignorant as to who the lady was. She
talked incessantly; there was certainly nothing
very feminine in the appearance of Madame de
Stael; her dress and manner differed widely from
the generality of the French women we
accustomed to see. Her inquiries principally went
to ascertain our opinions of the French people,
if we did not perceive a great difference between
them and our own country.
" You should be
were
94
NARRATIVE OF A
proud,” she said, “ to belong to so great a nation
as England. Your country is the happiest in the
world.
Here, as you must see, is the shadow
without the substance.
France, any thing but
happy, is borne down by the weight of con-
scriptions and exactions. Here you hear of
nothing but National Glory.'
•
See at what
cost it has been acquired. The misery which
this war entails, you can form but a feint idea of;
God only knows when it will end. I regret to
see gentlemen deprived of their liberty as you
are; however, you must wait with patience.”
Her conversation then turned on the subject of
various English writers and historians. Speaking
of Mr. Fox, she said, “I once corresponded
with him; he was indeed a great man. In
England they are ever to be met with ; you
have Mr. Canning, Mr. Wilberforce, Lord Henry
Petty, Sir James Mackintosh, and many others
still left.” The carriage being announced, she said,
-“now gentlemen you will ask yourselves who
can that lady be who has thus introduced herself
to us; I will tell you ; I am the daughter of
the celebrated M. Necker, my name is De Staël;
CAPTIVITY IN FRANCE, &c.
95
*
I wish it were in my power to restore you
to
your
friends, but I cannot ;" then offering her hand
to each she departed. A
young man
who
accompanied Madame de Staël, we were after-
wards told was her son. They were then on
their way to their family residence in Switzerland.
Napoleon had ordered this lady not to approach
nearer the capital than 40 leagues. She was sub-
mitting to the mandate at the period of our meeting.
I had ever
a desire to ascertain the real
sentiments of the French people towards their
chief. One occasion, in particular, occurred during
my residence at Auxonne of ascertaining this.
In speaking of him they were necessarily
cautious. There were opportunities, notwith-
standing, in which their real sentiments were to
be gathered, though conveyed in an ambiguous
way. On one of these when, tête a tête with a
French gentleman, who lodged in the same
house with me, inquiring if the Emperor was
as much beloved as their papers would lead us
to believe, his reply was, “ Certainly not! and
2
* Some time afterwards the papers announced the death
of this young man, in a duel with a Swedish officer, at
Stralsund.
96
NARRATIVE OF A
I will tell you, entre nous, why he cannot be.
Napoleon has done a great deal for France. After
so many revolutions and changes, the country
required a leader, in order that some established
form of government should be seen to exist.
On coming to power, he put aside the various
factions who were struggling for it. His power,
,
which soon became supreme, was owing, as you
should know, to the victories he has gained.
But why not stop ? He is now as great as he
ever can be. You see the result of these con-
tinued wars; there is scarcely a man left who
is not in some military capacity. You must have
seen, whenever you were at a guinguette or a
fête, one man escorting three or four young
women.” I answered that I had frequently
remarked as much. “ Then,” he continued,
“ how can the Emperor be liked, when he takes,
by one process or other, the bulk of the male
population. That is not all, you think probably
every body is poor in France. No such thing :
there is plenty of money, but all are anxious to
conceal it. You must have remarked when, by a
decree, all the old silver was called in, (threat-
CAPTIVITY IN FRANCE, &c.
97
ening a considerable loss upon it at a certain date)
that crowns and half crowns came forth quite
black, proving they had been buried.
- There
never was," he said, “ a greater act of injustice,
than that of the Emperor ordering lists of per-
sons to be made out by the prefects of the depart-
ments, who were supposed to possess property.
By that decree, any lady whose fortune exceeded
a specified sum, cannot legally marry without
his consent.
The object was to get the bulk of
the property centered in the military profession.
When he commenced this war with the women,
he little knew what he
was about.
Women
like to select their husbands, without having to
obtain the emperor's sanction of them, and which
you must frequently have seen in the Moniteur,
where the paragraph appears.
• The Emperor
this day signed the contract of marriage between
M- Colonel of the guard and Mademoiselle
- ;' but," said my friend, "this is not the only
mischief which results from its being known that
a family has property, it prevents children re-
ceiving an education ; parents anxious that they
should be considered as indigent, not only as
6
VOL. I.
K
98
NARRATIVE OF A
regards the marriage of their daughters, but
likewise to avoid the exactions of the govern-
ment for one purpose or other, prefer letting their
children
go
into the world without other advan-
tage, than reading and writing, rather than
expose them to the calls which would be made
upon them.”
It has frequently occurred to me, how just
the remarks of this candid neighbour were. Edu-
cation was indeed, at this period, at a low ebb.
There were several schools at Auxonne, the
scholars of which paraded in military costume,
and it was ludicrous to observe boys not more than
ten years old with cocked hats and military coats.
Eugene Beauharnois the vice-king of Italy,
passed through Auxonne during this period; as
did likewise the empress Josephine after her
separation from Napoleon. We thought her a
remarkably pretty woman, rather under the mid-
dle size, and dark complexioned. She returned
the salutations made by those who witnessed her
arrival, with great affability.
I now return to our meditated escape. The
place for meeting, was the main road towards
CAPTIVITY IN FRANCE, &c.
99
Gray. At two miles from Auxonne there is
a wood through which that road passes. About
half-way we were to be met by the guide, with
a cabriolet, at ten o'clock at night. The signal
of his arrival was to be made by a whistle, at
intervals of ten minutes. For two days and
nights, there had been very heavy rain: the
river to the right of the town had overflowed
to such an extent that, for half a mile from the
ramparts, it was a sheet of water; any attempt
to get out on that side was useless. The only
chance was by the Besançon gate. Aware of
a friend's intention to make a similar attempt,
and that he had for such purpose provided a
rope with which to descend the ramparts, our
plans were communicated to him. His assistance
was kindly offered, not only to aid us in getting
out of the town, but likewise the use of the
rope. On the evening of the third, and at some
risk, the position of the sentries on that side of
the town was ascertained. They were found
thickly posted
Near the gate of which I have spoken, there
was an inconsiderable ditch, immediately under
100
NARRATIVE OF A
the wall of the rampart. This was supposed to
offer no great obstruction.
For ten days pre-
vious, no desertions had taken place. Monsieur
Bertrand conceived that it was entirely owing
to the great number of troops which had
arrived and kept continually on guard, that the
attempts at escape were discontinued.* The
point selected to scale the ramparts was about
half way from the first sentry's box, to the guard
house at the gate.
The distance between them
might probably be about twenty-five yards.
Attending muster, and for the last time, in the
afternoon of the 4th December, from four o'clock
till eight the necessary arrangements for our
departure were made. Money was
sewn in
parts of our clothing, a pocket compass and
charts were provided, as well as several resto-
ratives necessary in the event of being retaken,
The morning after our departure twenty of these horse
artillery were dispatched in various directions, to warn the
inhabitants of the adjoining villages of our escape. Two
of them deserted, and on our return to Auxonne, they were
inmates of the town gaol with us, for several days previous
to their removal to the public works, to which they had been
condemned by a court martial, for the period of five years.
They were fine young men.
CAPTIVITY IN FRANCE, &c.
101
our
and placed in prisons where no immediate
nourishment could be procured. At eight o'clock,
my companion, and the friend who had engaged
to assist us, arrived.
We separately made the
best of our way to the rampart: fortunately the
night was extremely dark, and the rain fell in
torrents, circumstances much in favour.
The sentry was snugly housed in his box: at a
few yards in the rear of the guard house, lying
concealed for a short time underneath the inner
part of the mound of the rampart, the rope
attached to a poker was thrust into the sod, and
thrown across the rampart over the outer wall ;
creeping on hands and knees, as it had been
previously decided, I was the first to descend,
my companion immediately followed. Unfortu-
nately, in his hurry to descend, several bricks
fell from the upper part of the wall, making a
considerable splash in the ditch, it was extraor-
dinary the sentry's attention was not excited.
Contrary to expectation, owing to heavy rain,
the ditch was middle deep: here we remained
a few minutes close under the wall, during which
our friend gradually withdrew at the rope. The
.
VOL.I.
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102
NARRATIVE OF A
best of the way was now made to attain the
high road where the guide was to be met.
.
Running quickly, and for some distance, to get
clear of the town, we rested for a few moments,
to take, as it was hoped, for the last time, a
look at Auxonne. The lights in the barrack
windows, the residence of the greater part of
the prisoners, called to recollection friends left
in them, surmising how great their astonishment
would be on ascertaining, on the following
morning, that we had departed.
On arriving at the centre of the wood, the
guide's signal was heard. It was accompanied
by the barking of a dog. Conceiving that a
snare might have been laid, as he had not pre-
viously mentioned having such a companion, we
retired for a few minutes on the right hand side
of the road. On his coming up, we immediately
got into the cabriolet : the horses heads
turned, and half an hour's drive brought us within
a mile of the town of Gray, at which place
the horses that were to conduct us to the coast,
had been prepared. They were in high condition;
that on which the guide rode was occasionally
were
CAPTIVITY IN FRANCE, &c.
103
To persons
to replace the one in the cabriolet, driven by us.
Travelling the whole of this night, though the
roads were in a very bad state, we reached, the
following morning at eight o'clock, a small auberge
in the vicinity of Langeon, on the high road to,
and within a short distance of, the town of
Langres. Hence to Auxonne was considered to
be not less than thirty miles.
who have never been placed in the situation
of attempting to escape from an enemy's country,
it is almost impossible to convey an idea of
the suspicion which the casual glance of a stranger
carries with it. We thought every person we
met had a knowledge as to who we were. This
feeling however, wore off with the progress off
the journey. Here the dog, of which I have
spoken, refused to follow his master, a circum-
stance which seemed to occupy the thoughts of
our conductor materially. Continuing the journey
at 11 o'clock, making a detour by Langres, we
stopped at half-past three o'clock at Vasaignes,
a short distance from the town of Chaumont;
rest had become necessary.
The guide being
provided with a passport, and we without any,
104
NARRATIVE OF A
it was thought advisable that I and my companion
should sleep this night in a barn at a short
distance from the house. A mattrass and covering
was provided, and it went off comfortably. On
the 6th the weather cleared. Passing by Chau-
mont, leaving the right of the road to Bar-sur-
Aube, we rested at four o'clock at no great
distance from Troys. There was nothing re-
markable on this day's journey except meeting
some gens d'armes escorting a party of French
deserters, going towards Langres. On their ap-
pearing at a distance, the guide rode on a few
hundred yards before. Contrary to expectation
these persons politely took of their hats, à
compliment which amused us exceedingly; it
was duly returned. *
This night afforded the comfort of good beds,
the guide took up his quarters at Troys. The
following morning the 7th, passing under the
walls of that town by a fine road lined with
* Had they been aware of our situation at that moment,
they would have derived considerable advantage by our
capture, viz :-40 francs for each, and half the value of
the horses and cabriolet, which the guide stated had cost
him something more than four thousand francs.
CAPTIVITY IN FRANCE, &c.
105
trees, "the journey was continued to the left of
Nogent-sur-Seine; at five p.m. we reached an
auberge at the entrance of the village of La
Maison Rouge. This day we passed several
detachments of cavalry, composed of chasseurs-d-
cheval, going towards Nogent; there was nothing
remarkable, either in the appearance of the men,
or horses. At eight o'clock, salvos of artillery
were heard apparently from Fontainbleau. This
led to the supposition that Napoleon had arrived
there, from the capital. The night's rest was
here taken on chairs before a good fire, as we
had to proceed a few hours before daylight the
following morning. On the 8th, passing by
Nangis, as likewise a small town, (the name of
which the guide did not state) we quitted the high
road to Paris, and proceeded towards Meaux,
crossing the Seine by the bridge at that place ;
some time after dark, we rested at an incon-
siderable inn, in the Fauxbourg. The three days'
journeys had been extremely long, the horses like
ourselves required rest, the following day therefore
was necessarily spent here. The guide procured
bed in the garret of this small place,
us
а.
106
NARRATIVE OF A
taking up his quarters in the town of Meaux.
This place we left on the morning of the 10th,
and continued the journey by a cross-road, for
a considerable distance before we attained the
main one to Soissons ; here we lodged in a
private house not very distant from the entrance
of the town. Our conductor seemed to be very
well acquainted with the inmates ; for him a
good bed was provided, whether it was owing to
any fear as to a nocturnal visit from the police
or gens d'armes could' not be devined, we were
however, compelled to sleep in a cellar imme-
diately under the room we had supped in, the
entrance to which was by a trap-door. It was
a very cold place, and so infested with rats,
that we got but little sleep. Soon after de-
parting the following morning at eight o'clock,
we passed several detachments of troops going
towards Soissons. This day's journey brought
us to an auberge, in a village near the town of
Laon. *
It affored more comfort than any pre-
* This town (which I had passed the previous year)
was in 1814, the scene of much severe fighting. The
allies having possession of it.
Napoleon with a
con-
CAPTIVITY IN FRANCE, &c.
107
ceeding one. After a short journey on the 12th,
reached the Fauxbourg of St. Quintin, there
also we had good accommodation. On the 13th,
after meeting two brigades of gens d'armes, who
appeared scarcely to notice us, came to a village
a little distance beyond Arras, on the direct
road to Bethune. The guide for the first time
slept in the same room with us. Now in the
vicinity of the three principal depôts, Arras,
Cambrai and Valenciennes, containing so many
of our countrymen; it might be presumed the
country people were more or less in the habit of
seeing the prisoners occasionally visit the villages
around, great caution was therefore necessary.
Eleven days had passed since quitting Auxonne
without any apparent suspicion as to who we
were. This security inspired the hope, that the
remainder of the journey would be effected in a
similar manner. A circumstance, however, occurred
siderable force attempted to dislodge them. After two
days of fruitless attempts, he returned to Corbigney. There
was no place occupied by the allies during that memorable
campaign, where the efforts of Napoleon were more
signally defeated, than in the attempt to regain the town
of Laon.
108
NARRATIVE OF A
on the morning of the 16th, showing the uncer-
tainty as well as the danger which attend such
undertakings. Breakfast was scarcely over, when
waiting for the cabriolet which the guide had a
few moments previously gone to prepare, to our
inexpressible astonishment he suddenly returned,
and in agonies of grief, said “we were all taken.”
At first it was impossible to credit the statement,
while endeavouring to persuade him that he was
labouring under a delusion, a guarde-de-Foret
entered. * Making obeisance and taking off his
hat, he shut the door, at the same time placing
his back against it and drawing his sword, he
addressed us as follows. “ Gentlemen, we have
been on the look-out for you in this neighbour-
hood some days; your descriptions have been
received by the commandant at Arras.
commend you quietly to go with me there;
I re-
This corps was composed of old soldiers, though not
with the strength and power of the gens d'armes. Their
occupation was to search woods and forests for conscripts ;
or soldiers who deserting, generally took refuge in them.
The search was usually made with dogs trained for the
purpose. These men were generally good marksmen, many
of the English persons who attempted to escape were retaken
by them
CAPTIVITY IN FRANCE, &c.
109
con-
pointing to the guide, he said, 66
“you have
brought this unfortunate man to ruin; he will
be tried and sent to the public works. I need
scarcely add also, that you too will be severely
punished.” During this notification, our
ductor was completely overcome, walking up
and down the room, wringing his hands, and
crying loud enough for the inmates of the house
to hear. After a few moments' reflection, as to
what was to be done, the unwelcome visitor was
implored not to stop our guide; telling him
that he could get nothing by his capture,
though with us it was different. A proposal
was immediately made, that if he would allow
the guide quietly to depart, we would recompense
him with one hundred franc. But
why stop
any of us ?” was the question now put;
the capture of myself and friend,” I said, “the
most you can get will be eighty francs.” This
anxiety to save our conductor, seemed to make him
somewhat inclined to relent. After a few moments'
pause, and seeing this apparent change, an offer
followed, that provided he would let the whole
of us depart, he should receive ten Napoleons,
66 for
а
VOL. I.
L
110
NARRATIVE OF A
Suiting the action to the word, the money was
put on the table, which stood but a few paces
from where he had stationed himself.
He now desired us to speak gently. It was
evident the sight of the gold had wrought a
change in him. After some conversation, assuring
him repeatedly that he had nothing to fear,
whatever might hereafter befall us, he left the
door, took up the money, and immediately
.
sheathing his sword, went up to the guide,
desiring him to swear, on his knees that, if we
were retaken, he and we would deny all know-
ledge of him. This the guide instantly complied
with, placing himself in the attitude of prayer,
his
eyes fixed on the ceiling in the most fervent
manner, he hoped every thing bad might befall
him, if he denounced this guarde de forèt. A
similar declaration was drawn from us, without,
however, the formality which had attended that
of the guide. In a moment afterwards, passing
into an adjoining room, he beckoned to our
conductor : a short conversation passed between
them, during which it was observed that a
further sum of money was placed in his hand.
CAPTIVITY IN FRANCE, &c.
111
.
On the guide returning, he said, “ After this
terrible affair, (for there is no trusting these
men) all I can do is to see you away in the
cabriolet : drive . quickly direct on the road to
Lille; if I find all right, I will overtake you
by four o'clock.” The advice was speedily
acted upon. This unlooked-for occurrence damp-
ed the hopes and expectations which had been
entertained, and regret necessarily followed, that
we had made the attempt in this direction, and
still more, during so inclement à season.
At about three o'clock to our great joy, our
conductor once more appeared. He was greatly
dejected, nor were all our endeavours to remove
his fears that we should not finally reach the
coast, of any effect. The guarde de forêt had
represented the roads about Lille, as covered with
troops. This statement was found, as we ap-
proached that place, to be quite correct, several
gens d'armes passed about four o'clock; they took
little notice of us; when stopping to water the
horses at the door of the inn, one of these men
came out, walking up to our horse, which he
seemed to admire very much, and patting him, as
112
NARRATIVE OF A
an
likewise examining his mouth, he said, “what a
beautiful horse, he is quite young too”—he did
not however address any remark to us,
omission for which he was readily excused. On
arriving at the Fauxbourg of Lille, it was evident
owing to the number of the military, rest was not
to be had there, our only chance was to make a
circuitous tour of the outer works of the town,
and on reaching the direct road to Courtray, pro-
ceed a short distance to some habitation where
accommodation might be had.* It was unfortu-
nately very dark, the lowness of the ground
round the works, owing to the heavy fall of rain,
had become a swamp and our horses were at inter-
vals knee deep. It was found too dangerous, and
next to impossible to proceed. Thus situated
there was no alternative but to await the approach
of day. The guide, on horseback, took up his
station close to our cabriolet, the situation of the
*At this time there were three Captains of vessels, confined
in the town prison of Lille, having endeavoured to escape
from Auxonne they had been retaken in attempting to pass the
gates of that place. Had it not been for this circumstance,
we should have preferred running the risk of traversing that
city rather than incur the danger to which a passage round
its fortifications exposed us.
CAPTIVITY IN FRANCE, &c.
113
2
poor horses was pitiable, never did I pass a more
miserable night; daylight showed how fortunate
it was that the attempt had not been further
proceeded with. Immediately in front, and at a
very inconsiderable distance was the fosse of the
outer part of the works; advancing a few yards
further, we as well as horses and guide, would
have been precipitated into the ditch, a height
from the glacis of not less than one hundred and
fifty feet.
1
us no rest
was
At nine o'clock on the morning of the 18th,
the long wished-for road to Courtray was attained;
arriving at the first village, the same obstacle
as the Fauxbourg at Lille had presented, warned
to be attained there, being
occupied by a considerable body of troops.
Notwithstanding the fatigue of the horses, the
journey was continued towards Courtray, stopping
for an hour to bait and procure refreshment.
At six p.m. we were fortunate enough to reach a
comfortable farm house on the right hand side of
the road, a short distance from Ghent, the lights of
which were perceptible : the inmates were Fle-
mands. They received us not only without suspi-
L2
:
1
VOL I,
114
NARRATIVE OF A
was
cion, but with great civility. Early on the morning
of the 19th, our conductor announced the journey
could no longer be prosecuted with the carriage,
owing to the danger in attempting to pass the
gates, Ghent being surrounded by water, (the
rivers Scheldt, Lys, Lieue, and Mourwater) there
no possibility of making a detour with the
vehicle. In order to ascertain if there would be
any great risk in our walking through that
town : he repaired there. On his return he said
all would be right provided we followed his
instructions. During this absence, conversations
.
were had with our host and his family, consisting
of his wife and two daughters, one of whom was
a remarkably handsome girl, of apparently 16
years of age. To our great astonishment, the
conductor had told these people who we were ;
events during our stay here, proved his con-
fidence in them not to have been misplaced.
The old man related many anecdotes of the
period, when French Flanders was occupied by
the allies under H.R.H. the duke of York,
whom he asserted he had frequently seen.
peared to afford him satisfaction when speaking
It ap-
CAPTIVITY IN FRANCE, &c.
115
of that period. The British troops, he declared,
were much more liked by the inhabitants than
the Austrians and Hessians serving with them.
Leaving these good people, (not without receiving
their repeated good wishes for our safe arrival
in England) on the morning of the 20th of
December, we proceeded for Ghent: with a better
knowledge of the French language than my
companion, owing to longer residence in France,
the guide requested me to lead the way and
at an inconsiderable distance they were to follow.
This proposal was not an agreeable one, as
in the event of my being taken, they would
have an opportunity of altering their course
of returning; however, I was obliged to submit.
After passing the draw bridge at the town gate,
I was to continue my course down the street
in front, until arriving at a large white house,
(an inn) before which, there was a narrower
street terminating with a draw bridge over a
canal, and easily to be seen from the house
described. I followed scrupulously those instruc-
tions. The sentry at the town gate did not even
honor me with a look, and I passed unsuspected
or
116
NARRATIVE OF A
ܪ1
a company of soldiers in front of the guard
house, at the moment they were being inspected
by their officers. I had not proceeded far when
a person meanly attired, bent his way towards
me from the opposite side of the street, On
coming up, he put a question in German,
which I could not comprehend, and telling him
so in French ; he made a polite move of his hat
and left me. On reaching the inn door, I
turned to look for my friend and guide. I was
happy to see them at no great distance, and
coming forward. They had been much alarmed
when seeing me addressed by the stranger I have
mentioned. “I shall now appear,” said the con-
ductor 66
as your servant.” He then went into
the inn to order private apartments and dinner,
at which he waited, to our great amusement in
livery, viz: a green coat with laced collar and
trowsers striped with red. In this occupation he
was assisted by a very pretty Flemish servant
girl. At three o'clock, the carriage was an-
nounced, and the bill being settled, we were in
the act of descending the stairs, when he, unseen,
put a note into my hand, desiring it might not
CAPTIVITY IN FRANCE, &c.
