#Roustam’s memoir

[empirearchives]

Napoleon almost becomes a victim of friendly fire

From the memoir of Roustam Raza:

My wife was seven months pregnant when I left for the Prussian and Polish campaign, which lasted eleven months. The first major battle was fought at Jena, and the entire Prussian army was destroyed in a matter of days, but before the battle, at night, the Emperor himself wanted to visit the outposts, accompanied by two marshals, Prince Borghese, Marshal Duroc, and me who never left his side.

The Emperor visited the left wing of the army, and he wanted to go past the sentries to visit the right. One moment, we’d reached the end of the line, and they were firing at the Emperor. They thought we were the enemy. We all surrounded the Emperor on all sides, so that the bullets wouldn’t hit him, and we shouted: “Cease fire, we are French!” Finally, the firing ceased, and we returned to our ranks, in no danger whatsoever.

Source: Souvenirs de Roustam, mamelouck de Napoléon Ier

[captainknell]

That's so cute

“The Emperor loved children, and he often asked me about my son. One day, I took him with me to the Emperor’s chamber. His Majesty was there. He said immediatly: “Ah, so there you are, little fellow!”. He was, at the time, four years old, he was on first name terms with everybody and he had the usual lack of shyness of his years. The Emperor took him near to the window, and the child started to play with his medals, asking him about them. The Emperor said him: “These things are given only to the ones who behave well. Are you being good?” He opened widely his eyes and said to him: “Look me in the eyes. Ah, I see you are a little naughty!” (…). The Emperor asked him: “What’s your name?” “My name is Achille Roustam. And yours?” I approached to my son and said: “He is the Emperor!” “Ah! so you are the one who goes hunting with papa!” (…) The Emperor pulled his ears and caressed his hair. The child was enchanted and seemed to have a lot of things to tell him, but the Emperor finally said: “I must to have breakfast, but you can visit me again”.”

— Napoleon and Roustam’s (the Emperor’s famous Georgian mamluk) little son, Achille. This little scene is narrated on Roustam’s “Memoirs”. Translation is mine, possible blunders are mine, etc, etc. (via valinaraii)

[mamelukeraza]

Roustam's non-existent salary.

After joining Napoleon in Egypt, and sailing with him to Italy, and later to France, Roustam, in fact, had not received an official salary, and wouldn't if it wasn't for the curiosity (and financial concern) of Napoleon himself.

Story extracted from Roustam's Memoirs on the subject.

For the third year I served with Napoleon, but I have never received a salary. They didn't pay me, and since I didn't demand anything, nobody cared. Naturally, Bonaparte could not know anything about this. I didn't even have money for cigarettes. I preferred to sell my cashmere scarf. (...) A month later, Napoleon returned to Paris to make a big parade and spend some time in the capital, and one day at midnight he invited me to dinner. I always had food for him. I served him dinner right in bed, where he slept with the Empress. And suddenly Bonaparte asked: — Rustam, are you already rich? Have you saved a lot of money? I replied: — Yes sir. All the time I serve you, I feel like a rich man. He interrupted me: — If I need it, can you lend me money? — Sir, I only have twelve Louis in my pocket. I am willing to offer you everything. — How come you don't have anything else? — No sir. He began to ask: — How much do you earn? — I don't need anything, sir. I'm not complaining about anything, I'm already very happy. — Tell me, how much do they pay you to serve me? Again I did not want to tell him the truth, but he began to resent the palace administrator, Monsieur Fischer, and insisted: — Indicate your salary. — Sir, I don't demand anything, that's why they don't pay me. I was forced to say. This was a surprise to him. — So you've been with me for two years and you don't get any money? — Excuse me, sir, I brought a cashmere scarf from Egypt. The other day I sold it and was able to buy cigarettes and various trifles. Hearing this, he became completely angry and ordered: — Call this Fischer here. I couldn't leave my place and I sent for the boys from the locker room. Fischer, who appeared, asked me first: — Is the Emperor upset? So he called me at this late hour? I replied: — I don't know, but I don't think there's anything to worry about, he's in a good mood. When I announced the arrival of Monsieur Fischer, Bonaparte immediately attacked him with reproaches: — Why don't you pay Rustam from the imperial treasury? Most of the French serve me for their own reasons, and Rustam is dedicated to me to the end. And suddenly it turns out that he has not received anything from the treasury for two years! Fischer turned pale. — Sir, I couldn't do anything without orders. Napoleon lost his temper. — You idiot in uniform, you should have reminded me of the order yourself! I have a thousand worries! Now include Rustam in the list of my valets. However, he didn't say anything about paying for the past. In a word, from that day on, like others, I began to receive twelve hundred pounds a month, and after a while, two thousand four hundred. Source.

