CHAPTER XVI. AN OLD GENERAL OF THE IRISH BRIGADE
In obedience to an order which arrived at Saumur one morning in the Julyof 1788,1 was summoned before the commandant of the school, when thefollowing brief colloquy ensued:--
'Maurice Tiernay,' said he, reading from the record of the school, whyare you called _l'Irlandais?_'
'I am Irish by descent, sir.'
'Ha! by descent. Your father was, then, an _emigre?_
'No, sir--my great-grandfather.'
'_Parbleu!_ that is going very far back. Are you aware of the causeswhich induced him to leave his native country?'
'They were connected with political trouble, I've heard, sir. He tookpart against the English, my father told me, and was obliged to make hisescape to save his life.' 'You, then, hate the English, Maurice?' 'Myancestor certainly did not love them, sir.'
'Nor can you, boy, ever forgive their having exiled your family fromcountry and home; every man of honour retains the memory of suchinjuries.'
'I can scarcely deem that an injury, sir, which has made me a Frenchcitizen,' said I proudly.
'True, boy--you say what is perfectly true and just; any sacrifice offortune or patrimony is cheap at such a price; still you have suffered awrong--a deep and irreparable wrong--and as a Frenchman you are ready toavenge it.'
Although I had no very precise notion, either as to the extent of thehardships done me, nor in what way I was to demand the reparation, Igave the assent he seemed to expect.
'You are well acquainted with the language, I believe?' continued he.
'I can read and speak English tolerably well, sir.'
'But I speak of Irish, boy--of the language which is spoken by yourfellow-countrymen,' said he rebukingly.
'I have always heard, sir, that this has fallen into disuse, and islittle known save among the peasantry in a few secluded districts.'
He seemed impatient as I said this, and referred once more to the paperbefore him, from whose minutes he appeared to have been speaking.
'You must be in error, boy. I find here that the nation is devotedlyattached to its traditions and literature, and feels no injury deeperthan the insulting substitution of a foreign tongue for their own noblelanguage.'
'Of myself I know nothing, sir; the little I have learned was acquiredwhen a mere child.'
'Ah, then, you probably forget, or may never have heard the fact; butit is as I tell you. This, which I hold here, is the report of a highlydistinguished and most influential personage, who lays great stressupon the circumstance. I am sorry, Tiernay, very sorry, that you areunacquainted with the language.'
He continued for some minutes to brood over this disappointment, and atlast returned to the paper before him.
'The geography of the country--what knowledge have you on that subject?'
'No more, sir, than I may possess of other countries, and merely learnedfrom maps.'
'Bad again,' muttered he to himself. 'Madgett calls these "essentials";but we shall see.' Then addressing me, he said, 'Tiernay, the object ofmy present interrogatory is to inform you that the Directory is aboutto send an expedition to Ireland to assist in the liberation of thatenslaved people. It has been suggested that young officers and soldiersof Irish descent might render peculiar service to the cause, and Ihave selected you for an opportunity which will convert these worstedepaulettes into bullion.'
This at least was intelligible news, and now I began to listen with moreattention.
'There is a report,' said he, laying down before me a very capaciousmanuscript, 'which you will carefully peruse. Here are the latestpamphlets setting forth the state of public opinion in Ireland; and hereare various maps of the coast, the harbours, and the strongholds of thatcountry, with all of which you may employ yourself advantageously; andif, on considering the subject, you feel disposed to volunteer--for as avolunteer only could your services be accepted--I will willingly supportyour request by all the influence in my power.'
'I am ready to do so at once, sir,' said I eagerly; 'I have no need toknow any more than you have told me.'
'Well said, boy; I like your ardour. Write your petition and it shall beforwarded to-day. I will also try and obtain for you the same regimentalrank you hold in the school'--I was a sergeant--'it will depend uponyourself afterwards to secure a further advancement. You are now freefrom duty; lose no time, therefore, in storing your mind with everypossible information, and be ready to set out at a moment's notice.'
'Is the expedition so nearly ready, sir?' asked I eagerly.
