The Evansville journal. (Evansville, Ind.) 1834-184?, 1846-01-08
NAPOLEON AND 4 GkENADlER.

NAPOLEON AND A GRENADlER. i
The following is related in letter from
Brussels1oihe Boston Atlas:
The Alice Eerte Is a fine, long avenue,
with triple row of lime trees. which were
spared by Mafshal SAKE, atahe enlreaty OF
the ladies' of Brussels, when he besiegsd the
city; displaying more gallantry than Yelling
ton, who cutdown the Bouis de Boulogae,
regardless of the petitions of the Partisan
ladies'. In 1910, that memorable year when
iIome Amsterdam, Dantzic, Antwerp, aud
Paris, were cities Of the same proud Empire,
Napoleon brought his young bride to Brus-
sells, land was. received with great enthusiasm
and pomp. On the morning after his arrival,
mounted on white horse, he reviewed the
troops of the garrison in the Alice Eerte, and
as the differentregiments de6led before him,
remarked grenadier who bore the cherroas
ola sefvenlmaior. Tall and erect, his black
eyes bIazed, ike stars, from lace bronze by
twenty campaigns, while an enormous NOUS
tache rendered his appearance still more
formidable or bizarre. When the line was
re formed, the Emperor rode up TO the regi-
ment of grenaders, and called the sergeant
to the font. The heart Of the old soldier
.beat high, and his cheeks glowed.
81 have seen you before," said Napoleon
-"your name?"
"Noel, SIRE" he answered, with faltering
voice
"Were you not in the army Of Italy?"
eyes, sire, drummer at the Bridge of Ar
cole"
"And you became sergeant MAORI
"At Marengo, sire"
"But since?"
81 have taken my share Of all the great
battles"
The Emperor waved his band, the grena-
der returned to the ranks, and Napoleon
spoke rapidly to the Colonel. for few mo-
ments-the quick glances of his eyes, to-
wards Noel, showing that he was talking of
him. In fact he was one of those brave and
vet calm soldiers, slaves TO duty and disci-
pine, that the Emperor loved. He had been
distinguished for his bravery, in several bat
ties, but his modesty had prevented his So
I1ciiing advancement, and be had been over
looked in the promotions. The Emperor re-
called him to his side.
"You have merited the Cross Of the LIE
gion of Honor" said he giving him the one
he wore-"You are brave MANI
The grenadier, who, at this moment, stood
between the Emperor and the Colonel, could
not speak, but his eyes said more than vol
umes. Napoleo made sign, the drums
beat roll, there was dead silence, and the
Colonel, turning towards the new knight,
who, with trembling hands, was placing his
cross on his breast, said, with loud voice
''In the name Of the Emperor, respect SER
geant-maior Noel as sub lieutenant in your
ranks"
The regiment presented arms. Noel see
med in dream, and only the stern, immo-
vable features Of the Emperor prevented him
from falling on his knees.-Another sign
was made, the drums beat, and again the
Colonel spoke
''In the name of the Emperor, respect sub
lieutenant Noel as lieutenant in your ranks"
This new thunderstroke nearly overcome
the grenadier-his knees trembled, his eyes
that had not been moist for twenty years,
were filled with tears, and he was vainly en-
deavoringe to stammer his thanks, when he
heard third roll of the drums, and fhe loud
voice of the Colonel:
sin the name of the Emperor, respect lieu
tenant Noel as captain in your ranks"
After this promotion, the Emperor contin-
ued his review, with that calm, majestic air,
which none who beheld ever forget but No
ell, bursting into a food of tears, tainted in
the arms of his Colonel, while, from the reg
iment, came a loud, united shout of UiUe L
Enpereur!
Noel now resides in Brussels, an infrm
old man, for he has seen nearly ninety sum-
mers, but still devoted admirer of Napole-
on. met him at a Masonic Lodge, and
learning that | was about TO visit the field of
Waterloo, he kindly furnished me- with much
of this information.