The Abbeville banner. [volume] (Abbeville, S.C.) 1847-1869, 1847-05-12
NO, Il,


the advanced posts to direct the movements
of his army, ono of his escort was struck
dead by his side. Turning to Duroc, he
said, Duroc, fate is determined to have one
of us this day." Soon after as he was ri-
ding with his suit in rapid trot along the
road, n cannon ball smote tree beside him.
and glancing,struck General Kirgener dead,
| and tore out the entrals of Duroc. Napo.
leon was ahead at the time, and his suite,
four ,reast, behind him. The cloud Of
dust 7 rapid movement raised around
them, r ted him from knowing at first
who w lck. But when it was told him
that X. ,cner was killed and Duroc woun-
ded, he dismountcd, and gazed long and
stcrnly on the battery from which the shot
had been fired; then turned towards the cot
tagc into which the wounded Marshal had
been carried.
Duroc was Grand Marshal of the Palace,
and bosom friend of tho Emperor. Of a
noble and generous character, Of unshaken
integrity and patriotism, and firm as steel in
the hour of DANGER he was beloved by ali
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 af.
fiction and the same-and it was with anx.
ious heart and sad countenance he entered
the lowly cottage where he lay. His eyes
were filled with tears, as he asked if 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 and said, my whole life has been
consecratcd to your service, and now my on
ly regret is, that can no longer be useful to
YOU" Duroc" replied Napoleon, with a
voice choked with grief "there IS another
LJe-there you aOiU Await me, and zoe shall
m -et again." eyes, sir" replied the ain-
ting sufferer, "but thirty years shall first
pass away, when you will have trimuphed
over your enemies, and realized all the
hopes Of our country. l have endeavored
which TO reproach myself" He then added,
with faltering voice, "Ihove daughter -
your Majesty soiU be q father to her." Ma.
poleon graspcd his right hand. and sitting
down beside, and leaning his head on his
left hand, remained with closed eyes, a
quarter of an hour, in profound silence. Du-
roc first spoke. Seeing how deeply Bona
parte was moved, he exclaimed, 8" All !
SIRE, leuve me-; this spectacle pains you /"
The stricken Emperor rose, and leaning on
the arms of his equerry and Marshal Soult,
left the apartment, saying in heart breaking
tones, as he went, FarraocU, then, my
friend ~
The hot pursuit he had directed mo.
ment before was forgotten-victory trophies,
prisoners and all, sunk into worthlessness,
and, as at the battle Of Aspern, when Lam
mes was brought to him mortally wounded,
he forgot even his army, and the great inte.
rest at stake. He ordered his tent to be
pitched near the cottage in which his friend
was dying, and, entering it; passed the night
all alone i'll inconsolable grief. The impe-
rial Guard formed their protecting squares,
as usual, around him, and the free tumult of
battle gave way to one Of the most touch.
ing scenes in history. Twilight was dee
pening over the field, and the heavy tread of
the ranks going on to their bivouacs, the
low rumbling of artillery wagons in the dis, j,
tance, and oil the subdued, yet confused
sounds of a mighty host about sinking to
repose, rose on the evening air, imparting
still greater solemnity 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 tho profoundest melancholy,
His most intimate friends dare not approach
him, and his tayorite officers stood in groups
at a distance, gazing anxiously and sadly on
that silent tent, But immense consequent Z
ces were hanging on the movements Of tho
next morning powerful enemy was near,
with their array yet unbroken --and they at 3
length ventured to approach and ask for Or
ders. But tho brokenhearted chieftain only
shook his head, exelaiming, - Everys sttltiagss
IS 4 4 4 4 !: : : )