Young bloods

Chapter 73

France, 1793

The lead wagon jolted along the track in an unsteady motion that never quite managed to settle into any kind of rhythm. Napoleon had folded a heavy cloak over the cracked leather of the driver's bench, but the rutted surface beneath the iron-rimmed wheels still jarred his back and rattled his teeth as the unsprung ammunition wagon lurched along the road from Avignon to Nice. Beside him the wagon's driver held the traces in one heavily calloused hand and gripped a small loaf stuffed with garlic sausage in the other.

Gripping the handrail, Napoleon twisted round and stared back along the line of eight wagons that comprised the convoy. Each one was heavily laden with kegs of gunpowder and garlands of cannon balls. Besides the wagons, Napoleon's command consisted of a half-company of National Guardsmen to deter any rebels that might still be hiding in the countryside. Before he had fled from Corsica, Napoleon had heard the news of the uprisings that had followed the execution of King Louis. Most had been put down with ruthless enthusiasm; the rasp and thud of the guillotine's blade was still fresh in the minds of the people of southern France. Now, they kept a fearful silence, but there was no hiding the hostility in the eyes of the inhabitants of the small villages and towns the convoy had passed through in the days since it had set out from Avignon.

At first Napoleon had felt little sympathy for these people who were so prepared to return to the terrible despotism of the old regime. His feelings had turned to anger with the news that his family had been driven from Toulon when the people there decided to challenge the authority of the Convention in Paris. Having fled from Corsica they were refugees once again. His mother had written to say they had found shelter in a village near Marseilles, but Napoleon was still plagued by anxiety for them. His anger towards the rebels had been swiftly quenched after Napoleon witnessed the the brutal revenge that Paris had taken on the people of Lyons, Avignon and Marseilles, and he found himself questioning the harsh policy of his fellow Jacobins towards the people drawn into the uprisings. They were mostly from the same strait-laced stock as the peasants Napoleon had known in Corsica. It had been easy for priests and royalist sympathisers to stir them up against the Convention. It made no sense to punish them so harshly: such repression only thrust home the wedge that was dividing France. What these people needed was an idea, a dream, a destiny.Yes, he reflected, a common sense of destiny. One that would unite all of France and make her the greatest power in Europe.

Napoleon smiled at the thought. A few months earlier he had been an ardent Corsican nationalist. But Paoli and his followers had stolen that dream from him. Only his family mattered now. That, and a need to satisfy his own burning ambition. If he could not be a great man of Corsica, then – like it or not – he would carve out a fortune for himself here in France, as a Frenchman. A new nation was being forged and that meant opportunities were there for those bold enough to seize them. There were dangers too, Napoleon reminded himself. Only the other day General Brunet had been arrested for being too slow in sending reinforcements to the army encircling Toulon. Brunet was already marked for death and his fellow officers had disowned the man with distasteful celerity. That was the fate of those who failed to serve the new regime with the required fervour, Napoleon realised. If his chance came he must immediately prove himself worthy of promotion and advancement.

The wagon pitched to one side and Napoleon scrabbled for a handhold to avoid being thrown from his bench. He muttered a curse and the driver sitting beside him grinned.

'How long have you been working on this route?' Napoleon asked.

'Twelve years, Captain.'

'Is the road as bad as this all the way to Nice?'

'Bad?' The driver raised an eyebrow and gave a dry chuckle. 'This is the good stretch, sir. After Marseilles it gets worse. A lot worse. In places we'll need every man we have to help haul the wagons up some of the hills.'

The driver tore off another mouthful of bread and chewed quickly as he spied another stretch of potholes a short distance ahead. Napoleon's thoughts gloomily returned to his prospects for promotion. As long as he was tasked with organising artillery supply convoys there was no chance of winning any glory for himself and thereby catching the eye of a powerful patron who would further his ambitions.

