Chapter 51 Siege Of Toulon Part 1

The source of this content nov(el)bi((n))



"I see...well you are just in time, Captain Bonaparte," General Carteaux greeted, beckoning him to come forward.

Napoleon walked forward and looked around. Inside the tent were officers under Carteaux's demand doing clerical work. While doing that, he came across a staff worker, working on a new device.

"Familiar, Captain?" General Carteaux called, snapping Napoleon out of his stupor.

"Well, yes, it seems that the French Army is adopting my invention," Napoleon said, smiling.

"That invention of yours sure is fascinating. The fact that it can transmit messages from here to Paris in a blink of an eye is truly remarkable," General Carteaux commented, his eyes fixed on the device. "Imagine the advantage it would give us in coordinating our troops and relaying crucial information during battles."

"Well, we can try it out here in this siege. If I may ask, General Carteaux, do you have a plan on how we should proceed?"

"To be honest, I don't have one yet."

"In that case, General, can I see the map so that I can come up with one?"

General Carteaux laughed. "There must be a misunderstanding, Captain. You are just assigned to lead the artillery, you leave the planning to me."

"But General," Napoleon chuckled, hiding his irritation behind a smile. To think that he would really say that to his face despite being put into command because of his affiliation and no military training is ridiculous. "You haven't come up with a plan yet. Do you think it's prudent that we come up with one of our objectives to retake Toulon at the soonest time possible?"

General Carteaux contemplated for a moment. In the letter sent to him by the National Convention. It was stated that the young Captain standing in front of him was not just an average officer. He graduated top of the class at the Brienne-le-Chateau and Ecole Militaire. Invented the telegraph and advanced the knowledge of thermodynamics.

He admits he has no military training and got into the position because of his political affiliation. If he wanted this siege to be successful, he would need all the hands he could get.

"Fine, you may have a look."

Napoleon scanned the map of Toulon with scrutinizing eyes. His mind raced, analyzing the terrain, studying the fortifications, and considering the strengths and weaknesses of both sides. As he absorbed the details, a plan began to take shape in his mind.

"What was the latest intel about the enemy forces?" Napoleon asked, though he already knew how many of them were in his system, an open communication with General Carteaux would help establish mutuality.

"The city of Toulon is currently under the control of a formidable enemy force," the General began, his voice resonating with authority. "Reports indicate that we are facing a combined presence of 2,000 British soldiers and sailors, along with 6,000 Spanish troops, 6,000 Neapolitans, and 800 Sardinians. It is crucial to note that there may be additional forces concealed within the city, potentially including the support of its citizens. Furthermore, Toulon boasts a robust system of fortifications, with outlying forts and redouts effectively enveloping the city. Our own forces mustered for this campaign consist of approximately 30,000 soldiers..."

"Captain!" One of his men called. "The construction for the two batteries, La Montagne and Sans-Culottes are completed."

Napoleon removed his spyglass and nodded in satisfaction. "Good."

Ever since he arrived in Toulon, Napoleon followed the real Napoleon's playbook. His plan on taking over Toulon is the perfect plan there is, by positioning their artillery in range and good vantage point, the British ships would be vulnerable, forcing the coalition forces to leave the harbor and surrender the city.

As he stood there, gazing at the ship, he noticed movements. He peered through his spyglass again and saw that the crew of the ships was hastily preparing for sailing.

"So the British have already noticed it huh? As expected," Napoleon muttered under his breath.

Satisfied that he knew their position, Napoleon returned to the military tent where General Carteaux was having a conversation with the officers.

"Oh...the Captain has returned. So, what did you see?"

"The British got scared as soon as they saw the newly built forts. They feared that we would blow their ships to bits, which is what we intended to do. So, General, this is the plan."

General Carteaux, Captain Napoleon, and other officers huddled around the table, looking at the map.

"We are to capture these two forts. l'Eguillette and Balaguier located in the Mont Caire. If we capture those forts, it would give us a good vantage point on the harbor. For this plan to succeed, General, I want you to give me 3,000 men."

"3,000?" General Carteaux's eyes widened with surprise at Napoleon's request for 3,000 men. The number seemed excessive, considering the limited resources and the scale of the operation. However, as he observed the unwavering determination in Napoleon's eyes, he understood that the young captain had a calculated strategy in mind.

"Captain Bonaparte, that's a significant portion of our forces. Are you certain we can spare such a large contingent?" General Carteaux inquired, his voice laced with skepticism.

"General, we have almost thirty thousand men. Three thousand men is all I'm asking for."

Of course, Napoleon knew that General Carteaux wouldn't send that many troops to him, which would lead to the failure of the operation and the British fortifying the position, thus prolonging the siege. He wanted to end this siege as soon as possible and move out to another city where he would fight another battle.

"Fine..." General Carteaux reluctantly agreed to Napoleon's request.

"General, I'm expecting that number to be present before the siege. I am counting on you."

"I already said fine, Captain," Carteaux reiterated.

"When are we going to launch an attack?" One of the officers asked.

"Once all the British ships are huddled to the Port," Napoleon answered. "In three days."