The Second Funeral of Napoleon | Page 8

Paris, the four corners of which were borne by Generals
Bertrand and Gourgaud, Baron Las Cases and M. Marchand. At

half-past three o'clock the funeral car began to move, preceded by a
chorister bearing the cross, and by the Abbe Coquereau. M. de Chabot
acted as chief mourner. All the authorities of the island, all the principal
inhabitants, and the whole of the garrison, followed in procession from
the tomb to the quay. But with the exception of the artillerymen
necessary to lead the horses, and occasionally support the car when
descending some steep parts of the way, the places nearest the coffin
were reserved for the French mission. General Middlemore, although in
a weak state of health, persisted in following the whole way on foot,
together with General Churchill, chief of the staff in India, who had
arrived only two days before from Bombay. The immense weight of the
coffins, and the unevenness of the road, rendered the utmost
carefulness necessary throughout the whole distance. Colonel
Trelawney commanded in person the small detachment of artillerymen
who conducted the car, and, thanks to his great care, not the slightest
accident took place. From the moment of departure to the arrival at the
quay, the cannons of the forts and the 'Belle Poule' fired minute-guns.
After an hour's march the rain ceased for the first time since the
commencement of the operations, and on arriving in sight of the town
we found a brilliant sky and beautiful weather. From the morning the
three French vessels of war had assumed the usual signs of deep
mourning: their yards crossed and their flags lowered. Two French
merchantmen, 'Bonne Amie' and 'Indien,' which had been in the roads
for two days, had put themselves under the Prince's orders, and
followed during the ceremony all the manoeuvers of the 'Belle Poule.'
The forts of the town, and the houses of the consuls, had also their flags
half-mast high.
"On arriving at the entrance of the town, the troops of the garrison and
the militia formed in two lines as far as the extremity of the quay.
According to the order for mourning prescribed for the English army,
the men had their arms reversed and the officers had crape on their
arms, with their swords reversed. All the inhabitants had been kept
away from the line of march, but they lined the terraces, commanding
the town, and the streets were occupied only by the troops, the 91st
Regiment being on the right and the militia on the left. The cortege
advanced slowly between two ranks of soldiers to the sound of a
funeral march, while the cannons of the forts were fired, as well as

those of the 'Belle Poule' and the 'Dolphin;' the echoes being repeated a
thousand times by the rocks above James Town. After two hours'
march the cortege stopped at the end of the quay, where the Prince de
Joinville had stationed himself at the head of the officers of the three
French ships of war. The greatest official honors had been rendered by
the English authorities to the memory of the Emperor--the most striking
testimonials of respect had marked the adieu given by St. Helena to his
coffin; and from this moment the mortal remains of the Emperor were
about to belong to France. When the funeral-car stopped, the Prince de
Joinville advanced alone, and in presence of all around, who stood with
their heads uncovered, received, in a solemn manner, the imperial
coffin from the hands of General Middlemore. His Royal Highness
then thanked the Governor, in the name of France, for all the
testimonials of sympathy and respect with which the authorities and
inhabitants of St. Helena had surrounded the memorable ceremonial. A
cutter had been expressly prepared to receive the coffin. During the
embarkation, which the Prince directed himself, the bands played
funeral airs, and all the boats were stationed round with their oars
shipped. The moment the sarcophagus touched the cutter, a magnificent
royal flag, which the ladies of James Town had embroidered for the
occasion, was unfurled, and the 'Belle Poule' immediately squared her
masts and unfurled her colors. All the manoeuvers of the frigate were
immediately followed by the other vessels. Our mourning had ceased
with the exile of Napoleon, and the French naval division dressed itself
out in all its festal ornaments to receive the imperial coffin under the
French flag. The sarcophagus was covered in the cutter with the
imperial mantle. The Prince de Joinville placed himself at the rudder,
Commandant Guyet at the head of the boat; Generals Bertrand and
Gourgaud, Baron Las Cases, M. Marchand, and the Abbe Coquereau
occupied the same places as during the march. Count Chabot and
Commandant Hernoux were astern, a little in advance of the Prince. As
soon