tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2591229843590982581.post6359234825733283907..comments2024-03-28T11:28:58.010-07:00Comments on JJ's Wargames: Charging against Wellington- Book Reviewcarojonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11826580638291659193noreply@blogger.comBlogger4125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2591229843590982581.post-31713468981002992662013-09-23T03:22:40.922-07:002013-09-23T03:22:40.922-07:00Sounds very interesting JonathanSounds very interesting JonathanPaulalbahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03482911273863430204noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2591229843590982581.post-17206860577433202072013-09-21T19:48:37.161-07:002013-09-21T19:48:37.161-07:00Thanks for a useful review.Thanks for a useful review.Jacksarge Paintinghttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09859137774361915594noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2591229843590982581.post-36053034190198660302013-09-21T06:45:43.614-07:002013-09-21T06:45:43.614-07:00Very interesting Robert, thanks for your thoughts....Very interesting Robert, thanks for your thoughts.<br /><br />I would just add that it wasn't just the British who manipulated opinion about their opponents, their French counterparts also had form in that area, made more acute given the restrictions on the press in France. Their is no doubt that Kellermann was a slick operator, given the coup he pulled off with the Convention of Cintra, although he may have had less success negotiating with Wellesley.<br /><br />The charge against Kellerman was actually levelled by Napoleon, not the British, in a letter quoted in the book that he wrote to Marshal Berthier on 17th September 1810, after it came to light that he was letting Spanish officers buy their release at "a going rate of 3 - 4,000 gold reals". Marshal Ney reporting that 40 prisoners in Cuidad Rodrigo had paid 24,000 reals, each, for their freedom.<br /><br />To qoute from Napoleon's letter "in his government, at Valladolid, for instance, even the liberation of prisoners of war is sold. Tell him that I consider him responsible for abuses which are so opposed to the well being and the interests of the army".<br /><br />Burnham's account, with referenced sources, goes on to state that in April 1811 a Council of State investigated General Kellermann's conduct. He was relieved of command and recalled to France in May, not being given another command until 1813, probably because by then Napoleon was in desperate need of experienced commanders.<br /><br />Burnham does make reference to Kellermann's illness in 1812, but seems to suggest that it was rather a convenient time to fall ill given the cloud he was under. Perhaps we will never know the validity of that situation.<br /><br />You will find the book has a lot of information with an extensive list of references at the back. I hope you find it gives you some new insights.<br />carojonhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11826580638291659193noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2591229843590982581.post-3312879661230972352013-09-21T05:53:45.054-07:002013-09-21T05:53:45.054-07:00Kellermann was hated and feared by the British and...Kellermann was hated and feared by the British and rightly so. He was perhaps the best cavalryman of the era with stunning performances at Marengo, Austerlitz, Alba de Tormes and Quatre Bras to mention a few, and a very good diplomat, having served in the French embassy in the US where he perfected his English. After Vimeiro he got the English to let the French return to France on British ships with the Treaty of Cintra. <br /><br />The British have a nasty habit of lying about opponents they fear and dislike in order to belittle them in the eyes of the world. That said, as many officers, he was also a first class liberator of the better things in life. His one transgression was he wasn't afraid to tell Napoleon what he thought. He was recalled to France not for corruption as the British claim but to take command of a corps in the Russian campaign. In the event an illness put him on the shelf in 1812. I don't know the circumstances but I would not be surprised were Montbrun also recalled for the same reason. Indeed he was killed at Borodino leading a cavalry corps.<br /><br />I will nevertheless read the book though with a jaundiced eye.<br /><br />Robert Coggins Anonymousnoreply@blogger.com