Napoleon in 1812 - Chapter 54

Chapter 54

9. Burgos – 6

They had miraculously prevented the offensive of the angry British grenadiers. This alone made Colonel Jean-Louis Dubreton proud on this historic achievement. But of course, he would remain a defense commander who fought against a great army and failed to protect the fortress.

“I lost, but fought well… But a loser is still a loser.”

Colonel Dubreton grinned bitterly and looked around at his soldiers. Their physical condition was already pushed to the limit. The last three days could be described as hellish days that wore away their minds and bodies.

During the day, the repeated relentless Allied offensives never ceased, like swarms of mosquitoes during Normandy’s rainy season. Of course, the risks and pressures were incomparable. And it was the same even during dark nights. Of course, they did not continue the offensive in the dark, but they did not give the defenders time to rest by shooting with their artillery at the fortress. He could not help but be gloomy when he looked at the enemies who were filling the front of the fortress with bloodshot eyes because he did not sleep well.

The only comforting thing was that they had plenty of supplies such as shells, ammunition, and gunpowder. The fortress had been firmly prepared before being besieged, and the defenders had managed to capture the enemy’s supplies for the wall bombing operation, allowing them to spare no bullets and shells.

But war was what people did. No matter how much gunpowder and ammunition there was, no matter if they did not have any shortage of food or water. The defenders could no longer hold out.

“I think we can stop one more attack… but more than that would be too much.”

These were the words of a lieutenant who came to see the condition of the soldiers. Colonel Dubreton soothed his mixed feelings and made a decision. A honorable surrender was the last option left. But a surprising thing happened, as he was seriously thinking about waving a white flag.

“They…. They’re retreating!”

“What? Where, where!?”

Colonel Dubreton snatched an officer’s telescope. In his sight, the coalition forces were folding their military flags and withdrawing from the battlefield.

“Wait, are they giving up and going back? Is the war over?”

“Wow, woaah!”

“Shut up! Don’t be rash! Are you going to fall for their tricks!?”

Cool-headed, Colonel Dubreton observed the withdrawal of the Allied forces with a keen attention.

So far, the Allies had repeatedly come the battlefield early in the morning and fought until dark before returning to their campsite. There was quite a bit of time left before night, but maybe they were stepping down because they had something else to do.

Colonel Dubreton watched the development after ordering the soldiers to stand by.

It was about half an hour later that he realized the truth behind this situation. A messenger arrived from Napoleon’s army. The news delivered by the messenger surprised Colonel Dubreton and the entire defensive force. His Majesty, the marshals of the Empire, and their troops had finally arrived in Burgos!

An officer shouted loudly.

“We’ve won! We’ve defended Fort Burgos!”

“Woaaaaahh!!”

The officer’s declaration of victory was enough to send the entire nervously stifling defense into a frenzy of excitement.

“Long live the French Empire!”

“Long live the Emperor!!”

One quarter of the defenders on Fort Burgos were killed or seriously injured. Many of their comrades had disappeared. The rest of the surviving soldiers also had fatigue and residual injuries that required a short period of care.

As a result, the entire Fort Burgos defense was badly damaged and needed to reorganize the unit. However in the end, they succeeded in defending the fortress. They survived in this hellish battlefield. With that alone, they were able to cheer with all their heart. Even with their exhausted bodies, they took off their military caps and went crazy.

“It’s like reading a novel. Very dramatic.”

“Yes. But it’s a novel I don’t want to read again.”

Only then could Colonel Dubreton smile as he took off his hat. Just in time, a cool breeze brushed over the fortress.

===

October 14, 1812, 7:00 p.m.

Normally, it was already dark after sunset at that time, but Spain was the place in Europe where the sun setted the latest, except for the Arctic Circle where there was the midnight sun. The sky was still red around here, so there was no problem with vision. It was around this time that Napoleon and his 70,000 soldiers arrived at Fort Burgos.

The tearful defenders waved to them while shouting ‘Long live the Emperor!’ All of them looked like skeletons, and must have suffered a lot from the siege. Nevertheless, they were welcoming them with enthusiast shouts. Napoleon looked at the state of the fortress while receiving their cheers.

Just a few hours ago, there was a fierce battle here. Indeed, there were traces remaining here and there. Considering that there were many enemy bodies and bloodstains all the way to the heart of the fortress, the battle seemed to have reached a critical point.

“Veillons au salut de l’Empire (Let’s ensure the salvation of the Empire)! We did our best to protect the fortress, Your Majesty!”

Colonel Jean-Louis Dubreton was a competent defense commander, as Berthier had asserted. Details of the siege would be heard from the postwar reports and testimony of various officers, but there was no doubt that Fort Burgos could survive thanks to his presence.

“I will never forget your heroic deeds, preventing the wave offensive of the Allied forces and defending the frontline. The battle of Fort Burgos was a turning point in the nearly five-year-long war on the peninsula. Colonel Dubreton and the fort’s defenders all deserve my generous applause.”

