Wisconsin herald. [volume] (Lancaster, Wis.) 1846-1849, 1847-02-13

with Wnlcn Napoleon watched It's pro-
gress. On such charge rested his
empire at Waterloo, and in its failure
his doom was sealed. But all the lion
in McDonaId's nature was reused, and
he had fully resolved to execute the
task given him or fall on the field
Still he lowered unhurt amid his fall
ing guard and with his eye fixed
steadily on the enemy's centre, moved
steadily on. At the close and fierce
discharges Of these cross batteries on
its mangled head, that column would
sometimes stop and stagger back like a
strong ship when smitten by a wave.
The next moment the drums would
beat their hurried charge, and the
calm steady voice of Mcdonald ring
back through his exhausted ranks,
nerving them 10 the desperate valor
that filled his own spirit. Never be-
fore was such charge made, and it
seemed at every moment that the torn
and mangled mass must break and fly.
The Austrian cannon are gradually
wheeled around till they stretch away
in parallel lines like two walls Of fire
on each side of his band Of heroes,
and hurl an incessant tempest Of lead
against their bosoms. But the stern
warriors close in and ill up the fright
full gaps made at every discharge, and
still press forward. Mcdonald has
communicated his own settled purpose
to conquer or die, to his devoted fol-
lowers.
There is no excitement, no enthusi-
asm such as Murat was wont to infuse
into the men when pouring on the foe
his terrible cavalry. No cries of 'Vive
i Empereur.' are heard along the
lines; but in their place is an unatera-
BILE resolution that nothing but annihi-
lation can shake. The eyes of the
army and the world are on them, and
they carry Napoleon's fate as they 90.
But human strength has its limits, and
human effort the spot where it ceases
forever No living man could have
carried that column to where it stands
but the iron-hearted leader at its head.
But now he halts and casts his eve
over his surviving band that stands all
alone in the midst of the enemy. He
looks back on his path, and as far as
the eye can reach, he sees the course
of his heroes by the black swarth of the
dead men that stretches like huge
serpent over the path. Out Of the
sixteen thousand men with which he
started, only fifteen hundred are left
beside him. Ten out Of every eleven
have fallen, aud here at length the
tired hero pauses, and surveys with a
stern and anxious eye his few remain
ing followers. The heart of Napoleon
stops beating at the sight, and well it
may. for his throne is there. Nc Donald
stands. AS bears the empire win his
single brave heart-he is the empire.
Shall he turn at last and sound the re-
treat? The fate of nations waves to
and fro. for. like speck in the dis
lance, Mcdonald is seen still to pause,
while the cannon are piling the dead
in heaps around him. will he turn
and fyP is the secret and agonizing
question Napoleon puts to himself
No! he is worthy of the mighty trust
committed to him. The empire stands
or falls with him, but shall stand while
he stands. Looking away to where
his Emperor sits, he sees the dark
masses of the old Guard in motion and
the shining helmets ofthc brave curas-
siers sweeping to his relief 'For-
ward breaks from his iron lips. The
roll of drums and the pealing OF trum-
pets answer the volley that smites the
exhausted column, and in moment ii
is seen piercing the Austrian centre
The day is won-the empire saved
and the whole Astrian army is in full
retreat.
Such was the battle of Wsgram, and
such was the charge of Mcdonald. l
knew of nothing equal to it, except
Ney's charge at Waterloo, and that
was not equal, because it failed.
On riding over the victorious field,
Bonaparte came where Mcdonald /
stood amid his troops. As his eye fell
on the calm and collected hero, he |
stopped, and holding out his hand, said /
Shake hands, Mcdonald more
hatred between us-we must hence
forth be friends, and as a pledge Of
my sincerity, | will send your mar
shsll's staff, which you have so glori
ously earned' The frsnkness and |
kindness Of Napoleon effected what