Journals of Auguste de Chateauneuf — Part 1
*This is a work of fiction, based on the Napoleonic Wars. The Napoleonic Wars were a series of wars fought between the French Empire and the European coalitions from 1800–1815, with the intention of crushing the French republican ideas, and their icon — Napoleon Bonaparte, Emperor of the French.*
The bloody and tragic French Revolution has concluded, and the nation is now led by General Napoleon Bonaparte who heads the governing body, The Consulate, as The First Consul. But the enemies of the revolution would stop at nothing to destabilize the French Republic. As the war with Austria rages, Napoleon has ordered the covert formation of a reserve army to reinforce the French army of Italy. Auguste de Chateauneuf, a young aristocrat, has come to serve in this army on the orders of his brother, Theodore de Chateauneuf.
5 March, 1800
“How did I end up here, in the midst of these talented soldiers? I, who so lacks any discipline or any knack for fighting…what is to become of me here? Theo, I have blindly trusted you my whole life, but this one time, I fear your judgment is mistaken. The Army is no place for me. I feel a great sense of unease. I will be humiliated and embarrassed every step of the way. All around me, I see men of good, if not great physical stature. In theory, I probably possess more knowledge about the art of war than all of the men here combined, save a few. But despite that, I feel…fear, of what is to come. Perhaps I am not ready for army-life yet. Perhaps I am much better suited to a relaxing life in our estate, among my books and my horses. Shall I make an escape attempt? It wouldn’t be my first time. I wonder if I can manage to sneak out at night while the others are sleeping. I bet I could steal the pretty white horse at the end of the second stable. Yes, genius, a white horse is the ideal transport when sneaking out. Sometimes I do genuinely wonder if the countless hours I have spent in my library have been utterly wasted. I shall take the black one. Though I would probably be hanged if they caught me. Or shot. One can be hopeful. But, I imagine I fear humiliation a great deal more than I fear death. I would also bring great shame to the family, not that I care for them. Theo would kill me if he saw this. So, for the sake of both of us, I hope he never does.”
“God has been unkind to me. He gave me name, wealth, power..and yet, he has deprived me of that which a man needs, or wants for, the most- strength. Perhaps if I lacked any of the things I am blessed with, I would think it to be the most important trait. Such is the ungrateful nature of human beings. I would like to believe that what I lack in strength, I more than make up for in my intelligence. I would also like to believe that these revolutionaries, who have so dared to disturb the natural state of society, are destined to burn in hell for all eternity. But just because I would like to believe something, does not make it true.
I have to admit, I am not fond of these revolutionary liberal ideas[1] which let lesser men, who have neither birth nor fortune, fancy themselves my equal. Just now, I was challenged to a match of arm-wrestling, by some commoner. My pride did not let me refuse, but it has been so badly hurt by my spectacular loss, I do not think it shall guide my actions again.”
6 March, 1800
“Do I, who has not hurt a single soul over the course of my rather short life, deserve to have my perfectly well life taken away from me? Do I deserve this food, which I would not even have my servants eat? I suppose this was to be expected. Life in the army is not supposed to be lavish. But now that I am experiencing this myself, it is rather harsh. I ought to have my father, the duke, urge the king to improve the living conditions. Oh wait, the savages killed him. And it is I who pays the price. How fair God’s world is!”
“Swords, guns, muskets! I curse Theo with all my heart. He promised me that we were supposed to be just a reserve army, and there would be no rigorous training. You might want to guess again, Theo. We have been training all day. As I write this, I find myself hardly having the energy to sit up. I might collapse. Only, I can’t. There are too many people here for me to show such weakness. I shall go an”
Trivia
[1]The French Revolution of 1789, which lasted a decade, was a complex and tumultuous period of time in the French history, in which the supremacy of the aristocracy and clergy over the rest of the society were rejected by the latter.
The revolution was especially hard on the nobility, with many families stripped off their wealth and lands, and forced to flee the country, while some were sent to the infamous guillotine.
One of Napoleon’s primary motives when he ascended to power was to conclude the revolution, which had been so tough on the country as a whole, and rebuild the nation, incorporating the ideas of the revolution.
