N & E
Napoleon & Empire

Napoleonic Timeline of 1816-1821

1816

6 January 1816 − Napoleon escaped the surveillance of Captain Thomas Poppleton during a horseback ride, causing concern among the authorities.

12 January 1816 − An English sentry pointed a gun at Napoleon, even though he had not overstepped the authorized perimeter. The Emperor's entourage protested vigorously.

30 January 1816Ali's horse got bogged down during an excursion. Napoleon showed great emotion until the mameluck and his mount were out of danger.

7 February 1816 − News of Joachim Murat's death reached St. Helena.

13 February 1816 − At dusk, the governor placed sentries around Longwood's walls, taking advantage of Charles Tristan Montholon's  remark that anyone could enter the Emperor's home.

24 February 1816 − The Balcombes  , accompanied by their four children, were welcomed to Longwood [-15.95012, -5.68304].

7 March 1816 − Emmanuel de Las Cases  received a letter written in English, congratulating him on the publication of his Atlas Historique, but criticizing it for containing errors. The author was annoyed, until he discovered that the letter was a joke on Napoleon, to whom he had been giving English lessons since they boarded the Northumberland.

10 March 1816 − The exiles learnt from the November newspapers that Marshal Michel Ney had been sent to the High Court.

14 March 1816 − News of the Marshal's execution arrived. Napoleon was not surprised.

16 March 1816 − The English China Fleet, in port on St. Helena since the beginning of March, left with a new letter of protest to the Prince Regent of England.

19 March 1816 − Horse racing began at Deadwood camp [near -15.94072, -5.68720], home to a troop of the 21st Light Dragoon Regiment.

20 March 1816 − Fifth birthday of the King of Rome.

14 April 1816 − Arrival at St. Helena of the frigate Phaeton, bringing a new governor, Sir Hudson Lowe.

16 April 1816 − Napoleon refused to receive Sir Hudson Lowe, who had not requested an audience before appearing at Longwood at 9am.

17 April 1816 − Sir Hudson Lowe and his staff (Lieutenant-Colonel Thomas Reade , Doctor Alexander Baxter , Major Gideon Gorrequer , Major Anthony Emmett, Lieutenants Hale Young Wortham and Basil Jackson) were officially presented to Napoleon. Admiral George Cockburn  was left out in the cold and felt resentful.

20 April 1816 − Colonel Mark Wilks  came to bid farewell to the Emperor.

20 April 1816 − On the same day, the new governor required all French citizens to sign a commitment to abide by the regulations imposed on them.

21 April 1816 − Napoleon entrusted Captain George Hamilton − commander of the Havannah, bound for England − with a verbal message to the Prince Regent.

22 April 1816 − Hudson Lowe visited Longwood, noted its decrepitude, and proclaimed his intention to have a new building constructed.

26 April 1816 − Las Cases visited the new governor.

27 April 1816 − The Emperor became violently irritated when he learned that his servants had been ordered by the governor to make a written declaration in which they volunteered to serve at Longwood and undertook to abide by the regulations, all on pain of expulsion.

30 April 1816 − Napoleon granted Hudson Lowe a second interview. It took place in the Emperor's bedroom, where he was ill, unclothed and lying on a sofa. After his departure, Napoleon hinted to Las Cases that the governor might have a grudge against his life.

6 May 1816 − The Adamant landed new furniture for Longwood and materials to build a new house.

7 May 1816 − Hudson Lowe inspected Longwood again. The Emperor kept the room and did not meet him.

11 May 1816 − The governor invited "General Bonaparte" to dinner. The Emperor was indignant.

13 May 1816 − Napoleon enjoyed reading the Dictionnaire des girouettes, recently received.

16 May 1816 − Another interview with Hudson Lowe, the third one. Napoleon accused the governor of acting like a jailer.

20 May 1816 − Visit from the Balcombe family. Betsy  and Napoleon teased each other.

21 May 1816 − One of Montholon's English servants was arrested for an unknown reason.

27 May 1816 − Reverend Samuel Jones tried in vain to calm the conflict between Napoleon and the governor.

17 June 1816 − Arrival of the Russian and French commissioners: Count Alexandre Antonovitch Ramsay de Balmain [Александр Антонович Рамсей де Бальмен] and the (self-proclaimed) Marquis Claude Marin Henri de Montchenu, aboard HMS Newcastle.

