Hannibal journal. (Hannibal, Mo.) 1852-1853, 1852-11-18
THE "oID euARDD AT wArEELoO

dc SAINT 1lllaTe, ana is interesting AT TIE pre-
sent momcnt:--
During the day, the artillery of the Guard, |
under Drouot, maintained its old renow NJ and the
Guard itself had frequently been used to restore
the battle in various parts Of the field, and al
ways with success. The English were fast be-
coming exhausted, and an hour more would
doubtless have been forced into disastrous re-
treat, but for the timely arrival Of Blucher.--
But when they saw him with his 10000 Prus-
slams approaching, their courage revived, while
Napoleon was filled with anazement. A beaten
enemy was about TO form junction with the al
lies, while Grouchy |who had been sent to keep
him in check, was nowhere to be seen. Alas
what great plans single Inefficient commander
can overthrow
In Il moment Napoleon saw that he could not
sustain the attack Of many fresh troops, if
once allowed TO form junction with the allied
forces. and he determined TO stake his fate
one bold cast and enleavor 10 pierce the allied
centre with grand charge Of the Old Guard
and thus throw himself between the two armies
For this purpose, the Imperial Guard was called
up and divided into two immense columns
which were to meet in the British centre
Those under Riclle no sooner entered the fire
than they disappeared Ike mist. The other
was placed under Ney, ''thc braycSt Of the
brave" and the order TO advance given. Ma
poIeon accompanied them part Of the way down
the slope, and halting for a moment in II hollow
addressed them a few words. He told them the
battle rested with them and he relied on their
valor, tried in so many fields. "Vive l'Empe-
reur!" answered him with shout that was
heard above the thunder of artillery.
The whole continental struggle exhibits no
sublimer spectacle than this last effort OF Napo-
leon 10 save his sinking empire. The greatest
military energy and skill the world possessed
had been taxed TO the utmost during the day.
Thrones were totterng on the turbulent field,
and the shadows of fugitive kings fitted through
The smoke of battle. Bonaparte's star trembled
in the zenlh-now blazing out in its ancient
splcndor, now suddenly paling before his anX-
ious eye. At last he staked the empire on one
bold throw. The intense anxiety with which
he watched the advance Of that column,
and the terrible suspense he suffered when
the smoke Of battle wrapped 1t from ms sight
and tn, utter despair of his great heart when
the desparing shrek rung out The Guard re-
coils, the Guard rccoils" make us for a mo-
ment forget all the carnage in sympathy with
his distress.
The Old Guard felt the pressure Of the i'm
mcnse res possibility, and resolved not to prove
unworthy Of the great trust committed to its
care. Nothing could be more imposing than it's
before human foe, and the forces beheld with
awe IFS firm and steady advance TO the final
charge. For moment the batteries stepped
playing, and the firing ceased among the British,
as, without the beating Of drum, or a hugle-
note to cheer their steady courage, they moved
in dead silence over the field. The tread was
like the sound of muflled thunder, while the
dazzling helmets Of the cuirassierS flashed long
stream, Of light behind the dark and terrible
mass that swept in one strong wave along. The
stern Dr6uQt was there amid his guns, and on
every brow was written the unalterable resolu-
tion TO conquer or die. The next moment the
artillery opened, and the head of that gallant
column seemed TO sink into the earth. Rank al
ter rank went down yet they never stopped nof
faltcred. Dissolvng squadrons and whole bat
talions disappearing one alter another In the
destructive fire affected not their steady courage
The ranks closed up as before, and each tread
ing over his fallen comrade pressed unfinching
F. on. The horse which Ney rode fell under him
and scarcely had he mounted another, before il
also sank 10 the earth, and so another and anoth
er, till five in succession had been shot under
/ him, linen, with his drawn sabre, he marched
stcrnly at the head OF his column. In vain die
,hJ artillery hurl It's storms Of fire and lead intt
, that living mass. Up TO the very muzzles they
: pressed, and driving the artllerymcn 2way froa
= their pieces, pushed on through the EnSlisl
lines Bat lust as the victory seemed won,
4 file Of soldiers who had lain Nat on the ground
r behind a low ridge Of earth, suldenIy rose an,
pourcl a vollcy into their very faces. Anoshe
4 and another followed, till one broad sheet o
| flame rolled ontheir bosoms, and in such iierc
e and unexpected flow that they staggered bacl
, before it. Before the Guard had time TO rail-.
Il again unl advance, heavy column Of inIantr
fell on its left flank in close and deadly volieys
causing it, in its unsettled state to swerve TO III
right. At that instant whole brigade Of cav
c airy Numbered on the right flank, and penetrate
!: where cavalry had never gone before. That IN
trepid Guard could have borne up against tn
unexpected fire from soldiers they did not SCI
and would also have rolled back the infantry u9
had boldly charged its left flank; but the cavalr
e finished the disorder into which they had bee
n momentariy thrown, and broke the shake
- ranks before they had time to reform, and tll
eagles Of that hitherto invincible Guard wer
pushed backward down the slope. 1t was the
/ that the army, seized with despair, shreled OF
The Guard recois the Guard recolls an
,i turned and fed in wild dismay TO see Ii
NJ Guard in confusion, was 4 sight they had nevt
e before beheld; and it frozs every heart with tel
h. .ror. Still those veterans refused to fly; rayir
e, from their disorder, they Formed two immcn'
n squares of eight batlalions, and turned fierce
ne ON the enemy, and nobly strove 10 stem the r.
"a yersed tide Of battle, For long time they sto,
m and let the cannon balls plough through the
,d ranks, disdaiuing to turn their backs ui the 70
Michel at the head of those brave battalion
fought like a lion.a To every command OF q
al enemy to suHender, he replied, The Qua
on dies il never surrenders," i" and with his la
~ bredNl heuueatlIng this glorious motto 90 &