Wilmington journal. [volume] (Wilmington, N.C.) 1844-1895, 1851-11-28
Joachim Murat.
FROM THE FRENCH OF merry, BY MRS ST. SIMON.

At the mansion of the Comtesse de Lipona, at
Florence, the piano ceased to accompany
the airs of Belln, that is to say generally about
midnight the intimate friends of the family would
draw together in circle, and relate tales and ad
ventures until morning.
The Comtesse frequently related to charming
narratives with that half French. half Italian grace,
which never forsook her. The illustrious dame had
witnessed so many dramas so many festivals so ma
ny misfortunes that she never at loss when
she designed furnish her contingent to this traffic
in anecdotes.
One night the circle was closely grouped about her
armchair; the noble dame had promised some
thing new and her voice faltered with emotion; her
calm and beautiful face evidently agitated by
some sad remembrance. Our silence seemed to cues
tion her respectability, and she began
''At the time when Italy French, a sedition
broke out in one of the regiments that was in garri
son at Leghorn. 1t was much more serious affair
than common mutiny. The Emperor appeared
extremely irritated when he heard the news; he re-
solved to make severe example and Joachim was
charged with the duty of Furnishing the refractory
regiment. The Emperor's orders were precise and
terrible; he wished for court martials but for
the Immediate execution of the culprits.
" Joachim arrived at Leghorn, assembled the reg
ment upon the public square, and informed the sol
diers that he had received an order from the Empe
ror to punish them, and that he intended to do The
Vehemence of his words his impetuous and menaclng
gestures. above all, the authority of his name, had
already brought the rebellious troops to submission
The soldiers cast themselves at his feet they were
humble and suppant. Joachim moved he
was always kind-hearted but he had received his or
ders he repressed his emotion. and with anger burn
ing in his face, and in voice of thunder he declared
his purpose to decimate the regiment
"The CONSERVATION of the troops great, as you
can imagine. The regiment. confined in the barracks:
sent several deputations to Murat to implore his
clemency. officers and soldiers swore to confront
DEATH in the first battle, beneath the eyes of the
Emperor. Murat was for long while infexible, in
appearance at least; at Jast he seemed touched by
their submission But the fault great, his
orders perempory that he demanded that three sol
diers chosen from among the most mutinous, should
pay with their lives for the crime of the regiment
The three victims were soon designated; they were
put in irons and their execution announced for the
following day The regiment still remained confined
in the barracks
ain the middle of the night Joachim directed the
three soldies to be brought before him sergeant,
in whose prudence he could confde, led them into
his presence
'' You will be shot to- morrow J. said Murat. The
soldiers burst into tears Prepare for death, and
fall like brave men: it is the only way to wipe out all
memory of your crime. l charge myself with the
duty of transmitting your last farewells, your last
regrets, to your fothers and mothers. Your families
did not merit children such you. Have you
thought of your mothers! Speak j. Sobs stifed
their voices Those poor women would have been
proud and even happy if you had fallen in battle
with the Austrian but to die thus. unfortunate
men Go! will send you priest to afford you the
last succor of religion. Think upon France and
your God from this moment you belong more to
this world
"The soldiers cast themselves at Joachm's feet not
to ask for mercy, but for his pardon, before death
AS they were leaving the apartment Joachim recalled
them. Listen he said: if should grant you
your lives would you live henceforth like honest
mene'
"'No we wish to die replied one of the sol
diers: I'VE have deserved death let them shoot us
it is just.
"'But if do not wish to have you shot!' cried
Joachim. Wherefore would you die when would
have you live? I have never given the word to fire.
except at the enemy, and cannot bear to give it
against those who my brothers, who are French
men, although guilty.
land Joachim wept like a woman-he, the BRAY
est of men, Was he not. Messieurs ~
| And we wept also around the armchair of the
Comtesse de Lipano, who spoke SO touchingy of her
| heroic husband.
| After pause she continued her narrative.
| g Listen to me y said Joachim, in mder tone.
You great culprits, but glad to find that
you have energy of character you will second my
project we'll. grant you your lives, but it is
sary that you should tomorrow be though dead by
all the world above all, by your regiment To-
morrow, nightfall you will be lead out of the
Psan gate upon the glacis; you will receive the fire
of platoon, at twenty PAGES distance, and you will
fall dead at this moment the last file of your reg
ment will pass across the place of execution the
obscurity of the evening will favor the deception.
man, of whose fidelity am assured, will place you
upon tumbrel, and transport you to the cemetery
Here you will find change of clothing wherewith
to disguise yourselves Sailors and thousand
francs will be counted out to each of you you will
remain concealed for a few days in an inn which
will be pointed out to you in two three days
American vessel will sail for New Orleans; there
you will 60 to pass your days, and live like honest
men-do you hear? You will be taken on board as
soon as the wind is favorable. Be prudent, and fol-
low my advice exactly. Go; will take of your
families y
''The soldiers bathed Murats feet with their tears
and repeated, again and again, that they would dc
as he had directed them.
All passed as Joachim had arranged it, A severe
example was given to the regiment: but there was
no blood spilled, and the Emperor, happily deceived
thanked Murat for having sacrificed but three lives
to the demands of discipline The Emperor was
never Informed of the generous stratagem to which
my husband resored in this affair; it was for long
time secret between myself and few of faith
ful friends, who have never betrayed it. There is
now indiscreton in divulging it, and divulge it
therefore for your sakes."
| After this narrative, Murat's widow too deeply
moved to prolong the conversation, retired to her
apartment. We likewise much affected we
kept silence Every eye was turned upon the mag
nfcent portrait painted by LIE Gross 1t represents
King Murat in travelling attitude, gaoping along
the shore of the Bay of Naples. Mount Vesuvius
belching fames rises in the background. Murat
| and Vesuvius two volcanoes face to face.
The conclusion of this narrative recounted to
me several months afterwards. by person very in
innate with the Imperial family 1t is like the
mantle denouement of drama, which seems to be-
long less to real life than to the imagination of the
novelist.
Upon the borders of forest, in the vicinity of n
Orleans, huntsman knocked at the door of mod