Wilmington journal. [volume] (Wilmington, N.C.) 1844-1895, 1852-02-20
Battle of Mount Tabor.

the approach of the great Turkish army was annopn
ced. 1t consisted of about thirty thousand troons
twelve thousand of whom were the ferccst and hest
trained horsemen in the world. Napoleon had but
eight thousand effective men with which to encoun'
ter the wel-trained army of Europeans and Turks
within the walls Of Acre, and the numerous host
rushing to its He acted with his usual promn
titude. Leaving two thousand men to protect the
works and cover the siege, he boldly advanced with
but six thousand men, to encounter the thirty thou
sand already exutng in his speedy and sure destrue
ton Kleber was sent forward with an advance
guard of three thousand men. Napoleon followed
soon after with three thousand more AS Kleber
with his little band. detled from valley at
the foot of Mount Tabor he entered upon an ten.
ded plain. 1t early in the morning of the six
teenth of April. The unclouded sun Just RISING
over the hills of Palestine, and revealed to his view
the whole embatted Turkish host spread out before
him. The eye was dazzled with the magnificent
spectacle, proud banners and plumes. and gaudy
turbans and glittering steel, and all the barbaric
martial pomp of the East was reflected by the rays
of the brilliant morning. Twelve thousand horse.
men, decorated with the most gorgeous trappincs
of military show, and mounted on the heetest Ara.
bian chargers, were prancing and curvng in all d.
rections. loud and exultant shout of vengeance
and JOY, rising like the Of the ocean, burst from
the Turkish ranks, they perceived their
victims enter the plain The French, too proud and
self-confdent to retreat before any superiority in
numbers had barely time to form themselves into
one of Napoleon's impregnable squares when the
whole cavalcade of horsemen, with cleaning sabreS
and hideOuS wells. and like the sweep of the wind.
came rushing down upon them. Every man in the
French squares knew that his life depended upon his
immobility; and each stood, shoulder to shout
der with his comrades, like rock. 1t is impossible
to drive horse upon the point of bayonet. He
has an instinct of self-preservaton which power
Of the spur can overcome. He can be driven to the
bayonets point. but if the bayonet remains firm he
will rear and plunge, and wheel, in defiance of all
the efforts OF his rider to force his breast against it.
! Ac% 1oS
the square, it received by volcanic bursts of fire
from the French veterans. and horses and riders roll
ed together in the dust Chevaux- de-frise of bayo-
nets presented from every side of this living flaming
citadel, prevented the possibility of piercing the
square For six long hours this little band sustain
ed the dreadful and unequal conflict The artillery
of the enemy plowed their ranks in vain. In vain
the horsemen made reiterated charges every side
The French by the tremendous fire necessarily pour
ing from their ranks soon formed around them a
rampant Of dead men and horses. Behind this hor
ribe abattis, they bid stern defiance to the utmost
fury of their enemies. Seven long hours passed a.
way while the battle ragged with undated ferocity.
The midday now blazing upon the exhaus-
ted band. Their ammunition was nearly expended
Notwithstanding the enormous slaughter they had
made. their foes seemed undiminished in number
A conflict so unequal could not much longer contn-
ne. The French were calling to their aid noble
despair expecting there to perish, but reso, ed to
man, to sell their lives most dearly.
Matters were in this state when at o'clock
Napoleon, with three thousand men, arrived on the
heights which overlooked the field of battle. The
field was covered with countless multitude, sway
ing to and fro in the most horrible clamor and con-
fusion. They canoped with thick volumes of
smoke: which almost concealed the combatants from
view. Napoleon could only distinguish the French
by the regular and unidentified yolleys which is
sued from their ranks, presenting steady spot
necessarily emitting lightning flashes, in the midst
Of the moving multitude with which it surround
ed. With that instructive judgment which enabled
him, with the rapidity of lightning to adopt the
most important decision, Napoleon instantly took his
resolution He formed his little band into two squares,
and advanced in such a manner as to compose. with
the square of keber, triangle incosing the Turks
Thus, with unparalleled audaeity. with six thousand
men he undertook to surround thirty thousand of as
fierce and desperate soldiers the world has ever
seen Cautiously and silently the two squares hur-
RED Oh to the relief of their friends giving sign of
approach till they just ready to plunge upon
the plains Suddenly the loud report of cannon
upon the hills Startled with joyful surprise the
ry heroes. They recognized instantly the voice Of
Napoleon rushing to their One wild shout
OF almost delrious JOY burst from the ranks, 1t is
bonaparte 1t IS Bonanrte !" That name operated
as q taiisman upon every heart Tears of emotion
dimmed the eyes of those SCARED and bleeding vete-
rams as dIsoaning longer to act upon the defensive
they grasped their weapons with nervous energy,
ana MADE desperate onset upon their multitudin-
Gus foes. The Turks wer. assaulted by n murIcrous
fire nstantaneousy discharged rrom the three points
of this triangle. Discouraged by tho indomitable
resolution with which they had ben repulsed and
bewildered by the triple assault the broke and fled
The mighty host, like waves, Sept across the
plain when suddenly it encountend bv one Of
the fresh squares, and in refuen surge rolled hack
in frightful disorder A of horrpr now ensued
utterly unimag enable. The Turks we e Cot off from
retreat in every direction. The enoi nous A,ass of
infantry, horse, artillery and baggage was driven
in upon itself in wild and horrible con sion From
the French squares there flashed in fssant sheet
of flame Peal after peal the artillery numbered in
a continuous roar. These thoroughly-killed yete-
fired with rapidity and precision hich SEEM
ed to the Turks supernatural. An inceant storm
OF cannon balls, grape-sho and bulletsIerced the
motley mass, and the bayonets OF the Freth dripped
with blood
Murat was there, with his proud cavalt Murat
whom Napoleon has described in battlArobablv
the braveSt man In the world vi maJeS frame,
dressed in the extreme of military ostentdAn and
mounted upon the most powerful of ArabiScharp
ers. he lowered, proudly eminent, above ally band
With the utmost enthusiasm he charged 10 the
swollen tide of turbaned heads and flashing seitars
As his strong horse reared and plunged in thlidst
of the sabre strokes falling swiftly on eva side
around him, his white plume which ever led viz
tory. cleaned like q banner the tuTdp ons
throng. 1t is almost an nexpcable developm of
human nature to hear Murat excaim, I" In tn
test of this terrible fight, thought of Christ, Aof
his TRANSPORTATION upon this very spot, two th0Nl
years ago, and the reflection inspired me with
fold courage and strength" The fcnd-like diSp
ton created by these horrible scenes, is illusta
by the conduct of French soldier on this ocean
He dying of frightful wound Still be Gran
ed O n led Aiameluko even more feeble tia