The days passed slowly as the convoy trundled through the countryside baking in the bright glare of late summer sunshine. Each night Napoleon oversaw the feeding of the mules and the posting of sentries before lying down on his bedroll and fretting for long hours as he stared up into the star-strewn universe while his men chattered contentedly around the campfires. In the mornings he roused his men early, ignored their grumbled complaints, and got the convoy back on the road while the air was still cool and fresh. After reaching Marseilles the wagons turned east, towards Toulon, where they would deliver some of the gunpowder to the army of General Carteaux before continuing to Nice.

At the end of the second day after leaving Marseilles the convoy drew into the village of Beausset, a short distance from Toulon. As soon as he had given his orders for the settling down of the convoy for the night Napoleon set off for the mayor's office. The iron wheel rim on one of the wagons was coming loose and Napoleon needed to arrange for a blacksmith to undertake the repair.

The mayor's office was a small, undistinguished building, in keeping with the village it administered, and there was only one clerk still at work there when Napoleon arrived. The clerk, a young man with dark features, had stripped down to a fine linen shirt as he toiled away at a pile of paperwork in the stifling room.

The new arrival coughed to get his attention. 'Excuse me.'

'Yes?' The clerk lowered his pen and glanced up.

'I'm Captain Buona Parte, commanding an ammunition convoy. We're stopping the night in Beausset, and I need a blacksmith.'

The clerk shook his head. 'Can't help you, Captain. Both the blacksmith and his mate were drafted into the National Guard when General Carteaux's army came through. Like most of the able-bodied men in Beausset.'

'But not you.'

'No.' The clerk nodded down. 'Club foot. First time it's been any use to me.'

'I see.' Napoleon frowned. 'Then where's the nearest blacksmith?'

'There was one at Ollioules, but he was taken into the army as well.You could try General Carteaux's headquarters.They'll know where our blacksmith is. Last I heard the army was camped close to Ollioules.'

'How far's that?'

'An hour's ride down the road towards Toulon.'

'Damn!' Napoleon clenched his fist. It had been a long tiring day and the prospect of spending several hours organising the repair to the wagon wheel made him angry.

The clerk watched him for a moment, then added, 'You could try the inn on the other side of the square.'

'Oh?'

'There should be a few of Carteaux's staff officers there. They might be able to give you directions and the authority to use the blacksmith. That is, if they're not too busy toadying up to the representatives.'

Napoleon's eyebrows rose. 'What representatives?'

'From the Committee of Public Safety. They've been sent down here to make sure that Carteaux does a thorough job on those royalist bastards down in Toulon.'

Napoleon's pulse quickened. The representatives of the Committee were the driving force behind France's armies. It was the representatives who had the power to promote successful officers and dismiss those who failed to perform diligently enough, or who even seemed to be tarred by bad luck. He stared at the clerk.

'Who are they?'

'Freron and Saliceti.'

'Saliceti?' Napoleon shook his head in surprise. The last time he had seen the man was back in Paris, when Saliceti had tasked him with spying on Paoli. And now he was a representative. For a moment Napoleon wondered if it might be better to avoid Saliceti, given the way things had turned out in Corsica. But then he reasoned that it was not his fault. He had done all that Saliceti had asked of him. In fact, it was Saliceti who was in Napoleon's debt, something that Napoleon might be able to exploit. Not that great men were inclined to think well of those who reminded them of such debts, Napoleon mused. Still… unless he dared to face the man he would never know if he had passed up just the kind of opportunity he so desperately needed right now. He glanced at the clerk again. 'This Freron – what's he like?'

The clerk shrugged and replied cautiously.'I couldn't really say. I've hardly met the man…'

'And?' Napoleon prompted.

'All I know is that he used to publish a Jacobin newspaper in Paris. So he's got powerful connections. The kind of man who would make you very careful of what you say in front of him, if you get my meaning, Captain.'

'I understand.' Napoleon nodded. 'Very well. Thank you, citizen.'

