Phenix gazette. [volume] (Alexandria [D.C.]) 1825-1833, 1825-10-29

out 10 recornoltre the danger. Twice
had the fire communicated to the build
ing in which he was, and twice had il
been extinguished; but the tower Of the
arsenal was still burning. A soldier OF
the police had been found in it. He
was brought, and Napoleon caused him
10 be interrogated in his presence.
This man was the incendiary; he had
executed his commission at the signal
given by his chief. 1t was evident that
every thing was devoted to destruction,
the ancient and sacred Kremlin itself
not excepted.
The gestures of the Emperor betok-
ened disdain and veXation; the wretch
was hurried into the first court, where
the enraged grenadiers dispatched him
with their bayonets.
This incident decided Napoleon
He hastily descended the northern
staircase, famous for the massacre Of
the Strelitzes, and desired TO be guild
ed out of the city, to the distance OF a
league on the road from the city to Pc
tersburgh, towards the imperial palace
of Petrowsky.
But we were encircled by sea Of
fire, which blocked up all the gales Of
the citadel, and frustrated the first at
tempts that were made to depart -
After some search we disco el post
ern gate leading between the rocks to
the Moskwa 1t was by this narrow
passage that Napoleon, his officers and
guard escaped from the Kremlin. But
what mad they gained by this move
ment? They had approached nearer
to the fire, and could neither retreat nor
remain where they were; and how were
they to advance? how force passage
through the waves Of this ocean of
flames? Those who had traversed the
city, stunned by the tempest, and blind.
ed by the ashes, could not find their
way, since the streets themselves were
no longer distinguishable amidstsmoke
and ruins.
There was no time to be lost. The
roaring Of the flames around us became
every moment more violent A single
narrow winding street, all on fire, APP
reared TO be rather the centre than the
Quite, to this hell The Emperor rush
ed on foot and without hesitation into
this narrow passage. He advanced a.
mid the cracking of the flames, the
crash Of floors, and the fall Of burning
timbers, and o! the red hot iron roofs
which tumbled around him. These
ruins impeded his progress. The
flames which, with impetuous roar,
consumed the effects between which we
were proceeding beyond the walls, were
blown about by the winds, and formed
an arch over our heads. We walked
on a ground Of fire, beneath fiery sky,
and between two walls of fire. The in
tense heat burnt our eyes, which we
were nevertheless obliged 20 keep open
and fixed on the danger. A consuming
atmosphere, glowing ashes, detached
flames, parched our threats, and rem
dered our respiration short and dry;
and we were almost sufiocated by the
smoke. Our hands were burnt, either
in endeavoring to protect our faces
+ from the insupportable heat, or in
brushing off the sparks which every
moment covered and penetrated our
garments.
In this inexpressible distress and
when rapid advance seemed to be our
only means of safety, our guide stopped
in uncertainty and agitation. Here
would probably have terminated ouI
venturous career, had not some pilla
gers Of the first corps recognised the
, Emperor amidst the whirling flames
they ran up and guided him towards the
smoking ruins of quarter which had
been reduced to ashes in the morning
, 1t was then that we met the Prince
of Eckmuhl.-This marshal who had
been wounded at the Moskwa, had de-
sired TO be carried back among the
. flames to rescue Napoleon, or to perish
with him. He thew himself into hi:
: arms with transport; the Emperor re
ceived him kindly, but with that com
/, posure which in danger he never los
{ for moment
To escape frorl this vast region o
I calami,ies, it was further necessary Il
pass long convoy Of powder whicl
r was deGled amidst the FIRE l his wa
no, the least of his dangers, but ii wa
\ the last, and by nightfall he arrived a
/ Petrowsky.
n Next morning, the 18th Of Septem
Der, Napoleon cast his first looks a
Moscow, hoping to see that the conila
grafton had subsidized. He beheld 1t
1 gain raging with the utmost violence
S the whole city appeared like a vas
spout of fire rising in whirling eddie
to the sky, which 1t deeply colorec =
/. Absorbed by this melancholy contem
: plation, he observed a long and gloo
f nv silence, which he broke only by tn
y aoclamation-" This forbodes grea