He nodded, and with a significant admonition as to secrecy, dismissedme, bursting with anxiety to examine the stores of knowledge before me,and prepare myself with all the details of a plan in which already Itook the liveliest interest. Before the week expired, I received ananswer from the Minister, accepting the offer of my services. The replyfound me deep in those studies, which I scarcely could bear to quit evenat meal-times. Never did I experience such an all-devouring passionfor a theme as on that occasion. 'Ireland' never left my thoughts; herwrongs and sufferings were everlastingly before me; all the cruelties ofcenturies--all the hard tyranny of the penal laws--the dire injusticeof caste oppression--filled me with indignation and anger; while, onthe other hand, I conceived the highest admiration of a people who,undeterred by the might and power of England, resolved to strike a greatblow for liberty.
The enthusiasm of the people--the ardent daring of a valour whoseimpetuosity was its greatest difficulty--their high romantictemperament--their devotion--their gratitude--the childlike trustfulnessof their natures, were all traits, scattered through the variousnarratives, which invariably attracted me, and drew me more strongly totheir cause--more from affection than reason.
Madgett's memoir was filled with these; and he, I concluded, must knowthem well, being, as it was asserted, one of the ancient nobility of theland, and who now desired nothing better than to throw rank, privilege,and title into the scale, and do battle for the liberty and equalityof his countrymen. How I longed to see this great man, whom my fancyarrayed in all the attributes he so lavished upon his countrymen, forthey were not only, in his description, the boldest and the bravest, butthe handsomest people of Europe.
As to the success of the enterprise, whatever doubts I had at firstconceived, from an estimate of the immense resources of England, werespeedily solved, as I read of the enormous preparations the Irish hadmade for the struggle. The Roman Catholics, Madgett said, were threemillions, the Dissenters another million, all eager for freedom andFrench alliance, wanting nothing but the appearance of a small armedforce to give them the necessary organisation and discipline. They weresomewhat deficient, he acknowledged, in firearms--cannon they hadnone whatever; but the character of the country, which consistedof mountains, valleys, ravines and gorges, reduced war to themere chivalrous features of personal encounter. What interminabledescriptions did I wade through of clubs and associations, the verynames of which were a puzzle to me--the great union of all appearing tobe a society called 'Defenders,' whose oath bound them to 'fidelity tothe united nations of France and Ireland!'
So much for the one side. For the other, it was asserted that theEnglish forces then in garrison in Ireland were beneath contempt; themilitia, being principally Irish, might be relied on for taking thepopular side; and as to the Regulars, they were either 'old men orboys,' incapable of active service; and several of the regiments beingScotch, greatly disaffected to the Government. Then, again, as tothe navy, the sailors in the English fleet were more than two-thirdsIrishmen, all Catholics, and all disaffected.
That the enterprise contained every element of success, then, whocould doubt? The nation, in the proportion of ten to one, were for themovement. On their side lay not alone the wrongs to avenge, but thecourage, the energy, and the daring. Their oppressors were as weak astyrannical, their cause was a bad one, and their support of it a hollowsemblance of superiority.
If I read these statements with ardour and avidity, one lurking senseof dou
bt alone obtruded itself on my reasonings. Why, with all theseguarantees of victory, with everything that can hallow a cause, and giveit stability and strength--why did the Irish ask for aid? If they were,as they alleged, an immense majority--if there was all the heroism andthe daring--if the struggle was to be maintained against a miserablyinferior force, weakened by age, incapacity, and disaffection--whatneed had they of Frenchmen on their side? The answer to all such doubts,however, was 'the Irish were deficient in organisation.'
Not only was the explanation a very sufficient one, but it served in ahigh degree to flatter our vanity. We were, then, to be organisers ofIreland; from us were they to take the lessons of civilisation, whichshould prepare them for freedom--ours was the task to discipline theirvalour, and train their untaught intelligence. Once landed in thecountry, it was to our standard they were to rally; from us were to goforth the orders of every movement and measure; to us this new landwas to be an El Dorado. Madgett significantly hinted everywhere at theunbounded gratitude of Irishmen, and more than hinted at the future fateof certain confiscated estates. One phrase, ostentatiously set forth incapitals, asserted that the best general of the French Republic couldnot be anywhere employed with so much reputation and profit. There was,then, everything to stimulate the soldier in such an enterprise--honour,fame, glory, and rich rewards were all among the prizes.
It was when deep in the midst of these studies, poring over maps andreports, taxing my memory with hard names, and getting off by heartdates, distances, and numbers, that the order came for me to repair atonce to Paris, where the volunteers of the expedition were to assemble.My rank of sergeant had been confirmed, and in this capacity, as_sous-officier_, I was ordered to report myself to General Kilmaine, theadjutant-general of the expedition, then living in the Rue Ghantereine.I was also given the address of a certain Lestaing--Rue Tailbout--atailor, from whom, on producing a certificate, I was to obtain my newuniform.