18 June 1816 − The Austrian commissioner disembarked: Baron Bartholomäus von Stürmer , accompanied by his wife, née Ermance Katharina de Boutet. They had made the crossing on the HMS Orontes. Austrian botanist Philippe Welle accompanied them.

18 June 1816 − Countess Albine de Montholon  gave birth to a daughter: Napoleone.

19 June 1816 − Admiral Cockburn left St. Helena without taking leave of Napoleon.

20 June 1816 − Hudson Lowe payed a fourth visit to Napoleon. This time, he came to introduce "General Bonaparte" to various visiting sailors and the island's new naval commander, Vice-Admiral Sir Pulteney Malcolm .

22 June 1816 − Delivery of several crates of books ordered from Madeira the previous August. Ali was inducted as librarian.

25 June 1816 − Admiral Malcolm and his wife visited Napoleon. Friendly relations developed between them.

8 July 1816 − The Governor prescribed a reduction in stewardship costs.

9 July 1816 − Surveillance around Longwood was tightened.

16 July 1816 − Hudson Lowe paid a fifth visit to the Emperor. The latter complained loudly about the governor's latest initiatives and his fussy control of correspondence. For two hours, he showered his visitor with recriminations and insults.

21 July 1816 − The governor transmited to Napoleon the Allied declaration of the August 2nd, 1815, which made the Emperor the prisoner of Europe and delegated his guardianship to Great Britain.

25 July 1816 − Napoleon received letters from his mother, his sister Pauline and his brother Lucien Bonaparte. They included news of General Pierre Cambronne's acquittal and General Henri-Gatien Bertrand's death sentence in absentia.

25 July 1816 − Visit from Admiral Malcolm. The Emperor explained why he refused to receive the Allied Commissioners.

29 July 1816 − Napoleon forbade his bailiff, Jean-Noël Santini , to shoot the governor on his next visit, as he had planned.

6 August 1816 − A new tent was erected in front of Longwood, so that meals can be taken in the shade when the weather permits.

15 August 1816 − Gala dinner was given in this tent to celebrate the Emperor's birthday.

16 August 1816 − An ice machine sent by Lady Holland stubbornly refused to work.

18 August 1816 − Hudson Lowe and Napoleon met for the sixth and last time.

23 August 1816 − Montholon sent the governor a missive listing all Napoleon's grievances.

7 September 1816 − The governor began to reduce the exiles' expenses by forcing them to part with eight English servants.

16 September 1816 − Sugar and coffee were in short supply.

19 September 1816 − Napoleon had some of his unused silver sold.

20 September 1816 − Hudson Lowe blocked the proceeds of the sale.

1 October 1816 − The governor tried unsuccessfully to meet Napoleon to inform him of new instructions received from London.

2 October 1816 − Another attempt by Hudson Lowe, another failure.

2 October 1816 − Lady Lowe gave birth to a son. He was named Hudson, after his father.

4 October 1816 − The governor's deputy, Sir Thomas Reade, brought Napoleon a letter in which his superior detailed the new measures he had been unable to convey in the preceding days. The departure of four of Napoleon's fellow exiles was requested.

9 October 1816 − Captain Charles Piontkowski  was arrested by the governor for attempting to smuggle copies of Napoleon's letter of protest to England. He had been denounced by the English officer he had approached.

10 October 1816 − Hudson Lowe implemented the new provisions announced. The Emperor's movements were restricted to narrower limits. He was forbidden to speak to the islanders without an English officer present. Surveillance of Longwood was reinforced. Access by non-residents required authorization from the governor. Mail was more closely monitored.

13 October 1816 − Napoleon sold a new portion of his silverware.

14 October 1816 − The governor again asked the Emperor's companions for a declaration of their willingness to stay with "General Bonaparte" and to abide by the rules laid down by his guardians.

