The Indiana State sentinel. [volume] (Indianapolis) 1868-1895, 1881-05-25
SIXTY YEARS Ace.
An Old British Soldiers Recollection of
Napoleon Bonaparte's Death and Burial
ON 90 Helena. .fHF

of the old body guard of Napoleon Bonaparte
when he was confined on the Island of St. |
Helena The old gentleman is now eighty
two wears old, and has a wonderfully pre- |
served memory, aud also is in good heelth, |
his age To-day the Times |
yetecan, asking him to come over TO his
house in the evening. and, complying with
the invitation we found the old gentleman
b,ssily engaged in reading a history OF Ma
psleon Bonsrarte, and, although the print
Eas very fare, he was able to read il
clearly without glasses After taking
the chair Which he pushed toward US, he
asked:
"Do YOU know what occurred sixty years
ago to-day, on the 9th of May, 1927
The question rather startled us. We could
not reuseulber Our recollection failed US,
and We were Obliged TO tell the old gentle
man tl1st we could not--unless we were try
ing to decide whether We would rather be
born boy or girl.
The old octogenarian smiled ghostly
slnole" at the cheap pun and remarked that
he could distinctly remember. Just sixty
years-ago to-day" he continued, occurred
the funeral of Napoleon Bonaparte on the
islaJd OF ST. Helena. 1 remember the event
wef Would you like 20 have me tell OF
hisIeath and the funeral?''
Now the old gent meant well, but he is
getting rather old and childish; to our dis
tinct recollection he had related that mo-
rentous occasion ia his life, to us, on at
least six different occasions; but being re-
signed to our fate, We replied that We ould,
when he proceeded 90 tell the story in about
the following language:
1.-THE island where we were Isl Helena)
was well guarded. There were great bate
ries on every commanding point, and the
island swarmed with troops. Besides this a
- .To1 h.. Lar TO-
stantly. The island itself is natural fort
ress. being rocky stronghold, and on each
point lookouts were stationed TO give warn
ings of the first approach of danger. We had
been to enough trouble in capturing the
French King. and didn't intend to let them
get him back again. Every step that Napo-
leon took was watched. An officer walked
with him constantly, and kept him compa-
nv, as we'll rs guarded him, while picket
lines surrounded the hill where his house
was and at night pickets were placed all
around the fence about the house, and
guards at each door and window, so
that escape was impossible. He
lived in an old story and a
half farm house. | used to see him every
day walking about or riding on horseback,
but always in company with n British Off
Ger. Whenever he was away from the house
flag was .hoisted on Il high pole on the hill,
10 give notice 10 the pickets about the island
to be on the watch. and if he attempted to
escape to capture him at all hazards; but l
never knew of him attempting to get away.
He was dressed in citizens clothes nearly
all the time, but once IN while he would
wear full Generals uniform. He lived on
this island in this way nearly six years
unt;l at last he was taken sick and we did
not see him walking about the garden or
road near his house. As he was a prisoner
of war, no one was allowed to speak with
him except his companion, and finally We
guards never knew how sick he was until final
ly, after he had been sick about six weeks
il was announced that he had cancer of the
stomach and could not live very long But
still we did not hardly expect that he
would desc soon as he did. On the morn
ing of May ,, 1921. / was on picket
guard duty at the fence at the foot Of the
lane leading TO the house, when about Il
O'Clock | saw an orderly come running
down the lane. hallOoed To him and asked
him what was the matter. and he replied:
We used to call him Old Nap among our
selves. They kept his body four days, and
his funeral occurred on the 9th of May
1921, just sixty years ago to-day. 1t was
the largest funeral ever attended. Every
body ,on the island was there We buried
him with all the military honors that we
knew, and We buried him so that
We did not intend that any
one would dig hiIa up again. either
The grave was dug six feet deep in the solid
rock, and then, after letting the coffin
down, several iron bars were put crossways
of the coffin and cemented into the rock at
each end and then big heavy stone slab
was put over this, and all cemented tight
He Kept so well that when the French dug
him up, about seventeen years after, he had
not decayed, and his features were as natur-
al esseYer."
As the old English veteran finished his
story he lit a cigar-the only bad habit he
has-and remarked that il was getting near
his bed time 60 o'clock; so, taking the hint
the scribe withdrew, with a cordial invita-
ton to "come again"
Mr.. William r. Palmer was born at Herst-
ley, in the county of Hants, England, on
December 20, 1899, and is consequently in
the SD year of his age He lived at home
till 10 years old, when lac enlisted in the
6eth regiment, and arrived AT ST. Helena in
the following year. Napoleon had already
been,on tive island since 1S15. After leav-
ing st. Helena the Goth regiment was or
6ered to Canada where Dir. Palmer quit,
afser serving his county nearly sixteen
years. He showed us yellow parchment
stating that he was honorably discharged at
Toronto, March -, 1884, and certifying that
WILLIAM Il. Palmer was an honest sober,
aud trustworthy man." Notwithstanding
his age, Mr.. Palmer is remarkably we'll pre-
served, physically as well as mentally. He
still pursVes his trade OF gardening, and
does good work. His wife, aged seventy
six, lives with him. and three daughters.
and chey enjoy the respect and society of
our best citizens. Mr.. Palaaer takes great
pride in reading TO each of his numerous
visitors a poem which he composed on
board the ship on their leaving ST. Helena,
after Napoleonis funeral. The song became
quite sSavorite with his regiment and was
set 20 mnsic and sung by them. 1t runs as
follows:
Come all you British sailors-thssee many years
pas
YoG We been in chsse of Bonaparss-but now he's
caught at last.
You may rest yourselves contente1. he'll trouble
Nor ever cause YEN Army to leave its native |
shore.
In eis.hteen!hundredGn twenty-ose Il will make |
At O'Clock in the morning, twas an the 5th of
Nay.
We lost great General G3onaparte; and now he is |
more,
He bid adieG 60 all hii friends on ~ Helena's
shore.
When he bid adseu to ali his friends. ole .'Bony"
. My spirit 1t viii fly aloft my body will decay"
BE took his broadsword iEslis hand and aGid it by
his SIDE,
In hopes his son might be revenged-he cropped
his hesd and died.
Vow this tyrsnt We lave busted, as some Of them
did sag.
But he proved IA fnkend to 51any a one uESaa his