Litchfield enquirer., 1852-01-08
Death of Marshal SOuIt.

The death of the last and most distin-
guished of Napoleon's Marshals is an,
nounced by the late arrivals from France
The following particulars of his history
are from the New Hampshire Statesman,
Jean de Dieu Soul, Duke of Dalma-
tia, and Minister Of War during the
reign of Louis Philippe. was born in
1868, the same year with Napoleon, and
was consequently in his sgd year He
was the son Of humble parents, residing
at St Asmand, in the Department of the
Tarn, and at the age of l6 entered the
service as private. Under Hoche and
Jourdan, being then lieutenant, he dis
tinguished himself for his bravery and
discretion. which were strikingly display.
ed at the battle of Fleurus. In 1895
be became chief OF the staff to General
Lefebre. who headed the advance guard
of the army Of the Mosele. The next
year he was appointed General of Brig
ade-being then not 81 years old--and
joined the army Of Italy. He was af' err
ward appointed to the command Of the
Consular Guard, and thenceforward was
honored with the personal esteem of
Napoleon.
When the invasion of England was
contemplated, Soult had charge al the
army encamped from Boulogne TO Calais.
AT the memorable battle Of Austerlitz
he commanded the centre OF the army,
and displayed such skill in thwarting and
finally repelling the Russians in an i'm
portant movement, that Bonap arte rode
up to him, and in the presence Of his staff
said, Marshal. / account you the ablest
tactician in my empire Shortly after
the battle of Eylau, he was created Duke
Of Dalmatia.
But he was now called 10 scene where
no skill could ward off defeat, and where
his ablest measures were repulsed. In.
1908 he entered Spain. He here came
in contact, in one OF his earliest engage
ments, THAT Of Corunna,) with the Eng,
lish troops under Sir John Moore, during
which contest Moore fell MORALLY woun-
ded. and was buried, with his martial
cloak around him. in the citadel Of Co.
runna. Although Moore WAS slain, the
French were repulsed, Soult, however,
here as everywhere else doing all in bis
power to fulfil the mi sion WITH which
he was entrusted by Napoleon. After
the battle of Dresden, news reached the
Emperor of the success Of wellington in
Spain.and that he v as driving the French
towards tie Pyrenees, when Soult was
again prevailed upon to go tliither and
take command Of the army. The French
cause upon the Peninsula had now be.
come more desperate than ever, and
Soult. after various repulses. gave up the
command and returned 10 Paris.
| On the restoration Of Louis XVIII,
Soult gave in his adhesion to royalty,
was confirmed in his rank and titles, and
made Minister Of War. On the return
of Napolean from Elba. he accepted u
seat in the Chamber Of Peers. He ono,
more tough: for the Emperor at Water
loo, but with less distinction than wa.
expected from lis former renown, and
his name was entered on the prescribed
list of the Gath Of July 1915. Upon til.
final abdication of Napoleon, Soult re,
tired to the Duchy Of Berg-ths naliv,
country of his wife, where he remained
several years. In 1920 he received the
permission of the then king to return tc
France. On the abdicaiion and fighi
of Charles x. in 1880, Soult espoused
the cause Of Louis Philippe. and was
appointed member Of his cabinet.
ELoouExr ExrRAcr.-The followinc l.