117
a
be opened till we had quitted the town. On
seeing the carriage, a handsome fiacre with two
fine bay horses, the driver in livery, it was
hard to suppress a smile. The politeness of the
landlord materially added to the difficulty, as
he handed us into the carriage, and afterwards
taking of his hat, bowing with a grace which
no Frenchman could exceed, he wished us a
pleasant ride, at the same time, hoping that on
our return we would favour him with our custom.
The guide's note alluded to stated, the carriage
was paid for, that on arriving at Philippine we
were on no account to have communication with
any fisherman who might be in the inn to which
the driver would conduct us. Further, that in
the course of the night he would follow.
So near the completion of the journey, the
disaster which had occurred near Arras and the
escape from accident near the fortifications of
Lille began to be forgotten. Without anything
remarkable occurring we reached the inn at Phi-
lippine soon after five p.m. The grateful sound
of the waves rolling on the beach indicated a ter-
mination to the land part of our expedition. A
118
NARRATIVE OF A
private room was here obtained and by the side
of a good fire we talked over occurrences of the
journey, fancying how delighted our friends at
Auxonne would be to learn the success of our
undertaking. We were left to ourselves but for
a short time in this apartment. A tap was made
at the door, on its being opened, in walked a
stout man with the appearance of a Fisherman,
and in broken English he welcomed us to Philip-
pine-unexpected as this visit was, we did not
forget the injunction of our conductor, and the
intruder was told, in French, that we were igno-
rant as to what he said, that the sooner he re-
tired the more agreeable it would be to us. He
again came in about half an hour saying I have
a letter for one of you.
He then
my
hand a small note, its con-
tents surprised me* There could be no doubt
he was the person who our guide had engaged to
put into
* It was written by a friend of mine who had effected his
escape a few weeks preceding from Auxonne, with our con-
ductor. It was without direction, and to the effect that the
bearer had conveyed him and his companion safely to
Flushing roads; that there was nothing to fear in trusting the
person who would present it.
CAPTIVITY IN FRANCE, &c.
119
carry us to Flushing and I desired him to be
seated. «I got away four of your countrymen,”
he said, “a short time ago. They came here with
a guide, and I have been on the look out for him
with two more for several days.” At twelve
o'clock our friend arrived from Ghent-he was
astonished, yet rejoiced to see us in company
with the individual alluded to. Every prepara-
tion was then made to embark at break of day.
Never did night appear so long. It is vain to
attempt a description of our sensations while thus
awaiting the moment to quit this enslaved country.
According to the boatman's statement, we
were but a few hundred yards from where the
boat lay on the beach. The night passed in
writing to friends at Auxonne, and settling
accounts with our conductor; an order was
prepared for the payment of the money due to
him, and which would, as by agreement,
be
placed in his hands, at the moment of our
stepping into the boat. Daylight was just ap-
pearing, on the morning of the 20th, when
leaving the inn and proceeding a short distance
by a dyke, accompanied by the boatman and
120
NARRATIVE OF A
The sea
the guide, we arrived at the beach.
once more seen, created sensations indiscribable :
the boat (of Dutch build, and of inconsiderable
size) lay partly aground. Our faithful conductor
was now in great trouble at the idea of parting ;
he asserted that, if fortunate enough to convey
two more Englishmen to the coast, he would
embark with them, fearful that the government,
owing to his repeated absence, would suspect
his occupation. He seemed to think that the
guarde de forèt, by whom we had been stopped
near Arras might, although he had received a
bribe, reveal and give such a particular de-
scription of him to the authorities, as to place
him in great danger. We now took a farewell,
and, as it was hoped, for the last time, of the
French shore. Aided by a fresh breeze, our
boat soon approached the Scheldt.
The guide
remained for some time on the beach gazing at
us, and occasionally waving his hat. In about
an hour afterwards a patrole of horsemen was
seen passing by the spot where we had embarked ;
in moving along the shore, they frequently turned
to look at our boat. Happily we were beyond
CAPTIVITY IN FRANCE, &c.
121
T
their reach, and if they had even suspected our
being in her, pursuit was impossible, as there
was no other at hand. The Scheldt is of con-
siderable width from the spot where we embarked,
to Middleburg ; on attaining the centre, the
breeze freshening enabled us tor each Walcheren
by three o'clock in the afternoon.
I now proceed to give a detailed account of
the occurrence to which our recapture was at-
tributable. Owing to it the hopes entertained of
a speedy and happy arrival in England were
frustrated
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122
NARRATIVE OF A
CHAPTER IV.
RECAPTURE ON
THE
ISLAND
OF
SOUTH
BEVELAND-
TREATMENT FOLLOWING OCCURRENCES TILL ARRIV-
ING AT ANTWERP.
There were several vessels at anchor on reaching
the roadstead of Flushing; of the number, three
French men of war,-two corvettes and a brig.
The cold was felt severe, owing to the sea
air, to which we had been unaccustomed for
some time. *
The boatman's son, a boy about
* When on the passage to Flushing the boatman told us,
he knew where two Englishmen were then concealed on the
coast near, endeavouring to effect their escape. According
to his statement they had made many fruitless attempts to
embark, that the authorities were aware of their being on the
coast, and consequently used the greatest vigilance to recap-
ture them. It afterwards occurred to me these were Messrs.
Street and Gordon, midshipmen, who had escaped from
Verdun. Some months afterwards, letters were received
at the Fort of Bitche from that place, giving the melancholy
intelligence that these gentlemen were drowned in endeavour-
ing to reach England, owing as it was presumed to the boat
being unseav
aworthy or the boisterous state of the weather.
CAPTIVITY IN FRANCE, &c.
123
a
twelve years old, was directed to proceed to
the town o Middleburg, with a letter to a
gentleman, through whose means, a passage to
England was to be obtained. That letter had
been given to me without signature or address :
it had nevertheless a private mark, by which
the writer would be recognized, and the address,
which I had concealed in the collar of my
I
coat, was now written upon it in pencil. In
a short time the boy returned with the letter,
saying that the gentleman had left the preceding
day for the town of Ziriczee, in the island of
Showen, distant about eighteen miles to the
N.E. of Flushing This occurrence was fatal
to our hopes. We were now in a country, the
language of which we were completely ignorant,
moreover there was no guide or friend to assist us;
thus situated, escape seemed next to impossible.
The passage hence to Ziriczee lies between the
island of Walcheren and that of South Beveland.
It is intersected with banks which can only be
passed with a favourable wind and high tide.
Night was approaching: to remain in the boat
till the following morning, as well as to attempt
124
NARRATIVE OF A
a
the passage during the night, was equally
impossible. By a decree of Napoleon, all
fishermen had a specified time allowed to follow
their occupations; the limit varied according to
the situation of the fishing ground, and the
period of a boat leaving the place where it was
registered, to its return, was regulated by this
circumstance. The one in which we were, would
have to be inspected, according to these regu-
lations, that night, when the fisherman's account
of the days' proceeding would be required.
Thus situated, we had no alternative but to
land, and embark early the following morning
to proceed to Ziriczee, there to join the gentle-
man whose absence from Middleburg we had
so much cause to regret. To those who have
visited the islands at the mouth of the Scheldt,
it is unnecessary to point out the little shelter
they afford to persons situated as we were,
without woods or outhouses, at a distance from
the farms, the night could only be passed, more
particularly owing to the severity of the cold,
under cover.
The boatman landed for the
purpose of ascertaining whether there was
a
CAPTIVITY IN FRANCE, &c.
125
а
house not very distant from the beach, where
we might pass the night in security. He soon
returned stating, that there was a farm at
short distance, in which he was quite sure, we
should be safe, at the same time offering to
conduct us to it; in the morning, at an early
hour he was to come to announce when the boat
was again afloat. With this assurance we landed,
and after a short walk arrived at the farm
house; in it were many inmates who were sitting
before a large fire, taking tea, with a repast of
salt herrings. The entire roof of the room was
covered with smoked and dried fish, giving any
thing but an agreeable odour.
After the boatman had left, the master of the
house, who had the appearance of a Dutch boor,
said, “ I dont know if you can stop here after
all; I would not have an Englishman caught
in my house for all the world."
"
He spoke
French indifferently; after some conversation
promising he should be well rewarded for pro-
viding us a bed, he said, “ Well, I will see
what can be done.” Immediately afterwards,
speaking to his frow, (as he called her) they
M 2
9
VOL I.
126
NARRATIVE OF A
went up stairs; on their return he desired us to
follow him ; we were conducted to a small room,
or rather a garret, in which it was impossible to
stand erect; here he pointed to what he termed
a bed; it could not be even called a mattrass,
being merely a large sack filled with straw; there
was no pillow, and the covering was a blanket
over which was thrown a fisherman's great coat;
he said, “ if you like to take this, and stop here, ,
you may;" a refusal on our part was impossible,
as we had not slept since leaving the comfortable
farm house in the vicinity of Ghent. He was
now asked to supply us with a bottle of gin and
a jug of water; these were brought, the pro-
vision which had been laid in at Phillippine was
enjoyed with addition of the bottle spoken of,
the quality of which was excellent : shortly after
eight o'clock making the best that was possible
of the bed I have described, we retired to rest.
It was not of long duration; a little after nine
o'clock persons were heard coming up stairs as
if accoutred. Fears were now excited that we
had been betrayed; to get out of this abode
was impossible, as there was neither window nor
CAPTIVITY IN FRANCE, &c.
127
answer
9
skylight in it.
On the door being opened, an
officer, behind whom were several soldiers, came
in; addressing us in French, and in a rude
manner, he asked who we were ;
the
was, travellers going to Rotterdam ; he directly
said, “ I see you are not Frenchmen;" replying
that we were natives of Switzerland, he addressed
us in German. Without a knowledge of that
language, which seemingly he understood per-
fectly, he said, “ at all events whatever you are
you must go with me.” Conducted by this officer
and five soldiers, arm in arm with them, in about
half an hour we arrived at the guard house,
containing apparently about two companies of
soldiers; the greater part were Dutch ; they were
laying on a boarded platform, and the moment
we entered they crowded round us. The officer
disappeared for a short time; on his return,
bringing with him a municipal officer, we were
interrogated at some length. It was useless now
to deny who and what we
This night
passed as might be supposed miserably; there
was a fire at one end of the building, with two
benches before it. The officer said, “ You may
were.
128
NARRATIVE OF A
sit here (pointing to them) all night, in the
morning you will be sent to head quarters.”
Fatigued, and still more dispirited by this
disaster, little or no sleep was obtained. Early
in the morning of the 21st, being placed in a
cart along with the officer and two soldiers, in
whose power we had the preceding evening fallen,
after a ride of about two hours, we arrived at
the town of Goes, the capital of the island of
South Beveland. During this journey we were
surprised to see boys on their way to school,
each with a pipe slung over the shoulder, and a
tobacco pouch attached to it, with a book under
the opposite arm.
The officer stated that it was
necessary for the inhabitants of all ages living
here to smoke, owing to the humidity of the
climate, and particularly at this season of the
year. Several draught and other horses, in
waggons and cars, were met, which surpassed
greatly in appearance any we had seen in France.
On entering the gate of the town groups of
persons came round
us, drawn doubtless to
ascertain who we were ; their curiosity was great,
and they followed our cart to the house of the
CAPTIVITY IN FRANCE, &c.
129
commandant of the town. On arriving there the
officer desired us to descend and follow him ;
we were then ushered into the presence of a
military man, apparently between fifty or sixty
years of age; he was of gentlemanly appearance,
and had several decorations. At a table with
him were three ladies; those we took to be his
wife and daughters; his secretary was immediately
sent for, in the interval he desired us to be seated.
He called upon the officer to state every particular
of our capture. It was perceptible, in making his
report, he wished to impress on the commandant
the extraordinary vigilance he had shown on the
occasion. This fulsome account concluded, we
were desired to give particulars of ourselves; on
being deputed by my friend, I told this officer,
it was in vain to conceal our situation, that
we were Englishmen endeavouring to escape from
France. Pray what depôt were you at,” he
asked, “and when did you quit it?"
On giving
the information, he referred to a map, and im-
mediately said " it is quite impossible.” At this
time our persons had not been examined. I pro-
duced a pocket chart on which the line of route
>
130
NARRATIVE OF A
taken was marked, and his attention was called to
it, once more assuring him that the statement which
I had previously made was true. 66 But how
could you travel such a distance in so short a
a
time, and above all, how could you get to this
island,” he inquired, replying that we had tra-
velled by any conveyance offering, that we must
necessarily have come to the island in a boat, he
turned sharply, asking by what conveyance and
by what boat ? “ Who dared to aid you in either
I should like to know ;” without waiting for an
answer he continued, “ the story you tell me is
quite improbable, I see who you are, you have
been landed from a British man of war on the
coast, and I must tell you that you have placed
,
yourselves in a very serious position : probably
you do not know that there is a decree of the
Emperor to this effect,—any person found landing
on any part of the territories of France from a
British ship shall be tried as a spy, and, if found
guilty, is to be shot; on the latter word he laid
considerable stress. “ I am quite aware Sir,"
I said, “ of the decree which you allude to; we
have nothing whatever to fear from it. The com-
CAPTIVITY IN FRANCE, &c.
131
66 You
mandant at Auxonne when written to, will verify
the statement I have made as regards our be-
longing to that depôt.”
The officer was now called upon to sign the
account which had been drawn out relative to
us, he then departed. During the conversation
alluded to, it was perceptible that the ladies
(particularly the elder one) felt for the situation
in which my friend and myself now were. On
the commandant retiring, the question was asked
whether we were not very much fatigued. It
was impossible to give a negative reply.
shall have refreshment,” she said, “immedi-
ately." It was indeed acceptable, as
been without any since the preceding night, at
eight o'clock. The ladies, during the absence
of the commandant, and while we were taking
the refreshment, put a variety of questions to
The officer's wife appeared much affected,
saying she felt greatly for us, and that she was
sure her husband did also, but he could not do
otherwise than perform his duty. On the com-
mandant returning, and seeing us in conversation
with the members of his family, he turned to
we had
us.
132
NARRATIVE OF A
>
his wife, saying, “Do not cry, my dear; I
pity these gentlemen as much as you do: I
only hope they are what they pretend to be.”
Afterwards, addressing himself to me, he asked,
pray, how long have you been in France,
Sir ?”—to which I answered, nineteen months ;
that
my
friend had been about seven. He then
said, “it has often surprised me, to see that
almost all your officers speak French, whereas
I have frequently met with ours, who, though
they have been a long time in England, cannot
speak a word of your language.” He added,
“ about twelve months ago, your army occupied
this town, the inhabitants observed there were
few of the officers who did not speak French
well; how is this difference? Does acquiring a
knowledge of French form an essential part of
education in your country ?”
I told him it was
certainly considered essential to acquire a know-
ledge of it, as a language more or less known
all over the globe; that go where he might,
however distant the clime, he would invariably
find some one speaking French, consequently, in
all the seminaries, (where the scholars were
CAPTIVITY IN FRANCE, &c.
133
children of persons capable of affording a liberal
education) instructions in the French language
were rarely omitted: that many were to be met
with having a thorough grammatical knowledge
thereof, yet wanting the true pronunciation, and
which could scarcely be acquired except by a
residence with French people. He then said,
“I perfectly understand, by your explanation,
how it is.” In answer to my inquiry, if the
”
inhabitants had any cause to complain of the
British troops while in garrison here, he replied
“ quite the contrary, they conducted themselves
very well."
The ladies were then told to retire, not however
before due acknowledgment was made for the
kindness they had shown ; this done, the com-
mandant said, “ before we part I have an un-
pleasant duty to perform.” A gen d'arme coming
in, the door was fastened; “now” he said, “ you
must strip.” This announcement was
expected as humiliating; it was confined however
to the outer part of our dress. From them
47 Napoleons, 8 louis d'ors, and 47 francs in
silver were taken, with some few sous in copper.
>
as
un-
VOL I.
N
134
NARRATIVE OF A
Expressing the hope that this money would at a
future period be returned, he answered, “ Cer-
tainly, it will be transmitted with you to Antwerp;
the general commanding there will give further
directions respecting it. While you are here any
thing you may require, in the way of living, on
your signing the bills, shall be paid for.” Besides
this money, some few letters, two charts, and a
small pocket compass were found. Those letters
had been addressed to us prisoners of war at
Auxonne, the opportunity was taken of pointing
out, that he could no longer doubt who and what
we were, the letters with the postmarks showed
the correctness of my statement. His answer
“ not at all, your government never send
officers on such expeditions as I fear you have
in this instance been employed on, without plenty
of forged documents, those letters, as well as the
postmarks on them, may be equally forged.” It
was evidently useless to further endeavour to
persuade him that he was in error; consulting the
gen d'arme for a few moments, he turned to us
saying, “I scarcely know what to do with you,
the prison of this place is extremely crowded
was,
CAPTIVITY IN FRAN CE, &c.
137
with refractory soldiers belonging to a German
regiment in our service; they conduct themselves
very badly ; I fear if you were placed among
them, particularly during the night, you would
be ill treated; conceiving that you have money,
,
they would endeavour to deprive you of it." His
secretary was then sent to ascertain if the gaoler
of the prison had a separate room in which we
might be placed. He speedily came back, saying
that there was no room to be had, but there was
one on the third story of a building fronting the
square, which was properly secured, and might
easily be watched. The gen d'arme was directed
.
to conduct us to it; previous to leaving the
commandant he was asked how long we should
have to remain in Beveland, the answer was,
“that does not depend on me, I shall report
you immediately to the general at Antwerp, he
will give me orders as to what I am to do."
With this reply the interview ended.
The new abode was but a few hundred yards
from the commandant's house, and found as the
secretary had described it, a place of perfect
security. It had doubtless at one time served
136
NARRATIVE OF A
as a prison ; before the windows, which looked
into the square, there were strong iron bars, the
outer part of the door was plated with iron, and
had strong bolts: there was a hole in the centre
of about twelve inches square, with a folding
door to admit the inmates' provisions. The man
who had charge of this apartment was extremely
civil; a good bed and fire made it a very com-
fortable resting place; there was constantly some-
thing to amuse us passing in the square, as the
regiment to which the commandant referred was
frequently exercised there. On three occasions
there was a meeting of the inhabitants about noon,
which we considered to be a kind of exchange.
The greatest annoyance we had to endure was
that of parties collecting under the windows and .
gazing on us; it was to be presumed we were the
objects of their curiosity.
During a residence here until the 25th Decem-
ber, living comfortably and not expensively, an
opportunity was afforded of judging how far the
statement was correct of the climate of these
islands being so unhealthy; there were no less
than nine funerals from this square during our
CAPTIVITY IN FRANCE, &c.
137
short stay. The inhabitants did not seem generally
in bad circumstances, and there were no beggars
to be seen. The houses here are neatly con-
structed, their doors and windows all painted
green.
The dress of the men was rather of an
ancient cut; the boys were habited in a similar
way. The far greater part of the women, seen
occasionally in the square, and who were taken
to be of the middle class, wore straw bonnets of
the shape of English cottage bonnets, and had
long gold earrings and small bandages of gold
attached in front of the hair under lace caps
Whether it was owing to the intensity of the damp
and cold that they wore a profusion of petticoats,
or something to set them out, we could not
ascertain; they showed behind a monstrous
protuberance. There were several well dressed
females occasionally to be seen of a more slender
and becoming appearance.
At eight o'clock in the evening of the 25th,
the secretary of the commandant came to inform
us that we were to proceed the following day for
Antwerp, that to obviate being placed in prison
at the fort of Batz, two gens d'armes might be
N 2
VOL 1.
138
NARRATIVE OF A
procured to escort us to that place at the
customary rate of allowance, viz. ten francs
per day This proposition was acceded to; the
gaoler's accounts for our living were brought in
and signed. At ten o'clock on the morning of the
26th two
gens
d'armes came in a very
comfortable
kind of vehicle, and for which we were called
upon to pay the sum of twenty francs for the
day's ride.
One of our conductors, a lieutenant of that
corps, being ordered to Antwerp, did not think it
derogatory to replace a private and thus travel at
our expense. We had not any cause to regret his
company, as he was remarkably facetious and
communicative. The ride to Batz was through a
low country, intersected by dykes, the apertures
of which were in many places filled with water.
In several parts the tops of small trees were to be
seen above its level.
On arriving at Batz at four o'clock, we alighted
at a comfortable inn; this town seemed strongly
fortified, and had about twelve months previous,
been the head quarters of Lord Chatham. The
hostess, a very pretty young Flemish woman, was
CAPTIVITY IN FRANCE, &c.
139
extremely attentive, though it was evident she did
not like our conductors, as she was seen to cast
at them whenever an opportunity offered, a look
any thing but agreeable. Making inquiries as to
the number of British troops that had been here,
how they liked their quarters, if they mixed with
the inhabitants, as well as a variety of questions ;
she said the people of Batz were very sorry to
see them go away, that she and all those in her
house had been treated with great civility by
them,'a Major N-she added, had been
extremely kind to her. On which our conductor
observed, in rather a suspicious way
doubt."
Till the hour of returning to rest, a full oppor-
tunity was afforded of talking with the lieutenant
over occurrences of the period when the British
expedition came before Flushing, as well as its
subsequent occupation of that place and the
islands contiguous. He asserted that when the
armament was first seen, great uneasiness pre-
vailed. Antwerp and different parts of the coast
were wholly unprotected, the French armies being
then engaged in the campaign against Austria,
66 Ah! no
140
NARRATIVE OF A
9
“ there were not,” he said, “300 regular troops
at Antwerp, or even in its vicinity." In six days
80,000 troops of various descriptions were collected
before that place, and on the coast immediately
covering the Scheldt.
This force, according to
his statement, was composed of gens d'armes called
in from the roads, gardes de forêt, national guards,
veterans, and inmates of the hotel of invalids from
Paris, such as were capable of serving, and who
were conveyed in carts.
Besides these, persons
employed in the various bureaus of the adminis-
tration of the different towns, were likewise
compelled to augment the numbers ; * “if” said
he, “your troops had landed at Ostend, or in
the vicinity of Newport, they would in forty
eight hours have been before Antwerp, which,
little fortified, must necessarily have fallen. The
object of the expedition being the destruction of
our fleet, it would have been effected completely,
as the greater part were at that time below fort
Lillo, where the line of battle ships would have
had to land their guns previous to proceeding for
a similar statement in the
* I recollect having seen
Moniteur.