15 October 1816 − The signing of these documents led to heated debate in Napoleon's entourage.

18 October 1816 − Hudson Lowe decided to dismiss Captain Piontkowski, Santini, Théodore Rousseau and Archambaud cadet (Joseph).

19 October 1816 − The expellees embarked for Cape Town.

20 October 1816 − The Bertrands left Hutt's Gate [-15.96157, -5.69815]. They moved into a newly-built house [-15.94902, -5.68357] two hundred yards from Longwood.

16 November 1816 − Montholon and Las Cases quarrelled violently.

17 November 1816 − Sunday dinner was cancelled.

18 November 1816 − It was Gaspard Gourgaud's turn to bitterly denigrate Las Cases.

19 November 1816 − Relations between Montholon and Las Cases grew increasingly sour.

25 November 1816 − Hudson Lowe had Las Cases and his son arrested, accused of clandestine correspondence with the outside world. They would never see Napoleon again.

25 November 1816 − In London, William Warden, surgeon of the Northumberland, published his Letters Written on Board in His Majesty's Ship The Northumberland and at Saint-Helena, which painted a rather sympathetic portrait of Napoleon.

18 December 1816 − The governor declared his willingness to allow Las Cases to return to Longwood. Las Cases refused on principle.

10 December 1816 − Napoleon wrote a letter to Las Cases expressing his regret at seeing him go.

25 December 1816 − He severely rebuked Gourgaud, who had remarked on Madame de Montholon's visits to the Emperor's bedroom.

26 December 1816 − Hudson Lowe objected to Las Cases bidding farewell to Napoleon.

30 December 1816 − Las Cases and his son left St. Helena aboard the brig Griffon, bound for Cape Town.

Photo of the island of Saint Helena taken by a NASA astronaut
Photo of the island of Saint Helena taken by a NASA astronaut in 2009

1817

17 January 1817 − Birth of Arthur Bertrand, "the first Frenchman to enter St. Helena without Lord Bathurst's permission".

21 January 1817 − Napoleon ordered Gourgaud to stop quarrelling with Montholon and his wife.

2 February 1817 − The governor examined with Bertrand the conditions of a possible return of the latter to Europe.

5 February 1817 − Napoleon was offended.

27 February 1817 − Expulsion of Philippe Welle. He was guilty of having smuggled a lock of the King of Rome's hair to St. Helena.

28 February 1817 − Montholon and Gourgaud attended the horse races at Deadwood camp.

5 March 1817 − Arrival of various couriers.

8 March 1817 − Mrs Balcombe and her daughters visited Napoleon.

9 March 1817 − The Emperor asserted to Gourgaud that he did not remember that the latter saved his life at the battle of Brienne. This statement was made in response to the author's repeated reminders of this feat. Gourgaud was devastated.

29 March 16 − 1817 - Napoleon composed the Lettres du Cap, whose full title was Lettres du Cap de Bonne-Espérance publiées en réponse à l'ouvrage de Mr. Warden. After being sent secretly, they were published the following October without an author's name. However, the title was chosen to suggest that of the Comte de Las Cases, as neither Napoleon nor any member of his entourage should be suspected, under pain of unfortunate consequences.

7 April 1817 − Gourgaud met Lady Lowe and the foreign race commissioners at Deadwood Camp.

21 May 1817 − Rumors spread that Napoleon was to be deported to Botany Bay in Australia. They were quickly denied.

27 May 1817 − English newspapers from March arrived today. They contained a speech to Parliament by Lord Holland (Henry Vassall-Fox), favorable to the Emperor, and Lord Henry Bathurst's reply. Also included were statements made by Santini on his arrival in London.

3 June 1817 − Birth of James Octave Vesey, son of Esther Vesey and Louis Marchand.

11 June 1817 − Hudson Lowe had a bust of the King of Rome, brought by a naval gunner and held by him since May 28, delivered to Napoleon. The same day, a crate of books sent by Lady Holland arrived.

