Carroll free press. [volume] (Carrollton [Ohio]) 1834-1861, 1854-12-21

Line-BhbOquet's regiment-bspPsned 70 be
one Of the lucky number; il followed in the
rear guard, hiodering the thousands Of Cos
sacks who followed the retreat Of the army
rom msssaereing any unfortunate soldier Who
might happen TO straggle or be lsft behind.
One day they had just crossed q small
stream, and, 10 order to impede the pursuit Of
the Russians, they had tried to blow up Two
arches Of the wooden briSge BY which they had
passed; but The charges Of gunpowder had been
50 hurriedly arranged. that the explosion pro-
duced but little effect. Though the arches
we're broken, the whole framework Of the bridge
rested upon beam which kept i from falling.
and which. il the enemy arrived would enable
them in short time TO reconstruct the bridge.
The general OF brigade in command. seeing
that the safety Ofa part Of the army depended
upon the destruction Of this bridge, was going
to send party Of Ssppers to cut down the
beam, and so cause the rest Of the framework
to fall; but at the moment when they we're
about to embark, the enemy arrived at the other
side of the river, and began pouring down such
terrible ERE. that it did not appear possible for
single Sapper to reach the fatal beam alive;
they were therefore on the point Ofretuning,
contentiDg themselves with returning, the FIRE,
when soldier, bearing an az on bis shoulder,
was suddenly seen to rush to the river. He
plunged in, and soon reappeared on the surface.
1t was evident, from the length Of his beard,
that some man had determined to sacrifice him.
self, to insure the safety Of the rest Of his COM
rades. The whole regiment watched him with
the greatest anxiety, as he swan onward, re-
gardless of the shower Of shots from the enc
my, which made the wat,r boil around him
but the brave Sapper advanced with undimin
ished vigor. After incredible exertiOns, be
reached the spot, mounted upon the base o.
the structure, and with few blows Of his axe
cut through the half broken beam which seem
ed at distance to bsof enormous thickness, bu
which was, in fact, three quarters diviied.-
Instantly the whole fabric of the two arches fel
laundering into the river with an awful crash
the water was dashed in all directions, tn
dust few, and the brave Sapper ives no longe
to be seen. But shortly. in the midst Of th
floating fragments, he was perceived to b
making his way to the bank crowds rushe
J down toward him TO help hIm. full Of JOY an
admiration for, in spite of all the disaster
they had suffered, the men were still delighte
at Witnessing heroic achievements. They hel
out poles to aid the swimmer they encoura
ged him TO exert himself to the utmost. Th
general himself went TO the waters edge an
I was astonished to behold BiibOquet step Oui
> with very long black beard suspended to hi
chin.
"What's all this?" he exclaimed abruptly
What is the meaning Of this masquerade"
otis - said the drummer. "Itis BilbO
quet, who claims now the Cross of the Legicj
of Honor, for be has saved his comrades with
beard upon his chinP'
/. :With or without beard" exclaimed tn
astUnished and delighted general, "yOu deserv
: and shall receive the cross. Henceforth tn
y Bilboquet shall be the companion Of men in
stead of the toy of children.