[napoleondidthat]

How did Raza feel about Napoleon? I've never been able to read his memoirs so I've not been able to get a clear grasp of it. I know he refused to go to Elba with him, but was that out of any sort of Malice? Also, did he feel like a slave to Napoleon in any way? I know he wasn't while he was with Napoleon, but he was a slave when he was gifted to him, correct?

I haven't been able to get my hands on Raza's memoirs yet either, they are available in English and just one of those books I have yet to get :(.

Yes, Roustam was a slave. At the age of 13 he was kidnapped from his Armenian parents in present day Georgia and sold into slavery in Cairo, Egypt. The sheikh of Cairo gifted him to Napoleon during the Egyptian Campaign.

I don't believe he felt like he was a slave to Napoleon, even though being gifted to someone is problematic to say the least. He was in Napoleon's service for 15 years and served as his personal attendant and bodyguard. He slept on a mat outside Napoleon's door on the floor. And during ceremonial occasions, he would be dressed in "oriental" attire.

He married Mademoiselle Douville in 1814 and refused to go to Elba, some say because he was newly married, some say (he says) he was afraid of Napoleon's committing suicide and he (Roustam) being blamed. Seems a bit weird of an excuse. Anyway, he did offer to return during the Hundred Days and Napoleon dismissed him because he felt betrayed by Roustam's departure. I've always gotten the impression that Roustam was fine with Napoleon and had a good relationship with him....until he didn't.

[josefavomjaaga]

Roustam and postal secrecy

A short scene from the memoirs of Roustam Raza, Napoleon’s mameluke.  At the end of 1807, Napoleon visited his Kingdom of Italy for the first time since his coronation in 1805 (it would also be the last time ever). He was, as usual, accompanied by his mameluke Roustam Raza, who lately had gotten married to the daughter of a fellow servant and was of course eagerly waiting for letters from Paris.

I received all my wife's letters by courier. Monsieur de Lavalette had been kind enough to grant me this favour, and the Emperor never seemed to disapprove of it.

This convenient arrangement, however, could have its disadvantages:

We left for Venice, where we stayed for a few days. We returned to Milan.

On the way, an estafette met the Emperor and approached his carriage to give him the dispatches from Paris. A moment later, he lowered the window of his carriage, and handed me a letter from my wife. It was unsealed: "Here, Roustam, here is a letter from your wife!

Okay, so Napoleon accidentally opened a private letter; it happens. After all, he had probably just received dozends of them.

I smiled as I took it. He says to me, "She's asking for Venetian chains."

Right. Maybe it had not been an accident, after all. Or Napoleon thought that he had to inform Roustam of the letter's content because he doubted Roustam's reading skills...

When we arrived in Milan, as we got out of the carriage, the Emperor said to me: "If you do not have the chains from Venice, you will be badly received!

Just making sure that you evil subject of a young husband have not already forgotten about your wife's wish! And trust me about bad receptions, I know. You should have heard Josephine when I once didn’t bring...

"Sire," I replied, "I will buy some here." The Viceroy said to me, "Roustam, it is I who will give them to you." Indeed, the next day His Highness sent for me and gave me a packet of Venetian chains for my wife.

And Eugène for the rescue. Important household matters like this obviously require highest attention!

[gabrielferaud]

I can’t find it rn but doesn’t Roustam tell the same story in his memoirs— except he accuses Constant of eating the chicken

Napoleon’s valet, Roustam, helps himself to the Emperor’s chicken. (Memoirs of Constant, Vol 3, English ed. 1896, pages 126-8)

[emperorkazimir]

Took forever but I finally managed to find The Memoirs of Roustam. And it won't be here til the middle of June.

