The Death of Napoleon Bonaparte

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The death of Napoleon Bonaparte, 5th May 1821 on St. Helena, historically important first hand detailed written account of Napoleon's death and the subsequent events following it written by Major Gideon Gorrequer (1780-1841), The Aide -de-Camp to Sir Hudson Lowe, The Governor of St. Helena, in the form of two four page letters and two one page letters written to Lt.Colonel (later General) Edward Buckley Wynyard C.B. (1788-1864) who served as military secretary to Sir Hudson Lowe, the Governor of St.Helena and gaoler of the former French Emperor from 1816-1820. The letters written by the Anglo- French Officer who had a close acquaintance with both Napoleon and Wynyard and was present on St.Helena at the time of his demise.

The first letter headed 'St. Helena 6th May 1821' (the day after Napoleon's death). 'My dear Wynyard, I doubt if I shall be able to write you half a dozen lines if I can snatch a minute now and then from the anxiety we have in the land I will take advantage of it. Bonaparte expired yesterday evening at 10 minutes before six just at the very instant, the sun sank below the horizon he breathed his last sigh. He has been confined to his bed since the 17th of March; he consented to receive Arnott's visits from the 1st April but as he threw up everything almost that went down his throat would scarcely take any medication - or would not, or could not, take any nourishing. He has been sinking ever since the first day he took to his bed - indeed for many months he was constantly subject to fits of vomiting and took very little sustenance. Antommarchi probably ..........with the disease from his dread of mercury- on the 3rd however, on a consultation of two other medical men, Arnott and Mitchell, surgeon of the Flag ship, he was induced to adopt their recommendation, and 10 grains of Calomel were given the patient, which produced a great effect and insight perhaps have saved him had it been administered in time but it showed his interior was a mass of corruption. He has died in a manly proper manner no complaint, no., no invective, no lamentation or nonsense - extreme unction was given to him before his death, and from 6 in the morning yesterday to 6 at night, the whole of his attendants, from the highest to the lowest surrounded his bed in deep silence (Madame Bertrand and the rest of the females) till the moment of his dissolution- his last day was one of graceful exclination- but I should think of little pain, if you can judge of his appearance as a corpse- near did I behold one to divested of all that is painful or horrifying to behold in death. There was a serenity, a placidity, a peaceful slumbering affect in his countenance (when all the authorities staff naval and military went to see the corpse this morning at six) that had a strong effect on everyone who saw him. He was by general and unanimously exclamations, declared the finest corpse ever seen there was something so noble, so dignified in his countenance that a heart of those. Some sketches were afterwards taken, but they are quite below the original. I never saw his face look as handsome (and really you may use the term) no at that moment all the exuberant fat-the jowl, in fact all the superfluous flesh and sallowness had disappeared and left a well proportioned countenance, such as he might have had some twelve or fourteen years ago. A dozen of those who saw him concurred in saying he did not look at the atmost more than forty. I did not certainly, even less I think, his hair though his hair though thin retained its natural dark brown not a wrinkle or the slightest contortion in his face .

At the moment I am scribbling the body is opening to find out if possible the disease he died of. It will I think turn out Dispepsy and hepatitis but I shall add it when I know (these terms are familiar to you and I by our former script scratch). He is to be buried with military honours probably tomorrow (as you are aware his corpse was by a second instruction not to be sent home) as a general of the highest rank by the side of the spring near Forbett's Country house below....................Whence he had two bottles of fine pur water brought to him by a Chinese every morning (silver bottles) under the shade of a cluster of Weeping Willows, which we have been looking at this forenoon and I do not think a more appropriate spot could have been selected. He fixed upon it himself in the event of being buried here. Maron has requested the spot may be concentrated by our clergy and afterwards by their own priest (Vignali in the old Abbé ..........being on his ........house. The night preceding his death an old favorite gum wood tree opposite Montholon's quarters, fell down broken from the root. The Waterloo store ship arrived two days previous and just before he expired the little horse formerly Miss Charlotte Somersets and his favorite, got the head .... off, ran out of the stables and was for a long time galloping about the house. These will all be considered as presages of his fate. Montholon has applied for his heart. It will not however be given up now, but most probably put up in a lead case, and buried in the same place from when it may be afterwards withdrawn if governments approve of its being delivered up to his friends. He has left his will with the ...........question on our side whether to be or not to be opened, it is not yet .........- his followers desire it. At 5 o'clock yesterday morning, he was speaking of his son, and knew everything about him. In his usual way the day before he "tutoyed" his servants -spoke French to some and Italian to others - he has been long sinking depend on it- he has frequently said (for some months past) "il n'ya plus a' back dans le fampe" meaning he was wanting .........We have had many confabs of late - the last but one, when Montholon announced his .........., was emphatic on his part. It was on the 19th or 20th March - The new house was part ready for him and it was agreed to take down the railing in part of the lawn, of which he complained, calling it a Cafe. Crokat who was O: Officer for 6 days before his death and who had no accountability whatsoever as Arnott saw him at all times, is ..............to go home with dispatches to get Brevet Rank and Captain Henry of the navy also (with the Admirals on board the Heron) to get posted. Your humble servant, as usual, to get nothing, though I have done more work this last fortnight, so far as regarded the defimet, than both those Gentleman put together have done since they came on this station, but if my tongue was glued to the roof of my mouth from thirst, I would not ask my friend for a drop of water to quench it. He has yet said nothing to me about his ................on my behalf, nor will I enquire, but of this ..........................as I know I am with safely relieved myself of some of my gall to you. Wortham has been removed from Longwood, in consequence of giving some advice to Lutyens, who was also disciplined about 10 or 12 days back. I shall write to you more about this also and a lot of island news. Some race bills will accompany this. The Sultana began to withdraw from her determination about going home this season, before the demise of our old friend, but now, she says it is on that account she means to stay till sposy goes home. Grand news from the Countess," and goes on to talk about social events and gossip on the island.

The second letter in the same hand dated 6th June 1821 (a month after Napoleon's death), describes in great detail the preparation of Napoleon's body, the uniform he was dressed in, the taking of his death mask, and the intimate details of his funeral and burial. It goes on to discuss the display of his personal belongings and the details of his will, including the gift of gold boxes to his son. It goes on to describe people sketching his grave and the details of his camp furniture in his room. A very detailed report of the events following Napoleon's death of great historical importance written a day after and within a month of his death. One of the letters bearing Gorrequer's crested wax seal with GG monogram. Sold with a Carte de Visite photograph of General Edward Buckley Wynyard and his own hand written account of his military career including his posting to St Helena.

Fine Medals & Military Antiques

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