Perhaps it is time to give the mob "A whiff of grapeshot"
Posted by DFM on June 11, 2025, 6:18 am
"A whiff of grapeshot" is an idiom meaning a brief but impactful display of force, often used to quell dissent or show overwhelming power.
Grapeshot: This refers to cannon ammunition containing a cluster of small balls, designed to be fired at close range to inflict casualties on a large number of targets.
Napoleon's Use: In October 1795, during the French Revolution, a large crowd of royalists gathered in Paris, threatening the revolutionary government. Napoleon, then a young artillery officer, was given command to suppress the revolt. He famously used cannons loaded with grapeshot to quickly and effectively disperse the crowd.
Impact and Significance: Napoleon's decisive action, using grapeshot against a mob of civilians, was a notable event. It demonstrated his military skills and helped solidify his rise to power.
Insurrection, sedition, both terms require buckshot.
