Napoleon & the War in Germany

By Gwynne Jones
Written 1992 

THE NEW ARMY

MURAT, after being dislodged from behind the Niemen Fluss to the other side of the Vistula, in his turn deserted, at Posen. Command devolved on the Viceroy of Italy, Prince Eugene de Beauharnais, the Emperor's stepson. His field army, composed of worn-out survivors of the Retreat plus multi-national "detachments de marche", provisional units, numbered 12,000. With the remains of four, once huge Corps, I, II, III and IV, Eugene garrisoned three fortresses on the Oder Fluss and Spandau, near Berlin. He sent back officer and N.C.O.      cadres to Erfurt, who, together with many more from Spain, Napoleon used to form the nuclei of many more units.

Many N.C.O.s were commissioned, (including Sergeant Bourgogne, later author of the famous memoirs of the Great Retreat); not all such proved satisfactory. The military colleges were stripped of cadets, however young, but these were usually sent to old units. From his territories, the Emperor demanded a huge mass of conscripts for the rank and file.

EVEN before the winter debacle, in September 1812, he had ordered out 120,000 (soon 137,000) of the class of 1813. These were in the depots but still untrained by December. For organised reinforcements, Napoleon took 84 (soon 88) cohorts[1] of the National Guard, who were 20-26 year olds not called up in the six years 1807-1812 when eligible for conscription and legally thereafter exempt from military service. Under pressure, these volunteered en masse for foreign service. Numbering approximately 80,000, they were transformed into 22 four-battalion regiments. Another 80,000 form the same six-year classes were used to fill other units. Finally, 150,000 18 and 19-year olds from the class of 1814 were ordered to report to the depots, but not before February 1813. The Empire could not arm and train half a million raw recruits simultaneously. There were some units of experienced men: 8,000 marines from coastal forts comprising 16 battalions; 5,000 veterans in the municipal guards who made up six battalions  and nine regular battalions from Italy. These would be some degree of stiffening, but far more were needed to settle the fate of Europe.

CORPS I to IV of the Grand Armee had contained 36 regiments. Napoleon rebuilt these as four-battalion units, therefore, needing 144 additional battalions, on the old organization. In France, there existed only the cadres for 100 detached battalions whose parent regiments were serving in Spain, Illyria, etc. They were filled with recruits and grouped together in twos and threes to form new regiments. So far: 363 battalions! Now for higher formations.

THE V Corps, Lauriston's, consisting of 48 National Guard cohorts, assembled at Magdeburg in late February

Lauriston

and early March 1813. It was the first higher-level formation to be ready and it was swelling Eugene's Army of the Elbe in April. Ney's III Corps of 60 battalions, (four divisions), and Marmont's of 50, assembled at Mainz in March and April. There were also Bertrand's 54 battalions from Italy, (late IV and XII Corps), I Corps' 64 battalions and II Corps 48 battalions. One French and two Saxon divisions made up VII Corps. The Imperial Guard was strengthened by three divisions of Young Guard, mostly conscripts but probably with the best cadres. One small Old Guard division came from the survivors of the Retreat, Guard depots and 3,000 veterans of Spain.

THE new divisions averaged above 14 battalions, in contrast to Marmont's (and Wellington's) divisions at Salamanca which averaged only nine. Their manpower was twice those of Marmont's which averaged 5,000. Was Napoleon short of good divisional commanders, as Soham's performance on the morning before the battle of Lutzen seems to suggest? In fact, the Corps commanders proved even less reliable, in spite of their records.

WHAT was the quality of the new infantry? Opinions vary: some officers found the young men too weak for hard marching, too sickly and too unwilling. When the class of 1813 began to run out, Napoleon said that lads from the class of 1814 could be used. He specified, however, that "the big and strong" should be selected: this is suggestive. In the Empire's twilight years, many conscripts unwilling to serve became "refractaires", evading or even resisting induction. Soldiers were sent to capture them and to impose pressure on their families to bring about their surrender. Certainly, many units left a frightfully, large trail of sick and stragglers in the Spring marches of 1813. Desertion was rife. On the other hand, witnesses wrote of the good qualities of the new soldiers. Both could be right. After sickness and desertion weeded out the weakest and least willing, those who were left were tougher and gained esprit de corps, probably having become quite efficient, brave and obedient soldiers.

