Southport telegraph. [volume] (Southport, W.T. [i.e. Kenosha, Wis.]) 1840-1850, 1846-10-14
A VIVID SkET Gil.
The burning of Moscow,
BY J. T. HEADLET.

AT length Moscow, with its domes and
towers, and palaces, appeared in sight; and
Napoleon, who had joined the advanced
guard, gazed long and oughtfully on that
goal of his wishes, Murat went forward
and entered the gates with his splendid cav
airy; but as he passed through the streets,
he was struck by the solitude that surroun-
ded him. Nothing was heard but the
heavy tramp ofhls squadron as he passed
along, for a deserted and abandoned city
was the lneagre prize for which such nm.
paralleled efforts had been made. As night
drew lis curtain over the splendid capital,
Napoleon entered the gates and immediate
~ appointed Morter governor. In his dir
ectlons he commanded him to abstain from
all pIllage. "For this" said he 'you shall
be answerable with your life" Defend
Moscow against all, whether friend or foe.
The bright moon rose over the mighty
city, tipping with silver The domes of more
than two hundred churches. and pouring
flood OF light over thousand palaces, and
the dwelling OF 100000 inhabitants
The weary army sunk TO rest; but there
was no sleep for Mortiec's eyes Not the
gorgeous palaces and lheiI rich ornaments
nor the parks and gardens and orien-
tai magnltlcence that every where surroun
ded him, kept him wakeful, but the omin-
Gus foreboding that some dire calamity was
hanging over the silent capital. When he
entered it, scarcely living soul met his
gaze as he looked down the longest streets:
and when he broke open the buildings. he
found paroTs and bed rooms and chambers
all furnished in order, but no occupants
This sudden abandonmensof their homes
betokened some secret purpose yet to be
fulfilled. The Midnight moon was sail
ing over the city. when the cry of 'ire!"
reached the ears of Mortier! the first
light over Napoleon's falling empire was
klndied, and that most wonderous scene of
modern time commenced.
TIE BURNING OF MOSCOW.
MorIer as governor Of the city, immedi-
diately issued his orders, and was pulling
forth every exeriion, when at daylight Ma
.poIeon fastened TO him. Affecting 10 dis.
believe the reports that the inhabitants
were firing their own city, he put forth
more rigid commands, on Mortier. TO keep
the soldiers from the work of destruction
The Marshall simply pointed to some iron
covered houses that had not vet been OPEN
ed. from every crevice of which smoke was
issuing Ike steam from the sides of a pent>
up volcano. Sad ana thoueAtful. Napoleon
turned towards he kermlin. the ancient
palace OF the Cars, whose huge structure
rose high above the surrounding edifces.
In the morning, Morier by great exer-
tons, was able TO subdue thes fire. Bp,
the next night, Sept. 18th at midnight the
sentneIs on watch on the lofty KremIir., saw
below the flames bursting through the hou.
ses and palaces, and the cry of"fre" pass
ed through the city. The dread scene
had now fairly opened. Fiery balloons
were seer dropping from the air and Ugh
thing upon the houses-dulI explosions
were heard on every side from the shut up
dwellings, and The next moment a bright
light bust forth, and the flames were reg
ing through the apartments. All was up
roar and confusion The serene air and
moonlight of the night before had given
way to driving clouds, and 4 wild tempest
that swept with the roar o. the sea over the
city. Flames arose on every side, blazing
and cracking IN the storm, white clouds
Of smoke anc sparks in an incessant show
er went driving towards the klemlin.-
The clouds themselves seemed turned into
FIRE; rolling n wrath over devoted Moscow
Morier, crushed with the responsibility
thus thrown upon his shoulders, moved
with his Young Guard amid this desola!ion
blowing up the houses and facing the tenn
past and housekeeping molly to ar.
rest the conhag,ation.
He fastened from place TO place amid
the blazing ruins, his face bIackened with
the smoke and his hair and eyebrows sin.
ged with the fierce heat. At length the
day dawned, day of tempest and Of flame
and Morter, who had strained every nerve
for thirty six hours, entered q palace and
dropped down from fatigue. The manly
form and staIwart arm that had SO often
carried death into the ranks of the enemy
at length gave way, and the gloomy Mar
shall lay and painted in utter exhaustion
But the night of tempes had been succea-
ded by day Of tempesi; and when night
again enveloped the city, it was one broad
flame, waverng to and fro in The blast. -
The wind had increased TO a perfect hurri-
cane, and shifted from quarter 10 quarter
as if on purpose to swell the sea of fire and
extingush the last hope. The fire was
approaching the kremlin' and already the
roar Of the flames and the crash of falling
houses, and the cracking of burning Tim.
bers were borne TO the ears of the emperor
He arose walked to and fro, stopping con-
vuIsively and gazing on the terrific element
Muraf. Eugene, and Berthler rushed INFO
his presence, and on their knees besoucht
him 10 fee. but he still cIung TO that haugh-
ty palace, as if i were his empire.
But al length the shout, 1.-The krelin, is
on fire!' was heard above the roar of the
confagraiion; and Napoleon reluctantly
consented TO leave. He descended into
the streets with his staff. and looked abou,
for way Of egress, but the flames blocked
every passage, Al length they discovered
postcrn gate, leading TO the Moskwa. and
entered it, but they had only entered still
farther into lie danger. As Napoleon
cast his eye around the open space. girdled
with and arched with FIRE, smoke and Gin