The New York herald., 1851-12-30
Death OF Marshal souIt.

We have to day to record an event which resent
news has led the public Of Europe to expect, and
which, had there been no forewarning, the great
age Of the Diseased would have rendered no sur
prise. Marshal Soult, Of the most distinguish
ed Of French soldiers, and one Of the most exalted
Of French statesmen, died on the nigh. Of the 10Th
ult. at st. Armand
Soult was born in the year fruitful Of great men
l769. His origin was obscure, and, like most Of
the generals OF the empise, be was of the people,
and poor mans son. His birth place was ST. Au-
rams, in the department Of the Tarn. He was a
soldier from the FIRST. In his sixteenth year, ne
tered a regiment OF artillery; and passing soon
under the commands Of Hoche and Jourdan, the
generals OF the new republic, he rose with the rapid
ty peculiar TO the time, when there too much at
risk to allow OF etiquette routine to interfere with
the search Of the men fitted for the work. His
character was not only that Of brave officer, but
Of brave officer who was brave a. the right time
and his merits attracted attention and secured pro-
motion. The fret occasion on which he forced
himself on the notice Of the whole army was az the
battle Of Fleurus; and the anecdote taken from the
historian OF the "Victores ct Conquetes des Fran
caise" has long been current. Soult was chief Of
the staff to General Lefebre, who headed the ad.
vanced guard Of the army Of the Moselle. When
the right wing under Moroccan was route 4. and the
general himself forced to fall back on Lefebres
division, he entrea.ed, in an agony Of despair,
succor Of four battalions that he might sseR TO re
cover his lost position. "Givo these battalons TO
me, said Marceau to Lefebre, " or blow out my
brains" Lefebre hesitated and consulted
Soult. Souli demonstrated, and represented that
to lend these battaon would endAnger the safety Of
the whole division. Marceau was Indignant that
an obscure aide should venture to have any opinion
on such subject. "Who are you p cried Marceau.
Soult responded, "Whoever | am, | am calm,
which you are not" The indignation OF Marceau
was extreme. lie threatened, and then challenged
Soult to eight the following day /" Tres biei,"
said Soult, 81 viii not treat you with disrespect
But must speak thetruth. DO not kill yourself, Ge
neral; lead on your men to the charge again, and
you shall have our battalions as soon as we can
spare them" The result justified Soult's presump
ton. Lefebres division was almost instantly after
wards assailed by the enemy. In the middle Of the
battle, when the French, as Lefebre thought, we're
being beaten, Ssults advice was again asked.
Lefebre wanted to retreat Soult pointed out signs
on the tnemys side which indicated that they wne
themselves giving way. An order from Jourtsn
arrived to charge; and Soult was right, the enemy
was retreating. When the battle was over, Mar
eeau confessed the superiority of Soult; and the
two officers embraced, Msrceau protesting that
Soult had won the battle. These and similar Incl
dents spread the fame Of the young soldier. lie
gained the confidence Of his men, and his genius,
supported by tn at confidence, accomplished wonders
We need net follow him through the career in which
he was only subordinate. He reached the rank
Of General Of Brigade so early as 1871, and in four
years more be was General OF Division. Nspo-
Icons eagle glance was ever on the look out for
worthy ieutenants, and he inquired Of Massena,
who, the most unequal sf me q, was at least nvaria-
bly, honest, whether Soult was n man 10 be trusted
Massena's emphatic report was, :" Soult has ne
superior. his led TO Soult being brought into
activity within the personal observation Of the
First Consul; and, from the first, Napoleon placed
implicit faith in him. Soult was one Of the first
generals TO whom, in 1901 was handed the baten Of
a Marshal ef France.
Soult was probably the more trusted that he
would never sacrifice his individuality. lie was an
intensely Obstinate man, and would seldom sabmit
10 the superior genius Of his leader, after he had
received and acted upon the general instructions.
Soult was given the command, in camp, OF the
"army ofEngland" lie here became remarkable
for the rigid and remorseless discipne be enforced
on the troops. They complained. and the First
Consul interfered. Soult replied, {" such az can
not Withstand the fatigue which support myself
will remain in the depots. such as 40 stand h will
be ct for the conquest Of England and Of the
world" Soult was with Napoleon at Marengo. AT
Ausserlitz, and at Eylau At Austertz Napoleon
said, when he had assigned Soult's position, " The
only instruction have 10 give, marshal, is this
Act as you always do" Soult did act rs he always
did-acted for himself. In the heat Of the battle
orders came from the Emperor, who had waited a
long time for Soult 10 move, to attack without de-
lay, and gain the heights Of Pratzen. The aide
de-camp returned 10 the emperor with the mar
shal's reply, "It is not time yet" The emperor,
enraged, and fearing fatal blunder, sent second
order. il was unnecessary; Soult had put his CO.
lumns In motion The marshal had been watching
the Russians. Who were extending their line 10 the
le and 10 vsakening their centre, which rested on
the heights, and be had waited for the right mo-
ment. Napoleon saw the brillisncy Of the move
nsn.. He salloped 70 the ground .here soult
't'od, sns in w ssdps~ VI bs Asswsd s0nqosr0r,