Sunbury American and Shamokin journal. [volume] (Sunbury, Northumberland Co., Pa.) 1840-1848, 1847-02-27
THE DEATH OF DUROC
by 7. J iIEArLY


NaWlcon's greatest misfortune. that which
wounded BIN deepest, was the death of his
friend Du,oc. AS he made last fort to break
the cncmy's ranks, and rode again to tho ad.
vanccd posts to direct the movements of his
army. on" OF hs escorts was suddenly struck
dead by his side. Turning to Duroc, be said,
'DMoc. fate is determined TO have one of us
TO day. Soon after, as he was riding with his
suite in n rapid tro: along the road, a cannon
ball smo'e n tree beside him, and glancing
struck Gen kirgener dead. and tore out the
entrals Of Duroc. Napoleon was ahead at the
time. and his suite four abreast, behind him.
The clond Of dust their rapid movements rased
around them, prevented him from knowing at
first who was struck. But when it was told
that Kirgener was killed and Duroc wounded.
he dismounted and azed long and sternly on
the battery from which the shot had been fired;
then turned towards the cottage into which the
wounded marshal hsi been carried.
Durcc was grand marshal of the palace and
bosom friend Of the Emperor. OF noble
and generous character. OF mistaken integrity
and patriotism, ant 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 de.
stroy. Napoleon loved him for through all
the changes Of his tumultuous life, he had ever
found his affection and truth the same-and it
was with an anxious hearts and sad counter.
ance he entered the lowly cottage where he
lay.--llis eyes were filled with tears as he ask.
cd If there was hopc. When told that there
was none. he advanced to tho bedside without
saying word. The dying marsha! seized him
consccrated to your service, and now my only
regret is. thu, can no longer be useful to you.
'Duroc replied Napoleon. with voice choked
with grei, there is another liie-there yon
sir replied the faintiug sufferer, but thirty
years shall pass AWAY, when you will have tri.
umphed over your enemies, and fealizcG all
the hopes of our country, | have endeavored
to be an homes: man, have nothing with
which TO rcproach myself lie then added,
with 'altering voice. i have u daughtef-your
Majesty will be father to her. Napoleon
grasped his right hand, and sitting down by the
bedside. and leaning his head on his let hand
remained with closed eyes quarter Of an hour
in profound silence. Du:oc first spoke. See.
ing how deeply Bnnapar,s was moved, he ex
claimed, 'Ah sire, leave me; this spectscle
pains you The stricken Emperor rose, and
leaning on The arms of his elnery and Marsha
Soult, he lett the apartment, saying in heart
breaking tones ss he went, 'Fare,reH then m,
friend!
The hot pursuit he had directed a moment
before wac forgotton-vic'orirs, trophies, Pri
soners and all sunk into utter wcrthlessnes. and
as at the battle Of Aspern, when Lannes was
brought to him mortally wounded, he forgot
even his army, and the great interests at stake.
lie ordered his tent 10 bs pitched near the cot.
'sge in which his friend was dying and enter.
ing il. parsed the night all alone in inconsolabe
grci. The Imperial Guard formed their pro
tecting squares, as usual, around him, and the
fierce ,umul' Of battle gave way to one OF the
most touching scsnss in history. Twilight was
deepening over the field, aud the heavy tread Of
the ranks going to bvolacs, the low Iumbling
Of artillery wagons in tho distance. and all the
subdued, yet confused sounds OF a mighty hos
about sinking 10 rtpnse rose on the evening ali
imparting still greuer solemn,y to the hour
Napoleon, with his great coat wrapped about
him, his elbows on His sriees, add his forehead
resting oh his hnnds, sat apart from all. buried
in the pro'"undest melancholy. His most In
innate frieLds dare not approach him, snd his
iavorite officers stood in groups at a distance
gazing ansiousy on that silent tent But I'm
! mense consequences were hanging on the move
men,s Of the next morning. powerful enemy
WAS near with their array yet unoroken-anf
+. they Of length ven,ured to appro'ch and ss'
!. for orders. But the broken.hesrted chietssiI
e only shook his head, exclaimed, 'Eperyshins
n &c. moron Z and still kept his morniu attitude
!. Oh, how overshe lining was the gret that coul'
d so master that stern heart The magnihcen
! spectacle of the day that had passed, the gO
D. fious victory he had won. were remembered
d more, and he saw snly his dying ftlead oeior