#alexandre berthier

[captainknell]

*BOOK REPORT*

By Command of the Emperor, by SJ Watson

(my copy is plain and blue, but I'm guessing it once had a book jacket like the one on the right)

I initially did not know very much about Marshal Berthier but through @gabrielferaud I began to learn of the abuse he endured from Napoleon and I remembered I had this book.

I was surprised to learn that Berthier was 16 years older than our Emperor, and already had an accomplished life before Napoleon came into the picture.

In 1779,

Alexandre was now twenty-six years old. He had served as a topographical engineer, as a lieutenant in the infantry, and as a cavalry captain; and he was now on the personal staff of an army commander.

By the next year, he was serving overseas under General Rochambeau in the American Revolution alongside Washington and La Fayette! After three years in America, he returned to France.

And so Berthier - a cadet at the age of twelve, a general at thirty-nine and a private at forty - quietly resigned himself to the end of his military career, the more so because he had never held any personal ambitions other than to do his best.

Berthier would have been better off if he had retired at forty and had never met Napoleon Bonaparte. He would have disappeared into obscurity, but fate would have different plans. Alternately, Napoleon was very lucky to have found Berthier. I'm going to go out on a limb and say without Berthier, Napoleon wouldn't have been anywhere near as successful as he was. Yes, he was a great general, a great leader, a genius, but he needed someone who could understand his intentions and make sure his plans were executed with precision. That man was Alexandre Berthier.

For 18 years, Berthier served Napoleon. He was the chief of staff and the first to be made a Marshal of France under Napoleon. He endured Napoleon's temper and unjust scorn. Napoleon called him, "Uninteresting" and "no good" and "in the way". Napoleon hardly ever let Berthier take credit for his success but was quick to blame his own faults on Berthier. But Berthier was loyal through and through. When warned of Napoleon's temper early on, he said, "But remember that one day it will be a fine thing to be second to that man."

It was a very good book with only two things I thought were odd. 1) Napoleon forced Berthier to marry and it was later mentioned that he had two young sons. Nothing was mentioned about his wife being pregnant or the birth of his sons, or even their names. 2) Berthier died from a fall out of a window. The book implied that he was dizzy and fell out or that Caulaincourt (his friend!) had him murdered. I think he either fell or jumped on his own. I don't think anyone - especially Caulaincourt - had anything to do with it.

But all in all, it was a very good and informative book. I learned a lot about Marshal Berthier and saw another side of Napoleon that I am not used to seeing. Like with most books that aren't a general biography of Napoleon, I would definitely suggest having some background knowledge as things that are going on are not always explained fully.

[archivesaix-sna]

28 novembre 1799

Réponse du citoyen Ministre de la Guerre Alexandre Berthier aux plaintes des habitants d'Aix sur l'occupation de la place d'Aix et les taxes forcées

Source : Bibliothèque Patrimoniale Méjanes Classement : Affiches anciennes Cote : Aff. 1799.11.28

Lien : cliquer ici

[josefavomjaaga]

I don't believe that Berthier ever promised to "never desert" Napoleon. What weird promise would that be at a moment when Napoleon himself told the army and its officers to pledge allegiance to the Bourbons? Does not make any sense.

And Berthier had grown up under the Bourbons, plus he had had a front seat during Napoleon's wild ride into disaster over the last 24 months. His joy at seeing a new guy at the head of affairs may have been genuine?

Savary can’t believe it

Savary was a spectator as King Louis XVIII entered Paris…

Will it be believed that the marshals were headed by that very Berthier who has been so often mentioned in the course of these Memoirs? He addressed the King on behalf of the marshals, and said, “that France having groaned for the last twenty-five years under the weight of the misfortunes which oppressed her, had looked forward to the happy day which now shone upon her,�� although not a week had yet elapsed since he promised the Emperor at Fontainebleau never to desert him. Could Berthier, his companion in arms, the friend whom he had selected to proceed to Vienna and marry the daughter of the Emperor of Austria in his name — could he so far forget himself? Nevertheless, he was really attached to the sovereign he was insulting in this manner: he was paying a tribute to his weakness of character, and to the delirium of that period, without ceasing to cherish and to pity the benefactor whose misfortune he had not the courage to share. 

