Portage sentinel. [volume] (Ravenna, Ohio) 1845-1854, 1849-11-19

RAVENNA, OHIO MONDAY NOV EMBER 49, lS49

seemed TO wrap the very Heavens in one
) vast confiagration He who had braved
death on mary stricken field who had
stood unharmed amid the iron hale OF
battle, had his feilest peril in that sea Of
fire, which wrapped the Kremlin in one
vast shee, of flame The morning which
followed lha. second night of terror, saw
all hopes of saving = Moscow at an end
From houses deserted and shut up, the
flames would burst forth, and in parts OF
The city remote from previous confagation,
The rush Of iugilives. would be-. seen. flying
to avoid the flames as i, burst forth without
any known cause. Soon the fatal truth
found place in every mind. Russia had
devoted her finest city to destructlon; had
offered it up as u sacrifice to break the
charm which impelled the destiny of Ma
Poleon on TO victory and 10 conquest.
Finding that previous to the evacution Of
the city by the Russian forces, That orders
were given for its destruction, and which
had been so faithfully executed by the
agents left behind for that purpose, The re-
manning portion of the city, was given up
to pilIage, and the troops of Napoleon, SO
long under cons,raint, plundered at will.
Camp women were seen clothed in the
richest Of silks and laees. placed above
their own filthy apparel, and the drummer
OF the regiment might be seen enveloped in
| tiurs, that in his own land, would be worth
the soldiers pay for many years. Finery
of all kinds was displayed above rags
rare pictures, in rich and heavy frames,
decorated the tents OF the common soldiers,
and rich wines were quaffed from silver
goble.s by those that few days before
drank stagnant water in the swamps, and
| blessed their stars that they were so fortu
nate as 10 get it..
The troops of Marmont, we said, we're
encamped near the church of. ST. Michael
Within its deep vaults, was the burial place
Of the Russian Emperors, before the time
that Peter the Great, founded the capitol
which bears his name. Wild tales were
told OF countless treasures concealed there
of-jewels of great price, hid within lis
dark and gloomy vaults, and of gold in
heaps deposited there by those who were
forced 10 flee before the rapid march of the
grand army. Into these vaults parties of
marauders plunged, and amid the mouder-
ing bones Of the great: then fast crumbing
into theit original nolhingness, they search
ed in vain. Al length one of their number
left for a moment in darkness, by the ex-
tinguishment of the torch he carried, saw
at the end of 4 long gallery, into which his
search had led him, the pale light OF lamp.
Cautiously advancing, he beheld PROSTATE
before rude altar, in an attitude OF devo-
lion, female richly dressed. For mo-
menl astonishment at scene so singular
and unexpected, held him spell bound.
So intent was she upon her devotions, that
she heard not the rude noise of the seekers
alter the treasures Of St. Michaels.-
Rising from her PROSTATE attitude, the
form Of the soldier met her eye, and the
shrek, which rang through the vaults,
atlesled her fright, and she sank in DEATH
like swoon. So wild, so piercing was the
cry, that it soon gathered the whole band
of marauders around her, and in her flint
ing situation, she was carried from the
vaults to the street Marmont at the mo-
ment passing by caught q sight Of her
white dress and claimed the captive as his
own.
Consciousness returned not, until she
had been carried to the quarters OF Mars
mont, and the usual restoralives used.
Better, far better, had that sleep been the
sleep Of death. Wha. world of misery,
of sorrow and Of horror it would have
saved! But let US not anticipate.
The courlly tongue of Marmont drew
from her history Of her sorrows, and the
kind interest he seemed TO take in her
wrongs, made her feel the bitterness of her
lot, the less. He promised to project her;
to restore her to her parents, to be unto her
brother, and to act brothers part. She
was young, inexperienced and believed
him sincere, but sincerity and Marmont
were strangers. He knew the feeling by
name, but not otherwise, and the coils OF
the serpent were already thrown around
the victim.
Her history she gave him. She was of
noble house-her father was with the ar
my. Brothers and sisters she had hone
Her life had been passed in seclusion, scarce
ever seeing any, save her parents, her
teachers and the servants Of her fathers
house. Al an early day she was affiapced
to one almost a stranger, but who was the
bridegroom Of her parents choice. Their
commands to her were law, and leav-
ing the country seat, whore her earliest
recollec,ions sentered, she had repaired
with her parents to Moscow, where the
nuptials we're to be celebrated. The day
before the ceremony was TO have been per-
formed, the near approach Of Napoleon
and his army was announced, and the faith.
er and aHianced husband rallied around the
Muscovite banner to beat back the intruder.
The thunder of cannon told that the great
battle Of Moskwa, which was to decide the
fate of the city, had commenced, and the re-
treat of the Russians, and the abandon
ment Of the city, showed that the star Of
Napoleon's destiny was still onaUard!-i
With others, herself and mother sought
refuge Of the Kremlin, that consecrated
spot, which tradition said could never be
taken. In the rush of thousands to its
gates, the mother and daughter were sepa-
rated At that instant the cry was raised
that the French were approaching, and that
wild crowd sought refuge by flight. Borne
along by the mass of affrighted beings, she
found herself near the church of st. Mi.
chael and remembering visit paid with
her iather to its vaults, to offer up her
prayers for the feoose of one of the Empe-
rors buried there, and from whom she claim