The Charlotte journal. [volume] (Charlotte, N.C.) 1835-1851, 1843-11-24
From the Nep York Tribune.
MARSHALL BERTRAND.


ton that has been or will be shown TO him.
We have always had greater respect for
his character than for Bonapar,e's. The
untaltering attachment he maintained for
that wonderful man, throug h every vicissi.
tude of his strange fortune, evinces noble
heart. We do not believe there ever was
a created being, for whom Napoleon would
have cherished the same affection in the
midst Of such disgrace and desertlon.-
There is really something melancholy, in
the utter blindness and abandonment with
winch be cast his fortunes in with the for.
tunes Of that fated man. And there are
few men for whose calm reflections We
would give more than for his, as he stands
amids, this free, happy people, and looks
back on the tumultuous life through which
he has passed. Others have passed through
as fierce battles and imminent dangers as
he yet few through scenes that read such
earnest lessons on human ambition. And
when he contrasts Washington with Ma
poleon-,he patriotism of the one, with
the selfshness aud ambition OF the other
he cannot but see that the man for whom
lie sacrificed so much could have done bet
ter for France than he did.
Bertrand has been a soldier from his
youth. Before the star Of Napoleon rose
over the troubled nations of Europe, he
was a soldier of France. Afterwards he
became a part Of the Corsican's destiny.
He was with him on the Danube, and
made a road over it for his codquering ar.
my. lie fought at the battle Of Lutzen,
and followed Napoleon in his victorious
campaigns, till Marmont's treason sent
! him to Eliza. lie shared his years exile,
and was al his right hand when he again
entered Paris amid the shouts of the PEG.
( pie. He went with him at last TO the ia.
tai field Of Waterloo, and saw there the
mighty drama end. We never bear the
name OF Bertrand mentioned without think
( log OF his last effort TO save Bonaparte al
the close of that dreadful battle. When
victory had again and again been within
his grasp, and again and again snatched
from II; and Blucher had at length effect
ed a junction with the allied forces, Napo.
leon, as last desperate effort, led on his
unconquered Imperial Guard. When a.
bout half way to the enemv's line he stop.
ped, and addressed them, telling them Of
the trust he committed 10 them. The cry
of Vive lie Emperor that replied, was
heard all over he field of battle aud un-
der New they dcfled before him, and
marched with firm and steady step, and
in dead silence on the foe. Bertrand re.
manned behind with him, and watched The
brave fellows ascend the eminence, and
move uudaun,edly forward to settle the
fate Of Boraparte, France aud Europe. =
This Guard OF 1900 had never been van.
pushed, and The allied forces saw with awe
the troops that had been the terror OF Eu,
rope, move steadily down upon their centre
/ The fire suddenly abated. But the pause
was only momentary. Every cannon
seemed to open at once, and whole ranks
we're swept away. Bot that unconquera.
, bic Guard knew the eye of their chieflain
was upon them, aud with stern, mistaken
front, continued 10 advance. They pres.
Sod Oh, through blood aud slaughter, car.
rying every thing before them, till they
penetrated within the enemy's lines. Der.
trand stood beside Napoleon, and watched
I this terrific strife, on which such awful re.
suits rested and on the approach of thai
fearless Guard, that nothing seemed able
: 70 check, until they had reached within
fifty yards Of where Wellington stood. A
yoi'cy then opcucd on them that nothing
could resist, They Fceled and staggered
to the shock and turned and fled in cohti.
sion. Napoleon seeing his invncibe
Guard routed and cut to pieces, CRASHED
his teeth with rage and instantly resolved
to rally The tugitiyes in person, and lead
them on TO one more desperate effort
doubtless with the purpose Of retrieving
his loss, or dying on the field of battle.
In this crilca. situation, Bertrand, with
Drouct, threw himself before him with an
importantly that would not be denied to for.
bear. They told him how much The safe.
iy If France and The army depended On
his liie and al last persuaded him TO de.
sis,. Dccos,er says chat Napolcan then
turned 10 Bertrand, and said II is finish.
ed" and galoped of with his SUITE
Through that long and terrible night Der.
trand fed by his side, while the thunder Of
artillery came al intervals on the mid.
night air, telling them what . bloody field
and ruined hopes lay behind. But Der.
trand's affection never faltered. II re-.
NAMED the same when without a crown,
helpless and poor, Bonaparte passed TO
the rock that was to be his tomb. 30.
naparte should have been prouder of that
affection, than Of his hundred Victories
1t was worth the loss of crown to know
that he could bind SO closely to him such
faithful and devoted hearts.
THE PORTLAND POST OFFICE.