CAPTIVITY IN FRANCE, &c.
141
Antwerp, a work which (particularly in such a
state of confusion) would have taken some days
to effect, our squadron would have been destroyed,
and your ships proceeding as far as Lillo, the
army would have been enabled to embark with
little opposition; such an operation would not
have prevented the attack on Flushing, and
which would, as it ultimately did, fall into
your
power." He described the bombardment of that
place as an appalling sight, eulogising at the same
time the bravery of the garrison, and the scientific
defence made by General Bonêt, its commander.
In answer to a question, if he really thought the
British army had, during the occupation of that
place, lost, as was reported, 4,000 men; he said,
“certainly, and many more, what with the siege
and sickness you could not have had less than
6,000 men hors de combat ; " “there were," he
added, “4,000 who died of sickness alone, and
when you were at Flushing roads, you must have
seen the spot where they lie. It was not owing
to bad water that they died, for the greater part
of the time they were here, supplies came from
England; it was the damp arising from the low-
142
NARRATIVE OF A
ness of the ground, the nauseous smell caused
when the dykes begin to dry, which impregnates
the air. A kind of vegetable matter forms at a
time when the water is seen to recede from the
low land between the dykes, influenced by the
rays of the sun, the odour referred to results."
On retiring to rest about nine o'clock, it was
found that our conductors were to occupy the
same apartment with us ; there were but two
beds, one for myself and friend, the other for
the officer. The gen d'arme had to pass the
night on a chair before the fire, in order to keep
watch over us. On the lieutenant taking off his
coat, which it was presumed, struck the bedstead,
a pistol in the pocket went off, burning a large
hole in it; the inmates below hearing the
report, came up in consternation, inquiring if
any one had been shot. The lieutenant dismissed
them in a summary way, desiring they would
mind their own business, that no one was hurt.
It was very near, however, having a contrary
result, the ball passed underneath the chair where
the gen d'arme sat, and close to his right boot,
lodging in the lower part of the wainscotting
CAPTIVITY IN FRANCE, &c.
143
near the fireplace; many apologies were made to
us for the accident by the officer; little was,
however, said to the
gen
d'arme. The night
passed tolerably well, occasionally waking, it
was curious, to observe the sentry in his chair,
his head nodding as if making obeisance to the
fire. After a comfortable breakfast on the morn_
ing of the 27th, we embarked at nine o'clock,
in the usual passage boat for Antwerp; thence
to Lilo, the distance is considerable ; at half-
passage it came on to blow hard, and the sails
were required to double reefed. To our great
amusement, and not less of that of the man at
the helm, who spoke English well, our conductors
became excessively sick. The lieutenant taking
off his cocked hat, put on a night cap and crept
under the forecastle, the gen d'arme did not
follow the example, stationing himself to leeward,
having occasion at intervals to place his head
over the side, a loud roar followed by a deep
groan, indicated his sufferings; afterwards turning
his face to the wind he exclaimed “Oh Lord,
I never
was
so ill before.”
From Lilo, the Scheldt takes various turns to
144
NARRATIVE OF A
Antwerp; its width there being inconsiderable,
the water became smoother; on arriving opposite
the fort, the lieutenant crept out of his berth,
and addressing the gen d'arme said, “Oh! my
God, how sick I have been,” “and I likewise
Mr. Lieutenant” was the reply. At two o'clock
we landed on the quay at Antwerp, there were
a number of vessels laying there, several dis-
played their flags, two of which were Americans.
Traversing (under escort of the lieutenant) several
fine streets, the houses in which appeared mag-
nificent, we arrived at a building, the exterior
of which denoted it to be a prison. A loud
rap at the door soon brought forth the goaler;
the lieutenant said “ I have brought you two
English prisoners, you must accommodate them
with a room if you can, for which you will be
paid,” then turning to us he said “ Gentlemen,
I wish you good bye, and I trust you will soon
be enabled to clear yourselves from this unpleasant
affair,” meaning of course, the suspicion of our
having landed from a British ship
Previous to parting he was reminded of the
money belonging to us, which had been put into
CAPTIVITY IN FRANCE, &c.
145
his charge at Beveland, the answer was
not fear as to that, it will be left at head
quarters.” Contrary to expectation, the goaler
either could not or would not provide us a room
separate from the other inmates under his charge.
One containing eight beds, of which there was
but one unoccupied, and not of the cleanest
description, was our abode. The party confined
here were principally Dutch seamen belonging to
the men of war then in the basin of Antwerp;
they had been sent into confinement for insubor-
dination, &c. Two of these people spoke English
tolerably well, a circumstance that made the time
pass something more agreeably. The following
morning, the 28th December, the goaler came to
say we were wanted; on being conducted into
his apartment, there were two officers, a captain
and a lieutenant, each decorated with the riband
of the Legion of Honour. They informed us
that the object of their mission was to make
certain inquiries touching our arrest at South
Beveland. The latter then took from his pocket
a bundle of papers; when opened, by a casual
glance I perceived they were the depositions which
66 Do
VOL. I.
146
NARRATIVE OF A
had been made before the commandant at Guise.
The captain seating himself near the fire with
much consequence, said “Now I expect you will
answer the questions I shall put.” Our names
and ages being asked, were found to correspond
with the former statement, on which he said, “It
is all very well, now tell me, have you not a
knowledge of a vessel in your service named the
Emperieuse."* Replying that I had certainly
*
heard of such a ship, but had never seen her,
nor indeed any other vessel, for the period of
nineteen months preceding, he said, “It is false,
you have: we are aware you both landed from
that ship; we know all about it.” 6. In that
case,” said I, “it was useless to put such a
question." The answer did not appear satisfac-
tory “ You say,” he continued, at the same
time looking at the paper, “ that you took
a
* This frigate was for a considerable period commanded
by Lord Cochrane, and stationed off the coast of France ;
she was well known, not only by the French fishermen,
but almost every inhabitant residing near the coast, as his
lordship frequently disturbed them in cutting out vessels
moored under the batteries, as well as landing, destroy-
ing the guns, and occasionally carrying off the sentries.
CAPTIVITY IN FRANCE, &c.
147
boat to go to Beveland, pray where did you
get the boat ?" the reply was, that we had met
with it on the beach near Phillipine, without any
one on board at the time we embarked.* He
inquired where she was left, and what was her
number. He was told that the boat was left
on the beach at Beveland, and that we had not
discovered any number.
. On this he turned
suddenly to his companion, who was occupied
in recording our answers, saying, 66 Ah! this is
always the way our fishermen act; they are
invariably aiding the English in these enter-
prizes : how can you deny," he said, “ that
you are naval men, when your dress denotes as
much?”I replied, “ your question is the best
"'
refutation to the charge of our being spies; that
had we been engaged in such an occupation, it
was natural to expect we should, as closely as
possible, copy the dress of the inhabitants of the
country in which our proceedings had to be car-
* Nor was there: the boat, as I have already stated, was
partly aground; I and my friend got into her while the boat-
man, his son, and our guide got her afloat.
+ We were habited in blue.
148
NARRATIVE OF A
99
in
ried on.” Several questions followed, touching
the strength of the British fleet at that time in
the North Sea, and the names of the com-
manders, &c. &c. He was assured that it was
beyond our power to answer them. “ Now,”
he said, “ you must sign this paper,” alluding
to the depositions which had been taken. This
we declined. Starting suddenly from his chair,
and with a ferocious look, at the same time
folding his arms, and distorting his features
an extraordinary manner,
with shoulders
raised considerably above their natural position,
he came close up to me, saying, “What! not
!
sign it ?" I replied, “No Sir, we will not sign.
it.” 6. Then,” said he, “I will make you.”
The other officer then addressed an observation
to him
which I could not exactly hear, when
this ruffianly captain passed on to the window,
apparently considering how to act ; turning in a
few seconds, he again came up to me, and with
an assumed placidity, which he conceived might
probably induce us to give our signatures, he
said, “Why do you object ? you have nothing
to fear by signing it.” I repeated our former
CAPTIVITY IN FRANCE, &c.
149
mo-
declaration, at the same time telling him that
any further effort was useless: that we would
not sign any statement whatever, and our
tives for refusing were, that however favourable
it then was towards us, nevertheless alterations
might afterwards be made to our prejudice, and
form the ground of a specific charge: that we
had already had enough to do, to repel the
unfounded insinuation, that we landed on the
island of South Beveland in the character of
spies.
During these discussions my companion who
had all the time listened with great attention,
indignant at the ruffianly conduct of this fellow,
now said, “ Do not let him have it all his own
way.” The advice was not unheeded.
come sir,” I said, “ doubtless by orders from the
general commanding to make these inquiries, and
to which we have replied in the best manner in our
power, but the general did not tell you to insult
You have thought proper to act, no doubt
for the purpose of intimidation, in a manner
which I am
sure he would not countenance.”
His passion having now subsided, in a mild tone
66 You
us.
VOL I.
02
150
NARRATIVE OF A
he said, “ I have not insulted you, all I want is,
that you sign these statements.” I told him he
had done every thing but strike, that his govern-
ment would not permit the prisoner of war to be
unnecessarily insulted or abused; even the Em-
peror himself discountenanced such proceedings,
as was to be seen in an order of the day, issued
at Salamanca, 1809, and to this effect: “ I order
that the English prisoners shall be treated with
the humanity which characterizes a brave and
generous people.” How far you have acted
towards us in accordance with that injunction, the
minister of war shall have an opportunity of
deciding, a few days march will bring us to
Vallenciennes, a memorial shall then be drawn
up, setting forth all that has now occurred.
“ Where is the bravery," I inquired, “ in treating
persons in the way you have treated us.” As
for your threat that we shall be tried by a military
tribunal as spies, it is all nonsense, you cannot
make us what we are not, besides you
should
récollect that there are 75,000 French prisoners in
England.” At this observation he said, “ I see
you are going to insult me, be careful what you
CAPTIVITY IN FRANCE, &c.
151
say, or I will order you into irons.” I have no
doubt of your power to do so, I said, nor will it
be the first time that I have been in them, a
treatment which no civilized government would
show towards a prisoner of war. My companion
observing that I had better not go too far, put
an end to the discussion. The captain then taking
up his hat, said to the gaoler, “ you may lock
them up again.” On returning to our abode, we
began to reflect if any expression had escaped,
calculated to make our situation still more un-
comfortable. There was no doubt the individual
who had just quitted would feel pleased in adding
to our annoyance, and we came to the decision
that in any future examinations, to pass unheeded
both the language and the treatment that we
might have to contend with.*
On the morning of the 29th we were again
summoned to the gaoler's room; there were two
persons, one habited in undress uniform, the other
in Bourgois, waiting; the latter spoke English
perfeetly, and unlike the previous visitors, they
* We were afterwards told this valiant captain was a
Belgian, in the French service.
152
NARRATIVE OF A
5
seen
66
now
79
were civil. The depositions from Beveland, as
likewise those taken here, were brought for our
signatures; the person who spoke English, said,
“ Have you any thing to add to what is here
written," replying that we had not the
contents of those papers, he said, “then I will
read them.” To this no objection was offered,
”
afterwards he said,
do
me the favour
to sign them; "I see then,” he said, “you
are inflexible, I am sorry for it; be assured
you are acting contrary to your own interest.”
Apologising for differing from his opinion, I
inquired whether the minister of war had been
written to on our account, “ Yes,” he said,
days since, and I should think an answer will be
here to-night or to-morrow.” “Then ” I observed,
“ it cannot but be favourable to us,
commandant at Auxonne would transmit our
descriptions to the minister immediately after the
escape, they would necessarily be sent here.” “I
hope it may be as you state,” was his reply ; “in
a contrary case, and I am sorry to say it, your
position will become an aukward one.”
told we were greatly annoyed at the repetition of
66
some
as the
He was
CAPTIVITY IN FRANCE, &c.
153
9
the story respecting our having landed from a
British man of war;
66 but
you
have been taken ”
he observed, " on an island, under very suspicious
circumstances, and you cannot be surprised at
being severely dealt with.” Pointing out that
letters had been found upon us, addressed to
Auxonne, as likewise the chart by which the
route we had taken was defined; he said, “they
go for nothing, I am sorry you cannot be prevailed
I
upon to sign these depositions.” About
About to retire,
we thanked him for his civility, so opposite to that
of the officers who had been sent to us on the
28th. “Ah! by the bye,” he said, “one of them
is in great anger, he says he was grossly insulted.”
“In such case," I answered, “I must be the
person he alluded to, as my friend was silent
during the interview. The insult came from him,
he did every thing but lay violent hands on me;
his object, no doubt, was to alarm us, and by
such means force a statement to our disadvantage.”
“ All I know is,” he said, " that he has furnished
a written account of all that passed, which has
been sent to a great personage here, and what the
result will be, I cannot tell.”
154
NARRATIVE OF A
News from Paris was anxiously looked for; it
did not arrive till the 31st. In the afternoon, a
Maréchal de Logis of Gendarmerie, accompanied
by a person having the appearance of a secretary
to some of the authorities, came to the prison.
The gaoler for the third time conducted us to his
apartment; the presumed secretary, inquiring our
names, ages, &c. drew from his pocket a large
letter, which had the appearance of a ministerial
despatch. Looking attentively at us a few seconds,
he turned to the Maréchal de Logis, saying, “ it
is quite true, they are the persons here described.”
Great was the joy at this announcement, the term
of
spy being no longer applicable to us; and it
was to be desired that the ruffianly captain, of
whose conduct I have already spoken, was now
here to witness the aquittal. On inquiring when
we were to be removed from this prison, we were
told that the correspondence* did not leave until
* There were certain days appointed for conducting the
prisoners of all grades to the towns or places from which they
had deserted, as likewise those who had to be transferred for
trial or offences. The gen d'armes were seen to meet half
way between their respective stations, and exchange their
prisoners. This was called travelling by correspondence.
CAPTIVITY IN FRANCE, &c.
155
the 4th January. Anxious to quit, the Maréchal
de Logis was asked if an escort could be obtained
to conduct us to Valenciennes, for which, as well
as a carriage, the customary allowance would be
paid. The answer was, “I think it can.
n." At
7 o'clock he came to say that we might have two
gens d'armes to Valenciennes, that the pay being
10 francs per day, exclusive of the living, and
the journey three days, the whole expense, in-
cluding the vehicle, would be 100 francs. There
was evidently extortion in this proposition. It was
however advisable to yield, rather than remain
four days in this filthy gaol.
156
NARRATIVE OF A
CHAPTER V.
ARRIVAL AT VALENCIENNES- -OCCURRENCES IN THE TOWN
PRISON OF THAT PLACE-A SECOND VISIT TO CAMBRAI
MARCH FROM THENCE, WITH OCCURRENCES ON THE
ROAD ARRIVAL AT AUXONNE-RECEPTION THERE.
AT 8 a.m. on the 1st January, 1812, the journey
commenced. The carriage procured by the gens
d'armes was an open one, and the weather being
very cold, the journey consequently was any thing
but comfortable. The route was by Malines,
Brussels, and Mons, to Valenciennes.
Nothing remarkable occurred during these three
days; our conductors, although civil, were un-
remitting in the watch kept upon us; as in the
instance at the fort of Batz, each night they oc-
cupied the same room with us, alternately keeping
watch. At half-past 4 p.m of the 3rd, we arrived
4
at the town prison of Valenciennes. After settling
accounts with these conductors, and seeing that
they delivered over to the gaoler the money which
CAPTIVITY IN FRANCE, &c.
157
had been taken from us, they politely wished us
good night and a pleasant journey.
There were, according to report, between 1000
and 2000 English prisoners at Valenciennes con-
fined in the citadel, and likewise several gentlemen
on parole in the town. A clean and comfortable
room was procured in the gaoler's house with good
beds, luxuries to which we had been some time
strangers. Soon after arriving, an English servant
in livery, came with Lord Barrington's compliments,
requesting our names, and to know where we had
been taken. Soon after answering these inquiries,
his lordship again sent to say that he would be
glad of our company to dine with him the following
day. Whether it was an expression of his lord-
ship’s, or merely of his servant, we did not
ascertain ; but we were amused by the invitation
being accompanied with the hope that we had
no previous engagement. Soon afterwards a visit
was paid by Mr. Slack, likewise an inmate of
this prison. The following day several gentlemen
on parole in the town came to see us, desirous
of having full particulars as to our attempt at
escape, and the cause of its failure.
VOL I.
P
158
NARRATIVE OF A
His lordship likewise did us the honor of a
visit on that day; in conversation he commu-
nicated a piece of intelligence, which had it not
appeared in the Moniteur, could not by possibility
be credited. It was that of a decree inserted in
that paper a few days after our escape from
Auxonne, a translation of which I subjoin.
“ Napoleon, by the grace of God and the
Constitutions of the Empire, Emperor of the
French and King of Italy, Protector of the
Confederation of the Rhine, and Mediator of the
Swiss Confederation, fc. &c. &c.
“ On the report of our ministers of war and of
marine we have decreed, and do decree as follows:
viz.
“ The act of the republic is in full force against
all prisoners of war who shall be found guilty
of desertion.
АСТ.
“ Any prisoner of war taken by the armies of
the republic, who shall leave the place of his
residence without legal permission, if retaken
shall be condemned to six years irons.
“ Our ministers of war and of marine are
CAPTIVITY IN FRANCE, &c.
159
charged with the execution of the present, which
shall be inserted in the bulletin of laws.
(Signed)
“ By the Emperor
NAPOLEON.
“ The Secretary Counseller of State,
(Signed) DARU.”
This infamous document was dated on the
13th December, 1811, but nine days after our
departure from Auxonne. The sensation caused
by it in the different depôts may readily be con-
ceived ; although it did not apply to myself and
companion, it was evident the wrath of the
government was excited, and the offence (for such
it was termed) which we had committed, would
meet with more than the ordinary duration of
confinement. After dinner at his lordship’s (the
guests were all English) the decree in question
formed the principal topic of conversation, the
situation in which the prisoners were placed by
this, not only unexpected, but likewise unparalleled
announcement, every one seemed to think as most
precarious; some thought it impossible that Na-
poleon would dare (seeing the great number of
French prisoners at this time in England) to act
160
NARRATIVE OF A
with so much barbarity ; the war was about to
assume a new character when those in captivity
were to be dealt with as malefactors, and punished
with a severity, which usually expiates crimes of
the worst description committed by French sub-
jects. How far attempts were made to put in
execution this abominable law, will appear at a
subsequent part of my narrative. During our
confinement here, an Englishman was brought in
and placed with the French deserters in the court
yard. On ascertaining this, an application was
made to the gaoler to allow his coming for a short
time into our room. On inquiring how he had
come to France, the answer was any thing but
satisfactory; he represented that he had left
London but a fortnight preceding, and having
landed at Rotterdam without a passport, was
arrested, and thrown into the prison of that place.
We endeavoured to learn his motive in leaving
England for a country situated as France then
was; he said that an awkward affair had been the
cause of it.
There was evidently a desire on his
part to conceal the precise nature of the business
to which he alluded; the gaoler on being requested,
CAPTIVITY IN FRANCE, &c.
161
brought in refreshment, of which he seemed to
partake with great zest, deprived as he had been
of nourishment for several days, save the allow-
ance of the prisons through which he had passed.
In his case, likewise, the money found upon
him at the moment of his arrest, had been taken ;
when told that ours was in the hands of the
gaoler, to be passed on with us, his fears as to
the fate of his own subsided. To this stranger
I shall have hereafter to allude.
Residing at Valenciennes till the 10th January,
receiving kindnesses and attentions from Lord
Barrington, Mr. Slack, and several gentlemen
residing in the town, we came to the decision of
proceeding once more to Auxonne, contrary to
the advice of these gentlemen, who were desirous
that we should remain during the winter at
Valenciennes. A gen d'arme was hired for our
escort to Combrai. The distance to Auxonne and
thence to the fortress of Bitche, was computed
to be not less than from 560 to 580 miles; a stay
during the winter here would not have prevented
a further confinement in that fortress, the sooner
that destination was reached, the sooner necessarily
VOL. I.
P 2
162
NARRATIVE OF A
we
were recom-
would be our removal from it. This consideration
alone induced us to forego the society we had
here enjoyed, as well as the rest it afforded.*
At four o'clock in the afternoon a gen d'arme
came with a fiacre to conduct us to Cambrai;
when about to leave the gaol, he produced a pair
of handcuffs, asserting he would not take charge
of us without using them, as
mended to the particular attention of our con-
ductors. To pay for escort, and to be subjected
to such treatment, could not be endured ; rather
l
than proceed he was told that we would remain,
and wait the first removal of prisoners to Cambrai,
as even then we could only be conducted with
these elegant appendages : seeing this determi-
nation, and not wishing to lose the opportunity
of making a few francs, he said, “ if you
will
give me your words of honour that
you
will not
attempt to escape, I will take you without them.”
The proposition was complied with, and after an
A few months after our leaving Valenciennes, I learned
with deep regret that Lord Barrington and Mr. Slack died in
that prison. It was said their deaths were to be attributed to
some contagious disease which made its appearance, in the
first instance, with the French inmates.
CAPTIVITY IN FRANCE, &c.
163
uninteresting ride, I arrived once more at the
gate of the citadel of that place at a little after
eight o'clock in the evening. While knocking
for admission, I could not but reflect on the
scenes through which I had passed during a
twelve months' absence from this depôt. At eight
o'clock the prisoners retired to rest, there was
not a light perceptible in any window of the
barracks; never did the citadel appear to me
more desolate. * In the yard there was a small
prison in which the French deserters passing
through were usually confined. On entering the
gaoler's room, the gen d'arme pointing to me,
said in a facetious way, “I have brought you
* In 1824, when visiting the north of France, I passed
through Cambrai ; desirous of seeing the citadel and when
about to enter the gate, the sentry refused to let me pass.
How great was the change! I need scarcely say, the time
had been when liberty was refused me to leave it. To an
officer passing at the time, I stated my desire to walk through,
having years previous been a prisoner of war there; he
immediately directed a corporal to conduct me. I recognized
my name, as well as those of many who were then with
me in 1809, still standing on the stone chimney piece of the
room in which we had been placed. It was the general
practice of the prisoners to record their names wherever they
were confined.
164
NARRATIVE OF A
an old friend,” “ Oh yes,” he replied, “ I recollect
him very well, he was here last year." Anxious
to see former companions, I endeavoured to per-
suade the gaoler to announce my arrival to them.
