The Taking of Malta 1798

Letter from Citizen Marmont

To General Bonaparte

Malta, 25 Prairial Year VI (13 June 1798)

Being charged with the landing party of five battalions, three of the 4th
light infantry, and two of the 19th of-the-line, we were the first to land on
the island. A number of companies from the Maltese Regiment that were
posted along the coast retreated immediately without a combat. We
chased after them as they sought refuge inside the city. I had the city
covered from the sea up to the aqueduct, where we joined Desaix's corps
that had already landed to the east side of the city. I advanced towards
the city until I reached the ravelin at Floriana on the southern side of the
city.
I posted my men as close as possible to tighten our attack. The
drawbridge of the city was lowered, and a large number of troops came
marching towards me in disarray. My men retreated slowly and in orderly
fashion, firing occasionally to slow their advance. I ordered two
battalions of the 19th, encamped at about gun-shot distance from the city,
to prepare an ambush from both sides of the route, and to await further
orders. My orders were carried out to the letter. On seeing my troops
retreating, the Maltese advanced with confidence. When they arrived en
masse to our hiding spot, the 19th came out and met them with a deadly
fire, which threw them in a state of great confusion. I advanced upon
them with my troops and chased them with bayonets, and killed many of
them. I personally captured the flag of the Order which they carried at
the head of the column. The poor Maltese soldiers, simple country folk
that they are, spoke only Arabic and reasoned in this way: We are
fighting the French and our commanders are also French. We have been
defeated, therefore our commanders are traitors.
In a raging anger they massacred seven French knights that were among
them. And yet, the French knights were the only ones willing to put up a
fight. This incident did not bode well for French knights. They became so
concerned for their safety; they sent a messenger the following day
stating that if the negotiations underway did not lead to the surrender of
the city they were prepared to hand me the keys to St. Joseph's Gate.
The Maltese were furious. At one point we were concerned about the
signing of the capitulation as a number of Maltese country militia
continued to occupy two of the forts inside the city. The forts in question
are very high, tightly enclosed, and heavily armed cavaliers that
dominate the entire city. They are known by the names of Saint John and
Saint James. The Maltese soldiers refused to give themselves up even
after we had already entered the city. Had they persisted in resisting us
only God knows what consequence we would have had to face given the
position we were in.

Marmont