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We arrived under the command of General Jean Francois Carteaux. We were first deployed to the
town of Ollioules, where royalists were garrisoned.

After a long march, we finally reached Ollioules, however we found it heavily castellated.
Fortunately, we were deployed with artillery support to utterly bombard the sleepy town. A few faint
hearted sorties were attempted with none finding success, although I was injured when a musket ball

grazed my forearm. I was relieved of my duty by the regimental sergeant and I laid idle by some supply An Ode to
wagons. Suddenly, a few hundred cannons erupted simultaneously as shells rained down on Ollioules,
completely annihilating their battlements. It was quite a poignant scene seeing townsfolk and soldiers alike
the Greatest
fleeing their encampments. Needless to say, the force surrendered thereafter.

Following a day's worth of marching, we finally set foot on our destination. To my absolute
astonishment I witnessed a behemoth of a fort, Fort Mulgrave. It sat atop a vertiginous hill riddled with
soldiers and dotted with cannons. When I surveyed the French siege camp however, it was to my dismay Generation

when I saw how austere in appearance and bereft of artillery and men alike it was. I was, however relieved
when the now major Napoleon was to command the camp. Almost immediately he began training us on
how one ought to properly man a cannon. Our skills improved tenfold to the point of overheating the Written by Mr Tan Chong Hui
cannon before the enemy could even counter us. (aka Mr Joshua)

Assailing their batteries from dusk to dawn, we only stopped for a quick bite of cheese. Despite
our herculean efforts, the fort stubbornly withstood the almost constant barrage. A few indecisive attacks
were executed, only serving to increase the rate of mortality. Suddenly a combined British and Neapolitan

force conducted a sally against us. They charged down the hill with great zeal, causing a rout in our
ranks. I only had enough time to retrieve my musket before they began spiking the cannons. Fortunately
General Dugommier and his reinforcements had already set foot from the barracks as we rendezvoused
with them.

With this newfound confidence, we rushed in. The fighting was intense as bayonets clashed
with steel and as swords struck sabres. During such close quarters combat many sustained fatal injuries,
a slip of the hand could spell doom. Major Napoleon was even bayoneted through the leg. Eventually

we overwhelmed them and pushed them back to Fort Mulgrave. Scores of men were captured, even
the British general himself, General Charles O'Hara. Naturally, he was forced to initiate surrender
negotiations.

Soon, the fort's ensign waved a white flag, signalling an end to the siege. When asked if this was the

end of the campaign, the now Colonel Napoleon replied, “There is still one more task at hand.” And
that was the actual bombardment of Toulon. I was ordered to direct my cannon fire at the Royal Navy's
fleet anchored at Toulon. At 10 A.M., heavy guns commenced the barrage. A number of their ships were

devastated, causing widespread panic onboard. Before long, the once grand British Navy withdrew from
the port. Rejoice permeated throughout the army, discriminating against no rank nor status. This victory
was immensely attributed to Napoleon Bonaparte, some would even call it his chef-d'oeuvre.
Photo by Ch'ng Tze Ray

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