Burlington free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1827-1865, 1841-01-08
THE FIELD OF WATERLOO.

THE FIELD OF WATERLOO.
BY IRVING.
have spoken heretofore with some levity
of the contrast that exists between the Eng
lsh and French character; but it deserves
more serious consideration. They are the
two great nations of modern times most dia-
metrcaly opposed, and most worthy of each
others rivalry; essentially distinct in their
characters excelling in opposite qualities,
and rejecting lustre on each other by their
very opposition. In nothing is this contrast
more strikingly evinced than in their military
conduct. For ages have they been contend
ing, and for ages have they crowded each
others history with acts of splendid heroism.
Take the battle of Waterloo, for instance,
the last most memorable trial of their rival
powers. Nothing could surpass the brilliant
daring on the one side, and the steadfast en-
during on the other. The French cavalry
broke like waves on the compact squares Of
English infantry. They we're seen gallop-
ing round those serricd walls of men, seeking
in vain for an entrances; tossing their arms
in the air, in the heat of their enthusiasm,
and Drawing the whole front of battle. The
British troops, on the other hand, forbidden
to move or fire, stood firm and enduring.
Their columns were ripped up by cannonry;
whole rows were swept down at a shot:
the survivors closed their ranks, and stood
firm. In this way many columns stood thro'
the peltng of the iron tempest without firing
"a shot; without any action to stir their blood,
or excite their spirits Death thinned their
ranks, but could not shake their souls.
| A beautiful instance of the quick and gen.
crous impulses to which the French are
prone, is given in the case of a French cava-
icr, in the hottest of the action, charging flu
riously upon British officer, but perceiving
in the moment of assault that his adversary
had lost his sword arm, dropping the point of
his sabre and courteously riding on. Peace
be with that generous warrior, whatever were
his fate If he went down in the storm Of
battle, with the laundering fortunes of his
chicftain, may the turf of Waterloo grow
green above his gravel-and happier far
would be the fate Of such spirit, to sink
amidst the tempest, unconscious OF defeat,
than to survive, and mourn over the bligltcd
laures of his country.
Il In this way the two armies fought through
long and bloody day. The French with
enthusiastic valor, the English with cool, in
flexible courage, until Fate, as if to leave the
question of superiority still undecided be-
tween two such adversaries, brought up the
Prussians TO decide the fortunes of the field.
1t was several years afterwards, that Wis.,
tied the field ofWatcrloo. The ploughsharc
has been busy with its oblivious labors, and
the frequent harvest had nearly obliterated
the vcstiges OF war. Still the blackcned
ruins of Hoguemont stood, a monumental pile,
, to mark the violence of this vehement strug-
gle. Its broken walls, pierced by bullets,
and shattered by explosions, showed the
deadly strife that had taken place within
when Gau and Britain, hcmmcd in between
narrow walls, hand to hand and foot to foot,
) fought from Garden to courtyard, from,
courtyard to chamber, with intense and con-
cen,ratcd rivalship. Columns OF smoke
turned from this vortex of battle as from a
volcano: it was said nay guide, like a
lite lei! upon earth.' Not far of, two 0.
three broad spots ofrank, uuwhocsome green
stillmarkcd the places where these rival war-
riors, after their fierce and Gtiul struggle
, slept quietly together in the lap oithcir COM
,non mother earth. Over all the rest of the
/, field. peace had resumed its sway. The
thoughtless whistle of the peasant floatcd on
e the air, instead of the trumpei's clamor; the
team slowly labored up the hill side, once
shaken by the hoots of rushing squadrons
S and wide fields of corn waved peacefully
r over the soldiers graves, as summer sea.
dimple over the place where many tall shE
:. lies buried.
S To the foregoing desultory notes on the
, French military character, let me append 4
few traits which picked up verbally IN one
of the French provinces. They may have
g already appeared in print, but have never
r met with them.
I when so many of the old families cmigrated
descendant ofthe great Turenne, by the
name of De Latour D'Auvergnc, refused to
accompany his relations, and entered the
Republican army. He served in all the
campaigns of the revolution, distinguished
himself by his valor, his accomplishments
f and his generous spirit, and might have risen
to fortune and to the highest honors. lie
refused, however, all rank in the army, above
that of captain, and would receive no recon-
, pense for his achievements but sword OF
honor. Napoleon, in testimony of his merits
I gave him the title of Premier Grenadier dc
France First Grenadier of France,) whicl
was the only title he would ever bear. lie
, was killed in Germany, in 1909 or 10. re
honour his memory, his place was always re.
tanned in his regiment, as if he still occupied
,, it; and wheneverthe regiment was mustered
and the name ofDe Latour D'Auvergne wa!
called out, the reply was: Dead on the iielt
, of honorn