“ It is quite impossible,” he said, “ they are all
asleep long ago.” After a good deal of solicitation
I prevailed upon him to fetch Monsieur Maniquet,
the secretary of the commandant, who imme-
diately came : great was his astonishment to see
me re-appear at this depôt. Inquiring how the
Baron de Dalmont was, he said he had left some
time previous to take a command in the armies
in Spain. It appeared that in my absence many
changes had taken place, the greater part owing
to the removal of that officer. The then com-
mandant was a lieutenant of gen d'armerie, and
exceedingly disliked. My visitor was asked if he
thought the decree of the 13th December would
be put in force, “ I have no doubt whatever of it,”
he replied, “and it is a very fortunate circum-
stance for
you
and your friend that your attempt
preceded it.” Expressing the hope that the
following morning we might be permitted to walk
freely in the citadel yard, to converse with old
9
CAPTIVITY IN FRANCE, &c.
165
acquaintances, more particularly that I might
see the sailors who had been taken with me, I
was given to understand such permission was
impossible, and moreover, that we should have to
proceed immediately on the journey.
“ The commandant has orders," said my friend,
" to send forward all prisoners not destined to
remain here, without allowing any communication
between them and the depôt. I now inquired if
he would do me the favour to see us away on the
following morning, and to persuade, if possible,
the gens d'armes not to place us in handcuffs.
“ Certainly,” he said, “I will come and see you
off, and will prevent it if I can, yet that will
entirely depend as to whether I happen to know
the
gens
d'armes who are to be the escort. It is a
pity,” he added, “ that you attempted to escape,
you will be looked upon with suspicion for the
remainder of the time you are in this country.
Monsieur Maniquet had, on many occasions,
during my former residence, acted with great
kindness to me; I believe it was principally
owing to him that my application to the Minister
of War, to be allowed parole in the town, was
a
166
NARRATIVE OF A
so speedily granted, as he induced the Baron de
Dalmont to speak favourably of me to the Mi-
nister, without having necessary tiine to ascertain
whether I was or was not likely to respect the
favour sought. Whenever I had an opportunity
of thanking this gentleman, his reply invariably
was, “ Not at all, my dear Sir; I am sure you
would do as much for me, if I were a prisoner
in
your country.' It is with pleasure I record
favours shown, and at a period too, when the
least disposition at all approximating to them,
on the part of a Frenchman towards an English
prisoner of war, being viewed with suspicion, they
became necessarily more valuable.*
According to promise, Monsieur Maniquet
came to see us depart: the gens d'armes, at his
particular solicitation, allowed us to walk without
being attached to twenty-five unfortunate French
deserters conducted by them. They were also
civil during the day's journey, doubtless owing
来
​* I frequently remarked, during my residence at Auxonne,
that French people of both sexes, who within doors were
most pleasing and agreeable, would pass us in the street in a
very distant manner. The motive may be conjectured.
CAPTIVITY IN FRANCE, &c.
167
as
a
to this intercession. A little after three o'clock
we arrived at St. Quintin: the route was precisely
the same as that of the preceding twelve months,
the difference in my position however as regarded
liberty of movement was great; then I was on
parole, and now conducted under escort
deserter. Particular description of the gaols into
which we were thrown during the whole of this
dreary march, I shall avoid, fearful that my re-
presentation, as regards their filth and humidity,
may appear to want confirmation. To those
who peruse my narrative, whose fate it was to
be prisoners in France at the period on which I
write, it is unnecessary to enter into detail; I
would rather avoid recalling scenes long passed,
the recollection of which can but give rise to
painful recollections.
From the 11th January to the 9th February,
twenty-nine days, which brought us to Auxonne,
the time was spent marching, and in confinement
in the various prisons on the road. Although
frequent endeavours were made to procure gens
d'armes and a conveyance to pass
quickly, they were unavailing. This was attri-
on
more
168
NARRATIVE OF A
butable to an order given by the commandant at
Cambrai, pointing out the particular mode of
treatment to be observed towards us, while on
the march. There were fortunately but three
occasions on which we had to travel in handcuffs,
during the whole of the way. Those were from
Leon to Corbeney, thence to Rheims, and from
Vitry le Français to St. Dizier. The weather
during nearly the whole of the time, was favour-
able; had snow fallen, as on my former march,
twelve months previous, having to rest in cold
gaols, we should have been compelled, before
bringing the journey to a conclusion, to seek refuge
in an hospital.
While in the prison at Langres, six captains
and mates of merchantmen joined us; they were
likewise going to Auxonne It may be consi-
dered a poor compliment to them when I assert,
that never was an arrival more agreeable : they
had been recently taken, two were absent but
six weeks from England They were surprised,
and not less pleased, at thus unexpectedly meeting
two of their countrymen. Not one of the party
spoke French, they had consequently been
CAPTIVITY IN FRANCE, &c.
169
unable to obtain beds or refreshments, except at
exhorbitant rates, putting up with the gaol
allowance during the greater part of their long
march from the coast.
One of these persons had
preserved two English newspapers. They fur-
nished to my companion and myself the means
of passing the hours very agreeably. It was
impossible they could be too often read, as at
each perusal they appeared to contain fresh news.
These repeated readings afforded our new ac-
quaintances considerable mirth.
The recital of occurrences in England gathered
from our friends served to beguile the loneliness
of confinement and made the remainder of the
journey pass off lightly. At Dijon, on entering
the town prison, we were astonished to meet with
twelve captains and mates of merchantmen who
had attempted to escape from Auxonne after the
appearance of the decree already named. They
were waiting trial before the military tribunals;
our escape from Auxonne had, it appeared, highly
incensed the commandant Monsieur Bertrand ;
nine others got out of the town the same night,
and he suspected we had gone together. During
VOL. I.
170
NARRATIVE OF A
our stay in this place, a sight occurred of the
most unpleasant kind : two Spanish soldiers con-
victed of the murder of a gen d'arme, were
brought out for execution. They had been a
long time confined in a cell under ground, and
were heavily ironed. Several gens d'armes came
to conduct them to the place of execution. On
being led into the prison yard, they refused to
accompany their conductors unless a glass of
brandy was given, in which to drink the health
of Ferdinand the 7th. The priest attending,
did all he could to induce them to submit
to their fate, neither the threats of the gens
d'armes, nor the swords and pistols which were
frequently pointed at these miserable men, had
the effect to alter their determination ; brandy
was at length brought, and the respect paid
to their monarch, shaking hands with several
Spanish officers, who were likewise here, they
quietly departed. They were exceedingly fine
This was the only instance in which
I had been in a gaol (as far as I could ascertain)
where there were persons waiting execution. At
Valenciennes, however, there was
man ap-
young men.
a
CAPTIVITY IN FRANCE, &c.
171
parently a countryman, about to be tried, having
shot a priest in a chapel in some part of Belgium.
On the morning of the 3rd February, we left
Dijon for Auxonne, three friends there had been
written to, announcing our intended arrival :
:
though regretting the unfortunate issue of the
enterprise, they were glad to perceive we had
not materially suffered from the fatigue by which
it had been attended. When lodged in the town
prison, the history of our adventures had to be
frequently repeated to the numerous visitors who
kindly repaired there. Although the families with
whom we had resided were not of the number,
they instantly, and indeed during the entire of
our stay, furnished our daily fare, adding supplies
of the best wine the place afforded-kindness
shown at such a crisis can never escape my
recollection.
The day after our return two gens d'armes came
to conduct us to the commandant, a visit not
unexpected. He was sitting in his Bureau along
with an interpreter. After regarding us attentively
*
I frequently remarked the levity of this man during the
hours he was allowed to pace the prison yard.
172
NARRATIVE OF A
for a few minutes, he inquired how we had con-
trived to escape from the town; replying that
the walls were scaled, and without assistance, he
said, “ what, do you mean to tell me you did
not pass through the gate in disguise,” answering
in the negative, he asked, “ pray what part of
the rampart did you get over, was there not a
sentry near where you got out?” Telling him
there was a sentry within a few yards, but it was
impossible he could see us, as it rained heavily,
and the night was extremely dark, he observed,
“ it was well indeed he did not see you; what
induced you to desert ?” the reply was a ready
one, viz. to get out of captivity, at the same
time adding, that as liberty in the depôt was
considerably curtailed, and compelled to attend
three musters in the day, beyond these, per-
mission to go out after dark being withdrawn, he
could not expect that persons thus situated would
remain at Auxonne, more particularly as we had
been long threatened with a close confinement to a
fort or citadel. To this he answered, “ you
had
every liberty you had a right to expect.” He
then inquired if I had not been much longer in
CAPTIVITY IN FRANCE, &c.
173
the depôt than my companion ? Replying affir-
matively, he said, "you must then have induced
him to desert.” My friend here stepped forward,
and told him he required no inducement, that the
moment the liberty was curtailed, he came to the
determination to quit. “I am aware," said the
commandant, “ that M. de Bross gave you on
many occasions liberty to visit the country for
some distance; he was foolish for doing so." I
told him that M. de Bross visited the family with
whom I resided, and necessarily knew me, that
he never refused an extension of liberty when he
had the power to grant it; that during his com-
mand I, as well as others of my countrymen, had
been absent for a period of two or three days,
even going so far as St. Jean Delone down the
river, likewise beyond the town of Dole, on the
Besançon road, and that those indulgences had
never been abused. “ Ah! he gave you all too
much liberty," was his reply. To this opinion I
begged leave to differ, telling him, that had equal
liberty been allowed after that officer's departure,
neither I nor my friend would have made an
attempt to escape.
Q2
VOL I.
174
NARRATIVE OF A
Further inquiries followed, viz. by what con-
veyance we had travelled, how the boat was
procured which took us to South Beveland, and
whether a guide had not undertaken to conduct
us to the coast; the answers being given in an
evasive manner, seemed to displease him so much,
that he directed the gen d'arme to re-conduct
us to the town prison.
The long anticipated removal of the depôt*
was now consummated; the place selected was the
town of Longwy, a small though strongly fortified
place in the department of the Moselle, and but
a short distance from the city of Metz. The first
detachment was ordered to move on the 18th
February; in the interim the Minister of War's
instructions arrived to consign my friend and self
to the fortress of Bitche, which being in the same
department as Longwy, we were to leave with the
detachment above mentioned.
Our French friends who thus far had confined
* It appeared that the prisoners were not removed from
Auxonne, owing to frequent desertions. A camp was to
be formed near that place it was reported of thirty thousand
This force formed one of the corps of the grande
armée which afterwards entered Russia.
men.
CAPTIVITY IN FRANCE, &c.
175
their attentions to inquiries, and supplying our
wants, now came to visit us. It appeared they
had an objection to do so immediately on our
arrival, and until the decision of the government
was known, as to whether we were once more to
have the liberty, such as it was, of Auxonne,
or be finally removed.
176
NARRATIVE OF A
CHAPTER VI.
MARCH FROM AUXONNE TO METZ-SEPARATION FROM OUR
COUNTRYMEN THERE-JOURNEY THENCE TO BITCHE-
DESCRIPTION
THEREOF,
AND
PARTICULARS
OF THE
TREATMENT OBSERVED TOWARDS THOSE CONFINED IN IT.
On the morning of the 18th, the journey
commenced in company with about 250 of the
prisoners ; the route was by Dijon, Langres,
Clefmont, Neufchatel, Toul, Nancy, Pont à Mous-
son, and Metz, at which place we were to separate
from them. Nothing remarkable or interesting
occurred during the whole of the march. In
some towns our companions were billeted on the
inhabitants, in others they were consigned to gaols
with us: we were particularly marked as objects
of attention to our conductors, having deserted
and being destined to a depôt of punishment.*
*
Passing through the town of Nancy, where a depôt of
Spanish officers had been some time established, the cele-
brated general Palafox, whose defence of Saragossa can
never be forgotten, was pointed out to us : he was in a very
debilitated state of health. At this place Sir Wm. Cooper
CAPTIVITY IN FRANCE, &c.
177
The 26th February separated us from the
detachment, when we were consigned to the town
prison of Metz; on the following morning the
hand-cuffs were once more used, and after a
tedious walk we arrived at Sarreguimiennes, but
one day's march of the fortress in which a long
confinement was to be anticipated; two gens d'armes
were here hired in order to bring this wearisome
travelling to a conclusion. Passing by a rough
road and over a poor country, we reached that
celebrated fort somewhat about three o'clock in
the afternoon. Before proceeding to give a minute
account of treatment all persons sent here were
compelled to submit to, the reader should be
informed that Bitche was selected in the early
part of 1806, as a place better adapted than any
other in France for the safe keeping of the
prisoner of war who had attempted to extricate
himself from a captivity, from which, at that time,
there appeared no hope of a termination.
and a relative of his, sent to know if we stood in need of
pecuniary assistance. Here was a truly English feeling and
which I record with pleasure. Finding that we did not
require it, they nevertheless sent in dinner and wine during
the three days my friend and myself had to remain here.
178
NARRATIVE OF A
England, unlike France, is not studded with
garrison towns, the system of our goverment at
this period, was to place the French prisoners,
making similar attempts, on board prison ships ;
the confinement in which, severe as it might be,
nevertheless enabled the inmates to sleep in pure
air, and having permission to pace the deck during
the day, they could observe all passing around
them. Had the French Government been dis-
posed to follow a similar system of punishing
desertion, they had not the means of adopting
it, as it was well known, there was scarcely a
port on their coast before which British men
not constantly seen cruizing.
Frequent instances occured where the ports were
attacked, and ships destroyed, if not in, imme-
diately at their entrance. The glorious affair of
Basque Roads furnishes the proof why the French
government could not consider the English pri-
soners safe afloat, and thus prefered placing them
in forts and citadels.
Of all the fortifications in France, there is none
whose situation and formation appears so
traordinary as the fort of which I am about
of war
were
ex-

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Drawn on Stone by W. Crane from a Sketch made by the Mulher
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FORT OF BITCHE.
H.
From the Met: Road.
CAPTIVITY IN FRANCE, &c.
179
give a faithful and I trust not an uninteresting
description. When seen from the Metz road, it
is scarcely possible to conceive that a confine-
ment here could be so terrible as that which I
am about to report. The town built at the foot
of the mountain on which the fort is situated,
has nothing to recommend it, the houses being
generally small, and rudely constructed. The
streets (of which there are but two, one running
parallel with the side of the mountain, and the
other leading from its centre to the road to
Sarreguimiennes) are narrow and badly paved.
The language here spoken is low German, nor
are the inhabitants less boorish in their manner
than those of the worst of the low countries.
The land round is exceedingly barren, the beet-
root being the principal vegetable grown, being
cultivated in considerable quantity, for the purpose
of extracting sugar from ; this with potatoes,
and the commoner kind of vegetables, form the
only productions. There are very few fields of
corn, wheat, or other grain to be seen for miles
round.
The entire of the fort is hewn from a rock ;
180
NARRATIVE OF A
it is asserted that the mountain previous to the
fort's being constructed, was in form as a sugar
loaf; the spire levelled, the outer part of the
fort was excavated to the parapet. So perpen-
dicular is the mountain, that directly in rear of
the town, the fortifications cannot be seen. To
the right there is a winding footpath; the main
road commences in rear of the left of the moun-
tain, passing by a considerable ascent to the
right, it terminates at the drawbridge represented
in the annexed plate: the river immediately
beyond the town is the Swolbé. The expense of
constructing this extraordinary fortification must
indeed have been immense. If true as reported,
that on the minister of finance applying to Louis
XIV. (in whose reign, I believe, it was built,)
for further supplies for its completion, that mo-
narch inquired if they were building the fort of
Bitche with crown pieces.
The sides of the mountain are wrought in
angles and half circles, in order that the guns
from the bastions may play. upon an enemy
collecting under it, previous to attack. Although
formed from the rock, a well built wall cases
CAPTIVITY IN FRANCE, &c.
181
LIK
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11
TICIN
003
cate!
the whole height of the fort, with one exception,
where it is seen to protrude on that part near
the main bridge. For what purpose it is thus
left, as if in an unfinished state, I had no means
of ascertaining. On arriving at the glacis, which
forms a pleasant promenade, being planted with
trees, the outer walls appear to be about 180 to
200 feet high. A few yards from them is a
ditch in depth about 50 or 60 feet. A small
battery immediately at the foot of the upper
draw-bridge, commands the entire of the glacis.
Those parts separated from the main body of
the fort, and over which there are bridges, are
termed the têtes, or heads; the one to the left,
the grosse tête, where there is a single house,
served as a prison for the disorderly soldiers of
the garrison, as well as the prisoners becoming
refractory.
That on
the right was the re-
sidence of the officer of gen d'armes, under
whose immediate authority we
At the
extremity of the main bridge, a tunnel of about
150 yards passes under the buildings occupied
by the general commanding the fort, and the
mus
ortada
Louis
were.
UN
DEO
olen
VOL I.
R
C2%
182
NARRATIVE OF A
officers of the etât major. The main guard-
house faces this passage, and before it two
field pieces were constantly placed. Turning
thence to the left, passing under the arch-way
of a building used as a store house, we were
brought into the court immediately in front of
the general's residence ; here a wooden barricade,
extending from the chapel wall to the right wing
of the lower barrack, marked the boundary of
the prisoners' walk. At the door of this barri-
cade, which only admitted one person at a time,
a sentry was posted; passing thence, and coming
into the yard, a plate of which is here given,
our unfortunate fellow captives were to be seen
-beyond them, there was nothing to gaze upon
save the front walls of the buildings and the
sky. Contrary to expectation, the ramparts
too high to admit of any view beyond
them. Such was the lonely appearance of the
court-yard of the fort of Bitche.
In this confined space there were several
Englishmen who had endured a confinement of
five and six years. Friends came forward with
whom I had been previously acquainted in different
were

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Drawn on Stone by W. Crone, from a Sketch made by the Authar.
ENTRANCE TO THE FORT OF BITCHE,
taken from the Fossé.
2
OF
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1
CAPTIVITY IN FRANCE, &c.
183
depôts; like myself unsuccessful in their attempts
to escape, and they were now suffering the
penalty. The number of Englishmen at this
'
time here amounted to about 300, and the
garrison, composed of veterans, to 400 men. Eight
rooms had been opened in one of the barracks,
each containing sixteen of the prisoners, whose
long confinement and good conduct merited the
indulgence of a separation from the seamen, as
well as others confined in the souterrains imme-
diately under the barracks. These abodes are
hewn from the rock, and 29 feet from the surface
of the pavement in the court yard. The light
was admitted obliquely through small windows,
with strong iron bars, on a level with the pave-
ment; they were cold and uncomfortable abodes,
although frequently white-washed, and fires kept
in them during the day, the water nevertheless
oozed through the pores of the rock; the damp was
consequently, in the winter months, excessive. Pre-
vious to the period of which I write, the prisoners
first visit to this place was attended with formalities
quite as unpleasant as those to which persons are
subjected when, for the first time, crossing the line.
184
NARRATIVE OF A
On the establishment of the depôt it was of little
importance as to the respectability of the party
coming here; he was sure to be confounded with
characters of the worst description. Although
intended that persons who had attempted to
escape alone should be confined here, many were
seen to arrive from the different depôts whom it
had been impossible to keep under control. Of
the entire number thus confined two-thirds were
composed of seamen, principally of the navy.
When with (as they termed it) too much grog
on board, rioting, drunkenness, and fighting,
were carried on to an extent, that a residence in
these vaulted cellars was scarcely to be borne.
No longer under restraint, the sailor seemed to
consider he was on an equality with those whom,
when at sea, he would not dare to disobey.
A strong spirit denominated Snique, extracted
as it was said from potatoes, and generally used
by the inhabitants, was exceedingly cheap, a
tumbler glass costing but two sous; owing to
this, particularly on the pay days, scenes occurred
of which it would be in vain to give an adequate
description. Sleep, for nights together, could
CAPTIVITY IN FRANCE, &c.
185
not be obtained.
When the sailor arrived at
Bitche, if he had the appearance of a boxer,
his prowess was soon tried; there were several
scientific pugilists among them, and fights of the
most determined character frequently took place
in the souterrains. The larger one usually con-
tained 140 to 160, and the smaller 80 to 100
persons; there were likewise a few confined in a
vaulted cellar, which the prisoners denominated
St. Giles. The beds were placed on boarded
platforms, raised a few feet from the floor. The
inmates were locked up in this solitary place from
seven in the evening until the same hour in the
morning during the summer, and from four in
the afternoon to eight in the morning during
winter months. To make the confinement more
severe, those allotted to the abodes alluded to
were further shut up from twelve to one in the
day
The officer commanding the fort had the rank
of general of brigade; the custody of the
prisoners was committed to a lieutenant of gen
d'armerie. The former, general Newhouse Mai-
sonneuve, an Alsacien by birth, had lost his
R 2
VOL I.
186
NARRATIVE OF A
right arm, it was said, in an action with the
British troops in India. He was advanced in
years, positive and ignorant; speaking French
indifferently, and with a strong German accent,
he appeared to consider that the object of keeping
the prisoner in perfect security, would warrant
any act, however great the severity accompanying
it. The lieutenant, Mr. Oliver, though an ex-
ceedingly passionate man, at one time appeared
disposed to lighten the weight of our captivity,
when he thought indulgences might be granted
without fear of abuse; the opposite conduct of
the general thwarted such intention; it seemed
as if this old man had taken for his motto,
“I have you and I will keep you.” Thus we
had to bear with annoyances the reader will
scarcely credit.
Through the medium of a friend stationed in
one of the rooms, my companion and myself
were allowed to pass the night of our arrival
with him, permission being given by the
officer in command. On the following morn-
ing, the 29th February, 1812, according to
custom, an appearance had to be made before
the commandant.
A vacancy had occurred in
CAPTIVITY IN FRANCE, &c.
187
as
the room spoken of; on applying for leave to
occupy it, he said that he had no objection, and
that he hoped our conduct would be such
to merit the indulgence. A residence in the
souterrains and the torments inseparable from
it, were thus happily avoided.
To prevent the possibility of a want of ac-
curacy appearing in the statement of occurrences
which came under my observation, from the 28th
February 1812, to the 3d October, 1814, a
period of two years and seven months, in which
I had the misfortune to be closely confined here,
I subjoin the names of several of my country-
men, who were at this time incarcerated with
me; it will be for them to state whether I have
not faithfully represented the situation in which
we were during this close and rigorous captivity.
OF THE ARMY.
Lieutenant-General Murry,
Lieutenant-Colonel William Whaley,
Lieutenant L'Estrange, 71st regiment,
Lieutenant Letoller, 83d ditto,
Lieutenant Egan, R. A. Corps,
Lieutenant Dewolmer, K. G. Legion.
188
NARRATIVE OF A
OF THE NAVY.
