The Perrysburg journal. [volume] (Perrysburg, Ohio) 1853-1861, 1857-03-05


certain how to act and frequently took from them
that enthusiasm necessary to the success of this
expedition. .. s..
Napoleon had recently placed Davoust unGer
Murati who commanded the vanguard Of the army.
They were now (he twenty-seventh of August
at Slawkow ; on the twenty-eighth, Murat push
ed the enemy towards the Osma He CROSSED the
river with his cavalry aud vigorously attacked the
Russians who were posted on hill ON the oppo-
site side Of the stream, where they could easily
maintain an obstinate fight They did so at frs,
with some success, aud Murat wishing to spare his
cavalry in spotjwhere the ground was difficult
commanded one of Davoust's Batteries to sustain
his movement and annoy the enemy on the heights.
He waited some moments TO see the effect of this
new attack but all was quiet and the Russians
profting by this extraordinary inaction, poured
down from their emnences, drove brack the cava-
ry TO the 0sma, which rdns in the hollow Of ra-
vine and almost precipitated them into the river
Murat, by words and example encouraged his
soldiers and sent another message to the command
ent of the battery but still his order was not
obeyed on the contrary word was returned that
the commaudant alleaging his Instructions, which
under penalty of deposition forbade him to en-
gage without command from Davoust refused to
fire. Rage gldwed from Murat but more imme-
diate peril called him the Russians continued to
bear down upon the cavalry. He headed the fourth
lancers threw himself upon the enemy, and by a
fierce struggle carried those heights that Davoust
might have swept with lis cannon.
The next day the two officers stood before Ma
poleCn the king Of Naples, secure in having jus
tilted his rdshress by success the prncce o
EcSmrl, firm in his opinion founded on well tried
science, Murat complained bitterly Of Davoust!
commands to his suborlnates The emperor list
ened with his hands behind him, his head slightly
bowed to conceal an air of satisfaction, pushing
Russian ball with his toe, which he followed as il
rolled with seeming interest Davoust, incensed
did not remain silent,
Sire" said he, addressing the emperor =" til,
king of Naples must be cured OF the habit of ma
king useless and inlprudent attacks that only ia
; tgue the vanguard. Never before was the men
blood so prodigally spilled and, believe me, it
worth preserving in a campaign like this"
; The prince of Eckmul has discovered an excel
lent way TO do So" replied Murat disdainfully
ait is to forbid his soldiers 10 fight. Apparent
he follows the same receipt himself"
The unhrnhinr Davnust, who had incontrouo~i
IDLY proved himself brave and who now especial,
wished to prove himself in the right, addressed MI
rat in an angry toue
"And what hare all your rash attacks accomplish
ed, against an army which always effects retrea
7 lnJ o,,I t,,n
u rear-guurd, which never atandons position Sav
l. when on the point of being beaten"
{ Will you tell" answered Murat sneeringl
II when it would abandon its position, il it we
Il never attacked, nor on the point of being beaten
e "Some hours later p said Davoust who had u
" derstandngly judged of the Russian generals plar
because retreat is part undertaken and invari
bly, executed one which they will accomplish
u fighting, or not fighting, just as we please. VIII
l do we gain then from attacking troops, who wou
'" retire tomorrow, if not routed to-day p
D Glory !" replied Murat.
- "And lose thereby half the vanguard" sharp
|, =, continued DavousL awe shall see, when VIC
III rive without cavalry at Moscow, how much ass
= tance the glory Of the King Of Naples will be to
WIFI not u uOselllau ullcT Ills cOllltHuHu
Se Mura exasperated fgrcely interrupted him.
" "Marshal," said he "you would find n6thi
90 imprudcnt or useless in my conduct were l un
your orders as you are under mine it is "
''D known, however, that the prince of Eckmul Ii
not to be subject to any that it would please
to be reputed the hero of this expedition, even
l. the expense of the most exalted but swear
him there is a place for all--let him trv TO
his"
Peg The rcproach told; Murat had Intentionally
emphasis ON the words, "the prince of Eckmul
not to be subject to any
and slight contraction was observable on the b
of Napoleon. Davoust, aware that he was t
ed in vulnerable quarter and for thing
which the emperor frequently accused him,
ened to protest that it was his devotion alone
caused him to speak and act as he did. Mura
terruptcd him still more fercely
$50 it is hatred to me Well, then it is
to endt; it has existed since the campaig
Egypt, and am weary yor it. If Davoust will
collect that have been soldier as well as he
he will recoect that he wears sword as wei
myself give him
At these words Napolen, until now apparc
Indifferent TO the controversy, raised his
measured Murat with look that made the "
die upon his lips,aud in that authoriive tone "
he so rarely assumed but which was irresis
said to him
THE King of Naples has nothing to giv'
Of a prince of Eckmul, but--ordors."
Ma Mnrat, satisfied notwithstanding the hars
r in of the accent, that these words established
f the right of command, returned to his quarters
but emperor alone with Davoust spoke to him XII
npru- but better seconded in bis rapid march, and Ii
initial sire Of giving pitched battle to the enemy b
tha! impetuosity of Murat, than the prudent reSel
mple. Davoust, he represented to him in friendly
the nor that all kinds of mort cnnll NOT be mi