Empire's Eagles by Thomas E. Crocker

Author:Thomas E. Crocker
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Prometheus
Published: 2020-12-10T00:00:00+00:00

The document goes on to describe the measures taken as a consequence of these concerns. First, four officers from the royal bodyguard are disguised “under the name and uniform of the royal Grenadiers of La roche- Jacquelin [sic]” to keep the prisoner in view at all times. Second, a detachment of 50 are charged with guarding the immediately nearby avenues and the entrance to the prison. This detachment is divided into two equal companies wearing blue uniforms, one company of 25 young officers of the royal guard and the other of 25 officers of any grade having served in different armies during the Revolution under the flags of princes or in royal units.

The four “Grenadiers” in disguise then visited Ney’s cell to inspect its security along with the governor of the Luxembourg Palace, M. de Semonville, and the commandant of the palace, M. de Montigny, who was under his orders. They observed and reported on the weakness of barriers to escape spaced too far apart on the exterior of the building and the feebleness of the wicket gates on the interior, which would allow “the least adroit man to escape without much trouble.” Security had to be tightened before Ney could be transferred.

On November 21, the two companies of guards inspected the room prepared for Ney, which had hitherto been the office of the chief palace archivist. They found the room to be well lit and furnished “decently” with a bed with blue taffeta curtains and armchairs upholstered in blue velvet. But the decor was ancillary, as the Journal noted that “the most exact discipline” prevailed among the guards. They were to be isolated in their communications, not only with the outside but also with other parts of the palace. Each company was to alternate twice a day in taking meals downstairs and returning to guard duty “without taking the tiniest excursion in the courtyard or garden.”

Ney was transferred to the Luxembourg Palace in the dead of night—at 2:25 a.m. on November 22 and with the four disguised Grenadiers riding in the coach with him. Such was the fear of an escape attempt. Once there, security was tightened even further, according to the Journal. One hundred and twenty veteran soldiers occupied the vestibule of the palace and furnished 10 details to guard the corridors and staircases leading to the Chamber of Peers. Another contingent of 50 soldiers guarded the area of the palace housing Ney and were placed at various strategic points in the building. One of the Grenadiers was posted between two wicket gates from which he could observe through a barred dormer window all that was going on in the prisoner’s room, while another Grenadier was locked in the room with the marshal. With the exception of the turnkey, no one else entered the room except when in the presence of M. de Montigny or one of the heads of the archives. The Journal notes on November 22, “The individuals admitted up to now” are Ney’s two lawyers and his wife, whom he was allowed to see alone on the express order of M.

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