søndag den 23. juni 2013

Marquis de Bouillé - short story intro


Marquis de Bouillé


The veracity of a man of honor and the frankness of a soldier

 

French general, Marquis de Bouille (Francois Claude Amour), was a French Marquis in the 1700s during the reign of last kings of the Bourbon line. Francois Bouillé was born in 1739, at Cluzel castle in Auvergne. He distinguished himself in the Seven Years' war, became governor of the island of Guadeloupe, and commander-in-chief of the French forces in the West Indies. He was nominated by Louis XVI as a member of the first Assembly of Notables, and in 1790 appointed to the command of the army of the Meuse, the Saar, and the Moselle. He was a key agent in the escape of Louis XVI. and granted the Maréchal de camp. Because of his involvement he had to flee France when the King was captured. He went to exile and offered service from many European rulers. In the end he joined King Gustavus III. of Sweden in 1791.

He ultimately came to London, where he published his “Memoirs of the French Revolution”, and died in 1800.

This story portrays his raise from lieutenant to Maréchal de camp and his exit from France to his death in London in 1800. The combined short-stories encompass Bouillé´s adventures and deeds during significant events in World history. His life comes off to a rocky start with his mother died at childbirth. His military career at a young age – as a The Lieutenant Colonel of a battalion of dragoons which he leads in the Battle of Grünberg. Le 72 regiment ínfaterie de ligne or 72 RI was a regiment during the The Old (Ancient) regime which held the name Bouille in 1761 “Régiment de Bouillé ».

His most notiable battles and adventures are from the reign of Louis the 15 and Louis the 16. Several of his exploits and honorable conquests are from the Seven Year War and the American War of Independence. He did thoughout his life encounter and work along side other famous people such as Axel von Fersen, Comte de Grasse and Francais Drake.

Escapecially his former enimies the British held him in high regard :

In 1784 he came to England where he was received with that attension and respect which from his virtues and his conduct he so richly deserved and he carried away with him the most honourable marks of the esteem of all who had an opportunity of witnessing those virtues aud that conduct during the war. «  The AnitThe Antijacobin Review: And Protestant Advocate

Throughout his life M. Bouillé is portrayed as man with a great interest in warfare and a love for maticuolus planning. He also had very set idea of « doing the right thing » and « conducting oneself in an honorable way. » He was often accompanied by members of his family and did during the flight attempt of Louis 16 work alongside his son. He was particularly fond of his life on Gaudeloupe and the plantage owners on the Windward island was likewise very impressed by his govern. He is noted for his many days of preparing and planning often years ahead of time. Such as his early days in the army where he spend nights studying in his tent or during his time in Caribbean where he studied the currents and trade winds years before he was to invade Dominica. In May 1777 he succeeded the Comte D'argout, as Lieutenant General of Martinique and Saint Lucia. From July 1777 to April 1783 he was Lieutenant General of the wind Islands. In 1768 he enjoyed the protection of Ennery (Governor of Martinique in the post)and he succeeded Nolivos as Governor of Guadeloupe County. During the American war of independence (1778-1783) he is illustrated by feats of arms and is directly involved in the capture of numerous Islands (Dominica, St.-Eustache, Tobago...). He reorganized the militia and created an expeditionary force composed of Martinique from all backgrounds, dreaded body of the English.

The Marquis de Bouille himself traces his impressions: This is at this period that I said I began to feel all the inconveniences that have made me go days full of bitterness where it was the most interesting time of my administration which has since been filled with events in which I have been forced to fight against the obstacles and difficulties which have proliferated

Returning to France, he remains attached to the monarchy and with Fersen, he organizes the flight of Louis XVI. His troops await the arrival of the King, but the latter was arrested at Varennes, not far from the venue, on 22 June 1971. Pursued by the revolutionaries, he immigrated to London where he died on November 14, 1800 from suites of paralysis at the age of sixty years. His ashes were deposited in the cemetery of Saint Pancreas in a modest grave. His wife Marie-Louise-Guillemette de Begue died a few years later. They had three children:

·         Louis Joseph Marquis de Bouille Love lieutenant general who served with distinction as the first head of the regiment of the British Lancers and since in the French army during the campaigns that took place from 1806 to 1813

·         François Guillaume Antoine Comte de Bouille cavalry colonel knight of Malta who during the journey to Varennes awaited the king with the detachment placed in this city see Memoirs

·         Emilia Celeste Eleonore Bouille married in 1791 to François Jules Gaspard Viscount Contades  

Francois Claude Amor Bouillé is the only individual to be cited in the French national anthem “The Marseillaise” as a traitor to his homeland.




søndag den 2. juni 2013

Bouillé and the Battle of Grünberg.


The Hills of Stagenrod - ("It burns and it dares"),

 
Once the dragoons reached the hill top, they form a column as they prepared for the attack. The men struggled to keep the horses calm. They felt the cold wind in their faces but the heavy coat of the uniform kept the cold away. Their eyes were fixed at the Comte. The very first order was to head for the hills of Stagenrod and await further instructions. “Hold – stay in line” the Captain shouted and then he turned his attention to Comte, as the Comte contemplated their next move. Francois Claude was thrilled; he had trained and study for years in order for a day like this. He was nervous and yet his heart was filled with joy as he had longed to join his forefather´s long history of military conquest. He was only 16 when he joined the army – but now at the age of 22 he felt as ready and determined as ever before – this was his time to shine. On that hilltop there was good view of the surrounding landscape. The French army was an impressive sight and yet the thing that caught everyone attention was the large group of soldiers at the foot of the hill. They filled the plain fields just outside the small village. A huge numbers of men, horses, tents and small camp fires this was clearly an significant part of the allied army at rest. But Bouillé had his eye fixed at one very important thing he had recognized the banner of the Prince.  This was not just any part of the allied army this was the prince himself.

-“This is it” he thought to himself. Not to rush things or disobey orders – but prove that he belong amongst his families great warriors. –“Now and just in this moment I´ll success and make my family pride and my name honor”.  He looked to the Comté. He so hoped for the order to attack. He could see that the Comte too was surprised by their find but the Comte was not one to act without careful planning. Bouillé was also a man of preparation but now he was eager to fight. During his many nights of studying he had learn a lot about successful army campaigns’ and he knew that this element of surprise was a great advantage for them and waiting too long would be a loss of this advantage. He was thoroughly tempted to leave his station and ride when the sound of soldiers attacking froze both the French as well as the allied troops. Closen had preferred to open with his artillery on the closest Allied units.

The Comte was left no choice:” Attack” he cried out and lifted his sable. Bouillé drew his sable and drove his horse forward. “For King, country and glory” he thought and looked for the first allied soldier in his path.

This premature attack gave the prince and the Allied army to opportunity to retired precipitously from the village and formed on the heights behind Atzenhain.
Vis The Battle of Grünberg på et større kort
 
 
Karl Wilhelm Ferdinand
Hereditary Prince of Brunswick (1735-80) and Duke of Brunswick (1780-1806)