[thetanster]

(Tanster)

[empirearchives]

So Roustam wasn’t told about the 18 Brumaire thing ahead of time. He was told that Napoleon and Duroc “went on a walk” in Paris and then randomly both got murdered 😭😭 Apparently Josephine even pretended(?) to pass out on the sofa. So Roustam gets told this and he starts sobbing and everyone else was really upset because they all thought Napoleon and Duroc were dead. Then later he sees Napoleon randomly show up on a horse and he’s still alive. So everyone who had been crying then starts celebrating like hooray you’re not dead… lmaooo

[empirearchives]

Napoleon drinks poison and tries to commit suicide

The date was 12-13 April 1814

“It was four o’clock in the morning. The night had been calm, and probably the emperor had passed it, not in the torpor of sleep, but in the saddest of reflections… On his chest of drawers there were usually two glasses on a plate, covered with a napkin, a little teaspoon, a sugar bowl, and beside it a carafe full of water. But by chance the sugar bowl was not there, because, as the servant had delayed too long in having it refilled the day before, it was in the room where Hubert was... While Hubert was listening in order to answer the emperor, he heard water being poured into a glass and then the noise of the little spoon which was being stirred about in order to melt something. Knowing that there was no melted sugar in the glass, Hubert could not imagine what it was that the emperor was stirring, but after a moment’s consideration he thought that the emperor, not seeing the sugar bowl which was usually with the two glasses, had taken some sugar out of his dressing case. When the Emperor had stopped stirring the glass there was a moment of silence, after which the he came to the door and told Hubert to send for the Duke of Vicenza, the Duke of Bassano, the Grand Marshal, and Monsieur Fain. At that moment, Hubert told me, the emperor’s features were as calm as though he had just drunk a glass of water. When these gentlemen arrived he told them that, not being able to survive the dishonor of France, he had yielded to the weakness of taking poison... Mr. Yvan came at once and immediately gave the emperor a drink which quickly produced its effect. The Emperor vomited all the deleterious substance which he had swallowed, but not without violent efforts which fatigued him greatly.”

From Louis Etienne Saint-Denis, via Napoleon’s Mameluke: The Memoirs of Roustam Raza, translation Jonathan North

[yaggy031910]

We actually do have some of her work.

While I was looking for topics for a university project of mine, I was also looking through books about the Arenenberg (aka. Hortense's exile home) and I was fortunate enough to have discovered some of her work!

I found this neat portrait of Roustam Raza made by Hortense de Beauharnais! Circa 1800s

Roustam was Napoleon’s bodyguard and valet, and Hortense was Napoleon’s stepdaughter. Roustam was an Armenian Mameluke in Egypt, originally from Tbilisi. He became employed by Napoleon during the Egypt campaign in 1799, following him back to Europe, and remained by his side until Napoleon’s abdication in 1814. He lived the rest of his life in France.

TEFAF Maastricht

[mamelukeraza]

"Because of this disgusting Roustam, I failed to shoot a single bird."

Again from Roustam's memoirs, Roustam writes about his experience with Imperial pistols… and the Emperor's frustration at not knowing how to use them.

The Emperor entrusted me with the care of all his weapons. He even had a subordinate on hand who cleaned and set up the guns and sometimes even traveled with us. He and I would always put a couple of pistols in His Majesty's saddle pocket, so that on the way the Emperor could hunt birds if he wanted to. It happened, however, because of the shaking, the pistols failed, which became the cause of unpleasant conversations. Each time this happened, the emperor blamed me for this.

The palace armorer, Monsieur Le Page, adapted a small safety catch that had to be pressed before aiming. I explained to His Majesty how to use this device, and he found it very ingenious.

We were in Berlin at the time. One morning, after breakfast, Bonaparte mounted his horse to go for a walk, accompanied by senior officers. We passed a wide field full of crows. The emperor ran quickly forward, drew his pistol and fired. But as he did not press the safety catch, no shot was fired. He threw away his pistol in anger and, brandishing his whip, rushed at me. I was among the officer's entourage, but seeing him so angry, I hurried to run, and he chased me. However, realizing that he had no intention of stopping the chase, I stopped. He started to scold me. I wanted to explain to him why the gun was not fired, but he turned around, went up to the highest military commanders and began to make excuses:

— Because of this disgusting Roustam, I failed to shoot a single bird.

