Flowers, Swords and France

The looting that made the young Lieutenant Jérôme Bonaparte aggrieved actually originated from the orders of the supreme commanders of the allied forces. For these two marshals, allowing soldiers to loot was not just a way to replenish supplies. method is also a way to maintain morale.

Ever since they landed on the Crimean Peninsula, and to put it further, ever since the expeditionary force arrived in the Near East, one frustrating thing has happened one after another. The supply of supplies has been poor, diseases have spread, and the weather has also been annoying. As for the attrition of the coalition forces due to various reasons, it was actually several times more than the war casualties.

Under such circumstances, even the relatively healthy soldiers naturally held back a lot of bad energy.

In order to prevent this evil spirit from being vented to the top brass of the two armies, the two commanders discussed and issued an order to allow the army to requisition supplies locally - which is synonymous with allowing the army to loot.

In the eyes of these two commanders, as long as it does not affect the army's ability to move, the suffering of the local people caused by looting is nothing at all.

For Marshals Raglan and Marshal Treville, who had experienced the Napoleonic Wars that lasted for many years, military looting was never new, especially Marshal Treville, who followed the emperor's army around the European continent at that time. During the war, he visited almost every country. The emperor collected countless materials and works of art from every country, and he himself did not miss it. This is where his family property accumulation came from.

What really worries these two commanders is how to capture the fortress that is now standing in front of their army.

Yes, after defeating the Russian army on the banks of the Alma River, the British and French forces advanced all the way south, and finally stumped the southern part of the peninsula and basically surrounded the Sevastopol Fortress.

However, although the previous operations were very smooth, things were different next. The two coalition commanders were still at a loss as to how to capture it.

The last time Marshal Treville led his fleet to approach the fortress from the sea, he carefully observed the surrounding defenses and found that the fortifications were very dense and were built in accordance with the latest military engineering requirements. Very strong.

But now, he had led a large number of troops to approach the fortress from land, and at the same time he had the opportunity to hit the fortress at close range. He painfully discovered that his judgment was correct.

After the coalition forces arrived at the fortress, Marshal Treville launched several small-scale exploratory attacks. Then, without any suspense, he was unable to do anything in front of the bastions and trenches outside the fortress. After paying a lot of casualties, he made little progress and had to The attack was stopped and preparations were made for the next general attack on the fortress.

At this time, in the French military camp outside the city, Marshal Treville was staying in the tent of the military camp, frowning at the map on the table.

It was already early autumn, and the weather had become a little cooler. Compared with the hot summer, the environment had become much more comfortable. As a result, the old marshal's body became slightly better, and it also allowed him to have more fun. Spend more energy thinking about the next combat issues.

His fingers were drawing on the map, and the staff officers next to him were constantly marking the enemy's movements and troop allocations on different maps based on the intelligence continuously transmitted from various units. Their actions were all very thoughtful. , the tense rhythm of war can be seen at a glance.

On the map in front of him, along the lines that penetrate deep into the Sevastopol Harbor and the defensive forts therein, the British and French forces built a tight blockade in the north and south of the fortress, like sharp teeth that opened up and down. This dangerous and tightly surrounded fortress must be swallowed in one bite.

"In a few days, we will have to concentrate our forces and launch a general offensive from the northern front." After thinking for a long time, Marshal Treville said to a general next to him, "Your division will be responsible for the main offensive mission. I hope you can show your courage and set an adequate example for other troops.”

"We will use our blood and lives to pave the way for your victory, Your Excellency Marshal!" The general struck his chest with his hand and vowed to the Marshal, "Every unit under my command will rush forward. , Never retreat, if they are not defeated, I will lead my men and charge forward, and I must complete your mission!"

"Very good." Marshal Treville nodded, and then asked, "Are you feeling better now? Michelle?"

"Much better, Your Excellency Marshal." The general also laughed, "I am full of endless energy now. I really hope I can vent it to the Russians!"

After a pause, he smiled and bowed slightly to the marshal, "I also want to thank your granddaughter...she saved my life. Even for this kindness, I will fight for you." ”

This Michel is the commander of the 2nd Division, General Michel Ney, Duke of Elchingen, and the son of the famous Marshal Ney. As the son of an imperial patriarch, his status in the army is naturally extraordinary. After the empire was rebuilt, he became a general, and after the war began, he brought his troops to Crimea.

However, after arriving in Crimea, the originally ambitious Duke who wanted to do great things was struck down by the disease. He had to withdraw from the front line to recuperate due to cholera, and his condition once deteriorated to a critical point. .

Fortunately, at this time, Miss Treville came to Crimea with her medical volunteer team. Her volunteer team included some doctors with excellent medical skills, and they also had special effects on cholera and other plagues. Method, with their efforts, the epidemic in the army was slightly under control, and General Michel Ney finally recovered from his illness and returned to the war.