The clerk dipped his head in acknowledgement and then returned to his paperwork as the artillery captain left the office and strode across the small village square to the inn on the far side. Two National Guardsmen were lounging on a bench beside the entrance and they rose to their feet and reached for their muskets at Napoleon's approach. One raised his arm to prevent Napoleon entering the inn.

'Excuse me, sir. What's your business?'

'Business?' Napoleon glared back at the man. 'My business is my own, soldier. Now let me pass.'

The man shook his head. 'Sorry, Captain. This building has been requisitioned by the representatives. It's off limits to everyone but staff officers.'

'I'm here to see Citizen Saliceti,' Napoleon replied firmly. 'He is a friend of mine.'

'A friend?' the guard repeated with a faint mocking tone.

'Yes, a friend,' said Napoleon. 'If you will not let me pass, then tell him Captain Buona Parte would be pleased to have the chance to speak with him.'

For a moment the National Guardsman hesitated, then he turned to his comrade. 'You keep watch while I'm gone.'

He stepped inside and swung the door to behind him, and Napoleon heard his footsteps echo off the wooden floor as the man crossed the room beyond. There was a muttered exchange, then the door opened again and the National Guardsman waved Napoleon inside. 'Citizen Saliceti will see you.'

It was gloomy inside, though rosy fingers of light shone through the open shutters on the far wall. Two men in unbuttoned gold-laced jackets were sitting at a table, hunched over some maps spread out between them. The scraps of a generous meal rested on two large plates to one side. One man was stocky and balding and wore spectacles. He stared at Napoleon with an irritable expression as he approached the table.The other man rose to his feet and stretched out his hand in greeting.

'Buona Parte! Haven't seen you for months. Well, not since…'

'Not since Paris, citizen. When you asked me to return to Corsica.'

'Ah yes,' Saliceti smiled awkwardly. 'An unfortunate outcome, my friend.You were lucky to escape with your life.'

Napoleon shrugged. 'You might say that, but that is all that my family did escape with. We lost everything when we were forced to leave.'

The other representative, Freron, sniffed. 'The revolution has meant sacrifices for us all, young man.'

Napoleon's gaze flickered towards the remains of their meal as he replied, 'Evidently.'

Freron hissed,'It would be wise to show me the respect due to a representative of the Convention, Captain.'

Saliceti intervened with a chuckle. 'Peace, Citizen Freron. My young friend meant no offence. Besides, he is a professional soldier, and they are inclined to express themselves bluntly.'

'A soldier?' Freron looked over the slight young man standing before them and obviously did not much approve of what he saw. 'If this boy is typical of the officers who are leading our armies then our cause is as good as lost.'

Napoleon felt his blood chill in his veins as he fought to hold back his anger. He glared at Freron, but kept his lips pressed together. Freron smiled at his expression before he turned back to Saliceti. 'Officers… Pah! If our officers are so good then why are the enemies of France driving us back on every front? We should shoot a few more of 'em to make sure the rest perform their duties properly.'

Saliceti raised a hand to calm his companion down. 'Yes, yes. You've explained your ideas about motivating our men many times, citizen. And, in part, I agree with you. But Captain Buona Parte here has the makings of a fine officer, and he's a good Jacobin – one of us – so please, cast no aspersions on his loyalty to the revolution.'

Freron did not look convinced and merely shrugged dismissively. 'If you say so. But I've seen little evidence of much loyalty or competence amongst the officers round here. We must count ourselves fortunate that Carteaux was available to take command of the army. He's done fine work in putting down those rebels in Lyons and Avignon. And soon he'll have sorted out that nest of traitors in Toulon.'

'Yes, I'm sure he will,' Saliceti said smoothly.'For a man of such limited military experience he has proved to be formidable in putting down these revolts.'

'Military experience is nothing compared to the power of revolutionary zeal.' Freron's eyes glittered behind the glass of his spectacles.'It is through that power that the revolution will succeed.'

