He Became Napoleon’S Genius Son [EN]: Chapter 181

(181) The Birth of the First Female Soldiers on the Egyptian Expedition

In the late 18th century, at the dawn of the modern era, war was largely considered a man’s domain.

Indeed, to a considerable extent, that remains true even today, but at least female soldiers are officially recognized.

However, in the late 18th century, a formal female military organization was nonexistent.

Yet, strangely enough, there were quite a few women accompanying early modern armies.

These were unofficial personnel providing food, trading goods, and sometimes engaging in prostitution.

Napoleon’s Italian Legion had largely excluded these unofficial camp followers due to its need for mobility for a considerable period.

However, camp followers still existed in garrisons.

This was a [reality] that Eugene acknowledged but chose to overlook.

However, the Egyptian expedition fleet was embarking on a long-distance conquest.

Thus, unofficial camp followers, who tended to be locally oriented, were excluded from the expedition fleet.

If needed, they could probably be recruited locally in Egypt.

So, originally, there shouldn’t have been any women on this fleet.

Except for Pauline, who had stowed away.

“But why are there women besides Pauline!” Eugene exclaimed aboard the flagship L’Orient.

This ship was a much larger ship-of-the-line than Eugene’s Horus.

Typically, a ship-of-the-line is a two-decked vessel equipped with around 70 guns.

This trend started in France, but equipping more than 80 guns made long-distance voyages difficult, so 74 guns became the standard.

However, L’Orient was a massive four-decked vessel, a large ship-of-the-line built shortly after the revolution.

The number of cannons totaled 120.

The ship had a crew of at least 700.

Of course, the number of people currently on this large ship is approximately 1200.

Why?

Because it includes women not listed on the military roster.

The commander of Eugene’s direct division, Marceau, scratched his head and said.

“They’re claiming to be lovers or wives, Eugene.”

“Marceau! Why did you bring Angélique?”

“What could I do? Angélique said she absolutely couldn’t let me go so far away alone. Besides, I’m not the only one, am I?”

Marceau, with an embarrassed face, hugged his wife Angélique tightly as he answered.

“That’s right, I came too, you know?”

This was clearly the flagship of the Egyptian expedition fleet.

The captain of the flagship was Luc-Julien Casabianca, a Corsican and a loyalist to Napoleon.

However, the true leader of the fleet was naturally not the flagship captain but the commander.

Commander Hoche stood behind Eugene.

Along with Désirée, who was smiling very gently.

Unable to get angry at Désirée, Eugene shouted at Hoche.

“Hoche!”

“Such disrespect from a chief of staff to his commander.”

“This is a matter of military discipline!”

At that moment, Hoche clicked his tongue and asked Eugene.

“Eugene, are you still a virgin?”

Eugene, who had never cared about commanders or anything else, was taken aback for the first time.

Of course, it was true, but he never expected to be attacked like this.

But what’s wrong with a minor being a virgin?

Even though the original historical modern France was a paradise of sexuality, is inexperience a target of criticism?

In fact, it really is.

“Wh, wh, what are you talking about?”

“He’s right.”

“Wow, still a virgin at that age? I lost mine much earlier.”

As Hippolyte and Marceau sneered, Hoche nodded solemnly.

“That’s why you don’t understand. Satisfying desires in a male-dominated military is a very important issue! It’s better to have lovers than to send soldiers to brothels!”

Eugene was speechless at the utterly brazen words.

Even Désirée, who was next to Hoche, blushed.

However, strangely enough, Marceau’s wife, Angélique, nodded.

“That’s right. It’s better for soldiers to be accompanied by lovers than to rape civilians.”

“Madam Marceau, that is something to be severely punished.”

“Please don’t underestimate human wickedness so easily, General Bonaparte.”

Angélique, who had once run to survive the hell of Vendée, stared intently at Eugene.

“Soldiers will do anything if they go crazy. All the wives on this fleet came along because they were worried about that.”

On the other hand, Désirée’s complexion turned pale, as if she wasn’t quite prepared for that level of resolve.

In fact, most of the women probably came simply because they didn’t want to be separated from their lovers or husbands.

Of course, the stowaway Pauline seems to have boarded to win over her lover.

In the end, this fleet violated three taboos.

It defied the sailors’ superstition that it is dangerous for women to be on board, it violated the military law that women should not accompany the military without permission, and it violated the most basic issue of the authorized number of personnel.

In a moment of utter disbelief, Eugene rubbed his forehead, and Hoche earnestly said.

“Eugene, this expedition is a long-distance one. Moreover, we are going to conquer a place that is not even in Europe.”

“Even so, this is causing disruption to the voyage right now.”

“What about after we arrive? Are you suggesting that all these soldiers and sailors should go to Egyptian brothels? This is a practical problem, Eugene.”

Looking at the commander’s guards and their lovers filling the flagship Orient, Eugene fell silent.

The fleet of 400 ships had already departed from Brindisi long ago.

