Mémoires du maréchal Marmont, duc de Raguse (3/9)

These memoirs offer a first‑hand portrait of a marshal tasked with turning a war‑torn region into a functioning base for Napoleon’s army. Arriving in Ragusa in August 1806, he finds French troops suffering from rotten supplies, overcrowded hospitals and a lethal wave of disease. Through concise, candid entries he describes the scramble to secure grain, livestock and medical aid, and the bitter clashes with corrupt officials who profit from shortages.

Beyond the logistics, the narrative paints everyday life in Dalmatia—its peoples, customs, and the uneasy peace after the Treaty of Tilsit. The marshal’s reflections on how proper planning of beds, proximity of field hospitals, and disciplined evacuations can curb epidemics reveal a surprisingly modern understanding of military medicine. Listeners receive a rare glimpse into the administrative mind behind one of history’s great armies, where strategy meets humanity.