"The Story of Napoleon’s Ghost" Topic

""Father served 23 years and 11 months in the British Army, 15 years in the 42nd Highland regiment, (Black Watch) and 8 years and 11 months in the 91st Highlanders.

It was while in the last regiment he was ordered out to the Island, St. Helena. He was there at the removal of Napoleon Bonaparte's remains from the Island to France. He was the non-commissioned officer ofhte guards and it was part of father's duty to go into the shed and look through the glass cover of the coffin on the face of Napoleon.

Father said there were no marks or blemish on the face, only one small spot on the cheek where the embalming cloth had stuck. The coffin was on two horses in the shed, it was a sheet iron shed. There were 12 tallow candles burning around the coffin, 4 on each side and 2 at each end. At six o'clock in the morning 2 British officers, a captain, and the regimental surgeon, with two French officers stood at the head of the coffin, but never spoke during the whole proceedings. The surgeon stood on the right hand side of the coffin, and the captain and dad on the other side. The three looked in through the glass cover. Then the surgeon gave the signal and the coffin was placed in a plain wood box and spiked down, there were six rope handles on this box. Over all they pulled a black velvet slip with the Lilies of France embroidered on it. Then the order was given and six soldiers picked up the casket. The two British officers ahead, and the two French officers behind, with father and twelve men bringing up the rear. In those days there were 300 or 360 steps cut in the rocks to get down the ravine to Jamestown the only port on the island. The casket was put on board a whale boat and rowed out to the French frigate. The Frenchmen lowered slings and hoisted the casket on board. There was no word spoken between the English and the Frenchmen. No fare you well, no salute of flag or gun. Everything was done in silence. The French frigate was conveyed out of the harbor by a British man-o-war…"
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Amicalement
Armand

Very interesting account. Thanks for bringing that to my attention Tango

A votre service mon ami! (smile).

Amicalement
Armand

Yes indeed, a nice anecdote of Napoleonic history.

Thanks Armand.

Glad you enjoyed it my friend! (smile).

Amicalement
Armand