20 June 1817 − Napoleon finished writing a reply to Lord Bathurst's speech to the House of Lords.

28 June 1817 − Lord Amherst (William Pitt Amherst), British ambassador to China, called at St. Helena. The question arose of his reception by the Emperor.

1 July 1817 − Lord Amherst's reception finally took place, not without intense preliminary discussions. It was on this day that Napoleon was quoted as saying: "When China awakes, the world will tremble". The quotation may be apocryphal.

1 July 1817 − Admiral Malcolm's successor, Admiral Robert Plampin , was presented to Napoleon.

17 July 1817 − Captain Poppleton was replaced by Captain Henry-Pierre Blakeney as orderly at Longwood.

18 July 1817 − The officers of the 66th Regiment, replacing the 53rd at Deadwood, visited the Emperor.

21 July 1817 − Hudson Lowe and Dr. Barry O'Meara  quarrelled over Napoleon's health reports.

1 August 1817 − Newspapers arrived, most recently on April 15.

31 August 1817 − The exiles learnt of the publication in Europe of a Manuscript that had arrived from St. Helena in an unknown manner, with a great impact.

5 September 1817 − Napoleon read the book, whose author remained a mystery.

19 September 1817 − Horse races were again held at Deadwood. Bertrand and Montholon met the Allied Commissioners. Napoleon, hidden behind the judiciously openwork shutters of the Bertrand house, scrutinized the interview through a spyglass.

21 September 1817 − Small earthquake.

5 October 1817 − Doctor O'Meara examined the Emperor, who had been suffering for several days, and diagnosed hepatitis. The governor demanded a second examination, by a different doctor. Napoleon refused.

9 October 1817 − Talks between Napoleon and the Allied commissioners failed.

10 October 1817 − Napoleon and his entourage again protested against the governor's restrictions on their movements and contacts with the other islanders, as well as the proximity of the sentries.

15 October 1817 − Dr. O'Meara was criticized by Hudson Lowe for using the words "Emperor Napoleon" in a report...

17 October 1817 − ... And by Napoleon to pass on information about his health to the governor.

28 October 1817 − The Emperor and Gourgaud had an altercation. Napoleon mentions the latter's departure to Bertrand.

16 November 1817 − Dr. O'Meara removed two of Napoleon's wisdom teeth.

19 November 1817 − Napoleon again considered Gourgaud's departure.

12 December 1817 − Gourgaud announced that he would challenge Montholon to a duel as soon as Mme de Montholon's child was born. In so doing, he expressed his displeasure at the close relationship between the Montholons and the Emperor.

17 December 1817 − Napoleon forbade the duel, but tried to comfort Gourgaud.

23 December 1817 − Bertrand and Gourgaud discussed Gourgaud's departure, which Gourgaud insisted should take place under honorable conditions.

1818

12 January 1818 − Gourgaud's jealousy flared up again, provoking the Emperor's exasperation.

26 January 1818 − Birth of Joséphine Napoléone de Montholon. Gourgaud (and others) found similarities with Napoleon.

2 February 1818 − The Emperor invited Gourgaud to consult Bertrand and the governor to make his departure arrangements.

11 February 1818 − Gourgaud bid farewell to Napoleon...

13 February 1818 − ...then left Longwood. Until his departure, at various receptions to which he will be invited by the governor or English officers, he would indulge in intemperate chatter.

27 February 1818 − Death of maître d'hôtel Jean-Baptiste Cipriani.

14 March 1818 − Gourgaud boarded the Marquis of Camden, bound for England.

16 March 1818 − The Balcombe family, also on their way to the UK, came to bid Napoleon farewell. Betsy found that Napoleon's physical condition had greatly diminished over the past two years.

27 March 1818 − Bertrand asked Napoleon's mother and uncle (Laetitia Bonaparte and Joseph Fesch) to send a doctor and chaplain, among others.

10 April 1818 − O'Meara was confined to Longwood with a ban on contact with English officers, after Hudson Lowe accused him of spreading rumors about Napoleon's ill health.

