True Democrat. (Paulding, Miss.) 1845-18??, 1846-11-04
u O. L T. AN Y
THE BURNING OF MOSCOW.
A SPLENDID DESCRIPTION.


The JollOring splendid description o
the burning Of the Russian Capitol, d
taken from, a cork entitled "Nqpoleo,
and his Marshals," by J. 7. Headtey
Just published
"At length Moscow, with its domes and
towers, and palaces, appeared in sight, and
Napoleon who had joined the advanced
guard, gazed long and thoughtfulIy on the
goal of his wishes Murat went forward
and entered the gates with his splendid
cavalry, but as he passed through the
streets, he was struck with the solitude
that surrounded him. Nothing was heard
but the heavy tramp of his squadrons as
he passed along, for deserted and aban-
| doned city was the meagre price for which
such unparalleled efforts had been made
As night drew its curtain over tie splendid
capital, Napoleon entered its gates, and
Immediately appointed Mortier governor.
In his directions he commanded him 10
abstain from all pillage. For this" said
he "you shall be answerable with your
life. Defend Moscow against oil, 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 a thousand palaces,
and the dwelling Of thee hundred thou
sand Inhabitants. The weary.army sunk
to rest, bat there WINS 40 Sleep for MoTtieI's
eyes. Not the gorgeous aud variegated
palaces aad the Itch ornaments, nor the
parts-rtrti euroirfs, and Oriental megni
licence that every where surrounded him,
kept him wakeful, but the ominous fore
boding that some dire calamity was hang
ing over the silent capital. When he
entered it scarcely living soul met his
gaza us he looked down The long streets;
aud when he broke open the buildings, ne
found parl0ta aud bed Iooms all furnished
aud in on er, cut no occupants. This
sudden abandonment Of their houses beto
kened some secret purpose yet 10 be fulfill
ed. The midnight moon was sailing over
the city when tho cry &, fire" reached
the ears Of Moui,r: atd n flrN .i1'lt over
Napoleon'S allen el.y;.e was k'ud 3D. and
that most woudrous sceae Of modem times
commenced.
Morler, as governor Of the city imme-
diateIv issued his orders, and was putting
forth every exerlinn, when at daylight
NAPOLEON fastened 10 him Affecting 10
dsbeIeve the reports that the inhabitants
were firing their own city, he put more
rigid commands on Morner, 10 keep the
soldiers from the work Of destruction. The
Marshal simply pointed 10 some iron Gov
cred houses that had not vet been opened, !
from every crevicc of which smoke was
issuing like steam from pent up volcano.
Sad aud thoughtful, Napoleon turned to-
wards thu Kremlin, the ancient palace of /
the Cars, whose huge structure rose high |
above the surrounding edi6ces.
la the morning, Mortier by great exer-
tions, was enabled To Suldue the fire. But |
the next night, September 18th, at mid
uipht. the sentines on watch upon The
lofty Kremlin, saw below them the flames
bursting through the houses aud palaces.
and the cry Of 8 fire! .tfrei" passed through
the city The dread scene was now far.
IL opened. Fiery balloons were seen
dropping from the air aud lighting upon
the houses; dull explosions were heard on.
every side from the shut mp dwellings,
and the next moment a bright light hurst
forth, and the flames were raging through
DE apartments The serene air and moon
ivht Of the night before had given way to
irving clouds and a wild tempest that
,wep, with the roar of the sea over the
,itv. Flames arose on every side, blazing
md cracking, and cracking m the storm,
While clonds Of smoke and sparks IN an
ncesssnt shower went driving towards
he Krenblin. The clouds, themselves
urned into FIRE rolled ia wrath over de-
-oied Moscow. Mortier, crushed with
he responsibility thus devolyed upon his
boulders, moved with his Young Guard
mid this desolaiiou, blowing upihe houses
md facing the tempest and che flames
trugging uoblY 10 arr-st the.conhagration.
Hehastened from place 10 place amid
he burning ruins, bis face blackened With
he smoke, and bis half and eyebrows
hinged with tie fierce beat A length /
he dav dawued, o DAY 81 iempssi and Of
lsme, snd Morter, WHO bad strained every ,