The news and herald. (Winnsboro, S.C.) 1877-1900, 1879-12-23
On tho ssclIcrophon.

In Fulton county, Ga, there is now living
an old man who enjoystthc distinction OF
having guarded the great Napoleon during
his short captivity on the Bclcrophon, pre-
vlous to his departure for St. Helena Mr..
Gregg, for that is the name Of the old man,
is now cighty-nvc years Of age, but is still
in the enjoyment Of good health, and his
memory seems to he unimpaircd. In tho
course OF conversation with the veteran
some time ago, a few facts were elected
which will doubtless be of intcrcs, to the
many admirers of the French Emperor.
Gregg, according to his statement, was
one Of the British marines on the Bcllcro.
phon. After the Emperor Napoleon, or
General Bonaparte, as he was studiousy
called by the officers Of the vessel, came on
board and surrendered himself to Captain
Maitland, claiming the hospitality of Eng
land, he WAS assigned cabin and one of
the marines always Oh duty at the door,
This post fell to Gregg's lot number of
times, and he soon began 70 feel friendly
interest in the ilustrious prisoner.
'llow did Bonupartc look and act 2" |
asked
Gle was the granelcst looking man ever
saw" replied Gregg. "Ilc had splendid
head, dark brown hair, and face like mar
bic. His eyes were a light blue, and when
in high spirits his smile was the sweetest
imaginable"
'lle was cheerful at all tunes, was he 2"
''Oh, yes; sometimes he would speak to
me and 10 the common sailors us pleasantly
as you please. lie would utter Il few words
of English, and then ask if what he said
was correct, and when we would point out
his mistakes as well as VIC could, he would
laugh like boy; and then he would turn
the tables by picking laws in our French.
On, he was 6 rare one, sir"
"Always in good hrmor, them"
"Wcll, no, sir. Sometimes he was very
blue, and then again he would get mad,
and, Lord, sir, how he would swear"
''Swcar! The great Napoleon swear!"
"lcs, sir, that he did. lie would swear
by the hour at anybody or anything that
crossed his path"
GLOW did he pass his time ?" qucricd.
Gle read some, and talked with the oill-
GERS good deal, and then he was very fond
OF pacing the deck. Sometimes he would
shut himself up in his cabin all day, but
generally he was was walking about MOTTO
ing everything. Nothing seemed TO escape
him, and he was in the main very willing
to talk to anybody that came along. Some
times hc'was unassumng, and then again,
considering his position as prisoner, and
all that, it did look as If hc was little too
naughty"
'Did he ever appear at all cowcd ?"
'Cowed! Not bit of it! Why, sir
he walked the deck as though he owned the
vessel and everybody on it. lie would get
blue and mad, rs said before. but he al
ways carried himself grandy, and every
body, from the Captain down, showed him
the greatest possible respect. In fact, we
all took liking to him, and that's the truth
about it,"
"What was Napolcon's height, as near
as you could gucss?"
"Wcll," replied old Gregg, mcditatiycly,
they tell me that he was II little man, but
l. did not think so when / saw him. II was
because was raw youth, [ suppose, and
the sight OF tho greatest man III the worlds
history daZzlcd me. But, thon, his man
ner was always so dignitied and impressive
that we never thought Of his small
stature"
"What was the opinion of those on the
Bellcrophon in regard to the Empcror's fu.
turc?''
''Why, sir, VIC all thought that he would
be received rs England's guest, and by some
provision in the treaty be allowed pension
on condition of not again taking up arms.
Wo had no idea of anything else, and, sir,
our men shed tears Of humiliation when
they learned that Bonaparte was not to be
permitted to land on English soil-~thcy did,
sir, and our officers, too, were great deal
rutflcd-and they felt that the British Go
vcrnment was doing something that was
mean, petty and n alicious."