16 May 1818 − The governor forbade all Englishmen on the island to converse with foreigners.

8 June 1818 − Departure of several of Napoleon's and Bertrand family's servants.

27 June 1818 − The governor refused to take into account Dr. O'Meara's worrying reports on Napoleon's state of health.

27 June 1818 − The Austrian commissioner and his wife, long at odds with the governor, left St. Helena.

15 July 1818 − Captain Blakeney resigned. The governor replaced him with Colonel Thomas Lyster, against Napoleon's wishes. The quarrel escalated. Lyster challenged Bertrand to a duel, who in turn challenged the governor. Relations between Hudson Lowe and Grand Marshal Bertrand broke down.

25 July 1818 − Dr. O'Meara received orders from the Governor to leave Longwood. Blakeney was temporarily reinstated as orderly.

2 August 1818 − O'Meara left St. Helena. Napoleon refused to receive his replacement, Dr. James Roche Verling .

Mid-August 1818 − Napoleon vomited violently.

5 September 1818 − Captain George Nicholls replaced Captain Blakeney.

2 October 1818 − Construction began on the new house. It was christened Longwood New House.

4 October 1818 − According to Montholon, Napoleon no longer had the energy or desire to work on his Mémoires.

15 October 1818 − The Emperor strolled through his garden in a robe and madras. This was to become his custom.

6 November 1818 − A new conflict arose between the governor and the exiles over the return of empty bottles.

12 December 1818 − Arrival of a crate of books sent by Lady Holland.

27 December 1818 − Jean-Baptiste Pierron and Ali made their desire to leave the island official with the governor.

1819

16 January 1819 − Napoleon visited the Longwood New House construction site. He protested against the planned fence around it, and asserted that he would never live in a prison.

17 January 1819 − The Emperor fainted during the night, after a serious illness. Bertrand and Montholon called in Dr. John Stokoe, naval physician aboard the Conqueror.

18-21 January 1819 − Doctor Stokoe kept a daily check on Napoleon's health. He confirmed Dr. O'Meara's diagnosis of hepatitis. Montholon urged him to accept the position of the Emperor's personal physician.

22 January 1819 − Hudson Lowe threatened Stokoe to court-martial.

30 January 1819 − Stokoe left the island for England, after requesting permission from Admiral Plampin.

1 February 1819 − Napoleon was reinstated.

17 February 1819 − Hudson Lowe reminded Captain Nicholls that he had to report on Napoleon's presence twice a day.

3 March 1819 − Napoleon visited his future home. He liked neither the location nor the layout.

26 March 1819 − Hudson Lowe sought to convey to Napoleon the new instructions received from Lord Bathurst. Captain Nicholls encountered resistance from the exiles and was unable to deliver the letter for several days. The governor threatened to expel Montholon.

30 March 1819 − During the month, Napoleon learnt that the Allied Powers Congress in Aachen had decided to keep him in British custody.

2 April 1819 − The Emperor played sick during the visit of Mr. Milner Ricketts, cousin of the English Prime Minister. This comedy had only negative effects.

5 April 1819 − Napoleon opposed the departure of Montholon and his wife, to whom a doctor had just revealed that the air of Europe was essential to her health.

8 April 1819 − The 20th Infantry relieved the 66th at Deadwood.

27 April 1819 − Napoleon fell down after having missed a step.

28 April 1819 − Races at Deadwood. Meeting between Bertrand, Montholon and allied commissioners.

3 May 1819 − Receipt of newspapers and books, including Gourgaud's book on the 1815 campaign.

28 May 1819 − Hudson Lowe asked Napoleon to receive the Russian and French commissioners, in application of the Aachen protocol. No response from Napoleon.

30 May 1819 − Napoleon payed another visit to Longwood New House.

3 June 1819 − Montholon urged Dr. Verling to become the Emperor's personal physician and to inflate the importance of his health problems in his reports.

4 June 1819 − Dr. Verling reported this discussion to the English authorities.

4 June 1819 − The Governor agreed to provide important passageways in the Longwood New House grid.

26 June 1819 − Receipt of a newspaper dated March 30. The exiles learnt of Madame Mère's dispatch of a surgeon and a clergyman.