UNFORTUNATELY, they were not very efficient in the first campaign of 1813. All the stories of young fellows poorly or only partly trained seem to be true. Virtually none, save the National Guardsmen, were familiar with their weapons. Most never had a musket in their hands before quitting their depots. Depot commanders who tried to obey the rule that each recruit should fire six blank and two ball rounds were censured for delaying their conscripts departure for the front.

GETTING a quarter of a million young civilians into units and to the front was a wildly confused and frantically rushed performance. In mid-April, a fortnight before the first great battle, a French general wrote of the very fatigued battalions arriving: "...the young soldiers show courage and good-will. Every possible moment is utilized in teaching them to load their arms and bring them to their shoulder." Some conscripts were so small and weakly that it was not beyond a joke. The Minister of Police in Paris protested their drilling in the Champs Elysees because of the derision they provoked from the crowds. It was difficult to produce useful infantry in four months or less and impossible to make cavalry. A year was needed.

CAVALRY available to the Emperor in the Spring of 1813, consisted of 11,000 good French and 4,000 allied. Masses of cons

Battle of Lutzen 1813 by Fleischmann

cript horse were available later, but proved virtually useless. At the first battle, on 2 May 1813, Lutzen, 7,500 French cavalry were present and wisely attempted nothing against 19,000 Allies. Lieutenant Vossler of the Wurttemberg cavalry describes the rebuilding of his cavalry regiment, destroyed in Russia, in two months.

"On 3 February 1813, the Regiment ... was newly equipped with officers, men and horses. The men had been conscripted during ... January and       the horses bought in Leipzig... We ... began drilling the men and training the horses on 4 February. By the end of the month, we had advanced to troop and squadron exercises, and by the end of March men and horses were fit for combat."

(One might doubt that, unless their opponents had also had only two months' training). Regimental exercises for Vossler's regiment began early in April and by late April the campaign was on. Lack of good, and numerous cavalry proved an acute handicap to Napoleon's army and incapacitated him from properly turning an enemy's defeat into an rout.[2]

NAPOLEON IN GERMANY

Published in January 1995 Issue

Series 2; Part II:

The Road to Dresden, 2

by Gwynne Jones

Crown Prince Charles John (Marshal Bernadotte)

With the failure of the peace congress to produce peace, (the Allies' minimum demands were "outrageous" to Napoleon), both sides prepared to resume hostilities with their expanded and improved forces. The Allies, (now, including Austria), had the following main armies. The Northern Army, 120,000 men under the Crown Prince and ruler of Sweden, Bernadotte, consisting mainly of Prussians; the Southern Army 240,000 men under the Austrian Schwarzenberg in Bohemia, with masses of Austrians but including many Prussians and Russians; the Army of Silesia, 95,000 men under Blucher, consisting of Prussians and Russians, and a reserve of 60,000 men in Poland. And their numbers were growing.

Napoleon, on paper, also had three main armies: Oudinot's 85,000 men in the North; Ney with 85,000 men in the East, and the Emperor with 165,000 South-West of Ney; plus Davout's 35,000 men in Oudinot's area, in Hamburg. The Emperor himself controlled Ney's force and took what he wanted from Oudinot. For his basic strategy, Napoleon consulted his Marshals, something he would never have done even a few years earlier. It was a defensive strategy, with determination to go over to the offensive as soon as possible. The had never before have to act defensively, except for the siege of Mantua. His two armies between Breslau and Dresden could be well placed to support each other and to deal with either an advance from Silesia, in the East, or Bohemia, in the South. The Emperor made two important miscalculations, not in themselves fatal. He greatly overestimated the size of the Army of Silesia, and he was convinced that if the Army of Bohemia were to attack, it would be on the right bank (East) of the Elbe. (In fact, when Schwarzenberg advanced on Dresden, he was on the left bank, as was his objective). As Napoleon put it:

"the ... campaign can only lead to a good result, if to begin ... there is a great battle ... in order to have a decisive an brilliant affair, there are more favourable chances in holding ourselves ... concentrated ... awaiting the arrival of the enemy."

Napoleon knew he was outnumbered.