11
Lieut. W. C. Jervoice, Lieut. Tracey,
William Scanlan, Miller,
Allen Stewart,
Surgeons Bell,
J. Jackson,
Abbot,
Whitehurst,
Patterson,
u
11
11
MIDSHIPMEN.
Worth,
Colquhoun,
Grant,
J. P. Campbell
Rosser,
H. Leworthy,
George Blake,
P. Morris,
J. Herbert,
Magrath,
James,
1
1
Wymer,
Marriott.
Kirkpatrick
PURSERS.
Mackay,
Herd,
Cummings,
OF THE MERCHANT SERVICE, DETENUS, AND
PASSENGERS.
Mr. Nicol,
11
Mr. Throgmorton,
Melville,
Matley,
Dutton,
J. Bishop,
J. Bailey,
Carr,
Miller,
Jackson,
11
11
Waters,
T. Hales,
11
1
CAPTIVITY IN FRANCE, &c.
189
10
W
11
1
11
U
a
Mr. Hurst,
Mr. Goutier,
Whiteway,
Shaw,
Dodds,
Thompson,
Hargrave,
Allanson,
Clarke,
Allison,
Anderson,
Smith,
Langley,
Rowlandson,
Tapley,
Robertson.
A week had scarcely passed after my arrival
when a melancholy occurrence took place, casting
a gloom over the inmates of Bitche. About three
o'clock in the afternoon, a midshipman, named
Mr. Thompson, one of the finest young men
in the fort, was casually passing to the barrier,
at the entrance of the court-yard, where the
towns' people were permitted to offer fruit and
vegetables for sale, under the immediate eye of
the sentry, one person only being permitted to
pass the gate at a time. Two soldiers of the
garrison, off guard, had just come through the
passage, when one, in a state of intoxication,
turning abruptly to Thompson, used an expres-
sion not uncommon with them, viz:-To h-1
with king George-to h-ll with the English.
190
NARRATIVE OF A
Our companion speedily returned the compliment,
using similar expressions towards Napoleon, and
those who had the happiness, as it was usually
termed, to live under him. The soldier then
made a blow at our friend; being a good pugi-
list, it was not only parried, but returned with
an effect which brought the pot-valiant soldier
to the ground. The sentry seeing the occur-
rence, came deliberately from his post, a distance
of several yards, and bringing his musket to a
charge, stabbed Thompson in the abdomen. He
fell almost instantly ; not however before striking
the sentry in the face. I was, at the moment,
leaning against the wall of the well near the
chapel, and but a very few feet from where the
unhappy occurrence took place. I afterwards
observed the sentry coolly wipe the point of the
bayonet with the sleeve of his coat, at the same
time using some expressions which I could not
exactly hear, and then returned to his post. The
sailors, of whom there were many at the moment
in the court-yard, instantly rendered assistance,
and carried their countryman to a room on the
ground floor of the barrack, though but a few

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COURT YARD IN THE FORT OF BITCHE
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Promenade of the Prusonens.
CAPTIVITY IN FRANCE, &c.
191
moments had transpired, on reaching the room
he was dead.
to
were now
The general had a dinner party on that day :
hearing of the affair he came, without his hat,
accompanied by several of his guests, into the
court-yard, stopping but a few moments
speak to the sentry as he passed. The prisoners
seen issụing from the rooms and the
souterrains : the occurrence appeared as a dream
to all. Thompson had but a very short time
before quitted the souterrain. He was a great
favourite of the sailors. Expressions of indig-
nation were used, in the hearing of the general,
by several, and some were imprudent enough to
declare they would be revenged on the sentry.
In the midst of the confusion, the general and
his companions thought proper to retire; the
drums immediately beat, the troops formed in
front of the barracks, and the prisoners were
ordered to their respective rooms.
The general then re-appeared, accompanied by
the commandant, and addressed such as were seen
looking through the room windows, at the same
time drawing his sword with a flourish, he de-
192
NARRATIVE OF A
99
clared that if any one used the word “ revenge,”
or any expression calculated to excite the prison-
ers to insurrection, he would take such person
and try him by a court-martial, carrying the
sentence into execution within twenty-four hours;
a threat, of which there could be little doubt,
he would have felt no reluctance to act upon.
After remaining some time under arms the
troops were dismissed, and we were debarred
permission to walk in the court-yard for the
remainder of the day. The body placed on a
bier was carried to the hospital of the town by
four sailors, under escort of three gen d'armes.
The following day several midshipmen and
sailors were, on application, allowed to attend
the funeral; the latter dressed in blue jackets
and white trousers, with crape on their straw
hats, the former in uniform, with crape round
the arm, had an interesting appearance.
Our departed friend was borne to the grave
by the seamen. The spot selected for the inter-
ment of the prisoners who died in the fort, was
at the junction of two cross roads, a distance
of about a quarter of a mile from the town
CAPTIVITY IN FRANCE, &c.
193
gate. The funeral was seen from the
upper
windows of the barracks.* The guard was com-
posed of soldiers of the garrison and a few gens
d'armes ; and previous to leaving the fort, their
muskets were loaded in the presence of the party
they had to conduct. A memorial setting forth
the particulars of this affair was drawn out to
be forwarded to the minister of war. It had
however to pass the hands of the authorities.
Whether it was not forwarded, or the statement
by which, it is presumed, it would be accom-
panied, on the part of those persons, giving a
different version of the transaction, or otherwise,
could not be ascertained, it remained without
any apparent notice from his excellency.
Occasionally the inhabitants, through curiosity,
would come into the fort, conducting persons
considered to be strangers or residing a little
beyond the town, for the purpose of inspecting
the apartments allotted to us. They were in most
* Several of the sailors who could get but a distant view
of the procession, as it proceeded to the burial ground,
showed signs how deeply they felt the loss of poor Thompson,
who was, according to their declaration, the best fellow, as
an officer, placed among them, in the souterrain.
VOL. I.
S
194
NARRATIVE OF A
a
cases attended by a subaltern officer; sometimes
the English would attend, if the party appeared
to be respectable, for the purpose of explaining
or giving information touching our confinement.
An opportunity was afforded on one of these
visits, (when several ladies came, and in reply to
a question from them, if they could in any way
be of service to us,) to forward a letter to the
Minister of War, in which the murder alluded
to was fully reported. That letter one of the
ladies promised to place in the post-office of Metz,
a promise she punctually performed. In a short
time the Minister of War wrote for the depositions
of the prisoners who were near when the act was
perpetrated. The apparent surprise of the general
and commandant on receiving these instructions,
led to the belief that the memorial drawn out in
the first instance had not been transmitted. Ten
of the prisoners were now called upon to state
all they had seen connected with the death of
Thompson. What will be said of the justice of
the French government, when it is stated, that the
witnesses were conducted handcuffed to the city
of Metz, where the trial was to take place, and
CAPTIVITY IN FRANCE, &c.
195
the accused not only without them, but even
repaired there unattended by an escort. The
result of the trial was the acquittal of the mur-
derer, on the ground that our unfortunate friend
had committed an act of rebellion in striking the
veteran, and that the spot where he fell was
within the rayon of the sentry's round. How far
the verdict was just, it is but necessary to observe
that the place where the bayonet was so cowardly
and cruelly used, was within the barricade of the
court yard, and that the sentry's walk was on the
outside of it.
The confinement deemed necessary to expiate
the offence of desertion was presumed to be about
six months; there were, however, some English-
men who had been here since the period of 1806.
For them there was no hope of liberty till the
termination of the war, yet these persons were
seen to bear captivity with a fortitude and resig-
nation almost inconceivable ; neither the tyranny
of general Maisonneuve or those serving under
him, could cause their repining.
actually necessary to make an attempt to escape
to become an inmate of Bitche; mere suspicion of
It was
not
196
NARRATIVE OF A
harbouring such intention was sufficient to induce
the government to place the unfortunate prisoner
in a confinement as intolerable to bear, as it was
disgraceful to the authorities. If confirmation be
necessary of the correctness of my assertion, it
will be found in the case of general Murry.
Though far advanced in years, he had been sent
here on suspicion of intending to escape from the
depôt at Verdun.* He, and likewise all other
detenues, had come to France upon the faith of a
passport delivered by Napoleon's ambassador,
Count Otto, residing during the short peace of
Amiens, in London. The cruelty of making
prisoners, men who had a right to consider them-
selves thus protected, was a violation of the laws
of civilized nations, and warranted their escaping
in any manner whatever: nor was this unjust
detention alone to be complained of, there was
* The ground for suspecting that general Murry intended
to escape was, that he had recently purchased a fine horse.
This officer had a daughter then at school in Verdun. Was
it to be supposed (and as he used to inquire when giving the
only apparent motive for the exercise of such barbarity
towards him,) that he could leave his child in a country where
profligacy and vice were seen to predominate.
CAPTIVITY IN FRANCE, &c.
197
scarce an act of the government exercised towards
them, or those who had been captured during the
war, but was intended to efface all recollection
of liberty from the mind of the captive.
The Baron de Rogert commanding the division
at Metz, when making a tour of inspection,
visited Bitche. On that occasion we were drawn
up in the court yard. Accompanied by the
general and the commandant, he passed down the
ranks, inquiring from each the offence which had
brought him here, and the period of his confine-
ment. On putting these inquiries to general
Murry, the answer was, “ I am here sir through
the perfidy of your government.” A reply which
it is presumed was not agreeable to the Baron,
as he passed on without making an observation
upon it.
Soon after this inspection an aid-de-camp of the
Minister of War, the Baron Schneider, whose
parents resided in the town, came with authority
to inspect the depôt, and report our situation.
The inspection was minute; passing through the
rooms as well as the souterrains, he inquired
VOL I.
s 2
198
NARRATIVE OF A
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into the grievance of each individual, and in most
cases promised to represent to the minister the
complaints made to him, particularly as regarded
long confinement Petitions were prepared by
several, praying for a removal on the ground
of ill health, brought on by the humidity of the
souterrains. Notwithstanding these assurances,
not one of these applications were successful; it
was fair therefore to presume the real object of
the Baron's visit, was to afford him an opportunity
of seeing his friends, and that the inspection of
the depôt was a pretext for his absence from the
capital.
Soon after the first detachment of prisoners
arrived here, a few were permitted to visit the
town during the day by ticket, and consequently
without escort. Three of those persons took
advantage of this liberty, and effected their escape.
The wife of one of the party and her two
daughters were residing at that time in the town.
On the escape coming to light, they were instantly
removed to the fort, and placed in apartments in
the house of the gaoler, situated on the Grosse Tête,
where immediately afterwards another daughter
CAPTIVITY IN FRANCE, &c.
199
was born.
This family were but allowed the
walk of the court yard, and suffered by a long
confinement, for the act of the person to whom
they were closely connected. It was a new feature
in war, and a disgrace to the government, to see
a lady and her children thus treated. The hatred
of Napoleon to all that was English could not be
niore powerfully exemplified than in their case.
It was an act exhibiting a want of humanity,
incredible, were it not corroborated by gentle-
now living, who were at the same time
confined with them.
inen
The result as to whether the decree of the
13th December, 1811, would be acted upon,
was now about to be ascertained. Many trials
had taken place in the depôts, in all of which
condemnation followed. The particulars of them
(and as they were termed “judgments”) were
printed at the expense of the accused, and posted
on the walls in the interior of the fort. The
first condemned were two midshipmen, who had
been retaken in attempting to escape from Ver-
dun. The court was composed of military officers.
200
NARRATIVE OF A
The accused being well acquainted with the
French language, and aided by counsel, a de-
fence was made, any thing but satisfactory to the
court. Instances being cited where the lenity of
the British government was shown towards French
officers, then in England, who had actually broke
their parole four and five times, and to which
they were again restored. The case of General
Simon, as well as that of General Le Fevre
Desnouettes, commanding the chasseurs of the
Imperial Guard, who finally succeeded in reach-
ing France, and was at that time employed by
the government, were particularly cited. These
representations, however, had not the intended
effect. The president told the jury that what-
ever might be the law of England, they could
only act upon the decree before them. A verdict
of guilty was then recorded : afterwards they
were removed to the town prison. One of those
gentlemen being under age, the minister of war
decided that the decree was not applicable to
him, he was notwithstanding ordered to Bitche.
His companion, more fortunate, contrived to
:
CAPTIVITY IN FRANCE, &c.
201
escape from the gaol of Verdun, and arrived
safely in England.*
On the 1st of May, it was usual to collect
the convicts destined for the public works, at
Bistre, in the vicinity of Paris, from thence they
were drafted to Toulon, Brest, Rochforth, Cher-
bourg, and the different ports where works were
being carried on. At Bistre, they were habited
in slaves' dress; their heads were shaved, and
an iron ball attached to a chain, was fastened
by a clasp round the leg. Was it possible, was
now the general inquiry, that our countrymen
were to be thus cruelly dealt with ? Many
had been five months in the different gaols, after
their condemnation, when the middle of April
arrived. A decree then appeared, annulling the
barbarous one under which the trials had taken
* This gentleman was connected with one of the first titled
families in England, and had procured the return of two
French officers, prisoners of war, under the assurance from
the minister of marine, that on the arrival of the first in
France, he should be allowed to return to his own country,
a promise which, even after the second was sent over,
was not performed.
202
NARRATIVE OF A
place. Whether it was owing to a remonstrance
on the part of the British government, we had
no means of ascertaining. It was rumoured that
on the arrival of the gentleman who had escaped
from Verdun, and making known to Lord Cas
tlereagh, then minister of foreign affairs, the
situation in which so many of his countrymen
were placed, that it was notified to Napoleon
that if one English prisoner of war was sent to
the public works, every French officer then con-
fined in prison ships, for a breach of parole,
should be immediately sent to a distant colony.
Whether true or otherwise, the report, it
,
was evident that keeping parties, as these persons
were, till the moment when the convicts were
to be drafted from Bistre, that a threat of reta-
liation alone, caused Napoleon to recede. In
the ordinance doing away with those condem-
nations, the mode by which the prisoner was to
be conducted from the coast to the depôt, was
particularly specified. If an officer, his parole was
to be exacted at the port of landing, and then he
was to proceed without escort to his destination.
The soldiers and sailors were to be conducted
CAPTIVITY IN FRANCE, &c.
203
as heretofore, though the disgraceful use of the
handcuffs was to be dispensed with. The parties,
whether officers or sailors, &c. when deserting on the
road, if retaken were to be confined in a fort or
citadel for the remainder of the war. Such as had
been condemned were now ordered to Bitche.
The apparent apathy of our government at
the situation of those people so long kept in a
state of uncertainty as to their fate, caused, nor
was it astonishing, great dissatisfaction among
them. Allowances should be made for the mur-
murs of persons in their situation, and not less
so those contending with a rigorous confinement
at Bitche. With a barrack yard, the extent
of which we ascertained by paces, the only
measure that could be adopted, did not exceed
175 by 55 paces. The greater part shut up in
the souterrains where, during the winter months,
the cold was excessive, and in addition to this
punishment, we were locked up one hour in
the middle of the day. It was not surprising
if the prisoner was heard to complain of the
hardship of his position, and exclaim against the
government at home having lost the opportunity
204
NARRATIVE OF A
of effecting his liberation when Mr. Mackenzie
was at Morlaix, however presumptive Napoleon's
demands might then have been.
For a long period there had been a brigade
in the French service denominated the 66 Irish
Brigade," and which was occasionally recruited
from the depôts. It was composed of persons
of all countries who had been captured in the
British service, and who took this opportunity of
getting out of a close confinement.
When at
Cambrai I witnessed two attempts to induce the
prisoners to join that force; they were very
unsuccessful. The command of this brigade was
entrusted to Arthur O'Conner, who, on his ex-
pulsion from Ireland, coming to France, had
been created a count of the empire. By such of
the prisoners who fancied their position disre-
garded, the existence of this brigade was alledged
as entirely owing to the prisoner being left without
hope of exchange, that this apparent neglect
forced men to become traitors, rather than remain
for ever in captivity. These logicians forgot,
however, than an Irish brigade had been formed
so long back as the reign of Louis 16th, if
CAPTIVITY IN FRANCE, &c.
205
not before, and consequently that it had not its
origin with Napoleon. There were even at this
time English and Irish officers at Verdun who had
served at an early period in that brigade.*
In the Moniteur of the 31st December, 1812,
was published a list containing the names of 355
English prisoners who were represented to have
broken their parole, in which mine, as well as my
friends, were included; at the head were Sir James
Crawford and Mr. Thomas Brooke, M. P. whom
the Moniteur was kind enough to say had set the
example to the rest. These gentlemen had been
detained travelling in France, and as in the case
of all the detenues; ought not to have been made
prisoners. There were in that list one colonel, ,
two lieutenant-colonels, one major, nine captains,
(one only of the navy,) ten lieutenants of the
* On the occasion of the attempt to recruit the Irish
Brigade from the prisoners at Cambrai, it was painful to
witness the reception which two officers who came there for
that purpose met with. They were not only hissed and
hooted, but had to bear with observations which, traitors as
they were, they must have felt severely. To obviate their
recurrence, the commandant directed a brigadier to attend
during these visits to the citadel. The few men obtained were
Germans, or other foreigners who had been taken in Spain.
VOL. I.
T
206
NARRATIVE OF A
army, navy, and marines, amounting in all to
twenty-three commissioned officers, with these were
fifty-three midshipmen. The rest were composed
of Captains and mates of merchantmen, merchant
passengers, doctors, and detenues; a number of
names were inserted without any designation at
all. On looking over that list, it was easily seen
that the minister of marine, under whose authority
it was published, had been at considerable
trouble in its composition; the fact of so
many being inserted without professions, was a
pretty clear proof that the object was to swell
the number as much as possible. Why men
should enjoy the privilege of parole, without
rank or even designation, as those at the con-
clusion of these names, Monsieur Dacres might
as well have informed us. The truth was, that
there were really no such persons on parole;
with respect to those who had quitted Auxonne,
Baron De Vaux would not assert that that
depôt was so considered.
On the arrival of the parties condemned in
the different depôts, the number of prisoners at
Bitche was necessarily augmented. The sailors
CAPTIVITY IN FRANCE, &c.
207
:
were now ordered to the town of Sarrelouis, at
the distance of three days march: twenty-five
were retained as servants, to perform the work
of drawing water, cleaning the rooms and the
souterrains, for which they were paid by a
fund provided from the months' pay of those
who had to remain.
Six additional rooms were opened soon after
the departure of the sailors, and contrary to
expectation, with an extention of liberty, as we
were allowed access to each other, until ten
at night: the fires and lights were likewise per-
mitted till that hour. This change, which was
hailed as the forerunner of others, was very
agreeable. The comfort these new residences
afforded was not of long duration. Two of the
party placed here (an officer of the army and
one of the navy) found means to escape from
the fort, in disguise. The general and the
commandant were not long in considering what
should be done with those who remained. On
the transaction coming to light, we were imme-
diately placed in the large souterrain. The
change from dry rooms to so cold a place, was
208
NARRATIVE OF A
It was
not only very annoying, but likewise a great
hardship. There can be no doubt, the officers
in question were fully justified in what they
did; every man has a right to escape from an
unjust and rigorous confinement.
The general
and the commandant, had they been certain we
were implicated, showed a want of justice in
making the change so great. There were other
disposable rooms in the fort in which we might
have been placed in perfect security.
not however in accordance with the system of
general Maisonneuve to let occurrences pass
without severely punishing those who were in no
way implicated in them.
Now a resident of more than two years in the
fort, my companion and myself drew out a
memorial to the minister of war, setting forth
the severity of the confinement we had had to
endure, praying a removal to a depôt on parole,
or if otherwise, to some place where further
extent of walk was allowed.
This document was accompanied by a certi-
ficate from the commandant as to the quiet
conduct we had shown while under his authority.
CAPTIVITY IN FRANCE, &c.
209
66
56 I see
no
The answer of the minister was,
reason why I should order the petitioners' re-
moval." Three months afterwards, a similar
attempt to excite the clemency of the govern-
ment was resorted to; separate memorials with
certificates to the same effect as the preced-
ing one,
were transmitted. My companion's
application received for answer that he was to
be transferred to the depôt of Longwy, mine that
I must remain under particular surveillance.
Of the motive to which the difference of these
replies was attributable, it was impossible to
form an opinion, in committing what our guardians
were pleased to term an offence, we were alike
culpable. The thought afterwards occurred that
it was owing to unfounded representations made
by the officer at Antwerp, or by Monsieur Ber-
trand at Auxonne, that I was to consider myself
selected for an extension of punishment. Thus
separated from a friend with whom I had for
nearly three years passed through hardships and
privations, only to be conceived by those who
have been similarly situated, confinement to me
became doubly severe. The dampness of the
T 2
VOL I.
210
NARRATIVE OF A
.
place in which I had to rest brought on that
very general complaint here, ague, and a great
many of my companions were, at this period,
suffering severely from it. The medical attendant
of the fort deemed a removal to the hospital of
the town necessary ; I repaired there without
regret, for it was a change, though not accom-
panied with more liberty than the court-yard
offered.
The English were here placed in a long room,
in the lower floor of the hospital, to the number
of about sixty : in one of a similar description
on the other side of the yard, there were several
Spanish officers like ourselves, prisoners of war,
who had been removed from a fortress near
the Rhine. With them we were allowed no
communication. Several deaths occurred in their
room, and two in our ward during my stay.
The latter were sailors who had been a long
time in confinement; one of them occupying a
bed next to mine, was in the last stage of con-
sumption, brought on by excessive use of spirits,
and dampness of the souterrain. When awaking
in the morning I invariably inquired how he
CAPTIVITY IN FRANCE, &c.
211
had passed the night, and on my doing so that
morning, his head being turned from me, and
receiving no answer, on taking a more careful
look I perceived he was dead. His death occurred
unknown to the attendants of the ward, during
the night. I perfectly remember, on the sailors
coming to look at the corpse of their shipmate,
one said, “ Poor Bill, he don't need mind gens
d'armes now."
Two windows looked from this apartment into
the street, between them was a large fire place
covered by a fire board. I had been but a
few days in the hospital when a plan was formed
to escape. It was by working a hole in the
lower part of the chimney, of circular form.
The work was carried on by means of a chisel
and a knife. The stone and morter were se-
parated in small pieces: while the party (one
only being admitted at a time) was employed
in excavating, the board was replaced. Each
person, in turn, had to work two hours, day
and night, till its completion. A sentry was
placed at this end of the room : to attract his
attention, and draw him to the lower part of
212
NARRATIVE OF A
the ward, the inmates were to be seen playing
at cards, and a variety of games, on which our
guardians looked with apparently great interest.
