Life of Being a Crown Prince in France - Chapter 223 Angel in White_2
“`
Then, she procured some spirits—there were always officers who privately kept some of this stuff—though certainly not 75% concentration, it should still have some antisepsis effect. Indeed, the method of cleaning wounds with alcohol dates back hundreds of years, but no one has ever been able to explain the principle behind it.
Subsequently, the wounded of the Guard Corps became the first in the world to enjoy sterile medical care. Well, to round it off, it almost counted as sterile…
Perna could never have imagined that what the Crown Prince had asked her to do that day would turn her into a legend in the history of medicine.
…
The next day.
At the crack of dawn, the reconnaissance Cavalry of the Guard Corps galloped like the wind to the Commander’s tent and announced loudly, “Report! The Algiers Imperial Guard has arrived 10 kilometers west. Preliminary estimates put their numbers at about 13,000.”
Upon hearing this, Joseph immediately rolled up from the ground and quickly donned his coat—all officers slept on the ground just like the soldiers. Only senior officers had tents, after all, military deployments, maps, and documents needed some cover against the elements.
Bertier’s aide opened the tent to let in the scout, who immediately pointed out several positions on the spread-out map: “The main force is here. These two spots have covering forces of over a thousand men each. Cavalry on the rear flank.”
Soon, the senior officers gathered inside the tent, listening to Bertier’s analysis of the situation: “Clearly, the enemy has also learned of our location.”
Although Lefevre had completed a splendid intercept battle, the numbers of the Guard Corps were fewer after all, and some thousands of Albanian mercenaries escaped.
These men would definitely report yesterday’s battle situation to the Algiers Imperial Guard. The latter immediately sent out a large number of troops for reconnaissance.
Andre nodded, “The People of Algiers will surely choose high ground to deploy their formations; we will have a direct confrontation ahead.”
Police officer Ledleon chuckled, “Today, we have Murat’s Corps on our side, so if a battle does erupt, it should be easier than yesterday.”
However, Bertier’s expression was serious: “You cannot afford such complacency, Major. The Albanian mercenaries weren’t aware of our army’s proximity yesterday, which is why we managed to execute a surprise attack. Today’s enemy will be fully prepared.”
“You are absolutely right,” Ledleon nodded and looked towards the sandbox, “Let’s adjust our deployment according to the enemy’s movements as soon as possible.”
Andre said loudly, “If it’s a head-on clash they want, we’re ready for it!”
As all officers were surrounding the sandbox, Lefevre, who was standing in a corner, suddenly coughed and said, “Perhaps we don’t have to clash head-on.”
He had recently been promoted to Major and had just gained the privilege to attend high-level military meetings, but his epaulette still bore the red square of a Lieutenant—he hadn’t had the opportunity to get the new epaulettes last night.
Everyone turned to look at him, “Do you have a suggestion?”
“The People of Algiers will soon be deployed in the west; I’m afraid there’s no opportunity for a surprise attack.”
Lefevre approached the map nervously and pointed northwest: “We can pretend to besiege Annaba City or make it appear as if we are going to attack Constantine to the south. The Algiers Imperial Guard cannot afford to ignore this.”
Constantine is an ancient city, the southeastern gateway to Algiers, unrelated to Constantinople.
Joseph’s eyes brightened at the words: “Encircle to strike help? Good strategy!”
He thought to himself: It wasn’t in vain that I promoted you to Major against the norms, you really have some tricks up your sleeve.
But Bertier slightly frowned: “Your Highness, if we head north or south, that would open up the way to Tunisia. If the People of Algiers attack Tunisia…”
Joseph laughed, “We need to display an attitude that we are French people; what do I care if you attack Tunisia?”
Andre pondered and said, “I also think it’s worth trying. If the enemy comes to save Annaba City, we can turn and strike them hard.”
“`
“Even if they don’t fall for it, the worst that will happen is we’ll just go back to a head-on confrontation.”
Eventually, Bertier also agreed to the “encirclement and rescue” strategy. The officers discussed the specifics of the deployment and immediately left the military tent, each leading their troops to their positions.
Half an hour later, the Guard Corps was already assembled and began to advance northward. As for breakfast, a few bites of dried meat and bread on the march were enough to suffice.
Murat’s Corps also followed closely behind—they didn’t even take off their coats to sleep the previous night in order to improve their response speed.
The Algiers Imperial Guard commander, General Caheller, quickly received news from the scouts, which immediately caused his brows to furrow.
According to the Albanian mercenaries who had retreated the day before, the French were extremely powerful in combat and had to be engaged with caution.
He had already ordered his troops to deploy early, preparing to use their numerical advantage to fight a frontal battle with the French Army in the open field, but to his surprise, the enemy turned north instead.
An aide-de-camp said, “General, the French might be going to plunder Annaba City.”
Caheller remained silent.
He could have acted as if he had not seen anything and headed directly east to Bizerte. However, if Annaba City was truly looted by the French Army, the Dey would certainly blame him for the loss.
After much hesitation, he finally gave the order: “The entire army turn north, to save Annaba City.”
The Algiers Army finally caught sight of the French Army at noon on the third day, spotting the rear guard of Murat’s Corps.
Upon learning that the French forces numbered only about three thousand, General Caheller immediately ordered an attack—this was more or less consistent with the enemy strength reported by the Albanian survivors, and he could definitely use his superior numbers to launch a strong assault.
As expected, when his massive forces and the infantry lines formed by Murat’s Corps engaged, the Guard Corps’ cannons roared from the rear side of the Algiers Army.
Then, two regiments of the Guard Corps appeared on the barren plains to the south.
The Algiers Guard was instantly thrown into a panic. General Caheller personally led the reserves and some artillery to turn around while concentrating all his forces to assault the Murat’s Corps to the north, aiming to hold back the French forces behind him, quickly open a passage to the north, and avoid being caught in a pincer attack.
On the hill to the north, Andre himself came to the front of the infantry lines to direct the soldiers in combat. On their flanks, an additional regiment of Guard Corps infantry assisted in the battle.
Soon, the Algiers Guard charged forward like madmen—the order Caheller gave them was to resolve the French forces to the north within half an hour.
Behind a not-so-wide trench, the soldiers of Murat’s Corps began to fire volleys in an orderly manner, loading, and firing again…
Although their combat effectiveness was not as good as that of the Guard Corps, after Andre’s serious training over the past year, they were definitely considered very good in the context of a traditional army, with quick loading and stable shooting. Over 2,000 Charleville 1763 muskets poured out a formidable firepower.
The People of Algiers’ first charge stalled over sixty paces away from Murat’s Corps, unable to withstand the casualties, and retreated dejectedly. In fact, they left behind only about a hundred bodies, but this was already the limit of their morale.
The Algiers officer commanding the frontal assault, after beheading several soldiers who led the retreat, was about to regroup for another charge when he faintly heard a noise of chaotic shouting and gunfire coming from behind.
He hastily picked up his telescope to look south and saw that the more than 3,500 men personally directed by General Caheller had been broken and were chaotically fleeing in his direction. Behind them was a line of white infantry.
His heart lurched. It had been only a little over ten minutes since Caheller organized the defense, and just as his own side had launched an attack, the French had breached the defenses!
When he looked at his men who had not yet finished regrouping, he suddenly stripped off his military uniform, waved to his attendants to flee toward the mountains to the west.
Andre waited for a while but didn’t see a second attack from the People of Algiers. Instead, the sound of cannons from the south seemed to be getting closer.
He sent out cavalry for another confirmation and decisively ordered the infantry lines to advance forward.