Marshal Oudinot

Virtually all critics agree that his analysis was correct and the basic scheme sound. What went wrong? Two things - both the Emperor's own doing. First, he put his Eastern front further East, on the Katzbach, although he had only recently condemned this as dangerous, being too far from his main base, Dresden. Second, he decided on continuing, with much larger forces than before the Armistice, the offensive against Berlin, under the same inadequate commander, Oudinot. Virtually all critics see these decisions as serious errors. A partial offensive spoiled the general and early overall offensive without offering a corresponding gain, (even if all Prussia were overrun), and seriously weakened the forces which would have to oppose the largest enemy concentrations. Since it took a considerable French force, the one situated further from the centre, even further away, it dangerously weakened the advantage that he could expect from interior lines.

ST-CYR, consulted, opposed the advance on Berlin, because he was (rightly) sure that Napoleon had undervalued the number and quality of Bernadotte's army. His suggestion: 150,000 French to cover the Elbe between Magdeburg and Dresden, while the Emperor led 250,000 into Bohemia. Napoleon's only reply was that it was too late to make a plan so very different from the one he had already thought out.

Marshal Marmont

Marmont also unhesitatingly condemned the plan, especially in separating the French into three armies, which would deprive the Emperor of the strength needed for a decisive victory over the Allies' main forces on the Elbe and the upper Spree. He added his famous prophecy:

"I fear greatly lest on the day upon which your Majesty has gained a victory and believe you have won a decisive battle, you may learn that you have lost two."

Marmont also claimed that the march on Berlin was inspired by Napoleon's bitterness against Prussia (and Bernadotte) and a desire for immediate and "startling and terrible" vengeance. Many historians accept this explanation, (as do I), though it is true that overrunning Prussia would have advantages for the French, including the release of garrisons on the Oder.

All sensible people condemn Napoleon's choice of a commander against Berlin: Oudinot was a competent Division commander, barely adequate for a Corps. St-Cyr, Marmont and Davout were all infinitely superior generals. Later, Napoleon made another gratuitous blunder, by almost accidently substituting Ney (on the Katzbach) with Macdonald - far worse than Oudinot who, at least, obeyed orders.

The Allies also had a plan, a very fair plan, and one which actually worked - although it was worked out by a committee of generals. It is true that a very important improvement was made by Schwarzenberg's Chief-of-Staff, Radetzky (who became sufficiently famous to have a Strauss march named after him). The plan was for any single army advanced on by Napoleon himself to retire, while the other two armies would close on the Emperor's rear. Any French armies NOT led by Napoleon in person were fair game; they had, by now, the measure of the French Marshals.

---

[1] Each cohort was the same as a full-strength battalion, i.e. six companies of 144 men each.

[2] Napoleon wrote: "...it is impossible to fight anything but a defensive war unless one has achieved parity with the enemy cavalry." (In Chandler).

Peninsula 1810

This this is part of the  club 1810 Peninsula Campaign and fought in 1991.

BATTLE OF BADAJOZ

An unbiased report of the battle (see map at end) tells of a flurry of moves and counter moves with surprises for both sides and an eventual marginal victory for the Emperor's legions over the mercenaries of King George III.

The Franco-German garrison of Badajoz was in a veritable panic, when it was discovered that the major part of Marshal Beresford's Anglo-Portuguese army was cutting its umbilical cord with French Spain. No sooner did Beresford come into view, though, than those peering over the battlements were relieved to observe the phalanxes of red-coated soldiery being surprised by a large relieving force under the command of the Iron Marshal, Louis-Nicolas Davout, Prince of Eckmuhl. The Prince's prowess in battle has been proven many times. He is endowed with phenomenal powers of concentration and drives his men like Captain Bligh, though he is hardest on himself. His Chief of Staff, General Baron Thiebault has said: “To serve under him is truly a serious matter.” He wished to celebrate his 40th birthday with a victory and indeed this has occurred. Davout’s cavalry attacked Beresford’s from their rear and sent them reeling into their supports. Beresford’s despondency, well known to the Viscount Wellington, came to the fore and his bacon was saved only by the fortuitous intervention of his Spanish allies, Captain-General Cuesta and the Marquis de la Romana.

At the days end, Badajoz held and the Allies withdrew to patch their wounds.

