Napoleon, aware of the need to handle the captured soldiers appropriately, issued orders for the prisoners to be transported to a nearby camp established specifically for holding enemy combatants. This camp would be guarded by French troops to ensure the security of the prisoners and prevent any attempts at escape.
General O'Hara was one of them and Napoleon couldn't help but feel pity for the General. During the American Revolution, General O'Hara participated in the Battle of Yorktown to which the British lost and surrendered, marking a significant turning point in the war. Now he was defeated again, by Napoleon. Even in this parallel world, he was destined to fail.
Now that the General of the Allied land forces has been taken care of, the siege of Toulon is coming to a close. Napoleon set his eyes on Mont Caire where Fort l'Eguillette and Balaguier are located. If they take those forts, it would be an end to the Allied occupation of Toulon.
***
December 16th, 1793. Napoleon sat inside his tent, engrossed in the letters sent from Paris. Among them was correspondence from Ciela, whose letters always contained updates about the happenings in the capital, reports on their business affairs, and persistent concern for Napoleon's well-being. Her words were filled with a combination of informative tidbits and gentle reminders, urging him to prioritize his health and ensure he was taking proper care of himself.
He had heard about her fighting against the revolutionaries in the Tuileries Palace, where she defeated a lot of them. Well, that is to be expected as he had trained her. Though he didn't expect that she would flawlessly execute it well. Meaning, there must be something deeper in her past that she is not ready to reveal yet. It's been a year since they last saw one another. And he couldn't help but wonder what she is doing right now.
After her mission of saving the royal family, she took an active role in managing the business. That means meeting with a lot of clients and going out a lot to attend parties and events, which also means socializing and interacting. He wondered if there are men hitting on her in these social gatherings. Thoughts of jealousy flickered in Napoleon's mind, but he quickly brushed them aside, focusing on the assault that they are going to conduct tomorrow.
"Colonel."
Napoleon's attention was drawn away from his thoughts as he heard the voice of General Dugommier.
"General," Napoleon responded, acknowledging Dugommier's presence with a nod. "How can I help you?"
"Are we surely going to attack later?" Dugommier asked, a hint of skepticism creeping into his voice. "Because the weather doesn't look good…"
Upon saying that, thunder rumbled in the distance, followed by a flash of lightning that briefly illuminated the darkened sky. Napoleon glanced out of the tent, observing the gathering storm. The winds had grown stronger, and the air was thick with the scent of an approaching rainstorm.
Napoleon understood Dugommier's concern. Conducting a military assault in unfavorable weather conditions could prove challenging and risky. However, this is their only chance of breaking through Fort Mulgrave.
"I understand your concerns, General. In bad weather, we wouldn't be able to use our muskets due to the rain, but we must consider the advantages as well," Napoleon replied, his gaze fixed on the storm brewing outside. "If we can't use our muskets, then so do the British."
General Dugommier's eyes widened at the realization of Napoleon's plan. "What you are saying is that we are launching an assault with nothing but bayonets?"
"That's right," Napoleon confirmed. "Since late September, all of our attempts on taking Fort Mulgrave have been a failure. It's impenetrable and not to mention, they have the high ground. The only way for us to succeed is through a direct, lightning-fast assault under the cover of this storm. They won't expect us to attack in this weather."
"Well, I have to say, you truly have a great insight, Colonel. Very well, let's put all our hope in this last assault."
***
It was two in the morning, and the weather had worsened. Rain poured down in torrents, drenching the soldiers and turning the battlefield into a muddy mess. The thunder continued to rumble, and lightning illuminated the sky intermittently, casting an eerie glow on the determined faces of the French troops gathered for the assault.
Napoleon was riding his horse, his gaze fixed on Fort Mulgrave in the distance. The fortress loomed over them, its stone walls seemingly impenetrable. But Napoleon had a plan, and he believed in the resilience and courage of his men.
"Send them General," Napoleon ordered Dugommier and he complied.
Four regiments of the French army began their assault, charging toward Fort Mulgrave with a rallying cry. The rain-soaked ground made their progress slow and treacherous, their feet sinking into the mud with each step. But the soldiers pressed on.
As the French troops approached the walls of Fort Mulgrave, the British, alerted by the commotion, scrambled to prepare for the impending attack. British soldiers rushed to their positions, getting their muskets.
But the rain had rendered their muskets useless. The powder was dampened, and the flintlock mechanisms failed to ignite. Panic spread among the British ranks as they realized their main weapon was rendered impotent.
Meanwhile, the French soldiers, armed with bayonets, closed in on the fort and started piercing British soldiers.
The British, now realizing that the only way to fight is to engage in hand-to-hand combat, fought back fiercely. The clash of steel rang out amidst the storm, as French and British soldiers grappled with each other, their uniforms and faces smeared with mud.
Napoleon led the second wave, his horse galloping through the rain-soaked battlefield. But as soon as he arrived at Mulgrave, one of the British soldiers struck his horse, causing it to rear up in pain and throw Napoleon off its back. He hit the ground hard, his body sinking into the muddy earth.
The British soldier who struck his horse rushed to where he landed with the intent of killing him. Napoleon, sensing the danger quickly got up to his feet and instinctively drew his sword, parrying the British soldier's thrust just in time.
At that moment, a switch flipped inside of him, as if a surge of adrenaline and instinctual prowess took over his being. And from there, he went all out. Despite the chaos of the scene, Napoleon could still differentiate who is who thanks to the difference in the military uniform.
Five British soldiers charged toward him with bayonets, their intentions clear. Without hesitation, Napoleon swiftly dodged the first soldier's thrust, sidestepped the second, and blocked the third soldier's attack with his saber. With lightning-fast movements, he disarmed the fourth soldier, causing him to stumble backward, and delivered a powerful strike to the fifth soldier's chest, incapacitating him.
But it didn't end there. Another British soldier closed in on him. He swiftly ducked under a swing, grabbed the arm of an attacker, and used his momentum to throw him to the ground. The soldier cried out in pain as his body crashed into the muddy earth. He ended the man's life by piercing the man's throat.
As he did that, he heard other men yelling behind him and spun around, parrying the bayonet thrust with his saber, and countered with a thrust, straight to the soldier's abdomen.
The battle lasted for hours, and Napoleon is not showing any signs of exhaustion or weariness. He continued hacking, slicing, thrusting, and stabbing. Each strike was executed with deadly accuracy, and his enemies fell before him, their bodies littering the muddy battlefield.
As the last British soldier fell, they took control of Fort Mulgrave. The French soldiers who survived the onslaught cheered, raising their bayonets and sabers high in triumph.
However, that was just the beginning, they have to take control of Fort l'Eguillette and Balaguier, to which they promptly turned their attention. On their way there, Napoleon along with the French forces killed British soldiers who dared try to stop them.
In ten minutes, they were able to take control of the two forts.
Napoleon's lips curled into a smile as he found out that the heavy cannons installed in the forts were still intact. Now, he just has to wait for the rain to pass and later, they will begin forcing out the British.
New novel chapt𝒆rs are published on free(w)ebnovel(.)com