Souvenirs de guerre et de captivité d'un page de Napoléon (1812-1815)

Name of traveller

Octave Philippe Anne Amédée Vicomte de Barral (1791-1884)

Reason for travel

• prisoner of war at Abergavenny during Napoleonic wars

Date of travel

1812-15

Nous sommes en plein pays de Galles. Monmouth est dépassé. On aperçoit, au loin, dominant la vallée, les ruines d’un château féodal et, tout autour, une petite ville [Abergavenny], serrée autour de son donjon crénelé, comme pour lui demander protection. L’endroit n’est pas sans charme. (Barral 151)

Content

• architecture: prison in Abergavenny for 200 people
• art:
  
  • no love of music among the English [sic.]
  • ban of singing on Sundays
  • becomes a music teacher for young girls 
• customs: description of market day and a brawl between prisoners and market people, backed up by miners, in which he is injured
• language: plans to learn English
• politics:
  • jailers treat French soldiers and officers differently
  • French prisoners are blamed for getting local girls into trouble
• terrain: as an officer, he is given privileged treatment and is allowed to move one mile from prison along main roads
• transport: sent from Portsmouth to prison in Abergavenny on foot

Nationality of traveller

French

Language of publication

French

Gender of traveller

Male

Type of publication

autobiography

Citation

Barral, Octave Philippe Anne Amédée de. Souvenirs de guerre et de captivité d'un page de Napoléon (1812-1815). Paris: Éditions Émile-Paul frères, 1925. 133-202. Print.