I picked up the gun from the ground and fired into the air to make sure he was wrong. The stable boy also checked the gun and said that the gun was indeed in order. As I was very upset, even General Rapp came up to me and said a few words of comfort:

— Don't be angry, Roustam, you know how temperamental the emperor is, but he loves you.

The next day, Bonaparte reminded me of yesterday:

— Well, my fat magician, will you continue to take care of the weapons or…?

— I always watch my weapons and never elude my duties, sir.

He didn't answer, but after that he always used the safety catch and never failed.

And even though the stablemaster was convinced that I wasn't to blame for anything, he tried to inflate this little incident into a big story and even suggested that the person responsible for the gun be fined. Naturally, I asked him what prompted him to be so strict. If he wants my assistant to become more circumspect, then there is no point, because he is already extremely conscientious. I said even more:

— And if, Duke, you decide anyway that someone must pay a fine, let it be me.

And after all this, Caulaincourt gave no rest to my poor assistant, who came to see me without understanding what they wanted from him. I comforted the poor man by explaining to him that even if there was a mistake, it was only my fault, for before I gave the weapon to the emperor, I finally examined it. I had to go once again to the Marquis de Visans and remind him that it would be extreme cruelty to demand a fine from my poor assistant, and that was the end of the issue.

Source.

[mamelukeraza]

Roustam, Caulaincourt, and the discord of the horse.

So, this is from Roustam’s Memoirs. Roustam recounts how on occasions, he was excluded from parades for no reason, even if the emperor issued strict orders that said otherwise. This takes place in the preparations for Napoleon’s coronation.

Long ago, His Majesty commissioned me for two Mamluk festive uniforms, sewn by different craftsmen, one more luxurious than the other. And one night he summoned me to a great hall and, in the presence of high-ranking dignitaries, he presented me with a diamond-studded dagger. Everything felt that I should also take my place in the imperial entourage. How was I to know that a variety of reasons were being invented for my suspension? I was so sure of my participation that one day I even went to see Monsieur Caulaincourt to see my parade horse. But Caulaincourt very coldly declared that a horse was not intended for me, and to find out the reason he sent me to the chief emcee. He later repeated the same thing and advised him to address his Imperial Majesty. According to him, the distribution of seats was made by the emperor himself. During dinner, I took a moment and asked Napoleon's permission to participate in the coronation. The emperor said that was his wish too, and allowed me to go to Caulaincourt and choose a good stallion. But Caulaincourt continued to stand firm. Not wanting to disturb His Majesty any further, I decided to turn to the Empress. She generously agreed to talk to her husband and told me to meet them in the living room after dinner. While his Majesty was having coffee, I unexpectedly ran into him. —  Well? Bonaparte asked. — What do you want? Josephine chimed in: —  Our beloved Rustam is very upset. He cannot accompany you to Notre Dame, in a moment of danger he was always by your side, justice demands that he share your moments of glory. Bonaparte turned abruptly to me: —  Do you have a beautiful mamluke uniform? I remembered: —  Even two. —  Go put it on and show yourself. At one point I appeared before his eyes in robes shining like the sun. He and the empress found my uniform to be excellent, and summoning M. Caulaincourt, they gave orders for me to be given a horse. When the latter commented that I could not participate in the coronation because, according to etiquette, there were no Mamelukes in the coronation processions, Napoleon resolutely declared: —  Roustam must be everywhere. Source.

[joachimnapoleon]

Hello, your blog is really nice and I love seeing more poeple who loves Napoleon, it's nice knowing that I'm not alone :3 I would like to know more about Roustom Raza (Rostom Razmadze as I would say, the bodyguard of His Majesty). If you have more information of him ofc, like simple daily habits or his taste in things, or if it's too much just some facts, really appreciate!

I recently ordered Roustam memoirs and I'd love to dig deeper, tought I would share this joy with you cuz no one in my family understands this obsession ^^

Have a nice day/evening ♡

Hello! Nice to meet you, and I’m glad you’re enjoying my blog. :) I haven’t read very much about Roustam, but here are some links you might find interesting:

An anecdote about Roustam and Eugène de Beauharnais, from @josefavomjaaga

Roustam helps himself to Napoleon’s chicken

There is also some good information about Roustam in this article by @shannonselin about Louis Étienne Saint-Denis (known as “Mameluke Ali”); Saint-Denis served as Roustam’s assistant.

