The Son of the Emperor

With war waging in Europe, events were often forgotten that didn’t involve the latest battle or change of flag over control of the Caribbean and South America. French control of the Caribbean islands under control of Britain had for about a month been secured, with most recently British and Dutch Guyana being occupied by the end of September. Little goods news could be reported in India, where the minute garrison at Pondicherry had quickly been overrun by a dominant British-led Indian force.

Though India was Britain’s one bright highlight of the war, it would not change the fact that the wind was now blowing in a new direction. In Scotland and Ireland clamors for reform and possible independence from England were picking up in volume. Inquires had been sent by both countries into the possibility of French intervention, but the replies were unpromising. Emperor Napoleon II, with advice from generals and admirals did not see the benefit of squandering desperately needed resources away from the main objective. Although military aid was not promised, France would recognize Ireland and Scotland as new nations if they were to declare their independence.


The least of London’s problems right now was the clamor for independence within Ireland and Scotland. Shortly after the battle of Brighton, the Imperial Guard began marching towards London. The only force evenly remotely possible of delaying the triumphant march of Bonaparte forces into London was James Hamilton’s forces which had been reinforced to about 25,000 soldiers after his last trumping at Brighton. On September 14th, Jacques Foch’s Imperial Guard forced Hamilton’s forces into battle outside of Oxford. The forces were about equal with Hamilton having 25,495 compared to Foch’s 24,468, though the battle was lopsided. The end result witnessed 10,974 British losses compared to 3,428 French – the march to London would be unopposed now.

The arrival of the French flag on the outskirts of London began widespread panic within the city, as the better off citizens and government fled to the safety of the north. On October 2nd Marshal Foch reached Buckingham Palace, only to find out that Queen Victoria had fled city a mere three hours before. The war was effectively over, and any additional gains were adding prestige to the position of France in the treaty discussions underway at Brest. One such event that would further the prestige of the nation, but had no outcome on the war was on November 2nd. At the battle of Luneburg, the Hanoverian army ran out of room to escape the massive French army. In a battle that pursued, 5,530 of the 12,000 Hanoverians were killed, the remaining captured.


On November 8th, the Treaty of Brest was signed; it was a humiliating blow to the British nation. Initially French claims were going to be cornered to the Caribbean and South America; however with further embarrassment of the British nation at the battles of Brighton and Oxford, and increased revolutionary activity in Ireland and Scotland, French claims were increased. Britain refused the demands for transfer of ownership over Gibraltar and Ceylon province of India; however with the seizure of London announced at Brest in mid-October, the delegation realized the possibilities of better terms were nigh. Insult to injury would be added a month after the Treaty of Brest was signed when Ireland and Scotland declared their independence from Britain; however they chose to remain cordial to London.


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The heir apparent, Prince Philippe had begun his military training under the first regiment of the Imperial Guard in the fall of 1845, as a mere cadet officer. With the declaration of war against England in the early days of 1846, the Prince Imperial was transferred to the house regiment assigned to the protection of the residence of the Imperial Family. Emperor Napoleon II thought that war was no place for a ten year old child or an inviting place for the heir apparent of the Napoleonic Empire. The young Prince quickly grew over the disappointment caused by being stuck within Versailles as he was always welcomed and encouraged to attend the near daily military councils held in his father’s studies.

On December 30th, with much delight, the young Prince marched with Marshal Foch through Paris with the returning troops of the Imperial Guard. The parade continued from the early hours of the day till late afternoon, when a marvelous display of fireworks and great feast was enjoyed at the Arc de Triumph. With Foch back in town, the young Prince returned to the Imperial Guards and continued the daily routine of a military life. While Prince Philippe practiced the military lifestyle of his father, the younger Prince Joseph was being tutored by the great minds of Europe in math, languages, and science. The Princess of the family, the now sixteen year old Marie Louise a great beauty and began attracting the attention of Europe’s royal families that thought to further align themselves with France.

When the spring of 1847 came, both Princes eagerly paid great attention to the recently declared protectorate over the remains of Morocco. The primary reason for the declaration of protectorate over the state was because of the meddling affairs of the crowns of Spain and Portugal; which sought to regain glory by additional conquests within Africa. The assigned force was overwhelming, 36,000 French cavalry, divided into two corps of 18,000 each with three corps of 9,000 colonial infantry further reinforcing the already more numerically superior force. Though protest was received from Lisbon and Madrid, no other European capital within their right minds would dare question the will of Paris.


In Saint Petersburg, the Russians had misjudged Paris’s intention and declared war against Prussia; which brought frustration to Napoleon’s plans. With the Russians intentions on Prussia unclear, Paris began a diplomatic game to contain its ally. Pressure was applied to Istanbul for a declaration of war against Saint Petersburg; which soon followed under the pretense that the Ottoman’s would not wage war to defend Prussia from France’s future aggression. Another diplomatic letter was sent to Stockholm to inform the nation of Napoleon’s attention was not directed at her, but rather Prussia.

With both allies of significance dealt with, the Imperial Guard, with Emperor Napoleon II along with Prince Philippe and Prince Joseph accompanying Marshal Foch set off towards the border with Prussia. Already amassed along the border with Prussia was an army already numbering 150,000 strong; far stronger than what the Prussians were estimated at being capable of fielding against France. The declaration of war would arrive on Berlin on September 23rd, 1847, with French troops already securing the first towns of the border provinces.


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