Rapid Concentration of Forces

The arrival of the French relief force was predictable, but de la Romana’s intervention and Cuesta’s abandonment of the strategic fortress of Ciudad Rodrigo were not. It is feared that this will give rapacious Massena and that wild hussar Murat a free hand in Central Spain to the detriment of the female population and the Church’s.

ANDALUCIA

Meanwhile, nothing has been heard from the Andalucian front. Cadiz still flies the Royal flag of Ferdinand II and the Royal Navy sojourns in the bay. Recently, a French frigate was spotted on the horizon and was quickly chased off by one of the British third-raters whose speed was not quite up to the pursuit.

BATTLE AT RIO MONDEGO

The battle began with a massive bombardment of the British positions by a large battery situated on a rise in the French centre. At least six companies of artillery were involved and although something was lacking in their accuracy, the noise they made was tremendous and would have made a Peninsular veteran tremble. Fortunately, the Iron Viscount (men of iron were prolific in those times of yore) was present at the scene and any moral effect of the cannonade was balanced by the salubrious effect of His Excellence on the “scum” whom he commands. Indeed, not many of the “scum” were present on this day as the line was held primarily by gentlemen of the yeomanry interspersed with some nobility, to whit, a mass of British cavalry and horse artillery (see map).

Roland of the Army

The Roland of the Army, Marshal Lannes, was present to command the force sallying out from Coimbra. As he rode up to the position resplendent in his full dress uniform, mounted on a chestnut charger, hurrah's swept the blue-coated columns. His presence on the field is worth 10,000 men. Lannes has received more wounds in battle than any other soldier in the Grand Armee. His last injury, at Aspern-Essling, has given him a permanent limp. This has not encumbered him one little bit and he is said to be as valiant as he was at Ratisbonne, where he seized a scaling ladder and was prepared to lead the grenadiers to the top of the battlements.

The (perfidious) British presented the French with only 4 infantry battalions and 9 regiments of cavalry in sight, plus a couple of batteries. The situation dictated caution, especially as the Viscount Wellington recognized as being present.

“Where are the rest of them Senarmont?” Michel Lannes asked his artillery commander. “I don’t know Marshal, but he is either refusing his left, or concealing his infantry in the woods and behind the ridge. Either way, the situation requires caution.”

“Smoke him out, then!” The Marshal clicked his telescope shut and turned to his aides to give orders for a reconnaissance in force over the Mondego bridge. Simultaneously, General Senarnont signalled the artillery to begin firing. The colonels waved their swords and the ball began.

Young Guard Wild Goosed

General Cambronne, never one to be backward, led the Brigade of Young Guard across the West Ford toward the clump of trees on the army's right flank. His brigade was preceded by Polish and Dutch Lancers of the Imperial Guard, and supported by the “Favoured Children,” the Chasseurs a Cheval of the Guard. The cavalry rode purposefully around the perimeter of the petite bois. The green-coated woodsmen comprising the Flanquer-Grenadiers, fanned out cheerfully at the bugle command and proceeded to scour the wood for the enemy skirmishers. None were found. Cambronne dashed his sword on the turf in exasperation: the whole manoeuvre had been a farce created by Wellington.

Italians Hold the Line

On the left flank, the Italian Brigade of General Lecchi was instructed to force the South Ford. The pasta eaters went to it with great gusto. There had been an extra helping of Bolognese that morning and they felt particularly invigorated thereby. (It is remarkable how tasty pasta is on the day after; it seems to have absorbed all the sauce). This threat caused the British to line the ford and deny the Italians passage. Typically, before the exchange of fire, the two colonels swapped pleasantries.

“Good morning Colonel Campbell. Will you let us pass today, sir?” The enquirer was Colonel Scozia di Galliano of the 2nd Reggimento di Linea, who had recognized his opponent from his university days, as an exchange student at Oxford.

“Certainly not, old boy. The Viscount has entrusted my good self with this position and you shall not pass today, God willing,” was the amused but firm reply. He added:

“What was that you were cooking this morning? It wafted over our side and I lost my appetite for my porridge.” Scozia's eyebrows arched decorously over his brown windows to his soul and he gallantly said:

“I shall write you the receipt personally in your tent, tonight, Campbell.” His quick rebut:

“As a prisoner, my dear fellow.” They saluted each other with their swords and retired behind their lines to give the inevitable orders for the conflagration to begin in earnest, in their quarter. The skirmishers potted at each other first, then the 2nd Linea came on in serried ranks of white, their drums beating the march-attack. The mortal wounds inflicted on these brave fellows were almost inconspicuous on their scarlet facings. Their lines were impeccable; it made the Scots Guards opposing them envious. They kept coming on in the same old style and were repulsed in the same old way.

