The weekly pioneer and Democrat. [volume] (Saint Paul, Minn. Territory) 1855-1865, 1858-04-29
The Death OF Dua-oe.
by fiEADLY.

Of his friend Duroc. As he made last Ell
fort 10 break the enemy's ranks, and rode
again 10 the advanced posts to direct the
movements Of his army one of his escort
was struck dead by his side. Turning to
Duroc, he said, Duroc, fate is determined
TO have one Of us today Soon after az he
was riding with his salt In rapid trot
along the road q cannon ball smOte tree
beside him, and CHANGING struck Gen. kirge-
ncr dead, and tore out the entrails Of Duroc.
Napoleon was ahead ut the time, and his
suite, four abreast, behind him. The cloud
Of dust their rapid movements raised around
them, prevented him from knowing at first
who was struck. But when 1t was told him
that Kirgener was killed and Duroc woun-
-d.d- hs. dismaqnled and gnzed long, and
sternly en- the battery from which the shot
had been tired then turned towards the
cottage into which the wounded marshal
had been carried.
Duroc WAS grand marshal of the palace
and bosom friend OF the Emperor OF a
noble and genersus character, Of mistaken
integrity aud patriotism, and firm as steel in
the hour Of danger, he was beloved by all
who knew HIM There was gcntleness
about him and purity Of feeling the life Of u
camp could never destroy. Napoleon loved
him--ior through all changes Of his tumul-
tuOus life he had ever found bis affection and
truth the same--and il was with an anxious
heart and sad countenance 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 to the bedside without saying q
word. The dying marshal seized him by the
hand and said, My whole life has been
consecrated to your service, and now my Oh
ly regret IL that can no longer be useful to
you DWoc" replied Napoleon, with
voice choked with grief, "there IS another
tte--t.e,e you w,H a,cah me, and IRE shalt
meet agdn.' Yes sire" replied the faint
sufferer, but thirty years shall first pass
away, when you have triumphed over your
enemies, and realized all the hopes our coun-
try. have endeavorod to be an honest
man; have nothing with which to reproach
myself" lie then added, with faltcring
voice. " hare Il ddughfer: your MAJESTY rM
| be Il father 10 her. Napoleon grasped his
right hand, and sitting down by the bedside,
aud leaning his head on his left hand, re-
manned with closed eyes quarter of an hour
in profound silence. Duroc first SPOKE
Seeing how deeply Bonaparte was moved,
he exclaimed, 4" Al sire, icde me -, THIS
spectacle pam, you" The stricken Emperor
rose, and leaning on the arms OF his equery
and Marshal Soult, lett the apartment, say
ing, in heart breaking tones, ~ he went,
" fdremeH then, my trend
The hot pursuit he had directed a moment
before was forgotten --victory, trophies,
/ prisoners and all. sunk into utter worthless
ness, aud IA at the battle ut Aspcrn, when
lanncs was brought TO him mortalIy wound
cd. be forgot even his army, and the great
interests at stake. lie ordered his tent TO
be- pitched near the cottage IN which bis
freud was dying, and entering it, passed
the night all alone. in unconsolablc grief
The Imperial Guard formed their protecting
squares, Us usual around him, aud the fierce
tumut of battle gave way u one OF the
most touching scenes in history. Twilight
was deepening over the field and the heavy
tread OF the ranks going 10 their bvouacs,
the low rurnbling OF artillery wagons in the
distance, and all the subdued yet confused
sounds Of Almighty host about sinking 10
rposc, rose On the evening air, imparting
still greater soemnlty TO the hour. Napo-
leon, with his great.coat wrapped around
him, his elbows on his knees aud his ior-
head resting IN his hands, sat apart from all
buried in the prolonnhst melancholy. His
most intimate friends dared not approach
him, and HIS iayorite officers stood n groups
at distance, gazing anSlunSly and sadly ON
that SHE ( tcut, But immense conse,luences
were hanging on the movements OF the next
morning-a powerful enemy was near with
their array unbroken- and hey a, length
yenturui TO approach and ask tor orders 800
Bu, the broken hearted chlcitan only shoos
ro,e :" aud stIl kept his mourniul attitude
oh. how overwhelming was the grief that
could SO master that stern hearth Tn,
magnificent spectacle OF the hay that hao
pass.d, the glorious victory he had won
were rmembcr,i no more, and be saw only
his dying friend before him. No sobs -
coysd him, ba, silent and mniion,ss be- sat
hls pallid tace buried IN his han,ls. and hi.
noble heart wrang with agOHy, Darkness
*
stars came out one after another upcn tn,
sky. aud, at length, the moon rose above III,
hills. bathing in her soft beams the ,eutes
host, while the flames from burning village
in the distance shed lurld Ugh. through
the gloom. and all was sal, mournful. We
sublime.
There was o dark eoitagc. with the senti
ucls u, the door, in which l'uroc ay dying
anv there. too was the solitary tent Of Ma
polson, and within the bowed form OF th,
Emperor. Around il, at distance. stco
th squares Of the od Guard, and uearcr by
q silent group OF ch,eftains, and over all lay
the moonlight These brave -oldsers. hlksl
with grief To sc their beio,oi chief bern,
down with such sorrow, stool ior . loos
time >ilen, anal fearful AZ lcng,h, 10 break