Lynchburg Virginian. [volume] (Lynchburg [Va.]) 1829-185?, 1851-07-17
from ne tni.a.
The EerOcify of st. Jusi-A histor.
icnl Ancca0ic OF I50l.

he was sent 10 invite US to rcplcnish our
exhausted stores from the depot ofhs I'm.
perlal Majesty, the Emperor of Austrin."
From the depot Of the Austrian tyrant.
yon should say interrupted rudely
young man, whose fierce and domineering
department contrasted strangely with hid
delicate and eRemnate appearances"
The last speaker was the representative
s.. just, who adopted this mode Of giving
lesson in republican manners, to Gene.
raj Charbonnior. an old soldies-a brave.
though ecsy an good mar
who had been raised by strange vicsssi.
tndes Of the times fom the ranks to the
command Of the army Of Mosclle. and who
was then oclupiedin bcseiging the fortress
of Chartered
Citizen General" continued tho arra.
gan, Proconsul, III yoa are ignorant of'ha
language of republicanism. you ought at
least to understand your duty as soldier.
The republic expects you 10 receive tho
enemy with powder and ball. Let that
flag of truce he fired upon at once!
| Charbonnicr was for moment thunder-
struck; hehesltatcd, but only for an instan'.
| The powers OF the Proconsul were mnlim.
tied; his orders were peremp,ory: the Gen
eral had learned obedience in tho ranks
IL have no direction" said he to himsclf;
"it is front face! forward narchl" And he
prepared TO obey command which set at
defiance every principle Of civilized war;
fare, when simultaneous burst OF disap-
probation. mingled with threats and cntrca-
tics, arose from the officers and troops who
had witnessed this extraordinary scene.
"Stay moment General" said the un-
moved 81. just; and then casting sinister
and malignant look upon the officers who
had dared 10 disaprrove Of his conduct:
~ his 70 not the hrai tlme have had oc-
casion TO suspect your patriotism. unwor-
thy servants OF free nation. he cSclaim-
ed, "nor shall you escape the penalty you
have incurred; but since you are willing tn
see tho camp-ground OF republican army
soilcd by the feet OF slave OF despotisn,
bring the Austrian before ME, and will
| show you how the representative ola irco
people rcceivest the envoy Of a tyrant."
A superior officer ofihc Austrian army
was then introduced with the usual for
malities observed on such occasions. Ha
was the bearer OF proposals Tor the surrcn'
der OF Charleroi "A most unhopcd-for piecd
OF good fortune iorthc French army. which
the reckless ProconsuI had forced to cross
the Samhrc. and take up its rrcsen, posi-
ton IN state al entire inclliclcncy, either
as TO numbers ofmaterial for the achieve.
ment Of the purpose he had in view. Tho
moment, however, that the Austrian pro-
| scnted to the General the pnpcrs contain.
ing the conditions upon which it was pro-
posed that the fortress should capitulate,
81. Just snatchcd them brutally from his
hand, tore them TO pieces, Mid trampcd
them under his feet; then, waving his hahd
with an insolent gesture towards the city.
he said to tho envoy: "Slavc 90 back to
your master. and tell him want neither
papers nor messages from him; here to
take possession Of Charlcro,, and he i.,1st
surrcndcrit at once without conditions. or
his blood, and the blood Of all who dwell
therein. be on his head"
In vain WINS all rrronstencc; in vain did
Charbonnier and his officers represent to
the infuriated Proconsul that they were
without the necessary material TO carry on
the siege with efficiency; that the soldiers
were without rny, i'll clad, and almost with.
out provisions; that. for lack Of proper
camp equiagc the army was exposed to
the inclemency Of the weather in Il damp
and unhealthy marsh, and thtt sickness
was already thinning the ranks at fearful
rate. In vain did they assure him that il
the Dutch and German forces, which were
on their march to relieve Charleroi, should
arrive bclorethc city was taken, not only
would its capture be inpossible. but tho
very existence OF the French division ba
ieopar,lcd by the vast numercan supcrio-
rity of the cnemy. No consideration could
move the wilful oheiinaey of 81. Just; hs
ordered the Austrian awnw from the camp.
and. as the only answer to the remonstan-
ces Of the General. and gave directions that
battery Of heavy motars should be i.nmc-
diaiely planted behind the foremost trench
cs. If this was not in position and ready
to lombard the city by break Of day on tho
morrow, he swore he would have the COM
mander-in-chicf, the general Of artillery.
and the chief Of the engineers, shot before
the eyes Of the army.
The fcrucous character of S.. Just was
too wei known 10 admit Of any doubt that
he would carry into execution his sanguin-
ary threat. if his orders were not obeycd =
the letter; and incredible efforts were nade
10 comply with his rcquIsilion. lnnumer-
able articles were st 70 work to place
the damaged and wayworn pard Of an''le,
ry INTO the highest STATE OF ehIeicney OF
winch y was capable " country ior
| leagues around was rnnSackca iof P'ck-
axes, shovels' ana other tools ior the com
pietion q l1c 're'chcs ~ shu 'he cons,ruc.
c,L 'Sn W wy p',o' ~ - ~ - Can,an
- - AZ W. 10 vi .o'''' ~ 20,
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