“Cuirassiers are you going in, again?”

That was the question asked of the horsemen of the 3rd Cuirassiers as they charged for the third time across the East Ford only to fall gloriously at the foot of the opposite bank of the Mondego. The men of the Dalmatian Regiment who asked it marvelled at the devotion to duty of these great, big-hearted fellows, encased in armour, on enormous horses 16 hands high. Colonel Dornez, a huge cavalier with a thick, black moustache, lectured them before the charge:"Give point, boys, and turn your wrist one quarter, once your blade is in your opponent. It rips him open, and you don't see him again." That cheered them up and they were ready for anything.

The 3rd was shattered as a fighting force by the accurate musketry and grape of the redcoats before their brigadier, General St-Germain, gave the order for them to desist.

Bridge Captured by French In the centre, the Advance Guard cavalry brigade, (4th Lanciers and “Jerome Napoleon” Hussards), thundered across the stone bridge spanning the river, only to be met by the Union Brigade and routed. The Scots Greys themselves were in turn routed by the Chasseurs a Cheval of the Guard, coming up from the right flank. Their general, Ponsonby, was killed by a Major Benigni of the Guard Chasseurs. His decorated snuff box is kept at the Invalids, in Paris. It was up to the Advance Guard infantry to hold up the honour of their formation and of France, in that place. The Croatians furiously rushed across the bridge and threw themselves at the 1st Royals, assisted by the Converged Grenadiers of the absent 15th Ligne. The charge was successful, though the Croatians are rumoured to have lost their Colours, as well as their Regimental Artillery.

Coimbra Attacked

The French tradition has always been to march toward the sound of the guns. When a distant cannonade was heard from the direction of Coimbra, a league away, (approximately 3 miles), it was natural for Lannes to experience the urgency of its call. He turned to his Aide de Camp, Major Marbot and, pointing, said:

“Go to that hill yonder and let me know what you see, Baron.” Marbot rode lickety split down glade and up colle. Even before he reached the crest, a mud-spattered aide from Suchet, governor of the citadel, confirmed the worst: an allied flanking force was approaching the town, threatening the army’s line of supply and communication. Lannes immediately despatched the reserve, comprising all the Old and Middle Guard elements under his command, to the assistance of the Duke of Albufera. Until he found out more, the hero of Montebello was perplexed as to the strength and intention of this new threat. He knew Viscount Wellington was a clever fellow not to be underestimated.

ALMEIDA BESIEGED

General Count Grenier's lackey had no sooner removed the General's dusty boots, then a "Who goes there!"was heard from the battlements, heralding the entry of a mud-spattered patrol of Berg Lancers, who had ridden up from the banks of the Coa. The General's face took on a quizzical expression. His duty officer, a Captain Dombrowski, understood the unspoken question and strode to the window. Impatient, still in  stockinged feet, Grenier followed him to the window and both looked down into the courtyard. The group of horsemen had entered the gate and was dismounting, amongst a noisy, curious crowd of residents and Polish fantassins of the 4th Pulk (Regiment). Grenier motioned and Dombrowski turned on his heels and left the room for the courtyard. The General returned to his Almeida Governor's chair, removed his stockings and plunged his tired feet into the tub of warm, salted water which had been prepared for him. A sigh of relief escaped his lips and a beatific smile adorned his visage. He closed his eyes.

Presently, an officer of the Lancers of Berg was ushered in and Grenier was told, breathlessly, that he had only just beaten a force under the Duke of Brunswick into the security of the deserted fortress of Almeida. Soon, Brunswick would be knocking on the gates. Preparations for the defence had to be made.

