Wisconsin herald. [volume] (Lancaster, Wis.) 1846-1849, 1846-11-28
LANCASTER, SATURDAY, NOVEMBER 90, lS46.

was deepening over the field, and the
heavy tread of the ranks going to their
bivouacs, the low rumbling of artillery
wagons in the distance, and all the
subdued yet confused sound of nigh
ty host about sinking to repose, rose
on the evening air, imparting still
greater soIemnity to the hour. Napo-
leon, with his grey great coat wrapped
about him, his elbows on his knees, and
his forehead resting on his hands, sat
apart from all, buried in the profound
est melancholy. His most intimate
friends dare not approach him, and his
favorite officers stood in groups at
distance, gazing anxiously and sadly on
that silent tent. But immense conse-,
quences were hanging on the move
ments of the next morning. power
full enemy was near, with their array
yet unbroken-and they at length ven
tured to approach and ask for orders.
But the broken-hearted chieftain only
shook his head, exclaiming, EVERY
thing tomorrow and still kept his
mournful attitude. Oh, how over
whelming was the grief that could so
master that stern heart? The magnif-
icent spectacle Of the day that had
passed, the glorious victory he had
won, were remembered no more, and
he saw only his dying friend before
him. No sobs escaped him, but silent
and motionless he sat, his noble heart
wrung with agony. Darkness drew
her curtain over the scene, and the
stars came out one after another upon
the sky, and. at length, the moon rose
above the hills, bathing in her soft
beams the tented host, while the flames
from burning villages in the distance
shed lurid light through the gloom
and all was sad mournful, yet sublime.
There was a dark cottage, with the
sentinels at the door, in which Duroc
lay dying, and there, too, was the soli-
tary tent Of Napoleon, and within. the
bowed foIm Of The Emperor Around
1t, at distance, stood the squares of
the Old Guard, and nearer by, silent
groups of chieftains, and over AL lay
the moonlight These brave soldiers
filled with grief to see their chief
borne down with such sorrow, stood
for a long time silent and fearful. At
length, to break the mournful silence,
and express the sympathy that might
not speak, the bands struck up re-
QUEEN for the dying marshal. The
melancholy strains arose and fell in
prolonged echoes over the field, and
swept in softened cadenees on the ear
of the fainting warrior--but still Ma
polcon moved moi. They then chang
ed the measure to triumphant strain,
and the thrilling trumpets breathed
forth their most joyful notes, till the
heavens rung with the melody. Such
bursts Of music had welcomed Napole-
on as he returned flushed with victory
till his eye kindled in exuliation; but
now they fell dull and listless on his
ear. 1t ceased, and again the mourn
ful requiem filled the air But nothing
could arouse him from his agonizing
refections-his friend lay dying, and
the heart he loved more than his life
was throbbing lis last Pulsations.
What theme for a painter, and
what an eulogy on Napoleon was that
scene! That noble heart which the
enmity Of the world could not shake,
nor the terrors of battlefield could
not move from its calm rcpose-nor
even the hatred and insults Of his. at
last, victorious enemies humble, here
sunk in the moment Of victory before
the tide of affection. What military
chieftain ever mourned thus on the
field Of victory, and what soldiers
ever loved leader so!
M The New York Sun says that