1 July 1819 − Madame de Montholon bid farewell to Napoleon. Great shared emotion.

2 July 1819 − The Lady Campbell sailed with Albine de Montholon on board.

19 July 1819 − Napoleon took an unusual walk in his garden in uniform.

3 August 1819 − Napoleon was in the garden of Longwood giving a mathematics lesson to Bertrand's son when he spotted Hudson Lowe visiting Longwood. It was their first meeting in three years. The Emperor ostentatiously turned his back on the governor.

5 August 1819 − Hudson Lowe allowed Napoleon's garden work at Longwood to proceed, although it concealed his walks from the sentries.

7-12 August 1819 − Captain Nicholls struggled to deliver a courier to "General Bonaparte". Bertrand, Montholon, Louis-Joseph Marchand, Ali: all refused.

21 August 1819 − Dr. Stokoe returned to St. Helena to be court-martialed.

21 August 1819 − Doctor Stokoe's trial began.

2 September 1819 − Conviction of Dr. Stokoe. He was dismissed.

6 September 1819 − Napoleon again protested against the conditions of his detention.

20 September 1819 − Arrival of Abbots Antonio Buonavita and Angelo Paulo Vignali, Doctor Francesco Antommarchi , a maître d'hôtel (Jacques Coursot) and a cook (Jacques Chandelier).

21 September 1819 − Napoleon met the newcomers. He was less than satisfied.

23 September 1819 − Doctor Antommarchi examined Napoleon and confirmed the diagnosis of hepatitis.

3 October 1819 − First mass ever celebrated in Longwood. Father Buonavita officiated.

18 October 1819 − During the night, the Emperor suffered a violent pain in his liver.

21 October 1819 − Following Antommarchi's advice, Napoleon indulged in a little exercise and felt better for it.

1 November 1819 − Digging began on a pond in Longwood Gardens. It was shaped like Napoleon's hat.

4 December 1819 − Napoleon had trees planted in his garden.

14 December 1819 − Hudson Lowe examined Napoleon's changes to Longwood Gardens. He expressed his satisfaction that his prisoner had finally found an occupation.

20 December 1819 − Napoleon decided to install an aviary in the garden and hired a Chinese carpenter to build it.

1820

1 January 1820 − Hudson Lowe considerably relaxed the restrictions on Napoleon's movements. Only the coast remained off-limits.

3 January 1820 − Montholon and Nicholls inspected the new boundaries.

9 January 1820 − Napoleon gardened wearing a wide-brimmed straw hat.

20 January 1820 − The Emperor shot and killed a goat that had intruded on his garden.

23 January 1820 − Same fate for three hens.

26 January 1820 − Napoleon refused to receive the Governor of the Cape, Lord Charles Somerset, who was visiting St. Helena.

6 February 1820 − Three other hens were killed.

9 February 1820 − Captain Nicholls was replaced by Captain Englebert Luytens .

10 March 1820 − Napoleon and Montholon bathed in the grand bassin, watched by Captain Luytens.

10 April 1820 − The Emperor shot one ox and wounded another one. Both were guilty of trespassing in the gardens of Longwood. The animals belonged to the East India Company. The case seemed important enough for the Russian and French commissioners to inform their governments.

31 May 1820 − The exiles learnt of the Duc de Berry's assassination on February 13.

14 June 1820 − Admiral Plamplin left St. Helena, where he was replaced by Admiral Robert Stuart Lambert.

19 July 1820 − Napoleon's health again gave cause for concern.

1 August 1820 − The Emperor resumed his gardening activities.

4 August 1820 − He rode with Bertrand and Montholon.

10 August 1820 − Complaints about not having received fresh butter since April.

11 August 1820 − New horse rides.

12 August 1820 − A phaeton replaced the horse-drawn carriage previously used. A few months later, it would be used as a funeral carriage.

14 August 1820 − Another goat shot.

20 August 1820 − Pamphlets arrived from Europe, infuriating Napoleon. They reported on his brother Louis's criticism of the Emperor.