Within fifteen minutes, the room was a bee hive of activity. Officers were coming and going; maps were laid out and a group of field officers were conferring with the Count. Grenier's force was small but experienced and the fortress was first class. The senior officers were confident that they could repulse an attack by four times their number. Indeed, Grenier's two full-strength battalions (4th Pulk and Neuchatel - 792 bayonets or 24 figures each) and one strong squadron,(225 sabres - 9 figures), supported by regimental and garrison artillery (7 pieces), were opposed by four Brunswick battalions (16 figures each), two half-battalions of jaegers (8 figures each), two British battalions (16 figures each), the Combined Regiment of Brunswick Hussars and Lancers (18 figures), a battery of foot and a battery of siege artillery (7 pieces). (Thus, 75 versus circa 170 figures).

The black-clad columns toiled uphill toward the grey, silent fortress flying the French tricolor. From its lofty bastions, the garrison watched the besieging army manoeuvre, making many critical and uncooth comments regarding its deployment and demeanour. An officer would point his gloved finger at this or that formation and comment; a marechal de logis would suck on his clay pipe and swear that he had seen better organized troops than these dour Germans and better led. A green youngster was all for potting at the enemy, now, why wait? Discipline prevailed in both armies. The Brunswick Corps was allowed to make its mistakes undisturbedly and the garrison was allowed to look on peacefully.

The deployment complete, (see map), the good old Duke of Brunswick rode up to the gate, under a flag of truce, a delicate, brilliantly white, silk, lace handkerchief tied to the end of an Uhlan's lance.

The young recruit whose impatience was evident before, levelled his Charleville musket and took aim. At this moment, General Count Grenier approached the gate-tower, with a martial stride. A corporal, seeing both the novice and the noble simultaneously, elbowed the former across the cranium, toppling his shako over his eyes, as he presented arms to the latter. Honour and Brunswick were saved.

The Duke offered terms which were rejected with an economy of vocabulary characteristic of the soldier. Having had a good, close look at the formidable position of the besieged and received the pithy reply to his offer, Brunswick and his escort rode back to their lines.

Soon, the morbid boom of the heavy cannon was heard and the first stage of the siege was on. Eventually, the guns having created a breach, the Brunswick infantry swung into action. The contest was fierce, but the besieging force was too weak to force the capitulation of Grenier's garrison.

Consequently, they withdrew, possibly to return in greater numbers. The losses, in figure terms, were not great for the French : 6 infantry figures and 3 gunners. For the Brunswick Corps, their loss of 50 figures constituted 25% of their force.

FRENCH ANDALUCIAN VICTORY

Somewhere in Andalucia, near the sleepy, little town of Utrera, a battle took place between Lieutenant-General Stuart's Corps and the Army of Andalucia under Marshal Augerau, Duke of Castiglione. A stunning victory resulted, all the more surprising as the Duke had not performed well since saving Bonaparte's bacon, in 1796, at Castiglione. A proud bandit, he is a looter in the mould of Massena, whom he dislikes. Notwithstanding his victory, the Emperor, seeing the confusion that two such characters would cause in the same country, has given in to his elder brother's request and replaced Augerau with Marshal Marmont, Duke of Ragusa.

General Stuart's force was so soundly beaten that they stopped their precipitous retreat only at Cadiz. Presumably, they did so because the Atlantic Ocean made further progress on foot difficult and the Fleet had no orders to take the army aboard. General Stuart is desolate and has been spied wiping a tear from his eye. If Marmont, now in command, decides to advance to Cadiz a victory would not be so certain. A narrow isthmus is the only approach to the city and the Royal Navy is anchored in the Bay (see map at end).

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A fresh breeze has blown through the Spanish Campaign of 1810 contingent. The armies were a little battle weary, the plumes droopy on their shakos, the dice were forever coming up snakes' eyes and the Umpire was invisible.

Sitting solitary in his room: "What to do?" the Organizer asked himself repeatedly. Then, suddenly, the electric lights began to dim to a faint glow. A cold shiver shook his (relatively) muscular frame (relative to an ant). In apprehension, he was about to rush into the wardrobe to don his karate gi and Black Belt in self defense, when, in a faraway corner of the now dimly lit room a figure materialized. At first, the outline seemed peculiar, then it took on a recognizable form. With enlarged pupils in his eyes, the Organizer looked. A large, tall, manly figure, erect and martial belying his ancient years. A corrugated complexion and huge, long moustaches, curling up, horribly kaiser-like; a red scar from a sabre cut decorating luridly the left eye. He stood there in fore-and-aft, plumed bicorne, blue-black Attila adorned by gold eppaulettes with silver bullion fringes, wine-red breeches in black great-boots to the thigh. A huge, cavalry sabre hung from his left hip. "I know you!" the Organizer exclaimed, smiling in relief. The fantasm, (for that's what he surely must have been, dear reader), clicked his heels in military salute and announced: "Field-Marshal Heinz Gertrude Wellstein of the Blue Army, victor of Hook's Farm!" Of course! Recognition was now complete.

