Napoleon in 1812

14. End of the Second Hundred Years’ War – 5

“The biggest reason why I called the Marquis here is because I wanted to spend some time talking to each other in private. You have left a deep impression on me, who have faced and fought against numerous enemies. I’m being greedy because I won’t have a chance to talk openly to you unless it’s now.”

If someone had said this to him, Wellesley would not even have been angry because he would have been so dumbfounded.

But it was a different story if the person was Napoleon Bonaparte, who was now frowning with one eye. A living god of war, a genius of strategy and tactics, a name that represented the era…

He was the only man who was in a position not to cause displeasure to those who listened even after saying the arrogant words ‘You deserve my attention’.

Arthur Wellesley felt rather ridiculous. He had not won the battle against Napoleon, nor had he ever shown off anything impressive.

He had been helplessly attacked by schemes and deceit, dragged around giving up the initiative throughout the battle, and had barely managed to save his life with the combination of incredible luck and chance.

Although it was called the confrontation of the century, in reality it had been practically just a one-sided attack by Napoleon. Wellesley hid this feeling deeply. As expected, there was a limit to what could be said in this situation.

“…I don’t think I have done such a great job against Your Majesty and the French. But I will be grateful for your kindness.”

Arthur Wellesley, who spoke out, suddenly felt a little regret. Napoleon Bonaparte. Although he was the Emperor of an enemy country, he was a giant who exerted enormous influence and power on European society to the point of being called the name of the era.

If a book was written about the history of Europe, then he would take more than one chapter, along with Alexander the Great, Julius Caesar and Charlemagne.

With such a historical figure in front of him, he was frozen, wary and could not talk properly.

‘I’m sure we will meet again on the battlefield. But that’s for the future. Worrying about things that haven’t come yet, feeling intimidated… I’m ashamed of myself.’

He had been humiliated by Napoleon several times, but he was the one who had humiliated the other French commanders except Napoleon.

Choosing himself as an impressive enemy commander meant that Napoleon recognized him as a dangerous enemy, just as Wellesley felt intimidated by Napoleon.

A giant that would remain in history was so conscious of his existence. Thinking about it this way made Wellesley feel much more comfortable.

The color of his face, which reflected his inner feelings, also brightened a little. Only then could Wellesley observe and think about the man named Napoleon.

===

Considering his experience and age, it was clear that Arthur Wellesley would remain commander-in-chief of the British army afterwards, and that he would be a man who would bring hardship to many French people.

He was a natural soldier who was loyal to the state, cared for his men, and obeyed orders. In addition, his abilities and reputation were excellent.

He was Napoleon’s favorite figure. It was inevitable for someone like Arthur Wellesley, even if he was an enemy.

If he were a French general, Napoleon might have made him Marshal of France. Wellesley felt the same way.

Napoleon Bonaparte, whom he had only heard through rumors, was known for suddenly making the people surrounding him embarrassed and frightened, even though he showed a gentle and humane appearance.

As a result, Wellesley had to keep an eye on words and expressions that would offend him while talking. But it only lasted for a moment. As he faced Napoleon for real, he found him very different from his own prejudices.

He had a serious look with a heavy atmosphere. It was hard to see through him, but he was gentle and did not get irritated or lose his focus.

He sometimes reached people with pleasant words and jokes. Wellesley could not feel the partiality of a cruel and ruthless dictator.

There was another reason why Napoleon and Wellesley were so fond of each other, and that was because they were tied up in one common thing.

“Oh… So the Marquis was inspired for strategy and tactics by reading the Duke of Marlborough’s history of war?”[1]

“It would be strange not to. His bold maneuvering, mercenary skills, and competitive prowess were models for me and other British officers.”

John Churchill, the Duke of Marlborough, had commanded the British and Dutch coalition in the Spanish Succession War. He had covered the battlefield with artillery fire, obscuring the French view, and then deployed a large cavalry to gain a decisive victory with a long-range charge.