Full as I was of the whole theme, thinking of the expedition by day, anddreaming of it by night, I was still little prepared for the enthusiasmit was at that very moment exciting in every society of the capital. Forsome time previously a great number of Irish emigrants had made Paristheir residence; some were men of good position and ample fortune; somewere individuals of considerable ability and intelligence. All wereenthusiastic, and ardent in temperament--devotedly attached to theircountry--hearty haters of England, and proportionally attached toall that was French. These sentiments, coupled with a certain ease ofmanner, and a faculty of adaptation, so peculiarly Irish, made themgeneral favourites in society; and long before the Irish question hadfound any favour with the public, its national supporters had won overthe hearts and good wishes of all Paris to the cause.
Well pleased, then, as I was with my handsome uniform of green and gold,my small chapeau, with its plume of cock's feathers, and the embroideredshamrock on my collar, I was not a little struck by the excitement myfirst appearance in the street created. Accustomed to see a hundredstrange military costumes--the greater number, I own, more singular thantasteful--the Parisians, I concluded, would scarcely notice mine in thecrowd. Not so, however; the print-shops had already given the impulse tothe admiration, and the 'Irish Volunteer of the Guard' was to be seen inevery window, in all the 'glory of his bravery.' The heroic character ofthe expedition, too, was typified by a great variety of scenes, in whichthe artist's imagination had all the credit. In one picture the _jeuneIrlandais_ was planting a national flag of very capacious dimensions onthe summit of his native mountains; here he was storming _Le Chateau deDublin_, a most formidable fortress, perched on a rock above the sea;here he was crowning the heights of _La Citadelle de Cork_, a veryGibraltar in strength; or he was haranguing the native chieftains,a highly picturesque group--a cross between a knight crusader and aSouth-sea islander.
My appearance, therefore, in the streets was the signal for generalnotice and admiration, and more than one compliment was uttered,purposely loud enough to reach me, on the elegance and style of myequipment. In the pleasant flurry of spirits excited by this flattery,I arrived at the general's quarters in the Rue Chantereine. It wasconsiderably before the time of his usual receptions, but the glitterof my epaulettes, and the air of assurance I had assumed, so far imposedupon the old servant who acted as valet, that he at once introducedme into a small saloon, and after a brief pause presented me to thegeneral, who was reclining on a sofa at his breakfast. Although faradvanced in years, and evidently broken by bad health, General Kilmainestill preserved traces of great personal advantages, while his mannerexhibited all that polished ease and courtesy which was said to bepeculiar to the Irish gentleman of the French Court. Addressing me inEnglish, he invited me to join his meal, and on my declining, as havingalready breakfasted, he said, 'I perceive, from your name, we arecountrymen, and as your uniform tells me the service in which you areengaged, we may speak with entire confidence. Tell me then, frankly, allthat you know of the actual condition of Ireland.'
Conceiving that this question applied to the result of my late studies,and was meant to elicit the amount of my information, I at once begana recital of what I had learned from the books and reports I had beenreading, My statistics were perfect--they had been gotten off by heart;my sympathies were, for the same reason, most eloquent; my indignationwas boundless on the wrongs I deplored, and in fact, in the fifteenminutes during which he permitted me to declaim without interruption, Ihad gone through the whole 'cause of Ireland,' from Henry n. to Georgen.
'You have been reading Mr. Madgett, I perceive,' said he, with a smile;'but I would rather hear something of your own actual experience. Tellme, therefore, in what condition are the people at this moment, asregards poverty?'
'I have never been in Ireland, general,' said I, not without some shameat the avowal coming so soon after my eloquent exhortation.
'Ah, I perceive,' said he blandly, 'of Irish origin, and a relativeprobably of that very distinguished soldier, Count Maurice de Tiernay,who served in the Garde du Corps.'
'His only son, general,' said I, blushing with eagerness and pleasure atthe praise of my father.
'Indeed!' said he, smiling courteously, and seeming to meditate on mywords. 'There was not a better nor a braver sabre in the corps than yourfather--a very few more of such men might have saved the monarchy--as itwas, they dignified its fall. And to whose guidance and care did you oweyour early training, for I see you have not been neglected?'