[…]

The people at large, who have a more correct sense of propriety than is generally supposed, were unsparing in their censure of Berthier. I repeatedly heard the crowd cry out to him, “Go to the island of Elba, Berthier! go to Elba! “

—Memoirs of the duc de Rovigo (René Savary), v.4, p.184  

[i1dolace]

Part 1 of Napoleonic Irasutoya stickers (also way better made than the original ones I posted on TikTok a while ago lmao)

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Characters in order if you can’t tell :3

Napoleon and Josephine

Marshal Bessieres

General Junot

Marshal Berthier

Marshal Davout

Marshal Lannes

[cedyat]

Naps and the gang once PETA comes knocking

[isa-ko]

Drew some art requests from instagram friends to help stop soult-spam drawings (1/2)

They were so fun to draw. I need to draw other ppl besides soult and mortier again

[hoppityhopster23]

Late to the game but I’m adding because why not.

62. Don’t ask Larrey why he came to the treatment he’s using on the wounded. It’s all the right things for all the wrong reasons.

63. It’s not worth being neutral. Believe me, cities have been bombed horrendously for being neutral. If you do plan on it doing it anyways, just beat the British to it and blow up your own ships.

64. If involved in an affair with the Danish king, don’t bother cheating on him or try to run off. You may get exiled. But why should you? He pays well, and any kids with the guy will live richly.

65. Don’t speak badly of religion or the monarchy in Denmark. You may find yourself permanently exiled.

66. Don’t ask the Danish monarch about the lack of mailboxes in his kingdom. Just don’t.

67. What happens Danish officer parties stays in the Officers parties.

68. Please don't put the French and Russian Peacocks in a room. we don't need to watch that.

69. If Larrey needs something, he will tell you, no matter the time it is or what you are doing.

Napoleonic War Survival Tips for the French Army

1. Don’t refer to Marshal Murat’s uniform as “peacock wear” within earshot of him.

2. When Napoleon pulls out a map, don’t ask, “Are we lost?”

3. If your cannonball doesn’t quite reach the enemy lines, just blame the wind. Or Berthier.

4. Don’t accidentally toast “To King Louis” at an officers’ dinner. Ever.

5. Avoid playing cards with Marshal Lannes – unless you enjoy losing your entire month’s pay.

6. Foraging in enemy territory: Always ask what’s in the stew before you eat it.

7. If you’re sent to negotiate peace, don’t open with, “Our emperor said this would be easy.”

8. During winter campaigns, remember: snowballs do not replace musket balls.

9. Don’t try to outdo Napoleon in recalling historical battles. You’ll lose.

10. If Napoleon is inspecting the troops, resist the urge to ask, “Is it true you’re shorter than Murat?”

11. Never, under any circumstances, suggest that Wellington’s redcoats “don’t look so tough.”

12. If Marshal Ney orders a charge, just assume it’s going to last until nightfall.

13. Do not ask Marshal Davout if his nickname Iron Marshal comes from his cooking.

14. If your bayonet charge fails, remember: retreat is just “advancing in the opposite direction.”

15. If someone says “This mission is simple,” expect nothing but complications.

16. In case of defeat, remember: it’s always the Austrians’ fault. Even if they aren’t there.

17. During peace negotiations, “bombing their latrines” is not considered a formal strategy.

18. If you happen to capture a British officer, refrain from gloating by saying, “See you in Paris!”

19. When bivouacked near rivers, don’t bet on crossing without some form of disaster.

20. Finally, do not point the cannons at the Emperor’s tent, even as a joke. Especially not as a joke.

[mvchiavelli]

Perfumes PART 2 IS HEREEE after months of procrastination...

I swear fragrantica loves me by now, and also the random style change at the end was so random guys I swear..also I didn't realize how much beef there was lmao, and uh please don't attack me guys these are just for fun plzzz

also I'm praying the quality here is decent omggg

[kririawhahha]

Instead of rewriting my notes for math I sat on twinote making random images of the sillies 😓

for some stupid reason nowadays tumblr wont load and all I see are blurred images and loading screens this is absolutely outrageous 😡😡

[itz-skyline]

Happy birthday day to Berthier, Napoleon's wife!

And here is a meme as an extra gift

[bambooale]

📚Reading notes with drawing📚

《Each marshal has his own strengths🤣》

[captainknell]

Happy birthday Marshal Berthier! November 20, 1753

[meneeddeadmenyaoi]

happy late halloween🎃

[scourgiez]

berthier in ur style sounds so awesome,,,,

My first time drawing Napoleon's workwife 🫶

[dinakisss]

Marshal studies

Guys I had to delete the other post cause I realized fuckass tumblr cut off oudinot and davout!🤬🤬🤬

[thealexanderi]

Hi