If they turned back to send the women back, what would become of the expeditionary force?

But conversely, if they took these women along, would the women be safe in the war?

The French army would have to face pre-modern Mamluk soldiers.

Their military culture included raping and killing prisoners, regardless of gender.

In fact, there are records of French expeditionary soldiers who were separated from their units being raped and murdered in the original historical timeline.

In an instant, Pauline approached Eugene with a bright smile.

“Is that so? Shall I solve it for you, our chief of staff?”

In the end, Eugene couldn’t hold back his anger.

“I don’t need your help!”

The Egyptian expedition began with an unexpected obstacle from the very first step.

***

Moreover, the Mediterranean is by no means a good sea for sailing ships.

“Ugh! The wind is too strong! Why is the ship shaking so much!” The chief of staff’s adjutant, Hippolyte, screamed, vomiting at the end of the deck.

On the other hand, Eugene was sitting calmly at a table on the deck, not in the cabin.

He was not much affected by seasickness.

Of course, he had to rearrange the chess pieces in front of him when it shook too much.

Suddenly, General Kléber, who was moving the chess pieces, glanced at Hippolyte.

“The navy is not for him, Brigadier General Hippolyte.”

“Even though he’s been to the Atlantic, he’s still like that.”

“The Mediterranean can be more bizarre than the Atlantic. I’ve only heard about it, but Admiral Brueys says the Atlantic has more consistent winds.”

Of course, Kléber, who had lived his whole life as an army man, couldn’t be proficient in naval matters.

In fact, Eugene had entrusted the sailing entirely to Admiral Brueys and the Mediterranean fleet.

Even on the Horus he was currently on, Robert Surcouf had full authority over the voyage.

“Hmm, I need to finish this chess game before the wind gets stronger. Huh?”

Suddenly, Kléber, who was about to move a piece, smiled at Eugene.

He saw that Eugene’s gaze was directed elsewhere, not at the chessboard.

It was towards Pauline.

She seemed to have adapted to the ship and was chatting with the soldiers.

Then, sensing Eugene’s gaze, she turned and waved.

As Eugene quickly turned his head away, Kléber clicked his tongue and asked.

“Don’t you like her that much?”

“Isn’t it obvious, General Kléber? We’re going to fight for our lives, and there are lovers and wives. And even a stowaway!”

“Women always follow the army. Ah, not for the reason you’re thinking.”

General Kléber, who had a long career as a mercenary, counted on his fingers.

“Laundry, meals, and medical care. All of this is the responsibility of the women’s corps.”

In the original historical modern era, the army has cooks, supply units, and military doctors.

However, in the late 18th century, these specialized divisions were still weak.

Therefore, middle-aged women who followed the army often helped with the soldiers’ laundry and meals, and received payment for it.

Eugene knew this to some extent, and he had often seen it during the Italian expedition.

But wasn’t this expedition a long-distance one?

Just as Eugene was frowning, a red-faced military doctor wandered around on the deck and shouted.

“That’s right! In short, a non-combat unit! Very important! The great generals don’t know it!”

“What is it, Brigadier General Larrey? Are you drunk?”

“I have no choice but to drink! There’s nothing to enjoy during this voyage except alcohol! Anyway, we need manpower too. Strangely, there are many wounded soldiers! Even though there’s no battle!”

Larrey’s hygiene regiment was also participating in this expedition.

In fact, it was the unit that Eugene was most concerned about in this expedition.

This was because one of the reasons Napoleon’s Egyptian expedition failed in the original historical timeline was infectious diseases.

Although he couldn’t create things like antibiotics, he intended to systematically take care of hygiene and medical care at least.

However, Larrey complained that there were many wounded soldiers on each ship even before the battle had started.

In fact, it was because army soldiers who were not familiar with the ship were injured by hitting the ship’s side.

The number of medics was not very large, and there were 400 ships including transport ships, so Larrey seemed to be quite struggling.

Seeing Larrey, who was drunk to relieve stress, Eugene smiled.

“We’ll be fighting soon.”

“Huh? Where? Have we arrived in Egypt already?”

“No. We’re going to arrive at an intermediate stopover.”

Eugene glanced slightly to the south and said.

“Malta.”

At that moment, the sound of gunfire echoed through the sky.

-Swoosh, Bang!

The sailors who had been leisurely playing until then stood up all at once.

Soldiers ran busily across the deck, pulling sails and ropes.

The captain, Robert Surcouf, who had been leisurely, shouted.

“Lower the main sail! Raise only the auxiliary sails! Turn and assess the situation!”

Even the veteran general Kléber was surprised.

“Already, an attack! I need to tell them to deploy the fleet’s formation. What ship was Admiral Brueys on?”

“The Marie-Louise. But don’t be surprised, General. It’s just a warning shot.”

“What? Who?”

The Marie-Louise.

It was the name that Eugene had jokingly given in Toulon in the past.