22 August 1820 − Napoleon had a gazebo built in his garden, from which he could contemplate the ocean.

30 August 1820 − The English authorities demanded Angelo Gentilini's departure. Napoleon temporized.

2 September 1820 − Hudson Lowe refused to pass on a letter from Napoleon to Lord Liverpool (Robert Jenkinson) , the English Prime Minister. In it, the Emperor asked to be treated in England.

18 September 1820 − Napoleon's liver pain returned. Various symptoms of ill health accompanied it.

20 September 1820 − Napoleon returned exhausted from a carriage ride. For the next few days, the slightest effort exhausted him.

30 September 1820 − Gentilini ended his service.

4 October 1820 − Napoleon began a horseback ride with Bertrand and Montholon. It was to be his last ride away from Longwood. He was unable to complete it and returned by carriage.

10 October 1820 − The Emperor fainted after a hot bath.

22 October 1820 − Napoleon vomited at dinner.

1 November 1820 − A device allowing Napoleon to take sea water baths sea was installed.

12 November 1820 − Violent intestinal pains.

16 November 1820 − Antommarchi noted that the Emperor slept 12 to 15 hours a day.

21 November 1820 − Napoleon refused to occupy the new house, finally completed, because of its gate. He declared that only force would do.

26 December 1820 − The Emperor learnt of the death of his sister Élisa. He was deeply impressed by this first death among his siblings.

1821

6 January 1821 − Antommarchi treated Napoleon with cinchona and opium, causing a slight improvement in his condition.

14 January 1821 − The Emperor resumed phaeton rides.

16 January 1821 − Installation of a swing in the billiard room, to allow Napoleon to get some exercise.

23 January 1821 − More vomiting. Antommarchi was called a great rascal.

29 January 1821 − Montholon asked the governor about the possibility of sending an English doctor to examine General Bonaparte.

31 January 1821 − Bertrand threatened Antommarchi with expulsion if he didn't take better care of his illustrious patient.

10 February 1821 − Slight improvement in Napoleon's health. Carriage rides.

17 February 1821 − Napoleon became unable to eat meat.

19 February 1821 − The Emperor went out into the garden.

24 February 1821 − Resumption of vomiting after slight improvement in previous days.

25 February 1821 − Napoleon showed his appetite.

27 February 1821 − New crisis.

2 March 1821Phaeton ride.

6 March 1821 − Another walk. Napoleon managed to eat some meat.

10 March 1821 − Napoleon hoped to be back on horseback soon.

13 March 1821 − The Morning Chronicle of December 21 arrived in Longwood. It announced that the political crisis that had shaken Great Britain for the past few days had ended without a change of government. Disappointment at Longwood, where it was hoped that a faction less unfavorable to Napoleon would come to power.

17 March 1821 − Father Buonavita returned to Europe for health reasons. He carried letters from Napoleon to Lord Liverpool, his mother and Cardinal Fesch. A new case of books sent by Lady Holland was received.

19 March 1821 − Napoleon's health deteriorated: fever, convulsions, breathing difficulties. Doctor Antommarchi had to intervene during the night.

23 March 1821 − Slight improvement.

26 March 1821 − Doctor Archibald Arnott  reassured Antommarchi. According to him, such fevers were common on St. Helena.

27 March 1821 − Napoleon spoke of his death.

28-29 March 1821 − Fever and vomiting.

30 March 1821 − The orderly was unable to ascertain Napoleon's presence, which led to an incident with the governor. Montholon found an expedient to satisfy him.

1 April 1821 − Dr Arnott presented himself to Napoleon at nine o'clock in the evening...

2 April 1821 − ... and returned the next day for a thorough examination. He wanted to be reassuring.

3-5 April 1821 − Fever persisted despite prescriptions.

6 April 1821 − Marchand and Montholon organized to watch over Napoleon.

8 April 1821 − The Emperor rose for a few moments.

9 April 1821 − He got very angry with Antommarchi and promised him 20 francs in his will, intended to buy a rope to hang himself.

