TWT #152 –

On June 1st, 1879, the dynasty started by Napoleon Bonaparte in 1804 effectively met it’s demise when Napoleon IV stupidly got himself killed by Zulus in Africa.

Who would have guessed that one of the largest, most powerful, and most well-known dynasties ever created would meet its end because of a spear?

(Really, it ended because of an idiot great-nephew, but we’ll get to that soon). Let’s get some context.

Everyone knows of Napoleon Bonaparte. The man who gave France an empire through conquest. He is still considered a master tactical and military leader (though we’ll see his lineage wasn’t so savvy).

After Napoleon’s downfall and defeat, the Bonaparte’s themselves weren’t entirely down and out. Fast forward to 1848 when Napoleon III (nephew to the original, and who I’ll refer to as #3 from now on), was elected as the First President of France.

After being told he couldn’t be re-elected because of some stupid “constitution,” #3 seized power and became Emperor of France in 1852. He held that title for 18 years and did his part to again expand French power.

However, just like his uncle, #3 was handily defeated in battle, captured, and went into exile in 1870. Here enters our hero, son to #3, Napoléon Eugène Louis Jean Joseph Bonaparte (yes, that’s one name).

Did he go by Napoleon? Eugène? Louis? Jean? Or Joseph?

Answer: None of the above. He just kind of combined two of them into Louis-Napoléon

When his family fled to Britain in 1870, Young Napoléon Eugène Louis Jean Joseph Bonaparte was 14 years old. Three years later his father passed away and he was bestowed the title Napoleon IV, Emperor of the French by those still loyal to the Bonaparte’s.

#4 spent the next several years attending school, university, and the Royal Military Academy in Britain. Until 1879, when the Anglo-Zulu war broke out.

Thirsty for bloodshed, the conquering nature of his father and great-uncle coursing through his veins, #4 wanted in on this war.

After being told he was too valuable to see action, #4 took matters into his own hands and did what any powerful, determined young man does… he went crying to his mom. Who subsequently went crying to Queen Victoria, who was able to get #4 a posting in Zululand.

Begrudgingly the British army allowed #4 to travel to Zulu as part of the Royal Engineers, and put him under a strict watch and guard. Lieutenant Carey was given charge of #4, and told to ensure he had an escort with him at all times.

As the famous saying goes “Africa was pretty boring in the 1800’s.” So #4 quickly realized that he wouldn’t see any action, nor have any fun, if he was forced to stay with with Engineers under this strict guard. Somehow he was able to convince the Brits to attach him & his escort to a forward scouting party.

“Gosh, Africa in the 1800’s suuuuucks” – most everyone

Finally, on the morning of June 1st, 1879, 140 years ago today, Napoleon IV joined his scouting party early in the morning. Because #4 was so excited to get going, and because it was obvious that Lt. Carey had no real control over #4’s action, he convinced the party to leave earlier than planned, without the majority of their escort.

After several hours of travelling, the merry little party took a wee break out of the sun to draw maps and eat tea and crumpets (probably).

Luckily the party set a watch, right? I mean you’re deep in Zulu territory, without any backup, so you definitely set a lookout, right? A lookout who could spot a group of 40 Zulu warriors rushing your camp, right?

Nope.

As they prepared to leave their resting place, with no warning from a lookout, 40 Zulu warriors appeared and rushed at the party!

#4 tried to jump onto his horse, BUT NO, the horse got spooked and began running. #4 held on for about 100 yards before falling off. As soon as this happened a Zulu warrior hit #4 in the leg with a spear. He pulls that spear out and tries to keep running, but is hit by another spear in the arm.

Turning and facing his foes, Napoleon IV attempts to use one of those spears to fight back… but to no avail. He was quickly overpowered and killed.

Imagine if they had all just become friends? What a wonderful world we would live in today…

Now, where might his escort / scouting party be? Were they all wiped out as well? Killed defending the Prince? Not exactly.

Lt. Carey and four other members of their party regrouped about 50 yards away from where Napoleon was being killed and just… watched. They didn’t even fire at the Zulus.

Ouch.

Afterwards there was an inquiry, and a court martial (which found Carey innocent), and finally rumors of intrigue and conspiracy that suspected this was a set-up and that the Brits wanted #4 out of the picture all along…

Alas, putting all that aside, the last real hope for a Bonaparte dynasty was destroyed all because Napoléon Eugène Louis Jean Joseph Bonaparte wanted to party it up in Zululand.

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