The Crown Prince of France - Chapter 224

Chapter 224: Angel in White

Today, Joseph witnessed firsthand the appalling medical conditions in the Imperial Guard Corps. Military doctors were using river water to clean bandages, wiping surgical knives on their trousers before cutting into wounds, and moving from one patient to another with blood-stained hands. It was this shocking reality that prompted him to consider establishing a field hospital.

He looked at the female doctor, whose pale green eyes were filled with curiosity, and gestured for her to take a seat on the nearby chair. "First of all," he began, "as you already know, many illnesses, including wound infections, are caused by bacteria."

He spread his hands and gestured around him. "Bacteria are everywhere—on beds, clothing, hands, bandages, and more. Normally, our skin protects us, preventing bacteria from entering the body. But once a person is injured, that barrier is gone.

"If the injured are left to lie on the ground, their wounds are likely to come into contact with dirt or their clothing, introducing large amounts of bacteria. Even the bandages used to dress their wounds might carry bacteria.

"The result is what you've often seen—wounds festering, patients developing fevers, and most of them dying, except for those with exceptionally strong constitutions."

Perna's interest in medicine was instantly piqued. She grabbed a pen and paper from a nearby adjutant, who looked at her in astonishment, and quickly began jotting down notes. "Bacteria... wounds... Right, Your Highness, how can we prevent this from happening?"

"By minimizing the contact between the injured and bacteria," Joseph replied, giving the adjutant a reassuring gesture. He continued to address Perna, "For example, cleaning wounds with strong spirits. An alcohol concentration of 75% is most effective. Alcohol is very efficient at killing bacteria."

Perna nodded instinctively. "Seventy-five percent... that requires repeated distillation."

"The cost might be high, but only a small amount is needed, so it’s absolutely worth it," Joseph said. "We also need to sterilize everything used during medical procedures, including doctors' hands, surgical tables, knives, and bandages.

"Doctors must wash their hands thoroughly before surgery, using boiled and cooled water. Other tools must be steamed or boiled to kill bacteria.

"By doing this, the rate of wound infections will decrease significantly.

"However, to achieve this, we’ll need specialized equipment and strict control to ensure that no one who hasn’t been sterilized can approach.

"This is why we need a hospital. It will be a place where everything is routinely sterilized and equipped with a variety of medicines and medical instruments. Doctors will be centralized here to perform surgeries, and unauthorized personnel will not be allowed to enter.

"In a battlefield scenario, the hospital's supplies can be loaded onto wagons for mobility. After a battle, tents can be quickly set up in the camp, and the hospital equipment can be moved inside for sterilization. Once that's done, we can begin treating the wounded."

Perna's eyes lit up as she imagined herself working in such a hospital, saving lives, and seeing grateful smiles on the faces of soldiers who had escaped death thanks to her care.

"Your Highness, I will build this field hospital as quickly as possible!" she declared passionately, clutching her pen and paper with determination.

"I’m counting on you." Joseph introduced her to more details about sterilization before adding, "You’ll also need to organize these procedures into manuals to teach other military doctors. As for funding, estimate the costs, and I’ll allocate the necessary resources immediately."

Perna, a skilled physician trained under Dr. Lamarck, was highly respected by the Imperial Guard's medical staff. She nodded and asked, "Your Highness, I think you also mentioned something about 'nurses' earlier?"

"Yes, it’s a crucial profession," Joseph explained after a moment's thought. "There are many medical tasks that aren’t particularly complicated—stopping bleeding, dressing wounds, administering medicine, disinfecting, or transporting the injured. These can all be taught through basic training.

"Having doctors handle these tasks wastes their time and energy.

"That’s why we need a profession akin to a 'doctor's assistant,' which I call a nurse."

Silently apologizing to Florence Nightingale in his heart, he continued, "With nurses, doctors can focus on complex surgeries and diagnoses.

"Of course, even the simplest nurse training requires qualified instructors."

