Napoleon Bonaparte, the name synonymous with military genius and imperial ambition, met his downfall not on a battlefield, but in the political arenas of Europe. After a series of defeats and the relentless pressure from allied forces, Napoleon was compelled to abdicate in 1814. But where did they send the once-dominant Emperor of France? The answer lies in the Tyrrhenian Sea, a short distance from the Italian coast: Napoleon’s first exile was on the island of Elba.
This article delves into Napoleon’s journey to and initial days on this Mediterranean island, exploring the circumstances of his exile and the world he encountered there. Far from a distant, unknown prison, Elba was a small but strategically significant island, and Napoleon’s time there, though intended to be the end of his reign, was just a brief interlude in his dramatic story.
The Voyage to Elba: From Palace to Ship Cabin
Following his abdication and the Treaty of Fontainebleau, which granted him sovereignty over Elba, Napoleon’s journey to his designated exile began. He embarked on the British frigate HMS Undaunted, a stark contrast to the imperial grandeur he was accustomed to. Guillaume Peyrusse, the imperial paymaster, vividly described the less-than-regal conditions of the voyage. Writing to his father, Peyrusse recounted being tossed from his bed by rough seas and fearing the ship wouldn’t survive the journey. His seasickness was only slightly eased by ham, tea, and sweet Málaga wine, a far cry from the lavish banquets of the Tuileries Palace.
Napoleon himself, however, seemed to fare better, at least outwardly. Captain Thomas Ussher of the Undaunted provided Napoleon with his own quarters, a space spanning the stern of the ship. While Ussher shared a smaller cabin with French Generals Henri Bertrand and Antoine Drouot, Napoleon enjoyed relative privacy, separated from his companions by a mere screen.
Image alt text: Cover of “The Invisible Emperor” book, likely depicting Napoleon Bonaparte during his era.
Despite potential discomfort from ailments like gallstones, hemorrhoids, and urinary infections, Napoleon presented a picture of resilience. The morning after a night at sea, he declared to Ussher that he had never slept so soundly and felt in excellent health. Observers noted a surprising relaxation in the former Emperor as they sailed southward, away from France and towards his island exile. Perhaps the distance from the pressures of his former empire offered a sense of relief, even amidst defeat.
Approaching Elba: Corsica, Islanders, and a Book of Prophecy
As the Undaunted sailed, reminders of Napoleon’s past were inescapable. On May 1, 1814, they passed close to Corsica, Napoleon’s birthplace. Exchanging peaceful salutes with patrolling ships, the passengers, still uncertain about reactions to their famous cargo, were reassured by the apparent normalcy of the encounter.
Napoleon, ever accustomed to command, requested that the captain of a passing brig be brought aboard for news from Corsica. Ussher, however, denied this request, later recounting these interactions with a touch of pride in his letters. He described Napoleon leaning on his arm while gazing at the Alps, a poignant moment as Ussher remarked on Napoleon’s “better fortune” when he had crossed them previously. These anecdotes highlight the strange dynamic between captor and captive, and the lingering respect, even fascination, that Napoleon commanded.
Interestingly, Ussher had previously displayed a newspaper image of Napoleon in his cabin, instructing guests to memorize it in case they needed to identify the Emperor attempting to flee to America. Now, he was sharing his table with the man himself, a testament to the dramatic shift in Napoleon’s fortunes. Ussher, reflecting on Napoleon’s numerous portraits, noted that the “portrait of him with the cockaded hat and folded arms is the strongest likeness I have seen,” and remarked on Napoleon’s stoutness and youthful appearance in person.
As they neared Elba, a storm rolled in off the coast of Corsica. Napoleon inquired about anchoring at Ajaccio, his birthplace, which he hadn’t visited in 15 years. Ussher deemed it too dangerous due to the weather, but Campbell, the allied overseer, allowed Napoleon to write letters, which were then intercepted and destroyed, a subtle reminder of his constrained status.
A chance encounter with a Corsican shipmaster provided a glimpse into the shifting political winds. The sailor, unaware of Napoleon’s presence, enthusiastically praised the restored Bourbon monarchy, much to Napoleon’s displeasure. This encounter underscored the changing allegiances and the complex political landscape Napoleon was entering.
Adding a layer of irony to the journey, Napoleon spent his days reading. Among the books he brought from Fontainebleau was A Voyage to the Isle of Elba by Thiébaut de Berneaud. This travelogue offered a somewhat bleak depiction of Elba, describing “roads rugged and uneven, cottages deserted. Ruins scattered over the face of the country, wretched hamlets, two mean villages, and one fortress.” It painted a picture of “arid hills which fatigue the sense, and impart to the soul sensations of sorrow.”
