Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1894-10-04
NAPOLEON AT ST. HELENA.
How He " as Guarded and Prevented
From Taking Flight.

Among the contributions which the
reaWakened interest in Napoleon |.
have called forth is a letter heretofore
unpublished, written by the Marquis
de Mouchenu, one of the commission
ers sent to st. Helena at the time of
the exile of the great conQueror. After
an introduction in which the author
describes in pessimistic language the
condition of affairs in the island, he
continues:
"Now, as you know all my trials, let
me speak of our great man, of his
position and the way in which he is
guarded. The garrison Of ST. Helena
is composed of $500 men. Many
pieces of artillery and a score of NOR
tars defend the coast. BOnaparte occu-
pies the country house of the lieutenant
governor, situated in the only plain
on the island, and known by the name
of Longwood. This plain is surrounded
by high rocks, and one can approach
it by only one path. About the house
is the fifty-third regiment and farther
on are companies of artillery, so that
the entire plain is guarded by troops.
Napoleon has fifty men to serve him,
but takes advantage of his liberty to
walk about alone, without being an
nOyed by his guardians. But if he de-
sires to leave the little plain Bona
parte is accompanied by an officer in
uniform who does not leave him an
instant, and who must report every
thing that he has done during the day.
1.-THE persons. composing the suite of
the emperor are watched by officers
of ordnance, and his Wallets by under
officers. At every hour of the night
the governor is informed by means of
a military telegraph of what happens
on the island. A few minutes are suf-
ficient to alarm the garrison if nee
essary and have it under arms. Such
are the precautions taken to guard
Napoleon, as far as the land itself is
concerned.
LAS to the seaside still greater care
is taken. Two frigates ride at anchor
and two brigs course necessarily about
the island, and from 6 o'clock at night
until o'clock in the morning two
armed bands patrol the mountains
overlooking the sea. 1t is forbidden to
row ON the waters of the island with
out permission, otherwise one runs the
risk Of being arrested and shot. No
strange boat is allowed to land. A re-
ward of five francs and a half is
given to anyone who signals the ap-
proach of boat within twenty leagues
of the coast. 1t must also be remem-
bered that the coast is very dangerous.
The breakers are so heavy that one
must often wait several days without
being able to leave his ship, if per
mission is granted. You can under
stand from this that escape is impos-
sible. Admitting even that the gov
ern0r wished to favor the flight of
Ronaparte, it would be necessary that
the admiral connive at his plan. Now.
if the admiral should aid in deceiving
the superior authorities and on a ia
vora BILE night should allow two or three
sloops to approach for the purpose of
carrying away our prisoner, what
would be the fate of these vessels?
They would have to withstand a for
midable fire and their crews would
certainly be arrested, as the ap-
proaches are so perfectly guarded.
Nothing happens Of which I am not
informed.
"When evening comes" adds the
marquis, "Bonaparte and his attend
ants must enter the house and are not
allowed to leave it until the follow
ing morning. The house at night is
surrounded by sentinels, who have or
ders to draw on any person who ap-
pears, and the emperor and his fol-
lowers have learned that these orders
will certainly be carried out, as proof
has already been given"