The daily union. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1845-1857, 1851-06-25
For the Union.
The FcrocIty OF st Just-A Historical Anecdotc OF
1904

The FcrocIty OF st Just-A Historical Anscdoto OF
Here comes messenger from the enemy, citizen rep
resentave who looks if he was sent to invite US TO
repensh exhausted stores from the depot Of his Impe
rial Majesty, the Emperor OF Austria"
From the depot OF the Austrian tyrant, you should
say, interrupted rudely young man, whose fierce and
domneerins department contrasted strangely with his
delicate and eiieminate appearance
/ The last speaker the representative st Just who
adopted this mode Of giving lesson in republican
10 General Charbonnier old sodler-a brave though
easy and good humored man-who had been raised by
the strange vcssitudes of the times from the ranks TO The
command OF the army of the Mosele, and who then
occupied in besieging the fortress OF Charleroi.
\ "Citizen General" continued the arrogant Proconsul,
" if you ignorant of the language of repubcanism
you ought at least 10 understand your duty soldier
The republic expects you receive the enemy with pow
der and ball. Let that flag OF truce be fired upon
oncew
Charbonner was for moment thunderstruck he hes.
ated, but only for instant The powers of the Pro-
consul were unlimited his orders peremptoy the
General had learned obedience in the ranks. have
discretion said he to himself at is front face forward
march' And he prepared to obey command which set
at defiance every principle OF civilized warfare, when
simultaneous burst OF dsappobatlon, mingled with threats
and entreates from the officers and troops who had
witnessed this extraordinary scene
:" Stay moment, General" said the unmoyed ST. Just;
and then casting sinister and malignant look upon the
officers who had dared 10 disapprove of his conduct This
is not the first time have bad occasion suspect your
patriotism, unworthy servants OF free aation" he
claimed, shall you escape the penalty you have in
Cured but since you willing 10 see the campground
OF republican army soied by the feet OF slave OF des
potsm, bring the Austrian before me, and will show
you how the representative of free people receives the
envoy OF tyrant"
superior officer OF the Austrian army then intro
duced with the usual iormaltes observed such
sons He the bearer of proposals for the surrender OF
Charleroi-a most unhopedor piece of good fortune for
the French army which the reckless Proconsu had forced
to the Sambre, and take up its present position in
state OF entire ineiciency either 10 Numbers Of mate
rial for the achievement OF the purpose he had in view
The moment, however, that the Austrian presented
the General the papers containing the conditions upon
which proposed that the fortress should captulae,
ST. Just snached them braaly from his hand, them
pieces and trampled them under his feet; then,
wing his hand 18th insoen gesture towards the city,
he said to the envoy Slave 20 back your
and tell him neither papers messages from
him here 10 take possession OF Charleroi, and he
must surrender il al without conditions or his blood,
and the blood OF all who dwell therein, be his head
In vain all remonstrance in vain did Charbonnier
and his officers represent to the Infatuated Proconsu that
they were without the necessary material to carry the
siege with efficiency that The soldiers withou,
pay i'll clad, and almost without provisions that, for
lack el proper camp equpage the army was exposed 10
the nclemency of the weather in damp and unhealthy
marsh
at fearful rate la vain did they assure him that il the
n Dutch and German forces. which their march TO
relieve Chareroi should arrive before the city taken
not only would lis capture be impossible, but the very
existence OF the French division be leopsrded by the
vast numerical superiority OF the enemy No consideration
could move the wilfu obs,nacy OF ST. Just he ordered
the Austrian away from the camp, and the only answ er
10 The remonsrances OF the General gave directions that
battery of heavy should be Immediately planted
behind The foremost trenches II this not in position
and ready TO lombard the city by break OF day on the
: morrow he swore he would have the commandment.
chief the general of artillery and the chief OF the en-
e gineers, shot before the eyes Of the army.
e The ierocous character OF ST. Just was too well
known 10 admit of any doubt that he would carry into
: execution his sangunary threat, # his orders were not
obeyed TO the letter and incredible efforts were made Ia
comply with his requisition nnumerabie aruheets were
II set 10 work 10 place the damaged and wayworn park
u of artillery into the highest state OF efficiency OF which
il was capable. The country for leagues around was
for pick axes sboves and other tools for the
completion OF the trenches and the construction Of the
batteries. The supenntendence OF the works was CON
mitted to Captain de Meras old artillery officer Of
y great merit and experience, who II was not doubted
would carry out his instructions il il in the range OF
n possibilities TO do DE Meras ancient cheva
4 lier Of the prescribed order of ST. Louis, whose ardent
/ love of country had recalled him to her banners, al
though the dynasty which he had served with so much
devotion in hi youth had crumbe before the rude at
faint OF repubcanism, and he, with numbers OF his
o friends and comparots in arms had been driven into
poverty and exile, degraded from their rank and despoIed
t. OF their wealth and honors Joining the republican army
as soon as the first hostile foot had pressed the soil OF
France the gallant old chevalier bad been awarded a
grade which however inferior 10 that which he bad Tor
l. merly filed or to that which his proficiency IN the ml
tary art entitled him to, enabled him, by the exhio
ton of courage unsurpassed and skill unequaed IN '
ranks TO command the confidence OF his superos and to
~ nd feeti q
a. Ii was nigbiia before sufficient quantity Of mining
utensils had been collected and while these were being
in wagons to the advanced works where DE
Meras and his detachment already posted they were
intercepted by accommodating party from The fortress and
taken Patiently during the night did the old chevaller
and his gallant band persevere with their lew tools and
! inc fcent force, in the prosecution OF their work and
y eagerly and anxiousy did they look for the additional
supply of utensils and men which TO enable then
To complete their undertaking. Morning dawned, anC
II neither relief nor assistance but ~ their place
peared the fierce Proconsu who had arisen before the
break of day. and be assured that his orders had
been obeyed or to exact the fearful penalty he had threat
i ened.
In vain the misfortune which had beialen me r.
lief party explained TO HMM vain the imposs'ohS
of executing the work without additional men ana uel
sils represented to him St Just was nexofaoe' h
n pressed fury seemed to have concentrated user in'o
blood thirsty and cruel purpose OF revenge