'Aussie Rick'’s Comments (group member since Jun 13, 2009)

'Aussie Rick'’s comments from the THE NAPOLEONIC WARS group.

Vachee's book certainly offers an interesting insight into Napoleon's manner of work and his headquarters. Are you finding the book interesting Betsy?

"Wellington: The Road to the Lion's Mound 1769 - 1815" - In the chapter dealing with Wellington's early military career and his mother's comment that her son would only be "food for powder" the author detailed some of the the issues of being a soldier in British society at the end of the 18th century:

"In light of the absence of a police force, the English Army - aside from waging war - was put in charge of the suppression of rebellions and maintaining order, a fact which certainly did not add to its popularity. For instance, during riots in Edinburgh in 1736, the captain of the local company ordered a military intervention in order to disperse the rebelling mob that was threatening to enter the town hall. Three civilians were killed in the gunfire, and the captain was condemned to death by the jury of a civil court. In the light of the circumstances, he was eventually given a royal pardon, but the reckless mob nonetheless fought their way into his cell, taking justice into their own hands and lynching the pitiable Captain John Porteous. Many other such cases have been documented. An English constitutional lawyer named Dicey, who was familiar with the legal order of the time, perhaps most succinctly summarized the precarious position of the British soldier of the 18th century in the following words:

'The position of a soldier may be, both in theory and in practice, a difficult one. He may, as it has been well said, liable to be shot by Court-Martial if he disobeys an order, and to be hanged by a judge and jury if he obeys it'."

The case of Captain John Porteous:
https://www.scotsman.com/arts-and-cul...

https://www.exclassics.com/newgate/ng...

Scott wrote: "I have decided to read a little Pen & Sword publication I found in a market for $5.00.

'Inside the Regiment, The Officers and Men of the 30th Regiment During the Revolutionary and Napoleonic Wars ..."

I'm pretty sure you can't go too far wrong with that $5 investment. Let us know how you go.

I've decided to go with my first choice and have started reading; "Wellington: The Road to the Lion's Mound 1769 - 1815" which is written by a Czech author.

Wellington: The Road to the Lion's Mound 1769 - 1815 by Daniel Res

I have a few books for this theme in mind but this is the leading contender:

Wellington: The Road to the Lion's Mound 1769 - 1815 by Daniel Res

Betsy wrote: "Mine is Napoleon at Work by Colonel Jean-Baptiste-Modeste-Eugene Vachee"

I hope you find it as interesting as I did Betsy bearing in mind it was published in 1914.

Hi folks, the December them read page is now open for comment & discussion. The theme is a member's choice, which can include novels, as long as it covers an aspect of the Napoleonic Wars:

https://www.goodreads.com/topic/show/...

The December theme read for 2021 is a members choice, this can be any book or books, including novels, that covers an aspect of the Napoleonic Wars.

Not a book that I have so I can't help you there Will.

Two very interesting books to keep an eye-out for, thanks for the 'heads-up' Jerome.

Hi Will, nice to see you here, glad you found the group :)

Betsy wrote: "Macdonald's name must have been somewhat of a 'strike' against him just as Barclay de Tolly's was in Russia."

Yes! In the book I read on Napoleon's Marshals there was a quip from Napoleon that he dare not trust MacDonald to fight the British in case he heard the skirl of the bagpipes! :)

I stumbled across these somewhere on my travels:


Memoirs Of Marshal Oudinot, Duc De Reggio by Eugenie De Coucy Oudinot

Recollections Of Marshal Macdonald, Duke Of Tarentum by Etienne-Jacques-Joseph-Alexandre Macdonald

I had a plan many years ago to get at least one book on each Marshal but that just was not possible. I've picked up some great autobiographies and memoires from many of his generals but have only covered these Marshals with individual books on their careers:

Bernadotte
Berthier
Davout
Lannes
MacDonald
Massena
Murat
Ney
Oudinot
Suchet

Since we don't celebrate Halloween in Australia no dressing up as Napoleon for me :)

Betsy wrote: "Thanks. I would love to read it if I can find a second hand copy."

I hope you can find a copy at a reasonable price.

I really enjoyed it Betsy. I found this review by Kevin Kiley on what of the Napoleonic forums:

"October Triumph Napoleon's invasion of Germany 1806 Jena & Auerstadt

"The Prussian army always attacks," said Frederick the Great. In 1806, Frederick had been dead for twenty years, yet Prussia's reputation still rested on the prestige conferred by his fame. So, when Prussia declared war on Napoleon, its leaders chose an aggressive strategy. The ensuing Jena Campaign proved to be a tough fight pitting Napoleon and his veteran army against a tenacious foe. The metaphorical fog of war confused both sides, leading to miscalculation and blunder. The real fog that shrouded the battlefields on October 14 created huge tactical challenges. October Triumph relies on primary sources to give voice to the French, Saxon, and Prussian participants. Well illustrated with recent battlefield photographs, numerous maps, paintings, and drawings, it offers a fresh interpretation of one of Napoleon's foundational victories. 392 pages, 36 maps, orders of battle. This book completes the trilogy by describing the events preceding Napoleon's Eylau Campaign, covered in Arnold's Crisis in the Snows, and the events at Friedland, covered in Napoleon's Triumph.'

Now that's one mistake I can appreciate!

Jerome wrote: "A July 2022 release:

by Michael Broers
Description:
In 1811, Napoleon stood at his zenith. He had defeat..."

Since I've read the first two volumes of this trilogy I dare say I will also be ordering a copy of this volume :)

Betsy wrote: "It would be a miracle if they hadn't changed over the years. Endless battles, wounds, loneliness for families. And then add to that the horror of losing everything for an island in the middle of no..."

That about sums it up perfectly Betsy!

Very valid point about dealing with Napoleon as an acclaimed genius and who would win any battle of 'wills'! We also have to remember that by the end of the Napoleonic Wars nearly all the marshals and Napoleon himself would have aged and suffered after so many years of near constant warfare. Many believe that Ney suffered from PTSD by the time of the Waterloo campaign and I am sure the marshalate and Napoleon himself would have had some issues associated with the constant campaigning and bloody fighting.