Burlington free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1827-1865, 1842-05-27
From Blackwood's Magazine.
TIE TERRIBLE BATTLE OF ELiAU,
February, SOC.

inleS pass nlglll under more awful ana Iin-
pressive circumstances than the rival hosts
who now lay, without tent or covering, on
the snowy expanse of the field of Eylau.
The close vicinity of the two armies, the
vast multitude assembled ia so narrow a
space, intent on mutual destruction, the Vi
tel interests 10 the lives and fortunes of al
which were at stake; the wintry wilderness
of the scene, chcercd only by the watch
fires, which threw but partial glow on The
the snow-clad heights around; the shivcrilg
groups, who in elder atmy lay around tie
hlazing fires, chilled by the eirdlrs OF IN
prnetrable ice; the stern resolution OF tie
soldiers in one army, and tie enthusiastic
ardor of the other; the liberty of Europe
now brought to the issue OF one dread con-
bat; the glory of Russia and France derc,-
dent on the efforts of the mighlicst arn,-
ment that either had sent forth; all contrihi-
ted to impress feeling Of solcmniy, whiah
reacl ed tie most inconsidrr1tc breast, or
pressed the mind with a feeling of anXlos
thought and kept Enclosed many weary
eyrlid in both CAMPS, Notwithstanding tie
extraordinary fatigue of the preceding days.
The battle began at daylight on the Sh
Of February, in The midst Of snow storm.
Al an early hour of the day, Auocran's CO..
umns of 10000 men was developed by be
Russian Masses and with the cxceptiounl'
1860 men, was entirely destroyed. NaIo-
leon himself was in imminent hazard of u-
ing taken prisoner. He had slept at Edau
on the night before, and was now in he
church yard, when the crash of the oneny's
! k,ll, ,t,,,,l, ,bn,,.,J lru !
GER was approaching. Presently one oftEe
Russian divisions, following rapidly aiicrthe
fugitive, entering E\au BY the Westerns,
and charged with loud hurralls, to TIE Dot
Of the mount where the emperor was biased
with IA battery of the imperial guard and
personal escort Ola lunde men. Had M, =
| regiment Of horse been at hand to support
the attack, Napoleon must have been made
| prisoner, for though the last reserve. cun>i,t-
ing of six baltalious Of the old guard. were
at IA short distance, he might have been en-
vcoprd before they could yet to his rescue.
The fate OF Europe then hung upon thread
bat at tiat Terrible moment, the emperor'S
presence Of mind did not forsakc him: he
instantly ordered this li,lc body guard. hard
! ~ moro than company, to form line, in
order 20 check the yucny's advance, and de-
>ratctrd orders To the old guard to attack
tie column on the faux. Wilde bri.ade Of
VI rat, horse charged it on the other.
THE Nu>siln,, disordcrcd Inv success, and
ignorant oft'c ncstiniahle ur;ze Winch vas
almost wjihn their crasr. were arc, d nv
lhc firm couu,crancc Of the little band O,
hcrorS who formed Napoeon's last resource:
= aud before tie, could reform their ranks for
raenur conflict, the enemy WAS upon them
IN either ntnk, and almns, the whole Giyjs-
! ion was cat 10 pieces. This dreadful ,lau,h-
p ter continued ,hrouoh the dov. ,hr Euss,ru.
and the French alternately repuIsing each
other, both sides irh'irg with the most GcS-
I prun ialrcpditv, aui every charge leaving
D tir ground covered with carnaoc. Towards
: evening tie Prrs,ians under Leytn,c, adj
: rlpcod against the division OF Fra.n. The
French were driven before them. Marshal
IDaydus; in vain ATTEMPTED 10 withstand +, @
iturrcut -. llcrr.' he erica. SIS tie rla.c
l-..-.t.2 = ...,y...s. ould find elori .o, a. .a.l
= coward, vi', ncr;.b in ~7,.-----r,s IF S,l.r;,