The soldier would occasionally put down a few
sous on the chances of the game, if unfortunate
the loss was sure to be made up in the following
one by the person he had bet with purposely
losing This was, doubtless, to them, a very
pleasant and easy method of making a little
money
while on guard. This experiment to
obviate suspicion, while the work was going on,
could not have been more successful.
In the course of a week such a quantity of stone
and plaister was removed, that the masonry was
considered to be of no greater thickness than two
to three inches, this was judged by measuring the
thickness of the wall at the windows. Every
preparation was made for the attempt at midnight.
To our utmost astonishment, at ten o'clock in the
morning, previous to the night we were to depart,
the commandant appeared, accompanied by a body
of gens d'armes. The chief medical officer was
called in, and desired to point out those who
were sufficiently well to leave the hospital.
a
CAPTIVITY IN FRANCE, &c.
213
Twenty five (myself of the number) were then
re-conducted to the fort. So unexpected was this
visit, that we naturally conceived information had
been given by some one placed among us; how-
ever erroneous this opinion, it was the number
of prisoners placed here, exceeding those of former
occasions, that suspicions were excited; great
was the disappointment, as may be conceived, of
those who had anxiously and laboriously worked
at the excavation.
At ten o'clock that night, long previous to which
those in the fort had retired to rest, the alarm gun
was fired from the grosse tête, to announce to the
peasantry that a desertion had taken place. *
Immediately on the information being sent to the
general and the commandant, the latter repaired
to the hospital to ascertain how many had actually
* It was a joyous sound to the boors inhabiting this rude
and inhospitable district, as money was to be made by the
re-capture of our unfortunate countryman. On one occasion,
when two sailors had contrived to get out of the fort, they
were instantly pursued by these people. Implements from
the sythe to the pitchfork were employed to effect the object
of their capture, and these unfortunate sailors were beaten
and otherwise ill used, in a manner which natives of the
most uncivilized countries might well have been ashamed of.
214
NARRATIVE OF A
left. Nineteen were missing, the very few 're-
maining were too unwell to risk the attempt ;
there was one individual left, who, to his great
disappointment, being too corpulent, could not
pass through the aperture. The sailors in the
fort, on hearing this, said, that he ought to have
been previously kept on short allowance for six
weeks. Of the nineteen who took their departure,
but one finally effected his escape, the others in
the course of two days were brought back, having
been taken but a very short distance from the
town.
There had been at different times attempts
to escape from this fortress ; a stranger viewing the
walls from the glacis, and observing the numerous
sentries by whom we were surrounded, would
naturally suppose that success in such an under-
taking was impossible. A long time before my
arrival, a lamentable accident occurred on one of
those occasions, when Lieutenant Hassel, Messrs.
Worth, Mason, and Melville, midshipmen, found
means to cut two iron bars at the end window of
the small souterrain, but three yards from the
rampart wall, and scarcely four from the sentry's
box. The night was excessively dark, a rope was
CAPTIVITY IN FRANCE, &c.
215
men
attached to one of the remaining bars of the
window, and thrown over the embrasure of the
rampart. They succeeded in getting through,
and when in the act of descending, either the
officer of the guard, or a gen d'arme, un-
fortunately for them, passed at the moment; not
seeing the rope, his cocked hat came in contact
with it, and incensed at the obstruction, he drew.
his sword, and cut the
rope.
Those gentle-
at the moment descending by it, were
precipitated a considerable height, falling directly
under the bastion, at the foot of the draw bridge.
The result was lamentable, Lieutenant Hassel
was killed, Mason had both ancles dislocated,
Melville had an arm fractured, and was, otherwise
severely injured, Worth, though bruised, got
clear of the works. He was, however, compelled
the following day to surrender to the inmates of
a farm house, at a short distance, and was re-
conducted to the fort. No information as to the
cutting of the rope, was given to the commandant
or the general. On the gates being opened on the
following morning, the body of Lieutenant Hassel,
and the two gentlemen disabled, were seen lying
clase under the wall
216
NARRATIVE OF A
During my entire residence here, three deser-
tions only took place, and they were successful,
viz, that of the two officers confined in the same
barrack with me, and a mate of a merchantman ;
how the latter got out was never known. It is
extraordinary to relate that the Lieutenant com-
manding the gun brig the Linnet, on board of
which the naval officer referred to was received
became in the short space of six weeks a prisoner
with us. His vessel had been taken by a French
.
frigate on the following cruize, an ineffectual
attempt to escape when on the road from the
coast to the depôt at Verdun had consigned him
to this confinement.
There was likewise an officer at this time here,
who had some years preceding, contrived to reach
England from the citadel at Valenciennes. This
was not the only instance in which Englishmen
who had been successful in getting out of France
were again taken.
Such is the uncertainty of
war,
that individuals of the same family met
in this captivity who had been taken in different
ships. In one of the depôts there was a captain
of a merchantman and his four sons, the former
CAPTIVITY IN FRANCE, &c.
217
was at an advanced period of life, and though
repeated applications were made to the govern-
ment for his exchange they were ineffectual. The
old man as likewise one of his sons died in prison.
What! it may be inquired could be the induce-
ment to keep a whole family from their homes
and their affairs ? the answer presents itself, they
were the subjects of the only power capable
of opposing the ambitious ruler of France.
It was not the severity of the confinement alone of
which the inmates here had to complain, there were
continued petty annoyances practised which it was
a degradation to bear ; all letters received or sent
from the Fort were subjected to the commandant's
perusal, an interpreter was employed for that pur-
pose, and consequently the private affairs of the
prisoner and of his friends were necessarily known ;
if mention was made in letters addressed to England
as to the hardship of our confinement they were
invariably stopped. All money coming thence was
placed in the hands of an individual in the town'
the parties for whom sums were remitted, had to
apply to the commandant to receive even a very
small part of this amount. Thus we were kept,
VOL. I.
U
218
NARRATIVE OF A
not only excluded from the world, but even the
means intended to supply those necessaries which
our unfortunate situation more particularly called
for, were, if not withheld, doled out in a manner
the most humiliating, as if the applicant was
asking for money not his own. This system was
more particularly acted upon in the latter part of
the year 1813, under the pretext to prevent
attempts at desertion, as it was presumed no one
would incur the risk unprovided with money.
It was frequently seen, when a written order on
the agent in town was submitted for the signature
of the commandant, (no payment would be made
without it) to obtain, even 80 or 100 francs,
that functionary would write thereon, good for
50, and sometimes less. His consideration for
those who had money thus placed, was particularly
shewn in favour of certain shops of the town,
where, according to representation, the prisoner
could be the best and cheapest served. When
purchases were made in consequence of these
introductions, he was not scrupulous in signing
the order for their payment, whatever the amount
might be. Money might find direction any where
W
CAPTIVITY IN FRANCE, &c.
219
but into the pockets of those to whom it belonged. *
Whether there was any particular consideration
for this introduetion of customers, it is not
worth while to inquire. The bread consumed by
the sailors, was of a very inferior kind, and
made in the bakery of the fort; those who had
the means to procure a better description, were
supplied from the town; a loaf was not permitted
to pass into the fort, without the previous cut of
a knife, or the probe of a bayonet ; precautions
taken to prevent the introduction of small saws,
by which the bars of the souterrain windows might
be cut. When the town had to be visited for
the purpose of making purchases, a gen d'arme
* At this period the exchange on England varied from
17 to 18 francs per £; when Napoleon put a stop to all com-
munication between the two countries, even as regarded
letters or bills of exchange, and this occurred to the best of
my recollection, in the early part of 1812, when a Decree
appeared ordering all letters from England, whatever their
contents might be, to be burned, the exchange came
down to 16 francs, with some few centiemes. Thus the
reader will perceive how great the sacrifice was to those
drawing on England at that time, when 25 francs, and
sometimes 75 and 80 centiemes are now to be obtained. This
sacrifice was not counterbalanced by cheapness of living,
as many of the necessaries of life were then at a much
higher rate than at the present day.
220
NARRATIVE OF A
was ordered to conduct each applicant, the period
of absence was not to exceed two hours; during
these visits the gen d'arme never lost sight of
his charge, a written application to obtain this
permission was necessary, and it entirely depended
on the humour in which the commandant might
be, whether it was granted or refused.
The town was anything but an agreeable place
to resort to, but more particularly when under
such authority; visits were consequently not
frequent, during my entire residence here I but
requested them on six occasions, four of which only
were granted. The shopkeepers, as is proverbial
in France, were most extortionate in their de-
mands. Towards the close of my stay here,
a plan was formed to escape from the small souter-
rain, where a number of us had been removed from
the larger one.
At considerable labour and ex-
pense, a rope was constructed to scale the main
wall of the rampart, made entirely of linen,
which had been brought from the town under
pretext for making shirting ; several persons were
employed in the operation, (at the same time
taking care to carry on the work unperceived by
a

SMO
Shoes
SU
UMBI
lo
//
Il rama on S101 s 072146from where tot mate by the Authar
THE SOUTERRAIN AT BITCHE:
Dormitory of the Prisoners.
CAPTIVITY IN FRANCE, &c.
221
the gens d'armes) it was twisted and firmly sewed.
To prevent a catastrophe such as had occurred
to Lieutenant Hassel and his companions, about
twenty feet of sınall chain, such as is generally used
to attach portmanteaus, was collected from several
in the fort, which was sewed inside at the end
of the rope which would have to rest, attached
to a poker on the rampart wall; a cut from the
sword of the sentry would be necessarily un-
availing. This completed, the bars within one of
the windows of the souterrain were to be cut,
which was effected by means of small saws,
(similar to those used by watch makers) several
of which had been sent from Verdun: how brought
into the fort, but few of the party knew.
When the night arrived on which the first bar
had to be separated, the weather was extremely
favourable for the operation; it was so dark
that the sentries placed at ten yards to the right
and left of the window, could not discover an
object beyond a few feet from them. A dance
was purposely got up by those not immediately
employed in the cutting, to the sound of a
fiddle; and a variety of lights were kept, their
VOL. I
U2
222
NARRATIVE OF A
glare and the noise going on lulled suspicion.
A silk handkerchief steeped in vinegar was tied
round the centre of the bar, above where it had
to be cut. After several fruitless attempts (the
outer part of the iron, probably owing to long
exposure to the air, having become exceedingly
hard) a lodgment was made in the lower part,
a few inches from the stone in which it was im-
bedded. The cut was in a slanting direction,
the vinegar dripping from the handkerchief:
down the bar. The iron softened as the saw
proceeded, and it was severed in the space of about
half an hour, not however before two
broken. The following night a second bar was
separated by the same means, there remained
but another to
Although parted, to
avoid suspicion, they were left in their original
position. On the third night, while the work was
going forward, persons were heard approaching
the souterrain door; one of our companions had
been fortunately placed there, a whistle (the signal
agreed upon) being heard, the work was instantly
discontinued, and parties were now to be seen
sitting before the fire in casual conversation, while
others kept up the dance.
were
renove.
CAPTIVITY IN FRANCE, &c.
223
On the gens d'armes descending, we were strictly
searched, as was likewise the bedding and effects;
these examinations continued for a considerable
time, the rope, as soon as the signal was heard
at the door, was hastily coiled up, and placed in a
large iron kettle standing near the fire place;
during the examination, each person was ordered
to his bed, and strange to relate, the kettle was
one of the very few articles which escaped observa-
tion. The rope, though not found, was known
to have been constructed, and extra guards were
placed over us during that night. On the following
morning we were once more removed to the large
souterrain ; it was surprising, that during this visit
of the gens d'armes, and the particular search
which attended it, that the bars of the windows
were not tried. For several evenings after our
removal, domiciliary visits were paid for the pur-
pose of finding the rope, which appeared to disturb
greatly the tranquillity of the general and the
commandant. It was now separated and con-
cealed, wrapped next to the persons of several
by whom it had been constructed, to be put
together at a future period, when egress from
224
NARRATIVE OF A
this abominable place appeared attainable. During
the remainder of my stay, all attempts on the
part of the commandant, as well as those under
him, to obtain possession of the rope, so often
alluded to, were ineffectual.*
It will naturally be inquired, how the time
was passed in this confinement; the amusements,
as those at Cambrai, were of great variety. In
the latter part of 1813, a billiard table was fitted
out for our amusement, in one of the lower
rooms of the principal barrack. This indulgence
was owing to a similar one, it was reported,
having been granted to the French officers con-
fined in the prison ships in England. Cards,
dice, draughts, chess, and a game termed Loto,
on cards with numbers, served to pass many
an hour agreeably. These, with inspection of
French newspapers and music, formed the prin-
cipal occupations in the rooms and souterrains.
The latter however could scarcely bear the ap-
After my departure from Bitche, the rope was found
covered with a quantity of potatoes under one of the guard
beds; the joy of the old general was reported as excessive,
when getting into his possession the long searched for cord.
CAPTIVITY IN FRANCE, &c.
225
pellation, as all the performers appeared to be
learning. The discordant sounds of so many
instruments, (in the souterrains particularly)
added to the crowing of cocks fed in cages,
preparing for the mains in which they were to
combat, made rest frequently difficult of attain-
ment. In the court-yard, the amusements were
different: here were to be seen parties playing
at marbles, neither age or rank operated as
preventives to the allurement which a game of
“ring-taw” offered ; pitching with copper at a
mark, was not less a favourite amusement, as
likewise “leap-frog,” and “ walking the line :"
of the latter, the sailors were extremely fond,
when
any
of their messmates had taken too
strong potations of brandy or snique, to make
the accomplishment an easy task ; these, with
cock fighting, constituted the occupations in the
court-yard, which place was generally termed
being on deck.”
However ludicrous these amusements may
appear, it is not surprising they were resorted
to: anything, to use common expression
amongst us, was better than being dull. They
66
a
226
NARRATIVE OF A
took the place of the sadness and reflection
which invariably result from a deprivation of
liberty. When such of the prisoners who felt
gratification in a frolic and a fight became tran-
quil, (but which never occurred till their sous
were expended, and grog was consequently stop-
ped) the nights succeeding the pay-days, and
more particularly during the winter, had a dull-
ness scarcely to be described. It was then that
all seemed to feel acutely the dreariness of their
confinement. It is no affectation, when I assert,
that the roll of the evening drum beating the
retreat, at the early hour of eight o'clock, to
indicate that the lights should be extinguished,
and we were to retire to rest, created in me
sensations as difficult to pourtray as it is to
efface the recollection of them. I thought of
home and absent friends who, in all probability,
were at that moment seated at the social board,
while I and more than one hundred Englishmen,
were doomed to pass the dreary nights in this
cold and comfortless place, I could not but
hope, amidst their enjoyments, there was some
kind friend would remember me. To those who
CAPTIVITY IN FRANCE, &c.
227
I
have never been inmates of a fortified place, it
is difficult to describe the stillness which prevails,
and particularly after midnight. Our rest was
only disturbed by the relief-guard passing the
souterrain windows, or the “qui vive” of the
sentry. In the fogs of November and December,
which here exceeded any I had ever seen in
England, the soldier on guard not being able to
discern an object at even a yard's distance, was
heard at short intervals to call, “Sentinelle
prènez guarde à vous," a warning which, gene-
rally given in a sonorous voice, served to remind
us that our safe-keeping was no mean object
with them. Owing to the elevated situation of
the fort, the heat and cold were probably felt more
severely by those who occupied it, than by the
residents in the town beneath. From the com-
mencement of June till the latter part of August,
such was the effect of the sun on the court-yard
that, with the exception of the sentries, who
took care to keep within their boxes, it was
almost deserted the greater part of the day.
The thunder storms occurring during these pe-
riods were not only very frequent, but of long
228
NARRATIVE OF A
duration. During one of these, in August, 1811,
the lightning struck a wing of the barrack under
which we slept. So great was the shock that
the entire of the fort seemed to tremble. With-
in five yards there was a powder magazine con-
taining, if the report was correct, 1800 barrels.
Two of the sentries were knocked down by the
Auid, and a third severely hurt. Particular
days were held in high veneration by the sailors
and soldiers; these were St. Patrick's, St. An-
drew's, St. David's, and St. George's days. On
St. Patrick's, those who had a few sous to obtain
spirits, were invariably Irishmen. They were after-
wards seen similarly celebrating the other days.
This change of country was but an excuse for in-
toxication. If the sailor who had been drunk on
St. Patrick's day, and now paying equal reverence
to St. Andrew's, was asked to account for the
change, his answer was, 6 he was not an Irishman
himself, but his father was." There were three
black men in the fort, who having no tutelar saint
to worship, paid due respect to the others, by
getting as intoxicated as the rest.
It was the evenings of these, and the pay days
CAPTIVITY IN FRANCE, &c.
229
mentioned, that the noise, commotions and fighting,
were carried on to great extent ; although these
festivities commenced in good humour, they always
terminated in quarrelling ;. the lights which were
ordered to be extinguished at eight o'clock,
were kept in frequently during the whole of
these nights. The guards often came down to
extinguish them, but no sooner had they returned
conceiving the object of their visit had been
accomplished, than the lights re-appeared. The
commandant finding it useless to reason with the
sailors, hit upon the expedient of locking up the
souterrains for two or three days together, like-
wise forbidding the introduction of spirits; by
this mode of punishment, the sailors became less
refractory.
The confinement following these foolish and
mischievous tricks, fell heavily on those who took
no part in them. In one instance, which I shall
ever remember, we were locked up in the large
souterrain, for five days and nights. There was
a gentleman at this time in the fort, who had been
sent from Valenciennes. Inquiring what had
become of the individual I had met there in
VOL I
X
230
NARRATIVE OF A
come
over
1811, who had
to France, as
mentioned in a preceding part of my narrative;
he stated, that immediately after my removal
from the town prison of that place, the person
in question had become a French citizen, and
was then practising as a physician in Paris.
The thought occurred, that through friends in
the capital, having interest with the Minister
of War, he might find means to present a petition
for leave to quit the fort. Without loss of time,
an application to that effect
was made, his
reply came in due course. Thanking me for
the attention I had shewn him at Valenciennes,
he informed me, that he had been called in to
attend a great personage, who would undertake
to present my petition to the minister; on its
being sent to him, he had little doubt as to
its success. Now for the third time a memorial
was prepared, accompanied by the usual cer-
tificates, and likewise one from a medical officer
connected with the hospital of the town, sett ng
forth, that owing to long confinement, my
health was impaired, and that a removal had
become absolutely necessary.
Twice disap-
pointed, I was by no means sanguine that this
CAPTIVITY IN FRANCE, &c.
231
application would be successful.
In ten days
from its being forwarded, the answer arrived.
On the evening of the first of October,
soon after being locked up for the night, a
brigadier of gens d'armes, came from the
commandant to inform me that the Minister
of War had ordered my removal on parole to
Verdun. This intelligence, though joyous, was
to separate me from friends whose society had
served to beguile many a tedious hour, a matter
not easily effected in such a situation as that in
which I had so long been placed. Many were
the occasions when it was my lot to witness the
parting of friends whose regret was shewn beyond
the simple shake of the hand; if the finer feelings
of nature were seen to give way on these separa-
tions, it was not the more discreditable to them.
On the morning of the second, immediately after
the door of the souterrain had been opened, the
brigadier came to conduct me to the commandant;
I found him pacing the bridge which connects
the petite tête to the fort, and as usual, enjoying
the fumes of a pipe, a custom very prevalent with
the French military at the early part of the day.
232
NARRATIVE OF A
99 this
During the entire of my confinement, I very
seldom had occasion to speak to him, those
instances were in asking for a certificate, or
liberty to visit the town; with one exception,
he was generally affable, that one was, when re-
questing he would sign an order for the payment
of some money by the agent in town, being, as it
may be presumed out of humour, he said, “ I will
not allow these sums to come into the fort;
took place directly after the desertion of the two
officers from the barrack where I had been recently
placed. On coming to him, he said, and in a very
friendly manner, "you are going sir, to leave us;
answering, that the brigadier had been to tell me
so the previous night; I asked if the removal
was to Verdun. To my no small astonishment,
taking me by the arm, he replied, “we will go
and see all about it;" thus conducted to his bureau,
the letter of the minister which lay upon the desk,
was put into my hand, he then said, “as you
understand French, you can read this.” Request-
ing he would allow my taking a copy, he replied,
certainly, why not?"
To shew the difference in that answer,
as
CAPTIVITY IN FRANCE, &c.
233
compared with the preceding ones, annexed is
the translation :
Paris, 26th September, 1813.
3rd Bureau of the Administration of War,
5th Division.
To the Baron de Roget, commanding the 3rd
Military Division at Mets.
Baron,-I have received the petition of Mr.
R. L. a native of England, detained two years
and seven months in the fortress of Bitche,
praying for his removal from it. From the
favorable representations which have been made
to me on the part of this young stranger, I order
his removal to the depôt established for the
prisoners of his nation at Verdun. I authorize
you to announce to the commandant of that
place his intended arrival, and to furnish him
with the passport necessary for his journey.
Agree, Baron, the assurance of my distin-
guished consideration.
(Signed) DUC DE FELTRE.
Referred to the commandant of the depôt at
Bitche.
(Signed) BARON DE ROGET.
Metz, 29th September, 1813.
VOL. 1.
x 2
234
NARRATIVE OF A
From the very polite way in which this docu-
ment was worded, it was evident some particular
interest had been used with the Minister of War
to effect my liberation. The attention shown by
the person whom it had been in my power to assist
when at Valenciennes, proved he was grateful.*
Having taken the copy herewith, the commandant
said, “Now sir, I have a caution to give you ;
you must not be the bearer of letters from the
fort without my seeing them, nor must you
be the medium of communication between the
prisoners here and those at Verdun, except as
relate to their private affairs; if you do not act
on my injunction, and I shall be certain to know it,
and
you will speedily return here. The assurance
was given that his warning should be strictly
attended to. He then inquired whether I was
ready to proceed on the following day, and in what
time I could reach Verdun; answering that I
should prefer remaining a day or two in the fort,
to prepare for the journey, and that I could wish
*
I have since ascertained that it was owing to the kind
intercession of the Comtesse de Chabot, that the minister
was induced to order my removal.
CAPTIVITY IN FRANCE, &c.
235
seven
to have six days allowed for the route; he replied,
and in better humour than I had before seen him,
“ Ah! I see what you want, you can go to Verdun
in four days, or even three if you like, but you
wish to enjoy yourself at Metz, where there is
plenty of amusement. Two
years
and
months I know is a long time to be confined.”
Although I understood his observation, I gave
it no reply; however, he added, “I will grant
you five days, one of which you may rest at that
place, but beware how you conduct yourself, or
the Baron de Roget will send you here again.”