Yet, beneath the descriptions of barren landscapes, Berneaud’s book also hinted at a hidden charm. It portrayed the Elban people as possessing “a certain sprightliness of imagination” and a simple life untouched by “the monstrous luxury of cities.” He suggested they were cosmopolitan due to their seafaring nature, constantly interacting with strangers and a wider world, a perspective shaped by their island existence. This duality – a seemingly desolate island with potentially vibrant inhabitants – set the stage for Napoleon’s arrival.
Elba in Turmoil: Revolt, Rumors, and a Confused Governor
Unbeknownst to Napoleon and his entourage, Elba was far from a peaceful haven. News of the allied victory had sparked unrest on the island. A British naval blockade had caused starvation, and the French governor, Dalesme, struggled to maintain control with a dwindling garrison.
Reports of revolt were rife. In Marciana, islanders flew Union Jacks and symbolically burned Napoleon in effigy. In Porto Longone (now Porto Azzurro), a mutiny resulted in the death of the French commanding officer. Loyalties were fractured, with some declaring for Joachim Murat, Napoleon’s brother-in-law, while others called for complete revolution.
Despite the turmoil, life on Elba continued, albeit with an undercurrent of tension. On May 1st, the traditional serenade of springtime love and courtship songs filled the villages, a stark contrast to the political upheaval. This juxtaposition of tradition and unrest highlighted the complex reality of Elba as Napoleon approached.
Governor Dalesme himself was in a state of confusion. British ships had arrived with demands for surrender and news of Napoleon’s abdication, but Dalesme initially dismissed them as ploys. It was only the arrival of a representative from the French Provisional Government that finally convinced him of the reality: Napoleon was indeed coming to Elba.
Dalesme, anticipating Napoleon’s arrival on a French corvette, was unaware that the former Emperor had opted for a British ship. This misinformation further contributed to the atmosphere of uncertainty and potential for miscommunication as Napoleon neared his destination.
Arrival at Portoferraio: Mistaken Identity and a Tentative Welcome
On the night of May 2nd, the Undaunted reached Capraia, near Elba. Salutes were exchanged, and officials from Capraia offered news of Elba. Through telescopes, the passengers glimpsed the fortifications of Portoferraio, their first view of Napoleon’s island domain.
The following afternoon, the Undaunted arrived at Elba. A journey that should have taken two days had stretched into a week. As the ship approached Portoferraio’s harbor, watchmen, seeing the Royal Standard, mistakenly ordered cannons to be aimed at the Undaunted. A parley was necessary to resolve the case of mistaken identity, a fittingly chaotic welcome to Napoleon’s new kingdom.
Napoleon’s aide-de-camp, Drouot, accompanied by Campbell, landed to meet Governor Dalesme at Fort Stella. Campbell noted the “great curiosity” of the islanders. Dalesme, still grappling with the surreal situation, was only convinced of the handover’s legitimacy upon seeing General Drouot, known for his integrity. Drouot officially took possession of Elba in Napoleon’s name, while the Emperor remained onboard the Undaunted, still out of sight.
The landing party returned with André Pons de l’Hérault, Elba’s mining administrator, known as “Babbo” (Father) to the islanders. Pons, who had a history with Napoleon dating back to Toulon in 1793, represented the local perspective. He harbored mixed feelings towards Napoleon, admiring his brilliance but critical of his imperial ambitions and perceived betrayal of republican values.
Image alt text: Aquatint print depicting Napoleon Bonaparte with a cockaded hat gazing towards the island of Elba, symbolizing his exile and new domain.
Pons’s memoirs reveal his conflicted emotions at meeting Napoleon again under such changed circumstances. He described Napoleon as “carefully dressed” and soldierly, but noted his physical changes – puffiness and a pasty complexion – reflecting the passage of time and the weight of recent events. Despite this, Pons recognized the lingering charisma and “ineffable glimmer” that still surrounded Napoleon.
Napoleon, in turn, listened to Pons and Dalesme, conveying a sense of detachment from his past empire, focusing instead on his future role as ruler of Elba. He pledged to serve the Elban people, and arrangements were made for his official debarkation the next morning.
As rumors spread through Portoferraio, children stayed up late, trying to comprehend the arrival of the Corsican Emperor on a British ship. Across the harbor, Napoleon observed flickering candlelight in windows – a tentative, if confused, welcome from the inhabitants of his new island kingdom.
Elba: The First Exile, Not the Last Chapter
Napoleon’s exile on Elba, lasting from May 1814 to March 1815, was his first taste of confinement, albeit as a sovereign ruler of a tiny island. Elba, located approximately 10 miles from the Italian mainland in the Tyrrhenian Sea, became the stage for this unexpected chapter in his life. He resided initially in the town hall of Portoferraio, then in a villa, and finally in a small house in the island’s interior.
While intended as a permanent removal from European politics, Elba proved to be only an intermission. Napoleon’s ambition and the shifting political landscape of Europe would soon conspire to bring him back onto the world stage for one final, dramatic act. His first exile on Elba, therefore, is not just a footnote in history, but a crucial period that highlights both his resilience and the enduring allure of power.