10-11 April 1821 − The Emperor decided to redo his will.

12 April 1821 − Still feverish and vomiting. Napoleon dictated his will to Montholon.

13 April 1821 − Napoleon offered a Life of Marlborough to the officers of the 20th. Captain Luytens accepted before obtaining the Governor's approval.

14 April 1821 − Proofreading and correction of the will.

15 April 1821 − Napoleon wrote the main part of his will in his own handwriting. Hudson Lowe dismissed Luytens. Captain William Crokat  replaced him.

16 April 1821 − Napoleon added two codicils to his will. His bed was moved into the salon, which was more airy and spacious than his bedroom.

17 April 1821 − The Emperor was unable to keep his food down.

18 April 1821 − Doctors Thomas Shortt  and Charles Mitchell confered with Dr. Arnott, at the governor's request. Napoleon managed to eat a few fried potatoes.

19-21 April 1821 − Slightly better, but Napoleon announced that his end was near.

22 April 1821 − He added four codicils to his will. He informed Bertrand of his wishes regarding his burial, should his body remain on St. Helena.

23 April 1821 − Seventh codicil.

24 April 1821 − The Emperor dictated final instructions to Montholon. Delirium during the night.

25 April 1821 − He detailed and signed his last instructions to his executors. He added a paragraph to his will justifying the execution of the Duc d'Enghien. Nightmares during the night.

26 April 1821 − Vomiting of digested blood.

27 April 1821 − He sat in an armchair to seal his will.

28 April 1821 − He authorized Antommarchi, whom he met again for the occasion, to perform an autopsy on his body. Montholon took dictation of the letter notifying the governor of Napoleon's death.

29 April 1821 − Delirium, fever, mental confusion.

30 April 1821 − Hiccup attack.

1 May 1821 − Hiccup, occasional delirium. Arnott and Antommarchi never left his side. The former now foresaw the worst.

2 May 1821 − Napoleon's condition remained stable, but he was unable to eat.

3 May 1821 − The hiccups resumed. Napoleon received extreme unction from Father Vignali in the afternoon. English doctors decided to administer 10 grains of calomel to overcome constipation, despite Antommarchi's opposition.

4 May 1821 − Medication caused expulsion of blood-laden stream. The patient became exhausted. He vomited what little broth he had been able to take, loose consciousness and became delirious.

5 May 1821 − Hiccuping, groaning, Napoleon slipped into a coma after uttering a few words.

5 May 1821 − At 5:49pm, Napoleon died . The governor was immediately notified.

6 May 1821 − Funeral grooming. At 7 a.m., the governor arrived. The body was identified, then Antommarchi performed the autopsy, assisted by seven English physicians. Montholon took care of the funeral arrangements. The Emperor was buried near the Torbett fountain, in the Geranium valley [-15.95832, -5.69819], as Napoleon wished. Parade of officers and islanders in front of the body.

7 May 1821 − Construction of the tomb. Casting of the Emperor's face.

8 May 1821 − Funeral wake and mass. Father Vignali officiated. Entombment at the end of the day.

9 May 1821 − Funeral.

10 May 1821 − Hudson Lowe came to inventory Longwood and to decide which items the Emperor's companions would be allowed to take with them.

14 May 1821 − Distribution of relics and cash among the Emperor's companions. Montholon kept the accounts. Last visit to Napoleon's tomb.

26 May 1821 − The exiles left Longwood for good and settled on the Camel.

27 May 1821 − The Camel sailed.

25 July 1821 − Arrival in sight of the French coast. Montholon opened the will and read it. Hudson Lowe left St. Helena the same day.

2 August 1821 − The Camel dropped anchor in Spithead, northeast of the Isle of Wight.

Photo credit

The photo of the island of Saint Helena is property of NASA, and is not subject to Copyright, as material for educational or informational purposes.

Sources

This page has as its main source the Napoleonic chronology established by Gérard Walter for his edition of The Memorial of Saint Helena, in the French classics series La Pléiade, published by the Éditions Gallimard, Paris.