His secretary was now desired to make out the
passport and form of my parole, which signed,
I received a written authority to pass out of the
fort.
There were also ordered away at this time
three captains of merchantmen and a surgeon of
the navy; one of the former had to proceed to
the hospital, at Metz, to undergo a second
operation of amputating his right leg, the other
two were destined for Longwy, and the surgeon
was to be my companion to Verdun.
Now at liberty to move without the nuisance
a
236
NARRATIVE OF A
of a gen d'arme, I prepared to pay a visit to
the town; in order that no interruption should
occur on the part of the sentries, a brigadier of
gens d'armes escorted me past them, to the en-
trance of the tunnel at the upper drawbridge,
saying, you can now proceed.”
now proceed.” The outer
sentry stationed at the lower drawbridge refused
to let me pass, although the written document of
the commandant was produced; this he either
could not, or would not, read, and in a rude
way, bringing his musket across my breast, I was
ordered to return. Stating the occurrence to
the brigadier, he finally conducted me past all
the sentries. On reaching the glacis, I stopped
a few moments, and sitting down on the grass
covering the outer wall, took a view of the exterior
of the fort. It was during this day the sketches
here introduced were made.
After perambulating the town, and strolling a
short distance into the country, I returned to
my old companions. This sudden restoration
to liberty made me somewhat uncomfortable: I
could scarcely fancy I was walking without
a guard. It was still harder to bear, when I
CAPTIVITY IN FRANCE, &c.
237
reflected it would soon separate me from some
of the worthiest men I ever associated with.
On the 3rd October, previously hiring a fiacre,
I bid farewell to the fort which had held me
so long and closely.
238
NARRATIVE OF A
CHAPTER VII.
REMOVAL
TO
VERDUNVISIT
TO
SARRELOUIS AND
AT
VERDUN ;
PARTICULARS
OF
METZ ARRIVAL
THAT DEPÔT.
ACCOMPANIED by the parties already named, I
reached a little after three o'clock in the after-
noon, once more, the town of Sargumiennes ;
good lodgings were here procured, and we passed
the night in great comfort. Our fellow traveller,
ordered to the hospital at Metz, suffered ex-
ceedingly during the day, owing to the jolting
of the vehicle and the badness of the roads.
The next morning, a mattress placed in a cart,
on a quantity of straw, enabled him to bear the
journey with much less pain than the preceding
day. Hence to Sarrebruck (a neat town
the banks of the Moselle) was but a short
distance. The stage was performed on foot,
keeping near the cart, to afford our unfortunate
fellow traveller any assistance he might require.
on
CAPTIVITY IN FRANCE, &c.
239
He was greatly dejected, and seemed to fear
that he would not be able to reach his desti-
nation. At Sarrebruck we engaged a boat for
our conveyance to Sarrelouis, otherwise called
Sarrelibre. This travelling once more by water
was exceedingly agreeable ; on different parts of
the Moselle the view of the country was beautiful.
I had the gratification, on arriving, to meet
with a doctor of the navy, with whom I had
been confined at Bitche in the same room, as
likewise a lieutenant of the 15th Hussars, one
of the gentlemen who had frequently visited
myself and companion in the town prison of
Valenciennes. I dined, and spent a most agree-
able evening in the society of these friends, as
likewise part of the following day. In this depôt
there were, as reported to me, between 1200 and
1500 British prisoners, principally soldiers and
sailors.* It is a strong fortified town, and noted
as the birth place of the celebrated Marshal
* In a former part of my narrative mention is made, when
alluding to the power held by the gens d'armes, that a blow on
them was punishable with death. An occurrence had taken
place, some time preceding my arrival here, which it may
240
NARRATIVE OF A
Ney.* On the 4th, having procured a cart
for the invalid, and a fiacre for ourselves, after
a tedious ride, we arrived, long after nightfall,
at the city of Metz. The following morning
we conveyed our friend to the hospital, and
were surprised at meeting with several English
prisoners placed in the same ward, who had
come from Verdun. The remainder of this and
the next day was spent in viewing the arsenal,
>
not be unnecessary to record, as a proof of the correctness of
my statement. A prisoner of the name of Morgan had, when
intoxicated, disarmed one of that corps, and afterwards thrown
his sword through the barrack window. As may be conceiv.
ed, he was instantly placed in confinement. The commandant
speedily assembled a court-martial, composed of officers
belonging to a regiment quartered in the town. Morgan was
found guilty, and removed again into confinement. The fol-
lowing morning, before those in the depôt were liberated
from their rooms, the sentence was carried into execution.
The unfortunate man was conducted by a party of gens
d'armes, and shot, in the fosse between the ramparts. The
inhumanity of the commandant, in this procceding, did not
appear to meet favour with the Minister of War, who ordered
his instant removal. Had the sentence been transmitted to
Paris, probably its execution might, if not have been rescind-
ed, at least delayed, till further inquiry was made.
* A monument has been erected by the inhabitants to the
memory of Marshal Ney. Sarrelouis is now in the
posses-
sion of the Prussians. Frederick William, however great his
dislike to this celebrated man, nevertheless yielded to the so-
licitations of his townsmen, and permitted its erection.
CAPTIVITY IN FRANCE, &c.
241
(one of the largest in France) the churches, theatre,
museum, and other objects worthy of observation.
Metz is a large, populous, and handsome city,
situated in a country very superior to the one
we had quitted. On the morning of the 7th,
at an early hour, the surgeon and myself took
leave of the two captains destined for Longwy.
Hiring a voiture with two horses, after a long
and uninteresting ride, we reached the gates of
Verdun at eight o'clock.
Friends I had met
with in other depôts, aware of my arrival, soon
came to congratulate me on this emancipation.
Verdun is situated in the department of the
Meuse, through which that river traverses, the
separate parts are known as the upper and lower
towns, it is a place of considerable extent, and
strongly fortified.* The citadel, on an eminence,
.
a little beyond the upper town, commands the
whole; near it, there is a fine esplanade, or public
walk, planted with trees; this formed a pleasant
lounge to the English occupants, and is termed
the roche; the houses here being generally larger,
* That celebrated engineer, Vauban, was a native of this place.
VOL I.
Y
242
NARRATIVE OF A
and better constructed than those in the lower
town, became the residences of the greater part
of our countrymen. The morning after my ar-
rival, I received a summons to attend the
commandant; on entering his apartment, there
were two gentlemen, who I took to be English
military officers, in conversation with him. The
individual in command of the depôt, was Major
Meulan, a member of the legion of honour, ap-
parently from 30 to 35 years of age. On being
desired to be seated, I informed him of my
arrival the previous evening, “I am aware of
it,” he said, the place you come from is any thing
but a recommendation, a remark which hurt me
exceedingly. He then asked how long I had
been at Bitche, and why I had been sent there.
Naming the exact time, and that I had attempted
to escape, he inquired, 66 what was the reason of
your being confined so long, was it not much
beyond the usual time?” Answering, in the
affirmative, I told him the practise had been,
when the number amounted to 300 in the depôt,
draughts from 10 to 20 were made to others, but
owing to a removal of the sailors, the number was
CAPTIVITY IN FRANCE, &c.
243
9
greatly lessened, and to which circumstance I
attributed the long confinement I had undergone.
“ I hope," he said, “you will deserve the in-
dulgence which all here enjoy, you must now go
to the bureau, sign your parole, and receive a
ticket, which will admit of your going beyond
the gates.” When about to depart, one of the
gentlemen who had listened attentively, inquired,
in English, how long I had been in France, if I
had been taken in the service, and what part of
England I came from. These questions, though
not compulsory, I replied to.
56 I advise you,"
he said, “to be very cautious, and attend to what
the commandant has told you.” The admonition
I considered ill-timed, when coming from an entire
stranger, though a countryman, and I could not
refrain from saying, that I was aware of the
manner in which I should act, without his ad-
vice.* I was quite unprepared for the lectures
* The officers referred to, were Major General Lord Blaney,
and Lieutenant Colonel Guard. I have frequently had the
pleasure of meeting his lordship since that period, and on one
occasion, when the occurrence became the subject of con-
versation, he good humouredly told me, I was quite right to
give the reply I did, as it was quite enough to bear with the
dictation of the then commandant.
244
NARRATIVE OF A
of the commandant, and still more for that of
the gentleman at the time with him. It appeared
as if there was a stigma attached to having at-
tempted to regain my liberty, though dearly I
had atoned for it.
I then signed the required parole, and received
a ticket, bearing my description, on which the
figures 1307, I took to indicate the precise number
of prisoners then in the depôt; these were com-
posed of officers, naval and military, detenues,
passengers, and a few old and infirm captains of
merchantmen, who had been allowed to remain
when those of a similar class were removed to
Auxonne. Verdun was considered the head depôt
in France, though not, however, to be preferred
on that account, unless by those who had means
to live comfortably and enjoy the liberty of
the country. Owing to the great number of
English here, of whom several were of nobility,
and officers of high rank attached to each
service, as well as persons possessed of con-
siderable property, living was dear, and the rate
of lodging was consequently enhanced. As re-
garded cheapness, as well as being situated in a
CAPTIVITY IN FRANCE, &c.
245
fine country, Auxonne was decidedly to be pre-
ferred.
To a stranger the Grande Rue, of Verdun, at
the hour of three o'clock in the afternoon, pre-
sented a curious scene. Here were carriages of
various descriptions belonging to Englishmen,
others on horseback attended by their grooms;
it did not seem as if we were in captivity. There
were shops kept by the English, eating houses,
club houses, livery stables, news rooms, and an
English church; the sight of the congregation
issuing thence was singular. Our country women,
(of whom there were many who had preferred
remaining with their husbands and parents de-
tained at the commencement of the war, as well
as others coming to France, in some instances ac-
companied by the female branches of their families)
when attending worship, almost inspired the English
spectator with the idea that he was once more at
home. The officiating clergyman, the Rev. Mr.
.
Gordon, a gentleman deservedly esteemed, was paid
by the British government. The sums collected in
England for distribution among the prisoners in
Y 2
VOL. I.
246
NARRATIVE OF A
the different places of confinement, were, in the
first instance, transmitted here. An office was
opened, and a committee formed to correspond
with those of the different depôts where the dis-
tributions had to be made. This bureau had all
the appearance of an English counting house.
I am not aware there was any specific distance
marked out for our perambulations in the country.
On passing the gates, and leaving the parole
ticket at the guard house, it had but to be
redeemed previous to the closing of the gates.
A book, containing our respective names, &c. was
,
kept in the bureau of the citadel; this was to
be signed twice in the week. I was scarcely
two months at Verdun when a desertion took
place, of two military and one naval officer, success
attended the undertaking. On a remonstrance
being made to our government, those parties
were ordered to return. Whenever desertions
occurred, the number
mented; instead of three, the absentees were
represented as amounting to twelve: suspicion
haunted the mind of some one, and who I could
not trace, to include me in the list. Natu-
was
sure
to be aug-
CAPTIVITY IN FRANCE, &c.
247
rally alarmed at the report, (Bitche being fresh in
my memory,) I hastened to consult with friends,
and acting on their advice, repaired the following
morning to the commandant to show how un-
founded the report was.
The evening previous
to that visit, and long after retiring to rest, two
gens
d'armes abruptly came to my room, ordering
me to rise. I was told they had come by authority
from the commandant, to ascertain if I had de-
camped; on being convinced to the contrary,
they retired.
This nocturnal visit was annoying
beyond idea; bringing to my recollection what
I had read of the worst times of the revolution,
and it deprived me of sleep for the remainder
of the night.
Major Meulan received me with affability,
saying, “ You have done right sir, to come as
you have done.” That officer had not been long
appointed to the command at Verdun. From
the effect of a severe wound received in Spain,
at this time, he moved on crutches.
ceding commandant, who had died, replaced the
notorious General Wirion, of whose conduct
ܪ
The pre-
248
NARRATIVE OF A
an
towards the English prisoners, long and interest-
ing statements have at various times appeared.
At the early part of the war, the funds of
many, particularly the detenues, were not reduc-
ed to the low ebb they now were. Gaming was
then carried on to extent scarcely to be
credited: houses were opened under the appel-
lation of banks, similar to those of the Palais
Royal, in which play had its various shades and
gradations. General Wirion took the oppor-
tunity (nor was it badly selected, as gamblers
have little right to complain) to tax, for his own
benefit, these establishments. Probably owing
to the success which attended this system of
licensing, large sums poured into his coffers,
exacted from persons in his custody, and under
a variety of pretences. When the captains of
merchantmen formed part of the depôt, the gene-
ral conceived that as they were without rank,
they ought not to enjoy the liberty which those
differently situated claimed. To obtain permission
to visit the country, sums varying in amount
were paid by this class to subordinate officers,
CAPTIVITY IN FRANCE, &c.
249
a
acting under the general's authority. Some of
the parties deserted : he instantly ordered the
remainder into confinement, in an old building,
formerly a convent, within the walls of the citadel.
There had been, for a long time, at the head
of each service, of the
army
and
navy, a
superior officer selected, through whom all appli-
cations had to pass. The chief of the military
service was Major-General Lord Blaney, Lieu-
tenant-Colonel of the 89th regiment, and who
had been taken on an expedition to Malaga. Sir
Thomas Levie, wrecked in his majesty's ship
Blanche, on the coast of France, was at the head
of the naval class. These officers were in com-
mission at the time of their capture, by which
alone the French government recognized their
rank, otherwise there were some of higher rank
in the depôt, who, detained at the commencement
of the war, were merely considered as detenues.
Whenever a desertion occurred, or complaints
had to be represented, General Wirion in-
variably sent for the officer at the head of the
class to which the party belonged. Although
с
250
NARRATIVE OF A
ac-
the captains of merchantmen had no one
to
represent them, they found in Sir Thomas Levie
an able and willing advocate.
Those confined in the citadel drew up a me-
morial, setting forth the hardship of their situation,
he undertook to plead their cause with the
general. The latter became indignant at the
interference, and refused to order their release.
These intercessions became troublesome; in order
to rid himself of them, Sir. Thomas was
cused of exciting those men to acts of in-
subordination. Representations to that effect
were made to the government, and charges of
the most unfounded nature were preferred, to
repel which he was called upon to plead be-
fore a military court, assembled at Mont Medie,
a fortress in the department of the Ardennes,
to which he was conducted, under a military
escort. The result of the trial was the honour-
able acquittal of that officer. Soon afterwards,
obtaining an interview with the Minister of War,
circumstances were brought to light, which the
general had little anticipated: he, in turn, was
CAPTIVITY IN FRANCE, &c.
251
ordered to the capital, and warned of the serious
charge of having extorted money from the English
residents, at various times, and to great amount.
It was reported that on the first interview be-
tween General Wirion and Napoleon, by whom
he had always been highly considered, the
decorations he
torn from his
breast. If this be correct, it showed, that
however severely Napoleon might treat the
prisoners of war, he would not suffer any officer
to practice extortion upon them. * Whether
wore
were
* How far this supposition is correct, I shall leave the
reader to decide, by giving the following list of officers who,
at various times, and in different depôts, when placed over
the English prisoners practiced extortion :-
Wirion-A general and inspector of Gendarmerie, officer of
the Legion of Honour, intrusted with the command of the
depôt at Verdun-Committed suicide.
Courçelles-Colonel and commandant of Verdun, and of the
department of the Meuse, officer of the Legion of Honour
-Dismissed the army.
Demarget—Lieutenant of Gendarmerie, member of the
Legion of Honour-Dismissed the army.
Massin-Lieutenant of Gendarmerie, member of the Legion
of Honour-Committed suicide.
Bouillé-Marechal de logis of Gendarmerie, pay-master, and
member of the Legion of Honour-Reduced to the ranks.
-A lieutenant of Gendarmerie, (name forgotten) com-
manding the depôt at Sarrelouis-Committed suicide.
252
NARRATIVE OF A
On
the General wanted courage to face this in-
quiry, or had not the means to prove his
innocence, is not necessary to inquire.
ascertaining from his counsel that the proceedings
were taking an unfavourable turn, he retired to
the Bois de Boulogne, at the extremity of Paris,
and put an end to his existence with a pistol.
On the occurrence becoming known at Verdun,
an officer on the staff followed the example.
These events excited the astonishment of the
French inhabitants, the captains of the mer-
chantmen were now restored to the liberty of
the town and country. The conduct of General
Wirion had been marked by an indifference to
humanity on many occasions, scarcely to be
believed. At one time he formed the prisoners
into classes; if even one deserted, he instantly
sent the rest to Bitche. If a party was seen to
arrive from thence, and any of their number
Mandevellars-Captain in the army, aid-de-camp to General
Wirion, a member of the Legion of Honour—Dismissed
the army.
Besides these there was another aid-de-camp of General
Wirion's, whose name has likewise escaped my recollection-
Dismissed the service.
CAPTIVITY IN FRANCE, &c.
253
1
this
1
prore:
Petite
of Per
Tamp:
ent at:
the
missing, however long the confinement had been,
they were re-conducted in twenty-four hours after-
wards, without investigation or pity, to their
former abode. Of all classes in the depôt, there
was none so obnoxious to him as the midshipmen.
His attempts to subdue their spirit by confinement
were ineffectual, and he was heard to declare, that
they gave him more trouble than all the other
prisoners under his command. He eagerly sought
opportunities to confine them to the citadel, in
which yard there is a round tower denominated
the Tour D' Enghien, having been expressly built
for the confinement of that unfortunate prince.
It became the abode for a period of ten months
of a number of the midshipmen; owing to the
annoyance which the repeated solicitations of their
friends who resided in the town caused general
Wirion, he at length relented, and ordered their
liberation. An order was created by them de-
nominated “ The Knights of the Round Tower.”
The members celebrated the anniversary of their
liberation by a dinner. On which occasions, each
appeared with the riband of the order.
liber
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VOL. I.
z
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254
NARRATIVE OF A
A song, composed by one of the party, was
sung at these festivities, of which the annexed is
a copy.
Ye noble hearts devoid of fear,
Slaves to power, slaves to power ;
Spite of fate we're happy here,
Bold Knights of the Round Tower.
We've many toils and dangers seen,
And drank the dregs of anguish keen;
Till now of late, confirmed we've been,
Bold Knights of the Round Tower.
Then why should we be ever sad,
Since sadness often drives us mad;
Through fortune’s frowns we'll still be glad,
Bold Knights of the Round Tower.
;
In vain the gaoler's drunken face,
Would fain our happiness displace;
Still mirth and harmony shall grace,
The Knights of the Round Tower.
Then may we ever banish grief,
And never want for grog and beef,
Till peace shall grant us full relief,
From every Gallic Tower.
There was
no lack of amusement at Verdun.
The horse and boat races got up by the English
residents, attracted many strangers as well as
families from the towns in the vicinity. The
CAPTIVITY IN FRANCE, &c.
255
parties
a,
theatre (rather a neat building) afforded opportuni-
ties for English amateur performances, the receipts
were for charitable purposes. The female charac-
ters were taken by the younger
and more slender,
having a taste for theatricals; they were attired, or
as they termed it, “ rigged out,” by women.
Had
steps and gestures accorded with the correctness of
the costumes, those performances would have gone
off with more eclat, as it was, the change of the
pantaloons for the petticoat, appeared' excessively
inconvenient. In the green room there was no
want of restoratives, liquids from champagne to
brandy were amply provided, owing to this, a
little over acting was occasionally perceptible,
putting aside all gravity when the part ought
to have been tragic.
Verdun being situated on the direct road from
Paris to the Rhine, had constantly something to
attract attention. Napoleon invariably passed
through here on his way to and from the armies,
and this was likewise the route of the greater part
of the Grande Armée and the Imperial Guard when
on their way to Russia. Strange to relate, the
French head quarters which the preceding twelve
Enco
ter
I
F.
256
NARRATIVE OF A
months had been at Moscow, were now at Metz, but
two stages from our residence. France invaded, was
in her turn to experience miseries great as those
she had unsparingly inflicted on other states. We
were soon to witness the passage of the wounded
in the recent actions, a sight novel to many
here.
A few days after the battle of Leipsic, once
more leaving his discomfitted troops, Napoleon
arrived on his way to Paris, travelling incog,
under the title of a count. He was attended
by Caulincourt, minister for foreign affairs, two
general officers, aides de camps, and the Mam-
aluke Austin. He alighted at his customary
resort, the hotel, the three Moors.* There had
been some time a table d'hôte established in that
inn, at the hour of half-past five, and I happened
* The reader will be surprised when I state, that the
carriage which brought Napoleon on this occasion to
Verdun, I saw exhibited in Liverpool, some time after its
capture by the Prussians. The coachman, (Jean Orn) on
my telling him that I had seen it at the period alluded to,
seemed to doubt my assertion, I however called to his
recollection a few circumstances attending that arrival,
which soon convinced him of the correctness of my
statement.
CAPTIVITY IN FRANCE, &c.
257
for the first time, to dine there on that day, little
anticipating I should behold the man who had so
long separated me from my home. Unlike many,
I had no desire whatever to see him. At the
conclusion of the dinner, accompanied by a friend,
I was in the act of leaving, and had scarcely
entered the hall when Napoleon passed by us.
Taking his station at the foot of the stair-case,
he waited while Caulincourt (who, as reported,
was suffering from the gout) descended. The
Emperor of the French, as he was designated,
was easily recognised ; his appearance, uniform,
&c. corresponded in every particular with the
drawings, prints, &c. at this time exposed in
the shops and stalls of the public thorough-
fares, He had on a grey travelling coat, which
was unbuttoned on reaching the stair-case, under
it was one of green, with red trimmings and
red collar. There were rows of small white
buttons on each side of the breast.
This was
the uniform of the chasseurs of the Imperial
Guard. He had three small decorations and
a plain star. The small clothes and waistcoat
appeared to be of white kerseymere, his boots
VOL I.
2 2
258
NARRATIVE OF A
came fully to the knee, and under a small cocked
hat he wore either a black silk cap or handker-
chief.*
On his arrival, which had been some days
anticipated, being known, the visiters in the
hotel were speedily ejected, and a guard was imme-
diately placed at the entrance. The Mamaluke,
covered in a fur cloak, sat the whole of the
time on the dickey of the carriage. Napoleon
remained scarcely an hour: in the interval,
the authorities, comprising the general command-
ing the town, the mayor, sub-prefect, and the
commandant of the prisoners, were seen to attend.
