Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1859-09-03
The Trlumphal Entry Of the Army of Italy
into Paris.

Times gives glowing accounts OF the grand
military fete which occurred in Paris on the
l4th of August, in honor of the return OF the
victorious army of Italy. 1t is stated that
upwards of a million Of strangers were IN
Paris on the occasion, and altogether 1t Is
regarded as the most brilliant pageant OF the
kind that has occurred since the reign OF
Louis Napoleon. The number of troops IN
motion was nearly 5000, with FIVE marshals,
the Empe-or'S staff, &c. One writer says:
The Place EendOme was by far the most
interesting point Of the animated route
through which the victorious army passed.
The reader familiar with Paris, can easily
imagine the spacious square, with Its noble
Napoleonic column suggested 10y the Trojan
pillar at Romeo surrounded by platforms
reaching as high as the first floor, and cir
cling all round the houses of the Place
On the right and LETT of the Ministry of
Justice were cons picuous tribunes occupied
by the Empress, the Prince Imperial &c.
Circling around the square were seats cal
cu!ated to accommodate 10000 persons, and
forming a vast amphteatre. The windows
of the houses OF the Place NendOme were all
hung with crimson velvet, and from the cor
nice Of the roofs of the buildings, testoons of
green and gold laurel wreath, hung with
graceful ease, being caught up at intervals
and attached to shields, from which issued
cluster Uf flags. At each cad of the entrance
Of the Place were eight magnifcenrly gilt col
umus, each supporting golden figure OF
victory. 1t was here that the great military
tSte found its centre of interest. The En-
press, the Prince Imperial, and all the mem-
bcrs of the Imperial family were in this elc-
waited tribune; and surrounded on either side,
and circlng all round the square, were seen
cluster of elegantly dressed ladies and mil
itary uniforms, presenting altogether Il most
glittering and animated scene The Empe-
ror on horseback, placed himself before the
Imperial tribune, and there witnessed the
troops file off before him amid the most deaf
ming cheering. 1t was at this point that the
great officers of State, the diplomatic corps,
and in fact, the aristocratlc and fashionable
members of Partisan society, were collected
Those who witnessed this wide amphithcatre,
containing 10000 persons, rs the troops, III
an endless moving stream, passed through
the seated crowd, will never forget the pic
ture 1t was the event of the age.
Another writer thus discour>es about the
scene at the Place Nandomc:
First you see vaguely the distant object,
then understand what 1t is. Well, you hear
the waves of sounds OF II strangely thrilling
nature rolling in on you, and then from the
Rue de la PAX come moving masses. all
green; all around you cheer. On comes the
mass, and you distinguish the moving men,
covered with wreaths and sarlands.
But in the distance, ut the entrance, you
see the waving kerchieis on Il sudden more
sharply waved. You see arms suddenly
thrown up: you see Il more fierce excitement
seize the crowd; there is almost shrek in
the cheer that comes from that end Of the
place why" the mass comes nearer
All. there are no bayonets, no muSketS: near
err you see men distinctly; they are limping,
bent hurt: they are the wounded OF tie army.
Then ii shout from the men, and sharp sym
pathetic cries from women. Poor fellows
They pass the Emperor, they turn their
faces to him. NivePEmpereur" one waves
his arm--his one arm; another stops to WELD
his crutch: those nearest to Napoleon throw at
his feet the green decorations which the peo-
pie gave. On they come, more and more OF
them, and "Vive PEmpereur!" aud now they
pass US closely. How the women crowd to-
wards them! poor fellows. Such yellow
faces Such lines of suffering; thin forms
strong men MANNED, pulled down, wrecked.
They march in company with their officers,
all wounded too. See that tall fellow. that
young officer of the Guard, with the Garlonl
face, that his mother loves and some sweet
Marie or Lucille adoreS-see he has lost both
arms-a cry of pain is all about us. ''See
him, see him" yet he walks proudly, his coat
swung from his broad shoulders.
lie sees the ewes bent Oh him. With Il
glance he acknowledges the sympathy, sud
denly he steps towards us with his full face
glowing with fire, and cries with such brave
enthusiasm true ~ his yalor, noble as his
suffering, such clear strong vOlcc-volcc
from the heart-"Nive In France" give
rEmpereur" and the mutilatcd man strides
on, conscious Of duty done and glory won.-
| cannot tell the pain and pride Of that Sccac
Thousands passed 10y, all wounded, all 80
CHEEKY in their suffering saying in every
look IL am happy to suffer for my country
for the glory Of France" Nor can | paint
the gaze Of the men spectators nor can
convey the sympathy of women's eyes. But
deep sympathy was there; and they, the
wounded knew 1t. and it paid for all they
had undergone. Noble and glorious soldiers.
but 80 many-wearily, ST. many--so many
that the heart achcd at the streaming col
umns Of crippled heroes.
At last they all passed by, and then came
along the strains Of military music, and reg
imcnt after regiment passed in review be-
fore their chiefs Here again cannot fol"
low the programme, for it was not exact;
and here again the greatness ot the scene
o'ertops my power Of accurate story. For
four hours, in broad column, the march new
er ceased Marshal after marshal and gen
eral after general, colonels innumerabe
and scores of regiments, passed in triumph.
First, the Guard-Grcnaders Noltgeurs,
Chasseurs Artillery, all classes, literally
covered and hidden with laurelS and hou-
quets-bouIuets on the guns, bouquets III
hand, wreaths slung on the arm, garlandS
about the collars, garlands about the horses
nccks, all joyous in triumph, with elastic
step Such bronzcd faces, such seedy uni.
forms, bcarskins rubbed bare with the blaz
ing sun Of Italy. Such different faces, here
boy handsome and bold; here veteran
with long moustache and pointed beard, fine
fellows all; crosses and medals for yalor Ia
plenty Crimean medals abundant. 1t was
impossible not to feel that they were troops
%, heroes. The English present all caught
the enthusiasm of the hour, and cheered
right Justify give Ia Garde. ""Niye les Iou-
| ,vos - Iiye Ia 100 - ~ sur,cssiyp REGIMENTS