Staunton spectator, and general advertiser. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 183?-1849, 1849-09-19

| WARRIORS IN RETiRENENT.-Ihere is a county
in Alabama called Marengo. The circumstances
under which the appellation was given TO it are al
uded TO in an address before the University Of AL
ALBANIA, by Mr.. A. B Meek. They are connected
with some historical incidents not generally known
in this country. After the fall Of Napoleon sever
| OF his distinguished generals and companions camo
| to the u. States, and received from Congress, on
the Sd OF March, 1917, a grant oflands in Alabama,
the condition the grants being that The emgrants
should cultivate the yineupon one ofeachq quar-
tel section and the olive upon another and at the
end of Ia years should pay the General Government
two dollars on the for fee simple title to the
land. Among the grantees were Marshal Grouchy
Gen. Leiebvre Desnoucttes, Duke of Dantzc, and
Marshal and Peer Of France, Count Claudsel,
Gen. Count Real, two Generals Allemand. and
Generals Vandamme. I.akanal Penniers. and Cart
nor STUNTS, with number of other subordinate Off
GERS. They settled upon the Tombecbee river, and
called their colony after the noted battle field of Ma
Iengo-a name which the county embracing the
locality of the settlement still bears.
For time. ii appears, the military ruralsts dwelt
peacefully and happy in their new homes * with thu
characteristic philosophy OF Frenchmen adapted
themselves 10 the circumstances of their condition.
traveller IN 1919, passing through the settlement
was ierrlcd over the river by the officer who COM
manded Narolcon's advance guard on his return from
Eioa While the warike husbandmen turned tho
sword into the ploughshare, and the spear into
pruning hook, the female portion Of the colonists
Were employed in avocations still more in contrast
with their former modes of life. The address re-
marks
'1lere, dwelling in cabins, and engaged in hum
bic attention TO the spinning wheel and the loom, or
u; ndii'G the wedding hoe ID their little garden were
n9'ron Fad mai,lens, who fad been born TO proud
tlies an' high estates, and who had moved as stars
OF particular alteration amid the fashion and refine
meat and imperial display Of the Court of Versailles
Aud yet, 10 their honor be it stated, notwithstanding
The rustic and propr,ioned circumstances around
Them They did not appear dispired or mserable-
Nothing OF angels ruined was visible in their con-
dltlon. They Were contenied, smiling, happy"
one OF The mos, amusing things among the unu-
sual compances which these celebrated warriors
yielded TO with native good humor. was to see them
mustered and drilled by militia officer on training
days-accordng TO the statues the commonwealth
made and provided.
But these onquiet spirits. continues the address,
nursed IN the storms OF battle and the commissions
OF State could not long brook the peaceful pursuits
OF agriculture; and one by onehey left some for the
armies of the South American Republics, some for
Their native country until in 1885 hardly vestige
ct the colony remained. A stranger would now
look IN vain amongst the back lands and broad cot
ton fields of Marengo Tor the simple patches upon
which the Duke of Danlzc or Count Claudsel at
tempted TO cultivate the olive and the vine.