This was the famous Battle of Blenheim, after which France’s victory in the war became virtually thwarted.

“The Duke of Marlborough… I think of him sometimes. If I had been a French general during the Spanish Succession War, I would have given the Duke of Marlborough a decent blow, and there would have been no disgrace like Blenheim, Ramillies, or Oudenaarde.”[2]

Napoleon was saying he could have won against the Duke of Marlborough. The British officers and guards who were listening to the conversation looked sullen, but the French nodded, thinking that it was natural. In response, Arthur Wellesley also revealed something.

“Unfortunately, I have a similar idea. If I had been born in the 15th century in the midst of the Hundred Years’ War, I would have defeated Arthur de Richemont and Joan of Arc and led the British to victory. Europe’s history would have been completely different.”[3]

This time, the French soldiers frowned and the British looked pleased. Napoleon was just smiling like he was having fun.

“Let’s say so. It’s up to our imagination.”

“…”

“Let’s get back to the story of the Duke of Marlborough. Isn’t there a big gap between strategy and tactics from 100 years ago and now? A large cavalry charge like the one the Duke of Marlborough led would no longer work in the modern war, where guns and cannons have advanced dramatically and cavalry tactics have been devised.”

“Of course, Your Majesty is right. However, just as the Spanish tercio square was born based on the ancient phalanx, I think there is a crossroads between continuity and progress depending on how you accept and choose what is useful in the history of war.”[4]

Although they sometimes put forth useless nationalistic pride, Napoleon and Wellesley both had a common interest in war history and were inspired by it.

They did not talk about anything personal. However, it was very interesting just to tell anecdotes about famous past masters. As they ate, they devoured stories of war history to the point where people around them got sick of it.

“I still remember what you said at the beginning. If you don’t mind, could you tell me who the enemies were that made a strong impression on your Majesty? I’m very curious because I’m a general who has enemies in the military.”

The topic even jumped to Napoleon’s experience. Napoleon, who was eating Dutch pudding for dessert after finishing his meal, answered in a gentle way.

“It’s not difficult. Except for the Marquis, there are three enemies who impressed me. Karl Ludwig of Austria, Gebhard von Blücher of Prussia and Mikhail Kutuzov of Russia. They are all intelligent and courageous commanders.”

The characters mentioned by Napoleon were outstanding generals who each represented their country. And they were commanders against whom Nabot of this world actually struggled.

The British and French officers who were listening to the story nodded their heads. But Napoleon’s real feelings were different.

‘Actually, Alexander Suvorov should be on top of them, but… Nabot of this world has never fought against Suvorov’s troops.’

The battle against Suvorov over Northern Italy was the toughest and most difficult battle Napoleon had ever fought.

The experienced frozen fox used the rugged terrain of Lombardy to cut off the French supply route and drove them into a corner by inducing continuous sporadic engagements and bypassing detached troops.

Napoleon faced the biggest crisis in history, overlapping the lack of supplies, morale of soldiers, and the political situation in France that kept him in check.

However, when he captured Russian detached units traveling between Switzerland and Tyrol, and obtained information from their messengers, Suvorov also found his political position compromised by checks and disruptions from Austria and Russia.

Napoleon immediately split his troops into two, one side striking the defense and blocking Suvorov’s Corps, and the other commanding supplies, sweeping and looting the southern Italian cities.

Having failed to defeat Austria’s hysterical attitude, Suvorov eventually chased the troops down south abandoning his advantageous terrain, and Napoleon, who was aiming for that time, was able to secure a narrow victory by attacking from the north and south at the same time.

The Austrian and Russian military, which had been looking for an opportunity, immediately dismissed Suvorov from his post of commander-in-chief and sent him back to his home country, and the coalition left without Suvorov was smashed by Napoleon, ending with France’s victory.