A few words told him the principal events of my early years, to which helistened with deep attention. At length he said, 'And now you are aboutto devote your acquirements and energy to this new expedition?'
'All, general! Everything that I have is too little for such a cause.'
'You say truly, boy,' said he warmly; 'would that so good a cause hadbetter leaders. I mean,' added he hurriedly, 'wiser ones. Men moreconversant with the actual state of events, more fit to cope withthe great difficulties before them, more ready to take advantage ofcircumstances, whose outward meaning will often prove deceptive. Infact, Irishmen of character and capacity, tried soldiers and goodpatriots. Well, well, let us hope the best. In whose division are you?'
'I have not yet heard, sir. I have presented myself here to-day toreceive your orders.'
'There again is another instance of their incapacity,' cried hepassionately. 'Why, boy, I have no command, nor any function. I didaccept office under General Hoche, but he is not to lead the presentexpedition.'
'And who is, sir?'
'I cannot tell you. A week ago they talked of Grouchy, then of Hardy;yesterday it was Humbert; to-day it may be Bonaparte, and to-morrowyourself! Ay, Tiernay, this great and good cause has its nationalfatality attached to it, and is so wrapped up in low intrigue andfalsehood, that every Minister becomes in turn disgusted with thetreachery and mendacity he meets with, and bequeaths the question tosome official underling, meet partisan for the mock patriot he treatswith.'
'But the expedition will sail, general?' asked I, sadly discomf
ited bythis tone of despondency.
He made me no answer, but sat for some time absorbed in his ownthoughts. At last he looked up, and said, 'You ought to be in the armyof Italy, boy; the great teacher of war is there.'
'I know it, sir, but my whole heart is in this struggle. I feel thatIreland has a claim on all who derived even a name from her soil. Do younot believe that the expedition will sail?'
Again he was silent and thoughtful.
'Mr. Madgett would say yes,' said he scornfully, 'though, certes, hewould not volunteer to bear it company.'
'Colonel Cherin, general!' said the valet, as he flung open the door fora young officer in a staff uniform. I arose at once to withdraw, but thegeneral motioned to me to wait in an adjoining room, as he desired tospeak with me again.
Scarcely five minutes had elapsed when I was summoned once more beforehim.
'You have come at a most opportune moment, Tiernay,' said he; 'ColonelCherin informs me that an expedition is ready to sail from Rochelle atthe first favourable wind. General Humbert has the command; and if youare disposed to join him I will give you a letter of presentation.'
Of course I did not hesitate in accepting the offer; and while thegeneral drew over his desk to write the letter, I withdrew towards thewindow to converse with Colonel Cherin.
'You might have waited long enough,' said he, laughing, 'if the affairhad been in other hands than Humbert's. The delays and discussions ofthe official people, the difficulty of anything like agreement, the wantof money, and fifty other causes, would have detained the fleet till theEnglish got scent of the whole. But Humbert has taken the short road inthe matter. He only arrived at La Rochelle five days ago, and now he isready to weigh anchor.'
'And in what way has he accomplished this?' asked I, in some curiosity.
'By a method,' replied he, laughing again, 'which is usually reservedfor an enemy's country. Growing weary of a correspondence with theMinister, which seemed to make little progress, and urged on by theenthusiastic stories of the Irish refugees, he resolved to wait nolonger; and so he has called on the merchants and magistrates toadvance him a sum on military requisition, together with such stores andnecessaries as he stands in need of.'
'And they have complied?' asked I.
'_Parbleu!_ that have they. In the first place, they had no otherchoice; and in the second, they are but too happy to get rid of him andhis 'Legion Noir,' as they are called, so cheaply. A thousand louis anda thousand muskets would not pay for the damage of these vagabonds eachnight they spent in the town.'
I confess that this description did not tend to exalt the enthusiasmI had conceived for the expedition; but it was too late forhesitation--too late for even a doubt. Go forward I should, whatevermight come of it. And now the general had finished his letter, which,having sealed and addressed, he gave into my hand, saying--'This willvery probably obtain your promotion, if not at once, at least on thefirst vacancy. Good-bye, my lad; there may be hard knocks going whereyou will be, but I'm certain you'll not disgrace the good name you bear,nor the true cause for which you are fighting. I would that I had youthand strength to stand beside you in the struggle!
'Good-bye.' He shook me affectionately by both hands; the colonel,too, bade me adieu not less cordially; and I took my leave with a heartoverflowing with gratitude and delight.