The Nevada journal., 1858-04-02
Larrey, the Soldier-Surgeon.

renese may be proud to have given birth.
1t is he who was pronounced by Napo-
leon to be the most honest man in his
empire. Endowed with a noble heart,
vast intelligence, and a vivid imagina-
ton, Larrey was, indeed, worthy of the
friendship given to him by the greatest
man of modern times His name, too,
holds an equally distinguished position
at the present day, not only among men
of science, but amongst all who are ben
efactors of humanity. "1f ever the ar,
my raises column of gratitude said
Napoleon, ait owes one to Baron Lar
rey." This debt has been paid. The
Government, the army, all France, has
joined in the national labor of love, and
the truthful bronze now recalls to us the
venerated traits of him whom we may
justly term the father of French militia
ry surgery for, from Ambrose Pare-of
whose illustrious memories but an incom-
plete fragment has been transmitted to
us-up to the first volution-medieine
was in its infancy. In the first days of
the Republic, everything had to be done.
1t was necessary to create, to organize,
and the genius of Larrey alone was ca
pable OF this immense undertaking. For
merly, our wounded soldiers were car
ried to distance from the field of battle.
to receive the surgeons first attentions /;
and many, too many, alas died before
they traversed the route to the ambu-
lances. Lareyj seeing the insuficiency
and danger of this system, at once or
dered that the wounded soldier should
be cared for, even under ;he fire of the
enemy, and that the military surgeons
should share with their comrades the
dangers of war. From this arose his svs-
TEN of ambulance Carriages, containing
every necessary provision for acting on
the spot. From this time, the French
army surgeon, who had before been con-
sidered sort Of accessory to the army,
gained defnitively his place of honor on
the field of battle. Larrey formed one
of that phalanx of sarans who accompa-
MED Bonaparte to Egypt; he was the
friend and rival of Baron de Genettes,
who immortalized himself by his heroic
conduct among the plague-stricken at
Jaffa In this rough and Iaborious cam
paign lie rendered such services to the
French army, that this page alone in his
life would have served to hand his name
down to posterity. Later, in all the
capitals of Europe, his voice was heard
among scientific men, and philosophers
of all nations came 10 listen to lis in
structions Even Kings honored him
with their friendship.
After the coronation Of the Emperor,
when that great captain wished person
ally to distribute the star of the Legion
of Honor, he told Larrey that he intend
ed to name him commander of the order.
But, although a surgeon-in- chief, he
would not receive alone this distinction:
and he told the Emperor that he would
not accept the honor, without Baron
Percy, another eminent surgeon, were
accorded the Same favor. Napoleon
yielded, and the two representatives. of
French medical science were thus nam
I'd, ut the same time, commanders of the
Legion Of Honor: This fact pictures the
character of the man. Above all else a
man of heart, he always remained pure
and Independent among the courtiers
who onl y echoed the opinions of their
master 1t vas not obstinacy, but a
free spirit and a truthful disposition
Let us see what he did at Esling, when
the French army was surrounded and
want began to be felt, even in the ambu-
lances. He told them to kill lis own
horses, and, upon his responsibility, to
sacrifice great number Of those Of the
superior officers, to make b0uiilon for his
sick and wounded. The indignant gen
erals, of course, demanded 1eparation
against Larrey, and the Emperor sum-
moned the surgeon to his presence.
What have you to say to this accusa-
ton Z" said he. "Sire," replied Larrey,
"the sick were my children; | owe to
YOU an account of their lives under
these circumstances, l but did my duty.
Besides, of what do these gentlemen
complain? They have a horse each
left, while l have killed all mine" What
could NAPOLEON DO? He could not be
angry; he pardoned the man for his in
trepidity and honesty. When the har-
rassed and manned relics of the Grand
Army were crossing the bridge of the
Beresina, not one stayed to save his gen.
eral, his friend, his father, not even to
preserve his flag. Suddenly, on the
middle of the bridge buzzing whisper
ran through the crowd-a name is pro-
nounced, hands are stl etched out, man
is passed from arm to arm, with all the
care affection can suggest; that was
Larrey.
After the battles of Lutzen and Baut-
zen. a number of soldiers were wounded
in the hand by ill-constructed weapons.
AT tie same time, treason was suspected
in the camp, and the gloomy mind of
Napoleon saw in this fresh proof of it.
He summoned his generals to a council
of war; they confirmed his suspicious,
and, furious with jealous rage, he order
ed Larrey to draw up report upon the
matter. Larrey presented it, and the
Emperor paced the tent in great agita-