Portage sentinel. [volume] (Ravenna, Ohio) 1845-1854, 1851-10-06
established his righ. Of command, retired

spoke mildly to him. Bat better seconded
in his eager march, ana in his desire tc
overiake and give battle TO the enemy, by
| the impetuosi,y of Murat, than by the pru.
dent caution of Davoust, he represented to
him kindly-@ThatSsane man could moi
hare erery kind of merit; that to lead a
ranguard soas moi to direct the movements
| Of an army; and that Murat, ,cih has
smprudsnce, 1oould perj.aps, hare orer-
taken Bagration, mhom Daroust had, by
ms sloaeness, safsred to escape"
Notwithstanding the mildness of the tone
in which the Emperor spoke 10 Davoust, he
was offended by these reproaches, and he
retired, more irritu,ed than ever sgainsi
the king Of Naples. An hour afterwards
q message was brought him thnt The frs,
who should attempt to push Ibis quarrel
further should be sent back to France.
On the following day, Murat and dDavoust,
in concert and by the orders Of The Emper.
or, took possession Of Viasma. But the
day after their discord was rer we'd. Mu.
rat finds himself in the presence Of the
enemy, and suddenly the thought of com.
batting seizes him. The order to attack is
given-his cavalry ussails that Of the Rus
slams. The infantry of the latter advances
to support the horse; Mural wishes to bring
forward his own, that is 10 say, that which
Davoust commands under his orders; he
hurries to Campans' division and puts him.
self at its head. But, at the same moment
the Prince Of Eckmuhl rides up; he bitter
ly reproaches Mnra, for engaging in this
new and useless combat, and declares that
he will not support him. He forbids Cam
pans to advance; Murat repeats bis orders;
Davoust resists still more violently. Al
this insult, the King Of Naples, furious at
first, suddenly calms his anger. He np-
peals to his rank-his authority. Davoust
does not heed him, end Campans, after
long hesitation, obeys the commands OF
Davoust, his immediate chief. Then with
calmness unexompled in his chpFacter,
and with proud dignity, Murat turns TO
Beillard, the chief OF his staff
"Beilard," he said, "go to the Emperor,
tell him to dispose Of the command Of The
vanguard; tell him that he has n general
the less, and soldier the moe. As for
me, l 60 TO exlrica,e yonder brave fellows
from the embarrassment INFO which have
led them."
Then turning to Davoust, he added
"Marsl,al we shall meet again.
"Certainly. if you return saie," replied
the latter, bitterly, pointing to his horse
men, who were almos, routed.
81 shall return" replied Murat, with n
glance thnt expressed all his resolution.
At once while the Prince Of Eckmuhl
retires, Murat spurs to his cavalry; rallies
them with his voice; displays, in the first
ranks, his tall plumes and sparkling deco
rations, which are ever seen where danger
calls-ihey surround him-they defend him
and as he still pushes onward he finds
himself victorious once again.
"Ahl" cried Murat, ''!he glory is still
ours alone!"
With these words lie quits the field Of bat.
tie, and re,ires into his tent. He enters
| alone; and, all heated with the combat, his
hand still trembling from the blows which
he has dealt, he writes few lines upon q
sheet Of fine and perfumed paper. At this
moment, Beillard appears. Murat without
questioning him as the result OF his message,
reaches him the billet.
= ne Sulu, III CulM IODos
'scarry this billet to Davoust."
sit is challenge" said Beillard, with.
out taking the paper.
sit is q challenge" answered the King of
Naples, coldly.
81 will not carry itp' replied Beillaro, in
tone of resolution.
1t seemed as if an eleclic shock thrilled
Murat's frame at this reply. He turned
toward the chief of his staff, with counte-
nance expressive Of astonishmens rather
than irritation
"You, likewisen'-he said, in hollow
voice, which was checked by anger.
''Sire. sire!" cried Beillard, "you shall
not make an accomplice in your ruin
The Emperor is resolu,e; and at your first
menace he will send you back to FRANCE"
swell, then, let him send me back! one
can die elsewhere than here!" replied the
King of Naples, fpriously. He forgets
his army in Spain-let him give that to
me; let him give me rigiment; let him
leave me common soldier, If he will. |
owe him my blood, my life; but my honor
is mine own, Beillard. Do you hear, Bell
lardl my honor is mine own, | say, and
was brave before he was an Emperor. Go
and carry the billet'
"Sire," replied Be;llard, warmly, syou
are indebted 10 him for crown, the dignity
of WHICH you should not compromise by a
quarrel with on officer Of the Empire "
ga crown!" interrupted Murat, with in
creasing evaporation; ''hus this crown
prevented me from being insulted to my
face? These he added. with stern joy, as
he grasped his sabre apa his pistols, ",hess
have caused me to respect oil my life, and
they will not fail me now. Go, then, Bell
lard! go!"
:You are king" replied the chief.
sand Davoust will refuse"
"Then'' cried Mpra,, che would be
coward"
at is not true" replied Beillard, sudden.
ly; and he guzed proudly at the King Of
Naples. "
Mura. was holding his sabre and his pis.
tolls in his hands. At these words he glar-
cd for mon ent, with nm air Of stupor, at
the chief Of his staff, who stood, calm and