Thank you for visiting SNEWPapers!
Sign up free
The National Intelligencer And Washington Advertiser
Washington, District Of Columbia
What is this article about?
Napoleon, in a letter dated September 7, 1809, from Schoenbrunn, accuses the governor of Flushing of failing to inundate Walcheren and surrendering prematurely to British forces without significant assault. He orders War Minister Count de Hunneburg to convene a council of inquiry including Counts Asoville, Rampoildo, Sengis, and Vice Admiral Thevenard to investigate potential treachery or cowardice.
Clipping
OCR Quality
Full Text
Letter of His Majesty the Emperor and King.
"Count de Hunneburg, our war minister has sent accounts which have been laid before him containing the following assertions:—The governor commanding at Flushing is stated not to have executed the order which we had given him, of opening the dykes and inundating the island of Walcheren, as soon as a superior hostile force should have disembarked on its shores. He is moreover accused of having surrendered the place which we had entrusted to his care, not only before the enemy had crossed the moat, and when no breach had been effected in the ramparts which remained whole. and in consequence had not once been stormed, but even when the trenches of the enemy were at a distance of 150 toises from the town, and he had still 4000 men in arms capable of doing duty. In a word, Flushing is stated to have surrendered through the first effects of a bombardment. Should all this be true. the governor would be guilty; and it would remain only to ascertain, whether his conduct ought to be attributed to treachery or to cowardice.
"We send you this letter, in order that as soon as you shall have received it, you would collect a council for enquiry, which will be composed of count Asoville, senator; count Rampoildo, vice admiral Thevenard, and count Sengis, 1st inspector general of artillery. All the pieces which will be found in the offices of your ministry, and those of the navy, interior policy, or any other department, respecting the surrender of Flushing, not only as far as they may relate to its defence, but to any object which may concern our service shall be conveyed to the council to be laid before them. with the result of this enquiry.
"This letter having no other end, we pray God that he may have you, count de Hunneburg, in his holy keeping.
Given in our Imperial Camp at Schoenbrunn, Sept. 7. 1809
(Signed) NAPOLEON
The Minister Secretary of State,
(Signed) H.B. MARET."
What sub-type of article is it?
What keywords are associated?
What entities or persons were involved?
Where did it happen?
Foreign News Details
Primary Location
Flushing
Event Date
Sept. 7, 1809
Key Persons
Outcome
surrender of flushing after initial bombardment; inquiry ordered into governor's potential treachery or cowardice
Event Details
Napoleon accuses the unnamed governor of Flushing of disobeying orders to inundate Walcheren island upon enemy landing and surrendering the intact fortress prematurely, with 4000 men still able to fight and enemy trenches 150 toises away. He instructs Count de Hunneburg to form a council with specified members to investigate using all relevant documents from various ministries.