American Republican and Baltimore daily clipper. [volume] (Baltimore, Md.) 1844-1846, 1846-09-15
E BURNING OF MOSCOW
A SPLENDID DESCRIPTION.

SPLENDID DESCRIPTION.
following splendid description ofIhe burning
the Russian CAPITOL is taken from a aCork
Rnttled, "NapOleon and his MarShaIs," by j.
Hsadtey, just published.
J At length Moscow, with its domes, and
ers, and palaces, appeared in sight, and Ma
bon, who had joined the advance guard,
: ed long and thoughtfully on that goal of
wishes. Murat went forward and entered
gates with his splendid cavalry, but as he
: sed through the streets, he was struck with
J solitude that surrounded him. Nothing
heard but the heavy tramp of his squa-
rs as he passed along, for a deserted and
Endoned city was the meagre price for which
zh unparalleled efforts mad been made. AS
lt drew its curtain over the splendid CAPT.
Napoleon entered its gates, and immedi-
" appointed Mortier governor. In his d.
ions he commanded him to abstain from all
age. "For this" said he, "you shall be
werable with your life. Defend Moscow
inst all, whether friend or foe"
he bright moon rose over the mighty city,
ing with silver the domes of more than two
dIed churches, and pouring flood of light
| r thousand palaces, and the dwellings of
be hundred thousand inhabitants. The wea-
hrmy sunk TO rest, but there was no sleep
Mortier's eyes. Not the gorgeous and va
gated palaces and the rich ornaments, nor
parks and gardens, and Oriental magnif-
bee that everywhere surrounded him, kept
b wakeful, but the omnous foreboding that
ne dire calamity was hanging over the silent
Pital. When he entered it, scarcely living
h. "a 4 l.,
bets; and when he broke open the buildings,
found parlors and bedrooms all furnished
p in order, but no occupants. This sudden
Endowment of their houses betokened some
bret purpose yet to be fulfilled. The mid
| hit moon was sailing over the city when the
of "fre" reached the ears of Mortier; and
first light over Napoleon's falling empire
Is kindled, and that most wonderous scene of
Sdern times commenced.
Mortier, as governor of the city, immediate
ISSUED his orders, and was putting forth eve
exertion, when at daylight Napoleon has
bed to him. Affecting to disbeleve the re-
|rts that the inhabitants were firing their own
", he put more rigid commands on Mortier,
keep the soldiers from the work of destruc-
IN. The Marshal simply pointed to some
Uncovered houses that had not yet been
|ened, from every crevice of which smoke
IS issuing like steam from the sides of pent
volcano. Sad and thoughtful, Napoleon
|ned towards the Kremlin, the ancient pa
be of the Cars, whose huge structure rose
Eh above the surrounding edlfces.
In the morning, Mortier, by great exertions,
BIS enabled TO subdue the fire. But the next
Eht, September 18th, at midnight, the senti-
lis on watch upon the lofty Kremlin, saw be-
Nv them the flames bursting through the hou-
Is and palaces, and the cry of"fre! ,frem pas
ID through the city. The dread scene was
bw fairly opened. Fiery balloons were seen
topping from the air and lighting upon the
buses; dull explosions were heard on every
lie from the shutup dwellings, and the next
oment bright light burst forth, and the
hines were raging through the apartments. -
The serene air and moonlight Of the night be-
IRE had given way 10 driving clouds and
lid tempest that swept with the roar OF the
(a over the city. Flames arose on every side,
Fazing and cracking and cracking in the
form, while clouds of smoke and sparks in an
hcessant shower went driving towards the
kremlin The clouds themselves turned into
re, rolling in wrath over devoted Moscow
lorter, crushed with the responsibility thus
blown upon his shoulders, moved with his
Foung Guard amid this desolation, blowing W
he houses and facing the tempest and the
|ames-strugglng nobly 10 arrest the confla
ration.
lie fastened from place to place amid tn,
turning ruins, his face blackened with tn,
|noke, and his hair and eyebrows singed will
be fierce heat At length the day dawned, {