Portage sentinel. [volume] (Ravenna, Ohio) 1845-1854, 1851-10-06
Rivalry of MHrat and Dayoust.

vanguard of the army, and the two generals
had advanced as far as Sluw kow; it was
the twenty-seventh Of August. On the
twenty eighth, Murat pushed the enemy
beyond Osna. lie crossed the river with
his cavalry, and briskly attacked The Rus.
SLAMS, who were posted upon a height be.
yond the stream, and who could, in this po.
sition, easily maintain an obstinate conflict;
they did so, al first. with considerable sue
cess, and Murat, whatever is said Of him on
this subject, wishing to spare his cavalry
in spot where the ground was SO difficult,
he sent orders to battery of Davoust to
support his operations, and TO harass the
enemy upon the height. He waited, for a
while, to observe the success Of the new at
tack-but all was silent; and The Russinns,
taking advantage Of this singular inactivity,
descended from their position, and for the
moment repulsed the cavalry Of the King
of Naples to the very banks of the Osna,
that flows in the depths Of q ravine, into
which both men and horses were in danger
of being precipila;ed. Mural supported
his men by his words and his example, and
dispatched second order to the command
ant Of the battery; but again there was no
reply to this order, and word was brought
back TO the King Of Naples, tha, the cons
mandant, alleging his instructions, which
forbade him under penalty Of being cash.
Tered, to engage without an order from
Davoust, haG formally refused to FIRE. A
momentary anger infamed the face of The
King Of Naples, but more urgent peril
| demanded his attention; the Russians con-
tinued to press his cavalry. He at once
| placed himself at the head Of the 4th of the
lancers, spurred against the enemy, and in
moment carried the heights which Da-
voust should have swept with his artillery.
On the following day the two ieutenap,s
met in his presence; the King of Naples,
strong in the feeling that he had justified
his temerity by success-,he Prince Of
Eckmuhl, calm in his opinion, based upon
skill that had often been tested. Murat
complained bitterly of the orders given by
Davoust TO his subordinate officers. The
Emperor had listened with his hands cross
ed behind his back, his head slightly bent
upon his breast, concealing an air of salts
fac'i IN, and with his foot playing with q
Russian ball, which he rolled forward, and
which his eye followed attentively. Da-
vost, greatly isritated, did not linger with
his reply.
"Sire," he said, addressing the emperor,
"ihe King of Naples must be taught to give
over these useless and imprndent attacks,
which harass the vanguard Of the army
Never has the blood of men been layished
SO heedlessly, and believe me, sire, they
are well worth preserving in campaign
like this"
sand the Prince OF Eckmuhl has invent
ed an excellent means for that" said Mu-
rat, disdainfully, "that is to prevent his
soldiers from fighting. | would advise him
to reserve this ecept for himself.''
The obstinate Davoust, who had proved
sufficiently that he was man Of courage,
and who wished, above all, to prove that he
was in the right, turned to the King Of
Naples, and said in tone of irritation:
''And of what benefit has been all your
rash attacks against an army which is effect
ing retreat, skilfully combined, and de.
cided in advance. and against rear guard,
WHICH abandons its positions only when it
is upon the point Of being beaten
Sand can you tell ne,' replied Murat,
almost with sneer, sswhen it would aban-
don them if it is net attucked, and if we did
not place it upon the point Of being beat.
en?''
sit would abandon them few hours
later" cried Qavousf, who had formed
correct opinion Of the plans of The Russian
general, "for their retreat is a course res
solved npon, and one which they will effect,
with or without fighting, according to our
movements. What do we gain, then by
attacking troops, which will retire to NOR.
row, if we do not drive them back to day?"
"Glory!" replied Murat.
"And we lose the half of our vanguard,
rejoined Davoust, bitterly; and we shall
reach Moscow, without cavalry, and we
shall sec il the glory Of the King Of Ma
ples, without horseman under his com.
mand, will be of any great assistance to
us''.
Murat, highly exasperated, voilantly in.
terrupted him
.Marshal Davoust," he said, "you would
find nothing useless or imPrudent in my
conduct, if | were under your orders as
you are under mine. 1t is we'll known
that the Prince Eckmuhl does not like to
obey any one, and that he would be we'll
pleased to : e reputed hero of this expe-
dition, at the expense even of The most ex>
alted; but swear to him that there is
share here for all, let him try to find his"
This reproach was we'll aimed. Murat,
had, intentionally, emphasized the words
sths Prince Of Eckmuhl does not like to
obey any one" " and Napoleon had slightly
contracted his brows. Davoust, who felt
that he had been assailed upon a weak
point, and for fault of which he had often
been accused, even by the Emperor, hast.
ened to protest that it was his devotion TO
his majesty alone, which had led him to
speak and act as he did. Murat again
violently interrupted him.
$50, then,h he said, sit Is hatred against
me? Well, then we must finish with it 1t
has always been so since the campaign Of
Egypt. I am weary of iti and il the
Prince of Eckmuhl is willing TO remember
that he wears sabre, and | lihewise-l
give him.