American Lancaster gazette. [volume] (Lancaster, Ohio) 1855-1860, 1858-07-29
THE DEATH OF DuRoc.

BI ahADLIs
Eapoleon's great misfortune. that which
wounded him deepest, was the death Of
his friend Duroc. As he made a last ef-
fort to break the snemy's ranks and rode.
again to the advanced posts 10 direct the
movepe.ts Of his army, one of. his es-
corts was struck dead by his side. Turn
ing TO Du,oc, he said. '.Duloc, fate is de-
iermined TO bave one OF US to day
Soon after. as he was riding with bis suit
in a rapid tTot along the road, q cannon
Fall .smote = tree beside him, and glanc-
ing struck Gen. Kirgener dead, and tore
out tire enirals Of Duroc. Napoleon was
ahead al the time. and his suit, -four. a.
breast. behind him. The cloud of dust
their rapid movements raised around
them, prevented him from knowing at
first who was struck But when it was
told him that Kirgener was killed and
Duroc wounded, he dismounted ard gaz-
/ ed long and sternly on the battery from
which the shot had been fred; then turn
ed towards the cottage into which the
marshal had been carried.
Duroc was grand MARSHAL of the palace,
and bosom friend Of tie Emperor
| Or a noble and generous character, OF uu-
shaken integrity and patriotism, and finn
as steel in the hour Of danger. he was be-
loved by all who know him. There was
a gentleness about him and purity Of feel
| ing. the life Of camp could never destroy.
Napoleon loved aim-for through all the
changes of his tumultuous life be had ever
found his affection and truth the same
and it was with an anxious heart and sad
countenBnce, he entered the lowly cottage
where he lay. His eyes were filed with
tears as he asked if there was hope. When
told that there was none, he advanced tc
1 the BEDSIDE without saying word. The
dying marshal seized him by the hand and
said, my whole life has been consecrated
to your service, and now my only regret
is that can no longer be useful to you
"Durocl" cried Hapol on, with voice
cho ked III grief. "there is another life
l-theae ycu.'wilI await me, and We shall
meet again. Eyes. sire." replied the
fainting sufferer, 'hut thirty years shall
FIRST pass awsy, when you will have tri
umped over your enemies, and realiz I'd al
the hopes of our country. Ihave eudeav
. ored to be an honest man; have nothing
with which to re- roach mvself." He thel
added, With altering voice, Il have
daughter: your majesty will be fathe
to her." Napoleon grasped his RICH
hand. and sitting dowa by his bedside
and leaning his head on his left hand. re
manned with closed eyes a quarter Of q
hour in profound silence. Duroc frs
, spoke. Seeing how deeply Bonaparte wa
moved. he exclaimed, "Ahi sire. leav
T me; teis spectacle pains you.,' The strick
en- Emperor rose. and leaning on the arm
: Of his equry and Marshal Soult, left tn
| apartment, saving in heart broken tone
as he went, Farewell. then my friend!"
8 The hot pursuit he had directed a me
= ment before, was forgoften-Virtory. trc
e phies, prisoners and all, sunk into uite
d, worthlessness, and as at the battle of Al
. perm. when Lahnes was moitally wounf
: ed, he forgot even his army, and th
great interests at stake. He order his ter
= to be pitched near the cottage in which +
J. friend was dying. and entering it,, pass'
J. the night all alone in inco nsolah|e gri IT.
l. The Imperial Guard formed their protec
ing squares. as usual. around him. and q
3 fierce thmult of battle gave way to one
the most touching scenes in history
m Twilight was deepening over the held. al
l. the heavy tread of ranks going to the
70 bivouacs: the low rambling OF artille
wagons IN the distance, aud all subdu'
y vet confused sounds of mighty host sin
is ing to repose, rose on the evening air. II
re parting greaier solemnitv TO the hour. N
IN poleon. with his grey great-eoat wrapp'
j. about him, his elbows on his knees, al
re- his forehead resting On his hands. set apa
le rom all, hurled in the profoundeat mela
d choly. His most intimate friends dar
le not approach him, and his favorite office
D. stood in groups at distance. gazing an
ie iohsly and sadly on that silent tent. B
,e immense consequences were HANGING
ID the movements. OF the next morning.
IN powerful enemy was near, with their arm
vet unbroken-and they at length ventt
ed to approach and ask for orders. B
o. the broEen-hearted ohieftain on y shO
his head, exclaiming, Everything
vs. morrow" and still kept his mournlul {
ga titude. +NF
IN Oh. how overwhelming was the q
~ that could so master that STERN heart?
ee The magnificent spectacle Of the day Il
,g had passed, the glorious victory thai
had won, were remembered no more a
r. he saw only his lying friend before hi
he No sobs escaped him. but silent and n
q, tionless, he sat. his pallid face buried
ny his hands, aud his noble heart wrung W
u. agony. Darkness drew her curtain o
r. the scene, and the stars came out one
he ter another upon the sky. and at lenI
he the moon rose above the hills. bathing
in her soft beams the tented hoast. while
e~ flames from, the burning villages in
distance shed lured light through
Is gloom, and all was sad. mournful, yet s
re lime. There was dark cottage with
on sentinels at the door. 10 which Duroc
be diving, and there, too. was the solitary
all Of ofNapoleon, and within. the bowed foru
ed the Emperor Around it. at distar
as stood the squares of the Old Guard.
he nearer by silent group Of chieftains.
ats over all lay tho moonlight. Those ,br
Ien soldiers, filed with grief to see their
loved chieftain borne down with such
.--1
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