Portage sentinel. [volume] (Ravenna, Ohio) 1845-1854, 1852-08-04
THE RETURN FROM ELBl.
BY LAMARTENE.


BY LAMARTTNE.
On quitting La Mure, the Emperor COM
posed his vanguard Of one hundred picked
| men from that chosen body always under
the orders Of Cambronne. This general in
advancing towards La Mure, found himself
| in front Of new battalion The envoy he
sent to them with signs Of peace was driven
back. The En- peror being informed of this,
againsdispa ehed Major Raoul, to attack the
battalion which refused to open his route,
but Raoul, threatened with their fire, re-
returned without being heard Napoleon
/ had felt that the moment bad arrived to put
10 the test bis own ascendency over bisown
soldiers. He passed through his column
ordering it to halt, and rode forward at a
gentle pace, almost alone, in advance Of his
army. Whether be had been assur-
I ed by his accomplices at Grenoble that the
hearts of the battalion beat in his favor !;
whether the habits of a soldier on the battle
field had Injured him to look on death with
less repugnance by the fire than by the
sword; or that his soul, since his departure
from Elba, had concentrated all its powers
in 4 anticipa ton of this supreme moment,
and that be had deemed that his enterprise
was well worth the risk Of life, certain il is
that he did not hesitate moment. He nei-
ther hastened nor slackened his steps, but
appr cached within hundred PAGES Of the
bayenets, which formed wall before him
on the road. There be dlsmounted. gave
the reins to one Of his Poles, crossed his
arms on bis breast, and advanced with
measured steps like man who marches his
death. He wore the costume in which rec
ollection, legend and picture had alike en-
graved him on the memory of all the mill.
tary hat, the green uniform of the light in
fantry Of the guard, the overcoat of dust
colored cloth, open and displaying bis under
dress, the high military boots, and spurs
ringing on the ground; his attitude was
that Of reflection, which nothing can dis
tract, or Of peaceful command. which
doubts not Of obedience. He descended a
slope Of the road inc,ining towards the regi-
ment he was about to accost. No groups
Of persons before him, beside him, or behind
him, prevented him being seen in all the il,
lusion of his personal prestige; his figure
standing out boldly and alone against the
background OF The higbroad, and blue firm
ament beyond. Napoleon had calculated
from afar this challenge Of glory to human
ify and TO the hearto the French soldier,
and he was not mistaken; but il required a
profound genius to attempt, and a Napoleon
to accomplish it. His grenadiers,a great
distance behind him, stood with their arms
reversed, as token of peace. The officer
commanding the fifth regiment, doing yio-
lence perhaps to his feelings in the execu-
tinn of his duty, or.knowing beforehand the
resolution Of bis soldiers not TO strike their
Emperor and only wishing to intimidate
the army of Napoleon by an appearance Of
discipline, ordered his battalion to FIRE. The
soldiers appeared to obey, and took aim at
Napoleon, who, without stopping or betray-
ing any emotion, advanced within ten steps
of the muskets leyelled at his breast, and ell
eva,ing that speIl-like and resounding voice,
which had SO often directed the maneuvers
of the review, or of the battle, Soldiers of
the fifth regiment be exclaimed, del ber-.
ately uncovering hi. breast, and presenting
his naked bust to receive their fire, sif there
is one among you who will kill his Empe-
ror, let him do it. Here / ami" Thsie
was no reply; allremained silent and mo-
tioniess as the dead. The soldiers had not
even loaded their muskets, as if they dis
trusted themselves. Having gone through
the semblance of obedience and fidelity to-
discipline, they thought they had done their
duty, and that the heart might now be left
to its own course. And the hearts of all
spoke with one voice. At first thrill Of
feeling ran through the battalion, then a few
muskets were lowered, then greater num-
ber, and finally the whole, while a cry Of
give pEmpereur" issued from every mouth,
which was replied to by shou, from the
grenadiers of sVive the fifth regiment Of
the line . Some Of the officers Quilted the
ranks and took the road to Grenoble, that
they might not be carried away BY the emo
ton of their compa MES, while others wiped
their eyes sheathed their swords, and yield
ed to the general oontagion. The soldiers
quitting the.ranks, rushed along with the
people to surround the Emperor who opened
his arms to receive them; while his own
faithful soldiers following the example, has
tened to the spot. and mingled in one group
and one acclamation with those os the fifth.
From this moment France was re-conquer-
ed, the trial had been made, the example
given. At distance people might be faith
full to duty, but when near, enthusiasm
would seize on all the example Of the fifth
regiment was worth more to the Emperor
than the detection Of ten armies.
4 Pertinent Question.
The Buffalo Courier says:
Every body who has had any connection
with monetary affairs, public or private,