Wisconsin herald. [volume] (Lancaster, Wis.) 1846-1849, 1846-11-28
Death OF DurOC.

Napoleon's greatest misfortune, that
which wounded him deepest, was the
death of his friend Duroc. As he
made last effort to break the enemy's
ranks, rode again to the advanced posts
to direct the movement of his army,
one of his escort was struck dead by
his side. Turning to Duroc, he said,
sDuroc, fate is determined to have one
of us today Soon after as he was
riding with his suite in rapid trot
along the road, a cannon ball smote a
tree beside him, and glaneing, struck
Gen. Kirganer dead. and tore out the
Ientrails of Duroc. Napoleon was a
head at the time, and his suite, four
abreast, behind him. The cloud Of
dust, their rapid movements raised a
round them, prevented him from
knowing at first who was struck. But
when it was told him that Kirgener
was killed and Duroc wounded, he
dismounted, and gazed long and stern
ly on the battery from which the shot
had been fired: then turned towards
the cottage into which the wounded
marshal had been carried.
Duroc was grand marshal of the pal
ace, and bosom friend of the Empe-
ror OF noble and generous charac-
ter, Of mistaken integrity and patriot.
ism, and firm as steel in the hour OF
danger, he was beloved by all who
knew him. There was gentleness
about him and purity Of feeling the
life Of camp could never Destroy
Napoleon loved him-for through all
the changes of his tumultuous life he
had ever found his affection and truth
the samoa and it was with an anxious
heart and sad countcnance he entered
the cottage where he lay. His eyes
were filled with tears as he asked II
there was hope. When told there
was none, he advanced to the bedside
without saying a word. The dying
marshal seized him by the hand land
said, my whole life has been conse-
Grated to your service, and now my
only regret is. that | can no longer be
useful to you.' Durocn replied Ma
poleon, with a voice choked with grief
'there is another life-there you will
await me, and we shall meet again.
Yes, SIRE replied the fainting suffer
err, 'but thirty years shall first pass a
way, when you will have triumPhed
over your enemies, and realized all the
hopes of our country. have endeav-
ored to be an honest man; ! have moth
thing to reproach myself. He then
added with ialtering voice, Il have
daughter-your majesty will be faith
err to her. Napoleon grasped his
hand, and sitting down by the bedside
and leaning his head on his left hand
remained with closed eyes a quarter Of
an hour in profound silence. Duroc
first spoke. Seeing how deeply Bo.
naparte was moved, he exclaimed, 'Ahl
sire, leave me; this spectacle pains
vou.' The stricken Emperor rose
and leaning on the arms Of his equerry
Marshal Soult, left the apartment, say
ing, in heart breaking tones, as he
went. Farewell then, my friendn
The hot pursuit he had directed a
moment before was forgotten; victory
trophies. prisoners and all, sunk into
utter worthlessness, and as at the battle
of Aspern, when Lannes was brought
to him MORALLY wounded, he forgot
even his army, and the great interests
at stake. He ordered his tent to be
pitched near the cottage in which hi:
friend was dying, and entering it, pass
ed the night all alone in inconsola5le
grief The Imperial Guard formed
heir protecting squares. as usual, a
round him, and the fierce tumult o
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