"Some of you will see your relations again, others their friends, and I shall join my brave companions in the Elysian Fields. Yes, Kléber, Desaix, Bessières, Duroc, Ney, Murat, Masséna, Berthier, will all come to meet me. They will speak to me of what we have done together, and I will relate to them the last events of my life. On seeing me again, they will all become once more animated with enthusiasm and glory. We will talk of our wars with the Scipios, Hannibal, Caesar, Frederick. There will be pleasure in that, unless,” he added, smiling, “it should create alarm in the next world to see so many warriors assembled together.” -Napoleon I. at Saint Helena
“I and others were fighting for France while you sat sipping tea in English gardens!” Michel Ney
"Soldiers, when I give the command to fire, fire straight at my heart. Wait for the order. It will be my last to you. I protest against my condemnation. I have fought a hundred battles for France, and not one against her ... Soldiers, fire". Michel Ney's last words
"Why cannot you simply say 'Michel Ney, once a French soldier and soon to be a heap of dust'?"
"Tell us also why you are made unhappy on hearing about the return of the Argive Danaans from Troy. The gods arranged all this, and sent them their misfortunes in order that future generations might have something to sing about". Homer's Oddyssey
“Like all men, he desired happiness, but he had found only glory.” Napoleon
Blog Rules:
1) Never mention Ney from Napoleon (2023)
2) Never mention Sherlock from the BBC
3) Never mention Javert from Les Misérables (2012)
“Ney’s conducts during the retreat from Portugal” (by Pelet)
I have now read Pelet’s memoirs up to the chapter describing the completion of the French army’s retreat from Portugal. As is well known, Marshal Ney played a crucial role during this retreat. Throughout the withdrawal, Pelet, acting as Masséna’s envoy, met Ney on several occasions had heated discussions over military situations.
These passages are not very long, I will quote the relevant sections below. One of the greatest strengths of this edition of Pelet’s memoirs is its extensive scholarly annotation: the editor has meticulously consulted a wide range of historical sources and provides detailed notes throughout.
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(the editor says)
“Despite the comments of numerous writers on the friction between Masséna and Ney. the present writer (editor) is convinced that the relations between the two were characterized by sympathetic support and understanding from December until the beginning of the retreat in March. (See Horward, ‘Invasion of Portugal,’ pp. 500…Pelet's comment here supports this contention.”
“I(Pelet)asked the Marshal (Ney) for permission to stay with him and receive a fine lesson in war maneuvers. It would have been difficult to find a better teacher.” (p.438)
“Initially the Marshal (Ney) remained on the left bank and was one of the last to return. When fighting first began, his soldiers, who idolized him, were very concerned about him and accused themselves of having already abandoned him.” (p.472)
It appears that the idolization of Ney had already begun before the Russian campaign.
“He (Ney) always showed more strength of mind when the danger was greatest.” (p.471)
“He (Ney) had only a piece of bread and water, and only one servant with him. I offered him some of my brandy and he honored me by accepting it.”(p.476)
(the editor says)
“Ney's rearguard actions from Pombal, Redinha, and Condeixa to Casal Novo, Casal de Azan, Vila Seca, Chão de Lamas, Miranda do Corvo, etc. were indeed brilliant. Captain William Napier of the 43rd Foot observed, “Ney commenced his retreat, covering his rear with guns and light troops, and retiring from ridge to ridge with admirable precision, and, for a long time, without confusion and with very little loss.” See Napier, War in the Peninsula, III, 55. Picton recalled, “The enemy's rearguard, during the whole course of the retreat, was commanded by Marshal Ney in person; and all his movements afforded a perfect lesson in that kind of warfare. Moving at all times upon his flank, I had an opportunity of seeing everything he did; and I must be dull in the extreme if I have not derived some practically useful knowledge from such an example.” See Picton, Memoirs, Picton to Pleydel, March 24-29, 1811, I, pp.381-88.”(p.456)
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I wonder where Ney, who began his military career as a hussar, acquired his masterly skill in retreat tactics.
nobody ever leaves the les miserables fandom btw. it just kind of lies dormant in your soul until a new cast that speaks to you picks up the baton & then the cycle begins again
More of the Les Mis OBC, I believe most of these are from ‘85-‘87. There’s something I love so much about the very beginnings of this show. The incredibly 80’s hair, the insane stage makeup they had Terrence Mann in, the camp of it all that just feels like something you don’t get today. It’s also fascinating to look at these photos and see how much has changed, but also how much has stayed the same about this show. Enjolras’ iconic red and gold vest, Éponine’s costume that has not changed since Victor Hugo described it in the book almost 200 years ago, Gavroche’s silly little hat. I also really love Cosette’s dress in these photos, I wish we got to see this costume design more often for her. Also huge shoutout to the og staging of One Day More, wherein the Thenardiers would pop out of the sewers to sing their lines.
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