Washington sentinel. [volume] (City of Washington [D.C.]) 1853-1856, 1855-10-20
GENERAL PELISSIER.

Gallardet, the Paris correspondent of the
Courier des Etats Unis, furnishes the follow
ing gossip about General Pelissier, whose gal.
liant bearing and military capacity, as evinced
in the siege and capture of Sebastopol, have
recently turned all eyes upon him.
Goodness and activity are not wanting in
the Commander-in- Chief of the French army,
who would rather act than talk. The silence
kept by him has often, it is said, worried The
Bureaus of the Ministry of War; and it is re-
lated that these bureaus having harassed him
with questions transmitted by the electric tele-
graph he answered them one day angrily: IF
you continue to annoy me- will cut the wires
There are other anecdotes, old and new, which
exhibit in a picturesque manner the character
of General Pelissier with his pecularities and
defects. General Reynaud de st. Jean dan
gely, commandant of the imperial guard, hav-
ing somewhat resisted his authority, he caused
him to be placed under arrest like common
soldier. That General complained to the En-
peror, who wrote to General Pelssier; and
the last-named replied to his Majesty I only
infict ed on him a weeks arrest; but, inasmuch
as he has committed a new infraction of the
military regulations by complaining directly to
you, am going to inhict on him fortnight
And he did as he said. If Marshal Pelissier
is devil of fellow, like Henry the Fourth,
he is also warmly devoted to the fair sex, not.
withstanding his gray hairs and big belly.
This belly hindered him from joining in the
polka in Algeria, though it did not prevent
him from dancing. One evening when he was
gave an order to the regimental band, which
served as an orchestra, not to play anything
but quadrilles and very few waltzes. But
some young men and young girls having asked
for polka, the orchestra did not venture TO
refuse it. On hearing the sound of the pro.
scribed music, the General became red in the
face with anger, made the band STOP put the
musicians under immediate arrest, and left in
the lurch the ball and the dancers, who re-
manned without an orchestra. Here is another
act Of passion, redeemed by an act Of heroic
clemency: One day General Pelissier forgot
himself so far as 10 strike soldier, whom he
surprised 10 an offence. In his turn the sol
der forgot himself so far as TO seize pistol
and pull the trigger on his commander; but
the piece missed FIRE. Aha this is the order
in which arms are kept composedly said the
Generals very well, one weeks arrest is the
punishment for that 1t is related that few
days before the taking OF Sebastopol Prince
Gortschakoff having sent 10 ask him for some
cigars, Of which article the prince was entirely
destitute, General Pelissier sent him immedi.
ately a box Of them, bearing this inscription
'New-year's gift from France to the Eastern
army On the day following there was a ter
rible exchange Of plums, as the soldiers say,
which formed sequel to those cigars"
To the foregoing anecdotes we may add
another. lately published, in keeping with them,
and indicative Of General Pelissiers impatient
teDper.
General lie Valiant, the French Minister Of
War, and General Pelssier, being old personal
friends, their official intercourse is said to be
frequently quite familiar. lie Valiant, by
direction Of the Emperor, sent request over
the wires that Pelissier should attack the Mala-
kof on certain day 10 June. at is impos.
sible," replied Pelissier. "The Emperor SAYS
nothing is impossible" rejoined lie valiant.
Let him come, then, and do il himself" re.
torted the fiery Pelissier.