The Jeffersonian Democrat. [volume] (Chardon, Ohio) 1854-1865, 1859-01-07
THE
BURNING OF MOSCOW
by J. T. HEADLEY.

At length Moscow, with its domcs, and
towers, and palaces, appeared in sight; and
Napoleon, who had joined tho advanced
guard, gazed long and thoughtfulIy on
that goul of his wishes. Murat went for
ward aud entered the gatss with his spen-
did cavalry, but as Ee passed. through tho
streets he was struck by the solitude tina,
surrounded him. Nothing was heard but
tho heavy tramp of his squadrons rs ho
passed along, for deserted and abandoned
city was tho meagcr prizo for which such
unparuIlcd efforts had becn made. As night
drew its curtain over tho splendid capital
Napoleon entered the gates, and appointed
Mortier governor. In his directions he ccnl-
nanded him to abstain from all pillagc-
:" For this, said ho. you shall bo answer
able with your life; Defend Moscow against
all, whether friend or foe"
The bright moon roso over tho mighty
city, tipping with silver tho dones of more
than two hundred churches, and pouring q
| flood of light over a thousand palaces and
tho dwellings of three hundred thousand
Inhabitants. The weary arm sunk to rest,
but there was no sleep for MOrtiors eyes.
Not tho gorgeous and variegatcG palaces
aud their rich ornaments, nor the parks aud
gardens and Orionta. mnguificonco that
wakeful but tho omnous fOrbodings that
some dire calamity was hanging over the
silent capital. When no entered it, scarcely
a living soul met his gazc as hc looked down
the long streets; and when no Lroko open
tho buildings ho found parlors, and bed
rooms, and chambers, all furnished and Ia
order, but no occupants. This sudden
abandonment of their homes betOkcncd
some secret purpose yet to DO fulfilled
Tho midnight moon wns settling over the
city, when tho cry of Fire !" reached tho
ears of Morticr aud the first light over Ma.
polcon's faltering empire was kindlod, and
that most wondrous scone of modern times
communicable burning Of .Noscotc
Mortior, as governor OF tho city, immodi.
ately issued his orders, aud was putting
forth every cxort' on, when, ut daylight
Napoleon hastened to him. Affecting iC
disboieve tho reports that tho inhabitants
were firing their own city. 10 put moro rigid
commands on Mortier to keep tho soldiers
from tho work of destruction. Tho Marsha
simply pointed to sOmo iron. covered house;
that had not yet been opened, from every
crovIco of which smoke was issuing lik,
steam from the sides of u pent.up volcano
Sad md thoughtful, Napoleon turned to
wards tho Kremlid, tho ancient palace o
the Cars, whose hugo structure roso higl
above the surrounding odiiiccs.
A In TITO morning. M0rtior. by great exor
tions, was enabled TO subduo tho fire Blu
tho next night, September lob, at midnigh
the sentinels OH watch upon tho lofty Krem
lin saw below them tho flames bursting
+ through tho houses and palaces, and tho or,
of " Fire fire !" passed through tho city
Tho dread sccno was now fOirly opened
Fiery balloons were seen dropping from tn,
air and lighting on tho houses dull explo
sions wcro heard on every side from tn,
shut-up dwellings, and tho next momcn
light burst forth, and the flames wero rag
ing through tho apartments. All was up
roar and confusion. The serono mir ant
moonlight of the night before had given way
to driving clouds and wild tempest tha
swept like tho roar of tho sea over the city
Flames arose on overy side, blazing ant
crack ling in tho storm; whito clouds o
smoke and sparks in an incessant shower
went driving towards tho Kronlin. The
clouds themselves seemed turned in:o fire
rolling wrath over devoted Moscow. Nor
; ;; tior, crushed with tho responsibility thrown
upon his shoulders, moved with his YOUNG
Guard amid this desolation, blowing up tho
houses and facing tho tempest and theflamei
struggling no6ly to arrest the conflagra
, ton.
Ho hastenod from place TO place amid Tho
ruins, his faco backeRed with smoke. anC
his hair and eyebrows singed with tho fierc'
= heat. At longth the day dawned-a day o
: tempest end of fiamo-and Morter, who
had strained every nerve for thirty six hours
entered palace and dropped down from
= fatigue. The manly form aud stalwart arm
that had so often carried death into thu
ranks of the enemy, at length gavo way, unc
4 the gloomy Marshal lay and painted in utte
exhaustion. Bpt the night of tempest haC
E been succeeded by day of tempest, ono
when night again onvelopod tho city, it wal
one broad fame waving to and fro in tht
, blast.
Tho wind had increased to perfect hur
ricano. and shifted from quarter to quarter
as if on purpose to swell tho sea Of Rre ant