Memoirs Of Marshal Bugeaud From His Private Correspondence And Original Documents, 1784-1849 Vol. II

Maréchal Thomas Robert Bugeaud duc d'Isly, Henri Amédée le Lorgne comte d' Ideville, Charlotte M. Yonge

• Publisher: Wagram Press
• Year: 2015
• Topic: History
• eBook ISBN:
  9781786254702
• Subtopic: British History
• Index: History

"Next after the greatest military personage of the century, Napoleon I., the most perfect is Marshal Bugeaud."
Originally published following the disastrous Franco-Prussian War of 1870, and soon after translated into English, these memoirs form a fascinating portrait of the famous "Père Bugeaud". Marshal Bugeaud had a long and varied career in the French Army; initially volunteering as a young Vélite of the Imperial Guard he followed Napoleon and his eagles to Austerlitz, Jena and Eylau before a long sojourn in Spain under Marshal Suchet. As a colonel he rallied to Napoleon during the Hundred Days and fought with distinction under his former chief Suchet in the Alps; with the restoration of the Bourbons after Waterloo, Bugeaud like many of his fellow officers retired from the service.
Bugeaud happily busied himself with agriculture and local improvements in his native region; however the July revolution of 1830 catapulted him back into the army with the rank of Brigadier. His disapproval of the conquest of Algeria was overcome by his devotion to the new king, Louis Philippe, and he sailed to Africa in 1836. Bugeaud instituted a rapid, brilliant campaign of flying columns to subjugate the native forces under Abd-el-Kader and signed what was intended to be a lasting peace in 1837 before returning to France. Bugeaud returned to Algeria in 1840 as Governor-General, as conflict loomed large; he proceeded with brutal but successful tactics for supressing the incipient revolt and crushed the last opposition to French rule at the battle of Isly in 1844. Promoted to Maréchal de France for his great victory he left a lasting legacy among the officers and men that served under him and across the map of the French Empire.
"Marshal Bugeaud, Duke of Isly, was certainly a more remarkable man than nine out of ten who have been the idol of a biographer, and his career is fertile in episodes or incidents characteristic of the times, and throwing light on history"

CHAPTER XVIII. — THE ASSEMBLY—DEATH (1849).

Marshal Bugeaud’s Position towards the New Government—Elections to the Legislative Assembly—Deputy for Charente-Inférieure—Sitting of 30th of May—Death, 10th of June—The Prince-President—Louis Veuillot’s Discourse—Funeral at the Invalides—Speeches of Molé and Bedeau—Statues—Conclusion.

THE new chief of the State might have taken umbrage at the unrivalled position of Bugeaud, Marshal of France, former Governor-general of Algeria, Commander-in-chief of the army of the Alps, if he had not appreciated the patriotism and political probity of the great soldier. Indeed, it was in all sincerity, and without afterthought, that the ex-candidate for the Presidency of the Republic, had, with all the men for order and discipline of all parties, rallied round the latent dictatorship of Prince Louis-Napoleon Bonaparte.

The victor of Isly had never hesitated to lend the new Government the support of his name, and the influence of his military popularity, whatever might be his political preferences. And, indeed, we must say that Marshal Bugeaud, holding a great military command in France, and being a deputy to Parliament, in presence of a de facto Government, like that of the Republic under the Presidency of a Bonaparte, had in a sort of way more elbow room, and could be more at ease in haranguing his soldiers, and speaking to the Ministers, than when he was confined within the narrow bonds of parliamentary practice, and restrained by his respect for the King, and the tender affection he had conceived for the Duke d’Aumale.

In Paris Marshal Bugeaud had 107,437 votes at the election of May 20th, 1849. Twenty-eight deputies were elected, he came twenty-ninth. A very good proof of the confusion and disturbance of mind then existing, as now, is the fact that the first elected for Paris was Prince Lucien Murat, with 134,825, and the second Ledru-Rollin with 129,068 votes.

The Legislative Assembly, having made room for the National Constituent Assembly, met at the Palais Bourbon on the 28th of May. Two days afterwards, on the 30th of May, there was a scene of disturbance. The provisional committee was retiring. There was an exchange of very bitter language between the President by seniority, M. de Keratry, and M. Ledru-Rollin. The moderate party was represented by 505 members; the Ultra-Democrats by 229 votes. These last made up in violence for their inferiority of numbers.

