Skip to main content

December 7th 1815 - The execution of Marshal Michel Ney.

December 7th 1815 - The execution of Marshal Michel Ney


 When Napoleon was defeated, dethroned, and exiled for the second time in the summer of 1815, Ney was arrested (on 3 August 1815). 

After a court-martial declared itself incompetent (November), he was tried (4 December 1815) for treason by the Chamber of Peers. 

In order to save Ney's life, his lawyer Dupin declared that Ney was now Prussian and could not be judged by a French court as Ney's hometown of Sarrelouis had been annexed by Prussia according to the Treaty of Paris of 1815. Ney ruined his lawyer's effort by interrupting him and stating: "I am French and I will remain French". 

On 6 December 1815, he was condemned, and executed by firing squad in Paris near the Luxembourg Garden on 7 December 1815, an event that deeply divided the French public. He refused to wear a blindfold and was allowed the right to give the order to fire, reportedly saying:

"Soldiers, when I give the command to fire, fire straight at my heart. Wait for the order. It will be my last to you. I protest against my condemnation. I have fought a hundred battles for France, and not one against her ... Soldiers, fire!"

Ney's execution was an example intended for Napoleon's other marshals and generals, many of whom were eventually exonerated by the Bourbon monarchy. Ney is buried in Paris at Père Lachaise Cemetery.

Comments

Popular posts from this blog

THE LEGEND OF TRAPPER NELSON.

THE LEGEND OF TRAPPER NELSON. As you ride up the Loxahatchee River from its mouth in Jupiter, the canopy of slash pines and cabbage palms eventually starts to close in on you. Wildlife hides in the gnarled thickets of mangrove.  Everything about this place feels prehistoric. The turns become more and more hairpin, deceiving and disorienting you, as turtles and alligators eye you wearily before slipping beneath the murky water. Nearly eight miles up the northwest fork of the river, a weathered, wooden boathouse juts out into the dark water: the first sign of human existence seen for miles.  Alongside it is a dock that leads through a bamboo thicket into what was once the heart of wild Florida: Trapper Nelson’s homestead, zoo and jungle garden. The biggest attraction, though, was Trapper himself. Known as Tarzan of the Loxahatchee, he’d wrestle alligators, trap wildcats, and dazzle guests with his infallible good looks and stories of the wild.   He was a man who lived witho...

During the Vietnam War, one of the most dangerous jobs was undertaken by a select few known as "tunnel rats."

During the Vietnam War, one of the most dangerous jobs was undertaken by a select few known as "tunnel rats." These unsung heroes were American, Australian, and New Zealand soldiers specially trained as combat engineers, who crawled through Viet Cong underground tunnels to perform perilous covert search and destroy missions.⁠ ⁠ Tunnel rats gently prodded for armed mines in order to disarm them — and prayed that they survived with both their legs intact. Most men were volunteers and tended to be of smaller stature, making it easier for them to maneuver through the cramped subterranean spaces Don't forget to leave your thoughts in the comment section below.

A Waffen SS soldier belonging to "Der Füger" SS Division walks ammo up to the front lines during the invasion of France during May, 1940.

A Waffen SS soldier belonging to "Der Füger" SS Division walks ammo up to the front lines during the invasion of France during May, 1940.  The Waffen SS played a crucial role in the invasion of France, they were the spearhead of the infantry.  The Waffen-SS quickly gained themselves a reputation for being ruthless and effective killers on the battlefield. Civilians and combatants alike for their effectiveness and brutality.  They used this fear as a weapon and manipulation tool convincing many that the Germans were the right nation and they had better futures there.  This fear also gave them great control over the population and allowed them to do whatever they wanted which included rape, murder, and executions.  Since they were the most fit and capable soldiers in the entire Wehrmacht the were used as the poster-boy for the German army which gave them even more of a false ego.  Many of their songs like "SS Marschiet in Feindesland" glorified their brutal a...