Perna eagerly volunteered. "Leave it to me, Your Highness. I promise to train nurses who will meet your expectations!"

"Then I’ll rely entirely on you." Joseph stood and placed his hand over his chest, bowing slightly. "Our angels in white."

If Perna truly managed to establish a medical system for the Imperial Guard, it would undoubtedly be a contribution worthy of the Golden Fleur-de-Lis Medal.

To put it into perspective, Florence Nightingale’s modern nursing system, developed over half a century later, reduced the mortality rate of wounded British soldiers during the Crimean War to less than ten percent. Soldiers who recovered and returned to duty often became veterans—an invaluable asset to any military.

Hearing Joseph call her an "angel in white," Perna’s cheeks flushed red.

An angel—His Highness thinks I’m an angel!

A holy angel!!

Was he hinting at something...?

She dared not dwell on the thought further. Blushing, she left the officers' tent, taking deep breaths to calm herself.

After a moment of reflection, she didn’t rush to establish the field hospital. Instead, she gathered the military doctors and instructed them to set up large pots to boil all bandages and stretcher sheets.

Next, she procured some strong spirits—many officers carried private reserves. While the alcohol likely didn’t reach 75% concentration, it still had some disinfectant properties. In fact, cleaning wounds with spirits had been practiced for centuries, even if the underlying principles were not understood.

Thus, the wounded soldiers of the Imperial Guard became the first in the world to receive rudimentary aseptic medical care—or something approximating it.

Perna had no idea that the tasks Joseph entrusted to her today would one day make her a legend in medical history.

...

The Following Day

At the break of dawn, the Imperial Guard Corps' reconnaissance cavalry galloped to the commander’s tent and shouted, “Report! The Algiers Imperial Guard has been spotted 10 kilometers to the west. Initial estimates put their numbers at around 13,000.”

Upon hearing this, Joseph immediately sprang to his feet and quickly donned his coat. Like the soldiers, all officers slept on the ground. Only high-ranking officers were afforded tents, as military discussions required some privacy, and maps and documents needed protection from the elements.

Berthier’s adjutant lifted the tent flap, allowing the scout to enter. The scout immediately pointed to several positions on the open map. “Their main force is here, with covering forces of roughly a thousand men at these locations. Their cavalry is stationed to the rear.”

Soon, the senior officers assembled in the tent. After a preliminary analysis of the enemy’s movements, Berthier summarized the situation. “It’s clear the enemy has learned our position.”

Although Lefebvre had successfully carried out a brilliant intercept the day before, a number of Albanian mercenaries had managed to escape. These survivors had likely reported the battle’s details to the Algiers Imperial Guard, prompting them to dispatch significant forces to scout.

André nodded. “The Algerians will undoubtedly position themselves on higher ground. A direct confrontation seems inevitable.”

Military academy officer Le Drian chuckled. “This time, we’ve got your Moulin Corps on our side. The fight should be easier than yesterday.”

Berthier, however, remained stern. “You mustn’t underestimate the enemy, Major. Yesterday, the Albanian mercenaries were unaware of our approach, allowing us to launch a surprise attack. Today, the enemy will be fully prepared.”

“You’re absolutely right.” Le Drian nodded, turning his attention to the sand table. “We should adjust our deployment to the current situation.”

André declared boldly, “If it’s a direct fight they want, then that’s what they’ll get! We’re not afraid.”

As the officers gathered around the sand table, Lefebvre, standing in the corner, coughed lightly. “Perhaps we don’t need to engage them head-on.”

Having recently been promoted to Major, Lefebvre now had the privilege of attending senior military meetings. However, his uniform still bore the red insignia of a lieutenant, as he hadn’t yet collected his new rank badges.

All eyes turned to him. “What do you suggest?”

“The Algerians will soon deploy to the west, leaving us little opportunity for a surprise attack,” Lefebvre began nervously, stepping up to the map. He pointed northwest. “We could feign an assault on Annaba or pretend to advance on Constantine to the south. The Algiers Imperial Guard wouldn’t ignore such moves.”

