Des Moines courier. ([Ottumwa] Iowa) 1848-1854, 1852-07-29
THE RETURN FROM ELRA.
BY LAMARTINE.

On quitting La Mure, the Emperor
composed bis vanguard of one hundred
picked men from that chosen body al
ways under the orders of Cambronne.
This general, on advancing towards a
bridge ct some distance from La Murc,
found himself in front of new battalion.
The envoy he sent to them with signs of
peace was driven back. The Emperor
being informed of this, again dispatched
one of his officers, Major RaouI, to attack
the battalion which refused 10 open his
route, but Raoul, threatened withthelr fire,
returned withou. being heard. Napolean
had felt that the moment had arrived TO
put TO the test his own ascendency over
his old soldiers. He passed through his
column ordering it TO halt, and rode for
ward al gentle pace, almost alone, in
advance of his army. IS Whether he
had been assured by accomplices at Gre
noble that the hearts of the battalion beat
in his favor; whether the habits of SOL
dier on The battle field had Injured him to
look on death with less repugnance by
the hre than by the sword; or that his
soul, since his departure from Eba, had
concentrated all its powers in auticipa-
lion of this supreme moment, and that he
had deemed that his enterprise was well
worth The risk of life, certain it Is that he
did not hesitate moment. He neither
hastened nor slackened his steps, but ap.
preached within hundred PAGES OF the
bay yonets, which formed wall before him
onihe road. There he dismounted, gave
the reins TO one of his Poles, crossed his
arms on his breast, and advanced with
measured steps like man who marches
10 his death. II was the spectre of the
Imagination of both army and people ap.
pearing suddenly, and as if rising from
the tomb, between France of the present
and the past. He wore the costume in
which recollection, legend and picture,
had alike engraved him on the memory
OF all; the military hat, the green uniform
of the light; infantry of the guard, the
over-coat of dust.colored cloth, open and
displaying his under dress, the high mill
tary boots, and spurs ringing on the
ground; his attitude was that of reflection
which nothing can distract. or Of peace
ful command, which doubts not of obedi-
ence. He descended slope of the road
inclining towrds the regiment he was "a
bout 10 acost.. Nogroups of persons be-
fore him, beside him, or behind him. pre-
vented him from being seen in all the il
lusion OF his personal prestige: his figure
standing out boldly and alone against the
background of the high road. andthe
blue irmament beyond. To strike such
man, whom The soldiers recognized as
their former idol, would have been in their
eyes, not 10 fight, but to assassinate.
Napoleon had calculated from afar this
challenge OF glory to humanity and to
the heart of the French soldiers, and he
was not mistaken; bntit required pro-
found genius to attempt, and Napoleon
TO accomplish il. His grenadiers, a grea,
distance behind him. stood with their
arms reversed, as token Of peace. The
officer commanding the fifth regiment,
doing violence perhaps 10 his feelings in
the execution of his duty, or knowing be-
forehand the resolution of his soldiers
not 10 strike his Emperor. and only
wishing TO intimidate the army of Napo-
leon by an appearance of discipline, Or
dered his battalion to fire. The soldiers
appeared to obey, and took aim at Napo
leon, who without stopping or beiraying
any emotion, advanced within ten steps
of the musket leveled at his breast, and
eleyaling that spell-lke and resounding
voice, which has SO often directed the ma
neuvers of the review, or of the field of
battle. ''Soidiers Of the fifth regimen" "
ne exclaimed, deliberately uncovering his
breast. and presenting his naked bust to
receive the fire, "if there is one amongst
you who would kill his Emperor, let him
do il. Here ami There was no ie-
ply; all remained silent and motionless.
The soldiers had not even loaded their
& - r