The Field-Marshal unrolled the map that he was carrying under his arm-pit and explained what the Organizer needed to do to revive this tired campaign. It was easy. Later, the Organizer uncorked a fine 1987 (he would have preferred 1887) Cabernet Sauvignon in thanks. They subsequently parted, Heinz (for they were on first name terms from the third glass onwards) promising to return should he ever be needed. The lights returned. The map remained.

To the relief and continued pleasure of the Players, namely Don, Mark, Robert, Steve, Ben, Steven, Geoff, Anthony and Yours Truly, as well as other hangers on, such as Trevor and Kenneth (where has he been?) the Campaign goes on. This time, with a new Umpire! Gwynne Jones, late of the History Department of The University of Sydney, Gloria in Aeternum: a most appropriate and welcome choice.

Thus, the story goes on, and on and on ...

Treaty of Baylen

The Treaty of Baylen, signed by Murat, who was keen to get out of the Iberian Peninsula, and the Prince of Peace on behalf of the Spanish Throne, was effectively a truce from 30 May 1810. When the Emperor saw it he went into one of his extraordinary rages. (he was no ordinary man). Napoleon tore up the Treaty, punched and kicked the nearest man-servant, laid rough hands on the closest maid and refused to eat anything for lunch. Then, he had second thoughts. He would use this time to replenish the Iberian arsenals, build up the stores, forge new cannon and bring the Gallic armies up to strength. What a good idea! Bonaparte immediately kissed the abused man-servant on the forehead: "There, there," he said with great bon-hommie; he laid rough hands on the maid, ordered a spot of lunch and glued the Treaty back together. At least, that's what a retired butler who was very proximate to the whole incident, said had happened.

In Spain, Lannes and Massena (Bruno), commanding V and IV Corps respectively were ordered to work harmoniously together, as were Bessieres and Soult (Bruno) commanding the elements of the Imperial Guard still in the Peninsula. New, fresh forces were sent to their aid. A system of permanent garrisons was established. Marshal Ney (Ben), Braver than the Brave, was given command of VI Corps in Estremadura, replacing the balding Davout. The Great Man's elder brother, Joseph, and his Chief of Staff, Marshal Comte Jourdan, (Mark), were sent to Madrid to take over VII Corps. In Andalucia, Marshal Mortier, "The Big Mortar", (Steve), commanded a revitalized VIII Corps.

Torres Vedras, sitting on a drum in an improvised field office, the Viscount of Wellington tapped the point of the quill on his lips, feeling the soft tickle of the feather, as he mused on the respite the French had given Albion's hosts. He had a great idea. He would urge the Spanish to honour the Treaty, and in the meantime, build up his depleted forces back to fighting mettle! Then ...

Thus, on the Anglo-Portuguese side of Portugal and Anglo-Spanish side of Spain the forges were running hot turning out implements of war. "Ploughshares into guns!" was the universal cry - except from the poor farmer, (what a whinger!) Wellington (Don) commanded a considerable force in Portugal. In Galicia and Asturias, the Marquis de la Romana had assembled a division of refugees from the Danemark. In Estremadura, Beresford (Robert) was trying to be optimistic at the head of numerous fresh cohorts. In Central Spain, Cuesta and Redding (Steven) paraded their rainbow uniformed militias. And in Andalucia, General Stuart (Anthony) surveyed the majestic Atlantic from the battlements of the fortress of Cadiz, as the Royal Navy slumbered to the "flip, flop" of the waves, at anchor in the Bay.

1 July 1810: We find the Treaty being used widely and appropriately in the small outhouse behind the big house, by all concerned. Indeed, Europe is reverberating to the symphony of broken promises, and having cleared their political consciences adjusting their belts, the decision- makers prepare for war.

(The story of that battle shall be told in the next Newsletter).