When there was reason to fear that the Assembly’s excitement would be repeated on the tribunes, Bugeaud, supporting a motion to order of Ledru-Rollin, the leader of the Mountain, spoke the celebrated words that had a high significance in his mouth more than in that of any other person.{71} This is the account given of the termination in the Moniteur Officiel.

M. Ledru-Rollin.—I appeal to the justice of the Assembly. The late committee retired because they thought that the tribune was not free. The President’s words have removed all trace of the incident. As for me, I think the secretaries should resume their places.

A Voice.—We will not give in to you.

M. Ledru-Rollin.—The Assembly cannot adopt such a sentiment. I think it will be an act of justice for the committee to resume its duties; the committee shared the feeling that caused me to leave the tribune. Their resignation was only conditional. I declare in my turn that if the opposition is continued, I shall give up speaking, as I must think that the tribune is not free.

M. Bugeaud.—I hope that I may often find myself in agreement, during the course of the session, with Monsieur Ledru-Rollin, or citizen Ledru-Rollin if you like it. I support his conclusions. Majorities, gentlemen, are bound to more moderation than minorities.

The grand words of the Marshal-deputy attracted much attention. His generous appeal to moderation, conciliation, and justice, was at the moment received as it deserved. Unhappily, minds were over-excited; the hatreds of those in the minority by universal suffrage, were too much inflamed for the mitigation claimed by the Marshal, to be able to last more than one sitting.{72} Anyhow, he spoke those grand and noble words, the last speech he ever made.

Although the deputies had elected the Marshal President of the fourth committee, he had no intention of remaining long at Paris. He knew that imperious duties recalled him to Lyons, and he prepared to resume the command of his Army of the Alps, when the terrible malady, then prevalent at Paris, suddenly seized him. During his short stay he had been the guest of one of his friends, Comte Vigier, formerly peer of France, whose house was No. 1 on the quai Voltaire.

The strong soldier first felt the attack of cholera as he was returning from the Chamber on the 6th of June, about four in the afternoon. M. Léon Roches told us, ‘I was in a carriage, and going to the Marshal, when I saw him dragging himself along the quai with slow steps, opposite the barrack on the quai d’Orsay. He was pale, his face streaming with perspiration, his walk tottering; he made his way leaning against the parapet of the quai. I jumped out of my carriage, and helped him home. He lay down never to rise again.’

The Journal des Débats printed this in its number of the 9th of June, 1849

‘All thoughts at this moment seem concentrated on one man alone, because he is at once the personification of patriotism, military honour, and the standard of order. This man, there is no need to name him, is Marshal Bugeaud.

‘As soon as it was known that he was attacked by the cruel epidemic, which is spreading desolation within our walls, all Paris has been coming every day and every hour, to inquire for the great captain and great citizen, whose life is in danger.

‘As soon as the President of the Republic was informed of the serious illness, he was one of the first to come and convey to the Marshal the expression of the immense interest taken in his health by all ranks of society without exception. Few words, but much feeling, marked this visit, which does equal honour to him who paid, and to him who received it. As M. Louis Napoleon left the man, on whose support he had so much reason to reckon, he could scarcely control the tears that filled his eyes.’

The Evénement of the same day gives further particulars:—

‘This morning, at eleven o’clock, the President of the Republic was by the Marshal’s bedside. Colonel Vaudrey, the President’s first aide-de-camp, Colonel Féray, the Marshal’s aide-de-camp and son-in-law, Colonel l’Heureux, aide-de-camp to the War-Minister, and M. Achille Vigier, were in the sick room.

The Marshal’s hand was affectionately grasped by the President, while he said, “I am very glad to see you, Prince; you have a great mission to accomplish. You will save France, with the union and help of all good men. God has not thought me worthy of being left here to assist you. I feel that I am dying.”

The President answered, “All hope is not over, we are in need of you, and God will save you.” The persons present retired, on a sign from the Marshal, and a conversation lasting ten minutes took place between the President of the Republic and the brave Marshal.

As the President went away he said, “I shall come and see you again.” The Marshal answered, “You have other duties to perform. Thank you; I see all is over for me.”

