The Lancaster ledger. [volume] (Lancaster, S.C.) 1852-1905, 1854-05-24
THE FORGET.ME,NOT;
OR,
THE MOTHERS GRAVE.
TRANSLATED FROM THE FRENCH.

In 1909, there was in the 18th regi-
ment Of the line, then garrsoned in Stras-
burg, sergeant called Pierre Pitois, who
came from that halEwiId, halfcivilized
portion Of Burgundy known by the name
of Morvan, and who was ncknamed by
his comrades Pierre dvale tout cru. lie
was brave in every sense Of the word, and
as they said in the regiment, "tough
customer" Ever the frs. and the last
exposed TO the enemys fire, it was be-
lieved that he only loved two things in
the world; the smell of gunpower and the
whizzing of cannon-balls. Those who had
seen him in the battle field, as with eager
eye, fierce mustache, and distended nos
trils he rushed to the thickcSt of the fight,
were wont to say that slaughter was Pier
res favorite pastime.
One day our friend Pierre addressed a
letter to his colonel, in which he asked
for leave to 60 and nurse his old mother,
who was dangerously i'll. He added that
his father who was seventy-eight years
old, and parslytic was unable to attend
in the least to the wants Of his poor wife.
He promised to return as soon as the old
woman's health was re established.
The colonel, in reply, sent word to
Perre Ptois, that as the regiment
might receive orders to enter the field at
any moment, leave of absence was not
to be hoped for.
Pierre Pitois made no complaint.
A fortnight elapsed - the Colonel re
ceived second letter.
Pierre informed him that his mother
had died Of grief, in consequence Of not
having had her son at her side; as good
and tender parent, she would have wished
to bestow her last blessing upon him.
Pierre again solicited months leave of
absence. lie stated that ne could not
make known the motive of his request
it was family secret. He earnestly i'm
plored his Colonel not to refuse him this
favor.
Perres second letter had no more sue
cess than his first only the poor fellows
Captain said to him:
"Pierre the Colonel has received thy
epistle. lie is sorry that thy aged moth
er is dead, but he cannot grant thee the
permission thou hast asked, for tomorrow
the regiment quits Strasburg."
Ha. the regiment leaves Strasburg
aud pray, captain, whittier is it going?"
"lnto Austria: we are going to Wen
ma, my brave Pitois. We are going to
fight the Austrians. Art thou not glad of
this? know thou art; there thou wilt
be in thy ele nent, my fine fellow"
Pierre Pitois made no answer: he
seemed absorbed in deep meditation
The captain, taking his hand and shaking
it vigorously, said-'I say, art deaf to-
dav! Itell thee that within week thou
wilt have the good fortune to fight the
Austrians, and thou dost not even thank
me for the good news! And thou even
pretendest not t. hear me-"
"Oh, yes, Captain, have heard you
perfectly, and thank you heartily for these
tidings, which think excellent"
That's right"
"And so, Captain, there is no means
Of obtaining this leave Of absences"
"Art thou madl Leave on the eve Of
battle?"
II forget that -. We are on the
eve Of battle. At such a time 10 leave
is granted"
"No; nor even asked for"
"True No one even asks for
it; it would look like cowardice; there
fore, shall forbear asking for it again; |
shall do without it."
"That will be we'll"
The next day the 18th regiment enter
ed Germany. The following day, Pierre
Pitois deserted.
Three months after, while the 18th
regiment, after having reaped in the plains
Of Wagram a rich harvest of glory, made
its triumphal entry into Strasburg, Pierre
Pitois was ANONYMOUSLY brought back to
his corps, 10y brigade Of gendarmerie.
Shortly after court martial was held.
Pierre Pitois was accused Of having de-
serted at the very time that his regiment
was going to face the enemy.
This court presented an extraordinary
aspect. On one side there was the accu.
ser, who said:
"Pierre Pitois, you, one Of the bravest
soldiers Of the army, on whose breast
glitters the star Of honor; you who have
never incurred either a punishment OF
merited reproach from your officers, it is
impossible that you should have deserted
your regiment almost on the eve Of battle
without having been impelled by some
powerful motive. This motive, the Cour
desires to know; for it would rejoice TO b,
enabled, if not to acquit you, for that j
it cannot do, at least to recommend yol
TO the clemency Of the Emperor"
| On the other hand, the accused an
swered:
~ have deserted without reason
without a motive. i do not repent
we're it to do again, I would do It.
have TO die; condemn mep
Then came witnesses, who said:
"Piere Pitois has deserted; we know
Il, but do not believe t."