Alexander Suvorov was the first general against whom Napoleon experienced frustration as he was on the road to success, and was also the one who gave him the impetus to grow as he was now.

He had already fallen ill and died in both worlds, but Napoleon always had respect for him.

Not knowing Napoleon’s inner thoughts, Wellesley nodded as soon as he heard the list of names.

“They’re all great generals who are called the best of each country. It seems rather awkward that I’m included in this list.”

“Modesty is not fit for a marquis. I think you’re the best of the four generals.”

“Haha. You’re overpraising me. I will thank you for your words, which will remain as an immortal record.”

Arthur Wellesley seemed to think it was just talk, and Napoleon just smiled without saying anything more.

The two were having tea time with dessert. Wellesley seemed to have become more comfortable with Napoleon and joked around, and the atmosphere became more pleasant. Noise came from outside, and some servants of the main palace of Madrid entered.

“Your Majesty the Emperor, the Vice Foreign Minister’s message is that the Madrid talks have been concluded.”

It was finally over. Napoleon’s eyes lit up, while Wellesley had a blank look on his face for a moment.

“The, the negotiations have already been concluded?”

“The negotiators of the Empire and of your country seem to be quite competent. Let’s go.”

Napoleon rose from his seat, leading a bewildered Wellesley. There was a strange smile on his face.

===

On April 19, 1813, at 9 a.m., six hours before Napoleon and Wellesley heard about the end of the negotiations.

The ‘Madrid Conference’ held at the main palace of Madrid was under heavy tension from the beginning. There was a line that all four countries should never yield.

In order to protect it, each side also had to comply with the others’ requests to some extent, so it was natural that a fierce war of wits was held for the national interest of the countries. The French side was the first to speak.

“First of all… let’s discuss the most fundamental issue that led to the Iberian Peninsula War.”

The officials from the other three countries shone at the words of French Foreign Minister Armand Augustin de Caulaincourt, knowing what he meant.

“His Majesty the King, as the great-grandson of His Majesty Philip V[5], the founder of the Borbón dynasty, possessed more legitimacy and dignity than any other claimants to the throne in Europe. I inform the Foreign Minister of the French Empire that His Majesty’s title cannot be compromised.”

It was the words of the Governor of Andalusia, Martino de Borbón. Fernando VII was originally just a prince who had been entrusted with power from his father and former king, Carlos IV, but was hastily crowned king a week before the ‘Madrid Conference’.

Since the stories of depriving a prince or a king of the throne were very different, they made it even a little harder for the French to claim the title.

“Our kingdom recognizes the legitimacy of King Fernando VII. Prince Regent George IV also guaranteed the legitimacy of the Spanish throne to be with King Fernando VII.”

Britain and Portugal stepped up to support Spain. The reason why they participated in the Peninsular War itself was to resist the French oppression of the Spanish dynasty.

“I think you are misunderstanding. The Empire has no intention of claiming the Spanish throne.”

Currently, there were two kings in Spain, one of them being Joseph I, whom Napoleon had established himself. He was Napoleon’s own older brother.

The expressions of the officials of the three countries were very colorful as Foreign Minister Caulaincourt, who was entrusted with full power in negotiations, briefly spoke of his deposition. Appreciating it, Caulaincourt continued.

“The Emperor of the Empire sacrifices the honor of the Imperial Family for the sake of the nation. This was the determination of the country to keep the balance, development and protection of Europe. However, this is an enforceable matter only if concessions from the other countries participating in the talks are preceded.”

At the end of that remark, the murmurs of the diplomatic officials of each country grew louder. Their discussions were watched leisurely by the French, including Caulaincourt.

TL notes

[1] John Churchill, 1st Duke of Marlborough

[2] War of the Spanish Succession: Battle of Blenheim, Battle of Ramillies, Battle of Oudenarde

[3] Hundred Years’ War: Arthur III, Duke of Brittany, Joan of Arc

[4] Tercio, Phalanx

[5] Philip V