It was said that the general and commandant
were alone admitted to an audience. Inquiring
of Major Meulan, whether there were many
English residing out of the town, and receiving
an affirmative reply, he said, they must instantly
come in. It surprised me to see so few French-
men assembled to witness their Emperor's de-
parture. On his getting into the carriage,
* The French officers of the infantry were to be seen, when
on march, wearing under their military caps one of black silk
net. This, I was told, was to prevent drifting snow from
penetrating their ears.
CAPTIVITY IN FRANCE, &c.
259
Six gens
there was some faint cheering. Attempts were
made at illumination in the streets through which
he had to pass: in some windows two candles
sufficed, while others exhibited but a single lamp.
d'armes were the escort to the Paris
gate. It was a matter of surprise, not less to the
inhabitants than to ourselves, that after so much
recent severe fighting, and the head quarters,
as I have before observed, being very near,
that the wounded, who, it might be presumed,
were in great numbers, in rear of the armies,
had not yet appeared at Verdun. According to
report, orders were issued for their detention,
till after Napoleon's passing. If this was correct,
the object evidently was to prevent exciting the
feelings of the French people at beholding so much
human misery. In two days after, however, those
unfortunate and neglected men began to arrive.
The accounts published in the French papers
relative to the advance of the invaders, garbled
as they were, nevertheless inspired the hopes, in
some, and almost the certainty in others, that our
captivity would soon be brought to a happy
260
NARRATIVE OF A
termination. France depopulated beyond con-
ception, * and especially during the last year, did
not seem in a condition to repel the immense forces
now pressing forward to her invasion. About
this period, a column of Austrian prisoners
arrived, remaining but one night. They had
been taken in the attack on Dresden. Their num.
ber which was originally announced to be 4,000,
now appeared not to exceed 1,500. It is impossible
to convey an idea of their pitiable condition, owing
to fatiguing marches, want of food, and still more
of proper covering, the greater part were as
spectres. Their lodging for the night was in the
open air between the ramparts of the citadel; and
brown bread and water their only subsistance.
In 1809, during my residence at Cambrai, im-
mediately after the French armies occupied Vienna,
there were fêtes and rejoicings to commemorate
that event. Military officers, and those in various
situations under the government, did not scruple,
when in the presence of the prisoners in the cafés
* My observation, the reader will conceive, applies only
to the male population.
CAPTIVITY IN FRANCE, &c.
261
and hotels where they occasionally met, to use
expressions as little agreeable to us, as creditable
to them ; although not directly addressed, they
were nevertheless intended for our hearing. These
boastings were to have their limit; little was it
anticipated that the then subjugated powers of
the north, would be seen to come forward as they
now were to chastise their former oppressors. The
drama had commenced at Moscow; the denoue-
ment was reserved for Paris. The Moniteur, and
all other papers announced, day after day, the
unextinguishable loyalty of the French people;
their endeavours by means of subscriptions, gifts,
&c. to re-place the losses which the army had
sustained. Towns were represented as emulat-
ing each other, in showing an attachment
to Napoleon, and a determination to support,
as it was termed, “ the national honour." Horses
were provided to remount the cavalry; money,
as well as offers to serve, on the part of those
who had escaped the different conscriptions, were
seen pouring in on the government. A new army,
as if by magic, was collected, it was however, very
far from equalling that which had entered Russia.
262
NARRATIVE OF A
a
The fragments of regiments returning thence, were
filled
up with conscripts imperfectly drilled.
The campaign opened with success, though
but for a short time, to the French arms. The
battles of Lutzen and Boutzen seemed to wipe
away, in part, the recollection of the misfortunes of
the preceding year. The bold attack of the allies
on Dresden, although unsuccessful, astonished
the French people exceedingly, and probably
Napoleon likewise, who was but a few hours within
the walls of that place, when the attempt was
made to storm it. The battle of Leipsic was
reserved as a finish to his iron rule over the
German people.
After all the sacrifices, con-
tributions, and exactions, to reinforce the army,
an expedient was hit upon to augment the
cavalry. It was by forming four regiments
composed of the elite of the youth of France.
This force was denominated the Guard of Honour;
each individual had to provide his horse and
equipments. These young men were to be con-
stantly near the person of Napoleon, and at the
expiration of twelve months each private was to
become an officer, and attached to the different
CAPTIVITY IN FRANCE, &c.
263
a
regiments of the Grande Armé.e Owing to the
continued conscriptions it was found impossible
to procure substitutes.
By drawing from classes
which had been fortunate enough to escape the
five years preceding, it was evident that if the
war continued every individual capable of bearing
arms would become a soldier. With such a
prospect, and the allurement of an officer's com-
mission, in the short period here named, it was
not surprising how readily the scheme took.
The regiments referred to were formed at Paris,
Lyons, Bourdeaux and Amsterdam, the latter
place being then part of the French Empire.
When witnessing the passing of one of those
regiments through Verdun, to join the armies, it
was observed as the handsomest corps of light
cavalry that had been seen. The uniforms, horses
and different appointments showed to what extent
their credulity had been worked upon.
They
represented more a corps of officers than privates.
How Napoleon performed his promise to these
volunteers will hereafter appear.
On the arrival of the wounded, scenes
curred, of which, I have to regret my inability
OC-
264
NARRATIVE OF A
was
to convey to the reader an adequate description.
Officers took precedence, travelling in vehicles of
almost every kind. Many were severely wound-
ed, and several died immediately after being
sent to the hospitals and to lodgings in the town:
of the number were a general and seven colonels,
their deaths occurred within a few days. Then
came the subalterns and privates ; these un-
fortunate beings were unprovided with medical
attendants.
The country at this time
covered with snow; convoys composed of twenty
and thirty waggons arrived at intervals during
each day. From the Metz gate to the bridge
on the Meuse, (a distance, probably, of a quarter
of a mile) they formed one line. The carts
and waggons
were of the rudest description,
the bottoms and sides being constructed of
wooden railings, to the latter were attached
by cords, hoops of half circular form, to sup-
port the coverings which
of
canvas,
blankets, or sacking. Small quantities of straw
were placed underneath.
These vehicles gene-
rally contained fifteen
to twenty of these
miserable men; owing to the bad state of
were
CAPTIVITY IN FRANCE, &c.
265
It
a
In one
the roads the convoys moved very slowly.
was distressing to witness the sufferings of so
many wounded and abandoned soldiers; when-
ever a stoppage occurred to a waggon, those in
the rear had necessarily to wait; then the moans
and sufferings, as well as the execrations heard
to issue from under the frail coverings was
horrible. Many protruded their hands through
the railings, soliciting relief; on arriving at the
bridge, at which there is a small square, a partial
examination took place of the inmates in each
waggon, when many were found dead.
which I saw, there were five who had died on
the day's journey. Owing to not having proper
bandages and dressings, blood marked power-
fully on the snow the tract which they had
passed. The inhabitants, on beholding the con-
dition of these neglected men, seemed horror
struck, and afforded all the assistance in their
power, by supplying them with bread and nou-
rishment of various descriptions.
These scenes forboded the miseries which it was
anticipated would soon occur in their own neigh-
bourhood, on the approach of the allies. Of the
VOL. I.
A A
266
NARRATIVE OF A
number of the wounded passing through, as
likewise those remaining at Verdun, no precise
calculation could be made; by some it was com-
puted, at not less, in the space of six weeks, than
10,000 men; the hospital, the citadel, and the
stalls of the cavalry barrack were filled, there
was not an adequate number of French surgeons
to be found. The English professional men,
attached to the army and the navy, (to their
honour be it spoken) voluntarily lent their aid to
their wounded enemies. Death, as may be
sup-
posed, was busy among them; the interments took
place after midnight, the carts conveying the dead
at such a lonely hour, (those coming from the
citadel, passed under my window) had a hollow
and melancholy sound. The spot selected for the
burials, was a field a short distance beyond the
ramparts of the town; large graves were made,
and the bodies being placed in tiers, without
coffins, had a covering of sand and quicklime.
The one I saw, appeared capable of containing
a great number; it was impossible to look on these
pits without feelings of execration against the man
through whose ambition they had perished.
CAPTIVITY IN FRANCE, &c.
267
In Egypt, at Moscow, and at Leipsic, the
French army had been deserted by its chief; the
wounded soldier incapable of further action was
no longer an object of attention, else, why were
they seen arriving here unattended by medical
It was generally observed, that very few
French soldiers were to be met with, who had
undergone amputation. Owing to the long dura-
tion of the war, when we consider the immense
armies which France kept, (even since the period
of 1803) constantly engaged in active warfare, it
might have been thought that a disabled soldier
would be met at every step, this not being the
case, how are we to account for the scarcity of
such spectacles, otherwise, than supposing ampu-
tations were forbidden, in order that the pension
list might be spared.* The inhabitants now began
men.
* When the English doctors attended the French wounded,
instances were frequent, as may be supposed, where ampu-
tation was necessary. On our countrymen reporting such
cases to the French chief surgeon, the subject was invariably
evaded, and he turned the conversation to some other
topic; this I had from a friend who actually made several
similar communications. I have no hesitation in asserting,
that I have seen more men having lost a limb, during a visit
to Greenwich hospital, than I saw throughout France, (not
268
NARRATIVE OF A
to express anxiety that we should not be removed,
as they could not believe the allies would fire upon
the town while we remained. At the latter end
of December, the prisoners of war of different
nations, in depôts near the Rhine, were sent far
into the interior. Although the enemy was ad-
vancing, we did not seem objects of much attention
to the government. It was not, however, to be
supposed, that we should be allowed quietly to
remain here, till the Prussian army appeared.
Applications were frequent to the commandant,
to ascertain when our removal was likely to occur.
The replies were, “I wait for orders,” or, “ I have
6
written to the minister, but I have no answer.
On the last of these occasions he expressed his
hope, that whatever might occur, as we were all
on parole, that our conduct would be marked by
regularity. In this state of uncertainty, every one
prepared for a long march, vehicles of various
descriptions to convey those who had families,
having the means to pay, were purchased. A
body of engineers and artificers recenty arrived,
72
even excepting the inmates of the Hotel of the Invalides)
during the entire of my captivity.
CAPTIVITY IN FRANCE, &c.
269
On occa-
were immediately employed in putting the forti-
fications in repair. The arched passage of the
Metz gate was filled up with earth, and a battery
constructed before it, the citadel was provisioned
and placed in a state of defence. Detachments
of infantry, artillery, and cavalry continued to
pass on their way to the Grande Armée.
sions when the arrivals occurred during the night,
the glare from the lamps, and torches carried at
head of the respective regiments reflecting on the
arms, accoutrements, &c. gave to the whole an
appearance as if we were in a place about to be
besieged.
At this period, the remains of the Polish
division, which had been commanded by Prince
Poniatowski, arrived on its way to Challons for
the purpose, as reported, of being reformed.
At the opening of the campaign, this corps was
represented as 15,000 men, whether it had been
separated, we knew not, they now, however,
,
mustered, by casual observation, from 2000 to
2500. These troops, as stated in the bulletins,
defended the village of Wackaw in the vicinity
VOL I.
A A 2
270
NARRATIVE OF A
seen.
of Leipsic, sustaining throughout the day, heavy
and repeated attacks of the allies, they suffered
severely; an officer of this corps, asserted their
loss on that day alone, at half their original
number, they were the finest troops we had yet
An interest was excited when looking on
these brave but unfortune Poles; they still re-
tained their national cockade, and though in
Napoleon's service, formed a separate force, not
even appearing to associate with the officers and
soldiers of the French army. The carriage of
their lamented commander came with them ;
one part of its top had been carried away
by a cannon shot which had shattered the whole
of the vehicle. On the pannels were inscribed
in French « H.R. H. Prince Poniatowski, 7th
Corps of the Grande Armée." The defection
which had occurred in many of the German
regiments at different periods since the campaign
of Moscow, induced Napoleon to disarm the re-
mainder. These brave Poles, we were afterwards
told, met with similar treatment on arriving at
Challons, and were marched further into the in-
terior.
CAPTIVITY IN FRANCE, &c.
271
The regiment of the guard of honor which
had been formed at Amsterdam, now disembodied,
passed through Verdun ; their indignation was
excessive at the treatment they had met with.
Their horses and accoutrements, provided at great
expense, were turned over to the different cavalry
regiments of the old and new guard. The
formation of the four regiments alluded to, was
viewed with no very pleasant feeling by the
French army; the conquerors of so many fields
felt disgust at seeing these young men placed
near the person of their chief. Very soon after,
one of the regiments joined the army, it had
to sustain the attack of a considerable corps of
Cossacks. For the first time in action, and but
recently formed, it could not be a matter of
surprise if they were speedily overthrown. Each
of the regiments alluded to, had been attached
on arriving at the army to those of the cavalry
of the guard, in order, as the Moniteur stated,
to their being instructed in military movements.
The first action proved unfortunate, and Napoleon
seized the opportunity to get rid of this volunteer
force in the way described. They returned in a
272
NARRATIVE OF A
pitiable condition.* It was impossible to be a
a
resident here, so near the French head quarters
,
without feeling an interest as to the movements of
our enemies, as well as those of the allies who were
Having in preceding parts of my narrative alluded to the
depopulated state of France, resulting from the abominable
law of the conscription, as well as the chicanery practised
to procure substitutes to fill the vacancies which death occa-
sioned in their armies, the result of so many battles, I may
be permitted to quote from a very able work, (General Foy's
History of the Peninsular War) by which the reader will
perceive I have not over-drawn the picture:-—“The abuse of
the conscription began with the renewal of hostilities on the
continent. The legislative enactment which fixed the dura-
tion of the regular service of conscripts at four years, was
wholly disregarded; men entered the service not to leave it
again for life. The reserves had but a momentary existence,
and young men were sent to war as soon as they were drawn;
nay, those to whom certain legal exemptions applied, remain-
ed debtors of their blood to their country, not only till the
age of twenty-five years, but so long as they were not liberated
by a formal act of the government. The vote of the annual
levies was transferred from the legislative body to the senate.
A councillor of state was appointed to the direction of the
conscription, and the supply of the lion's den was not the
least important of the ministerial departments. Moveable
columns traversed the territory of France, and, sword in
hand, forced her to become a conquering nation. It was
found necessary to establish a legislation of exception for a
multitude of offences, the offspring of a new tyranny. This
tyranny, harsh against persons, was also fiscal, as well from
the nature of the penalties as on account of the immense
CAPTIVITY IN FRANCE, &c.
273
coming forward not only to effect the conquest
of France, but likewise the liberation of not less
than 80,000 prisoners composed of various nations
within her territory. Our information was neces-
sarily through the bulletins, false as their state-
ments invariably were there was sufficient to
judge that the crisis was at hand, when it would
be seen whether the French, arrogant in victory,
were not equally servile in defeat.
The Austrians, under Swartzenbourg, were
sums which substitutes cost. The limit of twenty to twenty-
five years, fixed by the fundamental law, was not long enough
for the consumption of the species. Government fell back on
the past and anticipated upon the future. Uniting the cun-
ning which destroys respect, and the force which excites
hatred, it devised unusual appellations to deceive the people.
Sometimes legions, called legions of reserve, were created for
a special destination, and were no sooner formed than they
were transferred to another. Sometimes calls of volunteers
were made, as if the word alone had not been a laughing
stock. Citizens married and engaged in useful occupations,
were put in requisition, and removed to a different part of
the country, by the name of National Guards in activity.
Young soldiers were allured into regiments nominally added
to the Imperial Guard, but not allowed to share its preroga-
tives. The conscripts who escaped by the payment of money,
were subsequently taken into the Guards of Honour, the
ban and the arrière ban. Thenceforward the natural death
of a Frenchman was that which he found in the field of
honour."
274
NARRATIVE OF A
advancing through Switzerland. The Russians,
Prussians, and Saxons, by the more central parts
of the Rhine ; the Dutch and Westphalian
troops through Holland; and the British army,
the only one of the allies that had never stooped
to the conquerer, was soon to view from the
summit of the Pyrenees, the fertile valleys of
the south. A considerable British force had
likewise landed in Holland.
France seemed to
have an enemy at every point.
At the latter part of December the doctors
of the navy received the unexpected permis-
sion to return to England, being exchanged.
This unexpected liberation was considered as
being entirely owing to the want of medical
attendants in the French armies, many of whom
were, at this period, prisoners in England. The
doctors of the military service not being included
in the exchange, caused general surprise.
The release of the officers alluded to, the
twenty-one captains of merchantmen liberated
from Auxonne, and an inconsiderable number of
sailors who had been employed in constructing
CAPTIVITY IN FRANCE, &c.
275
*
a bridge over the Meuse at Givet,* to which
depôt they belonged, as likewise a few officers
and detenues from Verdun, comprised the ex-
changes occurring since the period of 1803. The
total number did not even amount to 100. Of
those allowed to return to England from the depôt
on which I write, were Lord Yarmouth, who
had been detained at the commencement of the
war ; Captains Woodriff, Gore, Brenton, and
Fane, of the navy; Colonel L'Estrange, and a
few surgeons of the army. To what motive
their liberation was attributed, I had no means
of ascertaining
A regiment of infantry and one of light ca-
valry (the 11th chasseurs à cheval) had their
* It was said that Napoleon was much pleased on viewing
the work. This, I believe, was the only instance in which
English prisoners were employed during the war on any of
the public improvements. Not so the Spaniards, who were
to be met with in numbers repairing the old and constructing
new roads. If I am correctly informed, the celebrated
Napoleon canal was principally formed by Spanish prisoners.
During this visit to Givet, the lady and her children, who
had been confined in so disgraceful a way at Bitche, named
in my observations on that place, received permission
from Napoleon to return to their homes. This occurred
a long time after their removal from the fort.
276
NARRATIVE OF A
head quarters at Verdun.
When a party of
the latter were watering their horses in the
Meuse, a private having penetrated beyond the
proper depth, was carried away by the current.
Notwithstanding his cries for assistance, there was
none of his comrades daring enough to attempt
extricating him from the perilous situation. There
was, however, an individual at hand, willing to risk
his life in saving the chasseur, and that person was
a lieutenant of the British navy; seeing the man
float past the windows of his apartment, which
overlooked the river, he instantly sprung in and
brought him safely to the shore. The horse was
however, drowned. This act of intrepidity was
.
performed not only in view of several of the
soldiers of the regiment, but likewise of many of
the inhabitants, and for some time it formed the
topic of conversation. Our countryman received
the thanks of the officers of the regiment; the
gallant deed was likewise noticed by the authori-
ties, and by them communicated to the Minister
of War. The opinion prevailed that a passport,
at least, would be sent to the lieutenant that he
might be allowed to return to his own country.
CAPTIVITY IN FRANCE, &c.
277
The reader will naturally inquire was such a
feat of intrepidity and humanity suffered to pass
without notice! Certainly not. It was noticed,
and in a way too which surprised all here, by an
offer of conferring on the party the decoration
of the legion of honour; one which Napoleon
must have been aware His Royal Highness the
Prince Regent would not permit any British
officer to wear. It was moreover the same deco-
ration that had adorned the breast of General
Wirion and his worthy associates, at a time when
they were pilfering the unfortunate British prison-
ers committed to their custody. The French
army of St. Domingo had at an early period of
the war capitulated to a British squadron on the
condition of being regularly exchanged. Napo-
leon refused to ratify the convention, alleging it
was only an act of humanity to rescue those 4000
men from the fury of the blacks. Our govern-
ment finally yielded, aud sent over the whole
without exchange. How great
How great the difference.
Here a prisoner who had nobly saved a French sol-
dier from certain destruction, was not considered
entitled to the humanity urged in the case of the
VOL. I.
B B
278
NARRATIVE OF A
army alluded to.
There were many wounded
naval and military officers at Verdun; some so
severely as to be incapable of further active ser-
vice. Wounds found no sympathy with the
despot at this crisis ruling France, else why not
have permitted their exchange. Many of our
countrymen had witnessed the passing of Russian,
Prussian, and Austrian prisoners, on more than
one occasion, when returning to their homes, while
they were doomed to what appeared an everlasting
captivity.
There were parties resident here detained con-
trary to conventions made at the time of their
surrender; nor were flags of truce invariably
respected. Two lieutenants and a midshipman,
decoyed under the latter, were imprisoned in the
fort of which so long an account appears in a
preceding part of my narrative: so much for the
faith and honour of the Imperial Government
then seen to rule in Gaul. As if to convince us
how greatly the male population had been lessened,
detachments of boys (many not exceeding four-
teen years of age) arrived at intervals, destined
for the armies. They had been drawn from the
.
CAPTIVITY IN FRANCE, &c.
279
fleets in the Texel and the Scheldt: a number
of seamen had some time preceded them. Of
what use such a youthful force could be in
defending their country, could not be conjectured.
It was said they were but to do duty in the
garrison towns, during the absence of the regular
troops. These poor boys, as may be supposed,
were greatly dejected; they had had a very
long march, which was made the more fatiguing
from the badness of the roads and severity
of the weather. Each party was headed by a
drum. What could it otherwise be termed than
cruelty, thus marching ineffective beings to the
seat of war.
If, in the number of English collected here,
the whole being without occupation, quarrels
frequently took place, it was not surprising.
From the particular position of parties, even
the slightest offence which, in any other situation,
might, through interference of friends, have been
amicably arranged, seldom passed over without
a duel. Many, during this captivity, occurred,
with fatal results: I believe, during the estab-
lishment of the depôt, five were killed and many
.
280
NARRATIVE OF A
wounded. About the period of 1812, the
French government adopted a kind of punish-
ment (which many supposed was pointed out
by our own, in order to prevent the recurrence
of these continued meetings) towards those who
had killed their opponents, by transferring them
to depôts where the soldiers and sailors alone
were confined.
In 1813, during my residence
at Bitche, two naval officers, who had been un-
fortunate in that particular, were sent there.
I have ever understood that it is against usage
that duels should be fought in fortified places
when garrisoned ; nevertheless, one took place
in the fort. The parties were midshipmen. As
it was impossible to procure pistols, the only
weapons to be had were fencing foils. The
buttons were displaced and the points sharpened.
The place of meeting was in the vaulted cellar
of which I have spoken, termed St. Giles. It
terminated by one of the combatants being run
through the right arm. I am not aware that
meetings similar to those I have alluded to,
ever occurred between the French and English
residents at Verdun, which probably was owing
CAPTIVITY IN FRANCE, &c.
281
to an opinion entertained by the former, that it
was unfair to fight with a prisoner of war.
I
am very far from asserting that such opinion was
general. It was, however, expressed by a French
officer who had thought it becoming to
insulting expressions in the presence of our
countrymen, when in a Cafè in that place.
use
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VOL. 1.
#1
UNIVERSITY OF MICHIC
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The HF Group
Indlana Plant
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