Although it was quite shameful, Napoleon applauded, maintaining a solemn expression until the end for showmanship. When the Emperor applauded, who would stand still? The small applause gradually began to fill Fort Burgos.

Napoleon said to Colonel Dubreton and the defenders, who were thrilled by these little things.

“Should there be no reward for the heroes who defended a key point of the Empire with their lives? All the defenders are entitled to honorable freedom.”

Napoleon promised to give the entire defensive garrison a vacation of one month and half a year’s salary. They would immediately return to the mainland, with a vacation certificate bearing the seal of the Army Command, earning the right to escape from the fierce war for a month. It was a month-long reward vacation, but with the time it took to go to Paris and back, they would stay at least two months far from the war.

“Woaaaah!! Long live the Emperor!”

“Oh God! Protect the French Empire and His Majesty the Emperor!”

Despite no one’s urging, the defenders voluntarily rose from their seats and shouted praises to the Emperor and the Empire. In a war that lasted for years, the soldiers who participated in it had felt long life threats. In the middle of anxiety and fear, they could finally face a moment of liberation.

Nothing was more valuable to them than a promise to exclude them from the war for a while than any gift or reward.

‘Of course this is only for the soldiers. The officers need a different reward.’

In the French Imperial Army, which treated its officers very well, the officers above the rank of lieutenant colonel could take a vacation whenever they wanted. They had to be given another reward so they would not be disappointed with a simple vacation. It was a great surprise to give the soldiers a month’s long vacation when the war was not over. Therefore, in accordance with the principle of reward according to rank, officers would receive more exceptional rewards (not a vacation).

The quick-witted officers were struggling not to smile. In particular, Colonel Dubreton, whose promotion to general was almost confirmed by this battle, looked delighted.

“Your… Your Majesty! Your Majesty’s great intention to praise them is holy, but I know that the administrative procedures of soldiers who will be appointed as the defensive forces here have not yet been carried out within the Army Command. However, we cannot leave this fortress empty during the rainy season.”

Baron Majorni, the chief secretary of the Ministry of War Management, who was taking care of the supply and distribution on this expedition for Napoleon’s troops, said sweating. Napoleon frowned at his appearance.

The defenders had been working hard day and night. In order for them to maintain their fighting power after this, they needed rest and stability. Then of course the War Management Department should have consulted with the Army Command and set up fresh manpower to replace them. Even if the Emperor did not give the order.

“It’s what you and the War Department officials have to do to ensure that there is no power and defense vacuum across the peninsula, and you have to do it quickly and accurately. Should I be the one now to select talent and troops and order them to be assigned here?”

“N-No it’s not, Your Majesty! We got it wrong.”

“The final decision is for me to make. I hope we won’t talk about this twice.”

“Y-Yes! Of course, Your Majesty!”

Napoleon looked around, clicking his tongue as if he were pathetic.

Soldiers of the corps opened their eyes wide when they confirmed in real time that the defenders of Fort Burgos received a golden vacation as a reward. From their surprised expressions, it seemed that it was very rare for the Emperor to give a reward vacation.

‘As expected, this world’s Nabot was very stingy with his soldiers’ vacation. How could you not know this? It boosts the morale and loyalty of the soldiers and restores their combat power, there is no better reward than this, along with decorations and medals.

The longer people spend on the battlefield, the greater their longing for a normal daily life and for their family. Napoleon in this world seemed to have been really conservative in running the army, perhaps because he was worried about a leak in power, even though vacations could be a strong motivation if used well. The soldiers who had marched together from Paris looked with envy at the defenders crying out for the Emperor.

Napoleon said to them.

“You don’t have to envy them. Will I fail you?”

It was a set procedure from the start. Napoleon was good at propaganda and incitement, and used this situation as a stage to inspire his soldiers to fight. Napoleon pointed his finger at the Arlanzón River beyond the fortress.

“Get a satisfactory military victory against the British in this battle. And bring it to me. Then I will promise you a generous reward and time to spend with your families.”

“Be victorious! Grind those filthy Englishmen with shells and bullets and smash them under the hoofs of our brave horses! In the brutal laws of the battlefield where you kill or you die, you are the sons of France who deserve the value of life!”

Napoleon winked at Davout as soon as he finished talking. Faithfully, Davout recognized the Emperor’s will and shouted:

“Long live the Great French Empire! Long live the Emperor!”

“Woaaaaaaaaah!!”

The Emperor uttered a few passionate words, and the innocent soldiers shouted with joy.

On reflection, it was a shameful line in the tone of the play. But before the decisive battle, it was perfect for the uplift of the nervous corps soldiers. If it was to win, being ashamed was not a problem. Napoleon waved his hand vigorously, maintaining his solemn expression.