The Caledonian. [volume] (St. Johnsbury, Vt.) 1837-1867, 1851-07-05
NAPOLEON AT MOsCOM.

I "a NUT i'iilN'n INV l''''' w.
NAPOLEON AT MOSCOW.
We subjoin from IIcadly's work, "Napolq-
on and his MArshals," brilliant account Of
the burning Of Moscow, which Is well spoken
Of in the American Wing Review as superb
or even to Croly's picture, 10 "Salnthicl," Of
the counagrdiion Of Rome. IIeadly's dcscrip-
tive powers have rarely, IL ever, been sur
iTasSrr
at length Moscow, with its domcs, and
towers and palaces, appeared in sight, and
Napoleon, who had joined the advanced
guaUl, gazed long and thoughtmlly on the
goal Of wishes. Murnt went forward and en-
tered the gates with his splendid cavalry, hut
as he passed through the streets, he was
struck with the solitude which surrounded
him. Nothing was hoard but the heavy tramp
Of his squadron as he passed along, for de-
serted and abandoned city wns the mcagre
priizc for -wtTtrir such unparalleled efforts bad
been made As night drew its curtain over
the splendid capital, Napoleon entered the
gates, aud Immediately appointed Morticr
governor. In his directions, he commanded
him 10 abstain from all pillage. For this. 'hc
slid. YOU shall be nnswcRblc with your life.
Defend Moscow against all, whether friend
or foe.
The bright moan rose over the mighty city
tipping with silver the doncs of moro than
two hundred churches, aud pqnring food
of light over q thousand palace, and the
dwellings of three hundred thousand iuhalit-
alli----I Ihe-AgGarl- army, .lmk 10 rest; but,
there was no sleep TO Aiors.cr's eyes. Not
the gorgeous and varicgolcd palaces aud their
rich ornaments, nor the parks and gardens
and oriental magnidconce that everywhere
surrounded him, kept him wakcful, but the
omiuous loreboding that some dire calamity
was hanging over the silent capital. When
ho entered it, scarce q living soul uot his
gaze as he looked down the long streets and
when hc broke open the buildings he found
parors, and bedrooms aud chambers, all fur
nishcd and in order-but no occupants The
sudden abandonment of their homes bctokcn-
ed some secret purpose yet to be nlfllod.--
The midnight qpoon was sailing over the city
when the cry of Fire = reached the ears Of
Mortier aud the first light over Napoleon's
falling empire was kindled, and that most
wondrous scene of modern times commenced
the burning of Moscow.
Mortcr, as governor Of the city, ifiinedi-
atcly issued his orders, aud was putting forth
every cxcrtion, when at daylight Napoleon
fastened to him. Affecting to disbelioye the
reports that the inhabitants were firing their
own city, ho put more rigid commands on
Mortior to keep tho Soldiers from the work
ofdes;ruction. Tho Marshal simply pointed
TO some iron-covered houses that had not yet
been opened, from every crcvicc of which
smoke was issuing like a stream from the
sides of pent-up volcano. Sad and thought
ful, Napoleon turned towards the Kremlin,
the ancient palace of the Czars, whose huge
structure rose high above the surrounding
edifces.
In tho morning, ,Morticr,bs great eNortons,
was enabled to subdue the fire. The next
night (Septembcr i6) at midnight, the senti-
ncis on watch upon the lolly, Krsunlin saw
below them the flames bursting through the
houses and palaces,and the cry of Fire fire |
fire passed through the city The dread
scene had now fairly opened. Fiery balloons
were seen dropping from the air and light
ing upon the houses--dull explosions were
heard on every side from tho shut dwellings,
and the next moment n bright light burst
forth aud the flames were raging through the
apartments. All was uproar and confusion.
The serene air and moonlight of the night
before had given way TO driving clouds and
wild tempests, that swept with the roar of the
sea over the city. Flames arose on~eyery
rsider blazing and rruuktug III the storm,whiIe
tcioutis of smoke and sparks, in sn- ineessant
shower, went driving towards the Kremlin.-
The clouds themselves seemed turned into
fire, rolling in wrath over devoted Moscow
Mortier, crushed with the responsibility thus
thrown upon his shoulders, moved with his
young guard amid this desolation, blowing up
the houses and facing the tempest and hantss,
struggling nobly TO arrest the conaagration.
lie fastened from place to place amid the
burning ruins, his face backened with smoke
and his hair and eyebrows siaged with the
fierce heat At length The day dawned-a
day OF Tempest and OF hamo and Mortier,