After the Mediterranean fleet was preserved thanks to Eugene, it was a name left as a memorial.

Seeing the fleet’s command ship, the Marie-Louise, taking the lead, Eugene smiled.

“The Knights of Saint John, commonly known as the Knights of Malta.”

In the distance, the island of [Malta], located south of Sicily, was visible.

***

The Knights of Saint John, none other than a relic of the medieval Crusades.

“All ships, commence firing!”

The 33 ships-of-the-line formed a line at once.

In fact, the name ship-of-the-line itself comes from the tactics of forming a line and firing.

It was a tradition that originated in the era when England and the Netherlands were fighting naval battles in the 17th century.

Warships that used artillery battles as their main attack method instead of close combat.

The flowers of early modern naval warfare, the giant ships-of-the-line, fired their cannons all at once.

-Bang! Bang! Bang!

The shells directly hit the Knights of Malta’s fortress, [Rohan].

This island of Malta is a small island that the Knights have ruled since 1530.

In the original historical modern era, it is famous as a tax haven, but until this time, it was still ruled by the Knights of Saint John, a remnant of the Crusades.

They were a military force that fought against Islamic pirates, but they were also a relic of the Middle Ages.

What I mean is that the fortress itself was a citadel built in the 16th century.

When the ships-of-the-line fired all at once, they couldn’t even think of defending properly.

Soon, a white flag was raised, and the soldiers began landing operations all at once.

“Let’s go! We’ll be the first to seize Malta!” Junot shouted excitedly and ran ashore.

Behind him, Lasalle, Champot, and Joubert led their cavalry out of the transport ships.

Originally, in the original historical timeline, Napoleon started the expedition with infantry as the main force without cavalry.

However, Eugene deliberately expanded the deployment of transport ships and brought 3,000 cavalry.

The cavalry, who had set foot on land for the first time in a while, were seen happily roaming around Malta.

Eugene, watching the scene through a telescope on the ship-of-the-line Horus, nodded.

“Good. Malta can be occupied in two days.”

“Huh? Aren’t you being too optimistic? The Knights of Malta are famous as the ruthless knights of the Mediterranean?”

“That would be a story from 200 years ago. At that time, the strongest in Europe was the Ottoman Empire.”

In fact, in the original historical timeline, Napoleon landed on Malta during his voyage to Egypt.

After that, it took Napoleon only three days to conquer Malta.

One of those days was spent landing.

Now, he had made much more preparations than in the original historical timeline, so the battle couldn’t be difficult.

Eugene was casually looking at the battle situation when his eyes widened.

“Wait, where’s Pauline?”

He had definitely seen her next to the soldiers before the battle started.

He hadn’t paid attention, but could Pauline have fallen off the ship?

As he hurriedly looked around the Horus, an unexpected sight came into Eugene’s eyes.

Larrey, Angélique, and Pauline were running around with the medics.

“Here, we need to treat the wounded! You idiot! How did you get hit by friendly fire, not enemy fire?”

“Bandage! Bring a bandage! There’s an injured person here!”

“We need water. Is it below deck? I’ll get it!”

It seemed that some soldiers were injured by being hit by shrapnel.

But why were Angélique and Pauline treating the soldiers, let alone Larrey?

Eugene grabbed Pauline, who was running to get water.

“Pauline, what are you doing? Go down below right now!”

No matter how one-sided the battle is, it’s different from peacetime.

It is a common rule in the East and West that civilians go down to the cabin and wait.

However, Napoleon’s sister, Pauline, stared blankly at Eugene without any fear.

“What are you talking about? Can’t you see I’m treating the wounded?”

“No, why are you doing that, Pauline!”

“I learned some first aid at a convent school. I’m not doing it without knowing anything. And I’m your aunt, nephew!”

Before Eugene could grab Pauline again, she quickly took the water and went back.

Come to think of it, it’s not just Pauline who’s moving.

The women whom Eugene thought were stowaways, the soldiers’ lovers, were running around.

There seemed to be no order, but the treatment itself seemed to be more meticulous than the soldiers’.

Suddenly, Hippolyte stood next to Eugene and whistled.

“Wow, not bad? The wives seem to be better than the medics. Are Larrey’s subordinates only good at amputation?”

“Nurse corps.”

“Huh?”

Eugene, who was staring intently at the scene, suddenly said with a glint in his eyes.

“That’s right, if we organize those stowaways into soldiers, a system will be created. If we create a female military unit, it will be solved?”

In the original historical modern era, there is a system called nurse officers.

Nurses who assist doctors are commissioned as officers and organized into medical units.

The sight of Pauline taking care of the soldiers next to Larrey was the scene that Eugene had in mind.

Suddenly, the sound of 120 cannons firing from the flagship Orient in the distance echoed.

-Kwaaaang!

The legacy of the Crusades, Malta, was falling into the hands of the French Revolutionary government.

Along with the idea of a nurse officer corps.