Napoleon listened in contempt. Zeal was only one of the forces that officers must harness. But on its own it was as much a danger as a virtue. Freron was clear proof of the need for military matters to be left in the hands of soldiers, not politicians.

'Of course our leaders need zeal,' Saliceti agreed.'But that isn't going to help General Carteaux much right now. What he needs is reinforcements.'The representative turned towards Napoleon to explain further. 'Since the rebels surrendered Toulon to the British, the enemy have been pouring men into the defences. Besides the British, they've landed a strong force of Spanish troops, as well as some Sardinian and Neapolitan forces. We've sent for reinforcements, but what the general really needs are specialists in siegecraft. Particularly now that he's lost Captain Dommartin.'

'Captain Dommartin?'

'He was Carteaux's artillery commander. Badly wounded over a week ago. Now the good general says that there's little he can do until Dommartin is replaced. We've sent word to the Army of the Alps to find someone, and until they do, our men can do nothing but sit on their arses and keep watch on Toulon.'

Napoleon felt his brain reel with the implications of this news. How unfortunate for Dommartin. How fortunate for Napoleon, if only he could persuade Saliceti and, more importantly, Freron. He cleared his throat.

'Citizens, if I might make a suggestion?'

'What?' Freron looked at him impatiently.'What is it, Captain? Speak up.'

'As Citizen Saliceti is aware, I am an artillery officer.' Napoleon stiffened his posture. 'I could take command of General Carteaux's artillery.'

'You?' Freron shook his head.'Why should we choose you? We need a specialist in siegecraft.'

'I am a specialist,' Napoleon replied firmly. 'I have studied the subject in depth, and came top of my class at the military academy in Paris.' It was a lie, but Freron could not know that. The only risk was that Saliceti might recall the details of Napoleon's record.

'That's no good. We need a man of experience, not a schoolboy, no matter how promising you may be.'

Napoleon sensed the opportunity slipping from his grasp and took a step closer to Freron, leaning forward slightly to emphasise his words. 'I can replace Dommartin. Give me the cannon and I will deliver Toulon to you.' He turned to Saliceti.'Just give me the chance to prove it. That's all I ask.'

'That's all you ask?' Freron laughed.'Not much then. Send this boy away, Saliceti, and let's get back to work.'

'Wait!' Napoleon grasped Saliceti's sleeve. 'What have you got to lose by appointing me? I trained at the best artillery school in Europe. Besides, you need someone to command the artillery and I'm the only officer here who can do it.'

'Well…'

'At least appoint me until Dommartin's replacement arrives. I can start work on the siege batteries. It'll mean the new commander of artillery can press ahead with the siege as soon as he arrives.'

Saliceti pursed his lips thoughtfully. 'That's true.'

Freron snorted. 'Oh, come now, Saliceti! He's wasting our time.'

'No. No, he's not. Captain Buona Parte could save us time, like he says.We've nothing to lose in appointing him.Who knows, we may even have plenty to gain. I say we appoint him. We'll do it on my authority, if you don't want to share the responsibility.'

Napoleon kept quite still during this last exchange, hardly daring to breathe while his immediate fate was being decided. If Saliceti had his way then Napoleon would be going into combat. Laying siege to a heavily fortified town was a dirty and dangerous business, as Captain Dommartin had discovered. It might well be the death of Napoleon. But the alternative – an endless procession of ammunition convoys grinding across the uneven roads and tracks of southern France – was too much to bear.

Freron leaned back in his chair.'You'll put that in writing?' He gave a cold smile as he scented the advantage he might wring out of the situation.

Saliceti nodded. 'I will.'

'All right then. On your authority. And until his replacement turns up.'

'I agree.' Saliceti turned to Napoleon. 'I'll have my clerk draw up your orders at once.You can wait outside.'

'Thank you, sir.' Napoleon smiled. 'I promise, you won't regret this.'

'You had better make sure of it, Captain. I'm sure you can imagine the fate that awaits you, should you fail.'