“At the headquarters at Pont-Saint-Esprit on the day and year above written.

“(Signed) Lefevre Adjutant and Chief of Staff of the First Corps of the Imperial Army of the South

“(Signed) baron de Damas Field-Marshal and Under-Chief of Staff

“The present convention is approved of by the General of Division Commanding-in-Chief the Imperial Army of the South.

“(Signed) Gilly”

After some discussion between General Gilly and General Grouchy, the capitulation was carried into effect.  On the 16th April, at eight o’clock in the morning, the Duc d’Angouleme arrived at Cette, and went on board the Swedish vessel Scandinavia, which, taking advantage of a favourable wind, set sail the same day.

Early in the morning of the 9th an officer of high rank had been sent to La Palud to issue safe-conducts to the troops, who according to Article I of the capitulation were to return home “after laying down their arms.”  But during the preceding day and night some of the royal volunteers had evaded this article by withdrawing with their arms and baggage.  As this infraction of the terms led to serious consequences, we propose, in order to establish the fact, to cite the depositions of three royal volunteers who afterwards gave evidence.

“On leaving the army of the Duc d’Angouleme after the capitulation,” says Jean Saunier, “I went with my officers and my corps to Saint-Jean-des-Anels.  From there we marched towards Uzes.  In the middle of a forest, near a village, the name of which I have forgotten, our General M. de Vogue told us that we were all to return to our own homes.  We asked him where we should deposit the flag.  Just then Commandant Magne detached it from the staff and put it in his pocket.  We then asked the general where we should deposit our arms; he replied, that we had better keep them, as we should probably find use for them before long, and also to take our ammunition with us, to ensure our safety on the road.

“From that time on we all did what we thought best:  sixty-four of us remained together, and took a guide to enable us to avoid Uzes.”

Nicholas Marie, labourer, deposed as follows: 

“On leaving the army of the Duc d’Angouleme after the capitulation, I went with my officers and my corps to Saint-Jean-des-Anels.  We marched towards Uzes, but when we were in the middle of a forest, near a village the name of which I have forgotten, our general, M. de Vogue, told us that we were to go to our own homes as soon as we liked.  We saw Commandant Magne loose the flag from its staff, roll it up and put it in his pocket.  We asked the general what we were to do with our arms; he replied that we were to keep both them and our ammunition, as we should find them of use.  Upon this, our chiefs left us, and we all got away as best we could.”