Constantine, an ancient city serving as Algiers' southeastern gateway, had no relation to Constantinople.

Joseph’s eyes lit up at the suggestion. “Encircling to strike reinforcements? A clever plan!”

He thought to himself: Promoting you to Major was clearly the right decision—you’ve got the chops.

Berthier, however, frowned slightly. “Your Highness, if we move north or south, we risk leaving the route to Tunis exposed. If the Algerians push into Tunis…”

Joseph smiled. “We’ll project the image that we’re French—whatever happens in Tunis is none of our concern.”

André considered the proposal and nodded. “It’s worth a try. If the enemy moves to reinforce Annaba, we can turn and strike. Even if they don’t take the bait, we’ll still face them in a direct confrontation.”

Ultimately, Berthier agreed to the “encircling to strike reinforcements” strategy. After deliberating on the specifics, the officers dispersed to command their respective units.

...

Within half an hour, the Imperial Guard Corps was fully assembled and began marching north. Breakfast consisted of dried meat and bread eaten on the move. The Moulin Corps followed closely, having slept in their uniforms the previous night to ensure rapid mobilization.

Meanwhile, the Algiers Imperial Guard’s commander, Kehler, received reports from his scouts and furrowed his brow.

According to the defeated Albanian mercenaries, the French forces were highly formidable and needed to be approached cautiously. Kehler had already ordered his troops to form up, preparing for a decisive battle on open terrain. However, the French suddenly turned northward.

“General,” an adjutant ventured, “the French might be aiming to plunder Annaba.”

Kehler remained silent. He could ignore the move and advance east toward Bizerte, but if Annaba were sacked by the French, the Dey would undoubtedly hold him accountable.

After a long deliberation, Kehler issued his orders. “Turn north. Secure Annaba.”

...

By noon on the third day, the Algiers forces spotted the French rear guard, which belonged to the Moulin Corps. Upon learning that the French numbered only about 3,000—a figure matching the Albanian mercenaries’ report—Kehler immediately ordered an attack, confident in his numerical superiority.

As Kehler’s troops engaged the Moulin Corps’ infantry line, the cannons of the Imperial Guard Corps suddenly roared from the Algerian rear. Moments later, two regiments of the Imperial Guard emerged from the southern plains, sending waves of panic through the Algerian ranks.

Kehler personally led his reserve forces and part of his artillery to form a new defensive line while directing his main force to press hard against the Moulin Corps to the north. His goal was to break through the northern front quickly and avoid being trapped in a pincer movement.

On the northern slopes, André positioned himself at the front lines, directing infantry combat. Two battalions from the Imperial Guard Corps reinforced the Moulin Corps’ flanks.

Soon, the Algerians launched a ferocious assault, their orders clear: break the northern front within half an hour.

Behind a narrow trench, the Moulin Corps soldiers fired in disciplined volleys, reloaded, and fired again. Though not as elite as the Imperial Guard, André’s rigorous training had turned them into a highly competent force. Over 2,000 Charleville Model 1763 muskets unleashed devastating firepower.

The first Algerian charge faltered about 60 paces from the Moulin Corps, with the survivors retreating in disarray. Though they left only around 100 bodies on the field, the loss was enough to crush their morale.

An Algerian officer overseeing the assault executed several retreating soldiers and began reorganizing his troops for another charge when distant gunfire and shouting erupted behind him.

Looking south through his telescope, he saw that Kehler’s 3,500-strong reserve force had been utterly routed. A white line of French infantry was advancing steadily in their wake.

A chill ran down his spine. Barely ten minutes had passed since Kehler had formed his defensive line, and it had already been breached. His own troops had yet to fully regroup, leaving them vulnerable. Quickly, he removed his uniform and, with his personal guard, fled toward the western hills.

André waited for some time but saw no sign of a second Algerian attack. Instead, the sound of cannon fire grew closer from the south.

After dispatching cavalry to confirm the situation, André decisively ordered his infantry to advance.

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