Because of this life-saving grace, the Duke of Elchingen was naturally very grateful to the Treville family. He originally admired the Marshal, an old man, and they had a very close relationship, and now they were even more respectful.

More importantly, when he was seriously ill, there were calls within the army to replace him as division commander, but the marshal ignored these calls and firmly supported him, and finally returned to the army after he recovered. , this kind of support made him even more grateful, and he wanted to repay the marshal.

Marshal Treville used these things to painstakingly accumulate his prestige and connections in the army. This was of course not only for himself, but also to prepare for his death.

After repeated assurances from the Duke of Elchingen, Marshal Treville and the staff officers began to carefully explain to him the deployment of troops after the launch of the general offensive and the artillery support. At this time, the marshal's adjutant George de Dilly Lieutenant Eon walked to the camp and informed the marshal that Marshal Raglan had sent an envoy.

Marshal Treville stopped what he was doing in confusion, and then came to another small compartment in the camp to receive the British officer.

After another ten minutes, the marshal came back with a strange expression.

"What's the matter, Your Excellency?" Duke Elchingen asked uneasily, fearing that something might happen.

"Our offensive must be temporarily stopped." Sure enough, just as he feared, Marshal Treville said in a low voice.

"Why?" The shocked Duke asked quickly.

"According to the reconnaissance of the British army, a Russian rescue force is heading south, preparing to attack their positions." The marshal replied in a low voice, "The current size of this army is unknown, but its strength should be relatively objective, so we cannot temporarily reduce the number of troops. Instead of investing in attacking the fortress, we should prepare to reinforce the British army. The fortress can only focus on defense now, so the previous plan should be scrapped. "

His tone sounded regretful, which was not surprising, because he had been preparing for this general attack on the fortress for a long time, and the entire plan was mixed with his efforts. It was a pity that it was abandoned like this.

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"This..." The general was stunned for a moment, and finally he could only sigh. "Well, if this is the only way, we will obey your order and temporarily terminate preparations for the attack."

"Michelle, don't be discouraged..." The marshal suddenly raised his head and patted the general on the shoulder, "Now you still have a chance to perform. Go and lead your troops to reinforce the British army. I hope you can Use all your previous determination in the next battle..."

"Is that so? That's great!" The general, who was already disappointed, was surprised and delighted after hearing this, and nodded repeatedly, "Okay, we'll get ready right away... Please believe me, we will definitely fight hard!"

For him, as long as there is a battle to fight, it doesn't matter where exactly. It can even be said that he would rather fight in the field to avoid the bloodshed and sacrifice of attacking fortified areas.

"Okay, in that case, go ahead and prepare." The marshal waved his hand a little tiredly, "I'm also going to Marshal Raglan to face the enemy with him."

After issuing the instructions, the French army began to deploy in an orderly manner according to the new plan, and Marshal Treville led his staff officers to the British position.

At this time, the British army's position was between the Khersones Peninsula and the Crimean steppe south of the Sevastopol Bay.

Here, there is a hilly area extending to the southwest from the mouth of the Black River that flows into the Sevastopol Bay. To the northwest of the hilly area, the terrain begins to slope gently down towards Sevastopol and toward the Balaklava coast. Most of the southeast side is covered with cliffs. Since the British army occupied this place, this place has been opened up by the British army into a temporary supply base due to the convenience of the natural port. It is very important to the British army and even to the entire coalition forces. Very important.

For the coalition forces occupying Khersones, this hilly area happens to be a natural defensive position and can be used to deal with any Russian army trying to relieve the siege. The Balaclava coast is surrounded by a series of extremely uneven highlands, which extend from the southern end of the above-mentioned hills to the east and west along the coast, and, like almost all Crimean hills, gradually slope to the northwest. , while the southeast side is a steep cliff. In the angle formed by these two groups of highlands is a slightly undulating plain, which gradually rises to the east and ends with a steep slope in the Black River Valley.

At this time, the Russian army's relief force also wanted to open a gap from here. For them, this could not only break the siege of the Sevastopol Fortress by the British and French coalition forces, but also greatly damage the coalition's supply lines. It can be said that It kills two birds with one stone.

It was precisely because of this that Marshal Treville decided to give up all other plans and use all his strength to meet this incoming enemy force.

For them, the Russian army's movement was unexpected, but also in their plan. They originally wanted to use the siege to attract the main force of the Russian army to rescue, and then use field battles to severely damage their troops, and finally make the Russian Tsar unable to bear the losses and ask for peace with Britain and France.

So, in the daytime, the two armies began to move with their own thoughts, preparing for a new round of fighting.

The wilderness on this peninsula will usher in a new bloody day, and both Marshal Treville and Marshal Raglan themselves, as well as the officers and soldiers below, are convinced that victory will continue to belong to them, just like before.