Sepoy general

Thanks, Garry. The reference at least indicates the general assumption on both sides of the Channel -albeit a century later- that Napoleon had coined the phrase; whether or not he was being given credit for some anonymous hack's sharpness of pen.

Final word on this. This citation directly links the sepoy general comment to Napoleon but without a primary source.

This personage, Lord Wellington, he had once disdainfully described, in an article in the Moniteur which is believed to be his personal work, and during Masséna's advance against the lines of Torres-Védras, as "general of sepoys. "

From Les derniers jours de l'empereur by Paul Frémeaux

https://gallica.bnf.fr/ark:/12148/bpt6k5421560t/f151.item.r=Paul%20Fr%C3%A9meaux

All the best

Garry

Once again, thank you, Garry. I think I have my answer: both source and phrase in the original. Pff

Here is the relevant copy of Le Moniteur with the Sepoy General reference; https://www.retronews.fr/journal/gazette-nationale-ou-le-moniteur-universel/09-octobre-1809/149/1331749/2 ( see the bottom of the centre column). No direct link to Napoleon, but the inclusion of 'general de cipayes' suggests the comment was in circulation. I wonder if it was applied to other generals, e.g. the french equivalents in India.

Gary, thank you. So, quoted from Le Moniteur of 9 Octobre, we find the phrase 'ce général de cipayes (Lord Wellington) a eu l'extrême imprudence de s'avancer jusqu'au milieu de l'Espagne ......' Without having seen the publication itself, it seems this epithet is generally ascribed directly to Napoleon.

Here is a Le Moniteur citation from 9 October 1809, https://books.google.co.uk/books?id=P7lKqluxTEEC&pg=PA115&lpg=PA115&dq=g%C3%A9n%C3%A9ral+cipaye++wellesley+moniteur&source=bl&ots=l_HbDB41Pa&sig=ACfU3U3SC7auMhwJO4DOBQMZqAeevPNqBg&hl=en&sa=X&ved=2ahUKEwj8uoK4svnyAhUMHcAKHYOdBRoQ6AF6BAgJEAM#v=onepage&q=g%C3%A9n%C3%A9ral%20cipaye%20%20wellesley%20moniteur&f=false

Regards

Thanks Josh. Maggie. Having been able to peek into the Aldington on g**gle books, I am puzzled as to why Roberts should have turned to this 1943 work as a source. It comes across as slight.

The book certainly contains numerous references to the term 'sepoy general.' Indeed, the author has chosen to labour the point ad nauseam before Wellesley had even set foot on Iberian shores. I am unable to decide whether he is 'protests too much' or is merely over egging the cake. Other clichés are available. Watching Nelson's funeral in 1805 is "an obscure sepoy General recently returned from Calcutta." (p.101) The government is kept in power by "the growing reputation and victories of the sepoy general" (p.103) He goes on (The term appears at least fifteen times). Once in the Peninsula, Moniteur propagandists sneer at 'the sepoy general' for "doing nothing" and but celebrate that he will aid the French marechals' in their task of "driving the frightened leopards into the sea." They sneer at the 'sepoy general's "incompetence and timidity" ' (pp.153-154; 158)

According to 'an enraged Moniteur' the 'sepoy general' "is waging war with all the ferocity he has learned in India, and shoots every poor Portuguese peasant who refuses to abandon his home." (p.167) {sounds familiar😎}.

In Napoleon and Wellington, Professor Roberts uses the phrase 'sepoy general' with equal gusto; at least thirteen times. Quoting from Aldington if I understand aright, he alludes to both the 'frightened leopards and 'poor Portuguese peasant' references in the Moniteur , the latter being dated by him to August 1810, in relation to the retreat to Torres Vedras. He speculates that the phrase 'sepoy general' must have 'rankled.' (p.74) In this regard, he focusses as much on Wellington's reported comment to Muffling, the Prussian liaison officer, on the morning of Waterloo when he is said to have remarked that Napoleon was about to learn 'what a sepoy general was capable of' (Robert's paraphrase). According to Professor Roberts, this indicates that "Napoleon's dismissive remark must have hit home." (p 14) That is a curious observation because as far as I can tell Napoleon is never quoted making such a remark, although in his introduction (p.xix) Roberts also alludes to how Wellington "referring to a rude remark that Napoleon once made about him, told Muffling: 'Now Bonaparte will learn how a sepoy general defends a position.' " (The direct quote, I believe. Albeit not directly from Wellington).

So- yes, it would be interesting to learn what was actually written in the Moniteur. Unless it turns out to be "C'est qu'un général sepoy, pff." That would be disappointing.

I’ll need to check my notes from my new book, but I believe Andrew Robert’s book Napoleon and Wellington has it appearing in the Moniteur as early as 1810. Robert’s seems to be fairly sure Napoleon said it at some point.

Josh.