(If any of my fellow Napoleonics have any Roustam-related things to share for @nereidesea, please feel free to add to this post :)

[mamelukeraza]

Hi!! :) I have a question for you! What are your thoughts on Roustam Raza? Your tumblr is quite unique, and it even made me more interested in this historical person I’ve known and seen little about. So I’ve been wondering what sparked your interest in him?

Well, hi! I know this was a while ago, and I just kinda, randomly disappeared, but here I am! Thanks so much for your interest! So, here's the thing. There is not like, a lot of content about this historical character (which is exactly why I created this account), so there is no such thing as some kind of debate, pages dedicated entirely to him and the knowledge of his person, if not his Wikipedia page (which we already know is not of much contribution) or some other blog about his work as a Mamluke on official history study pages, but very brief, unlike the rest of the characters that were part of the Napoleonic Wars.

When I first read about him, it was because I was wondering why it was that he appeared in almost all the illustrations/paintings in which Napoleon also appeared (with his entourage and sometimes with his marshals) and still, it was not emphasized who he was. He was an almost mysterious character, but he was always there!

My point is this: I empathize with him, and I really like his personality, this only trusting what he wrote in his Memoirs (which I know are published in book format, but I haven't had the opportunity to acquire it), the Memoirs of Constant, and nothing else, because there is no record online (to my knowledge!) of letters written/sent by him/about him, and the only thing I can be sure he did wrote was his own Memoirs. Despite believing that everything in them is accurate, I do it blindly, because I understand that some events could be fabricated (such like most anecdotes about Moustache… yes, the dog). It is a complicated matter, but personally I do believe that what is written in it is legit. His motive for him abandoning Napoleon in his exile, being this the most questionable thing he did under his service? I also think it's legit, but this is just my opinion.

It must be that I'm really dumb, but I like to think about the idea of ​​this big, beefy and chubby bodyguard who everyone thinks is scary and savage (the Mamluk reputation), but is actually one of the sweetest, noblest, most charmingly innocent guys around the emperor. And his adventures with him, one of the most important men of the century! Yes, it's sweet.

Thanks again for your interest! Have a nice day! <3

[josefavomjaaga]

It’s not clear how old Roustam Raza was when (after the army’s return from Syria) he came into the service of general Bonaparte, but he must have been pretty young, probably still in his teens. And apparently, this had something to do with another teen in Bonaparte’s service. (Whom Roustam in his memoirs misspells as »Ugène«.)

Un jour, j'ai accompagné le sheik pour aller dîner chez le général Bonaparte: tout le monde était à table ; je traversai un petit salon où j'ai trouvé monsieur Eugène et deux autres personnes à table ; il m'ont présenté un bon verre de vin de Champagne, en me disant : «Bois, ça te fera pas du mal, c'est du bon de France!» J'ai bu, et je le trouvais très-bon. Ils m'ont forcé absolument boire un second verre.

Après le dîner, je monte à cheval avec le sheik pour retourner à la maison : il n'y avait que la place à traverser. El Bekri avait vingt-cinq Mameloucks. J'avais une gaité extraordinaire, par le vin de Champagne. Je faisais danser mon cheval à côté du sheik, comme un fou.

One day, I accompanied the sheik to General Bonaparte's house for dinner: everyone was at table; I went through a small living room where I found Monsieur Eugène and two other people at table; they presented me with a good glass of Champagne wine, telling me: "Drink it. It won't do you any harm, it's the Good of France". I drank it, and I thought it was very good. They absolutely forced me to drink a second glass.

After dinner, I rode with the sheik back to the house: there was only the place to cross. El Bekri had twenty-five Mamelukes. I was extraordinarily cheerful, because of the Champagne wine. I made my horse dance next to the sheik, like a madman.

This obviously led to a heated discussion with Roustam’s sheik (who, according to Roustam, used to have a booze-up himself every night and may just have been envious because he surely had not gotten any champagne at Bonaparte’s official reception). It did not help Roustam much when he denied having drunk wine and insisted it had only been »the Good of France«… In any case, after this incident, his sheik treating him badly, he was dead set on joining the French. Always go where the booze is.