By the evening of the 9th, the Marshal’s condition left little hope. From ten in the evening till four in the morning, an almost continual drowsiness took possession of him. The pain abated, ease gradually supervened.

His host, Comte Vigier, Colonels l’Heureux and Trochu, MM. Genty de Bussy, Maigne, General de Bar, the Abbé Sibour, vicar-general of the diocese of Paris, watched by the sick man, with a young student of the Hôtel Dieu, placed with the Marshal by Doctor Chomel.

At five in the evening symptoms of fever appeared. The Abbé Sibour remaining alone with the Marshal, prepared to administer the last sacraments. The old African interpreter, M. Léon Roches, the two aides-de-camp, and all friends of the last moment, were kneeling round the bed.

The Marshal received the Holy Communion with all the fervour of a Christian and the calm of an honest man. Before the priest administered the viaticum he spoke a few words of exhortation to resignation and a good death, the Marshal repeated these three words after God’s minister, ‘Fiat voluntas tua.’ A few moments afterwards Doctor Chomel came to listen to the Marshal’s heart, when the sick man said in a strong and natural voice, ‘It is all over with me.’ As soon as he had received the last sacraments, alarming symptoms appeared in his features. The agony commenced; it was neither long nor cruel. God deigned to be merciful.

The Marshal drew his last breath at half-past six, amid the tears and sorrows of his faithful friends pressing round the bed to kiss his hand for the last time.

A few minutes after the last moment, General Cavaignac, Count Molé, and the War-Minister, General Rulhières, entered the room. General Cavaignac’s grief was especially keen, he knelt by the bed and burst out sobbing.

The Archbishop of Paris arrived at half-past seven, expecting to see the Marshal a last time. Generals Tartas and Gentil arrived at the same time. The prelate kneeled before the calm and serene figure of the grand soldier and honest man, and gave his final benediction.

The chief of the state received the intelligence with great sorrow, and seating himself at his desk, gave M. Maigne, who brought him the information, a letter for Colonel Féray.

This 10th June was one of the most fatal days of the epidemic. The number of deaths by cholera at home and in the hospitals amounted to 672. The weather was stormy, the air stifling. Paris was greatly grieved at hearing of the event. The city was shocked. We are ashamed to say for the honour of the French name, that some republican journals of Paris and Lyons gave free expression to their delight at the disappearance of the Conqueror of Algeria, the implacable foe of revolutionists.

By a strange coincidence, the sickness and death of the illustrious man of war seemed to be a signal of conflagration. Revolutionary passions seemed as if they had chosen to await the very moment of his death-struggle, to burst out more vehemently than before. Indeed, it was a very near chance that the Duke d’Isly had not a bloody funeral. The very day after the Marshal had been obliged to leave the Palais Bourbon on the 7th of June, Ledru-Rollin with wonderful bitterness and singula...

Table of contents

• Title page
• TABLE OF CONTENTS
• CHAPTER III. - CHÉLIF AND OUARENSÈNIS (1842).
• CHAPTER IV. - TENÈS AND ORLÉANSVILLE (1843).
• CHAPTER V. - THE SMALAH (1843).
• CHAPTER VI. - DELLYS AND BISKRA (1843-44).
• CHAPTER VII. - THE BATTLE OF ISLY (1844).
• CHAPTER VIII. - RETURN TO FRANCE (1844-5).
• CHAPTER IX. - BOU-MAZA AND THE DAHRA (1845).
• CHAPTER X. - SIDI-BRAHIM. THE FIVE MONTHS’ CAMPAIGN (1845).
• CHAPTER XI. - ABDEL-KADER IN THE SOUTH (1846).
• CHAPTER XII. - KABYLIA, FINAL DEPARTURE (1846-47).
• CHAPTER XIII. - DEPARTURE FROM ALGIERS-D’AUMALE (1847-48).
• CHAPTER XIV. - ARAB OFFICES.-SOLDIERS.-COLONISATION.
• CHAPTER XV. - REVOLUTION OF 1848-PROVISIONAL GOVERNMENT.
• CHAPTER XVI. - THE DAYS OF JUNE. PRESIDENTIAL ELECTIONS (1848).
• CHAPTER XVII. - THE ARMY OF THE ALPS (1849).
• CHAPTER XVIII. - THE ASSEMBLY-DEATH (1849).